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Background: Probiotics are live microbial supplements that increase feed tolerance, colonize the gut of these newborns with beneficial flora, and promote growth in these infants. Aims and Objectives: This study was planned to compare the role of probiotics in low birth weight (LBW) infants in the time taken to reach full feeds, episodes of feed intolerance, weight gain, duration of hospital stay, incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) stage 2 or more, and morbidity and mortality during hospital stay. Materials and Methods: This interventional two-arm blinded randomized control study was conducted in Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital, Thoothukudi, from November 2019 to October 2020. The selected sample of babies was randomly divided into two groups, the probiotic and the no-probiotic group. Bifidobacterium breve M-16 was administered to infants in the probiotic group at a dose of 0.5 g/day once a day in breast milk. Only breast milk was used to feed babies in the no-probiotic group. Results: The time to reach full enteral feed was shorter in the probiotic group (9.21±1.74 days) than in the no-probiotic group (12.43±3.74 days). Better feed tolerance (12%) was seen in the probiotic group than in the no-probiotic (44%) group. A low incidence of sepsis (12%) was seen in the probiotic group than in the non-probiotic group (40%). A lesser duration of hospital stay (10.42±1.77 days) was seen in the probiotic group than in the probiotic group (13.78±4.18 days). Conclusion: Very LBW neonates who received probiotic supplements along with their feeds have shorter times to reach full feeds, greater feed tolerance, lower rates of sepsis, and shorter mean hospital stays.

Dry chilli production in India condition faces many challenges apart from adverse weather conditions, labor-intensive production practices and higher overall production costs are limiting profitable dry chilli cultivation. Therefore, a study was carried to know the key constraints in current chilli production practices in eight major production districts of three states. A systematic research and development approach is essential to know the range of constraints and farmers preferences over technological options for field operations. The harvesting operation alone demands 43% of labour 360.5 man-days/ha. So, red chilli harvesting mechanization is a definite immediate requirement to reduce labour input. Farmers (47%) prefer small size self-propelled chilli harvester over tractor operated equipment. In the production catchments, farmer also inferred to change the cultivation practices to mechanize chilli production operations, but 18% of farmers hesitant to adopt one-timeharvesting chilli varieties due to suspicion about the yield potentials.

Onion is the one of the important vegetable crops cultivated in India. Multiplier type onion is one among the three major types of onions. Tamil Nadu accounts for five per cent of country’s area under onion and more than 70 per cent of the area is cultivated by small onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum). Around 90 per cent of country’s multiplier onion is produced from Tamil Nadu. Detopping is one of the steps in the on-farm processing carried out after harvest. Presently this is done manually by farm women. Individual onions are picked and detopping is done by using sickle. This operation is time consuming and highly drudgery in nature. An Onion detopping machine to remove the foliage after harvest was designed and developed in the present study. This machine has a capacity of 370 kg/h against 30 kg/h manual practice and works with an efficiency of 98%. The unique design of the detopper is that it is suitable for all sizes of onions. Also, the cluster is intact after detopping, which is very important requirement. This multiplier type onion is grown in Nagamangala (Tk), Mandya (Dt.) of Karnataka State. Two farmers of this area have installed this machine and running a successful enterprising. Cost involved in using this machine is Rs. 200 per quintal against Rs. 500 per quintal by manual detopping. Owing to the higher capacity by mechanization, the farmers will be able to process the higher volume of produce within a short span of time. Hence, this will facilitate the farmers to sell the produce, get good market price and earn higher returns.

Dry chilli production in India condition faces many challenges apart from adverse weather conditions, labor-intensive production practices and higher overall production costs are limiting profitable dry chilli cultivation. Therefore, a study was carried to know the key constraints in current chilli production practices in eight major production districts of three states. A systematic research and development approach is essential to know the range of constraints and farmers preferences over technological options for field operations. The harvesting operation alone demands 43% of labour 360.5 man-days/ha. So, red chilli harvesting mechanization is a definite immediate requirement to reduce labour input. Farmers (47%) prefer small size self-propelled chilli harvester over tractor operated equipment. In the production catchments, farmer also inferred to change the cultivation practices to mechanize chilli production operations, but 18% of farmers hesitant to adopt one-timeharvesting chilli varieties due to suspicion about the yield potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onion is the one of the important vegetable crops cultivated in India. Multiplier type onion is one among the three major types of onions. Tamil Nadu accounts for five per cent of country's area under onion and more than 70 per cent of the area is cultivated by small onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum). Around 90 per cent of country's multiplier onion is produced from Tamil Nadu. Detopping is one of the steps in the on-farm processing carried out after harvest. Presently this is done manually by farm women. Individual onions are picked and detopping is done by using sickle. This operation is time consuming and highly drudgery in nature. An Onion detopping machine to remove the foliage after harvest was designed and developed in the present study. This machine has a capacity of 370 kg/h against 30 kg/h manual practice and works with an efficiency of 98%. The unique design of the detopper is that it is suitable for all sizes of onions. Also, the cluster is intact after detopping, which is very important requirement. This multiplier type onion is grown in Nagamangala (Tk), Mandya (Dt.) of Karnataka State. Two farmers of this area have installed this machine and running a successful enterprising. Cost involved in using this machine is Rs. 200 per quintal against Rs. 500 per quintal by manual detopping. Owing to the higher capacity by mechanization, the farmers will be able to process the higher volume of produce within a short span of time. Hence, this will facilitate the farmers to sell the produce, get good market price and earn higher returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses concept of selenium rich mushrooms for slowing down the progress of AIDS. Topics include protein, very low fat, zero cholesterol, low carbohydrates, low glycemic index, high fiber, good cardiac friendly sodium to potassium ratio and some unique bioactive compounds like ergothioneine.

Colorectal cancer is epidemiologically a disease of the middle-aged and elderly. However, it may occur in the young where it presents with virulent biological behavior and poor prognosis. The symptoms of colorectal cancer may be masked by symptoms of pregnancy and the patient may attribute it to the pregnancy, especially in multiparous patients whose anxiety and apprehension levels may be lower and hence present late to health care providers. Antenatal women who present with such symptoms must be investigated further under the available repertoire of investigations possible in pregnancy without causing any maternal or fetal hazard. Treatment with chemotherapy and radiation for cancer in this setting is further hampered by justifiable concerns over fetal well-being. We present a case of colorectal cancer in a young multiparous female and the associated difficulties in diagnosis and management. The challenges with colorectal cancers and pregnancies are expected to rise in the future with a decreasing trend in age of colorectal cancer occurrence and an increasing age of pregnancy due to lifestyle changes.