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The present paper attempted to study the performance of the Sthree Shakti Groups (SSG) in Dharwad district of north Karnataka. Twelve SSGs were identified from four taluks of Dharwad district in consultation with Child Development Project (CDP) Officers. The primary data about the groups were collected from group representatives and respected group members by using the schedule developed for the study. The results indicated that the majority (69.17%) of the respondents belonged to middle age, 37.50 per cent were illiterate and more than one third (35.00%) were practicing Agriculture + Dairy as their family occupation. More than two-fifth (42.50%) had medium annual income, 63.33 per cent had medium social participation. More than two-fifth (41.66%) of the SSGs belonged to the low organizational capacity category. More than twofifth (41.67%) of the SSGs were medium saving and credit category. Half of the group (50.00%) SSGs were found in the medium financial management category, followed by 50.00 per cent of SSGs were found in the medium microenterprise development category and 50.00 per cent were in high category of network and linkage. The majority (83.34%) of the SSGs were categorized into the high empowerment and influence category. More than 50.00 per cent (58.33%) of the SSGs belonged to the medium performance category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carica papaya leaf juice/decoction has been in use in folk medicine in Srilanka, Malaysia and in few parts of India for enhancing the platelet counts in dengue. In Siddha medicine, a traditional form of medicine in India, papaya leaf juice has been used for increasing the platelet counts. Papaya leaf has been reported to enhance blood volume in ancient Ayurveda books in India. Carica papaya leaf is well known for its platelet enhancement activity. Although many preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the ability of papaya leaf juice for platelet enhancement, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. The study is aimed at identifying the key ingredients of papaya leaf extract and elucidate the mechanism (s) of action of the identified potent component in mitigating thrombocytopenia (Thp). C. papaya leaf juice was subjected for sequential fractionation to identify the anti-thrombocytopenic phytochemicals. In vivo , stable thrombocytopenia was induced by subcutaneous injection of 70 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (Cyp). After induction, rats were treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight papaya leaf juice and with identified fractions for 14 days. Serum thrombopoietin level was estimated using ELISA. CD110/cMpl, a receptor for thrombopoietin on platelets was measured by western blotting. Administration of cyclophosphamide for 6 days induced thrombocytopenia (210.4 ± 14.2 × 103 cells/μL) in rats. Treating thrombocytopenic rats with papaya leaf juice and butanol fraction for 14 days significantly increased the platelet count to 1073.50 ± 29.6 and 1189.80 ± 36.5 × 103 cells/μL, respectively. C.papaya extracts normalized the elevated bleeding and clotting time and decreased oxidative markers by increasing endogenous antioxidants. A marginal increase in the serum thrombopoietin (TPO) level was observed in Cyp treated group compared to normal and treatment groups. Low expression of CD110/cMpl receptor found in Cyp treated group was enhanced by C. papaya extracts (CPJ) and CPJ-BT. Furthermore, examination of the morphology of bone marrow megakaryocytes, histopathology of liver and kidneys revealed the ability of CPJ and fractions in mitigating Cyp-induced thrombocytopenia in rats. C. papaya leaf juice enhances the platelet count in chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia by increasing the expression of CD110 receptor on the megakaryocytes. Hence, activating CD110 receptor might be a viable strategy to increase the platelet production in individuals suffering from thrombocytopenia. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]