Transformation of Women Status through Self- Help Groups in Pudukkottai Block

The rural area peoples are mostly suffered of human life style because it is based on the reason of economic. The present study focused area of psychological, social and economic empowerment of women in Pudukkottai block specified rural area of Perungalur, Athanakottai, Varapur, Mullur and Vadavalam. It is; therefore, women need special attention to ensure their development and active participation in the decision-making process at home. It is also widely recognized that apart from managing household, bearing children, rural women bring income with productive activities ranging from traditional work in the fields to working in factories or running small and petty businesses. They have also proven that they can be better entrepreneurs and development managers in any kind of human development activities. The empowerment of women also considered as an active process enabling women to realize their full identity and power in all spheres of life. The empowerment of women is modified in our life with help of Self Help Groups in Pudukkottai area

Non-descent vaginal hysterectomy for large uterus-safety and feasibility

Background: Non Descent Vaginal Hysterectomy (NDVH) is removal of uterus through vagina in non-prolapsed uterus. The objective of the present study was to assess safety and feasibility of NDVH in patients with large uterus (>12 weeks size uterus).Methods: Retrospective study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Shree Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, India from May2014 to May 2017. Effort was made to perform hysterectomies vaginally in women with benign conditions with large uterine size. Information regarding age, parity, uterine size, blood loss, duration of operation, number of fibroids, other surgical difficulties encountered, intra–operative and post-operative complications were recorded.Results: Total of 65 cases was selected for NDVH with large uterine size. All successfully underwent NDVH. 25 patients had uterus of 10-12 weeks size, 17 had uterine size of 12-14 weeks size. Mean duration of surgery was 90 min. Mean blood loss was 300ml. Post-operative complications were minimal. All patients had early mobility with faster resumption to daily activities. Mean hospital stay was 4-5 days.Conclusions: Non descent vaginal hysterectomy is safe, cost effective method of hysterectomy in women with large uterus requiring hysterectomy for benign conditions with less complications, shorter hospital stay and less morbidity

The role of fungi in fungal keratitis

Fungal keratitis (FK) accounts for approximately half of the microbial keratitis encountered in low middle income countries (LMICs) and predominantly affect the working rural-poor. FK causes significant morbidity with the majority of patients left with moderate or worse visual impairment and approximately 25 % requiring expensive and often unsuccessful surgical interventions. The severity of FK and the resultant corneal damage or resolution can be attributed to i) the virulence and bioburden of the fungal pathogen, ii) the host defense mechanism and immune response and iii) sub-optimal diagnostics and anti-fungal treatment strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted components that drive FK progression and resolution, highlighting where knowledge gaps exist and areas that warrant further research. <br/

Exploring the genetic variability, heritability, gene action for yield related traits and ToLCNDV resistance on F3 and F4 generations in cucumber [Cucumis sativus L.]

Cucumber is traditionally cultivated in India and is recognized as a primary centre of origin, belonging to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. The study focused on assessing genetic variability in F3 and F4 cucumber populations and examining correlations among various characters including ToLCNDV resistance. In both F3 and F4 generations, per cent disease index, fruit weight and vine length exhibited high heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean. In F4 generation, yield per plant, fruit girth, fruit length, number of branches and number of fruits per plant also showed high heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean. Yield related traits viz., sex ratio, number of fruits per vine, yield per plant and vine length exhibited complementary gene action. Days to first harvest and crop duration demonstrated negatively skewed distribution suggesting duplicate gene action and rapid genetic gain under selection. Leptokurtic distribution in yield per plant and associated traits implied the involvement of few genes for genetic inheritance of the above traits. Significant positive associations were found between yield per plant and number of fruits per plant, fruit weight and number of branches per plant suggesting potential early selection for these characters to enhance overall yield

Ophiorrhiza, a promising herbaceous source of the anticancer compound camptothecin

Camptothecin is an important source for the synthesis of some of the major anti-cancer agents such as irinotecan and topotecan. Traditional source of camptothecin are prominently woody plants such as Camptotheca acuminata Decne. and Nothopodytes nimmoniana (Graham) Mabb., and the increasing demand for camptothecin leads to the level of threatening their existence. Ophiorrhiza species composed of herbaceous plants with quick growth characteristics which are reported as alternative source of camptothecin. The present review focus on taxonomical status, traditional uses, biological activities and phytochemical constituents with a special attention in bioproduction of camptothecin from Ophiorrhiza species and its future prospects

A survey on the knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding unwanted medicine disposal among pharmacists in Sri Lanka

Background: Unwanted medicines are defined as expired, unused, damaged or contaminated pharmaceutical products. Improper disposal of unwanted medicines leads to many health and environmental hazards. The World Health Organisation recommends that unwanted medicines should always be disposed properly. The main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, practices and perceptions on the disposal of unwanted medicines among pharmacists in Sri Lanka.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among pharmacists in 40 private retail pharmacies in the Northern, Eastern and the Western provinces within a period of three months. The pharmacies were selected via stratified randomised sampling in each district. The most experienced pharmacist in each pharmacy was recruited for data collection. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used. The ethics approval was obtained (Ref: EC-12-190). The data was represented using simple descriptive statistics.Results: The data was collected from 40 pharmacies. Among the pharmacists, 65% were males. The majority answered that burning and landfill as the most appropriate methods of disposal for most of the types of medicinal waste. A significant number of pharmacists were not aware about the method of disposal for anti-infective agents and anti-neoplastic agents. The majority perceived the seriousness of environmental damage caused by disposal via trash or sink. A majority was not agreeing to have pharmacies as collecting centers for unwanted medicines. A discrepancy between the pharmacists’ perceptions and the practices was observed.Conclusions: The level of knowledge, practices and perceptions among pharmacists on unwanted medicines disposal was substandard and needs attention

Superficial preparation of biocompatible carbon quantum dots for antimicrobial applications

UGC-NFHE; GC-RGNF; New Delhi, India; Government of India

Stock enhancement of shrimp resources through sea ranching

Sea ranching is referred as method of stock enhancement. It involves mass release of juveniles of the selected species into the marine environment where, they can feed on natural prey and grows. The sea ranched stocks become recaptured and add biomass to the commercial fishery. Sea ranching was carried out mainly for stock improvement or enhancing the production or conservation of natural resources. The sea ranching programme was originated in USA as early as 1870’s and sea ranching of red and Pacific salmon was carried out since 1964. In Japan, Sea ranching was started during 1975, for Kuruma Shrimp, Penaeus japanicus and also for other 45 species to supplement the natural stock. In India, ICAR-CMFRI, Mandapam was carried out sea ranching of green tiger shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus seeds PL 15-20 size 7.0 lakhs numbers per annum in the Pillaimadam lagoons of Palk Bay during 1985-92

Report on cetaceans stranded in the Gulf of Mannar

A dead female dolphin identified as Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris (Gray, 1828) was found washed ashore at Dhanushkodi near Rameshwaram, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu along the coast of Gulf of Mannar (09.1836111 N; 79.4061111 E) on 24th August 202