ASSESSING ECOTOURISM ECONOMICS FOR LIVELIHOOD INTERVENTION- A CASE IN NAMERI NATIONAL PARK OF ASSAM (INDIA)

This paper entitled tries to emphasize on the ecotourism initiatives and its impact of on livelihood intervention in the fringe of Nameri National Park in Assam, India. Ecotourism initiatives that have been introduce by Assam (Bhorelli) Angling and Conservation Association (ABACA), an organization started ecotourism ventures in the year 1956 benefiting local populace in terms of income, improved infrastructure, employment opportunities and exposure. The community's capacity to facilitate resource related conflicts has improved following support from development institutions and facilities provided by the organization. An expanding livelihood base is reducing local vulnerability to disaster and man-animal conflicts. The numbers of inhabitant wildlife species in the park have increased due to adequate protection and reduce frequency of livestock in nearby villagers. There is need to build the community's capacity for the promotion of activities that compliment ecotourism. Through the paper the researcher emphasizes such possibilities on the basis of assessment of potential ecotourism resources of the Nameri National Park during field experience gained different parts of the study area

Microbiological surveillance of operation theatre’s and intensive care units in a tertiary care hospital in NCR region, New Delhi

Background: Harbouring of potential pathogens in operation theatres (OTs) and intensive care units (ICUs) of hospital is a major cause of patient’s morbidity and mortality. Environmental monitoring by the microbiological testing of surfaces and equipments is useful to detect changing trends of types and counts of microbial flora. High level of microbial contamination indicates the needs for periodic surveillance aimed at early detection of bacterial contamination levels and prevention of hospital acquired infections.Methods: During a period of 6 months from January 2019 to June 2019, Air sampling from Operation theaters and Intensive care units were done by settle plate method. Swabs were taken from different sites and equipments and bacterial species were isolated and identified from them.Results: A total of 1410 samples were collected from various sites of Operation theaters and Intensive care units over a period of 6 months in which 960 were surface samples and 450 were air samples. Out of 960 surface samples, 95(9.89%) and out of 450 air samples, 90 (20%) were bacterial positive. Isolated organism was divided into normal flora (CONS, Micrococci), contaminant (bacillus species) and pathogenic organism e.g. Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp etc. Out of those 30 (16.20%) CONS, 50 (27.02%) Micrococci, 75 (40.50%) Bacillus spp, 16 (8.6%) Staphylococcus aureus, 1(0.54%) Acinetobacter spp, 2 (1.08%) Pseudomonas spp, 4 (2.16%) Klebsiella, 7 (3.78%) Escherichia coli were isolated.Conclusions: Strengthening surveillance and laboratory capacity will surely enhance infection prevention and control. Routine sampling is strongly recommended for increasing awareness to identify and control all possible sources and types of infections

Detection of inducible clindamycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus from various samples in a tertiary care hospital

Background: The increasing frequency of MRSA infections and rapidly changing patterns in antimicrobial resistance, led to renewed interest in the usage of Macrolides-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B (MLSB) antibiotics to treat Staphylococcus aureus infection. Clindamycin is an important drug used in the treatment of MRSA and MSSA infection. The aim of this study was to determine inducible and constitutive clindamycin resistance among clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus by D-test.Methods: During a period of 6 months from July 2018 to December 2018, a total of 100 Staphylococcus aureus isolated from different clinical samples were subjected to routine antibiotic sensitivity testing by Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Methicillin-resistance was determined by using the cefoxitin (30 µg) disc. Incidence of MLSBc and MLSBi in Staphylococcus aureus isolates by D-test as per CLSI guidelines.Results: Out of 100 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus obtained from 350 clinical samples, 70(70%) were found to be MRSA and 30(30%) were MSSA. Among 100 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 40% isolates showed MLSBi resistance, 28% isolates showed MLSBc resistance, 6% isolates showed MS phenotype and 26% isolates showed Sensitive phenotype. MLSBc and MLSBi were found to be higher in MRSA as compared to MSSA (21%, 27% and 7%, 10% respectively). All clinical isolates showed 100% sensitivity to Vancomycin and Linezolid in routine antibiotic susceptibility testing.Conclusions: Continuous surveillance of the MLSB resistance is important and required before the prescription of clindamycin to treat MRSA infections

Near total laryngectomy: a single institutional experience

Background: Near total laryngectomy (NTL) aims to remove cancer of larynx and hypopharynx while maintaining a lung powered, prosthesis free voice. The oncological and functional outcomes of NTL have been encouraging but the surgical procedure is complex. In this study, we present our experience with NTL in order to encourage more ENT and head and neck surgeons to take up the procedure.Methods: Twenty-eight patients, who had undergone NTL at State cancer institute, Guwahati are analysed retrospectively for survival, disease free status, functional outcomes and complications.Results: There were two recurrences: one local recurrence which was salvaged by a completion total laryngectomy. The other patient had distant metastasis and died eventually. Overall survival (OS) was 96.43% and event free survival (EFS) was 92.86%. The patient who died had extra-nodal extension (ENE) on post op histology (p=0.274). Two patients failed to develop any speech had stenosis of the shunt. One of these was the only Salvage NTL case (p=0.057). Tracheostome stenosis, poor swallow and shunt stenosis were the common complications in our series. Most of them resolved with some intervention. Multiple complications were seen in the salvage NTL cases.Conclusions: Careful case selection and well executed surgery leads to acceptable results following NTL. Special attention should be paid to the salvage cases as they are prone to develop complications and failure to attain speech. Patients with adverse post-op histopathological examination (HPE), like ENE should be kept under close follow up

Isolation, identification and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Escherichia coli isolated from various clinical sample in a tertiary care hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Background: Escherichia coli is one of the most frequent causes of many bacterial infections, including Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), blood stream infections, otitis media, pneumonia, meningitis, traveler’s diarrhoea, enteric infections and systemic infections. This study was done with the aim to surveying antibiotic sensitivity pattern of isolated Escherichia coli in both sex attended in NIMS Hospital, Jaipur under the taken time period.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 62 Escherichia coli were isolated from various clinical specimens of the patients attending both OPD and IPD. The strains were selected using the laboratory standard methods and culture-specific. The antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.Results: Out of total 62 isolates of Escherichia coli 26(41.93%) isolates were from male while 36(58.064%) from female patients. Maximum sensitivity were shown by Polymyxin B and Colistin i.c 100% followed by Nitrofuratonin 82.5% followed by Meropenem 79.03%, Aztreonam 72.58%, Piperacillin/ Tazobactam and Ciprofloxacin 61.30%, each Amikacin 56.45%, Imipenem 54.83%, Ofloxacin 45.16%, Cefepime 43.54%, Ceftazidime 38.71%, Gentamycin and Ceftriaxone 37.09% each, Cefotaxime 30.64%, Norfloxacin 27.5%. Maximum resistance shown against Norfloxacin 72.5%, followed by Gentamycin and Ceftriaxone 62.90%, Ceftazidime 61.30%.Conclusions: Escherichia coli infected more in urinary tract infection as compare to other sample in human, and it is common in female than male. Regular monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility for E.coli is recommended to improve treatment. A changing trend in antibiotic sensitivity profile of the isolates need to be monitored as there is limited availability of newer drugs and the emergence of resistant bacteria far exceeds the rate of new drug development

Relationship of depth of invasion of tumour with neck node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a clinico pathological correlation

Background: Squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity are relatively common among the head and neck cancers. The increasing depth of invasion (DOI) and the microvascular proliferation caused by neoplastic growth might determine proximity to blood vessels and lymphatics, thus facilitating the tumor’s ability to metastasize. The role of tumour DOI as a prognostic parameter for the development of nodal metastases and for the survival of patients with OSCC are important. Aim of the study was to determine the relationship of the DOI of tumor with the neck node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.Methods: This study is conducted in the State cancer institute, Gauhati medical college over a period of 1 year from June 2021 to June 2022 among 100 patients. All patients underwent tumor resection with neck dissection, and the DOI is measured.Results: Out of 100 patients included in the study 66 were males and 34 were females. Maximum number of cases 30% were seen in the age group of 51-60 years. Gingivobuccal sulcus (32%) is the most commonly involved site. Maximum number of nodal meta-stasis present in tumours with DOI>11 mm and minimum nodal metastasis present in tumours with DOI<3 mm.   Conclusions: We conclude that tumor DOI is significantly related with neck nodal metastasis in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Comparison of post-operative complications in oral cancer treated with and without neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the treatment outcome in oral cancer cases treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and upfront surgery in localized advance disease. Materials and Methods: A randomized, prospective study was conducted in 20 cases. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A was taken up for upfront surgery and group B was taken up for surgery after two to three cycles of NACT based on patients' response, performance, and compliance. Results: Neither group showed statistically significant differences in clinical characteristics. In the present study, satisfactory outcomes were seen in nine patients belonging to NACT group and eight patients of non-NACT group had satisfactory outcomes after surgery, which were found to be statistically significant (P = 0.001). Conclusion: NACT may be considered as a treatment option for oral squamous cell carcinoma patients, particularly those with locally advanced tumors. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings in patients