Abstract Owing to large scale use of chemical insecticides there is always need to find new alternatives to chemical insecticides. This study evaluated the aqueous extracts of three weeds namely Datura alba (Nees), Withania somnifera (Linnaeus) and Chenopodium album (Linnaeus) for insecticidal potential against Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) under laboratory conditions. Extracts were prepared from three plant parts e.g., leaves, stems and roots and applied at five concentrations ranging from 1 to 20 %. To check the mortality not because of weed extracts control treatment (water only) was also included as sixth treatment. Mortality of pest insects was assessed after three exposure periods e.g., 24h, 48 hand 72 h. Among the three weeds tested, mortality was more due to extract of D. alba weed which thus proved more toxic compared to other two weeds. Among plant parts, root extracts were more potent than leaves and stem extracts and the more concentration of 20 per cent usually resulted in maximum mortality. Maximum mortality of insects was after 72 h period followed by 48 h and minimum was after 24 h period. However maximum mortality of 60 % in case of D. alba warrants attention towards the options of either increasing concentration (> 20 %) of this extract or to evaluate other extraction type e.g., ethanolic extract to gain maximum mortality against this notorious pest.

Resumen El uso a gran escala de insecticidas químicos obliga a encontrar constantemente nuevas alternativas para los mismos. En este estudio se evaluaron los extractos acuosos de tres malas hierbas, a saber: Datura alba (Nees), Withania somnifera (Linnaeus) y Chenopodium album (Linnaeus) para determinar su potencial insecticida contra Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) en condiciones de laboratorio. Los extractos se prepararon a partir de tres partes de cada planta, por ejemplo, hojas, tallos y raíces, y se aplicaron en cinco concentraciones que oscilaron entre 1 y 20 %. Para comprobar la mortalidad no relacionada con los extractos de malas hierbas, también se incluyó un tratamiento de control (solo agua) como sexto tratamiento. La mortalidad de los insectos plaga se evaluó después de tres periodos de exposición, por ejemplo, 24 h, 48 h y 72 h. Entre las tres malas hierbas probadas, el extracto de D. alba resultó ser el más tóxico en comparación con las otras dos. En cuanto a las partes de cada planta, los extractos de las raíces fueron más potentes que los de las hojas y los tallos, y la concentración mayor del 20 % generalmente ocasionó la máxima mortalidad. La máxima mortalidad de insectos fue después de un periodo de 72 h, seguido de uno de 48 h, y la mínima fue después de un periodo de 24 h. Sin embargo, la mortalidad máxima del 60 % en el caso de D. alba justifica la atención hacia las opciones de aumentar la concentración (> 20 %) de este extracto o evaluar otro tipo de extracción, por ejemplo, el extracto etanólico para obtener la máxima mortalidad contra esta plaga.

Abstract An updated checklist of the genus Eumerus Meigen, 1822 is presented from Pakistan along with two new country records, i.e., Eumerus vestitus Bezzi, 1912 and Eumerus sogdianus Stackelberg, 1952. Eumerus sogdianus is native to Central and Southern Europe, but recorded from east to Central and Southern Asia, and Eumerus vestitus is native to the Afrotropical region, but recently also recorded from India. Both species are collected from northern areas of Pakistan - the extreme edge of the western Himalayas, where a significant diversity of hoverflies has been reported in recent studies. A brief diagnosis, identification key, and a taxonomic remark on known Pakistani Eumerus species are presented. A distribution map and detailed photographs of the newly recorded species are also presented.

ABSTRACT Megaloptera is a small holometabolous insect order that includes two genera and three species of Corydalidae in Pakistan. Here we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of these three Pakistani corydalids: Nevromus intimus (McLachlan, 1869) (16,614 bp), Protohermes motuoensis Liu & Yang, 2006 (16,238 bp), and Protohermes walkeri Navás, 1929 (16,514 bp). It also represents the first set of complete mitogenomes sequenced for Neuropterida in Pakistan. The gene order was found to be similar to other published dobsonfly mitogenomes except the variable length of the non-coding region in each species. The phylogenetic analysis using 13 protein-coding genes by Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference yielded largely consistent topologies, in which the phylogenetic positions of the three species herein studied are recovered.

A reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography method has been developed and validated for accelerated stability study and determination of pharmacokinetic parameters of venlafaxine HCl. The chromatographic separation was carried out using ODS analytical column (250 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm particle size). The mobile phase included acetonitrile, methanol and potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (30:30:40; pH 6.1) at a flow rate 1.5 mL min−1. UV-Visible detector was used at wavelength of 227 nm to monitor elutions. Retention time observed was 2.745 min. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity and robustness. Accelerated stability study of venlafaxine HCl capsules was carried out at 40 and 50 ºC under 75% RH level. Suggested method was successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic analysis of venlafaxine hydrochloride tablets. Each of ten albino rabbits (≈ 1.2 kg each) was orally administered with 5 mg dose of venlafaxine HCl. The method was proved to be linear (R2 >0.998), accurate (98.25-99.27%), sensitive (LOD: 35ngmL−1; LOQ: 105 ng mL−1) and robust (RSD<1%). The drug showed stability at accelerated conditions of temperature and humidity. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of tested products were as follows: tmax was 2.5h, Cmax was 56.5 µg mL−1, t1/2 was 8.2 h, AUC0-36 was 845.9 µg h mL−1. The developed method is suitable to apply for quality control analysis and pharmacokinetic studies.

Glucuronoxylan hydrogel (GXH) isolated from M. pudica seeds was assessed for acute toxicology in albino mice that were alienated into four groups. Three groups, i.e., II, III and IV received GXH at a dose of 1, 2 and 5 g/kg, respectively while group I was retained untreated and provided routine diet. After administering GXH, mice were examined for vomiting, diarrhea, allergy and tremors for 8 h. All animals were carefully observed for food and water consumption at 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 day after administering GXH. At the end of studies, blood samples were drawn for investigation of hematological and biochemical parameters. All animals were sacrificed, relative body weight of vital organs was calculated and their histopathology was studied. It was concluded that there was insignificant difference in body weight, behavioral pattern, food and water intake among treated and control groups. Haematology and biochemistry of blood samples from all groups were found analogous. Histopathological evaluation of vital body organs exhibited no lesions in all groups. Ocular, cardiac and dermal safety of GXH was also established on albino rabbits.

ABSTRACT Linseed hydrogel (LSH) was evaluated by acute toxicity for its potential application in oral drug delivery design. White albino mice and rabbits were divided in four groups (I-IV) and different doses of LSH (1, 2 and 5 g/kg body weight) were given except to the control group (I) that was left untreated. Rabbits were monitored for eye irritation, acute dermal toxicity and primary dermal irritation, whereas, body weight, food and water consumption, hematology and clinical biochemistry, gross necropsy and histopathology of vital organs were scrutinized in mice. LSH was considered safe after eye irritation test as no adverse signs or symptoms were seen in the eye. In dermal toxicity and irritation study, skin of treated rabbits was found normal in color without any edema or erythema. After oral administration, there was no sign of any abnormalities in treated group animals (II-IV). The hematology and clinical biochemistry of treated group animals was comparable with the control group. Histopathology of vital organs has not shown any lesion or abnormalities. In the light of these outcomes, it can be concluded that LSH is not a hazardous biomaterial and could be incorporated as an excipient in oral and dermal preparations.

Resumo Objetivos Terremotos são desastres naturais imprevisíveis e devastadores. Eles podem causar destruição em massa e morte, e os sobreviventes podem apresentar sintomas psicológicos severos. O objetivo deste estudo foi revisar estudos publicados nos últimos 20 anos pra compilar o conhecimento disponível acerca da ocorrência de transtorno do estresse pós-traumático (TEPT) após terremotos. A revisão também descreve outras complicações psiquiátricas que podem estar associadas a terremotos, oferecendo aos leitores um melhor entendimento geral sobre o assunto, e discute vários fatores sociodemográficos que podem estar associados com TEPT pós-terremoto. Métodos Foi realizada uma busca de literatura nas principais bases de dados, como MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE e PsycINFO, e também em revistas de neurologia e psiquiatria, e vários outros periódicos médicos. Os termos usados nas buscas eletrônicas incluíram, mas não se limitaram a, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), posttraumatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, major depressive disorder, earthquake e natural disaster. As informações relevantes foram então utilizadas para determinar as relações entre terremotos e sintomas de estresse pós-traumático. Resultados A revisão revelou que o TEPT é a condição de saúde mental mais comum em sobreviventes de terremoto. Depressão maior, transtorno de ansiedade generalizada, transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo, fobia social e fobias específicas foram outras condições encontrados. Conclusão A prevalência de TEPT variou bastante. O transtorno foi dependente de múltiplos fatores de risco em populações-alvo e também do intervalo de tempo decorrido entre a exposição ao incidente fatal e a avaliação. As mulheres pareceram ser o grupo mais amplamente afetado, ao passo que idosos e crianças demonstração considerável impacto psicossocial.

Abstract Objectives Earthquakes are unpredictable and devastating natural disasters. They can cause massive destruction and loss of life and survivors may suffer psychological symptoms of severe intensity. Our goal in this article is to review studies published in the last 20 years to compile what is known about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurring after earthquakes. The review also describes other psychiatric complications that can be associated with earthquakes, to provide readers with better overall understanding, and discusses several sociodemographic factors that can be associated with post-earthquake PTSD Method A search for literature was conducted on major databases such as MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO and in neurology and psychiatry journals, and many other medical journals. Terms used for electronic searches included, but were not limited to, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), posttraumatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, major depressive disorder, earthquake, and natural disaster. The relevant information was then utilized to determine the relationships between earthquakes and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Results It was found that PTSD is the most commonly occurring mental health condition among earthquake survivors. Major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social phobia, and specific phobias were also listed. Conclusion The PTSD prevalence rate varied widely. It was dependent on multiple risk factors in target populations and also on the interval of time that had elapsed between the exposure to the deadly incident and measurement. Females seemed to be the most widely-affected group, while elderly people and young children exhibit considerable psychosocial impact.

Resumen A partir de una sospecha de sarna sarcóptica en tres de cinco conejos albinos europeos (Oryctolagus cuniculus), mantenidos con fines experimentales, se hizo un examen general que reveló áreas multifocales de alopecia alrededor de los ojos, las fosas nasales y los labios. Se procesaron cortes de piel y un análisis de PCR con el objeto de identificar los ácaros. La histopatología de los cortes de piel mostró epidermis erupcionada y estrato córneo con una infiltración de células inflamatorias. El raspado o frotis de piel reveló la presencia de ácaros tanto en adultos como en huevos. Al examen microscópico, los ácaros adultos fueron identificados como Sarcoptes (S.) scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae). El análisis de muestras de los tres casos por PCR reveló una banda de 311 pb confirmando la infestación de S. scabiei en los conejos. La infección en conejos con S. scabiei puede representar un problema de salud pública de transmisión indirecta debida a la manipulación de conejos infestados. Hasta la presente, este es el primer reporte de infección por S. scabiei en conejos de Pakistán.

Abstract Sarcoptic mange was suspected in three of five European albino rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) kept for experimental purposes. Gross examination revealed multifocal areas of alopecia around the eyes, nostrils and lips. Skin snips were processed using PCR for the molecular identification of the suspected mites. Histopathology of the skin snips showed erupted epidermis and stratum corneum with an infiltration of inflammatory cells. Skin scraping examination revealed the presence of adult mites as well as eggs. Microscopic taxonomy identified the adult mites as Sarcoptes (S.) scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae). The results of PCR indicated a 311 bp band from all the three cases, which confirmed the S. scabiei infestation in rabbits. Sarcoptes scabiei may be a public health concernthrough direct transmission from rabbits infested with S. scabiei through handling. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of S. scabiei infection in rabbits from Pakistan.

Aluminium (Al) samples were nitrided in 13.56 MHz radiofrequency (RF) discharge of 70:30 vol.% Ar:N2 mixture at substrate temperature of 400 °C and RF power of 300 W for different fill pressures and treatment times. The nitrided samples were then characterized for their structural and mechanical properties using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Vickers micro hardness testing. XRD peaks (110), (111) and (200) of aluminium nitride (AlN) and their downshift confirmed the nitride formation together with nitrogen diffusion. The metastable cubic phase (c-AlN) shows texture growth and re-orientation dependent on fill pressure and treatment time. SEM micrographs showed the surface morphology with micro-pores. EDS results showed that the nitrogen content was significantly increased with nitriding time, along with the removal of oxides. Vickers hardness of the Al surface was increased more than thrice for 30 hours nitriding.

Um experimento rotativo algodão-trigo foi conduzido durante cinco anos em dois solos calcários-alcalinos para verificar o impacto de manejo por nutrientes integrados e por incorporação de resíduos de colheita sobre as propriedades físicas e hidrológicas do solo. Os tratamentos de nutrientes foram: T1 - o adubo usado pelos agricultores; T2 - manejo balanceado de nutrientes (recomendação de N, P, Zn e B de fontes minerais); T3 - manejo integrado de nutrientes, semelhante ao T2, exceto 75% de N foram aplicados a partir de adubos e 25% como FYM; T4, semelhante ao T2, exceto que alternadamente o trigo era substituído por adubo verde Berseem. Todos os tratamentos foram comparados com e sem a incorporação do resíduo da colheita. O conteúdo da matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) nos dois tipos de solo foi significantemente aumentado em T2, T3 e T4 quando comparado com o de T1. Esse valor aumentou-se ainda mais onde os tratamentos de manejo de nutrientes foram aplicados junto com a reciclagem do resíduo da colheita. Registrou-se maior aumento de MOS em solo com conteúdo de MOS inicialmente menor (0,61%) quando comparado com o solo com conteúdo de MOS inicial com 0,80%. Por outro lado, o aumento de conteúdo de MOS diminuiu a densidade volumosa do solo, melhorou a macro e meso-porosidade e aumentou a recuperação percentual de agregados estável respectivamente. Os valores de infiltração foram 20, 49 e 26% maiores com os tratamentos T2, T3 e T4, respectivamente, quando comparados com T1, e 64% maiores na incorporação de resíduos da colheita em comparação com a remoção dos resíduos da colheita. Houve impactos positivos nas propriedades físicas do solo nas camadas do sub-solo.

A 5-year cotton - wheat rotation field experiment was conducted on two alkaline-calcareous soils to investigate the impact of integrated nutrient-management and crop-residue incorporation on soil physical and hydrological properties. The nutrient treatments were: T1 - farmers' fertilizer use; T2 - balanced nutrient management (recommended N, P, Zn. and B from mineral sources); T3 - integrated nutrient management, same as T2, except that 75% N was applied from fertilizer and 25% as FYM; and T4 same as T2, except that every alternate year, wheat was substituted by Berseem green manure. All treatments were compared with and without crop residue incorporation. Soil organic matter (SOM) content in both the soils was significantly increased with T2, T3 and T4 as compared with T1, and was increased further where the nutrient-management treatments were applied in combination with crop-residue recycling.Higher increase in SOM content was observed in soil having relatively lower initial SOM (0.61%) than soil having initial 0.80% SOM content. Increased SOM content, in return, decreased soil bulk density, improved macro- and meso-porosity, and enhanced percent recovery of stable aggregates correspondingly. Infiltration rates were 20, 49 and 26% higher with T2, T3 and T4, respectively, over T1 and 64% higher with crop-residue incorporation over crop-residue removal. Positive impacts on soil physical properties were also observed in the sub-soil layers.

A simple, rapid and convenient high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination and bioequivalence of norfloxacin intablets formulations by using ciprofloxacin as an internal standard. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column having an isocratic mixture of methanol, disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer and acetonitrile (30:30:40) at pH 3 adjusted with o-phosphoric acid. The eluents were detected at 280 nm and quantitation was achieved on the basis of peak height ratio of norflaoxacin and internal standard. Limit of detection of the method developed was 15 ng mL-1> with a linear range of 30 - 200 ng mL-1. After single oral dose (400 mg) of two formulations (Noroxin, MSD and Ecoflaxin, Technovision Pharmaceutical) of norfloxacin administered to healthy volunteers using a randomize 2x2 crossover design, pharmacokinetics parameters (AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, Cmax, t½ ) were derived from the plasma concentrations curves for both formulations. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the data showed that the two formulations were bioequivalent, while no adverse reactions to drug were observed. In addition, the method evolved has been found suitable for the routine quality control tests.