ABSTRACT A new species in the genus Lobothallia (Megasporaceae, lichenized ascomycetes), from Margalla Hills, Pakistan, is described and illustrated here under the name Lobothallia densipruinosa. It is characterized by contiguous, clustered, densely pruinose dark olive apothecia, conidia 6-10 µm long, and large areoles and lobes. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS-nrDNA sequencing placed our species relative to L. pruinosa. Descriptions and images of the new species are provided, as well as a key for the 21 species of Lobothallia known to the world.

Abstract Biosorption is a cost-effective excellent tool for removing problematic dyes. The present work was focused on the utilization of Citrus paradise (grapefruit) peels aqueous extract for synthesis of nickel nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by SEM and were used for the remediation of congo red direct dye. The decolorization of Congo Red direct dye was measured using UV/Visible spectrophotometer following the optimization of experimental factors. Maximum decolorization was observed at a dye concentration of 0.02 %, pH 6, at 50 °C temperature, and catalyst dose was 0.01 g/L. TOC and COD values were found to be 79.89 % and 78.23 %. Agriculrural waste could be used for the remediation of other synthetic dyes as well; hence helps in cleaning our natural environment.

Resumen La biosorción es una excelente herramienta rentable para eliminar colorantes problemáticos. El presente trabajo se centró en la utilización del extracto de cáscaras de Citrus paradise (pomelo) para la síntesis de nanopartículas de níquel. Las nanopartículas preparadas se caracterizaron por microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB) y se utilizaron para la remediación del colorante directo rojo de Congo. La decoloración del colorante directo Rojo Congo se midió mediante espectrometría siguiendo la optimización de factores experimentales. Se observó una decoloración máxima a una concentración de colorante de 0.02 %, pH 6, y una temperatura de 50 °C; la dosis del catalizador fue de 0.01 g/L. Se determinó que los valores de TOC y DQO eran 79.89 % y 78.23 %, respectivamente. Los residuos agrícolas también podrían utilizarse para la remediación de otros tintes sintéticos y con ello ayudar a limpiar nuestro entorno natural.

Abstract The present research was planned to analyze the toxic effects of thimerosal on rat liver. Mercury and mercury compounds are universally known toxicants for animals and humans. Thimerosal is widely used in the vaccines as a preservative which contains 49.6% mercury. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were distributed into four groups (n=6). The first group was considered as a control group. While, second, third and fourth groups were intoxicated with 0.5, 10 and 50 µg/kg thimerosal (i.m.) respectively. After 30 days, rats were slaughtered to analyze the liver tissues. The results of the experiment exposed that thimerosal instigated significant (p<0.05) increase in alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aminotransferase (AST) levels. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) activities and Glutathione (GSH) and protein levels were significantly (p<0.05) reduced. Furthermore, significant increases in Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level and DNA damage was observed. Histopathological study revealed severe damages, e.g. fatty alterations, deterioration of lobular structure and degeneration of nuclei in hepatic tissues of thimerosal treated rats. Results of present investigation revealed that thimerosal induces hepatotoxicity at different levels.

Resumo Um experimento referente à alimentação foi realizado para avaliar o efeito da suplementação dietética de cromo, no coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente do nutriente (%) do milho gelatinizado e não gelatinizado em alevinos de Cirrhinus mrigala por 90 dias. Usando vários níveis de cloreto de cromo hexa-hidratado, seis dietas testes foram designadas e preparadas como: T1 (G/0,0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T2 (NG/0,0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T3 (G/0,2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T4 (NG/0,2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1); T5 (G/0,4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1) e T6 (NG/0,4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1). Os resultados mostraram maior coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) em matéria seca de nutrientes, lipídios brutos e energia bruta na dieta teste T5, que foi gelatinizada e suplementada com cromo 0,4 mg / Kg; enquanto que para a proteína bruta, foi registrada maior digestibilidade dos nutrientes na dieta teste T3 (G/0,2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg/Kg). Concluiu-se que a suplementação de cromo com milho gelatinizado na dieta de peixes (Cirrhinus mrigala) pôde melhorar a digestibilidade dos nutrientes de forma mais eficiente.

Abstract A feeding trial was carried out to assess the effect of dietary chromium supplementation on apparent nutrient digestibility coefficient (%) of gelatinized and non-gelatinized corn in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings for 90 days. Using various levels of chromium chloride hexahydrate six test diets designated as T1 (G/0.0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T2 (NG/0.0 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T3 (G/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T4 (NG/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1), T5 (G/0.4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1) and T6 (NG/0.4 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg Kg-1) were prepared. Results showed highest apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of nutrients dry matter, crude lipid and gross energy in test diet T5 that was gelatinized and supplemented with chromium 0.4 mg/Kg while, for crude protein higher value of nutrient digestibility was recorded in T3 test diet (G/0.2 Cr2Cl3.6H2O mg/Kg). It was concluded that chromium supplementation with gelatinized corn in fish (Cirrhinus mrigala) diet can improve the nutrients digestibility more efficiently.

ABSTRACT Newcastle disease (ND) is a major infectious disease of the poultry caused by a virulent strain of Avian Paramyxovirus - 1, that is a single strand non-segmented negative sense RNA virus. ND virus is major threat to the poultry industry in many countries of the world. The study was aimed to isolate and identify Newcastle disease virus (NDV) by using a haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. A total 100 samples of infected and dead birds were collected from different poultry farms. The weight of the birds was ranged 1000-1200g. The birds were divided into 3 groups. Haemagglutination assay (HA) was performed to detect the presence of NDV in suspension of infected homogenized tissues and it was found that HA is not the best method to detect the virus when it is in trace amounts. RT-PCR using NDV specific primers analyzed different clinical and postmortem samples. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and specific primers was used for determining the presence of viruses. It was found that the virus was present in most of the infected samples except the serum of infected birds. During multiple sequence alignment (MSA) it was found that, our isolates have high homology (98%) with other reported NDV isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that our isolate was closely related with viscerotropic velogenic types of NDV, which are highly pathogenic Newcastle disease virus.