Disseminated non-Hodgkin′s lymphoma presenting as unilateral parotid gland enlargement with facial nerve palsy

The head and neck is the most common area for the presentation of lymphoproliferative disorders. Primary involvement of salivary glands is uncommon. Non-Hodgkin′s lymphoma constitutes a group of malignancies those arises from cellular components of lymphoid or extra nodal tissues. Here we report a case of a 70-year-old male patient who presented with left parotid gland enlargement with left facial nerve palsy and involvement of other nodal sites, which is rarely reported in the literature

Bilateral sixth cranial nerve palsy as a presenting feature of multiple myeloma: A rare presentation

Sixth cranial nerve palsy is the most common cause of acquired extraocular muscle paralysis. Neoplasm, trauma, raised intracranial pressure, and vascular disease are the most common etiologies of sixth nerve dysfunction. Multiple myeloma is a chronic, progressive, and fatal neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells and can produce tumors or plasmacytomas, and bone marrow lesions. We here present a case of a 53-year-old man who was presented with a holocranial headache and double vision. On examination, patient was found to have bilateral lateral rectus palsy. The patient was diagnosed as having IgA kappa type multiple myeloma based on immunological and pathological investigation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography brain showed an enhancing lesion in clivus and sphenoid bone. Under chemotherapy, sixth cranial nerve palsy was resolved completely. We speculated that sixth nerve palsy might be caused by compression and stretching along the path of the sixth nerve at clivus

A review of records of the Trimeresurus albolabris Gray, 1842 group from the Indian subcontinent: expanded description and range extension of Trimeresurus salazar, redescription of Trimeresurus septentrionalis and rediscovery of historical specimens of Trimeresurus davidi (Reptilia: Viperidae)

Vogel, Gernot, Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Chandramouli, S. R., Sharma, Vivek, Ganesh, S. R. (2022): A review of records of the Trimeresurus albolabris Gray, 1842 group from the Indian subcontinent: expanded description and range extension of Trimeresurus salazar, redescription of Trimeresurus septentrionalis and rediscovery of historical specimens of Trimeresurus davidi (Reptilia: Viperidae). Zootaxa 5175 (3): 343-366, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5175.3.

Discovery of a deeply divergent new lineage of vine snake (Colubridae: Ahaetuliinae: Proahaetulla gen. nov.) from the southern Western Ghats of Peninsular India with a revised key for Ahaetuliinae

The Western Ghats are well known as a biodiversity hotspot, but the full extent of its snake diversity is yet to be uncovered. Here, we describe a new genus and species of vine snake Proahaetulla antiqua gen. et sp. nov., from the Agasthyamalai hills in the southern Western Ghats. It was found to be a member of the Ahaetuliinae clade, which currently comprises the arboreal snake genera Ahaetulla, Dryophiops, Dendrelaphis and Chrysopelea, distributed in South and Southeast Asia. Proahaetulla shows a sister relationship with all currently known taxa belonging to the genus Ahaetulla, and shares ancestry with Dryophiops. In addition to its phylogenetic position and significant genetic divergence, this new taxon is also different in morphology from members of Ahaetuliinae in a combination of characters, having 12-13 partially serrated keels on the dorsal scale rows, 20 maxillary teeth and 3 postocular scales. Divergence dating reveals that the new genus is ancient, dating back to the Mid-Oligocene, and is one of the oldest persisting monotypic lineages of snakes in the Western Ghats. This discovery adds to the growing list of ancient lineages endemic to the Agasthyamalai hills and underscores the biogeographic significance of this isolated massif in the southern Western Ghats

Resolving pitfalls in pit viper systematics – A multi-criteria approach to species delimitation in pit vipers (Reptilia, Viperidae, Craspedocephalus) of Peninsular India reveals cryptic diversity

Abstract Asian pit vipers belonging to the genus Craspedocephalus are a complex group of vipers, distributed in South and Southeast Asia. Their taxonomy is unresolved in many lineages across their distributional range. Here, we reassess the taxonomy and systematics of pit vipers of the genus Craspedocephalus in Peninsular India based on extensive field sampling, in particular in the Western Ghats. We build and expand on the previous findings of genetic relatedness between the peninsular Indian lineages with the Sundaic clade (C. puniceus complex) with greater evidence, based on additional taxa sequenced herein. We reconstruct the phylogeny of the group using three mitochondrial genes and delineated lineages using coalescent species delimitation methods. We then used multiple criteria including genetic divergence and separation in morphological and geographic space to designate taxonomic units. Our work revealed the presence of a South Asian radiation of the clade Craspedocephalus, with a few Sundaic members. Our study reveals the systematic relationships of four Peninsular Indian species of Craspedocephalus, including Peltopelor macrolepis and C. strigatus, sequenced here for the first time, that are classified or confirmed as members of Craspedocephalus. Hence, we place the genus Peltopelor in the synonymy of Craspedocephalus. Using our multi-criteria approach, we delimit four new cryptic evolutionary lineages within the Western Ghats escarpment of Peninsular India. These cryptic lineages belong to the C. malabaricus, C. gramineus and C. macrolepis complexes and are geographically and/or ecologically (in terms of habitat association) distinct from their sister lineages across their distributional range, while others are separated in morphological space. Our new phylogenetic tree and delimitation analysis thus reveals the presence of multiple clades with several cryptic lineages separated by geographical barriers or habitat association

Disentangling vines: a study of morphological crypsis and genetic divergence in vine snakes (Squamata: Colubridae: Ahaetulla) with the description of five new species from Peninsular India

Mallik, Ashok Kumar, Srikanthan, Achyuthan N., Pal, Saunak P., D'Souza, Princia Margaret, Shanker, Kartik, Ganesh, Sumaithangi Rajagopalan (2020): Disentangling vines: a study of morphological crypsis and genetic divergence in vine snakes (Squamata: Colubridae: Ahaetulla) with the description of five new species from Peninsular India. Zootaxa 4874 (1): 1-62, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4874.1.

Taxonomic revaluation of the Ahaetulla prasina (H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827) complex from Northeast India: resurrection and redescription of Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) (Reptilia: Serpentes: Colubridae)

The taxonomic status of the nominal taxon Dryophis prasinus flavescens Wall, 1910 is reevaluated herein. Based on molecular data generated from fresh collections of Ahaetulla prasina (H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827) auctorum from Northeast India and, additionally, morphological data from museum specimens originating from the same areas, we resurrect this taxon as Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) comb. nov. We clarify the status, identity and locations of its type specimens, rediscover, redescribe and illustrate those specimens and also designate a lectotype in order to effect a proper taxonomic redefinition of this nominal taxon. We provide further details on the morphology and diagnosis of this species and elucidate its phylogenetic position. We also provide a summary of the natural history and distribution of this species. Adding to the known cryptic diversity and genetic divergence within Southeast Asian populations, this work also hints at the need for a taxonomic revision of the A. prasina complex. This work complements a previous study on the A. prasina complex focusing on populations in Indonesia. Taken together, these two studies represent phylogenetic reconstructions from different populations of the A. prasina complex across its distribution range, on the Asian mainland and the surrounding islands

Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) Prepared by Metal‐Induced Reduction of Graphite Oxide: Improved Conductive Behavior of a Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/rGO Composite

An approach for preparing highly conductive poly(methyl methacrylate)–reduced graphene oxide (PMMA/rGO) composites by in situ polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer in the presence of iron metal induced deoxygenated rGO is reported. The obtained PMMA/rGO exhibited excellent electrical properties with a percolation threshold as low as 0.1 wt.% and electrical conductivity of 14 S/m at only 0.8 wt.% rGO loading. Moreover, with only 0.4 wt.% rGO content, the glass transition temperature (T) of the prepared PMMA/rGO composite was enhanced by 16°C which corresponds to 17% improvement when compared to that of the neat PMMA. Furthermore, tensile strength increased by 26% as compared to that of the neat PMMA

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Not AvailableThe use of chemicals, biologicals and veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) helps in healthy and sustainable fish production. Information on the use of these products is essential for assessing farming practices, potential human health and environmental risks. A questionnaire-based nationwide survey covering aquaculture farms (n = 2936) producing carps, tilapia, pangasius and rainbow trout in freshwater and shrimp in brackishwater estimated the use of 52 different types of inputs which included disinfectants (597 g t−1), probiotics (2.28 kg t−1), environmental modifiers (22.82 kg t−1), nutritional supplements (1.96 kg t−1), natural anti-infective agents (293 g t−1), herbicide and piscicides (844 g t−1), antibiotics (2 mg PCU−1), antifungal (4 mg PCU−1), and antiparasitic (14 mg PCU−1) agents. The bulk of these inputs was used for soil and water quality improvement and had low environmental and human safety concerns. The multivariate analysis revealed significant variation in the frequency and quantity of compounds use among farm groups. Redundancy analysis revealed a significant association between the number of products used and stocking density. The survey also showed a considerable influence of education and farming experience on the usage pattern of aquaculture inputs. Results of the study indicated greater reliance of farmers on the use of disinfectants for biosecurity, nutritional supplements for enhanced growth and environmental modifiers for maintaining soil and water quality in culture systems. Though there was no use of restricted antibiotics and antiparasitic agents, the development and implementation of standard regulatory guidelines are essential for safe and effective use of inputs for sustainable aquaculture.Indian Council of Agriculture Researc