Indexing

Abstract: Soft drink consumption has expanded rapidly in our daily life so that soft drinks are currently become choice for millions of people and the largest single contributors to energy intake. Indian beverage market is 21% and Indian ranked 3rd largest beverage consumption after the USA and China. In India every year beverage consumption is nearly 120 billion litters. Consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks increase the risk of overweight, diabetes and cardiometabolic disease. Soft drinks have consequently been targeted as a means to help curtail the rising prevalence of obesity, particularly among children. Several factors might account for this increased risk, including increased carbohydrate load and increased amounts of dietary fructose. Fructose acutely increases thermogenesis, triglycerides and lipogenesis as well as blood pressure.

Abstract: Background: Finasteride is approved treatment for androgenetic alopecia and benign prostatic hypertrophy. It may have an effect on sperm, however the data is lacking. Few published papers described the association between 1mg/day of finasteride treatment for androgenetic alopecia and sperm.
Objective: Reviewing all articles describing the association between treatment of finasteride (1mg/day) for androgenetic alopecia and sperm concentration.
Methods: Comprehensive literature review using PubMed as a search engine from 1980-present.
Main outcome measures: Sperm concentrations during treatment and after treatment are the main outcome measures of this analysis.
Results: Seven papers were found on PubMed using the mentioned keywords on the management of androgenetic alopecia giving a total of 113 subjects in all papers. No baseline sperm concentration was measured except for one paper. All papers but one (n=22) showed increase in sperm concentration after cessation of finasteride. However, the largest study (n=91) had baseline, during and post treatment measurements of sperm and showed no change in sperm concentration level.
Conclusion: The analysis of reviewed papers showed that long-term treatment with finasteride is safe on sperm concentration. However, there are some signs of short-term effect during treatment.

Abstract: The growth and prosperity of a nation depend heavily on the nutritional status and development of the adolescent girls because as future mothers they have an important role in shaping the nation builders of tomorrow [1]. Adolescents in India suffer from gross nutritional inadequacies. Socio-economic status, food habits and environment affect their nutritional status to a great extent. Any nutritional deprivation during this period compromises their growth and intellectual potential. [2]. The global prevalence of micronutrient deficiency which is often referred as “Hidden hunger” is estimated to be about two billion and most of the afflicted people are in the developing countries. The most viable manifestation of the nutritional deficiency is the high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia.  [3]. Studies have indicated that diets of Indian adolescent girls are inadequate in terms of quality and quantity. Their iron and calcium intakes are less than 70 percent of the RDA because their diets are grossly deficient in green leafy vegetables and it is available and eaten only as a side dish and that too in limited quantities. [1]. In this scenario there is an urgent need to promote awareness on green leafy vegetables and enhance their intake to mitigate anemia prevalence and its consequences.  Hence the present study “Consumption pattern and promotion of green leafy vegetables’ intake among adolescent girls of Valparai hills” was taken up To assess the awareness of adolescents on green leafy vegetables’ nutritional value, to quantify the green leafy vegetables’ intake among adolescent girls and to impart nutrition education with special reference to green leafy vegetables.

Abstract: Length –Frequency Distribution, Length – Weight relationship and condition factor of Pomadasys jubelini from the Lagos lagoon were investigated for 6months in order to study the growth pattern and wellbeing of P.jubelini. A total of 305 specimens of P.jubelini were purchased from local fisher-folks on landing sites at different locations within the Lagos lagoon ( Majidun, Makoko, Ibese, Bayeiku) from January 2012 to June 2012 and used for this study. Their Total length ranging from 12cm to 29.5cm and body weight ranged from 21.3g to 367g. The frequency distribution showed a polymodal distribution of P.jubelini. The size class of 18.0cm to 20.9cm (TL) was more abundant. The length weight relationship was determined by regression coefficient equation Log W= -1.8357+2.9628LogL (n =305, r = 0.9213). P.jubelini showed negative allometric growth (b= 2.96). The mean condition factor 1.31, indicates that P.jubelini were in good condition in the lagoon. The result from this study is relevant for fishery management and stock assessment studies of P.jubelini from the Lagos lagoon.

Abstract: A new series of substituted thiazolidin-4-ones were synthesized and evaluated for antimicrobial activity by means of zone of inhibition by cup plate method. The structures of these compounds were established by means by IR, H NMR analysis. All the compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative species and antifungal activity .Compounds TH09 & TH17 were found most active due to presence of electron withdrawing groups at appropriate position.

Abstract: The present study aims to analyse the nutritional status of edible meat in adult male and female of the fresh water crab, M.masoniana with respect to the proximate composition (protein, lipid, moisture, ash) during two year study period. Protein & lipid exhibit minimum values during spawning period and maximum during non-spawning period. Moisture exhibited inverse relationship with proteins & lipids. Ash content showed irregular trend with no definite relationship with spawning activity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the nutritive value of M. masoniana with respect to seasonal variations viz spawning, post spawning and post monsoon periods, with an aim to assess its potential as an edible and culture candidate species.

Abstract: This research sought to examine the evaluation of Community Policing project “Nyumba Kumi Initiative” for peace and security in West Pokot County. The objectives of the study were to establish the extent of community partnership in community policing in West Pokot, assess the nature of personal relationship (citizen involvement) in the improvement of security situation in West Pokot County and suggested effective strategies for peace and security in West Pokot. The study targeted both the security officers and public members who are involved directly or indirectly with security members. Data for this study was obtained from both primary and secondary sources. The study adopted a constructivist (qualitative) and quantitative analysis based in West Pokot with data primarily collected through interviews.. The research was guided by a liberal peace theory which entailed mutual combination of factors used by community policing actors, and other actors on the relevance of peace and security by dealing with the conflict cycle from the structural causes of the struggle to its resolution and the assurance of a peaceful co-existence.  The study established that insecurity in West Pokot reoccurs because of the adoption of ineffective methods of peace building, reconciliation and lack of community involvement. The study also found that complementary approach to peace building and policing efforts for long lasting peace is imperative. Today, a policing strategy which incorporates the communities as co-producers of their own security and safety has taken priority as a conflict management tool thus the birth of Community Policing or community oriented- policing. Community policing is one of the more significant recent developments in policing and the notion has been widely discussed and applied around the world. The recommendation established that the variety of conceptions about community policing highlight the complex nature of the notion and the many factors shaping its varied practices; police assumptions as to what constitutes good practice in community policing and what success might look like, deserve to be re-examined. The social constructions that police and citizens hold about community policing provide valuable sources of insight which challenge some of the conventional understandings regarding policing priorities.

Abstract: Introduction; A more serious and vulnerable group of the urban poor that is growing rapidly in big cities is that of street children and working children, with a home or without a home. In comparison to the urban poor, the phenomenon of street children is a recent one. Runway and homeless youths are without doubt sexually active, possibly more so than other adolescent 12. Hence, sexually transmitted diseases are common in both boys and girls. AIDS seroprevalence study suggests that the street children are at significantly greater risk for infection with HIV. The predominant risk factor for HIV transmission among homeless youth are homosexual and bisexual activity, intravenous drug use, crack use, history of STD and prostitution 17, 49. The present study was an attempt to study and compare the seropositivity for syphilis among street children registered at “Apanga Va Niradhar Bahuddeshiya Kalyankari Sanstha”, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.  Methods: 461 children were included in the study of which 343 were ‘on the street’ and 118 were ‘of the street’ children. Detailed clinical examination was carried out at centres of NGO including general and systemic examinations. VDRL test was performed on 432 street children as 19 children were refused for investigation and 10 samples of blood were haemolysed. The samples were centrifuged. The separated serum was then collected in autoclaved plain bulb with code numbers for VDRL test for syphilis. The samples, which were found to be reactive for VDRL, were subjected for ELISA for HIV.  Treatment and referral – Treatment was given whenever required and necessary referrals to Government Hospital, Nagpur were made for further expert opinion and management.  Results: VDRL seropositivity was found to be 1.6%. In that for ‘on the street’ it was 1.5% and for ‘of the street’ it was 1.8%. All of them had heterosexual behavior. Subjects were recommended for periodic screening and management of sexually transmitted diseases should be undertaken in the street children especially for those with high-risk behavior.

Abstract: Introduction; A more serious and vulnerable group of the urban poor that is growing rapidly in big cities is that of street children and working children, with a home or without a home. In comparison to the urban poor, the phenomenon of street children is a recent one. The present study is an attempt to determine the physical health problem of street children registered at “Apanga Va Niradhar Bahuddeshiya Kalyankari Sanstha”, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. Methods: 461 children were included in the study of which 343 were ‘on the street’ and 118 were ‘of the street’ children. Detailed clinical examination was carried out at centres of NGO including general and systemic examinations. Height and weight were recorded as per standard procedure and compared with NCHS standard 17. The haemoglobin estimation was performed on 442 street children. Stool samples of 298 street children were send for microscopic examination. Treatment and referral – Treatment was given whenever required and necessary referrals to Government Hospital, Nagpur were made for further expert opinion and management. Results: The percentage change of median height and weight of boys as well as girls in ‘of the street’ category, from NCHS standard median height and weight was found to be more in all the ages than ‘on the street’ category.  Major morbidities found to be in street children were anaemia. 192 (43.4%), wax in ear 175 (38%), dental carries 156 (33.8%), fungal infection 55 (11.9%), URI 49 (10.6%), worm infestation 28 (9.4%) and injury 36 (7.8%). The mean morbidity was found to be 1.7 per street children. Conclusions: The proportion of adoption of hygienic practices among ‘on the street’ children were significantly higher than ‘of the street’ children. Majority of street children 210 (45.6%) went to government hospital when become ill while 108 (23.4%) took treatment from medical store.    

Abstract: Methanolic extract of the leaf of Afrofritomia sylvestris was investigated for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The extract was evaluated using carragenaan-induced paw oedema in rats (anti-inflammatory effect) as well as acetic acid-induced writhing (analgesic effect) in mice, after intra-peritoneal injection of the extract (250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg). The negative control animals were given normal saline (10ml/kg) and the effects were compared with that of Acetylsalicylic acid (100mg/kg), as a positive control drug. Each experiment consisted of twenty five animals divided into 5 groups of 5 animals each. Tail immersion reaction time and Naloxone antagonism of the extracts and morphine were further used to investigate the mode of action of the analgesic activity of the leaf.  The extract significantly inhibited carageenan-induced hind paw inflammation in rats (P<0.05-0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. The extract also dose dependently (250-1000mg/kg) inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing in mice (P<0.01). The methanolic extract failed to raise the pain threshold of mice towards heat stimulus and Naloxone did not show any significant antagonism (blocking effect) against the extract in the tail immersion experiment, thus ruling out the involvement of opioid receptors in the mechanism of analgesic action of the extract. Phytochemical analyses of the plant show the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids, triterpenes and cyanogenic glycosides. The LD50 of the extract was determined to be 3050+223.65mg/kg using the method of Tainter and Miller.In this study, methanolic extract of Afrofritomia sylvestris  leaf  was  found  to possess significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in the tested models.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between metal ions in the gum polymer and those present in the soil under the tree stands. Samples of gum arabic and soils were collected from sites representing three main soil types viz (sand, clay and sandy clay or “gardud” under three rainfall (low, medium and high) conditions throughout the gum belt of North, South Kordofan and Blue Nile States. Gum and soil samples were analyzed to determine metal ions. Analysis of variance was used to determine the differences in metal ions of gums from different sites under different soils types and rainfall. The differences in rainfall isohyets in different soil types significantly affected   calcium, potassium and magnesium contents and there was no significant effect on sodium content. From gum analysis the soil types were not significantly different in magnesium and sodium content. The difference exists only on calcium and potassium content in sandy soil, while clay soils contain higher potassium ions. Rainfall levels gave no significant difference on gum minerals in different soils except magnesium in sandy soil and calcium in sand and clay soils.