Kuruntthokai Mullai Thinai Songs: From the Perspective of Cultural Geography

How the geography of particular landforms affects the cultural ecology and the cultural landscape of that land has been studied on the basis of cultural geography through the songs of the Kuruntthokai - Mullai Thinai songs. The matches between Mullai Land and Mullai Thinai laid down by Tholkappiyar have been examined. It has been studied how natural elements such as rain, clouds, flowers, land, entertainment, animals, and birds influence the culture of Mullai land, which is referred to as the forest and land nearer to the forest. It has also been studied how herds of cattle, agricultural lands, food, and clothing form the unique cultural landscapes of the land

A review of marine finfish culture research in India

The paper deals with a review of marine finfish culture research for development in India. Informations on the marine finfish seed resources and culture potential of the various estuaries, backwaters and coastal waters, the different species of finfishee cultured in mono and polyculture systems and development of technology for the culture of various species of marine finfishss in different culture systems are given. In India, the aquaculture practices so far have mainly dealt with miikfish, grey mullets, Indian Sandwhitting, rabbit fishes, perches and groupers in various ecosystems. Details of methods of pond construction, suitable areas for culture and production, constraints met with in maintenance, management and development of coastal fish farms are presented. The problems in marine finfish culture research for development in India are discussed

Present status on induced breeding of marine finfishes in India

The paper dsals with the present stetus on induced breeding of marine finfishes in India. The role of induced breeding of marine finfishes in aquacuiture research and development is emphasised. A review on the seasonal availability of marine finfish spawners such as milkfish and grey mullet from the coastal waters and estuaries in India was made. The methods employed in tha collection of live fish breeders from the wild, constraints encountered in broodstock management and induced breeding for mass propagation of grey mullet milkfish. rabbit fish and other marina finfish larvae in hatcheries are given. The problems and prospects on induced breading of marine finfishes in India are discussed

Farm Development and Management for Marine Finfish Culture at Muttukadu near Madras

In recent years, awareness has developed on the need to undertake 'aquaculture on scientific basis to augment increased fish production in India (Qasim, 1975; Anonymous, 1987). The scope Tor an organised system of marine fin fish culture in our country was reali sed by Hornell (1911) and thereafter development of coastal saline swamps, back waters, estuaries, salt pans and mangrove areas for the purpose of cultivating marine fin fishes

PERFORMANCE OF A FORCED CONVECTION SOLAR DRIER INTEGRATED WITH GRAVEL AS HEAT STORAGE MATERIAL FOR CHILI DRYING

An indirect forced convection solar drier integrated with different sensible heat storage maternal has been developed and tested its performance for drying chili under the metrological conditions of Pollachi, India. The system consists of a flat plate solar air heater with heat storage unit, a drying chamber and a centrifugal blower. Drying experiments have been performed at an air flow rate of 0.25 kg/s. Drying of chili in a forced convection solar drier reduces the moisture content from around 72.8% (wet basis) to the final moisture content about 9.1% in 24 h. Average drier efficiency was estimated to be about 21%. The specific moisture extraction rate was estimated to be about 0.87 kg/kWh

Clinical presentation, risk factors, complications and outcome of acute myocardial infarction in elderly patients

Background: Myocardial Infarction is one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity among the elderly patients. Also, it is known for wide range of clinical presentations other than chest pain. This article enlightens the clinical features, risk factors, complications, prognosis and outcome of Acute myocardial infarction in elderly patients. The objective of this study was to assess the risk factors, various symptoms, complications, prognosis and outcome of elderly patients with Acute myocardial Infarction (AMI).  Methods: This is a prospective study done over a period of two years in a tertiary care hospital in South India. 80 elderly patients who were diagnosed as AMI were included in the study.Results: Among the eighty patients the majority of the patients belonged to the age group 60-69 years. Twenty percent of the patients presented without chest pain. The atypical presentations included dyspnoea, giddiness, vomiting, sweating and epigastric pain. Mortality rate was 20%.Conclusions: This study showed that even though chest pain was the most common presentation in elderly AMI patients, they were also found to have atypical presentations like shortness of breath, giddiness, vomiting, sweating and epigastric pain. This signifies the need of examining physicians to meticulously identify acute myocardial infarction in elderly though they may not present typically. 

Study on association of serum lipoprotein(a) with coronary artery disease

Background: Most studies of lipid-lowering therapy for the prevention of coronary heart disease (CAD), focused on lowering low density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol. Other dyslipidemias, such as an elevated level of lipoprotein(a), also may promote atherosclerosis, establishment of relationship between lipoprotein(a) excess and risk for CAD, interventions directed toward altering these have only infrequently been evaluated in clinical trials. Objectives was to study the association of raised serum lipoprotein(a) in coronary heart disease.Methods: This study was conducted in 50 patients of CAD and 50 people as control group. All patients underwent a standard clinical examination and a blood draw for a lipid profile and lipoprotein(a) assay. Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the statistical significance.Results: Lipoprotein(a) value of more than 30 mg/dl is considered as elevated. In case group 19 patients (38%) were showed elevated lipoprotein(a) and in control group these were 9 patients (18%). p value is 0.026. It shows elevated lipoprotein(a) is statistically significant with the relative risk of 2.79.Conclusions: The association of elevated lipoprotein(a) with CAD was statistically significant. Higher lipoprotein(a) levels were observed in patient with family history of premature CAD

Enhanced Activity of Chemically Synthesized Nanorod Mn3O4 Thin Films for High Performance Supercapacitors

The present study addresses a cost effective method for fabricating high performance and flexible supercapacitor based on the transition metel oxides of Mn3O4 thin films. The Mn3O4 prepared by SILAR method at different cycles such as 25, 50, 75 and 100 cycles. The prepared Mn3O4 thin films were characterized by means of structural, morphological and electrochemical studies. The structural studies of X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveal that 75 cycles have good crystalline nature with tetrahedral structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicates the functional group of Mn-O. Raman spectra indicate the formation of Mn3O4 thin films. SEM analysis depicted that Mn3O4 thin films have a rod-like structure. TEM images show the SAED pattern and lattice fringes of Mn3O4. The electrochemical measurements of CV, GCD and impedance measurements are investigated using 1M Na2SO4 electrolyte. In the electrochemical measurement Mn3O4 thin films exhibit the maximum specific capacitance value of 295 Fg-1 at the scan rate of 2 mVs-1

Evaluation of Lipid Profile in patients with Non-diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease stage 3, 4 and 5

INTRODUCTION : The National Kidney Foundation criteria for diagnosis of CKD are : (i) Kidney damage for greater than or equal to 3 months, as defined by structural or functional abnormalities of the kidney, with or without decreased glomerular filtration rate, manifest by either: a. pathological abnormalities or b. markers of kidney damage, including abnormalities in the composition of the blood or urine, or abnormalities in imaging tests. (ii) Glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for greater than or equal to 3 months, with or without kidney damage. In accordance with the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) definition, a documented GRF of below 60mL/min/1.73 m2 fulfils the definition of CKD without requiring any additional evidence of underlying kidney damage. This cutoff in GFR was selected because it represents over 50% reduction in kidney function as compared to the level for young healthy adults and it is supported by accumulating evidence demonstrating the presence of complications as the glomerular filtration rate falls below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. The commonest and most readily available marker of kidney damage resulting in glomerular dysfunction is the presence of proteinuria. Similarly, the presence of abnormal sediment on urine microscopy or the demonstration of multiple cysts on renal imaging in a patient with a family history of polycystic kidney disease would meet the requirement for objective kidney damage. Because the relationship of hypertension to kidney disease is complex and varied, hypertension by itself is not included in the above definition; instead the presence of absence of hypertension is noted separately in conjunction with the presence or absence and the severity of CKD. AIM OF THE STUDY : 1. To estimate various level of lipids in CRF patients. 2. To study whether any correlation exist between the severity of CRF and lipid alterations. 3. To examine which type of hyperlipoproteinemia predominates in these patients. 4. To examine whether the ratio between TC to HDL-C is altered in CRF patients. 5. To examine the association of hypertension in CRF patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS : 1. This study was conducted in 50 patients of CKD in stage 3,4 and 5. They are selected as inpatients of Government Royapettah Hospital during January 2008 to August 2008. This study also included 50 people as control group. 2. Study design: Case control study. Inclusion Criteria : 1. Patients with chronic kidney disease stage 3, 4 and 5 on conservative management or dialysis irrespective of etiology except due to diabetes mellitus. 2. Patients with creatinine clearance less than 60ml/min were included. 3. Patients with bilaterally contracted kidneys on abdomen USG with poor cortico medullary differentiation were included. Exclusion Criteria : Patients with obesity, diabetes mellitus, past history of coronary heart disease , patients with smoking and alcoholism , pregnancy, patients on B-blockers and OCPs were excluded. 50 age and sex matched normal healthy individuals were selected as control. A detailed history and clinical examination were performed in all patients. Height, weight, BP of all patients were recorded. Apart from routine investigations blood urea, creatinine, electrolytes, creatinine clearance by using Cockcroft-Gault equation were measured. RESULTS : One hundred patients took part in this study. Out of hundred patients fifty were known case of CKD and the remaining fifty were control. Of the 50 CKD patients 18 were female and the remaining 32 were male. Their age varied from 28 to 52 yrs. All the 50 patients who took part in the study were found to be hypertensive at the beginning of the study. Their systolic BP varied from 130 to 180 mmHg and diastolic BP varied from 90 to 120 mmHg. Of the 50 patients 34 were known hypertensive on treatment, others were newly detected for the first time on admission. Five patients had previous history of dialysis. Eight patients had arcus senilis and on fundus examination ten patients showed features of hypertensive retinopathy grade 3. Xanthoma was found in two patients. Blood urea levels varied from 47 mg/dl to 160 mg/dl. Creatinine levels varied from 3 mg/dl to 12 mg/dl. 32 patients had bilateral contracted kidneys on ultrasonogram. In 8 patients electro cardiogram showed features of LVH. In 14 patients electro cardiogram showed features of myocardial ischemia. Total cholesterol was above 200 mg/dl in 13(26%) patients. Serum triglycerides were above the upper limit of normal (150 mg/dl) in 39 (78%) patients. HDL was less than 40 mg/dl in 45 (90%) patients. LDL cholesterol was above 130 mg/dl in 14(28%) patients and above 100 mg/dl in 42(84%) patients. Ratio between Total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol was above 6 in 20(40%) patients. Type 4 hyperlipidemia was present in 39 out of 50 patients. CONCLUSION : 1. Most common lipid abnormality in this study is statistically significant reduction of HDL-Cholesterol level in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease stage 3,4 and 5. 2. There is a statistically significant increase in serum triglycerides level in patients with CKD stage 3,4 and 5. 3. There is a statistically significant increase in serum LDL-Cholesterol and Total Cholesterol level in patients with CKD stage 3,4 and 5. 4. There is a negative correlation between serum HDL-Cholesterol and severity of renal failure. 5. There is a positive correlation between the ratio of Total Cholesterol to HDL-Cholesterol and severity of CKD. 6. In Peritoneal Dialysis patients, both Total Cholesterol and LDLCholesterol are within normal limits whereas HDL- Cholesterol is decreased. 7. Systemic hypertension is statistically associated with CKD