A PREFORMULATION STUDY ON INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DOXORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE AND BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN

Objective: The objective was to study the effect of concentrations of doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a sample on fluorescence intensity, UV absorbance, refractive index and optical rotation.Methods: A circumscribed central composite statistical design with 2 factors, 5 levels, and 13 runs was selected for the study. According to that influence of both in interaction was measured by fluorescence intensity, UV absorbance, refractive index and optical rotation and were analyzed by the design expert software.Results: It was observed that concentration of BSA alone was significantly affecting the fluorescence intensity and optical rotation of samples. Dox alone was having a significant effect on UV absorbance at 280 nm. In the case of a refractive index, both Dox and BSA were having a significant effect. But the effect of BSA was much pronounced than that of Dox on refractive index.Conclusion: Interaction studies between BSA and Dox would be beneficial as they are commonly used in combination with tumor-targeted delivery. The interaction was observed that in a linear model for a wide range of concentration of both. So it will be useful to determine the interaction of unknown concentration

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A MODIFIED POLARIMETRIC ASSAY METHOD FOR SMALL VOLUME SAMPLES

Objective: The objective of the present work was to develop a method to be useful for analyzing small volume samples of an optically active compound.Methods: The method employed quartz cuvette instead of a polarimeter tube. Quantification of optically active compound was successfully validated in terms of linearity and range, precision and robustness. The detection limit (DL) and quantitation limit (QL) were determined as per the ICH guidelines.Results: Polarimetry generally involves the quantification of optically active compounds by measuring its ability to rotate (in terms of angle of rotation) polarized light passed through it. The plot of angle of rotation versus concentration was linear in wide range of concentration with excellent coefficient of determination of 0.9989±0.0008. The low values of % relative standard deviation (RSD) for repeatability and intermediate precision suggested an excellent precision of the developed polarimetric method. The detection limit (DL) and quantitation limit (QL) were determined were found to be 0.5025 and 1.5225 %w/v respectively.Conclusion: A modified polarimetric method for the quantification of dextrose was successfully developed and validated. The method employed quartz cuvette instead of polarimeter tube. The method is expected to be useful in a variety of industries where dextrose finds its application. The method can also be extended to other optically active compounds

A study to assess the effectiveness of computer assisted teaching programme on knowledge and attitude regarding management of dengue hemorrhagic fever among staff nurses at selected hospital, Kerala

BACK GROUND: We are familiar with the following statements, Mosquitoes are worse than Tigers and its very difficult to control Dengue fever and Dengue hemorrhagic fever, until it subside dengue fever has been main health problem of the world. This study to assess the effectiveness of computer assisted teaching programme on knowledge and attitude regarding management of dengue hemorrhagic fever. OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the level of knowledge and attitude regarding Management of dengue hemorrhagic fever before and after Computer Assisted teaching. 2. To determine the co-relation between knowledge and attitude regarding management of dengue hemorrhagic fever among staff nurses. 3. To find the effectiveness between post test knowledge and attitude regarding Management of dengue hemorrhagic fever among staff nurses with selected demographic variables. Design: Pre experimental- one group pre test and post test was used. Setting: The study was conducted in Huda trust hospital, Kerala. Sample size: The total sample size was 60 staff nurses. Sampling technique: Simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample. METHODS: Pre test was done by using structured questionnaires and attitude scale it took around 30 minutes after computer assisted teaching programme was given by using LCD Projector on management of Dengue Hemorrhagic fever was done and post test was done by using the same scale on 8th day. FINDINGS: From the findings of the study it can be concluded that most 39 (65%) of the were in age group of 18-22 years. Most 41 (68.33%) of the staff nurses were female. Most 25 (41.67%) of the staff nurses knew the information through television. The pre test knowledge level of mean was assessed among staff nurses, mean was 11.58 standard deviation was 1.22 that shows the staff nurses were in poor knowledge. Pre test level of practice score was 24.31 and standard deviation was 3.51 it shows that staff nurses were poor attitude in management of dengue hemorrhagic fever. After computer assisted teaching programme, the post test knowledge level of mean was 21.2, and standard deviation was 1.68 and post test attitude level of mean was 43.26, standard deviation was 3.54 that shows the staff nurses knowledge and attitude level was highly improved. And difference in mean percentage of pre and post test knowledge level was 39% and difference in mean percentage of pre and post test attitude level was 30% it seems to be the study was effective to the staff nurses regarding management of dengue hemorrhagic fever. Comparison of pre and post test level of knowledge and attitude level was analyzed by using paired ‘t’ test. Calculated ‘t value was 0.62 which was greater than table value. So it was significant at P.0.05% level. Correlation between knowledge and attitude was done by using Karl Pearson’s correlation method. The calculated ‘r’ value was 0.62 (0.62 > 0.28) .The calculated ‘ r’ value was higher than the table value. Hence it was a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings mean post knowledge and attitude scores was higher than the pre test knowledge and attitude regarding dengue hemorrhagic fever. The result indicates computer assisted teaching programme on management of dengue hemorrhagic fever was found to be significantly effective in improving knowledge and attitude among staff nurses. The study proves that computer teaching programme on management of dengue hemorrhagic fever was effective in improving the knowledge and attitude

Influence of shade regimes on yield and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

The effect of different levels of shade on yield and quality of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) was studied during two seasons at Coconut Research Station, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala. The shade levels 20 and 40 per cent were favourable for obtaining higher dry ginger yield. Volatile oil content showed an increasing trend with increasing levels of shade. Maximum NVEE was recorded in the plants grown under 20 and 40 per cent shade levels. Higher starch content was observed in plants grown under 20 per cent shade level. Crude fibre content gradually reduced as the intensity of shade increased. The results indicate the possibility of utilizing existing shaded situations in coconut gardens and under other perennial crops for the production of ginger. &nbsp

Rice area mapping in Palakkad district of Kerala using Sentinel-2 data and Geographic information system technique

Proper calculation of rice cultivation area well before harvest is critical for projecting rice yields and developing policies to assure food security. This research looks at how Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) can be used to map rice fields in Palakkad district of Kerala. The area was delineated using three multi-temporal cloud free Sentinel-2 data with 10 m spatial resolution, matching to crop's reproductive stage during mundakan season (September-October to December-January), 2020-21. To make classification easier, the administrative boundary of district was placed over the mosaicked image. The rice acreage estimation and land use classification of the major rice tract of Palakkad district comprising five blocks was done using Iterative Self-Organisation Data Analysis Technique (ISODATA) unsupervised classification provision in ArcGIS 10.1 software, employing False Colour Composite (FCC) including Blue (B2), Green (B3), Red (B4) and Near-infrared (B8) Bands of Sentinel-2 images. The classification accuracy was determined by locating a total of 60 validation points throughout the district, comprising 30 rice and 30 non-rice points. The total estimated area was 24742.76 ha, with an average accuracy of 88.33% and kappa coefficient 0.766 in five blocks of Palakkad district. The information generated will be helpful in assessing the anticipated production as well as the water demand of the rice fields

ExoMars Schiaparelli Direct-to-Earth Observation using GMRT

During the ExoMars Schiaparelli separation event on 16 October 2016 and Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) events 3 days later, the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune, India, was used to directly observe UHF transmissions from the Schiaparelli lander as they arrive at Earth. The Doppler shift of the carrier frequency was measured and used as a diagnostic to identify key events during EDL. This signal detection at GMRT was the only real‐time aliveness indicator to European Space Agency mission operations during the critical EDL stage of the mission

ExoMars Schiaparelli Direct-to-Earth Observation using GMRT

During the ExoMars Schiaparelli separation event on 16 October 2016 and Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) events 3 days later, the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune, India, was used to directly observe UHF transmissions from the Schiaparelli lander as they arrive at Earth. The Doppler shift of the carrier frequency was measured and used as a diagnostic to identify key events during EDL. This signal detection at GMRT was the only real‐time aliveness indicator to European Space Agency mission operations during the critical EDL stage of the mission

Cultural, morphological and molecular diversity of Ustilaginoidea virens (Cooke) Tak. isolates causing false smut of rice in different agroclimatic regions of Karnataka

The ascomycete fungal pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens (Cooke) Takahshi cause false smut in rice and considerable yield loss. In this study, we collected isolates of U. virens from the rice growing ecosystems of Karnataka and characterized for cultural, morphological and molecular characters. The isolates of the fungus on Potato Sucrose Agar media exhibited distinct colonies with colony growth ranging from 21.50 mm (Uv-20) to 70.00 mm (Uv-15). The colony colour appeared as whitish to yellowish with varied growth pattern from flat, raised flat to fluffy and raised fluffy colonies with sectoring in Uv-1, Uv-3, Uv-6 and Uv-9 isolates. The isolates of U. virens also showed variation in the morphology of spores, where the conidia were globose, irregularly round to elliptical and warty on the surface with spore radius ranging from 2.91 to 5.36 μm. The scanning electron microscopy revealed hyaline globose to irregularly rounded ornamented chlamydospores with prominent spines. Besides cultural and morphological characters, molecular identification of false smut isolates was confirmed through ITS sequencing which showed 91 to 99 per cent identity with U. virens in NCBI-BLAST analysis. Dendrogram constructed using ITS sequence data broadly separated the isolates into two major clusters with divergence among clusters. This ITS (internal transcribed spacer) sequencing of isolates should help better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships among these isolates.

Outbreak of Fatal Subacute Bubaline Fasciolosis in Wayanad, Kerala, India

Abstract: Present communication deals with a fatal outbreak of subacute fasciolosis in male buffalo calves in Wayanad district. During first week of February 2012, six out of 25 male buffalo calves aged 6-9 months, owned by a farmer residing near the dam site of Karappuzha, Wayanad district died suddenly during a period of 3-4 days. The animals were brought to Kerala 4 weeks back from Andhrapradesh for fattening. On post-mortem examination, the peritoneal cavity was filled with ascitic fluid. Liver was enlarged and large numbers of migrating flukes were observed. Snails collected from nearby water bodies released only echinostome cercariae. It was concluded that the infection occurred not from Kerala and might have happened from Andhrapradesh. Treatment with Triclabendazole at the dose rate of 24 mg/Kg body weight saved the rest of the animals

Electrocardiographic changes associated with hyperkalaemia in domestic cats

Hyperkalaemia is a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance because it affects cardiac conduction and can lead to fatal arrhythmias if left untreated. The present study describes the occurrence of hyperkalaemia in cats and the electrocardiographic changes associated with this electrolyte imbalance. Hyperkalaemia was identified in 83.33 per cent of the study group subjects. Acute kidney injury and obstructive uropathy were the main clinical conditions associated with it. Electrocardiographic findings in hyperkalaemia in different cats under study included peaked T waves in lead II and the precordial lead CV6LL, atrial standstill and sino-ventricular rhythm, normal sinus rhythm, ventricular tachycardia, first-degree atrio-ventricular block, bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, and atrio-ventricular dissociation. Electrocardiography should always be performed in cases suspected of electrolyte imbalances, particularly hyperkalaemia, so as to identify any fatal arrhythmias and initiate treatment at the earliest