The study indicates that analysis of morphometric parameters with the help of geographic information system (GIS) would prove a viable method of characterizing the hydrological response behaviour of the watershed. It is also well observed that remote sensing satellite data is emerging as the most effective, time saving and accurate technique for morphometric analysis of a basin. This technique is found relevant for the extraction of river basin and its stream networks through ASTER (DEM) in conjunction with remote sensing satellite data (Landsat etm?, 2013 and georeferenced survey of Indian toposheet, 1972). In this study, Kanhar basin a tributaries of Son River has been selected for detailed morphometric analysis. Seven sub-watersheds are also delineated within this basin to calculate the selected morphometric parameters. Morphometric parameters viz; stream order, stream length, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, stream frequency, form factor, circulatory ratio, etc., are calculated. The drainage area of the basin is 5,654 km 2 and shows sub-dendritic to dendritic drainage pattern. The stream order of the basin is mainly controlled by physiographic and lithological conditions of the area. The study area is designated as seventhorder basin with the drainage density value being as 1.72 km/km 2 . The increase in stream length ratio from lower to higher order shows that the study area has reached a mature geomorphic stage.

The geomorphological characteristics of a watershed are more commonly used for developing the regional hydrological models for solving various hydrological problems of the ungauged watersheds in inadequate data situations. Therefore, in this study to find out the most vulnerable sub-watershed to soil erosion, morphometric analysis and prioritization were carried out on 14 subwatersheds of Manot River catchment, which is a tributary of the Narmada River. The morphometric parameters considered for analysis are stream order, stream length, stream frequency, drainage density, texture ratio, form factor, circulatory ratio, elongation ratio, bifurcation ratio and compactness ratio. After analysis of morphometric parameters, compound parameter values are calculated and prioritization rating of 14 sub-watersheds is carried out. The subwatershed 13 that has the lowest compound parameter value of 3.63 is likely to be subjected to maximum soil erosion; hence, it requires immediate attention to providing soil conservation measures. Morphological parameters-based prioritization is in good agreement with the geological field investigation carried out during the field work.

Aim Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is associated with safe maternal outcomes but perinatal outcomes have been variable. We assessed clinical factors and impact of bile acid levels on maternal and neonatal outcomes in ICP. Methods Patients with ICP (defined as pruritus with serum bile acids ≥ 10 mmol/l) were included prospectively with an assessment of risk factors, modes of delivery as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes. Mild and severe ICP were diagnosed when serum bile acid was always <40 mmol/l and ≥40 mmol/l, respectively. Patients with gestational pruritus served as controls. Results Out of 643 patients, 375 patients (mean age 29 ± 7.6 years, 45.8% primigravida) met inclusion criteria. Pregnancy-induced hypertension [PIH: 10.5%; odds ratio (OR): 4.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.4–8.5; P = 0.0014], gestational diabetes (GDM: 12.5%; OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 2.3–4.1; P = 0.045) and spontaneous preterm labor (15.1%; OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2–3.5; P = 0.040) were higher in patients with ICP. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (median dose 900 mg; 600–1800 mg) ameliorated symptoms of cholestasis, bile acid levels and liver aminotransferases in 79% cases. When compared with patients with mild ICP, patients with severe ICP presented at a lower gestational period (26 vs. 32 weeks, P = 0.036), required frequent induction (12.5%; OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 2.1–5.6; P = 0.045) and had increased fetal distress (15%; OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3–4.9; P = 0.048).Overall eight stillbirths were recorded. Conclusion Severe ICP is associated with a higher incidence of GDM and PIH, risk of pre-term labor, elective induction and stillbirths. UDCA remains a first-line agent in treating ICP.

Background: Epileptic seizure is a neurological condition in which brief to long episodes of vigorous shaking, convulsions, blackouts, fainting, unresponsiveness, jerks, etc. occur in the patients. Current treatment approaches are anti-seizure medicines, which patients are bound to take throughout life. These medications are mostly not able to reverse or eradicate the condition. Purpose: As per the classical texts of Ayurveda, Apasmara is a disease that has similar symptoms as those found in epilepsy; it is of four types wherein either one of the three Doshas, i.e. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, is predominantly vitiated, or there is an imbalance of all the three Doshas. Hence, the medicinal herbs that balance the respective doshas, are used in the Ayurvedic treatment of epileptic seizures. Various plant extracts or their derivatives have been found to be effective in the treatment of epilepsy. Yagya Therapy provides pulmonary inhalation of medicinal smoke of multiple herbs (generated through oblation in fire along with chanting of Vedic hymns), which have the potential for seizure treatment. Methods: A case report about a male patient, who was suffering from epileptic seizures since past 13 years, as well as other associated ailments has been presented in this article. The patient was prescribed an integrated approach including Yagya Therapy (using an appropriate herbal formulation - hawan samagri), and some other Ayurvedic treatments like decoction of medicinal herbs, Ayurvedic medicines, dietary restrictions, etc. Results: Before starting the integrated approach including Yagya Therapy, the patient used to experience seizure episodes, at least once every 7 to 10 days; however, after starting the integrated approach, the patient did not experience any seizure episode up to his second visit, i.e. for about 54 days. He also experienced relief in other associated ailments like vibration in the entire body. Conclusion: The integrated approach including Yagya Therapy showed encouraging results with regards to the treatment of epileptic seizures and other associated ailments.

Characteristics of the monsoonal bloom of phytoplankton at Orissa Coast in the Bay of Bengal were studied through bimonthly observation from April 2001 to December 2002. Three photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll-a (Chl a), chlorophyll-b (Chl b) and carotenoid (Car) were analyzed by absorption spectroscopic method. The seasonal variation of Chl a included phytoplankton bloom in the coastal area during monsoon period. The water column integrated Chl a reached to 68 mg m(-2) at the station-1(St1), and amounted to 20 mg m(-2) at 30 km off the river mouth during August 2001. In contrast the same amount was found at 15 km off the Mahanadi river mouth during August 2002. Salinity during this period varied from 5 psu at the St1 to 27 psu at the edge of the bloom area. The total amount of river discharge in the monsoon period calculated from daily river discharge data reported by Water Resources Department in India was 84 x 10(9) m(3) during 2001 and 20 x 10(9) m(3) during 2002. Both nitrate and phosphate concentrations showed negative quadratic relationship with salinity throughout the observation period. Extrapolated nitrate and phosphate concentration discharge from the Mahanadi river were 10.8 and 4 microg-at l(-1), respectively. Microscopic identification revealed dominance of fluvial Chlorophyceae and diatoms during the monsoon period showing influence of the freshwater discharge.