Equity in distribution of benefits from water harvesting and groundwater recharge: an economic study in Sujala Watershed Project in Karnataka

The paper looks at the impact of water harvesting programs in ground water recharge through the case of the Sujala watershed in Karnataka. On comparison with areas of non sujala watershed and non watershed cases in one normal rainfall and one drought year, it was revealed that Sujala has been successful in recharging groundwater, improving farmers’ incomes and increasing crop production. Further the program is inclusive and the benefits were accrued even to the small and marginal farmers. In fact the net return for small and marginal farmers was higher that that for large and medium farmers. The study concluded that there is potential for expansion of Sujala pattern of watershed development program in other parts of Karnataka and India.Length: pp.720-746Water harvestingGroundwater rechargeWatershedsDevelopment projectsGroundwater irrigationWellsEconomic impact

Clinical profile of postpartum cerebral venous thrombosis

Background: Pregnancy and puerperium are most prevalent prothrombotic states leading to cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Pregnancy induces several changes in coagulation system, which persists at least during early puerperium, rendering it a prothrombotic state. The objective of the study was to study the clinical profile of postpartum CVT.Methods: A total of 32 consecutive patients admitted in medicine and obstetrics and gynecology ward between April 2012 and March 2015 with radiologically confirmed diagnosis of CVT were included in the study. Detailed history, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations were carried out in all the cases.Results: Out of 32 patients of CVT studied, the age of patients varied from 18 to 40 years. Maximum incidence was seen in 21-30 age group comprising 74% of the cases, with mean age being 25.5 years. Two-third of the patients belongs to the low socio-economic class. The majority of them had subacute presentation with the headache in 93.75%, followed by altered sensorium (90.6%) and convulsions (75%) being the most common presenting symptoms. Radiologically the most common finding noted was hemorrhagic infarction (85.3%), followed by non-hemorrhagic infarction (15.7%).Conclusions: Pregnancy and puerperium are most prevalent prothrombotic states leading to CVT

A REVIEW ON TOXICITY OF CALOTROPIS (ARKA) AND MANAGEMENT

The herbal medicine occupies distinct position right from ancient period in Ayurveda. Arka (Calotropis) an important drug of Ayurvedic toxicology and therapeutics is known in India from ancient period since Samhitakala. There are two types of Arka mentioned in Ayurveda. Sweata arka (Calotropis gigantea) and Rakta arka (Calotropis procera). Among the two Raktaarka (Calotropis procera) is more toxic and is assumed even more poisonous than cobra venom. Both these plants belong to Asclepiadaceae family and closely resemble each other in chemical and physiological actions. It is included under Bhedaniya (Vagbhata) Vamanopaga, Svedopaga (Caraka), Arkadi, Adhobhagahara, gana (Susruta) and also included under Guduchyadi Osadhi varga. Toxic principals are Uscharin, Calotoxin, Calactin, Calotropin, Calotropage. Ksheera (Milk) being an irritant, neurotoxic and also due to anticholinergic responses cause toxicity and various fatal presentation. Serum containing 3% of Gigantin is highly virulent CSF toxicant. Toxic symptoms are Vanti (vomiting), Rechana (diarrhoea) on ingestion. It exerts caustic (Kshara) effect to the skin on direct contact. It can lead to blindness if its latex is put in to the eyes, causing opacity to the cornea. Ghee is considered to be an antidote for internal usage and external application of Cincha patra kalka. The dried latex and dried root are used as an antidote for snake poisoning in Bagata tribe of Eastern Ghats of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. A detailed account of toxic effect of Arka and its descriptions in Ayurveda along with its management have been emphasized in the present review with toxic symptoms, management, medico legal cases and case reports

Therapeutic Role of Herbal Drugs in the Management of Mental Disorders: An Ayurveda Review

The development of civilization of mankind witnessed evolution of medical science and in this regards glory of Ayurveda science can’t be ignored. Ayurveda encompasses all aspects to restore mental, physical and spiritual health. The general principles of ayurveda not only help to cures disease but also prevent their prevalence. Ayurveda described various therapeutic modalities for the management of physical health problems as well as mental illness. The incidences of mental illness causing huge health burden to the society since prevalence of such diseases increasing due to the inconsistent and irregular lifestyle. Epilepsy, obsessive disorders, neurosis, anxiety, mental retardataion, depression and bipolar disorder are some examples of mental illness. Ayurveda proposed many therapeutic modalities for the management of such diseases including use of medicine. The use of natural drugs offers several health benefits in mental problems therefore present article explored pathological suppressing and therapeutic role of medicine in mental disorders. Keywords: Ayurveda, Mental Disorders, Medicine, Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Shankhapushpi

Natural Beauty Enhancer and Cosmetic Role of Ayurveda: A Review

Beauty or physical appearance is one of the important aspects of human being life since it’s directly related with self esteem and internal confidence. Beauty is the desire of every individual. The texture and appearance of skin depends upon conditions of Rasa, Rakta and Mamsa Dhatus. The elimination of wastes is another important aspect for the restoration of beauty and appearance. The medical science has put great efforts towards this area and uses of natural materials for cosmetic purpose increases day by day. The concept of using herbs for beautification is well defined in Ayurveda. The Vedic period of Indian civilization has witnessed use of natural cosmetics such as; Aguru, Kajala, Tilaka, Haridra and Chandana for worship and beauty purposes. The Ayurveda also emphasizes importance of beauty and in this regards Ayurveda science mentioned use of various herbs, formulations and therapies for the maintenance of natural beauty. Present article described beauty and cosmetic importance of Ayurveda and other natural approaches.    Keywords: Ayurveda, Beauty, Cosmetics, Herbs &nbsp

Application of Bethesda system for conventional cervical cytology: a study of 340 cases

Background: Cervical carcinoma is an important women’s health problem worldwide. The Bethesda system is a complete diagnostic system that recognizes the cytopathology report as a medical consultation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the abnormal cytological entities detected by cervical Pap smear, to classify the cytological findings according to the recently recommended Bethesda system and to discuss the significance of Pap smears screening programs.Methods: A prospective study on conventional cervical cytology was performed including 340 women, 111 postmenopausal and 229 reproductive age group, attending the Gynaecologic out-patient department at a tertiary care hospital in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat state. Cytological findings including incidence of unsatisfactory smears, inflammatory smears and epithelial abnormalities were classified according to the Bethesda system 2001.Results: Overall incidence of unsatisfactory smears was 9.4%, of squamous cell abnormality was 4.1% and of glandular cell abnormality was 1.2%. Highest frequency of epithelial cell abnormalities (squamous as well as glandular) was seen in 61-70 years age-group women (35.71%) and in women presented with complaints of post-menopausal bleeding (22.5%).Conclusions: The study had shown a relatively low prevalence of epithelial abnormalities in cervical smears. The 2001 Bethesda system seems to reduce the number of cervical smear diagnoses of Atypical Squamous Cells (ASC), without causing any impairment in the diagnosis of High grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL) thus decreasing the number of unnecessary interventions.

Glimpses of Semantic Web Technologies and Related Case Studies

Semantic web is a platform of new evolution in rapidly developing World Wide Web. Semantic web refers to extracting knowledge from large amount of data. The purpose of this paper is to give a first-hand information and description for the semantic web technology. Although several research works have been carried out in the high semantic web technology, the semantic web is yet vastly unexplored. A semantic web technological innovation is rapidly changing traditional methods of searching data and how search engines work. Few prominent semantic web case studies are presented. One of the popular applications of XML RDF is Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed which is discussed in detail

A cross sectional clinical study on correlation between myopia and intraocular pressure and ocular biometric values among adults in tertiary eye care in Palakkad, Kerala, India

Background: To find out whether there is a correlation between intra ocular pressure and ocular biometric values like corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and vitreous chamber depth in myopic eyes.Methods: A cross sectional clinical study was conducted in karuna medical college hospital Palakkad Kerala, India from September 2015 to August 2017. 1000 eyes of 500 myopic patients attending the ophthalmology OPD were included in this study. Goldman applanation tonometry was used to measure intra ocular pressure. Bausch and Lomb keratometer was used to measure corneal curvature and Biometer A scan machine was used to measure anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, vitreous chamber depth and axial length.Results: In this study majority of the patients age group was 16-20 years. The overall mean intra ocular pressure was 15mmhg and mean radius of corneal curvature was 44.12D. In this study average anterior chamber depth was 3.55mm and mean lens thickness was 3.56mm.Mean vitreous chamber depth was 18.40. In this study mean axial length was 24.60mm.Conclusions: Amount of myopia and variation in corneal curvature was not statistically significant. There was no correlation between intra ocular pressure and degree of myopia. But anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, vitreous chamber depth and axial length were statistically very significant with amount of myopia

Assesment of Water Quality Parameters of Ulhas River in Thane District

Globally water resources are becoming increasingly vulnerable as a result escalating demand arising from the population growth, the need foe increased food production, expanding industrialisation due to rising living standards, pilution due to various anthropogenic activities, and climate change impacts Due to the water scarcity and poor water quality, it has been predicted that by 2050, at least one in four people are likely to live in a country with a shortage of freshwater. Water quality is a complex subject which involves physical, chemical, hydrological and biologicl characteristics of water and their complex and delicate realations