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 Introdução: a transmigração de caninos é uma condição ortodôntica rara, e é importante realizar seu adequado diagnóstico ainda em idade precoce. Objetivo: o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a frequência da transmigração de caninos inferiores (TCI) em pacientes ortodônticos de origem paquistanesa. Métodos: com o objetivo de analisar a presença, o local e o tipo de TCI, foram avaliadas 2.550 radiografias panorâmicas pré-tratamento (1.248 homens, 1.302 mulheres) de pacientes ortodônticos. Foram considerados como TCI os caninos inferiores permanentes que, na radiografia, estivessem cruzando a linha média. Resultados: a frequência de TCI foi de 0,98%. Os achados demonstraram a presença de apenas TCI unilaterais, sem diferenças significativas em relação ao sexo e ao lado da arcada. O tipo 1 de transmigração foi encontrado em 19 pacientes e os tipos 2 e 5, em três pacientes. Conclusão: na presente amostra de origem paquistanesa, a frequência da transmigração de caninos inferiores foi de 0,98%.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Canine transmigration is a rare orthodontic condition and it is relevant to perform the proper diagnose at an early age. Objective: The aim of the current study was to find out the frequency of transmigrated mandibular canines (TRC) in orthodontic patients obtained from South Asian population of Pakistan origin. Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 2,550 untreated orthodontic patients (1,248 males; 1,302 females) were included, to investigate the presence, site, and type of TRC. Any permanent mandibular canine that was found to be crossing the midline in panoramic radiographs was considered as TRC. Results: The frequency of TRC was found to be 0.98%. TRC were only found unilaterally. No significance regarding gender and side was found. Nineteen TRC displayed a type 1 transmigratory pattern, while type 2 and type 5 transmigratory patterns were encountered in three patients. Conclusion: Frequency of transmigrated mandibular canines in the studied sample was 0.98%.

Abstract Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria increase plant growth and give protection against insect pests and pathogens. Due to the negative impact of chemical pesticides on environment, alternatives to these chemicals are needed. In this scenario, the biological methods of pest control offer an eco-friendly and an attractive option. In this study, the effect of two plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strains (Bacillus sp. strain 6 and Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K) on aphid population and wheat productivity was evaluated in an aphid susceptible (Pasban-90) and resistant (Inqlab-91) wheat cultivar. The seeds were inoculated with each PGPR strain, separately or the combination of both. The lowest aphid population (2.1 tiller−1), and highest plant height (85.8 cm), number of spikelets per spike (18), grains per spike (44), productive tillers (320 m−2), straw yield (8.6 Mg ha−1), and grain yield (4.8 Mg ha−1) were achieved when seeds were inoculated with Bacillus sp. strain 6 + Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K. The grain yield of both varieties was enhanced by 35.5–38.9% with seed inoculation with both bacterial strains. Thus, the combine use of both PGPR strains viz. Bacillus sp. strain 6 + Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K offers an attractive option to reduce aphid population tied with better wheat productivity.

ABSTRACT The major objective of this experiment was to assess the effect of alternate plant protein sources as a replacement for fish meal in feed on the proximate composition of muscle, liver and tissue in Oreochromis niloticus. O. niloticus of average size (average Weight 45.00±1.25 g, total length 13.28±1.42 cm) were stocked in 100 L glass aquarium. Fish were fed with three experimental feeds (A, B and C) and reference commercial feed (D) for 16 weeks. Feed A, B and C was prepared from four different plant sources and fish meal (40 % crude protein). Fish were fed at the rate 3 % of body weight daily. It has been observed that tilapia fed with feed B in which 20 % fish meal was replaced compared to feed C with other plant sources of protein, had shown significantly higher total protein in their muscle compared to diet other experimental and commercial feeds. In O. niloticus minimum lipid content was recorded in fish fed with diet B compared to A, C and commercial feed. It has been concluded that 20-40% level of fish meal can be replaced in the diet of fish without having any impact on growth and chemical composition of muscle.

This paper estimates the short-run performance of IPOs issued on the Karachi Stock Exchange in Pakistan. The present study extends the existing literature concentrating on the degree of underpricing over a 3-month period lasting from the listing date to the 3-month anniversary showing significant evidence of IPO underpricing. The analyses support the investors’ sentiment and underwriters’ prestige hypothesis but not ex-ante uncertainty. The EBA technique has been used to examine fifteen explanatory variables of IPO underpricing. The study finds that the aftermarket risk level of the IPO, the oversubscription ratio, the offer price, the return on assets, post issue promoters’ holding and size of the firm are six robust determinants of IPO underpricing.

Este trabajo estudia el desempeño de corto plazo de las ofertas públicas iniciales de acciones en la bolsa de Karachi (Pakistán), mostrándose subvaluaciones de precios desde la fecha de la oferta hasta los tres meses. Se encuentra soporte a las hipótesis de percepción y prestigio, pero no de incertidumbre ex ante. La técnica de análisis de límites extremos permite analizar quince potenciales determinantes de la subvaluación de manera robusta.