Seasonal incidence and efficacy of botanical insecticides against Painted bug, Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea genotype RH 725)

Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) is a serious pest of Brassica crops in the North-Western region of India, inflicting crop yield losses. Therefore, the present study was conducted on seasonal incidence and management of B. hilaris in Brassica juncea genotype RH 725 at farmer’s field, Kolana village, Aravalli Hills Region, Rewari, Haryana, India during Rabi, 2019-20 and 2020-21. This study laid out the trial in a randomized block design with three replications and six treatments viz., Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) @ 7%, Nimbecidine @ 0.03%, Neem oil @ 5%, NSKE @ 5%, Neem oil @ 7% and control (unsprayed). Observations on the incidence of B. hilaris showed that it appeared from 5th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) (0.34 bugs plant-1) and attained peak during 10th SMW with 5.77 bugs plant-1. The incidence of B. hilaris exhibited significant positive correlation with maximum (r=0.852, p<0.05) and minimum (r=0.900, p<0.05) temperature, rainfall (r=0.763, p<0.05) and wind velocity (r=0.959, p<0.05). Spray of Neem oil @ 7% (83.01 %) was the most effective in reducing the B. hilaris population over control followed by NSKE @ 7% (81.48 %), while NSKE @ 5% (68.85 %) confirmed least effective. Seed yield in different treatments varied from 1440.5 kg ha-1 (NSKE @ 5%) to 1590 kg ha-1 (Neem oil @ 7%) against 1216 kg ha-1 in control. The highest incremental cost-benefit ratio was registered with NSKE @ 7% (1: 7.70) followed by Nimbecidine @ 0.03% (1: 7.41) and NSKE @ 5% (1: 6.25). The present investigation signified that the study on the seasonal incidence of B. hilaris in relation to weather parameters could provide information for planning pest control and management strategies. The botanicals could be used as eco-friendly and economical substitutes for chemical insecticides at farmer’s fields against this insect pest.

Seasonal Variation and Severity of Acute Abdomen in Japan: A Nine-Year Retrospective Analysis

The seasonal incidence of acute abdomens, such as appendicitis, is reportedly more common in summer but is reported less frequently in Asia. Additionally, seasonal variations in the severity of acute abdomens have been evaluated insufficiently. This study evaluated the seasonal variations in the incidence and severity of acute abdomens in Japan. This retrospective observational study used a multicenter database containing data from 42 acute hospitals in Japan. We included all patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, and cholangitis between January 2011 and December 2019. Baseline patient data included admission date, sequential organ failure assessment score, presence of sepsis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. We enrolled 24,708 patients with acute abdomen. Seasonal admissions for all four acute abdominal diseases were the highest in summer [acute appendicitis, (OR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.28–1.43); diverticulitis, (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.16–1.31; cholecystitis (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.11–1.36); and cholangitis (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.12–1.36)]. The proportion of patients with sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation as well as the total SOFA score for each disease, did not differ significantly across seasons. Seasonal variations in disease severity were not observed.

Population Dynamics of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) on Sorghum

The study on seasonal incidence of fall armyworm was carried out during kharif, 2019 at Agricultural college farm, Bapatla. The oviposition of fall armyworm was observed from 34th SMW (Standard Meterological Week) and reached its peak during 40th SMW (0.03 egg masses plant-1). The larval population of fall armyworm was commenced during 35th SMW and increased gradually to a peak of 1.67 larvae plant-1 during 41st SMW. The maximum plant infestation (60.00%) and leaf damage severity rating (3.13) of fall armyworm was observed during 41st SMW. The peak activity of natural enemies was observed during 41st SMW which coincides with the larval population of fall armyworm. The correlation analysis indicated that eggmasses of fall armyworm was positively correlated with minimum temperature(r= 0.668) and wind speed (r= 0.529) while, the larval population showed significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r= 0.029). The plant infestation caused by fall armyworm had shown significant negative correlation with maximum temperature (r= -0.633) and positive correlation with morning relative humidity (r= 0.678) and evening relative humidity (r= 0.664) whereas, the leaf damage severity rating exhibited significant positive correlation with evening relative humidity (r= 0.691). The multiple regression analysis revealed that the influence of weather parameters on the incidence of fall armyworm and natural enemies in sorghum ecosystem was more than 65% and 40%, respectively.

CONTROL OF INSECT PESTS ATTACKING TOMATO CROPS IN DISTRICT BAJAUR, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

ABSTRACT Tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum) is a widely cultivated vegetable crop. The plant is economically very important. To ensure a successful and economically viable harvest, it is essential that all aspects of its production to be monitored. At present, there is a limited scientific data regarding the use of pesticides in relation to the seasonal incidence of insect pests in the Bajaur district of Pakistan. This study was carried out at a local farm, where the efficacies of Flurofenafire pesticide were examined. The pesticide Flurofenafire was applied once a week to examine its efficacy. The stability of the pesticide was highly dependent on the weather. The occurrence of rain within 24 hours of spraying resulted in Aphid, Jassid, White fly, Thrips and Fruit borer infestations. Aphid infestations were observed on the tomato crop in May 2019, which peaked in July. Bemisia Tabaci infestations peaked in August. Amrasca Biguttula populations peaked in September 2019. Scirtothrips dorsalis and Helicoverpaarmigera infestations were also observed on the tomato crops and caused significant damage. The application of Flurofenafire was able to control these infestations. In conclusion the pesticide Flurofenafire was found effective against a wide range of insect pest of tomato plant. Key Words: Flurofenafire, Pest, Pesticide, Seasonal incidence, Lycopersicon esculentum

Population-based study and a scoping review for the epidemiology and seasonality in and effect of weather on Bell’s palsy

The association between weather-related variables or seasons and the development of Bell’s palsy (BP) is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and clinical characteristics of BP and assess the effects of meteorological factors on seasonal and monthly incidence. This retrospective population-based study used data from the Korean Health Insurance claims database (NHICD) from 2010 to 2018, in which annual, seasonal, and monthly incidence rates and age and sex distributions were calculated. A multivariate linear regression and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was used to determine the association between the seasonal and monthly incidence of BP and meteorological factors, including average wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure. We also conducted a scoping review of the literature on epidemiological and seasonality studies of BP in the past 30 years and summarized them in a table for easy comparison with other studies. In this study, the incidence rate of BP increased over 9 years (from 12.86 to 19.92 per 100,000 persons) and was the highest in patients in their 60s (31.6/100,000 persons). The seasonal incidence of BP was the highest in autumn and showed a significant difference compared with spring (coefficient − 0.318, p = 0.003) and summer (coefficient − 0.463, p < 0.001), adjusting the year. In the ARIMA analysis, the autocorrelation of the monthly and seasonal lag in the raw data disappeared after adjustment of the seasonal (or monthly) and longitudinal changes, indicating no additional trends outside the seasonal (or monthly) longitudinal changes. The seasonal and monthly incidence of BP was related to low temperature (p = 0.002), high atmospheric pressure (p = 0.034), and low relative humidity (p < 0.001) in the multivariate linear regression. In contrast, in the ARIMA analysis, after adjusting for seasonality, month, and trends, there were no significant meteorological factors associated with the monthly or seasonal incidence rate. In the past 30 years, 12 studies have reported on the prevalence or incidence of BP, and 14 have reported on the relationship between seasons, weather, and incidence. These results indicate that BP is more common among the elderly, and the incidence of BP is increasing due to an aging society, increased medical accessibility, and lifestyle changes. The data also indicate that the onset of BP is associated with low temperature and humidity; however, in the climate zone with extreme temperature and humidity differences between the coldest and hottest months, it is assumed that the marked decrease in temperature (autumn) has more influence on the outbreak of BP than does the actual cold temperature (winter).

Seasonal Incidence and Effect of Abiotic Factors on Population Dynamics of Sucking Insect Pest Complex of Groundnut

Studies on seasonal incidence of sucking insect pests carried out with three dates of sowing viz., early (July 15th), normal (July 30th) and late (August 15th) revealed that the incidence of leafhoppers, aphids and thrips started from 5 to 14 DAS (days after sowing) and continued till harvesting. In early sown crop, the incidence of leafhoppers started from 31 SW and incidence of aphids and thrips started from 30 SW and continued up to 42 and 43 SW for leafhoppers and aphids, respectively and 41 SW for thrips. In normal sown crop, incidence of leafhoppers and aphids started from 32 SW and incidence of thrips started from 31 SW and continued till the end of 45 SW for all the three pests. In late sown crop, the incidence of leafhoppers started from 35 SW and incidence of aphids and thrips started from 34 SW and continued up to 46 and 47 SW for leafhoppers and aphids, respectively and 46 SW for thrips. Correlation studies revealed that incidence of leafhoppers exhibited significant negative correlation with maximum temperature (r = -0.467, -0.442 and -0.464) and rainfall (r = -0.518, -0.529 and -0.742) during all the three dates of sowing (early, normal and late, respectively) and significant negative correlation with minimum temperature in late sown crop (r = -0.448). Aphids exhibited significant negative correlation with maximum temperature (r = -0.469, -0.521 and -0.472) and rainfall (r = -0.443, -0.450 and -0.721) in all the three dates of sowing (early, normal and late, respectively) while significant negative correlation with minimum temperature in early and late sown crop with r values -0.519 and -0.324. Thrips exhibited significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.522, 0.459 and 0.447), significant negative correlation with rainfall (r = -0.458, -0.465 and -0.451) during three dates of sowing (early, normal and late, respectively) while significant negative correlation with relative humidity in early sown crop (r = -0.616) and significant positive correlation with minimum temperature in early sown crop (r = 0.463).

Seasonal Patterns in Incidence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Common Bacterial Pathogens in Nursing Home Patients and Their Rooms

Background: Colonization is the main precursor to infection, which may lead to adverse clinical outcomes among older adults in nursing homes (NHs). Understanding seasonal changes in the local burden of common bacterial pathogens is key to implementing appropriate and cost-effective infection prevention measures in this resource-constrained healthcare environment. It is thus surprising that seasonal trends in patient and environmental colonization with major bacterial pathogens are presently unknown in the expanding NH setting.Methods: We examined the seasonal incidence of four major pathogens among 640 nursing home patients and high-touch surfaces within their rooms over 2 years. In cases where a significant number of antimicrobial-resistant strains was found, incidence in antimicrobial-susceptible and antimicrobial-resistant isolates was compared, along with antibiotic use trends.Results: We observed spring peaks in the incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (1.70 peak to trough ratio for both patient and environmental isolates) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (1.95 peak to trough ratio for patient isolates, 1.50 for environmental isolates). We also observed summer peaks in Klebsiella pneumoniae (1.83 and 1.82 peak to trough ratio for patient and environmental isolates, respectively), and ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli. Susceptible S. aureus and E. coli did not follow seasonal patterns.Conclusions: A meaningful seasonal pattern may be present in the NH setting for several significant pathogens, and especially antimicrobial-resistant ones. Whether such patterns are consistent across geographic areas and over longer periods of time should be a key focus of investigation, in order to better inform timing of surveillance and infection prevention efforts in this setting.