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: Introduction: To achieve epidemic control of infectious diseases, engaging higher‐burden populations with accessible diagnostic services is critical. HIV self‐testing (HIVST) is a promising option. Methods: We implemented an online HIVST programme for key populations across India. Eligible clients were 18 years or older, self‐reported a negative or unknown HIV status and reported not taking antiretroviral therapy. Clients who reported a prior HIV diagnosis were not eligible to receive an HIVST kit. HIVST clients received kits via courier or in person at pre‐determined pick‐up points supported by trained counselling staff. Virtual counsellors engaged clients online and by phone and offered support to register, access, and complete HIVST free of cost. Virtual counsellors supported clients to report results and engage with follow‐up services. Follow‐up included linking clients with a positive result to confirmatory testing and HIV care services. We assessed programmatic data across HIV continuum outcomes and conducted a qualitative evaluation through interviews with purposively sampled clients. Results: Between 30 June 2021 and 30 September 2022, 5324 clients ordered an HIVST kit (76% men, 13% women, 7% transgender people, 4% unknown gender). Of the 4282 clients reporting results (94% of those who received a kit), 6% screened positive, among whom 72% (n = 184) completed confirmatory testing. Themes from 41 client interviews included satisfaction about the convenience and privacy of services and the discreet nature of kit delivery. Respondents were drawn to the convenience of HIVST and appreciated gaining courage and comfort throughout the process from virtual counsellor support. For respondents who screened positive, challenges to care linkage included fearing judgemental questions from public providers and wanting more time before starting treatment. Clients shared concerns about kit accuracy and suggested that instructional materials be provided with more diverse language options. Conclusions: Web‐based HIVST services with tailored support appeared to facilitate HIV service access and engagement of harder‐to‐reach populations across India. Assistance from a community‐oriented counsellor proved important to overcome literacy barriers and mistrust in order to support the HIVST process and service linkage. Learnings can inform global efforts to improve the critical step of diagnosis in achieving epidemic control for HIV and other infectious diseases., INTRODUCTION Globally, infectious disease programmes have ambitious targets to achieve epidemic control or elimination. UNAIDS has established 95‐95‐95 targets for HIV wherein 95% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) are [...]

Background: Acute gastroenteritis--diarrhoea or vomiting (or both) of more than seven days' duration--may be accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Diarrhoea is the passage of excessively liquid or frequent stools with increased water content. Patterns of stooling vary widely in young children, and diarrhoea represents a change from the norm. OBJECTIVES: To study the electrolyte imbalance in children suffering from acute gastroenteritis of children of under 5 age group. MATERIAL & METHODS: Study Design: This is a prospective and observational study. Conducted at Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital over a period of 1 year. Study population: children suffering from acute gastroenteritis dehydration admitted to the Pediatrics Department. Sample size: study consisted a total of 80 study subjects. Sampling method: Simple random sampling method. Study tools and Data collection procedure: These patients were clinically evaluated to assess the severity of dehydration according to WHO criteria. The nutritional status was determined at the time of admission by the weight for age criteria as recommended by the Indian academy of Paediatrics. In all these patients, serum sodium, potassium was estimated before starting the treatment. The same were estimated in 10 apparently healthy children who served as control. Three milliliter of venous blood was collected under strict aseptic measures which were kept in centrifuge tubes for serum electrolyte, estimation. Results: In Grade-I malnutrition, the mean sodium levels were 131.4, 129.6 and 125 in mild, moderate and severe degree of dehydration respectively. The mean levels in mild, moderate and severe dehydration of Grade-II were 129.5, 128,125.3 mEq/lt respectively. In Grade-III malnutrition it was 125.75 in moderate and 120.6 mEq/lt in severe dehydration. CONCLUSION: From our study, it can be concluded that, Hypokalemia was the commonest electrolyte imbalance amongst the malnourished cases while isonatremic dehydration was commoner among normal nourished children. The severity of hyponatremia was more or less proportionate to the degree of dehydration and the grade of malnutrition. Hypokalemia was also more marked among severely dehydrated cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 Diabetes mellitus is characterized by high blood glucose, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. Common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, and unexplained weight loss. Metformin, a biguanide agent acts primarily as an insulin sensitizer. Its primary clinical site of action is in the liver, improving hepatic insulin sensitivity and as a result, decreasing hepatic gluconeogenesis. Sitagliptin is an oral, highly selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor for the treatment of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital over a period of 1 year. A total of 270 T2DM participants were screened of which, 90 patients were randomized into Group I received Metformin 500 mg BD for 3 months, Group II received Sitagliptin 50 mg BD for 3 months and Group III Metformin 500 mg BD and Sitagliptin 50mg BD for 3 months. RESULT: The mean fasting blood glucose level in Group I at baseline was 147.35 mg/dl with SD of 7.49 mg/dl, in Group II was 151.48 mg/dl with SD of 7.48 mg/dl and in Group III was 149.41 mg/dl with SD of 7.51 mg/dl. The mean fasting blood glucose level in Group I after 3 months was 95.99 mg/dl with SD of 6.72 mg/dl, in Group II was 93.64 mg/dl with SD of 6.32 mg/dl and in Group III was 89.54 mg/dl with SD of 6.32 mg/dl. These was statistically highly significant difference in mean Fasting Blood Glucose level at baseline versus after 3 months in Group I, Group II and Group III (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The present results suggested that sitagliptin combined with metformin is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for improving early glycaemic excursions and ß-cell function, with reduced hypoglycaemia and no weight gain. These results confirmed the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin combined with metformin in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, suggesting that this combination is also beneficial as a first-line treatment in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Lactose intolerance is very common in Indian population, however there has been a wide variation of prevalence among north Indians and south Indians ranging from 27.4 percent to 66.6 percent. Increased calcium intake through consumption of milk is an effective mechanism for increasing calcium uptake from the diet and thereby minimising the risk of development of osteoporosis in later life. Detailed information about rates of lactose intolerance, and adaptation to dietary lactose and its consequences, will help in the formulation of dietary advice. Lactose intolerance or mal absorption is the inability to breakdown lactose because of reduced concentration of enzyme lactase. AIMS To study the prevalence of lactose intolerance in healthy medical students of Urban area in India and related symptoms following oral lactose challenge in healthy volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study conducted in the Department of Physiology at Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital from October 2021 to April 2022. We included 100 subjects in the study and expected that would be sufficient to find out the prevalence of lactose intolerance in our community. The disaccharide lactose is synthesized in the mammary gland of mammalians (except the sea lion) and is essential for the nourishment of newborn infants. In the small intestine brush border the lactase enzyme is responsible for the absorption of lactose. RESULTS: Fifty eight were males and 42 were females, age range was between 17 years to 21 years. Fourty two (42 percent) were positive, that is lactose intolerant and Fifty eight (58 percent) were negative, i.e. lactose tolerant. sixteen subjects had crampy abdominal pain and two had bloating post lactose ingestion all of them were lactose intolerant. A total of 42(42%) subjects were found to be lactose malabsorbers (LM). Lactose intolerance was found to be equally prevalent in both sexes (male = 58, 24% and female = 42, 18%, P=0.656) Commonest symptoms experienced by the lactose malabsorber participants of this study was diarrhea 30(30%). CONCLUSION: Lactose may be consumed as a dairy food component in modest amounts, up to 12-24 g per day, preferably in small amounts across the day, in those whom lactase persistence is not physiological, without clinical symptoms. Lactose-free or lactasesupplemented foods are not necessary for those in whom lactase activity is not persistent beyond infancy. Lactose may favorably alter the colonic microbiota if it is not digested in the small intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]