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K. Usharani ¹, Vijayalakshmi ², R. K. Roy ², Jamuna Prakash ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Studies in Food Science and Nutrition, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore -570 006, IN
2 Bharath Hospital and Institute of Oncology, Hebbal, Mysore, IN

Abstract

Cancer in simple terms is an uncontrolled growth of cells. These are cells that have acquired ability to multiply and spread without restriction. Any cell tissue or organ in the body can be affected. Cancer is a set of disease states rather than a single disease with devastating impacts in terms of mortality as well as physical and psychological morbidity. The growth of a tumour leads to profound alterations of body organs and functions. As a result of this a poorly understood syndrome, "cachexia" develops. Cancer patients frequently lose body weight and anorexia is one of the prime determinants of weight loss. Pre-treatment weight loss is associated with decreased median survival and response to therapy. The three types of therapy used in the treatment of cancer are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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K. S. Reddy ¹, M. Kumar ¹, V. Maruthi ², P. Lakshminarayana ¹, Vijayalakshmi ¹, B. Umesha ¹, Y. V. K. Reddy ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Resource Management, ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad 500 059, IN
2 Division of Crop Sciences, ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad 500 059, IN

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is predominantly grown as a commercial crop in river basins of lower Krishna, Telangana, South India. A long-term crop water balance analysis for maize in two sowing windows (normal sowing: 20 June; late sowing: 25 July) was done for A1b climate change scenario using the downscaled climate data from the GCM model ECHAM5. The crop water balance parameters such as rainfall, effective rainfall, crop evapotranspiration (ET) and irrigation requirements of maize during the two sowing windows were estimated using the CROPWAT model for the base period (1961-90) and long-term period (2011-50; mid-century). In the normal sowing window of maize, there was significant variation in the decadal crop ET (24% to 28%) and irrigation requirements (-7% to 26%) having increasing trend during 2011-2050 over base period. The amount of average decadal rainfall and effective rainfall decreased during 2011-2050 in the range 6% to -23% and 10% to -7% respectively, over the base period. The decadal average rainfall and effective rainfall showed increasing trends of 147-151% and 96-110% respectively, over base period in late sowing window. Also, the crop ET and irrigation requirements exhibited a decreasing trend. The study indicates a shift in the seasonal rainfall in normal sowing window during June to July and it extends up to October and November after the season, indicating more rainfall in late sowing window of maize and scope for rainwater harvesting in the lower Krishna river basin for sustaining maize production.

Keywords

Climate Change, Crop Evapotranspiration, Effective Rainfall, Irrigation Water Requirement, Maize.

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Malarkodi Velraj ¹, Armstrong ¹, Ravichandran ¹, Jeyakumari ¹, Hemalatha ¹, Vijayalakshmi ¹, J. Srikanth ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacognosy, VELS College of Pharmacy, VELS University, Pallavaram, Chennai-600 043, Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Pharmacology, Sri Ramachandra College of Pharmacy, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai-600 116, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Soymida febrifuga is commonly known as Shem in Tamil and Indian red wood in English. In Ayurveda the bark is used as a good cure for ulcer, leprosy and dysentery. In unani the bark is used as an astringent to the bowel and useful in fever. The bark is also used in vaginal infection, rheumatic swellings, oedema, wounds, dental problems, uterine bleeding and malarial fever. There was no report on the pharmacognostic study of the plant and hence the present investigation deals with the anatomical, microscopical, powder microscopy, physio-chemical, fluorescence analysis, Thin layer chromatography and high performance thin layer chromatography. The study revealed the presence of drugs of calcium oxalate, tannins dilated phloem rays, sieve elements and schlerids. Phytochemical studies showed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, flavanoids and tannins.

Keywords

Soymida febrifuga, TLS, RLS.

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P. Prajeesh ¹, Vijayalakshmi ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, IN
2 Kindle Psychology Centre, Manjery, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Human pregnancy and delivery are normal physiological phenomena as in the case of all other mammals. However, in all cultures it is treated as a complex process. Most of the rituals and traditions of maternity care are for the wellbeing of the mother and child. Nevertheless, some traditional rituals are unscientific. They may cause psychological and physiological problems leading to obesity or may even cause obesity in children. Unfortunately, the educated people also tend to follow these rituals. The present study explores the traditional beliefs of maternal care, which causes psychological and physiological problems and how they lead to obesity. A purposive sample of 12 young obese mothers was interviewed. Using Smith's phenomenological method the theme was established through coding, categorizing and labeling. From 55 significant statements, 3 themes emerged. Traditional beliefs that develop obesity are (a) Lowering physical exercise by restricting household activities and hobbies (b) Depressive symptoms due to detachment from spouse (c) Unhealthy food habits such as consuming more confectionaries, ghee and fast food.

Keywords

Traditional Beliefs, Maternal Care, Obesity.

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