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Ritu Arora,1 Ruchi Goel,1 Samreen Khanam,1 Sumit Kumar,1 Shalin Shah,1 Sonam Singh,1 Mohit Chhabra,1 Ravi Meher,2 Nita Khurana,3 Tanu Sagar,4 Suresh Kumar,5 Sandeep Garg,5 Jyoti Kumar,6 Sonal Saxena,4 Rashmi Pant7 1Department of Ophthalmology, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India; 2Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India; 3Department of Pathology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India; 4Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India; 5Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India; 6Department of Radiodiagnosis, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India; 7Society for Health Education and Allied Research, New Delhi, IndiaCorrespondence: Ruchi GoelDepartment of Ophthalmology, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, 110002, IndiaTel +91 9811305645; +91-11-41440108Email gruchi1@rediffmail.comPurpose: To list the clinico-epidemiological profile and possible risk factors of COVID-19 associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (CA-ROCM) patients presenting to a COVID dedicated hospital during the second wave of COVID-19 in India.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional, single-center study was done on 60 cases of probable CA-ROCM based on clinical features and supportive diagnostic nasal endoscopic findings and/or radiologic findings. Patients with recent or active COVID-19 were included. The demographic profile, clinical features, possible risk factors and diagnostic workup (microbiological, pathological and radiological) were analysed to identify the triggering factors for CA-ROCM.Results: The age of patients ranged from 29 to 75 years and male–female ratio was 3:1. The duration between the first positive COVID report and onset of CA-ROCM was 0 to 47 days. Forty-nine (81.66%) patients had a recent COVID infection and 11 (18.33%) had active COVID infection at presentation. Thirty-five patients (58%) had ocular/orbital involvement at presentation. In the affected eye, 10 had no perception of light and in the rest visual acuity ranged from log MAR 0 to +1.5. Ocular manifestations were ptosis (29), ophthalmoplegia (23), periocular tenderness and edema (33), proptosis (14), black discoloration of eyelids (3), facial palsy (3), endophthalmitis (4), retinal artery occlusion (8), disc edema (4) and disc pallor (5). Twenty-two (25%) patients had neither received steroids nor oxygen. Thirty patients (50%) were managed with oxygen while 38 patients (63.3%) with systemic steroids. The most common risk factor was diabetes in 59 patients. The average glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 10.31 ± 2.59%. Systemic Amphotericin B was started in all the patients. Radical surgical debridement was performed in 12 patients and the remaining were planned.Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 variant with accompanying glycaemic dysregulation was found to be the triggering factor for the epidemic of CA-ROCM.Keywords: COVID-19 treatment, CA-ROCM, orbital apex syndrome, ophthalmoplegia, retinal arterial occlusion, COVID-19 associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis

Clayey soils in Raithal, Jalore, Rajasthan, India, have been used for local manufacturing of clay ceramic water filters by potter communities. Potters are trying clayey soils from different locations across India to produce these filters. The suitability of clayey soils from Jheepasani, Jodhpur, and Gajsinghpura, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, to manufacture these water filters is compared with soils from Raithal, Jalore, Rajasthan, India. The shrinkage limit and maximum dry density were the lowest for Jheepasani soils. Jheepasani soils have quartz in large quantities, while Gajsinghpura soils are characterized by zeolite. Scanning electron microscopy revealed dense, flaky structure of Gajsinghpura soils and a loosely packed matrix in Jheepasani soils. The micrograph of soils depicts the presence of crystalline character in constituents of Raithal and Gajsinghpura soils. A 3L frustum-shaped composite is made by mixing an equal amount of each of the three soils listed above (taken on their own) with an equal amount of burnout material. The mixture is then pressed into the shape. These press-formed frustums were traditionally baked at 750°C in a potter's open-hearth kiln at Banad village, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, to get the new 3L ceramic water filters. A maximum percolation rate of 1.8 L/h was observed from filters manufactured using Jheepasani soils. The samples extracted from the walls of Gajsinghpura soil-based ceramic water filters were comparatively more substantial than those manufactured from the soils of Raithal and Jheepasani. The effectiveness of these 3L filters was tested using Escherichia coli as a surrogate for other waterborne pathogens. E. coli removal with a log reduction value of 2.62 was showcased by Raithal soil-based ceramic water filters. On the basis of this result, Raithal soil-based ceramic water filters were found to be functionally better among the three ceramic water filter variants manufactured from clayey soils found near the Thar Desert in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighteen energy canes (Types I and II) were evaluated along with two popular varieties Co 0238 and CoS 767 under rainfed conditions of sub-tropical climate for their potential as fodder crop. The analysis of fodder quality parameters at the 10 month crop stage included crude protein content, dry matter intake (DMI), dry matter digestibility %, total digestible nutrients %, net energy of lactation, and digestible fibre and energy. Sugarcane tops of type-I and type-II energy canes had similar crude protein percentages (5.95 % and 6.61 %). Energy canes; SBIEC 14002, SBIEC 11009, SBIEC 11003, SBIEC 13009, and SBIEC 11006 recorded dry matter intake % of 1.76%, 1.76%, 1.73% and 1.72%, 1.70% respectively, which was on par with sugarcane (1.71%). The digestible nutrient of SBIEC 11001 (49.43%) was higher than that of cultivated canes, whereas that of SBIEC 11009 (48.08%), SBIEC 11005 (48.64%) and SBIEC 14003 (48.50%) was similar to that of cultivated canes. The correlation coefficient between desirable fodder traits was calculated. A highly positive correlation (r=1.0) was observed among the five desirable traits, such as net available energy, metabolisable energy, dry matter digestibility, total digestible nutrient, and digestible energy, indicated there desirability for fodder value. Based on their traits, two-way cluster analysis separated Type-I and Type-II energy clones into two major groups. According to all parameters considered, energycane tops had acceptable fodder quality and were on par with cultivated sugarcane varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Scrub typhus was once thought to be a disease of rural origin and was confined to specific pockets in South Asia. Early diagnosis and treatment is extremely important as it is associated with high mortality if left untreated. Aim To delineate the clinical and molecular epidemiology of scrub typhus in patients presenting with acute febrile illness from various parts of India. Methods During the study period of 5 years (October 2013 to October 2018), a total of 1742 patients with acute febrile illness <15 days were enrolled after taking informed consent. Patients were diagnosed using IgM Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the pre-determined region specific cut offs. Patients with positive IgM ELISA were also subjected to IgM Immunofluorescence assay and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The demographic and relevant clinical details of the patients were documented and analyzed. Results A total of 210 (12.1%) patients were diagnosed with scrub typhus. Of these, nested PCR was positive in only 85 patients. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the predominant circulating genotypes were Gilliam and Karp. On multivariate analysis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocarditis, encephalitis/encephalopathy, jaundice and splenomegaly were significantly more common in those patients who were diagnosed with scrub typhus. A total of 14 patients diagnosed with scrub typhus succumbed to the illness. Conclusion Patients with fever, headache, pulmonary manifestations, CNS manifestations, myocarditis, transaminitis or thrombocytopenia presenting in the monsoon and post-monsoon season should be evaluated for scrub typhus irrespective of the geographical location in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]