Physical Activity in Control of Diabetes Mellitus: An Underrated Entity

Glycaemic control and reduction in mortality among diabetes can be easily achieved by a cost-effective intervention, Physical activity. Moderate to vigorous intensity activities are usually rec-ommended for diabetics. Structured engagement of diabetes by combining physical activity and modest weight loss activities their risk can be reduced by 58%. But most of the diabetics prefer to remain inactive. Hence this article highlights the importance of physical activity, acute and chronic effects of physical activity on diabetics, recommended level of activity, recommended type of activi-ty and ways to adhere and maintain those activities.

Telemedicine Acceptance and User Experience: A Gap to Be Addressed?

Introduction: Telemedicine is a constantly evolving science. Telemedicine is transfer of, medical information over phone or net with the aim of consultation. Advancement and drop in the cost of information & communication technologies, has booned the interest in the application of telemedicine. During the pandemic, in India where doctor population relationship is low, telemedicine was considered as solution. Objective: This study was done with the aim to estimate the rate of acceptance, convenience and experience on telemedicine usage among IT professionals. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out among 162 IT professionals working in six IT companies which was choosed randomly from the IT companies in Chengalpattu division. Employee who have used telemedicine service were listed from all the six companies and were included in the study. From the list 162 employees were selected through simple random sampling. Selected employees were given a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of four sections to assess their acceptance, convenience and experience on telemedicine usage. The collected information was analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0. Qualitative variables will be expressed in proportions and Quantitative variables in Mean(SD) / Median (IQR). Chi-square test was applied. Results: 83(51.2%) male and 79(48.8%) female employees took part in the study. 56 participants (35%) of 162 participants accepted using telemedicine for medical consultation. 78 participants (48.1%) found it convenient to use the telemedicine applications, depicting that the applications are not user friendly. Only 34 participants (21%) were satisfied with their experience with telemedicine usage. Conclusion: Telemedicine was the saviour for those who were in need of medical service but was restricted due to pandemic/disease. But non-availability of user-friendly applications was found to barrier in accepting telemedicine service. In addition to it there are several other barriers that has to be found and addressed for successful telemedicine service across our country. Proper promotion is also needed to improve acceptance.

Antimicrobial activity of extracellular metabolite of endophytic fungi Phomopsis spp. Isolated From Four Different Medicinal Plants of India.

The present investigation is on endophytic fungus Phomopsis spp isolated from four Indian medicinal plants like., Artabotrys odoratissimus, Cassia auriculata, Guazuma ulmifolia and Terminalia catappa in four different months. Antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate extract from the culture filtrate of Phomopsis spp were tested against six human pathogenic bacteria. Isolated three Phomopsis spp. were grown in Czapex Dox Broth for 21-days. The extracellular secondary metabolites present in the culture filtrate were extracted with ethyl acetate solvent. The extracellular bio-active compounds of the isolated fungus were tested for its anti microbial potential in well diffusion method, against three, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among all the three Phomopsis spp, the extract obtained from Phomopsis sp.2 exhibited a promising activity against the entire test bacteria. This bioactivity compounds focus on clinical pharmacology to identify a novel therapeutic targets and it can be easily scaled up for the large-scale commercial production.

Micro propagation and tissue culture of the endangered medicinal plant withania somnifera by the direct shoot and root initiation method.

Leaf and Cotyledon explants of Withania somnifera (L). Dunal were used to evaluate the effect of different growth regulators on the in vitro direct shoot and root initiation methods. Four different explants were used to establish callus shoot and root direct regeneration. In the first experiment leaf segments were cultured on MS basal supplemented with 2,4 – Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4 – D, 0.1-20.0 mg/L), with combination of Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA 0.1-20 mg/L) and Benzylaminopurin (0.1-20 mg/L). This new protocol was standardized for easy mass propagation of W. somnifera medicinal plant. Callus initiation was observed best in MS media with (2,4- D 1.0-5.0 mg/L) after 16-20 days (93%). Highest maximum number of multiple shoots was obtained on MS medium (BAP 3.0 – 5.0 mg/L). The shoots were seaperated from the multiple-shoots, transferred to MS medium supplemented with 1.5 – 20 mg/L NAA favored roots formation occurred in most of the shoot let 88% were successfully achieved in the MS media. The rooted plantlets were transferred to polythene bags which was containing vermi compost, sand and red soil in the ratio of 1:2:2 and kept in a mist house. After acclimatization in the mist house for 2-months, it transferred to greenhouse. The plantlets were successfully planted in the field.