Resumo As bactérias foram isoladas de amostras de suco de maçã fresco de lojas de três diferentes localidades de Lahore. A análise de amostras dos mercados Liberty, Anarkali e Yateem khana mostram diferentes níveis de contaminação. Havia bactérias patogênicas e não patogênicas em todas as amostras e foram identificadas pelos testes morfológicos e bioquímicos. A maioria dos plasmídeos de bactérias patogênicas tinha 4 kb em seu tamanho molecular. A ribotipagem do sequenciamento do gene do RNA ribossômico 16S foi realizada para confirmar a cepa de Helicobacter pylori e Gluconobacter oxydans. A maior sensibilidade de 210 mm foi mostrada por Enterobacter sp. contra disco de azteromisina (15µg) enquanto Micrococcus sp. foi altamente resistente a todos os antibióticos aplicados. A resistência a antibióticos de bactérias patogênicas também foi verificada contra extratos de plantas de Ricinus communis, todos os patógenos bacterianos isolados foram resistentes, mas apenas E. coli foi inibida em 300µl dos extratos. A presença de bactérias patogênicas nas amostras de suco de maçã deveu-se à contaminação da água de esgoto na água potável, enquanto algumas dessas bactérias patogênicas vieram da árvore da maçã e outras de armazéns de frutas.

Abstract Bacteria were isolated from samples of Fresh Apple juices from shops of three different localities of Lahore. Analysis of samples from Liberty, Anarkali and Yateem khana Markets show different levels of contamination. There were pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria in all samples and were identified by the morphological and biochemical tests. Most of the plasmids of pathogenic bacteria were 4kb in their molecular size. Ribotyping of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was done to confirm Helicobacter pylori strain and Gluconobacter oxydans. The highest sensitivity of 210mm was shown by Enterobacter sp. against Aztheromysine disk (15µg) while Micrococcus sp. was highly resistant against all of the Antibiotics applied. The antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria was also checked against Ricinus communis plant's extracts, all isolated bacterial pathogens were resistant but only, E.coli was inhibited at 300µl of the extracts. Presence of pathogenic bacteria in Apple juice samples was due to contamination of sewage water in drinking water while some of these pathogenic bacteria came from Apple's tree and other from store houses of fruits.

Resumo O presente estudo envolve a análise química e bacteriológica de água de diferentes fontes, ou seja, furo, poços, garrafa e torneira, dos distritos de Peshawar, Mardan, Swat e Kohat da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Paquistão. De cada distrito, 50 amostras de água (10 amostras de cada fonte), independentemente do status urbano e rural, foram coletadas dessas fontes e analisadas para sulfatos, nitratos, nitritos, cloretos, sólidos solúveis totais e coliformes (E. coli). Os resultados indicaram que a maioria das fontes de água tinha uma contagem inaceitável de E. coli, ou seja, > 34 UFC / 100 mL. As amostras positivas para E. coli foram elevadas no distrito de Mardan, seguido por Kohat, Swat e distrito de Peshawar. Além disso, algumas fontes de água também foram contaminadas quimicamente por diferentes fertilizantes inorgânicos (nitratos/nitritos de sódio, potássio), mas em níveis seguros, enquanto os resíduos agrícolas e industriais (compostos de cloreto e sulfato) estavam em níveis inseguros. Entre todos os distritos, a qualidade da água foi considerada comparativamente mais deteriorada nos distritos de Kohat e Mardan do que nos distritos de Peshawar e Swat. Essas fontes de água química e bacteriologicamente impróprias para beber podem causar problemas à saúde humana.

Abstract The present study involves the chemical and bacteriological analysis of water from different sources i.e., bore, wells, bottle, and tap, from Peshawar, Mardan, Swat and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan. From each district, 50 water samples (10 samples from each source), regardless of urban and rural status, were collected from these sources and analysed for sulphates, nitrates, nitrites, chlorides, total soluble solids and coliforms (E. coli). Results indicated that majority of the water sources had unacceptable E. coli count i.e.> 34 CFU/100mL. E. coli positive samples were high in Mardan District, followed by Kohat, Swat and Peshawar district. Besides this, the some water sources were also chemically contaminated by different inorganic fertilizers (nitrates/nitrites of sodium, potassium) but under safe levels whereas agricultural and industrial wastes (chloride and sulphate compounds) were in unsafe range. Among all districts, the water quality was found comparatively more deteriorated in Kohat and Mardan districts than Peshawar and Swat districts. Such chemically and bacteriologically unfit water sources for drinking and can cause human health problems.

Resumo Magnolia biondii Pamp é uma importante espécie de árvore ornamental muito cultivada e utilizada como porta-enxerto na propagação de diferentes variedades de Magnolia. Nos estudos atuais, hormônios anatômicos, fisiológicos e endógenos foram estudados para verificar o efeito do AIB na dose de 750 mg / L no enraizamento adventício e fornecer suporte teórico e técnico para a propagação de M. biondii Pamp por meio de estacas. Duas mil estacas foram preparadas e divididas em dois grupos, ou seja, tratadas com AIB e controle de água. Para a avaliação das atividades das enzimas antioxidantes e dos níveis de hormônios endógenos, as amostras foram coletadas no dia do plantio e a cada 5 dias, enquanto as demais etapas foram realizadas em laboratório de acordo com os protocolos e os devidos cuidados. Para as observações anatômicas, as amostras foram coletadas no 13º, 15º e 17º dias para estacas tratadas com AIB e no 21º, 23º e 25º dias para o controle. As amostras coletadas foram preservadas em solução FAA, e outras observações foram realizadas em laboratório. Observações anatômicas mostraram a necessidade de 13 dias para a diferenciação dos primórdios radiculares até o aparecimento de raízes adventícias jovens em estacas tratadas com AIB e de 21 dias para o desenvolvimento dos primórdios no controle. As atividades das enzimas antioxidantes envolvidas nas ROS foram significativamente maiores nas estacas tratadas com AIB em comparação com o controle. A POD apresentou pico no 13º dia antes da emergência das raízes nas estacas tratadas com AIB, enquanto no 21º dia apresentou pico no controle. A PPO teve pico no 21º dia nas estacas tratadas com AIB e no 29º dia no controle. A SOD apresentou pico no 17º dia nas estacas tratadas com AIB e no 25º dia no controle. A aplicação exógena de AIB aumentou os níveis endógenos de IAA e GA3 em relação ao controle, enquanto reduziu os níveis de ABA continuamente no momento do enraizamento e, em seguida, aumentou gradativamente. Inclusive, nosso estudo sugere que o AIB na dose de 750 mg / L é eficiente para o enraizamento de estacas de M. biondii Pamp, visto que potencializou o processo de atividades de enzimas antioxidantes e os níveis de hormônios endógenos, além de reduzir o tempo de formação de raízes, o que fica evidente nas observações anatômicas.

Abstract Magnolia biondii Pamp is an important ornamental tree species widely grown and used as a rootstock in the propagation of different Magnolia varieties. In the current studies, anatomical, physiological and endogenous hormones were studied to check the effect of IBA 750 mg/L on the adventitious rooting and to provide theoretical and technical support for the propagation of Magnolia biondii Pamp through stem cuttings. Two thousand stem cuttings were prepared and divided into two groups i.e., IBA treated cuttings and water control. For the evaluation of antioxidant enzyme activities, and endogenous hormones levels, samples were collected on the day of planting and each 5th day and further steps were carried out in the laboratory according to the protocols and proper precautions. For the anatomical observations, samples were collected on the 13th, 15th, and 17th day for IBA treated cuttings while 21st, 23rd, and 25th day for control. Collected samples were preserved in the FAA solution and further observations were carried out in the laboratory. Anatomical observations showed that it took 13 days for the differentiation of root primordia to the appearance of young adventitious roots in IBA treated cuttings, while it took 21 days to develop primordia in the control. Antioxidant enzyme activities involved in ROS were significantly higher in the IBA treated cuttings compared to control. POD showed a peak on the 13th day before the emergence of roots in IBA treated cuttings while it showed a peak on the 21st day in the control. PPO showed a peak on the 21st day in the IBA treated cuttings while it showed a peak on the 29th day in the control. SOD showed a peak on the 17th day in IBA treated cuttings, while it showed a peak on the 25th day in the control. Exogenous application of IBA enhanced the endogenous IAA and GA3 levels compared to CK, while it reduced the levels of ABA continuously at the time of rooting and then increased gradually. Inclusively, our study suggests that IBA 750 mg/L is efficient for the rooting of Magnolia biondii Pamp cuttings, as it enhanced the process of antioxidant enzyme activities, endogenous hormones levels and reduced the time of root formation which is evident from the anatomical observations.

Resumo Mutações de ocorrência natural na proteína morfogenética 15 (BMP15) estão associadas à diminuição da taxa de ovulação (TO), tamanho da ninhada (TN) e esterilidade. Estudar a BMP15 na raça Cholistani para elevar o status socioeconômico e o conhecimento da criação de ovinos Cholistani no sul de Punjab, Paquistão. Em nosso estudo, 50 ovelhas Cholistani inférteis sem parentesco sanguíneo foram rastreadas para mutações BMP15. Para tanto, um DNA de alta qualidade foi extraído do sangue dessas ovelhas, seguido de concepção do primer, amplificação da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), sequenciamento de DNA e análises in silico. Do total de 50 amostras, 9, incluindo caso 1 (T3), caso 2 (T8), caso 3 (T17), caso 4 (T22), caso 5 (T25), caso 6 (T33), caso 7 (T40), caso 8 (T44) e caso 9 (T47), foram consideradas positivas para uma variedade de mutações BMP15 novas e já relatadas. Mais análises in silico das mutações observadas mostraram o impacto funcional dessas mutações em diferentes características (peso molecular, PI teórico, meia-vida estimada, índice de instabilidade, localização subcelular e confirmação 3D) das proteínas codificadas, possivelmente alterando a funcionalidade normal. Nossos achados confirmaram o possível papel essencial das mutações BMP15 na infertilidade de ovelhas Cholistani.

Abstract Naturally occurring mutations in morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) are associated with decreased ovulation rate (OR), litter size (LS), and sterility. It is of a great interest to elucidate BMP15 gene in Cholistani sheep breed to uplift socio-economic status and the knowledge of Cholistani sheep breeding in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. In our study, a total of 50 infertile Cholistani sheep aged between 2-6 years and having no blood relation were screened for BMP15 mutations. For this purpose, a high-quality DNA was extracted from the blood of sheep followed by primer designing, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification, DNA sequencing, and in silico analyses. Out of total 50 samples, 9 samples including case 1 (T3), case 2 (T8), case 3 (T17), case 4 (T22), case 5 (T25), case 6 (T33), case 7 (T40), case 8 (T44), and case 9 (T47) were found positive for a variety of already reported and novel BMP15 mutations. Further in silico analyses of the observed mutations have shown the functional impact of these mutations on different characteristics (molecular weight, theoretical PI, estimated half-life, instability index, sub-cellular localization, and 3D confirmation) of the encoded proteins, possibly altering the normal functionality. In a nutshell, findings of this study have confirmed the possible essential role of the BMP15 mutations in the infertility of the Cholistani sheep.

The Mine, Health and Safety Act No. 29 of 1996, as amended, embodies worker self-regulation to advance health and safety in the workplace. An important provision for this is the Right to Refuse Dangerous Work (RRDW). This paper explores worker perspectives about the implementation of RRDW on South African mines against a backdrop of revised guidance in the sector: 'Guideline for a Mandatory Code of Practice on the Right to Refuse Dangerous Work And Leave Dangerous Working Places', gazetted in February 2016 by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR). A mixed methods study conducted at mines (n = 14) included a survey of workers (n = 293), focus groups (n = 6) and in-depth interviews ( n = 16). Workers reported a high level of awareness, a positive attitude, and experience of the formal RRDW. However constraints to the formal RRDW meant that informal worker resistance to dangerous work was commonplace. Evidence of informal non-confrontational consultation, cooperation, and collaboration in the event of a dangerous workplace also emerged between workers, and supervisors. The research underscores the importance of the RRDW and worker health and safety representatives to mine health and safety. The revised guidance addresses RRDW implementation gaps, but of concern is the potential partiality towards management interests.

OBJECTIVE: Offsprings of Type 2 diabetics have increased risk of metabolic disturbances. The aim of the study is to assess the potential effect of family history of Type 2 diabetes (FHD) and parental consanguinity on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Non-diabetic offsprings of one or both parents with Type 2 diabetes and healthy controls of comparable age, without a FHD were the subjects of this study. Family history of Type 2 diabetes was defined by the presence of Type 2 diabetes in one or both parents of the subject. Consanguinity was defined as history of marriage with a first cousin. Fasting plasma glucose levels were determined in cases and controls. RESULTS: Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was identified in 42% ofsubjects with FHD and in 14% without FHD. We found a strong independent association of FHD with impaired fasting glucose in both males and females by logistic regression analysis after adjusting the data for age, gender and body mass index (BMI). Parental consanguinity modifies the effect of FHD on IFG. CONCLUSION: We concluded that family history of diabetes and parental history of consanguinity determine the risk for impaired fasting glucose in this study population.

OBJETIVO: Los hijos con diabetes de Tipo 2 tienen un riesgo mayor de trastornos metabólicos. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el efecto potencial de la historia familiar en la diabetes Tipo 2 (HFD) y la consanguinidad de los padres en los niveles de glucosa plasmática en ayunas (GPA). SUJETOS Y MÉTODOS: Los hijos no diabéticos de uno o ambos padres con diabetes de Tipo 2 y controles sanos de edad comparable, sin HFD, constituyeron los sujetos de este estudio. La historia familiar de diabetes de Tipo 2 se definió por la presencia de la diabetes de Tipo 2 en uno o ambos padres del sujeto. La consanguinidad se definió como la historia del matrimonio con un primer primo o prima. Los niveles de glucosa plasmática fueron determinados en los casos y los controles. RESULTADOS: La glucosa en ayunas alterada (GAA) fue identificada en el 42% de los sujetos con HFD y en 14% sin HFD. Se halló una fuerte asociación independiente fuerte de HFD con la glucosa en ayunas alterada tanto en varones como en hembras, mediante el análisis de regresión logística después de ajustar los datos de edad, género e índice de masa corporal (IMC). La consanguinidad de los padres modifica el efecto de HFD sobre la GAA. CONCLUSIÓN: Se llegó a la conclusión de que la historia familiar de diabetes y la historia de consanguinidad de padre y madre determina el riesgo de glucosa en ayunas alternada en la población bajo estudio.