Dravidian ideology of Iyothee Thass Pandithar in the Tamil cultural arena

Have created religions and sastras in Indian society and kept people from living together. Such thinking has grown into an ideology and pervaded the nation. It is in this context that Dravidian ideology, which has emerged in the Tamil landscape, has developed into an ideology of liberation from the superstitions and oppression of the people. Scholars such as Caldwell, Ayothee Thasar, and Periyar have played a major role in the formation and development of such progressive ideology. This article aims to examine the ideas put forward by Ayothee Thasar in line with Dravidian ideology in the life cultures of the Tamil people

Survey of papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus and its introduced parasitoids on papaya plants in the low country dry zone of Sri Lanka

Papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Willams and Granara Willink, is an invasive hemipteran that attacks several genera of host plants, including economically important tropical fruits and ornamentals. It is an alien invasive species and was reported for the first time in Sri Lanka in 2008 and the biocontrol programme was implemented with the introduction of three natural enemies Acerophagus papayae, Anagyrus loeki, and Pseudleptomastix mexicana imported from Puerto Rico in some selected regions in 2008 and 2009. After a decade following the initial introduction it is essential to investigate the presence of the parasitoids for the management of papaya mealybug pests. Therefore a survey was conducted to study the pest status of papaya mealybugs and to check the availability and the abundance of their introduced parasitoids is some randomly selected locations of the low country dry zone of Sri Lanka during the period from January 2018 to December 2019. The survey revealed that P. marginatus is still spreading in Sri Lanka but is present at lower population levels than in previous years, probably due to the action of introduced hymenopteran parasitoids. Among the three parasitoids the A. papayae and P. mexicana were found to be established on the papaya plants infested with papaya mealybug. The parasitoid with the greatest impact on the mealybug is generally Acerophagus papayae , whereas A.  loeki was failed to establish. The finding would be very essential to tackle if there are any future threats caused by P.marginatus

Hepatoprotective Effect of Padina gymnospora in Albino Wistar Rat; A Biochemical and Histopathological Studies

The methanolic extract of brown algae, Padina gymnospora (PG) was tested for hepatoprotective properties against paracetamol (acetaminophen, APAP)-induced liver damage in male albino Wistar rat through in-vitro model. Liver is damaged by the variation of serum enzymatic and biochemical markers, such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT or AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT or ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, albumin, and lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status were measured by SOD and SDH. The study found that PG caused dose-dependent histopathological changes in the liver and kidney of the rats. While low doses caused minimal alterations, higher doses resulted in significant tissue damage. This suggests that, despite its therapeutic potential, careful consideration is needed regarding dosage to ensure safety. Acute toxicity studies revealed that the LD50 value exceeded 3 g/kg body weight. These results indicate that the methanolic extract of PG contains active compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, detoxification support, liver regeneration, cholesterol regulation, prevention of liver fibrosis and hepatoprotective effects against high doses of paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity [Fig. 1]

Bi-columnar fixation of displaced distal humeral metaphyseal fractures in children: functional outcome assessment of 100 fractures

Background: Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are one of the commonest fractures encountered around the elbow in children. The treatment of these fractures continues to pose challenges even in this age of advancing orthopedics. These fractures have the propensity to go for malunion with cosmetic deformity. This study was done to evaluate the functional results of surgical management of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children using closed reduction and percutaneous bi-columnar pinning technique.Methods: 100 patients with Gartlands type II, III and IV supracondylar humerus fractures were operated with closed reduction and pinning using K-wires. Patients were followed up at six weeks, twelve weeks and six months and final evaluation were done using the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS).Results: In our study, there were 70 males and 30 female patients with mean age of 6.5 years. 85 cases were had fall on outstretched hand as mode of injury and rest following motor vehicle accident. Gartland type II fractures accounted for 10 cases; type III fractures accounts 88 cases and type IV was only 2 cases. Excellent to good results were seen in 80 cases as per the MEPS at 6 months follow-up.Conclusions: From our study, we could conclude that closed reduction and bi- column percutaneous pinning offers a reliable fixation which permits early mobilization and good functional outcome in displaced fractures. Increasing the number of wire will allow early mobilization and prevent stiffness.

Digitalization of Public Service Delivery: A Case of Immigration and Emigration Department of Sri Lanka

Adaptation of digital technologies leads public sector organizations to innovate and tap their potentials. The Immigration and Emigration Department of Sri Lanka (IEDSL) has commenced digitalization of its functions during the last decade. It is one of most efficient “one-stop” service centers that cater the requirements of 2,500 citizens on a daily basis. Therefore, this paper intends to explore the adoption of digitalization in the Immigration and Emigration Department of Sri Lanka and to identify the lesson learnt from digitalization process at IEDSL. This is a qualitative study which employs the case study approach. The study uses both the primary and secondary data sources. Primary data are collected through the in-depth interviews with five senior officials involved in digitalization process at IEDSL and secondary data sources are annual performance reports, other publications and the website of the organization. The IEDSL has digitalized the entire cycle of passport issuing process. This initiation enabled the IEDSL to provide efficient service delivery by reducing public waiting time and transaction cost for the public, maintaining an equal access to the service, and making information freely available. Also, it enabled inter-link between the Immigration and Emigration Department and the Airport Authority. This paper highlighted on the lessons learnt from digitalization experience of IEDSL as robust leadership, promote employee engagement, perceive continuous development through collaborations, improving the services through introducing value added services

Identifikace preferencí značky na trhu kolových nápojů

In the past few years, Tamilnadu's beverage industry has witnessed a tremendous transition. Tamil Nadu's sector for carbonated and non-carbonated drinks is expanding. It is crucial to conduct research on brand choice. The market also offers a wide variety of soft drink brands, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Fanta, Limca, and Thums up. Carbonated or fizzy drinks account for more than 40% of the non-alcoholic beverage market in Tamil Nadu, with cola beverages making up roughly 20%. Today's retailers must deal with more complex customer demands than ever before. The goal of this study is to examine customer preferences for cola beverages considering demographic information (gender, age, and occupation). It is carried out using a survey questionnaire. The respondents collected data from 304 Tamil Nadu consumers. A structural questionnaire was used to determine the consumer brand preferences, which were then recorded in 11 factors of preferences. Theoretical aspects of brand preference, consumer and brand loyalty, and brand awareness are all explored. The study will assist in analyzing the cola beverage preferences of Tamil Nadu consumers to learn more about the demand for cola beverages and how it affected customers' day-to-day activities. Every piece of information is gathered by quantitative method, in linear snowball sampling method including consumer preference based on taste and frequency of cola beverage consumption.V posledních několika letech byl nápojový průmysl v Tamilnadu svědkem obrovské transformace. Sektor Tamil Nadu pro sycené a nesycené nápoje se rozšiřuje. Je důležité provést průzkum výběru značky. Trh také nabízí širokou škálu značek nealkoholických nápojů, včetně Coca-Coly, Pepsi, Sprite, Fanta, Limca a Thums up. Sycené nebo šumivé nápoje představují více než 40 % trhu s nealkoholickými nápoji v Tamil Nadu, přičemž kolové nápoje tvoří zhruba 20 %. Dnešní maloobchodníci se musí vypořádat se složitějšími požadavky zákazníků než kdykoli předtím. Cílem této studie je prozkoumat preference zákazníků pro kolové nápoje s ohledem na demografické informace (pohlaví, věk a povolání). Provádí se pomocí anketního dotazníku. Respondenti shromáždili data od 304 spotřebitelů Tamil Nadu. Strukturální dotazník byl použit ke zjištění preferencí spotřebitelských značek, které byly následně zaznamenány u 11 faktorů preferencí. Jsou prozkoumány teoretické aspekty preference značky, věrnosti spotřebitelů a značce a povědomí o značce. Studie pomůže analyzovat preference kolových nápojů spotřebitelů Tamil Nadu, aby se dozvěděli více o poptávce po kolových nápojích a o tom, jak to ovlivnilo každodenní aktivity zákazníků. Každá informace je shromažďována kvantitativní metodou, metodou lineárního vzorkování sněhové koule včetně preferencí spotřebitele na základě chuti a frekvence konzumace kolového nápoje.116 - Katedra marketingu a obchodudobř

Evaluation of Urinary Tract Infection in children.

INTRODUCTION : Controversy continues to exist regarding when and how a child with urinary tract infection should be evaluated. Urinary tract infections are common at the extremes of age - in children and elderly. Symptoms of urinary tract infections are vague and generalized1. Recognition and evaluation of urinary tract infection and genitourinary anomalies associated with the infection and subsequent management prevents long term complications of progressive parenchymal and functional loss. In infants UTI is the most common cause of parenchymal loss. 5% to 10% of children with UTI have obstructive urinary tract infection and an additional 21% to 57% have vesicoureteric reflux2. Children with voiding dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, bowel dysfunction have associated urinary tract infections3,4. Hence evaluation of the index infection may be worth evaluating to detect anomalies in the urinary tract and helps in prevention of morbidity of recurrent infections and renal damage. AIMS : 1. To detect the abnormalities of the urinary tract associated with urinary tract infection in children. 2. To find out the most common organism associated with urinary tract infection. 3. To find out the most useful drug in treating UTI. 4. To evaluate the yield of the various diagnostic modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS : After approval from the Ethical committee and permission from the collaborating departments of this institution, the prospective study on evaluation of urinary tract infection in children was conducted at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. Period of study : The period of study was from March 2006 to March 2008. The study was carried out at the Department of Paediatric Surgery in collaboration with Departments of Microbiology and Radiodiagnosis. Study design : The children who reported at or were referred to our out patient department with symptoms and signs of urinary tract infection were evaluated with urine culture. Children with positive urine culture were included in the study and further evaluated with ultrasonogram (USG) of kidney and bladder. The urinary tract infection is treated with appropriate antibiotics as dictated by antibiogram. Once the urine culture became negative, these children were subjected to voiding cystourethrogram with antibiotic prophylaxis. Cystocopy, renal scintigrapy, urodynamic study and other relevant investigations were performed based on the individual merits of the condition. The results were compiled and analysed. CONCLUSION : 1. Twenty nine percent of the UTIs are associated with genitourinary anomalies hence it is worth evaluating the child with UTI. 2. Vesicoureteic reflux is the commonest anomaly associated with UTI. 3. E.coli is the commonest organism causing UTI. 4. Voiding cystourethrogram is the tool for the diagnosis of VUR and PUV. 5. It is reasonable to approach a UTI with VCUG and if it is necessary an USG to rule out other anomalies. 6. Amikacin may be useful for empirical treatment for UTI in our children. 7. Since the study is conducted on a select and small population it needs further study

CBSE-2014 [2 nd and 3 rd April 2014] Challenges in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology for Sustainable Environment Hepatic Antioxidant and Lipid Peroxidative Efficacy of Aqueous Extract of Boerhaavia Diffusa (Linn.) against Antituberculosis Drug Rif

Abstract : Numbers of plant remedies have been used by traditional practitioners for the treatment of liver disorders for centuries. The scientific evaluation of medicinal plants used in the preparation of folk remedies has provided modern medicine with effective pharmaceuticals for the treatment of diseases. The aqueous extract of Boerhaavia diffusa leaves was investigated for its antioxidant and lipid peroxidative efficacy on antituberculosis drug rifampicin (1g/kg) induced liver damage in male albino wistar rats. Antioxidant and lipid peroxidative activity was measured by using biochemical parameters such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and TBARS in liver. Oral administration of the aqueous leaf extract of Boerhaavia diffusa at the doses of (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) to rifampicin treated rats produced significant antihepatotoxic effect by decreasing the level of TBARS and enhance the levels of antioxidant activity in liver. The effects aqueous leaf extract of Boerhaavia diffusa were comparable to standard drug silymarin. These results suggest that aqueous leaf extract of Boerhaavia diffusa have potential therapeutic value in the treatment of liver diseases, probably by its antioxidative efficacy in liver