Effect of integrated yoga module on respiratory pressures and pulmonary functions in children

Background: Very often adults turn to practice of yoga when physical ailment is developed. Many research studies show effects of yoga in adults. Since childhood health forms a foundation for adult health, present work was planned to study the effects of yoga in children on pulmonary functions like forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1),  and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and respiratory pressures like maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP).Methods: 50 school children in the age group of 12 to 15 years were selected as cases. 50 age and gender matched students as control group. Students of study group were subjected to training of Integrated Yoga Module for 45 minutes a day for six days a week over a period of four months. Pulmonary function parameters were measured in both groups at the outset and at the end of study. Results were analyzed by Student’s paired   ‘t’ test.Results: Yoga training produced statistically significant (p <0.05) increase in MEP (52.14 to 53.54 mmhg), MIP (- 61.04 to -61.98 mmhg), FEV1 (1.74 - 1.78 l) and PEFR (4.04 - 4.18 l/sec). In contrast, the increase in these parameters in the control group was statistically insignificant.Conclusions: From our study we conclude that yoga training for four months improves lung functions, strength of inspiratory and expiratory muscles in children. We also conclude if yoga is practiced since childhood, it can form a strong foundation for healthy adult life.

Gauss Legendre Quadrature Formulae for Tetrahedra

In this paper we consider the Gauss Legendre quadrature method for numerical integration over the standard tetrahedron: {(x, y, z)| 0 ≤ x, y, z ≤ 1, x + y + z ≤ 1} in the Cartesian three-dimensional (x, y, z) space. The mathematical transformation from the (x, y, z) space to (ξ, η, ζ) space is described to map the standard tetrahedron in (x, y, z) space to a standard 2-cube: {(ξ, η, ζ)| − 1 ≤ ξ, η, ζ ≤ 1} in the (ξ, η, ζ) space. This overcomes the difficulties associated with the derivation of new weight co-efficients and sampling points. The effectiveness of the formulae is demonstrated by applying them to the integration of three nonpolynomial and three polynomial functions

Lay Health Trainers Supporting Self-Management amongst Those with Low Heath Literacy and Diabetes: Lessons from a Mixed Methods Pilot, Feasibility Study

This article reports a mixed methods process evaluation of a pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial comparing a Lay Health Trainer (LHT) intervention and usual care for those with poorly controlled Type 2 Diabetes Melitus (T2DM). Set in a deprived area in the UK, this research explores patient and health care practitioner (HCP) views on whether a structured interview between a patient and a Lay Health Trainer (LHT), for the purpose of developing a tailored self-management plan for patients, is acceptable and likely to change health behaviours. In doing so, it considers the implications for a future, randomised controlled trial (RCT). Participants were patients, LHTs delivering the intervention, service managers, and practice nurses recruiting patients to the study. Patients were purposively sampled on their responses to a baseline survey, and semistructured interviews were conducted within an exploratory thematic analysis framework. Findings indicate that the intervention is acceptable to patients and HCPs. However, LHTs found it challenging to work with older patients with long-term and/or complex conditions. In order to address this, given an ageing population and concomitant increases in those with such health needs, LHT training should develop skills working with these populations. The design of any future RCT intervention should take account of this

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS GARLIC EXTRACT ON BETA-LACTAMASE PRODUCING ACINETOBACTER ISOLATES FROM SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS

Objective: The present study evaluates the antibacterial effect of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) on beta-lactamase producing Acinetobacter strains isolated from skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs).Methods: A total of 41 non-duplicate strains of Acinetobacter isolated from SSTIs specimens were tested for their antibiotic susceptibility pattern by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Ceftazidime-resistant Acinetobacter strains were screened for beta-lactamase production by Phenotypic confirmatory disc diffusion test (PCDDT) and E-test. Antibacterial activity of AGE was examined by the disc diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AGE and Cefotaxime was determined by the agar dilution technique. The combined activity of AGE and Cefotaxime was evaluated by calculating the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index by the checkerboard method.Results: 21 Acinetobacter strains were confirmed to be beta-lactamase producers, out of which 6 were Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producers, 3 were Ambler Class C (AmpC) and 12 were multiple beta-lactamase producers. AGE exhibited significant antibacterial activity as the observed zones of inhibition ranged from 18 - 31 mm against the test strains. The MIC of AGE was in the range of 0.5% - 2% (2.5 mg/ml – 10 mg/ml) with a mean of 0.86% (4.28 mg/ml). 11 test strains showed synergism, 5 strains exhibited additive and indifferent effect, each. By HPLC analysis the concentration of allicin was found to be 0.20, expressed as percentage w/w.Conclusion: It can be stated that aqueous garlic extract might have therapeutic value against beta-lactamase producing Acinetobacter isolates from SSTIs

A CRITICAL REVIEW OF RASAOUSHADIES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NETRA ROGAS (EYE DISEASES)

In Ayurveda chikitsa paddhati, Rasa oushadhis has been considered more useful and effective as they are more advantageous due to their unique benefits over the other preparations. Medicines described to manage different diseases in our classical texts contain different sources like plants, marine, animals, minerals and metals. All these are formulated in such a way that it suits well to our body. This clearly states that there were usage of herbomineral preparations in therapeutics which includes for Netrarogas also. These preparations are significant in many chronic and challenging eye disorders of this era which lacks curative rate and has high recurrences.To deal such challenging disorders of the Eye whether chronic or newly existing, essential to review and re-establish the importance of Rasa oushadhis which are explained by our Acharyas pertaining to Netra rogas, with regard to its route of administration and posology. For this Review work, information were compiled from different texts according to Rasadravyas mentioned as Chakshushya and to treat Netra rogas i.e., Maharasa, Uparasa, Sadharanrasa, Dhatu, Ratna, Sudha varga. Further the different Yogas of Netra Roga containing Rasadravyas as one of the ingredients is compiled as an attempt to establish Rasaushadhi - the need of the hour for Netra Rogas

THE STUDY OF NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN SECOND TRIMESTER W.S.R. GARBHINI PARICHARYA ACCORDING TO SUSHRUTACHARYA

It is the need of an hour to have healthy pregnancies in Indian population as the normal nutritional requirements in maternal periods of women in India are not getting fulfilled, so as the malnourished and birth defective children are born. Out of three trimesters of pregnancy in second trimester nutrition need are higher than estimated nutrition requirement for non pregnant women which is less in first trimester. As per the modern science there are lot many nutritional deficiencies occurring in second trimester which causes serious health hazards in mother as well in fetus. The main deficiencies in second trimester of pregnancy are protein, folic acid, calcium, iron, vitamin D, thiamine, vitamin A.Ancient Ayurveda prescribes some set of guidelines which can help make this time more easy for the women. Ayurveda has given proper regimens of diet and life style in during different stages of pregnancy. This paper talks about second trimester of pregnancy because in this all organ starts to appear according to Ayurvedic Samhitas and modern aspects also. It is given in Mansanumasik Garbhini Paricharya which is mentioned in Ayurvedic Samhita, the regime for the pregnant women. It is similar to the modern science diet to the pregnant women. Therefore this is a small effort to find out the exact concept of Garbhini Paricharya given by Aacharya sushruta is nutritionally a complete supplement for Garbhini

POTENTIAL OF CARBON DIOXIDE ABSORPTION IN CONCRETE

Abstract: Cement industry contributes to 5% of global CO2 emissions. To mitigate pollution, there is a need of CO2 sequestration into stable forms. Present research focusses on CO2 being channelized towards an important construction practice. This paper summarizes the potential of CO2 absorption in concrete. To verify CO2 absorption in concrete, an artificial CO2 environment for curing of concrete cubes using dry ice was created. Considering concrete of M20 grade, a comparative experimental study of water cured concrete cubes, CO2 cured concrete cubes, for penetration (using phenolphthalein indicator), and compressive strength was carried out. The result analysis of the tests indicated that CO2 cured concrete cubes showed 22.125% higher compressive strength than water cured concrete cubes and CO2 penetration of 13.5 mm after 2 hours. The rate of CO2 penetration and strength gain in concrete was found to be rapid in the early hours. It is shown that CO2 can prove to be a useful resource in the construction scenario, especially in the precast