Previous studies in our laboratory suggested that Lactobacillus acidophilus strain DDS-1 (LA1) has a suppressive effect on chemically induced tumors in experimental animals. In an effort to understand the possible mechanisms underlying this effect, we investigated the ability of LA1 to induce the production of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which have potent cytocidal and cytostatic effects on tumor cells. The mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 was incubated with live or heat-killed cells of four strains of L. acidophilus or Bifidobacterium bifidum. Escherichia coli was used as a source of lipopolysaccharide that is known to induce the above cytokines. The amount of the cytokines present in the culture fluid was quantitated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. LA1 induced the production of higher levels of IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha than other lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Stimulation of the production of the cytokines was not due to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) component, since LPS at concentrations equivalent to, or 100-fold greater than, that of LA1 induced only negligible amounts of IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha. These results reveal that non-LPS component(s) of LA1 stimulate(s) the production of IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha by macrophages, indicating that this organism stimulates the production of immunologic factors.

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Background: Stress ball is a new favourite gadget people like to use to fight stress, reduce tension. But there are not many scientific reports on the benefits of stress ball exercises. Objective: the present study aimed to investigate the level of stress among student population and the effectiveness of the use of stress ball exercises among student population. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted through a convenience sampling method. The participants were administered with a self developed questionnaire consisting of 17 questions. The responses were collected using google forms. Descriptive statistics, frequency analysis and chi square test was used to analyze the data. Results: Males are more stressed than female in college environment and after stress ball exercise students feels reduced irritability and nervousness thus using stress ball exercise during stress management is more significant. Conclusion: The study concluded an innovative finding that Majority of the student population were stressed due to academic reasons and respondents feel that stress ball users showed a satisfactory recovery from their stress.

Background: COVID-19 is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS- COV- 2). The coronavirus is transmitted by different ways, including contact transmission, direct transmission and aerosol transmission. In health care professions the largest and diverse forces are the nurses. Nurses are important in managing the health emergency management crisis because of their vital link between the health care professionals and the patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed health care professionals (HCPs) in high stressful circumstances due to increase in patients. Normal life of nurses would be unprecedented disruption and high risk of exposure. The aim of the study is to investigate the quality of life among nurses treating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The study setting was an online questionnaire survey among nurses in Tamilnadu. This study was conducted in February 2021. There are 127 participants in this survey. The answers regarding how they feel treating COVID-19 Patients, kind of support, impact and quality of life were collected. The data were analysed statistically using SPSS software. The results and observations were recorded in a pie chart. The chi square test and correlation between genders was done and represented in the bar chart. p<0.05 was statistically significant. Results: More than 50% of the nurses responded that their quality of life was good. 43.31% Females have a good quality of life. 78% of the nurses replied that they have both physical and mental impact treating COVID-19 Patients. The association between the gender and quality of life of nurses was found with the help of chi square test p=0.383 (p >0.05) and hence it was statistically not significant. Conclusion: The present study found that the majority of nurses 54.33% have a good quality of life.The officials in the health care system should improve the nurses' working conditions, strategies and their quality of work life, so that nurses will perform their duties properly.