Probability studies of rainfall and crop production in coastal Tamil Nadu

Studies are made of the probability of Occurrence of annual and seasonal rainfall, wet and dry spells on monthly basis throughout the year and on weekly basis during the northeast monsoon season for various stations in coastal Tamil Nadu. It has been observed that amount of rainfall received is more in the stations north of Alangudi and north of Tondi in the northeast and southwest monsoon seasons respectively at all the probability levels. However, the quantum of rainfall is more in stations south of Adiramapattinam during the hot weather period. Number of wet spells are more from July to September in the stations of north costal Tamil Nadu. During the northeast monsoon season also wet weeks are mainly confined to the stations of north coastal Tamil Nadu. Analysis of production figures of some rainfed crops shows more productivity (k8I1\a) in north than in south coastal Tamil Nadu.

Industry First Subsea Reentry Multilateral Wells: Case Study

To rapidly increase production from the Goliat Field without adding costly subsea equipment and infrastructure or mobilizing a high-end subsea construction vessel, an operator transformed two single-bore subsea wells into multilateral producers with independently controlled branches. A multidisciplinary team was assigned to perform a feasibility study for the introduction of multilateral wells. Work started with a reservoir geomechanics/wellbore stability review, based on which well construction/completion basis of design was made. The design and operations sequence were analyzed by a well engineering team. As a result, the main risks, uncertainties, and assumptions were clarified. Two candidate wells were identified, and then a multidisciplinary team was assigned to manage the project, finalize design, initiate procurement, and write procedures. Workshop preparation was closely monitored and reported on a weekly basis. The onshore team closely followed up and supported operational execution. The new laterals were added to the existing wells, and multilateral junctions were installed and tested. An intelligent completion was installed, and independent branch production started. In addition, the estimated reduction in generation of CO2 is estimated to be between 10 to 20 thousand metric tons per well as compared with drilling two new subsea wells and installing the associated infrastructure. The technology enables an exploration and production (E&P) company to introduce subsea reentry multilateral technology to increase production while minimizing costs. The process includes well candidate identification, planning, and execution. This practical example can be used for future reference by drilling and production-focused petroleum industry professionals to better understand the benefits and limitations of existing technologies.

Growth Performance Characteristics of Cockerel Chicken Fed Diets containing Ginger Rhizome and Garlic Bulb powder

The use of antibiotics in poultry production has raised global concern due to health risk associated with its residues in poultry products. A study was conducted to assess the growth performance characteristics of cockerel fed ginger and garlic based diets for a period of 12 weeks. A total of 180 day old Isa white cockerels were randomly allotted to 4 experimental treatment diets. Each dietary treatment was replicated 3 times with 15 chicks per replicate in a completely randomized design. Diet one had 0% ginger rhizome and garlic bulb powder (T1), diet 2 had 2% ginger rhizome powder (T2), diet 3 had 2% garlic bulb powder (T3) while diet 4 had 2% mixture (1:1) of ginger rhizome powder and garlic bulb powder (T4). The weights were measured and weight gain calculated on weekly basis. In addition, the feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured and calculated on weekly basis. At starter phase, average initial weight, average final weight, average weekly feed intake and average daily feed intake were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. However, Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P<0.05) highest (2.09) among birds placed on T2 while the lowest mean value of 1.30 was recorded in T3. At finisher phase, the average initial weight, average weekly feed intake, average daily feed intake and FCR were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the experimental diets. However, birds fed T4 had the highest (P<0.05) mean value of average final live weight (1796.67g) while the least value (1553.33g) was obtained in birds fed T3. The average daily weight gain were significantly (p<0.05) highest 37.14 g T2. It was concluded that ginger and garlic powder can be used successfully in cockerel diets at 2 % level of inclusion to enhance growth performance characteristics especially at finisher phase.

Investigating in Vivo and in Vitro Effects of Ethanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Myrtle (Myrtus communis) on Leishmania major

Background: The extract of myrtle plant contains polyphenolic compounds that show antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-parasitic properties. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of aqueous and ethanolic myrtle extract against leishmaniasis caused by L. major in vivo and in vitro conditions. Methods: This study was carried out in Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran in 2018. Aqueous and ethanolic extract of myrtle plant at 6.25 to 400 mg/ml concentrations were tested on Leishmania major promastigotes, non-infected macrophages, and macrophages infected with amastigotes in vitro using counting, MTT and flow cytometry techniques. Then, BALB/c mice were treated with ethanolic, aqueous and a mixture of both extracts of myrtle plant. The treatment was carried out for four weeks. Then, the effectiveness of the herbal medicine was assessed by measuring wounds diameters, mice weights and their mortality rate on weekly basis. Results: The IC50 values of aqueous and ethanolic extracts for promastigotes were 7.86 and 11.66 μg/mL respectively. The IC50 values of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts for amastigotes were 12.5 and 47.2 μg/mL respectively. Flow cytometry indicates 62.88% and 60.16% apoptosis induced by ethanolic and aqueous extract of myrtle plant respectively. The lowest parasitic load was seen in the group treated with ethanolic extract. Conclusion: The lesion sizes for treated groups with extracts were similar to those treated with glucantime. Oral administration instead of injection is another advantage of myrtle plant over glucantime, which makes the herb easy and more practical.

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Decline Is Not Driven by the Introduction of a More Successful Variant

Our data indicate that the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs turnover in our setting differ from those proposed for other countries. A systematic genomic analysis, updated on a weekly basis, of representative randomly selected samples of SARS-CoV-2 circulating variants allowed us to define a lapse of 7 weeks between the start of VOC Alpha decline and the final emergence of VOC Delta.

Intensity of pest attack and yield of potato plant during offseason in Sajang Village, Sembalun District, West Lombok

Pests and diseases attacks are major limitation for white potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production, and therefore intensive treatments are employed during the cultivation. There is an increasing constraint of the intensive pest control to sustainable potato production and environmental impacts; therefore it is crucial to select suitable cultivar, particularly for the rainy, off-season cultivation, at which production is scared. This research evaluated the intensity of pest attack and yield of two variety of white potato, designated as cv. Chitra and Atlantic, during rainy season. Experiment was conducted in Sajang Village, of Sembalun District, West Nusa Tenggara from March to June 2021. In the field, the plants were maintained according to common maintenance employed farmer in Sembalun, and data collected at two weekly basis. The results showed that symptom of pest attached was visible since the plants was 4 weeks old with no real different intensity between the two variety. A higher rate of pest intensity was recorded in Chitra variety compared to the Atlantic. However, the yield of the two varietie was not differing significantly. The results indicated that the two varieties could be cultivated during off-season and insects are not a major problem during offseason that limits potato plant growth and production in Sajang Village. Further study is needed to evaluate the potential cultivation of the two varieties whole year.

Efficacy and Safety of Intralesional Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy in the Management of Chronic Non-healing Leg Ulcers in our Population

Background: Autologous Platelets Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy not only hastens chronic wounds and ulcers healing but also diminishes the rate of amputations of lower leg caused by non-healing recalcitrant ulcers. In this study we have demonstrated the magical results of intralesional autologous PRP in the healing of resistant to heal chronic leg ulcers. Methods: In this metacentric study 26 patients having 30 chronic leg ulcers of more than 6 weeks duration and various etiologies, were treated with intralesional autologous PRP application on weekly basis for a duration of 8 weeks and the final results were calculated by percentage improvement in the volume and area of the ulcer/wound. Results: In our study 26 patient with 30 chronic recalcitrant leg ulcers/wounds were treated with intralesional autologous PRP therapy on weekly basis. Mean age of the included patients was 34.5 years. 19 were male patients and 7 were female. The mean time period of the healing of chronic ulcers was 5.3 weeks. The final mean percentage improvement outcome in the volume and area of the ulcers was calculated as 86% and 88% respectively. Conclusions: PRP therapy is safe, cost effective office based simple procedure in treating recalcitrant chronic leg ulcer/wounds. Keywords: Non-healing, intralesional, autologous platelet rich plasma, chronic ulcers

EP.WE.406Adherence to operative standards for ulnar polydactyly excision in times of COVID-19 pandemic

Aims Simple ulnar polydactyly excision is a very common surgical procedure ideally performed within the first 6 months of infants life and under local anaesthetic. In conditions preceding COVID-19 pandemic this procedure was performed in controlled environment of operating theatres on a weekly basis. Increase in pressure on the NHS and operating theatre reorganisation meant elective procedures had to be cancelled with no alternatives in sight. We have suggested therefore, it be performed in a clinic environment instead under strict supervision and guidelines. No recommendations however, have been implemented when considering completion of WHO checklist and standard operation documentation. We investigated therefore adherence to typical Evelina Hospital theatre guidelines when considering documentation. Methods Completed documentation for each patient undergoing ulnar polydactyly excision in clinic room was reviewed between May 2020 and December 2020. Categories of WHO checklist completion, operation note present and legible, appropriate local anaesthetic information and instrument count correct were reviewed. Results 92% of procedures did not have WHO checklist completed. Furthermore, as many as two thirds of the documents were completed illegibly and did not contain required information. Conclusions Following the transfer of ulnar polydactyly excision procedure to clinic rooms we found the quality of documentation to be substandard. This provides opportunity for error and cause for concern. We introduced therefore standardised operative documentation pack to be completed at each polydactyly excision procedure in clinic room. Re-audited results showed improved compliance with standard operative rules and regulations and therefore improved quality of care.

Viral load and antibody levels in patients with COVID-19

Relations between viral load, antibody levels and COVID-19 severity are not well studied and results from such investigations are controversial. In this study, we investigated kinetics of viral load and antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in 20 patients with COVID-19 and analysed the association with disease severity. The patients were followed on weekly basis within the first month after the onset and then once per month for the next 4 months. Serum samples were tested for IgA, IgM, and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using ELISA tests. SARS-CoV-2 viral load in nasopharyngeal swabs was measured by quantitative Realtime RT-PCR. For vast majority of the patients, the viral loads were at their highest levels at presentation and then declined gradually. Despite development of specific antibody response 7-11 days after the onset of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was still detected in nasopharyngeal swabs of most of the patients. There was no direct link between viral load and severity of COVID-19: some of mild and some of severe cases started with a high viral load. There was a relationship between the time from the onset of the disease and the viral load: the highest viral load was in the first days. In more severe cases, there was a tendency for slower reduction in viral load and longer detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Levels of the specific antibodies increased earlier and to higher levels and were present for longer time in patients with more severe manifestations of COVID-19 than in those with milder disease.

Simplified Hatchery Protocols for Culture of Orange-Spotted Spinefoot Siganus guttatus (Bloch, 1787) in Palawan, Philippines

Three hatchery experiments for orange-spotted spinefoot, Siganus guttatus (Bloch, 1787), were carried out in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines using larvae and fingerlings produced through induced spawning. The first experiment (E1) involving larvae raised in six 5,000-L concrete tanks until 39 days post-hatch (dph) comparing two stocking densities (T1: 3; and T2: 5 larva.L-1), obtained survival rates (SR) of 6.00 and 7.85 %. The second experiment (E2) monitored the growth and survival of 47 dph juveniles for 3 weeks, raised in 25-L plastic basins, fed with a commercial diet at three stocking densities with five replications. The initial stocking densities (6, 12, 18 ind.L-1) were reduced during the second (4, 8, 12 ind.L-1) and third (2, 4, 6 ind.L-1) week, respectively. The weekly SR for all treatments ranged between 99.2 and 100 %. Weekly final total lengths (TL) were not significantly different except during the second week. The third experiment (E3) evaluated the effects of two types of commercial feeds (T1: grouper feed; T2: milkfish feed) on the growth and survival of 47 dph juveniles in plastic basins for 3 weeks, at similar densities reduced on a weekly basis. The SR (96.2 to 99.9 %) were not significantly different, but the TL of fish in T1 (4.39 cm) were significantly bigger than in T2 (3.52 cm). While there is a need to improve the low and irregular survival of S. guttatus larvae for cost-effective large-scale production, we recommend using small basins in the intensive rearing of juveniles.