PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF PUNICA GRANATUM L. LEAF EXTRACT

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the phytochemical constituents in Punica granatum L. Leaf extracts (PGLE) using standard methods.Methods: The leaf powder was extracted using solvents namely aqueous, hydroalcohol, ethanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane. Qualitative and Quantitative phytochemical screenings of PGLE were assessed by standard methods.Results: All the leaf extracts were positive for a wide range of bio-active compounds except n-hexane. The result has showed that the maximum amount of total phenols (394.16 mg/g DW of extract), total tannins (210.5 mg/g DW of extract), flavanoids (147.4 mg/g DW of extract) and total triterpenoids (112 mg/g DW of extract) were noted in ethanolic extract of P. granatum leaf (EPGL). The biological assay revealed that relevant amount of carbohydrate, protein, lipid and alkaloid in EPGL.Conclusion: The findings of this study concluded that the EPGL had potential bioactive substances that may be used as pharmaceutical ingredients for formulation of new or prospective potent drug to cure wide range of metabolic diseases

Encapsulation of Contaminated Soil in Concrete Mortar

A mixture of arsenic-contaminated soil and mortar was developed to study the effect of arsenic-contaminated soil on the strength of mortar and the effectiveness of the mortar in containing the arsenic. Preliminary laboratory analyses were conducted with spiked soil samples to verify percent recovery of the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP). Five parameters were chosen for variation during the investigation: amount of contaminated soil (as a weight percentage of sand content), concentration of arsenic in the contaminated soil, water-cement ratio (w/ c), amount of fly ash, and amount of silica fume. Compressive strength tests and TCLP tests were conducted on mortar samples. The test results showed that with the changes in the w/ c, silica fume, and fly ash contents in the presence of arsenic, the compressive strength slightly increased from 7 to 28 to 90 days but did not show any major effect on the TCLP tests. The TCLP results were at the level (3 to 20 ppb) predicted to be established as the Drinking Water Equivalent Level (DWEL) by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), indicating that mortar containing arsenic and contaminated soil may be a valid disposal solution

Effectiveness of balloon blowing on respiratory parameters among children with lower respiratory tract infection in selected hospitals, Kanyakumari District

A quasi experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of balloon blowing on respiratory parameters among children with lower respiratory tract infection in selected hospitals, Kanyakumari District. Quasi-experimental, Nonequivalent pre-test post-test control group design was adopted and the study was conducted among children with lower respiratory tract infection between the age group of 3 and 8 years in Dr.Jeyaharan Memorial Hospital, Kanyakumari District. Convenience sampling was used to select 60 samples, 30 were selected as study group and 30 were selected as control group. Observational checklist was used to measure the respiratory parameters prepared by the researcher. Balloon blowing exercise was administered for the study group 10 times a day for 3 days. The data gathered was analysed by descriptive and inferential statistical method and interpretations were made based on the objectives of the study. During the pre-test in the study population 21(70%) had mild respiratory distress and 9(30%) had moderate respiratory distress. In control group, 15(50%) had mild respiratory distress and 15(50%) had moderate respiratory distress. During the post test, in study group 29(96.6%) had no respiratory distress and 1(3.3%) had mild respiratory distress. In control group,3(10%) had no respiratory distress and 27(90%) had mild respiratory distress. The estimated paired t value of respiratory distress among children (10.5*) which is significant at p<0.005.It shows balloon blowing exercise was effective in reducing respiratory distress. Hence the hypotheses (H1) are accepted. The estimated unpaired t value were (7.65*) which is significant at p<0.005.It shows the significant difference in the post- test level of respiratory parameters among children in study group and control group. The study concluded that balloon blowing exercise was helpful to improve lung function

Ruptured cornual ectopic pregnancy at 8 weeks gestation- successful conservative approach: a case report

Cornual pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy that usually leads to uterine rupture with resultant life threatening hemorrhage. The mortality of interstitial pregnancies is more than twice that of other tubal pregnancies.  Cornual pregnancies often rupture later than other tubal pregnancies because the myometrium is more distensible than the fallopian tube. We report a case where a patient presented at 8 weeks of gestational age with ruptured cornual ectopic pregnancy and hemoperitoneum. Emergency Laparotomy was done and cornual rupture was sutured successfully. Close monitoring of pregnancies in these patients is important to prevent a deleterious delay in treatment of a cornual pregnanc

A Sustainable Community-Based Model of Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factor Surveillance (Shraddha-Jagrithi Project): Protocol for a Cohort Study

Background: India has a massive noncommunicable disease (NCD) burden, at an enormous cost to the individual, family, society, and health system at large, despite which prevention and surveillance are relatively neglected. If diagnosed early and treated adequately, risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease would help decrease the mortality and morbidity burden. Surveillance for NCDs, creating awareness, positive lifestyle changes, and treatment are the proven measures known to prevent the progression of the disease. India is in a stage of rapid epidemiological transition, with the state of Kerala being at the forefront, pointing us towards likely disease burden and outcomes for the rest of the country in the future. A previous study done by the same investigators in a population of >100,000 revealed poor awareness, treatment of NCDs, and poor adherence to medicines in individuals with CVD. / Objective: This study aimed at assessing a sustainable, community-based surveillance model for NCDs with corporate support fully embedded in the public health system. / Methods: Frontline health workers will check all individuals in the target group (≥age 30 years) with further follow-up and treatment planned in a “spoke and hub” model using the public health system of primary health centers as spokes to the hubs of taluk or district hospitals. All data entry done by frontline health workers will be on a tablet PC, ensuring rapid acquisition and transfer of participant health details to primary health centers for further follow-up and treatment. / Results: The model will be evaluated based on the utilization rate of various services offered at all tier levels. The proportions of the target population screened, eligible individuals who reached the spoke or hub centers for risk stratification and care, and community-level control for hypertension and diabetes in annual surveys will be used as indicator variables. The model ensures diagnosis and follow-up treatment at no cost to the individual entirely through the tiered public health system of the state and country. / Conclusions: Surveillance for NCDs is an essential facet of health care presently lacking in India. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has a long gestation period in progression to the symptomatic phase of the disease, during which timely preventive and lifestyle measures would help prevent disease progression if implemented. Unfortunately, several asymptomatic individuals have never tested their plasma glucose, serum lipid levels, or blood pressure and are unaware of their disease status. Our model, implemented through the public health system using frontline health workers, would ensure individuals aged≥30 years at risk of disease are identified, and necessary lifestyle modifications and treatments are given. In addition, the surveillance at the community level would help create a general awareness of NCDs and lead to healthier lifestyle habits. / Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry India CTRI/2018/07/014856; https://tinyurl.com/4saydnxf / International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/2729

Jatropha and Pongamia Rainfed Plantations on Wastelands in India for Improved Livelihoods and Protecting Environment

Jatropha and Pangamia as biodiesel plantations are promoted by a large number of developing and developed countries as a source for generating biodiesel. Achieving food security, meeting the demand for sufficient food production to cater to the growing demographic pressures the competitive demand for water and its scarcity, calls for consideration of the fact that good, productive lands used for food production cannot be diverted for Jatropha and Pongamia cultivation. Results from literature also suggest that when Jatropha is grown on good quality lands, with irrigation and intercropping with baby corn, it is not economically superior to the sole cultivation of baby corn. In order to improve livelihoods of the rural poor by providing opportunities for additional income from Jatropha and Pongamia plantations, ICRISAT in partnership with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) has developed a model to rehabilitate degraded common lands in a village. Three hundred ha of Jatropha plantation, which is three years old, I,as stOlied producing yield. The grain yield fram the third year onwards was 100 kg per ha and was expected to reach upto 1000 kg per ha by the sixth year. Growing intercrops on areas where good soil existed provided additional income for the farmers. The Jatropha and Pongamia plantations on waste lands have not only created employment in the rural areas but also provided additional sources of income through usufruct rights, by selling Jatropha seeds. Other impacts in terms of social capital development, building of institutions in the villages, improving soil health through recycling 01 organic matter and enhanced soil water conservation measures, reduced soil erosion and land degradation were also recorded. With the unique institutional mechanisms adopted in this model for development of CPRs through collective action, landless people were organized into self- help groups and took up labour work in the development of degraded common property resources, such as soil and water conservation measures, supported by the project. The District administration of the Government of Andhra Pradesh gave them usufruct rights over the plantation for harvesting the produce. Farmers are growing good quality grass and suppolting their livestock and feed requirements from grass grown in-between the rows of plantations. Now, with the support of GTZ and Kirlosker Engineering Pvt Ltd., we are operationalizing a value-chain model for extracting oil through decentralized electricity generation in the village. This model plantation of 300 ha in two villages has set a live example of how degraded lands can successfu lly be used for praducing Jatropha and Pongamia, without sacrificing good quality land and food security, which is very critical. Results of the social, economic and environmental impacts from this novel, collective action model of required degraded lands, are discussed

6-Formyl-2-meth­oxy-3-nitro­phenyl 4-toluene­sulfonate

In the title compound, C15H13NO7S, the inter­planar angle between the two aromatic rings is 26.04 (3)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by C—H⋯O interactions