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Background: In many studies Serum ascitic albumin gradient (SAAG) was found to be an independent predictor of PHTN and EV especially in alcoholic cirrhosis. Objectives of this study was to study correlation of level of “Serum-Ascites Albumin Concentration Gradient” (SAAG) and complications of “Portal hypertension” (PHTN), manifested by “Esophageal Varices” (EV).Methods: Present study was hospital based cross sectional study. The sample (100) was of patients with ascites. SAAG was measured in all subjects. EV was assessed by endoscopy in all. Data was analyzed using proportions and appropriate statistical tests.Results: High SAAG value was seen in 79% of the patients. EV incidence was 84.5%. “child-pugh score” and size of the portal vein was found to be associated with EV. The incidence of EV among patients with high “SAAG value of 1.1 to 1.44 g/dl” was 50%. The size of the EV was found to be significantly associated with SAAG level.Conclusions: Patients having ascites with EV were also having high levels of SAAG. Thus, we conclude that value of SAAG more than or equal to 1.2±0.05 g/dl can be used as a predictor of EV presence among ascites patients.

Background: Stroke patients are at highest risk death in the first few weeks after the event, and between 20-50% die within first month depending on type, severity, age, co-morbidities and effectiveness of treatment of complications. Objective of this study was to clinical profile of patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving intravenous thrombolysis (rtPA-alteplase).Methods: Prospective Observational study of 26 cases of acute ischemic stroke receiving IV thrombolysis using rtPA-alteplase at Kovai Medical Centre Hospital, Coimbatore over a period of 1 year 9 months.Results: 21 cases had NIHSS score of range 10 to 22. The mean NIHSS score at admission is 13.5. 15 subjects (57.7%) had achieved primary outcome in this study. MRS Score of 0 to 2 is considered as favorable outcome. In this study 20 subjects (76.92 %) had favorable outcome at the end of 3 months.Conclusions: Majority of the patients receiving rtPA-alteplase had favorable outcome.

To estimate the effectiveness of balance training on unilateral transtibal amputee with conventional prosthesis and ultramodern prosthesis. To compare the Effectiveness of balance training in conventional prosthesis versus ultramodern prosthesis in unilateral transtibial amputee by using Flamingo balance test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining informed consent from the patients, we studied a total of 40 patients, aged between 30-60 yrs, where they were randomly allocated into two groups. 20 patients in Group A with conventional prosthesis and 20 patients with ultramodern prosthesis in group B were subjected to 3 weeks of structured exercise programme after initial assessment of balance with Flamingo's balance test and ten metre walk test. These tests were repeated in repeated in both the groups after the exercise programme and the results were tabulated and analysed. RESULTS: The mean age of population in group A was 50.55± 7.20 and in group B was 48.55±5.58, with age group ranging from 30-60 yrs. In group A the pre and post interventions mean values in Flamingo's balance test were 15.55±2.58 and 13.05±3.05 respectively. In group B the pre and post intervention mean values were 12.35±1.26 and 8.3±0.86 respectively. In group A the pre and post interventions mean values in ten metre walk test are 45.00±3.62 and 35.00±6.39 respectively. In group B the pre and post intervention mean value are 40.00±4.29 and 26.70±2.95 respectively. The mean difference of balance using Flamingo Balance test during pre and post intervention in both the groups were compared using independent 't' test, which showed (t of 4.971 vs 6.805 in Groups A and B respectively; p=000*). The mean difference of balance in both the groups for ten metre walk test were t of 3.979 vs 5.650 in Groups A and B respectively (; p= 000*). CONCLUSION: In both groups there are statistically significant improvements in scores flamingo balance test and 10mt. walk test (p=000*). The improvements in patients with ultramodern prosthesis were statistically more significant than in patients with conventional prosthesis. So exercise program of 3 weeks duration proved to be an effective method to reduce the imbalance and improve the gait efficiency. KEYWORDS: balance training conventional prosthesis ultramodern prosthesis flamingo balance test INTRODUCTION: Transtibial amputation is taken up in one fourth of the lower limb amputees and is quite common in middle age population. After an initial period of interim and temporary prosthesis usage, these patients can be fitted with permanent/ definitive prosthesis as a part of their rehabilitation.

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is the most common injury of the lateral side of the knee in runners. Runners typically complain of persistent lateral knee pain not associated with swelling, usually it occurs due to one to two miles of running and further worsening of the pain during running on the downhill. The popularity of running is still growing and, as participation increases, the incidence of running-related injuries will also increase. The Iliotibial track (ITT) or the band is an anatomical structure of the lateral upper leg that recently has been highly published as an overused structure during sports. A friction syndrome has been attributed to excessive distance running, inappropriate running regimens and worn footwear [1]. Hence we have taken up this study to study about the effect of cryotherapy and kinesio taping technique with stretching exercise in patients with iliotibial band friction syndrome in long distance runners.