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Aims To investigate a virtual assistance-based lifestyle intervention to reduce risk factors for Type 2 diabetes in young employees in the information technology industry in India. Methods LIMIT (Lifestyle Modification in Information Technology) was a parallel-group, partially blinded, randomized controlled trial. Employees in the information technology industry with ≥3 risk factors (family history of cardiometabolic disease, overweight/obesity, high blood pressure, impaired fasting glucose, hypertriglyceridaemia, high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol) from two industries were randomized to a control or an intervention (1:1) group. After initial lifestyle advice, the intervention group additionally received reinforcement through mobile phone messages (three per week) and e-mails (two per week) for 1 year. The primary outcome was change in prevalence of overweight/obesity, analysed by intention to treat. Results Of 437 employees screened (mean age 36.2 ± 9.3 years; 74.8% men), 265 (61.0%) were eligible and randomized into control ( n=132) or intervention ( n=133) group. After 1 year, the prevalence of overweight/obesity reduced by 6.0% in the intervention group and increased by 6.8% in the control group (risk difference 11.2%; 95% CI 1.2-21.1; P=0.042). There were also significant improvements in lifestyle measurements, waist circumference, and total and LDL cholesterol in the intervention group. The number-needed-to-treat to prevent one case of overweight/obesity in 1 year was 9 (95% CI 5-82), with an incremental cost of INR10665 (£112.30) per case treated/prevented. A total of 98% of participants found the intervention acceptable. Conclusions A virtual assistance-based lifestyle intervention was effective, cost-effective and acceptable in reducing risk factors for diabetes in young employees in the information technology industry, and is potentially scalable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives:Vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency is common in Indians and a major contributor to hyperhomocysteinemia, which may influence fetal growth, risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this paper was to study the effect of physiological doses of B12 and folic acid on plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration.Subjects/Methods:A cluster randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 2 × 3 factorial trial, using the family as the randomization unit. B12 was given as 2 or 10 μg capsules, with or without 200 μg folic acid, forming six groups (B0F0, B2F0, B10F0, B0F200, B2F200 and B10F200). Plasma tHcy concentration was measured before and after 4 and 12 months of supplementation.Results:From 119 families in the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study, 300 individuals were randomized. There was no interaction between B12 and folic acid (P=0.14) in relation to tHcy concentration change and their effects were analyzed separately: B0 vs. B2 vs. B10; and F0 vs. F200. At 12 months, tHcy concentration reduced by a mean 5.9 (95% CI: −7.8, −4.1) μmol/l in B2, and by 7.1 (95% CI: −8.9, −5.4) μmol/l in B10, compared to nonsignificant rise of 1.2 (95% CI: −0.5, 2.9) μmol/l in B0. B2 and B10 did not differ significantly. In F200, tHcy concentration decreased by 4.8 (95% CI: −6.3, −3.3) μmol/l compared to 2.8 (95% CI: −4.3, −1.2) μmol/l in F0.Conclusion:Daily oral supplementation with physiological doses of B12 is an effective community intervention to reduce tHcy. Folic acid (200 μg per day) showed no additional benefit, neither had any unfavorable effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raised maternal plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations predict small size at birth, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. We studied the association between maternal vitamin B12, folate and tHcy status during pregnancy, and offspring adiposity and insulin resistance at 6 years. In the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study we studied 700 consecutive eligible pregnant women in six villages. We measured maternal nutritional intake and circulating concentrations of folate, vitamin B12, tHcy and methylmalonic acid (MMA) at 18 and 28 weeks of gestation. These were correlated with offspring anthropometry, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan) and insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-R]) at 6 years. Two-thirds of mothers had low vitamin B12 (<150 pmol/l), 90% had high MMA (>0.26 μmol/l) and 30% had raised tHcy concentrations (>10 μmol/l); only one had a low erythrocyte folate concentration. Although short and thin (BMI), the 6-year-old children were relatively adipose compared with the UK standards (skinfold thicknesses). Higher maternal erythrocyte folate concentrations at 28 weeks predicted higher offspring adiposity and higher HOMA-R (both p < 0.01). Low maternal vitamin B12 (18 weeks; p = 0.03) predicted higher HOMA-R in the children. The offspring of mothers with a combination of high folate and low vitamin B12 concentrations were the most insulin resistant. Low maternal vitamin B12 and high folate status may contribute to the epidemic of adiposity and type 2 diabetes in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor about research conducted on paternal insulin resistance and fetal growth.

Abstract Background The APOA5 gene variants, -1131T>C and S19W, are associated with altered triglyceride concentrations in studies of subjects of Caucasian and East Asian descent. There are few studies of these variants in South Asians. We investigated whether the two APOA5 variants also show similar association with various lipid parameters in Indian population as in the UK white subjects. Methods We genotyped 557 Indian adults from Pune, India, and 237 UK white adults for -1131T>C and S19W variants in the APOA5 gene, compared their allelic and genotype frequency and determined their association with fasting serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol levels using univariate general linear analysis. APOC3 SstI polymorphism was also analyzed in 175 Pune Indian subjects for analysis of linkage disequilibrium with the APOA5 variants. Results The APOA5 -1131C allele was more prevalent in Indians from Pune (Pune Indians) compared to UK white subjects (allele frequency 20% vs. 4%, p = 0.00001), whereas the 19W allele was less prevalent (3% vs. 6% p = 0.0015). Patterns of linkage disequilibrium between the two variants were similar between the two populations and confirmed that they occur on two different haplotypes. In Pune Indians, the presence of -1131C allele and the 19W allele was associated with a 19% and 15% increase respectively in triglyceride concentrations although only -1131C was significant (p = 0.0003). This effect size was similar to that seen in the UK white subjects. Analysis of the APOC3 SstI polymorphism in 175 Pune Indian subjects showed that this variant is not in appreciable linkage disequilibrium with the APOA5 -1131T>C variant (r2 = 0.07). Conclusion This is the first study to look at the role of APOA5 in Asian Indian subjects that reside in India. The -1131C allele is more prevalent and the 19W allele is less prevalent in Pune Indians compared to UK Caucasians. We confirm that the APOA5 variants are associated with triglyceride levels independent of ethnicity and that this association is similar in magnitude in Asian Indians and Caucasians. The -1131C allele is present in 36% of the Pune Indian population making it a powerful marker for looking at the role of elevated triglycerides in important conditions such as pancreatitis, diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Background: The bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, is a major pest of agriculture due to its ability to directly damage crops and transmit plant viruses. As industries move away from chemical pest control, there is interest in exploring new options to suppress the impact of this pest., Results: We describe the production of a transinfected line of R. padi carrying the bacterial endosymbiont, Regiella insecticola, originating from the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae. We show that Regiella increases the fitness of its novel host despite decreasing fitness in its native host. Regiella also shows a low level of horizontal transmission. Importantly the infection suppresses the ability of R. padi to transmit the barley yellow dwarf virus which damages wheat plants., Conclusion: Our results suggest this Regiella transinfection could be released to suppress virus transmission by aphids with its ability to persist and spread in situations where damage from the virus exceeds that from direct feeding by the aphid. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: We investigated the associations of micronutrients and lipids with prediabetes, glycemic parameters, and glycemic indices among the adolescent girls of the DERVAN (aDolescent and prEconception health peRspectiVe of Adult Non-communicable diseases) cohort study from rural India., Methods: We recruited 1,520 adolescent girls aged 16-18 years. We measured glycemic parameters (glucose, insulin and HbA 1 C), lipids (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], and triglycerides), and micronutrients (vitamin B 12 , folate, and vitamin D). Prediabetes was defined using American Diabetes Association criteria (fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL or HbA1C ≥5.7%). Glycemic indices (insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, and β cell function) were calculated using the homeostasis model. Associations of prediabetes, glycemic parameters and glycemic indices with micronutrients and lipids were analyzed by multiple logistic regressions., Results: The median age and Body Mass Index (BMI) were 16.6 years and 17.6 kg/m 2 , respectively. Overall, 58% of girls had a low BMI. Median vitamin B 12 , folate, and vitamin D concentrations were 249.0 pg/mL, 6.1 ng/mL, and 14.2 ng/mL, respectively. The deficiencies observed were 32.1% for vitamin B 12 , 11.8% for folate, and 33.0% for vitamin D. Median total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride concentrations were 148.0 mg/dL, 81.5 mg/dL, 50.8 mg/dL, and 61.5 mg/dL, respectively. Elevated total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides were observed in 4.8, 4.0, and 3.8%, respectively, while low HDL was observed in 12.8%. Prediabetes was observed in 39.7% of the girls. Among lipids, total cholesterol and LDL were higher in girls with prediabetes ( p  < 0.01 for both). In a multivariate model containing cholesterol and vitamin B 12 /folate/vitamin D, prediabetes was associated with high cholesterol. Prediabetes was also associated with high LDL, independent of folate and vitamin D. Poor insulin secretion was high in those with low vitamin B 12 . Elevated insulin resistance was associated with low HDL. The likelihood of high insulin sensitivity was reduced in those with high triglycerides. The likelihood of poor β cell function was high in those with high LDL. Statistical interactions between micronutrients and lipids for prediabetes and glycemic outcomes were not significant., Conclusion: There was a substantial deficiency of micronutrients and an absence of dyslipidemia. Our results indicate the need for lipid and micronutrient-based interventions in adolescence to improve glycemic outcomes. Maintaining adequate storage of not only micronutrients but also lipids in adolescent girls is likely to reduce diabetes risk in adulthood., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Patil, Dervankar, Hardikar-Bhat, Joglekar, Bhat, Patil and Yadav.)

Background: India is witnessing an epidemic of type 2 diabetes. Overweight/obesity, overnutrition, physical inactivity, and family history are well-known risk factors for diabetes. We investigated the role of undernutrition in the development of diabetes among rural adolescent girls., Methods: DERVAN cohort study was set up in the KONKAN region of the western Indian state of Maharashtra. It enrolled 1,520 adolescent girls (16-18 years old at the time of enrollment). We measured glycemic parameters (glucose, insulin, and HbA 1 C) and body size using anthropometry and body composition using bioimpedance. Prediabetes was diagnosed using the American Diabetic Association (ADA) criteria. We also calculated various HOMA indices for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), β-cell function (HOMA-β), insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S), and compensatory β-cell response using a homeostasis model. BMI, body fat%, and waist circumferences were treated as exposures and all the glycemic parameters and indices as outcomes., Results: The median age of the subjects was 16.6 years. The median weight, height, and BMI were 40.7 kg, 151.7 cm, and 17.5 kg/m 2 , respectively. Prevalence of underweight was 28.8%, and stunting was observed in 30.4%. Thinness and obesity using BMI were observed in 58.4% and 4.2%, respectively. The median body fat% was 22.5, and excess body fat (>35%) was observed in 5.7%. The prevalence of prediabetes was 39.4%. Fasting insulin concentrations, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β showed a positive trend across body composition quartiles ( p < 0.001). HOMA-S and compensatory β-cell response showed an inverse trend ( p < 0.001). Compared with prediabetic girls in the overweight/obese group, girls most undernourished group had lower median insulin concentrations (8.1 μIU/ml vs. 17.1 μIU/ml), lower HOMA-IR (1.1 vs. 2.3), and lower HOMA-β (75.6 vs. 129.2) but higher sensitivity (87.4 vs. 43.7) ( p < 0.001) for all., Conclusion: We have reported a high prevalence of prediabetes among rural adolescent girls with a very low prevalence of obesity. Prediabetes in obesity is driven by hyperinsulinemia and overworking of the pancreas while poor β-cell function and poor insulin secretion are major drivers in the undernourished group. The high-risk diabetes screening programs are much needed for the undernourished populations. Caution should be exercised for planning the interventions as overfeeding (or overnutrition) is likely to put the populations at risk of development of obesity and insulin resistance., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Patil, Patil, Hardikar-Bhat, Dervankar, Joglekar, Bhat, Nandoskar, Yadav and Nilawar.)

Research Question: Is there a diurnal variation in salivary progesterone levels during menstrual cycle among Indian women?, Design: A longitudinal study was carried out to measure progesterone in saliva among small cross-sectional sample (n = 31) of fertile Indian women of reproductive age comprising young adults (18-25 years, n = 11), adults (26-38 years, n = 9) and middle aged (39-45 years, n = 11). Saliva samples were collected twice daily (morning and evening) across the entire menstrual cycle of 31 women., Results: Mean ages at enrolment and menarche were 30.6 years and 13.6 years respectively. Fifty-five percent of the women were married. The menstrual cycle range was 20-40 days. After controlling for age and menstrual cycle length, statistically significant diurnal variation in progesterone levels was observed across menstrual cycles with high levels in the morning., Conclusions: This is the first report on salivary progesterone in subjects with Indian ethnicity and could have clinical implications for designing point of care kits for menstrual cycle management, fertility and reproduction., Competing Interests: None of the authors have any competing interests to declare., (© 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Objective: To describe the anthropometry, socioeconomic circumstances, diet and screen time usage of adolescents in India and Africa as context to a qualitative study of barriers to healthy eating and activity., Design: Cross-sectional survey, including measured height and weight and derived rates of stunting, low BMI, overweight and obesity. Parental schooling and employment status, household assets and amenities, and adolescents' dietary diversity, intake of snack foods, mobile/smartphone ownership and TV/computer time were obtained via a questionnaire., Setting: Four settings each in Africa (rural villages, West Kiang, The Gambia; low-income urban communities, Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire; low/middle-class urban communities, Jimma, Ethiopia; low-income township, Johannesburg, South Africa) and India (rural villages, Dervan; semi-rural villages, Pune; city slums, Mumbai; low-middle/middle-class urban communities, Mysore)., Participants: Convenience samples (n 41-112 per site) of boys and girls, half aged 10-12 years and another half aged 15-17 years, were recruited for a qualitative study., Results: Both undernutrition (stunting and/or low BMI) and overweight/obesity were present in all settings. Rural settings had the most undernutrition, least overweight/obesity and greatest diet diversity. Urban Johannesburg (27 %) and Abidjan (16 %), and semi-rural Pune (16 %) had the most overweight/obesity. In all settings, adolescents reported low intakes of micronutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, and substantial intakes of salted snacks, cakes/biscuits, sweets and fizzy drinks. Smartphone ownership ranged from 5 % (West Kiang) to 69 % (Johannesburg), higher among older adolescents., Conclusions: The 'double burden of malnutrition' is present in all TALENT settings. Greater urban transition is associated with less undernutrition, more overweight/obesity, less diet diversity and higher intakes of unhealthy/snack foods.

Objective: To explore, adolescents' and caregivers' perspectives, about shaping of diet and physical activity habits in rural Konkan, India., Design: Five focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with adolescents and two with caregivers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis., Setting: FGD were conducted in secondary schools located in remote rural villages in the Ratnagiri district, Konkan region, Maharashtra, India., Participants: Forty-eight adolescents were recruited including twenty younger (10-12 years) and twenty-eight older (15-17 years) adolescents. Sixteen caregivers (all mothers) were also recruited., Results: Three themes emerged from discussion: (i) adolescents' and caregivers' perceptions of the barriers to healthy diet and physical activity, (ii) acceptance of the status quo and (iii) salience of social and economic transition. Adolescents' basic dietary and physical activity needs were rarely met by the resources available and infrastructure of the villages. There were few opportunities for physical activity, other than performing household chores and walking long distances to school. Adolescents and their caregivers accepted these limitations and their inability to change them. Increased use of digital media and availability of junk foods marked the beginning of a social and economic transition., Conclusion: FGD with adolescents and their caregivers provided insights into factors influencing adolescent diet and physical activity in rural India. Scarcity of basic resources limited adolescent diet and opportunities for physical activity. To achieve current nutritional and physical activity recommendations for adolescents requires improved infrastructure in these settings, changes which may accompany the current Indian social and economic transition.

KOKAN region is characterized by undernutrition across all stages of lifecycle. Developmental Origins of Health & Disease hypothesis suggests that environmental influences in the early period of growth and development can contribute to the risks of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) in adulthood. Newborns and placentas of 815 pregnant mothers delivered in a rural hospital were studied. We tested the hypothesis that low placental weight will be associated with low birth weight (LBW). Mothers had a mean age of 26 years and were smaller in size at delivery [mean height of 152.1 cm (±6.1 cm), weight 52 kg (±10.2 kg), body mass index (BMI) 22.5 kg/m2 (±4.1 kg/m2)]. Mean placental weight was 488 g (±120 g). Mean birth weight, length, and head circumference of the newborn were 2.54 kg (±0.5 kg), 46.3 cm (±3.1 cm), and 32.7 cm (±1.7 cm), respectively. Prevalence of LBW, stunting, and small head size was 41.6%, 42.2%, and 18.2%, respectively. Maternal height, weight, and BMI at delivery were all positively associated with placental weight (p < 0.01 for all). Mothers with placentas in the lowest placental weight tertile had an increased likelihood of producing an LBW baby [OR 7.7, 95% CI (5.0, 11.8)], a stunted baby [OR 1.9 (1.4, 2.9)], or a baby with a small head circumference [OR 2.4 (1.4, 4.0)]. Mothers in the lowest height tertile had odds of producing a LBW baby [OR 1.8 95% CI (1.2, 2.7)] or a stunted baby [OR 1.6 (1.1, 2.3)]. There is a need to improve the nutritional status of women in KOKAN region which may reduce the risk of NCD.

Our objective was to investigate associations of body size (birth weight and body mass index (BMI)) and growth in height, body fat (adiposity) and lean mass during childhood and adolescence, with risk markers for diabetes in young South Asian adults. We studied 357 men and women aged 21 years from the Pune Children's Study birth cohort. Exposures were 1) birth weight, 21-year BMI, both of these mutually adjusted, and their interaction, and 2) uncorrelated conditional measures of growth in height and proxies for gain in adiposity and lean mass from birth to 8 years (childhood) and 8 to 21 years (adolescence) constructed from birth weight, and weight, height, and skinfolds at 8 and 21 years. Outcomes were plasma glucose and insulin concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test and derived indices of insulin resistance and secretion. Higher 21-year BMI was associated with higher glucose and insulin concentrations and insulin resistance, and lower disposition index. After adjusting for 21-year BMI, higher birth weight was associated with lower 120-min glucose and insulin resistance, and higher disposition index. In the growth analysis, greater adiposity gain during childhood and adolescence was associated with higher glucose, insulin and insulin resistance, and lower disposition index, with stronger effects from adolescent gain. Greater childhood lean gain and adolescent height gain were associated with lower 120-min glucose and insulin. Consistent with other studies, lower birth weight and higher childhood weight gain increases diabetes risk. Disaggregation of weight gain showed that greater child/adolescent adiposity gain and lower lean and height gain may increase risk.

The ease with which molecular building blocks can be ordered in metal-organic frameworks is an invaluable asset for many potential applications. In this work, we exploit this inherent order to produce chromatic polarizers based on visible-light linear dichroism via cobalt paddlewheel chromophores.

Objectives: We investigated whether the relationship between components of height and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk may be explained by body composition. We also examined relationships between parental heights and offspring CVD risk., Design: A cohort study using cross-sectional data., Setting: A secondary care hospital setting in Pune, India., Participants: We studied 357 young adults and their parents in the Pune Children's Study. Primary and secondary outcomes: we measured weight, total height, leg length, sitting height, plasma glucose, insulin and lipids, and blood pressure (BP). Total and regional lean and fat mass were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry., Results: Leg length was inversely related, and sitting height was directly related to BMI. Total height and leg length were directly related to lean mass, while sitting height was directly related to both lean and fat mass. Leg length was inversely related to systolic BP and 120 min glucose, independent of lean and fat mass. Sitting height was directly related to systolic BP and triglycerides; these relationships were attenuated on adjustment for lean and fat mass. When examined simultaneously, greater leg length was protective and greater sitting height was associated with a more detrimental CVD risk profile., Conclusions: Shorter adult leg length and greater sitting height are associated with a more adverse CVD risk factor profile. The mechanisms need further study, but our findings suggest a role for lean and fat mass., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: Precise impact of nutritional insufficiencies in adolescence as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCD) in later life as adults remains largely unknown.We are conducting research into the effects of nutrition on adolescent girls of Ratnagiri district by a prospective cohort study (aDolescent and prEconception health peRspectiVe of Adult Non-communicable diseases cohort). Our study focuses on the physical health, nutritional parameters and cognitive profiles of adolescent girls, during the prenatal and postnatal period and we aim to follow this cohort and their offspring for 20 years., Methods and Analysis: Cohort recruitment began in June 2019. Our aim is to recruit more than 1500 adolescent girls, age 16-18 years, over a period of 3 years. The recruit's cognition, diet and physical activity will be recorded. The following investigations will be performed: body composition by anthropometry and bioimpedence, and blood pressure, fasting blood sample to measure glucose, insulin, lipids, micronutrients and hormones, abdominal ultrasonography to measure liver, pancreas and kidneys.A biorepository has been created for long-term storage of blood, urine and saliva samples for future analysis. By this longitudinal study, we aim to identify the effects of malnutrition on the behavioural and biological measures in adolescent subjects and evaluate if these are associated with the onset of NCDs in adulthood., Ethics and Dissemination: Institutional Ethic Committee (IEC) of BKL Walawalkar Rural Medical College and Hospital has granted the permission to carry out the study. IEC is registered with Government of India. Its registration code is EC/755/INST/MH/2015/RR-18. It is not a clinical trial but as required we have also registered the study on Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI). The registration code is CTRI/2019/04/018453.Appropriate written informed consent and assent are obtained from the parents and the adolescent girls, respectively. We plan to publish our results in peer-reviewed journals., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)