Diversity of fungal endophytes in shrubby medicinal plants of Malnad region,Western Ghats,Southern India

A total of 6125 fungal endophytes were isolated from 9000 leaf segments of 15 medicinal shrubs growing in Malnad region of Western Ghats, Southern India, during winter, monsoon, and summer seasons. These fungal isolates belonged to Ascomycota (8.6 %), Coelomycetes (26.0 %), Hyphomycetes (28.0 %), Mucoromycotina (0.3 %) and sterile forms (4.9 %). Alternaria, Chaetomium, Fusarium, Colletotrichum, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Phyllosticta and Xylaria were the most frequently isolated. Significantly more isolates were obtained during the winter season than monsoon and summer seasons.     

Delayed onset of electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis relative to the vastus lateralis may be related to physical activity levels in females with patellofemoral pain

The aims of this study were to examine group differences in muscle activation onset of the vastus medialis (VM) in relation to the vastus lateralis (VL) and pain level during stair ascent in females with patellofemoral pain (PFP) who maintain high and moderate levels of physical activity; to determine the association between physical activity level and muscle activation onset. Forty-three females with PFP and thirty-eight pain-free females were recruited and divided into four groups based on their level of physical activity: females with PFP (n = 26) and pain-free females (n = 26) who practiced a moderate level of physical activity and females with PFP (n = 17) and pain-free females (n = 12) who practiced an intense amount of physical activity. Participants were asked to ascend a seven-step staircase and the VM and VL activation onset was determined. Females with PFP who practiced high level of physical activity demonstrated delayed onset of VM (4.06 ms) compared to healthy females (−14.4 ms). Conversely, females with PFP who practiced moderate level of physical activity did not present VM delay (−2.48 ms) in comparison to healthy females (−9.89 ms). Furthermore, physical activity significantly correlated to the muscle activation onset difference (p = 0.005; R = 0.60). These findings may explain why controversial results regarding VM and VL muscle activation onset have been found.     

Prevalence and resting behaviour of dengue vectors,Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in dengue high risk urban settings in Colombo,Sri Lanka

Understanding local geographical variation in vector density and bionomics related to virus transmission are critical for planning effective vector control programs to control dengue virus transmission. This study investigated the prevalence and resting behaviour of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus in three dengue high-risk areas in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Monthly sampling of resting adult mosquitoes was conducted from August 2019 to February 2020. Thirty-seven percent of the households (289/776) harboured Aedes mosquitoes, and 603 Aedes mosquitoes were collected. The proportion of Ae. aegypti was higher in the overall collection during the collection period (94% [569/603]), and 62% (352/569) were females. Significant monthly variations in Ae. aegypti were observed with respect to the indices: number of females per surveyed house (F/SH; p = 0.001), number of females per Aedes positive house (F/PH; p = 0.029), adult house index (AHI; p = 0.001), adult density (AD; p = 0.005) and resting ratio (RR; p = 0.001). AHI, AD, and RR had statistically significant positive correlations with monthly rainfall (p = 0.001, p = 0.011, and p = 0.002 respectively) and one-month lagged dengue cases (p = 0.002, p = 0.005, and p < 0.001 respectively). A statistically significantly higher proportion of Ae. aegypti females were caught resting indoors (N = 309, 88%) than outdoors (N = 43, 12%; p < 0.001). The most common resting areas were bedrooms (51%) & living/dining rooms (37%), and places were under or on furniture (47%) & hangings (34%) for Ae. aegypti. Conversely, 74% of female Ae. albopictus were collected outdoors. Results of this study could have strong implications to improve vector surveillance and control by early detection of dengue to detect outbreaks and minimization of disease transmission.     

Effects of remedies made in patient setup process on residual setup errors and margins in head and neck cancer radiotherapy based on 2D image guidance

AimPatient setup errors were aimed to be reduced in radiotherapy (RT) of head-and-neck (H&N) cancer. Some remedies in patient setup procedure were proposed for this purpose.BackgroundRT of H&N cancer has challenges due to patient rotation and flexible anatomy. Residual position errors occurring in treatment situation and required setup margins were estimated for relevant bony landmarks after the remedies made in setup process and compared with previous results.Materials and methodsThe formation process for thermoplastic masks was improved. Also image matching was harmonized to the vertebrae in the middle of the target and a 5 mm threshold was introduced for immediate correction of systematic errors of the landmarks. After the remedies, residual position errors of bony landmarks were retrospectively determined from 748 orthogonal X-ray images of 40 H&N cancer patients. The landmarks were the vertebrae C1–2, C5–7, the occiput bone and the mandible. The errors include contributions from patient rotation, flexible anatomy and inter-observer variation in image matching. Setup margins (3D) were calculated with the Van Herk formula.ResultsSystematic residual errors of the landmarks were reduced maximally by 49.8% (p ≤ 0.05) and the margins by 3.1 mm after the remedies. With daily image guidance the setup margins of the landmarks were within 4.4 mm, but larger margins of 6.4 mm were required for the mandible.ConclusionsRemarkable decrease in the residual errors of the bony landmarks and setup margins were achieved through the remedies made in the setup process. The importance of quality assurance of the setup process was demonstrated.     

Behavioral and reproductive responses of female opossums to volatile and nonvolatile components of male suprasternal gland secretion

Female gray short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica) lack an estrous cycle and are induced into estrus by exposure to a pheromone in male scent marks. Behavioral and physiological responses of females to the volatile and nonvolatile components of scent marks were examined in two experiments. Young females (n = 9) were tested prior to and during their first estrus for behavioral responses to scent marks, collected on a 7-ml glass vial rubbed over the suprasternal gland of a mature male. The response to volatile components of the scent mark, recorded when marked and unmarked vials were covered with a perforated shield, was compared to the response to these vials when unshielded. Estrous females nuzzled the shields over marked vials (55.8 ± 8.5 nuzzles/10 min) more than the shielded clean vial (10.9 ± 2.4) (P < 0.05); a similar response was observed in anestrous females. Nuzzling of unshielded, scent-marked vials was higher (P < 0.05) during anestrus than in the same females when in estrus. The role of nonvolatile pheromones in reproductive activation was tested in adult females (n = 11) exposed for up to 14 days to a shielded, marked vial or to an unshielded, marked vial in a crossover design. All females exposed to unshielded vials expressed estrus, and 10 copulated. Only 2 females expressed estrus (significantly fewer, P < 0.05), when exposed to shielded marked vials, and neither copulated. These results demonstrate that females detect and respond behaviorally to both volatile and nonvolatile components of male suprasternal gland secretion, but the estrus-inducing pheromone in these secretions is nonvolatile.     

Temperature-dependent development of overwintering Sericinus montela Gray (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) pupae and its validation

The developmental time and survival of overwintering Sericinus montela Gray pupae were studied at four constant temperatures (15.0, 20.0, 25.0, and 30.0 °C), 40 ± 10% relative humidity, and 10:14 h light:dark cycle. The developmental time of both sexes decreased with increasing temperature between 15.0 °C (70.18 days for females and 55.28 days for males) and 30.0 °C (19.60 days for females and 13.78 days for males). The development periods of females were longer than those of males at each constant temperature. The relationship between the developmental rate and temperature was fitted by a linear model and a nonlinear developmental rate model (Lactin 1). The mortality of overwintered S. montela pupae was lowest at 25.0 °C (16.7%) and highest at 15.0 °C (36.7%). The lower developmental thresholds were 12.38 and 12.16 °C for females and males, respectively. The distribution of development completion for females and males was described by the two-parameter Weibull distribution equation (r² = 0.87 for females and r² = 0.94 for males). The date for the cumulative 50% adult emergence was within one or two days of that predicted using the Lactin 1 model. The temperature-dependent developmental model for S. montela could be applied to predict the timing of spring emergence in different geographical locations and will be helpful in developing a full-cycle phenology model for S. montela.     

Parkinson’s disease and sex-related differences in electromyography during daily life

Scope: Daily bilateral electromyography (EMG) recordings reveal muscle activation patterns implicated in asymmetric Parkinson’s disease (PD)-related functional decline. Also, daily EMG recordings reveal sex-differences in muscle activity that give rise to unique PD presentation in males and females. Purpose: Quantify handgrip strength and daily muscle quiescence through analysis of gaps in the EMG signal in males and females with PD. Bilateral daily EMG was recorded and normalized to maximal voluntary exertions (MVE). EMG gap was defined as <1% amplitude of MVE for >0.1 s and characterized as number, duration and time occupied by gaps. A dynamometer evaluated maximal grip-strength. Three-way repeated measures ANOVA examined differences in gap characteristics and strength. Gap duration was shorter (p = 0.04) and occupied less time (p = 0.02) in PD than controls. Females had fewer gaps with shorter duration (p = 0.004), occupying less time (p = 0.004) compared with males. Gaps were fewer (p = 0.04) and occupied less time (p = 0.01) on more-affected than less-affected side. PD was weaker than controls (p = 0.04), females were weaker than males (p = 0.00), and the more-affected PD side was weaker than less-affected (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Quantification of muscle quiescence through gaps in the EMG signal recorded during daily life provides insight into mechanisms underlying differential change in functional performance in males and females with PD.     

Effects of gender and age on median and ulnar nerve sensory responses over ring finger

ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of gender on median nerve (MN) and ulnar nerve (UN) sensorial responses over ring finger (RF).Materials and methodsResults of individuals admitted to our ENMG laboratory between June 2011 and March 2012 for nerve conduction studies (NCSs) were retrospectively analyzed. Sensory NCSs were performed by standard antidromic technique.ResultsTotally, 112 normal recordings belong to 100 patients were included. Mean antidromic sensory conduction velocity of MNs (wrist-to-second finger) or UNs (wrist-to-fifth finger) was not different between two genders. Mean sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude of MN from second finger was also not different between two genders. However, mean SNAP amplitude of UN from fifth finger was higher in females. In RF’s sensorial response studies; mean peak latency of MN was similar between females and males (3.05 ± 0.25 ms vs. 3.14 ± 0.29 ms, p = 0.111), whereas one of UN was shorter in females (2.86 ± 0.22 ms vs. 3.04 ± 0.31 ms, p = 0.001). MN to UN latency difference to RF was greater in females than males (0.19 ± 0.15 ms vs. 0.10 ± 0.16 ms, p = 0.007). Mean SNAP amplitude of MN and UN were both higher in females than males (17.9 ± 7.1 μV vs. 14.1 ± 5.5 μV, p = 0.011 and 18.5 ± 8.0 μV vs. 12.9 ± 6.1 μV, p = 0.0009, respectively). All data of NCSs were re-analyzed after adjustment for age, and obtained findings regarding effect of aging are also included.ConclusionGender has a prominent effect on RF’s sensorial responses. Normative values regarding them should be prepared with adjustment for gender.     

Aspects of the reproductive biology of Pseudaphycus maculipennis (Hym: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of obscure mealybug,Pseudococcus viburni (Hem: Pseudococcidae)

Laboratory experiments to determine aspects of the reproductive biology of Pseudaphycus maculipennis are described. All experiments were carried out at a constant temperature of 21 ± 2 °C, a 16-h photoperiod and ambient RH. Pseudaphycus maculipennis was shown to be an arrhenotokous, synovigenic, gregarious endoparasitoid of Pseudococcus viburni. Females and males lived for 16 and 11 days, respectively, when fed either honey-agar or mealybug honeydew. Relatively, large instars (third instar or adult females) were preferred for oviposition; mated females parasitized more mealybugs than unmated females, and the progeny sex ratio favored females by 3:1. Egg load increased with age from emergence to day 8, averaging 23 mature eggs/female. Mean realised daily fecundity never exceeded 5, with a mean lifetime fecundity of 46 eggs/female. Parasitised mealybugs remained alive for about 5 days and then mummified. Total development period was 20–21 days (larva 4–5 days, prepupa 3 days, pupa 8–9 days). Development periods of eggs and individual larval instars were not measured. A mean of 3.01 ± 0.1 parasitoids/mealybug were reared after individual parasitism events, increasing through super-parasitism (either self or conspecific) to 9 parasitoids/mealybug when hosts were exposed to competing females. Pseudaphycus maculipennis progeny emerged from the mummies in discrete cohorts over periods ranging from 3 min to 18 h (depending on the number of cohorts).     

Cold tolerance of the maize orange leafhopper,Cicadulina bipunctata

Cicadulina bipunctata was originally distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World. This leafhopper recently expanded its distribution area to southern parts of temperate Japan. In this study, factors affecting the overwintering ability of C. bipunctata were examined. A series of laboratory experiments revealed that cold acclimation at 15 °C for 7 days enhanced the cold tolerance of C. bipunctata to the same level as an overwintering population, adult females were more tolerant of cold temperature than adult males, and survival of acclimated adult females was highly dependent on temperature from −5 to 5 °C and exposure duration to the temperature. The temperature of crystallization of adult females was approximately −19 °C but temperatures in southern temperate Japan rarely dropped below −10 °C in the winter, indicating that overwintering C. bipunctata adults in temperate Japan are not killed by freezing injury but by indirect chilling injury caused by long-term exposure to moderately low temperatures. An overwintering generation of C. bipunctata had extremely low overwinter survival (<1%) in temperate Japan; however, based on winter temperature ranges, there are additional areas amenable to expansion of C. bipunctata in temperate Japan.     

Total phenolics,flavonoids and antioxidant properties of three Ceropegia species from Western Ghats of India

The aim of present work was to assess the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of various extracts of three Ceropegia spp.: Ceropegia spiralis, Ceropegia panchganiensis and Ceropegia evansii from Western Ghats of India. TPC of the samples varied from 0.3 ± 0.2 to 28.5 ± 0.3 mg TAE/g FW, whereas, TFC of the samples ranged between 0.1 ± 0.1 and 15.3 ± 0.3 mg RE/g FW. The major phenolic compounds identified were gallic acid, vanillin, cathechol and ferulic acid. All the extracts possess 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) as well as metal chelating ability and this was also supported by significant correlation with TPC and TFC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper presenting comprehensive data on TPC, TFC, phenolic profile and antioxidant properties of the Ceropegia spp.     

Sexual performance of Awassi ram lambs reared in different sex composition groups

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sex composition of the group of lambs before puberty on later sexual performance in Awassi ram lambs. Thirteen Awassi ram lambs of the same age were raised in either all-male group (n = 7) or in a group mixed with females (n = 6) from weaning to puberty. Blood samples, body weights (BW) and scrotal circumferences (SC) of ram lambs were recorded between eight and 10 months of age. Sexual performance testing was performed at 9 months of age by individually exposing ram lambs to oestrous females on five occasions. Body weight and SC were greater (P < 0.01) in the all-male compared with the mixed group. Plasma testosterone concentrations were not influenced (P > 0.05) by treatment. Plasma testosterone concentrations were significantly correlated (P ≤ 0.05) with BW (r = 0.3) and SC (r = 0.4). No treatment effects were detected regarding bouts of leg-kicking. Bouts of anogenital sniffing, the frequency of mount attempts and mounting frequency were greater (P < 0.05) in the all-male group. Even though the frequency of raising the fat tail of females was similar between the two treatments, the mixed group tended to be (P = 0.08) more efficient in doing so than the all-male group (higher tail raising/mount). Results of the current study indicate that mixing groups of ram and ewe lambs before puberty may be insufficient to improve later sexual performance of ram lambs.     

Performance of diapausing parasitoid wasps,Habrobracon hebetor,after cold storage

The ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an important potential biological control agent for lepidopterous pests of stored products. We investigated the effects of long-term cold storage of diapausing and nondiapausing H. hebetor on their performance after cold storage. Mortality during storage increased with increasing storage duration, and the mortality of diapausing females was lower than that of nondiapausing females after 8, 12, and 16 weeks of storage. Longevity, egg laying, number of progeny produced, and time to 50% egg laying were all reduced, as compared with the culture females when parasitoids were reared at conditions that do not induce diapause. But, for females reared at 20 °C at conditions that induce diapause, all of these quality parameters did not differ from those of culture insects when the storage duration was 8 weeks or less. The percentage of female F1 offspring was always lower for cold stored insects than for the culture insects. Presence of a male after cold storage did not impact any of the quality parameters measured. Thus, rearing parasitoids at 20 °C and 10L:14D and then storing them for up to 8 weeks at 5 °C would produce parasitoids that are similar to culture parasitoids, except that the percentage of females is lower than that in the cultures (36% vs. 52%).     

Development of Neoseiulus womersleyi (Schicha) and Euseius ovalis (Evans) feeding on four tetranychid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae,Tetranychidae) and pollen

The development of the predatory mites, Neoseiulus womersleyi (Schicha) and Euseius ovalis (Evans), feeding on four tetranychid mites (Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus kanzawai, Oligonychus mangiferus, Panonychus citri), maize pollen or Chinese loofah pollen was studied at 25 °C. Immature stages of N. womersleyi feeding on T. urticae and T. kanzawai had shorter developmental duration (4.71 and 5.02 days for females, 4.77 and 5.19 days for males, respectively) than those feeding on other food sources. Immature stages of E. ovalis females feeding on O. mangiferus and T. urticae developed in 4.99 and 5.13 days, respectively, the shortest developmental duration measured. Immature stages of E. ovalis males feeding on O. mangiferus and T. urticae developed in 5.12 and 5.37 days, respectively. The longevity of N. womersleyi males (13.31 to 14.51 days) and females (17.67 to 21.81 days) feeding on T. urticae, T. kanzawai or maize pollen was longer than the longevity of N. womersleyi feeding on O. mangiferus, P. citri or loofah pollen. E. ovalis males (12.91 to 16.74 days) and females (16.24 to 23.77 days) feeding on O. mangiferus, T. urticae or maize pollen lived longer than E. ovalis males and females feeding on T. kanzawai, P. citri or loofah pollen.     

Influence of selected host plants on biology of castor whitefly,Trialeurodes ricini (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The development time, immature survivorship, immature size, tertiary sex ratio, pre-oviposition period, fecundity, and preferences of the castor whitefly, Trialeurodes ricini on four host plant species (castor, eggplant, cotton and green bean) were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Development time from egg to adult emergence was the longest on cotton (33.3 days), the shortest on green bean (25.4 days), and intermediate on eggplant (28.5 days) and castor (28.3 days). The survival rate was the highest on castor (92.5%), followed by those on green bean (80.2%) and eggplant (73.8%), and the lowest on cotton (42.6%). The sex ratio was the highest on cotton (♀:♂ = 2.45:1.00), the lowest on eggplant (♀:♂ = 0.75:1.00), and intermediate on castor and green bean (♀:♂ = 1.04:1.00). T. ricini immatures and adults were generally larger when reared on castor and eggplant than on other plants. The net reproduction rate (R₀) was 57.656 females per female per generation, the generation time (T) was 35.9 days, the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) was 0.1128 eggs per female per day, the gross reproduction rate (GRR) was 108.04 eggs per female per generation, the finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.1194 females per female per day, and the doubling time (DT) was 6.1149 days. In both no-choice and two-choice tests, T. ricini adults preferred castor for feeding and oviposition.     

Heat coma temperature,relative contents of saturated/unsaturated fatty acids and reproductive maturation in the oceanic sea skaters Halobates micans

This study was performed to clarify how the relative volume of saturated/unsaturated lipid and reproductive maturation relate to resistance to high temperature in the oceanic sea skaters, Halobates micans. Heat coma temperature (HCT) was measured in H. micans adults collected from a fixed sampling location (12°00′N, 135°00′E) in the western tropical Pacific Ocean. After measuring HCT, the specimen were dissected to measure the testes size and to determine the presence and number of oocytes in females. Bodies of the specimen were assessed by lipid analysis to evaluate saturated and unsaturated lipid content. A negative trend was seen between heat coma temperature and percentage of a saturated fatty acid, myristic acid (ratio of carbon number to number of double bonds = 14:0) (Pearson's correlation test: r = − 0.520, p = 0.101). In contrast, a positive trend was detected between heat coma temperature and percentage of an unsaturated fatty acid, palmitoleic acid (16:1) (r = 478, p = 0.137). Young males with small testes showed lower heat coma temperatures, whereas females that showed relatively high heat coma temperatures of 36–40 °C tended to have fewer mature oocytes in their ovaries than those that showed low heat coma temperatures of 30–34 °C. As Halobates appears to exhibit embryonic diapause rather than adult diapause, males of H. micans may develop both testes and resistance to high temperature in the parallel as they grow. In females, a trade-off may occur between heat tolerance function and oogenesis in the oceanic sea skaters.     

The relationship between interleukin-6 in saliva,venous and capillary plasma,at rest and in response to exercise

IL-6 plays a mechanistic role in conditions such as metabolic syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome and clinical depression and also plays a major role in inflammatory and immune responses to exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of resting and post exercise IL-6 when measured in venous plasma, saliva and capillary plasma. Five male and five females completed 2 separate exercise trials, both of which involved standardized exercise sessions on a cycle ergometer. Venous blood and saliva samples were taken immediately before and after Trial A, venous and capillary blood samples were taken immediately before and after Trial B. IL-6 values were obtained using a high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In Trial A venous plasma IL-6 increased significantly from 0.4 ± 0.14 pg/ml to 0.99 ± 0.29 pg/ml (P < 0.01) while there was no increase in salivary IL-6. Venous plasma and salivary IL-6 responses were not correlated at rest, post exercise or when expressed as an exercise induced change. In Trial B venous and capillary plasma IL-6 increased significantly (venous: 0.22 ± 0.18 to 0.74 ± 0.28 pg/ml (P ⩽ 0.01); capillary: 0.37 ± 0.22 to 1.08 ± 0.30 pg/ml (P < 0.01). Venous and capillary plasma responses did not correlate at rest (r = 0.59, P = 0.07) but did correlate post exercise (r = 0.79, P ⩾ 0.001) and when expressed as an exercise induced change (r = 0.71, P = 0.02). Saliva does not appear to reflect systemic IL-6 responses, either at rest or in response to exercise. Conversely, capillary plasma responses are reflective of systemic IL-6 responses to exercise.     

Seasonal abundance and activity of pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera magna) in mixed plantation and semi-evergreen forest of southern India

Seasonal occurrence and activity of endemic pill millipedes (Arthrosphaera magna) were examined in organically managed mixed plantation and semi-evergreen forest reserve in southwest India between November 1996 and September 1998. Abundance and biomass of millipedes were highest in both habitats during monsoon season. Soil moisture, conductivity, organic carbon, phosphate, potassium, calcium and magnesium were higher in plantation than in forest. Millipede abundance and biomass were about 12 and 7 times higher in plantation than in forest, respectively (P < 0.001). Their biomass increased during post-monsoon, summer and monsoon in the plantation (P < 0.001), but not in forest (P > 0.05). Millipede abundance and biomass were positively correlated with rainfall (P = 0.01). Besides rainfall, millipedes in plantation were positively correlated with soil moisture as well as temperature (P = 0.001). Among the associated fauna with pill millipedes, earthworms rank first followed by soil bugs in both habitats. Since pill millipedes are sensitive to narrow ecological changes, the organic farming strategies followed in mixed plantation and commonly practiced in South India seem not deleterious for the endangered pill millipedes Arthrosphaera and reduce the risk of local extinctions.     

Effect of partial replacement of concentrates with jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) leaves on growth performance of kids grazing on native pasture of Tripura,India

Fifteen Black Bengal kids of about 3 months of age and body weight ranging from 3.8 to 4.9 kg were randomly distributed into three groups of five. Kids grazed native pasture 8 h/d. The kids in group I received supplementary concentrate (maize 35%, mustard cake 32%, rice bran 30%, mineral mixture 2% and common salt 1%) at approximately 2% of BW. However, 25 and 50% of the concentrate was replaced with jackfruit leaves for groups II and III, respectively. Total dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly higher in groups II and III than for group I due to greater forage consumption. Digestibility of CP (P < 0.05) decreased and that of NDF increased (P < 0.01) with increasing level of jackfruit leaves in the diet. Digestibility of ADF (P < 0.01), hemi cellulose (P < 0.05) and cellulose (P < 0.01) was higher in groups II and III in comparison to group I. Ruminal pH and TVFA concentration were not significantly different among the groups; however, rumen ammonia-N concentration decreased (P < 0.01) with increased level of jackfruit leaves in the diet. Similarly, plasma urea nitrogen and blood glucose levels were also reduced (P < 0.05) with increasing level of jackfruit leaves in the diet Average daily gain (ADG) was 47.33, 45.11 and 35.56 g/d in groups I, II and III, respectively. ADG and DMI/kg gain were not adversely affected when the level of replacement was restricted to 25%; however, at the 50% of replacement both parameters were adversely affected (P < 0.05). From the results of this experiment, it was concluded that jackfruit leaves might replace 25% of the supplemental concentrate for growing kids grazing in native pasture of northeast India.     

Breeding management in goat farms of Lombardy,northern Italy: Risk factors connected to gastrointestinal parasites

This study is the first parasitological survey dealing with goats at a regional scale in northern Italy. In particular, we characterized goat farms in Lombardy and investigated the risk factors of parasite infections there. Within our study area, both the breeding system and the size of the flocks varied. In fact, large flocks are mainly located down the valleys of Alpine areas and in the Prealps at low altitudes, such animals are reared under intensive husbandry. Medium-sized flocks are mostly found in mountainous areas where goats are reared under extensive or semi-extensive systems. Autochthonous races, then, are important in some marginal areas where a farm economy is supported by the promotion of traditional goat products, e.g. typical cheese and meat derivatives. Significant factors associated with the presence of parasites are (i) breeding system, extensive for Moniezia benedeni, semi-extensive for Strongyloides; (ii) size of the farm, over 100 goats for Strongyloides; (iii) altitude, above 500 m a.s.l. and up to 1000 m a.s.l. for M. benedeni and Strongylida; (iv) pasture, Strongylida; (v) season, autumn for M. benedeni; (vi) separation of goats into groups, (Skrjabinema). Goats in first lactation were significantly more infected with Strongylida and Trichuris than multiparous ones (both p < 0.001). Eggs excretion of Strongyloides was higher in pregnant females (p < 0.001). Differences emerged also for Nematodirus and Strongylida when eggs excretion was related to pregnancy (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively), but epg values of these nematodes were significantly higher in not pregnant individuals. Heavier infection with S. was found in lactating goats rather than in dry goats (p < 0.001), while the latter ones were more infected with Trichuris and Strongyloides (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, according to the results of our survey, as to extensive husbandry we highly recommend correct practices in pasture management associated with a targeted programme of anthelminthic treatments for Stronylida and Cestoda. As to the rearing of large flocks almost entirely indoor, we noted a higher presence of other parasites, i.e. Strongyloides, probably due to a high density of heads associated with a scarce sanitary management. Concerning, then, young goats in first lactation and lactating females our data confirmed that they both are more vulnerable to the infection with Strongylida, while pregnant females are more prone to the infection with Strongyloides spp. This can be partially due to the synchronization of the reproductive cycle, as performed in most farms, and to the occurrence of the period of pregnancy in winter, when the animals are stabled indoor.