Transgenerational effects of pyriproxyfen in a field strain of Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae).

Musca domestica L. (Muscidae: Diptera) is a human and livestock pest especially in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Different insecticides have been used to control this pest that pose serious harmful effects on humans and the environment. The current study was planned to investigate the effects of two concentrations (LC25 and LC50) of pyriproxyfen on biological and population parameters of a field strain of M. domestica. The exposed parents (F0) and their progeny (F1) were studied to examine the transgenerational effects. The results indicated that preadult duration was higher in control (13.68 days) compared to LC50 treated individuals (12.44 days). The male and female longevity was relatively lower in the LC25 treated population i.e. 24.62 and 26.62 days, respectively. The adult pre-oviposition period (APOP) and total pre-oviposition period (TPOP) values were higher in the LC25 treated individuals than those of control. Moreover, oviposition days and fecundity were reduced in the treated individuals as compared to the control treatment. A gradual decrease in the net reproductive rate (R0) was observed (8.46-14.07 per day) while the value of R0 was significantly higher in control. The results suggested that pyriproxyfen can be effectively utilized and incorporated in the management programs of M. domestica.

Transgenerational effect of Afidopyropen on Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae).

Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) is the most devastating insect-pest in cotton crop. It is vector of the cotton leaf curl virus (CLCV) and is responsible for huge losses to cotton industry in Pakistan and worldwide. It is mainly controlled by insecticides but the injudicious use of insecticides has resulted in insecticide resistance and population resurgence in addition to various harmful effects on the humans, non-target organisms and the environment. Transgenerational studies are very helpful to choose a best insecticidal option. In the current study, age-stage two-sex life table analysis was used to identify transgenerational effects of sublethal doses of afidopyropen. The adults of B. tabaci were treated with three concentrations of afidopyropen i.e., LC10, LC30 and LC50. The results indicated significant changes in the progeny i.e. the fecundity decreased in treated population; and female and male longevity of their progeny were more in control as compared to treated populations. Similarly, population parameters like intrinsic rate of growth (r), net reproductive rate (R0) and limiting rate of growth (λ) were significantly decreased in the treated adult progeny with values of 0.08-0.11, 4.85-7.46 and 1.09-1.12 per day, respectively. Based on the reduced biotic potential, afidopyropen can be suggested as an effective alternative option for the management of B. tabaci.

Genome-wide association study of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) germplasm for dissecting the quantitative trait nucleotides and candidate genes underlying yield-related traits.

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is one of the most significant crops in the world in terms of oil and protein. Owing to the rising demand for soybean products, there is an increasing need for improved varieties for more productive farming. However, complex correlation patterns among quantitative traits along with genetic interactions pose a challenge for soybean breeding. Association studies play an important role in the identification of accession with useful alleles by locating genomic sites associated with the phenotype in germplasm collections. In the present study, a genome-wide association study was carried out for seven agronomic and yield-related traits. A field experiment was conducted in 2015/2016 at two locations that include 155 diverse soybean germplasm. These germplasms were genotyped using SoySNP50K Illumina Infinium Bead-Chip. A total of 51 markers were identified for node number, plant height, pods per plant, seeds per plant, seed weight per plant, hundred-grain weight, and total yield using a multi-locus linear mixed model (MLMM) in FarmCPU. Among these significant SNPs, 18 were putative novel QTNs, while 33 co-localized with previously reported QTLs. A total of 2,356 genes were found in 250 kb upstream and downstream of significant SNPs, of which 17 genes were functional and the rest were hypothetical proteins. These 17 candidate genes were located in the region of 14 QTNs, of which ss715580365, ss715608427, ss715632502, and ss715620131 are novel QTNs for PH, PPP, SDPP, and TY respectively. Four candidate genes, Glyma.01g199200, Glyma.10g065700, Glyma.18g297900, and Glyma.14g009900, were identified in the vicinity of these novel QTNs, which encode lsd one like 1, Ergosterol biosynthesis ERG4/ERG24 family, HEAT repeat-containing protein, and RbcX2, respectively. Although further experimental validation of these candidate genes is required, several appear to be involved in growth and developmental processes related to the respective agronomic traits when compared with their homologs in Arabidopsis thaliana. This study supports the usefulness of association studies and provides valuable data for functional markers and investigating candidate genes within a diverse germplasm collection in future breeding programs.

Synergistic impact of two autochthonous saprobic fungi (A. niger and T. pseudokoningii) on the growth, ionic contents, and metals uptake in Brassica juncea L. and Vigna radiata L. under tannery solid waste contaminated soil.

Unrestricted disposal of tannery solid waste (TSW) into agricultural soils has resulted in the contamination of heavy metals (HMs) such as chromium (Cr) cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), and Zinc (Zn) along with the severe potential to degrade the environmental quality around the world. In the present study, a combined phyto- and myco-remediation strategy was evaluated to enhance the growth, ionic contents, and phytoextraction potential of Brassica juncea and Vigna radiata for HMs from TSW-contaminated soil. A pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse using single or combined inoculation of Trichoderma pseudokoningii (Tp) and Aspergillus niger (An) in B. juncea and V. radiata under TSW-contaminated soil at different doses (0, 50, and 100%). The results showed that the growth parameters of both B. juncea and V. radiata were severely affected under 50 and 100% TSW treatment. The combined inoculation of both the fungal species ameliorated the positive impacts of 50 and 100% TSW application on growth and ionic contents accumulation in B. juncea and V. radiata. The combined application of An + Tp at 100% TSW enhanced the shoot length (87.8, 157.2%), root length (123.9, 120.6%), number of leaves (184.2, 175.0%), number of roots (104.7, 438.9%), and dry weight (179.4, 144.8%) of B. juncea and V. radiata, respectively as compared to control with any fungal treatment at 100% TSW. A single application of An at different doses of TSW enhanced the metal concentration in B. juncea, whereas Tp increased the concentration of the metals in V. radiata. The concentration of Cr in roots (196.2, 263.8%), shoots (342.4, 182.2%), Cu in roots (187.6, 137.0%), shoots (26.6, 76.0%), Cd in roots (245.2, 184.6%), shoots (142.1, 73.4%), Zn in roots (73.4, 57.5%), shoots (62.9, 57.6%), in B. juncea were increased by the application of An at 50 and 100% treatment levels of TSW, respectively compared to control (C). Moreover, the HMs (Cr, Cu, Cd, and Zn) uptake was also improved under 50 and 100% TSW with the combined inoculation of Tp + An in both B. juncea and V. radiata. In conclusion, the combined inoculation of Tp + An was more effective in metal removal from TSW-treated soil.NOVELTY STATEMENTLimited studies have been conducted on filamentous fungi systematically under metal-contaminated sites for their diversity, metal tolerance, and their potential in enhancing the phytoremediation potential of different crop plants.In the present study, single and/or combined inoculation of fungal strains was found effective in alleviating different metals stress in tannery solid waste contaminated soil by improving defense mechanisms and plant growth due to the association between fungal strains and plants.The combined application of both fungal strains had an additive effect in enhancing the bioaccumulation capacity of B. juncea and V. radiata compared to their single inoculation.

Airway Management of a Patient With Tracheoesophageal Fistula and Tracheal Stent.

A 69-year-old male patient, a known case of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus on palliative care and Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) status, presented for urgent laparoscopic gastrostomy tube insertion under general anesthesia. The patient had developed an iatrogenic tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) because of the tracheal stent, which was placed for tracheal stenosis. A preoperative assessment was done, and a plan of airway management via one-lung ventilation (OLV) through an endobronchial tube was devised by the anesthesia team and discussed with the surgery team. The airway was secured via asleep fiberoptic right endobronchial intubation using a microlaryngeal tube (MLT) size 6 since there was uncertainty regarding adequate patency of the airway due to the invasion by the tumor and the presence of the stent. The patient remained hemodynamically stable. After surgical incision and insufflation of CO2 in the abdominal cavity, the patient's airway pressures were increased and we were unable to deliver adequate tidal volumes. Surgery was stopped; the presence of a kink in the circuit or endotracheal tube (ETT), the possibility of laryngospasm/bronchospasm, and pneumothorax were ruled out. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) revealed that the endobronchial tube was abutting the secondary carina. We pulled the MLT by 2 cm. The rest of the procedure was uneventful and we extubated the patient at the end of the procedure under vision using a fiber optic bronchoscope. The patient was discharged after two days of stay in the hospital. Our patient with TEF and tracheal stent posed a significant challenge for airway management. A thorough plan was drawn up and a team briefing was done. Perioperatively, the difficulty in ventilation was identified, and various other etiologies were ruled out with the successful identification and management of the problem.

Transgenerational effects of lambda-cyhalothrin on Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae).

The hormetic effect may cause disease control measures to fail due to inadequate treatment of human disease vectors such as houseflies. Age-stage, two-sex life table is used for accurate estimation of the hermetic impacts on insects as it allows to study sub-lethal or transgenerational effects. Pyrethroids insecticides are primarily used for the management of houseflies. This study used lambda-cyhalothrin (a pyrethroid insecticide) to quantify its transgenerational impacts on houseflies. Life table parameters of a progeny of adult houseflies exposed to LC10, LC30, and LC50 of lambda-cyhalothrin were computed. Statistically higher fecundity (71.31 per female) was observed in control treatment, while it was the adults exposed to LC50 recorded the lowest progeny. Significantly higher values for intrinsic rate of growth (r), limiting rate of growth (λ), and net reproductive rate (Ro) (0.16, 1.16, and 31.38 per day, respectively) were recorded for the control treatment of the study. Contrarily, lower values for λ, Ro, and r were (0.10, 1.10, and 9.24 per day, respectively) were noted in the LC50 treatment. Decreased population parameters suggest that lambda-cyhalothrin can be successfully used in indoor environments to control houseflies.

Implications for sequencing of biologic therapy and choice of second anti-TNF in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: results from the IMmunogenicity to Second Anti-TNF therapy (IMSAT) therapeutic drug monitoring study.

BACKGROUND: Anti-drug antibodies are associated with treatment failure to anti-TNF agents in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). AIM: To assess whether immunogenicity to a patient's first anti-TNF agent would be associated with immunogenicity to the second, irrespective of drug sequence METHODS: We conducted a UK-wide, multicentre, retrospective cohort study to report rates of immunogenicity and treatment failure of second anti-TNF therapies in 1058 patients with IBD who underwent therapeutic drug monitoring for both infliximab and adalimumab. The primary outcome was immunogenicity to the second anti-TNF agent, defined at any timepoint as an anti-TNF antibody concentration ≥9 AU/ml for infliximab and ≥6 AU/ml for adalimumab. RESULTS: In patients treated with infliximab and then adalimumab, those who developed antibodies to infliximab were more likely to develop antibodies to adalimumab, than patients who did not develop antibodies to infliximab (OR 1.99, 95%CI 1.27-3.20, p = 0.002). Similarly, in patients treated with adalimumab and then infliximab, immunogenicity to adalimumab was associated with subsequent immunogenicity to infliximab (OR 2.63, 95%CI 1.46-4.80, p < 0.001). For each 10-fold increase in anti-infliximab and anti-adalimumab antibody concentration, the odds of subsequently developing antibodies to adalimumab and infliximab increased by 1.73 (95% CI 1.38-2.17, p < 0.001) and 1.99 (95%CI 1.34-2.99, p < 0.001), respectively. Patients who developed immunogenicity with undetectable drug levels to infliximab were more likely to develop immunogenicity with undetectable drug levels to adalimumab (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.39-4.19, p < 0.001). Commencing an immunomodulator at the time of switching to the second anti-TNF was associated with improved drug persistence in patients with immunogenic, but not pharmacodynamic failure. CONCLUSION: Irrespective of drug sequence, immunogenicity to the first anti-TNF agent was associated with immunogenicity to the second, which was mitigated by the introduction of an immunomodulator in patients with immunogenic, but not pharmacodynamic treatment failure.

Comparison of Two Different Sizes of Endotracheal Tracheal Tube for Postoperative Sore Throat in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgeries.

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare two different sizes of an endotracheal tube (ETT), with inner diameters (ID) of 6.5 mm and 7.5 mm, for the frequency of postoperative sore throat in patients undergoing elective breast cancer surgery. Methodology This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted in the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center from December 3, 2016, to February 3, 2017. This study included 110 patients, 55 from each group, who were selected from the elective surgery list fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Group A patients were intubated with 6.5-mm ID ETTs and group B patients with 7.5-mm ID ETTs. All patients were carefully extubated in the operating room when fulfilling extubation criteria. Any concerns of sore throat were recorded 24 hours postoperatively. All relevant data were recorded on a pro forma. Results In this study, the mean age was 46.6 ± 13.2 years (range: 18-65 years). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.50 ± 07.12 kg/m2, with a minimum and maximum of 19 kg/m2 and 38 kg/m2, respectively. The mean four-point scale was 2.98 ± 1.3, with a minimum and maximum of 1.0 and 4.0, respectively. Of the 110 patients, 47 patients reported a sore throat at 24 hours after surgery, whereas 63 patients did not report a sore throat. In this study, 14 patients in group A were diagnosed with a postoperative sore throat, whereas 33 patients in group B were diagnosed with a sore throat at 24 hours. A chi-square test was significant, and a poststratification chi-square test was applied to compare sore throat at 24 hours postoperative between the groups with respect to age and BMI. Conclusions ETT sizes produced a significant difference in the frequency of postoperative sore throat in patients undergoing breast surgery. Physicians should consider this impact on clinical practice to optimize patient outcomes. Additional studies with a larger sample size are warranted to further explore this impact.

Exogenous application of black cumin (Nigella sativa) seed extract improves maize growth under chromium (Cr) stress.

Accumulation of non-essential heavy metals like chromium (Cr) is among major abiotic stresses, which adversely affect crop growth. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is the most dangerous form negatively affecting the growth and productivity of crops. This study evaluated the role of black cumin extracts (BCE) in improving growth and productivity of maize genotypes under different concentrations of Cr(VI). Two maize genotypes ("Neelum" and "P1543") were grown under 0, 4, 8 and 12 mg Cr(VI) kg-1 concentrations. The BCE was applied as foliar spray at three concentrations (0, 10 and 20%) at 25 and 45 days after sowing. Increasing Cr(VI) concentration significantly (p < 0.05) reduced seed germination, root and allometric traits, gas exchange attributes and relative water contents of tested genotypes. Hybrid maize genotype better tolerated tested Cr(VI) concentrations than synthetic genotype with lower Cr accumulation and better allometric and gas exchange traits. Exogenous application of 20% BCE proved effective in lowering the adverse effects of Cr(VI) toxicity on maize genotypes. It is concluded that 20% BCE could be used to improve maize performance through better allometric and gas exchange traits under different Cr(VI) concentrations. Nonetheless, actual mechanisms involved in improved Cr(VI)-tolerance of maize with BCE application must be explored. Novelty statement Black cumin has been widely used to reduce Cr toxicity in animals. However, the role of black cumin in reducing Cr toxicity in plants has never been studied. The present study was conducted to infer the role of different concentrations of black cumin extract in improving the growth of synthetic and hybrid maize genotypes under different levels of Cr stress. It is concluded that black cumin extract could be used to lower Cr toxicity in maize grown under Cr-contaminated soils.

Foraging behavior and bait station preference in scavenging termite, Odontotermes obesus (Blattodea: Termitidae).

Termites are a significant pest of buildings, agriculture, and trees, and are mainly controlled by baiting. However, baiting systems are available for only lower termites (Rhinotermitidae) not for higher termites (Termitidae). Termite foraging behavior associated with baiting systems varies among species and families, and plays a significant role in baiting success. Here, foraging behavior of Odontotermes obesus (Blattodea: Termitidae: Macrotermitinae), a fungus-growing higher termite, was investigated relative to three bait-station sizes (small, medium, and large) containing different quantities of food. Significantly more workers recruited to large stations (470/station) compared to medium (246/station) and small (124/station) stations. Abundance of O. obesus in large and medium stations significantly positively correlated with relative humidity whereas negative but non-significant correlations were observed with temperature in large and medium stations. Total and continuous contacts with the stations increased with time and were greater in large stations. Station abandonment due to disturbance was significantly less in large stations (3%) followed by medium (9%) and small stations (20%). Our results suggest that large stations (≈8 litres volume) work best for population management of O. obesus and other related fungus-growing higher termites.

Role of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Predicting Perioperative Outcomes in Cancer Patients Undergoing Thoracoabdominal Surgeries; An Observational Cohort Study.

Introduction: The cancer patients are at a high risk of developing perioperative complications. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a non-invasive, perioperative risk stratification tool that predicts perioperative morbidity and mortality. Prior literature has concluded that CPET has a valuable role in predicting post-operative complications in major surgical procedures. However, the data on the effectiveness of CPET in evaluating the perioperative risk in cancer-specific populations are limited. This study assessed the usefulness of CPET in perioperative risk stratification of patients with thoracoabdominal cancer who underwent elective major thoracoabdominal surgeries. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on cancer patients that underwent pre-operative CPET at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, from September 2017 to September 2019. All adult male and female patients with a significant medical history for cancer of the thoracoabdominal region who underwent CPET before a major thoracoabdominal surgery were included in the study. Results: A total of 32 patients were included in the present investigation. The mean age of the sample was 62.75 ± 10.18 years, and the majority of the participants were female. Following surgery, 53% of the participants had post-operative complications in terms of morbidity and mortality. Fifteen participants had an anaerobic threshold (AT) of ≥11.0 ml/ kg/min. Among these, 12 participants had an uneventful surgery. On the contrary, among 17 participants that were considered to have a high risk (<11.0 ml/kg/min) for surgery, 14 subjects (82%) had at least one complication (including mortality). The sensitivity and specificity of CPET to anticipate complications during oncological surgery were calculated to be 82% and 80%, respectively. The mean AT of participants with uneventful surgery was calculated to be 11.83 ± 1.01 ml/kg/min. This was statistically greater than the AT of subjects that had morbidity (9.86 ± 1.20 ml/kg/min) or mortality (8.95 ± 0.35 ml/kg/min) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: CPET, when using AT alone as an indicator, can provide a good-excellent prediction of perioperative outcome among oncology patients undergoing major thoracoabdominal surgical procedures.

Charaterization of mosquito larval habitats in Qatar.

Mosquito borne diseases have remained a grave threat to human health and are posing a significant burden on health authorities around the globe. The understanding and insight of mosquito breeding habitats features is crucial for their effective management. Comprehensive larval surveys were carried out at 14 sites in Qatar. A total of 443 aquatic habitats were examined, among these 130 were found positive with Culex pipiens, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. mattinglyi, Ochlerotatus dorsalis, Oc. caspius and Anopheles stephensi. The majority of positive breeding habitats were recorded in urban areas (67.6%), followed by livestock (13.8%), and least were in agriculture (10.7%). An. stephensi larvae were positively correlated with Cx. pipien, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and negatively with water salinity. Large and shaded habitats were the most preferred by An. stephensi. In addition, Cx. pipiens was positively associated with the turbidity and pH, and was negatively associated with vegetation and habitat size. A negative association of Cx. quinquefasciatus with dissolved oxygen, water temperature, and salinity, while positive with habitat surface area was observed. Oc. dorsalis was negatively correlated with pH, water temperature, depth, and habitat surface area, whereas salinity water was more preferable site for females to lay their eggs. These results demonstrate that environmental factors play a significant role in preference of both anopheline and culicine for oviposition, while their effective management must be developed as the most viable tool to minimize mosquito borne diseases.

General Anaesthesia Versus Regional Anaesthesia For Lumbar Laminectomy: A Review Of The Modern Literature.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar spine surgery can be performed using different anaesthetic techniques such as general endotracheal anaesthesia (GA) or spinal-based regional anaesthesia (RA). Few of the studies have been done to compare the outcomes of spinal anaesthesia versus general anaesthesia for lumbar laminectomies as both having some advantages as well as disadvantages but still it is controversial. The objective of current study is to make a comprehensive review of literature for comparing the outcomes of lumbar laminectomy performed under general anaesthesia versus spinal anaesthesia. METHODS: Literature search was performed by using PubMed, Google scholar and bibliography of related articles. To compare groups of general anaesthesia versus spinal anaesthesia, the variables focused were mean heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood loss during surgery, duration of surgery, post-operative anaesthesia care unit (PACU) time, postoperative narcotic use/pain scale, post-operative urinary retention, and post-operative nausea/vomiting. RESULTS: Data of eleven studies were presented in current article, of these five were randomized controlled trials, three case-controls and four were retrospective cohort studies. 5/8 studies reported that SA group having more hemodynamic stability with postoperative outcomes as compared to GA. Likewise, majority of reviewed studies (7/8) reported better pain control or decreased requirement of analgesics in SA group. Additionally, more than half of the reviewed studies (5/8) reported lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting among patients of SA group.. CONCLUSIONS: The current study concluded that SA has better outcomes than GA in terms of hemodynamic stability and decrease postoperative adverse effects. So special attention should be paid for SA as an alternative to GA for lumbar laminectomy.

Field evaluation of nucleopolyhedrosis virus and some biorational insecticides against Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera).

American bolloworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) is considered as a major pest of various crops all over the world. It is mainly controlled by indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides in the world due to which this pest developed resistance to most of the available insecticides. Therefore, in the current study, the efficacy of virulent strain of HaNPV (0.5 × 109 PIB/ml) alone and in combination with recommended doses of spintoram (20 g/100 L of water) and emamectin benzoate (200 ml/100 L of water) was tested in field. The combination of HaNPV with spintoram and emamectin benzoate 100% reduced the larval population as compared to emamectin benzoate and HaNPV alone. This suggested that the combination of spintoram and emamectin benzoate with HaNPV could be used in field to manage the infestation of H. armigera.

Interaction of HaNPVs with two novel insecticides against Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera).

Nucleopolyhedrosis viruses can be utilized for effective management of agriculture pests. Their efficacy can be increased if they are mixed with certain insecticides. In the current study, HaNPV was mixed with two insecticides: spinetoram and emamectin benzoate in various combinations and applied to larvae of H. armigera in laboratory conditions. There were a total of 15 combinations of HaNPV with each of the two insecticides in addition to five doses of HaNPV and three doses of insecticides alone. The synergistic and antagonistic effects of combinations were explored. The results revealed that there was synergistic effect of HaNPV @ 0.5 × 109 PIB/ml × Spinetoram @ 40, 20, 10 ml/100 L of water. In case of emamectin benzoate, synergistic effects were recorded at 1 × 109 PIB/ml HaNPV × emamectin benzoate @ 100 ml/100 L of water. However, 0.5 × 109 PIB/ml HaNPV has synergistic effects with all three doses of emamectin benzoate. The results suggested that HaNPV can be used in combination with spinetoram and emamectin benzoate for the management of resistant population of H. armigera.

Integration of entomopathogenic fungi and eco-friendly insecticides for management of red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier).

Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is a voracious pest of date palm worldwide. Pakistan ranks sixth in date palm production globally. Losses to date palm plantations in Pakistan sometimes surpass 10%-20%. Most of the traditional management strategies used by farmers have been found insignificant to combat this voracious pest. The entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana [QA-3(L) and QA-3(H)] and insecticides, Nitenpyram (Active 10% SL) [NIT (L) and NIT (H)] were applied to larval (2nd, 4th, and 6th), pupal and adult stages of R. ferrugienus. Integration or alone application of fungi with insecticides at different concentration under laboratory conditions. Combined application was depicted additive and synergistic interactions. Contrarily, highest cumulative mortality (100%) was recorded in 2nd instar larvae as compared to later instar larvae at combined application. The maximum pupal and adult mortality remained 89% and 66% respectively after treatment with [QA-3 (H) + NIT (L)]. The combination of B. bassiana at higher concentration whereas Nitenpyram at lower dose was found more lethal to larvae, pupae and adults of R. ferrugineus. This signifies the need of combining B. bassiana and bio-rational insecticides that can reduce the cost of management with least harm to environment and natural enemies.

Surgical Attitudes And Preferences Regarding Choice Of Anaesthesia Amongst Orthopaedic Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Regional anaesthesia is choice of anaesthesia for orthopaedic surgery due to lower side effects such as nausea, vomiting, postoperative pain and early mobilization. Despite of this, some orthopaedic patients refuse this modality. This study was conducted to interrogate the surgeons about their choice of anaesthesia in order to gain some insights into the concerns of surgeons and to change their minds and choose a safer mode of anaesthesia. The aim of the study was to assess the surgeons' fears and their perception about regional anaesthesia. METHODS: After institutional approval, thirty surgeons from three different tertiary care hospitals were interviewed. They were asked questions as per the questionnaire to choose choice of anaesthesia for their patients. RESULTS: After regional anaesthesia, 27.6% of respondents were concerned about paralysis and neurological disorders, 34.5% about seeing and hearing whatever is happening in theatre, 17.2% about perioperative pain, 24.1% about backache and 24.1% about delayed discharge. The most important reason to change their mind was the reassurance that the complications are not as frequently as they thought their patient would receive after a block. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the lack of information on regional anaesthesia and the risks of general anaesthesia, orthopaedic surgeons' fears and conceptions about regional anaesthesia are distorted. Anaesthesiologists should be aware of the concerns of the surgeons as well as the patients and should be willing to discuss the concerns with them and suggest the safest way to receive anaesthesia with evidence-based data.

Manifold passages in an assorted infection in a host could improve virulence of Helicoverpa armigera Nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaNPV).

Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is serious pests of cotton and several other crops. Helicoverpa armigera Nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaNPV) can be important alternative to synthetic insecticides for the management of H. armigera. However, the efficacy of HaNPV can vary in horizontal and vertical transmission. In the current study, we evaluated the efficacy of HaNPV of a virulent strain (vertically transmitted up to six generations) and wild strains (used after isolation from the field infected larvae). Both strains were applied to the 2nd instar larvae of H. armigera @ 1 × 109 polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIB)/ml. There were six replications of each strain (strains). The results indicated higher mortalities in larvae exposed to virulent strains (68.33 ±â€¯6.07%) as compared to wild strain (45 ±â€¯2.24%). Virulent strains killed the larvae quite faster than wild strain. The lethal time (LT50) to kill 50% of the larvae by virulent strain was 7.15 days and for wild strain it was 19.47 days. The results showed that multiple passage of HaNPV through several generations enhances its efficacy to kill H. armigera larvae faster. The results of this study will be helpful to manage H. armigera and other related lepidopoterous pests.

Effect Of Dexamethasone Versus Placebo For Improved Recovery In Patients Undergoing Anaesthetic Interventions For General Surgical Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation is one of the basic prerequisites of general anaesthesia. Recovery of patients is delayed due to the development of post-operative nausea, vomiting, sore throat and shivering. This study was conducted to determine role of dexamethasone for improved recovery of patients. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was performed in the Department of Anaesthesia, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from June to November 2018. One hundred and twenty-two consenting patients of both genders, aged between 18-60 years, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) I and II, scheduled for general surgeries of 60-180 minutes duration under general anaesthesia were included. Patients with long duration surgeries, anticipated difficult airways, nasogastric tube in situ, upper respiratory tract infections, on steroid therapy and critically ill and emergency surgeries were excluded. They were randomly allocated into two groups by lottery method as dexamethasone (group A, n=61) or Placebo (group B, n=61). Postoperative nausea, vomiting, sore throat was observed at 2, 12 and 24 hours, shivering was observed at 2 hours only and patient satisfaction at 24 hours post-operatively. RESULTS: Group A patients had statistically proven better outcomes at 2, 12 and 24 hours for post-operative sore throat, nausea and vomiting, shivering was controlled in 24.5% p-value (0.006). Patient satisfaction was found in 83.6% of group A patients.. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, dexamethasone is effective drug for prevention of postoperative nausea, vomiting, sore throat and shivering in general surgical procedures thus improving patient satisfaction and their early discharge.

Amino acid digestibility of chemically treated and extruder cooked defatted rice polishing.

Rice polishing is a by-product of rice milling. It is a good source of energy and an assortment of amino acids. The anti-nutritive factors associated with rice polishing reduce the availability of amino acids and other nutrients to poultry. Defatted rice polishing (DRP) was chemically treated with 0.4N HCl and 6% H2O2 solutions by soaking in ratio of 1:1.5. After the chemical treatments, one portion of each was further cooked with an extruder cooker maintained at 130oC for 10 seconds. The amino acid digestibility trial of untreated and treated DRP was done using precision fed cockerel assay. Thirty White Leghorn cockerels of 24 weeks of age, having uniform weight, were selected for the experiment and divided into five groups of six cockerels each. Three birds in each group were force-fed treated DRPs @ 25g per bird through crop intubation with the help of a funnel and plunger passed via the oesophagus. The other three were kept without feed throughout the experimental period to measure the endogenous amino acids excreted in the faeces. The excreta voided during 24 hours following force-feeding was collected at 12-hour intervals. The excreta of different groups were weighed, oven-dried and used for amino acid analysis. The results indicated that chemical or chemical plus extrusion cooking decreased the total amino acids present in DRP. The content of several amino acids were reduced as a result of chemical treatment. Further reduction of the amino acid content was observed when the chemically treated DRP were subjected to extrusion cooking. However, the acid (0.4N HCl), acid plus extrusion cooking and 6% H2O2 treatments improved the amino acid digestibility. On the other hand, treating DRP with 6% H2O2 plus extrusion cooking reduced the amino acids digestibility.