<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Dermatophytoses are superficial mycoses which represents most common community health problem across the globe. Surveillance studies are required to understand the changing epidemiology and prevalence of causative agents to decide on appropriate therapy. This study aims to evaluate the clinical types, etiological agents and probable risk factors of dermatophytoses.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> It was a cross sectional study of 150 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytoses during six months. Sociodemographic details, clinical history and detailed examination were collected from all the subjects. Skin scrapings were sent to microbiology for direct microscopy and fungal culture.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Among the 150 subjects enrolled, males outnumbered females. Infection was mostly prevalent in the age group of 21-30 years (37.3%). Tinea cruris was the commonest clinical type (50%) followed by Tinea corporis (18.4%) and Tinea unguium (11.9%). Tricophyton rubrum was the aetiological agent isolated in majority (33%), followed by Tricophyton mentagrophytes (20%). The major risk factors of dermatophytoses were poor hygiene (32.1%), topical steroid usage (23.9%) and diabetes mellitus (20.1%).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The present study has provided recent data on etiological agents of dermatophytoses and risk factors in our area. It is essential to develop measures for prevention, control of dermatophyte infections and establishment of therapeutic strategies.</p>
Pond ash (PA) is one of the major industrial solid wastes from thermal power plants. In the present study, PA of different storage durations, i.e. freshly ponded, two year ponded and Six-year ponded ash were collected from Bellary Thermal Plant (BTP). All three kinds of PA were mechanically activated by grinding in Industrial Hammer Mill. Unprocessed Pond Ash (UPA) and Ground Pond Ash (GPA) were characterised for Particle Size Distribution (PSD) by Laser-diffraction analyser. Mineralogical and Morphological characteristics were analysed through X-ray Diffraction and Electron Microscopic studies. Chemical composition of PA was analysed. The pozzolanicity of PA and other Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM) was determined and compared by conducting Lime reactivity test. XRD patterns and Chemical analysis clearly indicate the presence of relatively more amorphous phases in a fresh batch of PA compared to the one which is ponded for a longer duration. Lime reactivity strength (LRS) of UPA was far behind the LRS of commonly used SCM’s. Mechanical activation of PA improved the LRS from 0.57 MPa to 2.41 MPa. The results suggest the possibility of enhancing the reactivity of PA with early use and more efficient grinding process, thus add value to PA for its use in concrete.
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