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TUBERCULOSIS AS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON BACTERIAL INFECTIONSOne of the leading fatal diseases in the United States in the early twentieth century, tuberculosis (ТВ), or “consumption” or “white death” as it was commonly known, was largely controlled in America by the mid-twentieth century as a result of improved sanitation, isolation of infected persons, and treatment with drugs such as rifampin or isoniazid. In fact, the number of reported cases in 1985 reached an all-time low of about 22,000. But though the many health professionals assumed that ТВ had been conquered, that appears not to be the case. During the past 20 years, deteriorating social conditions, including over-crowding and poor sanitation, failure to isolate active cases of ТВ, a weakening of public health infrastructure that has led to less funding for screening, and migration of ТВ to the United States through international travel have together led to an epidemic rise in the disease. Today, there are over 45,000 active cases of ТВ in the United States. Newer strains of drug-resistant tuberculosis make this epidemic potentially more devastating than previous outbreaks.People residing in overcrowded prisons and homeless shelters with poor ventilation (which means that people continuously inhale the same contaminated air) are at special risk. Early-release programs for infected prisoners and the migratory patterns of infected homeless people make the spread of tuberculosis difficult to control. The poor, especially the chronically ill and children, seem to be among those at greatest risk. As the HIV/AIDS epidemic has evolved, persons with compromised immune systems also seem to be among those at high risk for ТВ infection, particularly those from the groups mentioned above that are already at risk.Although tuberculosis increases in the United States are troubling, U.S. statistics pale by comparison to the staggering tuberculosis burden in the global population. In 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked tuberculosis among the most serious health threats to the world. It is estimated that one third of the people (over 1.9 billion hum in the world are latently infected with the ТВ bacterium, tuberculosis. In addition, 7-8 million new cases of tuberculosis occur each year, and approximately 2 million people die of the disease. Ninety-five percent of these deaths occur in developing world. Tuberculosis causes 25 percent of all preventable adult deaths in the developing world, and 75 p of cases and 80 percent of deaths in these areas occur among adults of ages 15-55. Assuming no significant improvements in prevention and control between 1999 and 2020, WHO estimates that in the first two decades of the twenty-first century, 1 billion people will acquire new tuberculosis infection, 200 million will develop active disease, and 70 million will die. New, highly virulent drug-resistant forms of the disease pose a potentially devastating threat in certain countries, such as India and Pakistan. “Hot spot” areas of the world for tuberculosis include Latvia, Russia, the Dominican Republic, China, India, and Argentina.Tuberculosis is caused by bacterial infiltration of the respiratory system that results in an inflammatory reaction in the lungs that is chronic in nature. Airborne transmission via the respiratory tract is the primary and most efficient mode of transmitting ТВ. People with active cases can transmit the disease while talking, coughing, sneezing, or singing. Fortunately, it is fairly difficult to catch, and prolonged exposure, rather than single exposure, is the typical mode of infection. Only about 20-30 percent of those exposed to an active case will become infected. In some other parts of the world, bovine tuberculosis, which is found in unpasteurized milk and dairy products from tuberculous cattle, is more common. A rare mode of transmission is by infected urine, especially for young children using the same toilet facilities. Tuberculosis is also viewed as an opportunistic infection in HIV infections.Many people infected with ТВ are contagious without actually showing any symptoms themselves. Fortunately, the average healthy person is not at high risk; however, those who may be fighting other diseases, such as some of the HIV-related diseases, may be at increased risk. Symptoms include persistent coughing, weight loss, fever, and spitting up blood. If you or someone you know has these symptoms, check with a doctor. A simple skin test for those having access to health care will give an indicator of infection, to be followed with chest x-rays and other confirmatory tests. Treatment regimens have proven effective for most nonresistant cases. Treatment includes rest, careful infection-control procedures, and drugs to combat the infection.*7/277/5*

IMPORTANCE OF SECOND STAGE OF STRESS BREAKDOWN:
It is very important that people in stressful situations recognize the symptoms of stage two stress breakdown as serious enough to force a change in lifestyle, or relief of the stress. Thankfully, many stress breakdowns do not progress past stage two. This is probably because, as I indicated before, most people recognize the symptoms of stage two as serious and will be moved to try to ‘rescue’ the person displaying these symptoms. In the majority of cases this rescue operation succeeds in removing the person from the stress, or the stress from the person, sufficient to prevent a further progression of stress breakdown.As we will see a little later, the threshold between stage two and stage three is very important, because while people generally can identify the symptoms of stage one and stage two as associated with stress, the symptoms of stage three are not easily recognized as stress related. Therefore, people tend to make wrong assumptions about the causes of the unusual behaviour observed in stage three stress breakdown, and sometimes the treatment based on these wrong assumptions can make the situation worse.
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ASTHMA IN CHILDREN: THE INHALED ALLERGENS – INDOOR ALLERGENSONE OF THE most underestimated aspects in understanding how asthma attacks are triggered, and how these can be controlled, relates to environmental control — controlling the allergens present in indoor and outdoor air. These allergens, when inhaled, set off reactions in the nose or lungs. By taking simple steps to eliminate common irritants and allergens from the environment around the home, dramatic improvement is a distinct possibility. Unlike medication programmes, which can be expensive and may cause side effects, environmental controls can be put into place without any disruption in the family life or major expenses.Indoor AllergensParents with allergic children must focus on improving the environment at home by reducing the child’s exposure to house dust. The most important area for dust control is the bedroom, likely to be the most frequently used room by the child. A typical child may spend up to 75 per cent of the home time in the bedroom. Similarly, an adult who sleeps for about 7-8 hours is likely to spend up to one-third his or her life in the bedroom environment.House dust mites, fungal spores and cockroaches are the main indoor allergens. All of them grow profusely at moderate temperatures and in conditions of high humidity.Children are more often allergic to these indoor allergens than to outdoor allergens. Carpets, stuffed sofas, immovable furniture, indoor plants, moisture in the walls, uncovered food articles and dust bins, are common breeding grounds for these indoor allergens. Proper cleaning, better ventilation, allowing sufficient sunlight to enter the house and prompt repairing of the water-soiled walls or floors prevents the growth of indoor allergens.*20\260\8*

BIO-DIVERSITY: STRATEGIES TO CONSERVE BIODIVERSITYBiological diversity is basic to both ecological and food security. Sustainable advances in biological productivity will not be possible without access to biological diversity. As pointed out by IUCN as many as 60,000 plants species may be in danger of extinction or serious gene erosion during the next 30 to 40 years. Current estimate by the Threatened Plants Committee of the Survival Service Commission (TPC, SSC) of IUCN indicates that an average of 1 to 10 of the species of the vascular plant on the earth are endangered or threatened. Today, many natural habitats are being destroyed. Forest cover is diminishing especially in the tropics, wetlands are reducing, forest vegetation is being infested with weeds. During the next few decades many plant species will become extinct or other wild populations severely eroded genetically unless preventive measures are taken. It is now realised that an integrated approach is necessary in conserving the global species biodiversity. The necessity of conserving such rare species is now well recognised by various organisations such as MAB, IUCN, BGCI, CITES, WWF, FAO, NCEPC, TPC, SSC, etc. Although, a wide range of different policies and legal measures for the conservation of biodiversity exists which vary from country to country depending on the social, political and economic environment, following measures for conserving biodiversity are suggested by various organisations at national and international level:
(i) Initiation of programmes in listing of threatened species, their rational uses and measures for their conservation as suggested by International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, National Committee on Environment Planning and Coordination (NCEPC) and National Committee on Man and Biosphere (MBA).
(ii) Botanical gardens and Arboreta in the world (about 1 500) visited by over 1 50 million people in a year, are therefore, ideal places to convince the public of importance of plant conservation. The Botanic Garden Conservation Strategy prepared by IUCN is intended tostimulate a far greater involvement by botanic gardens in implementing the World Conservation Strategy. The strategy also recommends collaboration at National and International level through the IUCN Botanic Gardens Conservation Secretariat. Unity of world’s botanicgardens represent a great force for conservation Anno, 74,76.(iii) Botanic gardens act as an information centre and clearing house for conservation related matter as well as undertaking practical conservation activities both in situ and exsitu. The role that individual garden can play islikely to be much more effective as it is part of a coordinated national or regional policy.
(iv) Conservation on International Trade in Endangered Species of world Fauna and Flora (CITES) provides an international legal framework to the regulation of trade in those endangered plant and animal species that are exploited commercially. CITES allows trade in plantspecies that can withstand current rates of exploitation but present trade in those that face extinction.
(v) United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) met as the “Earth Summit” at Rio-de-Janeiro suggested following efforts to save the earth and its biodiversity :
a) There is a general global consensus that by the end of 2050, global temperature will have risen significantly (Haughton et.al., 1990). Such climate change could lead to large impact on individual organisms, communities, natural ecosystems,and global biochemical cycles,and ultimately effect biodiversity. Recently, so called “Green house gases emission” (Co2, methane, chlorofluore-carbons) in the atmosphere have a large impacts on global biochemical cycles and the climatic system. This increase results primarily from human industrial and agricultural activities. During “Earth summit” a 20 per cent cut in green house gas emissions was proposed. It was also suggested to shift from use of coal and wood for energy.The restriction of the felling of forest trees in biodiver-sitically rich tropical countries, is suggested through legal binding.Measures and steps suggested to control population and remove poverty as these aspects are the main reasons for deforestation.Technology transfer to clean up pollutant and improve energy efficiency.Development must be conservation based; it must protect the structure, function and diversity of the world natural system on which our species depends.
To conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity following four action are needed :
i) Pollution must be prevented.ii) Maintain the integrity of earth’s ecosystems.
For this, we need to conserve life support.systems or ecological processes that keep the pianet fit for life.
iii) The target of Conservation of biological diversity can beachieved by the establishment and maintenance ofprotected areas, protection of species and geneticstocks and strategies that combine economic use andconservation over broad areas. The management ofexisting protected areas need improvement. Scientificunderstanding of species and ecosystem must beenhanced.iv) Ensure that the use of biological resources is sustainable.
At the time of meeting of International consultation on conservation of medicinal plant of WHO/ IUCN/ WWF held in Chiang Mai on 21-26 March 1988, all health professionals and the plant conservationists committed to the collective goal of “Health for all” by the year 2,000 through the primary health care approach and to the principles of conservation and sustainable development outlined in the World Conservation Strategy.There was a call to all people to commit themselves to : ”SAVE THE PLANTS THAT SAVE US”*18\218\2*

Has the tongue been given the power to speak only in order to create unhappiness? Certainly not. The apostle Paul reminded his fellow workers to consider everything lovable and well spoken of, for the contrary use of the tongue is the root of nothing but grief and vexation. Loving, heart-warming words, words of instruction and upbuilding admonition, comfort and encouragement should pass over the lips, so that this little organ of speech may truly become a blessing. But this can only be if the heart is properly conditioned, if it has the desire to be a friend to friends, to lend a helping hand to someone in need or distress, and to overcome even hostile attitudes with goodness. In this way the tongue will become a dispenser of kindness and benevolence.

What enhances and endears springtime to us? Is it not the lovely songs of birds? Their little throats fill the air with songs of grati­tude, of sheer joy and devotion. We too have been endowed with the ability to sing and can, like the birds, give vent to our joyful exuberance in harmonious song.
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Even though we know something about the anatomical structure] and the functions of the tongue, we have by no means exhausted the full extent of its operations and capabilities. We know, of course, that we owe the gift of oral communication to the tongue. But that is not all. The tongue is at the same time the ‘voice’ of) the heart, the figurative seat of the ability to feel, think and make decisions. This little organ thus may be a source of blessing ori curse for ourselves and others.

From the Bible we learn that horses and ships are easier to manoeuvre and control than the tongue. Though small in size, the tongue can, metaphorically speaking, ignite a ‘fire’ so devastating that it destroys a forest.

How sad is its influence when spreading evil gossip and, by doingi so, slandering friends and dear companions. Envy and hatred, too,] make use of this nimble little instrument of the soul when sending out its poisonous arrows to do harm to successful fellowmen. As slick as oil, the tongue obeys the voice of temptation, for the chosen \ victim cannot escape its treacherous influence. Many a tongue cannot distinguish between ‘yes’ and ‘no’, so that its contradictions,] hypocrisy and lies play a part in destroying the innocent. A disap-l pointed person may pour out the bitterness of his heart throug the tongue and infect or poison others. What dreadful words maj be uttered through this inconspicuous little organ in the mouth the mentally deranged! The confused state of mind and inner con­flict of such a person often seems to surface by means of the tongue. It is hard for a healthy, normal person to understand or face such an outburst.
*110/28/1*
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Severe sunburn is treated like any other burn, and you should see your doctor immediately. In addition, young children are highly susceptible to dehydration, and this also needs prompt medical attention. If your child has only minor redness and soreness, and his skin feels warm, keep him indoors. Paracetamol given according to directions can help to reduce the pain. Encourage your child to drink a lot to replace fluid loss due to the burn. Showers may only aggravate the pain, so gentle bathing in tepid water is preferable. Avoid using soap on the area of the burn.

Commercial preparations available over the counter which claim to soothe sunburn usually contain some local anaesthetic, and we do not recommend their use. Never put butter on a burn — this can actually worsen the burn and lead to infection.

• if blisters break open or the fluid inside them is murky;

• if your child has a fever, or is listless;

• if you cannot control your child’s pain with the measures outlined above;

• if there is marked swelling in the area of the burn, or the burn itself looks infected.

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It is possible to store breastmilk for a short period of time, but you need to take great care because it can easily become contaminated. Make sure that your hands are clean before you handle breastmilk, and sterilise all containers prior to use. Plastic containers are preferable to glass, as these are easier to handle. Make sure that you do not fill the container to the brim as the milk will expand when frozen. Carefully label each container with the amount expressed and the date. After sealing, place the container in the refrigerator first to cool, then transfer it to the freezer. The maximum storage time for breastmilk in the freezer compartment of a two-door fridge is 2 weeks. It can be stored for up to 2 months in a deep freezer. If you place it in the refrigerator, it will only be good for 24 hours. To defrost breastmilk, place the container in warm water; never use a microwave as it can overheat the milk, thereby reducing its nutritional value.

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