Composition of sorgo juice as related to sirup composition and quality

There are many problems involved in making high quality sorgo sirup. The first step toward industrial development, as well as toward a better homemade sirup, is a more complete knowledge of the chemical composition of the juice and sirup. On the whole, the literature indicates that earlier investigators made little attempt to correlate juice composition and sirup quality. Sorgo production in the United States is distributed more widely than the production of sugar cane or sugar beets. Sorgo is easy to cultivate. The adaptability of the sorgo crop to many soils and climatic conditions is noteworthy (9). Some sorgo is grown for sirup in thirty-five states, but it is grown most extensively in the southeastern states. Six states, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia, sometimes called the sorgo sirup belt, produce about 50 percent of the total amount of sorgo sirup. Mississippi and Alabama have been the largest producers for many years (24). The production of sweet sorgo for sirup in Tennessee is not very extensive as compared to that of some of the more common crops, but it is an important source of income on some farms and in some areas of the State. Six counties, Benton, Warren, Fayette, Tipton, Shelby, and DeKalb, produced approximately 44 percent of the State production in 1959 (16). Benton County reported 14 percent of the total acres of sorgo grown in the State in 1959 and 23 percent of the total production. Warren County is the second largest producer in Tennessee. No information is available pertaining to the amount of consumer demand for sorgo sirup. However, consumers prefer high quality sirup, and in order to fulfill this requirement, it is necessary to eliminate the practices contributing to the production of inferior sirup. Early research workers reported that many factors could influence sirup quality. The chemical composition of the juice is considered to be the most influential factor affecting quality of sirup. The relationship between various constituents in the juice and the finished sirup has been most neglected and is still little understood. With this factor in mind, the objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the presence of certain chemical constituents of the juice; (2) to determine the concentration of these constituents in different internodes and sections; (3) to determine chemical composition of sorgo sirups and (4) to relate the chemical composition of the juice to the composition and quality of the sirup

Profile of elderly inmates of old age homes of Patan district, Gujarat, India: a cross sectional study

Background: Population aging is both a medical as well as a social problem. The situation of the elderly still worsens when there is presence of chronic diseases, physical incapacity and financial stringency. An exceptional increase in the number and proportion of older adults in the country, rapid increase in nuclear families, and contemporary changes in psychosocial matrix and values often compel this segment of society to live alone or in old age homes. The objective of study was to know the medico-social profile of the inmates of an old age homes.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from January to December 2014 to assess the socio-demographic profile, pattern of morbidities and quality of life of elderly residing in old age homes. Total 4 old age homes and 203 elderly people were included in the study after taking verbal and written consent of the elderly people and permission from the managers of all the old age homes. A semi structured and pretested questionnaire was prepared to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics and morbidity pattern. Data was collected and analyzed by appropriate statistical software.Results: Around 65% of elderly people were in the age group of 65 to 79 years. 58% of the males and 39.1 % of the females were suffered from cataract, whereas 39.8 of the males and 39.1 % females were suffered from hypertension. Next common morbidity was diabetes present in 28.4 of the males and 18.3 % of the females followed by joint pain present in 20.5% of the males and 23.5% of the females. No significant difference was found among morbidities of the males and females (x2=2.85, p=0.35). 30.8% of the males and 28.75% of the females were hypertensive. Around 27% of the males and 36% of the females were obese and 18% of males and females were pre-obese according to BMI value. There was no significant difference in the BMI among males and females.Conclusions: The study highlighted a high prevalence of morbidity and health related problems in old age group.

Normalizing of estrous cycle in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) induced rats with Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers.

This study evaluates the potentiality of an herbal plant Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers. in the treatment of Letrozole induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using female Albino wistar rats. Seed powder of T. purpurea at concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight with milk as a carrier vehicle 3ml/kg body weight, given for at least 3 consecutive estrous cycles. Vaginal smear, FSH, LH, Testosterone, and Estrogen were analyzed to determine the fluctuations in sex steroid level in PCOS induced rats. The plasma testosterone and estrogen levelwere found to be significantly increased in rats with PCOS whereas Follicle stimulating hormone and Leutinizing hormone did not show any changes. When compared with control the PCOS induced rats showed characteristic ovary with high incidence of ovarian cyst. All the parameters assessed were significantly improved after the treatment with T. purpurea and achieved level close to 80% normalcy. Effect of T. purpurea significantly reduced histopathological changes in ovary and endocrinological and biochemical changes induced by hyperandrogenism. Further to check ovulation and fertility female rats were mated and pregnancy was confirmed. Thus potential of T. purpurea in the treatment of PCOS using an animal model suggested being a good alternative therapy in the treatment of PCOS

Sociodemographic Correlates of Tobacco Consumption in Rural Gujarat, India

Background. The purpose of this study was to examine occupation-, education-, and gender-specific patterns of tobacco use and knowledge of its health effects among 23,953 rural Asian Indians ≥18 years in Gujarat. Methodology. A statewide, community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in 26 districts of Gujarat (December 2010–May 2015), using face-to-face interviews by trained community health workers called SEVAKS. Results. Mean age was 39.8 ± 15.2 years. Eighteen percent of respondents used tobacco in various forms. Tobacco consumption was significantly higher among males (32%), 18–34 years’ age group (35%), those who were self-employed (72%), and those with elementary education (40%). The prevalence was 11 times higher among males than females (95% CI = 9.78, 13.13). Adjusted ORs for tobacco use showed strong gradient by age and educational level; consumption was lower among the illiterates and higher for older participants (≥55 years). Tobacco consumption also varied by occupation; that is, those who were self-employed and employed for wages were more likely to use tobacco than those who were unemployed. Knowledge of health effects of tobacco lowered the odds of consumption by 30–40%. Conclusions. Effective educational programs should be tailored by gender, to improve knowledge of health risks and dispel myths on perceived benefits of tobacco

Supporting Vermont Families in Packing Healthy Lunches for Children in Childcare

Introduction. Partnering with Hunger Free Vermont, an organization that works to end hunger and malnutrition across the state, we investigated the nutritional value of the packed meals parents provide for their children in early childcare. The USDA\u27s My Plate resource was used as a measure to assess variety, dividing foods into five groups: grains, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and protein. The results will help Hunger Free Vermont design nutrition education materials for childcare centers to provide to the families they serve. Methods. Online surveys were distributed, asking parents to report the foods they recently provided for their children in packed lunches, to rate how \u27healthy\u27 they thought those lunches were, and to note any barriers they experience to packing healthy foods. Results. Survey results showed that the average number of sweets packed by parents who had low confidence in their ability to pack healthy meals was significantly higher than the average number packed by parents with high confidence (p \u3c 0.05). Additionally, the total number of cited barriers was significantly higher in parents who had low confidence in their ability to pack healthy meals (p \u3c 0.01). Conclusions. Many parents cited time constraints and ‘picky’ children as barriers to providing healthy meals, with concerns about the expense of healthy items and lack of childcare for shopping or food-prep time following close behind. In the future, education materials that address children’s unhealthy food preferences or further investigations into barriers to providing healthy lunches may facilitate development of resources for Vermont families.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1259/thumbnail.jp

Evaluation of intravenous iron sucrose therapy for management of moderate to severe anaemia in pregnancy

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional deficiency in pregnancy and major contributory factor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Objective of present study was to evaluate the response and effectof parenteral iron sucrose complex therapy in iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at GMERS Medical College, Dharpur-Patan over a period extending from September 2014 to August 2017. A total of 150 Antenatal women, between 26-32 weeks of pregnancy with hemoglobin between 5-9 gm% were selected for study by purposive sampling. They were given intravenous iron sucrose complex in a dose of 200 mg (2 ampules of 5 ml each) in 100 ml normal saline over a period of 15-20 minutes, on alternate day. Repeat CBC was done after a period of 6 weeks.Results: Age range of the patients was 20 to 34 years. Out of total 150 women, 72 women (48%) were in age group of 20-24 years. 64.6% women had 27-29 weeks of pregnancy. 58 (38.6%) women had <8 gm% of Hb before treatment and 108 (72%) women achieved Hb of 10 gm% after treatment. The mean haemoglobin raised from 7.9±0.92 gm% to 10.3±0.83 gm% (P<0.001) after six weeks of therapy. There was significant rise in MCV levels (from 67.7±5.1 fl to 78.9±6.4fl) (P<0.001). Major side effects or anaphylactic reactions were occurred in none of the women during study period. 93.3% of patients, treated for anemia were delivered at full term, either vaginally (67.3%) or by LSCS (26%). Most of the delivered babies (80%), had birth weight of more than 2.5 kgs.Conclusions: Parentral iron therapy was effective in increasing haemoglobin and other haematological parameters in pregnant women with moderate to severe anaemia

Efficacy of misoprostol over dinoprostone gel as a cervical ripening agent: a comparative study

Background: Timely induction of labour could reduce maternal mortality and morbidity as well as assure a delivery of healthy baby. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Misoprostol as a cervical ripening agent and its comparison with Dinoprostone gel in terms of success rate, safety, side effects and patient compliance.Methods: A total of 250 pregnant women requiring induction of labor were recruited. Out of 250 cases, 150 were induced with 50 microgram Misoprostol and 100 cases with 0.5 mg intracervical Dinoprostone gel during September 2014 to August 2017 at the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GMERS Medical College, Dharpur-Patan. Written and informed consent was taken from the patients. Outcome measures, such as change in Bishop's score, need of augmentation, induction delivery interval; complications like hyperstimulation, fever and meconium passage were compared between two groups. Statistical analysis was performed by Epi Info 7.Results: Age range of the patients was 21 to 35 years. 74.8% of the patients were in 21-25 years age groups. 50.4% patients were multigravida. 57.6% patients had more than 37 weeks of pregnancy. 50.4% of the patients had premature rupture of membrane as indication of labour. The mean Bishop's score for induction was 3.21 in Misoprostol group. 81.3% patients in Misoprostol group and 93% of patients in Dinoprostone group were delivered by vaginal delivery. 60% patients delivered within 6 hours in Misoprostol group. (Misoprostol: 60%, Dinoprostone: 27%, p<0.001). Incidence of thin meconium was 11.3% in Misoprostol group, 9% in Dinoprostone group. In Misoprostol group 3.3 women had fever after induction.Conclusions: Vaginal misoprostol is more efficacious in cervical ripening and for induction of labor than Dinoprostone

Bacteriological profile isolated from cases of otitis media diagnosed at tertiary care hospital of Gujarat, India

Background: Otitis media is commonest disease seen in children. Bacteria are responsible for majority of the cases of otitis media. The aim of the study was to speculate the aetiological bacterial flora which was responsible for the cases of otitis media.Methods: The present study was conducted by Department of Microbiology, B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, India during 1st May 2000 to 30th April 2002. Before conducting the study approval was obtained from Institutional Ethical Committee for human research. Total 140 patients of otitis media were included after written informed consent. The ear discharge from each diseased middle ear was collected and inoculated on blood agar, MacConkey’s agar and chocolate agar media and were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The organisms were identified by using a standard procedure. Data was analyzed using Microsoft exel software (Trial Version).Results: Out of 140 samples 114 (81.43%) had positive culture. out of 114 cases, 64 (56.14%) were male. Majority of the cases (32.45%) were in the age group of 0-14 years. Out of 114 positive cases, single organism was isolated in 99 (86.8%) cases. Out of total 116 strains 44 (37.9%) were gram positive and 72 (62.1%) were gram negative organisms. Among gram positive organisms, Staphylococcus aureus (63.63%) was predominant organisms isolated followed by coagulase negative Staphylococci (20.45%) and among gram negative organism Pseudomonas (69.44%) was predominant organisms isolated followed by proteus species.Conclusions: Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas sp. were found to be the common cause of otitis media in our study.

Efficacy of misoprostol over Foley’s catheter as a cervical ripening agent: a comparative study

Background: Timely induction of labour could reduce maternal mortality and morbidity as well as assure a delivery of healthy baby. Objective of present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Misoprostol as a cervical ripening agent and its comparison with Foley’s catheter in terms of success rate, safety, side effects and patient compliance.Methods: A total of 250 pregnant women requiring induction of labor were recruited. Out of 250 cases, 150 were induced with 50 microgram Misoprostol and in 100 cases Foley catheter 18 F, was placed through the internal os of the cervix during September 2014 to August 2017 at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GMERS Medical College, Dharpur-Patan. Written and informed consent was taken from the patients. Outcome measures, such as change in Bishop's score, need of augmentation, induction delivery interval; complications like hyperstimulation, fever and meconium passage were compared between two groups. Statistical analysis was performed by Epi Info 7.Results: Age range of the patients was 21 to 35 years. 72.4 % of the patients were in 21-25 years age groups. 54.4% patients were multigravida. 59.2% patients had more than 37 weeks of pregnancy. 46.4% of the patients had premature rupture of membrane as indication of labour. The mean Bishop's score for induction was 3.21 in Misoprostol group. 81.3% patients in Misoprostol group and 88% of patients in Foley’s catheter group were delivered by vaginal delivery. 60 % patients delivered within 6 hours in Misoprostol group. (Misoprostol: 60%, Foley’s catheter: 9%, p<0.001) Incidence of thin meconium was 11.3% in Misoprostol group, 9 % in Foley’s catheter group. In Misoprostol group 3.3 women had fever after induction while it was 6% in Foley’s catheter group.Conclusions: The results of the present study confirm that vaginal misoprostol is more effective than Foleys catheter in pre-induction cervical ripening

Vegetarian Diet and Cardiometabolic Risk among Asian Indians in the United States

Research studies have shown that plant-based diets confer cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits. Asian Indians (AIs) in the US (who have often followed plant-based diets) have elevated risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity suggesting ethnic vulnerability that imply genetic and/or lifestyle causative links. This study explored the association between this ethnic group and diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome after controlling for demographics, acculturation, family history of diabetes, and lifestyle and clinical risk factors. The sample comprised of 1038 randomly selected adult AIs in seven US sites. Prevalence and metabolic syndrome was estimated, and obesity was calculated using the WHO Asian criteria. Multivariate analysis included multinomial logistic regression. The mean age and length of residency in the US were 47 and 18.5 years, respectively. The majority of respondents were vegetarians (62%) and educated. A vegetarian lifestyle was associated with females, food label users, respondents with poor/fair current health status, less acculturated, and those who reported their diet had not changed after coming to the US. Vegetarian status was a protective factor and lowered the risk for diabetes but not for metabolic syndrome and obesity in the regression model. Results provide a firm basis for educational programs