Background: Neonatal sepsis is a clinical syndrome of bacteremia with systemic signs and symptoms of infection in the first 4 weeks of life. Septicemia continues to be a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Globally 3 million newborns suffer from sepsis annually which led to 30% of deaths under five years of age. It is one of the four leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity in India. It is necessary to detect microbial profile and susceptibility patterns, for early diagnosis and prompt initiation of empiric treatment.
Material and Methods: SA descriptive analysis of culture results of neonatal sepsis was performed at the Department of Microbiology at Dr. RPGMC Kangra at Tanda over a period of three years i.e. from June 2019 to May 2022 was done. All isolates, both bacterial and fungal, were processed as per standard microbiological guidelines. Antimicrobial susceptibility was done by the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method, as per CLSI guidelines.
Results: Of the total 955 samples, growth of microbes was obtained on 561 (59%) samples Sterile samples were 394 (41 %).Male to female ratio was 1.7: 1. Bacterial growth was seen 519(92.6%) samples, and Fungal growth was seen in 42 (7.4%) samples. Gram negative bacteria were 265 (51%) were more prevalent than Gram positive bacteria 254 (49%).In Gram negative bacterial isolates Acinetobacter spp. 113 (43.4%) was the most common isolate and Staphylococcus aureus was major amongst gram positive isolates MSSA 70 (29%) & MRSA 69 (28%), Amongst Gram positive isolates, Vancomycin (4%) showed the least resistance with Imipenem (12%) which was least resistance in gram negative isolates
Discussion & Conclusion: Regular surveillance of local antimicrobial resistance and review of antibiotic guidelines in the neonatal unit should be maintained. Also, an antibiotic policy should be formulated in the hospital. Depending on the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates, antibiotics should be used to avoid the dangers of indiscriminate use of antibiotics.

Gloriosa superba Linn. Family Liliaceae is a branched herbaceous climber, common in low forests almost throughout India including Andaman Islands up. It is frequently found within the hedges and road side bush about human habitations. It is also found along the forest paths of dry and moist deciduous forests in addition to the scrub jungles of the country. It is used in traditional medicinal and ayurvedic system of medicines. All parts of the plant are used for the treatment of various human as well as disorders. The present communication provides a detailed account of the pharmacognostic study carried out of Gloriosa stem. The study includes macroscopy, microscopy and powder microscopic studies, preliminary phytochemical investigation, physicochemical tests, heavy metal tests, screening of microbiological parameters and development of HPTLC (High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography) fingerprints profile. Physicochemical parameters were performed and found LOD was found 6.23% w/w, total ash value 6.88% w/w, acid insoluble ash value 0.25% w/w, alcohol soluble extractive value 18.46% w/w and water soluble extractive value 22.64%w/w. HPTLC (High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography) fingerprints profile of methanolic extract was done by using mobile phase toluene: ethyl acetate (7:3). TLC plate was derivatized by using 5% Methanolic-sulphuric acid derivatizing reagent. Major spots Rf values and colour were recorded at 366nm, after derivatization 366nm and UV light. Quantitative microbiological tests were performed and specific pathogens found absent such as Staphylococcus aureus/gm, Salmonella sp./gm, Pseudomonas aeruginosa/gm, Escherichia coli, where total microbial count (TBC), and Yeast & Mould found under WHO limits. Heavy metals such as  Pb, Cd, As, & Hg were  tested and found under WHO limits  Established parameters can be used as standards for quality control and identification of the plant in herbal compound formulations and also preparation of a monograph of the plant.

Background: Researchers have reported poorer outcomes for patients admitted or treated at the weekends across a variety of medical settings, diagnoses, procedures and countries. Several explanations have been put forward for the weekend effect. Obstetric patients are a vulnerable group who benefit from timely admission to a maternity health facility, thus it deemed important to study the weekend effect of this group. Objectives: To ascertain if differential referral patterns exist and analysis of maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Methods: A Proforma was designed and data was collected. The arrival time was recorded in the hospital receiving room. The duration of stay at referring health institution was estimated by the patient in few and by their relatives in most cases.
Results: There was also a statistically significant difference between reasons for referral on weekends versus weekdays, with a referral for non-medical reasons predominating on weekends (non-availability of doctors, non-availability of NICU and lack of infrastructure), Rates of most perinatal complications were higher on weekend days as compared with weekdays, Odds of obstetric infection were two-fold more on weekends than on weekdays (adjusted OR (aOR), 2.32; 95% CI 1.78 to 3.17), as were odds of composite maternal complication (aOR, 1.83; 95% CI 1.34 to 1.294) and For neonatal outcomes, only depressed Apgar score (aOR, 2.19; 95% CI 1.62 to 2.52) and composite infant outcome (1.93; 1.27 to 3.54) were more frequent on weekend days, compared with weekdays.
Conclusions: This study concludes that early identification, initiation of early treatment and timely referrals are the crucial components for the success of any maternal health intervention.

Background: Diarrhea diseases remain the second leading cause of death among children under five years globally. The burden of diarrheal mortality is concentrated in low-resource settings. This study examined the causative agents of diarrhea in children under 5 years of age in sub himalayan  areas of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Material and Method: The present study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Kangra at Tanda in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics over a period of one year from September 2021 to August 2022. This study was carried out on stool samples of clinically diagnosed indoor cases of acute diarrhea in children under the age of five years received in the Department of Microbiology. It was a prospective descriptive hospital based study.
Results: A total of 103 stool samples of children under the age of five years were received to the department of Microbiology. Out of 103 participants, there were 47(46%) females and 56(54%) males.  It was observed that Rotavirus was the most common causative agent in 16 (15.5%) cases followed by Adenovirus which was present in 14 (13.6%) samples, while 2 (1.9%) samples showed Astrovirus. Parasitic causes of diarrhea were found in 7 (6.79%) cases. Escherichia coli variant was observed in 24 (23.3%) samples and Shigella sonnei was observed in 3 (2.9%) samples.
Conclusion: We recommend that in cases of acute diarrhea in children, etiological agents should be identified for possible causes of diarrhea with various risk factors that could help in management. This will aid in establishing correct etiology and subsequent treatment of patients.