Host selection behavior of diaeretiella rapae mclntosh [hymenoptera: braconidae] attacking cereal aphids in Upper Egypt

The present investigation was carried out in Assiut Governorate to study the relative abundance of cereal aphid parasitoids and evaluate the host selection and host-instar preference of Schizaphis graminum [Rondani] and Rhopalosiphum padi L. by the braconid parasitoid, Diaeretielia rapae Mclntosh during 2015 wheat growing season

The obtained results revealed that the dominance percentages of the primary parasitoids were so high and presented by 81.53% of the total caught parasitoids* However, the secondary parasitoids showed low dominance percentages and presented by 18.47%

The parasitoids, D. rapae and Alloxysta australiae [Ashmead] revealed the highest dominance percentage and presented by 76.38 and 47.93% of the total collected primary and secondary parasitoids, respectively

The aphid, S. graminum appeared as more relatively preferred for. rapae than K. padi species

The development of D. rapae was found to be possible in any instar of 5. graminum and R. padi

The second and third instars of S. graminum presented the optimal response for D. rapae growth and survival, while the third and fourth instars of R. padi presented the optimal response for parasitization by the same parasitoid species

The averages of the development times from oviposition until the appearance of the mummified aphid were 7.68 and 8.01 days for S. graminum and R. padL respectively. Offspring production per female was high in the adult stage than others. Nymphs parasitized and mummified by D. rapae during the first and second instars may be reach to maturity but not produce any progeny

Relative abundance of the major piercing-sucking pests andtheir associated natural enemies on coriander plants

The present work was carried out at Shotb and Abnoub locations, Assuit Governorate, Upper Egypt throughout two successive coriander growing seasons, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013.The obtained results showed that coriander plants harbored 55 and 43 insect species belonging to 41, 31 families and 9, 9 orders in shotb and Abnoub locations, respectively. Among these species, [29, 26]; [6, 4]; [7, 4] and [16, 11] were recorded as pests, predators, parasitoids and pollinators and visitors in Shotb and Abnoub, respectively. The order Hymenoptera had the highest number of species [16, 13, species] followed by Diptera [9, 9 species] in both Shotb and Abnoub, respectively. Results also indicated that, regardless of the seasons, aphids [different species] were the most abundant piercing-sucking insect pests on coriander plants, representing 59.00 and 83.14 %, followed by T. tabaci which represented 38.12 and 15.57 % of the grand total of sucking pests. The Empoascae spp. and Campylomma spp. were less abundant and represented only an average of 2.09 and 0.09 % for Empoascae spp. and 1.10 and 1.19 % for Capylomma spp. of the grand total of piercing-sucking pests in Shotb and Abnoub locations, respectively. Concerning the relationships between abiotic and biotic factors with the aphid populations, results also indicated that the studied variables were together responsible for 58.49 % of the aphid population changes in Shotb location, while 64.57 % were recorded in Abnoub location. The change of the aphid populations varied with the plant age [23.46 and 39.73 %], maximum temperature [20.34 and 12.16 %] and natural enemies [4.76 and 4.21 %] in Shotb and Abnoub locations, respectively. Minimum temperature was found to be related with the population of aphid species only in Abnoub location [7.28 %]

Resistance of some soybean varieties to bemisia tabaci [genn.] [homoptera: aleyrodidae] and thrips tabaci L. [thysanoptera: thirpdae] in Assiut

The present investigations were conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Agriculture Research Station, Arab-El-Awamer [Abnoub district], Assiut Governorate during 2013 and 2014 soybean growing seasons. The obtained results showed that the populations of T. tabaci and B. tabaci started in a few numbers on all soybean varieties during the first week of July in 2013 and 2014 seasons. The peak populations of these pests occurred during August and/or during September and ranged from 1 to 3 peaks for T. tabaci and from 1 to 2 peaks for B. tabaci according to each variety. Results also indicated that there were highly significant differences in susceptibility between the soybean varieties [F = 7.72 and 18.84 > 0.01] and between seasons [F10.44 and 4.27 > 0.01] for T. tabaci and B. tabaci populations, respectively. The combined effect of the weekly mean of maximum and minimum temperature, average relative humidity and predator populations was responsible for 81.80 % and 87.10 % of the changes in the populations of T. tabaci and B. tabaci during the two seasons of study. Concerning the resistant status of the tested soybean varieties to the whitefly and the cotton thrips, the results showed different susceptibility degrees to these pests. The cultivars H 117, G 22 C 111 and H 32, G 22, C 111 appeared as susceptible [S] to the cotton thrips and the whitefly infestations, respectively. Meanwhile, the cultivars H 117, H 30, Clark and H 117, H 127, H 30 Clark appeared as low susceptible [LR] to the aforementioned pests infestations, respectively

WHO/INRUD patient care and facility-specific drug use indicators at primary health care centres in Eastern province, Saudi Arabia

This study aimed to measure the performance of primary health care centres in Eastern province, Saudi Arabia, using the WHO/International Network of Rational Use of Drugs patient care and facility-specific drug use indicators. In a cross-sectional study, 10 health centres were selected using systematic random sampling. A total of 300 patients were interviewed while visiting the centre from January to March 2011 and 10 pharmacists from the same centres were interviewed. Average consultation time was 7.3 min [optimal >/-30 min], percentage of drugs adequately labelled was 10% [optimal 100%] and patient's knowledge of correct dosage was 79.3% [optimal 100%]. The percentage of key drugs in stock was only 59.2% [optimal 100%]. An overall index of rational facility-specific drug use was calculated and applied to rank the health centres for benchmarking

Ocular complications of leprosy in Yemen

This study was conducted to identify the main ocular- and vision-threatening complications of leprosy in Yemen. This is a cross-sectional observational study which took place from February to July 2010. Leprosy patients attending the Skin and Venereal Diseases Hospital in the City of Light in Taiz, Yemen, who consented to participate in the study, were enrolled. Detailed demographic and medical histories were taken and clinical examination findings were recorded. A detailed eye examination, including visual acuity [VA], slit-lamp, and fundus examinations, was conducted on each patient by a qualified ophthalmologist. A total of 192 patients [180 male, 12 female, with a male to female ratio of 15:1] were included in the study. The majority of the patients [157; 81.8%] were over 40 years. Over two-thirds of the patients [129; 67.2%] had had leprosy for more than 20 years. Ocular complications were found in 97% of cases; 150 [39.1%] of the patients' eyes had at least one pathology. Eyelid involvement was the most common problem observed in 102 [26.5%] patients. Half of the eyes [192; 50%] had a VA of <6/60. The main cause of blindness among these patients was corneal opacity detected in 69 out of 192 patients [35.9%]. Ocular complications are frequent among leprosy patients in Yemen. They are true vision-threatening lesions. It is important to prevent these lesions through early diagnosis and adequate treatment

Parasitism on cabbage aphid, brevicotyne brassicae [linnaeus] [homoptera: aphididae] associated with canola plants in Assiut

Thirteen cultivars of canola were subjected to evaluate the percentage of parasitism on cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. infesting canola plants in the field and laboratory during 2011 season in Assiut Governorate. The rate of parasitism in the field was [7.13%] for all cultivars. The rate of parasitism of the aphid collected from the field and reared in the laboratory was 2.67% times higher than the rate of parasitism in the filed at the end of season regardless the canola cultivars. The highest rates of parasitism were recorded with the early ripening cultivars, while the lowest ones were realized with the late ripening cultivars. In the field, the rate of parasitism increased progressively during the third week of February to a peak level [parasitism 43.15%] in the second week of March. Whereas in the laboratory, the highest rate of parasitism [53.06%] was achieved during the last week of February and then the parasitism started to decrease gradually during March. Two primary parasitoids species [Diaeretiella rapae McIntosh and Praon necans Mackauer, Aphidiidae] and two hyperparasotoids species [Alloxysta sp., Cynipidae and Chalcids sp., Chalcididae] were associated with cabbage aphids in canola fields. D. rapae consider the most important primary parasitoids on B. brassicae which represented about 93.93% of the total primary parasitoids in canola field. While, Alloxysta sp. was the most hyperparasioid represent 81.67% of the total of the secondary parasitoid. However, the primary parasitoids recorded the most percentage [71.94%] comparison with the percentage of secondary parasitoids [28.06%] from the total parasitoids for primary and secondary parasitoids

Hymenopterous parasitoids associated with cereal aphids in wheat fields at Assiut

The present study was carried out in Assiut area to investigate the relationship between cereal aphids and their associated parasitoids on wheat plants during two successive seasons, 2011 and 2012. The results indicated that of 48,000 mummified aphids collected from wheat plants in two seasons, 89.69% adult parasitoids were emerged. Ten parasitoid species belonging to five families of order hymenoptera were identified. The primary parasitoid species were recorded, Aphidius colemani Vereck, A. matricariae Haliday, Diaeretiella rapae [Mclntosh], ffptiedrus plagjfator[Ness], Praon necans Mackauer and Trioxyssy., in addition the secondary parasitoids were, AUoxysta Australia [AsbmQandA], Dendrocerus carpenter [Cuitis], Chalclds sp.,and Aphidencyrtus sp. Data show that, Diaeretiella rapae was the most dominant and abundant primary parasitoid species represented 87.99% and 64.35% during 2011 and 2012 seasons, respectively. In spite of aphids, five aphid species namely, Scbhaphis grawinumfiwfaw, Rbopaloslphum pad! L, R. maldls [Fitch.], Sitobion avenae [Fab.] and Metopolophium dlrbodum [Walker] were found attacking wheat plants in Assiut region. Rbopaloslpbum padl and Schizaphls gramlnum were the most dominant and abundant cereal aphids on wheat plants represented [55.55 and 54.41%] and [40.68 and 43.11%] in both two species during 2011 and 2012 seasons, respectively. The maximum population level of cereal aphids was recorded during the 1[st] wk of March [529.0 and 729.0] during the two seasons, respectively. The parasitoids appeared early in the season in relatively low population density but its population fluctuated in high density during the 2nd wk of March [408.0 and 335.6] in 2011 and 2012 seasons, respectively, coincided with the collapse of aphids from wheat field. This work indicated that wheat fields are rich in aphid parasitoid species which of course play a significant role in suppressing aphid infestations

On chromite mineralization and hosting serpentinites at Gebel Um Khasila area, eastern desert, Egypt

The present work deals with serpentinites and the associated chromite mineralization at Gebel Um Khasila area in the Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Chromite occurs as lenses localized along thrust faults in serpentinites. The serpentinites were formed principally after peridotite to dunite constituting the base of ultramafic rocks of a dismembered ophiolite sequence. The serpentinites are similar to Alpine - type ultramafic rocks. The predominant occurrence of antigorite is almost identical to the regionally metamorphosed antigorite serpentinites.The chromite mineralization occurs as massive, nodular and disseminated crystals and may exhibit a pull-part texture. Alteration of chromite was initiated simulteaneously with the serpentinization and probably accelerated with the intrusion of the metagabbro-diorite, masses. Reaction rims of chromite with host rock was possibly initiated by ascending Fe-rich solution and altering the chromite composition

Diagnosis of rotavirus in diarrhoeic neonatal calves

The incidence of infection with rotavirus in diarrheic calves revealed percentages of 54.2, 41.7 and 35% as assayed by different serological methods, i.e. dot-ELISA, latex agglutination and FAT, respectively

Genodermatoses

This study included 40 cases with various skin manifestations with a possible genetic background. Their ages ranged from 4 days to 12 years. All cases were subjected to detailed history taking with a pedigree done and a thorough general medical examination with special emphasis on the neurological and dermatologic examination [skin, mucous membrane, hair, nails and teeth]. Special investigations done were: Fundus examination [9 cases], intelligence quotient [14 cases], electroencephalogram [13 cases], computed brain tomograms [11 cases], abdominal ultrasonography [5 cases], determination of serum immunoglobulins [Ig A, E, G] and alpha fetoprotein [one case] and skin biopsy [7 cases]. Results are presented in tables and figures and discussed

Effect of eimeria acervulina on intestinal digestion in chicken

The present study was carried out to clarify the effect of Eimeria acervulina on pH values of different parts of small intestine as well as the activities of trypsin, amylase and lipase enzymes of intestinal contents. Sixty 15-day old coccidia-free White Leghorn chickens were used. The chickens were divided into two groups. The first group [20 chicken] was kept as non-infected control. The second group [40 chicken] was infected with 50000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina per chick. The results indicated that the pH values of duodenal and jejunal of infected chickens showed significant decrease than control ones, while there was no significant variation in pH values of ileal contents. Tryptic, amylolytic and lipolytic activities in duodenal and jejunal contents of infected group with E. acervulina recorded a significant decrease than their respective control. The activities of the previous enzymes of the ileal content of infected chicken showed no significant differences as compared with control ones. It is concluded that E. acervulina infection inhibit the digestive enzymes and processes of digestion in the small intestine

Mycological investigations on cultured tilapia in Egypt

A total of 190 Tilapias were obtained from 4 different fresh water fish farms in Egypt at Sharkia, Kalubia, Kafr El Sheikh and Giza governorates during different seasons. These were mycologically examined for isolation of pathogenic or saprophytic fungi by direct culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar with chloramphenicol. This resulted in isolation of some moulds including Asperigellus Penicillium, Mucor and Rhisopus as well as yeasts from gills, eyes, heart, liver, gall bladder, spleen, kidneys and intestine from both apparently healthy as well as diseased fish

Reversal of postcastration atrophy of rabbit prostate by testosterone treatment

A histological and histochemical studies of the prostate gland were carried out in rabbit by light microscopy. Fifteen adult male tame rabbits were used. The animals were divided into three groups, five animals each. The control animals were of the first group. In the second and third groups the rabbits were castrated. One month after castration the animals of the third group were injected daily by testosterone propionate [1 mg/100 Gm body weight] for one month. The prostate was observed 45 days after castration. The gland became smaller in size and showed marked histological atrophic changes, such as great diminution in the size of the acini, narrowing or obliteration of their lumens, distortion of the lining epithelial cells and marked reduction in the number of the epithelial folds. The epithelial atrophic changes were accompanied by loss of secretory granules and marked decrease of acid phosphatase activity. Also, this marked atrophy of the glandular tissue was accompanied by increase of fibromuscular stroma. In castrated, testosterone treated group, it was found that the size of the whole prostate was reversed to the normal size. Also, testosterone administration restored the normal histological and histochemical structures of the prostatic epithelial cells. Moreover complete restoration of the activity of the gland was achieved by testosterone treatment. From our study on the rabbits as well as from previous studies by other workers on the rats and mice, it could be concluded that castration of the experimental animals induced prostatic atrophy which could be reversed by testosterone treatment