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Purpose: This study sought to identify the sources of differential performance and misclassification error among local (Indian) and external (non-Indian) corneal specialists in identifying bacterial and fungal keratitis based on corneal photography. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of survey data assessing the ability of corneal specialists to identify acute bacterial versus fungal keratitis by using corneal photography. One-hundred images of 100 eyes from 100 patients with acute bacterial or fungal keratitis in South India were previously presented to an international cohort of cornea specialists for interpretation over the span of April to July 2021. Each expert provided a predicted probability that the ulcer was either bacterial or fungal. Using these data, we performed multivariable linear regression to identify factors predictive of expert performance, accounting for primary practice location and surrogate measures to infer local fungal ulcer prevalence, including locality, latitude, and dew point. In addition, Brier score decomposition was used to determine experts' reliability ("calibration") and resolution ("boldness") and were compared between local (Indian) and external (non-Indian) experts. Results: Sixty-six experts from 16 countries participated. Indian practice location was the only independently significant predictor of performance in multivariable linear regression. Resolution among Indian experts was significantly better (0.08) than among non-Indian experts (0.01; P < 0.001), indicating greater confidence in their predictions. There was no significant difference in reliability between the two groups (P = 0.40). Conclusion: Local cornea experts outperformed their international counterparts independent of regional variability in tropical risk factors for fungal keratitis. This may be explained by regional characteristics of infectious ulcers with which local corneal specialists are familiar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theriophonum blumei sp. nov., a new species is described and illustrated from Tamil Nadu, India based on morphological and leaf epidermal features. Although morphologically T. blumei appears to be similar to T. sivaganganum (Ramam. & Sebastine) Bogner having long acuminate spathe, it is different from T. sivaganganum in various aspects such as ellipsoid seed with ridged surface, spinulose and bifid stigma, filiform neuters and berries with purplish strands. T. blumei has echinate pollen sculpture and T. sivaganganum has verrucate sculpture. Added to that, molecular based (rbcL, matK, trnL‐F) phylogenetic analysis also indicate that T. blumei is genetically distinct from T. sivaganganum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to screen the phytochemicals of methanolic extract of Blechnum orientale L. collected from Kothiyar, located in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. The preliminary phytochemical analysis was carried out by Harborne method, followed by GC-MS analysis. In the preliminary phytochemical analysis of Blechnum orientale L., the presence of twelve different types of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, anthocyanin, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, coumarin, diterpenes, emodins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenoids were reported in methanolic extract. GC-MS spectrum of methanolic extract of Blechnum orientale L. showed 20 different major peaks which indicated the presence of 20 compounds. The prevailing compounds in methanol extract were toluene (1.927min), thi azole, 4,5- dihydro-2-methyl- (2.249min), ethylbenzene (2.466min), benzene, 1,3-dimethyl- (2.523min), phosphine, acetyldimethyl- (2.684min), guanethidine (4.584min), 2-propanamine, n-methyl-n-nitroso- (5.303min), 4h-pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl- (5.435min), diethylene glycol hexyl ether (6.333min), 2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid, nonyl ester (6.655min), 8-thiabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-ene (7.156min), 4hpyrazole, 3-tert-butylsulfanyl-4,4-bistrifluoromethyl- (9.217min), 1,3-benzenediol, 4-propyl- (11.250min), cyclohexanone, 2-methyl-5-(1- methylethenyl)- (13.775min), 2,4-hexadienal, (E,E)- (14.210min), n-hexadecanoic acid (14.966min), phytol (16.451min), 2(1h)-naphthalenone, octahydro-4a-methyl-7-(1-methylethyl)-, (4a.alpha.,7.beta.,8a.beta.)- (16.602min), 7-pentadecyne (16.659min) and 1,4-bis (trimethylsilyl) benzene (20.186min) respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed to explore the preliminary phytochemicals analysis of Enteromorpha compressa (L.) Nees collected from Kanyakumari in the Southern coast of Tamil Nadu, India. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the methanol extract was carried out using Harborne method, followed by the characterization was done using FT-IR and HPLC. The preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of the following secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, emodines, tannins, flavonoids, quinones, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, phlobatannins, coumarins, steroids, diterpenes and triterpenoids. The crude methanol extract of Enteromorpha compressa (L.) Nees was passed into FTIR and it confirmed the presence of functional groups such as alcohols and phenols, aliphatic compounds, aromatic nitro compound, amides, vinyl ethers, organophosphorus compounds, amines, sulfonyl chloride, primary aliphatic amines, ketones, phosphines and aliphatic compound. HPLC fingerprint of Enteromorpha compressa (L.) Nees displayed three prominent peaks at the retention time of 2.050min, 2.493min and 3.427min out of six compounds separated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was intended to discover the preliminary phytochemicals of Dictyota dichotoma (Huds.) Lamouroux from Koothankuzhi coast, Tirunelveli district, the south east coast of Tamil Nadu, India. The preliminary phytochemical analysis was conducted in seven extracts namely methanol, acetone, chloroform, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether, hexane and benzene by Harborne method. The preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, anthocyanin, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, catechin, coumarins, diterpenes, emodins, flavonoids, glycosides, leucoanthocyanin, lignins, phenols, phlobatannins, quinones, saponins, steroids, tannins, terpenoids and triterpenoids. Among the various phytochemicals studied, tannin showed the maximum presence, being found in seven different extracts and anthraquinones was observed in only one extract. From the results, it was noted that the extracts of Dictyota dichotoma (Huds.) Lamouroux was found to be the presence of a number of active secondary metabolites. This report will lead to the isolation and characterization of these active secondary metabolites for bioefficacy and bioactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemicals in the methanolic extract of Hypnea musciformis (Wulf.) Lamouroux collected from Manapad in the south east coast of Tamil Nadu, India. The phytochemical screening of methanolic extract was studied using the standard procedure by UV-Visible spectroscopic, HPLC and FTIR. The UV-Visible spectrum showed the compounds separated at the nm of 300, 350, 420, 460, 534.5, 538.5, 606.35 646 and 667.5 with the absorption 0.361, 0.249, 0.675, 4.000, 0.967, 0.098, 1.260, 2.460 and 2.571 respectively. The qualitative HPLC fingerprint profile displayed six compounds at different retention time of 1.923min, 2.140min, 2.533min, 3.017min, 3.260min and 3.525min. The result of FTIR analysis was found the presence of functional groups such as amides, phosphorus compound, alcohols, phenols and halogen compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemicals in the methanolic extract of Hypnea musciformis (Wulf.) Lamouroux collected from Manapad in the south east coast of Tamil Nadu, India. The phytochemical screening of methanolic extract was studied using the standard procedure by UV-Visible spectroscopic, HPLC and FTIR. The UV-Visible spectrum showed the compounds separated at the nm of 300, 350, 420, 460, 534.5, 538.5, 606.35 646 and 667.5 with the absorption 0.361, 0.249, 0.675, 4.000, 0.967, 0.098, 1.260, 2.460 and 2.571 respectively. The qualitative HPLC fingerprint profile displayed six compounds at different retention time of 1.923min, 2.140min, 2.533min, 3.017min, 3.260min and 3.525min. The result of FTIR analysis was found the presence of functional groups such as amides, phosphorus compound, alcohols, phenols and halogen compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to analyse the acetone extract of marine green macro alga Caulerpa racemosa (Forssk.) Web. V. Bosse using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to reveal the presence of various secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds. The analysis revealed eleven bioactive compounds such as trans-Z-.alpha-bisabolene epoxide (2.041%), hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (10.528%), n-hexadecanoic acid (4.562%), octadecanoic acid (16.371%) pentadecane (44.589%), didodecyl phthalate (2.323%), palmitaldehyde (5.316%), α-D-ribofuranoside phenyl-2,3-O-isopropylidene-1-thio- (2.247%), tetracosanal (2.589%), vitamin-E (3.976%) and 1,3-dioxolane, 4-ethyl-5- octyl-2, 2-bis (trifluoromethyl)- (5.458%). The bioactive compounds from acetone extract of Caulerpa racemosa (Forssk.) Web. V. Bosse may have the potential effect against bacteria, fungi, free radical scavenging, etc and can used in the drug discovery and development sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical characterization of groundwater is essential to bring out its nature and utility. Samples from shallow and deep ground water of the same location were collected and studied for their geochemical characteristics following standard procedures (APHA ). Sediment samples from different depths were collected and analysed for minerals using FTIR and SEM. Resisitivity logging was carried out in the bore well to understand the variations in depth to fresh water potential. The shallow ground water is dominated by Na–Cl–HCO3–SO4 and deeper groundwater by Na–HCO3–SO4–Cl types. It is observed that there is a significant ionic variation with depth. The ionic strength of the deeper samples is lesser than in the shallower samples. Wide pH variations in the shallow water samples are due to ion exchange process. Thermodynamic stability plot was used to identify the state of stability. It is inferred that there is no major significant difference in the thermodynamic state of stability in the shallow and the deeper aquifers as the aquifer matrix for the shallow and deeper aquifers are almost similar. Saturation index of Gibbsite, Kaolinite, Calcite, Dolomite and anhydrite, were studied for shallow and deep aquifers, to identify the difference in hydro chemical signatures. The Si/Al ratios of shallow samples are less when compared with the deeper samples. Leaching of secondary salts was the chief mechanism controlling the ground water chemistry of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (APROP), which has a poor visual prognosis, is common in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as a result of suboptimal oxygen monitoring (primary prevention). The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in APROP eyes treated with laser to eyes treated with antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. The medical records of a cohort of APROP eyes treated with anti-VEGF (2010-2018) and another of eyes treated with laser photocoagulation (2002-2010) at the same institution in South India were reviewed retrospectively and compared. The main outcome was the proportion of eyes developing retinal detachment during resolution of acute ROP. A total of 398 eyes of 199 preterm babies with APROP were included: 168 eyes were treated with photocoagulation; 230, with anti-VEGF. From 2002 to 2010, compared to the more recent cohort, babies diagnosed with APROP tended to be heavier (P < 0.001), older (P < 0.001), and exposed to fewer days of oxygen (P = 0.02). In the laser-treated cohort, 17 of 168 eyes (10%) developed retinal detachment (7, stage 5; 12, stage 4), compared with 3 of 230 (1%) in the anti-VEGF cohort (all stage 4 [ P = 0.002]). The incidence of retinal detachment was significantly lower in eyes treated with anti-VEGF compared with laser-.treated eyes In the absence of a randomized trial, these data suggest that anti-VEGF may lead to better anatomic outcomes, although questions remain concerning dosage, timing, and risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing medical care for participants in clinical trials in resource-limited settings can be challenging and costly. Evaluation and treatment of a young man who developed cervical lymphadenopathy during a malaria vaccine trial in Equatorial Guinea required concerted efforts of a multinational, multidisciplinary team. Once a diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was made, the patient was taken to India to receive immunochemotherapy. This case demonstrates how high-quality medical care was provided for a serious illness that occurred during a trial that was conducted in a setting in which positron emission tomography for diagnostic staging, an oncologist for supervision of treatment, and an optimal therapeutic intervention were not available. Clinical researchers should anticipate the occurrence of medical conditions among study subjects, clearly delineate the extent to which health care will be provided, and set aside funds commensurate with those commitments.