ABSTRACT The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of supplementation of an exogenous emulsifier (lyso-phospholipid) in the diet of growing broilers on growth performance and digestibility. A total of 1224 Ross-308 ten day old broiler chicks were distributed into two experimental treatments in such a way that each treatment had twelve replicates with fifty-one birds per replicate. Two experimental diets were formulated with and without emulsifier supplementation according to the nutrition standards of Ross 308. Feed intake and body weight gain of the broilers were measured on a daily basis and feed conversion ratio was also calculated. Nutrient digestibility was determined on the 25th day of age. Analysis of variance under completely randomized design technique was used to analyze the data. Feed intake was increased (p<0.05) by supplementation of emulsifier in the broiler diet on theat 12th, 13th, 21th, 22th, 23th, 24th, and 25th days. Bodyweight gain was not affected (p>0.05) with or without emulsifier supplementation in the broiler diet during 11-25 days of life. However, feed conversion ratio was effected (p<0.05) by emulsifier supplementation and increased from days 21-25th. Nutrient digestibility (dry matter, fat, and crude protein) in the grower phase was decreased (p<0.05) by supplementation of emulsifier in the diet. It can be concluded that supplementation of an exogenous emulsifier in the diet did not show positive effect on the growth performance during the grower phase of broilers, while nutrient digestibility showed adverse effect. Emulsifier supplementation should be tested after 25 days of the life of broilers.

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to check the effect of emulsifier supplementation on growth performance of broiler birds on starter phase, from days 1 to 10. In the current study, a total of twelve hundred twenty-four Ross 308 broiler one day old chicks were used. Ross 308 broiler chicks were divided into two groups in such a way that each group had12 replicates, and each replicate had 51 birds. The duration of the current trial was of 10 days. Chicks were fed experimental diets with or without emulsifier supplementation. Daily feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio and nutrient digestibility were recorded. Mortality was recorded on a daily basis, and feed intake was also corrected for mortality. Data collected from the experiment was interpreted by using analysis of variance method using SPSSTM under Completely Randomized Design. Results showed that emulsifier supplementation improved (p<0.05) feed intake in broiler birds on the 2nd, 6th, 7th and 9th days of the starter phase. Furthermore, emulsifier supplementation (p<0.05) affected the body weight on the 3rd and 10th day of the trial. Emulsifier supplementation also affected (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio on the 10th day of the trial. However, nutrient digestibility was not affected by the supplementation of emulsifier in the diet of broiler chicks. Results showed that emulsifier supplementation should be started on day 10.

Emex australis e E. spinosa são espécies de plantas daninhas importantes para o trigo e outras culturas. Informações sobre o grau de competição das espécies do gênero Emex podem ser úteis para mensurar as perdas de rendimento do trigo. Foram conduzidos experimentos em campo para quantificar a interferência das densidades de plantas daninhas, testadas separadamente ou combinadas na proporção de 1:1, no crescimento e rendimento destas, nos componentes de rendimento do trigo e nas perdas no rendimento de grãos de trigo em dois anos consecutivos. A massa seca de ambas as espécies de plantas daninhas aumentou de 3 para 6 g m 2 para cada planta daninha adicionada, ao passo que o número de sementes e o peso por planta diminuíram com o aumento da densidade de ambas as espécies de planta daninha, as quais causaram diminuição considerável nos componentes de rendimento - por exemplo, perfilhos com espigas, número de grãos por espiga, massa de mil grãos de trigo - com o aumento da densidade populacional das plantas daninhas. Com base na equação de regressão não linear hiperbólica, a perda de rendimento assintótico máximo na densidade de plantas daninhas foi estimada em 44 e 62% com E. australis, 56 e 70% com E. spinosa e 63 e 72% com a combinação de ambas as espécies na proporção de 1:1 durante os dois anos de duração do estudo, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que E. spinosa exerce efeito maior na competição com a safra de trigo em relação a E. australis.

Emex australis and E. spinosa are significant weed species in wheat and other crops. Information on the extent of competition of the Emex species will be helpful to access yield losses in wheat. Field experiments were conducted to quantify the interference of tested weed densities each as single or mixture of both at 1:1 on their growth and yield, wheat yield components and wheat grain yield losses in two consecutive years. Dry weight of both weed species increased from 3-6 g m-2 with every additional plant of weed, whereas seed number and weight per plant decreased with increasing density of either weed. Both weed species caused considerable decrease in yield components like spike bearing tillers, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight of wheat with increasing density population of the weeds. Based on non-linear hyperbolic regression model equation, maximum yield loss at asymptotic weed density was estimated to be 44 and 62% with E. australis, 56 and 70% with E. spinosa and 63 and 72% with mixture of both species at 1:1 during both year of study, respectively. It was concluded that E. spinosa has more competition effects on wheat crop as compared to E. australis.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding whole linseed on the laying performance and egg characteristics in laying hens kept at high ambient environmental temperatures (average 34 ºC; the diurnal temperature range 26 ºC to 41 ºC). Two hundred and forty 38-wk-old white Leghorn laying hens were fed diets containing 0, 5, 10 or 15% whole linseed (as a source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) for a period of 12 weeks. Egg production was recorded daily, while feed intake and egg characteristics were monitored on weekly basis. The results of the study demonstrated that egg production and feed intake decreased, while feed conversion ratio (FCR) per dozen of eggs increased (p < 0.05) with increasing dietary linseed levels. Egg weight, yolk weight, albumen height, eggshell weight, and eggshell thickness were not influenced (p > 0.05) by linseed levels in the diets offered to the laying hens. The results of the present trial suggest that feeding linseed to the laying hens in hot climates has no detrimental effects on egg characteristics, but has suppressive effects on egg production, feed intake and feed efficiency of laying hens.

The efficacy of the Metarhizium anisopliae strain ARSEF 6911 was determined in the laboratory and field against two sugarcane pests, Microtermes obesi Holmgren and Odontotermes obesus Rambur (Termitidae: Isoptera). The susceptibility of both termite species to different conidial suspensions (1 × 10(10), 1 × 10(8), 1 × 10(6) and 1 × 10(4) conidia/ml) was determined in laboratory. All conidial suspensions were able to induce mortality. Termite mortality caused by the fungal suspensions was dose dependent. There were no significant differences in the LT50 values between species. Field evaluation of M. anisopliae alone or in combination with diesel oil and thiamethoxam was carried out in two growing seasons (autumn 2005 and spring 2006) at two sites located in Punjab, Pakistan. Dipping the sugarcane setts in these suspensions was tried to determine their effects on germination and percentage of bud damage to sugarcane setts. All treatments significantly reduced termite infestation compared to the untreated control. The combined treatment of M. anisopliae and diesel oil significantly reduced insect damage by attaining higher germination > 55% and lower bud damage < 5.50% at both sites in both seasons. The results suggest that the application of M. anisopliae and diesel oil in combination might be a useful treatment option for the management of termites in sugarcane.

INTRODUCTION: In research projects such as vaccine trials, accurate and complete surveillance of all outcomes of interest is critical. In less developed countries where the private sector is the major health-care provider, the private sector must be included in surveillance systems in order to capture all disease of interest. This, however, poses enormous challenges in practice. The process and outcome of recruiting private practice clinics for surveillance in a vaccine trial are described. METHODS: The project started in January 2002 in two urban squatter settlements of Karachi, Pakistan. At the suggestion of private practitioners, a phlebotomy team was formed to provide support for disease surveillance. Children who had a reported history of fever for more than three days were enrolled for a diagnosis. RESULTS: Between May 2003 and April 2004, 5540 children younger than 16 years with fever for three days or more were enrolled in the study. Of the children, 1312 (24%) were seen first by private practitioners; the remainder presented directly to study centres. In total, 5329 blood samples were obtained for microbiology. The annual incidence of Salmonella typhi diagnosed by blood culture was 407 (95% confidence interval (95% CI), 368-448) per 100 000/year and for Salmonella paratyphi A was 198 (95% CI, 171-227) per 100 000/year. Without the contribution of private practitioners, the rates would have been 240 per 100 000/year (95% CI, 211-271) for S. typhi and 114 (95% CI, 94-136) per 100 000/year for S. paratyphi A. CONCLUSION: The private sector plays a major health-care role in Pakistan. Our experience from a surveillance and burden estimation study in Pakistan indicates that this objective is possible to achieve but requires considerable effort and confidence building. Nonetheless, it is essential to include private health care providers when attempting to accurately estimate the burden of disease in such settings.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En proyectos de investigación como los ensayos de vacunas, es fundamental aplicar una vigilancia exhaustiva de todos los resultados de interés. En los países poco desarrollados donde el sector privado constituye el principal proveedor de atención sanitaria, dicho sector debe formar parte de los sistemas de vigilancia si se desea detectar todas las enfermedades pertinentes. Sin embargo, en la práctica esto plantea grandes retos. Se describen aquí los procedimientos y los resultados de la contratación de consultorios privados con fines de vigilancia en el ensayo de una vacuna. MÉTODOS: El proyecto comenzó en enero de 2002 en dos asentamientos ilegales urbanos de Karachi, Pakistán. Por sugerencia de algunos médicos privados, se formó a un equipo de flebotomía para que apoyara las actividades de vigilancia de la morbilidad. Se reclutó para diagnóstico a los niños que presentaban una historia de fiebre de más de tres días. RESULTADOS: Entre mayo de 2003 y abril de 2004 se reclutó para el estudio a 5540 niños menores de 16 años con una historia de fiebre de al menos tres días de duración. De ellos, 1312 (24%) fueron examinados por primera vez por médicos privados; los otros acudieron directamente a los centros de estudio. En total se obtuvieron 5329 muestras de sangre para análisis microbiológico. La incidencia anual de Salmonella typhi diagnosticada mediante hemocultivo fue de 407 (intervalo de confianza del 95% (IC95%): 368 - 448) por 100 000/año, y la de Salmonella paratyphi A, de 198 (IC95%: 171 - 227) por 100 000/año. Sin la ayuda de los médicos privados, las tasas habrían sido de 240 (IC95%: 211 - 271) por 100 000/año para S. typhi y de 114 (IC95%: 94 - 136) por 100 000 /año para S. paratyphi A. CONCLUSIÓN: El sector privado cumple una importante función de atención sanitaria en el Pakistán. La experiencia de nuestro estudio de vigilancia y estimación de la morbilidad en el pais indica que el objetivo planteado se puede lograr pero requiere un considerable esfuerzo y medidas que estimulen la confianza. No obstante, si se desea estimar con precisión la carga de morbilidad en esas circunstancias, la participación de proveedores de salud privados es fundamental.

INTRODUCTION: Pour les projets de recherche tels que les essais vaccinaux, une surveillance précise et exhaustive de l'ensemble des résultats intéressants revêt une importance critique. Dans les pays moins développés, où le secteur privé est le principal prestataire de soins de santé, il faut faire collaborer ce secteur à l'activité des systèmes de surveillance afin de bien prendre en compte toutes les maladies à suivre. Dans la pratique cependant, la mise en place de cette collaboration pose d'énormes difficultés. L'article décrit le processus de recrutement des établissements privés en vue de leur participation à la surveillance dans le cadre d'un essai vaccinal et les résultats de ce processus. MÉTHODES: Le projet a débuté en janvier 2002 dans deux lotissements urbains spontanés de Karachi (Pakistan). A l'initiative de praticiens privés, une équipe spécialisée dans les prélèvements veineux a été constituée pour apporter un appui à la surveillance des maladies. Les enfants ayant des antécédents signalés de fièvre pendant plus de trois jours ont été recrutés dans l'étude pour faire l'objet d'un diagnostic. RÉSULTATS: Entre mai 2003 et avril 2004, 5540 enfants de moins de 16 ans ayant présenté de la fièvre pendant trois jours ou plus ont été recrutés dans l'étude. Parmi ces enfants, 1312 (24 %) ont été vus d'abord par des praticiens privés, les autres ayant été présentés directement aux centres d'étude. Au total, 5329 échantillons de sang ont été prélevés pour examen microbiologique. L'hémoculture a permis d'évaluer l'incidence annuelle de Salmonella typhi à 407 cas [intervalle de confiance (IC) à 95 % : 368-448 ] pour 100 000 enfants appartenant à la tranche d'âges considérée et celle de Salmonella paratyphi A à 198 (CI à 95 % : 171-227) pour 100 000 enfants appartenant à la tranche d'âges considérée par an. Sans la contribution des praticiens privés, ces taux auraient été évalués à 240 pour 100 000 enfants de l'âge considéré et par an (CI à 95 % : 211 - 271) pour S. typhi et à 114 (CI à 95 % : 94-136) pour 100 000 enfants appartenant à la tranche d'âges considérée et par an pour S. paratyphi A. CONCLUSION: Le secteur privé joue un rôle majeur dans la dispensation de soins de santé au Pakistan. L'expérience tirée de cette étude de surveillance et d'estimation de la charge de morbidité au Pakistan indique qu'il serait possible d'atteindre l'objectif d'amélioration de la surveillance grâce à la collaboration du secteur privé, mais que cela nécessiterait des efforts considérables et un renforcement de la confiance. Quoi qu'il en soit, il est essentiel de prendre en compte les dispensateurs de soins privés lorsqu'on tente d'estimer avec précision la charge de morbidité dans de tels pays.