ROLE OF LODHRA AND NYAGRODHA IN SHVETA PRADARA-COMPARING TWO DIFFERENT MODALITIES OF TREATMENT

In the present world, a woman has to play an active role in home as well as social and professional arena. While trying to strike a balance, she tends to neglect her health, which leads to various problems. Shveta pradara (excessive white discharge p/v) is one such problem faced by women of all age groups. This problem is a cause of major concern these days due to its recurrent nature as well as immense discomfort that it causes. Not only this, it causes other associated problems like lower back ache, dyspareunia etc. If left untreated, it causes complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and even infertility. In the present study, 40 diagnosed patients of Shveta pradara (excess white discharge per vaginum) between age group 18 to 45 years were selected and divided into two groups: Group A and Group B, where each group had 20 patients. Group A Yoni prakshalana (vaginal wash) with Kashaya (decoction) prepared from bark (Twak) of Lodhra as well as Nyagrodha was done for 7 consecutive days along with Pathya ahara vihara (congenial diet and lifestyle advice). Group B- were given Lodhra Twak (bark) Churna (fine powder) of 4g with Nyagrodha twak kashaya of 16ml. orallywith luke warm water as Anupana (adjuvant) for 10 consecutive days along with Pathya ahara vihara. On comparing the two groups, it was found that the efficacy of treatment in Group A was better than efficacy of treatment in Group B which means that Yoni prakshalana had a better effect on Shveta pradara

Five years review of extraction frequencies at S.D.M. College of dental sciences and Hospital in orthodontic department

To find out the frequency of extraction in general, in Class I, Class II Class III patients, and to compare the frequency of extraction among sex and age. 550 cases were selected retrospectively having detailed case history, complete records of facial photographs, lateral cephalogram, orthopantomographs and study models. Frequency of extraction was evaluated separately for class I, class II and class III malocclusion and for sex and ages, using the records collected. Show that there was 59.80% of extraction in general. Comparison of sex shows that there were 66.60 of extraction in females. The mean age of males for extraction was 17.85 +/- 4.18 and the mean age of females was 18.36 +/_ 4.89. Among all the groups, Class I malocclusion shows 89% of extraction. There was higher frequency of extraction comprising in general. Comparison of sex shows that there was higher frequency of extraction in females. Comparison of age shows that extraction frequency is more in late adolescent period. Among all the groups, Class I malocclusion shows higher frequency of extraction

Electro-osmotic flow of couple stress fluids in a microchannel propagated by peristalsis

A mathematical model is developed for electro-osmotic peristaltic pumping of a non-Newtonian liquid in a deformable micro-channel. Stokes’ couple stress fluid model is deployed to represent realistic working liquids. The Poisson-Boltzmann equation for electric potential distribution is implemented owing to the presence of an electrical double layer (EDL) in the micro-channel. Using long wavelength, lubrication theory and Debye-Huckel approximations, the linearized transformed dimensionless boundary value problem is solved analytically. The influence of electro-osmotic parameter (inversely proportional to Debye length), maximum electro-osmotic velocity (a function of external applied electrical field) and couple stress parameter on axial velocity, volumetric flow rate, pressure gradient, local wall shear stress and stream function distributions is evaluated in detail with the aid of graphs. The Newtonian fluid case is retrieved as a special case with vanishing couple stress effects. With increasing couple stress parameter there is a significant elevation in axial pressure gradient whereas the core axial velocity is reduced. An increase in electro-osmotic parameter induces both flow acceleration in the core region (around the channel centreline) and also enhances axial pressure gradient substantially. The study is relevant to simulation of novel smart bio-inspired space pumps, chromatography and medical microscale devices

Facile electrochemical synthesis of few layered graphene from discharged battery electrode and its application for energy storage

AbstractA cost-effective, simple and non-hazardous route for synthesis of few-layered graphene from waste zinc carbon battery (ZCB) electrodes via electrochemical expansion (ECE) has been reported. In this synthesis, we have electrochemically exfoliated the graphene layers, by intercalating sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS) surfactant into graphitic layers at different D.C. voltages with a constant SDBS concentration. The graphene sheets were isolated, purified and characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrometry, Ultraviolet absorption (UV), Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and Cyclic voltammetry. Best result was obtained at 4.5V of D.C. A possible mechanism for the intercalation process has been proposed. A promising application of the produced material for supercapacitor application has also been explored in combination with polyaniline

Evaluation of Trichoderma spp., Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis for biological control of Ralstonia wilt of tomato [version 2; referees: 2 approved]

Background: Ralstonia spp. is a major pathogenic microbe for tomato, which invades the roots of diverse plant hosts and colonizes xylem vessels causing wilt, especially in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate regions. Ralstonia spp. produces several virulence factors helping it to invade the plant’s natural defense mechanism. Native isolates of Trichoderma spp., Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis can be used as biocontrol agents to control the bacterial wilt and combined application of these beneficial microbes can give better results. Methods: Bacterial wilt infection in the field was identified by field experts and the infected plant part was used to isolate Ralstonia spp. in CPG media and was positively identified. Subsequently, the efficacy of the biocontrol agents was tested and documented using agar well diffusion technique and digital microscopy. 2ml of the microbial concentrate (109 cells/ml) was mixed in one liter of water and was applied in the plant root at the rate of 100 ml per plant as a treatment method. Results: It was observed that the isolated Trichoderma spp. AA2 and Pseudomonas fluorescens PFS were most potent in inhibiting the growth of Ralstonia spp., showing ZOI 20.67 mm and 22.33 mm, respectively. Digital microscopy showed distinct inhibitory effect on the growth and survival of Ralstonia spp. The results from the field data indicated that Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens alone were able to prevent 92% and 96% of the infection and combination of both were more effective, preventing 97% of infection. Chemical control methods prevented 94% of infection. Bacillus subtilis could only prevent 84 % of the infection.   Conclusions: Antagonistic effect against Ralstonia spp. shown by native isolates of Trichoderma spp. and P. fluorescens manifested the promising potential as biocontrol agents. Combined application gave better results. Results shown by Bacillus subtilis were not significant

Evaluation of Trichoderma spp., Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis for biological control of Ralstonia wilt of tomato [version 3; referees: 2 approved]

Background: Ralstonia spp. is a major pathogenic microbe for tomato, which invades the roots of diverse plant hosts and colonizes xylem vessels causing wilt, especially in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate regions. Ralstonia spp. produces several virulence factors helping it to invade the plant’s natural defense mechanism. Native isolates of Trichoderma spp., Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis can be used as biocontrol agents to control the bacterial wilt and combined application of these beneficial microbes can give better results. Methods: Bacterial wilt infection in the field was identified by field experts and the infected plant part was used to isolate Ralstonia spp. in CPG media and was positively identified. Subsequently, the efficacy of the biocontrol agents was tested and documented using agar well diffusion technique and digital microscopy. 2ml of the microbial concentrate (109 cells/ml) was mixed in one liter of water and was applied in the plant root at the rate of 100 ml per plant as a treatment method. Results: It was observed that the isolated Trichoderma spp. AA2 and Pseudomonas fluorescens PFS were most potent in inhibiting the growth of Ralstonia spp., showing ZOI 20.67 mm and 22.33 mm, respectively. Digital microscopy showed distinct inhibitory effect on the growth and survival of Ralstonia spp. The results from the field data indicated that Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens alone were able to prevent 92% and 96% of the infection and combination of both were more effective, preventing 97% of infection. Chemical control methods prevented 94% of infection. Bacillus subtilis could only prevent 84 % of the infection.   Conclusions: Antagonistic effect against Ralstonia spp. shown by native isolates of Trichoderma spp. and P. fluorescens manifested the promising potential as biocontrol agents. Combined application gave better results. Results shown by Bacillus subtilis were not significant

Low cost calibrated mechanical noisemaker for hearing screening of neonates in resource constrained settings

Background & objectives: There is a need to develop an affordable and reliable tool for hearing screening of neonates in resource constrained, medically underserved areas of developing nations. This study valuates a strategy of health worker based screening of neonates using a low cost mechanical calibrated noisemaker followed up with parental monitoring of age appropriate auditory milestones for detecting severe-profound hearing impairment in infants by 6 months of age. Methods: A trained health worker under the supervision of a qualified audiologist screened 425 neonates of whom 20 had confirmed severe-profound hearing impairment. Mechanical calibrated noisemakers of 50, 60, 70 and 80 dB (A) were used to elicit the behavioural responses. The parents of screened neonates were instructed to monitor the normal language and auditory milestones till 6 months of age. This strategy was validated against the reference standard consisting of a battery of tests - namely, auditory brain stem response (ABR), otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and behavioural assessment at 2 years of age. Bayesian prevalence weighted measures of screening were calculated. Results: The sensitivity and specificity was high with least false positive referrals for. 70 and 80 dB (A) noisemakers. All the noisemakers had 100 per cent negative predictive value. 70 and 80 dB (A) noisemakers had high positive likelihood ratios of 19 and 34, respectively. The probability differences for pre- and post- test positive was 43 and 58 for 70 and 80 dB (A) noisemakers, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: In a controlled setting, health workers with primary education can be trained to use a mechanical calibrated noisemaker made of locally available material to reliably screen for severe-profound hearing loss in neonates. The monitoring of auditory responses could be done by informed parents. Multi-centre field trials of this strategy need to be carried out to examine the feasibility of community health care workers using it in resource constrained settings of developing nations to implement an effective national neonatal hearing screening programme

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Not AvailableNorth-East India is known for its complex, diverse, risk-prone, and fragile hilly ecosystem. Natural resources intermsofsoil,water,vegetation,andsoilorganiccarbon(SOC)aremuchdegraded.Effectsoflong-termperennialgrasses maintained at a permanent fodder block of the ICAR Research Complex, Meghalaya, on soil quality were examined after 15 cropping cycles. The aims were (i) to ascertain whether perennial grass primarily maintained as fodder source for ruminants could conserve resources and improve soil quality in the hilly ecosystem of North-East India, and (ii) to select a suitable perennial grass to minimise land degradation, restore SOC, and improve the soil quality. Soil samples were collected in 2007–08 (dry season) from plots of 8 perennial grasses [Setaria sphacelata (setaria), Brachieria rosenesis (congosignal), Thysanolaena maxima (broom), Penicum maximum var. Makunia and var. Hamil (guinea), Pennisetum purpureum (napier), Paspalum conjugalum (paspalam), Arachis pintoi (wild groundnut)] and analysed for physical, chemical, and biological properties. A control plot had no grass cover. Hamil and Makunia produced a large amount of green fodder, while Makunia, paspalam, setaria, and congosignal had greatest root biomass. Relative to the control, soil under perennial grasses showed increases of ~30% SOC, 70% mean weight diameter, 20% available soil water, 40% hydraulic conductivity, 63% infiltration rate, and 10% soil microbial biomass carbon. Among grasses, soil under setaria, congosignal, and Makunia had higher values of these attributes than under other species because of better soil binding through an extensive root system. Improvement of soil physical properties and processes under these grasses, coupled with complete ground cover, reduced soil erosion by ~33% and also signifiedecologicalbenefitsthroughC-sequestration.SoilqualitymanagementinthefragileecosystemofNorth-EastIndia should include permanent pastural grasses, particularly, setaria, congosignal, and Makunia.Not Availabl