Abstract: Increasing concerns over the environmental impact of chemical pesticides have prompted the exploration of alternative, and eco-friendly solutions for controlling insect pests. The use of entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) as a biological control agent is of paramount importance. We aimed to investigate the effect of different concentrations ofMetarhizium anisopliae(Metschnikoff) Sorokin on larval mortality and pupal formation, of sawfly larvae, a major pest of rose plants. Our study revealed a concentration-dependent effect ofM. anisopliaeon sawfly larvae. At 7 days after EPF exposure, the highest concentration (1 × 109conidia/ml) led to a mortality rate of 65.0% and at the 11th day, the larval mortality was reached up to 82.5%. The highest EPF concentration resulted in a minimal pupal formation (7.5%). This study demonstrates the potential ofM. anisopliaeas a valuable biological control agent against sawfly larvae infestations in rose plants.

Resumen: La creciente preocupación por el impacto ambiental de los pesticidas químicos ha impulsado la exploración de soluciones alternativas y ecológicas para controlar las plagas de insectos. El uso de hongos entomopatógenos (FPE) como agente de control biológico es de suma importancia. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar el efecto de diferentes concentraciones deMetarhizium anisopliae(Metschnikoff) Sorokin sobre la mortalidad larvaria y la formación de pupas de larvas de mosca sierra, una plaga importante de las plantas de rosas. Nuestro estudio reveló un efecto dependiente de la concentración deMetarhizium anisopliaesobre las larvas de mosca sierra. A los 7 días después de la exposición al EPF, la concentración más alta (1 × 109conidios/ml) condujo a una tasa de mortalidad del 65.0 % y al día 11 la mortalidad larvaria alcanzó hasta el 82.5 %. La concentración más alta de EPF resultó en una formación de pupas mínima (7.5 %). Este estudio demuestra el potencial deMetarhizium anisopliaecomo un valioso agente de control biológico contra las infestaciones de larvas de mosca sierra en plantas de rosas.

Abstract Brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is an economically important insect pest of rice crop worldwide including Pakistan. The use of chemicals insecticides to control the BPH population has been considered an effective strategy. However, long-term and intensive use of insecticides has resulted in resistance against this pest. In this study, six recommended insecticides were tested against BPH over the period of 2015-2019 to determine the susceptibility level. From 2015-19, susceptibility of BPH was reduced to all tested insecticides. Increasing trend of LC50 values was recorded in fipronil (18.23-35.11 mg/L), imidacloprid (64.22-128.8 mg/L), buprofezin (185.01-315.0 mg/L), chlorantranilipyrole (199.2-263.3 mg/L), pymetrozine (248.2-315.5 mg/L), and nitenpyram (21.07-34.3 mg/L) respectively from 2015 to 2019. Correlation coefficient values indicated a significant relation (P < 0.05) between fipronil, imidacloprid, and buprofezin. The study will be helpful for resistance management strategies to prevent the resistance development in BPH against insecticides.

Resumen El saltamontes marrón (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), es una plaga de insectos económicamente importante del cultivo de arroz en todo el mundo, incluido Pakistán. El uso de insecticidas químicos para controlarla ha constituido una estrategia eficaz; sin embargo, utilizarlos de forma prolongada e intensiva ha ocasionado que la plaga se vuelva resistente a dichos pesticidas. En este estudio se probaron seis insecticidas recomendados contra la BPH durante el periodo 2015-2019 para determinar el nivel de susceptibilidad. De 2015 a 2019, la susceptibilidad a la BPH se redujo a todos los insecticidas probados. Se registró una tendencia creciente de los valores de LC50 en fipronil (18.23-35.11 mg/l), imidacloprid (64.22-128.8 mg/l), buprofezina (185.01-315.0 mg/l), clorantranilipirol (199.2-263.3 mg/l), pimetrozina (248.2-315.5 mg/l) y nitenpiram (21.07-34.3 mg/l) respectivamente de 2015 a 2019. Los valores del coeficiente de correlación indicaron una relación significativa (P < 0.05) entre fipronil, imidacloprid y buprofezin. El estudio será útil tanto para llevar a cabo estrategias de manejo de la resistencia como para prevenir el desarrollo dicha resistencia de la BPH hacia los insecticidas.

Abstract The objective of the present investigation was to design, optimize and characterize the gastro retentive floating levofloxacin tablets and perform in-vivo evaluation using radiographic imaging. The floating tablets were prepared by using polymers i.e hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC-K4M) and carbopol-940 individually and in combination by nonaquous granulation method. All the Formulations were evaluated for swelling index (S.I), floating behavior and in-vitro drug release kinetics. The compatibility study of levofloxacin with other polymers was investigated by FTIR, DSC, TGA and XRD. Results from FTIR and DSC revealed no chemical interaction amongst the formulation components. The optimized formulation (F11) showed floating lag time (FLT), total floating time (TFT) swelling index (S.I) of 60 sec, >16h and approximately 75 %, respectively. Moreover, F11 showed zero order levofloxacin release in simulated gastric fluid over the period of 6 h. X-ray studies showed that total buoyancy time was able to delay the gastric emptying of levofloxacin floating tablets in rabbits for more than 4 hours. In conclusion the optimized formulation (F11) can be used for the sustained delivery of levofloxacin for the treatment of peptic ulcer.

Abstract This study was aimed at optimization of potato starch gel preparation process by response surface methodology and various process parameters were optimized for textural, gelation and sensory properties. 3D response surface and contour plots showed that independent variables, such as extraction time, extraction temperature and potato starch concentration significantly affected (p < 0.05) texture of potato starch gel. It was observed from RSM analysis that target responses regarding texture characteristics (hardness 1, hardness 2, springiness and chewiness) were significantly reliant on potato starch conc. followed by extraction time and temperature. To was found in range from 102.98 to 109.87 °C whereas, the mean To was maintained at 107.20 °C. It was evident from data of experimental runs that To showed relatively consistent tendency in majority of samples while, experimental runs no. 4 and 5 exhibited a maxima and minima of 109.87 °C and 102.98 °C, respectively. It was evident from To value that starch granules were subjected to degree of disintegration in its internal granules structure, and this disintegration led to polysaccharides release in surrounding medium.

N-Phthalimido β-amino acid derivatives, 3-phthalimido-3(2-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid (P2HPA) and 3-phthalimido-3(2-nitrophenyl) propanoic acid (P2NPA) with new series of di- and triorganotin(IV) complexes (1-12) have been designed and synthesized. All the ligands and organotin(IV) complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C, 119Sn) spectroscopy and electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI-MS). Synthesized ligands and complexes were screened to determine the antibacterial activity and results showed that the triorganotin(IV) complexes have better activity compared to diorganotin(IV) complexes and ligands. In addition, molecular docking analysis of ligands on the catalytic pocket of sortase A (PDB ID 1T2W) showed that the ligands can bind the active amino acid residues in the pocket. The antioxidant activity was also performed by the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) method and complexes showed better results than ligands. The compounds were also tested in vivo to determine the hypoglycemic activities on different groups of alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. The complexes (1-6) were found better hypoglycemic agents as they stabilized the glucose level to about 175-105 mg dL-1 as compared to ligand P2HPA.

Abstract Goat meat is consumed all over the world because of its nutritional profile and delicacy. It is produced in all areas of Pakistan but the meat produced in the Karakoram region of the Pakistan is mostly organic and the animals are fed on the natural vegetation having nutrition benefits for humans. In current study, goats were reared on the different systems having natural flora of alfalfa and grass hey (MS I) sea buckthorn (MS II), Russian Olive (MS III) and the mix ration of sea buckthorn and Russian olive (MS IV). The animals were reared for 6 months and after slaughtering evaluated for fatty acids, physiochemical, microbiological and the sensory evaluation of the smoked meat. It has been observed that the meat has microbiological quality on acceptable degrees, fatty acid profile of the meat was best for MS IV, mineral and sensory characteristics, color and physical properties for all treatments remained non-significant. The basic choice for health-conscious consumer is on the profile of fatty acids in the meat so on the basis of data it could be suggested that the meat fed on the sea buck thorn and Russian olive is best among all treatments.

Abstract The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an important insect pest of the cotton crop worldwide. Sex-pheromone and light traps were used to monitor the adult P. gossypiella population in Bt cotton field for the years 2017-18 at southern Punjab, Pakistan. The sampling of infested bolls was done to record the damage level of P. gossypiella. The sex-pheromone traps captured approximately 2-3 times more adults than light traps in all locations during 2017-18. For sex-pheromone traps, temperature showed negative and strong relation (R. = 0.63-0.80) with trap catches. Fewer bolls (7.0-9.0%) were infested in plots where sex-pheromone traps were installed compared to check plots (32-37%). Therefore, the pheromone trapping proved an effective and eco-friendly tool for the monitoring and management of P. gossypiella. Our findings enable forecasting of seasonal P. gossypiella population providing additional information for the development of an integrated pest management program for this pest.

Resumen La lagarta rosada, o gusano rosado del algodón, Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) es una importante plaga de insectos del cultivo del algodón en todo el mundo. Para monitorear la población adulta de P. gossypiella en el campo de algodón Bt, se utilizaron trampas de luz y feromonas sexuales, durante los años 2017-18 en el sur de Punjab, Pakistán. El muestreo de cápsulas infestadas se realizó para registrar el nivel de daño de P. gossypiella. Las trampas de feromonas sexuales capturaron aproximadamente 2-3 veces más adultos que las trampas de luz en todos los lugares durante 2017-18. Para las trampas de feromonas sexuales, la temperatura mostró una fuerte relación negativa (R. = 0,63-0,80) con las capturas de trampas. Se infestaron menos cápsulas (7.0-9.0%) en las parcelas donde se instalaron trampas de feromonas sexuales en comparación con las parcelas de control (32-37%). Por lo tanto, la captura de feromonas resultó ser una herramienta eficaz y ecológica para el seguimiento y manejo de P. gossypiella. Los hallazgos permiten pronosticar la población estacional de P. gossypiella proporcionando información adicional para el desarrollo de un programa de manejo integrado para esta plaga.

Abstract The present study was planned to use surfactants in different concentrations along with varying amounts of shortening in the form of gels to prepare breads. For that purpose, SSL, CSL, PS-60 and GMS were used at level of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 parts in combination with shortening @ 4.00, 3.75, 3.50 and 3.25 parts. The dough having surfactants gels resulted in longer resistance time and overall dough stability. The moisture and protein content of breads increased which is due to interactions of surfactant gels with starch and gluten fractions that result in increasing dough strength and baking quality. Significant increase in specific volume is observed in breads of GMS and PS-60 gels. The sensory evaluation was carried out by a panel of trained judges and the breads having GMS gels ranked highest for quality attributes. The average quality scores were higher for the SSL, CSL and PS-60 as compared to the control bread. On the whole, breads having surfactants gels were acceptable for all sensory characteristics.

ABSTRACT The house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is a major pest of all aspects of life, like the domestic, medical and veterinary and causal agent of several pathogenic diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of different insecticide-free baits against house fly by incorporating flower methanol extract of Helianthus annuus (sunflower) and Tegetes erecta (marigold) at 10%, 20% and 30% bait formulation of corn syrup, dried milk and water. However, imidacloprid and thiacloprid (each at 5% concentration) were also included in the study for comparison. Results showed that insecticide baits were superior in causing mortality of adult house fly but dependent upon syrup. Overall, 20% baits of both extracts caused more than half population death of house fly within 48h. On the other hand, the mortality rate by 30% baits (from sunflower and marigold) had a similar impact as observed in case of imidacloprid and thiacloprid baits. Therefore, biological baits could play a more active and safer role in the management of house fly as compared to synthetic insecticides.

Abstract Synthetic wood preservatives are the causes of large-scale environmental pollution and few have been withdrawn from the commercial markets in the past years. The present studies focused on determination of naturally present extractives of Ziziphus mauritiana as less toxic wood protectant against subterranean termites. Firstly, natural resistance of Z. mauritiana heartwood against termite was determined by exposing stakes in the field. For the preparation of extractives, air-dried Z. mauritiana heartwood and bark shavings were soaked in 1 liter each of ethyl acetate, hexane, petroleum ether and water in a bottle separately. Different dipping treatment times (36 and 72 hours) at 10, 20 and 30% concentrations of extractives on Populus deltoides wooden stakes were used and stakes were exposed to termites in submerged manner. Combination of extractives in different solvents were included as separate experiment and finally, seasoning prior to extractives application on P. deltoides wooden stakes was also done and stakes were arranged in three replications for each treatment. Maximum mean percent weight loss (81.1%) was observed in case of P. deltoides followed by boiled Z. mauritiana (15.24%) in termite resistance test. Stakes treated with petroleum ether extracts had minimum weight loss alone or in combination with other extract’s solvent in all experiments. Extractives in other solvents followed petroleum ether non-significantly but were significantly different from their respective control treatment, which had the highest weight loss (>60%). Transferring durability using extracts of Z. mauritiana increased resistance of non-durable P. deltoides against termites and extractives could be used as wood preservatives.

In recent years, extensive competition for groundwater use among different consumers has exploited major freshwater aquifers in Pakistan. There is an urgent need for appraisal of this precious resource followed by some mitigation strategies. This modelling study was conducted in the mixed cropping zone of the Punjab, Pakistan. Both remote sensing and secondary data were utilized to achieve objectives of this study. The data related to piezometric water levels, canal gauges, well logs, meteorological and lithological information were collected from Punjab Irrigation Department (PID), Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). Groundwater flow models for both steady and transient conditions were set-up using FEFLOW-3D. Water balance components and recharge were estimated using empirical relations and inverse modelling approaches. Both manual and automated approaches were utilized to calibrate the models. Moreover, sensitivity analysis was performed to see the response of model output against different model input parameters. Followed by calibration and validation, the model was run for different management scenarios, including lining of canal sections, minimization of field percolation, and change of groundwater abstraction. The study results show a drop in groundwater levels for almost all scenarios. The highest negative change was observed for the 4th scenario (i.e. 25% increase in groundwater pumping over a 10-year period), with a value of 3.73 m, by ignoring very wet summer and winter seasons. For normal weather conditions, the highest negative change was observed for the 4th scenario with a value of 2.91 m followed by 2.68 m for the 3 scenario (i.e. 50% reduction in canal seepage and field percolation over a 10-year period). For very wet summer and winter seasons, only one positive change was observed, for the 5th scenario (i.e. 25% decrease in groundwater pumping during 10 years period), with a value of 1.17 m. The changes for all other scenarios were negative. The mitigation strategy may include less groundwater pumping, by supporting cultivation of low delta crops and adjusting cropping patterns considering canal water supplies. It is further suggested to support current modelling results by incorporating more detailed information on cropping and by exploring the effect of climate change.

Abstract Introduction: The present study was designed to investigate the association between rs8177374 polymorphism and malaria symptoms due to exposure of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. Materials and methods: A total of 454 samples were included in the study (228 malaria patients and 226 healthy individuals). Malaria patients, divided into P. vivax and P. falciparum groups on the basis of the causative species of Plasmodium, were categorized into mild and severe on the basis of clinical outcomes according to WHO criteria. Healthy individuals were used as controls. Allele specific PCR based strategy was used for the identification of rs8177374 SNP. Results: MyD88-adaptor-like gene polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to malaria (p < 0.001). C allele frequency (0.74) was higher in the population compared to T allele frequency (0.26). CT genotype increased the susceptibility of malaria (OR: 2.661; 95% CI: 1.722-4.113) and was positively associated with mild malaria (OR: 5.609; 95% CI: 3.479-9.044, p = 0.00). On the other hand, CC genotype was associated with severe malaria (OR: 3.116; 95% CI: 1.560-6.224, p = 0.00). P. vivax infection rate was higher in CT genotype carriers compared to other genotypes (OR: 3.616; 95% CI: 2.219-5.894, p < 0.001). Conclusion: MyD88-adaptor-like/TIR domain containing adaptor protein polymorphism for single nucleotide polymorphism rs8177374 is related with the susceptibility of malaria.

Abstract Very high gravity (VHG) technology was employed on industrial scale to produce ethanol from molasses (fermented) as well as by-products formation estimation. The effect of different Brix° (32, 36 and 40) air-flow rates (0.00, 0.20, 0.40, and 0.60 vvm) was studied on ethanol production. The maximum ethanol production was recorded to be 12.2% (v/v) at 40 Brix° with 0.2 vvm air-flow rate. At optimum level aeration and 40 Brix° VHG, the residual sugar level was recorded in the range of 12.5-18.5 g/L, whereas the viable cell count remained constant up to 50 h of fermentation and dry matter production increased with fermentation time. Both water and steam consumption reduced significantly under optimum conditions of Brix° and aeration rate with compromising the ethanol production. Results revealed VHG with continuous air flow is viable technique to reduce the ethanol production cost form molasses at commercial scale.

RESUMO O presente estudo descreve o desenvolvimento de microcápsulas de teofilina pelo método sem adição de solvente e o efeito da adição de plastificante na microencapsulação. A liberação foi estudada em água destilada e os dados foram analisados por vários modelos matemáticos para determinação do mecanismo de liberação. As microcápsulas preparadas mostraram-se esféricas, livres de corrente e com mais de 80% de fármaco encapsulado. O polímero - ftalato de acetato de celulose e o plastificante - polietileno glicol - afetaram as propriedades das microcápsulas, incluindo a liberação do fármaco (tempo para liberação de 50% do fármaco, T50). A formulação com a maior proporção de polímero e sem plastificante (F3) se mostrou como a de liberação mais lenta, com T50 = 4,3 h, enquanto as formulações com menor proporção de polímero e 20% de plastificante (m/m) (F13 &14) apresentaram a liberação mais rápida do fármaco, com T50 de 1,2 h e 1,3 h, respectivamente. A liberação do fármaco para a maioria das formulações seguiu o modelo de Higuchi. Concluiu-se, dos resultados do presente estudo, que o ftalato do acetato de celulose afeta significativamente a liberação controlada do fármaco em água, enquanto que a adição de polietileno glicol aumenta ligeiramente a liberação do fármaco.

ABSTRACT The present study describes the development of theophylline microcapsules by a non-solvent addition method and the effect of plasticizer addition on microencapsulation. The release was studied in distilled water and the data were analysed by various mathematical models for determining the mechanism of release. Prepared microcapsules were found to be spherical, free flowing and having more than 80% entrapped drug. The polymer - cellulose acetate phthalate and plasticizer - polyethylene glycol was considered to be affecting the properties of microcapsules including drug release (time for 50% drug release, T50). The formulation with the highest proportion of polymer and without plasticizer (F3) showed the slowest release with T50 = 4.3 h, while the formulation with lower proportion of polymer and 20% (w/w) plasticizer (F13 &14) showed the fastest release of drug with T50 values of 1.2 h and 1.3 h, respectively. The drug release from most of the formulations was found to be following Higuchi model. It is concluded from the results of the present study that cellulose acetate phthalate significantly affects the sustained release of the drug in water, whereas the addition of polyethylene glycol slightly enhances the drug release.

A doença de Alzheimer (DA) é uma doença neurodegenerativado sistema nervoso central, em rápido crescimento, e antioxidantes ajudam a suprimir o estresse oxidativo causado por radicais livres, responsávies pela DA. Avaliou-se, biologicamente, série de derivados sintéticos de indol selecionados para identificar novos antioxidantes. A maioria dos compostos avaliados apresentou de significativa a boa propriedade antioxidante (valor de IC50 399,07140.0 ± 50 µM). Eftuaram-se estudos de Teoria do Funcional de Densidade (DFT) com os compostos e os seus correspondentes radicais livres. As diferenças de energia entre os compostos protótipos e os radicais livres correspondentes proporcionaram boa justificativa para a tendência encontrada nos seus valores de IC50. O ancoramento in silico dos compostos com a acetilcolinesterase (AChE) e com a butirilcolinesterase (BChE), que contribuem para a DA, foi, também, realizado para prever o seu potencial anti-DA.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a fast growing neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system and anti-oxidants can be used to help suppress the oxidative stress caused by the free radicals that are responsible for AD. A series of selected synthetic indole derivatives were biologically evaluated to identify potent new antioxidants. Most of the evaluated compounds showed significant to modest antioxidant properties (IC50 value 399.07 140.0±50 µM). Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies were carried out on the compounds and their corresponding free radicals. Differences in the energy of the parent compounds and their corresponding free radicals provided a good justification for the trend found in their IC50 values. In silico, docking of compounds into the proteins acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), which are well known for contributing in AD disease, was also performed to predict anti-AD potential.