Three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) of the Camargue region (Rhone delta, northern Mediterranean Sea) occupy coastal mesohaline lagoons and freshwater canals. In this study, the acclimation capacity to different salinities of a population living in freshwater canals was investigated. Freshwater (FW; 5 ‰) individuals were compared to fish acclimated for at least 2 weeks to brackish water (BW; 15 ‰) and seawater (SW; 30 ‰). Blood osmotic pressure and gill Na+/K+‐ATPase (NKA) gene expression of the α1 subunit and α1a and α1b isoforms were determined at these salinities. NKA protein expression in the gill ionocytes and the remodelling of these cells were also investigated through NKA immunolabelling and electron microscopy. Blood osmolalities of fish acclimated to FW, BW and SW were significantly different. Branchial NKA α1a and α1b expressions also differed, with a higher expression of NKA α1b in fish acclimated to SW. Gill ionocytes in fish acclimated to FW were located along the lamellae and at their base and appeared elongated, whereas these cells were restricted to gill filaments in fish acclimated to SW with a round shape. Finally, electron microscopy revealed three different types of apical structures for these ionocytes: a honeycomb‐like structure and a dome shape in FW, and deeply encrypted in SW. This study shows that ionocyte cell type and morphology, and gill NKA expression are salinity‐dependent. This branchial remodelling is directly linked to the physiological homeostatic status reached by the fish. It also highlights that sticklebacks of the Camargue region can rapidly acclimate to different salinities and can easily migrate between FW canals and mesohaline coastal lagoons.

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The seasonal effect on haematology and body composition of Rohu and Mrigal carp were evaluated. Fifty-four fish of each species (Rohu length and weight 28.00±0.34 cm and 385±3.40 g; Mrigal carp length and weight 29.48±0.24 cm and 393±5.48 g) were collected from the Dera Ismail Khan. The values of WBCs (9.31 and 8.41×106 mm-3), RBCs (2.37 and 2.12×106 mm-3), Hb (9.58 and 8.78) and HCT (38.06 and 36.04 %) of Rohu and Mrigal carp were higher in summer whereas declined in winter (P<0.05). The MCV, MCH and MCHC of both species were higher (P<0.05) in winter, and decreased during summer. The moisture content of both Rohu and Mrigal carp was higher during winter followed by spring and lower in summer season. Lipid and protein content of both species were higher (P<0.05) in summer and lower in winter. The moisture content, proteins and lipid were found higher in Rohu than Mrigal carp. According to the findings, it was concluded that the water quality parameters vary seasonally which in turn impacts on body physiology of fish species.

Background/Aim Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the important public health issues worldwide. The Fat mass obesity (FTO) gene rs-9939609 variant identified single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with the T to A missense mutation, and has a strong association with T2DM. FTO gene is present on chromosome “16q12.2” comprising of nine exons. FTO gene rs-9939609 a variant is commonly found in the Pakistani Population. The purpose of the study was to alert the population about the rs-9939609 variant SNP, having a strong association with T2DM. Material and Methods Total of 190 participants were included in the present cross-sectional study. To collect the samples non-probability convenience technique was used. subjects were recruited and divided into three groups, normal healthy subjects, obese and T2DM. The patients were selected from the Medicine department Jamshoro/Hyderabad by filling the pre-designed proforma, as well as verbal and written consent taken from study participants. To analysed the data ANOVA Post hoc (Tukey-test) was applied for comparison among groups (P < 0.05) and “SNP-STAT” online software was used for frequencies. Results The BMI, neck circumference, waist circumference and lipid profile, fasting blood sugar and HbA1c was found significant (p < 0.001) in both genders as compared to control. Homozygous and heterozygous distribution of allelic and genotyping frequency was found in study participants. 37.9 %T/A, 57.4% T/T, and A/A were 4.7%. The FTO gene rs-9939609 variant amplified and have an increased risk of developing T2DM in the Sindh population. Codominant model odd ratio of T/A showed 2.42 ( CI) 1.23–3.84, with significant p < 0.032. Conclusion The present study concluded that the FTO gene SNP rs-9939609 variant was found in the population of Hyderabad, Sindh and having strong association with T2DM and obese individuals. Increase BMI, neck and waist circumference are the biomarkers of obesity and causative factors of T2DM.

Background Anemia in pregnancy is a globally health-related issue, that affects both mothers and their newborn. Anemia during pregnancy across the world involves approximately 38% of the world population. To evaluate the effect of gestational anemia on perinatal outcome in the population. The aim of present study is to evaluate the effect of gestational anemia on perinatal outcome in the population of Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. Methods A cross-sectional comparative analysis was conducted among pregnant mothers who were listed to give birth at Liaquat University of medical and health sciences Jamshoro/Hyderabad during the period of September 2018 to September 2019. The study population 400 were selected by convenient random sampling, and grouped into 2 on the basis of their Hb levels, with Hb < 11 gm% they were classified as anemic mothers, Hb ≥ 11 gm% were termed as non-anemic mothers, data was collected on the preformed questionnaire, and was analyzed on SPSS 21. Results The prevalence of anemia was 51.5% in in total population out of which, the incidence of normocytic normochromic anemia was highest 52.4 %microcytic hypochromic anemia was found in 19.4%, Overall, extremely low Apgar was found in 53 anemics, and 8 non. anemic mother’s infants, LBW incidence was 47.5 %; in anemic mothers, and 15.4 % in non-anemic group, the term, small for gestational age infants were 14.5% in anemic mothers, and 3.6% in non-anemic mothers, there were 36 preterm births to anemic mothers and 10 in non-anemic mothers. The incidence of caesarian section is 53.3% in anemic mothers compared to 30.9% in non-anemic mothers. Conclusions Anemia in pregnancy significantly increases risks of low Apgar, LBW, term SGA, preterm birth, and an increase incidence of caesarian section.