THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO CASHEWS: NUTRITION, HEALTH BENEFITS, AND POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS

Abstract The study is fully researcher past observation from the field. The researcher is from Panruti Taluka, which is more production cashews in Tamil Nadu. The researcher born and brought from this aria obliviously has a lot of ideas and usage in cashews. This article is a historical and experienced-based study. Hence, the article hasn’t the methodology and research hypothesis. This study is going to explain in details cashews nutrition’s, and it is benefits as well as demerits

A comparative study of serum magnesium levels in preterm labour and term labour

Background: The objective of present study was to measure the serum magnesium levels in preterm labor patients, to measure the serum magnesium levels in term labor patients and to correlate the serum magnesium levels in preterm and term labor patients.Methods: It is a prospective case control study conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, KIMS hospital and research Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. A venous blood sample is drawn from patients admitted to labor room who fulfill the inclusion and exclusion criteria out of which 50 patients belong to the Group-A (preterm labor) and 50 patients belong to Group-B (term labor). Serum magnesium level is measured in both the groups.Results: Women with preterm labor had a significantly reduced serum magnesium level with a mean serum magnesium level of 1.59 mg/dl with a SD of 0.83 whereas the patients with term labor had a mean serum magnesium level of 2.55 mg/dl with a SD of 0.40. The difference of serum magnesium levels observed between the study population and control population is independent of factors like maternal age, parity, gestational age, and socio-economic factors. In this study, it is found that serum magnesium levels are lower in early and late preterm compared to preterm between 33-34+6 weeks.Conclusions: Serum magnesium level can be used as a predicting tool for preterm labor. Preterm labor can be avoided by simple supplementation of Magnesium which might provide an easy and inexpensive means to decrease the problems related to preterm labor. There is a further scope for research on serum magnesium levels based on gestational age

A comparative study of safety and efficacy of vaginal isosorbide mononitrate (40mg) with dinoprostone gel (0.5mg)

Background: It is essential to intervene pregnancy for safety of mother, fetus or both. Successful labor induction is clearly related to the state of the cervix. Women with an unfavorable cervix who have not experienced cervical ripening phase before labor present the greatest challenge with regard to labor induction. Therefore, it is necessary to use optimal technique for cervical ripening and safe confinement. One of the common methods includes use of PGE2 gel for cervical ripening. The rationale of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of Iso-sorbide mononitrate as pre-induction cervical ripening with PGE2 gel induction.Methods: After attaining ethics approval [PSG IHEC], a prospective randomised, case-controlled study was conducted on 182 women undergoing elective induction of labour. They were allocated to either Study or Control group by computer generated random number table method. ISMN was used vaginally prior to labour induction in the study group whereas PGE2 gel induction was used in the control group. Change in bishop score and Induction to delivery interval was assessed in both the groups.Results: There was a significant reduction in induction to delivery interval in the study group (ISMN) 15.2 hours when compared to 23.2 hours in the control group (PGE2 gel) with p=0.000. Need for augmentation of labour was reduced in the study group significantly with p=0.003. Cost of induction was less when compared to the control group. ISMN had less side effects hence can be used as OP basis.Conclusions: Vaginal Isosorbide mononitrate when used as a cervical ripening agent significantly reduces induction to delivery interval. Use of Isosorbide mononitrate was associated with very less side effects and it is a cost-effective drug. Thus, ISMN can be used safely and effectively in term patients for pre-induction cervical ripening when compared to PGE2 gel

Study of Doppler waveforms in pregnancy induced hypertension and its correlation with perinatal outcome

Background: Objectives of current study were to study the significance of Doppler in PIH using middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery blood flow and to analyze the role of Doppler in PIH in predicting perinatal outcome.Methods: Hundred cases of women with pregnancy induced hypertension between 28-40 weeks of gestation were studied for umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery Doppler waveforms. The perinatal outcome results were documented and analyzed statistically using percentage and Chi-square test.Results: Adverse perinatal outcome was significantly associated with oligohydramnios (P <0.0001) and grade 3 placental maturity (P <0.01). Absent end diastolic flow waveform in umbilical artery was associated with mortality of 27.78% and reverse end diastolic waveform with mortality of 100%.  UA PI has the highest sensitivity (88.88%) and positive predictive value (69.56%) in predicting low birth weight. Cerebroplacental ratio (MCA/UA) had highest sensitivity (94.42%), PPV (86.42%), accuracy (90%) for predicting adverse perinatal outcome than UAPI and MCA PI. MCA PI had low specificity in predicting adverse perinatal outcome.Conclusions: Pregnancy induced hypertension is associated with significant fetal morbidity and mortality. Oligohydramnios in PIH patients is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Presence of absent end diastolic flow and reversed end diastolic flow in umbilical artery is an ominous sign with high perinatal mortality. Reversed end diastolic flow is more ominous than absent end diastolic flow. Cerebroplacental ratio (MCA/UA PI) is a better predictor of adverse perinatal outcome, with highest diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and positive predictive value, than either vessel Doppler indices considered alone. Colour Doppler study is a simple, quick, non-invasive procedure and is found to be the most accurate among the other tests for antepartum fetal surveillance

CONCORDANCE BETWEEN FREE T4 AND T4 IN THYROID FUNCTION TESTS

Background: Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolism of virtually all cells in the body. The frequency of thyroid dysfunction in our population compels every physician to be skilled in the diagnosis of thyroid disease. Direct measurement of serum concentration of TSH, T4 and T3 is used to establish the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The free unbound fraction of T4 (FT4) and T3 (FT3) which is less than 0.03% is the active form of the hormone. Free T4 (the biologically active T4) is less sensitive to changes in serum binding proteins and hence FT4 levels could best represent the thyroid functional status Aim: To evaluate the concordance between total T4, T3 levels and free T4 levels in patients with abnormal thyroid function test reports where the full panel of TFT has been ordered. Materials & Methods: Consecutive TFT reports of patients in whom the full panel of TFT have been ordered over a two month period were included in the analysis. The results obtained were statistically analyzed by the help of Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. Results: In the hypothyroid group, the median TSH was 6.89 microIU/ml (Mean=21.25) with a mean T4 of 6.75 microgm/dl and mean FT4 of 1.03 ng/ml .In this group, the mean T3 was 0.91 ng/ml a range 0.195-1.95. In the hyperthyroid group, the mean TSH was 0.049 microIU/ml with a mean T4 and FT4 of 11.01 microgm/dl and 2.07 ng/ml and the mean T3 was 1.3 ng/ml with a range of 0.62 to 4.33. Statistical analysis using Karl Pearson\u27s method showed a significant correlation (r = 0.8) between T4 and FT4 values. It was also found that T3 also had a significant positive correlation with FT4 and T4. No significant influence of age and gender on TFT was found. 14% of the T4 values in the hypothyroid group and 40 % of T4 values in the hyperthyroid group were in the normal range while Free T4 alone showed changes consistent with the corresponding thyroid dysfunction. Conclusion: FT4 correlates highly with T4 in both primary hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and in conjugation with TSH its measurement serves as a better tool than total T4 in the diagnosis of thyroid disorders. KEYWORDS: Thyroid function test correlation; Free T4 concordance

CONCORDANCE BETWEEN FREE T4 AND T4 IN THYROID FUNCTION TESTS

Background: Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolism of virtually all cells in the body. The frequency of thyroid dysfunction in our population compels every physician to be skilled in the diagnosis of thyroid disease. Direct measurement of serum concentration of TSH, T4 and T3 is used to establish the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The free unbound fraction of T4 (FT4) and T3 (FT3) which is less than 0.03% is the active form of the hormone. Free T4 (the biologically active T4) is less sensitive to changes in serum binding proteins and hence FT4 levels could best represent the thyroid functional status Aim: To evaluate the concordance between total T4, T3 levels and free T4 levels in patients with abnormal thyroid function test reports where the full panel of TFT has been ordered. Materials & Methods: Consecutive TFT reports of patients in whom the full panel of TFT have been ordered over a two month period were included in the analysis. The results obtained were statistically analyzed by the help of Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. Results: In the hypothyroid group, the median TSH was 6.89 microIU/ml (Mean=21.25) with a mean T4 of 6.75 microgm/dl and mean FT4 of 1.03 ng/ml .In this group, the mean T3 was 0.91 ng/ml a range 0.195-1.95. In the hyperthyroid group, the mean TSH was 0.049 microIU/ml with a mean T4 and FT4 of 11.01 microgm/dl and 2.07 ng/ml and the mean T3 was 1.3 ng/ml with a range of 0.62 to 4.33. Statistical analysis using Karl Pearson's method showed a significant correlation (r = 0.8) between T4 and FT4 values. It was also found that T3 also had a significant positive correlation with FT4 and T4. No significant influence of age and gender on TFT was found. 14% of the T4 values in the hypothyroid group and 40 % of T4 values in the hyperthyroid group were in the normal range while Free T4 alone showed changes consistent with the corresponding thyroid dysfunction. Conclusion: FT4 correlates highly with T4 in both primary hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and in conjugation with TSH its measurement serves as a better tool than total T4 in the diagnosis of thyroid disorders. KEYWORDS: Thyroid function test correlation; Free T4 concordance

A Pre-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of psychoeducation on levels of perceived stress and coping among wives of alcoholics at Anaicut Block, Vellore

INTRODUCTION: Stress is found everyday from all directions. The impression is that the feeling of stress comes from outside sources when in reality it happens inside of us. When we feel as though we are under pressure, our bodies react the same way that we have trained them to do, with a rise in blood pressure, tightening of muscles and accelerated breathing. Alcoholism is chronic progressive and often fatal disease. It is a primary disorder and not a symptom of other diseases or emotional problems. Wives develop different kinds of coping strategies to deal with the stress. An unhealthy coping style is likely to adversely affect the normal function. Hence, it is important to take care of the needs of the alcoholic wives. STATEMENT OF THE PROLEM: A pre-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of psycho education on levels of perceived stress and coping among wives of alcoholics at Anaicut block, Vellore. OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the pretest levels of perceived stress and coping among wives of alcoholics. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of psycho education on levels of perceived stress and coping among wives of alcoholics. 3. To associate the post test levels of perceived stress and coping among wives of alcoholics with their selected demographic variables. HYPOTHESES: H1 -There will be a significant difference on levels of stress and coping before and after psycho education. H2- There will be a significant association between the post test scores and selected demographic variables. METHODS: Quantitative research approach with pre experimental one group pre test post test design was used. Wives of alcoholics were selected by using purposive sampling technique, at Eariputhur village, Anaicut block, Vellore. The sample size was 40. The samples were assessed by using Cohen perceived stress scale and Oxford Guthrie’s modified coping with drinking questionnaire. Demographic variables of the samples are collected. Psycho education was given for the wives by using flashcards for 45 minutes. Post test was conducted on the fifth day. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: The levels of stress during pretest, 12 (30%) wives of alcoholics had severe stress, 20 (50%) had moderate stress and 8 (20%) had mild stress. After psycho education more than 25 (62.5%) had moderate stress, 12 (30%) had mild stress and 3 (7.5%) had severe stress. The levels of coping during pre test, 25 (62.5%) had inadequate coping skills, 15 (37.5%) had moderate coping skills. After psycho education 21 (52.5%) had developed moderate coping skills, 14 (35%) had adequate coping skills and 5 (12.5%) had inadequate coping skills. The pretest mean score of stress is 18 and SD± 4.40, whereas after psycho education the mean score decreased to 16.15 and SD± 3.06. The calculated paired ‘t’ test value 16.88 is greater than that of table value (3.551) which is significant at p<0.001 level. There was decrease in the levels of stress scores among wives of alcoholics, which shows effectiveness of psycho education, Hence hypothesis 1 was accepted. The pretest mean score of coping is 86 and SD±19.62, whereas after psycho-education the mean score improved to 107 and SD±20.7. The calculated paired’ test value is 22.06 which is greater than that of the table value (3.55) which is significant at P < 0.001 level. There was improvement in the levels of coping among wives of alcoholics which shows effectiveness of psycho education, Hence hypotheses 1 was accepted. The findings reveals that there is significant association between the scores of stress with the demographic variables such as age of the wife, family income, family history of alcoholism, habit of alcoholism, complications due to alcoholism are statistically significant at P < 0.05 level, whereas educational status, type of family, duration of alcoholism and history of domestic violence are not significant. Hence it is interpreted that difference in mean score of stress are true and hypotheses 2 was accepted. The study findings reveals that there is significant association between the post test levels of coping with the demographic variables such as age of the wife, family income, type of family, family history of alcoholism are statistically significant at p < 0.05 level. Whereas educational status, habit of alcoholism, duration of alcoholism, complications, history of domestic violence are not significant. Hence it is interpreted that difference in mean score of coping are true and hypotheses 2 was accepted. CONCLUSION: Wives of alcoholics face many problems like stress, difficulty in coping with day to day activities, meeting the needs of the children, financial difficulties, marital conflicts, low self esteem. Teaching positive coping strategies, stress reduction techniques, problem solving methods can reduce the problems of the wife

A Study to assess the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage on level of anxiety among elderly people residing in selected old age homes at Tirunelveli

“A study to assess the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage on level of anxiety among elderly people residing in selected old age homes at Tirunelveli” was done by Mrs.T.Malathi as a partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in Nursing at Sri.K.Ramachandran Naidu College of nursing, Tirunelveli under the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai during the year of April 2014. OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the pre test level of anxiety among elderly people in experimental and control group. 2. To assess the post test level of anxiety among elderly people in experimental and control group. 3. To find out the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage on level of anxiety among elderly people in experimental group. 4. To compare the pre and post test level of anxiety among elderly people in experimental group. 5. To associate the post test level of anxiety among elderly people in experimental and control group with their selected demographic variables such as age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, monthly income, religion, number of children, mode of admission and duration of stay at old age home. HYPOTHESES: All hypotheses are tested at 0.05 level. H1: The mean post test level of anxiety among elderly people in experimental group will be significantly lower than the mean post test level of anxiety in control group. H2: The mean post test level of anxiety among elderly people in experimental group will be significantly lower than their mean pre test level of anxiety. H3:There will be a significant association between the post test level of anxiety among elderly people in experimental and control group with their selected demographic variables such as age, sex, education, religion, occupation, monthly income, marital status, number of children, mode of admission and duration of stay at old age home. The study was based on the Roy`s adaptation model. The Quantitative approach was used for this study. The study was conducted in UVSS New life old age home and Andhicholi old age home at Tirunelveli District. The design adopted for this study was quasi experimental pre and post test control group design to evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage on level of anxiety among the elderly people. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 samples for control group from Andhicholi old age home and the same method was used to select 30 samples for experimental group from UVSS New life old age home. The data collection tool used for the study was Speil Berger`s State-trait anxiety inventory. The content validity of the tool was obtained from four nursing experts and one medical expert in the field of psychiatry. The reliability of the tool (r=0.9) was established by test retest method by using Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient formula. The tool was accepted as reliable by the clinical experts. Pilot study was conducted to find out the feasibility and done the data analysis. Data collection was done by using the Speil Berger`s State-trait anxiety inventory and the data obtained were analyzed both in terms of descriptive and inferential statistics. MAJOR FINDINGS: 1. In experimental group, the pre test mean value was 91.97 with the Standard deviation 17.11. In control group, the pre test mean value was 88.17 with the Standard deviation 16.33. The calculated ‘t’ value was 0.80. 2. In experimental group the post test mean value was 62.13 with Standard deviation of 16.19. In control group the post test mean value was 89.37 with Standard deviation of 17.03. The calculated ‘t’ test value was 6.34. 3. In experimental group, it showed the mean value of 91.97 with standard deviation 17.11 in pre test and a mean value of 62.13 with standard deviation 16.19 in post test. The mean difference was 29.84. The calculated ‘t’ test value was 6.93. 4. There was no significant association of the post test level of anxiety among elderly people in the experimental group with their selected demographic variables 5. There was no significant association of the post test level of anxiety among elderly people in control group with their selected demographic variables. On the basis of the findings of the study it is recommended that: The following studies can be undertaken to strengthen aromatherapy massage as a good remedy for the psychological and emotional problems of the elderly people. 1. A similar study can be conducted with larger samples. 2. A similar study can be conducted for the patients with other conditions like stress and depression. 3. A similar study can be conducted for school students to reduce their examination anxiety. 4. A similar study can be conducted among the wife’s of alcoholics to reduce anxiety and stress. 5. A comparative study can be conducted on aromatherapy massage Vs laughter therapy in level of anxiety among elderly people. CONCLUSION: From the result of the study, it was concluded that providing aromatherapy massage to the elderly people was effective on level of anxiety. Therefore the investigator felt that more importance should be given for aromatherapy massage to reduce the anxiety among the elderly people

ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECTS OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA LEAF EXTRACT ON ORAL SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA CELLS

Objective: Cancer is the major cause of mortality affecting population irrespective of age. Oral cancer is one among the various cancers affecting major population in India. To overcome toxicity of chemotherapy and disfiguration by surgical procedures, researchers are targeting phytochemicals for their anticancer properties. This study evaluates the antiproliferative effects of Psidium guajava leaf extract against OSC cells. Methods: KB cells were purchased from NCCS, Pune. Extract from leaves of P. guajava was prepared with ethanol and evaluated with high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Antiproliferative effects of the extract were assessed with 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl--tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. Results: HPTLC revealed the presence of quercetin in the extract. MTT assay showed decreasing pattern in cell viability with the increasing dose of extract. Flow cytometry revealed the seizing of cycle by the extract. Conclusion: The study results conclude the presence of antiproliferative properties in the leaf extract of P. guajava

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN FISHES FROM THE NATURAL HABITAT, MADURAI REGION

The heamatological profile of two freshwater fishes Labeo rohita (Rohu) and Channa striatus (Murrel) with a relationship to the sex and the water quality under natural habitat was analyzed. The freshwater fishes were collected from the pond located in Thodaneri, Vadipatti taluk, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India. In heamatology studies, no significant variation was observed in Heamoglobin content and found almost the same in both the fish irrespective of the sex and also falls in the range of control value. In differential Leucocyte count (DLC) the following blood components Lymphocyte, Eosinophil, and Monocyte count were significantly higher than the control values and the values are found maximum in Rohu when compared to Murrel.RBC (Erythrocyte) count was almost the same in both the fish and the value falls between the range of control value Packed Cell Volume (PCV) count was almost the same in both the fish and the value falls between the range of control value. The values of Hb and PCV were found higher in male fish as compared to female fish. The leucocyte count is also higher in the males when compared to the females of both Rohu and Murrel. These may be also influenced by physiological activity, feeding habits, infectious agents, water quality parameters, and the environmental stress on the organism