A correlation of per day calorie intake with resting energy expenditure in healthy young adults

Background: The energy requirement of an individual can be defined as the level of energy intake from food that will balance the energy expenditure. Dietary intakes lower or higher than the body requirements can lead to undernutrition (deficiency diseases) or overnutrition (diseases of affluence), respectively. Per day calorie intake influences various daily energy utilizing activities. The imbalance between intake and expenditure continues over long periods, changes in body weight or body composition will occur and may adversely affect health. The resting energy expenditure (REE), the largest portion (50–75%) of total energy expenditure, is the energy required to maintain the basic metabolic activities including maintaining the body temperature and keeping the functioning of vital organs such as brain, kidneys, heart, and lungs. Hence, REE plays the most important role in body functioning. Objective: The aim and objective of the present study were to access the effect of per day calorie intake on REE. Materials and Methods: One hundred subjects (age 18–25 years) were assessed for data collection. All the data were collected in the early morning hours. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee (EC/P-47/2018) of Rajasthan University of Health Sciences College of Medical Sciences, Jaipur. Demographic data including the anthropometric measurement of the participants such as weight, height, and body mass index (BMI). Calories intake (kcal) in 24 h was measured using food frequency questionnaire. Moreover, REE was measured using the gold standard method indirect calorimetry. Pearson correlation was calculated to seen correlation between per day calorie intake and REE. Results: A total of 75 males and 25 females with mean age of males and females were 19.97 ± 1.81 years and 19.32 ± 1.75 years, respectively. The mean BMI was 21.77 ± 4 kg/m² of males and 22.68 kg/m² of females. The mean calorie intake was 2532.082 ± 830.970 kcal in males and 1991.176 ± 783.291 kcal in females. The mean REE of male subjects was 2081.470 ± 587.661 kcal and of females was 1827.895 ± 469.671 kcal. The present study results showed the positive poor correlation (r = +0.1572) between calorie intake and REE in male subjects and negative poor correlation (r = −0.1484) in female subjects. Conclusion: The present study results concluded that there was a poor association between per day calorie intake and REE. Moreover, on the basis of the present study results, we can also say that most of our energy intake was expended to maintain body functioning at rest.

The Spectrum of Renal Osteodystrophy: A Clinical, Biochemical, Radiological and Histopathological Study

The chief mineral source of Jammu province is bauxite, an aluminium ore, so a possibility of water being heavily polluted with aluminium is prevalent. Hence, in an effort to relate this regional geographical aspect with aluminium bone disease (ABD) in chronic renal failure (CRF), 50 cases of CRF were prospectively evaluated. Patients were subjected to a thorough history and clinical examination. Biochemical parameters along with raiological skeletal survey and iliac crest bone biopsies were undertaken. Sixty-eight per cent of CRF patients were also consuming aluminium containing phosphate binders (ACPB) at that time. The study revealed an occurrence of ABD in 10% of CRF patients. It was found predominantly superimposed upon osteomalacia (8%) and mixed osteodystrophy (2%). Superimposed ABD on osteomalacia was found more frequently in pre-dialysis (10.8%) than after haemodialysis group (7.69%). Moreover, the incidence of ABD superimposed on osteomalacia and mixed osteodystrophy was higher in the ACPB group (14.7%) than the post-haemodialysis group (7.69%). Correlating, the pre-dialysis, post-haemodialysis and ACPB ingestion status of CRF patients on one hand and histologically proven ABD on the other, it was deduced that the majority of cases of CRF having ABD was seen in ACPB ingestion group (14.7%) followed by pre-dialysis (10.8%) and post-haemodialysis (7.69%) groups. Thus it was concluded that in the present work, ACPB ingestion was the major source of aluminium deposition in bones of patients with CRF rather than the water used in dialysis or possible pollution of drinking water with aluminium in our province.

In vitro multiplication of Peganum harmala--an important medicinal plant.

The frequency of shoot regeneration and multiplication of P. harmala was influenced by the type of explant and kind and concentration of hormones. Of the various seedling explants, cotyledonary node exhibited maximum shoot regeneration frequency from axillary region on MS medium supplemented with 5 microM BAP. Addition of 0.1 microM NAA enhanced the efficacy of BAP for multiple shoot regeneration as well as improved the growth of shoots. BAP (5 microM) in combination with NAA (0.1 microM) was found to be the optimal for inducing an average of 4-5 shoots per explant in 75% of the cultures within 5 weeks. Replacement of BAP with other cytokinins at equimolar concentration of BAP i.e. 5 microM was not effective in inducing multiple shoots. Regenerated shoots were rooted on MS medium containing IBA (8 microM) with 80% efficiency. The plantlets were successfully established in soil where 80% of them developed into morphological normal plants.

Improving NLEP performance in a low endemic area.

New innovative strategies of the medical officer of an upgraded urban leprosy centre of a low endemic state (Punjab) resulted in an increase in new case detection by seventy-four percent. Indigenous patients were much more regular than immigrant patients in colonies. The number of new indigenous punjabi patients has not shown any decline in last one decade, probably because of deficiencies in the functioning of NLEP. It is suggested that improved case detection by adopting strategies used by the authors and restricting free migration of untreated and partially treated patients would help in achieving the goals of NLEP.

Lung puncture aspiration in the diagnosis of acute pneumonias.

The present study was carried out in 100 children of acute pneumonia to establish the diagnosis of etiologic agents. Clinico-radiological assessment and routine investigations including sputum, throat swab and blood culture did not help in identifying the offending micro-organisms. The bacteriological examination of lung puncture aspirate was the most satisfactory tool for the etiological diagnosis. Direct smear examination/culture were positive in 50% aspirates. On cytology, definite epithelioid granulomas indicated tuberculous infection. However, in direct smear/culture negative patients, predominant mononuclear cell infiltration in the aspirated material may indicate non-pyogenic infection. Staphylococcus aureus (22%) was the commonest organism causing pneumonia in the present study.

Empowering young girls for health and development.

Yuvati Vikas Kendra (YVK) model of empowering young girls in the age bracket of 7-19 years could raise the level of awareness and generate self-esteem and self-confidence in over 50% of young girls over a period of six months of operation. The YVK model was utilised by 37-55% of enrolled girls in different age brackets; thus these centres functioned well below their installed capacity. Functional inter-sectoral linkages have to be developed for better impact and better coverage. Data based information from other models of empowerment such as schools, non-formal system of education and Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, is called for to choose different alternatives for our country, as no uniform system can succeed in this vast country. Diversified modes and approaches for empowerment of young girls are needed.