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The subsurface sediment archives provide clues to the past climate of the Earth. To reconstruct the paleoclimate of Lower Baitarani Basin, a 1000 cm deep sediment core (JP) was collected from the flood plain located in Jhumpuri village of Jajpur, Odisha. A total number of eleven distinct layers were identified based on variations in the sediment colour and textural at varying depths. From each layer, a representative sample was collected and carried to the laboratory for further assessment. Each of these sub-samples was examined for particle size analysis, availability of total organic carbon (TOC), and elemental concentration. The physical and geochemical proxies as paleoproductivity, terrestrial flux, weathering, level of salinity, colour, and texture variations were utilised to examine the paleoclimate of the area. The colour variations of the subsurface sequences suggest that the deposition has occurred under both freshwater and stagnated/marshy conditions. The texture variations—clay, silty clay, and loamy fine sand—also indicate deviations in sediment supply and rate of sediment aggradation during climatic shift between warm-humid and cold-arid episodes. With the help of geochemical proxies to illustrate the terrestrial flux: Fe2O3, Al2O3, TiO2, MgO, CaO, Cu, Co, Ba, and Zn; paleoproductivity: TOC,CaO/Al2O3, Zn/Al2O3,Sr/Al2O3, Cu/Al2O3, and Ba/Al2O3; weathering: Fe2O3/Al2O3, TiO2/Al2O3, and MgO/Al2O3; and the salinity index, a relatively cold-dry climate is inferred during the sedimentation of basal layers. Subsequently, a shift to the relatively warm-humid phase is suggested which again was followed by a cold-dry, and warm-humid phases. In the recent deposits, the proxies have not shown any considerable variation indicating prolongation of the existing warm-humid phase. However, some indications of a climatic shift to colder climate is also marked in the surface layer (JPL1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Munish. Ashat, Sonia. Puri, Amarjeet. Singh, Sandeep. Sarpal, Naveen. Goel, Vipin. Koushal Background: According to the Indian census 2011, India has the largest population of the elderly. Very few [...]

Background: 'Retreatment' for tuberculosis (TB) has long been a neglected area in global TB control India. However India disproportionately accounts for nearly half of retreatment TB cases notified globally. Sex differences vary in different age groups and in different parts of the world. The present study focuses on whether gender-based differences are present in notification rates, clinical presentation, and treatment outcomes of different subcategories of patients registered under category Ii of Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) Chandigarh. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal study was designed and the patients registered under RNTCP category Iifrom June 2010 to December 2011. Out of total 607 patients registered during this period under category Iiof RNTCP in Chandigarh, 545 consented to participate in the study. These were followed-up to September 2012 till the completion of treatment. All 545 recruited cases were stratified into males and females and the results analyzed. The Z test for proportion (for comparing differences in proportions) and Student's t-test (for comparing mean) were performed for statistical analysis. Results: From the cohort of 545 patients, 348 (63.9%) were males and 197 (36.1%) were female patients with overall male to female ratio 1.8:1. The proportion of male patients notified was significantly higher than females (Z = 5.93, P < 0.001). The proportion of extrapulmonary cases was higher in the females (28.4%) as compared with males (17%) (P < 0.001). Males outnumbered females in all the unfavorable outcomes death, default, and failure. The default in males was significant as compared to the females (Z = 5.21, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest a sex difference in the notification rate of retreatment cases of TB. Reasons for a better outcome and low notification rate for TB in females are more due to epidemiological factors than a differential access of the health care. Integrated research is required to outline the relative roles played by epidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 'RETREATMENT' for Tuberculosis (TB) has long been a neglected area in global TB control. While other components of the Stop TB Strategy have garnered appropriate focus and, increasingly, sufficient resources, issues related to the TB of patients previously treated for tuberculosis remain under examined and under-resourced. Methods: A longitudinal study was designed and the patients registered under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) category II from June 2010 to December 2011.Out of total 607 patients registered during this period under category II of RNTCP in Chandigarh (India), 545 consented to participate in the study. These were followed up to September 2012 till the completion of treatment. Statistical Analysis: The analysis was done by using SPPS- 18 statistical software package. Chi- square test was used for testing association of different characteristics. Results: Four Hundred Thirty (78.9%) of the patients had pulmonary TB and 115(21.1%) of the patients had extra pulmonary TB. In the study cohort of category II patients 264(48.4%) were relapse patients,167(30.6%) belonged to others category, 75(13.8%) were on treatment after default, 39(7.2%) were failure cases. The mean age of patients was 35.92 ± 15.42 (p = 0.928). Maximum patients belonged to age group of 25-34 years (25.3%). Seventy Three (13.4%) were Illiterate. In treatment after default group only 65.3% patients were cured. Maximum deaths 8% were seen in treatment after default group of patients. The overall default in the study was 5.9%. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that it is essential to monitor re-treatment patients with same vigour to reduce default and improve their treatment outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Menstruation disorders are also responsible for emotional, physical, behavioural and dietary practice changes. These changes affect their normal functioning and social life. The present study was carried out to find the prevalence of menstrual problems among unmarried girls of Chandigarh, India and to compare their knowledge and beliefs regarding menstruation in different sub-groups. Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 744 unmarried females in Rural, Urban and Slum strata of UT Chandigarh, India. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire on menstruation. Chi-square value was used for testing statistical significance. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 16.84±3.05 years. Maximum respondents (40.9%) were educated up to 10th standard/ High school. 448 (60.2%) were aware of menstruation before starting of menarche. Awareness was found to be significantly associated (p=0.02) with age. Socio-economic status and prior knowledge of respondents was also found to be significantly associated (p< 0.001). 61% (454) of the respondents had a regular flow during menses. Normal flow was reported by 70.2 %( 522) of the respondents. Dysmenorrhea was found to be the most common problem suffered by 429 (57.7%) respondents. Conclusion: Menstrual hygiene is an issue that needs to be addressed at all levels. A variety of factors are known to affect menstrual behaviors, the most influential ones being economic status. It is essential to design a mechanism to address and for the access of healthy menstrual practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Substance use refers to the use of any psychoactive substance or drug, including licit and illicit drugs, other than when medically indicated. Psychoactive substance use poses a threat to the health, social and economic fabric of families, communities and nations. Chandigarh has more than 0.2 million students from across the country pursuing their courses in higher education institutions. There is a very little information about pattern of drug dependence among the college students of Chandigarh. Objectives: To study the prevalence and pattern of substance use among college students of Chandigarh and to study the psycho-social behaviour of youth and perceived reasons for using substances. Material and Methods: A Cross - sectional community based study. A stratified multi-stage random sample design was adopted in study. The study instrument was a questionnaire which was developed by reviewing relevant literature and previously used standardized instruments and protocols including the WHO questionnaire. On the basis of 60% prevalence anticipated on the basis of pilot study, 90% confidence coefficient and 10% permissible error - sample size came out to be 256. Results: Prevalence of substance use was seen in 52.7% students belonging to age group 19 to 21 years. More prevalence of substance use was found among law students (76.2%) followed by the students from Art stream (62.5%). Among the users alcohol was most commonly used (53.5%), followed by smokers (27.3%), tobacco chewers (8.2%), cannabis (6.8%).49% of the users were using substances on daily basis, followed by 23% who using weekly.29.3% of users had father using any substance. Relief from psychological stress (66.0%) followed by easy availability (46.9%) were the most common reasons of substance abuse. that substances use is common among college going male students irrespective of their social demographic characteristics like age [OR 0.76, 95%CI (.443-1.317)] religion [OR.859 95%CI (.461-1.598)], parental education, occupation and socio-economic status. Therefore, interventions in terms of health education/counselling for reducing substance use among them should be adopted, irrespective of their socio-demographic characteristics. Suggestions: This study suggested some life style related interventions in order to reduce the problem of substance use. There is an utmost need to educate and counsel young students regarding harmful effects of substance use. Health education may be imparted in the school curriculum. Parents should also be educated on discouragement of substance use and on taking proper care of their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occurrence of mycotoxins in food samples threat to its safety issue due to the presence of high toxicity and carcinogenic behavior, thus requiring highly sensitive and selective detection. Herein, the trimanganese tetraoxide (Mn 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles in combination with graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite were used to enhance the electrochemical performance for fabrication of electrochemical biosensor for fumonisin B1 (FB1) detection. The various characterization tools were used to validate the fabrication of GOMn 3 O 4 nanocomposites. To fabricate the electrochemical biosensor on an indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate, a thin film of GOMn 3 O 4 nanocomposite was prepared using electrophoretic deposition technique, and antibodies (ab-FB1) were immobilized onto the electrode for selective FB1 detection. The differential pulse voltammetry technique was used to observe the sensing performance. The non-binding sites of the ab-FB1 on the immunoelectrode were blocked with bovine serum albumin (BSA). The biosensor electrode was fabricated as BSA/ab-FB1/GOMn 3 O 4 /ITO for the detection of FB1. The sensitivity of the biosensor was obtained as 10.08 μ A ml ng -1 cm -2 in the detection range of 1 pg ml -1 to 800 ng ml -1 with a limit of detection of 0.195 pg ml -1 . In addition, the recovery of BSA/ab-FB1/GOMn 3 O 4 /ITO immunoelectrodes was also performed on sweet corn samples and is calculated to be 98.91%., (© 2023 IOP Publishing Ltd.)

Background: Cancer has emerged as a major public health problem. People often turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) when they have a long-lasting problem. CAM is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. The present study was conducted to find prevalence rate of CAM use among cancer patients undergoing allopathic treatment in a health facility and to compare the CAM usage patterns among different subgroups of patients at different stages. Further to investigate some psychosocial, cultural, and demographiccorrelates/predictors of CAM use., Materials and Methods: Present hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted among cancer patients attending Radiotherapy Outpatient Department (OPD) of a Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). A total of 1,117 cancer patients participated in the study. Statistical methods like normal test of proportions, Chi-square (χ(2)) test, logistic regression analysis for estimation of risk factors of CAM use were applied to carry out the data analyses using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)-16 software package., Results: The most common CAM therapy in use was found to be ayurvedic treatment reported by 187 (16.7%) patients. Overall CAM use was found to be 38.7%. Sixty percent of patients who were aware of CAM were not using CAM, only 40% aware were using CAM. Low socioeconomic status contributed maximum to proportions of CAM use; wherein out of all users, 175 (40.5%) patients were using CAM. Maximum degree of relief was found due to homeopathic treatment (78.4%). Reasons of using CAM therapies reported by the users were mainly on the advice of family members or friends (23.1%)., Conclusions: There is an urgent need of conducting further in-depth epidemiological studies to evaluate the efficacy of various CAM therapies in use for cancer. The high utilization of CAM among cancer patients and nondisclosure proportions suggests prioritizing research investigating reasons to use CAM and efficacy and safety of CAM use.

Introduction: More re-treatment TB patients are notified in India than any other country in the world, and default among this group is a serious public health problem. Adherence to the long course of TB treatment is a complex, dynamic phenomenon with a wide range of factors impacting on treatment taking behaviour. The main aim of the study was to study the basic clinical and demographic profile of the defaulters and the reasons for discontinuation of treatment among these retreatment patients in category II of RNTCP., Methods: A longitudinal study was designed and the patients registered under RNTCP category II from June 2010 to December 2011 at various centres in Chandigarh formed the study cohort. Out of total 607 patients registered during this period under category II of RNTCP in Chandigarh, 545 consented to participate in the study. These were followed up to September 2012 till the completion of treatment. 32 patients among the registered 545 defaulted from the treatment during the period. These patients were traced in the community and information regarding reasons for interruption and barriers to treatment was obtained from them using a pre-structured pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS 18 statistical software package., Results: 32(5.9%) patients defaulted from the treatment under RNTCP category II. 29(90.6%) were pulmonary patients while 3(9.4%) were extra-pulmonary patients. 46.9% of the defaulters were in the age group of 20-35 years, followed by 31.3% in the age group of 36-50 years. 21.9% went to traditional healers for cure while 12.5% tried herbal medicine during the treatment. 25% (eight) patients did not have faith on the DOTS treatment. Most common side effects of treatment complained by the patients were GI upset (62.5%), fatigue (59.4%), drowsiness (34.4%) and itching (31.3%). 46.8% believed that ATT induced side-effects were the main reason for treatment interruption. Maximum treatment interruption was seen at the end of the third month (31.3%)., Conclusions: Maximum interruptions were found to occur by end of third month of ATI. AT" induced side-effects were the main reason for treatment interruption. Efforts need to be made to improve the pre-treatment counselling, increase proportion of patients treated by community-based DOTS providers, repeated health education to the patients emphasizing the need to continue treatment.