Marine algal flora from some localities of South Tamil Nadu Coast

Marine algae were collected from six localities along south Tamil Nadu Coast namely Tuticorin, Manapad, Tiruchendur, Idinthakarai, Kovalam and Muttam. Maximum number of 56 algal species at Tuticorin and minimum number of 25 species at Muttam were recorded. Totally 98 algae belonging to the groups Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta, Rhodophyta and Cyanophyta were recorded from these six places. The red algae occurred more in number than other algae in all these places

ASSESSING THE IMPACT ON PEFR AMONG SMOKERS AND PASSIVE SMOKERS–A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Objective: The purpose of this study was to monitor the intensity and difference in Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) between smokers and passive smokers. Methods: A total of 1000 participants were enrolled in two groups as smokers and passive smokers who are living closely with smokers. Their PEFR values were measured with Wright’s mini peak flow meter. The influence of smoking on the lung function among smokers and passive smokers were assessed with a suitable statistical test. Results: Among the study participants, most of the smokers were in the age group of 31 to 60 and 31 to 50 in passive smokers. Based on the lung function smokers (31%) and passive smokers (19.2%) were in the red zone, PEFR was decreased in both smokers as well as passive smokers, and the magnitude of decline was higher in passive smoking elderly individuals. The impact of passive smoking was significantly observed in all the categories of smoking history they are living with. Conclusion: Smokers and passive smokers have equally deleterious effects on PEFR. Where passive smoking emerged as the main variable to influence airway obstruction in smokers that caused a greater reduction in PEFR

Composite Performance Index for Sustainability

Abstract

Long-term prognostic significance of three-dimensional echocardiographic parameters of the left ventricle and left atrium

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Anti-Hyperglycaemic properties of an ethanolic extract from Costus spicatus (jacq) on Streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino Wistar rats

In this contribution, for the first time an ethanolic extract of Costus spicatus, was screened for evaluating its composition followed by its in vitro antidiabetic activity. Both spectrometric and gas chromatography techniques were employed along with the antidiabetic activity on (STZ)-Streptozotocin-induced male albino Wistar rats. A rich phytochemical content, made up of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, etc, was attained together with a high amount of ash content (11.3%) and moisture content (1.27%); further, a total of 25 compounds were positively identified by GC-MS analysis. For antidiabetic activity, different treatment period of 0th day, 21th days, 45th days were taken into consideration. Histopathological studies, considering high blood glucose levels, Serum Glutamic oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) levels highlighted no damage in the pancreas tissue cells. Based on the findings of this study, such an insulin plant might be considered a potential source and therapeutic agent for diabetic patients

Chronometry and formation pathways of gypsum using Electron Spin Resonance and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Gypsum is an authigenic precipitate that forms under periods of accentuated aridity and occurs widely in arid zones. However its use in quantitative paleoclimatology has been limited due to the absence of a method to determine the timing of its formation. We present here the results of a feasibility study that demonstrates that the timing of the formation event of gypsum can be estimated using Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) analysis. We used well documented samples from White Sands in New Mexico, USA, the Thar Desert, India and lakes in the Simpson Desert and Mallee Region, Australia and found that ESR ages could be obtained using radiation sensitive SO4-, SO3- radicals and a photobleachable signal O3-. ESR signals were consistent with control ages based on contextual information. These suggest that the dating signals (SO4-, SO3-) are stable over time scales >100 ka. We propose that this stability of the SO4- signals over geological time scales arises due to hydrogen bonding between the water proton and the SO4- radical and that the suitability of these radiation-induced radicals comes from their being a part of the host matrix. Further, ESR along with Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy methods additionally inform on the geochemical pathways for gypsum formation and help elucidate complex formation processes even in samples that appeared unambiguous gypsum precipitates. Thus, the presence of Hannebachite (CaSO3.1/2H2O) and Mn2+ in Thar and Australian samples suggested a reducing environment such that low valence sulfur reacted with CaCO3 to form hannebachite and eventually gypsum. The presence of sulfur, partially as sulfite in Thar gypsum samples suggested that redox cycles were mediated by microbial activity. Absence of these features in White Sands samples suggested oxic conditions during gypsum precipitation

Hatchery production of penaeid prawn seed: Penaeus indicus

The different techniques of hatchery production of penaeid prawn seed that have been developed in different countries of the world are generally capital intensive, involving high technology. A developing country such as India with limited resources needs a low-cost technology which is simple enough to be used by semiskilled workers. The technology presented here is based on a multi-disciplinary research experience from experimental to pilot stage, on induced breeding of marine prawns and hatchery production of penaeid prawn seed during the past decade. It is developed by utilising the locally available resources and materials and is appropriate to the socio-economic conditions prevailing along our coast