Regional Differences of Child Undernutrition in India: The Reflection of Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) from CNNS-2016-18 Data.

Background: The Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) has its multifaceted application in understanding child undernutrition. The nationwide data of Community National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) 2016-18 in India has unfolded this opportunity to re-examine the use of CIAF and its determinants. One recent study showed significant differences in child undernutrition between rich and poor wealth index households using this CNNS -16-18 data. But, the study did not consider regional as well as state-wise CIAF variation. However, it is a fact that regional understanding of child undernutrition is equally vital for national and regional health and nutritional planning, specifically in India. Therefore, the present study aims to understand the geographical region and state-wise distribution of CIAF and determine some selected determinants of CIAF. Methods: The study used secondary data set from the Community National Nutrition Survey (CNNS), India undertaken in 2016-18. The study sample comprised of 32941 children aged 0-59 months. The multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the determinants of CIAF. Results: The results revealed that nearly half of the under-five children suffered from undernutrition (CIAF-46.71%). The final adjusted multivariate regression models showed that the higher CIAF prevalence was mainly confined in the central region states like Madhya Pradesh (56.0%) and Uttar Pradesh (52.0%). Besides, the Jharkhand state in the eastern region showed the highest percentage of CIAF (57.0%). The prevalence of child undernutrition was more elevated in poor economic households and Muslim households. Children in the age group ?12 months, boys, who did not consume milk other than breast milk and lived in rural areas, had a higher prevalence of undernutrition. In the case of mother characteristics, mother's age at birth < 20 years, mother never attended school and mother did not watch television had a higher number of undernourished children. Despite several significant determinants associated with child undernutrition, the considerable impact of the region was consistent throughout the statistical models. Conclusion: Therefore, the vulnerable geographical regions and states in terms of child undernutrition should prioritise nutrition-sensitive interventions in India and consider the involvement of other key risk factors.

Bioabsorbable Vascular Scaffolds Eluting with Everolimus: for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Patients with de-novo Coronary Artery Lesion: Our Experiences at a Tertiary Hospital.

Background: Aim of the study was to evaluate the primary procedural success of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of de-novo coronary artery lesion by using Bioabsorbable Vascular Scaffold (BVS) ABSORB stents eluting Everolimus. Methods: Total 16 patients were enrolled in this very preliminary study of BVS absorb. Among them, Male: 11 and Female: 5. Total 20 stents were deployed. Mean age were for Male: 56 yrs, for Female: 60 yrs. Associated coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors were Dyslipidemia, High Blood pressure, Diabetes Mellitus, Positive family history (FH) for CAD and Smoking. Patients were followed up clinically. Results: Among the study group; 13 (81%) were Dyslipidemic, 10(62.5%) were hypertensive; 6 (37.5%) patients were Diabetic, FH 3(18.75%), and 2(18%) were all male smoker. Female patients were more obese [Body Mass Index (BMI) M 25: F 27] and developed CAD in advance age. A common stented territory was for left anterior descending artery (LAD): 6 (37.5%), left circumflex artery (LCX) 5 (25%), right coronary artery (RCA) 6(37.5%). One patient had both LCX and LAD stenting. Total 3 patients had double/overlapping stent in RCA lesion. Territory wise distributions of BVS ABSORB stent were for LAD 6(30%), RCA 9 (45%), and LCX 5 (25%). There was no periprocedural or postprocedural complication. Conclusion: BVS ABSORB Everolimus eluting vascular scaffold showed favorable clinical outcome without any major cardiac events (acute or late stent thrombosis, MI or death) over a period of 9 month. Thus, BVS ABSORB would be favorable alternative to other available drug eluting metallic stents.

Growth and nutritional status of Bengali adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the growth and nutritional status among healthy Bengali adolescent schoolgirls at peri-urban area. METHODS: In this cross sectional study, sample consists of 527 school going adolescent girls, aged 10 to 18 years. The sample of the present study was collected from a peri-urban area (Duttapukur) of north 24 parganas district of West Bengal, India. Standard anthropometric measurements including linear, curvilinear and skinfold thickness were collected from each subject. Percentile curves and nutritional indices were used to determine the growth and nutritional status respectively. RESULTS: The nature of distance curves and percentile curves of the body measurements showed a high rate of increase in 10-11 years of age group corresponding to an earlier adolescent growth spurt than average Indian girls. The adolescent girls in the current study were found to be significantly (p<0.0001) taller than Indian girls and heavier than both Indian and urban Bengali girls but slightly shorter than urban Bengali girls. They are significantly (p<0.0001) shorter and lighter than American girls, which also corresponded to 50(th) percentile curves. Age specific nutritional assessment shows different grades of malnutrition among them. Gomez's classification indicates about 60 % to 70 % adolescent girls show either moderate to mild malnutrition during their growth period. Both the indices of Waterlow's classification show least percentage of least malnutrition among the girls. CONCLUSION: The growth pattern and nutritional status observed among adolescent girls in peri-urban situation show heterogeneity with respect to some anthropometric traits and in conformity with the growth pattern and nutritional status of urban girls.

Whole time domestic child labor in metropolitan city of Kolkata.

We conducted this study to explore the socioeconomic conditions, and health and nutritional status of whole time child domestic labor. 330 children engaged in domestic child labor ranging between 8 to 14 years of age from the metropolitan city of Kolkata were studied. Majority of the domestic child laborers were girls and migrants coming from illiterate families. These children were physically, mentally or sexually abused. Further, they suffered from anemia, gastrointestinal tract infections, vitamin deficiencies, respiratory tract infections and skin diseases along with a high prevalence of malnutrition. The study highlights the poor state of domestic child labor in Kolkata, India.

Nutritional status of Kamar tribal children in Chhattisgarh.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the nutritional status among 309 Kamar children (161 boys and 148 girls) aged 4-12 years. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 24-hours dietary recall method was used to assess dietary intakes of children. Height and weight were recorded and children were classified by WHO criterion (Z-score) using nutritional indices i.e. weight for age, height for age and weight for height. NCHS data were used as reference. Mean energy and protein intake per day were measured and compared with Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of Indian standards. RESULTS: More than 90 percent of children (both boys and girls) in the age group of 4-6 years suffered by underweight (<-2 SD weight for age), which was comparatively lower in 7-9 and 10-12 years age group children. 84.51 percent of boys suffered by stunting (<-2 SD height for age), which was much higher than girls (47.54%) in 4-6 years age group. Similarly, 80 percent of 4-6 years age group children were affected by wasting (<-2 SD weight for height). The consumption of energy and protein were also much lower among Kamar children than the RDA of India throughout the ages. CONCLUSION: Undernutrition in the form of underweight, stunting and wasting and low consumption of dietary intake (energy and protein) was found to be widely prevalent among Kamar tribal children. Therefore, an urgent dietary intervention programme is necessary. Further studies are required to investigate into problem and to supplement the key nutrients which are required to ensure a good nutritional status in children.

Effect of Vibrio cholerae-L-asparaginase on surface structure of splenic lymphocytes.

The surface ultrastructure of splenic lymphocytes and rosetting properties of lymphocytes of Swiss mice were studied under scanning electron microscope following transplantation of Dalton's lymphoma and ascites fibrosarcoma tumour cells and administration of Vibrio cholerae-L-asparaginase. The results were compared to those obtained with the standard Escherichia coli-L-asparaginase. The surface structure of the lymphocytes (T cells) following L-asparaginase administration was not so different from that of normal lymphocytes. V. cholerae-L-asparaginase did not cause higher number of rosette formation in T cells as compared to the normal group. The study thus revealed that V. cholerae-L-asparaginase did not have a significant stimulatory or non-immunosuppressive effect on the lymphocyte functions.

Induction and regulation of alpha-amylase synthesis in a cellulolytic thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila D14 (ATCC 48104).

The alpha-amylase enzyme synthesis was higher when M. thermophila D-14 (ATCC 48104) was grown in culture medium incorporated with starch or other carbohydrates containing maltose units. Maximum enzyme production was attained with 1% starch followed by a gradual decrease with increasing concentration. Marked decrease in alpha-amylase synthesis occurred with the addition of glucose to the culture medium and this decreasing activity was proportional to the concentration of glucose. The enzyme synthesis was resumed as soon as the glucose concentration fell below a critical level. The addition of cAMP did not eliminate the repressive activity of glucose. The findings suggest that extracellular alpha-amylase synthesis in M. thermophila D-14 was inducible and subject to catabolite repression.

Induction of L-asparaginase synthesis in Vibrio proteus.

Studies on L-asparaginase synthesis in V. proteus showed increased synthesis in cultures grown under conditions of moderate aeration (P less than 0.005) after oxygen had been used up from the medium. Addition of sodium lactate to the medium at a concentration of 80 mu mole/ml, stimulated L-asparaginase synthesis (2.2 times over control) in moderately-aerated cultures (P less than 0.001). The substrate L-asparagine induced enzyme synthesis when growth conditions were made anaerobic or lactate was incorporated into the medium (3.8 times increased enzyme synthesis over control).

A curative operation for extra-articular ankylosis of knee.

For the extra-articular ankylosis of knee a new surgical operation has been described, which is a simple technique by which the adhesion of the quadriceps femoris is released from the shaft of femur (corrective release operation). Operative result in 5 cases has been also described. All these patients showed satisfactory improvement of the flexion movement of the knee following this surgical procedure.

Colchicine binding activity of rat brain polysomes.

In this communication, we report the presence of a unique colchicinebinding activity in the polysomes of rat brain. This drug-binding property, is somewhat similar to that of tubulin isolated from many sources; however, it differs in several biochemical characteristics such as (i) thermal stability of colchicine-binding site, (ii) protection of binding site by vinblastine and (iii) time required for binding equilibration. Such binding of colchicine to the polysomes is most probably due to the presence of a nascent peptide chain of tubulin in the polysome.