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Background: Infertility is a public health issue affecting a large part of the world’s population. Violence against women, Spousal or intimate partner violence is the most common form of domestic violence; a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in women. Especially sexual violence, is one of the most pressing public health concerns affecting women today. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of spousal violence, various types of spousal violence and factors associated with it among reproductive age group women. Methodology: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in Urban Health Training Centre area of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nagpur, India among married women between 15-49 years of age. The reproductive age group women were 3985 according to health survey done by UHTC. Out of which the data was collected in a sample of 82 infertile women by face-to-face interview and analysed using SPSS v22. Predesign pretested questioner use for data collection. The ethical consideration was taken from the institute for the study. Results: The prevalence of spousal violence among reproductive age group (15-49 years) women was found to be 79.7%; emotional violence (64.1%) being the most common, followed by physical (71.2%) and sexual (53.6%) violence in that order Conclusion: Infertility and associated domestic violence is a significant public health issue, it would be necessary to pay attention to infertile women to ensure the quality of their of reproductive health.

Background/Objectives: Adult hearing-impaired patients qualifying for cochlear implants typically exhibit less than 60% sentence recognition under the best hearing aid conditions, either in quiet or noisy environments, with speech and noise presented through a single speaker. This study examines the influence of deep neural network-based (DNN-based) noise reduction on cochlear implant evaluation. Methods: Speech perception was assessed using AzBio sentences in both quiet and noisy conditions (multi-talker babble) at 5 and 10 dB signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) through one loudspeaker. Sentence recognition scores were measured for 10 hearing-impaired patients using three hearing aid programs: calm situation, speech in noise, and spheric speech in loud noise (DNN-based noise reduction). Speech perception results were compared to bench analyses comprising the phase inversion technique, employed to predict SNR improvement, and the Hearing-Aid Speech Perception Index (HASPI v2), utilized to predict speech intelligibility. Results: The spheric speech in loud noise program improved speech perception by 20 to 32% points as compared to the calm situation program. Thus, DNN-based noise reduction can improve speech perception in noisy environments, potentially reducing the need for cochlear implants in some cases. The phase inversion method showed a 4–5 dB SNR improvement for the DNN-based noise reduction program compared to the other two programs. HASPI v2 predicted slightly better speech intelligibility than was measured in this study. Conclusions: DNN-based noise reduction might make it difficult for some patients with significant residual hearing to qualify for cochlear implantation, potentially delaying its adoption or eliminating the need for it entirely.

Background: Endemic Fluorosis is a longstanding public health problem caused by excess fluoride intake through drinking water or food products grown in soil with high fluoride content. Many areas in Maharashtra state, particularly the Vidarbha region are affected by fluorosis. The aim was to determine the prevalence of Dental Fluorosis in children of the age group of 6-18 years and corelate it with the fluoride levels in water, soil and foodgrains. Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional study will be conducted in randomly selected villages from Vidarbha region using multistage sampling. A total sample of 1230 children aged 6-18 years will be obtained. Dean`s index will be utilized for determining the prevalence of Dental Fluorosis. Fluoride levels of drinking water, soil and foodgrains will be analyzed. Results: The salient feature of the study is the fluoride levels in the drinking water and locally grown staple foodgrains like rice, jowar and wheat etc. This will generate evidence that corroborates with the fluorosis levels observed in the selected study region. Conclusion: The study will be a landmark in nearly a decade providing a comparative account of Dental Fluorosis in villages with high-to-moderate endemicity and co-relate clinical manifestations with fluoride levels in water, soil and foodgrains.

Background and Aim: Although there are national initiatives such as the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and the Millet Mission, there is a significant knowledge gap present among the people related to the importance and advantages of millets, inculcating their use in practice. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess the knowledge about the health benefits of millets and practices regarding its consumption and to determine the association between sociodemographic factors and the consumption of millets. Materials and Methods: Following institutional ethics committee approval, a semi-structured, pretested, prevalidated questionnaire was used to collect data via interviews of patients coming to the general outpatient department of a district hospital. Besides sociodemographic information, it also covered questions related to the participant’s knowledge and practices regarding the consumption of millets. Results: Only 23% of the participants had consumed any kind of millets. The most common reason for nonconsumption was the nonavailability of the millets followed by the family custom of not eating. Only 20.2% had moderate-to-good knowledge regarding the health benefits of millets. A statistically significant association was found between the consumption of millets and the type of family and level of education (P < 0.05). Conclusion: A significant knowledge gap was present among the population related to the health benefits of millets. The proportion of consumption of millets among the population was found to be low.

Background: Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmentory skin disorder supposed to be of autoimmune aetiology. Different immunosuppressants have been tried with varying success. Azathioprine has been less studied in vitiligo. Aims and Objectives: To study the efficacy of oral azathioprine and compare with systemic steroid in the treatment of vitiligo. Materials and Methods: It was an interventional study with multi-armed (three), parallel group, an open-label, randomized controlled trial with allocation ratio of 1:1:1. Patients of vitiligo aged between 18 and 60 years having more than 5 body surface involvement were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups. Group A--patients received oral azathioprine 50 mg OD daily, group B--patients received combination of oral azathioprine 50 mg OD and PUVASOL and group C--patients received combination of betamethasone oral mini pulse (OMP) and PUVASOL. All the groups were treated for 1 year. Repigmentation was evaluated by vitiligo area severity index (VASI), and stabilization was evaluated by vitiligo disease activity (VIDA). Results: Group A, group B and group C showed 24.24, 53.24 and 47.28 improvement in VASI score, respectively, at the end of 1 year. Group B and group C showed statistically significant superior repigmentation as compared to azathioprine monotherapy. Though azathioprine and betamethasone showed equivalent efficacy, azathioprine has a better safety profile. Side effects were minimal in azathioprine groups, whereas 50 patients developed various side effects in group C. Conclusion: Azathioprine is safe and effective option in the treatment of vitiligo. Keywords: Azathioprine, oral minipulse, vitiligo, Author(s): Sugat Jawade (corresponding author) [1]; Vikrant Saoji [1]; Bhushan Madke [1]; Adarshlata Singh [1] Introduction Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmentory skin disorder with significant impact on the self-esteem.[sup.[1]] [...]

Objectives: During cochlear implant (CI) electrode placement, single low-frequency (e.g., 500 Hz) cochlear microphonics (CM) measurements are used to monitor hair-cell function and provide feedback to avert insertion trauma. However, it can be difficult to differentiate between trauma and the electrode’s progression through the cochlea when monitored with a single frequency. Multi-frequency CM measurements, while more complex to analyze, can provide more accurate feedback by measuring CM from various locations along the basilar membrane. Methods: A new algorithm was developed to analyze multi-frequency CM tracings by comparing amplitude and phase changes across different test frequencies. The new algorithm was evaluated as to its ability to identify drop-alarm instances with the multi-frequency approach, as compared to single-frequency 500 Hz tracings. Results: The algorithm presented in this manuscript uses the relationship between CM amplitude and phase changes across frequencies to provide real-time feedback during CI electrode placement. The results show that multi-frequency CM tracings raised an alarm only 0.5 times, as compared to 2.8 instances of alarm raised for the single-frequency 500 Hz CM measurements. Conclusions: Multi-frequency CM tracings can help reduce the number of alarms which may be false positives prompting unnecessary electrode manipulations, thereby minimizing the risk of insertion trauma.

Abstract Background: Globally, few studies have been undertaken to assess the association of acanthosis nigricans (AN) with metabolic syndrome (MS). Most of the available studies have either focused on a particular age group, gender, ethnicity or on a single component of MS. Objectives: To determine the association between AN and MS as a whole and with all individual components of MS in adult patients of either gender. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a comparative group. Eighty-one subjects were recruited in each group. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipid profile were done. MS was defined by using the international diabetic federation (IDF) criteria. Association of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, FPG, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TG) with AN was assessed by Pearson’s chi-square test followed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The prevalence of MS was found to be significantly higher in the group with AN. On univariate analysis, a significant association of AN was found with BMI, waist circumference, high systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL, and TG. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between waist circumference, high systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and high TG levels with AN. The risk of MS was found to be eight times higher in cases of AN. Study limitations: The small sample size and single-center data are the limitations of the present study. Conclusion: AN is strongly associated with MS as a whole and with its individual components including increased waist circumference, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

ABSTRACT: Background: The per capita consumption of edible oil in Indian households has risen substantially in the last decade contributing to the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Increasing prevalence of reuse of edible oil for frying is an unhealthy practice, as it gives rise to formation of free radicals and other harmful agents. Hence, present study highlights the pattern of edible oil consumption and practice of reuse among the families along with the influencing factors while purchasing edible oil. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among 172 families of third year MBBS students belonging to different socio-demographic and cultural background. A predesigned pretested questionnaire was administered to the families preferably to the mother. The details regarding consumption and reuse of the edible oil were asked. Result: A total of 172 families of third year MBBS students participated in the study which comprised of 672 family members. The quantity of oil consumed was estimated to be 13.64 kg/capita/year. Majority 80% of the respondents revealed that they reuse leftover oil after frying for other cooking purposes. Groundnut and soybean were the most preferred edible oil. Conclusion: According to study findings, consumption of edible oil at domestic level has increased along with the reuse of leftover oil. The increased consumption can be one of the important risk factors for increase in prevalence of non-communicable diseases which is a health concern. There is a need for the increase in awareness about use of edible oil through promotional activities for effective education of general public regarding prevention of NCDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spousal or intimate partner violence is the most common form of domestic violence and is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in women. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of spousal violence, various types of spousal violence, and the factors associated with it among reproductive age group women. Materials and Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the Urban Health Training Center area of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nagpur, India, among married women between 15 and 49 years of age who were selected using systematic random sampling. The data was collected from a sample of 373 women by face-to-face interview and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v21. Results: The prevalence of spousal violence among reproductive age group (15–49 years) women was found to be 59.7%, with emotional violence (54.1%) being the most common, followed by physical (51.2%) and sexual (43.4%) violence in that order. Regular alcohol consumption of husband had the highest odds of spousal violence among women (odds ratio [OR] 12.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.51–24.03). Other factors associated with spousal violence among reproductive age group women were early age at marriage, literacy and employment of women and husband, lack of emotional support from the family members, and dowry-related problems in the family. Conclusion: A multifaceted approach including legal measures, empowerment of women, and sociocultural factors involving families, institutions, governmental, nongovernmental, and civil society organizations is the need of the hour.

Background: Mood disorder is one of the common causes, for which psychiatric consultations are sought. A better understanding of the factors that lead to repeated admissions, increased relapse rates, and concurrent substance dependence is necessary for the development of interventions that may reduce the likelihood of adverse effects in patient with bipolar I disorder. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were as follows: (1) To study the correlation between the reasons for relapse and substance use with various sociodemographic factors in patients having bipolar I disorders and (2) to find out the correlation between reasons for relapse, substance use, and severity of illness. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional single interview study, in which 67 consecutive patients having bipolar I disorder and admitted in psychiatry ward were admitted on the basis of a pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The details about psychiatric, relapse-related symptoms, substance use-related symptoms, as well as other aspects of clinical profile were taken. Results: Out of 67 patients, 51 (76.1%) were male and 16 (23.8%) were female. Mean age of the participants was 30.43 years (S.D.=9.05). Sleep disturbance was seen in all patients (67) and was also the most common symptom. It was followed by psychomotor disturbances in 60 (89.5%) of the patients. Among 67 patients included in the study, substance use was seen among 28 (41.7%) of the patients. Substance use was significantly associated with age of the patients and occupation (P=0.03 each). The age group of more than 30 years (57.7%) had significantly higher substance use compared to those

Background/Objectives: Adult hearing-impaired patients qualifying for cochlear implants typically exhibit less than 60% sentence recognition under the best hearing aid conditions, either in quiet or noisy environments, with speech and noise presented through a single speaker. This study examines the influence of deep neural network-based (DNN-based) noise reduction on cochlear implant evaluation. Methods: Speech perception was assessed using AzBio sentences in both quiet and noisy conditions (multi-talker babble) at 5 and 10 dB signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) through one loudspeaker. Sentence recognition scores were measured for 10 hearing-impaired patients using three hearing aid programs: calm situation, speech in noise, and spheric speech in loud noise (DNN-based noise reduction). Speech perception results were compared to bench analyses comprising the phase inversion technique, employed to predict SNR improvement, and the Hearing-Aid Speech Perception Index (HASPI v2), utilized to predict speech intelligibility. Results: The spheric speech in loud noise program improved speech perception by 20 to 32% points as compared to the calm situation program. Thus, DNN-based noise reduction can improve speech perception in noisy environments, potentially reducing the need for cochlear implants in some cases. The phase inversion method showed a 4–5 dB SNR improvement for the DNN-based noise reduction program compared to the other two programs. HASPI v2 predicted slightly better speech intelligibility than was measured in this study. Conclusions: DNN-based noise reduction might make it difficult for some patients with significant residual hearing to qualify for cochlear implantation, potentially delaying its adoption or eliminating the need for it entirely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: During cochlear implant (CI) electrode placement, single low-frequency (e.g., 500 Hz) cochlear microphonics (CM) measurements are used to monitor hair-cell function and provide feedback to avert insertion trauma. However, it can be difficult to differentiate between trauma and the electrode's progression through the cochlea when monitored with a single frequency. Multi-frequency CM measurements, while more complex to analyze, can provide more accurate feedback by measuring CM from various locations along the basilar membrane. Methods: A new algorithm was developed to analyze multi-frequency CM tracings by comparing amplitude and phase changes across different test frequencies. The new algorithm was evaluated as to its ability to identify drop-alarm instances with the multi-frequency approach, as compared to single-frequency 500 Hz tracings. Results: The algorithm presented in this manuscript uses the relationship between CM amplitude and phase changes across frequencies to provide real-time feedback during CI electrode placement. The results show that multi-frequency CM tracings raised an alarm only 0.5 times, as compared to 2.8 instances of alarm raised for the single-frequency 500 Hz CM measurements. Conclusions: Multi-frequency CM tracings can help reduce the number of alarms which may be false positives prompting unnecessary electrode manipulations, thereby minimizing the risk of insertion trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]