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Background: Geriatric health care has assumed worldwide importance due to increase in the life expectancy during the last few decades. Aging skin has a marked susceptibility to dermatologic disorders due to the structural and physiologic changes that occur as a consequence of intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the magnitude, pattern, contributory factors and systemic association of various dermatoses among geriatric population. Materials and Methods: Patients aged 60 years and above attending the dermatology outpatient department during a period of one year were enrolled in the study. Detailed history taking followed by general, systemic and cutaneous examination, and relevant investigations were carried out. The findings were recorded in a proforma for analysis and interpretation of data. Results: Out of total 610 patients enrolled, 68.2% were males and 31.8% females. The male to female ratio was 2.14:1. Maximum (339; 55.6%) number of patients were in the age group of 60-69 years. Wrinkling (273; 44.8%) was the commonest physiological cutaneous finding. Among the pathological changes, benign tumors (620; 39.9%), nevus (253; 16.3%), infection and infestation (244; 15.7%), dermatitis (158; 10.1%), pruritus (78; 5.0%), pigmentary disorders (67; 4.3%) and papulosquamous disorders (62; 4.0%) were common conditions. Associated systemic illness was recorded in 180 (29.5%) patients, of which hypertension (96; 15.7%) was the commonest. Conclusion: With the expected increase in the geriatric population in the coming years, the dermatological problems in geriatric population assume great importance. Our study shows that physiological changes seen with ageing such as wrinkling, senile purpura, xerosis, senile comedone, atrophy and senile lentigens are major cutaneous findings. Eczemas of various types and fungal and bacterial infections are the common dermatological morbidities. These dermatological morbidities in geriatric population can be minimized by reassurance, regular use of emollients and proper education regarding routine care of skin.

In India, freshwater environments are experiencing serious threats to biodiversity, and there is an urgent priority for the search of alternative techniques to promote fish biodiversity conservation and management. With this aim, the present study was undertaken to assess the fish biodiversity within and outside a river protected area, and to evaluate whether the protected river area provides some benefits to riverine fish biodiversity. To assess this, the pattern of freshwater fish diversity was studied in river Gerua, along with some physicochemical conditions, from April 2000 to March 2004. For this, a comparison was made between a 15km stretch of a protected area (Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary), and an unprotected one 85km downstream. In each site some physicochemical conditions were obtained, and fish were caught by normal gears and the diversity per site described. Our results showed that water temperature resulted warmest during the pre-monsoon season (25ºC) and low during the winter (14-15ºC); turbidity considerably varied by season. In the protected area, a total of 87 species belonging to eight orders, 22 families and 52 genera were collected; while a maximum of 59 species belonging to six orders, 20 families and 42 genera were recorded from the unprotected areas. Cyprinids were found to be the most dominant genera and Salmostoma bacaila was the most numerous species in the sanctuary area. Other numerous species were Eutropiichthys vacha, Notopterus notopterus, Clupisoma garua and Bagarius bagarius. The results indicated more species, greater abundances, larger individuals, and higher number of endangered fishes within the sanctuary area when compared to the unprotected area. Analysis on the mean abundance of endangered and vulnerable species for the evaluated areas in the sanctuary versus unprotected ones indicated significant differences in fish abundance (pEn India los ambientes de agua dulce están experimentando una grave amenaza para la biodiversidad; ante esto es urgente investigar técnicas alternativas que promuevan la biodiversidad y manejo de los peces. El presente estudio se realizó con el objetivo de evaluar la biodiversidad de los peces dentro y fuera del área protegida del río Gerua, India, para evaluar si el área protegida provee beneficios a la biodiversidad de los peces fluviales. Para evaluar el patrón de diversidad de los peces de agua dulce y las condiciones físico-químicas se estudió el río entre abril 2000 y marzo 2004. Se realizó una comparación en un tramo de 15km de un área protegida (Santuario de Vida Silvestre Katerniaghat) y un tramo sin protección de 85km aguas abajo. En cada sitio se obtuvieron algunas variables fisicoquímicas, los peces fueron capturados con varias artes de pesca y se describió la diversidad por sitio. Nuestros resultados mostraron que la temperatura del agua es mayor como resultado de la temporada de pre-monzón (25ºC) y menor durante el invierno (14-15ºC), la turbidez varía considerablemente según la temporada. En el área protegida, se recolectaron un total de 87 especies pertenecientes a ocho órdenes, 22 familias y 52 géneros, mientras que un máximo de 59 especies pertenecientes a seis órdenes, 20 familias y 42 géneros se registraron en las áreas no protegidas. El género más abundante pertenece a los Ciprínidos y Salmostoma bacaila fue la especie más abundante en el área del santuario. Otras especies numerosas fueron: Eutropiichthys vacha, Notopterus notopterus, Clupisoma garúa y Bagarius bagarius. Los resultados indicaron más especies, mayores abundancias, individuos más grandes y mayor número de peces con categoría de peligro de extinción dentro del área del santuario cuando se compara con la zona no protegida. El análisis de la abundancia promedio de peces en peligro de extinción y vulnerables de las áreas evaluadas en el santuario frente a las desprotegidos indicó diferencias significativas (p