Serum organochlorine pesticides residues and risk of cancer: A case-control study

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are frequently used worldwide as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and termiticides and have been associated with a variety of cancers in animal and human studies. In the present study, we examined residues of fourteen OCPs in the serum samples of diagnosed cancer patients and healthy residents of Karachi, Pakistan. A random collection of fasting blood samples was carried out from the donors with informed consent. Serum was separated within 2?h of blood collection and was then subjected to extraction with organic solvents followed by purification with florisil column. The final organic extract of each serum sample was processed with Gas Chromatograph coupled with Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD). OCPs were detected in 97.59% of the cancer cases and 93.75% of the healthy subjects. Mean concentrations of total OCPs (ΣOCPs) was found elevated in the cancer group (0.606?mg/kg) compared with the control group (0.322?mg/kg). Endosulfan was the highest prevalent OCP with a mean concentration of 0.214?mg/kg in the cancer group and 0.166?mg/kg in the control group. The second most prevalent OCP was 4,4-DDE with a mean concentration of 0.131?mg/kg in the cancer group and 0.019?mg/kg in the control group. Highest level of ΣOCPs was detected in the breast cancer cases (20.411?mg/kg) with a mean level of (2.041?mg/kg). In light of the obtained results and available literature on the subject, it has been concluded that OCPs are positively associated with the risk of various cancers in humans.     

Biomarker potential of C-peptide for screening of insulin resistance in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals

Insulin resistance is a hallmark feature of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We determined the homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and evaluated its association with C-peptide, insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in T2DM patients and non-diabetic subjects. This study comprised a total of 47 T2DM patients and 38 non-diabetic controls. Venous blood samples from all the subjects were collected and sera were analyzed for FBG, HbA1c, insulin and C-peptide using an autoanalyzer. HOMA-IR was calculated using the following equation: HOMA-IR?=?fasting insulin (µU/ml)?×?fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5. There was a significant increase in the levels of FBG and HbA1c in diabetic patients. Although the levels of C-peptide and insulin did not differ significantly between the two groups, a significant increase in HOMA-IR was observed in T2DM patients. Both insulin and C-peptide were significantly correlated with HOMA-IR. In conclusion, C-peptide may serve as a simple and convenient predictor of HOMA-IR.     

Eco-Floristic studies of native plants of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad,Pakistan

The present study was conducted to elaborate vegetation composition structure to analyze role of edaphic and topographic factors on plant species distribution and community formation during 2013–14. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. The size of quadrat for trees shrubs and herbs were 10 × 5, 5 × 2, 1 × 1 meter square respectively. Different phytosociological attribute were measured at each station. Primary results reported 123 plant species belong to 46 families. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were dominant families with 8 species each. PCORD version 5 were used for Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analyses that initiated 4 plant communities within elevation range of 529–700 m from sea level. Indicator species analyses (ISA) were used to identify indicator species of each community. CANOCO Software (version 4.5) was used to measure the influence of edaphic and topographic variables on species composition, diversity and community formation. Whereas Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to measure the effect of environmental variables which showed elevation and aspect were the stronger environmental variable among topographic and CaCO₃ contents, electric conductivity, soil pH were the stronger edaphic factors in determination of vegetation and communities of the Bheer Hills. Grazing pressure was one of the main anthropogenic factors in this regard.     

Comparative phytochemical profiling of different soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) genotypes using GC–MS

This study aimed to estimate the proximate, phenolic and flavonoids contents and phytochemicals present in seeds of twenty four soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr) genotypes to explore their nutritional and medicinal values. Crude protein composition ranged between 35.63 and 43.13% in Argentinian and USA (Clark) genotypes, respectively. Total phenolic content varied from 1.15 to 1.77?mg?GAE/g, whereas flavonoids varied from 0.68 to 2.13?mg?QE/g. The GC–MS analysis resulted identification of 88 compounds categorized into aldehydes (5), ketones (13), alcohols (5), carboxylic acids (7), esters (13), alkanes (2), heterocyclic compounds (19), phenolic compound (9), sugar moiety (7) ether (4) and amide (3), one Alkene and one fatty acid ester. Indonesian genotypes (Ijen and Indo-1) had the highest phenolic compounds than others genotype having antioxidant activities, while the Australian genotype contains the maximum in esters compounds. The major phytocompounds identified in majority of genotypes were Phenol, 2,6-dimethoxy-, 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol, 3,5-Dimethoxyacetophenone, 1,2-cyclopentanedione and Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester. The presence of phytochemicals with strong pharmacological actions like antimicrobial and antioxidants activities could be considered as sources of quality raw materials for food and pharmaceutical industries. This study further set a platform for isolating and understanding the characteristics of each compound for it pharmacological properties.     

Assessment of the functional response parameters of Coccinella septempunctata to varying densities of Acyrthosiphon pisum

The functional response of a predator describes the rate at which it kills its prey at different prey densities and is, therefore, an important tool to determine the efficiency of a predator in regulating the population dynamics of a prey. We investigated the functional response of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to varying densities of Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The results revealed that the linear coefficient, P₁ in the reduced logistic model was found significantly negative for the 4^th instar larvae and adult male and female of C. septempunctata (?0.002, ?0.004 and???0.002, respectively) indicating a type II functional response. The parameter estimates of adult male, female and 4^thinstar larvae of C. septempunctata calculated through Holling's disc model revealed that the highest attack rate (a) (1.047?±?0.014), shortest handling time (T_h) (0.0984?±?0.024?h) and largest maximum capture rate (T/T_h) (243.902) was exhibited by female. Parameter estimates calculated through Rogers’s equation also showed the same sequence where maximum attack rate (a) of 0.00256?±?0.0003 was exhibited by female followed by 4^th instar larvae (0.00251?±?0.0005). The shortest handling time (T_h) (0.210?±?0.003?h) and highest maximum capture rate (T/T_h) (114.17) was also exhibited by female. Comparison of functional response curves of adult male, female and 4^th instar larvae revealed that maximum consumption of prey at all the densities offered was shown by female followed by 4^thinstar larvae. The study manifested that C. septempunctata could be an efficient biocontrol agent of pea aphid, A. pisum.     

Countrywide Survey for MERS-Coronavirus Antibodies in Dromedaries and Humans in Pakistan

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic pathogen capable of causing severe respiratory disease in humans. Although dromedary camels are considered as a major reservoir host, the MERS-CoV infection dynamics in camels are not fully understood. Through surveillance in Pakistan, nasal (n = 776) and serum (n = 1050)samples were collected from camels between November 2015 and February 2018. Samples were collected from animal markets, free-roaming herds and abattoirs. An in-house ELISA was developed to detect IgG against MERS-CoV. A total of 794 camels were found seropositive for MERS-CoV. Prevalence increased with the age and the highest seroprevalence was recorded in camels aged [ 10 years (81.37%) followed by those aged 3.1–10 years (78.65%) and B 3 years (58.19%).Higher prevalence was observed in female (78.13%) as compared to male (70.70%). Of the camel nasal swabs, 22 were found to be positive by RT-qPCR though with high Ct values. Moreover, 2,409 human serum samples were also collected from four provinces of Pakistan during 2016–2017. Among the sampled population, 840 humans were camel herders.Although we found a high rate of MERS-CoV antibody positive dromedaries (75.62%) in Pakistan, no neutralizing antibodies were detected in humans with and without contact to camels.     

Oral Glucose Tolerance is Associated with Neuroelectric Indices of Attention Among Adults with Overweight and Obesity

Objective

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between glucose levels and insulin resistance and sensitivity obtained from oral glucose tolerance tests and neurophysiological indices of attention among adults with overweight and obesity.

Methods

Forty adults with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) underwent dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry to assess visceral adipose tissue. Repeated venous blood samples were collected during an oral glucose tolerance test to measure insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance) and indices of insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index and Stumvoll metabolic clearance rate). Attention was assessed using event‐related brain potentials recorded during a visual oddball task. Amplitude and latency of the P3 wave form in a central‐parietal region of interest were used to index attentional resource allocation and information processing speed.

Results

Following adjustment for visceral adipose tissue, reduced values of Matsuda index and Stumvoll metabolic clearance rate (indicating poor insulin sensitivity) were correlated with longer peak latency, whereas insulin area under the curve was positively related to peak latency, indicating slower information processing. Individuals with decreased insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index < 4.3) had significantly longer P3 latencies compared with individuals with normal insulin sensitivity.

Conclusions

Higher fasting glucose, but not homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and reduced indices of glucose sensivity are associated with decrements in attention characterized by slower reaction time and slower information processing speed among adults with overweight and obesity.

     

Floristic inventory of wild plants of Peshawar university campus

Floristic inventory of wild plants comprised of total 129 plant species belonging to 42 families and 101 genera. Location wise UAP contributed greater amount of plant species (53%), followed by PFI (29%), UoP (15%) and Islamia College (3%). Majority of the plants were annual herbs (58%), followed by perennial herbs (29%), trees (10%) and shrubs (3%), respectively. The leading families included Poaceae, contributed 18% of all the plant species. Habitat wise, 44% of them grew in grassy plains, abandoned lands and mismanaged lawns, followed by roadsides (34%), undulating grassy plains (15%) and stony grounds with uneven topography along with stream banks and drainage ditches (7%). Still some of plant species were used as ornamentals, while some shrubs were use in fencing around fields; others were utilized as green manure, for fishing, sheltering and religious purposes. Exploring and identifying the wild flora of the campus and compiling as a handbook would help to monitor new plants introductions particularly of noxious invasive weeds in the campuses in future.     

Assessment of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-NPs) Induced Hepatotoxicity and Ameliorative Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cinnamomum cassia</Emphasis> in Sprague-Dawley Rats

This study assessed the protective effects of Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon) bark extract in rats exposed to titanium dioxide nanoparticles or titanium dioxide bulk salt. For in vivo evaluation of the ameliorative role of the cinnamon extract, the experimental groups were orally administered with the cinnamon extract at different dose levels (50 or 100 or 150 mg/kg bodyweight) along with the subcutaneous injections of 150 mg/kg bodyweight titanium dioxide nanoparticles or titanium dioxide bulk salt. The extract showed significant ameliorative role on the antioxidant system in response to elevated levels of titanium dioxide nanoparticles or titanium dioxide bulk salt-induced oxidative stress. It aided in the recovery of the antioxidant system as well as protective role in histological damages and some haematological parameters in the rat liver treated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles or titanium dioxide bulk salt.