Weathering features are described from an arid coastal area in northern Morocco which are indicative of invasive chasmolithic and endolithic microbial communities. Active weathering of marine terraces and karst development is associated with endolithic and epilithic algae responsible for boring, disintegration of matrix and mineral fabrics, solution and biomineralization that undermines the marine carbonate platform. Evidence of a range of biological weathering agents remains preserved, specifically calcified filaments and sporangial material. An abundance of filaments and spores representative of a consortium of algae, fungi, cyanobacteria and lichens is associated with the most denuded outcrops. The array of microbes contributes to the formation of the stromatolites to depths of 0·5 m within the limestone substrate. The preservation of stromatolites is supported by calcification of spores and filaments, with trapping and binding of carbonate held in suspension by vadose waters. The pervasive weathering on this sector of coastline has important practical implications for coastal planning and development authorities in Morocco.

An 80-year-old female presented with one month history of acutely worsening abdominal distention and pain, without features of bowel obstruction. A giant intra-abdominal simple cyst, separate from the ovaries, was seen on imaging. Initial haematological and biochemical investigations, including tumour markers, were normal. At laparotomy, the cystic tumour was discovered to arise from the sigmoid mesocolon and was resected en bloc. Histopathology revealed the tumour to be a benign extra-ovarian mucinous cystadenoma, which is a neoplasm of ovarian origin that can arise from extra-ovarian sites, including the mesentery. Extra-ovarian mucinous cystadenoma arising specifically from the mesentery are very rare intra-abdominal neoplasms with malignant potential despite its benign appearance on investigations. This case aims to raise awareness of this condition and to highlight its diagnostic approach and surgical management.

Background: Tobacco use is one of the most common substance abuse indulged by adolescents worldwide. The current tobacco use among youths in the age group of 13-15 years was 14.6% (GYTS 2009, India). The tobacco situation in India is unique because of a vast spectrum of tobacco products available for smoking as well as smokeless use. This study was done to determine the prevalence of tobacco use among school students in Imphal, Manipur, India and to determine the association between tobacco use and socio-demographic characteristics.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among school students studying in class VII to class X in Imphal, Manipur using convenience sampling. Data were collected by questionnaire method. Descriptive statistics like mean, percentages and proportions were used. Chi-square test was used to determine the association and a p value of <0.05 was taken as significant.Results: The prevalence of ever use of tobacco among school students in Imphal was found to be 19.5%. And 43.4% of the ever users were current users. Ever use of tobacco was significantly associated with older age group (14-17 years), male gender, living in a nuclear family, studying in class X, being in a relationship and whose mother was educated below class X.Conclusions: Two out of every 10 students in the age group of 10-17 years in the study have ever used any kind of tobacco product. Smokeless form of tobacco was more commonly used as compared to smoked form.

Background: There is a tendency to order more units of blood than what are actually needed. As blood being finite and recognition of a high rate of inappropriate use, there is a need to monitor and regulate it. It can be done by the analysis of blood requisitions. This study was done to analyze the pattern of blood requisition and utilization in a tertiary care hospital considering the lack of such studies conducted.Methods: A chart review was conducted during April to May, 2020 to analyse 5601 blood requisitions made during April 2019 to March 2020 in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, RIMS Imphal. Data abstraction form was used to abstract data and it was analyzed in IBM Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.Results: Out of total 5601 blood requisitions, 52.8% were made for female. Nearly one-fifth (18.4%) of the requisitions were for 50-59 years. Of the blood group, A+ (33.4%) was the commonest. Nearly one-third (32.4%) of blood units requested were from the Medicine Department. Anemia (71.6%) was the most common indication. Out of total 5601 requisitions, 4727 (84.4%) were made for packed RBC, 258 (4.6%) for FFP, 232 (4.1%) for platelets and 44 (0.8%) for whole blood. Majority (14.1%) of requisitions were made during the month of July. Replacement was the commonest mode of issue of blood.Conclusions: Predominant blood requisitions were made for A+ blood group. PRBC constitute majority of the blood requisition. Majority of the requisitions were made from medicine department.