Larvicidal activity of neem and karanja oil cakes against mosquito vectors, Culex quinquefasciatus (say), Aedes aegypti (L.) and Anopheles stephensi (L.).

Larvicidal effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) and karanja (Pongamia glabra) oil cakes (individuals and combination) was studied against mosquito species. Both the oil cakes showed larvicidal activity against the mosquito species tested. The combination of neem and karanja oil cakes in equal proportion proved to have better effect than the individual treatments. The combination of the two oil cakes recorded an LC95 of 0.93, 0.54 and 0.77% against the mosquitoes, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi respectively The increase in efficacy of the combination treatment over individuals in all the mosquito larvae tested was found to range about 4 to 10 fold in terms of LC50 and 2 to 6 fold in terms of LC95.

Coronary risk factors in a rural community.

A cross-sectional health examination survey was carried out among a random sample of 406 people of 30 years and above from a rural community to investigate the prevalence of coronary heart disease risk factors. Prevalence of smoking and tobacco use was 16%, alcohol intake 9.4 %, daily Salt intake (> or = 5 gram) 34.2%, daily saturated fat intake ( > or =10 % of daily energy intake) 47.0 % and physical inactivity 18.5 %. BMI was > or =25 Kg /m(2) in 18 percent and it was > or =30 Kg / m(2) in 3.2 percent population. Truncal obesity (WHR: men> 0.9; women > 0.8) was found 18.5 percent more in case of males (20.7). Abdominal obesity(men > or =102; women > or = 88)was found 15.7 percent more in case of males (20.6).18.5 percent population was found suffering from systolic hypertension> or =140 mm Hg )and 15 percent from diastolic hypertension(> or =90 mm Hg). Awareness of CHD risk factors was present in 30.0 percent population. Differences in prevalence of riskfactor in male and female were found statistically significant in case of smoking, alcohol consumption and abdominal obesity. The present study shows that prevalence of CHD risk factors increases significantly in men and women having BMI equal or more than 25 Kg /m(2) so this cutoff, should be used to determine obesity in Indian population.

Poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles as carriers for antimycobacterial drug rifampicin.

Poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) polymers were investigated as carriers for the first line antitubercular drug rifampicin. Different formulations of PLG microparticles viz. porous, non porous and hardened exhibited sustained release of rifampicin up to 7 weeks in vitro. However, hardened PLG microparticles exhibited the most sustained release in vivo in different organs up to 6 weeks. In case of free rifampicin, release was detected in vivo only up to 48 hr. In addition, no hepatotoxicity was observed on a biochemical basis (levels of SGPT, ALP and total bilirubin) in comparison to control animals. Taken together, these results suggest that polymer encapsulated antitubercular drug rifampicin may serve as an ideal therapeutic approach for treatment of tuberculous infections.