Abstract The present research was planned to analyze the toxic effects of thimerosal on rat liver. Mercury and mercury compounds are universally known toxicants for animals and humans. Thimerosal is widely used in the vaccines as a preservative which contains 49.6% mercury. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were distributed into four groups (n=6). The first group was considered as a control group. While, second, third and fourth groups were intoxicated with 0.5, 10 and 50 µg/kg thimerosal (i.m.) respectively. After 30 days, rats were slaughtered to analyze the liver tissues. The results of the experiment exposed that thimerosal instigated significant (p<0.05) increase in alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aminotransferase (AST) levels. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) activities and Glutathione (GSH) and protein levels were significantly (p<0.05) reduced. Furthermore, significant increases in Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level and DNA damage was observed. Histopathological study revealed severe damages, e.g. fatty alterations, deterioration of lobular structure and degeneration of nuclei in hepatic tissues of thimerosal treated rats. Results of present investigation revealed that thimerosal induces hepatotoxicity at different levels.

Abstract: Initial Public Offerings are, by definition, not seasoned securities. They have not been subjected to valuation by the community of investors. It is often difficult or impossible to forecast their future cash flows because most do not have a long history of publicly disclosed financial information. Consequently, valuing IPOs in any market is more difficult than valuing seasoned equities. In this paper, we address the valuation of IPOs in the Alternative Investment Market, (hereafter the AIM.) The purpose of this study is to determine the observable factors that affect valuation in the AIM. We apply OLS, LASSO regression, and Extreme Bounds Analysis (EBA) techniques on historical accounting data to test our theory of valuation. The statistical sample consists of 2,185 IPOs issued on the AIM between 1995 and 2020. Our findings suggest that the market valuation of IPOs in the AIM is systematically related to a multiplicity of factors. These include earnings per share (EPS) in the after-market, operating cash follow per share, and the percentage of shares issued to the public. The findings of the study have a practical value for investors who are interested in buying IPOs in the AIM.

Resumen: Las ofertas iniciales de venta al público (IPOs), por definición, no tienen historia y no han sido valoradas por inversionistas. Por ello, es difícil o imposible realizar proyecciones de flujos futuros, al no existir información financiera pública. Este trabajo centra la valoración en el Mercado de alternativo de inversiones, determinando los observables que afectan la valoración. Aplicamos distintas técnicas econométricas a datos contables de 2,185 IPOs entre los años 1995 y 2020. Nuestros resultados sugieren que las valoraciones se relacionan con diversos factores.

RESUMO Introdução: a transmigração de caninos é uma condição ortodôntica rara, e é importante realizar seu adequado diagnóstico ainda em idade precoce. Objetivo: o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a frequência da transmigração de caninos inferiores (TCI) em pacientes ortodônticos de origem paquistanesa. Métodos: com o objetivo de analisar a presença, o local e o tipo de TCI, foram avaliadas 2.550 radiografias panorâmicas pré-tratamento (1.248 homens, 1.302 mulheres) de pacientes ortodônticos. Foram considerados como TCI os caninos inferiores permanentes que, na radiografia, estivessem cruzando a linha média. Resultados: a frequência de TCI foi de 0,98%. Os achados demonstraram a presença de apenas TCI unilaterais, sem diferenças significativas em relação ao sexo e ao lado da arcada. O tipo 1 de transmigração foi encontrado em 19 pacientes e os tipos 2 e 5, em três pacientes. Conclusão: na presente amostra de origem paquistanesa, a frequência da transmigração de caninos inferiores foi de 0,98%.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Canine transmigration is a rare orthodontic condition and it is relevant to perform the proper diagnose at an early age. Objective: The aim of the current study was to find out the frequency of transmigrated mandibular canines (TRC) in orthodontic patients obtained from South Asian population of Pakistan origin. Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 2,550 untreated orthodontic patients (1,248 males; 1,302 females) were included, to investigate the presence, site, and type of TRC. Any permanent mandibular canine that was found to be crossing the midline in panoramic radiographs was considered as TRC. Results: The frequency of TRC was found to be 0.98%. TRC were only found unilaterally. No significance regarding gender and side was found. Nineteen TRC displayed a type 1 transmigratory pattern, while type 2 and type 5 transmigratory patterns were encountered in three patients. Conclusion: Frequency of transmigrated mandibular canines in the studied sample was 0.98%.

RESUMO Introdução: a manutenção da ancoragem sempre foi um desafio na Ortodontia. Objetivo: o objetivo do presente estudo foi descobrir a taxa de falhas dos mini-implantes instalados na região da tuberosidade maxilar (TM). Métodos: o presente estudo piloto avaliou 40 pacientes (23 mulheres, 17 homens; idade média = 20,1 ± 8,9 anos) que receberam 60 mini-implantes na TM durante o tratamento ortodôntico. Anotações clínicas e fotografias foram usadas para investigar o principal motivo para a falha do mini-implante. Fatores de insucesso independentes também foram investigados. Uma análise de regressão logística foi realizada para medir o impacto de cada fator preditivo sobre a falha na instalação dos mini-implantes na TM. Resultados: as diferentes variáveis preditivas não demonstraram correlação significativa com a taxa de falhas, com exceção da instalação dos mini-implantes realizada por operadores inexperientes, que mostrou quantidade significativamente maior de falhas. A razão de chances para a falha dos mini-implantes instalados por operadores inexperientes foi de 4,16. Conclusão: observou-se uma taxa de falhas de 26,3% para os mini-implantes instalados na região da TM.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Anchorage conservation in orthodontics has always been a challenge. Objective: The aim of this current study was to find out the failure rate of miniscrews inserted in the maxillary tuberosity (MT) region. Methods: This pilot study consisted of 40 patients (23 female, 17 male; mean age = 20.1±8.9 years) that had received 60 MT miniscrews for orthodontic treatment. Clinical notes and pictures were used to find out the primary outcome of miniscrew failure. Independent failure factors were also investigated. Logistic regression analysis was done for predictor’s relation with MT miniscrews failure. Results: There was no significant correlation in failure rate according to various predictor variables, except for miniscrews installed by lesser experienced operators, which showed significantly more failure. The odds ratio for miniscrew failure placed by inexperienced operators was 4.16. Conclusion: A 26.3% failure rate of mini-implants inserted in the MT region was observed.

Abstract: This study empirically examines the spillover effect from US monetary policy to nineteen European economies using Markov-switching models. The results of the univariate Markov-switching models validate the presence of two distinct regimes for both US monetary policy and the stock markets. We find mixed results when applying the multivariate Markov-switching models. The results report a positive relationship between the US interest rate and developed stock markets except for the Finish, Swiss, Swedish and UK stock markets whereas our findings confirm a positive relationship with the developing stock markets except for the Slovenian and Ukraine stock markets. Importantly, the nature of this effect varies during the economic crisis period. This study also compares the spillover effect between Asian and European stock markets and concludes that the effect of US monetary policy varies from market to market, however, changes in US monetary policy have greater effects on developed markets.

Resumen: Este trabajo evalúa el efecto rebalse de la política monetaria de Estados Unidos en diecinueve economías europeas, utilizando modelos de cambios markovianos. Modelos univariados validan la presencia de dos regímenes, tanto para la política monetaria de Estados Unidos como de los mercados accionarios. Encontramos una relación positiva entre la tasa de Estados Unidos y los mercados accionarios de economías desarrolladas (con la excepción de Finlandia, Suiza, Suecia y Reino Unido) y mercados accionarios de países en desarrollo (excepto por Eslovenia y Ucrania). A su vez, la naturaleza de este efecto varía en períodos de crisis. El trabajo también compara el efecto rebalse entre economías asiáticas y europeas, demostrando que los efectos son distintos entre mercados. Sin embargo, la influencia de la tasa de interés de Estados Unidos es mayor en mercados desarrollados.

Abstract: The normal distribution has a central place in distribution theory and statistics. We propose the log-odd normal generalized (LONG) family of distributions based on log-odds and obtain some of its mathematical properties including a useful linear representation for the new family. We investigate, as a special model, the log-odd normal power-Cauchy (LONPC) distribution. Some structural properties of LONPC distribution are obtained including quantile function, ordinary and incomplete moments, generating function and some asymptotics. We estimate the model parameters using the maximum likelihood method. The usefulness of the proposed family is proved empirically by means of a real air pollution data set.

Abstract Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria increase plant growth and give protection against insect pests and pathogens. Due to the negative impact of chemical pesticides on environment, alternatives to these chemicals are needed. In this scenario, the biological methods of pest control offer an eco-friendly and an attractive option. In this study, the effect of two plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strains (Bacillus sp. strain 6 and Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K) on aphid population and wheat productivity was evaluated in an aphid susceptible (Pasban-90) and resistant (Inqlab-91) wheat cultivar. The seeds were inoculated with each PGPR strain, separately or the combination of both. The lowest aphid population (2.1 tiller−1), and highest plant height (85.8 cm), number of spikelets per spike (18), grains per spike (44), productive tillers (320 m−2), straw yield (8.6 Mg ha−1), and grain yield (4.8 Mg ha−1) were achieved when seeds were inoculated with Bacillus sp. strain 6 + Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K. The grain yield of both varieties was enhanced by 35.5–38.9% with seed inoculation with both bacterial strains. Thus, the combine use of both PGPR strains viz. Bacillus sp. strain 6 + Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K offers an attractive option to reduce aphid population tied with better wheat productivity.

Abstract In this study, conditions were optimized for development of a simple RP-HPLC method for simultaneous analysis of gatifloxacin and dexamethasone in different matrices like pharmaceuticals, human serum and urine. Good separation of gatifloxacin and dexamethasone from the induced degradation products was accomplished using C8 as stationary phase; 0.02 M phosphate buffer (pH 3.0) and methanol (42:58 v/v) as mobile phase. The concentration was measured with DAD at 270 nm. Linearity was observed in the range of 0.000040-0.000280 mol/L for gatifloxacin (r2≥0.999) and 0.000013-0.000091 mol/L for dexamethasone (r2≥0.999). Both the analyte peaks were completely separated from the peaks of induced degradation products as indicated by the peak purity index (≥0.9999 for both analytes). The optimized method is recommended to be used for concurrent analysis of gatifloxacin and dexamethasone in different matrices.

This paper estimates the short-run performance of IPOs issued on the Karachi Stock Exchange in Pakistan. The present study extends the existing literature concentrating on the degree of underpricing over a 3-month period lasting from the listing date to the 3-month anniversary showing significant evidence of IPO underpricing. The analyses support the investors’ sentiment and underwriters’ prestige hypothesis but not ex-ante uncertainty. The EBA technique has been used to examine fifteen explanatory variables of IPO underpricing. The study finds that the aftermarket risk level of the IPO, the oversubscription ratio, the offer price, the return on assets, post issue promoters’ holding and size of the firm are six robust determinants of IPO underpricing.

Este trabajo estudia el desempeño de corto plazo de las ofertas públicas iniciales de acciones en la bolsa de Karachi (Pakistán), mostrándose subvaluaciones de precios desde la fecha de la oferta hasta los tres meses. Se encuentra soporte a las hipótesis de percepción y prestigio, pero no de incertidumbre ex ante. La técnica de análisis de límites extremos permite analizar quince potenciales determinantes de la subvaluación de manera robusta.

BACKGROUND: Current study has been designed to evaluate the chemical composition of essential and fixed oils from stem and leaves of Perovskia abrotanoides and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of these oils. RESULTS: GC-MS analysis of essential oil identified 19 compounds with (E)-9-dodecenal being the major component in stem and hexadecanoic acid in leaves. In contrast, GC-MS analysis of fixed oil showed 40 constituents with α-amyrin the major component in stem and α-copaene in leaves. The antioxidant activity showed the highest value of 76.7% in essential oil from leaves in comparison with fixed oil from stem (45.9%) through inhibition of peroxidation in linoleic acid system. The antimicrobial assay tested on different microorganisms (e.g. E. coli, S. aureus, B. cereus, Nitrospira, S. epidermis, A. niger, A. flavus and C. albicans) showed the higher inhibition zone at essential oil from leaves (15.2 mm on B. cereus) as compared to fixed oil from stem (8.34 mm onS. aureus) and leaves (11.2 mm on S. aureus). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed the fact that essential oil analyzed from Perovskia abrotanoides stem and leaves could be a promising source of natural products with potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, as compared to fixed oil.

The RP-HPLC analytical method with UV detection at 230nm with ODS Hypersil C18 column (250mm x 4.6mm, 5µ particle size) was developed for simultaneous determination of Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine and Dacarbazine in plasma of lymphoma patients using mobile phase composition of 300 volumes Acetonitrile and 700 volumes 0.05M Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate containing 0.5ml TEA and pH of the mobiles phase was maintained at 3.7 with 2M Phosphoric acid at a flow rate of 0.75ml/minute with linearity ranges of 0.05-50, 0.06-50, 0.075-50 and 0.09-50 µg/ml respectively with LOD and LOQ of 0.020, 0.050; 0.045, 0.060; 0.060, 0.075 and 0.040, 0.090 respectively. % recovery of DOX, BLM, VBL and DTIC were 99.24, 99.23, 99.08 and 99.09 respectively.

1. The present study describes a direct and an alternative HPLC method for the determination of etoposide in injectable dosage forms. Etoposide, an antineoplastic drug, was eluted through C18 ODS Hypersil column of 250 ÷ 4.6 mm id with 5 ìçé particle size using simple mobile phase of methanol: water (1:1, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min¹ and detected at 204 nm. The limit of detection of etoposide was 0.03 µg mL-1. The proposed method was found linear in the range of 0.25 µg mL¹ to 62.5 µg mL¹ and CV was 1.3% at 0.25 µg mL¹ , 0.48% at 3.90 µg mL¹ and 0.13% at 62.5 µg mL¹. The accuracy of the developed method for two injectable dosage forms was 99.4 and 99.7% with RSD of 0.3%. The validation results and statistical data demonstrate that the method is simple, cost effective, reproducible and suitable in quality analysis of the active ingredient and dosage form.

The biosorption of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) from synthetic solution using dried untreated and pretreated Rosa gruss an teplitz waste biomass was evaluated in this study. The results showed that initial pH, biosorbent dose, sorbent particle size, initial metal concentration, time and temperature affected chromium uptake capacity of rose biomass. The effect of twenty different pretreatments including gaseous and other reagents on Cr(III) and Cr(VI) uptake capacity of Rosa gruss an teplitz waste biomass was comprehensively described. Uptake capacity of Rosa gruss an teplitz waste biomass was significantly affected after pretreatment. The metal uptake capacity of biomass was not only found related to nature of pretreatment but also found strongly related to oxidation state of chromium. The estimation of the correlation coefficients for Cr(VI) showed that the experimental data fit better to Freundlich model. The Langmuir isotherm provided the best correlation for Cr(III) onto the rose waste biomass. The biosorption phenomenon was dependent on the temperature with máximum adsorption at 30°C. Biosorption of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) ions on to biomass followed pseudo 2ntl order adsorption kinetic model. The results confirmed that rose waste biomass is a potential biomaterial to remove Cr(III) and Cr(VI) ions with a high biosorption capacity 45.03 mg/g and 48.75 mg/g for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) respectively.