Background: Nowadays, the tendency towards alternative herbal therapies has increased due to the side effects of drugs. However, since the contents, method of use, dosage and toxic effects of herbal products are not fully known, undesirable situations are occasionally encountered. However, there are many experimental studies on the cytotoxicity of L. orientalis oil, most of these studies are in vivo modelling. In this study, the cytotoxic effects of L. orientalis oil on the liver and kidneys were investigated in healthy rats by oral administered. 
 
Methods: The study material consisted of 18 female Wistar albino rats (190-280 g) aged 8-10 weeks. All animals were housed under optimal temperature, light and humidity conditions and fed with normal rat pellet food ad libitum. Housing conditions were checked daily. Three groups were organized as L. orientalis oil, olive oil and control group, respectively. Each group consisted of 6 rats. 
L. orientalis oil group: L. orientalis oil (150 mg/kg) dissolved olive oil (0.6 mL). 
Olive oil group: Olive oil (0.6 mL). 
Control group: Empty gavage. 
The entire trial was performed by intragastric gavage once a day for 14 days. 
 
Result: The obtained data showed that serum biochemical parameters remained within normal ranges in oral use of Liquidambar orientalis oil&nbsp;(150 mg/kg) and did not show any difference with the control and olive oil groups. No pathological changes related to cytotoxicity were found in the samples taken from liver and kidney tissues.

Effects of Liquidambar Orientalis Oil on Liver and Kidneys in Heathy Wistar Rats

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Theileriosis is a haemoprotozoan illness that poses severe economic loss to dairy farmers due to its negative impact on mortality and productivity, especially in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. 
 
Methods:&nbsp;The present study was conducted for a period of one year (June 2020 to July 2021) during which 55 blood samples of cattle showing clinical signs suggestive of theileriosis were examined and quantified by using multiplex real time PCR for Theileria orientalis and Theileria annulata using Taq-Man probe. 
 
Result: Prevalence of theileriosis in three Theileria-endemic districts of Odisha due to Theileria annulata and Theileria orientalis were 26.11 per cent (11/42) and 57.14 per cent (24/42), respectively. Mixed infection were reported in 16.6 percent (7/42) cases. Parasite load for T. annulata in clinically affected cases ranged from 2.85&times;103 to 1.51&times;105 parasites per ml of blood while for T. orientalis,&nbsp;it ranged from 1.94&times;104&nbsp;to 5.88&times;105&nbsp;parasites per ml of blood. Ten cattle positive for T. orientalis were administered two doses of buparvaquone (Butalex) @2.5 mg/kg b.w. at an interval of 48 hours after which degree of parasitemia were quantified ten days post treatment. The parasitic load in blood ten days post treatment decreased significantly from 4.04&times;104 to 2.21&times;102 per ml of blood.</div>

RT PCR Assay to Determine Efficacy of Buparvaquone in Reducing Degree of Parasitemia of Theileria orientalis

Background: Bovines are domesticated ungulates mainly raised as livestock for milk, meat and leather and as draught animals. A slaughterhouse study helps to assess the disease status of herds and contains valuable information about the incidence and epidemiology of animal diseases. Haemoprotozoan diseases are one of the major problems which adversely affect the health and productivity of cattle. The diverse climatic zones of India are highly conducive to the survival and propagation of vectors and vector-borne pathogens. However, there is no data on proper slaughterhouse study of bovines in Mizoram even in India for determination of the prevalence of haemoprotozoan infections. 
 
Methods: The blood samples were collected in an EDTA vials. The blood smear was prepared, stained with Giemsa stain and examined for the presence of haemoprotozoan. The DNA was isolated from positive samples by use of a DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit. Then PCR was performed for all the isolated DNA collected from positive samples. After confirmation through PCR, the representative samples for Anaplasma sp. and Theileria sp. were sent for sequencing. Then the sequencing results were annotated using BLAST, ClustalW multiple alignment program of MEGA9 software. The phylogenetic tree was generated by using the Neighbour-Joining method, keeping bootstrap consensus from 1000 replicates.&nbsp; 
 
Result: After the blood smear examination, PCR was performed for confirmation. Molecular detection of Anaplasma marginale, Theileria orientalis was done. Molecular characterization of 2 isolates from Anaplasma marginale and Theileria orientalis was performed by sequencing. The sequence analysis of rpoB gene of isolates of Anaplasma revealed both the isolates were placed in the same clade in the phylogenetic tree. The phylogenetic analysis of Thileria isolates revealed that isolate Miz-86 was closely placed with the Type-N3 clade. Whereas the other isolate i.e. Miz-87, belonged to the Type-5 clade.

Molecular Characterisation of Anaplasma marginale and Theileria orientalis in Slaughtered Bovines of Aizawl District, Mizoram

A total of 51 accessions of different Lens spp. viz., Lens culinaris (cultivated) and L. culinaris subsp. odemensis, L. culinaris subsp. orientalis, L. orientalis, L. nigricans, L. lamottei and L. ervoides (wild species) were screened for their reaction to Callosobruchus chinensis under no-choice artificial infestation conditions to find the sources of resistance. Significant differences among the accessions in terms of number of eggs laid, development period, adult emergence, number of emergence holes of C. chinensis loss in seed weight on different Lens spp. were observed. Of the seven species tested, L. culinaris was the most preferred one for egg laying while L. ervoides was the least preferred. Based on Growth Index (GI), accessions were categorised as highly resistant (15 accessions, GI = 0.00), resistant (14, GI=0.00 to 1.00), moderately resistant (16, GI=1.01 to 2.00) moderately susceptible (3, GI 2.01 to 3.00) susceptible (3, &gt;3.01) to C. chinensis and the species have been arranged in the order of their resistance to C. chinensis. viz L. ervoides &gt; L. lamottei &gt; L. nigricans= L. orientalis &gt; L. culinaris subsp. orientalis= L. culinaris subsp. odemensis &gt; L. culnaris, i.e. L. ervoides was highly resistant and L. culnaris was the most susceptible. Correlation between GI and growth parameters of pulse beetle on different Lens spp. accessions indicated that GI had negative relationship with mean development period (-0.22) and significant positive relationship with adult emergence (+0.73), weight loss (+0.77) and eggs laid (+0.75).

Searching for resistance in wild Lens species against pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis (L.)

Theilerosis is the most important common vector (Tick) born and hemoprotozoan diseases (TBDS) which pose a serious threat to the livestock population in terms of mortality, reduced milk yield and lowered draft power. The disease is having impact on biochemistry and systemic functions affecting at different stages of production and reproduction of dairy cattle as well as there is lack of accurate diagnosis of this disease. A total 1900 cases were suspected for theileriosis on the basis of clinical signs and total 950 cases were found positive for theileriosis on the basis of blood smear examination. As per the stages of pregnancy and lactation, the cases were classified as cows in early pregnancy, cows in late pregnancy, cows in post parturient stage, cows in early and late lactation period. Biochemical alterations like increased AST, ALT and BUN level indicating liver and kidney dysfunctions in all the groups and significantly higher in post parturient group. The serum phosphorus, calcium and magnesium level decreased in all the affected groups and mostly in late pregnancy period and post parturient stage indicating metabolic disturbances during the disease which were aggravated during theileriosis. Through molecular diagnosis 114 cows (65.51%) were found positive for T. annulata and 41 cows (22.9%) were found positive for T. orientalis and 19 cows (10.9%) were found positive for both Theileria annulata and Theileria orientalis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the accession number for Theileria annulata was OQ230445 which is having 100% similarity with puri isolate and 98% similarity with Khorda isolate and the accession number for T. orientalis was OQ 230446 having 85% similarity with Khorda isolate. On necropsy, the animals were weak, debilitated with atrophy of the muscles. In some cases, the liver was enlarged, markedly congested and in some cases yellowish tinged surface and cut edges with distension of gall bladder was evident. Abomasal ulcers were distinct and considered as pathognomonic. On histopathological examination, the liver revealed necrosis of hepatocytes with sinusoidal congestion and infiltration of mononuclear cells. In lymphnode, there was depletion of lymphocytes in lymphoid follicles with congestion and haemorrhage. Pulmonary edema was also evident in few cases.&nbsp;

Biochemical, Molecular, Postmortem and Histopathological Characterization of Bovine Theilerioses at Different Stages of Production and Reproduction

Background: An exploratory survey programme was carried out to know the diversity and community structures of predatory and phytophagous mite fauna associated with pulses crops in West Bengal aiming for the development of a better and ecologically sound mite pest management strategy. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Mite samples were collected from different agro-climatic zones of West Bengal and the specimens were brought to the AINP on Agricultural Acarology Laboratory, BCKV, Mohanpur for mounting on glass slides by using modified Berlese&rsquo;s medium. The slides were then kept on slide wormer at 35-40oC for 5-7 days to process and then mites were examined with a phase contrast microscope. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Altogether 13 species of Phytoseiid mites namely Amblyseius largoensis, Amblyseius herbicolus, Amblyseius bengalensis, Amblyseius parbatabasii, Amblyseius dahlia, Euseius alstoniae, Euseius ovalis, Paraphytoseius orientalis, Typhlodromips syzygii, Scapulaseius asiaticus, Scapulaseius moraesi, Phytoseius kapuri and Neoseiulus pranadae were recorded. Among them Neoseiulus pranadae was found as a predominant species associated with pulse crops, constituting 35.36% of the total Phytoseiid mite population followed by Amblyseius largoensis and Typhlodromips syzygii accounting 23.04 and 10.87 % of total phytosiid mite population, respectively. Phytoseiid family has been recognized as a beneficial group of mites that could be utilized for controlling harmful phytophagous mites as well as soft-bodied insect pests. Other predatory mites under the families Bdellidae, Ascidae, Stigmaeidae, Cunaxidae and Cheyletida were also recorded during the period of investigation. Tetranychus urticae, Eutetranychus orientalis, Schizotetranychus baltazari and Schizotetranychus cajani were identified as destructive phytophagous mite pests associated with pulse crops in West Bengal.

Diversity and Community Structure of Mite Fauna Associated with Pulse Crops in West Bengal

Background: Forensic entomology utilizes insects for legal and criminal investigations, particularly in determining the time of death when traditional medical parameters become ineffective after72 h. Insects play a crucial role in Post-Mortem Interval (PMI) estimation and provide insight into crime scene events. 
 
Methods: This study focused on the collection and molecular identification of forensic insects in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Rabbit carcasses were used as human analogs and were placed in specialized cages across five locations. Insects were collected twice daily for two weeks and identified based on their morphological and molecular characteristics. DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)and sequencing were used for genetic analysis. 
 
Result: Phylogenetic analysis revealed significant genetic similarities among the collected species, indicating low genetic diversity and a stable population structure. The key species identified were Sarcophaga dux, Wohlfahrtia nuba, Sarcophaga harpax, Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya marginalis, Atherigona orientalis, Musca domestica and Hydrotaea capensis. These findings support the use of genetic analysis for accurate species identification in forensics. Additionally, this study highlights the potential impact of climate change on insect populations, suggesting future research directions in forensic entomology. This study contributes to the understanding of forensic insect ecology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and enhances forensic investigation methods.

Molecular Identification of Forensic Insects Collected from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Culicoides, popularly known as &lsquo;biting midges&rsquo; is a group of vector insects causing transmission of pathogens to livestock and other closely related mammals leading to animal health deterioration. They are among the smallest and most abundant hematophagous vectors of Blue tongue virus (BTV), Epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), African horse sickness virus (AHSV), Equine encephalitis virus (EEV), protozoans, filarial nematodes throughout the world. They are known to spread livestock diseases in India in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. 30 Culicoides vectors are reported worldwide, 13 of them from India, of which 11 are found in West Bengal. In the Indian subcontinent, biting midges live throughout the year, with two distinct peaks - one in the monsoon (August-September) and another peak during post-monsoon or beginning of winter (November) and there is a steady decrease during the summer months (May). Adults thrive best at low-temperature range (19-32oC) and rainfall plays an important role in Culicoides breeding and life-cycle. But a detailed account on the ecology, breeding sites, biology and bionomics of immature and adults have been poorly understood with very scanty literature. The present research is aimed to provide an exhaustive detail on the ecological behavior of Culicoides and their prevalence pattern based on the effect of meteorological parameter and elevation across different regions of West Bengal. Methods: Insect samples were collected using sweep nets in the early morning, afternoon and just before sunset for a period of four years from January 2014 to December 2017 in six agro-climatic regions of West Bengal. &nbsp;After collection, they were transferred in 70% ethanol, kept in a cool place, sorted and different parts of the specimen were mounted on glass slides in the phenol-balsam mixture and identified through Leica DFC 295 binocular light microscope. Ecological graph analysis were generated using software PAST 3.0 and MS-EXCEL 2016. Maps on sampling sites was generated using software ARC GIS 10.5). Result: Five Culicoides species-Culicoides oxystoma, C. actoni, C. peregrinus,C. orientalis and C. anophelis were collected. The results show highest prevalence in post-monsoon months at the coastal-saline region, at an of &nbsp;elevation 5-15m with ideal temperature of 14-35oC &nbsp;and rainfall of &nbsp;1100-2000mm in West Bengal, with the highest dominance of Culicoides oxystoma throughout the year.</div>