The effects of intrathecal (i. t.) morphine (25-100 g) and of the intraperitoneal (i. p.) xanthan gum (30 and 60 mg/kg) on blood glucose level were studied in non- fasted rats. Morphine produced a time and dose-dependent hypoglycemia, whereas xanthan caused a moderately decreasing effect on blood glucose. Morphine and xanthan appear to be acting by different mechanisms, although the hypoglycemic effects of morphine appear to be due largely to an increased glucose uptake by skeletal muscle. Xanthan has a slow onset of hypoglycemic action which may allow homeostatic mechanisms to intervene. On the other hand, glucagon was increased significantly after i. t. morphine (50 g) both at 30 and 60 min. The hyperglucagonaemic response after morphine may be due to a direct opioid effect on pancreas. The i. t. administration of morphine (50 g) caused a time-dependent decrease in liver and muscle glycogen levels in morphine-treated rats compared with saline-controlled rats. The data obtained in the present work point to active utilization of liver and muscle glycogen (glycogenolysis) in morphinised animals concomitant with hypoglycemia and increased glucagon levels.

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The effect of essential trace elements on the growth of leaves, flowers and fruits yield components of Solanum melongena L. (egg plant) and Capsicum annum L. (Chili Pepper) by foliar application were studied.
Foliar micronutrients were prepared in the laboratories and compared with a standard sample. The trials were conducted in the experimental farm of PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Karachi in April, 1993. The crop was harvested four months later in August. One set of experiment was kept as controls and were sprayed with equivalent quantity of water.
In the treated plants the flowering and fruiting took place twenty days earlier as compared to the controls. The treated plants bore more fruits and their sizes were also bigger than those of the control series.
The analysis of variance means reveals that in treated sets the growth factors had significant difference at both levels (p<0.05 and p<0.01) as compared with the control. The role of trace elements on the growth of plants by foliar application has been discussed.

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The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of three minutes asphyxia on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in newborn puppies. Another aim was to see the influence of verapamil and magnesium sulfate on rCBF. Blood pH, pO2, pCO2 were measured before and after asphyxia. Meanwhile, rCBF was measured by using single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) before and after asphyxia with 1 mCi Tc-99 m HMPAO and 2.5 mCi Tc-99 m HMPAO respectively. Then, the puppies were divided into three groups (verapamil, magnesium sulfate and serum physiologic). After administering the drugs intravenously, rCBFs of the puppies were measured by SPECT. The differences between basal and post-asphyxial pO2, pCO2 and pH values were significant. However, basal post-asphyxial and postdrug measurements for rCBF revealed no statistically significant differences. We therefore conclude that, three minutes asphyxia in puppies seem to be a safe period. Additionally verapamil and magnesium sulfate have not altered rCBF.

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Chronotoxicity may be defined as the changes in an organism's sensitivity to toxicants in relation to time. A review of research papers reveals numerous examples of a sensitive period to insecticides and miticides during a 24-hour cycle, or a circadian rhythm of sensitivity. In rare instances bimodal or tri-modal rhythms of susceptibility have been determined. The circadian rhythms of insect sensitivity to toxicants have been related to rhythmic biochemical processes. Thus, behavioral and physiological rhythms might be considered as marker rhythms for the rhythmic patterns of sensitivity to toxicants. However, the circadian peaks of sensitivity may not always be correlated with activity and metabolism. The practical application of the circadian sensitivity to toxins has had limited study and perhaps deserves greater attention.

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The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a powerful method for the rapid amplification of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The PCR-technique was developed by Dr. K. B. Mullis for which he received the Novel prize in 1993. The PCR-technique employs the enzyme DNA-polymerase to multiply selectively a single molecule of DNA several million folds in a few hours. It is finding a host of applications not only in fundamental molecular biological research, but also in medicine and clinical medicine particularly in clinical diagnostics.

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The interaction between the insect pest, Agrotis ypsilon; the parasite, Apanteles ruficrus and the pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis has been investigated. A. ruficrus parasitizing on host larvae treated with B. thuringiensis showed significant reduction in the egg production, formed cocoons, longevity of either sex and emerged adults. The mortalities caused by B-exotoxin were increased among parasitized host larvae more than the unparasitized ones.

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Compressive strengths have been determined for various mixtures of lime and aggregate fines such as silica sand, slate and rice husk ash, autoclaved at a steam pressure of 1.17 MPa (180°C) for 4.5 hours. It has been observed that the maximum compressive strength of 59.8 MPa was recorded after 4.5 hours reaction between 80.0% silica sand, 15.0% lime and 5.0% slate, 47.6 MPa was recorded after reacting 85.0% silica sand and 15.0% lime and 43.4 MPa compressive strength when the reactants are 80.0% silica sand, 15.0% lime and 5.0% rice husk ash. On the other hand if the reaction is between slate (85.0%) and lime (15.0%), it leads to a lower compressive strength (34.7 MPa).

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The motion of robotic manipulators is controlled by actuators driving the joints of the manipulator. The actuators can be electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic. A brief account is given of the different types of actuators. The main issues regarding the control of robotic manipulators are summarized. Also, a selective literature survey of the topic is given.

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This paper presents results of the effects of studied pesticides on amino acids in cotton seeds
and wheat grains stored at the room temperature (30 ± 3°C) after pesticide treatment for one month. Each sample was analyzed in triplicate along with a control sample. The influence on amino acids, was found to be variable and significant. The analytical data, obtained by employing amino acid analyzer, showed significant quantitative variations in amino acids of both the food commodities.

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