Impact of dietary exposure to polyester microfibers on hematology, serology and histology in a mouse model.

Synthetic fabrics, especially polyester, are a primary source of microplastic fibers (MFs), but there is limited data on their accumulation and dose related health impact in living organisms. This study examined the effects of ingested polyester microfibers (PE-MFs) on hematology, histopathology, and serum biochemistry in albino mice. Mice were given varying doses of PE-MFs (100, 200, 400 and 800 μg/d/mice) for a duration of thirty-five days and a notable decreases in certain hematological parameters such as RBCs, Hb, and platelets, and increases in MCV and MCH was noted at (p < 0.

Occurrence, characteristics, and antibiotic sensitivity of isolated from wild birds in the Kasur district of Punjab, Pakistan.

is gaining worldwide attention because of its substantial impact on public health. The current study aimed to characterize strains isolated from wild birds in the Kasur district of Punjab, Pakistan from 2021 to 2022. A total of one hundred samples were collected from five wild bird species.

Exploration of gut microbial diversity of pheasants through pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene.

Despite the diversity of microbiota in birds is similar to that of other animals, there is a lack of research on the gut microbial diversity of nondomesticated bird species. This study aims to address this gap in knowledge by analyzing the bacterial communities present in the gut of two important game bird species, the Ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and the Green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) to understand the gut microbial diversity of these species. The gut microbiome of 10 individual pheasants from two different species was studied using pooled fecal samples.

Metabolomics analysis to interpret changes in physiological and metabolic responses to chronic heat stress in Pekin ducks.

Heat stress (HS) is a major environmental threat that affects duck production in subtropical and tropical regions, especially in summer. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and metabolic responses of Pekin ducks to chronic HS conditions via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using a paired-fed (PF) experimental design. On the basis of equivalent feed intake (HS vs.

Phylogenetic relationships of a novel bat fly species infesting the geographically widespread Old World fruit bat, Rousettus leschenaultii, in Southern Asia.

The global epidemiological significance of bats and their blood-sucking ectoparasites is increasingly recognized. However, relevant data are scarce from Pakistan where the Palearctic and Oriental zoogeographic regions meet. In this study, 200 bats belonging to five species were examined for the presence of ectoparasites in Pakistan.

Molecular epidemiology of Bartonella species from sympatric mammals collected in urban and rural areas of Punjab, Pakistan.

Bartonella can infect a variety of mammals including humans and has been detected in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Roughly two-thirds of identified Bartonella species are found and maintained in rodent reservoirs, with some of these species linked to human infections. Rodents (N=236) were caught from the Sahiwal division of Punjab, Pakistan and tested for Bartonella using PCR targeting gltA and rpoB genes, followed by sequencing of rpoB-positive samples.

Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii among commensal rodents from the Sahiwal division, Punjab, Pakistan.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease in humans and animals caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Rodents not only act as intermediate hosts for T. gondii but are also a significant source of T.

Microplastics abundance in abiotic and biotic components along aquatic food chain in two freshwater ecosystems of Pakistan.

Contaminants of global concern, microplastics (MPs) have been lately reported to be found almost everywhere. Yet there is limited evidence to suggest if these tiny particles can bioaccumulate and biomagnify along the food chain. The current study was conducted to quantify MPs load in two fresh water bodies i.

Sero-Epidemiology of Infection in Small Ruminants in the Eastern Region of Punjab, Pakistan.

The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Q fever in sheep and goats in Kasur, Okara, and Pakpattan in the Punjab of Pakistan. Q fever is a widely reported zoonotic disease caused by (.) .

Knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes by residents in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan in connection with bats.

Background: Fruit bats play an important role in pollination and seed dispersal, and their conservation is important to maintain the productivity of some crops and natural ecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and perception of fruit bats by orchard farmers and agricultural communities in Pakistan.

Methods: The present survey was conducted in two districts (i.

Coupling wastewater valorization with sustainable biofuel production: Comparison of lab- and pilot-scale biomass yields of Chlorella sorokiniana grown in wastewater under photoautotrophic and mixotrophic conditions.

Microalgae are the important biofuel precursors and their economic cultivation can be boosted under mixotrophic (MT) conditions while employing different industrial wastewaters containing organic carbon. In the current research, the quantitative analysis of microalgal biomass production under MT and photoautotrophic (PT) cultivation conditions both at lab and pilot scales was studied. For the purpose, a pre-identified microalgal species Chlorella sorokiniana was cultivated mixotrophically and photoautotrophically at lab and pilot scales.

Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in rock pigeons (Columba livia) in Punjab, Pakistan.

Rock pigeons are synanthropic birds and live in close association within human settlements. Synanthropic birds are considered potential carriers of diseases and pose a subsequent risk of their transmission to humans. Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are intracellular protozoans infecting a wide range of hosts, as well as birds.

Potential health risks assessment cognate with selected heavy metals contents in some vegetables grown with four different irrigation sources near Lahore, Pakistan.

Carcinogenic and health hazard causing heavy metals have been increasing in our dietary stuffs due to large amount of industrial effluents being dumped in water bodies that are ultimately used for irrigation purposes. The study was aimed to assess and compare the mean concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, As and Pb) in soil and vegetables irrigated with four different sources (Ground water, river water, domestic sewage water and industrial untreated effluents and domestic waste water receiving drains) for the estimation of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk associated with them. Prepared samples were analyzed by through ICP-OES.

Antibacterial properties of honey against some bacterial pathogens.

Now-a-days, different bioproducts are being used extensively for the welfare of mankind. However, for proper utility of any bioproduct, the exact biotechnological potential of that product should be explored. Honey is produced in almost every country on the planet.

Range extension and species confirmation of Rhyneptesicus nasutus (Sind Serotine Bat) (Mammalia:Chiroptera) from Bajaur Agency, FATA, Pakistan.

Background: The lack of morphological differentiation among chiropteran species and cryptic speciation impedes species identification. DNA-based approaches help species identification and contribute to the discovery of additional species. Rhyneptesicus nasutus (Sind Serotine Bat) is a rare and poorly studied species in Pakistan.

Uptake of Cu by unicellular microalga Chlorella vulgaris from synthetic wastewaters is attenuated by polystyrene microspheres.

Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are receiving micro- and macro-plastic pollutants alarmingly from various anthropogenic activities. The complications caused by microplastics are largely unexplored and need substantial studies. In the current study, we investigated the repressive effects of negatively and positively charged polystyrene microspheres of two variable sizes (0.

Molecular identification of genus from Punjab, Pakistan.

The Indus valley toad and common Asian toad are widely distributed toads in Pakistan. There is doubt in the taxonomic position of species within the genus in Pakistan as most of the species identified on morphology. Previously, identified on morphology but during the present study, it is confirmed as based COI sequences (MK941836).

First record of (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Punjab, Pakistan.

The present study documented the first record of from Punjab, Pakistan. The specimens were collected during field visits from June through August 2018. Various morphometric measurements of were taken and compared with Snout-vent length (SVL) was 38.

Production analysis of broiler farming in central Punjab, Pakistan.

This study examined the analysis of personal and production performance of broiler farming in 10 cities of central Punjab (Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Nankana, and Kamalia) of Pakistan. These districts are densely populated and renowned for broiler production. Primary data were collected through a survey of 100 poultry farmers.

An Investigation into the Accumulation of Air Borne Trace Metals in the Lungs of Common Myna Acridotheres tristis and Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus Captured from Urban and Semi Urban Areas of Lahore and Pattoki, Pakistan.

With increasing urbanization and industrialization, clean air is becoming a scarce resource. During the present investigation, concentrations of metals (Pb, Ni and Zn) in the atmosphere and their subsequent deposition in the lungs of two common avian species, common myna, Acridotheres tristis (n = 30) and bank myna, A. ginginianus (n = 20), captured from urban areas of Lahore city and semi-urban areas of Pattoki city 80 km away from main city of Lahore were determined.

Implication of highly metal-resistant microalgal-bacterial co-cultures for the treatment of simulated metal-loaded wastewaters.

Microalgal-bacterial co-cultures were employed for the treatment of artificially prepared metal-rich wastewaters in this study. For the purpose, highly metal-resistant microalgal and bacterial species were isolated from a leading wastewater channel flowing through Lahore, Pakistan, and characterized at the molecular level. The microbial identities were proved after BLAST analysis.

Microbial production and industrial applications of keratinases: an overview.

Massive production of keratinaceous byproducts in the form of agricultural and industrial wastes throughout the world necessitates its justified utilization. Chemical treatment of keratin waste is proclaimed as an eco-destructive approach by various researchers since it generates secondary pollutants. Microbial degradation of keratin waste is an emerging and eco-friendly approach and offers dual benefits, i.

Evaluation of Fish Health Status and Histopathology in Gills and Liver Due to Metal Contaminated Sediments Exposure.

Health status of freshwater fish, Cirrhina mrigala was studied by qualitative and quantitative histopathological analysis, alterations in frequency/prevalence percentages (%) and histological alteration indices (HAI) in response to metal contaminated sediments of the River Ravi aquatic ecosystem. Histo-structures of gill and liver samples of fish were analyzed and comparison between the degree of damage of the alterations in fish organs was performed after exposure to metal contaminated sediments for 7, 14 and 28 days under semi-static water renewal bioassays. Histopathological studies revealed marked histological alterations in the gills and liver of exposed fish as compared to normal tissue structure observed in control fish.

Ethnomedicinal and cultural practices of mammals and birds in the vicinity of river Chenab, Punjab-Pakistan.

Background: Although, use of animal species in disease treatment and culture practices is as ancient as that of plant species; however ethnomedicinal uses and cultural values of animal species have rarely been reported. Present study is the first report on the medicinal uses of mammals and bird species in Pakistan.

Methods: Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were applied to collect qualitative and quantitative data from local informants (N = 109).

Exploited application of sulfate-reducing bacteria for concomitant treatment of metallic and non-metallic wastes: a mini review.

A variety of multidimensional anthropogenic activities, especially of industrial level, are contaminating our aquatic and terrestrial environments with a variety of metallic and non-metallic pollutants. The metallic and non-metallic pollutants addressed specifically in this review are heavy metals and various compound forms of sulfates, respectively. Direct and indirect deleterious effects of the both types of pollutants to all forms of life are well-known.