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BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the commonest causes of acute abdominal emergencies. Accurate diagnosis and earlier surgery is imperative in such cases. Ultrasonography (US), and computed tomography (CT), are main stays accurate diagnosis of this disease. This study was conducted to compare the accuracy of US and CT in the diagnosis of AA and reduce number of negative appendectomies. METHODS This prospective study was done after approval from institutional ethical committee and obtaining written consent. 164 patients with clinical features suggestive of AA, were selected from emergency department of Patna Medical College, Patna India during the period from January 2019 to December 2020. 98 were males and 66 females, mean age being 18.08 years. 142 patents (86.58 %) underwent surgery, and 22 patients (13.41 %) were kept on clinical observation in hospital after imaging. After detailed clinical workup and laboratory investigations, all patients were subjected to both US and CT examination. Each patient was reevaluated clinically, and a clinical correlation was done between both sets of results. Based on these, final decision was made. Accuracy was decided based on intra-operative findings in appendectomy group and were correlated with imaging findings later with histopathologic findings. RESULTS Males outnumbered females, abdominal pain was present in 100%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall accuracy of US in diagnosis of AA in our study were 92.6 %, 76.4 %, 95.3%, 71.0% and 88.9 % respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall accuracy of CT in diagnosis of AA were 99.1 %, 90.5 %, 98.6%, 87.8% and 97.8 % respectively. CONCLUSIONS US should be the first-line imaging modality as it is free from radiation. CT is recommended as additional imaging tool to raise accuracy in diagnosis except in pregnancy and selected pediatric patients. KEYWORDS Acute Appendicitis, Computed Tomography, Ultrasound

Objectives: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a group of myeloid neoplasms. The clinical manifestations and treatments vary depending on the subtype and risk stratification of the disease. There is a paucity of data on Indian patients with MDS. This study was undertaken to understand MDS with regard to their clinical presentation, pathological, cytogenetic profiles and also to assess their therapeutic outcomes and prognosis from our center in Eastern India. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted in the department of hematology at a tertiary care teaching hospital from eastern part of India. The diagnosis of MDS was made from the peripheral blood examination, bone marrow aspirate examination, cytogenetics, and Fluorescence in situ hybridization results, according to the WHO guidelines. Patients were risk stratified using Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (R-IPSS) and subsequent therapeutic planning was done, with either supportive therapy in the form of recombinant human erythropoiesis stimulating agents, colony stimulating factors, packed red blood cell support as needed for low risk MDS patients. High risk patients were treated with hypomethylating agents such as Azacytidine, Decitabine, or Lenalidomide. Results: The mean duration of follow-up of patients with MDS from the point of diagnosis was 1.8 years (range 4 months–6 years). The median OS was 1.33 years. The median OS in the analysis of our patient cohort with low, intermediate, high, and very high R-IPSS was 1.67 years, 1.33 years, 1.67 years, and 1.67 years, respectively. No patients of very low risk group were identified in our study. Conclusion: Our findings reflect that MDS-MLD with low or intermediate R-IPSS risk groups is the most common types of MDS. Although supportive therapy was used to treat patients irrespective of other therapy given (depending on the risk group of the patient), it was used alone even in higher risk groups due to logistic reasons in some cases. Those patients who received supportive care alone also had a good survival duration. However, a longer follow-up duration is required to firmly establish this outcome. The median age of patients (55 years) was also lower than established studies with a median overall survival of 1.67 years.

Medical students are more vulnerable to develop nutritional anemia ( i.e. haemoglobin, iron , vit B12, folate deciency) & vitamin D deciency due to irregular eating habits & hectic study schedule. Anemia among this age group has signicant health consequences ( e.g. poor cognition, decreased attention span , depressed immunity, repeated infections, increased fatigue etc) . So the present study was planned to ascertain the prevalence of anemia , iron , folic acid ,vit B12 & D deciency among young adult female & male st medical 1 year MBBS students of Medical College Kolkata,( batch 2019-2020) ,West Bengal,India and to suggest intervention strategies. 63 % & 37% female & male students respectively were found to be anaemic & low level of hemoglobin is signicantly associated with type of family as 22% of study subject's belonged to joint family and 78% subjects belong to nuclear family. (p=0.002) & there came out to be no signicant association between socio-economic status and anemia (p=0.213) . Among these subjects with anemia 12 had iron deciency . Serum folic acid levels were normal in the 100 study subjects . 30% students had low serum levels of vitamin B12 , and there was no gender preference (9 suffered from severe deciency, 21 students were in low normal range) . In this study, moderate Vitamin D deciency was found to be present in 42% subjects, mild insufciency in 57% subjects, and adequate serum Vitamin D levels in just 1%. Periodical and routine health check-up and haemoglobin estimation of the students at the time of entrance to Medical Colleges should be done. Iron and folic acid tablets and deworming drugs in therapeutic doses should be provided to the anaemic students. Students should be motivated and educated to take balanced diet, rich in green leafy vegetables and fruits.

Debojyoti Das. 2018. The Politics of Swidden Farming: Environment and Development in Eastern India. Anthem Press, 252 pages, Price £70 (£18.36 kindle).

BACKGROUND In diabetes mellitus microvascular damages at various end-organ frequently occurs and leads to development of diabetic nephropathy as well as diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic nephropathy ultimately causes end stage renal disease. Diabetic retinopathy even at its earlier stage is easily suspected by simple clinical examination in any ophthalmological clinic. We wanted to study the relationship between various stages of diabetic retinopathy with diabetic nephropathy. METHODS 1209 diagnosed patients of diabetic mellitus were screened for presence of diabetic retinopathy. First comprehensive ophthalmological examination including slit-lamp bimicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy were done and then clinically typing of diabetic retinopathy according to ETDRS classification was done. Then all diagnosed case of diabetic retinopathy further examined for blood Glycosylated haemoglobin, blood urea and serum creatinine to detect diabetic nephropathy. RESULTS 273 patients were included in this study. Average age of patients was 64.6 years with mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 7.4 years. Patients suffering from severe NPDR and PDR had association with poor control of blood glycosylated haemoglobin. Patients with mild NPDR 31.1 %, Moderate NPDR 52.3 %, severe NPDR 67.4 % and in PDR 65.2 % patient had blood urea more than 40 mg / dl. In mild NPDR group 32.2 %, moderate NPDR 55.4 %, severe NPDR 67.4 % and in PDR group 63.9 % patients had serum creatinine more than 1.5 mg / dl. We have found statistically significant correlation between HbA1c level and severity of diabetic retinopathy. Prevalence of nephropathy increased with increments in the grade of retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS A significant number of patients with severe NPDR or PDR had increased blood urea and serum creatinine level. Clinical grading of diabetic retinopathy gives us a clue about the presence of diabetic nephropathy. As diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is simple and straight forward clinical procedure and it can be done all ophthalmological se up, we recommend all patient with diabetic retinopathy must be screened for nephropathy. KEYWORDS Diabetic Retinopathy, Diabetic Nephropathy, Glycosylated Haemoglobin, Blood Urea, Serum Creatinine

BACKGROUND Immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) is the procedure in which both eyes are simultaneously operated in a single hospital visit. The onset of corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised the interest among ophthalmic surgeon in considering immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery to reduce hospital visit of patients. This study was done to assess the intraoperative and post-operative complications and average number of hospital visits required after performing immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery in COVID-19 pandemic. Also, the post-operative visual outcomes were evaluated. METHODS Patients with visually significant bilateral cataract with best corrected visual acuity ≤ 6/18 in better eye, axial length within range of 21 - 25 mm and age >18 years with no ocular and systemic co-morbidity were included in the study. All patients underwent immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery from July 2020 to September 2020. Strict intraoperative protocols were followed in all cases. Intracameral injection of 0.1 ml moxifloxacin 0.5 % (vigamox / Novartis health care Pvt Ltd. Texas, USA) was given at the end of surgery in all cases. Intraoperative and post-operative complications, visual and refractive outcomes were analysed. RESULTS Sixty-four eyes of 32 patients with mean age 55 ± 2.82 years (range: 48 - 71 years) were included in the study. The mean pre-operative best corrected visual acuity was 0.64 ± 0.08 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution which improved significantly to 0.03 ± 0.03 at the end of second follow up on day 14 (P < 0.0001). The mean post-operative spherical equivalent was -0.22 ± 0.48 D. The target refraction within ± 0.50 D was achieved in 56 eyes (87.50 %) and within ± 1.0 D in all eyes. No vision threatening complications such as endophthalmitis, cystoid macular oedema, retinal detachment or corneal decompensation occurred in any of eyes. Total hospital visits were reduced to four per patients for both eye surgeries. CONCLUSIONS Immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery may be considered as preferred practice in selected cases to reduce the risk of cross infection of COVID-19 by short hospitalization and less follow up visits. KEYWORDS Bilateral Cataract Surgery, COVID-19, Endophthalmitis

Aim: To assess yield loss in different rice varieties due to rice bakanae disease and to understand the role of weather parameters on disease incidence and losses. Methodology: Roving survey and surveillance was carried out for three consecutive years to assess the status of rice bakanae disease among twenty popular rice varieties growing in Eastern India. Field experiment was conducted for three successive years, i.e., 2016, 2017 and 2018 at Cuttack. Highly susceptible variety Pooja was selected for the experiment. Data on disease incidence was collected daily from 10 days after transplanting to harvesting stage and data were recorded at standard meteorological week. Correlation was performed to find the effect of different weather parameters on the incidence of bakanae disease on rice. Results: Disease being seed borne caused significant reduction in yield and quality. The maximum disease incidence was recorded in Pooja with 18.25, 28.50 and 40.25 per cent in three years. The same variety showed maximum yield loss of 35.26 per cent compared all other varieties. The data on relationship of bakanae disease incidence with weather parameters showed that the rainfall (-0.444) had significant negative correlation during 2018, while RH (0.525 and 0.606) had significant positive correlation during 2017 and 2018. Interpretation: This study gives some information for formulating breeding programs to develop resistant varieties and management measures for preventing Bakanae disease.

Cultural heritage of a country represents an array of monuments, historic buildings, arts and crafts, indigenous skills and traditions. The emerging threats to the cultural resources by way of decay, loss or destruction, has become a prime concern today. Heritage has become one of the vital components of tourism industry. It is being considered as cultural capital. The process of valuation of this capital is very complex since Heritage is basically a nonmarketed good. Different techniques used for valuating environmental resources which are similar in nature to Heritage, have led to the development of economic valuation models especially for valuation of Heritage as cultural assets. This economic approach has helped to derive the real value of heritage sites by way of consumer’s surplus and consumer’s willingness to pay for the use of cultural heritage assets and sustain sites for future generations.

Objective: To study the COVID-19 associated mucormycosis in the head and neck region of the patients along with patient details, clinical manifestations and management. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive and retrospective study of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) carried out at a postgraduate teaching hospital. This study was conducted between March 2020 to April 2021. A patient profile such as age, sex, comorbidities, clinical presentations, diagnosis and treatment of the CAM were analyzed. Results: There were 11 patients of CAM were enrolled in this study. There were eight male and three female patients, aged from 3 years to 72 years. Out of the 11 patients, 8 were diabetic (72.72%). Three patients (27.27%) were taking prolonged systemic steroids with a long hospital ICU stay. One child (9.09%) was under chemotherapy for acute leukemia. The common clinical symptoms were facial swelling, facial pain, nasal block and nasal discharge. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination and fungal culture with Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) showing Rhizopus oryzae. All were treated with endoscopic surgical debridement and amphotericin B. One case died because of cerebral involvement. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and prompt treatment for CAM are required. Aggressive endoscopic surgical debridement for local control and appropriate systemic antifungal treatment will help to improve the prognosis and survival of the patients.

Background: Colorectal cancer surgery has undergone a continuous evolution of techniques and technologies with the aim of improving oncological outcome and the quality of life. Methods: Using a computer-based randomization patients were divided into two groups. One group underwent laparoscopic surgery (n=20) while the other open surgery (n=20). Results: rd th th th Most common age group affected was in the 3 and 4 decade of life followed by the 5 and 6 decade with a male: female ratio of 1.1:1. The mean operating time was longer in laparoscopic group (218.0±28 mins vs. 191±25 mins in open group) but the intra-operative blood loss was signicantly less in the laparoscopic group (46.2±8 ml) than the open group (107±11 ml). Post-operative complications like wound infection were signicantly lower in the laparoscopic group (zero patient vs. six patients in open group). Conclusion: With proper training and expertise laparoscopic surgery is advantageous over open surgery in colorectal malignancies.

A pot culture experiment was conducted by taking soils from a long term fertilizer experimental field to evaluate the contribution of different K fractions towards rice biomass yield and potassium uptake in different long term fertilizer management practices. Twelve different soils were taken for pot culture and graded dose of potassium @ 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg K2O ha-1 was applied. Rice variety Lalat was grown as test crop. The forms of potassium were determined in the surface soil of 0-15 cm after maturity of crop. The result shows that water soluble form of K is the major contributor to biomass yield in soils taken from100% PK, 100% NPKZn, 100% NPKZnB,100% NPKZnS,100% NPK lime and control treated plots of the main field where as exchangeable K is dominant form of K in 100% NPK and 150% NPK. Ammonium acetate K contributes to yield in NPKFYM lime treatment. The nitric acid extractable K is a major contributor to yield in 100% NPKFYM,100% N or100% NP treatment. The water soluble form of K is the major source towards uptake in 150% NPK, NPKFYM lime ,100% NPKZnB, or control. Ammonium acetate K becomes the main source by applying 100% PK,100% NPK,100% NPKZn,100% NPKZnSor 100% NPKlime whereas exchangeable K becomes major contributor by100%N,or 100% NP application and 1 N HNO3 extractable K is the main source of K uptake in NPKFYM treatment. Therefore due importance of different form of potassium should be given in soil test value for better fertilizer management.

Background: Resilience is a dynamic capability which helps people to survive on challenges given appropriate social and personal contexts. Objective: To determine the resilience and to find out the association between resilience and selected socio-demographic variables, if any. Methodology: An institution based mixed method study was conducted among MBBS students from April to May, 2018 at IQ City Medical College by using Child and Youth Resilience Measures Questionnaire (CYRM-28). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed using SPSS-21software.Results: Older students, Males, 8th semester batch, and day boarder were more resilient in certain areas. In individual and contextual domain, score gradually increased with increase in age groups. Resilience score were more or less similar among both the sexes. 8th semester students were found to be more resilient in all the domains. Personal skills, social skills, psychological care giving, education, played much larger role in differences across the sex, age, semester, and accommodation. Conclusion:Thus counselling and more teacher student bonding are required to propagate the resilience of the medical students. More emphasis has to be given on identified areas so as to make our future doctors more strong and resilient.

Integration of palaeobotanical (spores, pollen, phytoliths and non-pollen palynomorphs) and organic geochemical proxies, such as stable isotopes of organic carbon (δ13C) and n-alkanes, for studying the evolution and palaeoenvironmental conditions of an archaeological site are rare in India. The evolution of a protohistoric-historic site at Erenda, situated in the eastern coastal region of India, has been studied by using multiple palaeobotanical and organic geochemical proxies assisted with AMS radiocarbon dates. The excavated site lies above Late Pleistocene–Early Holocene Sijua Formation. The absence of anthropogenic evidence in the Sijua Formation likely indicates inhabitable conditions in nearshore/estuarine marshy conditions. The earliest human settlements at the excavation site begin during the first millennium BCE after the initiation of habitable conditions along the coast. The presence of fungal spores and the dominance of C4 phytolith morphotypes indicate prevailing warm and humid climatic conditions and proximity to a freshwater body. The δ13C signature and n-alkane composition indicate the use of C4 grass for the construction of the mud and clay-built huts. The settlers most likely used to consume wild or domestic variety of rice, as evidenced by the presence of bilobate scooped morphotypes. The site was partly abandoned, covered with C3 and C4 vegetation and used as a dumping ground after 663 ± 92 BCE. This implies that people continued to live in the area but possibly moved to a nearby site while using the excavated site as refuse.

“Jumbos are on the road! Before you go out, follow our updates!” No mainstream media outlet would carry such news pertaining to a remote town in Eastern India. However, a hyperlocal news website did. This essay maps the growth of such digital media platforms,whether in the form of websites, YouTube channels or Facebook pages that cater to smalltowns and districts in eastern India. We show how both local journalists and citizens are changing the hyperlocal news culture across Eastern India.

BACKGROUND Macular oedema due to retinal vein occlusion can be refractory to treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents in some patients. We wanted to evaluate the efficacy of single dose of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of macular oedema due to retinal vein occlusion, which is refractory to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents. METHODS 32 patients with refractory macular oedema were included in this prospective, interventional, comparative study. 20 patients were included in the study group and received 4 mg / 0.1 ml of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. 12 patients in control group did not receive any treatment. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) were assessed in each group at 1 week, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months following injection. RESULTS Mean BCVA in study group improved from 1.36 ± 0.33 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) at baseline to 0.94 ± 0.49 LogMAR at the end of 3 months. Mean CFT at baseline and 3 months was 498.65 ± 90.64 and 331 ± 100.57 microns respectively in the study group. The mean baseline BCVA and CFT in the control group was 1.19 ± 0.43 LogMAR and 428.33 ± 101.75 microns respectively. Mean BCVA and CFT at the end of 3 months was 1.16 ± 0.45 LogMAR and 424.75 ± 98.75 microns respectively. Change in mean BCVA and CFT at baseline and at the end of 3 months was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.000) between the 2 groups. There was increase in macular oedema in the study patients after the 2nd month following injection leading to slight worsening of visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide is an option in the treatment of macular oedema due to retinal vein occlusion refractory to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents. However, the efficacy of a single injection is short lived. Multiple injections might be needed to maintain the visual gains. KEYWORDS Retinal Vein Occlusion, Macular Oedema, Refractory, Triamcinolone, Intravitreal

Among the new Classical dance and dance dramas like Bharatanatyam, Lavni, Bihu, Kathak, Kuchipuri, Kathakali, Odissi and few more Chhau the Wonderful mask dance of Eastern India are Completely Unique in Various point of View. In this paper I have discussed the Origin, Development, Types of Chhau Dance and the basic differences between Mayurbhanja chhau, Sareikala Chhau and Purulia Chhau.

Tomato production in the tropics is threatened by whitefly infestation and tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV) causing severe economic losses. No stable resistance to these biotic challenges has been identified in eastern India. Therefore, initial screening of 19 advance breeding lines of tomato was carried out during the year 2016–17. Based on the whitefly population per leaf and tomato leaf curl disease severity, eight tomato genotypes were selected for final screening during the year 2017–18. Morphological leaf traits and biochemical parameters in tomato leaf were assessed in selected genotypes and considered as potential mediators of resistance. Significant variation was observed for whitefly infestation and ToLCV disease severity among the tomato genotypes tested. Higher leaf trichome density with narrow and thinner leaves and higher total phenol content in leaf emerged as reliable morphological and biochemical markers for early selection of tomato genotype resistant to whitefly and ToLCV disease. The resistance of tomato genotypes 2016/Res-1, 2015/Res-5, 2014/Res-1 and 2014/Res-4 to both whitefly and ToLCV disease is based on antixenotic properties and they could be utilized in future breeding to enhance stable resistance against these biotic challenges.

Wheat crop in the North Eastern Plain Zone (IGP) of India, is the part of one of the largest agricultural production systems viz., rice-wheat rotation, occupying more than 11 million ha. The yield potential of wheat in the North Eastern Plains Zone of India is about 4.5 tons per hectare but generally, farmers realize a yield of only 2.2 tons per hectare. Seed replacement rate of wheat in different eastern states has also been quite low. A study was initiated at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Pusa (Samastipur) in 2014-15 to evaluate germination and seedling growth parameters of wheat grown from seeds of varying size. Experiments were conducted on quality evaluation of different seed grades of bread wheat available to the farmers for sowing to study the status of quality vis-à-vis size grading and what is its effect on germination and early dry matter gain with two objectives of this investigation. First, to assess the physical quality of wheat seed available to farmers in North Eastern Plains Zone (which is also known as lower Gangetic plains) in terms of seed size and seed grading and second, to determine the relationships between seed size on one hand and germination and seedling developmental and biomass traits on the other. This paper presents the results of an enquiry into the status vis-à-vis seed grading, of seed lots of wheat which are available to farmers for sowing with the aim of estimating the extent to which the quality of wheat seed can be improved by merely grading and to establish the relation between seed size and crop establishment. From the results of this study, it can be inferred that 67.97% of area in North eastern plains zone (NEPZ) of India is sown with seed either saved by farmers or obtained locally. Use of sub-standard seed may be counted prime among many factors responsible for low productivity of wheat in lower Gangetic plains. Only seeds from authentic sources were found to be properly graded. It was also observed that wheat seed supplied by registered companies are as good in terms of grading and germination as seeds supplied by government organizations including national and state seed corporations. Graded seeds not only have higher germination ability but also higher seedling vigour in terms of dry matter gain in seedlings during early vegetative growth phase.

BACKGROUND Chronic pancreatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, causing complications related to the duodenum like duodenal obstruction or complications related to the biliary system like cholestasis, cholangitis, secondary biliary cirrhosis and cholangiocarcinoma. The purpose of the study was to observe the occurrence, clinical manifestations and outcome of the complications and foster a deeper understanding of the long-term prognosis of patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis. METHODS This was a prospective observational study. After taking informed consent, total 50 patients admitted in hospital with features suggestive of chronic pancreatitis with or without duodenal or biliary complications were selected and were followed up throughout the course of the disease. All demographic parameters, diabetic status, liver function test, USG findings suggestive of duodenal obstruction or biliary abnormalities, upper GI endoscopy, computed tomography of whole abdomen, MR cholangio pancreatography and barium meal were studied. RESULTS Chronic pancreatitis is more common in male and the common age of presentation is between 45 and 54 years. 12 patients were diabetics. 42 % of the total 50 patients developed transient hyperbilirubinaemia. 5 male patients and 1 female patient had persistent hyperbilirubinaemia and had persistently raised values of alkaline phosphatase. 1 male and 2 female patients also suffered from hypoproteinaemia. About 42 % of the patients of chronic pancreatitis suffered from transient rise in conjugated bilirubin and were managed conservatively. 12 % of the patients suffered from persistently raised conjugated bilirubin, indicating biliary obstruction. 22 % of patients developed cholangitis responding to conservative management. 12 % of cases, 5 males and 1 female suffered from biliary stricture, and were managed surgically with hepaticojejunostomy. No cases of cholangiocarcinoma were detected. CONCLUSIONS The most common complication in patients of chronic pancreatitis is transient biliary stasis, others being cholangitis and persistent hyperbilirubinaemia. No cases of cholangiocarcinoma were detected. KEYWORDS Billiary, Duodenal, Complications, Stricture, Cholestasis, Cholangitis, Chronic, Pancreatitis

This paper reports a study on teaching and learning strategies during the COVID‐19 lockdown period (CLP) that were used by the secondary government school teachers and students in Eastern India. These teaching and learning strategies were analysed in relation to their engagement with an initiative called Integrated approach to Technology in Education (ITE). ITE engagement in the pre‐CLP involved using project‐based learning (PBL) with technology and continuous, practise‐based professional development for teachers focusing on integrating constructivist use of technology in their curriculum and pedagogy. A survey and interviews of teachers revealed that teachers with higher ITE engagement in the pre‐CLP were more likely to use PBL with technology during the CLP. Students' interviews indicated that this PBL involved deep research and technical skills that were also practised during the CLP using distance technologies. Thus, the study demonstrated adaptation of ITE innovation into a distance mode; the introduction of WebQuests during the CLP improved the likelihood of teachers engaging in project‐based teaching and PBL during the CLP. Policymakers, practitioners and researchers are recommended to adopt and continue to study the sustainability of ITE approach in new contexts such as the CLP. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Project‐based learning (PBL) with technology is related to constructivist use of technology which leads to higher order thinking skills and the learner's ability to adapt learning and knowledge in new contexts.Effective teacher professional development (TPD) is continuous, uses community of practise (CoP) groups and offers opportunities to practise new knowledge and skills in the classroom context. TPD for technology integration allows the demonstration and practise of constructivist pedagogies.Access to devices, connectivity and digital resources in the local language are major issues faced by students to connect with teaching and learning in the COVID‐lockdown period (CLP), especially students in underprivileged settings. What this paper adds Prior exposure to PBL with technology and effective TPD when combined with demonstrations of this learning in a new context (COVID‐19 lockdown period, CLP required distance mode) will increase the likelihood of implementing PBL with technology in this new context.Besides increased use of technology, the CLP created a scope for adoption of teaching and learning pedagogies in the post‐CLP, such as the use of Instant Messaging Application (IMA) for a flipped classroom experience across home/social and school settings. Implications for practice and/or policy Standardised digital resources may not be the only solution for teaching and learning when schools have to be closed.Constructivist use of technology by students with project‐based learning (PBL), artefact creation on authentic tasks and inquiry‐based learning has the potential to transform students from passive consumers into active adapters in newer contexts like COVID‐19 lockdown period (CLP).Investment in practise‐based continuous professional development of teachers can develop a sense of agency and competence so that teachers can adapt technologies for constructive teaching pedagogies and mitigate access related challenges for students in different contexts.Integrate new teaching and learning strategies that emerged during the CLP in the curriculum and pedagogy of both in‐service and pre‐service teacher professional development.

Mulberry (Morus indica L.) is a foliage crop cultivated extensively in the North-Eastern India under rainfed condition for rearing silkworm (Bombyx mori L.). An attempt was made through field exper...

Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as green or true cardamom, is a commercially important species, the seeds of which are extensively used in the pharmaceutical, cosmet...

The chemical composition, antioxidant, cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activities of leaf essential oil of Syzygium myrtifolium Walp. was evaluated in the present study. A total of 43 constituen...

BACKGROUND Tumours of central nervous system (CNS) are reported to be less than 2 % of all malignancies. In India, CNS tumours constitute about 1.9 % of all tumours. The CNS space occupying lesions cause grave life-threatening outcomes irrespective of their nature as they grow in a confined space and are present close to vital structures. Hence, it is of great importance to establish the accurate diagnosis for proper and timely neurosurgical intervention. METHODS This was a retrospective study carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital which caters as a referral unit for neurosurgical cases in Eastern India, for a duration of one and half year (January 2018 - July 2020) among 185 cases of CNS lesions collected from archives of Department of Pathology. The tumours were reclassified and graded according to the most recent World health organisation (WHO) classification of CNS tumours (2016). RESULTS Neoplastic lesions (168 cases, 91.35 %) were commoner than non-neoplastic entities and amongst the neoplastic lesions, meningioma was the commonest entity followed by diffuse astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumours while least incidence was noted for neuronal and mixed neuronal glial tumours. Out of all the tumours for which World Health Organization (WHO) grading was done, highest was WHO grade I (80 cases, 54.8 %) and least was grade III tumours (10 cases, 6.8 %). Male predominance was seen overall except in meningioma. Some rare and interesting cases like solitary fibrous tumour / hemangiopericytoma (anaplastic type), primary CNS diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), CNS plasmacytoma which we came across are also highlighted. CONCLUSIONS The present study helps to provide information regarding the disease burden in our area. This study attempts to categorise various CNS neoplasms as per recent WHO classification (2016) which has not only diagnostic implication but also has significant prognosis and predictive value. KEYWORDS Central Nervous System, Immunohistochemistry, Eastern India, Meningioma, Solitary Fibrous Tumour / Hemangiopericytoma, Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

BACKGROUND Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the leading causes of ocular morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Prematurity, low–birth, and oxygen therapy are considered to be the common risk factors. The maldeveloped retina in those affected are very much prone to develop refractive error, neo-vasculopathy, and neurosensory detachment. The purpose of our study was to find out the incidence and ascertain the risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity among the neonates attending the sick neonatal care unit and OPD of Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital. METHODS This is an institution based cross-sectional observational study conducted in the sick newborn care unit of a tertiary care hospital. Informed consent was obtained from the parents along with proper birth history. Indirect ophthalmoscopy with a + 20 dioptre (+ 20 D) lens with a paediatric scleral depressor was performed in each eye under the guidance of the neonatologist after pupillary dilatation. If either eye was found to have ROP, the baby was considered as an ROP case in the study and each eye was considered as a single case. RESULTS 50.27 % babies (N = 91) were delivered by Lower Uterine Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) and 55. 24 % babies were < 32 weeks of gestational age whereas 21.45 % (N = 39) babies were having < 1500 gm birth weight. Phototherapy was needed in 50 % of the babies (N = 92) whereas hyperbilirubinemia was present in 59.66 % of total babies. Bradycardia, apnoea, and sepsis were present in 29.83 % (N = 54), 25.41 % (N = 46), 41.98 % (N = 76) of the babies respectively. When compared in the two independent groups (ROP present and absent), low gestational age and low birth weight of the babies were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) for the development of ROP. After adjusting with different factors in the regression model we have found that low birth weight and oxygen therapy after birth were statistically significant with the development of ROP (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS ROP screening, specifically for those babies with low-birthweight, low gestational age, and those who received oxygen therapy for other systemic reasons, is mandatory to have an early diagnosis and treatment done. KEYWORDS ROP, Low-Birthweight, Gestational Age, Oxygen Therapy

An extensive dataset of major- and trace-element and B-isotope composition related to the compositional variation of the tourmalines from the S-type granite and pegmatite from the Upper Bonai and Gangpur Group granitoids, eastern India, is provided. The Gangpur Schist Belt, consisting of the Upper Bonai and Gangpur Group, lies at the eastern end of the Proterozoic Central Indian Tectonic Zone. An attempt to constrain the source of the boron isotope and describe the magmatic–hydrothermal evolution of the granite–pegmatite system is made. The tourmalines record generally low trace-element concentrations, with the exception of some elements such as Zn, Li, Ga, Mn and Ti. The Zn and Li concentration increases from the tourmalines in the granites to the tourmalines in the pegmatite. Trace-element compositions also vary slightly from the core tourmaline to the rim tourmaline. Tourmalines in granites/pegmatites are mostly Fe-rich schorl, and have S-type B-isotopic signature (δ11B = −10‰ to −12‰). Their chemistries reflect changing salinities of the granitic melts as well as vapour exsolution during progressive crystallization. This study indicates that the tourmalines in the pegmatites crystallized from evolved flux-element-rich (F, B, Li) melt, probably after the crystallization of granite-forming melt.

Black carbon (BC) along with PM2.5 (fine particular matters) plays an important role in the assessment health effect of human beings. Winter season campaign measurements carried out for BC concentrations by using 7 different wavelengths such as 370, 470, 520, 590, 660, 880, and 950 nm, handy aethalometer (AE-33, Magee Scientific, USA), at two different locations i.e., National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur (NIT J) and Sakchi, Jamshedpur (SAK J), in eastern India. During the study period, the mass concentration of BC varies from 4.19 µgm−3 to 15.36 µgm−3, with an average mean of 8.88 ± 2.40 µgm−3 in NIT J and SAK J, the mass concentration of BC varies from 6.3 µgm−3 to 13.48 µgm−3, with an average mean of 10.29 ± 1.58 µgm−3. However, the concentration of PM2.5 varies from 102.98 µgm−3to 198.21 µgm−3, with an average mean of 155.82 ± 29.98 µgm−3 in NIT J and SAK J, the concentration of PM2.5 varies from 110.83 µgm−3 to 207.65 µgm−3, with an average mean of 169.14 ± 22.40 µgm−3. It was reported that SAK J has a higher BC concentration compared to NIT J. This was due to heavy traffic load and dense population in SAK J. Backward Trajectories were seen that the airborne particulate matter came from differerajeshnt directions. According to the diagnostic ratio analysis of BC, it was observed that most of the BC mass concentrations come from fossil-fuel (69.70%) followed by wood-burning (30.30%) in a particular place. The overall health risk assessment of BC concentration observed during the study period was 26.70, 13.95, 24.95 and 51.32 at NIT J as well as 32.07, 16.72, 29.95 and 61.87 at SAK J, the passive cigarettes comparable concerning the risk of CVM, LC, LBW, and PLEDSC, respectively.

INTRODUCTION: Jaundice means yellow due to the yellowish discolouration of skin, sclera, and mucous membrane seen in jaundice caused by bilirubin pigment. It is divided in to two forms obstructive(surgical) and non- obstructive (non-surgical). AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patients of obstructive jaundice by sonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and compare the reporting and ndings by both the modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross sectional observational study done from November 2018 to October 2020 and consists of 32 patients who had clinical jaundice and consented to being subjected to both ultrasound and MRCP. OBSERVATIONS:Both USG and MRCP were able to detect extrahepatic CBD dilatation equally in 25 patients. In 5(15.6%) patients USG and MRI both demonstrated intrahepatic mass causing obstruction at the level of conuence of right and left hepatic duct or CHD. Ultrasonography was able to detect the intrinsic mass of the extrahepatic common bile duct in 2(6.2%) patients out of 32 patients in our study population. MRCP could detect the same in 6(18.7%) patients. In our study narrowing of CBD with stricture formation and upstream dilatation of biliary tree was identied in 10(31.2%) patients on MRCP. Ultrasound could diagnose the same in one patient. Both USG and MRCP were able to detect pancreatic head mass as well as pseudocyst. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of MRCP was found to be comparable to that of ERCP for diagnosis of etiology for obstructive jaundice. MRCP allows better lesion characterization and assessment. However, the patchy availability of MR machines become the main achilles heel for the surgeons as well as the radiologists. Hence the valuable role of the omnipresent ultrasonography become immense.

Background: Being born preterm increases the risk of both morbidity and mortality but with improved care the chances of survival is increasing. The age of viability was earlier dened at 28weeks but in the best of centres it has now come down to 25weeks. Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) babies who weigh less than 1000gms are particularly at risk of dying with the overall mortality in this group ranging from 30% to 50 % in the best of centres. This study was conducted to nd out the immediate outcome of extremely low birth weight babies born in a tertiary care centre, of a resource poor country like India. Objective:To evaluate the immediate morbidity and mortality of Extremely Low Birth Weight Babies in the NICU setup of a tertiary care hospital. Study Design:Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Place of Study: Department of Paediatrics, Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, Kolkata, India Period of Study:January 2018 to December 2020 Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of data of babies born with a birth weight of less than 1000gms and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive care unit of Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan. The maternal demographic prole and delivery outcome were recorded along with the neonatal morbidity and mortality in a predesigned proforma. These data were then pooled and analysed. Results: The total number of ELBW babies born during this period was 31 out of whom 15 succumbed(48%). The studies in the developed world too shows the mortality in this group to range between 30 to 50 %. Most of the deaths occurred in the rst few days of life due to birth asphyxia. The commonest morbidity was Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) (71%), followed by sepsis (64.5%), anemia (54.8%) and hyperbilirubinemia (51.6%). Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC) was found in 9.7% of babies. 16 babies (52%) survived and went home in a stable condition. Retinopathy Of Prematurity (ROP) was detected in 11 of these babies for whom laser therapy was done with the advise for follow up. Conclusion: This study shows that in a resource poor country like India too, the percentage of babies who can be salvaged amongst the extremely low birth weight babies, matches with those in the developed countries, though a question remains about their long term morbidity

Background: Acute febrile encephalopathy (AFE) is defined as fever associated with acute alteration of consciousness, with or without seizure, motor and/ or sensory deficit and total duration of illness one week or less. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in children. Various etiologies have been implicated in its causation and differ as per geographical. Efforts to promptly identify the underlying etiology and institute appropriate treatment early and adequately should be our goal so as to avoid any long-term sequelae and death. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the clinical profile and aetiology of children presenting with fever and altered sensorium and to assess the predictors of morbidity & mortality related to Acute Febrile Encephalopathy. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, hospital-based study, a total of 282 children, between 1month to 12 years, presenting to the department of Pediatric Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India with fever and altered sensorium were clinically evaluated and investigated. Each patient was examined for vital signs, detailed systemic examination with focus on neurological examination. The etiology of AFE was evaluated based on detailed history, a meticulous clinical examination and relevant investigations. Results: The incidence of AFE was 5% of the total hospital admissions. Demographic profile showed 166 (58.8%) males, 116 (41.2%) females and 48% of the study population less than 5 years of age. The most important presenting complaints apart from fever and altered sensorium, were convulsion and vomiting. Raised Intracranial tension (58%), low GCS (58%) and shock (48%) were commonest presenting signs. CNS infections were the most common cause of AFE encountered. Low GCS, refractory seizures, multi-organ failure respiratory failure were significantly associated with death (p

BACKGROUND Though epilepsy remains a significant problem for children and adolescents in our country, studies delineating the clinical profile and response to treatment in childhood epilepsy are lacking. The current study was carried out for obtaining a baseline profile and to predict the response to treatment in childhood epilepsy in India that may be helpful in planning management strategies from a public health point of view. METHODS Patients with clinical suggestion of active epilepsy (N = 141) from one month to 12 years, were enrolled into the study over a period of 1 year (February 2010 to January 2011) from the out-patient department and epilepsy clinic of Bangur Institute of Neurology. Detailed history was taken along with neurological examination. Electroencephalography (EEG) and neuroimaging (MRI / CT scan) were done on all patients. Each patient included in the study was kept in followup for a period of 6 months and their response to the treatment was recorded. RESULTS About 48.9 % (N = 69) patients had localisation related epilepsy while the rest had generalised epilepsy. Of those with generalised epilepsy, generalised tonicclonic seizures (GTCS) was by far the most common type. Of those with focal EEG activity, the highest proportion (50 %), were localised to the temporal lobe. Symptomatic aetiology accounted for 59.6 % (N = 84) of the patients. 20.6 % (N = 29) had poor response to treatment at 6 months follow-up. Abnormal neuroimaging (OR = 6.708) and abnormal EEG (OR = 6.357) were effective factors in predicting poor response to treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the need to link specialised epilepsy services with primary health centres for early detection and treatment. EEG is an essential cost-effective modality in determining seizure localisation and response to treatment. KEYWORDS Paediatric, Epilepsy, Clinical Profile, Response to Treatment

Background: Understanding the reasons for HIV serostatus disclosure and nondisclosure and how these reasons differ by certain characteristics of the people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is important for effective HIV prevention intervention strategies. Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate/identify the reasons for disclosure and nondisclosure of HIV serostatus by PLWHA, and to find out any association between the reasons for disclosure or nondisclosure and certain demographic and clinical characteristics, i.e. age, gender, WHO clinical stage and CD4 count of the study population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among all patients of 18-49 years with confirmed HIV infection registered at the antiretroviral therapy (ART) center of a tertiary care hospital in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India for one year, from July 2017 to June 2018. Results: The most common reason for disclosure of HIV serostatus was the presence of any family member at the time of collection of HIV test report (68.5%), and the most common reason for not disclosing the serostatus was stigmatization (68%). The reasons for disclosure was found to be associated with the WHO clinical stage of the respondents (p

BACKGROUND From the last century to modern days, there has been a paradigm shift in the field of thyroid surgery. Initially what was a dreadful surgery with multi fold serious complications, now with the advent of modern surgical technique (bipolar to nerve monitoring & emerging use of microscope), and better knowledge of anatomy, it has become one of the most frequently performed surgeries worldwide with very few complications. In spite of all these, postoperative complications like recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy is still mostly feared by surgeons and still is one of the most frequent complications. METHODS This was a prospective nonrandomised controlled trial conducted among 60 study participants in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, of a tertiary care centre in West Bengal from July 2016 to June 2018. In this study two different surgical techniques were applied in two patient groups. In one group subcapsular dissection of thyroid gland was done without exploration of recurrent laryngeal nerve course in neck; and in another group, the complete course of the aforesaid nerve in the neck was explored and preserved. The postoperative functional status of RLN was assessed by fibreoptic laryngoscopy immediately after recovery from anaesthesia and in postoperative follow ups. We wanted to compare the outcome (in terms of functional status of RLN) in these two groups. RESULTS 3 patients (10 % cases) of nerve palsy were seen among 30 patients of subcapsular dissection group, whereas only one case (3.3 %) of nerve palsy was seen amongst 30 cases of complete exploration of recurrent laryngeal nerve. CONCLUSIONS Thyroidectomy with meticulous exploration of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was found to be a superior method as compared to the subcapsular dissection. KEYWORDS Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve, Subcapsular Dissection, Complete Exploration, Thyroidectomy

The discourse on biodiversity conservation often presents this domain as an antithesis to economic development. However, in practice, the relation between conservation and development is far more complex because conservationists possess limited powers and must give serious consideration to the economic aspirations of others in any given region, such as local communities and industries. Moreover, conservationists are themselves a heterogeneous group with diverse ways of working. Therefore, although the relation between conservation and development is often described in binary terms such as conflict—co-operation, this does not adequately capture the nuances and dilemmas of actual conservation practice. In this article, I present an ethnographic study of marine turtle conservation in Rushikulya (eastern India), to argue that the relation between the two domains is essentially ambivalent and uncertain and hence, best understood as one of being ‘frenemies’ i.e. friendly enemies, rather than as allies or antagonists. From fieldwork conducted over three years (2012–2015), I describe how actors in both domains opportunistically borrow tools and concepts from each other, which blurs the boundaries between them and results in both connections and contestations. To conclude, I suggest we need more ethnographic studies to understand the realities of practice and provoke reflection on current approaches to both conservation and development.

The Indian National Gas Hydrate Program Expedition-01 in 2006 has discovered gas hydrate in the Mahanadi offshore basin along the eastern Indian margin. However, well-log analysis, pressure core measurements, and infrared anomalies reveal that gas hydrates are distributed as disseminated within the fine-grained sediment, unlike massive gas hydrate deposits in the Krishna-Godavari Basin. The 2D multichannel seismic section, which crosses holes NGHP-01-9A and 19B located at approximately 24 km apart, indicates a continuous bottom-simulating reflector (BSR) along it. We aim to investigate the prospect of gas hydrate accumulation in this area by integrating well-log analysis and seismic methods with rock-physics modeling. First, we estimate gas hydrate saturation at these two holes from the observed impedance using the three-phase Biot-type equation. Then, we establish a linear relationship between the gas hydrate saturation and the impedance contrast with respect to the water-saturated sediment. Using this established relation and impedance obtained from prestack inversion of seismic data, we produce a 2D gas hydrate-distribution image over the entire seismic section. The gas hydrate saturation estimated from resistivity and sonic data at well locations varies within 0%–15%, which agrees well with the available pressure core measurements at hole 19. However, the 2D map of gas hydrate distribution obtained from our method indicates that the maximum gas hydrate saturation is approximately 40% just above the BSR between the common-depth points of 1450 and 2850. The presence of gas-charged sediments below the BSR is one of the reasons for the strong BSR observed in the seismic section, which is depicted as low impedance in the inverted impedance section. Closed sedimentary structures above the BSR are probably obstructing the movements of free-gas upslope, for which we do not see the presence of gas hydrate throughout the seismic section above the BSR.

Tetragonula iridipennis, belonging to the family Apidae under subfamily Apinae, are known as stingless bees as they do not have sting apparatus (Rasmussen, 2013; Muthuraman et al., 2013). They are ...

INTRODUCTION: Untreated Histoplasmosis is fatal for all, immunocompetent or immunocompromised. Histoplasmosis has seen a steady increase in incidence from a single recorded case in Kolkata, India in 1954 to 388 cases from 2004-17 and 161 from 2017-till date all over India. Yet, it has been consistently relegated to a niche of opportunistic infections without a proper diagnostic protocol. To study the clinical OBJECTIVES: features and natural history of disseminated histoplasmosis(DH) and analysis of cases with atypical clinical presentation of Histoplasmosis simulating malignancy in search of a consolidated and efcient diagnostic algorithm in a tertiary care centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective institution-based study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, CSTM from February 2011 to July 2019 in collaboration of Dept. of Tropical Medicine on specimens collected from 33 cases of Skin biopsy, Lymph node biopsy and FNAC aspirate from enlarged lymphnodes, slit skin smear followed by BM Aspirate analysis done in cases of disseminated histoplasmosis, Bone Marrow Biopsy was done in selected cases. Histoplasma capsulatum like yeast cells were detected with Leishman Giemsa stained slit skin smears in 9 cases and in FNA smears in 13cases and they were PAS positive. Diagnosis were conrmed in Histopathological examination along with special stain for fungus in all cases. Radiological investigations (CXR, USG, CT), Routine investigations (Haemogram, LFT, RFT, Electrolytes) along with CD4 count in ART clinic and microbiological tests like Gram stain of SSS, India Ink, KOH preparation, Cryptococcal Ag testing, urine C/S) were corroborated with. RESULTS: All 33 cases FNAC (13),slit skin smear(9) and HPE on rest of the specimen show small, oval yeast cells on LG stain. Biopsy showed histiocytic phagocytosis of yeast cells with foamy macrophages and PMN inltration with NO granulomas in seroposive cases. Gomori Methenamine Silver stain of BM biopsy showed black intracellular yeast consistent with . PAS stained FNAC smears Histoplasma capsulatum showed yeast cells with chromatin dot and surrounding halos with no kinetoplasts. Mycological cultures were in agreement. Here, in most cases, CD4 count and Disseminated Histoplasmosis ndings were not in accordance. DH CONCLUSION: is not uncommon in India and is being increasing day by day and it should be considered in the diagnosis of patients with prolonged fever, weight loss, oropharyngeal ulcers, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and adrenal enlargement. Correct diagnosis by well designed analytical studies utilising appropriate diagnostic modalities in an immunocompromised patient even with minimum suspicion of opportunistic infection, a consolidation of selective investigations like FNAC, HPE and relevant microbiological tests into a diagnostic design for maximum utilization of nances, resources and time, all of which can help to understand the epidemiology of this neglected disease for accurate treatment leading to a favourable outcome.

The present study describes an outbreak of Classical swine fever (CSF) in an organized pig farm followed by an episode of CSF virus (CSFV) associated congenital tremors in piglets. The outbreak was recorded in a newly procured herd of Hampshire pigs housed adjacent to the existing pigs of the farm. The recorded CSF outbreak caused a mortality of 100% in the newly procured and 54.28% in the existing herd. As the disease subsides, the clinically recovered boars were served naturally with Tamworth gilts. Though, the sows farrowed on usual gestation period, litters born to each sow showed congenital tremors and eventually died within 24 h of birth. Necropsy analysis of affected piglets was indicative of CSFV infection and was further confirmed using RT-PCR signifying a transplacental infection. The CSFV strains from the initial outbreak and post outbreak episode of congenital tremors were successfully isolated in PK-15 cells and detected in indirect FAT and RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis based on E2 gene and 5′NTR of CSFV grouped the isolates within the genotype 2.2 and revealed close resemblance with previously reported Indian isolates of CSFV genotype 2.2 origin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of CSFV induced congenital form reported from India under natural conditions.

India has recorded the maximum snakebite deaths in the world. Intravenous administration of polyvalent antivenom (PAV) raised against the 'Big Four' venomous snakes of India (Naja naja, Daboia russelli, Echis carinatus, and Bungarus caeraleus) is the only choice of treatment. The WHO has recommended the evaluation of quality and safety of commercial antivenom by in vitro laboratory tests prior to their pre-clinical evaluation in animal model and therapeutic use. Therefore, in this study an attempt has been made to evaluate the quality of commercial polyvalent antivenom produced in India by simple, and affordable laboratory tests. Proteomic analysis revealed that PAVs contained 78.7-94.8% IgG/F(ab')2 and small quantities of plasma proteins. The PAVs showed batch-to-batch variations with varying amounts of undigested IgG and its aggregates, and moderate complement activation. However, absence of IgE, negligible endotoxin contamination, and recommended limit of preservative (cresol) in PAVs were observed. The PAVs contain varying proportions and least amount of venom-specific antibodies against venoms of the 'Big Four' snakes from different locales of India, and against eastern India N. kaouthia venom, respectively. The importance of independent in vitro laboratory tests for the quality control and safety assessment for improving the quality of Indian commercial PAV is reinforced.