An Antimicrobial Activity of the Brown Seaweed Padina Tetrastromatica Extract in Different Concentration Against Human Pathogenic Bacteria.

The brown seaweed Padina tetrastromatica which can be collected from Gulf Of Mannar Sea shore Thoothukudi, India. In this present study was focused on the antimicrobial activity of the selected seaweed against six human pathogenic bacteria (Gram +ve: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Gram -ve: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis) by the agar well diffusion method. Here, different concentrations of the extract from Padina tetrastromatica were tested for probable antimicrobial activity and the extracts were prepared by five different solvents such as Acetone, Chloroform, Ethanol, Ethyl acetate and methanol. The experimental results shows that the highest antimicrobial activity 15mm was shown by Ethyl acetate extract against S. aureus and the lowest activity observed in methanol extract 1mm against E.coli. The experiment concludes that the extract of Ethyl acetate forms a good activity against all the six organisms.

Community-based physical activity intervention using principles of social marketing: A demonstration project in southern India.

Background. We aimed to study the development and implementation of promotion of physical activity in a rural community by applying the principles of social marketing and to determine participation behaviour in a physical activity programme in a community setting. Methods. The intervention targeted 485 people, 20–49 years of age, residents of Periakattupalayam and Rangareddipalayam villages, Tamil Nadu. This community-based participatory research was based on the principles of ‘social marketing’. Health education by one-to-one counselling, written materials and community events were used to popularize moderate intensity physical activity (brisk walking for 30 minutes on 4 days/week). We formed 30 walking groups under four coordinators, in a home-based setting with professional supervision and guidance. A log of physical activity sessions for the 10-week intervention period was maintained in the form of group attendance record. Village leaders, self-help groups and youth clubs were involved in promoting physical activity. Results. Of the 485 subjects, 265 people (54.6%) engaged in brisk walking >4 days a week, while 156 subjects (32.2%) performed walking on 1–4 days per week during the intervention. The drop-out rate was 13.2% (64 subjects). Age, occupation and educational status were important determinants of participation and adherence to the physical activity programme. Conclusion. Application of social marketing techniques in an intervention to promote physical activity was successful in a rural Indian community. Studying the determinants of adoption of a physical activity programme and addressing the barriers to behaviour change are essential for designing relevant policies and effective programmes.

Detection of Helicobactor pylori by polymerase chain reaction: A comparison in sample preparation.

Gastric biopsy samples obtained from 14 patients with upper abdominal pain, clinically diagnosed as acid peptic disease, were analysed for the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using partially (template A) and completely purified DNA (template B). Antigen specific primer was used to analyse the sample by PCR method. The presence of H. pylori in the samples was confirmed by running a positive control. The presence of H. pylori was also detected by urease method using standard protocol. Among the 14 samples studied, 8 showed the presence of H. pylori with both templates A and B. Among these 8 samples only 3 showed positive for the presence of H. pylori with urease method. The present work discusses the results obtained in the detection of H. pylori in template A and B by PCR method.

Radiation-induced chromosomal hot spots at G 1 and G 2 stages of human lymphocytes in culture.

Radiation-induced chromosomal break points in cultured lymphocytes of normal healthy individuals as well as of those with certain genetic disorders are reported to be localized at certain specific loci (hot spots). These reports are based on studies carried out in lymphocytes irradiated at G 1 stage. The present study examines whether the location of hot spots and the frequency seen in cells irradiated at G 1 are similar to those irradiated at G 2 stage of the cell cycle and also tests whether cells of patients exhibit hot spots on irradiation.The results showed that the radiation induced chromosomal break points to be similar in those irradiated are G 1 and G 2 stages of the cell cycle and also that cells of patients exhibited chromosomal hot spots.

Predicting the composition of gallstones by infrared spectroscopy.

AIM: To determine the composition of gallstones in South India by comparing visual assessment with graphic interpretation of infrared spectra. METHODS: Infrared spectroscopy (IRS) was used in qualitative analysis of 168 gallstones from Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka and compared with visual interpretation. The spectrum of cholesterol, calcium bilirubinate and calcium carbonate for each stone was correlated with visual inspection. RESULTS: Fifty four percent of gallstones were of pigment variety, 43% were of mixed and the remaining 3% were cholesterol gallstones as categorised by visual interpretation. Based on infrared spectrocopic interpretation the percentages were 58%, 39% and 2% respectively. There was a good agreement between the visual inspection and IRS in classification of gallstones (Kappa value 85%; 95% CI 77-93%). CONCLUSION: Visual inspection of gallstones can predict the composition of gallstone with good accuracy and was comparable to infrared spectroscopic interpretation.

Effect of selected yogic practices on the management of hypertension.

On the basis of medical officers diagnosis, thirty three (N = 33) hypertensives, aged 35-65 years, from Govt. General Hospital, Pondicherry, were examined with four variables viz, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and body weight. The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups. The exp. group-I underwent selected yoga practices, exp. group-II received medical treatment by the physician of the said hospital and the control group did not participate in any of the treatment stimuli. Yoga imparted in the morning and in the evening with 1 hr/session. day-1 for a total period of 11-weeks. Medical treatment comprised drug intake every day for the whole experimental period. The result of pre-post test with ANCOVA revealed that both the treatment stimuli (i.e., yoga and drug) were effective in controlling the variables of hypertension.

Effect of flurbiprofen sodium on pupillary dilatation during scleral buckling surgery.

Maintenance of pupillary dilatation is necessary for success of scleral buckling procedures. The efficacy of 0.03% flurbiprofen in preventing intraoperative miosis was evaluated by a prospective randomized, double-masked controlled trial of 60 patients. Thirty patients received 0.03% flurbiprofen 6 times at 15 minute intervals 90 minutes preoperatively in addition to the routine dilation regimen. The treated group had a mean pupillary decrease of 1.88 mm and the control group had a decrease of 1.57 mm (p > 0.05). Flurbiprofen did not affect the pupillary size at any step of the surgery. Factors such as age of the patient, lens status, number of cryo applications, duration of surgery, and the size and extent of buckle were assessed. The use of flurbiprofen did not affect the mean pupillary change for any of these groups. Preoperative use of flurbiprofen does not significantly decrease intraoperative miosis during scleral buckling procedures.