Effect of pesticide residues on health and blood parameters of farm workers from rural Gadap, Karachi, Pakistan.

The samples were collected from 83 persons on 1 day (reading-I), 7 days (reading-II) and 30 days (reading-III) engaged in pesticide spraying in fourteen different fruit and vegetable farm stations located in the orchards of Gadap (rural area), Karachi-Pakistan. In the present study 26 workers out of 83 who were exposed to different pesticides (ie., cypermethrin, deltamethrin, polytrin-C, diazninon, monocrotophos, DDT and DDE) were compared with 25 healthy control persons. Different blood parameters were determined in comparison to control subjects. The results indicate some alterations in blood indices in allthe pesticide exposed persons, and only two persons from two different stations were affected severely and therefore their Hb, MCV MCHC, TLC, monocyte and neutrophil counts increased significantly. High lymphocyte count was noted in almost all the exposed persons. Platelets count was also found high in few persons but Hb, MCV, MCH, TLC, RBC and neutrophil counts significantly decreased in such persons. Exposure of multiple pesticides for prolong period has also affected the health of exposed persons and produced dermatological, hepatic, nephritic, respiratory and other clinical disorders reflecting the toxic effects of pesticides. Our findings indicate that indiscriminate use of pesticides in farming environments must be regularly assessed and farm workers must be trained for safe use of pesticides.

Effect of pesticide residues on health and different enzyme levels in the blood of farm workers from Gadap (rural area) Karachi-Pakistan.

Persons from 14 different fruit and vegetable farm stations from Gadap (rural area), Karachi-Pakistan were examined for the presence of pesticide (cypermethrin, deltamethrin, polytrin-C, diazinon, monocrotophos, DDT and DDE) residues in their blood samples. The present study is concerned with effects of residue on the enzyme levels (GPT, GOT and ALP) as well as the health hazards of pesticide exposed persons. There is a significant increased in the enzyme levels at different stations. Exposed persons complained about liver and kidney dysfunctions and RTI. It may be concluded that exposure of multiple pesticides for prolonged period has affected the normal functioning of different organ systems and possibly produced characteristics clinical effects such as hepatitis, dyspnea and burning sensation in urine.

Detection of pesticide residues in muscles, liver and fat of 3 species of Labeo found in Kalri and Haleji lakes.

The pesticide residues which were detected in fish tissues are DDT, DDE, aldrin, dieldrin and deltamethrin. In total 45 samples were taken out of which 18 were found positive. Out of 18 samples DDT was found in 10 samples in small quantities. DDE was found in 12 samples in higher quantities, aldrin was found in 10 samples and dieldrin was found in 2 samples in small quantities. Deltamethrin was found in 7 samples and malathion in none. Slightly more number of residues were found in Kalri lake samples. However, quantity of pesticides was higher in Haleji lake due to polluted nature of water while number of pesticides was more in Kalri lake water, possibly due to the surrounding adjacent agricultural farms. Higher level of GPT, GOT and ALP was found in samples with higher accumulation of pesticide residues. This possibly indicates a correlation between exposure of pesticide and increased level of the 3 enzymes.

Vrp1p functions in both actomyosin ring-dependent and Hof1p-dependent pathways of cytokinesis.

Vrp1p/verprolin/End5p is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae proline-rich protein, structurally and functionally related to human Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein-interacting protein. Vrp1p is required for viability at 37 degrees C, but not 24 degrees C. Here, we show that loss of Vrp1p (vrp1Delta) leads to a 3-4-fold delay in cytokinesis, wide bud necks, abnormal actomyosin rings, and aberrant septa even at 24 degrees C. Like other mutations affecting the actomyosin ring, vrp1Delta is synthetic lethal with deletion of HOF1 (or CYK2), which encodes a protein related to mammalian proline serine threonine phosphatase-interacting protein and Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cdc15p required for an actomyosin ring-independent pathway of cytokinesis in S. cerevisiae. At 37 degrees C, vrp1Delta cells rapidly cease dividing and exhibit a novel terminal phenotype: a single large bud, two well-separated nuclei, and an interphase microtubule array. The arrested cells have a persistent ring containing both actin and myosin at the bud neck. Many also exhibit some polarisation of cortical actin patches to the bud neck. Vrp1p binds an SH3-domain-containing fragment of Hof1p in vitro. Vrp1p is required in vivo for Hof1p relocalisation to a single ring at the bud neck prior to cytokinesis at 37 degrees C, but not at 24 degrees C. Vrp1p thus acts in both actomyosin ring formation and function, as well as in Hof1p localisation during cytokinesis.

Two insecticidal tetranortriterpenoids from Azadirachta indica.

Two new triterpenoids, 6 alpha-O-acetyl-7-deacetylnimocinol [24,25,26,27-tetra-norapotirucalla-(apoeupha)-6 alpha-acetoxy-7 alpha-hydroxy-1,14,20,22-tetraen-21,23-epoxy-3-one] (1) and meliacinol [24,25,26,27-tetranorapotirucalla-(apoeupha)-1 alpha-trimethylacryloxy-21,23-6 alpha,28-diepoxy-16-oxo-17-oxa-14,20,22-trien-3 alpha,7 alpha-diol] (2) were isolated from the methanolic extract of the fresh leaves of Azadirachta indica (neem). Their structures have been elucidated through spectral studies, including 2D-NMR (COSY-45, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC). The bioactivity of these as well as of nimocinol, reported earlier from the same source, is reported. The first compound and nimocinol showed toxicity on fourth instar larvae of mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) with LC50 values of 21 and 83 ppm, respectively. The second compound had no effect upto 100 ppm.

The WASp homologue Las17p functions with the WIP homologue End5p/verprolin and is essential for endocytosis in yeast.

Several end mutations that block the internalisation step of endocytosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae also affect the cortical actin cytoskeleton [1]. END5 encodes a proline-rich protein (End5p or verprolin) required for a polarised cortical actin cytoskeleton and endocytosis [2,3]. End5p interacts with actin [4], but its exact function is not yet known. To help elucidate End5p function, we sought other End5p-interacting proteins and identified the LAS17/BEE1 gene (encoding the yeast homologue of the human Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein, WASp) as a high-copy-number suppressor of the temperature-sensitive growth and endocytic defects of end5-1 cells (carrying a frameshift mutation affecting the last 213 residues of End5p). LAS17 is unable to suppress a full deletion of END5 (end5 delta), however, suggesting that the defective End5-1p in end5-1 mutants may be stabilised by Las17p. The amino terminus of Las17p interacts with the carboxyl terminus of End5p in the yeast two-hybrid system and similar interactions have been shown between WASp and a mammalian End5p homologue, WASp-interacting protein (WIP) [5]. As las17 delta deletion mutants are blocked in endocytosis, we conclude that Las17p and End5p interact and are essential for endocytosis.

Legionnaires' disease in elderly people: the first sign of an outbreak in the community?

Legionella pneumophila is responsible for up to 5% of cases of community-acquired pneumonia and mainly affects people aged over 50 years. The confirmation of legionellosis in two elderly patients living close to each other prompted a search for other cases. A total of eleven subjects with legionnaires' disease was recognized. The clinical findings are described and the diagnosis of legionellosis is discussed. Environmental investigations pointed to a cooling tower in the local town centre as the probable source of infection.

Determination of toxicity of danitol, methoprene and neem formulation against stored grain pest, sitophilus oryzae L.

Toxicity of a synthetic pyrethroid (Danitol 10 E.C.), methoprene (J.H.A.) and crude neem extract formulation (RB-b +PBO +Tx) in synergestic form was determined in laboratory by contact method against adults of Sitophilus oryzae. Observations after 24 hours of treatment showed that 50% of the adults died at 0.39 mu/cm(2) of Danitol, 6.28 mug/cm(2) of neem formulation and 18.85 mug/cm(2) of methoprene, the three products used in this experiment. Danitol was found more effective as compared to neem formulation and methoprene. It was found that the plant product formulation and a synthetic product are more effective than methoprene.

Biochemical and electrophoretical studies of the effect of some chemosterilants on theenzymes of aedes aegypti (L.) larvae.

In vivo effect of standard and prospective chemosterilants on some enzymes is reported. Colorimetric and histochemical findings indicate that alkaline phosphatase is inhibited by shikonin, hempa, tepa and shikonin angelate. Cholinesterase is inhibited by all the compounds while diphenol oxidase is not inhibited. These findings have been discussed in the light of the earlier observations.

Toxicity and IGR effect of two new neem products against Aedes aegypti (PCSIR strain).

Crude extract and isolated compounds from neem, Azadirachta indica and Melia azedarach (Meliaceae) are being tested in various countries. The present study deals with the effect of two new compounds and their parent fraction from the fresh winter neem leaves, isolated by Siddiqui et. al., 1986. The LC50 of NFD is 0.58 ppm, nimocinolide 0.625 ppm and isonimocinolide 0.47 ppm. Abnormal larvae, pupae and intermediates were also found.

Toxicity of crude neem extracts (N-4) and (N-9) against late 2nd instar larvae of Musca domestica L. (PCSIR strain).

The LD50 of crude neem extract (N-4) and (N-9) was found to be 4.80% and 0.47%, respectively. The range of mortality was found to be increasing (at 95% confidence limit) with increase in concentration of solution.

Toxicity of nicotine derivatives and their effect on the protein pattern of 4th immature stage of red cotton stainer Dysdercus koenigii (Fabr) (Hemiptera: Pyrrochoridae).

Toxicity of Nicotine dust and Nicrotine cyanurate was observed against the 4th immature stage of Dysdercus koenigii (Fabr.) by injection method. Mortality rates were noted after 24 hours of treatments. LD50's were calculated as 7.2 microg/nymph and 9 microg/nymph for nicotine dust and nicotine cyanurate respectively. Changes in the flow of protein metabolites occur with higher and lower doses of both the compounds.

The significance of fibronectin in cryoprecipitation in rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.

Fibronectin, a glycoprotein produced by mesenchymal cells, was present in 11 of 16 plasma cryoprecipitates and 12 of 14 synovial fluid (SF) cryoprecipitates. In some SF cryoprecipitates it was the major protein component. Fibronectin levels were related to the development of serum turbidity in the cold and fibronectin was involved in the development of cold turbidity induced by some charged polysaccharides in plasma, serum, and SF. It is suggested that fibronectin, which is synthesized by vascular endothelial cells and synovial lining cells, is involved in the development of some cryoprecipitates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.

Purification of alkaline phosphatase from the alimentary canal of Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal).

A method for the purification of alkaline phosphatase is described and some properties of the purified product determined. A 362-fold purification was obtained and enzyme is homogeneous as judged by SDS-gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight is 5.3 X 10(4) approximately, by disc-electrophoresis and also according to gel filtration and sucrose density-gradient.

Purification of prophenoloxidase in the haemolymph of Calliphora vicina (R. & D.).

An improved method for the purification of prophenoloxidase is described. The proenzyme was purified 400 fold in homogenous form. The purity was tested by disc-electrophoresis and the molecular weight was found to be 87 000 in comparison to the mobility of marker enzymes, which were run simultaneously in SDS-gel electrophoresis. The proenzyme was denatured at 80 degrees C and maximum conversion into active state was found between 40 and 50 degrees C.

Effect of tepa, shikonin and ecdysone on the alkaline phosphatase in the larvae Aedes aegypti (L.).

Effect of shikonin, tapa and ecdysone was studied on the activity of alkaline phosphatase by biochemical and histochemical methods. Tepa and shikonin (sterilants) inhibited the enzyme activity while ecdysone slightly increased the activity. This behaviour has been discussed in the present paper.