Abstract Synthetic wood preservatives are the causes of large-scale environmental pollution and few have been withdrawn from the commercial markets in the past years. The present studies focused on determination of naturally present extractives of Ziziphus mauritiana as less toxic wood protectant against subterranean termites. Firstly, natural resistance of Z. mauritiana heartwood against termite was determined by exposing stakes in the field. For the preparation of extractives, air-dried Z. mauritiana heartwood and bark shavings were soaked in 1 liter each of ethyl acetate, hexane, petroleum ether and water in a bottle separately. Different dipping treatment times (36 and 72 hours) at 10, 20 and 30% concentrations of extractives on Populus deltoides wooden stakes were used and stakes were exposed to termites in submerged manner. Combination of extractives in different solvents were included as separate experiment and finally, seasoning prior to extractives application on P. deltoides wooden stakes was also done and stakes were arranged in three replications for each treatment. Maximum mean percent weight loss (81.1%) was observed in case of P. deltoides followed by boiled Z. mauritiana (15.24%) in termite resistance test. Stakes treated with petroleum ether extracts had minimum weight loss alone or in combination with other extract’s solvent in all experiments. Extractives in other solvents followed petroleum ether non-significantly but were significantly different from their respective control treatment, which had the highest weight loss (>60%). Transferring durability using extracts of Z. mauritiana increased resistance of non-durable P. deltoides against termites and extractives could be used as wood preservatives.

ABSTRACT American bollworm (ABW), Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), is considered as a major pest of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, all over the globe. Due to its destructive feeding nature and continuous consumption of the same chemicals, it devolved resistant against many insecticides. Therefore, a combined application of bio- and synthetic-pesticide need to evaluate against this pest. The entomopathogenic viruses like nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV), a member of baculoviruses, can be the potential candidates for better control against ABW. The present study was conducted to assess the comparative efficacy of NPV and Spinosad 240SC (with the concentration of 250 mL · ha-1) against ABW in the controlled environment. The ABW was treated with different concentrations of NPV and Spinosad separately and in a combination of NPV with 0.1% Spinosad. The results revealed that highest concentrations showed highest mortality (95%) followed by 95%, 92%, 84%, 82% and 78% mortality at 1 × 109, 1 × 108, 1 × 107, 1 × 106 and 1 × 105 POBs, respectively. Spinosad when mixed in diet give 100% mortality at 0.8% followed by 50.87%, 42.10%, 29.82%, 26.31% and 22.80% mortality at 0.4%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 0.025% respectively. The results of this study revealed that microbial control of ABW through NPV is an effective tool. The repeated use of synthetic pesticides caused the resurgence of many insect pests, and this study results would provide useful insight to build a framework for future investigations for the management of many major insect pests.

Abstract Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria increase plant growth and give protection against insect pests and pathogens. Due to the negative impact of chemical pesticides on environment, alternatives to these chemicals are needed. In this scenario, the biological methods of pest control offer an eco-friendly and an attractive option. In this study, the effect of two plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strains (Bacillus sp. strain 6 and Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K) on aphid population and wheat productivity was evaluated in an aphid susceptible (Pasban-90) and resistant (Inqlab-91) wheat cultivar. The seeds were inoculated with each PGPR strain, separately or the combination of both. The lowest aphid population (2.1 tiller−1), and highest plant height (85.8 cm), number of spikelets per spike (18), grains per spike (44), productive tillers (320 m−2), straw yield (8.6 Mg ha−1), and grain yield (4.8 Mg ha−1) were achieved when seeds were inoculated with Bacillus sp. strain 6 + Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K. The grain yield of both varieties was enhanced by 35.5–38.9% with seed inoculation with both bacterial strains. Thus, the combine use of both PGPR strains viz. Bacillus sp. strain 6 + Pseudomonas sp. strain 6K offers an attractive option to reduce aphid population tied with better wheat productivity.

ABSTRACT The aim of present study was to enhance topical permeation of clotrimazole gel preparation by using various permeability enhancers such as coconut oil, pistachio oil and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Clotrimazole gel preparations were prepared and optimized by using three factor, five level central composite design. A second-order polynomial equation was generated in order to estimate the effect of independent variables i.e. coconut oil (X1), pistachio oil (X2) and sodium lauryl sulphate (X3) at various dependent variables i.e. flux (Y1), lag time (Y2), diffusion coefficient (Y3), permeability coefficient (Y4), and input rate (Y5) of clotrimazole gel formulations. Ex vivo skin permeation study was performed through rat skin by using modified Franz diffusion cell system. Optimized formulation F8 exhibited highest flux 2.17 µg/cm2/min, permeability coefficient 0.0019 cm/min and input rate 1.543 µg/cm2/min, along with moderate lag time 77.27 min and diffusion coefficient 0.063 cm2/min, which is further supported by anti-fungal activity that exhibited more prominent zone of inhibition against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Mucor. Thus, it can be concluded that permeation of clotrimazole gel was enhanced by various combination of coconut oil, pistachio oil and sodium lauryl sulphate but optimized formulation F8 containing 0.4 ml pistachio oil, 0.8 ml coconut oil and 0.04 g of SLS exhibited more pronounced and promising effect through rat skin.

<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Although venous thromboembolism (VTE) is seen with morbidity and mortality in various surgical specialties, scarce data are available in the head and neck surgery domain.</p></sec><sec><title>Objective</title><p> We aim to determine the incidence of VTE in patients receiving surgery for head and neck cancer.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p> Four hundred thirteen patients who underwent head and neck surgery procedures between 2005 and 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. All patients with head and neck surgery had received thromboprophylaxis (i.e., compression stockings and subcutaneous heparin). Patient demographics, operating time, and length of hospital stay were analyzed. The incidence of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) during the initial postoperative hospitalization was assessed.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p> Twelve patients were identified who developed VTE. Three patients developed DVT, and nine developed PE. The incidence of DVT and PE was 0.72 and 2.17%, respectively. Interestingly, all of these patients had undergone excision of extensive head and neck cancers accompanied by a reconstructive procedure. Patients who developed PE had a longer hospital stay compared with those who only had DVT. There were overall three mortalities in the nine patients who developed PE.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p> Although VTE has a low incidence, it is a known complication of extensive head and neck surgeries with life-threatening outcomes. We recommend early mobilization and physiotherapy with the possible aid from appropriate mechanical and pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis.</p></sec>