Search

Introduction: Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation are the most frequently used life-sustaining interventions in critical care. Prolonged intubation can lead to post-extubation dysphagia, affecting the individual's nutritional level and communication ability. Thereupon, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of swallowing and oral care interventions in resuming oral intake and increasing salivary flow in post-extubation patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in critical care units of a tertiary care setting, where 92 post-extubation patients who had undergone intubation for=48 hours were enrolled. The intervention group received swallowing and oral interventions, including safe swallowing education (SSE), toothbrushing, salivary gland massage, oral cavity, and swallowing exercises. In contrast, the control group received standard oral care every 8th hour. Oral intake was assessed daily with the Functional Oral Intake Scale, and the salivary flow measurement was assessed with oral Schirmer's test on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after extubation. Results: The baseline demographic and clinical characteristics showed that the groups were homogenous. The intervention group achieved total oral intake two days earlier than the control group. Findings also showed that the participants in the intervention group had a significant increase in salivary flow than in the control group on the 3rd and 7th days of the intervention. Conclusion: Swallowing and oral care interventions help post-extubation patients resume early oral intake and increase salivary flow after prolonged intubation. Hence, it improves the patient's outcome toward a healthy life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herpetofauna is an important group of vertebrates with key functions in ecosystem sustenance. Nonetheless, with everincreasing anthropogenic activities and lack of evidence-based studies, about 80% of the herpetofauna diversity of southern Asian region is threatened. Our study reports 80 herpetofauna species distributed across different habitat types in Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR), Mizoram. We revise the amphibian list of DTR throughthe addition of seven species and establish the identity of cryptic species such as Microhyla ornata which is actually two distinct species, i.e., M. mukhlesuri and M. mymensinghensis. Through the questionnaire survey, it was found that 90% of the respondents depended on varied forms of forest resources. Herpetofaunal species account for 30% of the faunal resources with Varanus bengalensis, Ophiophagus hannah, and Python bivittatus being the most consumed reptile species. All chelonians and some amphibians like Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Pterorana khare, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Hoplobatrachus litoralis, Hydrophylax leptoglossa, Minervarya asmati, Polypedates teraiensis, and Sylvirana lacrima were also found to be consumed and used for their presumed medicinal values. In addition to hunting, road-kills, use of chemical pesticides, and habitat alteration were recorded to be the prominent threats in the region. The land use and land cover (LULC) data shows a steady recovery of dense forest and a better forest fire scenario as over 90% of the DTR core region falls in the 'low severity' and 'unburned' category. With continuous alteration in forested areas, the present study will not only provide a fundamental baseline for the conservation of herpetofauna and better management of protected areas but also stimulate future herpetological-based research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of the potential richness in biodiversity, Manipur is still one of the least explored areas in northeastern India. In this work, we report on our finding of four pit viper species, namely, Trimeresurus mayaae, T. salazar, T. erythrurus, and Protobothrops jerdonii in Manipur during our herpetological surveys in 2022. We affirm the identity of these specimens based on the combination of standard morphological characters and mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Our study not only reports four new records of pit vipers for the first time in Manipur, but also extends their respective known geographical ranges. This information calls for further dissemination especially to health care sector, as it is on venomous snakes that could be of medical importance as regards human snakebites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary composition and selection of food items are important approaches for the flexibility and adaptability of macaques in different natural habitats. With a wide distribution range, Assamese Macaques feed on various food types. This study reports the consumption of 57 plant species from 30 families. A total of 2,233 scans resulted in 16,381 feeding behavioral records during the study period from 2018 to 2020. Macaques appear to be primarily folivorous in Dampa as leaves (young & mature) constitute 44.74% of their daily dietary intake while the fruit consumption was found to be 25.31% of the total dietary intake. Plant species like Artocarpus lakoocha (15.65%), Albizia procera (12.03%), Glochidion hyneanum (10.53%), Diospyros glandulosa (9.49%), and Albizia lebbeck (7.28%) contributed significantly to macaque's diet compare to other plants. No significant variation was observed on time spent for feeding on leaves, fruits, flowers, and seeds in both different months and seasons of the year. The highest percentage of the diurnal time invested on feeding activity was (59.04%) in the month of January (winter season), which may be due to the cold climate and scarcity of proper feeding items and the least was (35.19%) in June where food resources are more readily available. The richness of fruiting plants in Dampa Tiger Reserve appears to fulfill the dietary requirement of Assamese Macaque and therefore intactness of forest resources is necessary for their development and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional practice of shifting cultivation in Mizoram, India is linked to the ecological, socio-economic and cultural lives of the over 86% of its population. Negative impacts are devastating and degrade the environment and ecology, a major concern in conservation biology such as large-scale deforestation, soil erosion, invasion by weeds and exotic species. Studies provide information on the nature and extent due to anthropogenic pressures on species diversity. Active participation of locals is pivotal. Workshops and awareness programmes were conducted with alternative livelihoods to reduce forest dependency. Efforts are on by educating people on preserving tropical forests at the Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new state record of Leptobrachella tamdil from Manipur State, northeastern India based on three individuals collected from Chakpi stream, Chandel District. This record represents the range extension of the species as well as the easternmost distribution record. We also provide additional morphological data as well as the first time genetic data for the species and inferred its phylogenetic position using mitochondrial 16S rRNA marker gene sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphibians are an integral part of the ecosystem and act as an ecological indicator. As several species are added to the list of threatened species every year due to loss of habitat, it is important to understand the role of unmanaged landscape for sustenance of amphibian diversity. In this study, 28 amphibian species were recorded from different modified habitat including 19 new records for Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR) and its surrounding areas. Further, six species, Amolops indoburmanensis, Limnonectes khasianus, Microhyla mukhlesuri, M. mymensinghensis, Raorchestes rezakhani, and Sylvirana lacrima are new distribution records for the state of Mizoram and out of these, two species, Raorchestes rezakhani and Sylvirana lacrima, are new country records for India. Amongst the recorded species, four species are Data Deficient, two Vulnerable, 14 Least Concern, and eight species are not assessed as per the IUCN Red List. Within the core and buffer areas of DTR, we found that natural perennial stream, puddles, canals, natural ponds, fish ponds, roadside, primary forest, secondary forest, paddy fields, and human settlement areas are excellent microhabitats for amphibian population and need to be conserved for their rich ecological niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]