Toxic Effects of Cobalt Chloride on Hematological Factors of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

In this study, we investigate the toxic effects of cobalt chloride on some hematological factors of the carp Cyprinus carpio, such as white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. At first, LC₅₀ of cobalt in C. carpio was measured during 96 h after exposure. Also, physicochemical parameters of water including pH, dissolved oxygen, viscosity, temperature, and conductivity were monitored, continuously. The results showed that LC₅₀ values of cobalt in C. carpio were 327 and 328 mg/L in two replicates, respectively. Then, the changes in some hematological factors in the five treatment groups placed under concentration of 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mg/L cobalt were compared with the control group. Based on hematological tests conducted in this research, exposure of carp to 500- and 300-mg/L concentrations of cobalt in 48 h showed significant difference (p?<?0.05) in white blood cell count. The concentration of 500 mg/L cobalt in 24 h showed a significant difference in the amount of hemoglobin, number of red blood cells, and hematocrit level as compared with the control group. The concentration of 100 mg/L cobalt in 48 h did not show a significant difference in comparison with the control group (p?>?0.05). Also, the concentration of 500 mg/L cobalt in 24 h showed a significant difference in the amount of mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin as compared with the control group and other treatments. Also, the percentage of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration in a concentration of 200 mg/L cobalt in 24 h showed a significant difference as compared with the control group and other treatments.     

Psychological distress and personality factors in takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Background

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCC) is a transient condition characterised by severe left ventricular dysfunction combined with symptoms and signs mimicking myocardial infarction. Emotional triggers are common, but little is known about the psychological background characteristics of TCC. This study examined whether patients with TTC have higher levels of psychological distress (depressive symptoms, perceived stress, general anxiety), illness-related anxiety and distinct personality factors compared with healthy controls and patients with heart failure.

Methods and Results

Patients with TCC (N = 18; mean age 68.3 ± 11.7 years, 77.8?% women) and two comparison groups (healthy controls: N = 19, age 60.0 ± 7.6, 68.4?% women and patients with chronic heart failure: N = 19, age 68.8 ± 10.1, 68.4?% women) completed standardised questionnaires to measure depression (PHQ?9), perceived stress (PSS-10), general anxiety (GAD-7), illness-related anxiety (WI-7) and personality factors (NEO-FFI and DS-14). Psychological measures were obtained at 23 ± 18 months following the acute TTC event. Results showed that patients with TCC had higher levels of depressive symptoms (5.2 ± 5.2 vs. 2.5 ± 2.4, p = 0.039) and illness-related anxiety (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 0.7 ± 1.3, p = 0.005) compared with healthy controls. Patients with TCC did not display significantly elevated perceived stress (p = 0.072) or general anxiety (p = 0.170). Regarding personality factors, levels of openness were lower in TCC compared with healthy controls (34.2 ± 4.3 vs. 38.2 ± 5.6, p = 0.021). No differences between TCC and heart failure patients were found regarding the psychological measures.

Conclusions

TCC is associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, more illness-related anxiety and less openness compared with healthy controls. These data suggest that TCC is associated with adverse psychological factors that may persist well after the acute episode.

     

Benzo(a)pyrene Exposure Causes Genotoxic and Biochemical Changes in the Midge Larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chironomus sancticaroli</Emphasis> Strixino &amp; Strixino (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, also found in nature due to human activities. BaP adheres to sediments showing toxic effects on benthic organisms, including midge larvae of the family Chironomidae. We tested for toxic effects of benzo(a)pyrene on Chironomus sancticaroli Strixino & Strixino 1981 using biochemical and genotoxic biomarkers, to identify changes in metabolic and antioxidant pathways, besides neurotoxic and DNA damage. Enzyme activity was compared by exposing larvae to four nominal concentrations (0.47, 2.13, 3.41, and 4.73 μg l^?1) and DNA damage to two concentrations (0.47 and 4.73 μg l^?1), after exposure at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. BaP caused neurotoxic effect, showing acetylcholinesterase alterations at different treatments. Changes in the biotransformation pathway were detected, with an increased activity of alpha and beta esterase in 48 h and reduction of glutathione-S-transferase activity in all periods at the highest concentrations. Damage to the antioxidant system was observed by the increase of the superoxide dismutase and reduction of the catalase, in 48 h. Genotoxicity was detected by an increased DNA damage at 48 and 72 h. The lowest concentration (0.47 μg l^?1), even presenting low mortality, also altered the biochemical parameters of the larvae. Thus, these results indicate that BaP causes metabolic, neurotoxic, and genotoxic effects on C. sancticaroli, even at low concentrations and short-term exposure. BaP can cause damage of immature invertebrates, and the ecological dynamics can be affected, since these organisms have trophic importance in the aquatic environment.     

Fish Scales as Potential Substrate for Production of Alkaline Protease and Amino Acid Rich Aqua Hydrolyzate by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus altitudinis</Emphasis> GVC11

Fish processing industries generate large quantities of fish scales as processing waste, if not treated leading to environmental pollution. Fish scales are hard to degrade, hence cause difficulty in waste management. In this context present study was made to utilize fish scales as substrate for the production of alkaline protease by Bacillus altitudinis GVC11 and subsequently amino acid rich aqua hydrolyzate. B. altitudinis GVC11 efficiently utilized five types of fish scales as substrates and produced maximum alkaline protease using Labeo rohita (28,150 U/mL) followed by Catla catla (23,320 U/mL) at 48 h and Cyprinus carpio (17,146 U/mL) Mugil cephalus (18,917 U/mL), Cirrhinus mrigala (12,430 U/mL) at 72 h. The HPLC analysis of protein hydrolyzate obtained after fermentation was enriched in essential amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, lysine and non-essential amino acids, tyrosine, arginine and cysteine which can be used as animal feed supplement and organic fertilizer.     

Photosynthetic gas exchange in leaves of wheat plants supplied with silicon and infected with Pyricularia oryzae

Photosynthetic gas exchange in the leaves of wheat plants growing in a nutrient solution containing 0 or 2 mM silicon (Si) and inoculated with Pyricularia oryzae was investigated. The blast severity, the gas exchange parameters such as net carbon assimilation rate (A), stomatal conductance to water vapor (g _s), internal CO₂ concentration (C _i) and transpiration rate (E) and the concentration of pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids) were determined. The blast severity was reduced by 67.66 % on +Si plants compared with the ?Si plants. There were significant increases of 29.3, 17.7 and 45 % for A at 48, 72 and 96 h after inoculation (hai); 26.7 and 49 % for g _s at 48 and 96 hai; and 25.2 and 31.4 % for E at 48 and 96 hai, respectively, for +Si inoculated plants when compared with the ?Si inoculated plants. The C _i was significantly lower for +Si inoculated plants than for ?Si inoculated plants at 48, 72 and 96 hai. For inoculated plants, the concentrations of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b were significantly higher for the +Si plants compared with the ?Si plants at 72 and 96 hai. The results of this study clearly demonstrated that the supply of Si to the wheat plants was associated with lower blast severity in parallel with improved gas exchange performance, resulting in higher energy for mounting successful defense strategies against P. oryzae infection.     

NT-proBNP during and after primary PCI for improved scheduling of early hospital discharge

Background

The Zwolle Risk Score (ZRS) identifies primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) patients at low mortality risk, eligible for early discharge. Recently, this score was improved by adding baseline NT-proBNP. However, the optimal timepoint for NT-proBNP measurement is unknown.

Methods

PPCI patients in the On-Time 2 study were candidates. The ZRS and NT-proBNP levels on admission, at 18–24?h, at 72–96?h, and the change in NT-proBNP from baseline to 18–24?h (delta NT-proBNP) were determined. We investigated whether addition of the different NT-proBNP measurements to the ZRS improves the prediction of 30-day mortality. Based on cut-off values reflecting zero mortality at 30?d, patients who potentially could be discharged early were identified and occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and major bleeding until 10?d was registered.

Results

845 patients were included. On multivariate analyses, NT-proBNP at baseline (HR 2.09, 95% CI 1.59–2.74, p < 0.001), at 18–24?h (HR 6.83, 95% CI 2.94–15.84), and at 72–96?h (HR 3.32, 95% CI 1.22–9.06) independently predicted death at 30?d. Addition of NT-proBNP to the ZRS improved prediction of mortality, particularly at 18–24?h (net reclassification index 29%, p < 0.0001, integrated discrimination improvement 17%, p < 0.0001). Based on ZRS (<2) or NT-proBNP at 18–24?h (<2500?pg/ml) 75% of patients could be targeted for early discharge at 48?h, with expected re-admission rates of 1.2% due to MACE and/or major bleeding.

Conclusions

NT-proBNP at different timepoints improves prognostication of the ZRS. Particularly at 18–24?h post PPCI, the largest group of patients that potentially could be discharged early was identified.

     

Toxicological Assessment of Arsenic-Induced Hematological Alterations and Chromosomal Aberrations in Tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus

Arsenic is an environmental contaminant and potential carcinogen. Toxicological assessment of As, which causes hematological alterations and chromosomal aberrations, was studied in freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus. Fish were exposed to 3 ppm, 28 ppm, and 56 ppm concentrations of sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) and blood samples were collected after 48 h, 96 h, and 192 h of exposure. Hematological assay of exposed fish revealed abnormal mature and immature erythrocytes, deformed erythrocytes (spindle-shaped and triangular erythrocytes) and erythrocytes with segmented nuclei in all treatments. Arsenic exposure induced chromosomal aberration in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas, a decreasing trend was found after 192 h exposure. Observations on blood cells of exposed fish revealed chromosome breaks, chromatid breaks, and chromatid gaps. The alterations and aberrations of these parameters can be effectively used to assess toxicological effects of As on fish in the aquatic environment and at the same time this study elucidates the potential risks to humans who live in arsenic-contaminated areas.     

Anionic Surfactant,Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonate Induced Oxidative Stress and Hepatic Impairments in Fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Channa punctatus</Emphasis>

Linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS), one of the main ingredients used in synthetic detergents to enhance their cleansing properties. Indiscriminate and untreated discharge of detergents and their residues in both lantic and lotic habitats pose a variety of ecological threats and also adversely affect aquatic fauna. In vivo, LAS metabolism and biotransformation occurs via monooxygenases in liver, leading to Reactive Oxygen Species, ROS, production and consequently oxidative stress by disturbing cellular antioxidant enzymatic equilibrium. Present study aims to evaluate the activities of two widely distributed antioxidant enzymes viz., catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ROS induced histological impairments in liver of freshwater fish, Channa punctatus. For the estimation of oxidative stress and hepatic impairments, well acclimatized fishes were divided in three groups. Fish of group G1 serves as control whereas fish of the other two groups, G2 and G3 were exposed to two fractions, 1/20th and 1/10th of 96 h LC₅₀ of LAS for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of exposure periods. Our results showed a significant induction in CAT and SOD activities in liver tissue of C. punctatus in a dose and time dependent manner. ROS induced histopathological impairments in hepatic tissues are characterized by loosely arranged, irregularly distributed and degenerated hepatocytes with increased vacuolization and pyknotic nuclei. The results are quite suggestive that LAS intoxication generates oxidative stress by ROS production which brings about histopathological impairments in exposed fish.     

The nucleus of the lapillar otolith discriminates the early life stages of Boreogadus saida and Arctogadus glacialis

Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and ice cod (Arctogadus glacialis) are sympatric on continental shelves of the Arctic Ocean. The larvae and early juveniles of the two species are similar, and discrimination based on morphology and pigmentation is uncertain. We present a discrimination criterion based on the difference in lapillus nucleus size between genetically identified B. saida (n = 441, 4.2–55.0 mm standard length) and A. glacialis (n = 82, 8.6–45.5 mm). The product of the shortest and longest diameters of the nucleus (SN × LN) was 58 % larger in A. glacialis than in B. saida. The logistic regression (Ln[p/(1 ? p)] = 0.02687SN × LN ? 17.5466), where p is the probability that the fish is A. glacialis, correctly reassigned 501 of the 523 fishes (96 %) used to build the model to their genetically determined species (99 % of B. saida and 80 % of A. glacialis). The same regression correctly classified 97 % of 189 fish sampled in 2002 and 2003 and not used in building the model (99 % of B. saida and 89 % of A. glacialis).     

The mobilization of defence mechanisms in the early stages of pea seed germination against Ascochyta pisi

Ascochyta pisi is a necrotrophic pathogenic fungus, which mainly survives between seasons through infected seeds. Defence responses of pea embryo axes to A. pisi were investigated in the heterotrophic phase of seed germination and during the transition from the heterotrophic to the autotrophic phase. Germinated pea seeds, both non-inoculated and inoculated with A. pisi, were cultured in perlite for 96 h. Polarographic studies performed on intact embryo axes of germinating pea seeds infected with A. pisi showed a high respiratory intensity in time from 48 to 96 h after inoculation. Forty-eight-hour embryo axes of germinating pea seeds exhibited the highest respiration rate, which in infected axes was maintained at the following time points after inoculation. Moreover, at 72 and 96 h after inoculation, respiratory intensity was by 64% and 73% higher than in the control. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis revealed a higher concentration of semiquinone free radicals with g values of g _||?=?2.0031?±?0.0004 and g _⊥?=?2.0048?±?0.0004 in infected axes than in the control. Generation of superoxide anion radical was also higher in infected axes than in the control but stronger at 72 and 96 h after inoculation. Starting from 72 h after infection, the level of Mn²⁺ ions in infected axes decreased in relation to the control. At the same time, the highest activity of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) was observed in 72-h infected axes. In turn, the activity of peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) up to 72 h after infection was lower than in the control. In 48-h infected embryo axes, a very high level of pterocarpan pisatin was observed. Infection of germinating pea seeds with A. pisi restricted mainly the growth of the epicotyl, but did not inhibit the increase in length and fresh weight of root embryo axes versus cultivation time. These results indicate that in pea during the stages of seed germination and early seedling growth, protective mechanisms are induced in embryo axes against A. pisi.     

Co-culture of rat luteal cells with islet cells enhances islet viability and revascularization

Islet cell transplantation is a major treatment strategy for type I diabetes, and has proven to be effective for maintaining glucose homeostasis. However, this treatment requires an extended period of immunosuppression to prevent rejection and recurrent transplantation to maintain function. Thus, to enhance the properties of transplanted islet cells, we examined the effect of the co-culture of luteal cells, which secrete progesterone, on islet cell viability, functionality, and revascularization. It was found that islet viability and functionality were higher in the co-cultured group than in single cultures of islets at 48 and 96 h, in parallel with increased progesterone and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion from luteal cells. In the co-culture groups, VEGF levels at 48 and 96 h and CD31 levels at 48 h were significantly higher than those in the islet groups (p?<?0.001 and p?<?0.05, respectively), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) levels were increased at 96 h (p?<?0.001). Thus, co-culture with luteal cells may increase islet vascularity by enhancing VEGF and bFGF levels for up to 96 h, which could help to markedly increase the pre-transplantation time to allow for effective immunosuppression therapy. This method may also promote islet cell viability and functionality. Progesterone and angiogenic factors secreted from luteal cells may be responsible for these positive effects.     

Mercury Transfer During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Hair Mercury Concentrations as Biomarker

Hair mercury (HHg) concentration is a biomarker of exposure that is widely used to assess environmental contamination by fish methylmercury and neurodevelopment in children. In the Rio Madeira basin (Brazilian Amazon), total HHg concentrations in 649 mother–infant pairs were measured at birth (prenatal exposure) and after 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding; these mother–infant pairs were from high fish-eating communities (urban, n?=?232; rural, n?=?35; and Riverine, n?=?262) and low fish-eating tin-miner settlers (n?=?120). Differences in kinetics were seen between Hg exposure from fish consumption and environmental exposure to a tin-ore mining environment. Overall maternal HHg concentrations (at childbirth and after 6 months of lactation) were higher than those of infant HHg. However, the relative change in HHg after 6 months of lactation showed that mothers decreased HHg while infants increased HHg. The relative change showed a consistently higher increase for girls than boys with a statistical significance only in high fish-eating mothers. The correlation coefficients between maternal and newborn hair were high and statistically significant for mothers living in urban (r?=?0.66, p?<?0.001), rural (r?=?0.89, p?<?0.001), and Riverine (r?=?0.89, p?<?0.001) communities not for tin miner settlers (r?=?0.07, p?=?0.427). After 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, correlation coefficients showed high correlation coefficients and statistical significance for all groups (urban, r?=?0.73, p?<?0.001; rural, r?=?0.88, p?<?0.001; Riverine, r?=?0.91, p?<?0.001) except for Tin miners (r?=??0.07, p?=?0.428). A linear model analysis was used to assess the longitudinal associations of maternal total HHg and total HHg at birth (0 days) and 6 months of age in exclusively breastfed infants. Regression analysis significantly predicted HHg in newborn from maternal HHg for high fish-eating maternal-infant pairs. Conclusion: The concentration of mercury accumulated in newborn tissues (in utero and during breastfeeding) relevant to both, maternal sources and infant exposure, can be reliably assessed from maternal hair.     

Mapping QTLs for Swimming Ability Related Traits in Cyprinus carpio L.

Body height (BH), head length (HL), snout length (SL), and tail length (TL) are important traits related with swimming ability of fish. Therefore, improving these traits will increase the production which is the basic goal of aquaculture breeding. To understand the genetic basis of swimming ability related traits in Cyprinus carpio L., a high-density linkage map spanning 3,301 cM in 50 linkage groups was utilized for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. Mapping family comprised 190 offspring and 627 molecular markers were genotyped with average distance of 5.6 cM. A total of 15 QTLs including four (qBH13, qBH30, qBH33, qBH48) for BH, four (qHL10, qHL18, qHL29, qHL48) for HL, three (qSL24, qSL27, qSL45) for SL, and four (qTL15, qTL17, qTL18, qTL44) for TL were detected on 13 linkage groups LG10, LG13, LG15, LG17, LG18, LG24, LG27, LG29, LG30, LG33, LG44, LG45, and LG48. Each LG consisted on single QTL except LG18 and LG48. LG18 was found with two QTLs associated with HL and TL. While LG48 was comprised, the QTLs related with BH and HL. The phenotype variance was recorded from 12.6 to 40.6 %. Five QTLs, qHL48, qSL45, qTL15, qTL18, and qTL44, explained phenotype variance of >20 % with a significant levels of 0.047, 0.049, 0.037, 0.025, and 0.023, respectively. The neighbored loci of these QTLs were considered as main region of chromosomes controlling the traits. These identified genetic regions will be the main source of discovering gene(s) associated with swimming ability related traits in C. carpio L.     

Detection of Multiple Cytochrome P450 in Hepatic Tissue of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) Exposed to Cypermethrin

Cypermethrin (alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl ester of 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl) cyclopropane carboxylic acid) is a synthetic pyrethroid. It is one of the most widely used pesticide in commercial agricultural applications because of its high effectiveness against target species. Beside its target toxicity it is also highly toxic to other non-target species like fish, bees and aquatic insects. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of cytochrome P450 (CYP 450) in the hepatic microsomes of Heteropneustes fossilis upon exposure to cypermethrin. The 96 h LC₅₀ value for each exposure route was calculated and two groups were treated, with one group receiving a single IP (intraperitoneal) injection for 96 h (0.030 mg/kg body weight) and the other group with 1/3 sub-lethal concentration (1.2 μg/l) of the LC₅₀ value in water for 15 days. Activities of the enzymes ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase (EROD), N,N-dimethylaniline demethylase, aniline hydroxylase and erythromycin demethylase mediated respectively by the isozymes CYP1A, CYP2B, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 were studied. The liver somatic index (LSI) was also calculated to determine the physiological status of the fish. Activities of CYP1A, CYP2B and CYP2E1 enzymes increased significantly while that of CYP3A4 enzyme inhibited as compared to control. Total CYP 450 content was also significantly induced in both the treated groups. The increase in activities of CYP P450 isozymes could be used as a biomarker to indicate the pollution of an aquatic environment by the pesticide.     

Effects of 254 nm UV irradiation on the mobility and survival of larvae of the invasive fouling mussel Limnoperna fortunei

In order to investigate the feasibility of using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to prevent the invasive Asian mussel, Limnoperna fortunei, from colonizing components of the cooling systems of industrial and power plants, the mobility and mortality of its larvae were assessed after exposure to different doses of UVC (λ = 254 nm) in laboratory conditions. Total (100%) mortality was achieved with a dose of 149 mJ cm^?2 at 23?°C and 103 mJ cm^?2 at 25.8?°C. Immediately after exposure, larvae were alive but had reduced mobility. The proportion of active larvae increased after 24 h, but fell again at 48 and 72 h to levels similar to those immediately after exposure. The highest mortality rates were always recorded at the last observation, 72 h after exposure. These results indicate that the larvae of L. fortunei are highly sensitive to UVC, suggesting that UV irradiation has the potential to control fouling by this mussel when the water is relatively clear. However, application of UV-based technologies in plants that use cooling water from water bodies with high loads of suspended solids (eg the Paraná-Uruguay basin, with ca 160 mg l^?1 of suspended solids and absorbance values around 0.255) is unlikely to be effective without prior filtration of the water.     

Acute toxicity of carbon dioxide to juvenile marine shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931)

Elevated concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) and reduced pH levels are observed during the culture and transportation of aquatic organisms. Studies on the toxicity effects of CO₂ in penaeid shrimp are scarce when compared to the amount of research in fish. The objective of the present study was to determine the lethal concentration and safety levels of CO₂ for juvenile white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Juveniles (1.76 ± 0.36 g) were exposed for 96 h to one of six concentrations of dissolved CO₂ (14.5, 23.8, 59.0, 88.0, 115.0, and 175.0 mg/L) or a control condition (without the addition of CO₂), and their survival was monitored for 96 h. The LC₅₀ values with 95% confidence limits at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h were 130.05 (104.2–162.1), 77.2 (73.8–80.02), 69.65 (65.47–74.32), and 59.12 (53.08–66.07) mg/L of CO₂, respectively. The calculated safety level was 5.9 mg/L of CO₂, and the highest concentration that did not induce significantly higher mortality than that observed in controls (NOEC) was 23.8 mg/L of CO₂. We recommend that CO₂ levels should be kept below the safety level obtained in this study.     

Fumigant toxicity of essential oil of Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.) against three major stored product beetles

Application of plants essential oil for the evaluation of their fumigant toxicity and insecticidal properties is the goal of many researches. In this study, aerial parts of Artemisia vulgaris L. were subjected to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and the chemical composition of the volatile oils was studied by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Alpha-Pinene (23.56) was the main component of the essential oil. Insecticidal activity of the oil was evaluated against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Rhizopertha dominica (F.) after 24, 48 and 72 h. After 24-h exposure time, C. maculatus was more susceptible (LC₅₀ = 52.47 μl/l air) and T. castaneum was more tolerant (LC₅₀ = 279.86 μl/l air) than other species. LT₅₀ values were indicated using highest concentration of LC₅₀ tests for three species. In general, mortality increased as the doses of essential oil and exposure time increased. These results proposed that A. vulgaris oil might have potential as a control agent against T. castaneum, R. dominica and especially C. maculates in storages.     

Method of testing insecticide susceptibility of Stenotus rubrovittatus (Hemiptera: Miridae) by topical application

Appropriate droplet size and the preferred sex and age of insects for insecticides used in topical application were investigated to standardize the method of testing the susceptibility of Stenotus rubrovittatus (Matsumura). The overflow of acetone droplets applied on the notum of the thorax of S. rubrovittatus adults occurred when the droplet size exceeded 0.20 μl per insect, and the overflow occurred more frequently in males than in females. No effect of acetone solution on mortality was observed at less than 0.20 μl droplet size per insect within 72 h after treatment. The LD₅₀ values and relative potencies of fenitrothion 24 and 48 h after treatment were almost the same in each sex. The fenitrothion susceptibility of males was twice higher than that of females. The fenitrothion susceptibility increased with age after emergence. However, there were small differences in LD₅₀ values and relative potencies between 4–7 and 8–11 days after emergence because the females 4–11 days after emergence had a small difference in body weight. These results led us to conclude that the recommended size of acetone droplets per insect is less than 0.20 μl and that it is suitable to use S. rubrovittatus females 4–11 days after emergence for topical application.     

Study on survival,growth, haematology and body composition of Cyprinus carpio under different acute and chronic salinity regimes

Pakistan’s most of the land is less productive or no productivity at all due to erosion and salinity of the soil, which can be utilized to develop fisheries. The project, “Survival, growth and body composition of Cyprinus carpio under different salinity regimes” was undertaken in two phases. In the first phase susceptibility of Cyprinus carpio at four salinity levels in triplicate within 0–10 g L⁻¹NaCl for 96 h in each aquarium was checked after one week acclamation at 0 g L⁻¹, 2 g L⁻¹ and 4 g L⁻¹ NaCl. LC₅₀ values varied from 7.67 to 10.65 g L⁻¹ after 96 h for C. carpio. Percentage mortality of the fish and important water quality parameters after every 12 h were observed for a period of 96-h. Probit analysis showed that 96-h LC₅₀ values ranged from 7.67 to 10.65 g L⁻¹. During experimental period aquaria water temperature ranged from 29.6 to 33.7 °C, pH values fluctuated between 7.8 and 9.7, Electrical conductivity values ranged from 2.40 to 20.13 dSm⁻¹ and Dissolved oxygen ranged between 2.23 and 10 mg L⁻¹. Sub-lethal salt concentration i.e. 0 g L⁻¹ to 3 g L⁻¹ NaCl upto 40 days showed that growth of C. carpio decreased with the increase of water salinity levels and ceased at 4 g L⁻¹ salinity and increase in salinity have negatively affected hematological parameters.