Influence of bioaugmentation in crude oil contaminated soil by Pseudomonas species on the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbon.

This study aimed to carry out the bioaugmentation of crude oil/motor oil contaminated soil. The mixture of novel strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa PP3 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PP4 were used in this bioaugmentation studies. The four different bioaugmentation systems (BS 1-4) were carried out in this experiment labelled as BS 1 (Crude oil contaminated soil), BS 2 (BS 1 + bacterial consortia), BS 3 (Motor oil sludge contaminated soil), and BS 4 (BS 3 + bacterial consortia). The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) was investigated for monitor the effectiveness of bioaugmentation process. The highest TPH removal rate was recorded on BS 4 (9091 mg Kg -1) was about 67% followed by 52% on BS 2 (8584 mg Kg -1) respectively. The percentage of biodegradation efficiency (BE) of residual crude and motor oil contaminated soil were evaluated by GCMS analysis and the results showed that 65% (BS 2) and 83% (BS 4) respectively. Further the bioaugmented soil was subjected to the plant cultivation (Lablab purpureus) and the results revealed that the L. purpureus was rapidly grown in the systems BS 4 and BS 2 than the system BS 1 and BS 2 which was due to the lesser biodegradation of the crude oil contents. In resultant, it can be concluded that the soil was suitable for the cultivation of plant. Overall, this study revealed that the selected bacterial consortia were effectively degraded the hydrocarbon and act as a potential bioremediator in the hydrocarbon polluted soil in a short period.

An epidemiological study on quality of life among elderly in an urban area of Thirumazhisai, Tamilnadu.

INTRODUCTION: One of the most important indicators of health and well being of the elderly is the quality of life they live in. Owing to the rise in elderly population due to the demographic transition, there is growing need to address the health concerns of this population. AIMS: The study was undertaken to find out the Quality of Life among the elderly and the associated factors. METHODOLOGY: This is a descriptive cross sectional study done in urban area of Thiruvallur district Tamil Nadu. To arrive at the required sample of 199, elderly people above 60 years were selected by probability proportionate to size sampling. Semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection regarding sociodemographic details and related factors. Katz scale was used to assess activities of daily living and Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using WHO quality of life BREF (WHOQOL BREF) questionnaire. RESULTS: Moderate score in QOL was obtained in all the 4 domains with highest in Psychological and environmental domains. Nearly 99% of had full activity in Katz scale. All the three QOL domains were found to have statistical significant association with age and education. Gender and marital status were found to be associated with psychological domain, and employment/pensioner status with physical domain. CONCLUSION: Measures like Health education have to be targeted for the elderly in ways to improve their physical and psychological wellbeing which can imporove the quality of life they live in. Primary care and family physicians have to be made aware and empowered to identify the various domains of QOL in elderly and to identify in which domain the person needs to take care the most.

A study to assess the feasibility of Text Messaging Service in delivering maternal and child healthcare messages in a rural area of Tamil Nadu, India.

BACKGROUND: Mobile text messaging is a potentially powerful tool for behaviour change because it is widely available, inexpensive, and instant. AIMS: To evaluate whether mobile Text Messaging Service is a feasible mode of raising knowledge regarding maternal and child health (MCH) and to explore issues related to mobile text messages as a mode of health education. METHOD: A community-based intervention study was conducted from January to June 2013 in six randomly selected villages of Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. A multi-stage sampling technique was followed: 120 individuals from 120 households (30 clusters in six villages) were contacted. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire by house-to-house visits in three phases: 1) baseline assessment of aptitude towards text messages; 2) intervention: sending MCH-related text messages; and 3) end-line assessment to evaluate the increase in knowledge level. Qualitative data regarding mobile text messages as a mode of health education was explored. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 17.0 and qualitative data by Anthropac software. RESULTS: Of the individuals surveyed, 69.17 per cent and 52.5 per cent were "able to read" and "type and send" text messages, respectively. Seventy per cent of individuals were willing to receive health information via text messages, and 98.33 per cent believed text messages could effectively spread health messages. A significant increase in knowledge was observed following text messages. Male gender and subjects' ability to read text messages were significantly associated. Factors related to mobile phone use include minimum economic burden, easy availability, portability, and ease of use. Factors related to mobile text messages as a mode of health message delivery include direct receipt of information, mass reach, the absence of regional language font in many handsets, and illiterate individuals being unable to read messages. CONCLUSION: In rural areas, mobile text messages have the potential to deliver health messages regarding MCH.