Worship of Shiva in Tamil Tradition

The worship of Lord Shiva is very ancient in Tamil Nadu. The old temples were renovated. The methods of worship were modified to make the minds of the people happy. The devotees began to serve in the temples. People engaged themselves in the service of sweeping and cleaning the temple, garlanding it, setting up a garden, etc. In the temples, they sang the Thevara Pathigam (The first seven of the twelve hymns chanted on the Saiva Deity Lord Shiva). The practice of singing and worshipping the Lord began. Lord Shiva has been worshipped by the people in a very special way from the time of the kings till date. This article is intended to explore the Worship, Ceremonies, Fasting, and Greatness of Sacred Ash (Thiruneeru), the dances of Lord Shiva, and the specialties of the temple

Free Amino Acids

Ninhydrin deaminates amino acids liberating ammonia and gets reduced to hydrindantin. The liberated ammonia condenses with hydrindantin to form a violet coloured compound diketohydrindylidenediketohydrindamine (DYDA) at pH 5.0. Potassium cyanide prevents the oxidation of the reduced hydrindantin. The intensity of violet colour is directly proportional to the amount of amino acid (Yemm & Cocking, 1955)

Proteins

The nitrogen of the protein precipitate is converted to acid ammonium sulphate by digestion with sulphuric acid and various catalysts. On making the reaction mixture alkaline, ammonia is liberated, which is removed by steam distillation. The ammonia liberated by steam distillation is gathered in acid solution containing an indicator. Change in pH of the acid solution due to addition of ammonia is indicated by the indicator dye. This solution is back-titrated with 0.01 N HCI, and the original acidic condition indicated by the indicator dye, is taken as the end point. The amount of HCl consumed in back titration is proportional to the amount of ammonia liberated. Percentage of nitrogen is calculated from the titre value, which is converted into gm% of protein present in sample by multiplying the percentage nitrogen with a factor 6.2S. The factor 6.25 is used for conversion because in average, protein contains 16% of nitrogen

Electrophoretic separation of proteins

There are several structural and storage proteins in the tissues of Crustacea. Some of them are metallo-proteins, some are enzymic in nature. Several electrophoretic procedures were used for the separation of these proteins. The methods used by crustacean workers include paper (Zuckerkandl, 1956; Hughes & Winkler, 1966 ; Stewart, et al., 1969), agar gel (Decleir, 1961; Vranckx &Durlait, 1976), starch gel (Whittaker, 1959 ; Cowden & Coleman, 1962; Dall, 1964) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Dall, 1974; Durliat et al., 1975; Alikhan & Akthar, 1980). With polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis a good resolution is achieved with minimum quantity of blood sample (0.1 ml). Here polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic method of Davis (1964) is described

Transvaginal sonographic cervical length assessment in predicting the outcome of induction of labor

Background: The aim of the study was to assess Bishop Score in women undergoing induction of labor followed by cervical length measurement by transvaginal sonography and to study the role of transvaginal sonographic cervical assessment in predicting outcome of induction of labor.Methods: This was a prospective observational study carried out in 300 pregnancy women undergoing induction of labor. In all the women, Bishop score was calculated by per vaginal examination and cervical length assessed by transvaginal ultrasound, both prior to induction of laborResults: This study has demonstrated that in singleton pregnancies undergoing induction of labor at 37-41 weeks of gestation, successful vaginal delivery within 24hrs of induction occurred in 66.8%. The study has also demonstrated that induction to delivery interval is significantly associated with both the preinduction Bishop score and sonographically measured cervical length, higher the Bishop score and lesser the cervical length, better the likelihood of vaginal delivery within 24 hrs of induction. The best cutoff point for successful induction was ≥3 for Bishop score and ≤2.5 cm for cervical length, which was obtained from the ROC curve.Conclusions: Cervical length assessment by transvaginal ultrasound was a better predictor of successful induction of labor.

A Clinicomycological Study of Mucocutaneous Candidiasis

INTRODUCTION : Candidiasis refers to a diverse group of infections caused by the yeasts of genus Candida which have been known for centuries. These organisms usually cause superficial infections involving the skin, nail, mucous membrane but can also produce serious systemic infections like septicemia, endocarditis and meningitis in immunosuppressed individuals. Candida species constitute a part of the normal flora of the digestive system and the female genital tract. Colonization with these organisms may occur during birth or later in life . In healthy individuals, such colonization is asymptomatic and their overgrowth is limited by the immune system and other bacteria occupying the gastrointestinal tract and vagina .When the immune system is deranged or an alteration in the ecology occurs, there is overgrowth of these organisms producing infection. There are over 200 species of Candida till date and their epidemiology is constantly changing with varying clinical patterns, virulence and antifungal susceptibility. AIM AND OBJECTIVES : Candida is an ubiquitious organism causing superficial fungal infection that is commonly encountered in clinical practice.Yeast infections caused by Candida is increasingly being reported worldwide. This increased incidence of infections are attributed to immunocompromised diseases like HIV and the development of wide range of newer immunosuppresives. A change in the epidemiology, clinical spectrum and antifungal susceptibility has been observed. The prompt detection of different species of yeast infections may aid for the appropriate treatment decisions. This study has been designed, 1. To study the age wise distribution of mucocutaneous candidiasis. 2. To study the sex wise distribution of mucocutaneous candidiasis. 3. To study the predisposing factors in individuals with mucocutaneous candidiasis. 4. To study the most common clinical features of mucocutaneous candidiasis 5. To identify the different species of candida by culture, subculture and appropriate biochemical tests in all patients with mucocutaneous candidiasis. 6. To identify the common blood group susceptible to mucocutaneous candidiasis MATERIALS AND METHODS : This study was conducted in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Madras Medical college. One hundred new patients with symptoms and signs of mucocutaneous candidiasis attending the OPD, Mycology section of The Department of Dermatology were included in the study. Culture in SDA agar, Hichrome candida agar and biochemical tests like sugar fermentation were done for all patients with positivity for Candida in 10% KOH examination. INCLUSION CRITERIA : 1. Patients with symptoms and signs of mucocutaneous candidiasis. 2. Patients who test positive for Candida in KOH examination. 3. All patients including immunosuppressed, pregnant and pediatric age group are included. EXCLUSION CRITERIA : 1. Patients with negative results in KOH examination. 2. Those who are on topical for two weeks and systemic antifungals for four weeks prior to the study. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for their participation in this study. The skin and mucosal samples were collected and evaluated by appropriate laboratory methods. RESULTS : A total of 100 patients with features of mucocutaneous candidiasis who tested positive for Candida in KOH mount were selected for this study. The minimum age group affected was a one month old infant and maximum age group affected was 70 years (mean= 41.5 ). The maximum number of cases were found to be in the age group of 31-50. CONCLUSION : Mucocandidiasis can occur in all age groups with majority of the affected individuals in the age group of 31-50 years. • Females outnumbered the males and the male to female ratio was 1:2.7 • Mucocandidiasis was more common in immunosuppressed individuals than immunocompetent individuals. • ucosal candidiasis was more common than cutaneous candidiasis. • Oral candidiasis was the most common clinical presentation followed by vulvovaginal candidiasis. • Among the patients with oral candidiasis, pseudo membranous type was the most common presentation. The common predisposing factor was found to be immunosuppression. Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis were isolated in almost equal proportion in oral candidiasis. • Vulvovaginal candidiasis was more common among the immunosuppressed individuals. Candida tropicalis was isolated in higher number than Candida albicans. • Nonalbicans species were isolated in higher number than albicans species. • The nonalbicans species isolated were C.tropicalis, C.glabrata, C.krusei and C.parapsilosis. • Patients with O blood group had higher occurrence of mucocutaneous candidiasis. • In this study, C.tropicalis was isolated in higher number than C.albicans. Further studies in a larger population would provide more conclusive information on the changing trends in the epidemiology of candidal infections and would aid in the optimal treatment of patients

Design of Hybrid System Using Reflector for Isolated Areas

The project based on the concept of conservation of light energy from the lamps such as CFL ,Incandescent etc and using the reflector to reflect the light energy to PV panel .The lamps are the essential things that we have been using day to day life .The Solar cells act as the light absorber which will convert the light energy into the electrical energy along with this the wind turbine which convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power is used to produce hybrid power So from that we can generate more energy and store this in a battery. The hardware implementation, Design and analysis of the Power generation from the light energy emitted from the lamps has been made in this project .The Solar panel with the reflector where the performance development has been scrutinized. This Hybrid power generation method is a pioneering approach which will provide the backup power generation system at the time of power failure. Emergency Lamp, Fan and Battery charging has been used as a load in this project. The load will vary when amount of power generated is varied

A Comparative Study between the Effects of Propofol and Etomidate in Adults Undergoing Surgeries under General Anaesthesia

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to compare the hemodynamics and various other effects of Propofol and Etomidate in adults undergoing surgeries under general anesthesia. METHODS: 60 patients were enrolled in the study who underwent elective surgeries under general anesthesia and had been assessed individually both intraoperatively and post-operatively. Induction with calculated dose of Propofol or Etomidate. Pain on injection and myoclonic movements at induction, if occurred were recorded. The heart rate and mean arterial pressure were monitored continuously and recorded before induction, at induction and laryngoscopy followed by 1st, 3rd, 5th and 10th minutes after intubation. Episodes of apnoea noted. The obtained results were sent for statistical analysis. RESULTS: It was observed that Propofol9 (Group 1) caused significant hypotension and tachycardia at induction in comparison to Etomidate. In various studies, Etomidate has showed less cardiovascular depression and minimized the use of vasopressor agents than other induction agents in sepsis and critically ill patients. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, Etomidate was found ideal for its hemodynamic stability when compared to Propofol along with less incidence of pain on injection, the only drawback being high incidence of myoclonus. The study suggests that Etomidate is a better option in patients particularly vulnerable to hemodynamic fluctuation during induction like uncontrolled hypertension, sepsis, critically ill and patients with coronary artery disease

Comparison of Nalbuphine with 0.125% Bupivacaine and Plain 0.125% Bupivacaine in Thoracic Epidural for Post Operative Analgesia in Upper Abdominal Surgery

BACKGROUND: Acute uncontrolled post-operative pain and the pathophysiological response to surgery by stimulation of autonomic nervous system leads to stress responses causing significant adverse effects and complications to multi organ systems. The important goal is to reduce the postoperative pain and discomfort .Controlling pain is a multimodal approach with the use of various pharmacological agents (opioids and non-opioids), by different routes (intravenous vs regional techniques) with minimal incidence of adverse effects. In this study, we attempted to define the haemodynamic, analgesic profile and efficacy of Nalbuphine as an additive to Bupivacaine in thoracic epidural for postoperative analgesia in upper abdominal surgeries. METHODS: A prospective double blind comparative study of nalbuphine with 0.125% bupivacaine and plain 0.125% bupivacaine in thoracic epidural for post operative analgesia in upper abdominal surgery was carried out in a population of 60 patients of ASA I – III undergoing elective and emergency surgeries. They were randomised and allocated into two groups with Group A, patients receiving Nalbuphine with 0.125% Bupivacaine and group B receiving Normal Saline with 0.125% Bupivacaine. The aim of the study was to compare the onset and duration of analgesia, level of consciousness (sedation), pain scoring by VAS (Visual analogue scoring), haemodynamic changes and incidence of complications and other side effects. Before induction of anaesthesia, Epidural Tuohy needle was inserted at T9 – T11 level. Using 18 gauge epidural catheter was threaded through the epidural space for 4-5cm and placed at T7-T9level. After epidural test dose of 3ml of lignocaine with adrenaline given to rule out intrathecal and intravascular misplacement of catheter. Patients in Group A received 1ml of Nalbuphine(10mg) with 2.5ml of 0.5% Bupivacaine, diluted in NS to 10ml and Group B received 1ml of Normal Saline with 2.5ml of 0.5% Bupivacaine, diluted in NS to 10ml and the patient was observed for the study parameters over time. The data were collected, compiles and statistical analysed. RESULTS: The mean time of onset of analgesia was short and quick onset of action in group A than group B (7.07min Vs 17.83min). The mean duration of analgesia was longer in group A than group B (8.4 hrs Vs 3.6 hrs). In group A, drop in heart rate and mean arterial pressure from baseline till 30 mins and reach near-baseline levels by 120 minutes, and in group B, drop in heart rate and mean arterial pressure from baseline till 30 mins and reaches baseline by 120 minutes was observed. No subject in Group B attained sedation whereas all the subjects in Group A had a sedation score of 2 and above at 15 min, 30 mins, 60 mins, 2 hours, 4 hours and 6 hours. The subjects in Group A had lower VAS score than Group B at 15 min, 30 mins, 60 mins, 2 hours, and 4 hours and this difference was statistically significant. There was no incidence of side-effects like respiratory depression, pruritis, nausea, vomiting in both groups. Only two subjects in Group B needed rescue analgesia. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that epidural nalbuphine in a dose of 0.2 mg /kg with 0.125% bupivacaine, provides faster onset and longer duration of analgesia with better quality and patient satisfaction

Effectiveness of Oral Health Education on Oral Health Status of Visually Challenged 6-21 Years Old Institutionalized Special Children in Madurai City: An Interventional study

INTRODUCTION : Visually impaired children face limitations in interacting with the environment, as they cannot see the facial expression of parents, teachers and cannot perceive social behavior. These children are challenged every day in learning basic life skills and maintenance of oral hygiene being one among them. AIM AND OBJECTIVES : The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the effectiveness of oral health education on oral health status among the visually challenged 6-21 years old institutionalized special children in Madurai City. MATERIALS AND METHODS : The study population was selected from two available institutions for visually impaired, in Madurai city. The final sample consisted of 154 subjects with a response rate was 92.7%. The age range of study participants varies from 6 to 21 years old of both genders. After collecting the baseline data, oral health education and motivation was done at different time intervals with the help of audio aids, Braille and tactile aids. Fones and Modified Bass method of brushing was taught to the children. Oral hygiene index – simplified and dentition status were assessed using Modified WHO proforma at baseline and after the health education at 6 and 12 month intervals. The oral health awareness was assessed using a questionnaire by interview method at the beginning and end of the study. Data was analysed using chi-square test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, ANOVA and paired t-test. RESULTS : At baseline, the mean OHI-S, DMFT and dft scores were 1.169, 1.95, and 0.40 respectively. At the end of 6 months and 12 months there was a significant decrease in OHI-S scores. No significant difference was seen in DMFT and dft at different time interval. The oral health awareness increased significantly at the end of the study when compared to the baseline scores. CONCLUSION : The present study proved that blind children can maintain an acceptable level of oral hygiene when taught with special customized methods like multisensory approach with creative use of other senses. DENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE : Disabilities among school going children create a major impact on their life especially blindness. The present study showed that caries experience, malocclusion and traumatic dental injuries were most common among visually challenged children. In-service training in the promotion of good oral health for children with visual impairment, access to oral health care has been provided for teachers, institutional staff and parents of these under privileged children of god