Search

Cognitive development is a part of neuroscience related with development of human being. The study aimed to assess the effect of consumed arsenic contaminated ground water on the developmental aspects of children in Jorhat, Assam. In this case-control study, 225 primary school children from 20 schools of Jorhat, Assam, India, participated who consumed expected moderate and low levels of arsenic contaminated groundwater getting from tube well both inside and outside the school campus. The amount of arsenic present in the sample was determined through spectrophotometer and arsenic assessment kits. The complex relationship among the latent constructs and their behaviour influenced due to the effect of arsenic in the groundwater level was analyzed through path analysis by using AMOS version 21. It was resulted that there was a significant positive relationship between arsenic and the developmental phenomena of primary school children.

Web 2.0 tools includes wikis, blogs, social networking sites, and web applications for community interaction, inputs, content sharing, and collaboration. The study aimed to assess the effects of Web 2.0 technology assisted Slideshare, YouTube, and WhatsApp on the individual and collaborative learning performance and retention in tissues system. In this quasi-experimental research, there are three groups assigned for treatment in tissue system. Experimental group1 was exposed to web2.0 technology assisted individual Slideshare, Wiki, YouTube and WhatsApp modes of learning whereas Experimental group2 was treated with web2.0 technology assisted collaborative Slideshare, Wiki, YouTube and WhatsApp modes of learning, but lecture cum discussion intervention was provided to participants of traditional group. It was resulted there was significant effect of collaborative and individual web2.0 technology on the learning performance and retention of secondary school students over traditional group.

Active learning promotes the capacity of problem solving and decision making among learners. Teachers who apply instructional processes toward active participation of learners help their students develop higher order thinking skills. Due to the recent paradigm shift toward adopting competency-based curricula in the education of healthcare professionals in India, there is an emergent need for physiology instructors to be trained in active-learning methodologies and to acquire abilities to promote these curriculum changes. To address these issues, a series of International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) workshops on physiology education techniques in four apex centers in India was organized in November 2018 and November 2019. The "hands-on" workshops presented the methodologies of case-based learning, problem-based learning, and flipped classroom; the participants were teachers of basic sciences and human and veterinary medicine. The workshop series facilitated capacity building and creation of a national network of physiology instructors interested in promoting active-learning techniques. The workshops were followed by a brainstorming meeting held to assess the outcomes. The aim of this report is to provide a model for implementing a coordinated series of workshops to support national curriculum change and to identify the organizational elements essential for conducting an effective Physiology Education workshop. The essential elements include a highly motivated core organizing team, constant dialogue between core organizing and local organizing committees, a sufficient time frame for planning and execution of the event, and opportunities to engage students at host institutions in workshop activities.

Web 2.0 is a revolutionary technology operates Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+ and other social networks. The study aimed to explore the effects of individual and collaborative web 2.0 technologies on the learning performance and self-regulation of secondary school students over traditional approach of learning. One hundred ten participants assigned for non-web 2.0 group (n = 40), individual web 2.0 group (n = 40) and collaborative web 2.0 (n = 30). Nonequivalent pretest post test quasi-experimental design used to conduct the experiment where samples were not randomly selected rather the whole class students were the participants of the study. Individual web 2.0 used Slideshare, Wiki, Whatsapp, and Youtube and Collaborative web 2.0 used the similar tools such as Slideshare, Wiki, Whatsapp, Youtube counted as the experimental class I and II, and conventional lecture was used in non-web 2.0 group or comparative group. Before and after instruction, self-regulatory learning test (Bhattacharjee and Jena, 2017a) and achievement test in tissue (Bhattacharjee and Jena, 2017b) used to collect the data. It resulted that collaborative and individual web 2.0 technology has significant effects on learning performance and self-regulation of learning over traditional approach of secondary school students in Silchar, India.

The nature of social relations has been changing drastically in recent times. It is more so in the urban areas where lifestyles are getting more and more secluded day by day. However, social connectedness is essential for social and individual well-being. Therefore, the present study explores the level of social connectedness in the gated residential enclaves of the Mumbai Suburban District by conducting a case study of Mulund. The data for the study is collected using a questionnaire survey conducted at the household level (n = 243) in the gated residential enclaves of Mulund. The data thus collected were analyzed through statistical measures such as frequency distribution, composite measure, and chi-square test, etc. The data analysis was carried out in SPSS 26 and ArcMap 10.8 software. The results of the study reveal that a vast majority of the households in gated residential enclaves of Mulund have a medium level (76.3%) of social connectedness. This is followed by households with low (17.3%), and high levels (6.2%) of social connectedness respectively. Locality-wise variations in social connectedness were also found in the study area with the households in Mulund West depicting greater connectedness than their counterparts in Mulund East. The study concludes that social connectedness in the gated residential enclaves of Mulund is not up to the mark and further studies are required to identify the determinants of social connectedness and to assess their role to formulate ways for improving the status of social connectedness in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Porcine cysticercosis, caused by Cysticercus cellulosae a larval stage of adult Taenia solium, is a zoonotic parasitic disease where pigs harbour intermediate stage and human being acts as a definite host. The people of north eastern region of India are mostly non-vegetarian and consumption of pork is very much preferred by the people of this region. Hence, it is essential to detect C. cellulosae infections in pork. But traditional method of detection of C. cellulosae by post mortem examination of pork has disadvantages like need of expert and may be over lookedin case of light infections. Molecular diagnosis have been reported to be highly specific and sensitive for its diagnosis. Keeping in view of the above, the present study on molecular detection of larval cestode C. cellulosae of pigs was undertaken. A study on phylogenetic relation of C. cellulosae of pigs or human Taenae solium of this region was done to know its relation with other parts of the world, as not yet done so far. Methods: A total of 654 pig carcasses in 17 market places of three prime districts of state Arunachal Pradesh, India were examined to detect Cysticercus cellulosae of pigs. The cysticerci samples were obtained manually from the infected muscles and organs of the infected pigs that were preserved in phosphate buffer saline until DNA extraction. Stool samples of human patients who attended out-patient department (OPD) of Community Health Centers, Nursing homes and District etc. of study area of Aunachal Pradesh, India were collected randomly and examined by salt flotation technique for the presence of T. solium eggs. The segments of tapeworm voided by patientswere then identified for species identification and T. solium segments were collected in normal saline solutions (NSS) after clearing the debris and faecal materials. Genomic DNA extraction from 3-4 numbers of cysticerci and T. solium segments collected from affected human being were extractedusing a spin column kit (D Neasy tissue kit: QUIGEN). The technique polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with published primers were used for molecular detection of C. cellulosae and to get molecular (PCR) products of T. solium for further study. The mitochondrial gene cytochrome b oxidase subunit was amplified by PCR. The PCR products were purified, sequenced and phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbor-joining method. Result: The present study recorded a PCR amplification of cytochrome b oxidase genes with a definite product size of 1068 bp from DNA extracted from C. cellulosae and T. solium. The product size obtained from C. cellulosae will be helpful for meat inspection by molecular detection of C. cellulosae infections in pork. The present finding signifies that the same genomic isolate of both the larval cestode and adult parasite of T. solium is prevailing in the study areas. The neighbors-joining phylogenic tree shows close similarity of the present isolates with that prevailing in other South East Asian countries and thus it can be assumed from the present finding that the same genotypic isolate of T. solium parasite is prevalent in the whole of South East Asian region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote healthy aging and acknowledge the growing concern of population aging in India, it is essential to evaluate the health condition of elderly parents, especially considering the migration of their children. We systematically reviewed the literature using a multi-stage search and review method that followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. At first, 691 studies were identified, but only 36 papers that satisfied the selection criteria were included in this review. The review examines the current body of literature on the health of elderly parents and the influence of children's migration on their well-being in India. It indicates that a growing proportion of the elderly are encountering a range of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including mental health. Regardless of varying demographic and socioeconomic conditions, children's migration is identified as a crucial social determinant affecting health. This review consolidates a range of studies examining the health of elderly parents, enhancing both theoretical and empirical comprehension of the effects of adult children moving away on the health and overall welfare of the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Association between liver cirrhosis (LC) and glucose intolerance has been known since long. Many studies in the past have attempted to explore the correlation of glucose metabolism disorders (GMD) with the severity of LC with mixed results (some favouring i.e. higher prevalence of GMD in more severe LC; others negating). This study was conducted to shed further light on the significance of this association. Objective: This study has been carried out with the aim of studying the correlation between GMD and the severity of LC, as determined by the Child-Turcotte-Pughe (CTP) score. Methods: 100 patients with LC admitted in medical wards were studied and tested with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h post-75 g oral glucose load plasma glucose (PPG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma insulin. They were categorized based on the severity of LC into CTP A, B or C class and then patients belonging to different classes were compared for the presence of GMD and insulin resistance (IR). Conclusion: Out of 100 patients, 6, 21 and 73 were respectively found as falling under CTP class A, B and C of LC. The frequency of diabetes mellitus (DM) was found to progressively increase with worsening grade of cirrhosis (17%-A, 24%-B and 27%-C), however this was not significant (p value 0.82). The p values for IR, GMD (pre-diabetes or DM), pre-diabetes (pre-DM) were 0.629, 0.382 and 0.189 respectively. To conclude, development of GMD and IR may be independent of the severity of LC. However more studies may be required to further study this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Equisetum diffusum D. Don commonly known as 'Himalayan horsetail', has been traditionally used in the treatment of back pain, bone fracture and dislocation, and arthritis by various tribal communities of India. Our previous study confirmed the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the plant through in silico, in vitro, and in vivo model studies. Therefore, the current research is focused on safety dose evaluation for the first-time of the whole-plant methanol extract (EDME) of E. diffusum through appropriate in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches. Method: The whole plant, along with its rhizomes, was collected, and the methanol extract was prepared. The in silico ADMET study was performed to predict the pharmacokinetics profile and toxicity of all the identified phyto-compounds of EDME previously screened by GC–MS study. In vitro cytotoxicity study of EDME was performed using two cell lines: kidney (HEK293) and liver (Huh7) cell lines. The in vivo toxicity study of EDME was validated by the acute toxicity (OECD 423, 2002) and sub-acute toxicity assays (OECD 407, 2008) in the Wistar Albino rat model. Results: The in silico ADMET study of all 47 bioactives predicted good pharmacokinetic and low toxicity profiles. In vitro cytotoxicity showed higher IC50 values of EDME viz., 672 ± 15.7 μg/mL and 1698 ± 6.54 μg/mL for both kidney (HEK293) and liver (Huh7) cell lines, respectively, which were considered as low-toxic. Based on acute oral toxicity, the LD50 value of the extract was considered "non-toxic" up to a feeding range of 2000 mg/kg of body weight. The regular consumption of the extract for an extended period (28 days) was also qualified as safe based on the body and organ weight, hematological, biochemical, and histoarchitecture results in the sub-acute toxicity assay. Conclusion: The detailed in silico, in vitro, in vivo (acute and sub-acute oral toxicity) studies gave us a new insight to the safety dose evaluation of Equisetum diffusum, which may serve as a reliable documentation for undertaking the experimental validation of the ethnobotanical uses of the plant which would help in the field of drug development for the treatment of inflammation related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite progress, the prevalence of childhood undernutrition in India remains amongst the highest globally. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the impact of a functional integration interventional package during the antenatal period on childhood growth parameters. Methods: This is a post-interventional follow-up study of a maternal nutrition interventional study conducted between 2018 and 2019 among women in their first trimester of pregnancy from three districts in West Bengal, India. Pregnant women received a package of augmented interventions from study staff which supplemented those provided to them under the state-run programmes, that included body-mass-index measurement at pregnancy registration, monthly weight monitoring, targeted dietary counselling, supervised supplementary nutrition intake and iron-folic acid supplementation during daily anganwadi center visits. In the current follow-up study conducted in 2021, age-matched pregnant women from the same areas who were pregnant during the same period as in the original study and had received standard-of-care under the state-run programmes were recruited into a comparison group. Study staff collected data regarding maternal height and serial weights that were recorded at antenatal visits in 2018-19, and birth and infant characteristics. Child height and weight were measured during the follow-up visit in 2021, which were used to calculate the relative risks of stunting, wasting and underweight using generalized linear models, to understand the sustained impact of the intervention beyond infancy. Eight-hundred-nine mother-child dyads (406 intervention; 403 comparison) were followed. Results: Median age of women in the intervention and comparison group was 23 (IQR 20–25) and 25 (IQR 24–27) years respectively. Median gestational-weight-gain was higher amongst intervention group women (9 vs. 8 kg, p = 0.04). Low-birth-weight prevalence was 29.3% (119/406) and 32.0% (129/403) in the intervention and comparison group. At 12–35 months of age, children born to women in the intervention group had significantly reduced risk of stunting (RR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.44–0.94), wasting (RR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.33–0.97) and underweight (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.42–0.88). Conclusions: These results indicate that functional integration and strengthening of routine antenatal care services including targeted nutritional counselling to expectant mothers can have distal beneficial effects on childhood undernutrition beyond the immediate post-natal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study re-examines convergence among Indian states by estimating their total factor productivity (TFP) for the period 1990/91–2018/19. The novelty of the study is the decomposition of TFP change into efficiency change and technological change using the Malmquist index in a spatial dependence framework to test convergence. Findings reveal that, on average, productivity increased at an aggregate level for the entire period on account of the impressive growth of technological innovation. However, technological growth convergence could not lead to productivity growth convergence in the second sub-period because of no convergence in efficiency growth. Alongside, while we witness significant spatial spillovers in both technology and efficiency, convergence was observed only with respect to technology growth in the second sub-period. The congruence of technological convergence and significant spatial spillovers indicates that while states may be converging in technology, they do not do so independently but display movements similar to their regional neighbours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the covariates of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on health care, with a special focus on the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states of India. These states are economically weaker and vulnerable. For analysis, the study uses a nationally representative database—the India Human Development Survey (IHDS I, 2004–2005 and IHDS II, 2011–2012)—by applying the log-linear regression method. Four regression models have been specified in the article. The pooled regression method is applied to check the robustness of the models. Results identify that factors such as the location of the respondent, education, waiting time in hospitals, household expenditure per capita and the location of the hospital play a significant role in determining the OOPE on health care in India. Among other factors, waiting time in the hospital and the distant treatment location result in higher opportunity costs for better treatment facilities, hence increasing the burden on OOPE. The study concludes with suggestions based on these covariates, especially for the EAG states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern times, cyanobacterial identification, characterization, and classification have adopted a pragmatic polyphasic approach assigning equal weight to the ecological, morphological, physiological, and molecular parameters. The paucity of data on cyanobacterial diversity across unexplored regions resulted in poor taxonomic characterization of cyanobacteria. Hence, the poorly explored North-Eastern lower Himalayan region of India was targeted and a true-branched soil inhabiting cyanobacterial strain KFS2 was isolated. Along with habitat analysis, morphological and 16S-rRNA gene-based molecular characterization of the isolated strain have been performed. The complex cellular morphology, uni-seriate to multi-seriate main filaments and branches, along with the 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogeny indicated affiliation of this strain with the genus Westiellopsis. Furthermore, the strain KFS2 showed unique morphological features such as the multi-seriate base of lateral branches, the presence of both intercalary and terminal heterocytes in the main filaments along with the intercalary position of heterocytes in the lateral branches, and was found to form a separate node with the Westiellopsis clade having strong bootstrap support in the 16S-rRNA gene-based phylogeny. Moreover, comparative analysis of folded secondary structures of D1-D1' and box-B in the 16S-23S ITS region of the strain also exhibited striking differences with other members of the genus. Considering all the unique morphological and molecular characteristics of the strain KFS2, it was suggested to represent a new species of the genus Westiellopsis, with the name Westiellopsis tiwarii being proposed in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature of algae, fungi, and plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergence of the use and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education in India has opened new possibilities and challenges. Use of AI in will bring in effective change of governance in the entire internal architecture of Indian Institutes of higher education. The prospect of use of AI includes investigation of educational implications as to how teachers would enrich them, how students would learn, and how accurate and prompt decisions can be taken in the institutes of higher education. This is important since the workload has been multiplied due to massification of higher education. Such being the scenario, help of AI is highly essential. The question of adoption of AI in higher education is an important issue in this perspective. The purpose of this study is to explore how the stakeholders would be able to adopt it. For this, we have taken help of many adoption theories and models including 'Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology' (UTAUT) model. We have developed hypotheses and a conceptual model and got it validated through survey with the help of feedbacks from useable 329 respondents. It has been found that the model can help the authorities to facilitate adoption of AI in higher education.

The study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the local community members, secondary school students, and the university students participated in the multimedia programme with reference to knowledge, understanding, skills, practice, and confidence in environmental sustainability. About two hundred students participated in this multimedia programme. The present study was a Non-equivalent Pretest-posttest Quasi Experimental Design used both qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze the data, and draw the conclusion for its broad generalization. Audio, Video and audio-video on environment and environmental sustainability was developed and played in the teaching of environmental sustainability. Before programme and after programme, all the feedbacks and achievement test score were analyzed and interpreted by using t test, ANOVA and Scheff multiple comparison techniques. It was resulted that local community members, secondary school students, and the university students performed better after the participation in the Multimedia in Environmental Awareness programme. So, there existed a significant effect of multimedia programme on the awareness of environmental sustainability.

The study assessed the relationship among the factors of inhibition control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility in relation to cognitive development of children. A total of 30 children (17 male and 13 female) age group 6-7 years old (Mean=6.5; SD = 0.34) participated in the study. In this study, the authors have used Stroop Task, Saccadic Test, and Simon Task Flanker Task to assess the inhibitory control. In addition, Working Memory Tasks, Cognitive Flexibility Tasks, and Cognitive Development Scale assessed working memory, cognitive flexibility, and cognitive development are used. It resulted that processing speed, selective attention, and automaticity factors of inhibitory control has significant relationship with cognitive development of children. Moreover, the timing and kinematics factors of inhibitory control assessed by Saccadic Task, found significant relationship with cognitive development. Not only was that but also the tendency to respond the stimulus has also significant relation with cognitive development that was assessed by Simon Task. Children's detection and recognition of target factor of inhibitory control was assessed by Flankar Task. As a whole processing speed, selective attention, automaticity, timing, and kinematics, and tendency to response the stimulus factors were hierarchically related with cognitive development of elementary children.

The article highlights the inadequacies of current gully erosion maps in India, emphasizing the need for more accurate, high-resolution mapping to address and manage land degradation effectively. It critiques the existing maps for their high false positive rates and suggests that improved mapping could aid in India's goal of achieving land degradation neutrality by 2030.

Background: Numerous approaches have been adopted to evaluate limited freshwater resources and the associated health hazards due to excessive amounts of fluoride in drinking water. The study aims to assess the degree and severity of dental and skeletal fluorosis and examine the broader effects of fluorosis on human health and society in the Manbhum-Singhbhum Plateau region, India. Methods: The Community Fluorosis Index (CFI) and Dean's Index have been used to measure the magnitude and severity of dental and skeletal fluorosis. Questionnaire surveys, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and appropriate statistical methods have been applied to identify the social impacts. Risk-prone zones have been identified through overlay analysis using geoinformatics. Results: About 54.60% of people in 67 villages of this part of the Manbhum-Singhbhum Plateau are affected in varying degrees of fluorosis ranging from very mild to mild, moderate, and severe dental fluorosis. Among these 67 villages, Janra (Manbazar I) and Hijla (Barabazar) have the most severely affected people. School dropout (n = 426), social isolation (n = 149), remarriage (n = 21), and physically disabled (n = 75) have also been reported. The study shows that about 414.29 km2 of the Manbhum-Singhbhum Plateau comes under the high-risk-prone category. Conclusions: The societal and environmental awareness of the fluorosis-affected individuals is almost absent in this region. Economic hardships, lack of education, inadequate health care facilities, water scarcity, and lack of awareness increase the magnitude of health hazards and societal vulnerability of the people in this region, who are largely dependent on natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Since the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China, the epidemic has rapidly spread all over the world in just a few months. Different steroids have been proven effective in treating COVID-19 pneumonia. However, comparative efficacy data between different steroids have been evaluated in a few studies from various parts of the world. To date, no study with a large number of patients has been conducted in the eastern part of India. Aim: To compare the efficacy of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone in terms of outcomes and disease progression in COVID-19 pneumonia patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 377 patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to Medical College and Hospital from May 2020 to December 2020, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Patient records were divided into two groups based on the type of steroids administered (dexamethasone and methylprednisolone). Clinical, laboratory, treatment, and outcome data were tabulated for analysis. Demographic patterns in the two groups were compared, and efficacy was analysed in terms of hospital course (hospital stay length, type of respiratory support received) and final outcome (cured or death) in both groups. The data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 29.0. Qualitative variables were expressed as counts and percentages, while quantitative variables were presented as mean±Standard Deviation (SD). Results: There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups based on demographic features (age, sex), co-morbidities (diabetes, hypertension, etc.), disease severity (hypoxia, hypotension) on admission day, and smoking status. The study showed that methylprednisolone significantly reduced the requirement for high-flow oxygen (p-value=0.002), Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV) (p-value=0.001), and invasive ventilation (p-value=0.001) compared to dexamethasone. However, there was no significant difference (p-value=0.800) in the duration of hospital stay between the methylprednisolone and dexamethasone treatment groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis also showed a significant survival benefit among patients who received methylprednisolone compared to dexamethasone (log-rank p-value=0.039). Conclusion: The present study concludes that in COVID-19 pneumonia, the administration of methylprednisolone leads to a significant reduction in mortality and the need for high-flow oxygen, NIV, and invasive ventilation compared to dexamethasone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Jharia coalfield stands as a paramount asset within the Indian economy. However, many pressing issues, such as coal fires, land subsidence, unplanned mining, child labor, deforestation, and air pollution, demand immediate attention. Effective planning and comprehensive mitigation strategies are imperative to address these challenges. This research centers on evaluating an area near Bhuiyadih village subjected to rat hole mining using non-invasive geophysical methods. The evaluation includes a joint analysis of multiple geophysical techniques, such as gravity, magnetic, and seismic surface wave methods. The potential data has been evaluated by generating edge detection, upward continuation maps, and radial average power spectrum (RAPS) plots. Seismic surface wave velocity structure has been evaluated and used as a constraint to model the subsurface structures using potential field data. Evaluating subsurface layers from the RAPS, Seismic surface wave model, and 2D model generated from the potential data indicates a weathered layer, an overburden sandstone layer, and a coal seam of thickness ~ 4.5 m, ~ 14 m, and ~ 11 m, respectively. The wideness of the gallery boundary has been evaluated using the composite lineament map and found to be surpassing approved limits for underground mining, signifying evidence of rat hole mining practices. The thin pillars in the coal seam and fractures observed on the surface indicate the failure of overburdened rock masses, leading to land subsidence in the nearby villages. The study reinforces the urgency of shifting the local population to a safer environment to avoid unfortunate situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy among women globally. The aims of our study were to evaluate the diversity and epidemiology of breast cancer on patients admitted in Burdwan Medical College and Hospital for elective mastectomy for carcinoma breast. Materials and methods: All the patients suspected of breast malignancy were clinically evaluated with age>25 years (as breast cancer is common beyond this age) and were included in the study. All the mastectomy specimens sent to Department of Pathology, Burdwan Medical College & Hospital, for histopathological examination were considered in the study. Results: The range of patients presenting with breast cancer was between 30-65 years, while 29 patients were below the age of 50 years and 17 above it. Maximum nos of case were between 40-49 years. Among the histopathological types of the tumours, IDC NOS constituted 40 cases (86.9%), invasive lobular carcinoma constituted 2 cases (4.3%), medullary carcinoma 2 cases (4.3%), invasive papillary carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma 1 case each (2.2%). T1 (size < 2 cm) was observed in 2 cases (4.3%), T2 (size 2-5 cm) was observed in 10 cases (21.7%). T3 (size > 5cm) was seen in 5 cases (10.9%), T4 (tumour of any size with fixity to the chest wall or skin) was observed in 29 cases (63%). Grading of 42 cases was done and only 1 case (2.4%) of Grade I was seen, whereas 25 cases (59.5%) belonged to Grade II, and 16 cases (38.1%) to Grade III. Out of the 46 cases, Stage IIA constituted 8 cases (17.4%), Stage IIB 3 cases (6.5%), Stage IIIA 6 cases (13%), and Stage IIIB 29 cases (63%). Conclusion: The government needs to urgently strengthen and augment the existing facilities including screening, which is inadequate at present to handle the current breast cancer load in India, especially Eastern India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to review, discuss and synthesize the literature focusing on the Indian initial public offering (IPO) market. Understanding the Indian IPO market can help answer broader corporate finance questions. The growing number of IPOs in the Indian context, coupled with the increasing importance of the Indian economy in the global market, makes this review an essential topic. Design/methodology/approach: The systematic literature review methodology was adopted to review 111 papers published between 2002 and 2021. The authors used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach during the review process. Additionally, the authors use a bibliometric review methodology to examine the pattern and trend of research in this area of interest. Furthermore, the authors conduct a critical review and synthesis of the top 20 papers based on citations. The authors also use a co-citation network and manual content analysis method to identify key research themes. Findings: This review helps in identifying major themes of research in this area of interest. The authors find that majority of the research has focused on IPO performance whereas post-IPO performance needs critical attention as well. The authors develop a comprehensive framework and future research agenda based on their discussion. Research limitations/implications: Meta-analysis of the literature can be conducted to gain better insights into the findings of prior studies. Practical implications: This review paper develops a comprehensive overview on Indian IPO market which can be of interest not only to Indian scholarship. India as an economy is increasingly gaining attention at the global level. Hence, the future research objectives as illustrated in the study can be of interest for the global scholarship also. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review paper that examines, synthesizes and outlines the future research agenda on Indian IPO studies. This review can be useful for researchers, business policymakers, finance professionals and anyone else interested in the Indian IPO market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Essential herbs such as garlic, ginger, and cardamom have shown antimicrobial activity with no potential adverse effects and are cost-effective. Despite these advantages, the efficacy of these agents needs to be tested against common oral pathogenic microorganisms to ensure that if found effective, they can be used in clinical settings. Aim: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of garlic, ginger, and cardamom oils on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) against chlorhexidine. Materials and Methods: An in-vitro study was conducted at Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, in the Department of Microbiology and Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India from January 2023 to September 2023. Oil extracts of garlic, ginger, and cardamom were loaded onto sterile filter paper discs measuring 6 mm in diameter in concentrations of 50 µL, 100 µL, and 200 µL. Additionally, 2% chlorhexidine (control group) was loaded onto similar sterile paper discs. The discs were dried and placed aseptically on culture media plates inoculated with S. mutans, and the plates were then incubated at 37°C overnight. Subsequently, the zones of inhibition were measured in millimeters. Results: Ginger oil exhibited the highest zone of inhibition, measuring 25 mm, followed by cardamom oil and garlic oil measuring 18 mm and 12 mm, respectively, at a concentration of 200 µL. The zone of inhibition measured for 100 µL concentrations of garlic, ginger, and cardamom oils were 7 mm, 16 mm, and 13 mm, respectively. For 50 µL concentrations of the oils, the zones of inhibition for garlic, ginger, and cardamom were 0 mm, 13 mm, and 9 mm, respectively. The zone of inhibition shown by chlorhexidine was 22 mm for concentrations of 50 µL, 100 µL, and 200 µL. Conclusion: Essential oil extracts from ginger, cardamom, and garlic were found to have antimicrobial activity against S. mutans, with ginger oil showing the highest effectiveness, followed by cardamom oil and garlic oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homelessness has shattered democracies worldwide. This study uses a doctrinal approach, employing content analysis, especially relational content analysis, to examine the underlying factors and difficulties associated with homelessness among women. The study notably focuses on the issue of police violence directed at this marginalised population and sheds light on the vulnerable position of homeless women, highlighting the crucial responsibility of governments under Parens Patriae to protect their lives and freedoms. The study argues that homelessness is fundamentally inconsistent with the principles of human dignity. The findings highlight the constitutional violations committed against homeless women in India, contravening the principles enshrined in Articles 14, 19, and 21, as well as the directives specified in Articles 39(1), 42, and 47. The findings indicate that the social welfare efforts implemented by the state are in line with the objectives of SDGs. This highlights the importance of adopting more focused approaches to address the issue of homelessness among women. Moreover, the study examines the legal framework of the United Kingdom, taking into account the influence of India's colonial history, and investigates the current practices of democratic nations and the role of the protagonist played by the Indian Judiciary in addressing homelessness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: India is not geographically close to either Russia or Ukraine. However, India's trade relations with them make it vulnerable to the consequences of the war between these countries. Thus, the present study aims to examine the impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on various sectoral indices of the Indian economy. Design/methodology/approach: Event study methodology has been used in this study for analysis. The date of the war announcement is the event day. The sample studied includes ten sectors of the Indian economy listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Results correspond to the period of −167 days to +20 days of the announcement of the war, i.e. from June 25, 2021, to March 28, 2022. Findings: Almost all the sample sectors earned significantly positive abnormal returns in the post-event period. The metal industry has led this group by showcasing the highest abnormal returns. Though Indian sectors made overall positive returns, the market soon corrected itself and abnormal returns were wiped out. Practical implications: These results can benefit portfolio managers, analysts, investors and policymakers in hedging risks and selecting suitable investments during increased global uncertainty. The study's conclusions help policymakers establish an institutional and supervisory framework that will make it easier to spot systematic risks and reduce them by putting countercyclical measures in place. Originality/value: India has no geographical proximity or trade relations with Russia or Ukraine, as strong as any other European country. However, Russia has remained a strong ally to India in the trade of defense equipment. Similar is the case with Ukraine, a significant global partner for India. Thus, the impact of conflict between these two countries has not been limited to Europe only but has also engulfed related economies. Hence, the present study is one of the first attempts to examine the burns sustained by the Indian economy due to this war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underground galleries possess random subsidence threats if they are not treated well. Threats even become multifold when these galleries are located somewhere in the vicinity of the railway tracks. So, checking the stable ground formation or the health of the subsurface formation near railway tracks and mapping the galleries are very important tasks for the sake of the environment, economy and lives. Galleries under the present study are associated with the coal seam-X and seam-XA of the Jogidih Colliery of Jharia Coalfield. Seven electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles and magnetic surveys were performed at a side of the railway track to characterize the subsurface formation near railway tracks and to detect the gallery and its extension. Both ERT and magnetic data analysis suggest the presence of some galleries at a certain distance from the railway tracks. Moreover, combined analysis of ERT and magnetic data suggests that ground within ~20 m from the railway tracks is found to be stable with homogeneous compact formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited data exists regarding risk factors for adverse outcomes in older adults hospitalized with Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) in low- and middle-income countries such as India. This multisite study aimed to assess outcomes and associated risk factors among adults aged ≥60 years hospitalized with pneumonia. Methods: Between December 2018 and March 2020, we enrolled ≥60-year-old adults admitted within 48 hours for CAP treatment across 16 public and private facilities in four sites. Clinical data and nasal/oropharyngeal specimens were collected by trained nurses and tested for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses (ORV) using the qPCR. Participants were evaluated regularly until discharge, as well as on the 7th and 30th days post-discharge. Outcomes included ICU admission and in-hospital or 30-day post-discharge mortality. A hierarchical framework for multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models identified risk factors (e.g., demographics, clinical features, etiologic agents) associated with critical care or death. Findings: Of 1,090 CAP patients, the median age was 69 years; 38.4% were female. Influenza viruses were detected in 12.3%, RSV in 2.2%, and ORV in 6.3% of participants. Critical care was required for 39.4%, with 9.9% in-hospital mortality and 5% 30-day post-discharge mortality. Only 41% of influenza CAP patients received antiviral treatment. Admission factors independently associated with ICU admission included respiratory rate >30/min, blood urea nitrogen>19mg/dl, altered sensorium, anemia, oxygen saturation <90%, prior cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and private hospital admission. Diabetes, anemia, low oxygen saturation at admission, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation were associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusion: High ICU admission and 30-day mortality rates were observed among older adults with pneumonia, with a significant proportion linked to influenza and RSV infections. Comprehensive guidelines for CAP prevention and management in older adults are needed, especially with the co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Girls' education has for many decades been central to the global development agenda, due to its positive impact on girls' health and wellbeing. In this paper, the authors revisit boys' attitudes, behaviours and norms related to girls' education, following the Samata intervention to prevent girls' school dropouts in Northern-Karnataka, South India. Data were collected from 20 boys in intervention villages before and after the intervention, and analysis was undertaken using a thematic-framework approach. Findings suggest that while boys did hold some attitudes and beliefs that supported girls' education and delayed-marriage, these remained within the framework of gender-inequitable norms concerning girls' marriageability, respectability/family-honour. Participants criticised peers who sought to jeopardise girls' respectability by teasing and community gossip about girls-boys' communication in public. Boys who rejected prevailing norms of masculinity were subjected to gossip, ridicule and violence by the community. Boys' attitudes and beliefs supported girls' education but were conditional on the maintenance of gendered hierarchies at household and interpersonal levels. Social norms concerning girls' honour, respectability and the role of boys as protectors/aggressors appeared to influence boys' response to girls' school dropouts. Future interventions aiming to address girls' education and marriage must invest time and resources to ensure that intervention components targeting boys are relevant, appropriate and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northeast India comprises of a cluster of eight states--Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The region is usually stereotyped as underdeveloped. Geographically, the region is surrounded by international border with part of Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Prevalence of insurgency and terrorism is often regarded as major deterrent for over all progress of the region. It is also felt that to accelerate the process of development, it is necessary to utilize the potential of human resources that are available in the region. For this, human resource development initiatives need to be strengthened. Education, being one of the important inputs for human resource development, assumes priority. Providing basic education of minimum quality to children has been an obligation of the state since long. The state governments have been making attempts to provide free, compulsory and universal primary education. Particularly after the SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan) (education for all) has been launched in the 2001-2002, a large number of children have been brought under ambit of school education. However, as far as quality is concerned, much needs to be done, particularly in the area of teacher education. The paper highlights the features of existing teacher education programs in the region and examines alternatives. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

While traditional HIV prevention programs with female sex workers (FSWs) in Karnataka, India, have focused on reducing HIV transmission between FSWs and clients through increased condom use, these programs have not fully addressed the transmission risk between FSWs and their nonpaying intimate partners (IPs). Condom use is infrequent and violence is recurrent in these relationships: Furthermore, there is little evidence on the precise nature of FSW-IP relationships. Our study addresses this knowledge gap to inform HIV programs targeted at FSWs. A series of workshops, using participatory tools, was held to explore FSW-IP relationships; 31 FSWs and 37 IPs participated. Three aspects of FSW-IP relationships were examined: how FSWs and IPs understand and interpret their relationships, factors influencing condom use, and the role of violence and its consequences. FSWs wish to be perceived as their IPs' wives, while IPs expect their FSW partners to accept their dominance in the relationship. Nonuse of condoms signals fidelity and elevates the status of the relationship almost to that of marriage, which helps FSWs enter the category of "good" (married) women. Tolerating and accepting violence in these relationships is normative, as in other marital relationships; IPs justify violence as necessary to establish and maintain their power within the relationship. Both FSWs and IPs value their relationships despite the high degree of risk posed by low condom use and high levels of violence. Implications for program design include addressing current norms around masculinity and gender roles, and improving communication within relationships.

Use of small molecules as valuable drugs against diseases is still an indefinable purpose due to the lack of in-detail knowledge regarding proper bio-target identification, specificity aspects, mode-mechanism of binding and proper in vitro study. Harmaline, an important beta-carboline alkaloid, shows effective anti-proliferative action against different types of human cancers and is also found to be a nucleic acid targeting natural molecule. This review sought to address the different signal pathways of apoptosis by harmaline in different cancer cell lines and simultaneously to characterize the structure activity aspects of the alkaloid with different motifs of nucleic acid to show its preference, biological efficacy and genotoxicity. The results open up new insights for the design and development of small molecule-based nucleic acid therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the influence of Permission, Trust, Relevance, and Context factors on the acceptance of location-based advertising in India using the Stimuli-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model. The survey responses (N=459) are collected in India using simulated situations. The analysis indicates that newer concepts relating to Permission and Trust are of low priority, but Relevance and Context play a significant role in the acceptance. The implications of the findings for retailers and other professionals are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli has been categorized as a pathogen of critical priority by the World Health Organization as it is highly infectious with high mortality and morbidity rates and widespread transmission potential. Carbapenem resistance is primarily mediated by carbapenemase-encoding genes and, additionally, through intrinsic factors. In India, over the years, carbapenemase-encoding genes have been reported from diverse clinically significant pathogens. The present study identifies E. coli of clinical origin that harbours bla OXA-144. Methods and results The study isolate was obtained from a tertiary referral hospital in northeast India. Carbapenemase production was investigated through culture on chromogenic agar and Rapidec Carba NP test as per manufacturer's instructions. Susceptibility of the isolate was performed by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method and agar dilution method following CLSI guidelines. PCR targeting carbapenemase-encoding genes was performed, followed by transformation and conjugation experiments. Whole-genome sequencing of the isolate was done through the Illumina sequencing platform and the data were analysed using the Centre for Genomic Epidemiology database. BJD_EC180 is 6 919 180 bp in length and consists of six rRNA operons, 111 tRNA, and 6849 predicted protein-coding sequences. BJD_EC180 belonged to ST2437 and harboured the carbapenemase-encoding gene bla OXA-144 with ISAba1 upstream, along with multiple antibiotic resistance genes conferring clinical resistance towards beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, amphenicols, sulphonamides, tetracyclines, trimethoprim, and rifampin. Conclusions Carbapenem-resistant E. coli harbouring bla OXA-144 associated with insertion sequence pose a serious health threat as their mobilization into carbapenem non-susceptible strains that will contribute to the resistance burden and therefore, needs urgent monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the impact of fiscal decentralization reforms on two central components of public service delivery outcomes, viz., health and education using feasible generalized least squares on a balanced panel of 18 non-special category states of India for the period 2002–2020. Given India's complex decentralization framework, intertwined with dynamic political and socioeconomic dimensions and weak institutional processes, our analysis is critical to examining the efficacy of decentralization as a policy instrument to augment the provision of public services. The novelty of our study stems not only from its longitudinal and multidimensional approach towards analyzing the effectiveness of decentralization reforms but also from its unique construction of an 'institutional quality' index that is critical for ensuring accountability in the decentralization process. Our findings underscore the positive impact of fiscal decentralization as a reformative intervention on public service delivery outcomes, highlighting the role of Indian polity and socioeconomic channels of accountability in shaping those outcomes. The study emphasizes the imperative to augment institutional quality, safeguard press freedom, enhance local government capacity, and delineate distinct functions within key policy domains for successful decentralization reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on women empowerment highlights a positive correlation between work and decision‐making power of women within families. On the contrary, the role of work opportunities in letting women achieve greater control over their lives, making them more independent is also well‐established. In this background, we explore the effect of women employment on different dimensions of women empowerment by using a nationally representative household survey data, the Indian Human Development Survey (IHDS‐II, 2011–12). As "empowerment" is unobservable, multi‐faceted and difficult to quantify, we model it by an index which aggregates the qualitative answers provided by a respondent. Due to the presence of an endogenous relation, we exploit sources of exogenous variations in employment through an instrumental variable (IV) setup. Following the literature, we identify IV as the level of transport infrastructure in the region where a woman resides. We find that the estimated coefficients are positive and statistically significant, remaining robust to changes in empowerment calculation. In the context of public initiatives aimed at improving female labour force participation and empowering women in India, our results show how policymakers can look beyond standard policies and take the help of transport‐related initiatives to improve employment and empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial surrogacy marketizes life's work. In the era of neo-liberalism, women's work, which is often intimately performed within a heterosexual marriage in exchange of support, now remains a principal avenue to earn money. This form of feminization of labor has led to the emergence of markets for women's reproductive capacities. The present study stems from my ethnographic journey into the lives of the women who work as surrogate mothers in India. The narratives presented in the paper emerge from my prolonged fieldwork in Anand, Gujarat. It engages with the experiences, understandings, and the voices of these women, who I term reproductive laborers, in order to examine the notion of putting one's reproductive capacities in this intimate market for money. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the effects of chronic liver disease (CLD) on calcium homeostasis and bone mineral metabolism in Eastern India. The study reveals that individuals with CLD have lower levels of serum calcium and 25(OH) Vitamin D, as well as higher levels of intact parathyroid hormone compared to those without the disease. The severity of CLD is also linked to hypovitaminosis D and hypocalcemia. The study suggests that regular monitoring of these parameters is crucial for CLD patients to receive appropriate therapeutic interventions. However, it is important to note that the study's sample size and generalizability are limited. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Eu is a lesser-known and traditional millet-based fermented brew of the Toto tribe from West Bengal, India. The starter culture used in this brew consists of diverse microflora. Identifying those microbes will not only help us gain a deeper understanding of the brew, but also quantify the impacts of this brew on the human system after consumption. Due to the progress in Illumina sequencing technology, the meta-profiling of 16S rRNA has emerged as a valuable resource for exploring the microbiome of any sample. We have utilised this tool (V3–V4 region) to study the microbiome population of Eu. Results: The microbial diversity present in the brew was mainly constituted of probiotic and fermenting bacteria. The nutrient profiling of Eu estimated the amount of protein, carbohydrate, free amino acid, and free fatty acid. The nutritional substance present in the brew probably supports the growth of the probiotic microflora. Reverse ecology-based network analysis revealed considerable complementary interaction between humans and the microflora present in the Eu. GC–MS outlining enlisted thirteen potent compounds from Eu, and a comprehensive network pharmacological study on those compounds revealed the anti-cancerous properties of Eu, especially against gastrointestinal malignancy, by reducing the proliferation of malignant cells and forming pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions: The current study focuses on the meta-profiling and nutritional characteristics of Eu, which highlight the beverage's potential as a probiotic health drink. Reverse ecology analysis demonstrated that the probiotic microflora competes strongly against pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, in silico network pharmacological research identified the drink as a potentially health-promoting and anti-cancer beverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to identify potential sites for agricultural use in the state of Manipur of north east India by employing the analytic hierarchy process in a geographic information system environment in conjunction with the use of remote sensing and soil data. Within the analytic hierarchy process, each terrain variable underwent a pairwise comparison and criteria weights were assigned according to their relative importance. Eight variables were selected and used in land suitability analysis for agriculture. It was found that Manipur had 57% (12,660 km2) of its total geographical area suitable for agriculture. However, 8126 km2 (37%) and 1374 km2 (6%) of the total geographical area was currently and permanently unsuitable land respectively. The distribution of suitable land varied greatly, with highly, moderately and marginally suitable land covering only 8%, 16% and 33% respectively of the total geographical area. The highly suitable agricultural land is predominantly concentrated in the Imphal valley (70%), though 90% of moderately suitable and 96% of marginally suitable land also exist in the hills. The hilly areas constitute 96% and 97% respectively of currently unsuitable and permanently unsuitable land in the state. Suitable land comprises of land with low to medium altitude, gentle to moderate slopes, soil of fine or acceptable quality, and with minimal flood risk. Unsuitable lands tend to be diametrically opposite to these attributes with steep hill slopes. The nature of distribution of land suitability types influences the agricultural pattern in Manipur. Agriculture in the hill areas comprises mainly of shifting cultivation on hill slopes, whereas in the valley region it is irrigated and permanent. This analysis of Manipur has a wider applicability since the shifting cultivation-irrigated agriculture combination is similar to that which exists across much of the highlands of South East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the genetic dynamics of circulating Human Adenovirus (HAdV) types is pivotal for effectively managing outbreaks and devising targeted interventions. During the West Bengal outbreak of 2022–2023, an investigation into the genetic characteristics and outbreak potential of circulating HAdV types was conducted. Twenty-four randomly selected samples underwent whole-genome sequencing. Analysis revealed a prevalent recombinant strain, merging type 3 and type 7 of human mastadenovirus B1 (HAd-B1) species, indicating the emergence of recent strains of species B in India. Furthermore, distinctions in VA-RNAs and the E3 region suggested that current circulating strains of human mastadenovirus B1 (HAd-B1) possess the capacity to evade host immunity, endure longer within hosts, and cause severe respiratory infections. This study underscores the significance of evaluating the complete genome sequence of HAdV isolates to glean insights into their outbreak potential and the severity of associated illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is, no doubt, a life-threatening illness, and it has a long-term effect on the physical and mental health of the patients, particularly on their quality of life (QOL). The present article is an attempt to examine the role of socioeconomic factors, illness duration and spirituality on the QOL of cancer patients. Methods: The sample consisted of 200 cancer patients (100 men and 100 women patients) belonging to the state of Tripura, a Northeastern state of India. Out of 200 cancer patients, most of them (100, 50%) were suffering from oral cancer, followed by lung and breast cancer. General Information Schedule, Quality of Life Patient/Cancer Survivor Version (developed by Ferrell, Hassey-Dow and Grant), and The Spiritual Experience Index- Revised (developed by Genia) were used for data collection. For analysis of data, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression were computed. The statistical analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS Version 25.0. Results: The findings showed no significant difference in QOL scores among the subgroups of cancer patients in socioeconomic and illness factor, except for family income. Further analysis revealed that only spirituality and educational qualification of cancer patients significantly predicted their QOL. Conclusion: The current article can act as a springboard for further studies in this area and provide aid for socioeconomic development while improvising cancer patients' QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the reproductive health, nutritional status, and disease burden of Hill Kharia tribal women in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. We included 174 women aged 18 to 60 years. Our findings revealed that these women had a mean conception rate of 3.01, a mean live birth rate of 2.26, and a mean reproductive wastage rate of 0.75. Based on BMI, 55.2% of the women were underweight. Central obesity (WHtR) also shows that 38.5% of the women were underweight and 30.4% were anemic. The prevalence of hypertension and high blood sugar among the women was found to be 12.16% and 8.6%, respectively. It is clear that the alarming trend of anaemia, reproductive performance, under nutrition, hypertension, and diabetes among the Hill Kharia women demands the urgent incorporation of a specific health management policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of our study was to assess the impact of heat stress on hydration and cognition among outdoor workers in hot environment. Area heat stress assessments were measured using Quest Temp WBGT monitor. Sweat rate for dehydration and reaction time for acute cognitive processing were recorded using standard procedures. Heat stress measurements ranged from 23.8 °C – 42 °C. More than 50 % of the workers had high sweat rate (>1.2 L/h) when exposed to high environmental temperatures. Positive correlation was obtained between WBGT, sweat rate and reaction time which indicates that hyperthermia has an impact on neural network processing. Heart rate and reaction time also increased with rise in WBGT and heavy physical activity. There was impairment of cognitive functions (reaction time) under heat stress conditions. Hence, reaction time can be used to assess the short-term impact of heat stress on neural modulation and will help to plan effective intervention strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality among workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical cancer being one of the major causes of death in women living in developing countries like India, this study evaluates the spectrum of epithelial cell abnormality while primarily focusing on the prevalence of ASCUS and their correlation with predisposing factors. Materials and Methods: Descriptive type of study was conducted over 456 patients. Patients underwent per speculum examination followed by cervical smear examination. Cervical lesions were categorized according to Revised Bethesda system, 2014.HPV detection & sequencing was done as required. Results and conclusion: ASCUS was most prevalent in the sexually active age group (7.01%). The incidence of intraepithelial lesions among multiparous women was high (50.8%). Early coital age, smoking, poor economic conditions, multiple sexual partners, contraceptive usage and HPV infection were associated with higher chances of squamous cell abnormality. Cervicitis, cervical erosion, and hypertrophic cervix need careful investigation for the presence of ASCUS due to its high prevalence in sexually active females in Eastern India. Henceforth, addressing these factors and spreading awareness about early diagnosis, necessary treatment, HPV vaccination along with the maintenance of proper sexual and menstrual hygiene becomes a cornerstone in the reduction of the overall burden of atypical cervical cytology and finally, cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Equisetum diffusum D. Don (Fam. Equisetaceae), an important medicinal pteridophyte species has been traditionally used in the treatment of bone fracture, bone dislocation, and arthritis by various tribal communities of India. Objectives: To validate the potent anti-inflammatory properties of the whole plant methanolic-extract (EDME) using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo strategies. Materials and Methods: The EDME was characterized through total phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, saponin content and five antioxidant assays. The GC-MS analysis was done to screen the active phyto-constituents followed by in silico molecular docking studies with inflammatory markers. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by measuring protein denaturation-inhibition test, heat-induced and hypotonicity-induced haemolysis test. Carrageenan-induced paw-edema test was used to determine the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of EDME. Results: Our results showed quite higher tannin content in EDME compared to saponin content, and showed satisfactory phenol and flavonoid contents. From the antioxidant survey, it was found that EDME has the highest activity against ABTS radical and the least against superoxide radical. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis of EDME reported the presence of 47 phyto-compounds, out of which few compounds showed good inhibition against Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and IL-6 compared to standard NSAIDs, in molecular docking analysis. In vitro anti-inflammatory studies indicated that EDME inhibits protein denaturation, heat-induced, and hypotonicity-induced haemolysis significantly (p<0.001) compared to standard drugs. The in vivo anti-inflammatory study of the plant showed 52.26% and 73.36% reduction in paw-edema in both protective-dose groups respectively, when compared to the carrageenan control group. Conclusion: Our findings established the anti-inflammatory roles of the whole plant methanolic extract of Equisetum diffusum on strong ground which may lead to drug development for the treatment of inflammation-related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides the new distributional data of the ground beetle species Itamus castaneus SchmidtGoebel, 1846 (Carabidae: Paussinae: Ozaenini), which is recorded for the first time from the state of West Bengal from an artificial rooftop garden in an urbanised landscape. Morphometric analysis of the specimen has been conducted and the hitherto unknown female genitalia of the species has been described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thorictus bengalensis Háva & Chakrovorty sp. nov. from West Bengal, India is described, illustrated and compared with similar Indian species. Trichomyrmex destructor (Jerdon, 1851) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae, Crematogastrini) is the host ant species. The interaction has been studied from an urban rooftopgarden. The species Thorictus wroughtoni Wasmann, 1912 stat. nov. is elevated from subspecies to a separate species. The check list of Thorictus species recorded from India is added. Additionally, a Goblin spider species, Gamasomorpha sp. Karsch, 1881 (Arachnida: Araneae: Araneomorphae: Oonopidae) was observed to be inhabiting the same nest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]