ABSTRACT
Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world, and in addition to the complexity of CVD management, there are well-documented risk factors whose different effects dictate the need for region-specific research. Aim and Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the risk factors of CVD among adults in rural Lucknow. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 1 to December 31, 2018. Sociodemographic data, anthropometric data, and blood pressure were recorded. Individuals who were at least 18 years of age residing in the study area minimum 2 years and on condition that participants gave their written consent for enrollment in the survey. Data analyses were done using Microsoft Excel. Results: The study participants comprised of 364 adults, with average age of 35 ± 16 years, 200 (54.9%) were males and 164 (45.1%) were females. The mean values of hip circumference, waist circumference, waist and hip ratio, and diastolic blood pressure were higher among females than males. Waist and hip circumference in male participants whereas in female participant’s body mass index with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were significantly correlated. Conclusion: Rural females were at more risk of higher than-normal blood pressure, compare to males. The significant incidence of CVD risk factors in rural areas, particularly among those who are overweight or obese, necessitates early clinical identification. CVD screening, prevention, and control must be prioritized in health initiatives.
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common non-communicable disease even in a developing country like India. Diabetes in all its forms imposes unacceptably high human, social, and economic costs on countries at all income levels. Objective: The objective of this study was conducted to assess the sociodemographic and anthropometric factors influencing DM in an urban population of district Bareilly. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted from February 2014 to February 2015 among adults in the age group of 30 years and above residing in the area covered under the Urban Health Training Centre of Bareilly City. A simple random sampling technique was adopted to achieve the desired sample size. House to house survey was done for collecting data. Data tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Education status more than high school level were more prone for DM and maximum frequency of DM was also found in postgraduates and the minimum occurrence of DM was found those were having education up to primary school level. Body mass index increases the proportion of DM increases. The maximum number of diabetic individuals was found in obese Class II, followed by obese Class I and pre-obese. The pervasiveness of DM and impaired fasting glucose was more in those who were having a high waist-hip ratio. Conclusion: The study showed that in spite of having health-care facilities nearby, the indiscretion of healthiness was a major concern. The higher proportion of DM patient is prominent in who is from nuclear family, having sedentary lifestyle. There is a high proportion of obesity among them.
ABSTRACT
Background: Breastfeeding remains the simplest, healthiest, and least expensive feeding method that fulfills the infant’s needs and it is also important for reducing child morbidity and mortality. It has nutritional, immunological, behavioral, and economic benefits and also provides desirable mother-infant bonding. Objectives: The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the awareness and practices regarding breastfeeding of rural mothers and (2) to find out the influence of sociodemographic variables on breastfeeding practices. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre, Integral Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Lucknow. Mothers having children between 0 and 2 years age group were included in the study. A pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire was used as a study tool. Data were compiled in MS Excel and statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Results: About 54.8% were aware that breastfeeding should be initiated within 1–24 h after birth, but 66.7% initiated breastfeeding within 1–24 h after birth, 73.9% were aware and feed their infant on demand, and 46.2% were aware that exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) should be continued up to 6 months of age, but only 37.6% practiced EBF. Factors such as literacy status, place of delivery, and mode of delivery were found to be associated with breastfeeding practices. Conclusion: It is seen in the study that practice of EBF and early initiation of breastfeeding are still low.
ABSTRACT
Bacterial biocontrol agents are viable alternatives to chemical pesticides with target specificity and ecological safety. Here, we have identified a pesticidal microbial agent, an extra cellular chitinase producing Bacillus strain (designated as UKCH17) from Uttarakhand soils, a biologically rich Northwestern Indian Himalayas ecosystem. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of UKCH17 showed 99% similarity with sequences of B. licheniformis available in the public domain. The culture supernatants have a maximum chitinase activity of 99 U/mL after 4 days of culturing. The isolate showed strong antifungal activity manifested in the form of progressive mycelia degradation of Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani and Sclerotium rolfsi in dual culture plates. Mycelial deformities like constrictions and protoplast leakage were observed in microscopic studies. However, it showed little growth reduction in Helicoverpa armigera when fed on surface contaminated diet. The electrophoretic analysis showed a monomeric 70 kDa active enzyme having an optimum pH and temperature of 5 and 50ºC, respectively. The enzyme also obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, the Km and kcat values being 0.387 mg colloidal chitin/mL and 6335 s-1, respectively. Partial characterization of chitinase gene also confirms the family 18 status of glycosyl hydrolase from UKCH17. Above all, seed bacterization improved germination percentage and other plant growth characteristics of Pisum sativum in sick pots of R. solani and S. rolfsi suggesting its utilization as potent antifungal biocontrol agent.
ABSTRACT
Viral diseases are not only responsible for health related issues but also exert pressure on the State economy. Tropical and subtropical countries have more prevalence of virus associated pathological conditions such as chickenpox, adenovirus related infections, dengue, chickengunya, infectious mononucleosis, etc. Treatment options with effective antiviral drugs are limited and are unfortunately not free from undesirable effects. The Asian Green Mussel, Perna viridis (Linn.) (Mytilidae) are not only important for their evolutionary significance, high caloric index, ecological role in the sequestration of environmental pollutants especially heavy metals, but also are potential source for extraction of therapeutic and bioactive compounds. On the other hand, generally in bivalves, virus mediated mortality is not uncommon. In this study, we made a maiden attempt of exploring DNAse like bioactivity for natural non-protenacious compound(s) extracted from P. viridis. Crude Methanol Extract (CME) of soft tissue of P. viridis and subsequently its partially purified component (PPC) possess exceptional ability to degrade indiscriminately both low and high molecular weight DNAs. In vitro digestions for1, 2 and 3 h with CME and PPC were found to be comparable to commercial (Sigma-Aldrich) enzyme, DNase I. Bioactive assays conducted to evaluate antimicrobial property, have shown that CME and PPC exclusively inhibit viral propagation. Nonetheless, CME & PPC have no effect on the propagation of bacteria (0 mm ZOI). These results indicate the possibility of a source of potential antiviral drug against DNA Group I viruses. Although our study does not provide any data to correlate to any physiological functions of these substances but provides a clue towards an important role in the biology of mussels. Any conclusion at this stage is premature. However, taking into consideration the significantly high virus mediated mortality in bivalves and the antiviral bioactivity of these substances, it appears that mussels have evolved some mechanisms to counteract some viruses.