Objective. To describe the clinical profile, microbiological aetiologies, and management outcomes in patients with liver abscess. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May, 2011, to April, 2013, on 200 consecutive liver abscess patients at PGIMER and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi. History, examination, and laboratory investigations were recorded. Ultrasound guided aspiration was done and samples were investigated. Chi-square test and multivariate regression analysis were performed to test association. Results. The mean age of patients was 41.13 years. Majority of them were from lower socioeconomic class (67.5%) and alcoholic (72%). The abscesses were predominantly in right lobe (71%) and solitary (65%). Etiology of abscess was 69% amoebic, 18% pyogenic, 7.5% tubercular, 4% mixed, and 1.5% fungal. Percutaneous needle aspiration was done in 79%, pigtail drainage in 17%, and surgical intervention for rupture in 4% patients. Mortality was 2.5%, all reported in surgical group. Solitary abscesses were amoebic and tubercular whereas multiple abscesses were pyogenic (P = 0.001). Right lobe was predominantly involved in amoebic and pyogenic abscesses while in tubercular abscesses left lobe involvement was predominant (P = 0.001). Conclusions. The commonest presentation was young male, alcoholic of low socioeconomic class having right lobe solitary amoebic liver abscess. Appropriate use of minimally invasive drainage techniques reduces mortality.

Turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.) is an integral part of Asian culture which has been used in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha owing to its wide array of medicinal properties since centuries. Curcumin, the predominant curcumoid in turmeric, influences multiple signaling pathways and been found to possess anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidant, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, wound healing, chemopreventive, chemosensitising and radiosensitising properties. 1 To enhance the bioavailability of curcumin, newer technologies such as adjuvant, nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles and phospholipid complexes are evaluated in the process of drug development. It is documented to be most efficacious in high doses at around 6‐7 gm per day which is well tolerated orally. 1 It has been widely used as a common household remedy for cough, sore throat and respiratory ailments in Asia.

Rapid and unplanned industrialization and urbanization has resulted in the deterioration of India's air quality according to air-quality monitoring carried out in seven major Indian cities in industrial and residential areas between 1995 and 2000. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) levels in Indian cities are in the range 50 to 550 microg/m(3). NO(x) values are high in Delhi's residential areas, with values of 33 microg/m(3) in 1995 and 34.6 microg/m(3) in 2000, while in an industrial area values of 29.4 microg/m(3) were found in 1995, increasing to 33.7 microg/m(3) in 2000. SO(2) values are very high in Pune city, ranging from 43.3 microg/m(3) in residential to 43.69 microg/m(3) in an industrial area in 2000.

On March 11, 2020 World Health Organization (WHO) declared corona virus disease (COVID-19) to be a pandemic disease, which is caused by a novel coronavirus “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV- 2)” and till now it has affected about 213 countries. A nationwide lockdown was announced by the Honorable Prime Minister of India on 24 th March 2020 for 21 days to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. Our nation, being a developing nation and emerging market, there was a vast socio-economic consequence of this lockdown. Our health care services were at the war front. Due to this step, there was a reduction in the rate of the spread of COVID- 19. Other health hazards due to pollution, road traffic accidents, crimes including robberies, rapes, murders, thefts, etc., were decreased substantially. People learned good hygiene and family bonding, which was further strengthened. Negatively affected sectors were trading companies, schools, and education, economy, stock markets, ongoing events in sports, politics, entertainment industry, transportation, and activities related to religious places, tourists, and hotels. Due to starvation, poor people were worst affected as they were daily bread earners though, the government tried to provide money and food. Finally, it was the primary care physician, termed “corona warriors,” who suffered socially, economically, mentally, and physically. Despite all these hardships, the primary care physician learned the innovative way to help patients and ease their suffering with proper advice and awareness.

BACKGROUND Human breast milk is the best source of nourishment for the human infants. Breastfeeding promotes health and helps to prevent disease. Antenatal lactation counselling and postnatal lactation support have an impact in initiation of breastfeeding immediately after birth and in practicing exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months of infant's life. The objective of this study is to study the impact of antenatal lactation counselling and postnatal lactation support to mothers of newborns in improving breastfeeding initiation rates and continuation of exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months of infant's life as compared to mothers of newborns not provided such counselling. MATERIALS AND METHODS For 4 months, 151 mothers of newborns received the usual verbal advice for breastfeeding from hospital staff (Control group). For another 4 months, 155 mothers of newborns received proper antenatal lactation counselling and postnatal lactation support by Paediatric residents and nursing staff trained in lactation counselling (Intervention group). RESULTS 95% of counselled mothers (Intervention group) initiated breastfeeding immediately after birth in comparison to 78% of noncounselled mothers (Control group). Similarly, 87% of counselled mothers (Intervention group) practiced exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months of infant's life in comparison to 19% of non-counselled mothers (Control group). CONCLUSION Antenatal lactation counselling and postnatal lactation support help in improving initiation of breastfeeding immediately after birth and practicing exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months of infant's life.