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The affinity of the Ediacaran fossil Shaanxilithes ningqiangensis and putatively related forms has long been enigmatic; over the past few decades, interpretations ranging from trace fossils to algae to metazoans of uncertain phylogenetic placement have been proposed. Combined morphological and geochemical evidence from a new occurrence of S. ningqiangensis in the Krol and Tal groups of the Lesser Himalaya of India indicates that S. ningqiangensis is not a trace fossil, but rather an organic-walled tubular body fossil of unknown taxonomic affinity. Specimens consist of compressed organic cylindrical structures, characterized by extended, overlapping or fragmented iterated units. Where specimens intersect, overlapping rather than branching or intraplanar crossing is observed. Lithologic comparisons and sequence stratigraphic data all suggest a late Ediacaran age for the uppermost Krol Group and basalmost Tal Group. By extending the biogeographical distribution of S. ningqiangensis, hitherto confined to the Ediacaran of China and potentially Siberia, to the Precambrian- Cambrian boundary interval of India, this new occurrence of S. ningqiangensis expands the biostratigraphic utility of this enigmatic fossil to the inter-regional and intercontinental scale. Moreover, study of these new and exceptionally preserved samples may help to significantly constrain the long-debated problem of Shaanxilithes' affinity, elucidating its 'problematic' status and shedding new light upon the ecology and taphonomy of one of the most significant intervals in early life history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct feasibility study of phase III breast and lung cancer clinical trials in India. Materials and Methods: Study synopsis and feasibility questionnaire were mailed to 300 oncologists for each indication. Criteria of selection were enrolment of ≥2 patients per month, frequency of Ethics Committee (EC) meeting ≤4 weeks, dropout rate <20%, adequacy of infrastructure and training of site in good clinical practice (GCP). Descriptive analyses of the data were performed. Results: For both indications, 50/300 (16.7%) sites responded. The median number of patients seen by a site per month for breast and lung cancer was 20 (range 0-300) and 10 (range 0-75), respectively. Median number of eligible patients was 4 (range 0-20) and 3 (range 0-15) per month, for breast and lung cancer respectively. The frequency of EC meeting was ≤4 weeks at 36-56% of sites. All sites were trained in GCP and had adequate infrastructure to conduct the clinical trial. For breast cancer 22 (44%) sites (public 14 [28%]; private 8 [16%)]), and for lung cancer 18 (36%) sites (public 15 [30%], private: 3 [6%]) met the criteria of selection. Conclusion: Preliminary feasibility study would require for confirmation of the important feasibility criteria by in depth discussion during the personal visit to the potential sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on Indian geoheritage and geodiversity. He reminds people that the concept of geoparks and geosites must not be left as a term coined by scientists in search of survival or funds. He mentions the possibility of geoparks and geosites to become modern science clubs if maintained and manned with top priority dedication.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) lymphadenitis is the most common form of extra-pulmonary TB, and the treatment duration is six months. This non-inferiority based randomized clinical trial in South India evaluated the efficacy and safety of a four-month ofloxacin containing regimen in tuberculosis lymphadenitis (TBL) patients., Methods: New, adult, HIV-negative, microbiologically and or histopathologically confirmed superficial lymph node TB patients were randomized to either four-month oflaxacin containing test regimen [ofloxacin (O), isoniazid (H), rifampicin (R), pyrazinamide (Z) -2RHZO daily/ 2RHO thrice-weekly] or a six-month thrice-weekly control regimen (2HRZ, ethambutol/4RH). The treatment was directly observed. Clinical progress was monitored monthly during and up to 12 months post-treatment, and thereafter every three months up to 24 months. The primary outcome was determined by response at the end of treatment and TB recurrence during the 24 months post-treatment., Results: Of the 302 patients randomized, 298 (98.7%) were eligible for modified intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis and 294 (97%) for per-protocol (PP) analysis. The TB recurrence-free favourable response in the PP analysis was 94.0% (95% CI: 90.1-97.8) and 94.5% (95% CI: 90.8-98.2) in the test and control regimen respectively, while in the ITT analysis, it was 92.7% and 93.2%. The TB recurrence-free favourable response in the test regimen was non-inferior to the control regimen 0.5% (95% CI: -4.8-5.9) in the PP analysis based on the 6% non-inferiority margin. Treatment was modified for drug toxicity in two patients in the test regimen, while one patient had a paradoxical reaction., Conclusion: The 4-month ofloxacin containing regimen was found to be non-inferior and as safe as the 6-month thrice-weekly control regimen., (© 2024. The Author(s).)