In this issue:

Review ARTICLES

• Role of Garlic and Fenugreek during Gestation and Lactation: A Review
  Authors: Ragini Sharma, Amrita Jaitawat, S. M. Kantwa, Neelam Jain, Deepika Rani

Abstract : Nutrients plays important role in functioning and development of human body. A diet that is taken by organism should be a balanced diet, it must contain adequate amount of all the necessary nutrients required for healthy growth and developmental. Nutritional deficiency during pregnancy and lactation may cause different types of abnormalities during pre and postnatal development. Antioxidants may play very important role in abating side effects caused by free radicals generated during various metabolic processes especially during development as they are transferred through placenta to the fetus. There are few antioxidants, which also act as a lactating agent and have more importance during pregnancy and lactation. To assess the antioxidant activity of garlic and fenugreek which is also effective during gestation and lactation because their components can pass through placenta to fetus, all the previous information regarding in this connection are deliberated. Previously many studies have already been done on the nutritional importance of garlic and fenugreek in adults but information on developmental stages is very scanty. So to fulfill this lacuna the present study is focused on the effects of these antioxidants especially during pregnancy and lactation. These antioxidants can easily cross placenta and shows their beneficial effects on the development of the fetus. It can be concluded that garlic and fenugreek have favorable role not only in adults but also in the developing fetus due to their high antioxidant level and ability to pass the placenta.

RESEARCH ARTICLES

• Internet and E-waste Awareness
  Authors: C. Suresh Kumar

Abstract : New inventions of man keep on taking the human race to the next level day by day. Though these inventions are beneficiary to the better living and life style of human being, sometimes it also creates adverse effects on environment which in turn affects the people on this earth. Thus it has become a great challenge for us to protect and preserve the nature from the destructions of modern technology. Day by day the usage of computers is multiplying and the usage of the internet also in on the increase. So as the need for the computers and electronic gadgets also is increasing every day. E-waste has become one of the major problems to day. So, there is need for saving the people from the e-waste phenomenon. As the usage of internet and blog users is growing rapidly, there is a possibility of creating awareness through blogs. The findings of the study reveals how blogging which is an integral part of internet addresses the e-waste related problems confronted by us and the ways it can be managed efficiently.

• Signature of Variation of Total Ozone Column during Tropical Cyclone, Aila 2009 over the Bay of Bengal and the Land of West Bengal
  Authors: Jana P. K. and Bhattacharyya S.

Abstract : The paper presents the variation of the total ozone column (TOC) over Bay of Bengal and the land of West Bengal, India before, during and after the tropical cyclone, Aila that occurred in the month of May 2009. Total ozone data derived from OMI instrument on Aura platform has been used for this study. The daily total ozone anomalies have been calculated and found related to the intensification of the cyclonic system. Analysis reveals the steady decrease in the total ozone column (TOC) before and during the formation of the cyclone followed by a more or less increase after the dissipation of the cyclone. The steep fall in total ozone column (TOC) by more than 16 DU is exhibited at the peak intensity of the cyclone characterized by maximum wind speed over those regions where the cyclone has intensified. The observed variation of total ozone column (TOC) is in accordance with the existing chemical and dynamical theories of ozone depletion.

• Physicochemical and Microbiological Study of Thermal Springs Used for Recreation
  Authors: Esperanza Robles V., Elizabeth Ramirez F., Reynaldo Ayala P., Blanca Martínez R., María de Guadalupe Sáinz M. y Ángel Durán D.

Abstract : Four thermal springs were sampled bimonthly for one year to determine their physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. Eleven physicochemical parameters, total coliforms, fecal coliforms and free-living amoeba were determined. In Mexico there is few works related with the quality of water from thermal springs, so this work helps to know the quality and some characteristics of this type of waters. The springs were classified by temperature as hypothermal and by the sulfates in the water as sulfate waters. From the dissolved salts content we determined that three were mineral waters and one was medium mineral water. The springs were hard water and carbonated or non-carbonated, predominantly the latter. Based on Ecological Water Quality Criteria, two springs exceed the recommended limit of 200 MPN/100 ml fecal coliforms in freshwater or seawater for recreational use with direct contact. Of the total, 83% of the samples tested positive for free-living amoebae and 7 genera were isolated; of these Naegleria was present in all the sampled sites. In general, the springs presented higher microbiological contamination in the pools than in the springs themselves due to the presence of bathers. The detection of total and fecal coliforms and the presence of thermophilic amoebae of the genera Acanthamoeba and Naegleria in the springs represent a health risk for users.

SHORT COMMUNICATION

• Physical and Chemical Analysis of Soil Collected from Jaisamand
  Authors: Bini Das and Bindi

Abstract : The study was conducted on the physicochemical analysis of soil of Jaisamand lake area. The physical and chemical parameters like pH, EC, moisture content, organic matter, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous were studied, tabulated and briefly discussed. The soil of Jaisamand is of black cotton type with reddish brown colour. The moisture content of Jaisamand soil is high i.e. 72.41% as compared to normal agricultural field (32.27%). The colour, alkalinity, insufficient amount of phosphorous and organic carbon indicate the starting of soil contamination from agricultural and domestic sewages. The data obtained clearly indicated that the lake is oligotrophic in nature and that the area is good for agriculture of wheat, gram, mustard, zea maize, cotton etc.