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To estimate and compare serum VEGF levels before and after vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D deficient PCOS patients. The present study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in collaboration with Department of Biochemistry at University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital (GTBH), Delhi from November 2017 to April 2019 (including enrollment of subjects, data analysis and thesis writing). Considering a standard deviation of 36.5 before supplementation and 42.7 after supplementation in VEGF levels in case of PCOS patients in study of Irani et al., to estimate an absolute difference of 31 units pg/ml decrease in VEGF levels, at α= 5% and power= 80%, a sample of 26 cases is required. Since there is a follow up of 3 months adding an attrition of 15%, the total sample size becomes 30 cases. Significant increase in serum vitamin D levels post supplementation was observed from pre supplementation 9.524±4.41 to post supplementation 32.07±12.40; p-value Vitamin D supplementation in PCOS patients who are vitamin D deficient, leads to significant fall in angiogenesis marker serum VEGF, which is manifested as improvement in clinical and biochemical parameters in these patients.

Standardizationof best combination for the development of immunity boostinginstant soup mix, various quality parameters, the storage stability and cost estimation of product were evaluated. Protein in instant soup ranged from 9.76 to 11.89 percent in different formulations of instant soup mix. Formulation MPP4 (11.89) had significantly maximum protein content followed by MPP3, MPP2, MPP1 and control with the minimum protein content. The original immunity boostinginstant soup mix (control) exhibited highest carbohydrate content (61.52%) followed by MPP1, MPP3, MPP4, and MPP2 with lowest content. The evaluated scores of control for colour and appearance, taste, flavour, consistency, after taste and overall acceptability were 8.36, 8.50, 8.60, 8.90, 8.76 and 8.63, respectively. Bangladesh J. Bot. 51(1): 75-81, 2022 (March)

Major gastrointestinal and systemic functions are regulated by the Enteric Nervous System (ENS), whose cells are organized in interconnected clusters or ganglia to form plexuses in the gut wall. Previously, we showed that neuronal turnover, driven by overall equal rates of neurogenesis and neuronal loss, is an important homeostatic mechanism that maintains the larger myenteric plexus of the healthy adult ENS. While this process maintains neuronal numbers, whether it occurs at the same rate across the two sexes, in different regions and within ganglia that contain a diversity of neuronal numbers remains unknown. Here, by using antibodies against the DNA replication marker phospho-Histone H3 and against the pan-neuronal marker Hu to detect new-born neurons, we observe that while the proportions of new-born myenteric neurons are conserved irrespective of the region or sex in the healthy small intestine, they are inversely correlated with ganglia size. In contrast, by using antibodies against the apoptosis marker Cleaved Caspase 3 and Hu, we found that proportions of apoptotic neurons were directly correlated with ganglia size. Our observations on the unequal rate of neuronal turnover across ganglia, where smaller ganglia are more neurogenic and larger ganglia are more apoptotic, suggests that the myenteric ganglia are plastic in nature. These results provide further insight into the dynamic nature of the adult ENS.

Dermoid ovarian cysts or benign cystic teratomas are benign germ cell tumours which make up to 10 to 25 % of all ovarian tumours. These are usually found in women of reproductive age group with peak age between 25 and 45 years. Of all cystic tumours of the ovary, 5 to 10 % are dermoid cysts. These are bilateral in 12 to 15 % of cases. Mature cystic teratomas account for 10–20 % of all ovarian neoplasms and are the most common neoplasms in patients younger than 20 years of age. Mature teratomas are usually benign, but in 0.1-0.2 % of cases, they may undergo malignant transformation.[1] The word “teratoma,” initially coined by Virchow in 1863, originates from the Greek word teraton, meaning monster. The term “dermoid cyst” used much earlier for the same entity was coined by Leblanc, in 1831.[2] These are initially asymptomatic but can become symptomatic and present with symptoms like pain in the abdomen, anorexia, bloating, and an increase in size. Other complications are torsion, rupture, and infection. They are usually unilocular with smooth surfaces containing sebaceous material with hair, lined by squamous epithelium. Tissues like cartilage, bone, teeth, bronchial mucosa and thyroid tissue can be found in the wall. They have tissues from all three germ layers but ectodermal structures predominate. Diagnosis is usually made by ultrasound scan. Dermoid cysts have a characteristic appearance on ultrasound. Ultrasound findings include the presence of a Rokitansky nodule, fat fluid levels, dermoid mesh, and the “tip of the iceberg sign”.[3] CT scan and MRI can also be used. Management includes surgical excision by laparotomy or laparoscopy.

The sedimentary sequence containing lignite deposits in Gurha quarry of the Bikaner-Nagaur Basin (Rajasthan) has been investigated. The samples from lignite and allied shale horizons were evaluated for petrographical, palynological, palynofacies and organic geochemical inferences, to depict the source flora and to reconstruct the palaeodepositional conditions prevailed during the sedimentation. An assessment for the hydrocarbon generation potential of these deposits has also been made. The results revealed the dominance of huminite macerals and phytoclasts organic matter (OM) indicating the existence of forested vegetation in the vicinity of the depositional site. A relatively high terrigenous/aquatic ratio (TAR) and the carbon preference index (CPI) are also suggesting the contribution of higher plants in the peat formation. However, the n-alkane distributions, maximizing at n-C17 and n-C29, showed inputs from the algal communities along with the higher plant derived organic matters. Recovered palynomorphs of the families Onagraceae, Meliaceae, Arecaceae, Rhizophoraceae, Rubiaceae, Ctenolophonaceae, etc. together with oleanene and ursane types of triterpenoids suggest the contribution from angiosperms source vegetation. Interestingly, the presence of Araucareaceae and Podocarpaceae pollen grains shows the existence of gymnosperms vegetation. Further, the presence of tetracyclic diterpanes; demethylated ent-beyerane, sandaracopimarane, pimarane, and Kaurane type of compounds confirms the contribution of conifers. The variation in the values of the coefficient of non-equality (H: 0.68%–7.56%), the standard deviation (δ: 0.04%–0.16%) and the coefficient of variability (V: 16.10%–46.47%), also shows the heterogeneity in the source organic matter.The various petrographical indices, palynological entities, and geochemical parameters indicate that the peat-forming vegetation was accumulated under a mixed environment and fluctuating hydrological settings. The interpretation of palynofacies data on APP (Amorphous organic matter-Phytoclast-Palynomorphs) diagram suggests that the accumulation of organic matter occurred in a dysoxic-suboxic condition in a proximal (to land) setting with the shift to an anoxic condition in distal setting towards the termination of sedimentation. The huminite (ulminite) reflectance (Rr) values (av. 0.28%) showed a good relationship with average Tmax value (414 ​°C), suggesting the immaturity. The TOC content ranges of 13–59 ​wt.%, and HI values vary between 101 and 546 ​mg HC/g TOC in the studied samples. Collectively, the studied lignite and shale samples have the admixed kerogens (Type III–II) and exhibit the ability to generate the gaseous to oil hydrocarbons upon maturation. Keywords: Palynofacies, Biomarkers, Rock-Eval, Palaeocene deposits, Bikaner-Nagaur Basin

The assessment of variations and the reconstruction of palaeoclimate, based on the distribution of n-alkanes and stable carbon isotope data, during early Palaeogene have been made on the Barsingsar lignite-bearing sequence associated with Palana Formation (Bikaner-Nagaur basin). The distribution pattern of various n-alkanes and the derived indices/ratios have widely been used as palaeoclimate indicators in several depositional realms. The distribution of n-alkanes in the studied sequence varies from C13 to C34. The values of calculated n-alkane parameters range from 26.20–28.39 (aliphatic chain length (ACL) index); 0.32–7.21 (low-to-higher molecular weight (L/H) ratio); 0.42–0.85 (Proxy wax (Pwax)); 0.20–0.67 (Proxy aqueous (Paq)); 0.28–5.22 (terrigenous/aquatic ratio (TAR)); 0.16–0.79 (C23/C29 ratio); 1.14–6.31 (C27/C31 ratio) and 1.47–7.02 (C29/C31 ratio). The δ13C varies from −24.8 to −26.1‰ and the TOC varies from 9.6 to 69.5 wt.%. All these variations indicate the changes in palaeoclimate from dry and warm to cool and wet conditions during the deposition of this lignite-bearing sequence. Further, it is also suggested that the climatic condition was cooler than that of the Palaeocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) event.

Objective: This study was conducted to see whether predelivery serum fibrinogen is a positive marker for conception ending with ‘physiological’ blood loss instead of predicting PPH. Methods: Low-risk pregnant women after 24 weeks of gestation with singleton pregnancy were prospectively followed for spontaneous vaginal delivery. Predelivery blood samples collected antenatally were preserved for estimation of serum fibrinogen. We excluded patients with altered coagulation profile, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypertension, gestational diabetes and cholestasis. Final analysis compared fibrinogen levels in non-PPH and PPH subjects (n=40 each). Results: The serum fibrinogen levels in non-PPH was 2.80±0.55g/L and in PPH group was 1.07±0.48g/L (p2.63g/L (sensitivity 82.5%, specificity 100%). Conclusions: Prenatal serum fibrinogen level above 2.6g/L is suggested as potential alert marker for maternal well being (with non-PPH) in vaginal delivery.

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) affect essential functions not only in the CNS, but also cause persistent gut dysfunctions, suggesting that they have an impact on both CNS and gut-innervating neurons. Although the CNS biology of NDs continues to be well studied, how gut-innervating neurons, including those that connect the gut to the brain, are affected by or involved in the etiology of these debilitating and progressive disorders has been understudied. Studies in recent years have shown how CNS and gut biology, aided by the gut-brain connecting neurons, modulate each other's functions. These studies underscore the importance of exploring the gut-innervating and gut-brain connecting neurons of the CNS and gut function in health, as well as the etiology and progression of dysfunction in NDs. In this Review, we discuss our current understanding of how the various gut-innervating neurons and gut physiology are involved in the etiology of NDs, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, to cause progressive CNS and persistent gut dysfunction.

A primigravida 28 yr old female reported in gynaecology casualty at a period of gestation of 33 weeks and 4 days with complains of dry cough for 2 weeks , breathlessness for 1 month and aphonia for 4 months. On examination her vitals were stable , she had minimal crepitations on left side on chest auscultation. On per-abdominal examination the uterus was relaxed, of 32 weeks in size with cephalic presentation and fetal heart rate of 142 beats per minute . She had a chest x-ray suggestive of consolidation in left lower lobe. Medicine opinion was taken and she was treated for lower respiratory tract infection. Otorhinolaryngologist opinion was taken and on indirect laryngoscopy there was moth eaten appearance of vocal cords, arytenoids were bulky and congested, inter-arytenoid mamillation was present and congestion of aryepiglottic folds and posterior larynx was present. A provisional diagnosis of pulmonary T.B with laryngeal involvement was made. A diagnosis of Pulmonary T.B with laryngeal involvement was made and patient was started on prednisolone tablet 20 mg once daily along with ATT. Betamethasone cover was given and induction of labor was done at 35 weeks of gestation with cerviprime gel due to severe oligohydramnios. Then cesarean section was done in view of meconium stained liquor with fetal tachycardia. A male baby of 2.4 kg was delivered and baby was started on syrup isoniazid in prophylactic dose. On post-operative day 5 patient had severe breathlessness. Tracheostomy and intubation was advised but patient got relieved and maintained saturation on high flow oxygen. At post-operative day 8 patient regained her voice after 4 months, was able to communicate and was symptomatically better. She was discharged with baby with stable vitals on tablet prednisolone and ATT. Patient was asked to follow-up with the otorhinolaryngologist and medicine department. Keywords: Laryngeal TB, Pregnancy, Aphonia.

Introduction: Adverse effects of exposure to second hand smoke during pregnancy are associated with decrease in pulmonary functions, small for gestational age babies & preterm delivery. Aim of our study was to observe the pregnancy outcome & pulmonary function tests in pregnant women exposed to second hand smoke (SHS) & in women not exposed to SHS. Objectives: (1). To observe pulmonary function tests (PFT) in pregnant women exposed to second hand smoke & not exposed to SHS. (2) To observe the pregnancy outcome in both pregnant women exposed & not exposed to second hand smoke (SHS) like preterm delivery, caesarean section and small for gestational age (SGA) neonates. Materials and Methods: It is a hospital-based prospective case control observational study done at department of obstetrics & gynecology, UCMS & GTB hospital, Delhi from October 2015 to March 2017. Total 204 antenatal women between 6 to 28 weeks of pregnancy were recruited. Out of these, 82 women had exposure to SHS (second hand smoke) & 122 women had no exposure to SHS. Spirometry of these women were done & FEV1, FEV6 & FEV1/FEV6 ratios were obtained. These patients were followed up till delivery for pregnancy outcome & small for gestational age babies. Results: PFT parameters, FEV1 & FEV6 were reduced in women exposed to SHS as compared to non- exposed women (84.1% vs 64.8% & 73.2 vs 62.3% respectively). Ratio of FEV1/FEV6 ( Conclusion: The study concluded that pregnant women exposed to second hand smoke have many negative effects on their lung functions and pregnancy outcome. Keywords: Pregnancy, Second hand smoke, Pulmonary function test, Small for gestational age.

Xanthogranuloma is a non-neoplastic presentation of chronic inflammation commonly seen in gallbladder, kidneys and rarely seen in genital organs. Herein, we report a case of xanthogranulomatous oophoritis in a 45 year female who presented with lower abdominal pain and backache. There was an ill defined mass around 14 weeks size of gravid uterus. USG and CECT scan of abdomen confirmed it to be enlarged multiloculated right ovary 7.2×6.5×6.5 cms with multiple enhancing thick septations. CA125, CA19-9 and LDH were raised. The mass was clinically and radiologically misdiagnosed as ovarian neoplasm. Staging laparatomy was done. Histopathological findings revealed characteristics features of xanthograulomatous oophoritis. Xanthogranulomatous oophoritis should be kept in mind while dealing with cases of ovarian tumors to prevent misdiagnosis of malignancy and to avoid radical surgeries.

Objective: Evaluation of endometrial scratching on pregnancy rates after IUI and comparing levels and distribution of IL-6 (inflammatory molecule) and E-Cadherin (adhesion molecule) by immunohistochemistry. Study design: Randomized case control study. Setting: Tertiary care hospital of Delhi, India. Material and methods: 240 women (120 in each group) with previous failed IUI cycles were enrolled. Study group patients were subjected to endometrial scratch by “Pipelle” on postovulatory day 6–8 in the preceding cycle. IUI was performed after controlled ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins. 20 patients of study group in whom IUI was cancelled underwent repeat scratch on postovulatory day 6–8. Levels and distribution of IL-6 and E-Cadherin were evaluated by Immunohistochemistry before and after the scratch. Main outcome: Comparison of pregnancy rates in women undergoing IUI after endometrial scratching with women undergoing IUI alone. Results and conclusion: There were 19 (19%) clinical pregnancies in the study group and 8 (7.6%) in the control group. There was a significant difference in between both the groups (p = 0.022). Number of pregnancies in unexplained infertility patients was 22.66% in study and 9.5% in control group (p = 0.0291). There was significant increase in score for IL-6 and E-Cadherin in both glands and stroma after scratching. Endometrial scratch is a simple, practical, cost effective and outpatient procedure which may increase pregnancy rates in previous failed IUI cycles. Increased intensity of staining; shift of major part of staining from gland or stroma in pre scratch samples to both glands and stroma in post scratch samples; and increased stromal decidualization point towards increased endometrial receptivity. Keywords: Endometrial scratching, IUI, Pregnancy rates, IL-6, E-Cadherin

Early Eocene lignite-bearing sequence from Cambay Basin was characterized by means of petrographic and organic geochemical analyses in order to assess its hydrocarbon-generating potential as well as reconstruct the palaeovegetation and palaeoenvironment. Huminite is the most abundant maceral in the samples. Subordinate amount of liptinite and inertinite is also present. The kerogen was classified, based on Rock-Eval and FTIR analyses, as mixed type II/type III with potential to generate both oil and gas upon maturation. The FTIR analysis also indicated abundance of aromatic and phenolic compounds with significant amount of aliphatic components. n–Alkanes present in the lignite samples ranged from C10 to C35, maximizing at C16, and displayed a bimodal distribution suggesting two different organic matter inputs, viz. microbes and higher plants. The triterpenoid class included ββ–hopane series ranging from C29 to C32, several hopenes, oleanenes, ursenes and some des–A–triterpenoids. The hopanes and hopenes were mainly derived from microbial components. Oleanenes, ursenes and des–A–triterpenoids were primarily derived from precursors β– and α–amyrin suggesting angiosperm contribution. Fernenes identified in the samples probably suggested pteridophytic input. The various petrographic parameters demonstrated the environment of deposition of these lignites as being wet, acidic and swampy.

Preeclampsia (PE) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality all over the world. However, its aetiology and pathophysiology remain elusive. Platelet activating factor (PAF) is produced in response to oxidative stress and is a potent hypotensive agent. PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) inactivates PAF and is seen to decrease in normotensive women. The role of PAF-AH in preeclampsia has been in investigational literature, so far. The few studies done have shown a positive association of elevated levels of PAF-AH with preeclampsia. However, this marker has not been studied in the Indian population to-date and such studies are needed to elucidate the pathogenesis of this condition. Our study aimed to determine the PAF-AH activity by spectrophotometric assay in maternal plasma of 73 PE patients versus 73 normotensive controls and plasma PAF-AH mRNA expression to know the aberration of PAF-AH activity at the genetic level. Relative mRNA expression was calculated by Δ DCT method and a fold change was calculated by 2-ΔDCT. We found that the mean plasma PAF-AH activity levels among cases was significantly higher than the normotensive controls. However, the mRNA expression of the PAF-AH gene was similar between the cases and controls, as well as between severe and non-severe preeclampsia (true fold change =1). To conclude, PAF-AH appears to be increased in women with preeclampsia and hence may contribute to pathophysiology and severity. However, a larger sample size will be required to reiterate this association. Recently, PAF-AH inhibitors such as Darapladib has been tested as a therapeutic option in atherosclerosis. After studying the role of PAF-AH in the pathogenesis of PE, PAF-AH inhibitors may be used as a therapeutic tool in the future in PE.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Platelet activating factor (PAF) is produced in response to oxidative stress and is a potent hypotensive agent. PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) hydrolyses and inactivates PAF and is seen to decrease in normotensive women. The role of platelet activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) in preeclampsia has been investigational so far. Few studies done have shown a positive association of elevated levels of PAF-AH in preeclamptic women.What do the results of this study add? Our study aimed to determine the activity of PAF-AH in maternal plasma of PE patients versus normal pregnancy and plasma PAF-AH mRNA expression to know the aberration of PAF-AH activity at the level of the gene. We found that plasma PAF-AH activity among preeclamptics was significantly higher than in the controls with a possible role in early-onset preeclampsia (

The enteric nervous system (ENS), a collection of neural cells contained in the wall of the gut, is of fundamental importance to gastrointestinal and systemic health. According to the prevailing paradigm, the ENS arises from progenitor cells migrating from the neural crest and remains largely unchanged thereafter. Here, we show that the lineage composition of maturing ENS changes with time, with a decline in the canonical lineage of neural-crest derived neurons and their replacement by a newly identified lineage of mesoderm-derived neurons. Single cell transcriptomics and immunochemical approaches establish a distinct expression profile of mesoderm-derived neurons. The dynamic balance between the proportions of neurons from these two different lineages in the post-natal gut is dependent on the availability of their respective trophic signals, GDNF-RET and HGF-MET. With increasing age, the mesoderm-derived neurons become the dominant form of neurons in the ENS, a change associated with significant functional effects on intestinal motility which can be reversed by GDNF supplementation. Transcriptomic analyses of human gut tissues show reduced GDNF-RET signaling in patients with intestinal dysmotility which is associated with reduction in neural crest-derived neuronal markers and concomitant increase in transcriptional patterns specific to mesoderm-derived neurons. Normal intestinal function in the adult gastrointestinal tract therefore appears to require an optimal balance between these two distinct lineages within the ENS.

Summary Background Intravenous iron sucrose is a promising therapy for increasing haemoglobin concentration; however, its effect on clinical outcomes in pregnancy is not yet established. We aimed to assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of intravenous iron sucrose (intervention) versus standard oral iron (control) therapy in the treatment of women with moderate-to-severe iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Methods We did a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, randomised, controlled trial at four government medical colleges in India. Pregnant women, aged 18 years or older, at 20–28 weeks of gestation with a haemoglobin concentration of 5–8 g/dL, or at 29–32 weeks of gestation with a haemoglobin concentration of 5–9 g/dL, were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive intravenous iron sucrose (dose was calculated using a formula based on bodyweight and haemoglobin deficit) or standard oral iron therapy (100 mg elemental iron twice daily). Logistic regression was used to compare the primary maternal composite outcome consisting of potentially life-threatening conditions during peripartum and postpartum periods (postpartum haemorrhage, the need for blood transfusion during and after delivery, puerperal sepsis, shock, prolonged hospital stay [>3 days following vaginal delivery and >7 days after lower segment caesarean section], and intensive care unit admission or referral to higher centres) adjusted for site and severity of anaemia. The primary outcome was analysed in a modified intention-to-treat population, which excluded participants who refused to participate after randomisation, those who were lost to follow-up, and those whose outcome data were missing. Safety was assessed in both modified intention-to-treat and as-treated populations. The data safety monitoring board recommended stopping the trial after the first interim analysis because of futility (conditional power 1·14% under the null effects, 3·0% under the continued effects, and 44·83% under hypothesised effects). This trial is registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India, CTRI/2012/05/002626. Findings Between Jan 31, 2014, and July 31, 2017, 2018 women were enrolled, and 999 were randomly assigned to the intravenous iron sucrose group and 1019 to the standard therapy group. The primary maternal composite outcome was reported in 89 (9%) of 958 patients in the intravenous iron sucrose group and in 95 (10%) of 976 patients in the standard therapy group (adjusted odds ratio 0·95, 95% CI 0·70–1·29). 16 (2%) of 958 women in the intravenous iron sucrose group and 13 (1%) of 976 women in the standard therapy group had serious maternal adverse events. Serious fetal and neonatal adverse events were reported by 39 (4%) of 961 women in the intravenous iron sucrose group and 45 (5%) of 982 women in the standard therapy group. At 6 weeks post-randomisation, minor side-effects were reported by 117 (16%) of 737 women in the intravenous iron sucrose group versus 155 (21%) of 721 women in the standard therapy group. None of the serious adverse events was found to be related to the trial procedures or the interventions as per the causality assessment made by the trial investigators, ethics committees, and regulatory body. Interpretation The study was stopped due to futility. There is insufficient evidence to show the effectiveness of intravenous iron sucrose in reducing clinical outcomes compared with standard oral iron therapy in pregnant women with moderate-to-severe anaemia. Funding WHO, India.

Characterization of the Panandhro lignite deposits from western Indian state of Gujarat, based on the geochemical and palynological evidences, has been performed to assess the floral composition, maturity and hydrocarbon potential of the sequence. Elementally, the lignites consist of moderate carbon, low hydrogen and moderate sulfur contents. The samples are characterized by high TOC contents (lignite: av. 46.43 wt.%, resin: 62.47 wt.%). The average HI values for the lignite is 136 mg HC/g TOC, and that of the associated resin is 671 mg HC/g TOC. The highest Tmax is recoded in lignite (422°C) and lowest in the resin (39°C) samples. The FTIR spectrum of lignite is characterized by highly intense OH stretching peak ~3350 cm-1, aliphatic CHx stretching peaks between 3000-2800 cm-1, aromatic C=O stretching and an aromatic C=C stretching. The spectrum of resin shows strongest absorption due to aliphatic CHx stretching between 2940-2915 cm-1 and 2870-2850 cm-1, and deformation by the medium peak between 1450 and 1650 cm-1. The recovered palynofloral assemblage indicates the dominance of angiosperm pollen grains with maximum abundance of Arecaceae family, and subdominant pteridophytic spores. Marine influence is indicated by the presence of abundant dinoflagellate cysts. The occurrence of flora from a variety of ecological niches suggests a luxuriant diverse vegetation pattern existed in the vicinity of depositional site under humid tropical conditions. The overall characteristics of the lignite deposits point towards their ability to generate (upon maturation) hydrocarbons as they have types III–II admixed kerogen (organic matters).

Lignite-bearing sequence of the Valia mine, associated with the Cambay Shale Formation (early Eocene) in Cambay Basin of western Indian State Gujarat, has been studied. An integrated approach (including organic petrography, palynofacies, palynology, entomology, geochemistry) has been adopted to assess the origin and characters of lignite deposits and their potential for the hydrocarbon generation, besides to understand the evolution and interaction of different biotic (floral-faunal) groups of the geological time. The studied samples (lignites/shales) are characterized by the domination of huminite group (av. 67 vol.%)/phytoclasts (av. 58%) along with the abundance of short-chain n-alkanes (bacterial activity). The frequencies of detrohuminite sub-group, non-biostructured elements, macrophyte-derived amorphous organic matter (AOM, mainly), and high values of proxy aqueous are indicating the elevated bacterial degradation of the OM and/or also suggest the significant contribution of the herbaceous vegetation/aquatic macrophytes/algal input to the palaeo-peat. The relative abundance of hopanes and low values of the steroids/hopanoids ratios further indicate a high bacterial activity. On the other hand, the contents of telohuminite, liptinite group, and cuticle elements together with the high carbon preference index, low proxy wax, and terrigenous/aquatic ratios confirm both terrestrial and macrophyte contributions during the peat accumulation. Fascinatingly, we have found Dipterocarpus-derived amber (fossil resin) within the lignite seam (lower) with remarkably well-preserved arthropod inclusions consisting of arachnids and insects. Generally, insects have an association with flora and provide important ecosystem functions. In the studied amber samples, the insects to arachnids (spiders and pseudoscorpions) ratio is 3:1. Their quantitative analysis indicates the dominance of the Chironomidae (non-biting midges 32%) followed by Araneae, Myrmicinae, Cecidomyiidae, and Mycetophilidae. A rare entity such as pseudoscorpions has also been found during the investigation. The derived petrographic indices indicate that the peat-forming limno-telmatic vegetation was accumulated mainly in back-barrier settings with high groundwater (mesotrophic to rheotrophic) condition. The contents of pyrite (mainly framboidal) mineral and sulphur (0.69–2.24 wt.%) suggesting that peat had experienced the marine influx. Further, the high occurrence of funginite maceral (among inertinite group), and spores of family Microthyriaceae point towards a warm and moist condition. The plotting of palynofacies data on Tyson's APP diagram, and the values of pristane/phytane ratio suggest that the OM was primarily deposited in dysoxic to suboxic settings. The high incidence of family Chironomidae, non-biostructured and low cuticle contents indicate the proximal settings and a low energy environment like lake/pond or marshlands. However, the occurrence of granular-AOM along with high (relatively) opaque phytoclast contents in the upper part indicates that distal settings were formed at the termination of the OM accumulation. The total organic carbon (TOC) contents and hydrogen index values in the studied samples indicate a good to excellent source for the hydrocarbon generation. However, the low gross calorific value (av. 4467 cal/g), values of Tmax (mostly below 435 °C), and H/C and O/C atomic ratios showing that the samples are of immature (early diagenetic stage; huminite reflectance value: av. 0.28%) nature of the OM. Moreover, the different cross plots (hydrogen index (HI) vs. oxygen index (OI), S2 vs. TOC, HI vs. Tmax) indicate that the Valia lignite-bearing succession contains admixed type-III/II kerogen, and can generate gaseous and some liquid hydrocarbons upon maturation or with additional heating.

In this study, the extraction, characterization, and performance evaluation of a green surfactant, derived from bio-resource (Fenugreek seeds), is reported for effective carbon utilization in subsurface applications. Several characterization tools such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscope, ultraviolet–visible spectroscope, methylene blue active substance test, surface tension tests, and scanning electron microscope were used to confirm saponin (surface activity) in synthesized surfactant and suitably compared with the properties of conventional surfactants in literature. The prepared green surfactant exhibited anionic behavior as validated by elemental analysis and adsorption studies. The critical micellar concentration of surfactant was determined by surface tension and electrical conductivity and its value was found to be around 0.2 wt%. Carbon dioxide absorption potential of green surfactant was envisaged by molality tests which confirmed that carbon dioxide absorption rate of surfactant was 7–18% higher than pure water. As a result, the surfactant showed high foam volume (> 40 ml) and foaming stability (8–10 h). The high temperature performance was also better. At 90 °C, carbon dioxide bubbles of larger size were present in sufficient quantity which indicated that foaming potential of surfactant was not severely affected by temperature. During adsorption studies, the green surfactant solution showed a mass-loss of 48–60% on a sandstone surface, which is better than the one of a conventional surfactant. It also showed superior property than conventional surfactants in adsorption isotherm investigations. Thus, the use of these green surfactants in subsurface scenario for carbon utilization and oil recovery from a porous media is recommended.