Determination of histological and genotoxic parameters of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus exposed to lead (Pb).

This study investigates the hazardous effects of lead on the histological and genotoxic parameters of the fish, Oreochromis niloticus. Present work was conducted in a series of three steps. In first step, acute toxicity, LC50 and lethal lead concentration were measured using Probit analysis method. LC50 value and lethal concentration for O. niloticus was measured as 77.673 mgL-1 and 150.924 mgL-1, respectively. In second step, histological changes were assessed by preparing slides of tissues of the gills, liver and kidney of both control and Pb-stressed O. niloticus and examining the respective tissues under the light microscope. The inferences showed significant histological alterations (p<0.05) in the gills of Pb-exposed fish including necrosis, edema, vascular congestion, shortening and curling and lifting of the epithelium of secondary lamella in gills. The cellular degeneration and dilation of sinusoids in liver and loss of hemopoietic tissue, necrosis and edema in kidney was observed. Histomorphometry of the liver showed a decrease in diameter of the central vein and hepatocyte along with an increase in width of sinusoids. The histomorphometry of kidney showed an increase in the diameter of renal corpuscle, glomerulus, proximal and distal convoluted tubules. The nuclear anomalies were studied in the RBCs of fish. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test was conducted to compare nuclear abnormalities and the frequency of micronuclei among the control and lead-treated fish groups. Results declared an increased micronucleus, notched and de-shaped nuclei frequency, in RBCs of fish exposed to lead as compared to control group.

Incidence of dog bite injuries and its associated factors in Punjab province of Pakistan.

Dog bites are a major cause for transmission of rabies virus to humans. Pakistan ranks fifth among most rabies affected countries in the world. There are a few regional (ecological) studies that investigated factors that explain geographic disparities in incidence of dog bite injuries. The main objective of this research was to document findings of spatial exploratory data analysis of incidence of reported cases of dog bite in Punjab province of Pakistan (2016-2019). In addition, we have quantified the association between incidence of dog bites and a set of selected socio-economic and demographic variables. District-wise data about reported cases of dog bites from 2016 to 2019 were used to map annual crude incidence per 100,000 of population. There was an obvious spatial variation in incidence of dog bites but there was no evidence of spatial autocorrelation. The risk of dog bite attacks was relatively higher in districts with low human population density (per sq. km), poor literacy rate, more rural population (% of total population), and lower median nighttime lights.