Blood Donation - Importance

History

The earliest documentation of blood transfusion is found in the religious text of many civilizations. The first documented demonstration of blood transfusion was between two dogs by Richard Lower in 1665.

Landsteener discovered the ABO Blood Group system in 1901, which is one of the most important landmark discoveries in the Transfusion Medicine. In the 1970s voluntary donors were accepted as blood donors. These donors were later on found to people having high-risk activities and the recipients were found to be suffering from liver diseases. This lead to another discovery of Hepatitis B transmitted by donated blood. Since then testing for the hepatitis B antigen was implemented and this together with cessation of paid donors reduced the incidence of post transfusion hepatitis. Further studies also made us to include tests for Malaria, Syphilis, AIDS, and Hepatitis C to make the donated blood as safe as possible to the recipient.

What is blood?

One can almost say that blood is that magic potion which gives life to another person. Though we have made tremendous discoveries and inventions in Science we are not yet able to make the magic potion called Blood. Human blood has no substitute. Requirement of safe blood is increasing and regular voluntary blood donations are vital for blood transfusion services.

Who can donate blood?

Eligibility criteria for blood donation
Donor should be between 18-55 years of age with a weight of 50 kg or above with pulse rate, body temperature and blood pressure should be normal. Both men and women can donate. There are only few conditions in which donors are permanently excluded. The donor with history of epilepsy, psychotic disorders, abnormal bleeding tendencies, severe asthma, cardiovascular disorders, malignancy are permanently unfit for blood donation. Donors suffering from disease like hepatitis, malaria, measles, mumps, and syphilis may donate blood after full recovery with 3-6 months gap. Also people who have undergone surgery, blood transfusion may safely donate blood after 6-12 mths for woman donors who are pregnant or lactating blood is not taken as their iron reserves are already on the lower side.

How much blood can be taken?

Our body has 5.5 ltr of blood of which only 350 ml - 450 ml of blood is taken depending upon weight of donor. Majority of healthy adults can tolerate withdrawal of one unit of blood. The withdrawn blood volume is restored within 24 hours and the hemoglobin and cell components are restored in 2 months. Therefore it is safe to donate blood every three months.

What is done with the blood collected?

The blood collected in sterile, pyrogen free containers with anticoagulants like CPDA or CPDA with SAGM. This prevents clotting and provides nutrition for the cells. This blood is stored at 2-6 C or -20 C depending on the component prepared. Donated blood undergoes various tests like blood grouping antibody detection, testing of infections like hepatitis, AIDS, Malaria, syphilis and before it reaches the recipient it undergoes compatibility testing with the recipient blood.


Modern Blood Transfusion Practice:

Modern blood transfusion basically deals with the optimal use of one unit of blood. One unit of whole blood is separated into components making it available to different patients according to their requirement. Thus one unit of blood is converted into packed cell volume, fresh frozen plasma, platelet concentrate, cryoprecipitate and granulocytes concentrate.

Another important practice is apheresis. This is separation of only desired component from the donor and return the remaining constituent back to donor. This technique is also used for remaining pathological substance in patients. Withdrawal of blood for transfusion is regarded as a safe procedure now and blood donor has emerged as the single most vital link.

Birth - Machine

Parents Born 23 Kids -

Mohd. Ishaq doesn’t remember the names of his 23 kids or even recognize all of them. Yet, he is all set to welcome his 24th child next year. MiD DAY meets the man, the machine and the family that does not believe in family planning.

Love’s labor: Mohammad Ishaq and Bismillah with their family of 23 at a village in Mewat, Haryana

(Mewat, Haryana): A 40-year-old woman in Mewat district of Haryana gave birth to her 23rd child on Sunday. The baby was born to Bismillah (40) and Mohammad Ishaq (50) at the nearby Al-Afia Government Hospital in the district.

The couple were married in 1976 and since then, Bismillah has given birth to 23 children, the latest addition being a female child who was born on Sunday and named Shabira.

God’s gifts
Speaking to MiD DAY, a happy and delighted father, Mohammad Ishaq said, “Yeh though sab Allah ki den hai, agar hamara chaubiswa baccha agle sal hua though woh bhi hum Allah ki den samjhenge. (All this is Allah’s gift. If we get a 24th child next year, we will welcome it too)”

Mother India: Bismillah with her 23rd child, Shabira .
Too many to recallHowever, when MiD DAY asked him the names of his children, Ishaq had to take help from his son and neighbors.“I find it very difficult to remember their names as they all look the same,” he said.Ishaq, builds thatched roofs in nearby villages and ferries goods for shops in the vicinity for a living.Hoping for supportBismillah the mother of 23 children, hopes that her children will take care of her. “I feed my children chicken, mutton and chivda, with my daughters helping me in the cooking,” she says.

Renault Fluence

FLUENCE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

verall length 4,600 mmWidth exc.

wing mirrors 1,890 mmHeight 1,390 mm

Wheel base 2,750 mm

Front overhang 920 mmRear overhang 960 mm

Ground clearance 200 mm

Weight 1,500 kg

POWERTRAIN

Engine Euro 4-compliant 3.5 litre V6 24V petrol engine

Power 206kW / 280hp power rating and 365Nm maximum torque Gearbox Six-speed automatic transmission with sequential control

Performance 0-100kph in 6.5 seconds

TRANSMISSIONS

Drive Front-wheel drive with transverse engine layout

Wheels 22’’ rims

Tyres Specific Michelin PAX 245-710 / R560 tyres

PARTNERS

Valeo Twin-strip LED headlamps that light up as the steering angle changes Michelin Front and rear tyres with different tread for better under-steer control .

Montupet Lightweight alloy rims with suction fins to reduce drag

Recaro Seats allowing optimal entry and exit, and personalized comfort through adjustable lat eral seat supports for the back and cushion.

Banned Drugs

BANNED DRUGS

India has become a dumping ground for banned drugs; also the business for production of banned drugs is blooming. Plz make sure that u buy drugs only if prescribed by a doctor Also, ask which company manufactures it, this would help to ensure that u get what is prescribed and that also from a reputed drug store. Not many people know about these banned drugs and consume them causing a lot of damage to themselves.

DRUGS :

THESE DRUGS HAVE BEEN GLOBALLY DISCARDED BUT ARE AVAILABLE IN INDIA .
The most common ones are D cold, action 500 & Nimulid

ANALGIN:This is a pain-killer. Reason for ban: Bone marrow depression.Brand name: Novalgin

CISAPRIDE:Acidity, constipation. Reason for ban : irregular heartbeatBrand name : Ciza, Syspride

DROPERIDOL:Anti-depressant. Reason for ban : Irregular heartbeat.Brand name : Droperol

FURAZOLIDONE:Antidiarrhoeal. Reason for ban : Cancer.Brand name : Furoxone, Lomofen

NIMESULIDE:Painkiller, fever. Reason for ban : Liver failure. Brand name : Nise, Nimulid

NITROFURAZONE:Antibacterial cream. Reason for ban : Cancer.Brand name : Furacin

PHENOLPHTHALEIN:Laxative. Reason for ban : Cancer.Brand name : Agarol

PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE :cold and cough. Reason for ban : stroke.

Brand name : D'cold, Vicks Action-500

OXYPHENBUTAZONE:Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Reason for ban : Bone marrow depression, Brand name : Sioril

PIPERAZINE:Anti-worms. Reason for ban : Nerve damage.Brand name : Piperazine

QUINIODOCHLOR:Anti-diarrhoeal. Reason for ban : Damage to sight.Brand name : Enteroquinol

Facts & Uses of Banana

A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas.He said the expression 'going bananas' is from the effects of bananas on the brain. Read on:

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator! !!This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Amazing Twins

Amazing Cutest Twins

A mixed-race British mom gave birth to twins recently one of each. No, not a boy and a girl. Two girls - one black, the other white.The odds of such a birth are about a million to one, experts said.

Aquatic Nissan NV200

The NV200 concept is Nissan’s imaginative take on the seemingly evergreen ‘functional box’ design brief as a means to riff on the next generation of light commercial vehicle.

Ready to hit Tokyo with its tasty mix of utility and high-end styling, the NV200’s instant wow item is the storage area that conspicuously slides from the rear of the van. In the show car iteration, the storage area is filled with the tools of the trade for an ocean photographer (natch), replete with flipper cubbies and an editing desk.

The sliding rear compartment is designed to be customizable, housing a pod that can be changed as the needs of the owner shift. Mix and match trays and boxes can be arranged to suit any number of profession specific equipment.

Calling the exterior styling “substantial” and “rugged-looking” Nissan may be overlooking the sense of whimsy evoked by their forward looking van. Lego brick wheels and a floral theme (similar to styling on Citroen’s C-Cactus) add visual interest, without seeming especially substantial to us. Inside the NV, Nissan has created a rather elegant space, using the flashy green tones sparingly in concert with a rich wooden floor, and nicely simple seating.Better than the light commercial vans of today perhaps, but how far can the interchangeable “pod” concept be taken?

Sree Laxmi Narayani - Golden Temple

VELLORE: The Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple located in ‘Sripuram’ (spiritual town) in Thirumalaikkodi, about seven km from here, was consecrated by Sri Sakthi Amma, head of the Sri Narayani Peedam, Thirumalaikkodi, on Friday.

A large number of devotees gathered for the occasion. Unique structure It is a unique temple whose ‘Vimanam’ and ‘Ardha Mandapam’ have been coated with gold both in the interior and exterior.

Twelve layers of gold foils have been pasted on copper sheets embossed with the designs of Gods and fixed on the walls.

One-and-a-half tonnes of gold has gone into the design of the Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple, which has been built at a cost of Rs.300 crore.

100-acre site

According to Sri Sakthi Amma, the decision to have the temple coated with gold is only to attract visitors and enable them to get wisdom through the messages of the Vedas, which they will have to read before reaching the temple located on sprawling a 100 acre-site.

The temple has been designed in such a way that visitors can reach the golden temple only after going through a star-shaped pathway, which has the messages from the Vedas on both sides.

The Burj Al Arab - Dubai

The Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates managed by the Jumeirah Group and built by Said Khalil. It was designed by Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC. At 321 metres (1,053 ft), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel. However, the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height will soon take away this title upon its completion in 2007. The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the billowing sail of a boat.

Construction :-Construction of Burj Al Arab began in 1994. It was built to resemble the sail of a dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. Two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast", while the space between them is enclosed in a massive atrium. Architect Tom Wright said "The client wanted a building that would become an iconic or symbolic statement for Dubai; this is very similar to Sydney with its Opera House, or Paris with the Eiffel Tower.

The architect and engineering consultant for the project was Atkins, the UK's largest multidisciplinary consultancy. The hotel was built by South African construction contractor Murray & Roberts. The hotel cost $650 million to build

Nissan Pivo 2 Concept Car

Cute Nissan Pivo 2 Concept Car

Japanese have always been lucky to catch the coolest concept cars. The Pivo 2, from Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., is an advanced electric concept car that will debut at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. The fully electric vehicle swanks a 360-degree turning cabin, 90-degree turning wheels and employs by-wire technologies for braking and steering. The ultra-compact vehicle can swivel its bubble-shaped cabin and wheels independently to facilitate easy parking at the hard-to-manage parking spots. The cute vehicle can drive sideways as well as forward and has a small robot to assist with navigation. A round-eyed robot featuring cameras head sits on the dashboard and warns isf the driver is getting sleepy. The highly innovative Robotic Agent talks to you in Japanese and English so that you are never alone on the move. The Pivo 2 will be exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show near the capital from October 27.

Elephants

Elephants are mammals and the largest land animals alive today.The elephant's gestation period is 22 months, the longest of any land animal. At birth it is common for an elephant calf to weigh 120 Kg (265 ). An elephant may live as long as 70 years, sometimes longer. The largest elephant ever recorded was shot in Angola in 1956. This male weighed about 12,000 kg (26,400 lb), with a shoulder height of 4.2 m (13.8 ft), a metre (3 ft 4 in) taller than the average male African elephant.

The Asian elephant is smaller than the African. It has smaller ears, and typically, only the males have large external tusks.

The world population of Asian elephants – also called Indian Elephants or Elephas maximus – is estimated to be around 60,000, about a tenth of the number of African elephants.


Kerala Elephants
Almost all of the festivals in Kerala include at least one richly caparisoned elephant. Elephants carry the deity during annual festival processions and ceremonial circambulations in the temples. The temple elephants are decorated with gold plated caparisons (nettipattom), bells, and necklaces. People mounted on the elephants hold tinseled silk parasols (muthukuda) up high, swaying white tufts (venchamaram) and peacock feather fans (aalavattom) to the rhythm of the orchestra ( Panchavadhyam )

Most famous Kerala`s Elephants are Thechikkotukavu Ramachandran , Pampadi Rajan, Kuttankullangara Arjun, Ramdas, Nannu Ezhuthachan, Sreenivasan, Shiva Sankaran, Piturkovil Ganapathi & Vinayakan

Get...Set...Goal !

Goal setting is a powerful process for personal planning.

The process of setting goals helps you choose where you want to go in life. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts.

You'll also quickly spot the distractions that would otherwise lure you from your course. More than this, properly-set goals can be incredibly motivating, and as you get into the habit of setting and achieving goals, you'll find that your self-confidence builds fast.

First, create your 'big picture' of what you want to do with your life, and what large-scale goals you want to achieve. Second, you break these down into the smaller and smaller targets that you must hit so that you reach your lifetime goals.

Finally, once you have your plan, you start working to achieve it.