A Study on Consumers’ Awareness and Preference towards Millets and Its Products in Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, India

This study was conducted to understand the buying pattern of consumers and the factors influencing them in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. To achieve the objectives, primary data was collected from 200 respondents using the convenience sampling method. The study shows that 96% of the respondents are aware of atleast one type of millet in the Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh, followed by sorghum, bajra, and korra. Minor millets are of less prominence in the study area. The majority of respondents believe that millets help prevent type 2 diabetes and agree that they are better for health than rice and wheat. The study shows that the main source of information about millets and their health benefits is word of mouth, followed by social media. In the study, it was observed that seniors and adults consume millets more frequently, and most people prefer millets for dinner followed by breakfast. The accessibility of the millet products was found to be low and needs improvement. The most preferred platforms to purchase value-added products of millets are supermarkets, and for raw millets, Kirana stores are preferred. In the study area, consumers are eating millets such as ambali, sangati, korra rice, korra payasam, laddu, kichadi, and upma. Few consumers stated that they are using ragi, korra in dosa batter along with pulses and rice. Snacks such as cookies, chips, and murukulu are highly preferred by consumers. Accordingly, this study proposes suggestions to develop millet products and the use of promotion strategies to increase consumption

Export Potential and Competitiveness of Processed Food Products from India

The liberalization of trade and India's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) have brought about significant changes in India's agricultural trade and food processing industry. This study aims to evaluate the export competitiveness of processed food products from India by analyzing their comparative advantage and export potential over a specified time period. The study utilizes secondary data from sources such as the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and International Trade Centre (ITC) for the analysis. The selection of processed food products is based on the major processed food products exported by food processing industries in Gujarat. Analytical tools employed are compound annual growth rate (CAGR), revealed comparative advantage (RCA), and nominal protection coefficient (NPC). These tools help assess growth rates, comparative advantage, and competitiveness of the selected commodities with the data on export potential Provided by ITC. The study highlights the export potential and unrealized potential of processed foods which is more than 7.9 billion dollars and 4.5 billion dollars respectively. Among the selected commodities the food preparations with HS code 210690 are observed to have the highest potential. The analysis identifies the largest unrealized potential was in countries such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, China, and UAE for many of the selected processed food products. It was also observed in the export performance of selected processed foods for the last 10 years, with notable growth rates observed in miscellaneous preparations and bread, pastry, and other baked foods. This study concludes by highlighting the Potential of selected food products and also shows the presence of competitive advantage of selected foods in the USA, UAE, UK, Australia, and Saudi Arabia. It highlights the opportunities for manufacturers to expand their exports, capitalize on untapped market potential, and enhance their business growth

Clinical spectrum of demyelinating disease of central nervous system and frequency of anti AQP4 and anti MOG among them: one-year single-center retrospective study

Background: Inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are autoimmune conditions leading to significant neurological disability in adults. Recent classifications include myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) which pose diagnostic challenges due to overlapping clinical and radiological features. This study aimed to assess the clinical spectrum among adults and children diagnosed with CNS demyelinating diseases and to find the proportion of MOG and/or aquaporin-4 (AQP4) autoantibodies amongst them. Methods: This single-center, retrospective study examined 20 patients diagnosed with CNS demyelinating disorders between March, 2023 and February, 2024. Data pertaining to demographics, disease types, CSF analysis, MRI findings, treatment modalities, and serological profiles for anti-AQP4 and anti-MOG antibodies were collected from hospital records and evaluated. Results: Among 20 patients [median age, 34 years (IQR, 18.75); males (n=10) and females (n=10)], acute transverse myelitis (TM) was the most common demyelinating disorder at onset (60%) followed by optic neuritis (ON) (20%). CSF analysis found elevated protein levels in 53% and pleocytosis in 33% of patients. MRI findings revealed longitudinal extensive involvement in 52% of patients, predominantly affecting the cervical and dorsal spine. Serological testing identified 15% positive for anti-AQP4 and 10% for anti-MOG antibodies. MOG+ patients were significantly younger than AQP4+ patients (mean age 16.5 vs. 36.66 years, p=0.016). Both MOG+ patients were male, with 50% presenting with acute TM and 50% with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Among AQP4+ patients, the male-to-female ratio was 1:2, with 66.66% presenting with acute TM and 33.33% with ON. Conclusion: CNS demyelinating disorders primarily affect younger individuals, with TM as the most common initial disorder and extensive spinal involvement in cervical and dorsal regions. Serological testing identified three patients with anti-AQP4 and two with anti-MOG antibodies, providing valuable insights into the clinical spectrum of these disorders through cell-based assays

A retrospective study of 50 cases of lower limb soft tissue infection and its different modalities of presentation and its management

Background: Soft tissue infections are common in everyday practice. They show great variations in their severity. Skin and soft tissue infections are usually preceded by minor traumatic events. Among them soft tissue bacterial infections of lower limbs are more common. Patients having diabetes makes the scenario even worst. Diagnosis, intervention and treatment of these infections are very important. This study aims at understanding the pathology involved for lower limb soft tissue infections, spectrum of organisms and different treatment modalities in various age group and gender.Methods: 50 cases of lower limb soft tissue infections were included in this study. Detailed history, clinical examination, investigations, pre-operative preparation, intraoperative details and post-operative management were included.Results: 94% patients were having history of trauma.88% patients were having history of diabetes. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common (43%) organism cultured from swabs followed by pseudomonas (36%) out of total cases. Minimum stay in hospital was of 4 days to a maximum of 34 days. Most of the patients were managed with regular dressing and debridement.Conclusions: The patients sought treatment only when they had extensive lesions which affect their daily living. Health education regarding foot care forms an integral part of surgical management of lower limb soft tissue infections. Readmissions are mainly due to inadequate local control or fluctuating blood sugar levels and improper foot care due to illiteracy, poverty, ignorance and lack of adequate primary care facilities

Oil Crops and Oil Production Trends

Edible oils are main constituent of human diet. Production figures of oils crops and oils provide information not about only production patterns but consumption patterns too. Knowing this information helps industry as well educators in focusing on important oil crops and oils. It was found in this study that world is dominated only by few oil crops and oils. Further it was discovered that only handful of countries contribute to bulk of oil crops and oils

Advanced Scoliosis Impact on COPD: Worsened Outcomes Due to Lack of Motivational Interviewing and Shared Decision Making - A Case Report

The case presented describes an advanced COPD patient with a history of progressive scoliotic curvature who presented multiple times with complaints of worsening respiratory symptoms. Thus, it is important to emphasize how the lack of meaningful patient communication and patient participation in the plan of care can lead to increased symptoms of anxiety, declining quality of life, and unnecessary medical testing. In addition, the case explores how applying a holistic combination of strategies including motivational interviewing, shared-decision making and proper communication can improve the level of patient care

Health Science Academy

Panel Chair: Katherine Bel

Spadin, a Sortilin-Derived Peptide, Targeting Rodent TREK-1 Channels: A New Concept in the Antidepressant Drug Design

We found that spadin, a natural peptide derived from sortilin, blocks the mouse TREK-1 channel and might be an efficient and fast-acting antidepressant

Sustainable housing : looking at social and cultural aspects of traditional Indian settlement

RESEARCH QUESTION: How social and cultural housing issues can be addressed through the traditional practice of Indian settlement? ABSTRACT: This research aims to strategize a comprehensive design, establishing a link between the traditional and current practice of housing. The intent is to provide the various housing issues; energy waste, social-cultural aspects, ignored the specific need of environment and local people, missing regional architecture characteristics. Social and environmental factors in the housing sectors have been affected by the forces of globalization during the rapid urbanization. In the last three decades, housing construction tends to reflect the requirements of the global market instead of local architecture or social demands. The concept of regional housing is selected as a stepping stone of this research project to provide guidelines for the current housing practice. Hence, the research question: “How social and environmental issues can be addressed through the traditional practice of Indian settlement?” Every year, mass migration has created a shortage of housing. However, modern rapid housing construction has given a roof to migrants at the cost of losing the local identity and characteristic of the city. A large number of migrants comes from the north of Gujarat villages or small towns, who are still rooted in their culture and believes. It is a crucial necessity to understand their lifestyle, needs, and provide good living ambience for the betterment of life and maintain the identity of the local architecture. As per the current scenario, the findings indicate that Ahmedabad, Gujarat is the first Heritage city of India declared by UNESCO. Belonging from Gujarat and having deep connections to Ahmedabad city, because of its rich heritage and culture, the observation of the city raised the need to reidentify the housing practice in the city with the social and environmental value of local heritage architecture. Design methodology incorporates the comparative investigation of spatial form in traditional and current housing practice. It might provide some useful insights providing different type of activities and environment requirements, to develop a typical housing model which will hold the local architectural identity for the local people. Regional housing is a relatively new approach which will consider different factors in the design process, such as location, climate, accessibility, people, construction techniques, and the vernacular environmental approach. Few planned and successful housing projects, provide the inferences to develop the best possible strategy for this approach