Correlation of T3, T4 and TSH with lipid indices in obesity

Background: Aim was to study the influence of Thyroid hormones on lipid indices in obese individuals. Thyroid dysfunction is a common occurence in South India. Increased accumulation of fats is a common feature of obesity and hypothyroidism.Methods: The study was undertaken at GGH, Guntur and 150 Obese individuals with BMI of >30 were recruited. They are classified into 3 groups based on thyroid profile - Euthyroid (N=77), hypothyroid (N=45)and hyperthyroid (N=28). Their fasting venous blood samples were analysed for thyroid profile, lipid profile, FBS and creatinine. Anthropometric data like height, weight and abdominal circumference was recorded. Lipid indices, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), Castelli’s Risk Index (CRI) 1 and 2, small dense LDL (sdLDL), Atherogenic coefficient (AC) and BMI were calculated.Results: All the 3 groups showed female preponderance. In hypothyroid cases TSH, T3 and T4 showed significant correlation with lipid parameters (p value<0.0001) and with lipid ratios TSH and T4 significantly elevated (p value <0.00001). There was significant correlation of TSH with TC, TG and LDL between hypothyroid, hyperthyroid and euthyroid cases(p<0.0001). Spearman’s Rho correlation analysis showed negative correlation of Lipid ratios with T3, T4 and TSH in all 3 groups.(r≤1.0). Whereas multiple regression analysis of lipid ratios in all 3 groups with TSH as dependent variable demonstrated positive relation with sdLDL (p<0.01).Conclusions: Assessment of thyroid function is mandatory in all obese individuals to predict complications especially cardiovascular disease

Force user's manual: A portable, parallel FORTRAN

The use of Force, a parallel, portable FORTRAN on shared memory parallel computers is described. Force simplifies writing code for parallel computers and, once the parallel code is written, it is easily ported to computers on which Force is installed. Although Force is nearly the same for all computers, specific details are included for the Cray-2, Cray-YMP, Convex 220, Flex/32, Encore, Sequent, Alliant computers on which it is installed

Force user's manual, revised

A methodology for writing parallel programs for shared memory multiprocessors has been formalized as an extension to the Fortran language and implemented as a macro preprocessor. The extended language is known as the Force, and this manual describes how to write Force programs and execute them on the Flexible Computer Corporation Flex/32, the Encore Multimax and the Sequent Balance computers. The parallel extension macros are described in detail, but knowledge of Fortran is assumed

Construction of an ‘acne reduction clock’ and treatment success with combination of Ocimum basilicum & Aloe vera

Acne/pimple is a chronic skin condition with hair follicles blocked with sebum/dirt/dead cells. This leads to inflammation and also increases the microbial load. Acne occurs due to various reasons such as seasons, enzymes, environmental conditions, microbial load, excess sebum deposition etc. There are various conventional treatments available but are not satisfactory or may have some side effects. Herbal drugs play a major role in the treatment of acne. The combination of Ocimum basilicum &amp; Aloe vera is proven to have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present paper herbal product with combination of Ocimum basilicum &amp; Aloe vera was studied for its efficacy on hourly basis. Results are presented in the paper

Ethnobotanical Studies from Amaravathy Range of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats, Coimbatore District, Southern India

The ethnobotanical studies were carried out in the Amaravathy Range of India Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Anamalais, the Western. Ghats, Tamilnadu during June 2005 – May 2006. Puliyars and Muthuvars are the two dominant tribes who inhabit the dense jungles of this range; they have a fair knowledge on the indigenous flora. Due to intensive and extensive explorations have resulted in the collection of information on ninety four plant species; out of which, 73 are wild and the rest are cultivated; within the wild plants 24 are used as edible fruits; 12 species as a leafy vegetable; 23 species are having medicinal value and 18 species utilized for miscellaneous uses and the same is provided

Inclusion of Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) in the treatment of Psoriasis- A new approach

The present study highlights the importance of Hydrophillic-Lipophilic value of the base cream for the dermatological purposes beyond formulation stability. Hydrophilic- Lipophilic Balance (HLB) is largely considered for attaining stability of the base cream by the chosen emulsifier/ surfactants. However the base formulation (cream or ointment) also must act as an emulsifier to balance the hydrophilic- lipophilic ecosystem of the skin besides the formulation acts as the drug dispensing mechanism. Psorolin ointment for the treatment of psoriasis is being formulated with due diligence to HLB value due to the skin conditions of psoriasis. Details are presented in the paper

Are we too reluctant about irrational nutraceutical combinations?

Background: The objective of the study was to study the rationality of Vitamins and minerals combinations available in India and to provide comprehensive data of irrational combinations having excess and sub sufficient quantity of vitamin and minerals than recommended by National Guidelines of India.Methods: This observational study and analysis was done between June and August 2016. Data was collected from current index of medical specialties and drug India. Rationality assessment was done using National list approved drug combinations by Central drug standard control organization (CDSCO) and essentially was cross checked using World Health Organization essential drug list 2015. Adequacy was analysed using Dietary reference intake (DRI) for Indians by Nutrional council of India draft guidance.Results: In our analysis, we have found 1184 irrational nutraceutical preparations available in India market. Out of 461(38.9%) are based on fat soluble vitamins, 190 (16.4%) based on B-complex vitamins based and 5339 (45.1%) related to essential minerals. Among 461 fat soluble vitamins, 104 contain excessive level, 334 contain substandard levels. Similarly 128 and 62 Vitamin B-Complex based preparations are having excess and less quantity than recommended levels respectively and almost all the mineral combinations except four are not prepared following guidelines. None of these combinations were included in National essential list of medicines.Conclusions: Multivitamins are generally considered safe; these are irrationally prescribed and taken as self-medication by public. Many of the ill effects are often unnoticed and under reported. Government of India should regulate the manufacture and sale these nutraceuticals to promote rational use of drugs and to promote wellbeing and safety of Indian population which is primary objective of ‘Health for all’

Floc-Flotation of Chalcopyrite from a Low Grade Cu-Zn Ore

A low grade Cu-Zn ore sample assaying 0.2% Cuand 3.6% Zn was sent by MECL for bench scale beneficiation studies to IBM, Ajmer with an objective to evolve a suitable process flow-sheet for the production of marketable grade concen-trates. Preliminary flotation studies with the ore sample indicated that it was possible to generate bulk Cu-Zn concentrate and individual Zn concentrate of marketable grade with reasonably good recovery. However, individual Cu concentrate of marketable grad was not obtained. Hence, floc-flotation technique was adopted on the ore sample to upgrade the Cu concentrate. Several parameters including pH, kerosene addition, choice of suitable frother, parti-cle size, stirring strength have been investigated for their effect on floc flotation. The floc-flotation process yielded a Cu concentrate assaying 26.42% Cu with 67% Cu recovery with wt % yield of 0.5 and 132.35 enrichment ratio. In this process addition of kerosene induces the hydrophobic flocculation which leads to the size enlarge-ment of desired mineral fines through selective aggregat-ion and enhance the flotation of chalcopyrite fine partic-les as flocs. This study demonstrates that flocflotation is a promising means for the recovery of Cu mineral fines from low grade ore sample

Comparative Study of Inducible and Constitutive Clindamycin Resistance among Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates.

INTRODUCTION : Staphylococcus aureus is the commonly encountered pathogen isolated from clinical specimens. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)causes variety of human infections resulting in high rate of mortality and morbidity.Clindamycin, lincosamide antibiotic is a good option for clinicians to treat MRSA infections. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : The aim of the study was to screen for MRSA by disc diffusion method with cefoxitin and oxacillin discs and to determine the prevalence of inducible clindamycin resistance and constitutive clindamycin resistance in MRSA and compare them. MATERIALS AND METHODS : 200 staphylococcus aureus were isolated from samples like pus, blood, sputum, vaginal swab, urine and body fluids received in microbiology department of Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.They were confirmed by microscopy,culture and biochemical reaction. Then MRSA were detected by disc diffusion test using Cefoxitin (30μg) and Oxacillin(1μg) discs. Clindamycin resistance were detected by performing D-test by placing erythromycin 15μg and clindamycin 2μg discs at 15-20mm interdisc distance. RESULTS : Majority of staphylococcus aureus were isolated from pus samples (87.5%). Staphylococcus aureus was highly sensitive to linezolid (100%) and vancomycin (99%) and 100% resistant to penicillin. Cefoxitin disc detected higher percentage (26%) of MRSA than oxacillin disc (24%). Analysis of clindamycin resistance in 52 (26%) MRSA isolates showed 42.30% of inducible clindamycin resistance, 30.76 % of constitutive clindamycin resistance and 26.92% were sensitive to both erythromycin and clindamycin. CONCLUSION : Detection of MRSA is very important for treating patients and to prevent its spread. MRSA isolates exhibiting inducible clindamycin resistance are seemed to be susceptible to clindamycin in vitro but resistant invivo resulting in treatment failure. So‘D’test is suggested along with routine antibiotic susceptibility testing to detect inducible clindamycin resistance