The time motion study of an out-patient department in a tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu

Background: The time taken by the patients during their visit to the hospital out-patient department (OPD) at various service delivery points, the time motion study and by assessing the patient satisfaction regarding the hospital out-patient department, the present study was conducted. This study established the clinical workflow of various events and the operational efficiency of the out-patient department in a busy tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu. Methods: The data pertaining to the time motion study was recorded in hours, minutes and seconds. The patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ-10 item questionnaire) was requested by interviewing the patients. The data was statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel and the SPSS v26.0. Results: The maximum time spent was at the investigation counter 00:15:12 and SD was ±00:08:56. The total average waiting time spent during the hospital visits was 00:32:25±00:18:17. The patient satisfaction questionnaire revealed that the overall satisfaction was found to be good in 38 (62.3%) and excellent in 10 (16.4%). Conclusions: The time spent at the investigation counters which was at the peak can be reduced by prioritization and faster case work-up. The staffing pattern was adequate except on government holidays, there were no particular delay in the OPD care setting.

A study to assess the health care utilization and the activities of the daily living status amongst the geriatric population residing in urban and rural field practice areas of a medical college in Tamil Nadu

Background: The prevalence of disability in the activities of daily living (ADL), could probably have a significant impact on the healthcare utilization amongst the geriatric population with disability. Methods: A cross-sectional study in the urban and rural field practice areas of a medical college in Tamil Nadu, using a sample size of 402 elderly individuals. Using the pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire; the socio-demographic variables, healthcare utilization variables and a comprehensive Katz ADL assessment were used. Results: The overall prevalence of ADL limitation amongst the elderly was seen in 49 (12.2%) elderly individuals mostly with a score of 5 (mildest form) was found in 36 (74%) of the elderly. There was an association found between the follow-up care at health centres, frequency of visits, distance from home to health centres and the ADL limitation with a P- value less than 0.05 (C.I.-95%) using the Pearson chi-square test using SPSS v.26.0. Conclusions: The association between ADL limitation and healthcare utilization calls for initiatives at the family and community level.

Performance of Strawberry Cultivars under different Growing Environments in Nilgiris

Strawberry, an important berry fruit crop with high value and nutritional properties is picking up in the South Indian conditions, especially in Tamil Nadu under temperate region of Nilgiris district. Since the fruit is directly consumed by the children and all group of categories, the choice of varieties and its performance in terms of fruit yield and quality particularly sugar and acidity level will decide the marketability and preference. The field evaluation of strawberry varieties collected from different places and suitability will help the farmers to cultivate and get benefit and profitability out of the crop. A collection of nine strawberry varieties was done and assessed for the performance under greenhouse growing environment, in Nilgiris condition with randomized block design having three replications during the year 2018 to 2020 in Horticultural Research Station, TNAU, Ooty, Nilgiris.The variety Rania recorded better performance for plant height (33.81 cm), plant spread(E-W) [45.38 cm], (N-S) [43.96 cm] during 120 days after planting. Flavia recorded more number of leaves (24.80). Rania recorded a fruit length (4.05 cm), fruit width (11.29 cm), fruit weight (27.62 g). The variety Capri recorded more number of fruits per plant (68.86) which is on par with Flavia (68.80). The fruit quality parameters Total Soluble Solids (TSS) is high with 12.43o brix in Nabila and acidity (0.98 %) in Flaminia. The highest yield per plant (1190.20 g) was recorded in Flavia and with lowest yield in Capri (563.46 g). The variety Flavia recorded maximum in fruit parameters like fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight and highest yield whereas fruit quality parameters of TSS and acidity is highest in Nabila and Flaminia respectively.

A Step into Future Fuel Industrial Effluents into Bioethanol: A Review

Industrial revolution in agro based industries with improved technologies, machineries, etc. has resulted in the ease of operation, availability of increased number of value added products in the field of agriculture, effective labour management, etc. Agro industries are one of the major contributors for environmental pollution and accounts for about 10-15% for pollution. As the wastes generated from agro-industries are of biological origin, they can be effectively reused; if their alternate uses are explored. As these industrial effluents contain lignocellulose, cellulose, and hemicellulose, which are rich sources of lignin, and cellulose, it is possible to use these materials as a substrate to produce bioethanol. Our current review focuses on bioethanol production from different industrial effluents and Bio-microbial based fermentation.

Evaluation of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc) Genotypes under Coconut Ecosystem

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance ginger genotypes under coconut ecosystem at Coconut Research Station, Aliyar Nagar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, and Coimbatore during the period from 2017- 18and 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and the treatments included viz., Rejetha, Ashwathy, Maran, Karthika, GCP 49, IISR 1 (GB), Mahima, ACC 578, Athira, ACC 581, Rio de Janeiro, Varadha, Thadimaram and local Gudalore. data were recorded from five randomly selected plants on plant height, shoot diameter, number of shoots, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf breadth, yield per plot and hectare and was analyzed using analysis of variance. Results showed the highest plant height (92.70 cm),shoot diameter (3.27cm), no. of leaves (30), leaf length (27.89 cm) registered in Thadimaram, whereas the highest no. of shoots (8.10), leaf width (3.78 cm), yield per plot (13.64 kg) and yield (24.80t/ha) was recorded in Athira followed by Rejethawhich recorded the highest yield per plot (12.15 kg) and yield (22.09t/ha) during 2017-18.During 2018-19the highest plant height (99.90 cm),shoot diameter (3.60cm), leaf length (29.10 cm) was registered in Thadimaram, whereas the highest no. of shoots (8.30), no. of leaves (36.0), leaf width (3.90 cm), yield per plot (14.20 kg) and yield(25.50 t/ha) was recorded in Athira followed by Rejethawhich recorded the highest yield per plot (12.70kg) and yield (22.80t/ha). Athira and Rejetha genotypes outperformed the other genotypes and could be considered as the most suitable genotypes for cultivation under the coconut ecosystems of Coimbatore district.

Morphological Evaluation of the Local Genotypes of Broad Bean (Vicia faba L.) for Yield Attributes under the Nilgiris Condition

The broad bean (Vicia faba L.) is the predominant and oldest domesticated cool-season food legume in the world next to chickpea and pea. The present study was carried out to evaluate the performance of 20 broad bean accessions (named from Vf 1 to Vf 20) in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India conditions. It was developed in randomized block design with three replications during the year 2022. Observations on quantitative traits viz., plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, pod length (cm), pod width (cm), number of pods per cluster, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight (g), seed yield per plant (g) and pod yield per plant (g) were recorded fo-r each genotype. Substantial genotypic variations were observed for all attributes under investigation. Based on the mean performance, the genotypes Vf 2 (273.67), Vf 8 (245.83) and Vf 1 (234.67) have recorded the highest green pod yield per plant, outperforming all other genotypes. Their outstanding performance in terms of number of branches per plant, pod length, number of pods per cluster, number of pods per plant, and 100-seed weight was the major factor contributing to their superiority in terms of yield. Since the genotypes show wide range of variation for all the traits taken under study, they can be effectively utilized in breeding programmes for varietal development in broad bean.

Prevalence of COVID-19 infection among dental and nursing students in Alappuzha

Background: The Corona Virus (SARS-COV2) is one of the major pathogens that affect the human respiratory system. As it spreads via droplets, healthcare workers are at increased risk of acquiring the infection. Nursing students who are exposed to the hospital setting during their clinical postings are prone to infection because they may provide care to patients who are suspected of or diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. In dentistry, the use of hand pieces and ultrasonic instruments during dental procedures unavoidably result in generation of blood and saliva droplets. Objective was to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 infection among Dental and Nursing students of Government dental college and nursing college, Alappuzha. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Dental and Nursing students of Government TD Dental College and Nursing College, Alappuzha in November 2021. Convenient sampling was done and persons who were willing to take part in the study were distributed with a pretested questionnaire via Google Form and data was collected and analysed. Results: Out of the 174 study participants, 77 were Dental students and 97 were Nursing students, 33% of Dental students and 36% of Nursing students reported of being infected with COVID-19 virus. Significant association was obtained between COVID-19 infection and contact with Covid positive case. Conclusions: Prevalence of COVID-19 infection among Dental and Nursing students was 35.10%. Prevalence of COVID-19 infection among Dental students and Nursing students were 33% and 36% respectively.

A study to assess the pattern of alcohol and tobacco usage in the rural field practice area of a medical college in Tamil Nadu

Background: Tobacco usage and alcohol consumption is a serious health issue to the society for ages. The consumption of alcohol and tobacco usage leads to medical and societal issues. An assessment of the pattern of tobacco usage and alcohol consumption in adult population is important to estimate the burden, and the risk factors associated with the same on the rural communities. There is a strong impact on the prevalence of NCDs by reduction in the usage of tobacco and alcohol products in the forthcoming decades. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of a medical college, using pre-validated, semi-structured questionnaire amongst 275 study participants a rural area. The adults aged 18 years and above who were currently using tobacco products and consuming alcohol were selected by simple random sampling using the tobacco assessment and AUDIT questionnaire for alcohol consumption. Results: The results showed a significant association between all the socio-demographic variables (except for gender) in the usage of tobacco products; the study found higher literacy levels in using the products more frequently. The age distribution, family arrangement and socio-economic status were associated with alcohol consumption as well. In the multivariate regression the socio-economic class were associated with alcohol consumption. Conclusions: The interventions should be targeted at the family and community level. There is a need for health education programs and de-addiction camps.

Disseminated Syringoma: An Unusual Presentation.

Syringoma is derived from the Greek word syrinx meaning pipe or tube. It is a benign tumour composed of sweat ducts that is usually multiple. They are fairly common tumours that occur most commonly in women. Rarely, the condition can be familial1. Usually, they present as soft, flesh coloured to slightly yellow papules on the lower eyelids of healthy individuals. They can also affect the scalp, forehead, neck, abdomen and extremities. Hereby reporting a case of disseminated syringoma in a female patient

Antiproliferative activity of marine stingray Dasyatis sephenvenom on human cervical carcinoma cell line

Background Venoms comprise mixtures of numerous bioactive compounds that have a wide range of pharmacologic actions. Toxins from venomous animals have attracted the attention of researchers because of their affinity for primary sites responsible for lethality and their efficacy at extremely low concentrations. The venoms of marine stingrays have not been extensively studied and limited data is available on them. The present study aims to evaluate the antiproliferative and biochemical properties of the venom obtained from a species of marine stingray (Dasyatis sephen) on human cervical cancer cell line HeLa.MethodsThe antiproliferative effect of D. sephen venom was determined by MTT assay, and the oxidative stress was determined by lipid peroxidation method along with assessment of changes in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status. We observed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by DCFH-DA method, mitochondrial membrane potential alterations by rhodamine 123 staining and apoptotic morphological changes by acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining method.ResultsD. sephen venom enhances lipid peroxidative markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, conjugated diene, and lipid hydroperoxide in HeLa cell lines. Stingray venom enhances the ROS levels, which is evidenced by the increased 27-diacetyl dichlorofluorescein fluorescence. Further, D. sephen venom treatment altered the mitochondrial membrane potential in HeLa cells. Additionally, we observed increased apoptotic morphological changes in D. sephen venom-treated groups. ConclusionsDasyatis sephen venom exhibits potent antiproliferative effect on HeLa cell line and upon further purification it could be a promising antiproliferative agent.

Antiproliferative activity of marine stingray Dasyatis sephenvenom on human cervical carcinoma cell line

BackgroundVenoms comprise mixtures of numerous bioactive compounds that have a wide range of pharmacologic actions. Toxins from venomous animals have attracted the attention of researchers because of their affinity for primary sites responsible for lethality and their efficacy at extremely low concentrations. The venoms of marine stingrays have not been extensively studied and limited data is available on them. The present study aims to evaluate the antiproliferative and biochemical properties of the venom obtained from a species of marine stingray (Dasyatis sephen) on human cervical cancer cell line HeLa.MethodsThe antiproliferative effect of D. sephen venom was determined by MTT assay, and the oxidative stress was determined by lipid peroxidation method along with assessment of changes in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status. We observed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by DCFH-DA method, mitochondrial membrane potential alterations by rhodamine 123 staining and apoptotic morphological changes by acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining method.ResultsD. sephen venom enhances lipid peroxidative markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, conjugated diene, and lipid hydroperoxide in HeLa cell lines. Stingray venom enhances the ROS levels, which is evidenced by the increased 2-7-diacetyl dichlorofluorescein fluorescence. Further, D. sephen venom treatment altered the mitochondrial membrane potential in HeLa cells. Additionally, we observed increased apoptotic morphological changes in D. sephen venom-treated groups. ConclusionsDasyatis sephen venom exhibits potent antiproliferative effect on HeLa cell line and upon further purification it could be a promising antiproliferative agent.(AU)

Association between Smoking and Body Mass Index among Males Aged 20 Years and Above - A Study in Rural Tamil Nadu, South India.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between smoking status and Body Mass Index (BMI) in men aged 20 years and above. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research, Coimbatore during June and July 2010. A total of 459 men aged 20 years and above were included in the study. Statistical analyses were done using General Linear Model procedure of SPSS. Results: Cigarette smokers weighed (Kg) less, p<0.01 (age adjusted mean ± standard error = 58.64 ± 0.44) and were leaner, p<0.001 [age adjusted mean BMI (kg/m2) ± standard error = 21.13 ± 0.13] than ex/non-smokers (61.11 ± 0.69 and 22.19 ± 0.2 respectively). Regarding the intensity of smoking and BMI, light smokers (1 to 20 cigarettes per day) were leaner than ex/non smokers (mean ± standard error were 21.13 ± 0.13, 22.19 ± 0.208 respectively, p< 0.001). Regarding the duration of smoking and BMI, a linear diminution in BMI is observed with increasing duration of cigarettes smoking compared to ex/non smokers (mean ± standard error of BMI) for ex/non smokers 22.19 ± 0.208, 1 to 10 years of smoking 21.56 ± 0.221(p<0.05); 11 to 20 years of smoking 21.23 ± 0.256 (p<0.01); 21 to 30 years of smoking 20.30 ± 0.333 (p<0.001); 30 and above years of smoking 20.07 ± 0.501(p<0.001). Conclusion: We found significant results confirming an association between cigarette smoking and lower BMI in men.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Due to Abrin Toxicity: A Case Report.

Abrus precatorius (jequirity bean) is a common cause of accidental or intentional poisoning in the tropics. The data on exact incidence of abrus poisoning is largely insufficient in our country, due to lack of reporting. The estimated lethal dose for humans is 0.1-1 μg/kg. The toxic component is the protein abrin that causes widespread endothelial damage. Abrin causes a variety of manifestations like hemorrhagic gastroenteritis with erosions, hemolysis, acute renal damage, dyselectrolytemia, hepatotoxicity with elevated liver enzymes and seizures. Apart from the common manifestation of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, patients experiencing mental status perturbations have been identified and documented earlier. There have been previous reports of elevated intracranial tension (ICT) in abrus poisoning, however, the exact cause for this phenomenon had not been elucidated. We herein report a case of intentional A. precatorius poisoning in a young girl that caused cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).

Influence of pH and water hardness upon nickel accumulation in edible fish Cirrhinus mrigala.

The freshwater fingerlings of Cirrhinus mrigala were exposed to Nickel in acidic medium pH = 6.0 (5.8-6.2), alkaline medium pH = 9.0 (8.8-9.2) and water hardness (40 mg/l) of CaCO3. The study indicates that nickel accumulation was significantly influenced by pH and hardness of water The concentration was found to be significantly higher at pH = 9.0 than at pH = 6.0. Also the presence of hardness in water results in reduced toxicity of nickel.

Biochemical changes in serum, lung, heart and spleen tissues of mice exposed to sub-acute toxic inhalation of mosquito repellent mat vapour.

The toxicity of sub-acute inhalation of mosquito repellent mat vapour exposure 3 hr daily, either for a duration of 15 days (Group II) or for 30 days (Group III) on biochemical parameters in serum and vital organs was evaluated in mice. The control animals were exposed to ambient air 3 hr daily, either for 15 days [Group I (a)] or 30 days [Group I (b)]. In both the Group II and Group III exposure studies, elevation in the activity of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) was observed in the serum and heart tissue and a decrease in their activity in lung and spleen tissue. This biochemical lesion indicates that exposure to mat vapour is capable of interfering with the metabolism of non-essential amino acids and induce cellular damage in the tissues. The elevation in the activity of AST along with that of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) observed in serum and heart tissue in Group II and III studies indicate that exposure to mat vapour is capable of inducing changes in the myocardial function. The elevation in the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum and a decrease in its activity in lung and heart tissue of mice exposed to mat vapour for 30 days (Group III) observed in this study denotes that mat vapour could interfere with various metabolic functions to induce derangements at cellular level. Inhalation of hitherto unidentified volatile chemicals emanated from mosquito repellent mat, may contribute as stress factors may contribute as in an indoor environment to produce above mentioned biochemical lesions in vital organs.

Review analysis of medullary carcinoma thyroid--15-year Indian experience.

To emphasize the importance of adequate primary surgery in cases of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, 44 cases of treated medullary carcinoma of thyroid were retrospectively reviewed in Government General Hospital, Chennai between 1987 and 2002. Patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with only central compartment dissection were compared with those who had undergone total thyroidectomy with meticulous triple compartment (bilateral lateral and central groups) nodal dissection. The group of total thyroidectomy with only central compartment dissection had high rate of lymph nodal recurrence and persistent hypercalcitoninaemia when compared with the group of total thyroidectomy with meticulous triple compartment nodal dissection. (Chi square value 4.503 with p<0.05).

Effect of pretreatment of Cassia fistula Linn. leaf extract against subacute CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

CCl4 alone treatment (0.lml of liquid paraffin/100g body weight, ip) for 7 days followed by 0.l ml of CCl4 (in liquid parafiin/100g body weight, ip) from day 8 till day 14, caused a 16 fold increase in lipid peroxidation and a 50% reduction in catalase and glutathione reductase in liver tissue of rats accompanied by an increase in the activities of transaminases. alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma - glutamyl transpeptidase in serum as compared to liquid paraffin treated control. Pretreatment of ethanolic leaf extract of C. fistula (500mg/kg body weight/day for 7 days) followed by CCl4 treatment (0.1 ml/100g body weight from day 8 till day 14) completely reversed back lipid peroxidation and the activities of catalase and glutathione reductase in the liver tissue towards normalcy. This treatment also reversed the elevated levels of the enzymes in the serum. Ethanolic leaf extract alone treatment did not produce any change in all the parameters studied. The results suggest antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of C. fistula during its pretreatment against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity.

Elevated serum glycosaminoglycans with hypomagnesemia in patients with coronary artery disease & thrombotic stroke.

Elevated levels of serum glycosaminoglycans (GAG), associated with hypomagnesemia were observed in patients of proven CAD and thrombotic stroke in Kerala. Serum lipid profile was normal in the majority of these patients, indicating that elevated serum GAG may be an even more reliable indicator of atherosclerosis than elevated serum total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. Autopsy samples of carotid artery and aorta which had atheroma showed significantly higher GAG when compared to samples which showed no atheroma. Serum Mg levels were significantly lower in CAD and thrombotic stroke patients as compared to controls. Mg deficiency may be one of the factors involved in the increased level of GAG.

Biogenic amine status in acute fulminant hepatocellular failure in children.

This study involved pediatric cases with Acute fulminant hepatocellular failure (AFHF) put on conventional therapy at the Hospital for children, Madras. In these cases, the biogenic amine status was studied at the time of admission, during therapy and at the time of recovery in responders. The CSF 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and Homovanillic acid (HVA), blood 5-HT and 5-HIAA, and urinary 5-HIAA followed almost a similar pattern of changes during the course of AFHF: increase at precoma, further increase at coma, return towards control at recovery. In striking contrast, urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA) registered a decrease at precoma, a further fall at coma and a value closer to control at recovery. The results suggest the usefulness of assay of these parameters in monitoring cases of AFHF during therapy and in offering prognosis for these cases.