Southern Districts Of Tamil Nadu Research Articles

IgG − Indirect fluorescent antibody technique to detect seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients in southern districts of Tamil Nadu

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in selected immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients in and around Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out from May 2006 to October 2007 in 175 immunodeficient and 175 immunocompetent patients. Serum samples were subjected into in-house IgG assay using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Results: Out of 350 patients tested by IgG IFAT, 41 (11.71%) had antibodies for Toxoplasma gondii with a mean IFA titre of 43.42 ± 58.7 and the titre ranging from 1 : 16 to 1 : 256. Among the immunocompetent and immunodeficient groups, 19 patients (10.86%) and 22 patients (12.57%), respectively, had antibodies to T. gondii. Various risk factors associated within the study group was analysed and results were interpreted. Conclusions: The study has highlighted an overall seroprevalence of 11.71% with 12.57% in immunocompromised and 10.86% in immunocompetent patients respectively in a southern district, Tamil Nadu, which underlines the importance of screening of this parasite especially in the immunocompromised patients.

Acridid (Orthoptera) fauna of agricultural ecosystem in some southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India

Thirty-one species of Acridids were identified belonging to the families Acrididae (25 species) and Pyrgomorphidae (6 species) from the monocot and dicot crop fields in Madurai, Dindigul, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, and Theni of the Southern districts of Tamil Nadu. The feeding guild of the acridids recorded 9 species of grass feeder, 1 species of dicot feeder and 21 species of mixed feeder. Among the Acridids collected 18 species were recorded as core species based on their abundance from the areas surveyed and the other 13 species were designated as satellite species due to their sporadic distribution.

Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in self-reported rural population with diabetes

Diabetes and its related microvascular complications like diabetic retinopathy (DR) are showing increased prevalence in India. However, the magnitude of DR in rural population with diabetes needs exploration. To estimate the prevalence and risk factors for the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy in the self-reported rural population with diabetes. In a cross-sectional study, a total of 26,519 participants (age >or= 30 years) attended 198 diabetic retinopathy screening camps conducted in three southern districts of Tamilnadu, India, between February 2004 and April 2006. All the participants underwent a dilated eye examination to detect DR by indirect ophthalmoscopy. Systemic and ocular risk factor estimation was done in a comprehensive examination. Univariate and stepwise regression analyses were done to identify the independent risk factors associated with the presence and severity of retinopathy. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 17.6% among the self-reported rural population with diabetes. The prevalence of referable (sight threatening) retinopathy was 5.3%. Risk factors associated with the development of any DR were male gender (OR= 1.37), longer duration of diabetes (per year, OR= 1.07), lean body mass index (OR= 1.30), higher systolic blood pressure (per 10 mm Hg, OR= 1.18), and insulin treatment (OR= 1.34; P P CONCLUSION: The study identified risk factors associated with DR in the rural population with diabetes. The results suggested that there was a need for formulating effective preventive strategies to minimize avoidable blindness due to diabetes, in rural areas.

Evaluation of agronomic management practices for yield enhancement in summer irrigated cotton

Choice of suitable cultivar and nutrient management practices are foremost important to tap the yield potential of summer irrigated cotton which shows upward trend in the Southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India. Studies conducted at Agricultural Research station, Paramakudi for two years (summer 2001 and 2002) indicated that among the varieties tested (MCU 7, SVPR 2 and SVPR 3), SVPR 2 was found to give higher kapas yield (12.6 and 8.1 Q/ha). Recommended NPK + foliar spray of DAP 2% and KC1 1% on 60 and 75 days after sowing enhanced the yield to the tune of 32% and 13% as compared to recommended dose of NPK alone (60: 30: 30 kg ha"). Treatment combination of SVPR 2 with recommended NPK and foliar nutrition gave higher net return and benefit: cost ratio.

Environment Friendly Bio-technologies in Managing Chilli Thrips, Sirthothrips Dorasalis

One Of the imprfant commercial spice-cum vegetable crop, Chilli (Copsicum annuml i' cultivohd Over o substantial area in the southern districts Of Tamil Nadu, Where insect pests are a serious problem. Among them the sucking pests, namely, the Thrips, (Scirtothrips dorsalis), the aphids (Aphis gossypii gnd Myzus persicoe) lotus) cause Over 50 per cent reduction in yield. Earlier, more weightage had been given fo insecticides both contact and sy*micto manage these pests (Raiasri etc'. , 991 Thakare etal., 992, Misra 1992., Jaganath, 1993. , Chendete and Desh-pande 1984, Jagan mohan et 01. , 1980., Kareernet d, 1977.,Mote 1977 and Roo ond Ahamed, 1986).

Bio-mechanical analysis on selected agricultural hand tools

Bio-mechanical analysis of agricultural hand tools viz. crowbar, hand hoc, spade and sickle was conducted. Pertinent anthropometric parameters of male and female farm workers of the southern districts of Tamil Nadu were measured. A bio- mechanical analysis on the work posture indicated that the reaction force on neck. for the operation of crowbar, different spades, hand hoes and sickle were 21.8, 24- 26, 17-21 and 18.9 kg respectively. The crowbar and spade caused 21.8 kg and 88- 110 kg of reaction forces respectively on biceps. The same for hand hoe and sickle was 41 and 2.6 kg respectively. The reaction force due to hand grip was 4.8 and 1-1.3 kg for crow bar and spade respectively. The reaction force on lumbosacral joint for spade, hand hoe and sickel was 248-394, 311-388 and 280 kg respectively. It was negligible for crow bar.

Blindness and vision impairment in a rural south Indian population: the Aravind Comprehensive Eye Survey

Objective To determine the prevalence of blindness and vision impairment in a rural population of southern India. Design A population-based cross-sectional study. Participants A total of 17,200 subjects aged 6 years or older, including 5150 subjects aged 40 years or older from 50 clusters representative of three southern districts of Tamil Nadu in southern India. Methods All participants had preliminary screenings consisting of vision using a LogMAR illiterate E chart and anterior segment hand light examinations at the village level. Subjects aged 40 years or older were offered comprehensive eye examinations at the base hospital, including visual acuity using LogMAR illiterate E charts and refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, gonioscopy, applanation tonometry, dilated fundus examinations, and automated Humphrey central 24-2 full threshold perimetry; subjects younger than 40 years of age who had any signs or symptoms of ocular disease were also offered comparable examinations at the base hospital. Main outcome measures Visual impairment was defined as best-corrected visual acuity <6/18, and blindness was defined using both Indian (<6/60) and World Health Organization (<3/60) definitions. Results Comprehensive examinations at the base hospital were performed on 5150 (96.5%) of 5337 persons 40 years of age or older. Among those 40 years of age and older, presenting visual acuity at the <3/60 level was present in 4.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.8, 4.9) and 11.4% (95% CI: 10.6, 12.3) at the <6/60 level. After best correction, the corresponding figures were 1.0% (95% CI: 0.79, 1.2) and 2.1% (95% CI: 1.7, 2.5). Over 70% of subjects improved their vision by at least one line, and nearly a third by three lines after refraction. Age-related cataract was the most common potentially reversible blinding disorder (72.0%) among eyes presenting with blindness. Conclusions Blindness and vision impairment remain major public health problems in India that need to be addressed. Cataracts and refractive errors remain the major reversible causes for the burden of vision impairment in this rural population.

Glaucoma in a rural population of southern India: The Aravind comprehensive eye survey

Purpose To determine the prevalence of glaucoma and risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma in a rural population of southern India. Design A population-based cross-sectional study. Participants A total of 5150 subjects aged 40 years and older from 50 clusters representative of three southern districts of Tamil Nadu in southern India. Methods All participants had a comprehensive eye examination at the base hospital, including visual acuity using logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution illiterate E charts and refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, gonioscopy, applanation tonometry, dilated fundus examinations, and automated central 24-2 full-threshold perimetry. Main outcome measures Definite primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) was defined as angles open on gonioscopy and glaucomatous optic disc changes with matching visual field defects, whereas ocular hypertension was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) greater than 21 mmHg without glaucomatous optic disc damage and visual field defects in the presence of an open angle. Manifest primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) was defined as glaucomatous optic disc damage or glaucomatous visual field defects with the anterior chamber angle partly or totally closed, appositional angle closure or synechiae in the angle, and absence of signs of secondary angle closure. Secondary glaucoma was defined as glaucomatous optic nerve damage and/or visual field abnormalities suggestive of glaucoma with ocular disorders that contribute to a secondary elevation in IOP. Results The prevalence (95% confidence interval) of any glaucoma was 2.6% (2.2, 3.0), of POAG it was 1.7% (1.3, 2.1), and if PACG it was 0.5% (0.3, 0.7), and secondary glaucoma excluding pseudoexfoliation was 0.3% (0.2,0.5). On multivariate analysis, increasing age, male gender, myopia greater than 1 diopter, and pseudoexfoliation were significantly associated with POAG. After best correction, 18 persons (20.9%) with POAG were blind in either eye because of glaucoma, including 6 who were bilaterally blind and an additional 12 persons with unilateral blindness because of glaucomatous optic neuropathy in that eye. Of those identified with POAG, 93.0% had not been previously diagnosed with POAG. Conclusions The prevalence of glaucoma in this population is not lower than that reported for white populations elsewhere. A large proportion of those with POAG had not been previously diagnosed. One fifth of those with POAG had blindness in one or both eyes from glaucoma. Early detection of glaucoma in this population will reduce the burden of blindness in India.

Pseudoexfoliation in a rural population of southern India: the Aravind Comprehensive Eye Survey

Objective To determine the prevalence and risk factors for pseudoexfoliation in a rural population of southern India. Design A population-based cross-sectional study of pseudoexfoliation with and without glaucoma in rural southern India. Participants A total of 5,150 subjects aged 40 years and older from 50 clusters representative of three southern districts of Tamil Nadu in southern India. Methods All participants had a comprehensive eye examination at the base hospital, including visual acuity using logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) illiterate E charts and refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, gonioscopy, applanation tonometry, dilated fundus examinations, and automated central 24-2 full-threshold perimetry. Pseudoexfoliation (PXF) was diagnosed by the presence of typical white deposits on the anterior lens surface; additional sites included the cornea, iris, anterior vitreous face, posterior capsule, and intraocular lens in cataract-operated eyes and changes in the angle determined through gonioscopy, including increased pigmentation, PXF deposition, and PXF material within the angle. Results The prevalence (95% confidence interval) of PXF was 6.0% (5.3, 6.6). The prevalence increased with age ( P < .001) and was greater in males ( P = .01). Of subjects with PXF, 25.7% remained bilaterally blind after best correction; 89.3% of this bilateral blindness was the result of cataracts. The prevalence of glaucoma among subjects with PXF was 7.5%; exfoliation was present in 26.7% of those identified as primary open-angle glaucoma. On multivariate analysis, increasing age and male gender were significantly associated with PXF. Conclusions Pseudoexfoliation appears to be a relatively common disorder in older individuals in southern India. Ophthalmologists in India may wish to focus on the detection of PXF, especially considering the relatively large burden of cataracts in this population, the risks for operative complications related to PXF, and the fact that PXF may be used as a marker to aid in the detectection of glaucoma.

KKM 1: A new high yielding cumbu - napier hybrid grass for southern districts of Tamil Nadu

The presently available cumbu napier hybrid grass varieties Co 1, Co 2 and Co 3 are suitable for black soils under irrigated ecosystem. The new variety KKM 1 was developed for southern districts of Tamil Nadu under irrigated garden land red soil areas. It is highly leafy with long and broad soft leaves as compared to Co 2 and Co 3 with quick regeneration capacity. It had recorded an average green fodder yield of 288 t ha' yr' in station trials with a dry matter production of 16:4 t ha'. KKM 1 has a very low oxalate content compared to Co 2 and Co 3.

Histopathological study of a natural outbreak of Peste des petits ruminants in goats of Tamilnadu

The Morbilli viruses responsible for Rinderpest in cattle and Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goats, are important pathogens of domestic ruminants. PPR infection is most commonly recorded among the sheep population in India. This article deals with the first exclusive outbreak of PPR in goats in a mixed population that occurred in the southern districts of Tamilnadu, India. The histopathological aspect of the infection in various organs has been studied in correlation with the clinical signs and symptoms from materials collected in 10 different outbreaks of PPR in goats. This study revealed peculiar findings such as severe affection of respiratory system with mild involvement of alimentary system that was seen to be rare and exclusively to Indian outbreaks of PPR. The histopathological study revealed extensive involvement of lungs, lymph nodes, spleen, intestine, liver, in descending order of severity. All the outbreaks recorded revealed no sex differences but the age of susceptibility was seen much in young ones and death was more noted in them.

SVPR.1 A NEW HIGH YIELDING WHITE SEEDED SESAME (SESAMUM INDICUM L)

A high yielding short duration (75-80 days) white seeded sesame variety SVPR.1 has been released for general cultivation in southern districts of Tamil Nadu. This is an unit selection from the westem ghat type and superior to TMV.3 and TMV.4 in yield and quality. The incidence of phyllody, Alternaria leaf spot and leaf webber are relatively lesser in SVPR.1 than TMV.3 and TMV.4. SVPR.1 is suitable for cultivation during summer and cold weather seasons under irrigated conditions and gives in average yield of 1115 kg/ha. The seed oil content is 52 per cent in SVPR.1 as compared to 51 per cent in TMV.3 and 50 per cent in TMV.4.

The evaluation of hydrogeological conditions in the southern part of Tamil Nadu using remote-sensing techniques

Abstract Remote-sensing techniques were employed for evaluating the hydro-geological conditions of southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India, in two phases. In the first phase a satellite remote-sensing survey was carried out during 1977-1979. This was followed by systematic groundwater investigations in the above area (phase II). Detailed studies such as aerial photo-interpretation, field investigations and ground data collection were made in four selected test sites to confirm the findings of the phase 1 regional study. The above-mentioned two-phase study provided quicker and more reliable hydrogeological information for rapid groundwater development.

High Yielding Millets for Dry Farming Areas in Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu

Released and pre-release varieties/hybrids of sorghum, bajro. tenai, panivaragu and kudiraivali were evaluated under rainfed conditions in the black soil area at Kovilpatti in replicated yield trials. Among them Sorghum hybrids, K. Tall and CSH.6, and varieties. 15, 3541 and CO 21, bajra hybrids. X 4 and 5141 AX PT 1713, and variety, CO 6. tenai variety CO 5, panivaragu varieties MS 4926 and CO 1 and Kudiraivali varieties EF 7 and CO 1 were identified as suitable for cultivation in the rainted black soil areas of the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

Evaluation of Oilseed Varieties for Rainfed Black Soil Tract of Tamil Nadu

Eight varieties in sunflower, nine in safflower, twelve in castor and four in gin- gelly were evaluated for their suitability to the rainfed black soil tract of the southern districts of Tamil Nadu during 1976-77 to 1978-79 in the North East monsoon season (October-December). The seed yield data showed that EC 68414, EC 68413, Composite and 'Mordern Variety of sunflower; Co. 1, K1 and CTS 7205 of safflower, 50-6-4, 30-8-4 and 40-28-11 of castor and Si 1740 gingelly are promising and can be recommended for the rainfed black soil tract.

Madurai. 1 An Improved Chilli Variety

A cluster flowering chilli mutant (culture -1) was identifier as a mutant in the gamma irradiated K.1 chilli seeds and released as an improved strain MDU.1. This strain has a duration of 210 days and can be cultivated where K.2 strain is being cultivated in Southern districts of Tamil Nadu. It gives an yield of 1809 kg/ha under irrigated condition with an increase of 15.1 per cent over K.2 chilli strain.

Performance of Red gram (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp) Varieties Under Rainfed Black Soil Conditions

The red gram varietal trials conducted at All India Co-ordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture. Kovilpatti from 1971-72 to 1973-74 rabi seasons revealed the adaptability of Co.1 for the rainfed black soil area of Southern districts of Tamil Nadu. On equal yield. duration and high per-day-production capacity basis. coupled with bigger seed size, varieties Khargone-2 and S.8 may also be popularised to provide. diversification of genotypes as an insurance against vagaries of monsoon.

A Schedule of Treatments Against Stem Borer and Earhead Bug Pests of Vellai Cholam

In the southern districts of Tamil Nadu the shootfly, Atherigona varia soccata R., the stem borer, Chilozonellus Swinhoe, and the earhead bug, Calocoris angustatus Leth. are the potential insect enemies that cause considerable damage to irrigated sorghum (K.2) during the summer season (April to July). Two sets of insecticidal trials were conducted for the control of stem borer and the carhead bug separately at the Regional Research Station, Kovilpatti during 1965 and 1966 with a view to assess the efficacy of the insecticides against these pests independently and to formulate from the results obtained a schedule of treatments for controlling them, and realising maximum yield of grain.