Possibility of increased general health related problems in women involved in beedi rolling

Beedis is an indigenous cigarette filled with tobacco flake and wrapped in a tendu leaf, tied with a string at one end. Beedis accounted for about 73% of Indian tobacco consumption (Chaudhry K, Rath GK. Multisectoral and intersectoral approach to national tobacco control. Paper commissioned by the World Health Organization on the occasion of the WHO international conference on global tobacco control law: towards a WHO framework convention on tobacco control. 2000 Jan 7-9, New Delhi, India). Over three million Indians of whom are women are employed as beedi rollers as a cottage industry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beedi). A single woman on an average rolls 1000 beedies per day, using around 500 grams of tobacco flake. A beedi roller may in the process inhale tobacco dust and other volatile components. India tops in beedi consumption, followed by other south East Asian countries.Beedis are also exported to western countries were they are marketed in various flavors and are popular among middle school and high school students. The popular belief among teenagers in the west is that beedi is herbal and hence cannot cause cancer

NEW INTERVENTIONS IN FUMIGATING WITH APARAJITHA DHOOMA CHOORNAM

Aparajitha dhooma choornam is a traditional Ayurvedic medicine used to disinfect the environment. The microbicidal properties of Ayurvedic Dhoopana have been previously documented. The safety and efficacy of herbal products can be improved by incorporating modern technology while fumigating. The present study aims to show the efficacy of fumigation with Aparajitha dhooma choornam sticks in reducing microbial flora of work spaces so that it can be used conveniently on a regular basis to improve air quality and reduce the incidence of spread of airborne diseases. Bioassay studies were also carried out to check the insecticidal activity of Dhoopana against both larvae and adult mosquitoes found at site. Thus fumigation with Aparajitha dhooma choornam sticks and powder form was found to be effective in not only reducing microbial load but also in possessing insecticidal activity

ANTIPYRETIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOL AND AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF ROOT OF ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS IN YEAST INDUCED PYREXIA

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate and compare the in vivo antipyretic activity of the aqueous and the ethanol extract of root of Asparagus racemosus. Methods: The presence of phytochemicals like flavonoids and saponins were identified by TLC and the invivo antipyretic activity was determined by brewer's yeast induced pyrexia method. Results: The results showed that the ethanol extract of root of Asparagus racemosus possessed significant antipyretic effect compared to the aqueous extract which may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids and saponins in the extracts whose presence were observed in TLC. Conclusion: This study provides evidences for the antipyretic activity of Asparagus racemosus which could partly contribute to its ethno medical use.   Key Words: Asparagus racemosus, Antipyretic effect, flavonoids ,saponins, TL

ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF HYDROGEL INCORPORATED WITH PLGA NANOPARTICLES OF CROSSANDRA INFUNDIBULIFORMIS

Objective: Present study is aimed at formulation of Hydrogel containing Poly Lactic Glycolic Acid (PLGA) nanoparticles incorporated with ethanolic extract of Crossandra infundibuliformis (EECI) and investigate the efficacy of hydrogel nanoparticles as a carrier of antimicrobial constituents. Methods: Poly Lactic Glycolic Acid (PLGA) nanoparticles containing ethanolic extract of Crossandra infundibuliformis (EECI) were synthesized by an emulsion-evaporation method and their physicochemical properties were studied. Polymeric PLGA nanoparticles were then incorporated into gel matrix, using Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC K4M) as a base. The antibacterial activity of nanoparticulated hydrogel formulations were evaluated by agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results: Nanoparticulate hydrogel formulations exhibited high viscosity, neutral pH with good spreadability which is appropriate for transdermal application as well as showed prolonged drug release from optimized formulation up to 24 h. Nanoparticulate hydrogel formulations were effective inhibitors of all the micro-organisms with more promising activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: Nanoparticulate hydrogel formulation can be used as a feasible alternative to conventional formulations of Crossandra infundibuliformis extract with advanced permeation characteristics of antimicrobial constituents for transdermal application

Comprehensive study of Peritonsillar Abscess in Coimbatore Medical College

INTRODUCTION: Peritonsillar abscess (“Quinsy”/PTA) has an incidence being about 30 cases per 1,00,000 population per year. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims at finding the anatomical factor for unilateral PTA formation. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: 1. To list the frequency of PTA by age, sex, bacteriology, laterality. 2. Comparison of crypt length of tonsil on the involved side vs tonsils on the normal side and to find whether there is any significant association. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a Prospective study of 30 cases with PTA in Department of ENT, Coimbatore medical college hospital, Coimbatore. Inclusion criteria for cases: Patients suspected as Peritonsillar Abscess/ peritonsillitis, who are giving consent. METHODOLOGY: Suspected patients with peritonsillitis or peritonsillar abscess incision and drainage and pus is drained. Patient is then planned for interval tonsillectomy. Post tonsillectomy normal tonsil and previously peritonsillar abscess affected side are compared to find the crypt length to show that if there is significance between the crypt length and side of occurrence. RESULT: The study shows that there is a significant relationship of crypt length of the tonsil and peritonsillar abscess to occur(p value-0.015). This study also highlights that the abscess occurs more in males, with recurrent tonsillitis being the main risk factor, laterality is more to left side. Bacteriology of pus showed growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Patients was started on injection ampicillin for which they responded well with mean hospital stay of 3 days. CONCLUSION: There are no previous study in literature comparing the crypt length of tonsil and peritonsillar abscess. This study concludes the deeper the crypt length the more likely for abscess to occur

STUDY ON THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF HAND SANITIZERS DEVELOPED BY THE PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION (I.M) KERALA LTD (OUSHADHI)

Hand sanitizers are used to ensure hygiene in the absence of hand washing facilities or where frequent sanitizing is required especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Handsanitizers using different combinations were prepared at Oushadhi using WHO recommendations and also to promote Kerala Government’s initiative of break the chain campaign. The campaign was launched on 15th March 2020 and it aims to cut down the progress of disease transmission. The efficacy of the batches of sanitizers prepared was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. They were also tested against common air and water contaminants found in the premises which would be of more significance to the general workforce. The susceptibility test was performed by agar well diffusion method and it revealed that the antimicrobial efficacy of the prepared hand sanitizer Batch III with Cymbopogon citratus oil was the most effective among the three combinations. A hedonic sensory evaluation was carried out for better consumer acceptability

EFFICACY OF FLAXSEED CRACKERS IN AMELIORATING CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL HYPERANDROGENISM IN YOUNG ADULT SOUTH INDIAN WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH PCOS

Young women of reproductive age are more prone to hormonal/endocrine disorders, the most common being Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Research in different cultural contexts to enhance the physical, emotional, social, and reproductive health of women has been the focus of several scientific studies. High lignan foods reduce the bioavailability of free testosterone through increasing Sex hormone Binding globulin (SHBG) levels. A randomized single-blind placebo-controlled trial was carried out among women of 20 - 25 years from a single on-campus hostel facility in Chennai, India based on the Rotterdam criteria of PCOS diagnosis. The results showed a statistically significant lower serum free testosterone concentrations (1.02 ± 0.428 ng/dl) in the flax group compared to the placebo (1.64 ± 0.504 ng/dl), after the study period. Similarly, it was noted that the lowered levels of Sex hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) were elevated to 15.22 ± 14.593 nmol/L as compared to only 9.64 ± 5.124 nmol/L in the placebo though not statistically significant, thus creating a promising platform for improving the imbalances in the hormone levels. Also, elevated serum insulin concentration was lowered in the flax group (15.67 ± 6.928 µU/mL) than the control group (19.09 ± 8.526 µU/mL). The FG score significantly reduced in the flax group thus alleviating the clinical manifestation of hirsutism. Lowering of free testosterone, serum insulin, and elevation of serum SHBG levels is attributed to the phytoestrogen (SDG) present in flaxseeds and can be an ideal alternate replacing the conventional drugs for PCOS

A Review Of Quarantine Period In Relation To Incubation Period Of SARS-CoV-2

Introduction: The period, from exposure to a potential pathogen to the manifestation of symptoms i.e. incubation period, is time the virus spends replicating in the host. An estimation of this period and subsequent quarantine of the host can limit potential spread, particularly in asymptomatic carriers. Effective contact tracing, length of self-quarantine, repeat testing and understanding of disease transmission are all contingent on a true estimation of this incubation period. Methods: Articles in English from December 1st , on Google scholar, PubMed, Research gate along with bulletins from WHO and the CDC were queried for the keywords, “SARS-CoV-2”, “COVID-19”, “median incubation period”, “mean incubation period”, “symptom onset”, “quarantine” and “exposure interval’’ and reviewed independently by two authors to establish consensus. Travel to Wuhan, or in absence of travel, the earliest possible exposure, were used to calculate mean or median incubation period. Correspondingly, we reviewed the advised lengths of quarantine period. Results: Five studies with a combined sample size of 505 patients were reviewed for mean/median incubation period. Four studies recommended periods for self-quarantine, ranging from 2- 14 days. Linton et al. recommended the shortest estimate of the median incubation period at 4.3 days (95% CI 4.5-5.6), whereas the longest was by Backer et al. at 6.4 days (95% CI 4.5-5.8). Similarly, the shortest estimation of mean incubation period was by Liu et al. (n=16) at 4.8 days (95% CI 2.2-7.4) days while the longest at 5.5 days (95% CI 4.5-5.8) was by Lauer et al. (n=181). Although the range for quarantine in these four studies was 12.5 to 14 days, all four recommended 14 days as the optimum for self-quarantine. Conclusion: A precise estimate of incubation period is instrumental in outlining an effective quarantine measure. Calculation of the incubation period using mathematical models has established an accurate measure, albeit with uncertainty increasing towards the tail of each distribution. Based on a thorough review of these studies a quarantine period of 14 days can be recommended allowing 97.5% of the infected people to show symptoms. These symptomatic patients would be further evaluated based on their respective state health guidelines so that they may be effectively isolated and treated

Internet of Things Based Smart Agriculture and Applications

Introduction of internet of things brought many changes in different fields like medical, transportation etc. Advancement of this technology has become one of the major advantages to live a happy and smart life. And due to the recent climatic conditions which are rapidly changing, it has become difficult for the farmer to use the regular practice. Mainly agriculture includes farming and cattle management, this paper discuss about few applications that result in effective farming and efficient cattle management. This paper gives a brief idea to the reader about hardware components that can be implemented in agricultural practices. The main intention of this paper is to convert traditional agriculture to smart agriculture by implementing various applications like smart irrigation system, livestock monitoring system, smart greenhouses and agricultural drones. In all, the applications discussed in this paper include the information collected by these systems are sent as alerts or Short Messaging Services (SMS) to the farmers. It also narrates , why we need smart agriculture and what are different applications to be implemented in one’s farm