Concentrations of nine heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, As, and Fe) in the muscles of four fish species (O. niloticus, C. gariepinus, P. latipinna, and A. d. dispar) collected from the Riyadh River were detected using atomic... more
Concentrations of nine heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, As, and Fe) in the
muscles of four fish species (O. niloticus, C. gariepinus, P. latipinna, and A. d. dispar)
collected from the Riyadh River were detected using atomic absorption
spectrophotometry in two different seasons in 2012. The concentrations of the studied
heavy metals except Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cu in Aphanius d. dispar and Poecilia latipinna
were found to be below the safe limits suggested by various authorities. This study
also showed that Zn was predominant, while Cr was least accumulated metal in the
studied fish muscles. Data demonstrated that there was a significant variation in the
heavy-metal concentrations in different fish species in the Riyadh River. Significant
positive correlations between heavy-metal concentrations in fish muscles were also
found both in pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Metal pollution index was calculated to
distinguish polluted from unpolluted ecosystems based upon current knowledge of
metal bioavailability, bioconcentration, and bioaccumulation patterns. From the
human health point of view, this study showed that there was a possible health risk to consumers due to the intake of Aphanius d. dispar and Poecilia latipinna under the
current consumption rate in the country.
muscles of four fish species (O. niloticus, C. gariepinus, P. latipinna, and A. d. dispar)
collected from the Riyadh River were detected using atomic absorption
spectrophotometry in two different seasons in 2012. The concentrations of the studied
heavy metals except Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cu in Aphanius d. dispar and Poecilia latipinna
were found to be below the safe limits suggested by various authorities. This study
also showed that Zn was predominant, while Cr was least accumulated metal in the
studied fish muscles. Data demonstrated that there was a significant variation in the
heavy-metal concentrations in different fish species in the Riyadh River. Significant
positive correlations between heavy-metal concentrations in fish muscles were also
found both in pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Metal pollution index was calculated to
distinguish polluted from unpolluted ecosystems based upon current knowledge of
metal bioavailability, bioconcentration, and bioaccumulation patterns. From the
human health point of view, this study showed that there was a possible health risk to consumers due to the intake of Aphanius d. dispar and Poecilia latipinna under the
current consumption rate in the country.
Research Interests:
Background: The common carp is an important aquaculture species that is widely distributed across the world. During the long history of carp domestication, numerous carp strains with diverse skin colors have been established. Skin color... more
Background: The common carp is an important aquaculture species that is widely distributed across the world. During the
long history of carp domestication, numerous carp strains with diverse skin colors have been established. Skin color is used
as a visual criterion to determine the market value of carp. However, the genetic basis of common carp skin color has not
been extensively studied.
Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, we performed Illumina sequencing on two common carp strains: the
reddish Xingguo red carp and the brownish-black Yellow River carp. A total of 435,348,868 reads were generated, resulting
in 198,781 assembled contigs that were used as reference sequences. Comparisons of skin transcriptome files revealed 2,012
unigenes with significantly different expression in the two common carp strains, including 874 genes that were upregulated
in Xingguo red carp and 1,138 genes that were up-regulated in Yellow River carp. The expression patterns of 20
randomly selected differentially expressed genes were validated using quantitative RT-PCR. Gene pathway analysis of the
differentially expressed genes indicated that melanin biosynthesis, along with the Wnt and MAPK signaling pathways, is
highly likely to affect the skin pigmentation process. Several key genes involved in the skin pigmentation process, including
TYRP1, SILV, ASIP and xCT, showed significant differences in their expression patterns between the two strains.
Conclusions: In this study, we conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis of Xingguo red carp and Yellow River carp
skins, and we detected key genes involved in the common carp skin pigmentation process. We propose that common carp
skin pigmentation depends upon at least three pathways. Understanding fish skin color genetics will facilitate future
molecular selection of the fish skin colors with high market values.
long history of carp domestication, numerous carp strains with diverse skin colors have been established. Skin color is used
as a visual criterion to determine the market value of carp. However, the genetic basis of common carp skin color has not
been extensively studied.
Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, we performed Illumina sequencing on two common carp strains: the
reddish Xingguo red carp and the brownish-black Yellow River carp. A total of 435,348,868 reads were generated, resulting
in 198,781 assembled contigs that were used as reference sequences. Comparisons of skin transcriptome files revealed 2,012
unigenes with significantly different expression in the two common carp strains, including 874 genes that were upregulated
in Xingguo red carp and 1,138 genes that were up-regulated in Yellow River carp. The expression patterns of 20
randomly selected differentially expressed genes were validated using quantitative RT-PCR. Gene pathway analysis of the
differentially expressed genes indicated that melanin biosynthesis, along with the Wnt and MAPK signaling pathways, is
highly likely to affect the skin pigmentation process. Several key genes involved in the skin pigmentation process, including
TYRP1, SILV, ASIP and xCT, showed significant differences in their expression patterns between the two strains.
Conclusions: In this study, we conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis of Xingguo red carp and Yellow River carp
skins, and we detected key genes involved in the common carp skin pigmentation process. We propose that common carp
skin pigmentation depends upon at least three pathways. Understanding fish skin color genetics will facilitate future
molecular selection of the fish skin colors with high market values.
Research Interests:
A study was conducted to determine the effects of long-term exposure to carbofuran on erythrocyte and liver acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in Cyprinus carpio, and assess which tissue was more sensitive to pesticide exposure... more
A study was conducted to determine the effects of long-term exposure to carbofuran
on erythrocyte and liver acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in Cyprinus carpio, and
assess which tissue was more sensitive to pesticide exposure examining this enzyme.
Fish were allowed to accilimatize in toxicant-free water for 24 days after 60-day
exposure. AChE activity was determined with a spectrophotometer using
acetylthiocholine iodide as a substrate in erythrocytes and liver. Enzymic activity of
erythrocytes and liver decreased over time. A higher degree of enzyme inhibition was
observed in erythrocyte compared to liver. The degree of enzyme inhibition was
positively correlated with exposure time. When exposed fish were transferred to clean
water, recovery was greater in erythrocytes than liver. Erythrocyte AChE activity
recovered after 18 days, while it required 21 days in liver. The findings of this study
indicate that erythrocyte AChE is more sensitive to carbofuran than liver. The greater sensitivity of erythrocyte AChE suggests that it may be more useful as a biomarker for
monitoring status of pollution in freshwater bodies.
on erythrocyte and liver acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in Cyprinus carpio, and
assess which tissue was more sensitive to pesticide exposure examining this enzyme.
Fish were allowed to accilimatize in toxicant-free water for 24 days after 60-day
exposure. AChE activity was determined with a spectrophotometer using
acetylthiocholine iodide as a substrate in erythrocytes and liver. Enzymic activity of
erythrocytes and liver decreased over time. A higher degree of enzyme inhibition was
observed in erythrocyte compared to liver. The degree of enzyme inhibition was
positively correlated with exposure time. When exposed fish were transferred to clean
water, recovery was greater in erythrocytes than liver. Erythrocyte AChE activity
recovered after 18 days, while it required 21 days in liver. The findings of this study
indicate that erythrocyte AChE is more sensitive to carbofuran than liver. The greater sensitivity of erythrocyte AChE suggests that it may be more useful as a biomarker for
monitoring status of pollution in freshwater bodies.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Agro-waste materials have carboxylic and phenolic groups that play the main role in metal adsorption. The advantages of these materials include easy availability, low cost, and reasonable metal removal capacity. One of the materials... more
Agro-waste materials have carboxylic and phenolic groups that play the main role in metal adsorption. The advantages of these materials include easy availability, low cost, and reasonable metal removal capacity. One of the materials (usually considered as waste) is pea waste (pods). Present work comprises adsorption of chromium from aqueous solution using powder of pods of garden peas (Pisum sativum) in batch. Important parameters like adsorbent dose, pH, contact time, and agitation speed were studied. Adsorption equilibrium was explained by Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms. Maximum chromium uptake (q m) was 3.56 mg/g of adsorbent. Heat of adsorption, as evaluated by Temkin isotherm was 1.96 kJ/mol. It is proposed that pea pods can be an effective and environmentally benign (green) adsorbents for removal of chromium from industrial effluents and waste waters.
Research Interests:
There is widely accepted concept in economic theory that human capital plays positive role in determining national income. Formation or accumulation of human capital and economic development for human welfare are the major targets of... more
There is widely accepted concept in economic theory that human capital plays positive role in determining national income. Formation or accumulation of human capital and economic development for human welfare are the major targets of economic policy of each country. This study investigates the casual relationship between economic development and formation of human capital in Pakistan. Based on endogenous growth
Research Interests:
Bhawalpur is a major cotton-growing area in Pakistan. Cotton picking in Pakistan is carried out by females and as a result of the intensive use of pesticides during the growing season these females are exposed to pesticide residues in the... more
Bhawalpur is a major cotton-growing area in Pakistan. Cotton picking in Pakistan is carried out by females and as a result of the intensive use of pesticides during the growing season these females are exposed to pesticide residues in the picking season. In the present study, peripheral blood was obtained from 69 cotton pickers and 69 unexposed females and used to assess the effect of pesticide exposure on genetic damage as well as on hepatic enzymes and serum cholinesterase. The subjects were of similar average age in workers and control groups (37.55 ± 12.75 vs. 37.52 ± 13.47, P > 0.05). Average exposure time of the picker females was 10.26 ± 6.14 years. Subjects from the exposed group did not use any protective measures during their work activities. Levels of serum cholinesterase were lower, and levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase were higher in the exposed workers as compared with the control group (P < 0.001). The exposed group exhibited significantly increased frequencies of binucleated cells with micronuclei (12.72 ± 3.48 vs. 4.35 ± 2.44, P < 0.001) and total number of micronuclei in binucleated lymphocytes (16.51 ± 4.27 vs. 5.86 ± 3.09, P < 0.001) in comparison with subjects of the control group. The binucleated cells with micronuclei frequency also seemed to increase with age in both the groups, however, the magnitude of increase was greater in exposed group than the control. Results from the present study indicate that occupational exposure to pesticide mixtures results in cytogenetic damage in exposed females. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Research Interests:
Art History, Art, Art Theory, Installation Art, Modern Art, and 23 moreVideo Art, Islamic Art, Agriculture, Art Conservation, Sound Art, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Humans, Pesticides, Fine Art, Female, Cholinesterases, Alkaline phosphatase, Micronucleus, Adult, Occupational Exposure, Age Factors, Binomial Distribution, Cell Proliferation, Lymphocytes, Environmental, Aspartate Aminotransferases, and Alanine Transaminase
... S. NADEEM 1, A. IKRAM, SM RANA, N. YAQOOB, MJ QURESHI AND AR SHAKOORI Biological Chemistry Division, NIAB, PO Box 128, FaisalabadPakistan; Department of Zoology, Government College, Faisalabad ... Yaqoob, N., S. Nadeem and MS... more
... S. NADEEM 1, A. IKRAM, SM RANA, N. YAQOOB, MJ QURESHI AND AR SHAKOORI Biological Chemistry Division, NIAB, PO Box 128, FaisalabadPakistan; Department of Zoology, Government College, Faisalabad ... Yaqoob, N., S. Nadeem and MS Ahmad, 1999. ...
Research Interests:
Two different weight groups of farmed Labeo rohita were collected from fish hatchery, Satiana Road Faisalabad, Pakistan. Pesticide residues were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC analysis showed that seven... more
Two different weight groups of farmed Labeo rohita were collected from fish hatchery, Satiana Road Faisalabad, Pakistan. Pesticide residues were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC analysis showed that seven pesticide residues (α-endosulfan, DDE, parathion methyl, isoproturon, atrazine, carbofuran, and deltamethrin) were detected in L. rohita in weight group W 1.Six pesticide residues (α-endosulfan, parathion methyl, isoproturon, atrazine, carbaryl, and carbofuran) were found in L. rohita weight group W 2. The overall comparison between two weight groups of L. rohita showed that maximal concentration of pesticide residues were observed in underweight group W 2 compared to W 1 weight group.
Research Interests:
Abstract: Analysis of fish meat using gas chromatography is described. Flavor is the sensation arising from the interplay of the signals of sensing smell, taste and irritating stimuli from food stuff. For human, flavor and nutrition are... more
Abstract: Analysis of fish meat using gas chromatography is described. Flavor is the sensation arising from the interplay of the signals of sensing smell, taste and irritating stimuli from food stuff. For human, flavor and nutrition are inseparable. In fish, trace amount of ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Maternal oxidative stress during pregnancy may impair fetal growth and help in the development of diseases in adulthood. The aim of current study was to assess total oxidation status (TOS), related parameters and their relationship to DNA... more
Maternal oxidative stress during pregnancy may impair fetal growth and help in the development of diseases in adulthood. The aim of current study was to assess total oxidation status (TOS), related parameters and their relationship to DNA damage (%) and homocysteine level in normal pregnant women in low-income participants. In a cross-sectional study healthy women were grouped as normal, while age matched nulliparous and singleton pregnancies were included for first, second and third trimester groups. TOS (P < 0.01), melanodialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P < 0.01), triiodothyronine (T3) (P < 0.01), thyroxine (T4) (P < 0.01), and homocysteine (P < 0.001), in pregnant women were significantly higher as compared to normal healthy women. While serum total proteins (P < 0.01), albumin (P < 0.01) and total antioxidant status (TAS) (P < 0.001) decreased significantly as compared to normal healthy women. Women in third trimester showed a significantly high level of body temperature (P < 0.01), triglyceride (P < 0.01), LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05), AST (P < 0.01), T3 (P < 0.01), homocysteine (P < 0.001), TOS (P < 0.01) and MDA (P < 0.001) but a lower concentration of serum proteins, albumin and TAS at the end of the pregnancy. Pearson correlation indicated a positive relationship of homocysteine with triglycerides (P < 0.027), TOS (P < 0.01), MDA (P < 0.035) and had a negative relationship with total protein (P < 0.026). DNA damage was strongly related with T3 (P < 0.008), TOS (P < 0.02), MDA (P < 0.037) and MBI (P < 0.048) profiles of pregnant women. These changes were considered normal for pregnant women having optimum blood pressure and normal child birth. Hormonal influences and hemodilution may contribute towards the observed changes in this study.
Research Interests:
Molecular Biology, Pakistan, Oxidative Stress, DNA damage, Pregnancy, and 17 moreHumans, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Female, Fetal Growth, Thyroxine, Homocysteine, Body Temperature, Adult, Pregnant Women, Low Income, Cross sectional Study, Cross Sectional Studies, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Aspartate Aminotransferases, Biochemistry and cell biology, and Molecular Biology Reports
New compounds of Bis‐triorganogermyl (substituted) propionates of triarylantimony (V) with general formula (1R3-GeCHR2CH2CO2) 2SbAr3 have been synthesized and characterized by various techniques such as elemental analyses; FT‐IR, 1HNMR,... more
New compounds of Bis‐triorganogermyl (substituted) propionates of triarylantimony (V) with general formula (1R3-GeCHR2CH2CO2) 2SbAr3 have been synthesized and characterized by various techniques such as elemental analyses; FT‐IR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and mass ...
Research Interests:
The aim of this work was to investigate and compare the antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil, native to Pakistan. The essential oil content from the leaves of R. officinalis... more
The aim of this work was to investigate and compare the antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil, native to Pakistan. The essential oil content from the leaves of R. officinalis was 0.93 g 100g-1. The GC and GC-MS analysis revealed that the major components determined in R. officinalis essential oil were 1,8-cineol (38.5%), camphor (17.1%), α-pinene (12.3%), limonene (6.23%), camphene (6.00%) and linalool (5.70%). The antiproliferative activity was tested against two cancer (MCF-7 and LNCaP) and one fibroblast cell line (NIH-3T3) using the MTT assay, while, the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the reduction of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and measuring percent inhibition of peroxidation in linoleic acid system. The disc diffusion and modified resazurin microtitre-plate assays were used to evaluate the inhibition zones (IZ) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of R. officinalis essential oil, respectively. It is concluded from the results that Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil exhibited antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial activities.