Infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes against the legume pod-borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius, infesting pigeon pea.

The legume pod-borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) (LPB), is an important insect pest of pigeon pea. Chemical pesticides are generally employed to manage this pest, but because of the soil residue issues and other environmental hazards associated with their use, biopesticides are also in demand. Another benign alternative is to use entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) to manage this vital pest. In the present study, the infectivity of ten native EPNs was evaluated against LPB by assessing their penetration and production in the LPB. The effectiveness of the promising EPNs against second-, third- and fourth-instar LPB larvae was also studied. Heterorhabditis sp. (Indian Agricultural Research Institute-Entomopathogenic Nematodes Rashid Pervez (IARI-EPN RP) 06) and Oscheius sp. (IARI-EPN RP 08) were found to be most pathogenic to LPB, resulting in about 100% mortality within 72 h, followed by Steinernema sp. (IARI-EPN RP 03 and 09). Oscheius sp. (IARI-EPN RP 04) was found to be the least pathogenic to LPB larva with 67% mortality. Maximum penetration was exhibited by Heterorhabditis sp. (IARI-EPN RP 06) followed by Oscheius sp. (IARI-EPN RP 08), whereas the lowest rate of penetration was exhibited by Oscheius sp. (IARI-EPN RP 01). The highest rate of production was observed with Oscheius sp. (IARI-EPN RP 08), followed by Oscheius sp. (IARI-EPN RP 04 and 10). Among the tested instars of the LPB larvae, second-instar larvae were more susceptible to EPNs, followed by third- and fourth-instar larvae. The results indicate that Heterorhabditis sp. (IARI-EPN RP 06) and Oscheius sp. (IARI-EPN RP 08) have a good potential to the manage LPB.

Asthma knowledge and approach among Pakistani family physicians and the impact of an educational programme.

OBJECTIVES: To assess asthma knowledge and approach among Pakistani family physicians and the impact of an educational programme. DESIGN: A total of 89 family physicians attending a continuing medical education programme were evaluated using a 17-item questionnaire before and after a lecture and seminar-based educational programme. Three scores -- total score (TSc), knowledge subscore (KSc) and approach subscore (ASc) -- were calculated before and after the course. RESULTS: A total of 82 (92%) family physicians completed the questionnaire. A minimum TSc of > or =9 was achieved by 57% physicians before the course; this increased to 78% after the course. Physicians with < or =10 years since graduation achieved a higher baseline TSc than those who had graduated > or =20 years previously. The latter group showed a larger post-course improvement. Analysis of individual questions disclosed that 79% of family physicians were unable to assess the empirical risk of asthma in an unborn child, 61% were unable to correctly classify/treat Stage 2 asthma and a similar number peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (l/min) based acute asthma exacerbation. Reassuringly, 97% correctly identified clinical signs and 87% life-threatening features of asthma. CONCLUSION: Of all family physicians who responded to the questionnaire, 57% achieved acceptable baseline standards. Deficiencies regarding areas such as genetic counselling and disease severity assessment were observed. Strengths in identifying clinical signs and life-threatening features were evident. Continuing medical education resulted in a significant improvement in the post-course assessment, regardless of the years since graduation.

Compliance with disposition to primary care physicians and psychiatrists in elderly homebound mentally ill patients.

In a naturalistic study, the authors evaluated homebound mentally ill elderly patients as part of a psychiatric outreach team in two rural/semi-urban regions. Of the 80 patients evaluated in the two counties, 15 patients were admitted to nursing homes and were excluded from the analyses of follow-up data. Of the remaining 65 patients, 36 were referred to a primary care physician and 29 to a psychiatrist. The follow-up rate with primary care physicians (75%) was significantly greater than with psychiatrists (41% [P < 0.006]). At 3- to 6-month follow-up by telephone, patients who were compliant showed significantly greater clinical improvement than those who were not compliant (P < 0.0001). Overall, the higher follow-up rate for primary care physicians, compared with psychiatrists, reinforces the importance of educating and training primary care physicians in the diagnosis and management of mental disorders in elderly patients.