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This research aims to develop and increase the appropriate polymer composite for human implants and to evaluate its mechanical properties. The composites have proved their application in several fields, but still, many types of research are going on to improve their properties and to increase the area of application. The polymer composites have also entered their utility into bone implants as a substitute for metallic implants due to problems like high cost and corrosion resistance. The polymer composites are less in weight, economical, high corrosion resistance and they can be made into any required shape. In this research the Zinc oxide (ZnO), Graphene oxide (GO), and Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanoparticles with wt. % reinforced polymer composites provide good mechanical properties and show good tribological properties. Among Zinc oxide, graphene oxide, calcium carbonate nanoparticles the graphene oxide reinforced High-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites have better properties and they can be most suitable for bio implant materials. With the extract-cotton seed oil and extract-Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) from graphene oxide (HDPE) composites, the culture medium (cell line MG-63) with direct cytotoxicity reactivity first test on extract-cotton seed oil of 10 μl and 20 μl extract exhibited a maximum of 71% and 57% cell viability and a minimum of 29% and 43% mild cytotoxicity. The culture medium with direct cytotoxicity reactivity second test on extract-Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) of 10 μl and 20 μl extract exhibited maximum 61% and 60% cell viability and minimum 39% and 40% cytotoxicity.

Hydroxyapatite HAP is a bioceramic that can be applied for bone tissue regeneration. Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) polymers are water-soluble and have faster biodegradation properties. The PVA-PEG-HAp thin membrane was cast by using the transparent solution petri-dish method. The PVA-PEG-HAp thin membrane was investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM. Both PVA and HAp of membrane matrix had typical peaks at 2Ɵ value 19.78. PEG also has a distinctive peak at 26.687. The five (5, 25, 50, 75, and 10 μl) different concentrations of extracts of PVA-PEG-HAp thin membrane were pertinent to interacting for 24 h with the L929 mouse cell line, and the results were exhibited a maximum of 99% and 93% cell viability, 1% and 7% cytotoxicity, respectively. Hence the newly developed polymer biomembrane is a biocompatible alternative for biofilms in medical applications.

Background/Objectives Most interventions to foster child growth and development in India focus on improving food quality and quantity. We aimed to assess the pattern in food consumption and dietary diversity by socioeconomic status (SES) among Indian children. Subjects/Methods The most recent nationally representative, cross-sectional data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015-16) was used for analysis of 73,852-74,038 children aged 6-23 months. Consumption of 21 food items, seven food groups, and adequately diversified dietary intake (ADDI) was collected through mother's 24-h dietary recall. Logistic regression models were conducted to assess the association between household wealth and maternal education with food consumption and ADDI, after controlling for covariates. Results Overall, the mean dietary diversity score was low (2.26; 95% CI:2.24-2.27) and the prevalence of ADDI was only 23%. Both household wealth and maternal education were significantly associated with ADDI (OR:1.28; 95% CI:1.18-1.38 and OR:1.75; 95% CI:1.63-1.90, respectively), but the SES gradient was not particularly strong. Furthermore, the associations between SES and consumption of individual food items and food groups were not consistent. Maternal education was more strongly associated with consumption of essential food items and all food groups, but household wealth was found to have significant influence on intake of dairy group only. Conclusions Interventions designed to improve food consumption and diversified dietary intake among Indian children need to be universal in their targeting given the overall high prevalence of inadequate dietary diversity and the relatively small differentials by SES., Author(s): Sutapa Agrawal [sup.1] , Rockli Kim [sup.2] , Jewel Gausman [sup.3] , Smriti Sharma [sup.4] , Rajan Sankar [sup.5] , William Joe [sup.6] , S. V. Subramanian [sup.2] [sup.7] [...]

India has been on a steady march to address malnutrition in the last decade. The nutrition community has worked on building consensus on key actions, implementation platforms were put in place and financing for nutrition slowly increased. Under the strong leadership of the Prime Minister, a revolutionary program to address malnutrition was launched in 2018. As actions under the mission accelerated, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in early 2020. Affecting health systems, food systems, nutrition programs, social safety nets, and the economy, the pandemic has the potential to exacerbate the challenge of malnutrition in multiple ways. India can mitigate some of the possible ways in which COVID-19 will affect malnutrition but will require strong leadership and continued commitment, adaptation of the national nutrition mission, strengthening of the social safety net and innovative evidence-based data to take informed decisions, implement them and ensure feedback to take necessary corrective action. In this article, we outline some challenges and key areas for action. We conclude that India's nutrition journey is too important to be derailed by a crisis like COVID-19. This is a clarion call for the nutrition community in India to rally strongly to support continued attention to malnutrition in all its forms, to generate relevant evidence, and to support and engage all of society to urgently and adequately address malnutrition in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have come too far to turn back now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iodine deficiency disorders are a major public health problem, and salt iodization is the most widely practised intervention for their elimination. For the intervention to be successful and sustainable, it is vital to monitor the iodine content of salt regularly. Iodometric titration, the traditional method for measuring iodine content, has problems related to accessibility and cost. The newer spot-testing kits are inexpensive, require minimal training, and provide immediate results. Using data from surveys to assess the availability of iodized salt in two states in India, Madhya Pradesh and the National Capital Territory of Delhi, we tested the suitability of such a kit in field situations. Salt samples from Delhi were collected from 30 schools, chosen using the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) cluster sampling technique. A single observer made the measurement for iodine content using the kit. Salt samples from Madhya Pradesh were from 30 rural and 30 urban clusters, identified by using census data and the EPI cluster sampling technique. In each cluster, salt samples were collected from 10 randomly selected households and all retailers. The 15 investigators performing the survey estimated the iodine content of salt samples in the field using the kit. All the samples were brought to the central laboratory in Delhi, where iodine content was estimated using iodometric titration as a reference method. The agreement between the kit and titration values decreased as the number of observers increased. Although sensitivity was not much affected by the increase in the number of observers (93.3% for a single observer and 93.9% for multiple observers), specificity decreased sharply (90.4% for a single observer and 40.4% for multiple observers). Due to the low specificity and resulting high numbers of false-positives for the kit when used by multiple observers ("real-life situations"), kits were likely to consistently overestimate the availability of iodized salt. This overestimation could result in complacency. Therefore, we conclude that until a valid alternative is available, the titration method should be used for monitoring the iodine content of salt at all levels, from producer to consumer, to ensure effectiveness of the programme. Keywords: sodium chloride, analysis; iodine content; colorimetry, methods; evaluation studies; India., Voir page 979 le resume en francais. En la pagina 979 figura un resumen en espanol. Introduction Universal salt iodization (USI) is the most widely practised intervention in eliminating iodine [...]

Micronutrient malnutrition is widely prevalent in school children in India. India's national school feeding program. the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, is the largest in the world and caters to 120 million children in primary schools. Complementary strategies such as deworming or fortifying meals provided through the MDM scheme could increase the nutritional impact of this program. India's Supreme Court has directed that only hot, cooked meals be provided in MDM, through a decentralised model. However, in urban areas, big centralised kitchens cook and serve a large number of schools, with some kitchens serving up to 150,000 children daily. The objective of this project was to test the operational feasibility of fortifying the school meal in centralised kitchens, as well as the acceptability of fortified meals by recipients. A pilot was conducted in 19 central kitchens run by the Naandi Foundation in four different States. Several food vehicles were used for fortification: wheat flour, soyadal-analogue and biscuits. More than 750, 000 children were reached with fortified food on all school days for a period of one year. Fortified food was found to be acceptable to all stakeholders. The government is in favour of continuing fortification. The Naandi Foundation has adopted fortification as their norm and continues to fortify all meals provided from their central kitchens. In conclusion: fortification of school meals with micronutrients can be integrated in the normal cooking process and is well accepted by all stakeholders. This pilot could hold lessons for other states in adopting fortification in MDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Rajasthan, an Indian State with significant salt production, the sale of non-iodized salt for human consumption was banned in 1992. This study explored the relationships between the use of iodized salt in Rajasthan and the iodine status of children and pregnant women living in the area. Methods: In a State-wide survey, 30 clusters were selected proportionate-to-population-size and 40 school children, 6 -12 years old, were enrolled by random house-to-house visits in each cluster. Twelve pregnant women from the same households were also sampled. Salt used for cooking and a casual urine sample from each child and pregnant woman were collected. The salt iodine content was measured by titration and the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) by a quality-assured colorimetric method. Results: Salt iodine content was ≥15mg/kg in 41.9% of the households, and 23.0% used non-iodized salt. Median UIC was 139μg/L in children and 127μg/L in pregnant women. In households using non-iodized salt, the median UIC's were 96μg/L and 100μg/L in children and women, respectively. Disaggregating the UIC distributions by salt iodine levels revealed a consistent, step-wise pattern of UIC in children with increasing salt iodine content. A similar but less steep pattern was observed in pregnant women. The iodine status of both children and pregnant women attained the optimal range only when the salt iodine content was close to 30mg/kg. Conclusion: For optimum iodine status in the population of Rajasthan, the iodization of household salt should be mandated at a higher level than what is practiced at present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: OBJECTIVE This study compared the anesthetic gas exposure and operating conditions during insufflation anesthesia with halothane-alone versus halothane-propofol in children undergoing direct laryngobronchoscopy.STUDY DESIGN Forty-six children were enrolled in this randomized prospective study, with institutional review board approval and informed consent.METHODS All children were anesthetized by halothane mask induction and anesthesia was maintained using spontaneous ventilation with insufflation. No muscle relaxants or opioids were used. In the halothane group, halothane was titrated as needed. In the propofol group, halothane was decreased to 1% inspired concentration and the propofol was titrated as needed to maintain spontaneous ventilation and a still patient. Trace anesthetic gases, hemodynamic stability, and operating conditions were measured.RESULTS The groups were similar in age, weight, and bronchoscopy time. There was significantly less gas exposure in the propofol group (25 ± 33 parts per million) versus the halothane group (66 ± 97 ppm; P < .02). There was a trend toward earlier emergence in the halothane group (33 ± 13 minutes) versus the propofol group (41 ± 17 minutes). Postoperative stridor was common, occurring in 30% of children.CONCLUSIONS Insufflation anesthesia with spontaneous respiration provides excellent surgical conditions for laryngobronchoscopy. The addition of propofol resulted in fewer airway complications (P = .047). Although the addition of propofol significantly decreased anesthetic gas exposure in the operating room, both techniques resulted in operating room pollution that exceeded the maximum levels of 2 ppm per hour recommended by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being home to 31% of the world's children who are stunted and 42% of those who are underweight, and with many children and adults affected by micronutrient deficiencies, India is facing huge challenges in the field of nutrition. Even though the Indian Government is investing vast amounts of money into programs that aim to enhance food security, health and nutrition (the Integrated Child Development Services program alone costs 3 billion USD per year), overall impact has been rather disappointing. However, there are some bright spots on the horizon. The recent District Level Health Surveys (DLHS-4) do show significant progress, ie a reduction in stunting of around 15% over the past 6 years in a few states for which preliminary results are available. The reasons for this reduction are not unambiguous and appear to include state government commitment, focus on the 'window of opportunity', improved status and education of women, a lowered fertility rate, and combinations of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions. Apart from the government many other agencies play a role in driving improvements in nutrition. Since 2006 the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has worked with a range of partners to improve access to nutritious foods for large parts of the population, through public and private delivery channels. This supplement presents a selection of these activities, ranging from a capacity-assessment of frontline workers in the ICDS system, large scale staple food fortification, salt iodization, fortification of mid-day meals for school children and decentralized complementary food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) constitute the single most important preventable cause of mental handicap at global level. Recognizing the importance of coordination and synergy of the activities of wide range of universal salt iodisation (USI) stakeholders, WHO/ Unicef'/ ICCIDD has prescribed a national multi-sectoral coalition as one of the ten indicators essential for attaining sustainable elimination of IDD at national level. Challenge for coordination among different stakeholders of IDD/USI is even greater in democratic and diverse country like India. In the present article we present successful experience from India regarding formation of a national coalition and contributions made by the coalition towards promoting USI in India. The activities of the national coalition in India are classified into three phases; 1) Phase 1- year 2006 to 2009- the inception; 2) Phase 2- year 2009 to 2012- consolidation; 3) Phase 3- year 2013 and ongoing- expansion. The National coalition for Sustained Optimal Iodine Intake (NSOI) has been instrumental in ensuring greater coordination and synergy amongst IDD and USI stakeholders in India and partially responsible for the current 71 percentage household level coverage of adequately iodised salt. The most significant contribution of the national coalition has been to act as a high level advocacy channel and provide a platform for regular dialogue for all partners of the coalition. With "mission" approach and allocation of optimal resource, India can achieve and should achieve USI by 2015, an apt culmination of a decade of existence of the national coalition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated Child Development Services in India through its supplementary nutrition programme covers over 100 million children, pregnant and lactating women across the country. Providing a hot cooked meal each day to children aged between 3-6 years and a take-home ration to children aged between 6-36 months, pregnant and lactating women, the Integrated Child Development Services faces a monumental task to deliver this component of services of desired quality and regularity at scale. From intermediaries or contractors who acted as agents for procuring and distributing food to procurement directly from large food manufacturers to using women groups as food producers, different State Governments have adopted a variety of strategies to procure and distribute food, especially the take-home ration. India's Supreme Court, through its directive of 2004, encouraged the Government to engage women's groups for the production of the supplementary food. This study was conducted to determine the operational performance, economic sustainability and social impact of a decentralised production model for India's Supplementary Nutrition Program, in which women groups run small-scale industrialised units. Data were collected through observation, interviews and group discussions with key stakeholders. Operational performance was analysed through standard performance indicators that measured consistency in production, compliance with quality standards and distribution regularity. Assessment of the economic viability included cost structure analysis, five-year projections, and financial ratios. Social impact was assessed using a qualitative approach. The pilot unit has demonstrated its operational performance and cost-efficiency. More data is needed to evaluate the scalability and sustainability of this decentralised model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The burden of micronutrient malnutrition is very high in India. Food fortification is one of the most cost-effective and sustainable strategies to deliver micronutrients to large population groups. Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is supporting large-scale, voluntary, staple food fortification in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh because of the high burden of malnutrition, availability of industries capable of and willing to introduce fortified staples, consumption patterns of target foods and a conducive and enabling environment. High extraction wheat Hour from roller flour mills, edible soybean oil and milk from dairy cooperatives were chosen as the vehicles for fortification. Micronutrients and levels of fortification were selected based on vehicle characteristics and consumption levels. Industry recruitment was done after a careful assessment of capability and willingness. Production units were equipped with necessary equipment for fortification. Staffs were trained in fortification and quality control. Social marketing and communication activities were carried out as per the strategy developed. A state food fortification alliance was formed in Madhya Pradesh with all relevant stakeholders. Over 260,000 MT of edible oil, 300,000 MT of wheat flour and 500,000 MT of milk are being fortified annually and marketed. Rajasthan is also distributing 840,000 MT of fortified wheat flour annually through its Public Distribution System and 1.1 million fortified Mid-day meals daily through the centralised kitchens. Concurrent monitoring in Rajasthan and Madhya has demonstrated high compliance with all quality standards in fortified foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]