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Despite several recent advances in therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) therapy has retained its place especially in ulcerative colitis. This consensus on 5-ASA is obtained through a modified Delphi process, and includes guiding statements and recommendations based on literature evidence (randomized trials, and observational studies), clinical practice, and expert opinion on use of 5-ASA in IBD by Indian gastroenterologists. The aim is to aid practitioners in selecting appropriate treatment strategies and facilitate optimal use of 5-ASA in patients with IBD.

Silent estrus results in spread-out kidding and extended inter-kidding interval in goats. Progesterone (P4) priming for 12-14 days could be one of the approaches for estrus induction with optimum fertility. The present work was carried to comparatively assess the duration of P4 priming on estrus and fertility in silent estrus goats. Sirohi does (n=18) with a history of anestrus and high basal P4 in paired samples were equally divided into three groups. Does in P-0 d group received 200 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin by intramuscular route. Does in group second and third were subjected to per-vaginal P4 sponges for 7 (P-7 d) and 14 (P-14 d) days, respectively and were given 200 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin following sponge withdrawal. Estrus was monitored for 72 h at 12 h intervals using teaser buck to record estrus per cent, induction time and duration. Estrus induction was highest in P-14 d (6/6) than P-0 d and P-7 d (4/6 and 5/6), respectively. Estrus induction time was shorter in P-7 d and P-14 d than P-0 d. The estrus duration was shortest in P-14 d group. The conception and pregnancy rate did not differ significantly among the groups, though all the does in P-14 d conceived. The fertility was non-significantly higher in P-14 d (6/6) and P-7 d group (5/5) than P-0 d (3/4). It could be concluded that P4 priming for 7-14 days in silent estrus does results in improved reproductive performances.

Abstract Background Parents play a pivotal role in adolescent sexual health and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Nurses are on the frontlines of healthcare and play a critical role in promoting HPV vaccination and parent-child sexual health communication. We enhanced the Families Talking Together (FTT) parent-based sexual health curriculum to include adolescent vaccinations herein, FTT + HPV, and trained student nurses to provide a strong HPV vaccination and parent-child sexual health communication endorsement. Methods Using a randomized attention-controlled trial design, we examined the efficacy of FTT + HPV among 519 parents and their 11–14 year old youth recruited from medically underserved communities between 2015 and 2018. Participants were recruited from 22 after-school programs (e.g., Boys and Girls Clubs) and 19 charter schools. For parents, we examined protective factors including parent-child sexual health communication and parental involvement. For youth, we examined sexual health knowledge, parent-child sexual health communication, and parent-child connectedness. To assess HPV vaccination initiation and completion, we searched IMMTRAC immunization registry records for 85% of youth and used parental report for youth without registry records. Group differences were calculated using the estimated mean difference at one- and six months post-intervention with significance set at the p

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of acquiring sexually transmitted illnesses. The gross stigmatization of homosexuality and discrimination has always affected their health-seeking behavior. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the magnitude of sexual health problems, factors associated, and their health-seeking behavior. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Agra city, Uttar Pradesh during December 2017 and November 2019 among a sample of 52 MSM. The Snowball technique of sampling was used to recruit the eligible subjects. Data were collected by interview and analyzed using MS excel. Results: Overall prevalence of any sexual health problem in past 1 year was 71.2%. Anal/perianal problems (26.9%) and genital/oral vesicles (26.9%) were the most commonly encountered illnesses MSM who had all their sexual encounters with men (completely homosexual), those MSM who used to play both insertive and receptive roles, had 5 or more sexual partners, used condom irregularly had significantly higher chances of having sexual health problems. Most (70.3%) MSM sought treatment for their sexual health problem from an Allopathic doctor; 29.4% took treatment from a government health facility. The majority (94.1%) of them were reportedly satisfied with the health care facility. Most (79.4%) respondents preferred not to disclose their sexual behavior during interaction with their sexual health care provider. Conclusion: High prevalence of sexual health problems was found among MSM who engage in high-risk sexual behavior. MSM requires access to STIs screening. Behavior change communication is needed to improve their health-seeking behavior.

Small ruminants are important components of smallholder production systems in dry regions of the country and require technological transformation for bringing the farmers out of the vicious cycle of poverty. There is huge scope of improving the income and livelihood of farmers in these harsh topographies because of expanding market and demand for small ruminant products. Live animal sale is the main source of income from small ruminants contribute up to three-fourths-of total income. Milk of sheep is produced in negligible amount and consumed in households while goat milk is well in demand but small portion is sold by farmers and mostly used in households. The price of wool is depressed, whereas carpet wool produced in some regions receives prime price in the market. The main factors affecting small ruminant production in dry areas are feed scarcity, poor genetic make of animals, poor health cover facilities, lack of proximity to market and climate change effects. The technological adoption for enhancing productivity of small ruminants in dry areas has been discussed in this overview. The genetic improvement of small ruminant resources, valuation of breeds, exploring value addition/alternative uses of wool and goat milk, improvement of range management, feed base, use of unconventional feeds, flock health management, reproduction management, improving feed efficiency, value addition, quality issues, creating farmers' organisations, improving market access are some of the issues that need priority in research and development for improving productivity of small ruminants for better livelihood security and income generation of farmers in dryland regions. With the concerted efforts of research, extension and development workers, living conditions of small ruminants farmers can be improved which will alleviate poverty, create employment opportunity in rural areas and reduce migration of younger generation to the cities.

Surge of demand for meat from diverse sources in a time of decling land and other natural resources shifted the trend of producing more sheep per sheep. Prolificacy aspect in sheep can be used as an important arsenal to fulfil this objective. FecB gene mutation perhaps spread from Garole microsheep of India, has been widely used for introduction of prolificacy in monotocus sheep worldwide. The ovulation rate and litter size are two most important reproductive parameters influenced by FecB gene besides small influences on other sheep production parameters. While implementing the FecB introgression programmes precaution needs to be observed to avoid lamb mortality. The results of the experiments conducted worldwide on FecB introgression programmes suggest that high prolificacy is economically beneficial under intensive and semi-intensive management system of sheep rearing. There were variable effects of FecB genotype documented from different parts of the world. With goal oriented research efforts, the prolificacy in FecB carrier Avishaan sheep, a triple breed cross developed from Garole, Malpura and Patanwadi at ICAR-CSWRI are showing promising sheep for future. There are several challenges for using FecB gene in the future using assisted reproductive and genome editing technology. The effect of FecB gene on different sheep production parameters as reported in the literature are summarized in present work.

The Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) Task Force on Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) developed combined ISG-IRIA evidence-based best-practice guidelines for imaging of the small intestine in patients suspected to have or having Crohn’s disease. The 29 consensus statements, developed through a modified Delphi process, are intended to serve as reference for teaching, clinical practice, and research.

India has enormous distinguished advantages in the field of pharmaceuticals particularly in the production and distribution of quality generic drugs at affordable prices to the world. At home, various stakeholders like pharmaceutical industry, various governmental agencies, as well as doctors are doing their bits to ensure availability of quality medicines at affordable prices to all.

Background: Etiology of acute pancreatitis (AP) remains idiopathic in 30% of patients. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been shown to increase the diagnostic yield in patients with idiopathic AP (IAP). Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of EUS in achieving etiological diagnosis in patients with IAP. Materials and Methods: Consecutive 192 patients with IAP were evaluated prospectively with EUS over a period of 2 years. Patients who had no etiological diagnosis for AP after detailed history, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were included in the study. Results: The mean age of patients was 34.6 ± 12 and male:female ratio was 2.1:1. Of these, 135 patients had gallbladder intact (Group A) and 57 patients had undergone cholecystectomy (Group B). In Group A, EUS identified a possible cause in 79 (58.5%) patients; microlithiasis (n = 48), chronic pancreatitis (CP) (n = 23), common bile duct (CBD) and gallbladder stone (n = 3), pancreatic divisum (n = 3), small pancreatic tumor (n = 1), and anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction (n = 1). In Group B, EUS yielded diagnosis in 28 (49.1%) patients; CP (n = 22), ascariasis (n = 3), CBD stone (n = 2), and pancreatic divisum (n = 1). Overall EUS helped in achieving etiological diagnosis in 107 (55.1%) of patients with IAP. The presence of intact gallbladder showed a tendency for increased diagnostic yield (P = 0.06). Conclusion: EUS is a useful modality to establish the diagnosis in IAP and this technique should be incorporated in the evaluation of IAP.

A worldwide debate is going on for increasing the use of generic drugs over branded drugs. Before starting arguments in favor or disfavor of preferential use of generic drugs in India, we need to first understand various terms related to the generic and branded drugs worldwide and in our country. This article deals with definitions, process of discovery, nomenclature, and types of generic drugs available in India and worldwide.

Essential oils (EOs) are volatile secondary plant metabolites, which provide characteristic aroma and flavour, specific to many plants. They are mainly derived from herbs and spices, and used traditionally by humans for many centuries for their antimicrobial and preservative properties. The term ‘’essential oil’’ is misleading as neither they are ‘’essential’’ for nutrition and metabolism nor ‘’oils’’ as glycerol based lipids. They are aromatic compounds with oily appearance. The phrase “essential” derives from “essence,” which means smell or taste, and relates to the property of these substances of providing specific flavours and odours to many plants. EOs and their components reduce entric methane and ammonia emission by modulating rumen microbial community structure and could be used as phytogenic feed additive. However, their effects need to be studied by long term in vivo experimentation, as adaptation of rumen microbes could lead to ineffectiveness. Optimum dose of bioactive essential oil components and their appropriate combinations needs to be standardized in relation to dietary composition of animals to achieve consistent benefit of their feeding for livestock health and performance before their application in large scale livestock production systems.

Context: Obesity has negative health impacts. Obese people have higher risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Overweight and obesity during young adulthood can track into later adulthood along with its higher risk for NCDs. Aims: To identify the weight control intention and dietary practices used among normal, overweight, and obese college females and to know the reasons for discontinuation among ever tried subjects. Settings and Design : A cross-sectional study conducted in urban and rural colleges of Agra. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 400 female college students. Height and weight were measured to assess body composition according to BMI (Body Mass Index) criteria (WHO 2002). Study included a semi-structured and semi-open-ended instrument to assess practices related to weight control. Their responses were collected, tabulated, analyzed, and interpreted. Statistical analysis used: Frequency. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be 18.5% and 4.5%, respectively, according to BMI (WHO 2002). One third of the subjects were recording their weight monthly. Slightly less than half of the subjects (46%) were trying to maintain optimum weight. Almost one third of these subjects (33.5%) were presently trying to lose weight. About one fifth of total 400 subjects (20.5%) were not concerned about their weight status. Majority of the subjects (85%) irrespective of their obesity status did not take any professional advice. More than half (52.7%) were resorting to physical activity to lose weight. Taking more fruits/vegetables (44.7%) was found to be the most common healthy dieting practices and most unhealthy was fasting (15.3%). More than one fourth (28.8%) of the subjects abandoned weight control practices because of shortage of time followed by 22.4% due to physical weakness. Conclusions: Collectively, results indicate female college students, regardless of weight status, would benefit from open discussions with health educators regarding healthy and effective dieting practices to achieve/maintain a healthy body weight.