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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem, which has a prevalence of 17.2% in India. As kidney function decreases, there is a gradual deterioration in the regulation of bone mineral homeostasis. Vitamin D is recognized as the central player in the maintenance of bone health in CKD. Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines suggest that vitamin D supplementation should be given to all CKD patients with serum 25-hydroxy vitaminD (25(OH)D) level 30 ng/mL. Hence we undertook this study to evaluate the vitamin D status in South Indian patients with CKD.Fifty-nine non-dialysis CKD patients of stage 3 and 4 were recruited and screened for 25(OH)D deficiency. Circulating levels of 25(OH)D were measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) equation. Serum calcium, phosphorous, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels were measured spectrophotometrically by an autoanalyzer.Contrary to published literature, 75% of South Indian CKD patients had normal 25(OH)D (≥30 ng/mL), 15% of them had insufficient (20-29 ng/mL) and 10% had 25(OH)D deficiency (20 ng/mL). Alkaline phosphatase levels were found to be increased in only 20% of cases. Calcium1 levels were normal in all CKD cases and hyperphosphatemia was observed in 5% of CKD patients.We found that most of our CKD patients (75%) had normal vitamin D levels. This paradoxical finding could be explained by the fact that most of them gave a history of intake of vitamin D and calcium supplements, as advised by their doctors before coming to our institute. Hence we conclude that before prescribing vitamin D or calcium supplements to CKD patients, their 25(OH)D status should be ascertained to prevent hypervitaminosis D and its complications.

Responsible leadership (RL) is becoming prominent and a new concept with growing interest as a creator of value-based relationships with all the stakeholders within and outside the organization. The traditional outlook of RL is where a leader was portrayed as a powerful individual demarcated significantly from the rest of others in the organization in terms of knowledge and capability. We emphasize the role of leadership that changed the business view from a shareholder concept to a wider relationship of all the stakeholders for economic, environmental and societal advancements. RL is built on an ethical framework and our approach towards the necessity of leadership is in terms of responsibility and accountability for organizational sustainability and overall development. Finally, a conceptual model is proposed on RL, describing the multiple dimensions leading to the outcomes in the changing business world.

Aim: Global health care is experiencing an unprecedented surge in the number of critically ill patients who require mechanical ventilation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The requirement for relatively long periods of ventilation in those who survive means that many are considered for tracheostomy to free patients from ventilatory support and maximise scarce resources. COVID-19 provides unique challenges for tracheostomy care: health-care workers need to safely undertake tracheostomy procedures and manage patients afterwards, minimising risks of nosocomial transmission and compromises in the quality of care. Conflicting recommendations exist about the timing and performance of tracheostomy and the subsequent management of patients. This is due to a number of factors including prognosis, optimal healthcare resource utilisation, and safety of healthcare workers when performing such a high-risk aerosol-generating procedure.Methods: MEDLINE (accessed from PubMed) from 6 august 2019 to 7 august 2020 were systematically searched using: “COVID 19” OR “CORONAVIRUS” OR “SARS COV-2” AND “TRACHEOSTOMY” with filters as ‘2020’ year of study, English language, full article available on 7/08/2020 at 11.30 Am.Results: Total of 56 articles were obtained on search and the final 15 articles extracted based on our selection criteria were reviewed. A synthesis of the current international literature and reported experience is presented with respect to timing of tracheostomy, ideal place for tracheostomy, staff safety, procedure modification and post tracheostomy care thus leading to a pragmatic recommendation that tracheostomy is not performed until at least 14 days after endotracheal intubation in COVID-19 patients and if indicated should be done in negative pressure isolated ICU room with full PPE protection with some modification during procedure.Conclusion: In selected COVID-19 patients, there is a role for tracheostomy to aid in weaning and optimise healthcare resource utilisation. Tracheostomy can be performed safely with careful modifications to technique and appropriate enhanced personal protective equipment.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Hence, this study was carried out to assess the biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation as predictors of CVD risk in Indian patients with CKD. In this case control study, we recruited 43 patients with CKD and 43 healthy control volunteers. Circulating levels of endothelial dysfunction markers [asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), angiopoietin-like protein-2 (ANGPTL2), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9)] and systemic inflammation [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)] were assessed in the study population. All study participants underwent brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD) to estimate endothelial dysfunction. Disease severity (e-GFR) was assessed by a nephrologist. CKD patients showed markedly elevated levels of ADMA, ANGPTL2, MMP-9, and hs-CRP. FMD and eGFR were significantly decreased in cases, as compared to the controls. ADMA, ANGPTL2, MMP-9 and hs-CRP showed significant positive correlation with one another and significant negative correlation with FMD and disease severity. We also observed a significant negative correlation of FMD with disease severity and duration of CKD. In the multiple linear regression model, ADMA and ANGPTL2 were found to be independent predictors of FMD. In CKD patients, there is significantly increased endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation, which showed a positive correlation with disease severity. Thus, the markers of endothelial dysfunction such as ADMA and ANGPTL2 can be used as predictors of CVD risk in CKD.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by gradual deterioration of the renal parenchyma and decline of functioning nephrons. CKD is now recognized as a distinct risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This risk rises in tandem with the decline in kidney function and peaks at the end-stage. It is important to identify individuals with CKD who are at a higher risk of advancing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and the beginning of CVD. This will enhance the clinical benefits and so that evidence-based therapy may be started at the initial stages for those individuals. A promising biomarker must represent tissue damage, and be easy to detect using non-invasive methods. Current CKD progression indicators have difficulties in reaching this aim. Hence this review presents an update on markers studied in the last decade, which help in the prediction of CKD progression such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, kidney injury molecule-1, urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein, cystatin-C, asymmetric dimethylarginine, symmetric dimethylarginine, endotrophin, methylglyoxal, sclerostin, uric acid, and miRNA-196a. Additional research is needed to determine the predictive usefulness of these indicators in clinical samples for disease development. Their utility as surrogate markers need to be explored further for the early identification of CKD progression.

This paper reports the synthesis of nanoparticles of ReBa2NbO6 (Re=Y, Sm and Gd) using a modified single-step combustion process, for the first time. Structural conformation is done by means of XRD and vibrational spectroscopic analysis. The studies show that sample transforms from orthorhombic to cubic structure on annealing at 1000°C. The band gap and dielectric properties of the samples are also investigated. The samples are sintered in a temperature range of 1350-1400°C without any sintering aid.

Background Psoriasis is a T helper cell-mediated chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease affecting mainly the skin, although systemic pathological effects are also observed. Cytokine-mediated interaction between T lymphocytes and keratinocytes lead to excessive proliferation of keratinocytes, which in turn leads to formation of a proinflammatory milieu and finally to psoriatic plaque formation. Aim To measure interleukin (IL)-9, IL-17 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with psoriasis compared with controls, and to evaluate the effect of methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy on the aforesaid cytokine levels in psoriasis. Methods This cohort study included 54 patients with psoriasis and 54 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). IL-9, IL-17 and VEGF levels were measured by using commercially available ELISA kits. Patients with psoriasis who were on MTX monotherapy were followed up for a period of 3 months. Results Patients with psoriasis had increased levels of IL-9, IL-17 and VEGF at baseline, compared with the HC group. After 3 months of MTX monotherapy, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and levels of cytokines (IL-9, IL-17 and VEGF) were significantly decreased compared with baseline. PASI and DLQI at baseline also showed a positive correlation with IL-9, IL-17 and VEGF. Conclusion Our results suggest the existence of a proinflammatory milieu in psoriasis, with increased levels of IL-9, IL-17 and the proangiogenic growth factor VEGF, showing an increasing trend with increasing disease severity and impaired quality of life (QoL). MTX treatment helps to reduce levels of IL-9, IL-17 and VEGF, thereby limiting disease progression and improving QoL in psoriasis.

Concrete, after water across the world, the second most broadly utilized material involving 8-10% of all yields of CO2, is predominantly because of cement. This project ultimately aims to determine the potential use of Ferrock as an exceptional replacement for cement in concrete compared with other alternative alternatives. It is a steel-based restraining compound used to form a carbon-negative structure substance utilizing waste material absorbents. The iron residue (an iron business loss) that would end in sites somehow alongside small quantities of limestone, metakaolin, and fly ash is being used to make this an efficient substance. Our research focuses unexpectedly on their commitment to carbon dioxide contamination, energy use, water use, the ecologic impact of ordinary Portland cement and Ferrock (limestone 8%, metakaolin 12%, fly ash 20%, and iron residue 60%). By subtitling concrete with Ferrock in fluctuating proportions of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% in solid, we attempt to find the ideal proportion of substitution, which, along with sustainability, would boost wanted outcomes for both (compressive and divided tensile). In all this proportion, the test result shows 10% is more efficient than others.

Background: Preterm birth is one of the important causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity in developed countries after congenital malformations. Postponement of delivery plays essential role in preventing such incidences by allowing fetal lung maturity. Methods: This is a prospective study conducted over a period of 20 months among the patients admitted for preterm labour with gestational period between 27 to 36 weeks. After the patients obeyed all the inclusion criteria, they were administered terbutaline 250 µg subcutaneously every 8th hourly followed by 5 mg tablet orally twice daily till contractions ceased. The patients were analysed for gestational period at which they presented with preterm labour contractions, associated risk factors, response to terbutaline, and gestational period at delivery, perinatal complications, neonatal and maternal outcomes. The data obtained were analysed by descriptive analysis. Results: There were 1,678 deliveries during study period, out of which 207 (12%) presented with preterm labour and 20 (~10%) patients received terbutaline. Idiopathic (50%) and vaginal infections (25%) were common causes of preterm labour among the patients who received terbutaline. The labour was prolonged by 3 - 5 days among 8 patients, 7 - 15 days in 9 patients and 15 - 30 days in 3 patients. Common maternal side effects were nausea and tremors. Neonatal outcome was good in most of the cases except in 5 (25%) neonates who required NICU admission but they all recovered well without any morbidity. Conclusions: Administration of terbutaline prolonged labour without any serious maternal complications and better neonatal outcome as 90% of the neonates were born without any complications. Hence, terbutaline can be used as a safe and effective tocolytic agent among patients presenting with preterm labour.

Background: Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure for closing the tympanic membrane perforation and reconstructing the tympanic membrane and hearing, commonly after trauma and chronic otitis media. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical and audiological outcomes of tympanoplasty with or without anterior tucking.Methods: In this prospective study, 50 patients with chronic otitis media (COM) were divided into two groups. Group 1 underwent type 1 tympanoplasty with anterior tucking method, and group 2 underwent type 1 tympanoplasty without anterior tucking. The result was measured on graft uptake and hearing outcome at 6 months postoperatively by performing pure tone audiometry. Results: The hearing improvement was almost the same in both the groups. Graft uptake was good in type 1 tympanoplasty with tucking (96%) when compared to without tucking tympanoplasty (92%). Complications like residual perforation were seen in both groups equally. Anterior marginal blunting was noted (8%) in type 1 tympanoplasty with tucking.Conclusions: The hearing improvement of type-1 tympanoplasty with anterior tucking and without anterior tucking is the same. Type-1 tympanoplasty with anterior tucking has a better graft acceptance. The only disadvantage of type-1 tympanoplasty with anterior tucking is anterior marginal blunting.

Augmented reality (AR) has been in existence for about five decades. But, the techniques for implementing this technology are developing only in the recent past. We have built an application using AR techniques with android. We combined global positioning system and AR to build an application for indoor navigation. Though other applications like Google maps exist for navigation, our application offers the users more ease and attractiveness with AR. The data for particular location is being stored in the form of latitude, longitude and altitude in the cloud. When a user visits a location for the first time, the geo location details are entered and stored in cloud. Next time, when the same user visits the location or when a new user visits, the stored information gets displayed about the location. The location details are updated as and when a new location is identified. These location details are displayed in the form of markers through the camera which has been integrated into the application.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis being the predominant manifestation of the disease Extra-Pulmonary sites can also involve as a result of dissemination from a chief focus. The present study aims to determine the presentation and outcome of patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis treated with category I DOTS and to identify the incidence and pattern of ADRs caused by anti-tubercular drugs and to assess the causality and severity of the reported ADRs. Methods: Data was collected from cases of Tuberculosis patients diagnosed and treated under category I DOTS at Sri Siddhartha Medical College for the period of one year (during 2015). These patients were monitored for ADRs during OPDs and hospital stay. Any Adverse effects observed were recorded in ‘Adverse Drug Event Reporting Form’ prepared by the CDSCO, Govt. of India. The data were evaluated for patient demography, types of TB, incidence of ADRs, onset and outcome of the ADRs. ADRs were also assessed for their causality and severity by using WHO-UMC criteria and Hartwig’s scale. Results: Extra-pulmonary cases accounted for 32.2% of total TB cases. Among 224 cases of extra-pulmonary TB studied, 136 (60.7%) were males and 88 (39.3%) were females. Among these patients 82.2% completed treatment, 7.5% were defaulted, 9.9% died and 0.4% treatment failure. The most common reason for default was irregular treatment (29.5%) followed by alcohol abuse (23.5%). Among 224 patients of EPTB who were started on ATT as per DOTS, we noted ADR in 52 patients and 73 ADRs. Gastritis was the most common ADR (25%) followed by anorexia (14%) and skin reactions (9.6%) and multiple drug therapy was the major predisposing factor for these ADR’s. Conclusions: Extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis accounts for 32.2% of the total cases studied. Treatment irregularities and alcohol abuse are the two most common reasons for default. On evaluation of the causality of ADRs, majority of them were found to be ‘possible’ by WHO-UMC and Naronjo’s causality assessment scale. The severity assessment of ADRs showed that 42% reactions were moderate and 58% were of the ‘mild’ nature.

Background: CSOM is one of the most common ear diseases in developing countries. Lack of an aerating mastoidectomy at the time of the initial tympanoplasty may be a significant source of failure in patients with chronic non-cholesteatomatous otitis media so cortical mastoidectomy along with tympanoplasty has for long been considered the surgical procedure of choice. The purpose of our study is to ascertain the effectiveness of tympanoplasty with or without cortical mastoidectomy.Methods: Our study was carried out in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College, Pondicherry. It included 50 patients of CSOM tubotympanic type of age between 15 years to 45 years and of either sex who were diagnosed and treated in E.N.T Department during the study period October 2016 to August 2018. Out of 50 patients who underwent surgery in 25 cases tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy was done and tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy was performed in 25 cases. Results: Commonest age group was 15-19 years. Male to female ratio was 1.6:1. In x-ray bilateral mastoids Schuller’s view, 24 patients (48%) had sclerotic mastoids and 26 patients (52%) showed pneumatic mastoids. Clinical improvement, graft uptake and postoperative hearing improvement was similar in both the groups.Conclusions: Most common age group of presentation with CSOM tubotympanic type is 15-25 years. CSOM tubotympanic type appears to be more common in males. Hearing improvement following tympanoplasty alone and tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy were comparable in both the groups. Mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty does not give additional benefit in terms of hearing improvement.

Background: Tympanoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to reconstruct hearing mechanism with or without reconstruction of tympanic membrane perforation. Cartilage shield tympanoplasty was first reported in literature by Duckert et al in 1995.The purpose of the present study was to prepare the cartilage shield graft and to evaluate its effect on the success rate of tympanoplasty.Methods: In this study 70 patients who presented to ENT OPD of Aarupadai Veedu medical college, Puducherry, with chronic otitis media (COM) mucosal type, who were treated during the period between December 2016 to April 2018 were enrolled. Patients with COM mucosal type, with mild to moderate conductive hearing loss, dry or moist ear were included in the study. Detailed history was taken in the selected patients including a thorough otological examination and blood investigations required for surgery. Results: In the present study male to female ratio was 1.6:1. 30% patients were in the age group between 20-24years. In our study 33% patients had pre-operative airbone gap in the range of 31-40 dB and post-operative improvement in airbone gap was in the range of 0-10 dB in 49% patients.Conclusions: Conchal cartilage shield tympanoplasty is an effective technique in tympanic membrane reconstruction and shows no detrimental effect to the hearing outcome. Conchal cartilage is preferred graft as it can be harvested from same incision. The graft uptake rates are excellent with this technique.

Background: Benign lesions of the nasal cavity represent a diverse group of pathologies. Furthermore, each of these disorders may present differently in any given patient as pain and discomfort, epistaxis, headaches, vision changes, or nasal obstruction.Methods: This study was carried out in a tertiary care center in India from October 2016 to March 2018. A total of 80 patients of age 10 years to 80 years were included. Detailed history and complete ENT examination including radiological studies was done. Patients were subjected to diagnostic nasal endoscopy and biopsy followed by histopathological examination. Depending on the diagnosis, medical or surgical treatment or combination of both was administered. Results: In present study the commonest presenting complaint was found to be nasal blockage found in 76% of cases, followed by rhinorrhea in 40%, nasal mass in 30%, epistaxis in 16%, cheek swelling in 5%. Out of 80 benign lesions, polyp was noted in 65 cases, hemangioma in 8 and inverted papilloma in 3 cases. Out of 65 cases of polyps, 52 were antrochoanal, 10 ethmoidal and 3 maxillary. Medical treatment was given in ethmoidal polyp cases, out of which 5 were cured. Most common surgery was polypectomy. Lateral rhinotomy was done in 6 casesConclusions: Patients with benign lesions of the nose commonly presented in the second and third decade with slight male preponderance.Antrochoanal polyps are most common. Medical treatment works to a certain extent in patients with ethmoidal polyposis and surgery is the mainstay of treatment in the benign lesions of the nose.

The present work aims to know how cosputtered NixTi1−x thin films differ from pure Ni and pure Ti thin film. Ni thin films exhibited texture irrespective of substrate bias voltage, while film surface roughness as revealed by atomic force microscopy was sensitive to biasing. The negative substrate bias voltage induced a change in preferential orientation of Ti thin films. On the other hand, Ni–Ti thin films exhibited amorphous nature irrespective of substrate bias voltage. The stability of the crystal structure of pure Ni, pure Ti films and that of amorphous structure of NixTi1−x films under high ion bombardment could be predicted by classical molecular dynamics based on embedded atom method potential.

AIMS: The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of Hypomagnesemia among patients presenting with acute exacerbation of asthma and during its standard treatment and to know its clinical significance. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a prospective study done on inpatients admitted with acute exacerbation of asthma. METHODS: A total of 50 patients admitted with acute asthma were enrolled in the study with random selection. Treatment started according to GINA (Global Initiation of Asthma) protocol. Serum Magnesium levels were measured at intervals of 0 min, 90 minutes and 180 minutes and 24hrs after starting nebulization. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The Excel and SPSS 10.5 (SPSS Inc, Chicago) software packages were used for data entry and analysis. The student 'T' test was used to differentiate gender parameters Proportions were compared using Chi-square test. One-way analysis of variance was used to test the difference between groups. RESULTS: Hypomagnesemia at the time of admission (0 min) was found in 15(30%) subjects and it increased to 22(44%), 16(32%) and dropped to 7(14%) at 90min, 180min and 24 hours respectively after starting treatment. Maximum drop in magnesium level was noted at 90min (by 0.162 mg/dl). Severity of asthma was statistically and clinically significant with hypomagnesemia (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: As Hypomagnesemia was significantly associated with severe asthma attack, an effort should be made to check and correct serum magnesium level during admission and at least after 2 hours of nebulization.

Purpose: Venous anatomy of the kidney is considered important and subjected to many variations. The commonest venous variation is presence of multiple renal veins and retroaortic left renal vein. In this study we evaluated the morphometry of renal vein and its variations. Methods: Prospective study was conducted on 100 kidney donors who underwent CT angiograms. Renal angiographic images were analysed for length, width of renal vein and its variations. The length was measured from hilum upto its termination and width measured near hilum of kidney and near termination. Results: The mean length of right renal vein was 3.01cm and left renal vein was 7.01cm. The mean width of right renal vein near termination was 1.10cm and near hilum was 1.03cm. The mean width of left renal vein near termination was 0.88cm and near hilum was0.99cm. out of 100 kidney donors the variation of renal vein was found on 23 individual. In this 19 had accessory renal vein and 4 individual had retroaortic left renal vein. Conclusion: Analysing CT Images demonstrated the morphometry of renal vein and its variations. Presence of these variations can be susceptible to trauma and threat to abdominal surgical procedure especially during kidney transplantation and retroperitoneal surgery.

Today, various factors determine the successor in a family business. Succession planning in family business is a tough and a critical challenge. Succession planning in family business is influenced by various factors. This paper attempts to study the effect of various personal and strategic factors on small and medium scale Indian family business in the succession planning process. It is important to understand the effect of these factors while selecting the successor as it may eventually determine the success or failure of the family business. The study uses a case research method which focuses on the companies from the manufacturing sector and the service sector in the small and medium enterprise category. The study focuses on cases from the succession planning of various companies and it helps to understand how succession planning in those firms is affected by various factors. Data is collected from the head of the family business in both the manufacturing and the service sector. The sample consists of detailed discussion with the owners of eight family businesses to understand various personal and strategic factors affecting succession planning across India.

In the recent decade there is a developing interest of people getting attracted towards social entrepreneurship. So, what is social entrepreneurship? It is the process of applying innovation and business expertise in a non-profit sector by having a social objective and creating a social value. While on the other side there is commercial entrepreneurship which is vastly found, it is the process of applying various techniques to increase profit and wealth of an individual. This paper is to measure, analyze and interpret the intention of the budding generation towards social entrepreneurship as the earth have attained a position where the environment, society and the survival of fellow humans is at stake rather than considering profit and economic growth as important. There is also a trait based analysis, considering the big 5 personality traits such as openness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism and conscientiousness and it natural affect on their inclination towards this.

Women in IT industry is concentrated more in the lower management level and encounter a glass ceiling which is a hindrance as they climb up the career ladder to top management level. This study presents about the glass ceiling factors that affect the career advancement of women in IT industry in India. This study attempts to identify factors which contribute to the glass ceiling which affect women career advancement. Several factors were identified while reviewing the literature; they are personal factors, organizational factors and societal factors. It also aims at finding out which factor from the identified factors contribute more hindrance to the career advancement opportunity for women. Conceptual model is designed based on the information from literature review; whole study is structured based on this conceptual model. Data is collected by floating a questionnaire to the women employees working in IT companies in India. Sample consists of 57 female employees from different IT companies who are in middle level management and in senior level management. From the analysis of the data collected, it is seen that societal factors contribute more hindrance to the women in advancing their careers, women perception about themselves and management perception about women reaching higher position also plays an important role.

Internet applications, social media and sedentary lifestyle followed by individuals put a lot of stress on Gen Y and Gen Z individuals. This study seeks to find out what these individuals think they are capable of which is an individual's self-efficacy, with respect to gender, age and educational qualification, using subjective evaluation questionnaire which would enable the respondents to evaluate the questions posed and respond according to their perception. This study was done on students who about to become a part of the workforce in the near future. The study was aimed at finding meaningful relationships between students' overall quality of life and self-esteem with self-efficacy and it was found to be positive. The other factors-age, gender and educational qualification that were considered in the study failed to show considerable significance with self-efficacy, as self-efficacy was found to have negligible variation with respect to those factors.

Organizations are facing tremendous pressure to enhance employee commitment and retain them in the organization. Among various factors that affect Organizational commitment, career anchors are seen as the prominent factor. It is then seen pertinent to identify the dominant and supporting career anchor that affects their commitment in organization which would help design relevant interventions to support the same. The objective of the study is to explore the relation between career anchors (as measured by Career Orientation Inventory) and Organizational commitment (as measured by Organizational Commitment Questionnaire). A survey was conducted among 100 employees working at information technology companies in India with variations in age, hierarchical levels and gender. Results of the study can be used to design appropriate work place interventions to enhance career orientation of employees and thereby increase their commitment towards the organization.

Nowadays in IT industries retention of employees is a crucial task. Companies try hard to have win-win situation so that both the employees as well as the companies get mutual benefit. Most of the employees tend to change companies regularly as there is no growth in their careers, non-availability of challenging roles and lack of recognition. Another Important problem is to increase the employee's productivity. Most of the roles are saturated as employees keep doing the same work daily and no new challenges have been introduced in their work, to motivate their employees. This paper helps to understand and compare what all elements the IT companies are using to retain their employees and increase the productivity of the company. This study consider some of the reputed companies in the IT industry, comparing their Gamification elements with each other and finding the effective ones.

Business development executives across industries face negativity in their work due to multiple reasons. The negative actions of one person and the impact caused may spread among the employees in an organization and can even affect their performance and the organization itself. This paper attempts to study the effect of negative factors like abusive supervision by managers and negative gossips that prevail in the organizations on employee engagement. It also aims at finding out the mediating effect of emotional exhaustion on employee engagement. The conceptual model for the study is supported by the earlier research conducted in this area and the whole study is based on this model. Data is collected from business development executives of both service based and product-based organizations in India. The sample consists of responses of 91 business development executives across India. From the analysis of data collected, abusive supervision and negative gossips have a positive effect on emotional exhaustion which in turn has a negative relationship with employee engagement.

In today's world both individuals and the organisations have tough time in bringing work-life balance. In organizational perspective, a high standard of work–life balance is essential to continue attracting and retaining its employees; while at the individuals perspective it has a positive impact on attitude, behaviour, and commitment towards both professional and personal life. Work-life balance has become an on-going challenge in contemporary times. Though work-life balance is discussed for various decades and measured with different dimensions, this is high time to measure work-life balance in accordance with present lifestyle. Here comes the role of internet which is twisted with every human being in day to day activities. Internet without social media is unimaginable. Usage of social media results in both productive and unproductive behaviour. Therefore this is a study to measure the usage of social media in personal life and professional life on work-life balance. It is found that social media usage in professional life has more impact on work-life balance which caused due to pre-occupation with social media in workplace.

The Major Decision making challenge for any HR Manager starts with Recruitment. Recruiting Metrics directly impact the Return on Investment in any Business. The traditional ways of measuring HR metrics has taken a seismic shift. Previously the focus of recruiting managers was only on efficiency, but now effectiveness has gained a lot of relevance. This study on organizational recruitment is an attempt to understand the choice of recruitment source and its impact on the cost per hire, quality of hire and time to hire aspects. The measures for this assessment include both pre-hire and post hire recruitment outcomes that further elucidates how the recruitment source and the recruitment variables contribute to candidates' success as well as organization success.

Friendships play a role in different aspects of our life. These friendships within organisations might hinder or facilitate both the organisational and employee functioning. There are various degrees of friendships found in organisations. The different degrees have different roles in functioning of the organisation. Therefore, this paper tries to find out the different degrees of friendship that exist in organisations and their effect on the employee's job commitment and intention to leave. The different levels of friendships studied in this paper are "work spouse, special peer, collegial peer and information peer". The study aims to find out the prominent types of friendships that exist in the workplace and to determine the influence of different types of friendships on the employee's job commitment and intention to leave. A questionnaire was constructed using a friendship scale, commitment scale and intention to leave scale. The samples for the study are professionals who are working in the service industries. Snowballing and convenient sampling technique was used to collect data.

Background: Atrophic rhinitis is a chronic nasal disease characterized by progressive atrophy of mucosa and underlying bone of turbinate’s.1 Disease is also referred to as dry rhinitis, rhinitis sicca, open-nose syndrome, or ozena. It is classified into 2 types viz., primary and secondary. The cause of primary atrophic rhinitis is unknown. Histopathologically, primary atrophic rhinitis is characterized by squamous metaplasia and two characteristic types of vascular involvement (Type I and Type II). Type I is common (50-80%) where endarteritis obliterans, periarteritis and periarterial fibrosis of the terminal arterioles is seen. These patients benefit from the oestrogen therapy. Type-II is less common (20-50%) and is associated with capillary vasodilatationMethods: This study was carried out in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and hospital, Puducherry between October 2015 and July 2017.51 patients of atrophic rhinitis of age 12 years to 95 years were included. Detailed history and complete ENT examination was done in all patients. Results: In the present study atrophic rhinitis cases formed 0.34% of the total OPD attendance. Maximum number of patients belonged to the age group of 51-60 years (33.3%) followed by 61-70 years (27.5%). Disease was found to be more common in females (82.4%) female to male ratio was 4.7:1. Most common complaint of the patients was nasal crusting (96.1%) followed by nasal fetor (92.2). In present study, most of the patients had chronic symptoms for the past 1-5 years (45.1%) and 6-10 years (29.4%). 35 patients i.e. 68.6% showed bilateral atrophic rhinitis and 16 patients i.e. 31.4% showed unilateral atrophic rhinitis. In the present study, majority of patients belong to class V of Modified B G Prasad scale (47.1%). Severity of the disease was classified into 3 stages, that is, early, advanced, and late advanced, according to the findings in the nasal cavity as recommended by Ssali. The majority of patients 36 (70.5%) were in the advanced stage. Partial squamous metaplasia and total squamous metaplasia, were seen in 35.7% and 42.9% of patients respectively, denuded epithelium were noted in 9 patients i.e. 21.4%.Conclusions: Incidence of atrophic rhinitis is in a decreasing trend. Females and people of age group 51-60 years are commonly affected. Bilateral atrophic rhinitis is more common. Lower socioeconomic status is a predisposing factor due to hygiene issues. Our institution being a tertiary care centre most patients presented with advanced stage of disease. Total squamous metaplasia is the commonest histological finding in patients with atrophic rhinitis.

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is sensorineural hearing loss of 30 dB or more over at least three contiguous audiometric frequencies that develop over a period of few hours to three days. The purpose of study is to make a protocol for treatment.Methods: 30 cases of sudden SNHL who presented to OPD of Government Medical College, Miraj between December 2015 to April 2017 were included. Detailed history taking and ENT examination was done. All patients were admitted and started on intravenous methylprednisolone. If hearing improvement was not observed, intratympanic methylprednisolone (ITS) was administered. Results: 50% patients had recovery with intravenous Methylprednisolone and 50% had no recovery. “No recovery” patients were subjected to ITS, of which 20% had complete, 30% partial and 50% no recovery. Among no recovery patients of ITS, 10% had hearing loss greater than 90 dB with improvement rate of 0%; 40% had hearing loss of 90 - 50 dB with improvement rate of 50%; 50% had hearing loss of 50-30 dB with improvement rate of 60%. Among 15 cases of ITS, mean number of days between onset of symptom and starting ITS was 13 days for complete recovery patients; 17.3 days for partial or slight recovery; 20.6 days for no recovery.Conclusions: Hearing loss less than 90 dB and earlier ITS has positive influence on hearing recovery. Systemic steroids are currently the mainstay of initial treatment. ITS is an effective treatment modality for patients who fail to respond to systemic steroids.

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), tubotymapanic type, despite a commonly encountered disease in otorhinolaryngology has many controversies involved. This study was aimed at bringing few of these aspects to limelight. Methods: The study was conducted in Otorhinolaryngology department, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Pondicherry, India between September 2015 - August 2016. Total of 207 ears of 180 patients with CSOM tubotympanic type were included. Selected patients were subjected to ENT examination and pure tone audiometry after obtaining history. Results: In this study 35.9% patients belonged to 4th decade and 29.4% to 3rd decade. Among patients with discharge for more than 30 years, 68.8% had moderately-severe hearing impairment and those with discharge for less than 10 years, 60.2% had mild hearing loss. Among patients with large central perforation, 51.4% had moderately-severe hearing loss and those with small central perforation, 68.4% had mild hearing loss. Hearing loss was nearly same in anterior and posterior perforations. On chi square test p value was 0.0874 i.e. >0.05, difference insignificant. Conclusions: In our study most patients were in 4th decade, incidence is equal in both genders. Hearing loss is directly proportional to disease duration and perforation size. Site of perforation does not influence hearing loss.