Zaigham Hasan

Heavy metals in three commercially valuable cyprinids in the river Panjkora, district Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study was conducted in river Panjkora (Khall, upstream; Timergara, downstream) and its tributary (Konhaye stream, reference site) at district Lower Dir. The study was aimed to assess heavy metal load in gills, liver, kidneys, and muscles of three fish species, namely Schizothorax esocinus, Racoma labiata, and Crossocheilus diplocheilus. The heavy metals, including nickel, cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, chromium, iron, and manganese were determined using an atomic absorption spect-rophotometer. Nickel and cadmium were not detected in any of the collected specimens at all sampling sites. Concentration of the detected metals varied significantly depending upon fish species and tissue type. Crossocheilus diplocheilus showed higher accumulated concentration of heavy metals while R. labiata contained the least. Schizothorax esocinus and R. labiata displayed significant differences in their concentrations of metals. The order of accumulation of heavy metals in different tissues was liver>kidneys>muscles>gills. Data demonstrated that heavy metal levels in the studied species were within permissible limits and thus, apparently suitable for human consumption. Currently, the river contains a sewage burden, and continued heavy pollution may ultimately lead to serious problems in the future.

Length-weight and length-length relationships of freshwater wild catfish Mystus bleekeri from Nala Daik, Sialkot, Pakistan

Length-weight (LWR) and length-length relationships (LLR) were determined for a freshwater catfish Mystus bleekeri (Day, 1877) collected from Nala Daik, Sialkot, Pakistan. A total of 105 specimens (56 males; 49 females) were collected from February to March, 2010. Each specimen was weighed (g) and measured (cm). The total length of specimens studied ranged from 5.5 to 7.8 cm. Linear regression analysis was used, first to compute the degree of relationship between length and weight and then among total (TL), standard (SL) and fork lengths (FL). LWR exhibited a highly significant correlation (P < 0.001). The overall value of the exponent of LWR (b = 2.62) suggested negative allometric growth. Results for LLRs indicated that these are highly correlated (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the first reference for separate male, female and combined sex of length-weight and length-length relationships for Mystus bleekeri was provided. Key words : Mystus bleekeri , length-weight relationship, length-length relationship, predictive equations.

A preliminary survey on prevalence and knowledge about different aspects of somnambulism in Buner District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

PurposePresent study was aimed to investigate the prevalence and knowledge about different aspects of somnambulism in general population of Buner District, KP, Pakistan, during December 2015–November 2016.MethodsData was collected through convenient sampling technique which was comprised of structured and detailed questionnaire. Collected data regarding different actions performed by sleepwalkers were adjusted through a weighted variable to generalize results. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate association between variables related to somnambulism. Their odds ratios (ORs) were reported with their corresponding 95% CIs.ResultsIn total, 11,881 individuals were surveyed, of which 448 (4%) suffered with sleep disorder. Females 256/448 (57%) were more prevalent as compared to males 192/448 (43%). Prevalence of somnambulism among children was 38% whereas 94% sufferers reported no effect on their growth. Majority of respondents reported that main cause of sleepwalking is stress and tension. Somnambulism was taken normal and mostly amusing disorder by sufferers and their families.ConclusionSleepwalking is not age specific and serious disorder. Sleepwalkers need special care during their episode due to unconsciousness.

Malathion induced oxidative stress leads to histopathological and biochemical toxicity in the liver of rohu (Labeo rohita, Hamilton) at acute concentration

Organophosphorus pesticides form a diverse group of chemicals, having a wide range of physicochemical properties with crucial toxicological actions and endpoints. These are extensively used to control pests of different food (fruits, vegetables, tea, etc.) and non-food (tobacco, cotton, etc.) crops. Malathion is an important widely used organophosphorus pesticide but its hepatotoxic effects on fish are not well studied. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate the hepatotoxic effects of Malathion on rohu (Labeo rohita) fish in a semi-static system using different parameters. The LC50 of Malathion was found to be 5 µg/L for rohu for 96 h through Probit analysis and was used for further toxicity testing. To find the hepatotoxic effects of Malathion, changes in different biochemical indices including protein contents, Lipid Peroxidation (LPO), activities of four protein metabolic enzymes [Aspartate Aminotransferase (AAT), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Alanine Aminotransferase (AlAT), and Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GDH)], seven antioxidant enzymes [Catalase (CAT), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD), Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione Reductase (GR), Glutathione-s-transferase (GST), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px)], DNA damage [in term of comet tail length, tail moment, DNA percentage in tail, and olive tail moment], reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Histopathological alterations were assayed. Malathion exposure led to a time-reliant significant (P < 0.05) decrease in protein contents and a significant (P < 0.05) increase in ROS, LPO, enzymatic activities, and DNA damage. The histopathological examination of the liver showed different changes including hepatic necrosis, fatty infiltration, hemorrhage vacuolation, glycogen vacuolation, congestion, and cellular swelling. The current study clearly revealed Malathion as a potent hepatotoxic pesticide; therefore the injudicious, indiscriminate and extensive use of Malathion should be prohibited or at least reduced and strictly monitored.