Percentage Of Eggs Research Articles

Evaluating the dynamics and efficacy of a live, attenuated Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis vaccine candidate under farm conditions

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to monitor the dynamics and to measure the safety and efficacy of a live, attenuated, thermosensitive Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis vaccine candidate, namely MA271, in geese breeder flocks under field conditions. Two rearing flocks were vaccinated with MA271 at 4 weeks of age and boosted at 24 weeks of age by cloaca inoculation (1 ml) and eye-dropping (60 µl). The geese then were transported to multi-aged breeding farms. Two breeding flocks served as controls. Colonization of the cloaca by MA271 showed 75% maximum prevalence between 4 and 6 weeks after the first vaccination. Then the prevalence decreased to 25% until the cooler, humid fall months which coincided with the booster vaccination. Boosting raised cloacal colonization to 100%. No clinical signs were observed in the vaccinated birds. After transportation to five multi-aged breeding farms, the wild-type strain appeared as well as MA271 in three flocks. In one flock, the wild-type strain completely displaced MA271, while in one flock only MA271 was detected. Only wild-type strains were detected in the control flocks; however, due to an HPAI outbreak, both flocks were exterminated before the end of the study. Based on the available data, the median percentage of infertile eggs was 3.7-5.1% in the MA271 vaccinated flocks, and 7.7% in the non-vaccinated flock. In conclusion, MA271 can colonize the cloaca of geese under field conditions. MA271 proved to be safe and presumably protects against M. anserisalpingitidis-induced reproduction losses.

Effect of different exposure time of papain on adhesion and some reproductive indices of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> (Burchell, 1822) eggs under semi-arid environment of Sokoto, north-western, Nigeria

Egg adhesiveness can cause major problems affecting the hatchability of Clarias gariepinus. However, appropriate media for de-adhesion in Catfish eggs is not yet well established. In this study, the effect of the anti-adhesion properties of Papain enzyme (extracted from pawpaw fruit peel) on Clarias eggs was investigated in terms of non-stickiness of eggs, fertilization rates hatchability and fry survival. Milt and eggs obtained from African Catfish broodstock of the same lineage were used for induced breeding following standard procedure. 4g of eggs were subjected to four (4) different exposure times of Papain – 30, 60, 120 and 300 seconds – and compared against a control. Treatment efficacy was assessed by comparing the percentage of non-sticky eggs, fertilization, hatching and survival rate in the treatments and control. Exposure time of 30 seconds was found to be most effective in preventing adhesiveness in the eggs. Also, eggs subjected to 30, 120 and 300 seconds of papain exposure had the best hatchability (50.58±1.84, 53.91±4.53, 59.21±2.97). Survival rate was similar among the treatments and control, except for exposure time of 300 (81.66±7.15) seconds with significantly lower survival rate. For effective hatchability and survival of Clarias gariepinus eggs, exposure to papain at 120 seconds is recommended.

Toward greater realism in inclusive fitness models: the case of caste fate conflict in insect societies.

In the field of social evolution, inclusive fitness theory has been successful in making a wide range of qualitative predictions on expected patterns of cooperation and conflict. Nevertheless, outside of sex ratio theory, inclusive fitness models that make accurate quantitative predictions remain relatively rare. Past models dealing with caste fate conflict in insect societies, for example, successfully predicted that if female larvae can control their own caste fate, an excess should opt to selfishly develop as queens. Available models, however, were unable to accurately predict levels of queen production observed in Melipona bees-a genus of stingless bees where caste is self-determined-as empirically observed levels of queen production are approximately two times lower than the theoretically predicted ones. Here, we show that this discrepancy can be resolved by explicitly deriving the colony-level cost of queen overproduction from a dynamic model of colony growth, requiring the incorporation of parameters of colony growth and demography, such as the per-capita rate at which new brood cells are built and provisioned, the percentage of the queen's eggs that are female, costs linked with worker reproduction and worker mortality. Our revised model predicts queen overproduction to more severely impact colony productivity, resulting in an evolutionarily stable strategy that is approximately half that of the original model, and is shown to accurately predict actual levels of queen overproduction observed in different Melipona species. Altogether, this shows how inclusive fitness models can provide accurate quantitative predictions, provided that costs and benefits are modeled in sufficient detail and are measured precisely.

Influence of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda egg mass scales and layers on the performance of three species of egg parasitoid Trichogramma with different ovipositor lengths

BackgroundThe fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a highly polyphagous and destructive pest of maize and other cereal crops. Biological control is a potential alternative to chemical insecticides used for the management of FAW in maize. Egg parasitoids are promising biocontrol agents as they kill the insect pest at their egg stage before it hatches, thus preventing the damaging larval stage. Trichogramma is widely used in augmentative biological control of FAW in native and invaded regions. However, FAW lay egg masses in layer by layer and eggs are covered with egg scales, this may affect the performance of Trichogramma parasitoids. Therefore, the parasitism potential of three Trichogramma species was studied on eggs with or without scales and layered eggs of FAW, further the impact of parasitoids ovipositor length on parasitism was also determined. This helps to understand the parasitism potential of parasitoids on different egg type for better implementation of biological control programs against FAW.ResultsThe effect of FAW egg mass with or without scales and layered eggs on the performance of Trichogramma chilonis, T. pretiosum and T. mwanzai was studied and results indicated that egg mass scales and the layered eggs were significantly affected the parasitism potential of Trichogramma species, but did not affect the parasitoid emergence. In general, T. chilonis parasitized a higher percentage of eggs with or without scales and layered eggs of FAW than the other two species. T. chilonis and T. mwanzai had a greater ovipositor length than T. pretiosum.ConclusionThe performance of evaluated Trichogramma species on FAW eggs with or without scales and layered eggs affected the parasitism success. The parasitism success of T. chilonis was comparably higher than other tested species. Hence, the scales on egg masses and layered eggs of FAW should be taken into account while selecting the Trichogramma species in the biological control of FAW.

Field evaluation of the efficacy of copper nanoparticles against mites associated with orange trees.

Phytophagous mites are dangerous pests, causing economic losses to the world's crops. Nanotechnology is a promising field for pests and disease management, and enhancement of agricultural productivity. The aim of the study was to evaluation of the effectiveness of copper nanoparticles (CuNP) against all stages of eriophyid mite, the citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Acari: Eriophyidae) and tetranychid mite, the citrus brown mite Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein) (Acari: Tetranychidae), and Tenuipalpid mite, the false spider mite, Brevipalpus obovatus Donnadieu (Acari: Tenuipalpidae). This includes its impacts on predacious mites, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot and Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), on orange trees under field conditions. Five different concentrations of copper nanoparticles (40, 80, 160, 240, and 320 ppm), as well as the control (well water) were examined. The obtained results indicated that the mortality rate of both phytophagous and predacious mites was associated with an increase in the concentrations of copper nanoparticles. Copper nanoparticles were significantly effective in killing P. oleivora, E. orientalis and B. obovatus with minimal effects on A. swirskii and E. scutalis. The mortality percentage was 15.24, 20.32, 46.32, 78.97 and 86.37% for P. oleivora, 6.87, 9.86, 28.91, 56.30 and 77.52% for E. orientalis and 8.38, 23.50, 48.83, 68.80 and 84.08% for B. obovatus while the mortality percentage was 0.00, 0.56, 5.83, 9.91 and 15.19% for A. swirskii and 0.44, 3.96, 6.93, 8.63 and 21.39% for E. scutalis one week after exposure to 40, 80, 160, 240 and 320 ppm of copper nanoparticles, respectively. Moreover, the results showed that copper nanoparticles caused a reduction in the percentage of eggs hatching. The percentages of larvae hatching from eggs were 96.29, 80.00, 64.13, 45.66 and 32.17% for P. oleivora, 97.38, 83.28, 69.41, 48.01 and 35.29 for E. orientalis and 96.60, 76.92, 56.38, 40.55 and 33.28% for B. obovatus one week after exposure to copper nanoparticles at 40, 80, 160, 240 and 320 ppm respectively, compared with the control (well water). According to the results, the use of copper nanoparticles significant effect on reducing the population of phytophagous mites associated with orange trees, with low detrimental effects on predatory mites.

Benefits of watermelon juice and ascorbic acid supplementation on Institut de Sélection Animale brown layers managed under hot climate

Loss of homeostasis and poor egg production are common in laying hens during hot season. These negative effects of extreme ambient temperature have resulted in great economic losses to poultry farmers in the tropical regions. This study investigated benefits of supplementing watermelon juice (WJ) and ascorbic acid (AA) to ISA Brown (IB) hens managed under hot climate on productive performance and some hormonal responses. Ninety-six IB pullets aged 34 weeks were randomly allotted to four groups (C, T1, T2, and T3), each containing 24 in triplicates. The control group (C) was given water with neither WJ nor AA. Water given to groups T1, T2 was supplemented with 20% and 40% WJ, respectively, while T3 was supplemented with 200mg AA/litre of water. The results show a significant (P≤0.05) increase in water intake in T3 compared to other groups. Total egg production, daily egg production and hen-day egg production were significantly (P≤0.05) improved by the supplements, as total egg weights improved in T1:(272.2 ± 35.16g) and T2:(272.1 ± 35.06g) compared to C:(212.2 ± 25.06g) and T3:(238.5 ± 19.23g). The supplements caused 24.46%, 22.70% and 9.43% rise in percentage egg production in groups T1, T2, and T3 respectively. Serum corticosterone (C:10.88 ± 1.12; T1:10.20 ± 1.06; T2:9.61 ± 0.792; T3:7.23 ± 2.36ng/mL) and thyroxine levels (C:1.45 ± 0.562; T1:0.41 ± 0.109; T2:0.39 ± 0.367; T3:0.60 ± 0.489μg/dL) decreased significantly (P≤0.05) in supplemented layers, while serum prolactin and triiodothyronine differed non-statistically. In conclusion, WJ and AA supplementation ameliorated heat stress in IB layers managed under hot climate as it significantly lowered corticosterone and improved egg production. Therefore, supplementing 20%, 40%WJ or 200mg AA/litre in water is recommended for managing heat stress in IB layer chickens

Laboratory Evaluation of Efficiency of some Normal and Nano Amino Acids in Hatching Eggs and Vitality of J2 Second Instar Juveniles in Root-knot Nematode Meloidogyne spp.

Tomato affected by several pathogenic factors, including root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). This research was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of three amino acid Arginine, Serine, and Leucine, in their normal and Nano forms, at three different concentrations (10, 20, 30 ppm). The evaluation was performed under laboratory conditions to assess their effectiveness in inhibiting egg hatching and the viability Second stage Juveniles (J2) of the targeted nematode species. The laboratory results demonstrated the efficiency of all treatments in reducing the percentage of unhatched eggs, particularly at higher concentrations. The Nano-form of the three amino acids at a concentration of 30 ppm exhibited the highest efficacy compared to the normal form and showed significant superiority over the control treatment. After 72 hours, the percentage of unhatched eggs for Arginine, Serine, and Leucine Nano-amino acids was (21.00, 31.33, and 30.67), respectively, with a kill rate of (79%, 68.88%, and 69.33%) compared to the control treatment, which recorded 75% unhatched eggs and a kill rate of 25%. The impact of these treatments on the viability Second stage juveniles(J2) also varied significantly with different concentrations, showing a dose-dependent effect over time and significant differences compared to the control group. The highest concentration of 3000 ppm was the most effective, resulting in the highest kill rate for Arginine, Serine, and Leucine Nano-amino acids, which reached (95.27%, 90.27%, 88.89%), respectively, compared to the control treatment, which had a kill rate of 48.60%.

Life-Cycle-Dependent Toxicities of Mono- and Bifunctional Alkylating Agents in the 3R-Compliant Model Organism C. elegans.

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is gaining recognition and importance as an organismic model for toxicity testing in line with the 3Rs principle (replace, reduce, refine). In this study, we explored the use of C. elegans to examine the toxicities of alkylating sulphur mustard analogues, specifically the monofunctional agent 2-chloroethyl-ethyl sulphide (CEES) and the bifunctional, crosslinking agent mechlorethamine (HN2). We exposed wild-type worms at different life cycle stages (from larvae L1 to adulthood day 10) to CEES or HN2 and scored their viability 24 h later. The susceptibility of C. elegans to CEES and HN2 paralleled that of human cells, with HN2 exhibiting higher toxicity than CEES, reflected in LC50 values in the high µM to low mM range. Importantly, the effects were dependent on the worms' developmental stage as well as organismic age: the highest susceptibility was observed in L1, whereas the lowest was observed in L4 worms. In adult worms, susceptibility to alkylating agents increased with advanced age, especially to HN2. To examine reproductive effects, L4 worms were exposed to CEES and HN2, and both the offspring and the percentage of unhatched eggs were assessed. Moreover, germline apoptosis was assessed by using ced-1p::GFP (MD701) worms. In contrast to concentrations that elicited low toxicities to L4 worms, CEES and HN2 were highly toxic to germline cells, manifesting as increased germline apoptosis as well as reduced offspring number and percentage of eggs hatched. Again, HN2 exhibited stronger effects than CEES. Compound specificity was also evident in toxicities to dopaminergic neurons-HN2 exposure affected expression of dopamine transporter DAT-1 (strain BY200) at lower concentrations than CEES, suggesting a higher neurotoxic effect. Mechanistically, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) has been linked to mustard agent toxicities. Therefore, the NAD+-dependent system was investigated in the response to CEES and HN2 treatment. Overall NAD+ levels in worm extracts were revealed to be largely resistant to mustard exposure except for high concentrations, which lowered the NAD+ levels in L4 worms 24 h post-treatment. Interestingly, however, mutant worms lacking components of NAD+-dependent pathways involved in genome maintenance, namely pme-2, parg-2, and sirt-2.1 showed a higher and compound-specific susceptibility, indicating an active role of NAD+ in genotoxic stress response. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that C. elegans represents an attractive model to study the toxicology of alkylating agents, which supports its use in mechanistic as well as intervention studies with major strength in the possibility to analyze toxicities at different life cycle stages.

Copper and cadmium, isolated and in the mixture, impact the Neotropical freshwater Calanoida copepod Notodiaptomus iheringi: A short-term approach with environmental concentrations

Metal discharges in aquatic ecosystems are of concern since they affect different trophic levels, altering the functioning of the aquatic food chain. The metals can interact among them and with other pollutants, resulting in complex mixtures whose effects on biota are unpredictable. The impacts of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd), isolated and combined, on the freshwater copepod Notodiaptomus iheringi were assessed in acute and sub-chronic exposures. Species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curves were constructed for both metals. In the acute tests antagonism was observed in mortality, while in sub-chronic, mortality was not affected; however, the eggs produced and percentage of viable eggs were significantly altered. Our data suggest that egg production can be a detoxification route in N. iheringi under Cu and mixture exposure. From the SSD curves, N. iheringi was the most sensitive Brazilian species for Cu and the second most sensitive for Cd.

Predation of sea turtle eggs by rats and crabs

Egg predation by invasive and native species may have severe impacts on endangered species and negatively affect species recovery. We assessed the levels of egg predation within green turtle (Chelonia mydas) clutches on the island of Diego Garcia (7.42°S, 72.45°E), Chagos Archipelago (Indian Ocean). Native coconut crabs (Birgus latro) and ghost crabs (Ocypode spp.), as well as introduced black rats (Rattus rattus), were predators of eggs, with these species entering nests via tunnels dug obliquely in the sand. Often whole eggs were removed from clutches. For example, the mean clutch size at oviposition (mean 127.8 eggs, n = 23, range = 74–176) was significantly larger than at the end of incubation (mean 110.9 hatched and unhatched eggs, n = 16, range = 9–147). In other cases, egg predation was recorded where the egg had been opened and contents were eaten in the nest. Overall, hatching success (the percentage of eggs laid leading to a hatchling emerging from the egg) was 64.9%, while 3.1% of eggs were predated within nests, 18.1% died during incubation without predation and 13.9% were removed. We reviewed evidence from 34 sites around the world identifying 36 predators that were either native (e.g., crabs, and goannas, n = 30) or invasive (e.g., rats, and pigs, n = 8). Depending on location, a predator could be identified as both native and invasive (e.g., dogs). We discuss how either nest protection and/or invasive predator eradication may be used to increase egg survival and when these approaches might be used.

Evaluation of the Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of a Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam and a Short-Chain Fluorinated Foam to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus).

The development of fluorine-free firefighting foams has been proposed as a way to reduce the adverse environmental consequences of foams containing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. While there are likely fewer environmental and ecological concerns with these new fluorine-free foams in terms of persistence and bioaccumulation, it is prudent to evaluate the ecotoxicity of these fluorine-free foam products given the absence of data. Oral chronic drinking water exposure studies on adult pairs of northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) were conducted with a short-chain fluorinated and a fluorine-free foam: Buckeye Platinum Plus C6 and National Foam Avio Green KHC, respectively, at three exposure concentrations (0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.25%). Adults were monitored for survival, growth, and reproductive output; and chicks were monitored for survival and growth. Growth parameters in adult quail were not affected by exposure to the Buckeye or Avio foam. However, liver lipid content was higher in adult males exposed to the Buckeye foam or the Avio foam at the highest exposure concentrations. Chicks were heavier and had higher growth rates after adult exposure to Avio at the highest exposure level (0.25%) and to Buckeye at the two lowest exposure levels but not at the highest exposure level. The two adverse reproductive effects observed from avian exposure to Buckeye were an increased percentage of cracked eggs and earlier arrested embryonic development. Similarly, chronic exposure to Avio also induced earlier arrested embryonic development. These results show that the fluorine-free foams tested did cause toxicity to bobwhite quail, but whether they pose a risk at contaminated sites requires further laboratory and field study and additional exposure data. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:211-221. © 2023 SETAC.

Response of the invasive fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) to variable levels of larval stem-boring by Gasteroclisus tricostalis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a potential biological control agent

The stem-boring weevil Gasteroclisus tricostalis (Thunberg) (Curculionidae) is under investigation as a biological control agent for Senecio madagascariensis Poiret (Asteraceae) in Australia and Hawaii. Besides mandatory host-specificity testing, pre-release studies on the weevil’s impact can be a useful predictor of its efficacy when released in the invaded range. In this study, we investigated the response (i.e., growth, floral production, and biomass accumulation) of mature flowering S. madagascariensis plants to varying densities of G. tricostalis larvae in their stems. Although there were weak negative relationships between plant response variables and larval densities, these were only significant in the production of side branches (shoots) and floral components (capitula). Regression analyses estimated that six and 12 larvae per mature plant could prevent the production of new capitula and new shoots, respectively. A significant negative relationship between the percentage of eggs that resulted in larval recoveries and the number of eggs deposited per plant may suggest aggressive interactions between the larvae. Given precedents from other biocontrol programmes against asteraceous weeds, G. tricostalis may exhibit higher impacts on young pre-flowering plants than on mature plants, a possibility that requires confirmation. Because G. tricostalis is present is the field throughout most of the year, additional testing involving multiple generations of the weevil can assess the ultimate impact of sustained damage on plants. Since high floral production is a major driver of invasions by S. madagascariensis, substantial reductions in flowering by G. tricostalis would likely make a significant contribution to the weed’s management.

Determination of Weight and Biochemical Changes in Layers Experimentally Infected with Escherichia coli

This study determined the effect of experimental exposure of layer chickens to Escherichia coli (E. coli) on weight, egg production and some plasma biochemical parameters. A total of 20 laying chickens (20 weeks old) were acquired and assigned, at random, into infected and control groups, of 10 layers each. Birds in the infected group were challenged with 0.5 ml of bacterial aliquot containing 109 colony forming units (CFU) of the bacteria, administered intra tracheally. Five birds, from each group were selected at random and their live body weights were determined on days 0, 2, 4, 6, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42. Also, egg production was monitored, and the weekly percentage egg production of birds was calculated. Two (2) ml of blood were collected from each bird in both groups and used for plasma biochemical analyses. Finding from the research showed that E. coli infection caused reduction in feed and water consumption by day 3 post infection (pi); with subsequent reduction in body weight and egg production. The mean plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity in the infected group progressively increased from day 6 pi to reach a significantly higher (p < 0.05) value (66.4 ± 0.93 IU/L) on day 28 pi while the mean plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity progressively increased in the infected group from day 6 pi to attain the highest significant (p < 0.05) value (74.4 ± 2.11 IU/L) on day 21 pi. The mean plasma total protein concentration in the infected group decreased from day 4 pi and reached the lowest significant (p < 0.05) value (5.12 ± 0.28 mg/dl) on day 35 pi. In conclusion, the drop in egg production, loss of body weight, increase hepatic transaminases and decrease plasma protein may be attributed to anorexia or possible impairment of intestinal, renal reabsorption of nutrients from the infection.

Anthelmintic Potential of Vernonia amygdalina on Toxocara canis in Domesticated Dogs

Toxocariasis is a worldwide zoonotic parasitic infection and one route of preventing the disease in dogs and subsequent transmission to humans, especially children, is through treatment with anthelmintic. A study aimed at assessing the anthelmintic efficacy of Vernonia amygdalina leaves extract on Toxocara canis in domesticated dogs was carried out where the proximate and phytochemical components of the leaf extract were determined using the standard method and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, the anthelmintic efficacy was assessed in vitro and in vivo respectively. The study revealed that this plant contained alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenol and steroids. Lethal concentration (LC50) of 14.83ml/mg at 12 hours and a percentage egg reduction of 84% after 2 weeks was recorded, which revealed that the plant leaves have anthelmintic potential and this could be attributed to the presence of flavonoids which are associated with the treatment of gastric infections and also n-Hexadecanoic acid which accounts for it anthelmintic (nematicidal) effect, alongside Octadecanoic acid which is an anti-inflammatory compound.

The Impact of Varying the Amount of Octacosanol Added to Laying Hens’ Productive Performance and Various Oxidative Tests with and Without Vitamin E

A total of 120 laying hens were employed in this investigation, with 20 hens per treatment and 10 repetitions (2 hens each replicate). The experimental treatments included the following: T1: Control group, which received a basil diet without the addition; T2: 20 milligrams of vitamin E per kilogram of feed; T3: 20 milligrams of octacosanol per kilogram of feed; T4: 40 milligrams of octacosanol per kilogram of feed; T5: 20 milligrams/Kg (mixed octacosanol + vitamin E). The findings indicate that the treatments including the addition of octacosanol significantly increased the percentage of eggs produced, improved feed conversion ratio, and increased the eggs mass. Compared to the first, second, and third treatments, the MDA concentration significantly decreasing during the fourth, fifth, and sixth treatments. There were no significantly variations in glutathione levels. The concentration of the GOT enzyme also decreased significantly across all treatments as compared to the control group. When compared to the control treatment, the third treatment significantly improved the concentration of the GPT enzyme. Estrogen levels were not significantly affected by any of the treatments.

Modeling and Analysis of the Dynamic Model of Bali Starling (Leucopsar Rothschildi) Breeding in West Bali National Park

Antara, the official news agency of the state, reported a record-breaking population of 303 Bali starlings in the West Bali National Park (WBNP) in June 2020, attributing this achievement to the park's captive reproduction initiative. This paper presents a study on the dynamic equilibrium of Bali Starlings and proposes a mathematical model for analyzing this dynamic. The research also examines parameters ensuring the stability of the captive breeding model for Bali starlings in WBNP in a sustainable manner. The Bali starlings are categorized into two groups: those in the wild and those in captive breeding, with hatched eggs in captivity included in the latter. The dynamic model is analyzed for system stability around the endemic critical point using the Routh-Hurwitz stability criteria. As an illustrative example, a simulation is conducted to assess the model's suitability under real field conditions. The model analysis reveals that the existence of an endemic critical point can be maintained if the percentage of stolen Bali starlings or eggs reintroduced to the wild is less than the difference between the percentage of Bali starlings laying eggs and the population growth rate in WBNP. Furthermore, the stability of the endemic critical point is confirmed as long as the percentage of Bali starlings laying eggs exceeds the population growth rate. This dynamic model offers a valuable tool for evaluating the sustainability of Bali starling breeding programs and optimizing the benefits associated with their conservation efforts.

Efficacy of Azadirachta indica in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Helminthiasis

The study was carried out to assess the anthelminthic efficacy of Azadirachta indica commonly known as Neem (Dogoyaro). The phytochemical components of the leaf extract was accessed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and the efficacy was carried out in vitro and in vivo using Toxocara canis (as worm model) of dogs. Twenty peaks of compounds were revealed in the GS-MS chromatogram, with Hexadecanoic acid which is saddled with anthelminthic effect as one of its major constituents. In the in vitro study, the lethal concentration was 92.48ml/mg at 6hrs. Percentage egg reduction of 76.2% and 83.9% from the Faecal Egg Count (FEC) at LC25 and LC50 respectively was recorded for the in vivo study. The overall blood count of all the puppies used for the experiment were 4.46 X 106µL for RBC, 31.32% for PCV and 11.23 X 103for WBC. Puppies treated with Azadirachta indica leaf extract showed minimal alteration of the three heamatological parameters (WBC, PCV and RBC) analyzed compared to the uninfected control group and group treated with Mbendazole. This indicates that Azadirachta indica leaf extract is effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal helminthiasis and also further investigations are recommended as it may be useful in the treatment of other diseases.

Status of infant and young child feeding in China in 2016-2017

To describe the feeding status and related factors of infant and young child aged 6-23 months in China. Data was from the China Nutrition and Health Surveillance among 0-17 Years Old Children and Lactating Women in 2016-2017, and 20 423 children aged 6-23 months were involved in 275 surveillance sites from 31 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities). The introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods, minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency were analyzed with WHO and UNICEF 2021 updated infant and young child feeding indicators. Data analyses were conducted using the complex weight based on national census from National Bureau of Statistics in 2010. Rao-Scott Chi-square was used test for statistical difference. The percentage of infants 6-8 months of age who consumed solid, semi-solid or soft foods was 83.2%(95%CI 80.5%-85.9%) in 2016-2017. No significant difference were observed between boys and girls; there was significant difference in different areas(Rao-Scott χ~2=30.85, P<0.01), it was 90.3% in medium and small cities, and reached 75.0% even in poor rural areas. The proportions of children aged 6-23 months meeting minimum dietary diversity(MDD) was 60.6%(95%CI 58.1%-63.1%). It was 71.1% in medium and small cities, and 50.5% in poor rural areas. Except for breast milk, the percentage of eggs(34.4%) and legumes(19.0%) consumption was low, the percentage of grains, vitamin A-rich fruits or vegetables consumption was 89.7%(95%CI 88.4%-91.1%). The percentage of consuming egg and/or flesh food was 76.4%(95%CI 74.2%-78.7%). The percentage of zero vegetables or fruits consumption was 9.1%(95%CI 7.8%-10.4%). The proportions of children aged 6-23 months meeting minimum meal frequency(MMF) was 72.4%(95%CI 70.1%-74.7%). It was over 70% in large cities, medium and small cities, general rural areas; and 60.2% in poor rural areas. The proportions of children aged 6-23 months meeting minimum acceptable diet was 43.4%(95%CI 40.7%-46.1%), it was over 50% in urban areas, and less than 40% in rural areas, 30.1% in poor rural areas. No consistent differences were observed between boys and girls for all 3 indicators(MDD, MMF and MAD), and there was significant difference in different areas and various months of age(P<0.01). There was no gender difference in the feeding status of children aged 6-23 months in China, the complementary feeding was relatively timely, and the minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency of children were relatively ideal, but the minimum acceptable diet of children in poor rural areas was poor.

The biology and preying abilities of ladybird beetle (Coccinella transversalis Fabricius) on Myzus persicae (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The use of predators in biological control has been widely known to reduce pest populations. The research aim is to determine the biology and preying abilities ladybird beetle, a species of family Coccinellidae named Coccinella transversalis Fabricius which can be used to mass rearing on laboratory for augmentation and conservation purpose. This study directed at research facility at Methodist University of Indonesia with descriptive methods. Samples collecting from horticultural cultivation at Karo District, then kept in maintenance jar with substitute food and real food Myzuz persicae as standard mass rearing technique for the coccinellid. The results showed that egg incubation was 3.2±0.76 days. There are four instars of larval with lifetime 2.67±0.20 days, 2.87±0.26 days, 2.91±0.53 and 3.42±0.75 days respectively. Prepupae was 1.62±0.56 days and pupae was 3.11±0.81 days. Life period of female was 35.05±3.80 days and male 25.75±3.14 days. The female potential produce egg was 118.4±20.14 eggs and percentage of egg hatching 85.0±6.37%. The survival rate from larvae to imago was 48.8±5.84%, which means half of the larvae succeeded becoming an imago. Preying abilities for aphid at larva instar I until instar IV, female and male were 24.55±3.28, 44.55±6.63, 89.90±13.41, 174.50±27.7, 973.67±29.21 and 786.31±14.77 aphids respectively.

Synthesis and anthelmintic activity of novel thiosemicarbazide and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives: In vitro, in vivo, and in silico study

IntroductionIntestinal parasitic infections are neglected diseases and, due to the increasing resistance of parasites to available drugs, they pose an increasing therapeutic challenge. Therefore, there is a great need for finding new compounds with antiparasitic activity. Objectives: In this work, new thiosemicarbazide and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives were synthesized and tested for their anthelmintic activity. MethodsThe synthesis was carried out by classical methods of organic chemistry. Anthelmintic activity tests were carried out in vitro (Rhabditis sp., Haemonchus contortus, Strongylidae sp.) in vivo (Heligmosomoides polygyrus/bakeri), and in silico analysis was performed. ResultsQuinoline-6-carboxylic acid derivative compounds were designed and synthesized. The highest activity in the screening tests in the Rhabditis model was demonstrated by compound II-1 with a methoxyphenyl substituent LC50 = 0.3 mg/mL. In the next stage of the research, compound II-1 was analyzed in the H. contortus model. The results showed that compound II-1 was active and had ovicidal (percentage of dead eggs > 45 %) and larvicidal (percentage of dead larvae > 75 %) properties. Studies in the Strongylidae sp. model confirmed the ovicidal activity of compound II-1 (percentage of dead eggs ≥ 55 %). In vivo studies conducted in the H. polygyrus/bakeri nematode model showed that the number of nematodes decreased by an average of 30 % under the influence of compound II-1. In silico studies have shown two possible modes of action of compound II-1, i.e. inhibition of tubulin polymerization and SDH. The test compound did not show any systemic toxic effects. Its influence on drug metabolism related to the activity of cytochrome CYP450 enzymes was also investigated. ConclusionThe results obtained in the in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies indicate that the test compound can be described as a HIT, which in the future may be used in the treatment of parasitic diseases in humans and animals.