A report on diversity and distribution of four non-indigenous red algae (Rhodophyceae) along the Tamil Nadu coast, Southeast coast of India

108-116The present study was revealed that four Indian invasive seaweeds such as Acanthophora spicefera, Gracilaria salicornia, Kappaphycus alvarezii and Polysiphonia brodiei were recorded along the Tamil Nadu coast with 55 study sites from Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar regions, Southeast coast of India. Maximum abundance of A. spicefera, G. salicornia, K. alvarezii and P. brodiei were recorded in Hare Island, Thondi coast, Thonithurai coast and Chinna muttam coast respectively. Highest species dominance (0.3) was recorded for G. salicornia during monsoon season and lowest dominance (0.05) was recorded for A. spicefera during post monsoon season. Species richness (D’) varied from 0.69-0.94 with minimum recorded was G. salicornia during monsoon season. Similarly, maximum species richness (D’) was recorded for A. spicefera during post monsoon season. Species diversity (H’) was ranged between 1.70 to 3.19 with the minimum was recorded for G.salicornia during monsoon season whereas maximum was recorded for P. brodiei during post monsoon season. The dendrogram results showed that three major clusters based on the abundance of species in the study sites. Further, the results revealed that Cluster 1 occupied by more species abundance at more stations and followed by Cluster 2 and Cluster 3

Non-descent vaginal hysterectomy for large uterus-safety and feasibility

Background: Non Descent Vaginal Hysterectomy (NDVH) is removal of uterus through vagina in non-prolapsed uterus. The objective of the present study was to assess safety and feasibility of NDVH in patients with large uterus (>12 weeks size uterus).Methods: Retrospective study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Shree Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India from May2014 to May 2017. Effort was made to perform hysterectomies vaginally in women with benign conditions with large uterine size. Information regarding age, parity, uterine size, blood loss, duration of operation, number of fibroids, other surgical difficulties encountered, intra–operative and post-operative complications were recorded.Results: Total of 65 cases was selected for NDVH with large uterine size. All successfully underwent NDVH. 25 patients had uterus of 10-12 weeks size, 17 had uterine size of 12-14 weeks size. Mean duration of surgery was 90 min. Mean blood loss was 300ml. Post-operative complications were minimal. All patients had early mobility with faster resumption to daily activities. Mean hospital stay was 4-5 days.Conclusions: Non descent vaginal hysterectomy is safe, cost effective method of hysterectomy in women with large uterus requiring hysterectomy for benign conditions with less complications, shorter hospital stay and less morbidity

Non-descent vaginal hysterectomy in previous cesarean section: a retrospective study of 30 cases

Background: Non-Descent Vaginal Hysterectomy (NDVH) is removal of uterus through vagina in non-prolapsed uterus. Objective of present study was to assess safety, feasibility of NDVH in patients with previous cesarean section.Methods: Retrospective study was conducted in department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Shree Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) College of Medical Sciences, Dharwad, India from April 2008 to June 2016. Effort was made to perform hysterectomies vaginally in women with benign conditions with history of one, two or three caesarean sections. Information regarding age, parity, number of previous LSCS, uterine size, blood loss, duration of operation, difficulties in separating bladder, intra -operative, post-operative complications were recorded.Results: Total thirty cases were selected for NDVH with history of one, two and three cesarean sections. All successfully underwent NDVH, except one in which bladder injury occurred which was repaired at same time vaginally. Thirteen patients had previous one Lower Segment Cesarean Section (LSCS), sixteen had two LSCS and one had three LSCS. Commonest indication was abnormal uterine bleeding followed by leiomyoma of uterus. Mean duration of surgery was 97 min. Mean blood loss was 150 ml. Post-operative complications were minimal. Patient mobility, resumption of daily activities was fast. Mean hospital stay was 4-5 days.Conclusions: Vaginal hysterectomy is safe, cost effective method of hysterectomy in women with previous cesarean section scar requiring hysterectomy for benign conditions with fewer complications, shorter hospital stay and less morbidity

Medication waste disposal practices among patients attending selected out patient departments in a tertiary care institution: a cross sectional survey

Background: Medication waste has major implications on human and animal health, environmental safety and the health economy. Low and middle income countries have paid less attention to proper medication waste disposal at household and community level. This is the first baseline assessment on medication waste disposal practices among the general public in Sri Lanka.Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey, conducted via face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire among selected outpatient clinics at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. A non-probability sampling technique was used to achieve a representative sample from each clinic. The data collectors were trained prior to administering the questionnaire. Data was presented as descriptive statistics using percentages. Chi-square test was used to find associations.Results: From the total number of participants (n=200) majority were females 135 (67.5%). Majority of the participants (78%) stated that they have unused medicines at home. Among them, tablet form was the commonest (78%) followed by topical preparations (49%). Commonest reason for having unused medicines at home were self-discontinuation as illness resolved (57.5%). There was a significant difference between the knowledge and practices when disposing tablet form (<0.001), syrups (0.002), topical preparations (0.04) and sharps (<0.001). Majority (23%) discarded sharp to rubbish bins. Rubbish bin was the commonest mode of disposal for all dosage forms as well as devices.Conclusions: In this sample majority had unused medicines at home which was compatible with the pattern seen in other countries and need proper attention

Surgical outcomes of patients with early cervical cancer treated with radical hysterectomy in a tertiary care hospital

Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate the surgical outcomes of patients with early cervical cancer treated with radical hysterectomy.Methods:  A total of 50 patients who underwent modified radical hysterectomy between April 2006 and April 2016 at Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara medical college and hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka were retrospectively reviewed. The analysis included clinical and pathologic variables including age, tumour size, clinical stage, lymphovascular space involvement, tumour type and grade, lymph node metastases, surgical margin involvement, intraoperative and postoperative complications and pattern of adjuvant therapy were analysed. Results: The median age of the patient who underwent radical hysterectomy was 47.8 years, the mean parity being 3.6. Histologically, the most common type of malignancy encountered was squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, which occurred in 42 patients (84 %). 8 (16%) showed involvement of 1 or more lymph nodes and evidence of lymphovascular invasion. Involvement of the resected vaginal margins was noted in 11 patients (22%). The average hospital stay was 19.8 days, the prolonged stay resulting from postoperative morbidity. Postoperative concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin was administered in eight (16%) cases due to pelvic lymph node metastases. Postoperative vaginal brachytherapy was given in 11 (22%) cases because of positive vaginal margins.Conclusions: The present study shows that general gynaecologists with significant experience in general gynaecologic surgery may, with adequate but abbreviated training, become competent in performing a modified radical hysterectomy.

Modified purandare’s cervicopexy-a conservative surgery for genital prolapse: a retrospective study

Background: Purandare described a technique for the surgical treatment of genital prolapse in young women in 1965. This technique of cervicopexy is easy to perform and provides dynamic support to the uterus. The objective of study is to evaluate the role of modified Purandare’s cervicopexy in the treatment of genital prolapse in reproductive age group and to study the pregnancy outcome and fertility in patients who have undergone modified Purandare’s sling surgery.Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2015, 20 women in the reproductive age (mean age 30.5 years, range 24 to 37 years) underwent modified Purandare’s cervicopexy at Shree Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) College of Medical Sciences, Dharwad, India. Of these, 2 (10%) patients were nulligravida, 7 (35%) were primipara and 11 (55%) were multigravida. Four (20%) women had associated infertility. Additional surgeries like tubectomy were performed in 4 (20%) women, tubal patency test in 3 (15%), ovarian drilling in 2 (10%) and myomectomy in 2 (22.2%) women, and cystocele repair was done in 4 women (20%).Results: All 20 patients were analysed for intraoperative and postoperative complications. All were followed up for mean duration of 12 months. There were no reported intra or post-operative complications. Out of 4 infertile women, 2 conceived spontaneously 6 months after the surgery. Of these, one delivered successfully at term by lower segment caesarean section and other by normal vaginal delivery. One woman conceived 8 months after the surgery spontaneously, antenatally followed for 3 months and then later was lost to follow-up. There was no recurrence of prolapse.Conclusions: Nulliparous prolapse can be treated by various surgical procedures, each having their own merits and de-merits. Our modification of Purandare’s cervicopexy is simple, effective and is less technically demanding

Genetic variability and correlation analysis in F2 segregating population in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Genetic advance denotes the improvement in the mean genotypic values of selected families over the base population. Thus, it helps the breeder select the progenies in the earlier generation. The objective of the study was to analyse the heritability, genetic advance and genetic variability for ten traits in brinjal contributing to fruit yield were studied in the F2 population obtained from the cross of Sevathampatti local x Seetipulam local. The study examined the subsistence of a significant extent of genetic variability for the traits considered. The characteristics of brinjal exhibited higher values of genotypic variation (GCV), viz., the height of the plant (20.93), yield per plant (17.42), number of branches (22.73)  and shoot infestation (56.39) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) viz., the height of the plant (21.10), yield per plant (22.32), number of branches (23.42)  and shoot infestation (57.24). However, the number of branches (45.44 %), height of the plant (42.76%), number of fruits (38.58%), fruit yield (28.02%) and shoot infestation (114.4%) exhibited high estimates of genetic advance and heritability for plant height (98.36), number of branches per plant (94.19) and shoot infestation (97.06). These characteristics can be effectively improved through selection. Association analysis mentioned that the yield of the fruit was significantly and positively correlated with the number of fruits, number of branches, individual fruits per plant and fruit girth. Direct selection may be executed because of these characteristics as the key choice of criteria to minimize the indirect result of additional traits throughout the improvement of high yielding varieties

Gut Microbiota Changes After Cholecystectomy: Unraveling the Microbial Mysteries - A Systematic Review

Aims: This review aims to expand upon previous research examining change in gastrointestinal microbiota before and after cholecystectomy. Methods: A systematic review, combined with a pooled analysis, was conducted to assess gut microbiota dysbiosis post-cholecystectomy, utilizing 71 articles retrieved from 3 databases, with 13 undergoing full-text appraisal. The publication dates ranged from 2018 to 2023. Results: Results suggested a greater degree of microbiota alteration in symptomatic post-cholecystectomy patients, characterized by a decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, Bifidobacterium and Lactococcus, alongside increased levels of harmful microbiota such as Prevotella, Sutterella, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Blautia obeum, and Veillonella species. Interestingly, an increase in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes was observed in two different studies. Conclusion: the research consistently shows dysbiosis in gut microbiota following cholecystectomy with potential implications for gastrointestinal and overall health. These findings emphasize the need for future research in maintaining a balanced gut microbiota when managing post-cholecystectomy patients with dysbiosis

Report on a stranded sea cow, Dugong dugon in the Gulf of Mannar coast

On 31 March 2019, an adult dead female sea cow (Dugong dugon) measuring more than three meters of total length got stranded along the Gulf of Mannar coast at Gandhi Nagar, Mandapam, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu (09º 27' 6658'' N; 79º 15' 0459'' E). The morphometric details of the female whale that was weighing approximately 350 kg is given in Table 1. The specimen had relatively robust body with loss of almost one third of the ventral skin along with blubber from the thoracic and abdominal region of the body. There were significant cut wounds present on the dorsal as well as lateral sides of the body. The internal organs did not reveal any significant abnormalities for the cause of death. Based on the body condition and external injuries it can be concluded that the cause of death might be due to attempted hunting. Dugongs fall in schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act whose hunting is banned and poachers are liable for punishment

Supernumerary Teeth -An Overview of Location, Diagnosis and Management

ABSTRACT A supernumerary tooth is one of the developmental problems in child. Supernumerary teeth can present in various forms and in any region of the mandible or maxilla, but have a predisposition for the anterior maxilla. They can cause a variety of complications in the developing dentition. This article reviews the clinical features, diagnosis and options for the management of supernumerary teeth