A butterfly study in the biodiversity rich biogeography transition zone of the undivided Midnapore District of West Bengal was carried out from March 2014 to March 2017.  A total of 98 species of butterflies under five families, 19 subfamilies, and 70 genera were documented by the study.  Maximum species diversity was found in Nymphalidae family with 31 species (31.63%), followed by Lycaenidae 24 species (24.48%), Hesperiidae-17 (17.34%), Pieridae 16 (16.32%), and the least by Papilionidae 10 (10.28%).  Among the families, the highest common species (n=10) was recorded under the family Nymphalidae and maximum rare species (n=4) under the family Lycaenidae.  Highest species richness has been recorded in post-monsoon season (97 species) followed by monsoon (78 species), winter (66 species), and pre-monsoon (47 species).  During the study, five species of butterflies (Castalius rosimon, Neptis jumbah, Discophora sondaica, Lethe europa, and Papilio clytia) under Schedule-I, three species (Euchrysops cnejus, Mahathala ameria, and Cepora nerissa) under Schedule-II and three species (Baoris farri, Hyarotis adrastus, and Euploea core) under Schedule-IV were legally protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.  A good species to genera ratio (1.4: 1) along with 10 newly recorded species and their range extension provide information for better understanding of the ecology and distribution pattern of the butterfly fauna.  The information of the study will thus help to develop conservation strategies for management of the unique bio-geographical transitional zone.

Background and Objectives: In recent years, resurgence of mosquito-borne diseases has become a serious health problem in India. In the present study, Stigmatogobius sadanundio , a common indigenous fish, has been tested for its biocontrol potentiality for controlling Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. This small larvivorous fish can consume large number of Culex larvae even in the presence of alternate prey. This is the first report on the mosquito control ability of this fish. Materials and Methods: Experimental fishes were captured from tidal canals of Rupnarayan River in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal. Mosquito larvae, pupae, and chironomid larvae were collected from Tamralipta municipality drainage system. Predation efficacy of the fish was evaluated on C. quinquefasciatus larvae and pupae as well as on Chironomus ramosus larvae which were collected from the drainage system of Tamralipta municipality and reared in the laboratory maintaining similar water parameters. Prey were offered to the fish separately and in paired combination to study its dietary preference. Results: S. sadanundio is a diurnal predator consuming significantly large number of prey during daytime. It prefers mosquito and chironomid larvae over mosquito pupae. The rate of predation was very high during 1 st h of predation. It consumed more chironomid larvae in the presence of mosquito larvae during daytime but consumed large number of mosquito larvae as compared to other larvivorous fish. Conclusion: S. sadanundio , an indigenous fish, is an effective biocontrol agent for the larvae of C. quinquefasciatus in laboratory condition. Even though the presence of alternate prey chironomid larvae influences the predation rate, it consumed large number of mosquito larvae. However, careful controlled field trials must be conducted before this fish is used as a biocontrol agent.

A sharp outbreak of pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) in early 2020, has shaken up the whole global health care system and economy with its rapid chain-of-infection and high mortality index. This article emphasizes on the immunopathology of virus and current drug therapies. We have put down a compendious postulation on different drug actions vis-à-vis their reversing strategies for the pertinent diseases. A critical analysis has been made on the cytokine storm and focusing on to the interplays among lymphocytes and other innate immune cells (NK cells, macrophages, dendritic cells etc.) with secreted cytokines as well as on to the drug effectiveness by tallying with the contexts of SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infections. The hustle and bustle is ongoing for repurposing existing drugs, designed for other infectious microbes. Tackling the adversities in anti-viral treatment has become too challenging to stop this contagion. Thereafter, the scientific front liners are on trials of hundreds of drugs by making comparisons to other contagious epidemics. Current review summarizes different drug actions on viral propagation and host immunomodulation. Our conjecture will intrigue to re-evaluate the mostly used drugs at present state.

Anemia is a significant public health concern in India, with an esti-mated prevalence of 38% to 82% in non-pregnant females and 18% to 59% in males. Destitution, poor nutrition, illiteracy, unhealthy practices, obliviousness, and inadequate health service is the significant reasons for the higher rate of IDA in the tribals of India. The objective of the present study was to estimate the disease burden in Binpur-I and II, Jhargram blocks in West Bengal, India. The research was planned as a multiethnic community-based investigation that includes age and sex-specific gradation of anemia with iron status (SF, SI, TIBC). 910 participants (female: 529 and male: 381) were enrolled in the study. Overall, 67.47% of individuals were diagnosed with anemia (female: 42.74% and male: 24.73% ). According to severity, 29.12%, 27.14%, and 11.2% of individuals were moderate, mild, and severely anemic. Results also showed that IDA is prevalent among all age groups irrespective of sex, with the highest rates in the 40.1 - 60 age group (female). The higher prevalence of the geriatric population could be due to chronic disease, iron deficiency, and genetic polymorphisms, which require future investigations.