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Plant molluscicide based on Smolevka white (Silene Latifolia) as prevention of pastoral helminthiasis of animals
No full textSoft-bodied is the intermediate host of helminthiases, in the body of which several development stages of larval forms of helminths occur. There is the highest population density of mollusks in the areas of ruminant grazing, which leads to mass infection of animals with trematodes. To destroy the intermediate host of helminths in agricultural production, molluscicidal remedies of synthetic and plant origin are used. The work aimed to determine the molluscicidal effectiveness of a plant remedy based on Silene Latifolia in conditions of natural pastures. The material for work was the green mass of the plant S. Latifolia obtained in the warm season from roots, leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds. By grinding this plant, a powder with a particle size of 1-3 mm was obtained. Then, the powder was extracted with ethyl alcohol. The obtained product (concentrate) was an amorphous gel-like mass of dark green color with a specific smell and well soluble in water. Fieldwork in natural pastures was carried out on 5 biotopes with an area of 4-25 m2. Three species of gastropods were recorded from freshwater mollusks in the biotopes: Planorbis planorbis, Planorbarius corneus, Physa fontinalis, Lymnaea truncatula, and L. palustris. The results of experiments conducted in the conditions of pastures indicate a high molluscicidal activity of the studied plant agent on pond fish, intermediate hosts of trematodes pathogens. The effectiveness of the developed molluscicide on gastropods, when treated with a working solution (10.0 g/l) is from 98.1 to 100%
The use of Bacillus thuringiensis to control plant-parasitic nematodes
No full textPlant-parasitic nematodes are ubiquitous in nature and cause large losses in agriculture. The current concerns regarding the use of chemical pesticides have increased the interest in new control alternatives. One of these is the one based on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). These Gram-positive bacteria have the ability to synthesize pesticide proteins during sporulation. Some of these proteins have nematicidal properties. Studies have shown that preparations of certain strains of Bt can prevent or slow down the infestation of phytonematodes. The expression of some Bt nematicidal genes in transgenic plants has also demonstrated their effectiveness. Bt is nowadays an effective ecological alternative for controlling plant-parasitic nematodes
Genetic variability, divergence, and path coefficient analysis of yield and yield related traits of Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum l. var. Durum) genotypes at Jamma district, south wollo zone, amhara region, Ethiopia
No full textDurum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) is a member of the Poaceae family and tetraploid (genomes of AABB) with 28 chromosomes (2n=4x=28). Narrow genetic variability was a problem to develop genotypes with better adaptation to different agro-ecologies. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the genetic variability, divergence, and path coefficient analysis of durum wheat genotypes by using morphological traits and identifying essential yield-related traits of durum wheat, and to identify promising candidate genotypes to be used in future durum wheat breeding program. The study was carried out on 81 genotypes and the experiment was laid out in a triple lattice design with an arrangement of 9 x 9 x 3 treatment, which made 243 experimental units. Results obtained on genetic variability, path coefficient, and genetic divergent analysis among yield-related traits are presented here under the present study. Generally, the present study revealed the existence of significant genetic variability among the tested genotypes for different traits helpful for direct and indirect selection.This study recommended that the potential durum wheat genotypes 214552, 208150, 238516, 5645, Mekuye, 236984, 7960, 7152, 231599, and 208242 could be used for durum wheat breeding programs for yield and yield component traits improvement under similar agro-ecologies
The impact of climate variability on agricultural food crop production and output: the case of some selected communities in Offinso South District of Ghana
No full textIn Ghana, there is evidence of the direct influence of climate change on the environment, such as rising temperatures, variable rainfall, and precipitation. These manifestations affect various facets of Ghana socio-economic structure especially with its high reliance on sectors that are particularly sensitive to climate change like agriculture. In the settlements of Bonsua and Amoawi in the Offinso South District, the study concentrated on the influence of climate change variables on food crop production and how farmers are adapting to the various climate change measures. Out of the total of 650 staple food crop farmers in the dorminated selected communities namely, Amoawi and Bonsua, 160 farmers were chosen for the study using systematic random sampling. The study included both primary and secondary data. Descriptive cross sectional survey was employed for the study. The data collection instrument employed was Structured and semi-structured interviews. SPSS was used to analyse the data. The data collected for the study were analysed using both descriptive and inferential analytical tools. Findings from the study indicate that climate change is a challenge to food crop production since agriculture activity in the two communities are mostly rain feed (97.5%). The majority of the crops grown in the two areas are climate change vulnerable. Another study finding reveals that most respondents have modified their coping mechanisms such as such as growing different crop varieties, early and late planting, irrigation and soil conservation to deal with how climate change is affecting agriculture. Therefore, the study suggests that both government and non-governmental organizations should support farmers in building irrigation systems to continuously irrigate their food crops during the dry season, increasing their farm productivity
Forensic analysis of raw meat adulteration using mtDNA
No full textMeat species identification has become essential with the increasing events of frauds like the illegal slaughter of cows, meat adulteration, and substitution. Food scam directly influences public well-being, trade, and wildlife. In Pakistan, donkey meat is used as adulterants for cow meat and is considered Haram in Islamic concepts. In this study PCR, based detection methods are used for identification purposes. The mitochondrial gene cytochrome b has been used in this study to identify the origin of meat specie. Specie-specific primers of cyt b of cow and donkey were used for identification. DNA from different binary ratios of cow and donkey meat was extracted by the phenol-chloroform method. Ratios were made from 1-10 and extracted DNA was subjected to PCR to amplify the target fragment of the cyt b gene. Primers were sensitive to identifying species origin in all meat ratios. Multiplex PCR was designed to identify both species and the results were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Fragment size of 309bp for cow and 475bp for donkey was observed.Results of the current study conclude that PCR assays, including multiplex PCR, is efficient and has a high sensitivity for even small amount of meat. It is concluded that multiplex PCR is useful and reliable for adulterated meat detection
Beneficial effects of a ketogenic diet in a woman with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
No full textObjective: To evaluate the effects on quality of life and body composition of a Ketogenic Diet (KD) in a woman with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. Methods: Physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health conditions were evaluated with the SF-36 questionnaire; dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to determine body composition; parameters were determined at baseline and after 12 weeks of KD.Results: At baseline PCS and MCS were 20.6 and 20.7 respectively with 37.9% fat mass. After 12 weeks SF-36 values significantly improved: PCS 55 and MCS 66.1 with 33.9% fat mass. Conclusion: KD improved the patient’s quality of life and decreased fat mass. Further studies will be needed to better elucidate the beneficial effects of KD among people with CMT
Comparative study of once daily tacrolimus (extended-release capsule) versus conventional twice daily tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients
No full textBackground: One of the common causes of chronic allograft nephropathy is nonadherence to medications, contributing to 30% of graft loss in the developed world. The non-adherence is attributed predominantly to pill burden.Once-daily dosing of tacrolimus instead of conventional twice-daily dosing may enhance adherence to medication and improve long-term outcomes. The present study is a retrospective analysis comparing the safety and effectiveness of De Novo (use from day 1) once daily (OD) Tacrolimus (extended-release capsules) to conventional twice-a-day (BD) tacrolimus, in renal transplant recipients operated at Suguna Hospital Bangalore India. Material and Methods: Records of 24 Transplant patients on De novo OD Tacrolimus were analyzed and compared retrospectively to 24 transplant patients treated De Novo with conventional BD tacrolimus on a regular follow-up for at least 2 yrs. post-transplant at our center. Results: Various parameters recorded till the last follow-up were analyzed and compared. The average weight of the cohort (64.6 kg vs. 66.6 kg), average tacrolimus dose (2.7 mg vs. 2.15 mg), average Tac dose/kg body weight (0.04 mg vs. 0.03 mg), average Sr.Creatinine, at Last, Follow up (1.2 mg/dl vs. 1.32 mg/dl) were comparable in both groups and were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). However, there was a higher incidence of Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus (PTDM) noted in the Conventional BD Tacrolimus group (20.83%) compared to the OD Tacrolimus group (4.1%) and it was statistically significant (p = 0.17). The Infection rate of 41.67% in the conventional BD Tacrolimus group was much higher compared to the OD Tacrolimus group (4.17%) which was statistically significant (p = 0.01). There was 100% patient and graft survival at the end of two years in both groups. Tacrolimus Dose for OD and Conventional BD dosing were similar, unlike earlier studies recommending a 10% increase in dose for OD tacrolimus compared to BD dosing.Conclusion: OD Tacrolimus dose is comparable to conventional BD dose Tacrolimus in its safety and Efficacy; however, it scores over conventional BD dose Tacrolimus in terms of post-transplant infections and post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) and a more stable serum trough level. 
Factors associated with utilization of Iron with Folic Acid (IFA) supplement among pregnant women attending antenatal care at government health facilities and family guidance clinic in Hawassa City Administration, Hawassa, Ethiopia
No full textBackground: Iron deficiency anemia is common during pregnancy since the overall iron requirement is greater than non-pregnant women and is associated with adverse outcomes. Iron deficiency (ID) is a state of insufficient iron to maintain normal physiological functions of tissues and leads to anemia.Objectives: To assess factors associated with the utilization of Iron with Folic acid supplement Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal care at Government Health Facilities and Family Guidance Clinic in Hawassa City, South Ethiopia.Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 412 health providers who are working at public health institutes in Hawassa city from March to April 2015. Pretested Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. The data was entered into Epi-data and analysed by SPSS version 26.0. Bivariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to see the significant association between the outcome and independent variables. Odds ratios and 95% CI will be computed to measure the strength of the association, p - value of ˂ 0.05 will be considered a statistically significant.Results: A total of 412 pregnant women who came to attend ANC at least for the second time were interviewed in seven health facilities. Our study showed that 333 (81%, 95% CI: 77.2 - 84.8) pregnant women reported taking IFA supplements and high compliance was 37.7% (95% CI: 32.5 - 42.9). In multivariable analysis, side effects and low acceptance of the supplement were significantly associated with compliance to IFA supplementation (p < 0.05).Conclusion: There is a relatively better level of compliance towards IFA supplementation compared to other national data. Pregnant women should be counseled regarding how to manage the side effects of IFA supplements during ANC. Further research has to be done on the acceptability of the supplements
Effects of animal manures on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)
No full textA spatial survey to investigate the effects of the use of poultry, sheep, and horse manure on intermediate harvests and maize growth restrictions was conducted on the research farm of Woillu Woreda, Ethiopia during the 2017 planting season. Treatment was performed with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three responses. The measured variables were plant length, number of leaves, location indicator (LAI), stem girth, and grain yield obtained. The data collected is subject to variance analysis (ANOVA). Methods were categorized using LSD at a 5% significance level.The results obtained showed that the growth and yield of Maize were significantly lower in treatment control, indicating that the manure used in the study, especially the chicken manure, had a positive effect on the performance and yield of Maize. The results also revealed that poultry-cleaned sites offer the highest number of leaves per plant, the thick stem, the highest LAI, and the grain yield of 5.7 t/ha. In comparison, a small grain yield of 4.2 t/ha was obtained with the application of horse manure. Sheep manure produced 3.9 t/ha of maize and a small yield of 2.8t/ha of maize was recorded in the control management. Based on the results of the study it can be found that chicken manure seems to promote the growth of maize yield. Therefore, it should be recommended for maize growers in the study area
Collection, isolation and characterization of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, an emerging fungal pathogen causing white mold disease
No full textSclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary caused white mold disease with a wide distribution worldwide. For the control of the disease, it is fundamental to understand the identification, morphology, and genetic diversity of the fungus. The objective of this study was to collect and characterize S. sclerotiorum isolates from different regions of the country. The characteristics evaluated for the mycelium characterization were: the time required for the fungus to occupy the plate; density of the formed mycelium; coloration of the colonies and mycelia growth rate. Sclerotia assessments were based on the time for the formation of the first sclerotia total number formed per plate, the format of distribution in the plate, and the shape of the sclerotia formed by the isolates. Variability was observed for colony colour, type of growth, the diameter of mycelia growth, sclerotia initiation, and number and pattern of sclerotia formation among the isolates. The evaluated populations presented wide variability for the cultural and morphological characteristics, being predominant in the whitish colonies with fast-growing habitats. The majority of isolates produced a higher number of sclerotia near the margin of the plates and with diverse formats. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates belonged to a similar group of publicly available S. sclerotiorum and were dissimilar from the group of S. minor, and S. trifolium and distinctly differ from S. nivalis group. The present study is the first evidence for morphological and genetic diversity study of S. sclerotiorum in Bangladesh. Therefore, this report contributes to more information about the morphological and genetic diversity of S. sclerotiorum and can be useful in implementing effective management strategies for the pathogen which caused white mold disease