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Morphological characterization, genetic diversity and population structure of the rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae in Northeast India
Abstract The blast pathogen, Magnaporthe oryzae , is one of the most destructive fungal pathogens of rice worldwide, yet its morphological features, genetic diversity and population structure in Northeast India remain poorly understood. In this study, twenty‒two M. oryzae isolates collected from eight states of Northeast India were characterized using morphological, molecular, and population genetic analyses. Morphological characterization revealed whitish to greyish‒white mycelia with sparse sporulation and colony diameters ranged from 36 to 90 mm, classifying the isolates into 14 fast and 8 slow‒growing groups. Whole genome sequencing was performed to enable both ITS‒based identification and SSR locus mining from the assembled genomes. Molecular identification using ITS rDNA sequences confirmed all isolates as M. oryzae , with 95.5–100% similarity. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the isolates into two major clades and identified seven ITS sequence types (GenBank Accessions: PX273287–PX273293). Genetic diversity assessed using 30 SSR markers revealed substantial polymorphism, with 1–7 alleles per locus and polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranging from 0.00 to 0.81. Heatmap clustering, dendrogram analysis, and distance metrics consistently identified two major genetic groups, with some isolates forming nearly identical clusters and others showing moderate divergence. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) accounted for 87.8% of the total variance (PC1 and PC2 accounted for 54.4% and 33.4% respectively of the total variance) and revealed distinct outliers. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) attributed 80% of the total genetic variation to differences among populations while only 20% was attributed to within population differences highlighting significant inter‒population divergence and clonal population structure. The study revealed substantial morphological and genetic diversity among M. oryzae populations in Northeast India, underscoring the need for region‒specific disease management strategies.
Analysis of Death Due to Pulmonary Embolism, a Case Series
Introduction: This autopsybased case series analyzes six fatalities resulting from pulmonary, fat, and amniotic fluid embolism, highlighting their clinical presentations, pathological features, and diagnostic challenges. Case Report: This study included six medicolegal autopsy cases in which death was attributable to embolic phenomena. The presence of antemortem thrombi, fat globules with bone marrow elements, or fetal squames was used as confirmatory evidence of pulmonary, fat, and amniotic fluid embolism, respectively. Findings were correlated with premortem symptoms for diagnosis. Pulmonary thromboembolism was identified in two adults, they developed sudden dyspnea, tachycardia, or hypotension prior to collapse, and autopsy consistently revealed firm antemortem thrombi within the pulmonary trunk or arterial branches. Fat embolism was confirmed in two males, histology demonstrated fat globules and bonemarrow elements in the pulmonary arteries. Two postpartum females died suddenly after delivery and both demonstrated classic features of amniotic fluid embolism, including fetal squames and microthrombi within pulmonary vessels. Conclusion: Across all patients, mechanisms of death included massive pulmonary arterial obstruction, hypoxia, rightheart strain, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Amniotic fluid embolism and fat embolism typically manifest with nonspecific signs and sudden deterioration, limiting laboratory-based diagnosis during life. Thus, autopsybased histopathology continues to serve as the definitive diagnostic method for amniotic fluid embolism and fat embolism. Improved early recognition, appropriate thromboprophylaxis, timely stabilization of fractures, and rapid multidisciplinary management in obstetric emergencies are essential to reduce mortality and medicolegal burden associated with these embolic syndromes.
Risk-adaptive transaction security framework integrating hybrid anomaly detection, post-quantum cryptography and permissioned blockchain
An Analysis of the Medico-Legal Aspects and Trends in Sexual Offense Cases at a Tertiary Care Hospital
Background: Women and children represent the most vulnerable groups to sexual assault, resulting in profound physical and psychological trauma. The increasing frequency of sexual offenses globally has become a serious medico-legal and public health concern. Objective: To analyse the demographic profile, social aspects, examination findings, and medico-legal trends of sexual assault cases reported to a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 60 sexual assault cases reported to the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology at Govt.Chengalpattu Medical College Hospital. Data from medico-legal cases were analysed for age, religion, literacy, socio-economic status, marital status, place of incidence, time of reporting, relationship with assailant, and genital findings. Results were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results: The majority of victims were young unmarried females (86.67%) from low socio-economic backgrounds (88.33%). Most assaults occurred at the victim’s residence (60%), with the assailant often being a neighbour (56.67%). Medical examination was conducted within 1–3 days in 70% of cases. Hymenal tears were found in 96.67% of victims, with recent tears (30%), old tears (41.67%), and carunculae myrtiformes (25%) being the major findings. Conclusion: Sexual offenses predominantly affect young, economically disadvantaged women, with the assailant usually known to the victim. Strengthening medico-legal reporting, forensic training, and community awareness are essential to improve justice outcomes and victim rehabilitation.
TimeKAN: an adaptive frequency-decomposed Kolmogorov–Arnold network for long-term stock forecasting
Sudden Death: The Unseen Danger of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis still remains a major global health problem, especially in developing countries. Death and prevalence of tuberculosis has been reported worldwide. Tuberculosis usually presents primarily as lung disease with dissemination to the intestines increasing its morbidity. But the challenging part is its vague symptoms. Sudden death following intestinal TB is rare. A case involving a 24-year-old woman was received unconscious at the emergency department with compliants of severe stomach pain and vomiting. Despite resuscitative measures, she was declared dead. The postmortem examination revealed a white, cheese-like area at the apex of her right lung. Thickened dark tissue noted over the ileocecal junction. Histopathology confirmed tuberculosis in both lungs and intestines. Intestinal obstruction was noted at the site of TB involvement. This case highlights the importance of recognizing severe forms of intestinal tuberculosis This case underlines the vital role of precise medicolegal autopsy and complete histopathological examination in identifying hidden causes of sudden death.
Correction: Microbial evaluation of zirconia and titanium implants in the anterior mandibula: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Knowledge and Attitude of MBBS Students Regarding Post Mortem Examination: A Cross-sectional Study in Chennai Region
Background: An autopsy is a systematic examination of a dead body for medical,legal, or scientic purposes. A medicolegal autopsy is conducted to determine thecause, time, and manner of death, establish identity, and decide whether the death is natural or unnatural. In India, all unnatural deaths must undergo a medicolegal autopsy to ensure justice. For MBBS students, attending autopsy postings is essential for understanding real-life postmortem procedures and preparing them for future responsibilities as medical ofcers. However, many students hesitate toattend autopsies due to fear, misconceptions, or lack of exposure. This study aimed to assess students’ knowledge, attitudes, and barriers related to medicolegal and clinical autopsies. Objectives: The primary objective was to evaluate medical students’ knowledgeand attitudes toward postmortem examination and their interest in forensic medicine as a career. Secondary objectives included identifying associations withdemographic factors (age, gender, prior exposure) and exploring misconceptions and barriers to attending autopsy postings. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among Phase II to Phase IV MBBS students and interns at Chettinad Hospital andResearchInstitute, Chennai. A structured and validated questionnaire was administeredto205 participants. It assessed demographic details, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceptions regarding postmortem examination. Data were analysed descriptively. Results: Most participants were Phase II students aged 19-20 years (mean age 19.6 years). Overall knowledge was satisfactory. About 87%knewthat police or Magistrate requisition and an inquest report are required before medicolegal autopsy. Around 85% understood its purpose, and 93%knewpartial autopsyis not allowed. Knowledge about organ preservation was limited (51.9%). Most students were aware of proper body storage (82.4%) and virtopsy (75.9%). Regarding attitude, 69.9% supported compulsory autopsy exposure. While 78.5%were willing to handle a dead body, 60.7% were hesitant to appearin court. Interest in forensic medicine as a career was expressed by 65.4%. Conclusion: Students showed good basic knowledge and a positive attitude, but practical skills and condence, especially regarding court duties needs improvement through increased hands-on training and mock court sessions.
Network attack security detection model based on model agnostic meta-learning algorithm
Suspected Adverse Event Following Immunization with Multisystem Inflammatory Response in an Infant: A Case Report
Vaccination is a cornerstone of preventive medicine and has significantly reduced childhood morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, rare but serious adverse events following immunization (AEFI) may occur and require meticulous evaluation. Within hours of receiving a routine vaccination, an 11-month-old male infant experienced acute gastrointestinal distress, seizures, and cardiovascular collapse. We report a suspected serious AEFI. To determine the cause of death, a comprehensive medico-legal autopsy was performed, assisted by histopathology, cytopathology, post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT), and forensic laboratory investigations. The findings of the autopsy showed multisystem involvement, including widespread lymphocytic infiltration throughout several organs, pulmonary edema, and serous effusions. PMCT results, which showed characteristics suggestive of acute respiratory distress syndrome with pleural and pericardial effusions, supported the autopsy. The death was reported as a suspected serious AEFI requiring causality assessment by the AEFI surveillance committee in compliance with World Health Organization guidelines due to the close temporal association with vaccination, the exclusion of other causes of death, and the presence of pathological features suggestive of a multisystem inflammatory syndrome driven by immune dysregulation. The importance of forensic autopsy in determining systemic inflammatory reactions in unexplained post-vaccination deaths is highlighted by this case.
Plasma metabolites link healthy lifestyle to the risk of epilepsy in the UK Biobank
Physicians’ Perspectives about Consent in Medical Practice: A Questionnaire-Based Study
Background: Consent is an ethical and legal requirement in medical practice. Informed consent involves obtaining the patient’s permission and ensuring the patient’s complete understanding of the nature, purpose, risks, and alternatives of a medical procedure. In India, awareness and practice with consent among medical students and professionals vary. Aim: To assess understanding, attitudes, and practices regarding medical consent among medical students and trainees. Methodology: A questionnaire-based study was conducted among 181 practitioners and Interns with 11 questions on physicians’ perspectives on consent. Results: Awareness of various types of consent in medical practice was reported by 149 participants (82.32%). Regarding a child over 12 years of age giving valid consent for a simple examination, 36.46% agreed. In cases involving intoxicated individuals, 70.17% believed consent should be obtained from police and examination done with minimal force. About telephonic consent, 60.77% rejected it in the absence of attenders. Most participants (70.17%) supported regular CME sessions on consent and medical ethics. The majority (76.80%) agreed that proper consent and documentation prevent negligence charges. Conclusion: The study showed that while most participants have a good theoretical understanding of consent in medical practice, their knowledge of specific legal provisions and exceptional circumstances remains incomplete. The majority recognise the importance of written informed consent and documentation in preventing medical negligence, but uncertainty persists regarding consent from minors, intoxicated individuals, and consent obtained telephonically. We recommended incorporating structured teaching modules on medical ethics, consent, and medico-legal and conducting periodic Continuing Medical Education sessions.
Hearing impairment and ocular complications in Zucker diabetic fatty rats: a cross-sectional study across disease progression
A 2 Years Retrospective Study of Spectrum of Poisoning in a Tertiary Care Centre in Karnataka
Background: Poisoning remains a major public health and medico-legal problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries where toxic substances are easily accessible. The pattern of poisoning varies with geographical, occupational and socio-economic factors. Objectives: To determine the proportion of poisoning deaths among all medicolegal autopsies and to analyze the spectrum of poisons responsible for mortality at a tertiary care centre in Chikkamagaluru. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on medico-legal autopsies performed over a period of two years from January 2023 to December 2024 at a tertiary care centre in Chikkamagaluru. Autopsy records, police inquest reports and chemical analysis reports were reviewed. Cases where poisoning was established as the cause of death were analyzed, and data was expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results: Out of a total of 665 medico-legal autopsies, 100 cases (15.03%) were deaths due to poisoning. Organophosphous compounds were the most common poisons implicated, followed by paraquat, pyrethroid and glyphosate. In a significant proportion of cases, the chemical analysis report was negative or inconclusive. Agricultural pesticides constituted the majority of poisoning deaths. Conclusion: Poisoning accounts for a substantial proportion of medico-legal deaths in the region with agricultural pesticides being the predominant agents. Strengthening regulatory measures, improving public awareness and ensuring early medical intervention may help reduce poisoning-related mortality.
Experimental stopping power estimation in a homogeneous phantom via prompt gamma timing towards proton therapy monitoring
Clinico-Epidemiological Analysis and Treatment Outcomes of Snake Bite Cases: A Hospital-Based Study
Context: Snake bite is a significant health hazard in tropical regions, particularly affecting rural populations engaged in agriculture. Objectives: To evaluate the demographic profile, clinical features, and outcomes of snake bite victims treated at a tertiary care hospital in southern India. Methods: This cross-sectional study analysed medical records of 51 snake bite cases admitted from September 2023 to November 2024. Data collected included age, gender, residence type, bite location, clinical features, complications, antivenom use, and patient outcomes. Statistical Analysis: Data were summarized using descriptive statistical measures including counts, proportions, mean values, and minimum–maximum distribution Results: Mean age was 35.2 years with 67% male predominance. Eighty percent were from rural areas. Pain (98%) and swelling (84.31%) were the main symptoms. Antivenom was given to 68.62% of patients. The mortality rate was 5.88%, with 94.11% patients surviving. Conclusion: Early hospital access, prompt antivenom administration, and supportive care significantly reduce snake bite mortality. Strengthening rural healthcare systems and community awareness are essential for better outcomes. Key Message: Timely hospital care with prompt antivenom administration and supportive treatment markedly improves survival and reduces mortality in snake bite cases, especially among rural populations.
ITS2 amplicon profiling reveals site-specific mycobiomes in Avicennia marina rhizospheres along the red sea coast
A Study on Estimation of Stature from Odontometric Parameters: Forensic Tool
Introduction: Anthropometry comprises various methods to estimate the dimensions of the human body. Identification of a severely decomposed or mutilated body is a big challenge to the forensic experts. Teeth are made of hard tissue which have higher durability and are relatively indestructible. Careful study of odontometric parameters will enable us in determining the stature of a person. Methodology: The present study is an Institution based Cross-sectional study done on 100 subjects (50 males and 50 females). All the individuals were in the age group of 18-25 years with complete set of fully erupted healthy teeth of proper alignment. Mesiodistal width of right upper central incisors, inter-canine distance and height of an individual are measured. Observations & Results: The results of the study showed that there is a significant association of mesiodistal width of right upper central incisor (p<0.05) with the height of the individual but there is no association of intercanine width (p>0.05) with the stature.