Effect of high inclusion of rendered animal by‐product ingredients on growth,digestibility and economic performances in climbing perch Anabas testudineus

A 70‐day growth trail was conducted to investigate the effects of inclusion of high levels of meat and bone meal (MBM) and protein concentrate (PC) on growth, digestibility and economic performances of climbing perch, Anabas testudineus. Four isonitrogenous diets were formulated by lowering the level of dietary fishmeal protein at 0 (D₁, control), 70 (D₂), 85 (D₃) and 100% (D₄) with a mixture of MBM and PC protein (1:1). Triplicate groups of 300 fish (mean weight of 0.80 g) stocked in each 40 m² pond and fed the respective test diets. A digestibility trial was conducted after the growth trial in indoor glass aquarium. The result showed that growth parameters were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) with fishmeal replacement levels. However, significant differences were not found in feed conversion ratio and survival of fish. No difference was also found in protein efficiency ratio among D1, D2 and D3. Similar to growth parameters, total fish production was highest in D1, intermediate in D2 and D3; and lowest in D4. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, protein and lipid were highest (P < 0.05) in D1 and lowest in D4. The economic analysis revealed that the benefit cost ratio was ranked by D₃ (1.81), D₂ (1.71), D₁ (1.66) and D₄ (1.46) respectively. Upon considering the overall performances and unavailability of finite protein sources, it can be concluded that 70–85% fishmeal could be replaced with a mixture of MBM and PC (1:1) in practical diets for climbing perch.     

Comparative Expression Analysis of Gametogenesis‐Associated Genes in Foetal and Adult Bubaline (Bubalus bubalis) Ovaries and Testes

This study was conducted to identify and analyse the expression of gametogenesis‐associated genes and proteins in foetal and adult buffalo gonads of both the sexes. Relative quantification of the genes was determined by qPCR and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was also performed for various gametogenesis‐associated proteins in foetal and adult gonads of both the sexes. We observed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of primordial germ cell‐specific, meiotic as well as genes associated with oocyte maturation and development in foetal ovaries as compared to the adult ones. However, significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of proteins associated with oocyte maturation like GDF9 and ZP4 was found in adult ovaries, indicating temporal regulation of mRNA translation during oogenesis. Meiotic genes showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression in adult testes as compared to foetal testes and ovaries, indicating onset of meiosis at a later stage in spermatogenesis. In general, the expression of primordial germ cell‐associated as well as meiotic genes was higher in adult testes, indicating the increased biological activity in the organ. Immunohistochemistry revealed localized expression of gametogenesis‐associated proteins in ovarian follicles and seminiferous tubules of testes, while the surrounding somatic tissues were devoid of these proteins. The study gives an understanding of the sequential and temporal events of gene expression as well as mRNA translation during male and female gametogenesis. It could also be concluded that follicles and seminiferous tubules are the functional units of the female and male gonads, respectively, and their function could be enhanced by appropriate chemical and genetic intervention of the somatic tissue immediately surrounding them. This assumes importance in the context that buffalo attains sexual maturity at an older age of 2–3 years and have smaller ovaries with lesser number of primordial follicles in comparison with cattle, which is suggested to be the main reason of their poor breeding performance.     

Recurrent Temporary Paralysis Reported After Human Rabies Post‐Exposure Prophylaxis

Adverse events can occur after rabies post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and linkage to causality is often difficult to determine. We report a case of recurrent temporary paralysis that began immediately after the initiation of rabies PEP in a man exposed to a bat. The recurrent temporary paralysis first occurred in the patient after his initial dose and then again after day 3 of his rabies PEP. The PEP was terminated prior to a serologic response. The patient continued to experience numerous discrete episodes of temporary paralysis for over two years.     

Hunting For Tularaemia – A Review of Cases in North Carolina

Human infections with Francisella tularensis can be acquired via numerous routes, including ingestion, inhalation, arthropod bite or direct contact with infected animals. Since 1991, there have been 25 reported cases of tularaemia in North Carolina, most of which were associated with rabbit hunting or cat bites. We present two adults cases of pulmonary and oropharyngeal tularaemia and review the reported cases since 1991–2013. We also present the fifth case of pulmonary empyema. While cavitary pneumonias are primarily treated with drainage, we illustrate a case of cavitary pneumonia associated with tularaemia successfully treated with oral ciprofloxacin after drainage. Tularaemia should be considered in patients with a perplexing radiographic image, animal exposure and lack of response to conventional empiric broad‐spectrum antibiotics. Even in serious cases of pneumonic tularaemia, fluoroquinolones may provide a suitable alternative to aminoglycosides.     

Effect of intermittent heat treatment on crystallinity in wood cellulose

The effect of intermittent heat treatment on cellulose crystallites in wood was studied to evaluate quantitatively the changes of crystallinity induced by intermittent and continuous heating. The changes in crystallinity were found to be strongly affected by the intermittent heat treatment. The increased crystallinity, the width of the crystals, and the piezoelectric properties were the same for the first intermittent heating as for continuous heating. Further intermittent heating for the same time duration and temperature had no effect on the above properties, probably due to the stopping of the thermal reaction during the interval. Our results suggested that intermittent heat treatment has certain critical cooling temperatures that stop the thermal reaction and are closely related to the duration of the interval. Samples once exposed to a certain duration of heat treatment and then cooled need more time, about twice that of the first duration of intermittent heating compared with continuous heating, to reach maximum crystallinity in wood cellulose.     

Growth and yield prediction models for Acacia mangium grown in the plantations of the central region of Bangladesh

Acacia mangium is a very fast growing species belonging to the family Leguminosae that has been introduced in the plantations in Bangladesh for its faster growth and wide range of adaptability. The present study aimed at development of growth and yield prediction models for the species using simultaneous equation method. Models were selected for the species to estimate stand dominant height, stand diameter, stand basal area per hectare and total volume yield per hectare. Paired t-test, 45-degree line test, percent absolute deviation and biological principle of stand development were used for the validation of chosen models. The results suggest that the models derived were statistically and biologically acceptable and could be satisfactorily used for stands of Acacia mangium of ages 4–7 yrs based on a base age of 6 yr.     

Quantification and Understanding of Above and Belowground Biomass in Medium Saline Zone of the Sundarbans,Bangladesh: The Relationships with Forest Attributes

ABSTRACT

The relationship between stand attributes and biomass accumulation pattern in a mangrove forest has been intensively studied in this study. We assessed above (AGM) and belowground mass (BGM) and examined the relationship between forest attributes and aboveground mass in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh. The study was conducted with 18 plots having total area of 1.08 ha. The mean AGM and BGM of the study sites were 234.08 and 132.85 Mg ha^?1 respectively. H. fomes contributed the highest amount (82.9% of total AGM and 80.53% of total BGM) of above (193.56 Mg ha^?1) and belowground mass (107.09 Mg ha^?1) at the study site. Our study revealed structural attributes (tree diameter, height, and basal area) positively correlated with AGM. In contrast, species richness and species diversity negatively correlated with AGM. Our study indicated that lack of positive relationship between species diversity and AGM which may be attributable to high AGM of the dominant species (H. fomes) and may have a considerable consequence in AGM of the study area. Thus, maintaining large trees (DBH and height) rather than species diversity in the Sundarbans mangrove forest might be an effective approach for increasing aboveground mass.     

Seed Maturation Indicators in Pyracantha crenulata Roxb. in Kumaun Central Himalaya

Fruits of Pyracantha crenulata were collected from two locations varying by approximately 550 m in elevation from south aspect for assessing seed maturation indicators. The mean seed size (length×diameter) across the collection dates varied between 1.61 ± 0.7 and 4.93 ± 0.06 mm² across both the locations. The seed moisture content negatively correlated with germination. The change in fruit colour from dark green to light orange, the range of fruit moisture content (30.43% ± 0.06 to 36.10% ± 0.25) and the seed moisture content between 68.8% ± 0.68 and 71.6 ± 0.62 coincided with maximum germination and appear to be major indicators of seed maturation in Pyracantha crenulata.     

Reckoning social forestry in Bangladesh: policy and plan versus implementation

The history of scientific forest management in Bangladesh datesback to the nineteenth century with defined forest policiesand laws. Due to various socio-economic and socio-politicalfactors, forest cover of the country reduced drastically andall such policy initiatives proved ineffective. Although traditionalforest management objectives covered a wide range from economicbenefit to ecological stability, these have never been attainedfully. Huge population and limited land area compelled policymakers to think about alternatives to traditional forest management.One alternative, social forestry, was introduced in Bangladeshin early 1980s and has proved to be extremely successful. Whiletraditional forest management resulted in a net loss of forestresource cover, social forestry on the other hand, is playinga vital role in the expansion of forest cover (40 387 ha ofnew forest cover and 48 420 km new strip plantation since themid-1980s) benefiting thousands of poor people. Results showthat during the last four years (2000–2003) more than23 000 individuals benefited from the final felling of differentsocial forestry plantations (woodlot, agroforestry and stripplantation). This generated a total income of US$ 5.6 millionfor the government and US$ 5.3 million for participants plusUS$ 1.2 million for the Tree Farming Fund – a 10 per centdepository reserve to sustain the practice in the long run.Although average individual final returns (US$ 223 person^–1)are not so attractive, some people got about US$ 5000 to US$8500 from final felling, sufficient to improve their standardof living and social position. Despite the success so far achieved,social forestry in Bangladesh still suffers from various institutionaldeficiencies like organization, skilled manpower, legitimateusufruct rights, peoples' participation from policy to implementationand clear budgetary arrangements. Besides, until now the roleof relevant actors is not well defined in all the steps of socialforestry practice in Bangladesh. Unless the participants aregiven clear legitimate usufruct rights, they will remain scepticaltowards this programme. They should have good and meaningfulaccess from planning to implementation. In the context of institutionaldevelopment, there are governmental policy guidelines and a20-year Master Plan for Bangladesh. Although some steps havebeen partially completed, there is still much to do to complywith forest policy guidelines and the Master Plan. It is shownthat in the last seven years (1995/96–2001/2002) onlyUS$ 15.41 million a^–1 has actually been spent againstan allocated sum of US$ 68.37 million a^–1. Therefore,if the intention is to institutionalize social forestry in Bangladesh,government and policy makers should actively come forward. Otherwisethe full potential of social forestry in Bangladesh will notbecome a reality.