Epics in the oral genre system of Tulunadu

Tulu is the language spoken in Dakshina Kannada district, the coastal region of Karnataka state of South India, which is also traditionally known as Tulunadu (the Tuluva region). Since the language functions as a powerful medium of folk expression in this region, oral literature in Tulu is abundant and varied. Tulu oral tradition comprises many genres, which we can study at the small group level (micro-genre), at the regional level (macro-genre), or at the global level (mega-genre) (see Honko 1980).1 My paper concentrates on epics in the oral genre system in Tulunadu. I will start by briefly introducing the oral genres in Tulu folk culture.Issue title; "Epics Along the Silk Roads.

Analysis of the B→K2∗(→Kπ)l+l−B \to K^*_{2} (\to K \pi) l^+ l^- decay

In this paper we study the angular distribution of the rare B decay $B \to K^*_2 (\to K \pi) l^+ l^-$, which is expected to be observed soon. We use the standard effective Hamiltonian approach, and use the form factors that have already been estimated for the corresponding radiative decay $B \to K^*_2 \gamma$. The additional form factors that come into play for the dileptonic channel are estimated using the large energy effective theory (LEET), which enables one to relate the additional form factors to the form factors for the radiative mode. Our results provide, just like in the case of the $K^*(892)$ resonance, an opportunity for a straightforward comparison of the basic theory with experimental results which may be expected in the near future for this channel.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures; as accepted for Phys. Rev.

Lepton flavour violation in The Little Higgs model

Little Higgs models with T-parity have a new source of lepton flavour violation. In this paper we consider the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon \gmtwo and the lepton flavour violating decays \mutoeg and \tautomug in Little Higgs model with T-parity \cite{Goyal:2006vq}. Our results shows that present experimental constraints of \mutoeg is much more useful to constrain the new sources of flavour violation which are present in T-parity models.Comment: LaTeX file with 13 eps figures (included

Study of biochemical markers in iron deficiency anemia

Background: The present study was aimed to study alterations in levels of oxidants and antioxidants in iron deficiency anemia (IDA).Methods: 30 patients of IDA in age group of 20-50 and 30 healthy subjects were included for study. Serum Iron, TIBC & Hb% were estimated to diagnose IDA. Serum Malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric oxide (NO) as an oxidants & Superoxide dismutase (SOD), vitamin E, vitamin C, Zinc (Zn) levels as antioxidants were estimated.Results: Significant decreased levels of Hb%, serum iron, SOD, Vitamin C, vitamin E, Zn were found. TIBC, MDA, NO were significantly increased as compared to controls.Conclusion: The normal adult erythrocytes can resist oxidative stress by several antioxidant defense systems. In IDA, oxidative stress causes lipid peroxidation and membrane damage. So antioxidants can be used as a marker for prevention of membrane damage due to oxidative stress

Antioxidants deficiency: a sensitive indicator of cardiometabolic risk in chronic renal failure?

Background: Antioxidant depletion occurring in chronic renal failure patients is an important cause of associated morbidity & mortality, which in turn imposes a great socioeconomic burden of health care. Early diagnosis & targeted management of this preventable deficiency may have a positive impact on the management of co morbidities associated with chronic renal failure.Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the status of antioxidants as an early indicator of cardiometabolic risk in chronic renal failure patients.Settings & Design: This was a randomised case Control study including 10 controls of either sex with normal renal function between age group 20-60 years and 15 patients of chronic renal failure on dialysis between the age group of 16 - 60 years.Methods: 12 hour fasting venous blood samples were collected from all the participants and were assayed for various antioxidants.Statistical analysis: Results were analyzed by unpaired t test, p value was determined & Correlation coefficient was calculated amongst various parameters.Results: In the present study, significantly low levels of vitamin C ( Cases: 0.367 ± 0.13 mg/dl controls: 1.324 ± 0.61 mg/dl; p < 0.01) & vitamin E  (cases: 0.235 ± 0.102 mg/dl, controls (0.854 ± 0.28 mg/dl; p < 0.01) were observed in chronic renal failure patients as compared to controls.Conclusion: Diminished levels of Vitamin C & E in our study may be an indicator of increased oxidative stress which can be a responsible factor for increased incidence of cardiovascular complications. Supplementing these patients with recommended dosage of these vitamins may provide an essential tool to reduce the burden of suffering

Study of serum sodium and potassium concentration in cataract patients

Background: The present study was aimed to study alterations in levels of sodium and potassium in age-related cataract patients.Methods: 50 senile cataract patients in age group of 50 to 80 years and 50 control group were included for the study. Serum sodium and potassium levels were determined by flame photometry.Results: Significant (<0.0001)  increased levels of plasma Na+ in cataract patients (145.06 ± 5.84mEq/lit) were found as compared with controls (141.18 ± 2.67mEq/lit). While Plasma K+ the conc. in cataract patients (4.18 ± 0.34mEq/lit) was not significantly (P = 0.002) increased when compared with controls (4.13 ± 0.32mEq/lit).Conclusion: Na, K-ATPase is responsible for maintaining the correct concentrations of sodium and potassium in lens cells. In ageing, lens fibers undergoes oxidation, and glycation may decrease Na, K-ATPase activity. The asymmetrical distribution of Na, K-ATPase activity in the epithelium and fibers may contribute to ionic currents that flow in and around the lens. So, abnormal elevation of lens sodium can be used as a marker in the opacification of the lens cortex in age-related human cataract