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Vermifiltration of wastewater using waste eater earthworms is a newly conceived novel technology. The present study evaluated BOD, COD and TS showing significant variation in decrease by 95%, 90% and 80% respectively through vermifiltration of distillery effluents. The nutrient contents (TN, TP, TK, TCa and TMg) in the vermicasts had increase (1.82 % in TN, 0.24% in TP, 2.15% in TK, 2.07% in TCa and 2.86 % in TMg) in the range of fold than the control level. The morphology of the control and experimental vermicast samples were analyzed with SEM and the image showed significant variation. The FT-IR spectrum analysis showed reduction of aliphatic/aromatic (C=C and OH) compounds in the vermicompost. Thus, the present study significantly highlights the vermifiltration technology in treating distillery effluent.

This study was conducted in Obesity Research Clinic, Kasthuripuram, Tiruchirappalli 17. Healthy obese and non-obese male subjects with Body Mass Index (BMI) 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m 2 and 85 healthy obese and non-obese female with Body Mass Index of 25 - 29.9 kg/m 2 , age group between 9 - 67 years were selected. Parameters such as BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed. BMI was determined from the parameters such as weight and height; the subjects were classified as normal, overweight and obese. Hypertension was determined from the measure of blood pressure. The results show a consistence relation between BMI and hypertension within age groups in both male and female. The tables exhibited a relation of age with BMI and hypertension in both males and females subjects. The results showed a higher trend of hypertension with increasing BMI. In young females it was noticed that due to increased BMI the incidence of hypertension was very high.

Pot culture experiments were done to process paper mill sludge mixed with bedding materials (cow dung, pig waste and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in the ratio of 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 using earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae. Totally there were three treatments (T1, T2 and T3) with three replicates for each. Before and after treatments physico-chemical parameters such as pH, OC, TN, TP, tot TK, Ca, Zn, Fe and Mn were analysed. There were reduction in pH and OC in all vermibeds. On comparison in T2 the level of macronutrients such as tot N, tot P, tot K were found to be high. Micronutrients were high in T2. Earthworm biomass and cocoon production were also studied.

Pot culture experiments were done to process poultry waste mixed with bedding materials (Eichhornia crassipes and cow dung) in the ratio of 1:1:2, 1:2:1 and 2:1:1 using earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae. Totally there were three treatments (T 1 , T 2 and T 3 ) with three replicates for each. The raw poultry waste, predigested poultry waste and vermicompost were separately subjected to chemical nutrients composition analysis. The vermicompost had increased levels of total N, P, K and Ca when compared to raw poultry waste and pre-digested poultry waste. The results of the present study suggest that the vermicomposted poultry waste with Eichhornia crassipes and cow dung at 2:1:1 proportion can very well be used as organic manure. Keywords: Earthworm, Poultry waste, Eichhornia crassipes , Vermicompost, Biomass. I. Introduction Poultry litter is usually applied as a fertilizer. Excessive land application of poultry litter can lead to surface water runoff of plant nutrients, which in turn can cause eutrophication of water reservoirs. Transportation of poultry litter out of the affected areas may decrease the negative environmental effects related to its land application; however, high transportation costs require adding value to poultry litter. Vermicomposting can potentially add value to poultry litter. Vermicomposting involves consumption and stabilization of organic matter by earthworms. Vermicomposting of poultry litter can not only produce value added fertilizer but it can also produce worms which could be sold as fish bait and a protein source. Although several studies have been conducted on vermicomposting, limited available data presents numerous challenges while vermicomposting poultry litter. High ammoniacal-nitrogen concentration, auto heating, and high bulk density are some of the major concerns that need to be addressed while vermicomposting poultry litter. Eichhornia is the free floating invasive aquatic macrophytes that are known to cause severe damage to the aquatic habitat. Literature revealed that the noxious weeds like Eichhornia are resisted to the all physical, chemical, biological as well as hybrid methods that have been applied to eradicate it [1]. Eichhornia is commonly found in India and it is a problematic weed in a number of districts. It has choked hundred of water bodies in India. Ecologically devastating properties of Eichhornia can be profitably used as compost after as conversion by vermicompost [2]. The vermicomposting process is a result of the combined action of the earthworms and microflora living in earthworm intestines and in the growth medium. Vermicompost improve the soil structure, increasing the water holding capacity and porosity which facilitate the root respiration and growth [3, 4].

The present work has assessed sustainable vermiconversion of aquatic weed water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes). The garden soil, water hyacinth and cow dung were taken in the following the combinations of 1: 2 : 1, 2: 1: 1 and 1 : 1: 2. Two species of earthworms Eudrilus eugeniae and Eisenia fetida was used for the experiment. The total nitrogen (0.18% in control and 1.68% in earthworm treated) and phosphate (0.63 % in control and 1.64 % in earthworm treated) levels were increased and toxic heavy metals zinc (7.66 ppm in control and 2.58 ppm in earthworm treated) and copper (6.68 ppm in control and 1.15 ppm in earthworm treated) were significantly decreased. The earthworm enriches the compost with various nutrients for plant and microbial growth. Plant growth studies were conducted in all the combination of water hyacinth, maximum growth of root length (8.9cm and 7.2 in control) and shoot length (21.6cm and 16.2 in control) observed compare to control. Gut microbial analysis revealed that Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus luteus were predominantly present in the earthworm. The study recommended that the aquatic weed compost was suitable of agricultural usage.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an inheritable condition that runs in families as a disorder of impaired glycemic control and its complications. Among the complications of diabetes, autonomic neuropathy contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease states besides diabetic vascular complications. Sympathovagal imbalance is reported to be observed among the non-diabetic first-degree relatives of diabetic population. Aims and Objectives: To assess the heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in non-diabetic normotensive offspring of diabetic parents and infer the impairment in sympathovagal balance in them by comparing with the HRV findings of non-diabetic offspring of non-diabetic parents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 30 healthy non-diabetic, normotensive volunteers with parental history of Type 2 diabetes and 30 non-diabetic normotensive volunteers without parental history of diabetes. The volunteers were between the age of 17 and 25 years with normal body mass index and no health condition that could influence the cardiovascular health. The basal cardiovascular parameters and a 5 min lead II electrocardiogram for short-term HRV analysis were recorded to assess the sympathovagal balance. Results: The HRV analysis reveals a statistically significant increase in the sympathetic components and decreased parasympathetic components in the nondiabetic offspring of diabetic parents when compared to the non-diabetic offspring of non-diabetic parents. Conclusion: From our study, it could be observed that the non-diabetic offspring of diabetic parents have enhanced sympathetic activity and attenuated vagal activity even in their non-diabetic state, thus inferring an early onset of sympathovagal imbalance that could predispose them to hypertension and its sequel.

Background: Hypertension is the most common non-communicable disease which on a long term can lead to coronary artery disease and stroke. Pre-hypertension is one step toward hypertension. Pre-hypertension if detected at an earlier stage and intervened, the risk of hypertension and consequently the cardiovascular risk of the individual can be reduced. Vagal tone is an indirect measure of the baroreflex arc integrity. The present study was done to evaluate the vagal (parasympathetic) activity in normotensive (NT), pre-hypertensive (PT), and hypertensive (HT) individuals. Aims and objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the differences in vagal activity in NT, PT, and HT individuals. Materials and Methods: The following parasympathetic function tests were performed on 30 NT, 30 PT, and 30 HT subjects: (1) Heart rate (HR) response to standing, (2) HR response to deep breathing, and (3) Valsalva maneuver. Results: Our findings showed that there is a severely impaired parasympathetic activity in HTs and a mildly impaired parasympathetic activity in PTs. Conclusion: In PTs, non-pharmacological measures like deep breathing exercises and yoga might improve the vagal tone and help in the prevention of hypertension and its complications in future.

Introduction: Hypertension is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke and heart failure. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is an important factor in the development and progression of hypertension. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a simple, sensitive and non-invasive tool to monitor the cardiovascular ANS function. Thus, the present study was chosen as a simple tool to assess the sympathovagal balance by analysing the HRV changes in hypertensive individuals. Aims & Objectives: To analyse Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in hypertensive individuals. Materials & Methods: The study was conducted on 30 normotensive and 30 hypertensive subjects (BP≥140/90 mm Hg, according to JNC-7 classification). Lead-II ECG was recorded using the instrument PHYSIOPAC-PP4, MEDICAID system, Chandigarh and HRV analysis was done using Kubios HRV analyser. Spectral indices of HRV such as total power (TP), normalized low frequency power (LFnu), normalized high frequency power (HFnu), ratio of low frequency power to high frequency power (LF-HF ratio), standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN), root mean square successive difference (rMSSD) and the proportion of NN50 to the total number of NN intervals (pNN50) were assessed. Results: Our results showed significantly reduced HFnu (p

Background: Due to the existing controversy on the effect of female sex hormones on the cerebral electrophysiology and the absence of conclusive study in south India about the sex hormonal influence on brain stem auditory evoked responses during different phases of menstrual cycle, this study was chosen. Aims & Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation of auditory brain stem response (ABR) with different phases of menstrual cycle in young healthy women in our area. Materials and Methods: ABR recording was done in 35 healthy regular menstruating females of 20-40 years of age with normal BMI during 4 different phases of menstrual cycle. Peak latencies of waves I-V and inter peak latencies of I-III, I-V, III-V for four phases of menstrual cycle were compared. Results: Data showed statistically significant increase in peak latencies in wave IV in phase 2 compared to all other phases. Other waves showed a trend of increase in peak latencies in the phase 2 when compared to all other phases. Inter peak latencies did not show any significant variations between different phases of menstrual cycle. Conclusion: The results favour that female sex hormones do affect the central auditory pathway in menstrual cycle.