Pakistan Journal of Science (PJS) is a peer-reviewed, scientific and technical journal owned and published by the Pakistan Association for the Advancement of Science, Lahore, Pakistan. The Pakistan Journal of Science (PJS) is a multidisciplinary journal publishing quality articles in the natural sciences covering a variety of topics in science and technology. PJS aims to bring together researchers, students, scientists and academicians from all over the world who work skillfully to improve the status of humanity by their philosophies and research potential. PJS encourages the research and development of state-of-the-art technology through quality research and practices. All research and review articles are pre-reviewed by reviewers from within Pakistan and abroad, editors, senior editor and Editor-in-Chief, and if appropriate, sent for blind peer review. PJS is an open-access journal that publishes papers in English. The submitted papers are available freely with online full-text content upon receiving the final versions, and are indexed at major academic databases.
Pakistan Association for the Advancement of Science
EFFECT OF SMOKING ON CBC, EXPOSURE OF PAH AND OXIDATIVE STRESS BIOMARKERS IN RURAL POPULATION OF DISTRICT OKARA, PAKISTAN
Smoking is one of the global problems causing different disease. The health effects of smoking are widespread and well known. Smoking cause variation in different parameters of blood profile and exposure to PAHs causing oxidative stress among smokers. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of smoking on total blood count, exposure of PAHs and their association with oxidative stress biomarkers in rural population of district Okara. A total of 60 blood sample are collected, 30 males (15 smoker and 15 non-smoker), 30 females (15 smoker and 15 non-smoker); which is further subdivided into three groups based on the number of cigarettes smoked per day (active smoker, passive smoker and non-smoker). Blood samples were collected and subjected for the estimation of hematological parameters. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using HPLC, oxidative stress biomarkers (lipid peroxide, Superoxide dismutase and Catalase) using spectrophotometer. Among the smokers white blood cell and red blood cell increases and other hematological parameters such as MCV, MCHC, MCH, platelets increase while eosinophils, monocytes, E.S.R decrease. The level of PAHs in smoker increase as compared to non-smoker. The oxidative stress biomarkers in smokers MDA and CAT activity increase while decrease in SOD activity. The comparison between smoker male and smoker female or non-smoker male and non-smoker female shows mostly no significant difference (p>0.05). The comparison between smoker male and non-smoker male hemoglobin, T.L.C, E.S.R, neutrophils, R.B.C, platelets, PAHs, MDA , CAT and SOD shows statistically significant difference (p<0.05).The comparison between smoker female and non-smoker female hemoglobin, T.L.C, E.S.R, neutrophils, R.B.C, platelets, PAHs, MDA, CAT and SOD shows statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Based on the results of present investigation it is concluded that smoking increases the level of free radicals in blood which have deleterious effects in smokers and causing oxidative stress increase level of PAH, which is harmful and causing problems in human body.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://paas-pk.org/index.php/pjs/cor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
COMPARISON OF NON-INVASIVE MATRICES FOR METALS AND TRACE ELEMENTS EXPOSURE IN WHITE BREASTED KINGFISHER (HALCYON SMYRNENSIS)
Toxic trace elements have the natural tendency to bioaccumulate in the tissues of living organism and a constant exposure to these metals can cause adverse health issues specially in organism present at the top of the food chain (i.e., birds and mammals) due to the ability of trace elements to bio magnify along the trophic levels. The aim of the current study is to determine the tendency of selected eight toxic trace elements i.e., Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Ni and Pb to bioaccumulate in blood, feathers and preen oil of White Breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) in selected study site i.e., Manga Mandi, a peri urban area near Lahore, Pakistan, and to estimate their trophic transfer potential by using food samples of white breasted kingfisher. All the selected trace elements were detected in almost all the samples in heterogenous concentrations. Fe showed the highest concentration among all selected metal in all the samples of feathers, blood, preen oil and the food samples, which signifies the effect of large number of steel industries found in the vicinity of the sampling site. Cd showed the least concentration in each sample. In general, feathers found to be the most contaminated tissue followed by preen oil and blood. However, BAF for Zn is found to be highest i.e., 5.497μg/g while BAF of Fe is found to be lowest in all the tissues as 0.05μg/g, 0.052μg/g and 0.04μg/g in blood, feathers and preen oil respectively. For BCF, Cr, Cd, Cu and Pb showed no concentration while Pb and Zn showed highest concentration in feathers i.e., 17.369μg/g and 127.8μg/g respectively, and Mn and Ni were found highest in preen oil as 1.627μg/g and 6.933μg/g respectively. This signifies soil to be more contaminated than water. Almost all metal showed TTF>1 except Cd which was below detection limit mostly. Mn showed highest likelihood to be bioaccumulated along the trophic level while Cu showed the minimum. Highest TTF value was recorded for preen oil, followed by blood and feathers.
White Breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
HUMAN EXPOSURE TO HEAVY METALS THROUGH ROAD-DUST IN VARYING TRAFFIC INTENSITY ROADS OF LAHORE
Fine solid particles consisting of organic matters, anthropogenic metallic constituents, and the soil is called dust. This solid matter, suspended in the air when vehicles pass, accumulates along the sides of roads is known as road dust. Toxic heavy metals present in the road dust can pose serious health effects to humans. For this purpose, three roads of Lahore (Ferozepur Road, Wahdat Road, and Defence Road) were analyzed for the presence of heavy metals, human exposure, and their relation to traffic intensity. The metals under study present in road dust included cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). Ferozepur road (heavy traffic road) had the highest concentration of Pb (118.84 mg kg-1) and Cd (3.77 mg kg-1). Contamination factor ranged from very high to low with Pb being the leading contaminant in heavy traffic roads. The degree of contamination of Ferozepur Road, Wahdat Road, and Defence Road was very high, considerable, and moderate, respectively. Igeo values indicated that Defence Road was uncontaminated with all metals under study except copper, while Ferozepur Road and Wahdat Road were heavily polluted with Pb. The risk index showed a low risk in the three roads, while Pb can cause moderate ecological risk in Ferozepur Road. According to Exposure assessment, the major route of human exposure is ingestion followed by dermal contact and inhalation. The values of non-carcinogenic indices (HQ and HI) for both children and adults were under the threshold limit. Ni and Cr in Ferozepur Road and Wahdat Road can cause carcinogenic risk to children.
Inclusive Metrics of Employee Well-Being: Applications for Accessibility, Disability Inclusion, and Sustainable Human Resource Practices
Worker's well-being has been a priority for organizations in the digital work era. But many established measures of well-being don't truly reflect employees’ needs, particularly those with disabilities or access needs. Measures of well-being generally focus on productivity, stress, or engagement. They miss out on other important dimensions such as physical accessibility, cognitive aids, emotional support, and social inclusion. As a result, the efficacy of well-being initiatives is limited, and the long-term sustainability of practices in the human resource business is enhanced. The proposed conceptual framework of accessibility, disability inclusion, and sustainable HRM can measure the well-being of the employees. This study will be a mixed-method approach. This is critical to make sense of the current scenario of organizational definition and ways of measurement of well-being. The study will show that inclusive well-being metrics positively impact employees’ motivation and intentions to leave the organization. As a result, they bolster an organization’s resilience and sustainability processes. The study enhances theoretical and practical insights by offering workable suggestions on HR practices and workforce inclusion of disabilities within the organization. The findings reveal how vital it has become to move beyond traditional measures to combat this pandemic.
COMPARISON OF SAFETY CULTURE IN VARIOUS SCIENTIFIC LABORATORIES OF SELECTED UNIVERSITIES
The current study was designed to examine the perceptions of science students for actual practice of health and safety in their laboratories. This study was conducted in three departmental laboratories: 1-Agriculture, 2-Environmental Sciences, 3-Microbiology in Two universities of Pakistan. Questionnaire (Annex-1) was designed for study where sample size for each university was 240 to evaluate the safety perception on nine parameters (Annex-2) by using analytical tools: Five-point Likert Scale (FPLS) which was further associated with Parker‟s Framework. Safety culture considered as dependent variable depending on four independent parameters. Analytical work was done on SPSS by using Mean square and regression model. Responses were received from each university. The safety culture assessment response rate was 3.68992, 3.5067 of university-A and University-B respectively. The University-A average value applies from 3.50 to 3.75 on the other hand university-B all factors Average values apply from 3.40 to 3.51 which proves that the university-A mean of parameter is greater than the mean of all parameters from university-B. It is also noted that the parameter values increase as the safety culture is positive. R square shows that the safety culture of university-A and university-B is 98.0% and 98.6% respectively dependent on the remaining four parameters which were selected for this study. It is concluded by the survey of university-A in all department‟s students have positive behavior towards their safety rather than university-B. It is observed that there is a need to work on proper awareness about safety practices by the administration of university-B through arranging seminars, practical trainings and proper enforcement of Laboratory Safety rule.
Copyright (c) 2021 https://paas-pk.org/index.php/pjs/cor https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
HYDROLOGICAL FLOOD FREQUENCY ANALYSIS OF THE CHENAB RIVER BETWEEN QADIRABAD AND TRIMMU BARRAGES, PAKISTAN
Floods are considered among the most frequent and devastating natural disasters in Pakistan, particularly in the Indus Basin and its tributaries. Every year, especially during the late monsoon season, the Chenab River basin is prone to flood inundation, which has a devastating effect on human life and infrastructure. Pre-disaster estimation of flood magnitudes for various return periods is of vital importance to flood risk management and hydraulic infrastructure design for water sustainability. This study employed flood frequency analysis to estimate exceptional flood events by using yearly peak downstream discharge data gathered over 50 years (1975–2024) on two barrages of the Chenab River- Qadirabad and Trimmu. Five frequency distributions, including the Gumbel, Pearson Type 3, Log Pearson Type 3, Normal, and Log Normal, were fitted to the historical annual maximum discharge series for each site to estimate the corresponding flood magnitudes to return periods of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 200 years. The Chi-square (χ²) test was used to assess the goodness-of-fit; 95% confidence intervals were computed to quantify estimation uncertainty. Modelled results showed that the magnitude consistently increases with the return period, with model differences being greater for more extreme events (≥50 years). In almost all cases, a Log Pearson Type III distribution provided the best balanced and reliable statistics of fit for all sites (lowest χ² values) that produced the highest discharge estimates for very rare floods. Confidence intervals widen significantly for longer return periods, a range of potential flood magnitudes expands, indicating an increase in uncertainty and anticipating less frequent occurrences. These results present the main importance of selecting an appropriate distribution pre-disaster assessment. The findings are helpful in floodplain management, flood control, climate-resilient infrastructure planning, and disaster preparedness across the Chenab River basin.
FORAGE PRODUCTIVITY AND NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF RYE AND RHODES GRASS UNDER VARYING FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS
The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different NPK fertilizer levels on forage productivity and nutritional quality of rye grass (Lolium multiflorum) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) under irrigated conditions at Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan, during the 2024–2025 growing seasons. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and three replications, including a T1: control (no fertilizer), T2: N 55 + P 35 + K 35 kg ha⁻¹, T3: N 110 + P 70 + K 70 kg ha⁻¹, and T4: N 170 + P 105 + K 105 kg ha⁻¹. Growth and yield parameters such as plant height, green matter yield, and dry matter yield, along with nutritional attributes including crude protein, crude fiber, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ash content, and metabolizable energy were recorded using standard analytical procedures. Results showed that fertilizer application significantly increased plant height, green fodder yield, and dry matter yield in both forage species. Maximum plant height was recorded in T4 with 104.8 cm in rye grass and 120.3 cm in Rhodes grass, compared with 62.6 cm and 74.5 cm in the control, respectively. Similarly, the highest green fodder yield were obtained in T4 with 63 t ha⁻¹ in rye grass and 66 t ha⁻¹ in Rhodes grass, while the lowest yields were observed in T1 (31 and 24 t ha⁻¹, respectively). Dry matter yield also increased markedly, reaching 17.8 t ha⁻¹ in rye grass and 21.2 t ha⁻¹ in Rhodes grass under T4. Nutritional quality improved significantly with fertilizer application. Crude protein content increased from 10.9% to 19.5% in rye grass and from 6.3% to 11.9% in Rhodes grass from T1 to T4. Ash content increased from 6.7% to 13.8% in rye grass and from 6.9% to 12.0% in Rhodes grass. Metabolizable energy improved from 8.5 to 9.9 MJ kg⁻¹ DM in rye grass and from 8.7 to 10.0 MJ kg⁻¹ DM in Rhodes grass. However, higher fertilizer levels also increased fiber fractions (ADF and NDF), indicating greater structural development of plants. Overall, moderately high fertilizer application (T3) provided the best balance between forage yield and nutritional quality under irrigated conditions.
Evaluation of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Soil and Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) under Wastewater Irrigation
Abstract Since the quality of irrigation water is a significant factor in the sustainability of irrigated lands, a survey was conducted on the quality of the soil and fodder plant irrigated with Ruhi drain wastewater to establish the appropriateness of this water to irrigate the lands. Fodder crops like Trifolium alexandrinum which is irrigated by Rohi drain wastewater is fed upon by cattle and the meat of cattle ultimately fed upon by humans. Several physio-chemical characteristics of soil and T. alexandrinum were analyzed. In addition to this, macronutrient analysis as well as heavy metal analysis was also conducted. High value of pH and EC was observed in soil samples. Macronutrient analysis revealed higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels. The results revealed that soil and Trifolium alexandrinum that are being irrigated by Ruhi drain wastewater contained impermissible concentrations of Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd). However, the concentration of Chromium (Cr) was found to be within permissible limit. The above results reveal that wastewater irrigation not only increases soil fertility by augmenting the nutrient content, but also brings with it the toxic metals which not only affects plant growth but poses considerable environmental as well as health problems. As such, there is strong need to treat the industrial effluents before they are used in agricultural activities to make fodder production sustainable and secure.
Transforming Agricultural Waste into Biochar: An Eco-Friendly Solid Waste Management Strategy
Solid waste is considered to be a major threat to environmental sustainability. Increase in population and urbanization has elevated this issue to an alarming level. One of the best ways to manage waste is to convert it into valuable product. The main aim of this research was the production and determination of physicochemical characteristics of biochar and to determine its efficacy on plant growth attributes. The results indicated that in case of non-wood biomass derived biochar, biochar pyrolyzed at 500 C for 1 hour showed best results having moisture content, ash content, volatile matter and fixed carbon content of 1.3%, 15.1%, 28.8% and 82.8%, respectively. In wood biomass derived biochar, biochar pyrolyzed at 500 C for 1 hour showed best results having moisture content, ash content, volatile matter and fixed carbon content of 1%, 13.1%, 16.4%, and 74.8%, respectively. Elemental and morphological analyses were determined by modern progressive technique: SEM-EDX. Further, phytotoxicity test by seed germination method was performed to assess the potential of biochar as soil amendment. Three concentrations of biochar: 0%, 1% and 2% were evaluated on coriander plant growth and effects were analyzed considering root length, shoot length and germinated seeds. Treatment T2 showed maximum increment in growth attributes of coriander plant in both non-wood and wood biomass derived biochar. Therefore, it can be concluded that both wood and non-wood biomass derived biochar can be applied safely as soil amendment leading to reduction in solid waste.
Eco-Friendly Mitigation of Soil Heavy Metal Pollution in Sheikhupura Industrial Region Sana Ashraf
Developing nations like Pakistan, which is lagging in enforcing pollution regulations and standards, are particularly vulnerable to soil contamination from rising industrial tendencies and waste production, both of which are known to cause cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate the elevated heavy metal concentration in the soil of the Sheikhupura district's industrial zone and to determine efficacy of co-pyrolyzed biochar for the immobilization of detected heavy metals. Additionally, this research also aimed to investigate the effects of biochar on the growth response of spinach in polluted soil. The properties of produced biochar were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and proximate analysis. Pre analysis of collected soil samples indicated that concentrations of Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd and Zn were found higher than the permissible limits issued by WHO. The results of the pot trail experiment indicated that significant immobilization of all the detected heavy metals was observed in treatment T3 having 4% biochar level and 20% leaf compost. The removal efficiency of Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd and Zn was found to be 58.3%, 56.5%, 60.7%, 58.3% and 58.3%, respectively in SS-1. The removal efficiency of Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd and Zn was found to be 57.7%, 54.2%, 62.6%, 57.7% and 57.2%, respectively in SS-2. The removal efficiency of Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd and Zn was found to be 55.3%, 55.3%, 55.3%, 55.3% and 55.3%, respectively in SS-3. The removal efficiency of Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd and Zn was found to be 63.3%, 57.4%, 68.7%, 63.3% and 66.3%, respectively in SS-4. The removal efficiency of Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd and Zn was found to be 53.9%, 54.4%, 53.9%, 53.9% and 51.2%, respectively in SS-5. Maximum growth attributes of spinach were also observed in treatment T3 in all the soil samples. Therefore, it can be inferred from the conducted research that co-pyrolyzed biochar is an efficient and cost-effective remediation strategy for the immobilization of heavy metals from the polluted soil thereby enhancing the morphological features of different plant species.
EXPLORING THE SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF POLYPHENOLS AND GUT MICROBIOTA ON METABOLIC HEALTH
Dietary polyphenols are secondary metabolites and are one of the most abundant natural products present in the kingdom Plantae. They have high therapeutic potential and have been employed in the treatment of many diseases such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, obesity, diabetes, etc. According to much research, it has been seen that high consumption of these compounds impart many benefits to human health. However, it is difficult for the human digestive tract to digest these vital compounds, and they may accumulate in the large intestine where they are combined with the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota is a collection of different kinds of microorganisms such as bacteria present in the gut system. These microorganisms help in digesting polyphenolic compounds and impart various health benefits to humans. They along with phenolic compounds showed a variety of bioactivities such as anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, etc. This review presents a comprehensive study of the mechanism of gut microbiota-polyphenolic interactions and their biological effects.
BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT OF SINDH IBEX (CAPRA AEGAGRUS BLYTHI) IN A MIXED GROUP: INSIGHTS INTO CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AND WELFARE
The Sindh Ibex (Capra aegagrus blythi) is a wild goat subspecies native to arid, rugged mountainous regions of Pakistan. This study investigates the differences in behavioral patterns of male, lactating and non-lactating females of Sindh Ibex in lactation period in a controlled captive environment. All of the observations were systematically recorded over a period of five days for different behavioral categories including feeding, grooming, climbing, social interaction, maternal care, nursing and territory. Using Mann-Whitney U test, the study revealed significant sex and status specific behavioral patterns. Lactating females exhibited significant higher frequencies of maternal care, lactation, and nursing behaviors while males exhibited greater alertness and territorial behavior. Grooming was also more observed in lactating females reflecting maternal investment and self-maintenance. Non lactating females, although behaviorally distinct, showed overlap with both groups in maintenance activities such as foraging and resting. The enclosure management with consistent food availability and spatial enrichment supported naturalistic behavior while mitigating stress. The findings emphasize the influence of reproductive status on behavioral priorities in captive ungulates. These results provide valuable insights for improving enclosure design, reproductive management and welfare monitoring protocols in zoological settings to house Sindh Ibex.
BEYOND SUBSISTENCE: ADVANCING RURAL POULTRY FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN TOBA TEK SINGH
This study was planned to look at the influence of rural poultry farming on poverty reduction in Tehsil Toba Tek Singh that involved 302 farmers from 35 villages and. The majority of farmers used backyard poultry for both food and revenue, raising 10–40 birds per household. The results showed that farmers were between the ages of 36 and 40 on average. Thirty percent passed the matriculation exam, while forty-six percent had less than ten years of education. It was observed that 263 farmers (87.1%) came from low-income group and 46% of the poultry care and management was done by women and children. While there was a positive association between financial status and education level (0.205), family size and education level (0.071), and family size and financial status (0.032), the study found a negative correlation between age and education level (-0.159).The birds kept in study area produced just 39 eggs annually and were late to lay their first egg (6.75 months). Hatchability was 69% and the average egg weight was 39 grammes. Poultry birds cost an average of 819.2 ± 59.80 PKR per year, housing cost 952.5 ± 92.93 PKR, feed cost 1111.6 ± 142.30, immunisation cost 168.5 ± 15.42, and treatment cost PKR 508.3 ± 31.81 respectively. There was no funding allocated for sanitising rural poultry housing and biosecurity, and very little was spent on vaccination. Egg sales generated average revenue of 9742.2 ± 674.17 PKR/year, making 95% of total revenue. Poultry farming generated an average yearly profit of 6438 PKR. Less activity (77%), off-feed (57%), feather loss (6%), diarrhoea (55%), blood in the faeces (9%), and trouble breathing (13%), were the most prevalent illness signs seen. Only Newcastle Disease was vaccinated, and 72.6% of farmers vaccinated their chickens. Sanitation practices were not followed, despite farmers adopting preventative measures such adequate housing (64.9%), immunisation (72.6%), and correct diet (66.3%). Dogs (40.9%), snakes (21.2%), rats (8.3%), cats (7.9%), and foxes (9.2%) were the most common predators. Predation was the main cause of disease outbreaks (23.5%) and poultry deaths caused due to predation was (75.8%). Due to unorganized marketing structure, farmers did not receive premium pricing for their rural poultry and the products. A lack of a marketplace (65.2%), fluctuating pricing (49.3%), erratic demand (40.6%), and the involvement of intermediaries (20.5%), expensive transportation (20.1%), and a lack of money (4.3%) were among the issues encountered when marketing. Farmers looked to NGOs for support in order to enhance the rural poultry industry because there were no loans available for poultry production.
“EFFECT OF STORAGE AND HUMIDIC CONDITIONS ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF POMEGRANATE SEED OIL”
Edible oils, the main constituent of daily diet, plays important role to provide energy and maintain metabolic mechanism of body. It is most important to check the chemical composition of oil because several quality problems are associated with quality of edible oils such as oxidative deterioration. Oxidation not effects the quality of oil also makes it unfit for use. Several factors are responsible for oxidation such as; storage, temperature, humidity etc. In present study, the chemical composition of Pomegranate seed oil (PSO) was monitored at different humidic conditions for 65 days by, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry and conventional titrimetric methods. Oxidation of PSO was assessed by measuring peroxide value (PV) (1.93 -7.35 meq/kg), p-anisidine value (p-AV) (7.83 -36.40), free fatty acid content (FFA) (0.95 -2.19%) and total oxidation value (TOTOX) (11.75 – 51.10).Current study shows that the oxidation influences the quality characteristics of PSO. PV increased from initial day28th day of oxidation and decreased till 281.89 to 3.71 meq/kg. On very first day the PV value of PSO samples were noted. When the PV values of all three samples were compared with values of 28th day of oxidation, an increased trend was observed from day 1st to 28th day. The same increased trend was followed till last day of oxidation whereas slight decreased in PV was noticed till 42nd day. FFA level was observed continuously increased from initial day till last day, the p-AV value also enhanced from day 1st to last day and totox value was also observed in increased order during 65 days of storage at different humidic conditions. FT-IR study illustrated major effect on the CLnA band during oxidation. Furthermore. In conclusion significant variation in the chemical composition of pomegranate seed oil was observed during oxidation at different humidic conditions which also affected the chemical behavour of oil. It was also suggested that humidic condition is not suitable for quality and edible point of view of oil.
FATTY ACID PROFILING AND FUNCTIONAL GROUP CHARACTERIZATION OF BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARE L.) GRAIN OIL USING GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY–MASS SPECTROMETRY AND FT–IR ANALYSIS
This study investigates the fatty acid profile and functional group characteristics of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain oil extracted from five varieties collected in Sindh, Pakistan. Oils were extracted via Soxhlet using hexane, converted to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), and analyzed through Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). Major fatty acids identified included hexadecanoic acid (C16:0), octadecanoic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), and linolenic acid (C18:3). Total saturated fatty acids (SFA) ranged from 22.0% to 25.1%, while total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) ranged from 71.9% to 77.9%. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT–IR) confirmed the presence of typical lipid functional groups such as aliphatic C–H, carbonyl C=O, and C–O ester linkages. These results demonstrate that barley grain oil is rich in nutritionally beneficial unsaturated fatty acids, highlighting its potential for use in food, nutraceutical, and industrial applications.
PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND ELEMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARE L.) GRAINS USING CONVENTIONAL ANALYTICAL METHODS AND ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
Cereals are a significant source of energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber. They also contain a range of micro-nutrients and bio-active components notably vitamins and minerals. Barley(Hordeum vulgareL.) isalso important member of cereals family, asitremained the part of the human diet sincehistoric times.The chemical andnutritional composition of barley(Hordeum vulgare L.) crops vary widely and depends on several factors, such as; environmental and soil conditions, variety, fertilizer management, and agricultural practices such as seeding rate. In This study evaluates the proximate composition and elemental profile of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), five barley(Hordeum vulgare L.) grain samples were collected from different regions of Sindh, Pakistan, using standardized AOAC procedures and instrumental analysis. The results of this study showed that, Moisture contentranged from 9.76%to11.65%,ash from 1.13%to1.98%, crude protein from 11.21% to12.13%, crudefat from 1.01%to11.82%, crudefiber from 5.78%to6.32%,and carbohydratesfrom 57.72% to 68.31%. Energy values ranged from 632.4 to 775.4 kcal/100 g. Elemental analysis using microwave-assisted acid digestion followed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) indicated very low concentrations of Pb (0.056–0.081 ppb), Cd (0.02–0.04 ppb), Cr (2.34–4.53 ppm), and Cu (0.02– 0.08 ppm), all within internationally acceptable limits. The nutritional richness and negligible heavy- metal content demonstrate the safety and quality of barley cultivated in Sindh, reinforcing itssuitability for food, feed, and industrial purposes.
PETROGRAPHY AND TECTONO-SEDIMENTARY SIGNIFICANCE OF SANDSTONES FROM THE HIMALAYAN FORELAND: A CASE STUDY OF TATTA PANI, AJ&K, PAKISTAN.
The Tatta Pani area in District Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir occupies a strategic location within the eastern limb of Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis (HSK) in the Sub Himalayas forming an essential segment of Himalayan Forland Basin. This study focuses on understanding the geological and petrographic characteristic of the sandstone exposed in this region, primarily belonging to Murree Formation. With contributions from the Siwalik Group, this area is tectonically influenced by significant structures such as Riasi Thrust and the Tatta Pani Anticline, which control the regional stratigraphy and deformation patterns. Sandstone successions in Tatta Pani area (Kotli), Azad Jammu and Kashmir, preserve important records of sediment provenance and tectonic evolution of the northwestern Himalayan orogenic Belt. This study the petrographic characteristics and tectonic setting of sandstones exposed in the Kotli area to explain their provenance, depositional setting, and source-area tectonics. In the following study, the detailed petrographic analysis performed by using thin-section microscopy and modal point counting to quantify framework grains, matrix, and cement. According to petrographic analyses, the sandstones are primarily lithic arenites, with quartz being the most prevalent mineral and frequently displaying both undulatory and non-undulatory extinction. In addition to accessory minerals like muscovite and tourmaline, the presence of fragments of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock indicates a recycled orogenic source connected to the Himalayan hinterland. Textural characteristic like angular to sub rounded quartz grains indicate a combination of proximal and distal sedimentary sources, while calcite and hematite act as the main cementing agents. Fluvial depositional environments are indicated by sedimentary features seen in the field, such as petrified wood, mud cracks, load cast and ripple marks. The integrated field and petrographic data confirm that the sediments were derived from Himalayan uplift and were deposited in a tectonically active foreland setting, preserving a record of complex basin evolution and sediment recycling processes.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF CORDEX OUTPUT FOR TRANSBOUNDARY RIVER BASINS ON DAILY AND MONTHLY SCALES- A CASE STUDY FOR JHELUM BASIN, PAKISTAN
: Regional climate models (RCMs) are fundamental tools to assess climatic impacts at regional scales. In this study we have investigated the performance of all available RCMs in south Asia at spatial resolutions of 25 km and 50 km. The performance evaluation was carried out using the CORDEX output for the Jhelum River basin in Pakistan. The model performance was assessed using the mean annual standard deviation and four criteria including the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean bias error (MBE) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) to analyze precipitation and maximum and minimum temperature data. In addition, the RCMs were ranked to distinguish good and poor model results including spatial resolution at daily and monthly scale. The results for 25 km and daily resolution show that the RCM REMO2015 with GCM -MPI-ESM-LR performed well with a low bias and high correlation with an average rank of 3.08 and 2.75 for precipitation and Tmax and for Tmin, the same RCM with GCM HadGEM2-ES show good results with a rank of 2.91. The RCM REMO2015 with GCM NorESM1-M performed well for precipitation with a rank of 2.58 and the RCM REMO2015 with GCM MPI-ESM-LR and with GCM HadGEM2-ES has ranks of 2.75 and 2.33 for Tmax and 3.5 and 2.58 for Tmin for 25 km and monthly resolution. The RCM RCA4 with GCM EC-EARTH has a rank of 4.83 for precipitation, RCM REMO2009 with GCM MPI-ESM-LR a rank of 2.58 for Tmax and RCM RCA4 with GCM CSIRO-Mk3-6-0 a rank of 1.5 for Tmin for 50 km and daily resolution. The RCM RCA4 with GCM MIROC5 has a rank of 3.83 for precipitation, the RCM REMO2009 with GCM MPI-ESM-LR has a rank of 2 for Tmax and RCM RCA4 with GCM CanESM2 and CSIRO-Mk3-6-0 has an average rank of 1.91 for Tmin for 50 km and a monthly resolution. The overall results showed that RCM REMO2015 had the best performance with GCM MPI-ESM-LR and HadGEM2-ES for 25 km and a daily and monthly resolution, while RCM RCA4 with GCM EC-EARTH for precipitation and RCA4 with GCM CanESM2 and CSIRO-Mk3-6-0 for Tmax and Tmin, respectively, showed a good performance for 50 km and both daily and monthly resolutions.
EFFECT OF FEEDING CHEMICALLY TREATED COTTON SEED CAKE ON FEED INTAKE, GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND BLOOD METABOLITES OF DRY NILI RAVI BUFFALOES
An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding chemically treated cotton seed cake (CSC) on the intake, body condition score, urine pH, and serum mineral concentrations of dry buffaloes. Twenty dry Nili Ravi buffaloes weighing 600 ± 20 kg and of approximately 5 years of age were selected. Animals were divided into five groups having four buffaloes in each group. Dietary treatments based on the concentrate ration were: A) normal concentrate; B) un-treated CSC; C) CSC treated with 0.25% calcium (Ca) propionate; 4) CSC treated with 0.5% Ca propionate, and E) CSC treated with 0.75% Ca propionate. In addition to the concentrate, corn silage and wheat straw were fed at the rate of 2.5 and 0.9% of BW on DM basis, respectively. The CSC had an aflatoxin contamination level of at least 100 ug/kg. The buffaloes fed untreated CSC (Group B) had higher total DMI compared with all other treatment groups. The buffaloes fed either “normal” concentrate (Group A) or CSC treated with 0.75% Ca propionate (Group E) had lower total DMI compared with the other treatment groups. However, average daily gain did not vary between the groups. The feed efficiency was better in group consuming 0.5% treated CSC as compared to other groups. Neither urine pH nor serum Ca, P, K and Na concentrations were affected by the source of concentrate or the treatment of CSC with Ca propionate.
CLINICO-HEMATOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF INTRAOSSEOUS ADMINISTRATION OF BLOOD IN ANEMIC GOATS
This study investigates the clinical viability and hematological assessment of intraosseous (IO) transfusion of whole blood in goats suffering from severe anemia. This is an alternative route in those animals where traditional and commonly used intravenous access is challenging or delayed due to hypovolemia, small body size, or other anatomical constraints. Intraosseous access is already established in humans, while it is still utilized in small animals. The present study was conducted on six anemic goats aged 2-6 months at the teaching hospital of Riphah College of Veterinary Sciences, Lahore. Whole blood was collected from healthy donor goats, and after compatibility testing via minor and major cross matching and administered through the proximal humerus using a Jamsheedi IO needle. Clinical and hematological parameters were recorded before and 24 hours post-infusion. There were statistically significant improvements observed in pack cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), and red blood cell (RBC) count, which indicates the successful restoration of oxygen-carrying capacity. However, notable changes were also observed in red cell indices, such as a mild decrease in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and a significant increase in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), which shows the administration of normocytic normochromic donor cells. There was mild leukocytosis and slightly increased platelet counts, which reflect little immunologic response post transfusion. Clinically, heart rate, respiration rate, and capillary refill time (CRT) showed substantial improvement, and body temperature was also normalized post transfusion. In goats, intraosseous blood transfusion at 1–5 mL/min (20–100 drops/min) was slower than the IV rate (10–12 mL/min) but remained safe and effective without any complications. These findings support the hypothesis that IO transfusion provides a rapid, effective, and safe alternative to IV infusion, especially under field conditions or in emergency scenarios. This study lays the groundwork for further exploration into standardizing IO transfusion protocols in veterinary practice.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE OPTIMIZATION OF OVUM PICK-UP FREQUENCY IN BRAHMAN AND FRIESIAN CATTLE DURING IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION; A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Reproduction is key area to produce livestock with desirable traits and in this regard, assisted reproductive technology (ARTs) play a major role particularly in-vitro fertilization (IVF) technology. In-vitro embryo production (IVEP) has increased dramatically over the past 10 to 15 years, Initially, oocytes for IVEP were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries, however, with technological advancements oocytes are now being collected from the live animal through the ovum pick-up (OPU) methodology (Sarkar D et al., 2021). To maximize oocyte yield, maintain donor health and improve the efficiency of IVEP programs, it is essential to determine and optimize the appropriate frequency of OPU sessions in different cattle breeds. The optimization of ovum pick-up (OPU) frequency plays a pivotal role in maximizing oocyte recovery, ensuring donor welfare, and improving the cost-effectiveness of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) programs in cattle. This review consolidates current knowledge on biological, hormonal, technical, environmental, and welfare-related factors influencing OPU outcomes, with special emphasis on breed-specific differences between Bos indicus (Brahman) and Bos taurus (Friesian) cattle. Distinct ovarian physiology, including higher antral follicle counts, smaller follicle diameters, and differential follicular wave dynamics in Bos indicus, dictates a more conservative OPU frequency compared with Bos taurus donors. Evidence suggests that weekly or biweekly non-stimulated OPU is optimal for Brahman donors, while Friesian donors can sustain twice-weekly OPU under skilled management and high laboratory capacity. Hormonal priming with FSH or eCG can improve oocyte yield and competence, though repeated super stimulation demands cautious spacing (10 – 14 days) to avoid ovarian fatigue. Environmental factors such as heat stress, nutritional status and oxidative balance further modulate follicular response and oocyte quality. Despite technical advancements, significant gaps persist regarding long-term donor effects, breed-optimized FSH regimens, and frequency adaptation under tropical heat load.
A CASE OF UTERINE DIDELPHYS WRONGLY DIAGNOSED AS BICORNUATE UTERUS
37 year old female presented to gynae emergency as lower abdominal pain with vomiting. On examination abdomen is tender in left iliac fossa. Patient was a known case of bicornuate uterus (diagnosed on laparoscopy few years back), PCOS and endometriosis. Patient was diagnosed as case of dysmenorrhea, discharged home after analgesics and antiemetic. After 2 weeks she attended fertility clinic, where HyCosy and 3D scan was done by consultant which shows uterine didelphys with left horn not communicating to the cervix, left sided hematometra and left ovary with endometriotic changes. MRI again shows bicornuate uterus. So diagnosis ?? Uterine abnormality with significant endometriosis ?? Uterine didelphys with left horn not connected to the cervix. Surgery done which includes hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, left salpingo-oopherectomy and left hemi hysterectomy and tubal dytest and adhesion lysis. Left ureter not visualized as left renal agenesis was found. Follow-up shows markedly improved quality of life with no pain. Discussion: This case shows that gold standard in diagnosis of uterine didelphys is 3D TVS and saline infusion sonography, as it clearly identifies non communicating horn in this case. Conclusion: Uterine abnormalities are often associated with renal anomalies. Proper diagnosis and management improves quality of life. Most women have normal reproductive outcome but patient should be told about increased risk of miscarriages, preterm labor, fetal malpresentations
ELIMINATION OF Pb (II) FROM WASTEWATER BY USING RIVER JHELUM SAND AS ADSORBENT
Heavy metal contamination has become a major environmental concern in today’s world. This study focuses for the removal of Pb(II) ions from wastewater using Jhelum sand as a natural adsorbent. The sand was characterized through Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for the identification of functional groups and adsorption sites before and after the adsorption process. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the adsorption behavior of Pb(II), optimizing key parameters such as shaking speed (120 rpm), adsorbent dose (2.5 g/100 ml), pH (5), and contact time (20 minutes) for a 30 ppm Pb(II) solution. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied on adsorption data, showing a good fit that indicates the efficiency and feasibility of the adsorption process. The negative Gibbs free energy and positive enthalpy values further confirm that the process is spontaneous and endothermic. Overall, Jhelum sand proves to be an effective, eco-friendly, and low-cost material for Pb(II) ions removal from wastewater and industrial effluents
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF FRESH WATER ALGAE, MICROSPORA
In this study, the elemental composition of very important freshwater green algae genus Microspora was investigated. Microspora stagnorum and Microspora amoena are the main subjects of the investigation. Utilizing an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), these algae plants were gathered from multiple sites in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. Microspora stagnorum had the highest amounts of sodium 31.853±2.139a, iron 9.890±0.664b, calcium 0.233±0.0 015d, zinc 0.315±0.023d, potassium 1.834±0.123c, potassium 2.636±0.077c, zinc 0.202±0.024c, and iron 15.483±1.881b, that the Microspora amoena (Kutzing) Rabenhorst sample has a comparatively high levels of sodium [Na] (45.511 ± 5.652 percent), iron [Fe] (16.483 ± 1.881 percent), potassium [K] (3.757 ± 0.335 percent), and iron [Fe] (26.483 ± 1.881 percent). However, at 0.536 ± 0.077 percent, the zinc [Zn] content was the lowest. Because of their high mineral content, the study showed that microspore species could be used as dietary supplements. Furthermore, these algae can be used as bioindicators for environmental monitoring and bioremediation processes.
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS)
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ANALYSIS OF ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION FROM NON-DIABETIC AND DIABETIC PATIENTS HAIRS, NAILS AND BLOOD USING SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (SEM) AND ENERGY DISPERSIVE X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY (EDS)
There is mounting evidence that diabetes mellitus alters, how trace elements are broken down, and that these nutrients may be especially important in the onset and course of the condition. Comparing the locations of essential and trace elements was the aim of the current investigation. The typical levels of substances found in the human body include Calcium (Ca), Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Sodium (Na), Oxygen (O), and Zinc (Zn). In biological samples (blood, nails, and scalp hair), individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (n = 6) were compared to non-diabetic control subjects (n = 6), aged between 35 and 60 of both genders. The concentration of the elements was assessed through Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) in a Scanning Electron Microscope (S.E.M). The accuracy and precision were confirmed by the Critical point drying technique and by utilizing verified reference materials. The total recoveries of all components were observed to be (97.60-99.49) of verified values. The findings of this research indicated that the average levels of Ca, K, P, Mg, Mn, Na, O, and Zn were notably lower in blood, nails, and scalp hair samples of diabetic individuals when compared to control subjects of both sexes. These findings align with those obtained in other research indicating that lack and effectiveness of certain vital trace metals may contribute to the onset of diabetes mellitus. For the control of Diabetic Mellitus, I suggested different plants like Chicorium Intybus L., Eugenia Jambolina Lam/ Syzigium Cumini L., Citrus Decumana L. and Withania Coagulans Dunal.
Foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles ameliorated the adverse effects of cobalt toxicity in Raphanus sativus by regulating growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant defense machinery
Heavy metals toxicity poses oxidative stress in plants by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn cause damage to proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and disrupt the structural integrity of mitochondria and chloroplasts. The aim of present investigation was to examine the phytotoxic effects of cobalt (Co) on growth, physio-biochemical and oxidative stress parameters related in Raphanus sativus. On the other hand, potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for alleviation of Co toxicity (100 mg kg-1) in radish plants was explored. The current findings demonstrated that the foliar spray of ZnO NPs at varying concentrations (20, 40, and 80 mg L-1) significantly enhanced the growth attributes such as shoot fresh and dry weight, shoot and root length, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents of R. sativus during non-stressed conditions. The ZnO NPs (80 mg L-1) augmented the root and shoot fresh biomass, carotenoids, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b levels by 49%, 56, 29%, 45%, and 61%, respectively of R. sativus exposed to non-stress regime in contrast with untreated control. Nevertheless, the Co toxicity remarkably reduced the growth parameters and photosynthetic attributes while enhanced the levels of antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), proline, phenol and flavonoids in R. sativus. On the other hand, foliar supply of ZnO NPs enhanced the growth, photosynthetic parameters, proline, phenol, flavonoid, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) amounts of radish under Co stress with respect to relevant control. The exogenous ZnO NPs (80 mg L-1), escalated the quantities of SOD, CAT, POD, proline, phenol and flavonoids by 23%, 42%, 34, 29%, 25% and 39%, respectively, in R. sativus subjected to Co stress. Additionally, ZnO NPs (80 mg L-1) declined the MDA, H2O2, and Co uptake in the root and shoot by 28%, 17%, 48%, and 58%, respectively, which might have enabled R. sativus plants to cope with Co toxicity. The outcomes of the present study advocate the promising potential of ZnO NPs as an innovative and ecofriendly approach for sustainable cultivation of vegetables in cobalt-contaminated soils. Keywords; Cobalt; exogenous, lipid peroxidation; oxidative stress; phytostabiliztion, radish; zinc oxide nanoparticles
EFFECT OF NITROGEN RATES AND SEEDING DENSITY ON THE GREEN FODDER YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF OATS (AVENA SATIVA L)
A field experiment “Effect of Nitrogen rates and seeding density on the green fodder yield and Nutritional quality of oats (Avena sativa L)” was conducted in the Research area of Livestock Production Research Institute Bahadurnagar (Okara) during rabi season 2024-25. The soil selected was analyzed for its Physical & chemical properties. The soil was loam in texture with EC 2.6 dSm-1, pH 8.9, CaCO3, 6%, Organic matter 0.65%, Available P & K were 6.5 ppm and 180 ppm respectively. The experiment was laid out in RCBD design with three seed rates 60, 80 & 110 Kgha-1 and five rates of Nitrogen (0, 60, 80, 120, and 150 kg N ha−1) along with all possible combinations. The oats crop was sown when the field attains the moisture contents at field capacity during the 2nd week of December 2024, through hand drill by adjusting 23X23 cm RXR distance. The green forage yield obtained was 30 t ha−1, germination count 95% m−2, number of tillers 15 m−2, plant height 90 cm, number of leaves 08 per plant , fresh weight 30 t ha−1, Dry matter yield (11.09 t ha-1), dry matter contents 36.98, crude protein 8.18, crude fiber 27.70, ether extract 1.7 & total ash13.24 % respectively were recorded for the interactive effect of seed rate 110 and Nitrogen 150 kgha−1. The Physical & Chemical data were analyzed statically by using Proc GLM procedure of SAS version 9.4 (SAS. 2017) and significant mean differences were tested using Fisher’s protected least significant difference (LSD) test at α = 0.05.
IN VITO HYDROLYSIS OF YEAST BIOMASS AND FFECT OF VARYING LEVELS OF HYDORLYZED YEAST ON THE PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS
The present research study was conducted to assess the effects of supplementation of hydrolyzed yeast (HY) in drinking water (DW) on the production performance, welfare indices, and development of immune organs in broilers. For this a total of 480 broiler chicks were allocated (randomly) into four treatment groups viz: group A was control provided 0ml/L HY in DW, group B was provided 0.2ml/L HY in DW , group C was provided 0.4ml/L HY in DW, and group D was provided 0.6ml/L HY in DW. The HY was supplemented in drinking water for 8 hours as per scheme, afterward the fresh water without HY was offered to groups. Each group was consisted of three replicates (40 birds each). The inclusion of HY in water had effect (p < 0.05) on FI (FI), body weight gain (BWG) feed conversion ratio (FCR), foot pad dermatitis score (FPDS) and development of immune organs (bursa; p < 0.01 and spleen; p < 0.05). Broilers receiving 0.4ml/L HY in DW for 8 hours showed the best growth efficiency and lowest FCR values. Bursa and spleen development was increased in with increasing HY levels (ml/L) in DW. The results of the trial demonstrated that supplementing HY in DW, especially @ 0.4–0.6ml/L levels improves the production performance, livability%, FPDS and health of immune organs without any adverse effects on birds welfare. Therefore it is recommended that HY at levels of up to 0.6ml/L of DW can be used as a natural functional additive to enhance performance, welfare and immunity in poultry
RAIN HARVESTED WATER IS THE BEST ALTERNATE OF GROUND WATER FOR BROILER PRODUCTION
This study was conducted at the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during spring 2024, using 120-day old commercial broiler chicks. The chicks on the arrival were randomly divided into four groups of 30 chicks each, replicated three times with ten birds per replicate. Keeping feed and other parameters similar, chicks in the experimental groups were reared on four different water sources i.e., irrigation water, harvested rain water, tape water used for drinking on campus and spring water, to observe the effect of different water sources on the performance of broilers, weekly and overall feed intake, body weight gain, FCR and carcass dressing percentage, intestinal villi length and crypt depth. Required data was collected and analyzed for the results using the relevant tools. Data were analyzed through (CRD). ANOVA was used to find the mean and SE using Statistical software (8.1). P-value equal to 0.05 or <0.05 were considered significant. The means were separated by LSD (least significant difference). There was significant (P<0.05) decrease in feed intake of the birds provided with the rain water (3075.0±3.00 g) in comparison with other groups while the body weight gain was maximum (1811.00±2.08) in broilers offered with rain water. Provision of rain harvested water also improved significantly (P<0.05) the weekly and overall FCR (1.69d±0.001), dressing percentage (70.75a±0.14), intestinal villi height (0.896a±0.04), decreased (0.249d±0.01) villus crypt depth and overall economics of broiler production. This study revealed that provision of rain harvested water for drinking to broilers improved growth performance, FCR, dressing percentage, gut health and ultimately the economics of broilers production.
APPROACHES FOR THE PURIFICATION OF E. COLI Β-CLAMP IN COMPLEX WITH THE C-TERMINAL DOMAIN OF THE Α-SUBUNIT OF DNA POLYMERASE III.
Understanding the structural organization of replisome components is essential to elucidate the coordinated processes of DNA replication and repair in bacteria. This study designed to purify complexes formed between the α subunit (Dna E) of replicative polymerase the and the β-clamp (DnaN). To this end, DnaN and a 255-amino-acid C-terminal fragment of DnaE tagged with 6xHis and containing the iCBM consensus sequence (referred to as DnaE905hM) were individually overexpressed in E. coli B834 cells. While DnaN was found in the soluble fraction, DnaE905hM was localized to the insoluble fraction. The insoluble DnaE905hM was solubilized under denaturing conditions, bound to an affinity column, and refolded on-column in the presence of the β-clamp. The resulting complex was further purified using size-exclusion chromatography. Based on molecular weight predictions, a complex comprising one dimeric β-clamp (81.2 kDa) and one DnaE905hM subunit (26 kDa) was expected to elute around 180 ml, while a complex containing two DnaE905hM molecules was predicted to elute at approximately 175 ml. A prominent elution peak was observed at 173 ml, along with broader secondary peaks at 155, 205, and 220 ml. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses, using mouse anti-6x-Histidine antibodies conjugated with alkaline phosphatase and rabbit polyclonal anti-β-clamp antibodies, showed that β-clamp was most abundant in fraction 21, while DnaE905hM was primarily detected in fraction 22 likely representing their monomeric forms. Fainter bands of both proteins across fractions 15 to 19 suggest a range of complex stoichiometries.