An innovative value addition of entrepreneurship academic research to society – A case Study in Tamil Nadu, India

There has been a transition in the economic context of developing countries which have taken up the neoliberal policies and open up the economy. India has a protectionist trade policy but now adapted to the policy of globalization, liberalization and privatization relaxing the rigid policies to the utmost flexibility since 1991. The National Policy of Empowerment of Women 2001 in India, based on the Beijing International Conference women, presented that the women who are the most neglected section to get the distribution of development benefits need to be encouraged to have equality in education, employment, participation in decision making including political participation. Entrepreneurship is one area where the women can directly be involved in decision making and able to realise the flexi hours which is the long waited demand for women in economic participation. Policies to promote women entrepreneurship has been many and several intervention by the State to motivate the women to start enterprises has yielded a very limited results. Women still face the problems of balancing home and career, failure of family support to start the enterprises, finance, access to formal credit, market, gender bias in socialization etc constrain them to be equally participate in the field of entrepreneurship. Lack of self confidence and poor information, lack of awareness about the opportunities and above all, lack of role models and lack of networking organizations to encourage the women, have failed to facilitate and motivate the aspiring women to become entrepreneurs. Those who started remained confined to self employment or micro scale businesses, not aiming high. With the research conducted on the pattern of entrepreneurship in the Indian Context, it was realised that there is a tremendous potential and cope for women to enter entrepreneurship but there is hardly any guidance to bring the women together to facilitate and guide them to start enterprises. Women Entrepreneurs Association of Tamil Nadu (WEAT) created based on an Academic Research has been helping the women to become their own boss in Tamil Nadu, India. This paper discusses in detail the origin, growth and performance of WEAT in creating women entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu, India

Masculinity and Challenges for Women in Indian Culture

Construction of masculinity in India has been approached and studied from a variety of feminist perspectives. The feminist perspective focused on the discourse and gained much greater momentum during the pre-colonial and colonial periods. During the pre-independence era, the status of women in the areas of productive, reproductive, sexual health, mobility, and economic resources deteriorated to great extent owing to intense patriarchal oppression. Now in the post-colonial period sex-determination tests leading to the massacre of female fetuses, declining sex-ratio are unfavourable to women. Rapidly changing sex-ratios and increasing evidence of violence against women are the strong pointers that have justified the scrutiny of gender framework that defines how masculinities are constructed and manifested. Women behave in self-limiting ways not because they are socialized as females but because they are locked into a lack of decision-making power, invisibility, multiple roles in the gender injustice society. This article stresses the need for sustained efforts to increase the involvement of both men and women to remove socio-cultural barriers, stereotypical attitudes, and violence against women for creating a gender-balanced society

Effect of yogic practices on selected physiological variables among hypertensive middle-aged women

The purpose of the random group experimental study was to investigate the effect of Yogic Practices on selected Physiological variables such as Systolic, Diastolic and Body Mass Index (BMI) among Hypertensive middle aged women. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant difference due to Yogic Practices on selected Physiological variables such as Systolic, Diastolic and Body Mass Index (BMI) among Hypertensive middle-aged women than the control group. Random group experimental design was used. The random sampling design was followed to select the subjects. To achieve the purpose of the study, 30 women between the age 45 and 55 years were selected randomly from Chennai and they were divided into two groups such as Yogic Practices (Group A) and Control Group (Group B). Each group consists of 15 subjects. The pre-test was taken for the two Groups on the selected dependent variables before the start of the training program. Group A was undergoing Yogic Practices for 12weeks, 6 days a week, One-hour maximum daily and Group B (Control Group) was permitted to undergo their normal lifestyle (active rest) during the course of the experiment. After the experimental period of 12 weeks, Post-tests were conducted for the two groups on selected dependent variables. The selected Physiological variables such as Systolic, Diastolic and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured through Lab test. Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) was used to find out the significant difference between experimental group and the Control Group. The test of significance was fixed at 0.05 level of confidence. It was concluded that Yogic Practices improved Physiological variables among Hypertensive middle-aged women than the Control Group. Hence, the hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of confidence

Emerging horizons in anaesthetic practice: a pharmacological update

Anesthesiologists are in search for new drugs possessing properties like rapid onset of action, minimal residual effects, better hemodynamic stability, organ independent metabolism and cost effective. Structural alterations of the currently available compounds or newer formulations of the older ones or newer anaesthetic drug delivery system will be an useful alternative to newer discovery by reducing the cost and time. Tapentadol is a centrally acting µ opioid receptor (MOR) agonist with selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibition, approved by US FDA for treating moderate to severe acute pain in adults more than 18 years of age. Sugammadex, a novel selective relaxant binding agent to reverse steroidal neuromuscular blockers is recently approved by the European Union. Gantacurium, a rapid and ultra short acting non depolarizing neuromuscular blocker, inactivated rapidly by the adduction of non essential amino acid cysteine to the gantacurium molecule is in clinical trials. Remimazolam is a new drug in clinical trials that has a rapid onset of action like midazolam and is metabolized by non specific tissue esterases like remifentanil and expected to have a promising future. Liposomal Bupivacaine is approved by FDA in October 2011 that uses bupivacaine in liposomal vesicles to extend the duration of analgesia upto 72 hours and reduces the opioid use in the post operative period. Methoxy carbonyl carboetomidate is in clinical trials that combines the advantages of MOC etomidate and carboetomidate. Hence anaesthesiology is marching towards a bright pathway with new soft drugs coming up making not only anaesthesiology soft but also pharmacology

COMPARISION OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN THE FLOWER BUDS, PEDICELS AND LEAVES OF SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM (L.) MERRIL AND PERRY

Objective: To analyse and compare the major chemical components in the flower buds, pedicels and leaves of Syzygium aromaticum by Gas-Chromatography Mass spectrometry technique. Methods: Healthy and mature flower buds, pedicels and leaves were shade dried and pulverized using a mechanical grinder. The powder was successively extracted with ethanol (40-60o C). The extracts were concentrated under reduced pressure in a rotary evaporator. The ethanolic extracts of the plant parts such as leaves, pedicels, and buds were used for GC-MS analysis.Results: The major constituent is eugenol. Pedicels contain 79.75% eugenol, buds contain 74.12% eugenol and leaves contain 51.03% eugenol. In addition to eugenol, other important components are Acetyl eugenol, Caryophyllene, Humulene and Caryophyllene oxide.Conclusion: Eugenol has a wide range of medicinal properties such as antiseptic, anaesthetic, analgesic anti-inflammatory. Commercially pedicel is not used for eugenol extraction. Present study has revealed that it could be used as a promising one in pharmaceutical industry in addition to flower buds

Happiness Audit Among Female Students in a Higher Education Institution, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India

Students can play an important role in improving and strengthening their society. During college, women gain vast amounts of knowledge and experience, and it also provides them with the best opportunity to prepare for their careers. Students are powerful human resources who are destined to decide the future of any country. In this modern era, the lives of students have become more competitive and they have become mere athletes in an academic race. There is an increased emphasis on measuring the talent of a student primarily through academic outcomes. The mental health of students is an important and necessary factor for achieving a better life, social welfare, and logical compatibility with life events. This fact must be given its due importance, but it is unfortunately completely ignored by manu institutions. From the above statements, it is clear that happiness plays a paramount role in the well-being of students. In this context, a happiness audit was conducted among female students pursuing higher education at Alagappa University in Karaikudi, India

Effect of lutein on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats

Background: Hyperlipidemia or Dyslipidemia is the major cause of atherosclerosis1 and associated conditions. Low levels of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are the major causes of increased atherogenic risk 1. Aggressive cholesterol reduction in patients with atherosclerotic disease is now the standard of care2. In addition to life style modification, patients with risk factors need lipid lowering drug therapy. The drugs available now do not reduce LDL oxidation, and oxidative stress associated with hyperlipidemia. In recent years, antioxidants have been subjected to epidemiological studies4 that have related their consumption to a reduction in the incidence of oxidative damage related diseases.Methods: Hypercholesterolemia was induced in rats by administration of high cholesterol diet for 30 days in standard rat chow diet. Rats were divided into four groups of six each. Group-I and II with intake of normal diet and High cholesterol diet respectively. Group III and IV are given high cholesterol diet along with Lutein 50mg/kg and Atorvastatin 5mg/kg orally once daily respectively. At the end of 30 days animals were subjected to overnight fasting. Blood samples were drawn by retro-orbital puncture for biochemical analysis. The animals were sacrificed after thiopentone injection and liver and aorta were dissected out and processed for histopathological study and biochemical analysis.Results: Lutein treated group showed even more significant reduction in TBARS levels than the normal control group and Atorvastatin treated group. The efficacy of Lutein in slowing down the atherosclerosis and fatty infiltration of liver is proved in this study.Conclusions: Hence the present study had shown significant hypolipidemic, antiatherogenic and antioxidant effect of Luetin in Hyperlipidemic rats.

EFFICACY OF CHONDROITIN SULFATE WITH GLUCOSAMINE VERSUS DIACEREIN IN GRADE II AND III OSTEOARTHRITIS KNEE: A RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE STUDY

ABSTRACTObjective: Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common joint disease has led to great morbidity and disability. Symptomatic slow acting drugs for OA, whichincludes glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and diacerein provides symptom relief and structure-modifying effects in OA knee. Our aim was toassess the efficacy and safety of chondroitin sulfate with glucosamine versus diacerein in Kellgren-Lawrence Grade II and III OA knee patients.Methods: After approval from Institutional Human Ethics Committee and after getting written informed consent patients were randomized toGroup A: Tablet chondroitin sulfate (400 mg) with glucosamine (500 mg) combination thrice a day or Group B: Capsule diacerein 50 mg, twice aday orally both after food. Out of 88 patients screened, 75 of them entered the study. A total of 15 patients failed to complete the study. Remaining60 patients completed with 30 patients in each group. They were assessed for pain using visual analogue scale (VAS) from baseline and followed-upat 3, 12, 24 weeks.Results: Baseline characteristics in both the groups were matching without any significant difference. At 24 weeks there was reduction in VAS from6.76 to 1.96 (71.01%) in Group A and from 6.8 to 3.53 (48.09%) in Group B. There was significant difference between the groups with Group Asignificant over Group B in VAS. Thus, the effect of drug in Group A on pain reduction was greater than Group B.Conclusion: The use of chondroitin sulfate with glucosamine combination resulted in improvement in VAS better than diacerein in OA knee.Keywords: Osteoarthritis, Chondroitin sulfate with glucosamine combination, Diacerein, Visual analogue scale

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CEFTRIAXONE SODIUM ENCAPSULATED CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES

Objective: The objective of this study was to prepare ceftriaxone sodium chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NP) from different drug and polymer ratios and analyze their physicochemical characteristics.Methods: Ceftriaxone sodium loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using chitosan as a polymer and tri sodium polyphosphate (TPP) as cross linking agent by ionic cross linking and coacervation with the aid of sonication. Various trials have been carried out for the confirmation of nanoformulation. Parameters such as the zeta potential, polydispersity, particle size, entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release Thermo gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscope of the nanoparticles were assessed for confirmation of nanoformulation.Results: The formulated nanoparticles showed mean particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential to be 183.1±8.42 nm, 0.212±0.05, +38.5±1.6 mV respectively and the drug loading was found to be 46.42±10 %. In vitro drug release was showed a biphasic release pattern with initial burst release followed by sustained release of formulated nanoparticles. The cumulative percentage of drug release was about 83.08 %.Conclusion: Formulation F2 was found to be the best formulation with a higher cumulative percentage of drug release. Modified ionic gelation method can be utilized for the development of chitosan nanoparticles of ceftriaxone sodium. Polymer and crosslinking agent concentrations and sonication time are rate-limiting factors for the development of the optimized formulation. The chitosan nanoparticles developed would be capable of sustained delivery of ceftriaxone sodium

Microsatellites in palm (Arecaceae) sequences

Microsatellites are the most promising co-dominant markers, widely distributed throughout the genome. Identification of these repeating genomic subsets is a tedious and iterative process making computational approaches highly useful for solving this biological problem. Here 38,083 microsatellites were localized in palm sequences. A total of 2, 97,023 sequences retrieved from public domains were used for this study. The sequences were unstained using the tool Seqclean and consequently clustered using CAP3. SSRs are located in the sequences using the microsatellite search tool, MISA. Repeats were detected in 33,309 sequences and more than one SSR had appeared in 3,943 sequences. In the present study, dinucleotide repeats (49%) were found to be more abundant followed by mononucleotide (30%) and trinucleotide (19%). Also among the dinucleotides, AG/GA/TC/CT motifs (55.8%) are predominantly repeating within the palm sequences. Thus in future this study will lead to the development of specific algorithm for mining SSRs exclusively for palms