Understanding health in very late adulthood: The role of personal, social, and community-care resources

The objectives of this study were to (a) to understand health in very late life (b) to identify the mechanisms through which personal, social, and community-care resources influence multiple health outcomes in very late life. This study used the data (N = 197) from Phase III of the Georgia Centenarian Study (GCS). The Georgia Centenarian Study collected data from centenarians and near centenarians (98 years and older), octogenarians (80 years and older) as well as their proxy informants. The results of structural equation modeling demonstrated differential pathways for effects of psychosocial resources on four health outcomes (proxy-rated centenarian health, functional health, chronic diseases, and health problems). The results of this study also indicated (a) variation in overall and functional health of centenarians (b) direct effects of demographic characteristics, personality, and community-care resources on social support (c) that social support moderated the relationship between Neuroticism and proxy-rated health as well as health problems. Overall, the results showed that psychosocial resources affected social support but had a limited role in predicting health outcomes in very late life. Functional health emerged as the most relevant health outcome in very late life. By understanding health and factors that affect health in very old age, better health interventions and community programs can effectively be formulated and implemented to ensure a better health-related quality of life in very old age

Patent Data for Comparative Study: Case study of Top Aspirants in Bioinformatics Industry

Innovation and technology are considered as a subject of success and achievement to the firm. The comparative study represents an essential procedure to identify the innovation and technological capabilities of major players involved in the bioinformatics related inventions. The aim of the research is to map out the top firms and identify their strategically important technologies. In view of this, the comparative analysis of major firms in bioinformatics industry is carried out using patent information. Herein the top three assignees are considered and based on this further analysis is performed. The top companies’ trend suggests that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the major player in bioinformatics research. Thus, we have tried to develop an overview on their patenting trend and important concerned areas of research. Also, our results indicate that the application of computational tools is being utilized for most of the research areas like the study of genomics and proteomics, sequence categorization and their structural prediction

Selection of Audit Courses for Engineering Students

Rather than materialistic gain and possession, personality development is more of a process of growing human capabilities. Personality development is recognized as a vital component of corporate success, and it extends beyond the human realm. Especially freshly recruited engineers have to deal with challenging situations almost every day. Adaptability and strong interpersonal skills are essential soft skills for engineering students to cope with the strenuous/high-pressure work environment. The Audit courses can help in the holistic development of engineering students. These are introduced in the curriculum by AICTE in order to help students develop their personality, improve communication skills and learn about corporate grooming, for all branches of engineering. Audit courses focus across multidisciplinary domains and deliver holistic education with flexibility of subjects. The objective is to groom innovative minds into resilient personalities who can sustain and adapt to rapidly changing industrial needs and technological advancements. The perspectives to propose the audit courses vary across disciplines for e.g. foreign languages, performing arts and personality development. In India given the diversity and regional languages, students coming from different backgrounds need grooming in soft skills to back up their technical skills. Enhancement of personality can take place through different audit courses in a stress-free environment and enjoyable through different activities

Exploring the Efficacy of Natural Products in Alleviating Alzheimer’s Disease Using Animal Models

Alzheimer’s disease (hereafter AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system. There are multiple factors that cause AD, viz., accumulation of extracellular Amyloid-beta 42 plaques, intracellular hyper-phosphorylated Tau tangles, generation of reactive oxygen species due to mitochondrial dysfunction and genetic mutations. The plaques and tau tangles trigger aberrant signaling, which eventually cause cell death of the neurons. As a result, there is shrinkage of brain, cognitive defects, behavioral and psychological problems. To date, there is no direct cure for AD. Thus, scientists have been testing various strategies like screening for the small inhibitor molecule library or natural products that may block or prevent onset of AD. Historically, natural products have been used in many cultures for the treatment of various diseases. The research on natural products have gained importance as the active compounds extracted from them have medicinal values with reduced side effects, and they are bioavailable. The natural products may target the proteins or members of signaling pathways that get altered in specific diseases. Many natural products are being tested in various animal model systems for their role as a potential therapeutic target for AD, and to address questions about how these natural products can rescue AD or other neurodegenerative disorders. Some of these products are in clinical trials and results are promising because of their neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-amyloidogenic, anticholinesterase activities and easy availability. This review summarizes the use of animal model systems to identify natural products, which may serve as potential therapeutic targets for AD

NOVEL FORMULATION FOR ENHANCED EFFICACY OF LAVANG TAILA (CLOVE OIL) FOR ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY

Lavang (Clove - Eugenia caryophyllata) has been used since years for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects. The aim of current study was to observe anti-inflammatory activity of clove oil in the form of Bio-adhesive Gel, since it has property to inhibitCOX-2 enzyme and prostaglandins.Self-Micro emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SMEDDS) is an isotropic and thermodynamically stable mixture of oil, surfactant/co-surfactant and drug.  A novel SMEDDS of extract of Clove (Lavanga Taila) and other chemicals as Vitamin E TPGS - as surfactant,  antioxidant, penetration enhancer and can protect the oil from degradation, Transcutol P- as co-surfactant, Ethanol- co-solvent, Carbopol - as the gelling agent and Distilled water.  Carrageenan induced rat paw edema model was used to investigate the in vivo performance. Commercial clove oil formulation was used as reference formulation.After the carrageenan injection, the paw volumes were measured at 15 min, 30 min, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours by using a plethysmometer. The percentage inhibition of edema was calculated by the equation: % inhibition of edema = 100 [1-(Vt/Vc)].Various proportions of the contents were used to prepare several SMEDDS formulations. The optimized batch was selected on the basis of clarity and stability for 24 hrs. Organoleptic parameters such as pH value (7.3), Spreadability (++), Consistency(+++), Washability (+++), Irritation(None), Film formation (continuous) were observed for the prepared gel.Results reveal that the action of SMEDDS gel was about two times better than the clove oil alone, as the percentage of inhibition of edema was 42.06 % by SMEDDS gel while the Clove oil inhibits 25.67% at the end of 3rd hour. The in vivo studies showed that bio-adhesive gel of clove oil has significant role as anti-inflammatory (shothahar) action. The gel can be further used for oral preparations. However more investigations are needed to elucidate the exact mechanism of the gel

INFLUENCE OF DISTRACTIONS ON AUDIO AND VISUAL REACTION TIME IN YOUNG HEALTHY INDIVIDUAL OF 19-26 YEARS

Background: Reaction Time is a measure of function of sensori-motor co-ordination and it is one of the valid and reliable tools for assessing cognitive functions. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of distractions on auditory and visual reaction time. Methodology: Testing was performed using a reaction time programmer developed with the help of JavaScript. 50 healthy participants (47 girls and 3 boys) aged between 19-26 years were exposed to different distractions (conversation, slow music, fast music and texting) in both ART and VRT tests. Results and Conclusion: Both auditory and visual reaction time with each distraction was found longer than normal. Auditory reaction time was maximally affected by conversation (f-value 8.27 and p-value). Key words: Auditory reaction time; Visual reaction time; Distractions; Sensori-motor co-ordination

CORRELATION OF LOWER LIMB STRENGTH, POWER, WAIST-HIP RATIO AND BMI WITH A SITTING-RISING TEST IN 18-35 YEARS AGE GROUP

Purpose: To investigate the co-relation of sitting-rising test scores with measures of lower extremity strength, power, and body compositions (body mass index and waist-hip ratio). Furthermore, to find out the level of physical activity in the targeted population. Methods: Participants aged between 18-35 years (n=131) of both genders were recruited in this study. Along with performing sitting-rising test, anthropometric and demographic data were collected to calculate body mass index and waist-hip ratio. Lower extremity strength was assessed using a 30-second chair stand test, and power was assessed using a triple hop test for distance. Also, the Rapid Assessment Disuse Index questionnaire was given to dividing the population into two groups depending on whether they are involved more in physical activity or not. Results: Sitting-rising test scores showed a positive correlation with lower extremity strength and power, negative correlation with body mass index, and no co-relation with waist-hip ratio. Further, 76 participants out of 131 were less physical activity and had more sedentary behavior. Conclusion: Sitting-rising from the floor in young adults is influenced by the strength and power of lower extremities and body mass index except for the waist-hip ratio. Keywords: Sitting-rising test; Lower extremity strength and power; RADI score

CORRELATION OF LOWER LIMB STRENGTH, POWER, WAIST-HIP RATIO AND BMI WITH A SITTING-RISING TEST IN 18-35 YEARS AGE GROUP

Purpose: To investigate the co-relation of sitting-rising test scores with measures of lower extremity strength, power, and body compositions (body mass index and waist-hip ratio). Furthermore, to find out the level of physical activity in the targeted population. Methods: Participants aged between 18-35 years (n=131) of both genders were recruited in this study. Along with performing sitting-rising test, anthropometric and demographic data were collected to calculate body mass index and waist-hip ratio. Lower extremity strength was assessed using a 30-second chair stand test, and power was assessed using a triple hop test for distance. Also, the Rapid Assessment Disuse Index questionnaire was given to dividing the population into two groups depending on whether they are involved more in physical activity or not. Results: Sitting-rising test scores showed a positive correlation with lower extremity strength and power, negative correlation with body mass index, and no co-relation with waist-hip ratio. Further, 76 participants out of 131 were less physical activity and had more sedentary behavior. Conclusion: Sitting-rising from the floor in young adults is influenced by the strength and power of lower extremities and body mass index except for the waist-hip ratio. Keywords: Sitting-rising test; Lower extremity strength and power; RADI score

CORRELATION OF ACSM\u27S WALKING EQUATION AND DIRECTLY MEASURED VO2MAX IN INDIAN POPULATION: A PILOT STUDY

Purpose of study: American College of Sports and Medicine equation is applied in many cardiovascular centers and sports medicine laboratory. It is used in majority of the commercial software available for exercise testing ACSM has published several metabolic equations for the indirect estimation of VO2max. So the purpose of the study was to find the applicability of ACSM walking equation in Indian population. Aim and Objective: To find out the correlation between actual VO2max and predicted VO2max 18-25 years female in Nagpur. Methodology: All the participants were selected according to sample of convenience and given a thorough explanation of the procedure in the language they understand. Each participant signed written informed consent before participating in the study in the language they could comprehend. Subjects were screened on the basis of selection criteria and PAR-q & you questionnaire. Total 20 participants were selected and demographic and anthropometric data was recorded. In this VO2 max was calculated directly by gas analyzer using AD instrument and indirectly by ACSM\u27s walking equation and data was analyzed. Result: The mean and standard deviation of directly measured VO2max (ml/kg/min) is 8.6354 and ±4.5557 this shows the range of VO2max for the studied population and VO2max predicted by ACSM walking equation is 38.1891 and ±5.4691. The pearson\u27s correlation for direct and indirect measurement of VO2max suggested that there is no co-relations with the value (r=0.11, p=, 0.05). Conclusion: The present study concluded that there is no correlation between actual and predicted VO2 max in the studied population and need to develop new regression equation for studied population i.e;ACSM equation is not applicable to the studied population. KEY WORDS: American College of Sports and Medicine walking equation; VO2 max; Indian population