Incidence of Buxtonella sulcata in bovines in R.S. Pura, Jammu.

Incidence of Buxtonella sulcata was recorded as 20.9 % in bovines (n = 374) of R.S. Pura, Jammu with cattle showing higher infection rate (23.6 %) than the buffaloes (18.5 %). The infection was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in young animals (33.1 %) than the adults (13.9 %). Animals with diarrhoeic faeces had a significantly higher (p < 0.0001) infection rate (38.5 %) than the animals with normal faeces (9.9 %), suggesting the influence of protozoan on the incidence of diarrhoeal symptoms in bovines.

Occurrence of Setaria digitata in a cow.

The present investigation reports the occurrence of filarial worm, Setaria digitata, recovered during the surgery of a cow suffering from intussusception. The worms were thread like, milky white, long with tapering ends especially towards the hind end with an average size of 62.8 ± 9.89 mm in length. On examination of anterior end, the cuticular rings surrounding the mouth region with dorsal, ventral and lateral prominences were observed. The posterior end had few spines along with a pair of appendages near the tip of the tail. On the basis of morphological characteristics the worms were identified as female S. digitata.

Acaricidal activity of ethanolic extract of Artemisia absinthium against Hyalomma anatolicum ticks.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of different concentrations of ethanolic extract obtained from the aerial parts of Artemisia absinthium in comparison to amitraz on adults, eggs and larvae of Hyalomma anatolicum using the adult immersion test (AIT), egg hatchability test and larval packet test (LPT), respectively. Four concentrations of the extract (2.5, 5, 10 and 20%) with three replications for each concentration were used in all the bioassays. In AIT, the mortality rates at 2.5, 5 and 10% were significantly different (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control group; however, at 20%, it was similar to the positive control group. Maximum mortality of 86.7% was recorded at 20%. The LC50 and LC95 values were calculated as 6.51 and 55.43%, respectively. The oviposition was reduced significantly by 36.8 and 59.1% at concentrations of 10 and 20%, respectively. Egg hatchability was reduced significantly at all concentrations (2.5-20%) in comparison to the control. In LPT, the extract caused 100% mortality of larvae at all the concentrations after 24 h. The results show that ethanolic extract obtained from the aerial parts of A. absinthium has acaricidal properties and could be useful in controlling H. anatolicum.

Acaricidal activity of extract of Artemisia absinthium against Rhipicephalus sanguineus of dogs.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of different concentrations of chloroform extract obtained from the aerial parts of Artemisia absinthium in comparison to amitraz on adults, eggs and larvae of the dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus using the adult immersion test (AIT), egg hatchability test (EHT) and larval packet test (LPT), respectively. Five concentrations of the extract (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 %) with three replications for each concentration were used in all the bioassays. A control group was established (water + dimethylsulphoxide) together with a positive control group (amitraz), with three repetitions each. In AIT, the mortality rates were 0.0, 13.3, 16.7, 33.3 and 93.3 % in concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 %, respectively, and the variation was significant (p=0.0151). The LC50 (CI) and LC95 (CI) values were calculated as 8.793 % (8.217-9.408) and 34.59 % (29.71-40.26), respectively. The egg production was reduced by 6.6, 6.6, 18.3, 42.5 and 85.1 % in the concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 %, respectively, and it was statistically significant (p=0.0274). In EHT, hatching was completely inhibited at 5, 10 and 20 % displaying 100 % ovicidal action while at the concentrations of 1.25 and 2.5 %, the inhibition rates were 20 and 60 %, respectively. In LPT, the extract caused 100 % mortality of larvae in the concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 % after 24 h while at the concentrations of 1.25 and 2.5 %, the mortality rates were 54.3 and 96.7 %, respectively. The LC50 (CI) and LC95 (CI) values were determined to be 1.11 % (1.099-1.121) and 2.37 % (2.328-2.423), respectively. The results show that the extract of A. absinthium has acaricidal properties and could be useful in controlling R. sanguineus which is an efficient vector of pathogens both in dogs and humans.

Fertility profile of a rural community of Kashmir in longitudinal association with maternal age.

PIP: The study was conducted among 264 rural women past menopause who had never used contraception and who attended Hajin Health Block attached to the Community Medicine Department of the SKIMS Srinigar, Kashmir Valley, India. Retrospective reports of pregnancy histories and outcomes were collected. 1405 live births occurred: 654 (46.55%) were male and 751 (53.45%) were female. The sex ratio at birth was 1148 females per 1000 males. 39.29% of births occurred to women 20-25 years old. By the age of 35 years and higher, only 5.90% of births occurred. 1217 children survived: 578 male and 639 female. The survival ratio was 1105 females to 1000 males. Child survival was 92.20% among women under 20 years old and only 57.83% among women 35 years and older. Child survival decreased with increasing age; maternal age and child survival were found to be highly significantly correlated for male children and for both sexes. Average number of children during the entire reproductive period was 5.32 children: 2.48 male and 2.84 females. 84.77% of children were born by the maternal age of 30 years. An average of 4.62 children survived per woman: 2.19 male and 2.43 female. 87.23% of infants born to mothers under 30 years old survived. 1.41 children were born to women by the age of 20 years; 1.30 children survived, which represented 26.50% of the average family size. The gross reproduction rate in this study was 2.84, and the net reproduction rate was 2.43. An increase in marriage age to 20 years would reduce fertility by 26.50%. The most cost effective approach to family planning would concentrate on women 20-25 years old, the most fertile years of the reproductive period. Permanent methods could be introduced among women 25-30 years old, because 85% of family size would have already been achieved.^ieng