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Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are among the rising trend and are often caused by modifiable risk factors. Ado- lescents are frequent victims due to junk food consumption and un- healthy diet leading to overweight and obesity. A nutritionally ad- equate and balanced diet is essential for optimal growth and devel- opment. Objectives: A cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge, atti- tude and dietary practices among the adolescents of urban slums. Also, to find the association of Body Mass Index (BMI) with fre- quency of junk foods consumption. Materials and methods: 230 adolescents aged 13-15 years in Benga- luru Urban slums were assessed using multi-stage random sam- pling technique and data was collected. Bowl-method was em- ployed to quantify the measurements of foods consumed. Standard precautions were taken to measure height and weight. Chi-square test was used to find association between BMI and frequency of junk food consumption. Results: Mean age of the students was 14.02 (SD 0.96) and majority were in 8th standard (42.2%). 116 (50.4%) of them were boys. Mean BMI of the adolescents was 20.7kg/m2 (SD 3.6) where, 68 (29.6%) of them were underweight, 62 (27%) were overweight and 4 (1.7%) were obese. Only 39% had good knowledge, 71% had favourable attitude and good practice in 31% of adolescents. There was signif- icant association with frequency of junk food consumption and BMI variation. Conclusion: Adolescents had poor knowledge and practice. Over- weight was more prevalent among boys and Underweight in girls. There was significant association with frequency of junk food con- sumption and BMI variation.

Context: In the absence of any specific treatment available for COVID-19, people started practicing traditional nonpharmacological preventive home remedies such as salt water gargling and steam inhalation. The available research evidence on some of these measures opines that steam inhalation, saline gargling, and povidone-iodine gargling does have virucidal properties and do provide symptomatic relief. Aims: The aim is to test this hypothesis, and the present trial was undertaken with an objective to assess the effect of steam inhalation, saline gargling, and povidone-iodine gargling among the COVID-19-positive patients with respect to early test negativity and clinical recovery. Methodology: Open-labeled, parallel, randomized controlled trial was conducted among asymptomatic or mild COVID-19-positive patients in Bangalore from September 2020 to February 2021. In each group of steam inhalation, saline gargling, povidone-iodine gargling, and control, twenty participants were allocated. Daily follow-up was done for 21 days to assess early test negativity and clinical recovery. Trial Registry Number: Clinical Trial Registry India/2020/09/027687. Results: Among 80 participants recruited, 65 (81.3%) were symptomatic. Early test negativity was seen in povidone-iodine gargling group of 6 days (KaplanMeier survival curve, BreslowGeneralized Wilcoxon test P = 0.7 as per the intention-to-treat and as per-protocol P = 0.8). Significant clinical recovery was seen in saline gargling group (4 days, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Povidone-iodine gargling was effective in providing early test negativity, whereas saline gargling was effective in early clinical recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionTriple burden of malnutrition in children remains a significant public health issue. This scoping review aims to assess the information on undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and the quality of complementary feeding in various regions in Nigeria.MethodsA literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases from January 1, 2018 to January 31, 2023 to include studies focusing on 0 to 5 years old children in Nigeria, reporting data on nutritional status, nutrient deficiencies, and published in English.Results73 out of 1,545 articles were included. Stunting remained alarmingly high ranging from 7.2% (Osun, South West) to 61% (Kaduna, North Central), while wasting varied from 1% (Ibadan, South West) to 29% (FCT Abuja, Central) and underweight from 5.9% (Osun, South West) to 42.6% (Kano, North West) respectively. The overall prevalence of anemia and vitamin A deficiency ranged between 55.2 to 75.1 % and 5.3 to 67.6%, respectively. Low rates of achieving minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency were reported across different states depicting the suboptimal quality of complementary feeding. The prevalence of overweight/obesity ranged from 1.5% (Rivers, South South) to 25.9% (Benue, North Central).ConclusionMultiple early childhood malnutrition issues exist with a wide disparity across states in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern region. Targeted nutrition interventions must be implemented to improve the situation.

Abstract Background The prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in children, particularly from Asia, is largely unknown. There are not many studies done in Asia especially using the Rome IV criteria. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of FGIDs in infants and young children in a representative sample in China. Methods A prospective, cross-sectional, community-based survey was conducted among healthy infants and young children between the ages of 0–4 years in Jinhua and Shanghai, China. A total of 2604 subjects (1300 subjects from Jinhua and 1304 subjects from Shanghai) completed a validated questionnaire on pediatric gastrointestinal symptoms. FGIDs in infants and young children were diagnosed using the Rome IV criteria. Results According to the Rome IV criteria, the prevalence of having a FGID in Chinese infants and young children is 27.3%. Infant regurgitation (33.9%) was the most common FGID among the 0–6 months old while functional constipation (7.0%) was the most common among the 1–4 years old. Risk factor analysis revealed that prevalence of infantile colic was higher with better maternal education and low birth weight. Prevalence of infantile regurgitation was significantly greater in males, living in a rural area, being exclusively breast fed at least up to 4 months and starting formula feeds within the first month. The risk of functional constipation was lower for infants who were delivered vaginally. Conclusions Infantile regurgitation was the most common FGID in Chinese infants while functional constipation was most prevalent among young Chinese children. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Registry Identifier: NL6973/NTR7161 .

Abstract Background Tetraspanin CD82 is a tumor metastasis suppressor that is known to down regulate in various metastatic cancers. However, the exact mechanism by which CD82 prevents cancer metastasis is unclear. This study aims to identify genes that are regulated by CD82 in human prostate cell lines. Methods We used whole human genome microarray to obtain gene expression profiles in a normal prostate epithelial cell line that expressed CD82 (PrEC-31) and a metastatic prostate cell line that does not express CD82 (PC3). Then, siRNA silencing was used to knock down CD82 expression in PrEC-31 while CD82 was re-expressed in PC3 to acquire differentially-expressed genes in the respective cell line. Results Differentially-expressed genes with a P

Studies on the biology of Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel revealed that the freshly laid eggs were glistening white to creamish in colour, elliptical gently tapering at one end while it was rounded at the other end and becomes slightly darker towards the time of hatching. The mean length and breadth of the egg was found to be 1.10±0.08 mm and 0.20±0.01 mm respectively. The maggots are apodous with three instars. The first and second instar maggots measured 4.61±0.43 mm and 6.68±0.50 mm length respectively and 0.55±0.094 and 0.92±0.07 mm breadth respectively. First instar maggots were translucent and with very few armatures on the body. Third instar maggots were creamish white to yellowish in colour and measured 8.60±0.48 mm and 1.51±0.17 mm length and breadth respectively. The body of a third instar maggot was highly sclerotised and with a well developed cephalopharyngeal skeleton. Puparium was cylindrical, colour varies from creamish yellow to brown and measured 4.79±0.22 mm length and 1.90±0.16 mm breadth. The duration of egg, first, second, third instar and pupal duration was 1.52±0.40, 2.12±0.43, 2.20±0.33, 4.22±0.32 and 11.22±0.46 days respectively. Pre-oviposition duration was 12.00±1.23 days. The mean length of male and female flies were 5.93±0.22 and 6.28±0.24 mm. Females were longer lived than males with a longevity period of 87.83±5.66 and 104.12±7.05 days of male and female respectively. Adult flies without any food after the emergence lived for 1.54±0.39 and 1.62±0.40 days for male and female, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on Zoonoses. Topics discussed include the concept of "One Medicine" for the medical realities of preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases introduced by Calvin W. Schwabe, their classification and modes of transmission, and economic impact of zoonoses along with Disability-adjusted life year (DALYs) lost to infectious disease.

Healthy Chinese infants consuming one of four commercially available infant formulas (IF) were assessed on the occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with suboptimal digestion of processed milk proteins. The IF differed in blocked lysine (BL) levels, a proxy indicator of heat processing as well as the nutritional quality of milk. A cross-sectional, observational study of one week was conducted in healthy, term, exclusively formula-fed Chinese infants (n = 452) fed with one of four commercially available IF (IF A n = 106, BL 9%; IF B n = 119, BL 12%; IF C n = 113, BL 11%; IF D n = 114 BL 20%). Parents/caretakers were requested to report feeding quantity, gastrointestinal symptoms, crying behavior, and stool characteristics daily using subject dairy and Amsterdam Infant Stool Scale (AISS). Infants fed with IF A reported less “hard” and “watery” stools and more “soft/formed” stools. Higher percentages of score I (yellow/golden) or II (orange) and less green (score III) coloured stools were noted for IF A-fed infants compared to all other formulas according to AISS. Night time crying was also significantly lower in the IF A groups compared to all other formulas. Furthermore, a higher percentage of parents/caretakers of IF A-fed infants reported absence or no complaints of abdominal distension, burping, flatulence, diarrhea, and constipation. Results suggest lower occurrence of GI symptoms and lower crying time at night in infants fed with minimally processed formula (indexed by BL levels). Future studies are required to confirm the association between minimal processing of milk formula and improved gut comfort in healthy infants.

Introduction: Pregnancy gingivitis is a major oral infection. Periodontium acts as a reservoir of inflammatory mediators and sub gingival biofilms of bacteria. Aim: To evaluate the anaerobic oral microbial flora in pregnant women before delivery and after delivery by comparing them with control group. Material and Methods: The study group included fifteen cases of pregnant women before and after delivery and healthy non-pregnant women of same age as control group. Sub gingival plaque samples were collected with the help of dentists. The samples were inoculated immediately into Thioglycollate broth (MV010), transported to the laboratory, inoculated on to selective media for anaerobes (Hi-media laboratories) incubated anaerobically (Gas pack). Results: Prevotella, Tanerella forsythia, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, Veillonella, Peptostreptococcus were isolated. Discussion: The anaerobic bacteria in pregnant women were Prevotella, Tanerella forsythia and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Viellonella and Peptostreptococcus were seen in control group and after delivery. Research suggests that periodontal pathogens may travel the blood stream from the oral cavity to the placenta. Conclusion: Pregnancy has significant effect on periodontal tissue. There is a significant alteration of bacterial flora during and after pregnancy. Oral health has to become a part of antenatal care /check up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uppal and Patancheruvu are two important industrial zones in twin cities. Since 1980’s many industries such as pharmaceutical drugs, paints, pesticides, steel, plastics, textiles, leather, rubber, etc. were established. Many a time complaints of Industrial Pollution from residents of Uppal industry area were received by the government with a request to kindly take necessary step to prevent industrial pollution in this area. Although very few studies were carried out on people living here and hence an attempt was made to take up a large scale study. Epidemiological, genetic, cytogenetic and molecular studies were carried out in subjects living in Uppal industrial area. For comparison the residents of Ameerpet were selected (control group). 560 people residing in and around Uppal Industrial belt were selected for epidemiological studies and for comparison people living in non-industrial area (Ameerpet) and not exposed to either agricultural or industrial chemicals occupationally were selected (Control group).The results showed an increased frequency of health problems when compared to control group. The prominent health problems were hypertension, diabetes, renal problems, skin problems, gastrointestinal disorders, infections, nervous disorders, muscular pain, respiratory disorders, and weakness/lassitude. Reproductive outcome of 175 couples living in this area was studied. The reproductive outcome was assessed by measuring the incidence of abortions, stillbirths, malformations, prenatal deaths, etc. The results showed a decrease in the fertility (87.33% against 88.88% in control group) and a high incidence of abortions (8.41% against 5.09% in control group). Studies on incidence of chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in 60 people living here were taken up and results shown the increased levels of cytogenetic damage when compared to the controls.

Beedi manufacturing is the second largest industry in India. It provides employment to millions of women mostly from the poor socioeconomic class. In North region of Telangana, beedi rolling is a major occupation for illiterate women in many villages. It may affect due to the inhalation of unfiltered tobacco dust and volatile and toxic components of tobacco. Biomonitoring of women beedi rollers and their reproductive performance assessment is necessary to take prevention/control the reproduction failure and carcinogen effect on cervical system. Continuous exposed to unfiltered tobacco dust may have systemic effect and lead to many disorders including hormone defects and reproductive health problems. Although studies have been carried out on beedi industry workers and tobacco smoke exposed people at national and international level, no such studies were carried out on women beedi rollers living in rural areas in Telangana State. Hence, this investigation is attempted to understand the study is find to association with hormonal levels and reproductive outcome in rural women beedi rollers of reproductive age in North Telangana. Statistical analysis was done for the obtained results to find the significance between the two groups for the reproductive outcome and Hormonal Studies. Total 50 women (married who are exposed minimum 6-10 years to the unfiltered tobacco dust) beedi rollers in the age group of 25 to 45 years from villages of Jagitial district were enrolled for this study. 50 equal numbers of women in the same age group belonging to the same socio economic status and not exposed occupationally to chemical and physical agents was selected for comparison (control group). Estroidal, Progesterone the T3, T4 and TSH levels were measured found significantly T3, T4 levels were low in the beedi rollers, compared the controls. TSH levels were found to be higher in the beedi rollers. Estroidal and progesterone levels were obtained non-significant. Reproductive outcome in both the groups indicated adverse reproductive outcome in the beedi rollers when compared to the controls. An increase in the frequency of premature births, neonatal deaths, still births and uterine problems and a decrease in the fertility rate and frequency of live births were observed in women beedi rollers when compared to controls. The overall results showed adverse reproductive outcome and imbalance of thyroid hormone profile was found in rural women beedi rollers. These effects in women might be due to occupational exposure to tobacco dust in the work environment. There is a need to be concentrate with more sample size on reproductive outcome and hormonal related diseases in women beedi rollers who work with tobacco from time to time and in order to generate data on various health and reproductive issues. Awareness programmes on safety measures may be taken up for these illiterate women beedi rollers to prevent/control these effects.

It has been estimated that globally there is a death attributable to prostate cancer every four minutes. As life expectancy in all world regions increases, so too incidence of this disease of the ageing male will increase. For many men diagnosis occurs after presentation with symptoms of altered urinary dynamics. Unfortunately, these changes, whilst also associated with benign disease, are evident quite late in the aetiology of prostate cancer. Early detection provides for better management and prognosis. This Special Issue provides an up to date view of the advances made towards early diagnosis and prognosis. It provides reviews of advanced imaging techniques (e.g., multiparametric MRI and protocols), and of biomaterials and molecular biomarkers currently being explored (e.g., microRNAs, proteomics) and the technologies that are revolutionizing this field. It describes the multi-disciplinary approaches that are essential to inexpensive, deliverable and accurate platforms for prostate cancer diagnostics.

Neurogenic inflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We examined the role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in modulating colitis.Colitis was induced by administration of dextran sodium sulphate (3% DSS) or streptomycin pre-treated Salmonella typhimurium (S.T.) in wild type (WT) and NPY (NPY(-/-)) knockout mice. Colitis was assessed by clinical score, histological score and myeloperoxidase activity. NPY and nNOS expression was assessed by immunostaining. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring catalase activity, glutathione and nitrite levels. Colonic motility was assessed by isometric muscle recording in WT and DSS-treated mice.DSS/S.T. induced an increase in enteric neuronal NPY and nNOS expression in WT mice. WT mice were more susceptible to inflammation compared to NPY(-/-) as indicated by higher clinical & histological scores, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (p

Background: National tuberculosis (TB) programmes in high-burden countries do not systematically assess severity at diagnosis followed by referral for inpatient care. Due to limited capacity, comprehensive assessment of all TB patients is not practical. In three districts of Gujarat (West India) in June 2021, we determined the feasibility of screening for severe illness by paramedical staff of public facilities and the burden of 'high risk for severe illness' at notification among adults (≥15 y of age) with TB., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the screening criteria for high risk for severe illness was the presence of any one of the following: body mass index (BMI) ≤14.0 kg/m2, BMI ≤16.0 kg/m2 with bilateral leg swelling, respiratory rate >24/min, oxygen saturation <94% or inability to stand without support. We summarized the feasibility indicators and burden using proportion (95% confidence interval [CI]) and median, as applicable., Results: Of 626 notified adults, 87% were screened. The median time interval for screening was 3 d from notification and all indicators were collected in 97% of patients. The burden of high risk for severe illness was high, at 41.6% (95% CI 37.5 to 45.8)., Conclusions: High burden and feasibility (high coverage, acceptable time interval and minimal missing data) makes a strong case for routine screening of severe illness., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.)

Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and its associated response, TB deaths increased for the first time in a decade. In any potentially fatal illness, an assessment of severity is essential. This is not systematically done for adults with TB, mostly due to a lack of policy and/or limited availability of diagnostic and clinical capacity. We developed a screening tool using simple and easily measurable indicators that can be used by paramedical TB program staff to quickly identify people with severe illness. During October-November 2020 in Karnataka, India, the paramedical program staff from 16 districts screened people with TB (aged ≥15 years) notified by public facilities for "high risk of severe illness," which was defined as the presence of any of the following indicators: (1) body mass index (BMI) ≤14.0 kg/m 2 ; (2) BMI ≤16.0 kg/m 2 with bilateral leg swelling; (3) respiratory rate >24/minute; (4) oxygen saturation <94%; (5) inability to stand without support. In this cohort study, we determined the incidence of program-recorded early deaths (within 2 months) and its association with high risk of severe illness. Of 3,010 people with TB, 1,529 (50.8%) were screened at diagnosis/notification, of whom 537 (35.1%) had a high risk of severe illness. There were 195 (6.5%, 95% CI=5.7, 7.4) early deaths: 59 (30.2%) within a week and 100 (51.3%) within 2 weeks of treatment initiation. The incidence of early deaths was significantly higher among those with high risk of severe illness (8.9%) at diagnosis compared to those without (3.8%) [adjusted relative risk: 2.36 (95% confidence interval=1.57, 3.55)]. To conclude, early deaths were especially high during the first 2 weeks and strongly associated with a high risk of severe illness at diagnosis/notification. Screening for severe illness should be explored as a potential strategy to end TB deaths., (© Shewade et al.)

Due to limited availability of diagnostics and capacity, people with tuberculosis do not always undergo systematic assessment for severe illness (requiring inpatient care). In Karnataka (south India), para-medical programme staff used a screening tool to identify people at 'high risk of severe illness', defined using indicators of very severe undernutrition, abnormal vital signs and poor performance status (any one): (i) body mass index (BMI) ≤ 14.0 kg/m 2 (ii) BMI ≤ 16.0 kg/m 2 with bilateral leg swelling (iii) respiratory rate > 24/min (iv) oxygen saturation < 94% (v) inability to stand without support. Of 3020 adults notified from public facilities (15 October to 30 November 2020) in 16 districts, 1531 (51%) were screened (district-wise range: 13-90%) and of them, 538 (35%) were classified as 'high risk of severe illness'. Short median delays in screening from notification (five days), and all five indicators being collected for 88% of patients, suggests the feasibility of using this tool in programme settings. However, districts with poor screening coverage require further attention. To end tuberculosis deaths, screening should be followed by referral to higher facilities for comprehensive clinical evaluation, to assess the need for inpatient care. Future studies should assess the validity (especially sensitivity in picking severely ill patients) of this screening tool.