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The effect of vegetarian diets on faecal microbiota has been explored largely through culture-based techniques. The present study compared the faecal microbiota of vegetarian and omnivorous young women in southern India. Faecal samples were obtained from thirty-two lacto-vegetarian and twenty-four omnivorous young adult women from a similar social and economic background. Macronutrient intake and anthropometric data were collected. Faecal microbiota of interest was quantified by real-time PCR with SYBR Green using primers targeting 16S rRNA genes of groups, including: Clostridium coccoides group (Clostridium cluster XIVa), Roseburia spp.–Eubacterium rectale, Bacteroides–Prevotella group, Bifidobacterium genus, Lactobacillus group, Clostridium leptum group (Clostridium cluster IV), Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Ruminococcus productus–C. coccoides, Butyrivibrio, Enterococcus species and Enterobacteriaceae. The groups were matched for age, socio-economic score and anthropometric indices. Intake of energy, complex carbohydrates and Ca were significantly higher in the omnivorous group. The faecal microbiota of the omnivorous group was enriched with Clostridium cluster XIVa bacteria, specifically Roseburia–E. rectale. The relative proportions of other microbial communities were similar in both groups. The butyryl-CoA CoA-transferase gene, associated with microbial butyrate production, was present in greater amounts in the faeces of omnivores, and the levels were highly correlated with Clostridium cluster XIVa and Roseburia–E. rectale abundance and to a lesser extent with Clostridium leptum and F. prausnitzii abundance and with crude fibre intake. Omnivores had an increased relative abundance of Clostridium cluster XIVa bacteria and butyryl-CoA CoA-transferase gene compared with vegetarians, but we were unable to identify the components of the diet responsible for this difference. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Occupational therapy (OT) research in India has been shown to have various methodological limitations. This can subsequently impact the quality of research as well as on the evidence derived from this research to inform decision making in health care. The majority of the OT research is disseminated through the All-India Occupational Therapists Association's annual national conference (ANC). Analyzing the abstracts, selected for the presentation at the ANC could help understand the quality of OT research in India. Objectives: The objective of the study is to assess the quality of occupational therapy research in India. Study Design: A descriptive analysis Methods: Descriptive, non-systematic review and analysis of the key methodological aspects of the conference abstracts of the AIOTA ANC published in Indian Journal of OT (IJOT) between 2017 and 2021. Results: About 218 abstracts have been selected for either poster or oral presentations in the conference. In the total abstracts selected for the ANC, 8055 participants were recruited for the studies conducted between 2017 and 2021. 72 % (5807) of the participants were recruited for cross-sectional studies. 33% of the abstracts presented were related to cross-sectional studies, 24% were case studies and 30% were experimental studies. However, there were 4% of randomized controlled trials with 297 participants and 2% were systematic reviews that constitute the peak of the evidence pyramid. Positive results were reported with statistically significant improvements and associations in 98% of the studies evaluating the effectiveness of interventions or aiming to investigate associations. Conclusion: The review provides invaluable information related to the quality of occupational therapy research in India. The positive results reported in 98% of the intervention and correlational studies, imply potential reporting bias and methodological flaws in the conduct. Only four percent of the studies in this review had a design that could inform evidence, imply a radical change and strengthening of OT research as well as prioritization of research within OT education and professional practice in India. Funding: This work was supported by the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance Fellowship [grant: IA/CPHE/16/1/502650], awarded to Dr. Sureshkumar Kamalakannan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The majority of the Occupational Therapy (OT) research in India is disseminated through the All India Occupational Therapists Association's Annual National Conference (ANC). Analyzing the abstracts, selected for the presentation at the ANC could help identify the research priorities for OT in India. Objectives: The objective of the study is to assess the trends in Occupational therapy research in India. Study Design: Descriptive analysis and non-systematic review. Methods: Descriptive, Non-systematic Review and analysis of the conference abstracts of the AIOTA ANC published in Indian Journal of OT (IJOT) between 2017 and 2021. Results: 218 abstracts were identified from the ANC abstract publications between 2017 and 2021. State level trends indicated that close to 85% of the research submission were from Maharashtra (49%), New Delhi (15%), Karnataka (10%), and Tamil Nadu (9%). We did not find any submission from the North-eastern states until 2020. About 40% of these research abstracts were related to Paediatrics, followed by neurology (17%), Musculoskeletal (15%), mental health (10%), ergonomics and assistive technology (8%). There was only 1-2% of research abstracts submission related to COVID-19 and Geriatrics. Close to 60% of the abstracts were clinical research with occupational therapy interventions. About 85% of the research abstracts were related to impairment (39%), activity limitation (26%), and participation (22%). Conclusion: This review highlights the need for diversifying the research in occupational therapy in India. This is particularly important in relation to expanding from selected states to a pan India research and development, especially including the north-eastern states. Also, the focus of OT research must move beyond impairments and approach disability from the social model perspective. It is also very important to diversify the research in occupational therapy to areas contributing substantial disability-adjusted life years such as COVID-19, geriatrics and non-communicable diseases. Priority setting for research in occupational therapy in India is an important implication of this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Probiotics are used to provide health benefits. The present study tested the effect of a probiotic yoghurt on faecal output of beta-defensin and immunoglobulin A in a group of young healthy women eating a defined diet. Findings 26 women aged 18-21 (median 19) years residing in a hostel were given 200 ml normal yoghurt every day for a week, followed by probiotic yoghurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12® (109 in 200 ml) for three weeks, followed again by normal yoghurt for four weeks. Stool samples were collected at 0, 4 and 8 weeks and assayed for immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin-2 by ELISA. All participants tolerated both normal and probiotic yoghurt well. Human beta-defensin-2 levels in faeces were not altered during the course of the study. On the other hand, compared to the basal sample, faecal IgA increased during probiotic feeding (P = 0.0184) and returned to normal after cessation of probiotic yoghurt intake. Conclusions Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12® increased secretory IgA output in faeces. This property may explain the ability of probiotics to prevent gastrointestinal and lower respiratory tract infections.