A MICROCOSMIC STUDY OF DRUG ABUSE: THE PUNE EXPERIENCE

Drug addiction  is “a state of periodic or chronic intoxication,  detrimental to the individual and the society, produced by repeated consumption of a drug either natural or synthetic” (Dupont, 1984).  The United Nations World Drug Report of 2015 states, “It is estimated that almost a quarter of a billion people between the ages of 15 and 64 years used an illicit drug in 2013. Globally, some 246 million people use illicit drugs and almost 200,000 of them die using drugs”.  According to the Press Trust of India it is estimated that there are about ten million alcoholics, nine million cannabis or marijuana users, 250,000 opiate users and nearly one million illicit drug users in India.  Like a shadowy octopus, the problem of drug abuse has reached even the school rooms in Pune, India, and it is high time that preventive measures and awareness programs be launched in our schools so that our students will recognize the enemy before  it strikes. In this research, it was decided to seek permission from the authorities of a Government Recognized High School (GRHS) and a Government Drug Rehabilitation Centre (GDRC) in Pune, India.  Permission to carry out the research was granted and the data was collected from these two centers. To determine the extent of the problem, simple surveys were administered and data collected from the High School children after working out a stratified random sampling of the population under study.  Preliminary data was obtained and this was followed by in-depth interviews from recovering addicts who were admitted to a Government Drug Rehabilitation Centr

Feasibility of store-and-forward teledermatology in out-patient care: A prospective study from rural India utilising specialist referral services through an instant messaging platform - "WhatsApp"

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented demands on the delivery of health care in rural areas of India. We examined the feasibility of store-and-forward mobile teledermatology for outpatient access to specialist dermatologic care in underserved areas in India. Methods: We conducted a prospective study using smartphone-based teledermatology, connecting six underserved clinics manned by primary care physicians (PCP) to three dermatologists, using the instant messaging platform WhatsApp. We assessed the concordance between PCPs and dermatologists (using Cohen’s kappa coefficient), consultation time, the spectrum of conditions, and the outcome. Results: Of the 730 dermatology patients screened in the clinics, (13%) (36 males and 59 females) required teleconsultation, among which 61.1% were non-infective, 34.7% were infective, and the diagnosis could not be ascertained in 4.2 %. The mean time takenwas 13.5 (± 18.4) minutes. Twenty per cent (n=19) required referral, and 80% (n=76) of consultations could be resolved at the clinic, of whom 36.8 % were cured, 38.2% had moderate, 4% had minimal improvement, 13% were lost to follow-up, and 8% refused treatment. Cure was observed in viral infections and eczema. The diagnostic concordance ranged from low values [0.38 (95% CI: 0-0.68)] in infective to moderate [0.66 (95% CI: 0.42-0.83), p=0.033] in non-infective disorders. Conclusion: Asynchronous mobile teledermatology, using specialist referral via instant messaging platforms, is a powerful modality for providing real-time dermatologic care, while offering a very promising alternative for decreasing healthcare disparities and continuity of services even in adverse situations like the Covid-19 pandemic

Magnetic and processability studies on rubber ferrite composites based on natural rubber and mixed ferrite

Polycrystalline single phasic mixed ferrites belonging to the series Ni 1−x Zn x Fe 2 O 4 for various values of x have been prepared by conventional ceramic techniques. Pre-characterized nickel zinc ferrites were then incorporated into a natural rubber matrix according to a specific recipe for various loadings. The processability and cure parameters were then determined. The magnetic properties of the ceramic filler as well as the ferrite loaded rubber ferrite composites (RFC) were evaluated and compared. A general equation for predicting the magnetic properties was also formulated. The validity of these equations were then checked and correlated with the experimental data. The coercivity of the RFCs almost resemble that of the ceramic component in the RFC. Percolation threshold is not reached for a maximum loading of 120 phr (parts per hundred rubber by weight) of the filler. These studies indicate that flexible magnets can be made with appropriate magnetic properties namely saturation magnetisation (M s ) and magnetic field strength (H c ) by a judicious choice of x and a corresponding loading. These studies also suggest that there is no possible interaction between the filler and the matrix at least at the macroscopic level. The formulated equation will aid in synthesizing RFCs with predetermined magnetic properties. C 2001 Kluwer Academic Publisher

SOCIO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF TUBERCULOSIS AND IMPACT OF PHARMACEUTICAL CARE ON MEDICATION ADHERENCE AMONG TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS

 Objectives: Tobjective of this study is to assess the knowledge and to monitor medication adherence among tuberculosis (TB) patients.Methods: During the 6 months prospective interventional study, a data collection form was designed. The knowledge and adherence levels were assessed using quantified questionnaires. Patients were counseled using patient information leaflets and reassessed during follow-up.Results: Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation.Key findings: Among the 65 patients who completed 3 reviews during 6-month follow-up study, there was a statistically significant improvement in medication adherence score from baseline in correspondence with the increase in knowledge baseline to first follow-up revealed a mean increase in medication adherence level of 2.723±1.625 (p<0.05) in correspondence with a mean increase in knowledge level 24.8±5.04 (p<0.05) which is statistically significant. First follow-up to second follow-up showed a mean increase in medication adherence of 1.400±1.072 (p<0.05) in correspondence with a mean increase in knowledge level 28.32±4.4 (p<0.05) which is statistically significant. Second to third follow-up showed a mean increase in medication adherence of 0.123±0.450 (p<0.05) in correspondence with a mean increase in knowledge level 34.18±2.74 (p<0.05) which is statistically significant.Conclusion: The efforts to improve awareness on TB patients such as providing patient counseling and education could enhance adherence to therapies and thus could improve outcomes and quality of life

Effect of Carbon Black on the Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of Rubber Ferrite Composites Containing Barium Ferrite

Fine particles of barium ferrite (BaFe12O19) were synthesized by the conventional ceramic technique. These materials were then characterized by the X-ray diffraction method and incorporated in the natural rubber matrix according to a specific receipe for various loadings of ferrite. The rubber ferrite composites (RFC) thus obtained have several applications, and have the advantage of molding into complex shapes. For applications such as microwave absorbers, these composites should have an appropriate dielectric strength with the required mechanical and magnetic properties. The N330 (HAF) carbon black has been added to these RFCs for various loadings to modify the dielectric and mechanical properties. In this article we report the effect of carbon black on the mechanical and dielectric properties of these RFCs. Both the mechanical and dielectric properties can be enhanced by the addition of an appropriate amount of carbon blackCochin University of Science and TechnologyJournal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 89, 769–778 (2003

Processability And Magnetic Properties Of Rubber Ferrite Composites Containing Barium Ferrite

Rubber ferrite composites (RFC) are magnetic polymer composites and have a variety of applications as flexible magnets, pressure=photo sensors, and microwave absorbers. The mouldability into complex shapes is one of the advantages of these magnetic elastomers. They have the potential of replacing the conventional ceramic materials, due to theire flexible nature. In the present study, the incorporation of pre-characterized hexagonal ferrites, namely barium ferrite (BaFe12O19), into natural rubber matrix is carried out according to a suitable recipe for various loadings of the filler. The processability of these compounds was determined by evaluating the cure characteristics: scorch time, cure time, and minimum and maximum torque. It has been found that the addition of magnetic fillers does not affect the processability of the composites, whereas the physical properties are modified. The magnetic properties of these composites containing various loadings of the magnetic filler were also investigated. The magnetic properties of RFC can be controlled by the addition of appropriate amount of the ferrite filler.Cochin University of Science and TechnologyInternational Journal of Polymeric Materials, 53:565–575, 200

Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering

Fine (approximately 18 nm) particles of nickel ferrite were synthesized by the sol-gel technique, and their structural properties were evaluated by X-ray diffraction. Neoprene-based rubber ferrite composites were prepared by incorporating these nickel ferrite powders in the rubber matrix according to a specific recipe. The cure characteristics were analyzed, and the samples were molded into particular shapes whose properties were determined according to ASTM standards. Magnetization studies were carried out using a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. This study indicates that neoprene rubber-based flexible magnets with desired magnetic properties and appropriate mechanical properties can be prepared by incorporating an adequate amount of nanoscale nickel ferrite particles within the rubber matrixCochin University of Science and TechnologyPolymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 47: 137–146, 200

A new generation of dwarf plantain hybrids with resistance to black sigatoka and high yield

Plantains are important food and cash crop in the humid forest zones of west and central Africa. In those zones, plantains exhibit a high diversity and are especially cultivated by smallholders playing a great socioeconomic role in the farming community. The African Centre for Research on Banana and Plantain (CARBAP, formerly CRBP) and CIRAD initiated four years ago in Cameroon the breeding of dwarf plantains by using wild and advanced diploid male parents. Significant achievements of this approach are several tetraploid and triploid hybrids with dwarf stature and resistance to Black Sigatoka. Most of the selected hybrids look very similar to the plantains and exhibit a short plant stature, earlier flowering and big bunch with parthenocarpic fruits. Preliminary evaluation of the physicochemical characters of the fruits shows that dry matter content, pulp color and firmness of some hybrids are comparable with those of the plantain parents. Although the acceptability of these preliminary hybrids by taste panel is good, their cooking features have to be improved in order to enlarge their commercial value. To insure that, superior plantain-like diploid parental lines are using to cross the preliminary dwarf and a few hybrids are already under preliminary evaluation. These hybrids are now going to be planted at a large scale extensive evaluation under high pressure of black sigatoka as well as in small-scale farmer system. On-farm participatory evaluation is undergoing in several locations in Cameroon to allow the selection of hybrids adapted to different production zones. Furthermore, the evaluation of their commercial potential including the impact of a partial dehanding practice to develop false-horn-like fruits is underway. Current strategy to create plantain triploid hybrids with multiple resistance to diseases and pests is presented. (Texte intégral

Prevalence of early childhood caries among preschool children in Trivandrum and its association with various risk factors

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a severe form of dental decay with multi-factorial origin. Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence and related risk factors of ECC among preschool children residing in rural and urban areas of Trivandrum district in Kerala. Methods: A sample size of 1329 preschool children of <60 months of age was randomly selected from rural and urban areas of Trivandrum and decayed missing filled teeth indices were recorded. A standardized questionnaire was distributed to the parents. The data were subjected to SPSS version 16 and statistically analyzed with Chi-square test. Results: Prevalence of ECC in the study sample was found to be 54%. Furthermore, a positive association was obtained between ECC and age of the child, location of residence, dietary habits, and oral hygiene habits. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to implement preventive and curative oral health programs for preschool children in rural and urban areas

On the magnetic, mechanical and rheological properties of rubber–nickel nanocomposites

Rubber–nickel nanocomposites were synthesized by incorporating freshly prepared nanometric nickel particles in two different matrices namely natural rubber and neoprene rubber according to specific recipes for various loadings of nano nickel and the cure characteristics of these composites were evaluated. The maximum torque values register an increase with the increase in loading of nickel in both composites and this is attributed to the non-interacting nature of nickel nanoparticles with rubber matrices. The cure time of natural rubber composites decreases with increase in the content of nickel, and in neoprene rubber cure, time increases with increase in filler content. In natural rubber, the curing reaction seems to be activated by the presence of nickel particles. The magnetization studies of the composites reveal that the magnetic properties of nickel are retained in the composite samples. The elastic modulus of natural rubber and neoprene rubber are largely improved by the incorporation of nickel particlesCochin University of Science and TechnologyPolym. Bull. (2010) 64:907–92