<div>Background: There were reports that M. pruriens was edible and natural source of Levodopa used in the treatment of Parkinson&rsquo;s disease, but the identity of the variety used for the treatment is uncertain. Hence, the present study is important to provide their diagnostic characters for further studies by prospective researchers.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The qualitative study was carried out by observing and recording the features of the taxa while the quantitative was obtained as the leaflet length and width were measured using a metre rule. From each specimen, leaves were randomly selected and measured using metre rule. Standard methods were used in this study. 
 
Result: The three taxa possess trifoliate leaves in common and the flower colours are as follows: Yellow in M. flagellipes, purple in M. puriens var. pruriens and white in M. pruriens var. utilis. Testa colours are black, black and white in the M. flagellipes, M. pruriens var. pruriens and M. pruriens var. utilis, respectively. The highest average leaflet length was 17.5 recorded in M. pruriens var. pruriens while the lowest average leaflet length of 8.4 was recorded in M. pruriens var. utilis. The three taxa could be eaten based on review. Petal and testa colour could be used to distinguish the taxa studied.</div>

Could the Three Be Edible and Natural Sources of Levodopa? Morphological Characterization of Three Taxa of Mucuna (Fabaceae) in Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria

<div>Background: Cross-breeding is the main strategy for improving the economic traits of livestock and poultry within a short time. But there are only a few studies on the comparative assessment of different cross-breeding methods to poultry reproductive performance. 
 
Methods: Here, intersect, back, upgrading and three-way cross-breeding strategies are employed for quantitative comparison of male reproductive performance using Carlos goose, Jilin White goose and Siji goose. The fertility rates and testis weight were analyzed and compared among the five cross-breeding groups. Also, the seminiferous tubule diameter and sperm concentration were measured. The mRNA levels of two reproduction-related genes, GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) and PRL (prolactin) were quantitatively measured and compared using the qPCR technique. 
 
Result: Finally we found that the three-way cross strategy had the biggest advantage for improving male reproductive performance according to the analysis of fertility rate and testis structure. Also all these data we measured suggested that the three-way cross strategy was beneficial to male reproductive performance and thus we provided a theoretical basis for making appropriate cross-breeding plans.</div>

The Effects of Three-way Cross Strategy on the Gander Reproductive Performance

<div>Background: This paper has attempted an economic analysis of tissue-culture pointed gourd and non-tissue culture pointed gourd. As we know that vegetables are rich and comparatively cheaper source of vitamins. Consumption of these items provides taste, palatability and fiber for digestion. Their consumption in plenty provides fair amount of protein and also play a key role in neutralizing the acids produced during digestion of fatty foods. While pointed gourd contains 2 per cent protein, 0.3 per cent fat, 2.2 per cent carbohydrate, 153 IU vitamin A and 29 mg vitamin C per 100g edible portion (www.agrifarming.in). 
 
Methods: This study was conducted in the year 2017-18. The study has been conducted in the Anand and Kheda districts of Middle Gujarat using personal interview method. And 4 talukas were selected. Total 80 respondents were selected, out of them 40 were cultivating non-tissue culture and 40 were cultivating tissue culture variety of pointed gourd. Cost and return analysis had been done by using cost concepts. The Garrett ranking technique was used to study the adoption behaviour of farmers.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The study revealed that tissue-culture pointed gourd is more beneficial as compared to non-tissue culture pointed gourd. The cost of cultivation (Cost C2) of pointed gourd per hectare for tissue culture and non-tissue culture was ₹ 306655 and ₹ 237216, respectively. The average yield of tissue culture and non-tissue culture pointed gourd was 483 q and 248.49 q, while gross income was ₹ 597595 and ₹&nbsp;324741 respectively. Per hectare net returns in tissue culture pointed gourd for Cost C2 was ₹ 290940 whereas for non-tissue culture pointed gourd the per hectare net return over Cost C2 was ₹ 87525. The overall per hectare farm business income, family labour income and farm investment income for tissue culture farmer were found to be significantly higher compared to their counterpart non-tissue culture farmers. The overall input-output ratio on Cost C2 was 1.95 for tissue culture and 1.37 for non-tissue culture. &lsquo;Higher yield&rsquo; was the main reason for adoption of tissue culture technology followed by &lsquo;high quality fruit&rsquo; and &lsquo;higher income per hectare&rsquo;. On the whole, the analysis has revealed that the tissue culture technology in pointed gourd cultivation can go a long way in enhancing the farmers income which is the need of the hour.&nbsp;</div>

An Economic Analysis of Technology Change in Tissue Culture and Non-tissue Culture Pointed Gourd in Anand and Kheda Districts of Middle Gujarat

Background: Saum is a very important traditional food item of the Mizo society in Mizoram, North East India; but there is scanty scientific study and reports on Saum. The present study has been conducted to study and compare the prevalence of E. coli in Saum from three different storage places such as storage/keeping Saum under the sun (24-38&deg;C) during hot part of the day, inside the refrigerator (3-4&deg;C) and near the cooking fire (30-50&deg;C) at home.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study was conducted from May, 2022 to November, 2022. A total of 105 Saum samples were collected from three different storage places comprising of 35 samples from each storage places and then analysed for the presence of foodborne pathogen E. coli and it&rsquo;s virulence genes (stx1, stx2, elt, est genes) by conventional method and PCR. All the E. coli isolates were subjected to 12 different antibiotics for antimicrobial resistance pattern by disc diffusion method. 
 
Result: The overall prevalence of E. coli from 105 samples was 7.62% (8/105) comprising of 5.71% (2/35) from the storage place under the sun, 2.86% (1/35) from the refrigerator and 14.29% (5/35) near the cooking fire and no presence of virulence genes of E. coli was detected in the present study. The antimicrobial resistance pattern of all the 8 E. coli isolates showed the highest resistance to Cefazolin (100%) followed by Imipenem (37.5%). The present work will be a complementary contribution among Mizo society to know the best and safest storage places of Saum in regards to public health point of view.&nbsp;

Comparative Study on the Prevalence of Escherichia coli and it&rsquo;s Antibiogram in Saum from Three Different Storage Places in Household at Mizoram

Background: There are currently no clinical breakpoints available to facilitate data interpretation and the correlation of MICs with in vivo efficacy. Defining the break point of enrofloxacin for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae can determine the choice of empirical treatment and targeted therapy, predict the efficacy of drugs against specific animals and analyze treatment failure. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: We determined the breakpoint of M. hyopneumonaie to enrofloxacin by susceptibility testing and pharmocokinetics/pharmacodynamics model. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The pharmacodynamic cutoff value of M. hyopneumoniae against enrofloxacin was 0.25 &micro;g/mL and the clinical break point was 2 &micro;g/mL. After comprehensive weighing, the final sensitivity break point was set at 2 &micro;g/mL.To provide reference for in vitro bacteriostatic test of M. hyopneumonaie against enrofloxacin.To provide the basis for the actual dosage of enrofloxacin in the treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia in pigs.

Break Point of Enrofloxacin for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Background: Information on the physicochemical, cooking and sensory qualities of cowpea seeds are required for nutrition information, to design processing and for consumer acceptance. In view of this, three cowpea varieties (Tswana, Blackeye and ER7) grown in Botswana were evaluated. 
 
Method: Proximate compositions, physical, gelatinization and sensory properties respectively were evaluated following AOAC, conventional, Amylograph and on 7-point hedonic sensory acceptability scale. 
 
Result: Significant variations (p&lt;0.05) were observed in fat, fiber, ash and available carbohydrate (CHO) contents, length, thickness, hundred seeds weight (HSW), hydration capacity, hydration index, cooking time, flour starches maximum gelatinization temperature (Tm,&deg;C) and viscosity at Tm. The percentage moisture, protein, fiber, fat, ash and available carbohydrate contents ranged 9.5-10.1, 21.7-22.8, 2.3-2.6, 1.1-2.0, 2.1-3.0 and 59.4-62.3, respectively. Initial gelatinization temperature (To,&deg;C) and Tm (&deg;C) were ranged 71.3(ER7)-73.7(Tswana) and 83.0(ER7)-84.7(Blackeye), respectively. Significant (p&lt;0.05) variations in Tm and viscosity at Tm were observed because of differences in water uptake, swelling and thickening ability at high temperature. Longest cooking time was recorded for Tswana (43.57 min) while shortest was for Blackeye (36.10 min). Tswana recorded a longer cooking time probably because of low water hydration capacity, small seed size and low HSW. There was no significant difference in the sensory liking of the cooked cowpea seeds and were rated from slightly to moderately like. Cowpeas of high protein and fiber contents, short cooking time and high thickening ability on cooking are preferred for healthy diets. In terms of cooking time and thickening ability, Tswana variety appeared poor. Shorter cooking time, high protein content and high thickening ability of Blackeye cowpea is more acceptable. The ER7 is preferred for its large seed size.

Physicochemical, Cooking Quality and Sensory Acceptability of Three Cowpea Varieties Grown in Botswana

<div style="text-align: justify;">Burfi was manufactured in three-stage scraped surface heat exchanger by adding sugar directly into preheated milk by varying scraper speed in all three stages with different steam pressure in all three stages. The performance evaluation of the machine was evaluated during continuous mechanized manufacturing of Burfi. The average overall heat transfer coefficient were 1600, 950, and 410 W/m2 K for first, the second and third stage of TFSSHE, respectively. The specific steam consumption was found out to be 1.12 to 0.93 kg steam per kg of milk processed with mean value of 1 kg steam per kg of milk processed. The electricity consumption was found out to be 6.0 to 8.34 kWh per 1000 kg of milk processed with a mean value of 6.83 kWh per 1000 kg of milk processed. The sensory evaluation score of the burfi manufactured in the SSHE was obtained 20.6 out of a total of 25.&nbsp;</div>

Performance Evaluation of Three-Stage SSHE for Continuous Manufacturing of Burfi

Background: This experiment was aimed to research the intestinal &alpha;-amylase and lipase activities of three local chicken breeds from Jiangxi&nbsp;Province&nbsp;in&nbsp;South China and to investigate the highest enzyme activity sites of digestive enzymes. 
 
Methods: Six each of Taihe silky fowls, Ningdu three-yellow chickens and Chongren partridge chickens with similar body weights were selected and slaughtered. For each chicken, six portions of chyme were respectively taken from duodenum and jejunum at equal distances and then &alpha;-amylase and lipase activities were determined in these 12 portions of chyme. 
 
Result: The results indicated that the &alpha;-amylase and lipase activities of the three local chicken breeds did not change significantly in the duodenum, while in the jejunum they gradually increased and then declined. In the meantime, the highest &alpha;-amylase activities were found in the 2nd&nbsp;section of the jejunum in Ningdu three-yellow chicken and Chongren partridge chicken and &alpha;-amylase activity in Taihe silky fowl was highest in the 3rd&nbsp;section of the jejunum. The highest lipase activity was observed in the 3rd&nbsp;section of the jejunum for both Taihe silky fowl and Chongren partridge chicken, whereas Ningdu three-yellow chicken exhibited the highest lipase activity in the 2nd&nbsp;section of the jejunum. Both &alpha;-amylase and lipase activities reached their maximum in the mid-anterior jejunum of the three chickens, but the location of their highest enzyme activities and digestive enzyme activities were different, with the highest &alpha;-amylase activity in Ningdu three-yellow chicken and the highest lipase content in Taihe silky fowl.

<h3>Study on the Characteristics of Intestinal Digestive Enzymes Activities of Three Local Chicken Breeds in South China</h3>

Background: Accurate identification of the larval stages of Wohlfahrtia nuba, a flesh fly species within the Sarcophagidae family, is crucial in forensic and medical entomology. This species may contribute to estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) and is associated with causing myiasis in livestock and humans. The insufficient data regarding the morphology of the immature stages of W. nuba hinders the taxonomic identification of this species&rsquo; larvae in carcasses without raising adults. Therefore, this study provides a comprehensive examination of the morphological characteristics of three instars of W. nuba larvae using light microscopy. 
 
Methods: It includes an examination of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, pseudocephalon, antennal complex, oral ridges, anterior spiracles and their papillae number and arrangement, thorax and abdomen spinulation, number and distribution of papillae around the entrance of the spiracular cavity and posterior spiracles. 
 
Result: The present study&rsquo;s findings demonstrate the distinct morphological characteristics that differentiate the three larval instars, facilitating accurate identification and developmental staging. The three larval stages have two curved mouth hooks. A large median hook is absent. The labrum is a reduced structure exhibiting four highly sclerotized teeth between the mouth hooks. The dorsal arch is short, curved and does not extend to the parastomal sclerite. The anterior spiracles, located laterally on the first thoracic segment, exhibited variability in the number of papillae across the three instar larvae. The first larval instar exhibited a total of eight papillae, which increased to 10 in the second instar and reached 11 in the third instar. These papillae are arranged in a row resembling an arch. The spines encircling the cephalic collar are thin and set into 6-7 rows, separating the first segments of the thorax. The posterior spiracle contains two incomplete peritremes hidden in a deep cavity. It is characterized by a single aperture divided at its upper section and shielded by thin hair-like structures during the first larval instar. Each incomplete peritreme contained two slits for the second larval instar and three slits for the third larval instar. The peritreme lacks a ventral arch and the button is not easily noticeable. A ring of 12 cuticular papillae encircles the anal cavity. These data add new morphological features to differentiate between W. nuba larvae in clinical and forensic contexts. This will help with taxonomic and forensic species identification studies and benefit farmers and veterinarians. 
&nbsp;

Morphological Description of the Three Larval Instars of Wohlfahrtia nuba (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

<div>Background: Yak as a unique domestic animal that has extremely important social value and influence on the local culture and economy in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The current study aimed to evaluate the genotype distribution of a series of economic traits (growth, meat quality and lactation) related to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in three Tibetan yak populations. 
 
Methods: A total of 238 yaks from three populations [Sibu (SB), Chawula (CWL) and Jiali (JL) yaks] including 34 SB, 104 JL and 100 CWL yak individuals were collected. All samples were genotyped for 12 SNP markers by using SNaPshot technology. 
 
Result: All loci had abundant polymorphisms in the three populations, except for the Hesx1_G618C locus. The dominant growth-related genotype was MyoD1_C1710T (C/T), which had the highest frequency in the three Tibetan yak populations. However, the growth-related dominant genotypes at UCP2_T1499C (C/T) and CYP4A11_G4806A (G/A) loci were rare genotypes in the three Tibetan yak populations. Results of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) analysis showed that all sites did not deviate from the HWE within the population. This finding indicated that these populations belonged to a natural one without having been subjected to artificial selection on economic traits. Overall, this study provided valuable reference for the future molecular breeding of yak based on the genotype distribution of economic-trait candidate markers in three yak populations in Tibet.</div>