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Information on essential resource requirements and characteristics of livestock predation is crucial for formulating a better conservation strategy for leopards in a human-dominated landscape. We assessed food habits and characteristics of livestock predation in the human-dominated landscape of South Gujarat, India, using scat analysis (n = 350) and secondary information from forest department reports (n = 780). Leopards consumed 17 prey species, with pigs contributing the most (44%) to the leopards' diet, while domestic horses contributed the least (1%). Leopards preyed upon four domestic species: goats (47%), cows (43%), buffaloes (6%), and horses (2%). Young individuals of livestock were most commonly targeted by leopards, and livestock species were predominantly preyed upon during the evening or night time. Livestock were most vulnerable to predation when tied in open areas and least vulnerable while grazing. Our results highlight the significant role of pigs as the main prey and their contribution to mitigating livestock predation. Additionally, improving cattle shed structures and implementing night guarding could help reduce livestock predation. This study also addresses the knowledge gap regarding leopard ecology in human-dominated landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multipurpose tree Diploknema butyracea (Roxb. H.J. Lam), known locally as chiuri, is vital for food security and beekeeping in rural Nepal. This study examines its nutritional and phytochemical traits sourced from a Chepang community in Makwanpur, Nepal. This research focuses on macronutrients like carbohydrates, protein, fat, and ash alongside phytochemicals such as phenolic content, vitamin C, β-carotene, and lycopene. The study aimed to estimate this fruit's antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics. The pulp and seed samples were analyzed for their nutritional and phytochemical components using standard methods (AOAC 1995). We determined the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity using the DPPH assay and agar diffusion method respectively. This fruit has a high-fat content: 30.29% in the seed and 20.23% in the pulp. The pulp and seed also contain noteworthy levels of the total phenolic content (486.08 ± 0.006 and 182. 26 ± 0.001 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAEs) /100 g), vitamin C (20.70 ± 0.002 and 19.08 ± 0.005 mg Ascorbic Acid (AA)/100 g) with trace extents of compounds lycopene, β-carotene and carotenoids. We observed the antioxidant activity at 2207 ± 0.01 g/mL in pulp and 1841.05 ± 0.77 g/mL in seed, which is a substantial value. Both were discovered to be effective against Candida albicans at doses ranging from 25 to 100 mg/mL. By performing this study, we concluded that D. butyracea is a significant food source that can also be used medically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) is the standard of care for renal tumors, especially in the early stages. RENAL Nephrometry scores provide a comprehensive presurgical predictive module for the choice of NSS or Radical Nephrectomy. The validity and reliability of Nephrometry scores is being tested continuously with advancement in the surgical techniques. The Simplified PADUA Nephrometry score (SPARE NS) is a newer proposed score which aims to better the reproducibility of the previously established nephrometry scores. Materials and Methods: The retrospective observational study studied the comparative inter-observer reliability of RENAL (RENAL NS) and SPARE nephrometry scoring systems amongst two radiologists while assessing solid renal tumors in contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans of 42 patients. Interobserver reliability for all components of both scores, final scores and risk grading was done by Kendall's Concordance Coefficient (Tau). Results: Both RENAL NS and SPARE NS showed strong to excellent agreement (RENAL NS = 78.57% and SPARE NS = 88.09%) among observers with comparable correlation co-efficient (RENAL NS = 0.944 and SPARE NS = 0.935). Lesion radius and exophytic/endophytic properties were the most reproducible components of RENAL NS with 97.61% and 92.85% agreement, respectively. Location across polar lines was the least reproducible component with 85.71% agreement among observers. Exophytic rate (97.61%) and Rim location were the most reproducible components of SPARE NS. The final lesion risk stratification by both observers for both was concordant in 92.85% of cases. Conclusion: The SPARE system of scoring matches up to the RENAL NS in total score and risk stratification reproducibility. However, the individual components of the SPARE score are more reproducible than those of RENAL NS, bringing about better compliance among radiology consultants. Comparable reproducibility with the RENAL NS, lesser number of variables, and ease of doing make SPARE NS a plausible option for the customary preoperative assessment of renal tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign bodies in the ear are a common occurrence in medical practice. This is true for both adults and children. It is one of the most common causes of trauma to the external auditory canal, tympanic membrane, and middle ear. However, an impacted foreign body in the eustachian tube (ET) has been reported very rarely. Due to the anatomical orientation of the ET, entry of a foreign body in it is very improbable. After an extensive research, we found only 14 reported cases of foreign body in the ET. A high degree of suspicion, incisive clinical evaluation, appropriate radiological evaluation, and diligent preoperative planning are imperative to extract an artifact from the ET. Herein, we present a case of a forgotten, impacted foreign body in the ET of a 52-year-old woman presenting with recurrent, intermittent foul-smelling discharge, and decreased hearing on the left ear for 2 years. To our knowledge, our case is the first, presenting with a foreign body in the ET after an inadvertent self-inflicted trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breast abscess is a localised collection of purulent material within the breast, which can be a complication of mastitis. In women of reproductive age, these are predominantly lactational but non-lactational abscesses are also seen in premenopausal women. Abscesses generally require drainage in conjunction with antibiotics. For the treatment of breast abscesses, surgical incision and drainage are usually carried out under general anaesthesia, as a traditional method. Aim: To compare conventional incision and drainage versus open drainage with primary closure with negative suction drain modalities of treatment of breast abscess in terms of different aspects including duration and quality of healing, number of dressings required, length of hospitalisation, postoperative complications. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomised study conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India. There were 30 patients in group A undergoing open drainage with primary closure with negative suction drain and 30 patients in group B undergoing conventional incision and drainage. They were evaluated for the study period of 18 months, between October 2018 and April 2020. The data collected were analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Results: The incidence of breast abscess was more common in age group of 21-30 years with right side affected more than left side. Both the surgical procedures were comparable with each other in terms of incidence of recurrence. The primary closure group fared better with less incidence of postoperative pain (duration of analgesics requirement 2.40 vs 5.43 days), reduced hospital stay (3.63 vs 6.67 days) and dressings requirement was also less (2.33 vs 12.27 days) compared to standard incision and drainage drainage which were statistically significant. Conclusion: Hence, it can be concluded that open drainage with primary closure with negative suction drain placement can be considered as a safe and effective alternative to the standard incision and drainage in patients with breast abscess. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leopards are most widespread member of family Felidae and have nine subspecies across the world. We reviewed the literature on the Indian leopards to summarize the extent of research efforts and current ecological understanding. We reviewed 105 studies published from 1960 to 2018 in 55 journals, and summarized the knowledge on evolution and taxonomy, status and distribution, abundance and density, feeding habits, spatial ecology, activity pattern, human-leopard conflict, interspecific interactions and habitat. Most of the studies were from protected areas as compared to non-protected areas while only three studies were conducted in ex-situ conditions. Human-wildlife conflict along with feeding habits were the most studied aspects while spatial and temporal ecology and behavior were the least studied aspects. Already lost 70% of its historical range, Indian leopards presently have patchy distribution. High densities of leopards were visible in prey rich areas. Leopard's diet was dominated by wild ungulates in PA's while in human dominated landscape, dogs and livestock were dominant. Indian leopards have smaller home ranges as compared to the African relatives. Leopards show activity peaks during down and dusk time of the day. Cover was an important factor affecting the presence of leopards. Leopards coexist with other large predator by fine adjustment in use of space time and food. Human-leopard conflict was one of the most studied aspect. Studies shows site dependency of conflict. Most severe conflict was livestock depredation. Important factor affecting conflict were occupation of humans, husbandry practices, change in land use pattern and successful conservation in some areas. Present policies to manage conflict seem insufficient. Feeding and behavioral plasticity makes leopards successful survival of human dominated landscapes. Apart from conflict and dietary studies, there is a lack of studies on ecological aspects such as population size, spatial ecology, interspecific interactions, habitat and behavior. These studies are needed to improve our understanding of their ecology for effective conservation. There is also an urgent need to look into the policies regarding management of human-wildlife conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied ecology of leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in dry tropical forests of GNPS, Gujarat, India from 2009 to 2012. We used direct counts of leopard, direct homing of collared individuals, road transect counts, detection and monitoring of kills for assessing leopard abundance, habitat use, home range size, prey availability and utilization in the intensive study area (ISA) of ca. 200 km². The mean leopard sighting produced to be 0.65 ± 0.197 (95% LL 0.249698 - UL 1.050302) per site (2x2 km). Ninety percent certainty produced upper limit of finding one leopard per site satisfactory. Among the available wild prey species, chital was abundant Nd (Ni) = 2388 (12050) followed by langur 334 (3968) and peafowl 1858 (3788). Age-wise, detection rate was high for chital of adult age, whereas chital fawn and sub-adults were detected with almost similar rates (2.11 and 2.06 km-1). Sambar of sub-adult age, yearlings and fawn were detected with slightly decreasing rates (0.13, 0.11 and 0.10 km-1). Detection rates of nilgai and wild pig were found almost similar. Large MGS found for chital adults (3.12 ± 0.03). A total of 328 leopards kills were searched and monitored which were comprising chital (ca. 78.53%) of adult age to maxima. However sambar (ca. 2.09%), nilgai (ca. 1.05%), wild pig ca. 0.52%), peafowl ca. 8.38%) and langur (ca. 7.85%) were also found. The sex ratio of leopard kills was 1 male:1.58 females. The overall kill rate was 3.7 days/kill. Leopards killed chital and langur in proportions to their availabilities. The lion Panthera leo persica overtook ca. 41% of leopard kills in the study area. The overall mean home range size of male leopard was estimated to be ca. 28.15 km² with significant random point patterns. The activity pattern of the leopard was crepuscular diurnal as well as nocturnal. Among available habitats, Teak Mixed Forest (TMF) was intensively used by leopards from direct sightings while Riverine Forest (RF) was used for kill protection purpose. Leopards also used TMF and RF extensively while resting close to water sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data pertains to abundance and habitat use on patch scale on large mammals was collected using camera trapping during summer 2017. Camera traps were placed systematically in a 4 km2 grid in an area of 200 km2. Relative Area Index was used as a measure of relative abundance of mammals and frequency of occurrence of different species in different habitat as a measure of habitat use. Difference among habitat use was tested using chi-square test. A total effort of 1581 trapping days resulted from four months of camera trapping. Among herbivores chital was the most abundant and distributed on the basis on RAI followed by sambar, wild boar and nilgai. Among carnivore's leopards was the most distributed and abundant carnivore followed by the lion and hyena. Except hyena and wild boar all other species use habitat differentially. Chital mostly use Teak-Acacia-Zizyphus habitat while sambar use Teak-Mixed habitat most. Nilgai use Mix Valley habitat most while wild boar uses all habitats equally. Leopards and lion use riverine habitat more while hyena use all habitats equally. Prey habitat use is discussed in the light of foraging, predation and abiotic factors in habitat patches while predator habitat use was discussed in light of food availability, competitor avoidance, human disturbance and abiotic factors. Relative abundance was discussed in light of present and earlier conservation efforts in Gir, and other ecological conditions affecting the abundance such as food availability and coexistence among carnivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]