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United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change highlights the significance of carbon storage and emission in forests towards climate change mitigation. The aim of this study was to quantify the tree biomass and carbon density (carbon storage) in the tropical dry forest of the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala located in the Southern Western Ghats, India. We investigated the species-wise contribution of carbon (C) storage, as well as the species-wise and plot-wise correlation between carbon and other dendrometric variables. We also analysed the girth (diameter) wise distribution of carbon and tree density in the study region. The study was conducted in eight selected sample plots of the region, each with an area of 0.1 hectare. Species-specific volume and specific gravity relationship coupled with suitable regression equation were used to estimate biomass. Tree carbon was assumed to be 47% of the biomass. The results showed that the average biomass and carbon density of the vegetation were 64.13 t ha-1 and 30.46 t-C ha-1, respectively. Among the 32 species identified, Tamarindus indica L. (17%), Hardwickia binata Roxb. (14%), Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn (10%) and Pleiospermium alatum (Wight & Arn.) Swingle (10%) were dominant as for carbon storage. The correlation analysis showed that basal area is a good predictor of tree biomass and carbon, while the role of tree density and tree diversity remain uncertain in determining carbon storage. With respect to diametric class distribution, tree density showed a reverse J-shaped pattern indicating the sustainable regeneration of the analysed forest, where the small- (diameter at breast height 3-9 cm) to medium-sized trees (diameter at breast height 10-69 cm) were found to contribute to more than 50% of biomass and carbon in the forest. The study provides useful information for carbon mitigation strategies in a tropical dry forest in the Southern Western Ghats.

An 11-year-old girl developed proximal deep venous thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary embolism associated with antiphospholipid syndrome following chickenpox. She responded to prolonged anticoagulation therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to: (i) investigate the agronomic properties of biochars derived from selected invasive wetland weeds and (ii) examine the effect of biochar on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and stability of tropical Ultisol soil. The biochars were analyzed for proximate properties, surface characteristics, elemental composition, functional groups, and thermal and carbon stability. Plant growth studies supplemented with biochar under greenhouse conditions for 1 year were conducted. The SOC, its fractions, and its dynamics were studied. The biochar incorporation significantly increased the SOC and its stable fractions like mineral Organic Carbon (MOC), fine-particulate organic carbon (fPOC), and Non-labile Carbon (NLC) by 24.54-7.82, 5.79-2.0, and 9.50-2.16 g kg -1 than control. The labile carbon fractions like Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), and coarse-Particulate Organic Carbon (cPOC) showed a substantial reduction by 0.72-0.26 and 2.92-1.29 g kg -1 respectively. However, the easily oxidizable carbon (EOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content increased by 2.10-4.87 g kg -1 and 28.33-158.55 mg kg -1 respectively. The addition of biochars resulted in the stabilization of soil aggregates. Likewise, substantial CO 2 emission reduction (75.24-46.60%) has been achieved during the trials. The carbon pool management index (CPMI) values recorded a substantial increase of 40-7.2% between the trials. The findings imply that the inherent nature of weed biomasses determines the characteristics of the resulting biochar, and their application significantly influenced the carbon dynamics of the tropical Ultisol soil., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

A neonate was born with generalised, erythrodermic, thick, fissured skin, severe ectropion, hypoplastic auricles and limb abnormalities. A clinical diagnosis of harlequin ichthyosis was made, allowing supportive therapies to be commenced promptly. Oral acitretin was initiated on day 3 of life, complemented by an intensive skin care regimen. Rehydration, prevention and treatment of infection, temperature control and nutritional support were all essential to see him through the neonatal period. Nearly 12 years later, this child continues to receive multidisciplinary input and enjoys a good quality of life., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

We report the case of a 9-year-old boy referred to secondary care with an unusual presentation of a fishy odour to his hands, feet, saliva and urine. Laboratory investigations including urine analysis and genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of trimethylaminuria. The patient was referred to a geneticist and dietician, and consequently treated with dietary modification. He now has an arguably much improved quality of life., (2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

Neonatal suppurative sialadenitis is a condition causing infection of the salivary glands, most frequently caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The vast majority of cases reported in the literature have been in infants with recognised risk factors. This report presents two cases of neonatal sialadenitis in siblings, neither of whom had any predisposing characteristics. The aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of this condition are discussed. This report will also highlight the need for awareness of this condition and its inclusion in considered differentials for neck swelling in all infants., (2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

The scarcity of literature regarding chikungunya infection sequelae makes it an unexplored area of medicine. We analyzed 1,111 patients with confirmed chikungunya sequelae and found a female predominance in those with sequelae which increased with age up to 40-50 years old, then decreased with further increase in age. In males age > 60 years old was the predominant age group affected. The symptoms were mainly symmetrical polyarthralgia of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. Dermatological manifestations were mainly hyper pigmented patches, generalized pruritus, and a maculopapular rash. Insomnia, fatigability and headache may indicate neurological involvement. Obesity gave an odds ratio of 2.07 for risk of arthritis. There was no significant benefit from rest during the acute phase (p < 0.001) of chikungunya in preventing chronicity of sequelae. Obesity as an independent risk factor for chronicity of chikungunya infection sequelae is a new finding.