Search

Background: The prevalence of skin diseases has increased over the last few decades, and they contribute to a significant burden on health-care systems across the world. Aims/Objective: This report looks at the burden of skin and subcutaneous diseases in terms of years lived with disability and agestandardised years lived with disability in India using the Global Burden of Disease Study results from 2017. Methods: Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease online interactive tool. Updated estimates of the world's health for 359 diseases and injuries and 84 risk factors from 1990 to 2017 are available in this interactive tool. Results: Years lived with disability due to skin and subcutaneous diseases accounted for 4.02% of the total years lived with disability in India in 2017. There was an increase of 53.7% in all age standardised years lived with disability for all the skin and subcutaneous diseases from 1990 to 2017. Among skin and subcutaneous diseases, dermatitis contributed maximum years lived with disability (1.40 million; 95% uncertainty interval, 0.82-2.21) in 2017, followed by urticaria (1.02 million; 95% uncertainty interval, 0.06-1.44) with percentage increases of 48.9% and 45.7% respectively. Conclusion: The burden due to infectious skin diseases (e.g., scabies, fungal skin disease and bacterial skin disease) and non-infectious diseases (e.g., dermatitis, urticaria and psoriasis) has increased over the past three decades, however the age-standardised years lived with disability for leprosy, scabies, fungal infections, sexually transmitted infections and non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) has decreased. The high burden of skin and subcutaneous diseases demand that they be given due importance in the national programmes and health policy of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adequate knowledge and favourable attitude are paramount for management of COVID-19 patients at home. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude of community participants towards home care of COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was undertaken. Snowball sampling technique was used to enrol the individuals aged 18 years and above. An online questionnaire was developed on Google Forms and its link was circulated at various social media platforms. Data was collected from 352 individuals. Results: A total of 352 participants took part in the survey. The average knowledge score of the participants was 16.2 (SD = 1.9, range 10-20). Nearly two-thirds (63.9%) of the participants had more accurate knowledge and 60.8% of the participants had more positive attitude towards home care of COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of more intensive, tailored education programmes to enhance knowledge and develop more favourable attitude towards home care of COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rate of heat generated by magnetic nanoparticles in a ferrofluid is affected by their magnetic properties, temperature, and viscosity of the carrier liquid. We have investigated temperature dependent magnetic hyperthermia in ferrofluids, consisting of dextran coated superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles, subjected to external magnetic fields of various frequencies (188-375 kHz) and amplitudes (140-235 Oe). Transmission electron microscopy measurements show that the nanoparticles are polydispersed with a mean diameter of 13.8±3.1 nm. The fitting of experimental dc magnetization data to a standard Langevin function incorporating particle size distribution yields a mean diameter of 10.6±1.2 nm, and a reduced saturation magnetization (~65 emu/g) compared to the bulk value of Fe3O4 (~95 emu/g). This is due to the presence of a finite surface layer (~1 nm thickness) of non-aligned spins surrounding the ferromagnetically aligned Fe3O4 core. We found the specific absorption rate, measured as power absorbed per gram of iron oxide nanoparticles, decreases monotonically with increasing temperature for all values of magnetic field and frequency. Using the size distribution of magnetic nanoparticles estimated from the magnetization measurements, we have fitted the specific absorption rate versus temperature data using a linear response theory and relaxation dissipation mechanisms to determine the value of magnetic anisotropy constant (28±2 kJ/m³) of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India. CVDs are to a large extent preventable with the availability of wide range of interventions focusing on primary and secondary prevention. However human resource deficit is the biggest challenge for implementing these prevention programs. Task shifting of the cardiovascular risk assessment and communication to nurses can be one of the most viable and sustainable option to run prevention programs.Methods: The study was quasi experimental in nature with 1 year follow up to determine the effect of CVD risk assessment and communication by nurses with the help of risk communication package on primary and secondary prevention of CVDs. The study was done in the outpatient departments of a tertiary health care center of Northern India. All the nurses (n = 16) working in selected OPDs were trained in CVD risk assessment and communication of risk to the patients. A total of 402 patients aged 40 years and above with hypertension (HTN) were recruited for primary prevention of CVDs from medicine and allied OPDs, whereas 500 patients who had undergone CABG/PTCA were recruited from cardiology OPDs for secondary prevention of CVDs and were randomized to intervention (n = 250) and comparison group (n = 250) by using block randomization. CVD risk modification and medication adherence were the outcomes of interest for primary and secondary prevention of CVDs respectively.Results: The results revealed high level of agreement (k = 0.84) between the risk scores generated by nurses with that of investigator. In the primary prevention group, there were significantly higher proportion of participants in the low risk category (70%) as compared to baseline assessment (60.6%) at 1 year follow up. Whereas in secondary prevention group the mean medication adherence score among intervention group participants (7.60) was significantly higher than that of the comparison group (5.96) with a large effect size of 1.1.(p < 0.01).Conclusion: Nurse led intervention was effective in risk modification and improving medication adherence among subjects for primary and secondary prevention of CVDs respectively.Trial Registration: Trial registration no CTRI/2018/01/011372 [Registered on: 16/01/2018] Trial Registered Retrospectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the behavior of Raman modes for AlN thin films fabricated with plasma source molecular beam epitaxy method having high levels of oxygen contamination. Oxygen atoms occupy different lattice sites depending on their at. % value and, thus, strongly influence spectral features of certain Raman modes. We studied the variations in the width of nonpolar E2low and E2high modes which represent mainly the vibrations of Al sublattice and N atoms, respectively, in the AlN lattice. When oxygen occupies a N site, it affects the width of the E2high mode, and at the same time, the charge neutrality constraint creates an Al vacancy and, thus, simultaneously affects the width of the E2low mode. We found that for our films whose oxygen concentration vary from 1 to 10 at. %, the width of both the E2high and E2low modes varies linearly with the oxygen contamination levels suggesting that even at such high levels of oxygen contamination, oxygen atoms still prefer to occupy the N site. This is contrary to previous studies of single crystal AlN. The oxygen contamination in our films was determined by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural, magnetization, and Raman spectroscopic investigations have been carried out on spin coated Zn1-xCoxO (0≤x≤0.1) films. We investigated the broadening of the E2low mode for different values of x in both air and vacuum annealed films, and found a direct correlation of Co ions incorporation at the Zn sites with ferromagnetic order. The magnitudes of the magnetic moment are directly related to the size of the disorder correlation radius. However, for x∼5% where the magnetic moment becomes negligible, the broadening of the E2low Raman mode also becomes negligible, suggesting rejection of the Co ions from the Zn sites. For a given x, Co ions are incorporated at the Zn sites with the same concentration in both the air and vacuum annealed films but the magnetic moment values are much smaller for the air annealed samples. This behavior is directly related to the presence of oxygen vacancies. We also discuss the effects of air and vacuum annealing on the linewidth of E2high and A1 (LO) modes. At higher doping levels, e.g., x>5%, the air annealed films showed a strong phase separation tendency toward Co3O4 as shown by both Raman and high resolution electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrical response characteristics of Pd/AlN/6H-SiC and Pd/AlN/3C-SiC devices to hydrogen gas have been investigated. An AlN film, with a thickness of 100 nm, was deposited simultaneously on 6H-SiC(0001) and 3C-SiC(001) substrates. The structural, morphological, and microstructural characterizations of these devices were carried out using x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. In both the cases, the AlN film showed a highly textured c axis growth with a wurtzite crystal structure. However, the surface roughness of the AlN film on 3C–SiC was larger by a factor of three compared to that deposited on 6H–SiC, with an associated increase in the value of dielectric constant of AlN. Theoretical analysis of the electrical characteristics suggests that, in addition to the physical properties of the semiconducting layer, the dielectric constant of AlN layer directly influences the electrical response of the device to hydrogen. The Pd/AlN/3C-SiC device showed a consistently reduced electrical response to hydrogen compared to the Pd/AlN/6H-SiC device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the temperature dependence of Hall mobility μ and carrier density Ne for thin InN films grown by molecular-beam epitaxy and plasma source molecular-beam epitaxy over three orders-of-magnitude difference in their carrier density: for the low-density film Ne=5.8×1017/cm3 and for the high-density film Ne=3.2×1020/cm3. In both the films, for temperature up to 300 K, a large temperature-independent concentration of carriers is observed. For higher temperatures, however, carrier density increases with temperature. The characteristic behavior of the mobility for the low-density film is different from that of the high-density film, particularly for temperatures less than 300 K. The low-density film shows a peak behavior in the mobility around 250 K in contrast to the temperature-independent mobility observed for the high-density film for T<300 K. We investigate theoretically the concentrations of donor, acceptor, and threading dislocations for both the films and also discussed various electron-scattering mechanisms which contribute to the mobility in these films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of plasmon and LO-phonon damping on the optical measurements of InN films is discussed. Phonon and plasmon damping dramatically modifies the spectral features of the optical spectra and destabilizes the coupled modes of the system. Phonon damping affects the optical properties in a qualitatively different way from plasmon damping. Increased phonon damping leads to a merging of the coupled modes for a certain range of carrier density. Plasmon damping broadens the spectral linewidths of both of the coupled modes when plasmon energies are of the order of LO-phonon energies. However, when plasmon energies are larger than LO-phonon energies, increasing plasmon damping makes the higher-energy mode completely degenerate with plasmon, and may even have lower energies than plasmon. In weakly damped situations, we also discuss the low-energy optical transmission region that forms in between the coupled modes. Finally, the effect of plasmon and LO-phonon coupling on the analyses of the experimental infrared reflection data of InN films (for different electron densities) is discussed. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) contributes to more than 50 per cent disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in India; and tobacco contributes to 7-4 per cent of DALYs which is next to diet and high blood pressure. According to Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2015, tobacco use contributed to 5.9 per cent out of total DALYs in India. Smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption is a multifactorial process influenced by varied range of contextual factors i.e., social, environmental, psychological and the genetic factors which are linked to the tobacco use. The determinants associated with the SLT use are gender, educational level, wealth index (inverse association), urban-rural residence, socio-economic status and low tax. Taking the view from tobacco control programmes, there is a need to address determinants of SLT use with State level monitoring and socio-economic inequalities, progress and review of the taxation of the SLT use in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rising burden of CVDs is the biggest challenge of 21st century in India and has contributed enormously to the increased burden on health care services including human resources. Innovative approaches are required to implement prevention programmes with limited human resource. One such approach is task shifting of CVD risk assessment and communication to nurses, as nurses are one of the key health care providers in all levels of health care. The present study has been designed to test the innovative approach of risk assessment and communication by nurses for primary and secondary prevention of CVDs in tertiary health care setting. Methods and analysis:Jhe study is quasi experimental in nature with one yearfollow up to determine the effect of CVD risk assessment and communication by nurses using risk communication package on primary and secondary prevention of CVDs. All the nurses (n=16) working in the selected OPDs of the tertiary health care setting will be trained in CVD risk assessment and communication. A total of 900 patients (400 for primary prevention and 500 for secondary prevention) attending the medicine and allied along with cardiology out patient departments will be enrolled by trained nurses for the study. Primary outcome measures for primary and secondary prevention groups will be the cardiovascular risk modification and medication adherence respectively. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been obtained from Institute ethics committee. Results will be disseminated via peer reviewed scientific journals and presentation at national and international conferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: National programs for non-communicable diseases (NCD) prevention and control in different low middle income countries have a strong community component. A community health worker (CHW) delivers NCD preventive services using informational as well as behavioural approaches. Community education and interpersonal communication on lifestyle modifications is imparted with focus on primordial prevention of NCDs and screening is conducted as part of early diagnosis and management. However, the effectiveness of health promotion and screening interventions delivered through community health workers needs to be established. Objective: This review synthesised evidence on effectiveness of CHW delivered NCD primary prevention interventions in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: A systematic review of trials that utilised community health workers for primary prevention/ early detection strategy in the management of NCDs (Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancers, stroke, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD)) in LMICs was conducted. Digital databases like PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Cochrane library, dissertation abstracts, clinical trials registry web sites of different LMIC were searched for such publications between years 2000 and 2015. We focussed on community based randomised controlled trial and cluster randomised trials without any publication language limitation. The primary outcome of review was percentage change in population with different behavioural risk factors. Additionally, mean overall changes in levels of several physical or biochemical parameters were studied as secondary outcomes. Subgroup analyses was performed by the age and sex of participants, and sensitivity analyses was conducted to assess the robustness of the findings. Results: Sixteen trials meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the review. Duration, study populations and content of interventions varied across trials. The duration of the studies ranged from mean follow up of 4 months for some risk factors to 19 months, and primary responsibilities of health workers included health promotion, treatment adherence and follow ups. Only a single trial reported all-cause mortality. The pooled effect computed indicated an increase in tobacco cessation (RR: 2.0, 95%CI: 1.11, 3.58, moderate-quality evidence) and a decrease in systolic blood pressure ((MD: -4.80, 95% CI: -8.12, -1.49, I2 = 93%, very low-quality evidence), diastolic blood pressure ((MD: -2.88, 95% CI: -5.65, -0.10, I2 = 96%, very low-quality evidence)) and blood sugar levels (glycated haemoglobin MD: -0.83%, 95%CI: -1.25,-0.41). None of the included trials reported on adverse events. Conclusions: Evidence on the implementation of primary prevention strategies using community health workers is still developing. Existing evidence suggests that, compared with standard care, using CHWs in health programmes have the potential to be effective in LMICs, particularly for tobacco cessation, blood pressure and diabetes control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: India is the diabetes capital with home to 69.1 million people with DM, the second highest number of cases after China. Recent epidemiological evidence indicates a rising DM epidemic across all classes, both affluent and the poor in India. This article reports on the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the North Indian state of Punjab as part of a large household NCD Risk Factor Survey. Methods: A household NCD STEPS survey was done in the state of Punjab, India in a multistage stratified sample of 5127 individuals. All the subjects were administered the WHO STEPS questionnaire, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Every alternate respondent in the sample (n = 2499) was assayed for blood parameters. Results: Overall prevalence of DM among the study participants was found out to be 8.3% (95% CI 7.3-9.4%) whereas prevalence of prediabetes was 6.3% (5.4-7.3%). Age group (45-69 years), marital status, hypertension, obesity and family history of DM were found to be the risk factors significantly associated with DM. Out of all persons with DM, only 18% were known case of DM or on treatment, among whom only about one-third had controlled blood glucose status. Conclusions: The study reported high prevalence of diabetes, especially of undiagnosed cases amongst the adult population, most of whom have uncontrolled blood sugar levels. This indicates the need for systematic screening and awareness program to identify the undiagnosed cases in the community and offer early treatment and regular follow up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To assess cardiac functions in adenotonsillar or tonsillar hypertrophy.Methods:A prospective, interventional, academic centre based study was conducted on 25 children with adenotonsillar or tonsillar hypertrophy. All patients underwent pulsed 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography, pulse oximetry and 12-lead electrocardiography. These assessments were repeated three months later to determine the impact of adenotonsillectomy.Results:There were significant differences in mean arterial oxygen saturation, pulmonary flow acceleration time and mean pulmonary artery pressure post-operatively. Adenotonsillectomy led to significant improvements in pulmonary flow acceleration time and pulmonary flow velocity time index, while tonsillectomy resulted in right ventricular early and late diastolic velocity index improvement.Conclusion:Upper airway obstruction in children affects cardiac functioning and this can subsequently lead to morbidity and delayed growth. Hence, revision of surgical indications is advocated in adenotonsillar hypertrophy to avoid irreversible damage to cardiopulmonary functions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Childhood obesity is a public health problem worldwide. There is convincing evidence that school-based interventions are effective in managing childhood obesity. However, the nature of interventions, its impact on prevention of obesity and how they work remain poorly understood. The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of a multicomponent lifestyle intervention on weight and body mass index (BMI) of children in a school-based setting.Methods: It is a cluster randomized trial where four schools were randomly selected and allocated to intervention and control arm equally. Of the 462 schoolchildren selected, 201 were assigned to the intervention group and 261 belonged to the control group. Children in the intervention arm received a multicomponent lifestyle package. Primary outcome measures included anthropometric measurements (weight, BMI, skinfold thickness and waist and hip circumference), whereas secondary outcomes were biochemical parameters, physical activity and dietary intake.Results: Compared with controls and adjusting for age, sex and clustering within classes, children in the intervention group showed decrease in the weight by - 0.08 (-0.15 to - 0.00, p  =  0.048) z-score units, waist circumference by - 0.14 (-0.25 to - 0.03, p  =  0.01) and triceps thickness by - 0.35 (-0.47 to - 0.22, p < 0.001) z-score units; however, BMI showed no significant decrease. There was significant reduction in intake of energy, protein and fat but no to minimal reduction in biochemical parameters.Conclusion: A school-based lifestyle intervention package favorably affected anthropometric (weight, waist circumference and triceps and biceps thickness) and behavioral parameters. At least 20 weeks of healthy lifestyle promoting intervention package should be included in school curriculum in each academic year for sustainable impact and behavioral change to reduce the burden of lifestyle disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rising morbidity and mortality due to non-communicable diseases can be partly attributed to the urbanized lifestyle leading to unhealthy dietary practices and increasing physical levels of inactivity. The demographic and nutrition transition in India has also contributed to the emerging epidemic of non-communicable diseases in this country. In this context, there is limited information in India on dietary patterns, levels of physical activity and obesity. The aim of the present study was thus to assess the urban rural differences in dietary habits, physical activity and obesity in India.Methods: A household survey was done in the state of Punjab, India in a multistage stratified sample of 5127 individuals using the WHO STEPS questionnaire.Results: No rural urban difference was found in dietary practices and prevalence of overweight and obesity except the fact that a significantly higher proportion of respondents belonging to rural area (15.6 %) always/often add salt before/when eating as compared to urban area (9.1 %). Overall 95.8 % (94.6-97.0) of participants took less than 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables on average per day. No significant urban rural difference was noted in both sexes in all three domains of physical activity such as work, transport and recreation. However, rural females (19.1 %) were found to be engaged in vigorous activity more than the urban females (6.3 %). Males reported high levels of physical activity in both the settings. Absence of recreational activity was reported by more than 95 % of the subjects. Higher prevalence of obesity (asian cut offs used) was seen among urban females (34.3 %) as compared to their rural counterparts (23.2 %). Abdominal obesity was found to be significantly higher among females in both the settings compared to males (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Poor dietary practices and physical inactivity seems to fuel the non-communicable disease epidemic in India. Non communicable disease control strategy need to address these issues with a gender equity lens. Rapid urbanization of rural India might be responsible for the absence of a significant urban rural difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Efforts to assess the burden of non-communicable diseases risk factors has improved in low and middle-income countries after political declaration of UN High Level Meeting on NCDs. However, lack of reliable estimates of risk factors distribution are leading to delay in implementation of evidence based interventions in states of India. Methods: A STEPS Survey, comprising all the three steps for assessment of risk factors of NCDs, was conducted in Punjab state during 2014–15. A statewide multistage sample of 5,127 residents, aged 18–69 years, was taken. STEPS questionnaire version 3.1 was used to collect information on behavioral risk factors, followed by physical measurements and blood and urine sampling for biochemical profile. Results: Tobacco and alcohol consumption were observed in 11.3% (20% men and 0.9% women) and 15% (27% men and 0.3% women) of the population, respectively. Low levels of physical activity were recorded among 31% (95% CI: 26.7–35.5) of the participants. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 28.6% (95% CI: 26.3–30.9) and 12.8% (95% CI: 11.2–14.4) respectively. Central obesity was higher among women (69.3%, 95% CI: 66.5–72.0) than men (49.5%, 95% CI: 45.3–53.7). Prevalence of hypertension in population was 40.1% (95% CI: 37.3–43.0). The mean sodium intake in grams per day for the population was 7.4 gms (95% CI: 7.2–7.7). The prevalence of diabetes (hyperglycemia), hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia was 14.3% (95% CI: 11.7–16.8), 21.6% (95% CI: 18.5–25.1) and 16.1% (95% CI: 13.1–19.2), respectively. In addition, 7% of the population aged 40–69 years had a cardiovascular risk of ≥ 30% over a period of next 10 years. Conclusion: We report high prevalence of risk factors of chronic non-communicable diseases among adults in Punjab. There is an urgent need to implement population, individual and programme wide prevention and control interventions to lower the serious consequences of NCDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives: India is a large country with each state having distinct social, cultural and economic characteristics. Tobacco epidemic is not uniform across the country. There are wide variations in tobacco consumption across age, sex, regions and socio-economic classes. This study was conducted to understand the wide inequalities in patterns of smoking and smokeless tobacco consumption across various states of India. Methods: Analysis was conducted on Global Adult Tobacco survey, India (2009-2010) data. Prevalence of both forms of tobacco use and its association with socio-economic determinants was assessed across states and Union Territories of India. Wealth indices were calculated using socio-economic data of the survey. Concentration index of inequality and one way ANOVA assessed economic inequality in tobacco consumption and variation of tobacco consumption across quintiles. Multiple logistic regression was done for tobacco consumption and wealth index adjusting for age, sex, area, education and occupation. Results: Overall prevalence of smoking and smokeless tobacco consumption was 13.9 per cent (14.6, 13.3) and 25.8 per cent (26.6, 25.0), respectively. Prevalence of current smoking varied from 1.6 per cent (richest quintile in Odisha) to 42.2 per cent (poorest quintile in Meghalaya). Prevalence of current smokeless tobacco consumption varied from 1.7 per cent (richest quintile in Jammu and Kashmir) to 59.4 per cent (poorest quintile in Mizoram). Decreasing odds of tobacco consumption with increasing wealth was observed in most of the states. Reverse trend of tobacco consumption was observed in Nagaland. Significant difference in odds of smoking and smokeless tobacco consumption with wealth quintiles was observed. Concentration index of inequality was significant for smoking tobacco -0.7 (-0.62 to-0.78) and not significant for smokeless tobacco consumption -0.15 (0.01to-0.33) Interpretation & conclusions: The findings of our analysis indicate that tobacco control policy and public health interventions need to consider widespread socio-economic inequities in tobacco consumption across the states in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Tobacco is a leading risk factor for different types of diseases globally. Tobacco smoking by women is culturally unacceptable in India, but still women smoke tobacco at various times of their life. AIMS: The aim was to estimate the prevalence and pattern of tobacco use among women and to study the associated sociodemographic factors. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 30 years or over in an urban resettlement colony for the migrant population at Chandigarh, India. METHODOLOGY: The study included women used tobacco products on one or more days within the past 30 days. Through systematic random sampling, 262 women were studied. As a part of the study 144 bidi smoking women were interviewed using detailed semi-structured questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing with Chi-squared test and logistic regression were done using SPSS 16.0 version. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of tobacco use was 29.4% and that of bidi, zarda and hookah were 19.8%, 8.8%, and 2.7%, respectively. Around 6.2% women used tobacco during pregnancy. Teenage was the most common age of initiation of bidi smoking. Logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of tobacco use was high among Hindu unemployed women with no formal education belonged to scheduled caste, and those having grandchildren. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted high rates of tobacco use and explored both individual and family factors related to tobacco use among women. Affordable, culturally acceptable, sustainable and gender-sensitive individual and community-specific interventions will reduce the prevalence and effects of tobacco use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco is a leading risk factor for different types of diseases globally. Tobacco smoking by women is culturally unacceptable in India, but still women smoke tobacco at various times of their life. AIMS: The aim was to estimate the prevalence and pattern of tobacco use among women and to study the associated sociodemographic factors. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 30 years or over in an urban resettlement colony for the migrant population at Chandigarh, India. METHODOLOGY: The study included women used tobacco products on one or more days within the past 30 days. Through systematic random sampling, 262 women were studied. As a part of the study 144 bidi smoking women were interviewed using detailed semi-structured questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing with Chi-squared test and logistic regression were done using SPSS 16.0 version. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of tobacco use was 29.4% and that of bidi, zarda and hookah were 19.8%, 8.8%, and 2.7%, respectively. Around 6.2% women used tobacco during pregnancy. Teenage was the most common age of initiation of bidi smoking. Logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of tobacco use was high among Hindu unemployed women with no formal education belonged to scheduled caste, and those having grandchildren. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted high rates of tobacco use and explored both individual and family factors related to tobacco use among women. Affordable, culturally acceptable, sustainable and gender-sensitive individual and community-specific interventions will reduce the prevalence and effects of tobacco use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To evaluate the effect of different lipid fractions on auditory brainstem evoked responses in hyperlipidaemia.Method:We conducted a single institution (medical college), prospective, cross-sectional study of 25 hyperlipidaemic patients and 25 normolipidaemic controls, all with a normal hearing threshold on pure tone audiometry. Brainstem evoked response audiometry results were recorded in both groups. The hyperlipidaemic group were further divided into two subgroups, based on the serum value of each lipid fraction: those with less than and those with greater than the mean serum value. These two subgroups were further compared with the control group.Results:The hyperlipidaemic and normolipidaemic groups had statistically significant differences for all audiometry waves apart from the wave I and the III–V interpeak latencies. The subgroups had a statistically significant difference in brainstem evoked responses. We found a statistically significant association between low-density lipoproteins and many waveforms in the hyperlipidaemic group.Conclusion:We found that low-density lipoproteins were significantly associated with many waveforms in hyperlipidaemic patients. Thus, low-density lipoproteins may be important in auditory dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Tuberculosis of parotid is a rare clinical entity, and cases of bilateral tubercular parotitis are even rarer. We present a case of bilateral primary parotid tuberculosis in a 49-year-old female. The patient received anti-tuberculosis treatment for six months, resulting in complete resolution of the disease. We also review the theories related to the pathogenesis of tubercular parotitis, and propose a novel hypothesis about greater involvement of parotid gland as compared to other salivary glands in primary tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To investigate the hypothesis of cochlear and retrocochlear damage in scrub typhus, using evoked response audiometry.Study design:Prospective, randomised, case–control study.Methods:The study included 25 patients with scrub typhus and 25 controls with other febrile illnesses not known to cause hearing loss. Controls were age- and sex-matched. All subjects underwent pure tone audiometry and evoked response audiometry before commencing treatment.Results:Six patients presented with hearing loss, although a total of 23 patients had evidence of symmetrical high frequency loss on pure tone audiometry. Evoked response audiometry found significant prolongation of absolute latencies of wave I, III, V, and wave I–III interpeak latency. Two cases with normal hearing had increased interpeak latencies. These findings constitute level 3b evidence.Conclusion:Findings were suggestive of retrocochlear pathology in two cases with normal hearing. In other patients, high frequency hearing loss may have led to altered evoked response results. Although scrub typhus appears to cause middle ear cochlear and retrocochlear damage, the presence of such damage could not be fully confirmed by evoked response audiometry. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present paper describes enhancement of lignans, phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin present in Phyllanthus amarus plant. Supplementation was done to enhance secondary metabolites by modifying the media and treatment with different growth promoters and abiotic elicitors to increase the content of hepatoprotective bioactives in immobilized cell cultures, after incubation for 21 days. MS medium was supplemented with gibberellic acid and to make whole process commercially viable, when coconut water, sugarcane juice and water-melon extract were treated, it was revealed that watermelon extract, enhances maximum phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin yield followed by sugarcane juice, coconut water and gibberellic acid after estimation by HPTLC. The present method was found to be accurate, economical and viable to enhance the content of phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin in P. amarus for large-scale commercial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is a serious public health challenge in several regions of the world, including India. Increasingly, steps are being taken at policy level to curb the problem. AIM: This study was done to find out the determinants of tobacco use so that effective intervention programs can be designed and implemented for the prevention and cessation of this growing pandemic. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was done adapting Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire prepared by the Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta, among youth (15-24 years). Patterns of smoking and their determinants were calculated using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Prevalence of current smoking among youth was 20.4% (95% confidence interval: 16.9-23.9%). Male sex, smoking peers, cigarette advertisements, and feeling comfortable in social gatherings were significant determinants for smoking after adjusting for all explanatory variables. CONCLUSION: Strict enforcement of regulations pertaining to cigarette advertisements in any form, enabling environment and community interventions focusing on parents and peers are required for effective control of tobacco problem among youth in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity shows high interindividual variability and is often accompanied by transient or permanent tinnitus. It is not possible to identify the susceptible individuals before commencement of the treatment. We conducted a prospective, randomized and observational study in a tertiary care centre and evaluated the effects of different doses of cisplatin on hearing. MATERIALS and Methods : Fifty-seven patients scheduled for cisplatin-based chemotherapy were included in the study. All patients were divided into three groups depending on the dose of cisplatin infused in 3 weeks. Results : The subjective hearing loss was found in seven patients, while six patients had tinnitus during the chemotherapy. The hearing loss was sensorineural, dose dependent, symmetrical, bilateral and irreversible. Higher frequencies were first to be affected in cisplatin chemotherapy. Conclusion: As use of high-frequency audiometry is still limited in research work only, we need a strict protocol of adding high-frequency audiometry in the cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extended Hubbard model with nearest neighbor hopping and intersite interaction for a 2D square lattice has been studied within the frame work of a simple mean-field formalism. The self-consistent solutions of superconducting order parameters have been obtained for various fillings. The results indicate that superconducting pairing occurs on doping for the repulsive on-site U and attractive nearest neighbor V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AlN thin films have been grown on a-plane sapphire (Al2O3(112̄0)) substrates. X-ray diffraction measurements indicate the films are fully c-plane (0001) oriented with a full width at half maximum of the AlN(0002) rocking curves of 0.92. The epitaxial growth relationships have been determined by the reflection high energy electron diffraction analysis as AlN[11̄00]//Al2O3[0001] and AlN[112̄0]//Al2O3[11̄00]. Angular dependence of important surface acoustic wave (SAW) characteristics, such as the phase velocity and electromechanical coupling coefficient, has been investigated on the AlN(0001)/Al2O3(112̄0) structure. While the SAW is excited at all propagation angles with an angular dispersion of the phase velocity in the range of 5503–6045 m/s, a higher velocity shear-horizontal (SH) mode is observed only at 0°, 105° and 180° off the reference Al2O3[11̄00] over a 180° angular period. The phase velocity of the SH mode shows dispersion (6089–6132 m/s) as a function of the SAW wavelength. Temperature coefficients of frequency are also demonstrated for both modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We calculate electron-electron correlation effects in a one-dimensional electron liquid at low densities using the self-consistent scheme of Singwi, Tosi, Land and Sjölander (STLS). We determine the static structure factor S(q) and plasmon dispersion ω[sub pl](q) for different electron densities. We also include the effects of disorder and calculate the dependence of correlation effects on the electron scattering rate off disorder. Using the scattering rate γ we determine transport properties like the mean-free path, the peak mobility and the boundary between weak and strong localisation phases. We note a relation between the peak mobility and this boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low energy optical modes of molecular beam epitaxy-grown In1-xGaxN thin films with 0≤x≤0.6 are investigated using infrared reflectance measurements. We found that the reflectance of the films for wave vectors in the range from 600 to 800 cm-1 is determined by the high energy E1(LO)-plasmon coupled modes. In the higher energy regime of the UV-visible reflectance spectrum of InN, critical points with energies 4.75, 5.36, and 6.12 eV belonging to A and B structures are observed. The energies of these critical points increase with increasing values of x, similar to the band gap energy of these films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the findings of a study on knowledge and practice of oral polio vaccine-vaccine vial monitor (VVM) among health personnel in India. According to it, testing of VVM were done by some of the respondents by direct heating of the vial. Forty percent of personnel do not know of the main advantage of introduction of VVM in immunization program.

The article discusses a vulnerability assessment conducted in slums in Chandigarh, India. It defines vulnerability assessment as the systematic analysis of a system to identify those critical infrastructures that may be at risk from an attack and the determination of appropriate measures to reduce that risk. It was determined that 15 slums were highly vulnerable, 21 were moderately vulnerable and 5 had low vulnerability rate. It notes the need for more intense outreach activities in moderate and highly vulnerable areas.

Childhood cancers have different characteristics than those occurring among adults and described as cancers occurring below 15 years of age. In developed countries, its incidence is relatively rare but it's a leading cause of death. More than 80% of the childhood cancers are occurring in low and middle income countries. Based on data from population based cancer registries under National Cancer Registry Programme, in this commentary, we described the incidence and pattern of Childhood cancers in India and its implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A non-communicable disease risk factor survey (based on World Health Organization STEP approach to Surveillance, i.e., WHO-STEPS) was done in the state of Punjab, India in a multistage stratified sample of 5127 individuals. The study subjects were administered the WHO STEPS questionnaire and also underwent anthropometric and biochemical measurements. This study aimed at exploring the risk factors of diabetes using a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach in the North Indian state of Punjab. Results: Overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus among the study participants was found out to be 8.3% (95% CI 7.3–9.4%). The final SEM had excellent fit considering the model parameters. The following risk factors deemed to have a direct statistically significant effect on blood sugar status: family history of diabetes (4.5), urban residence (3.1), triglycerides (0.46), increasing waist circumference (0.18), systolic blood pressure (0.11), and increasing age (0.05). There are specific indirect effects of alcohol use (1.43, p = 0.001), family h/o diabetes (0.844, p = 0.001), age (0.156, p < 0.001), waist circumference (0.028, p = < 0.001) and weekly fruit intake (− 0.009, p = 0.034) on fasting blood glucose. Indirect effects of waist circumference, alcohol intake and age on blood sugar levels are mediated by raised blood pressure. Waist circumference mediates the indirect effects of age, family h/o of diabetes, alcohol intake and weekly fruit intake on blood sugar levels. Triglycerides also mediated the indirect effects between age and diabetes. Conclusions: Family history of diabetes, urban residence, alcohol use, increasing age, and waist circumference are the key variables affecting diabetes status in the Indian population. The results of this study further strengthens the evidence that lifestyle changes in the form of physical activity and healthy diet are required to prevent and control diabetes. Those with family h/o diabetes constitute a high risk group and should be targeted with regular screening and lifestyle intervention package. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effect of tranexamic acid in head and neck surgical procedures. Methods: A prospective, double-blind and randomised, parallel group, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. Ninety-two patients undergoing various head and neck surgical procedures were randomised. Subjects received seven infusions of coded drugs (tranexamic acid or normal saline) starting at the time of skin closure. Haematological, biochemical, blood loss and other parameters were observed by the staff, who were blinded to patients' group allocation (case or control). Results: Patients were analysed on the basis of type of surgery. Fifty patients who had undergone surgical procedures, including total thyroidectomy, total parotidectomy, and various neck dissections with or without primary tumour excision, were included in the first group. The second group comprised 41 patients who had undergone hemithyroidectomy, lobectomy or superficial parotidectomy. There was no statistical difference in blood parameters between both groups. There was a reduction in post-operative drain volume, but this was not significant. Conclusion: Although this prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial found a reduction in post-operative drain volume in tranexamic acid groups, the difference was not statistically significant between the various head and neck surgical procedure groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension is the leading risk factor in non-communicable diseases and the number is increasing worldwide. Poor adherence has been described as the most important cause of uncontrolled blood pressure. Objective: To assess the treatment adherence of hypertensive patients. Material and methods: The study was conducted in two community sites of Chandigarh. Total of 250 participants diagnosed with hypertension were selected by systematic random sampling. Participants were interviewed as per interview schedule comprises of socio demographic profile, clinical profile, dietary habits, Hillbone High Blood Pressure Compliance Scale. Data was collected from July 2018 till November. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data, where mean, percentage and frequency were used to describe the data. Results: As per the hillbone highblood pressure compliance scale score only 17.6% of the subjects were adherent to the treatment. The main reasons for non adherence were forgetfulness (54.4%), stopped when felt sick (69.6%) and when felt better (59.6%). Only 24.8% had controlled blood pressure. Conclusion: There is very low adherence to treatment among hypertensive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have fabricated InN thin films using rf magnetron sputtering from an indium (In) metal target. Optical and electrical measurements show that these as-grown films are n-type with carrier concentrations ranging from 1020 to 1021 cm-3. This variation in carrier density is produced by controlling the conditions during the deposition. We used Rutherford backscattering spectrometry to identify possible sources for n-type carriers. We found that in addition to strong direct bandgap optical absorption ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 eV, a large plasmon absorption peak in the infrared region (0.45–0.8 eV) is also observed. This tunable IR absorption suggests that these highly degenerate InN films could be used for a number of applications, including optical filters and infrared devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine types of short range order that arise in binary liquids from a combination of Coulombic interactions and nonadditivity of excluded volumes, the initial motivation being observations of complex formation by hydrated ions in concentrated aqueous solutions. The model is a fluid of charged hard spheres with contact distances σ+-≠ 1/2 (σ+++σ--), its structural functions being evaluated in the mean spherical approximation and in the hypernetted chain approximation. Cation–anion pairing is clearly seen in the calculated structural functions for negative deviations from additivity (σ+-<σ++=σ--), though the absence of true chemical bonding in the model does not allow long-lived complexes. Positive deviations from additivity (σ+->σ++=σ--) favor long-wavelength concentration fluctuations and demixing in a neutral mixture: these are suppressed by Coulombic interactions in favor of microscopic intermixing of the two species in the local liquid structure, up to like-ion pairing. Comparison is made with diffraction from concentrated aqueous solutions of cadmium sulphate and other instances of possible applicability of the model are pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the impact of climate change on public health, particularly in India. The latest high-resolution climate change scenarios and projections for India are discussed, which, according to the author, will cause disruption of the ecosystem's services to support human health and livelihood, and will impact health systems. Also noted are the role of public health associations in India such as the Indian Public Health Association and the Indian Association of Preventive Social Medicine.

The article reports on the results of a study regarding the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in an urban area of Chandigarh City in India. According to it, the prevalence rate of physician-diagnosed self-reported hypertension in the study population was 32.3% while that for self-reported heart disease was 10.8%.

The article focuses on the implementation of the Chandigarh Healthy Heart Action Programme (CHHAP) in Chandigarh Union Territory in India to control the rising trends of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). It cites the collaboration of CHHAP with stakeholders for the control of tobacco smoking in the city. It cites the prohibition of smoking at public places in Chandigarh beginning on July 15, 2007. It notes the need for public health professional bodies and civil society organizations to work together to replicate the initiative in other Indian cities.