Oviposition deterrent and ovicidal properties of Calotropis gigantea (L.) leaf extract to Paraeucosmetus pallicornis (Dallas) in rice

Paraeucosmetus pallicornis (Dallas) is a new pest in Indonesia which decreases rice production and quality. This pest causes the grains to become flat, hollow, brownish, break easily when milled, and bitter. This research represents the first study on Calotropis gigantea extract as an oviposition deterrent and ovicide against P. pallicornis. The study was conducted under laboratory conditions using four extract concentrations i.e. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%. The oviposition deterrent effect was determined by counting the number of eggs laid and hatched. Percent reproductive control (PRC) and ovicidal activity was calculated using Tennyson’s formula. Results indicated that all concentrations of C. gigantea leaf extract reduced the number of eggs laid and hatched. The PRC also showed a gradual reduction of oviposition of the P. pallicornis and the ovicidal activity ranged between 86.5 and 100%. The extract concentration which showed the highest potential as an oviposition deterrent and ovicide against P. pallicornis was in the range of 1.0–2.0%. The overall results indicated that C. gigantea leaf extract has the potential to be used as an oviposition deterrent and ovicide against P. pallicornis

Impact of COVID–19-Related Stress and Lockdown on Mental Health Among People Living With HIV in Argentina

The spread of SARS-CoV-2, causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has necessitated widespread lockdown to mitigate the pandemic. This study examines the influence of resilience on the impact of COVID-related stress and enforced lockdown on mental health, drug use and treatment adherence among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Argentina. PLWH residing predominantly in Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area and urban regions of Argentina were identified from a private clinic electronic database. Participants completed an anonymous online survey to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on economic disruption, resilience, mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness), adherence to HIV treatment, and substance use. We performed ordinary least squares and logistic regressions to test whether resilient coping buffered the impact of economic disruption on mental health and drug use during quarantine. 1336 PLWH aged 18-82 were enrolled. The impact of economic disruption on mental health ΔF(1,1321)=8.86, p=.003 and loneliness ΔF(1,1326)=5.77, p=.016 was buffered by resilience. A three-way interaction between resilient buffering, stress, and sex was significant ΔF(1,1325)=4.76, p=.029. Participants reported less than excellent adherence to medication (33%), disruption to mental health services (11%), and disruption to substance abuse treatment (1.3%) during lockdown. The impact of COVID-stress and lockdown on emotional distress appeared mitigated by resilience coping strategies and the buffering impact of resilience on perceived stress was greater among women. Results highlight PLWH's capacity to adhere to treatment in challenging circumstances and the importance of developing resilience skills for better coping with stress and adversity