---

Effects of part replacement (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%) of whole wheat flour by composite flour (based on foxtail millet, proso millet and buckwheat flours in equal proportions) on physical, nutritional, sensory and antioxidant properties of multi-millet cookies were investigated. Increase in the ratio of composite flour in the blend and formulated cookies resulted in increase in ash, fiber, fat and protein and decrease in moisture and carbohydrate contents. Increase in supplementation levels of composite flour added to the TPC, DPPH, reducing power and FRAP and decrease in metal chelating activity of cookies. Maximum gain in thickness and weight as well as loss in diameter, spread ratio and bake loss were observed with the highest composite flour substitution. Color values such as a* was found to be enhanced whereas L* and b* were found to be weakened, simultaneously NEB values got increased upon substitution. A 60% blend of composite flour with whole wheat flour was selected best used in the cookie’s formulation on the basis of sensory evaluation. Overall, this study demonstrates that millet based composite flour can effectively improve the functional values of formulated cookies, in addition to an option for the development of gluten free products for celiac patients. 

---

  Background: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) varies tremendously in different parts of the world. This study reviews the percentage and molecular diagnosis of Hepatitis C in the persons from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan that visited to a particular laboratory.   Methods : The method includes the diagnostic procedure steps by Real Time PCR. A Total numbers of 1050 Persons were screened during four months i.e. January-April, 2014. The collected data was evaluated for prevalence rate, age wise prevalence, gender wise prevalence and comparison of RT-PCR and ICT. Results : Overall percentage was 64.85 which is an overestimation of a true prevalence because of the specific sampling method applied to current study. Middle age persons were more affected. The percentage was higher in male (56.9) as compared to female (43.02). The RT-PCR diagnostic test was found to be more sensitive for the detection of HCV comparative to ICT. Conclusion : It is recommended that government should establish such laboratories equipped with RT-PCR for timely and accurate detection of HCV. Moreover, awareness programs are required to decrease the burden of HCV in the Pakistani population.

---

The significant reduction of bollworm infestation by the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Bt Cotton as a component of IPM led to reduction in bollworm infestation and increase in yield. However, these alterations have brought in many new biotic problems hitherto unknown or of little economic importance. Field survey of rainfed Bt cotton fields in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu, India during 2008-2014 revealed that the incidence of various insect pests and plant diseases is on the rise in different Bt cotton hybrids. In 2008-2009, it was observed that the Bt cotton was damaged by cotton mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley), green mirid bug (Creontiades biseratance Distant) and root rot (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn) which caused severe yield losses. In addition to that, other pests like papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink) and Alternaria leaf spot caused more damage in Bt cotton during 2009-10. Besides these pests, the mirid bug (Campyloma livida Reuter), stripped mealybug (Ferrissia virgata Ckll), tobacco streak virus, grey mildew Ramularia areola and boll rot incidence in Bt cotton were noticed in 2010-12. Apart from this pest and disease problems, the Alterrnaria leaf blight, root rot (Macrophomina phaseolina Maubl) and Myrothecium leaf spot caused severe yield losses in Bt cotton during 2012-2014. The survey revealed that, the pests and disease problems are increasing year by year in Bt cotton which caused yield reduction and also increased the cost of cultivation. If left unchecked these pests and disease problems are capable of undoing all benefits gained due to Bt cotton in terms of increased yield and reduction in use of chemical pesticides.

---

Males of the subgenus Eofoersteria Mathot (Hym., Mymaridae, Camptoptera Foerster) are diagnosed, described, and illustrated for the first time, based on examination of specimens from Tamil Nadu and from photographs of the male paratype of Camptoptera matcheta Subba Rao from Karnataka. New distributional records of C. (Eofoersteria) manipurensis (Rehmat & Anis) from Karnataka and Kerala states of India are documented.

---

View on Scopus

Three genera are recorded for the first time in Saudi Arabia: Alaptus Westwood, Anagrus Haliday, and Polynema Haliday. A new species, Erythmelus (Erythmelus) irba sp. nov. Zeya & Anwar & Ahmad is described. Four known species are recorded for the first time: Erythmelus (E.) flavovarius (Walker), Erythmelus (Parallelaptera) rex (Girault), Polynema (Polynema) brevicarinae Annecke & Doutt and Stephanodes reduvioli (Perkins).

---

A solution culture experiment was conducted to evaluate the salinity tolerance of 15 tomato genotypes in Hoagland’s nutrient solution with three levels of NaCl (0, 75, and 150 mM). The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with three replicates. After 30 days of imposition of salt stress, gas exchange parameters including transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, CO₂ assimilation rate, and intercellular CO₂ concentration were recorded and the harvested plants were characterized for growth (shoot/ longest root lengths and fresh/dry weights) and ionic characteristics (Na⁺, K⁺ and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio) parameters. All growth and gas exchange parameters decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations. However, this decrease was less in salt-tolerant genotypes as compared to salt-sensitive genotypes. It was also observed that with the increasing NaCl concentration in the rooting medium, the amount of Na⁺ in the plant tissues increased while the amount of K⁺ ion decreased. Thus, it was concluded that the plants with more K⁺ absorbing ability, with high K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, and higher growth were more salt-tolerant. Also, the results showed that fresh and dry weights, gas exchange characteristics, and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio were very effective in determining salt tolerance of tomato. Considering the genotypes, Indent-1 and Nagina were characterized as salt tolerant and the Red Ball and Peto-86 as salt sensitive under saline conditions.

---

To reduce pesticide resistance in plant pathogens, alternate approaches are needed to be explored. In this study, dried powder of Withania coagulans was evaluated for the management of Alternaria solani causing early blight disease in tomato both in vitro and in planta. Different dried powder doses (5, 10, and 15% w/v) of different parts (succulent shoot, stem and leaves) of W. coagulans were tested against in vitro growth of Alternaria solani through food poisoned technique. Also, different dried powder doses (15 and 30 g kg^-1 soil) of different parts (succulent shoot, stem and leaves) of W. coagulans were applied to soil at different application times [5, 10, and 15 Days Before Transplantation (DBT)] and were evaluated for the control of early blight in tomato plants under screen house conditions. Results from in vitro studies showed that the highest dose 15% (w/v) and succulent shoot plant part showed a maximum antifungal activity. Results from screen house experiment showed that the highest dose of 30 g kg^-1 soil and longest application time of 15 DBT of succulent shoot dried powder suppressed the disease severity effectively in tomato plants (artificially inoculated with Alternaria solani) resulted in significantly higher root length, shoot length, and fresh biomass. Results of this study suggested that succulent shoot dried powder at 30 g kg^-1 of soil applied at 15 DBT can be used for the management of tomato early blight disease under screen house conditions.