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Background: The appropriateness of hysterectomy has gained an interest in scrutiny and debate. Periodic audits of the prevailing clinical practices are imperative for insight, and to formulate recommendations and guidelines. We report the temporal trends of hysterectomies, over the last 10 years in a teaching hospital. Methods: Present study involved all patients who underwent hysterectomy at a teaching hospital, from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2021. Patients were identified by medical record tracking using International Classification of Diseases-9 codes. Case records were reviewed for demography, indication for surgery, approach, complications, hospital stay, and histopathological correlation. Results: Over the years the absolute number of hysterectomies in our hospital has ranged from 414 to 597 (mean 476), barring the coronavirus 19 pandemic year. The proportion of hysterectomy among all gynaecological admissions has ranged from 6% to 9%, except in 2020 where this proportion dropped down to 4%. The indications, age distribution, surgical approach, and complications have remained almost same. Conclusion: We report a static trend in hysterectomy over the past 10 years. This audit provides an insight for the need of shifting the abdominal to vaginal route, in carefully chosen patients. This will be beneficial for the patients, and for the trainees, where they can learn under supervision. Availability and patient education about the nonsurgical management options for benign gynecological conditions, as well as awareness about sequelae of hysterectomy, will bring down the rate in countries such as India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial burden influences elderly individuals' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Very little is understood concerning the association between financial strain and HRQoL in vulnerable groups. This study aimed to examine the relationships among financial load and HRQoL of Odisha State, India who suffer from chronic illness, along with cancer. In this crosssectional investigation, 72 Citizens of Odisha (aged 60-89) with one or maybe more chronic diseases took part in a randomized preliminary trial. We investigated financial burden components using factor analysis. A 27 -point FACT-G (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General) was applied to measure HRQoL. The correlations among financial burden and HRQoL sub-dimensions were investigated using multiple linear regression. The factor analysis showed three financial burden constructs: health costs issues, financial burden medication compliance, and monetary stress. Financial burden was related to lower HRQoL throughout various areas in this research of older adults of Odisha with chronic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a heterogenous group of symptoms occurring in luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Women of childbearing age are affected by PMS, and it may impact their quality of life. Various factors related to the biology of menstruation, hormones, and lifestyle are associated with PMS. Purpose: To explore the incidence and severity of PMS among students in India and its correlation with nutrient intake, adiposity, and lifestyle factors. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on menstrual pattern, nutrient intake, dietary habits, and physical activity. Moose's Menstrual Distress Questionnaire and Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool were employed for the identification and classification of PMS. Anthropometric indices included height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and four-site skinfold thickness—tricep, bicep, subscapular, and suprailiac. Results: Of the 330 participants, 71.3% reported to have experienced at least one symptom of PMS. Furthermore, 46.9% had mild PMS, 31.5% had moderate PMS, 8.3% had strong PMS, and 13.3% had no symptoms. Anxiety and irritability were the most observed symptoms. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the participants was within the normal range (21.76 ± 4.81 kg/m2); however, body fat percentage was above the normal range (33.95% ± 4.89%). PMS severity was significantly correlated with body fat percentage and BMI. Nutrient intake was significantly lower than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), but dietary fat consumption was higher than the RDA. Protein intake was higher in participants with mild PMS than those with moderate and severe PMS (p< 0.05). An inverse association between oilseed consumption and PMS was observed. Conclusion: PMS was associated with anthropometric parameters, nutrient intake, and dietary preference. PMS showed correlation with the intake of calorie-rich foods, sweets, and fried salted snacks, whereas consumption of oilseeds alleviated its incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body composition analysis (BCA) measurements are the quantitative methods to evaluate nutritional status and adiposity. There is an increased need for BCA methods, especially calculation of body fat percentage with better sensitivity and precision. This study is focused on estimation of body fat percentage using two methods. Objective of the study was to compare body fat percentage obtained using four-site skinfold thickness (SFT) measurement with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) of young women. The 4-site SFTs were measured at triceps, bicep, subscapular and suprailiac region, using Harpenden caliper. Body fat percentage was computed using sum of skinfolds and Durnin-Womersley equation. BIA was done using a body composition analyzer. Statistical analysis including the Bland-Altman plot was performed in SPSS software v.23.0 and MS Excel. A total of 310 women (age 18-25 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Mean BMI of participants was 22.2±5.05 kg/m2. Body fat percentage from skinfold thickness and BIA techniques were 32.79±5.048% and 33.85±5.32% respectively. Although there was a positive correlation (p<0.01) observed between the two methods, Bland-Altman plot indicated a proportional bias (r=0.176, p<0.05). It also showed difference of agreement between SFT & BIA methods. BIA overestimates the body fat percentage with limits of agreement range -5.33% to 3.28%. Our study reported that BIA overestimates body fat percentages compared to SFT. However, the two methods are not interchangeable. Evaluating anthropometric measurements is considered useful method as it controls regional changes of subcutaneous adiposity, whereas BIA technique can be used for its practical applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agriculture, soil fertility is maintained by using the compost, which contains Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). Thus, it is required to acquire information about fertility status of soil and to apply the essential amount of composts. The laboratory-based chemical analysis methods for soil macronutrients test can be laborious, time-consuming, cost-intensive and destructive in nature. To overcome these issues, the hyperspectral remote sensing is employed for identification and determination of macronutrients of soil. The objective of this study is spectral unmixing of compositions of soil and NPK compost by using Derivative Analysis for Spectral Unmixing (DASU) approach. The proposed methodology has been tested for soil samples collected from an area located around Roorkee, UK, India. The applied methodology studies the spectral reflectance by using spectroradiometer data. The spectral regions 989.3 nm for pure NPK compost and 2195.1 nm for pure soils have been found optimal spectral absorption features. Accuracy assessment has been carried out on the basis of linear regression model between the true and estimated abundances. The coefficient of determination (R2) values for compositions of silt clay soil and NPK compost has been found at 989.3 nm spectral region as 0.892, 0.897 for compositions of loamy soil and NPK compost and 0.906 for sandy soil and NPK compost. Similarly, R2 values obtained at 2195.1 nm spectral region for silt clay soil and NPK compost is 0.932, 0.926 for compositions of loamy soil and NPK compost and 0.933 for sandy soil and NPK compost. The output of this study provides the fractional abundances of compositions of soil and NPK compost. Further, the results have been validated in laboratory by using chemical analysis methods. Thus, it may be concluded that hyperspectral remote sensing may be used in situ to estimate soil fertility status of farm soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On March 26, 2020 Indian Government announced a state of pandemic emergency, which resulted in the adjournment of off-line learning in schools, colleges and universities. All the educational institutions were required to take complete e-learning. Therefore, students and teachers are proactively adopting e-learning methods. We can never imagine that we will come across such a situation. Taking online education is somehow difficult for students who live in rural India. The effect of pandemic COVID-19 is seen in each area all throughout the planet. It has implemented the overall lock down making exceptionally terrible impact on the education. Indian education system has been battling to endure the emergencies with an alternate methodology and digitizing the difficulties to wash away the danger of the pandemic. In this particular paper we will discuss the present condition of online education in rural India. This study particularly highlights the impact and importance of COVID-19 in rural India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quarantine often is an unpleasant experience. The aim of this study is to explore the degree of psychological distress in terms of–Depression, Anxiety and Stress among the adult population in India during the strict 21 days mandatory lockdown. We hypothesize that quantification of psychological impact of current situation will help us to modify the policies and implementation strategies. This assessment might also help in future to keep targeted services in place, to cope up with the psychological distress of the quarantined population. Method: A cross sectional survey design was adopted to assess the psychological state of general population in India, during the COVID-19 mandatory lockdown period, with the help of a validated questionnaire. Findings: The reported prevalence of depression was around 30.5%, which was the highest among the variables of psychological health. Anxiety was reported by 22.4%, followed by stress which was seen in 10.8% of respondents. In the third week the incidence of depression (37.8% versus 23.4%; p<0.001), anxiety (26.6% versus 18.2%; p<0.001) and stress (12.2% versus 9.3%; p<0.045) was reported to be significantly higher as compared to second week. Interpretation: Our results suggest a progressively detrimental impact of lockdown on various aspects of psychological health. We noticed around eight to ten fold increase in the prevalence of depression (30.5%) and anxiety (22.4%) during lockdown, as compared to baseline statistics in Indian population (3·1–3·6% for depressive disorders and 3·0–3·5% for anxiety disorders). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study was to enhance the dissolution rate of BCS class II drug Indomethacin (IND) by solid dispersion (SD) techniques using Ocimum basilicum mucilage (OBM) as a carrier. Solid dispersions of indomethacin were prepared by using Ocimum basilicum mucilage by four different methods. Effect of methods of preparation on dissolution rate was studied. It was found that the dissolution rate of IND from its SD was dependent on the method of preparation of solid dispersions. Dissolution study revealed that the physical mixture and kneading method were convenient and effective methods for dissolution enhancement of poorly water soluble drug IND, among various methods of preparation of SD. The prepared SD's were characterized by FTIR, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction studies. From the study we conclude that OBM could be used as a potential carrier in enhancing the dissolution rate and ultimately bioavailability of IND. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water uptake behavior of brown rice during soaking as a part of the process of producing 'komal chawal', a kind of traditional no cooking rice to the population in the State of Assam, India, is modelled to Fick's diffusion equation. Grain swelling resulting from water uptake was accounted by the moving boundary formulation. The model was applied to the hydration data of brown rice at soaking temperatures of 40°C-65°C, with saturation moisture content estimated from experimental hydration data. Dependence of effective diffusivity on the temperature and moisture content was expressed as a factor estimated from enthalpy-entropy compensation of moisture sorption behavior. Model fitting yielded values of effective diffusivity in a range of 2.13 10-11 - 1.52 x10-10 m² s-1. Calibrated model could predict the evolution of moisture with soaking time, as validated by comparing with experimental data, enabling the prediction of end of soaking period to reach the desired moisture level for steaming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the implementation of a mobile-clinic based diabetes screening program from India. A significant number of people with diabetes remain undiagnosed because of a lack of awareness and access to health care facilities. A Mobile Diabetes Clinic (MDC) was established to provide basic diabetes screening to the underprivileged rural population with the help of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).

Context: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) should be diagnosed early, as untreated maternal hyperglycemia leads to adverse materno-fetal outcome. Subjects and Methods: We studied prevalence of gestational diabetes by a house to house survey of a rural population in western India. A cluster of remote villages with little access to health care were chosen. Results: A total of 989 women participated in the study out of which 9.5% (n = 94) were diagnosed as GDM. In a stepwise multivariate regression analysis a higher body mass index during pregnancy was a predictor of gestational diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes was similar in women with gestational age of >24 weeks and <24 weeks, suggesting the need for early screening. Conclusions: Our results suggest the need for implementing health programs to diagnose and treat gestational diabetes in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the growth, adiposity and blood pressure of non-handicapped low birthweight children at 18 years. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Infants born between 1987-1989 with birthweight less than 2000g, discharged from a neonatal special care unit of a referral hospital and followed up till the age of 18 years. Methods: The height, weight, and head circumference were measured. Measurements for adiposity, blood pressure, parental height and weight were recorded. Results: The cohort of 161 low birth weight (LBW) infants was divided into three groups according to their gestation - preterm SGA ( n=61), full term SGA ( n=30) and preterm AGA ( n=70). 71 full term AGA infants served as controls. Preterm SGA males had height of 164.5 cms (162-166.9, 95% CI) which was significantly less (mean deficit = 5.7 cms) than that of controls ( P=0.02). However, PTSGA children were short inspite of normal midparental height. Preterm SGA and AGA children had smaller head circumference. There was no evidence of adiposity and no child had hypertension. Mid-parental height was an important determinant of height in LBW children. Both parentss' weight and BMI were important determinants of weight and BMI, respectively in all LBW children. Conclusion: Preterm SGA males were short, but there was no difference in the weight of the LBW group and controls. Preterms had smaller head circumference. There was no evidence of adiposity or hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The assessment of growth is crucial in child care and reference data are central to growth monitoring. As the pattern of growth of a population changes with time it is recommended that references be updated regularly. Objective: To produce contemporary growth curves for Indian children from 5-18 years for height, weight and BMI. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Multicentric, School based. Participants: 19834 children were measured from 10 affluent schools from five major geographical regions of India. Data were analyzed on 18666 children (10496 boys and 8170 girls) using the LMS method and smoothed percentiles 2007 were produced. Results: Compared to the 1989 data, median height at 18 years was 0.6 cm greater for boys but unchanged for girls, while the 97th height percentile had increased by 1.7 cm for boys and 2 cm for girls. Boys and girls were heavier and taller at almost all ages. The study also showed that boys and girls were taller at a younger age. Conclusions: Contemporary cross sectional reference percentile curves for height, weight and body mass index for the assessment of physical growth of present day Indian children are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India accounts for nearly one-quarter of the global tuberculosis (TB) burden. Directly observed treatment (DOT) through in-person observation is recommended in India, although implementation has been heterogeneous due largely to resource limitations. Video DOT (vDOT) is a novel, smartphone-based approach that allows for remote treatment monitoring through patient-recorded videos. Prior studies in high-income, low disease burden settings, such as the United States, have shown vDOT to be feasible, although little is known about the role it may play in resource-limited, high-burden settings. Objective: The goal of the research was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of vDOT for adherence monitoring within a resource-limited, high TB burden setting of India. Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-arm, pilot implementation of vDOT in Pune, India. Outcome measures included adherence (proportion of prescribed doses observed by video) and verifiable fraction (proportion of prescribed doses observed by video or verbally confirmed with the patient following an incomplete/unverifiable video submission). vDOT acceptability among patients was assessed using a posttreatment survey. Results: A total of 25 patients enrolled. The median number of weeks on vDOT was 13 (interquartile range [IQR] 11-16). Median adherence was 74% (IQR 62%-84%), and median verifiable fraction was 86% (IQR 74%-98%). More than 90% of patients reported recording and uploading videos without difficulty. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that vDOT may be a feasible and acceptable approach to TB treatment monitoring in India. Our work expands the evidence base around vDOT by being one of the first efforts to evaluate vDOT within a resource-limited, high TB burden setting. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of vDOT in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: India is undergoing rapid epidemiological and nutritional transition largely as a consequence of rapid urbanisation. We investigated conventional and novel cardiovascular risk factors in rural and urban Indian men and studied their association with markers of vascular damage. Methods: We randomly selected and studied 149 rural, 142 urban slum residents and 150 urban middle class middle aged Indian men. We measured conventional (obesity, blood pressure, lipids, smoking habits) and novel (proinflammatory and prothrombotic factors) cardiovascular risk factors and markers of vascular damage (carotid intima media thickness (IMT), von Willebrand Factor (vWF), e-selectin). Results: There was a progressive increase in most of the conventional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors from rural to slum to urban middle class men. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), platelet count, total homocysteine and C-reactive protein showed similar patterns. Carotid IMT was similar in the three groups; vWF was highest in rural and e-selectin in slum men. Adjusting for location, age explained 17%, obesity 3% and conventional risk factors 1% of the variance in carotid IMT, whilst novel cardiovascular risk factors were without any significant impact. Conclusions: Urbanisation increases obesity related as well as prothrombotic and proinflammatory CV risk factors in Indian men, but appears not to impact on IMT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]