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Due to the depletion of supplies for high-quality aggregates, it has become necessary to incorporate marginally soft materials like moorum in pavement structural layers. This study aimed to investigate the mechanical characteristics of cementitiously stabilised moorum materials (CSMM), which would be relevant during the mechanistic design of pavements. The tests includes the unconfined compressive strength, california bearing ratio in a soaked state, flexural strength, indirect tensile strength, durability and shrinkage behaviour through a comprehensive laboratory investigation procedure. In this investigation, the collected moorum sample was from Bihar, the eastern state of India. Relationships between various mechanical characteristics have been developed for pavement analyses. The properties are achieved as per standards to study the behaviour of the pavement structures. Based on the research findings, the effectiveness of the strength and shrinkage characteristics in determining the acceptability of CSMM as a road base and subbase applications have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global literature examining the association between mental health of women living with HIV (WLWH) and child development is scarce. In this study, we examined the relationship between mothers' mental health and their children's social development outcomes 6 months later. Data for these analyses come from several waves of interviews of 600 WLWH in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, India. These women were enrolled in a 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial designed to assess the impact of food supplementation and nutrition education, both in addition to ASHA support, on adherence to ART and improved health outcomes for the women and one of their children. They were assessed on food security, stigma, social support, quality of life, depressive symptoms and child development outcomes. Results of longitudinal GEE regression analysis indicate that mother's depressive symptoms were significantly negatively associated with child's social quotient 6 months later. These findings have important implications for targeted health interventions, integrating mental health, both for WLWH and their children in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality of life (QOL) is associated with better outcomes in HIV/AIDS populations. We explored predictors of improved QOL over time in 600 Women Living with HIV/AIDS (WLH/A) in India [mean age = 34.31, SD = 6.97], enrolled in a nurse-led-Asha (Accredited Social Health Activist) intervention. Trained local interviewers ascertained self-report data at baseline and six-month follow-up (post-intervention). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) identified constellations of responses on psychosocial indicators (depression, social support, internalized stigma and stigma fears); their relationship with QOL over time was examined. We identified three classes: Class 1) Highest Social Resources/Lowest Depression; Class 2) Some Social Resources/Highest Depression; and Class 3) Lowest Social Resources/Higher Depression. At baseline, Class 3 reported the lowest QOL (M = 0.25, SD = 0.26); Class 1 reported the highest (M = 0.37, SD = 0.33). Class 2's QOL did not differ from Class 3's QOL, likely due to the potent effects of high depression. At six-month follow-up, all groups reported improved QOL; class membership no longer predicted variability (contrast between Class 2 and 1 = −0.05, 95% CI = −0.14, 0.04; contrast between Class 3 and 1 = 0.01, 95% CI = −0.03, 0.05; contrast between Class 3 and 2 = 0.07, 95% CI = −0.02, 0.16). Psychosocial indicators are important predictors of QOL; an Asha-supported approach may have broad applicability to improve QOL in WLH/A in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate patterns of retinal vasculitis with ultra-wide field imaging (UWF) and ascertain the risk factors for retinal neovascularization. Methods: Consecutive patients of retinal vasculitis were included prospectively. Patients with retinal vasculitis secondary to uveitis were excluded. UWF was done for all the patients. Retinal involvement was classified into three zones and area of capillary non-perfusion was stratified into clock hours. Results: Two hundred patients were included, 85% (n = 170) were male. Mean age was 28.99 ± 10.56 years. Clinical examination revealed 65% cases (n = 130) to be bilateral, while UWF angiography detected 72.5% (n = 145) to have bilateral involvement. Retinal neovascularization was present in 47% (n = 188).Presence of posterior disease had very high odds ratio for development of retinal neovascularization as compared to cases restricted to retinal periphery (OR = 45.03, CI = 6.10-332.30, p = < 0.001). Conclusion: UWF imaging is useful in detecting retinal vasculitis, which is otherwise obscure to clinical examination and assessing risk factors for retinal neovascularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, focus groups were conducted with 16 rural women living with AIDS (WLA) from Andhra Pradesh, India, who had previously participated in a clinical trial wherein 68 WLA were randomized into either an Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA)-Life (AL) intervention or a usual care program. Findings are discussed in terms of (a) mental health issues, (b) perceived stressors, (c) individual resources for coping with mental health issues, and (d) role of ASHA support in coping with mental health issues. These findings highlight the salience of mental health issues in the lives of WLA and the role played by ASHA in addressing some of these issues. The discussion section makes a case for increased emphasis on mental health care in future community-based interventions for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this focus group study, we explored the experiences of 16 rural women living with AIDS (WLA) who participated in the Asha-Life (AL) intervention to gain an understanding of the environmental, psychosocial, and cultural impact of the AL on their lives. Four themes emerged among AL participants: (a) the importance of tangible support, (b) need for social support, (c) ongoing challenges to accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART), and (d) perspectives on future programs. Our research findings support the development of future programs targeting mother–child dyads which emphasize nutritional knowledge, while reducing barriers to receiving ART, and physical, emotional, and financial support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, correlates of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) were assessed using a baseline questionnaire among 68 rural women living with AIDS (WLA) in India. Unadjusted analyses revealed positive relationships of ART adherence with Hindu religion and support from spouses and parents, whereas negative associations were found with depression, poor quality of life, and having 10 or more HIV symptoms. Multiple linear regression analysis also revealed that WLA who were Hindu, not depressed, had ART support from spouses and parents, and perceived some benefit from ART, were more adherent to ART than their respective counterparts. This study reveals the unique challenges which rural WLA experience and the need to mitigate these challenges early in ART treatment. Further, the findings enable the refinement of an intervention program that will focus on strengthening ART adherence among rural WLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although depression may be commonly experienced by persons living with AIDS, it may be challenging for health care providers to identify persons who are suffering from depression symptoms, particularly if they are living in the more isolated rural areas of India. The purpose of this study is to assess correlates of depression among women living with AIDS in rural Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 68 rural women living with AIDS (WLA) completed baseline data and were assessed by means of structured instruments. Regression modeling revealed that disclosure avoidance and making at least six health care visits in the last six months were all associated with depression. Further, living with a spouse was associated with lower depressive symptom scores. Stigma was not found to be associated with depression. Understanding correlates of depression can lead the way toward designing culturally-tailored interventions that can mitigate disclosure avoidance and improve the health of women. A more comprehensive health focus may be needed to empower the women to seek quality care for both physical health, as well as mental health, symptomatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers explored the barriers to AIDS care for rural women living with AIDS, and they investigated alternative delivery models to increase the women's adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Community-based participatory research focus groups were conducted by the researchers with a convenience sample of 39 women living with AIDS from a primary health center (PHC) near Chennai, India, and with nurses, physicians, and Accredited Social Health Activists (Ashas), who are lay health care workers. The most prevalent barriers expressed by the women were sickness-related, psychological, financial issues with childcare, and distance, or transportation to the site. Women living with AIDS reviewed Ashas favorably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A community-based participatory research study was conducted using focus groups with 39 women living with AIDS (WLA) in the rural setting of Andhra Pradesh, India. In addition, three nurses, two physicians, and five reproductive health accredited social health activists (ASHAs) took part in focus groups. The WLA offered insight into the benefits of HIV-trained ASHAs including emotional support, assistance with travel to health care providers and antiretroviral therapy medication adherence. Health care providers also identified benefits of using HIV-trained ASHAs and suggested modalities for how to train these individuals. These findings will contribute to the design of a future program of care involving HIV-trained ASHAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of brain abscess due to Xylohypha bantiana without any obvious predisposing factors and with the uncommon clinical feature of seizures is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]