Objective: A cluster of leptospirosis and brucellosis cases in a semi-nomadic, pastoral community was reported in October 2023 from Village A, Uttarakhand State, India. This cluster was investigated to describe the epidemiology and potential exposures. Methods: Suspected cases were residents with sudden-onset fever or myalgia occurring from 1 August 2023 to 7 January 2024; confirmed cases were suspected cases with laboratory confirmation. Suspected cases were identified through a house-to-house case search and were interviewed regarding sociodemographic variables, symptoms and exposures. Those who consented were tested. Data were cleaned and analysed in Microsoft Excel. Results: Fifty suspected cases were identified among a total of 300 residents across 85 households. Among these, 27 agreed to be tested, and 25 were confirmed (13 with leptospirosis, 7 with brucellosis and 5 with both leptospirosis and brucellosis). The cases began in September 2023 following flooding and continued until January 2024, with no deaths. The median age (range) of cases was 30 (17–82) years for leptospirosis, 39 (25–56) years for brucellosis and 39 (22–50) years for coinfection. Altogether, females accounted for 92% (12/13) of leptospirosis cases, 57% (4/7) of brucellosis cases and 80% (4/5) of coinfections. Symptoms included fever, myalgia and arthralgia. All cases reported contact with floodwater and animal abortus. Discussion: This was a laboratory-confirmed co-occurring cluster of leptospirosis and brucellosis, including five cases of coinfection, following flooding, predominantly affecting female Van Gujjar dairy farmers. Education was provided to the community about the hygienic disposal of animal waste.

The new genus and species, Jejulea byssolomoides, is described from Jeju Island, Korea. This lichen is characterized by saxicolous, crustose, pale greenish-gray, partly finely filamentous, matt, smooth thallus, prominent convex brown to dark brown ascomata with a concolorous margin constricted at the dark brown base, 300–800 lm diameter, 200–250 lm high, without a distinct proper margin, adhering to the substratum ending in a minute byssoid white external part of cylindrical cells, fusiform 3–5 septate ascospores (17–23 × 4–5 μm). Phylogenetic analyses using ITS and mtSSU sequences place Jejulea in the Pilocarpaceae (Lecanorales). The new taxon is closely related to Byssoloma, a cosmopolitan group of foliicolous lichens, which is most diverse in the tropics. Like Byssoloma, Jejulea also forms a byssoid apothecial margin.

Objective: To prepare naringenin herbosome and evaluate its antidiabetic activity. Methods: Herbosomes were prepared by the solvent evaporation method. In vitro parameters like particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency were estimated and in vitro diffusion study was performed. The in vivo studies were also performed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Sprague Dawley rats to evaluate blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen, total protein, albumin level, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels. Results: The optimized herbosome batch showed a particle size of 564.4 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.412, and zeta potential of-39.3 mV. The percentage entrapment of this formulation was 84.04%, with complete drug release within 8 h. Treatment of diabetic rats with naringenin herbosomes for 28 d significantly reduced the elevated level of plasma glucose as compared to plain naringenin. In biochemical parameters, the treatment showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood urea nitrogen; while elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were returned to normal. Pure naringenin and herbosome formulation at high dose increased the total protein whereas albumin level significantly increased in naringenin herbosomes at the highest dose but not in the pure naringenin treatment group. Conclusions: Naringenin herbosomes could improve the metabolic profile of diabetic rats, indicating enhanced antidiabetic activity of herbosome formulation.

Tibial cyst formation following the use of bioabsorbable interference screws in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is well-described; however, cyst formation after the use of metallic interference screws is not well-documented. We describe a case of osteolytic lesion of the proximal tibia presenting to us 20 years after ACL reconstruction using an autologous bone-tendon-bone graft. The original graft fixation technique was interference fixation with a metal screw in the tibial and femoral tunnels. A two-stage revision reconstruction of the ACL was undertaken with curettage and bone grafting of the tibial lesion in the first stage and reconstruction using a four-strand hamstring tendon in the second stage. The patient recovered satisfactorily with complete healing of the cyst and returned to pre-injury level of activities. We have reviewed case reports and case series that describe the aetiology of intra-osseous cyst formation following ACL reconstruction.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Bone Transplantation ; Curettage ; Humans ; Knee ; Tendons ; Tibia ; Transplants

In this paper, we describe Endocarpon subramulosum as a new species from temperate regions of South Korea, which grows over soil on rocks. The proposed new species is morphologically similar to E. ramulosum Harada, which has so far been reported from Japan.
Classification ; Fungi* ; Japan ; Lichens* ; Republic of Korea* ; Soil

Taxonomic study of the crustose lichen Porpidia was performed in this paper. Three species are described, including two recorded species and one new record: Porpidia macrocarpa (DC.) Hertel & A. J. Schwab. A description of each species is presented along with morphological, anatomic, and chemical characteristics. A key to the identification of species of Porpidia is also presented.
Lichens ; Republic of Korea

This study describes two new records of the lichen genus Placynthiella (P. hyporhoda and P. icmalea) from South Korea. A brief taxonomic description and comments are provided for the new records. An artificial key is also provided for known species of this genus in South Korea.
Biodiversity ; Lichens ; Republic of Korea

This study describes a new record of a thelotremoid lichen (Leucodecton desquamescens) from South Korea. The taxon is characterized by thick, bulging thallus with many calcium oxalate crystal inclusions; an immersed, round to irregular ascomata with free exciple, ellipsoid to +/- roundish submuriform, brown ascospores, and lack of secondary metabolites. A detailed taxonomic description and comments are presented for this taxon. The lichen genus Leucodecton is reported for the first time in South Korea.
Calcium Oxalate ; Lichens ; Republic of Korea

Based on a literature survey and assessment of the important features of lichen genus Buellia (spore shape and size, anatomy of the exciple as well as analysis of the lichen substances), the present paper describes four new records of B. maritima, B. polyspora, B. spuria and B. stellulata from South Korea. Among them, B. maritima and B. polyspora are firstly reported in East Asia including in China, the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Brief description of all the new records along with earlier described species placed under genus Amandinea and Hafellia are provided with their distribution and chemistry. A key to all the Buellia species reported so far from South Korea is also provided.
China ; Far East ; Japan ; Lichens ; Republic of Korea

The paper describes identification of new microlichen (Sculptolumina japonica) in South Korea. A detailed taxonomic description and comments are presented for the taxa studied. Lichen genus Sculptolumina is reported for the first time for this country.
Lichens ; Republic of Korea