Effects of Adding Folklore to Basal Reading Programs

For the past several years reading in the elementary schools has been an area of special emphasis and has been reinforced as one of the basics of a good education. In response to this situation, educators are always searching for ways to improve reading instruction

A Finite Element Approach to Bending, Contact and Fatigue Stress Distribution in Helical Gear Systems

AbstractIn the face of extensive research into the theoretical basis and performance characteristics of helical gear design, a complete mathematical description of the relationship between the design parameters and the performance matrices is still to be clearly understood because of the great complexity in their interrelationship. The objective of this work is to conduct a comparative study on helical gear design and its performance based on various performance metrics through finite element as well as analytical approaches. The theoretical analysis for a single helical gear system based on American Gear Manufacturing Association (AGMA) standards has been assessed in Matlab. The effect of major performance metrics of different helical gear tooth systems such as single, herringbone and crossed helical gear are studied through finite element approach (FEA) in ANSYS and compared with theoretical analysis of helical gear pair. Structural, contact and fatigue analysis are also performed in order to investigate the performance metrics of different helical gear systems. The benefit of such a comparison is quickly estimating the stress distribution for a new design variant without carrying out complex theoretical analysis as well as the FEA analysis gives less scope for manual errors while calculating complex formulas related to theoretical analysis of gears. It will significantly reduce processing time as well as enhanced flexibility in the design performance

Association of PPARα Intron 7 Polymorphism with Coronary Artery Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

The allelic variants of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) can influence the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) by virtue of its effect on lipid metabolism. However, the role of PPARα intronic polymorphism with CAD has received little attention. The association of allelic variants G/C at intron 7 of the PPAR-alpha gene with CAD was examined in a hospital-based Indian population. PPAR genotyping was performed in 110 male patients with CAD and 120 age and ethnically matched healthy males by PCR amplification of the gene followed by restriction digestion. Presence of C allele showed a positive association with CAD (OR = 2.9; 95% CI [1.65–4.145]; P = .009) and also with dyslipidaemia (OR = 2.95, 95% CI (1.5–4.39); P < .05). Impaired lipid metabolism in carriers of the PPARα Intron 7C allele is possibly responsible for the predilection to CAD

THROMBOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF Punica granatum FRUIT AND PEEL EXTRACT

Objective: The present study was undertaken to investigate the thrombolytic activity of Punica granatum fruit and peel extract.Methods: Phytoconstituents and free radical scavenging activity of P. granatum extract were performed. Ethanolic and aqueous extract of fruit andpeel of the plant was used for in vitro clot lysis activity using streptokinase (SK) as standard. In a series of pre-weighed eppendorf tubes, equal volumeof venous blood was collected and serum was removed and the tubes were weighed. The tubes containing clot were incubated with fruit, peel extract(100 ug/ml), and SK individually at 37°C for 60 minutes. After incubation, fluid obtained was removed, and tubes were again weighed to observe thedifference in weight after clot disruption. The percent of clot lysis was determined.Results: Free radical scavenging activity of the extracts was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Of the extracts, ethanolic extract showedmaximum activity as compared with aqueous extract, whereas the ascorbic acid exerted maximum activity as compared with the extracts. Maximumthrombolytic activity (59%) was observed with ethanolic extract of peel of the fruit.Conclusions: The present study concluded that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. granatum fruit and peel possess thrombolytic activity.Keywords: Punica granatum, Antithrombolytic activity, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Phytochemicals

RECENT UPDATE ON ORAL FILMS: A BENCH TO MARKET POTENTIAL

Oral films are gaining a lot of attention as a substitute approach to the conventional dosage form. Over the past few years, many of the pharmaceutical scientists throughout the world are focusing their research on oral films, trying to see the sights of oral films as a novel drug delivery system. The oral films are convenient to swallow for geriatric and pediatric patients, are self-administrable, used for systemic and local action and rapid release of a drug, which makes it an excellent system of drug delivery. This review article mainly discusses the manufacturing aspects of films and their characterization, applications and the constraints in the development of oral films along with highlights of market potential

Assessment of the degree of awareness among post-graduate medical physicians and Pharmacists about look-alike, sound-alike drug and potential medication errors

Background: With thousands of drugs currently in the market, the potential for medication errors due to confusing drug names amongst practising physicians, pharmacists and patients is significant. The existence of confusing drug names is one of the most common causes of medication error. There are many look-alikes, sound-alike (LASA) combinations that could potentially result in medication errors. There is insufficient data about medication errors due to LASA. Hence, we conducted the present study to determine the degree of awareness regarding LASA drugs among post graduate medical physicians and Pharmacists.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey, conducted among 137 year post graduate medical residents of a tertiary care teaching hospital and 121 local pharmacists in an urban metropolitan Indian city.Results: There were 34% resident doctors and 17% pharmacists were aware of concept of LASA drugs. Only 46% resident doctors and 22% pharmacists had knowledge about the full form of LASA. Among resident doctors, 39% came across prescription errors due to LASA drugs. Only 69% of the pharmacists agreed that they consulted their doctors when they faced problems due to prescription errors due to similar looking and similar sounding drugs.Conclusions: Look-Alike, Sound-Alike (LASA) drugs are common source of medication errors. Our study suggests that there is lack of awareness about LASA drugs amongst resident doctors and pharmacists, which may contribute to occurrence of medication errors. Therefore, combined efforts by prescribers, pharmacists, organizations, manufacturers and patients is required to overcome medication errors due to LASA drugs

Incidence of umbilical cord around the neck and its effects on mode of delivery and fetal outcome at tertiary care hospital

Background: Umbilical cord is one of the fetal membranes. It is developed from the yolk sac. Umbilical cord is tubular structure. Approximate length of the cord is 50 cm. Umbilical cord around the neck is called as the nuchal cord. The aim of the study is to find out the incidence of umbilical cord around the neck at the time of delivery and its fetal outcomes.Methods: It is a retrospective observational study. This study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at a tertiary care hospital over a period of 6 months (Feb-Jul 2020). Out of 542 patients, 388 were enrolled in this study after the inclusion and exclusion criteria, of which 101 were delivered with umbilical cord and the remaining were 287 patients in control group.Results: Present study showed 38.4% incidence of umbilical cord at the time of delivery. Incidence is more among the primigravida and it is statistically significant. Both intrapartum and postpartum risks are not related to umbilical cord around the neck. Mean length of the cord in patients delivered with cord around the neck is more when compared to the control group and has significant p value.Conclusions: This study concludes that the presence of umbilical cord, alone is not an indication for caesarean section. Umbilical cord with 3 loops was associated with increased operative delivery and low Apgar score, proper intrapartum surveillance and portogram leads to good fetal outcome