Measuring the Knowledge of Rural School Children on Nutrition Education in Bihar, India

This research study investigates the knowledge regarding nutrition education among rural school children in Bihar, India. The goal of the study is to evaluate the existing level of nutrition knowledge and comprehension among kids in rural regions and to pinpoint possible areas for development in nutrition education initiatives. The rural school students were subjected to an interview schedule. A sample of rural schoolchildren from different Bihar schools, ranging in age from 8 to 12, participated in the study. The environment was taken into consideration when choosing knowledge test questions. A 53-item knowledge test was put through a relevancy check with help from extension specialists, and 43 items were chosen for the test. Thirty extension workers from outside the research area pretested the 53 items.  Item analysis evoking difficulty index, discrimination index, and point biserial correlation were conducted based on the results of the pretesting. Items with difficulty indices between 0.3 and 0.8, discrimination indices equal or above 0.3, and substantial point biserial correlation at the 5% level of significance were chosen. Utilising the split-half method, the test's reliability was calculated and determined to be 0.70. Ultimately, 18 questions were chosen for the final knowledge test given to rural schoolchildren. This knowledge test reveals a knowledge gap about nutrition and its significance for general health and well-being among Bihar's rural schoolchildren. Most kids showed little understanding of key nutrients, food groupings, and their nutritional value. Additionally, there was a paucity of knowledge regarding the long-term effects of improper eating patterns and inadequate nutrition

Successfully treated synchronous double malignancy of the breast and esophagus: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The incidence of multiple primary cancers is reported to be between 0.3% and 4.3%. The second primary lesion is identified either simultaneously with the primary lesion (synchronous) or after a period of time (metachronous). Few cases of metastasis of breast carcinoma to the esophagus and vice versa have been reported in the past.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report an extremely rare case of a 55-year-old Indian woman who had carcinomas in both the esophagus and the breast simultaneously. She was treated successfully using combined modalities of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Cases of synchronous double malignancies can be treated by dealing with the malignancy in the two sites as independent carcinomas. We have to take into consideration the total dose of radiation to a critical organ as well as the effect of the total dose of toxic chemotherapeutic drugs on our patient.</p

Integrated Nutrient Management Practices and their Effect on Soil Health in Relation of Enzyme Dynamics and Biota in a Long-Term Diverse Cropping System in Vertisols of Central India

Organic farming is gaining popularity as it maintains food yields and soil health without harming the environment. However, there is a dearth of global data on enzymes involved in the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur cycles; microbial elemental stoichiometry; and soil functional diversity. On the other hand, organic farming lacks the most sensitive biological components and enzyme activity based on soil quality indices. It all started in 2004 when four of India's largest soybean-based cropping systems participated in a trial to examine the viability of nutrient management in soybean-based cropping systems (soybean-wheat, soyabean-mustard, soybean-chickpea, and soybean-linseed). Herein, we report the findings of a soybean-wheat cropping system studied for Vertisol under six nutrient management practises. Chemical characteristics of the soil were studied before and after seeding. Enzyme activity, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), and microbial count were studied in biological parameters. The chemical, biological and agronomic parameters of the soybean crop were statistically examined using the Randomized Block Design.&nbsp; The analysis of the various parameters from the surface soils (0–15 cm). The biological activity varied significantly between treatments. The agronomical indicators also exhibited significant values in the organically treated plot. Organic treatments improved agronomic conditions, stabilised soil, and improved its nutrient content, quality, and biological activity over time. The inorganically treated plot and the state recommended dose plot had the lowest nutritional content, as suggested by the lowest biological activity parameters. Soil fertility and nutrient availability were studied in this experiment in order to comprehend why switching from chemical to integrated nutrient application practises will be helpful towards the inception of a sustainable &nbsp;future

Gefitinib with concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced head neck cancer

AbstractBackgroundChemoradiation is standard treatment in locally advanced oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer but only few surviving for long term. Novel therapeutic agents targeting EGFR receptors demonstrated survival benefit in palliative setting and radiosensitization in preclinical studies. We compared cisplatin based concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin and gefitinib based chemoradiation in patients with locoregionally advanced oro-hypo pharyngeal cancer.MethodsPatients of oro-hypo pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with age between 18 and 70 and with locally advanced (stage III and IV, M0) were randomly assigned to receive either radiation with cisplatin 100mg2 on d1, 23 and 43 or radiation with cisplatin in same dose plus gefitinib 250mg daily started two week before commencing radiotherapy till the end of radiation treatment. Primary and secondary end points were progression free and overall survival, respectively.ResultsOut of total 67 patients randomized, 32 received cisplatin with radiation (arm I) and 35 received cisplatin plus gefitinib with radiation (arm II). Overall response rates (complete and partial) were 62% and 71.42% in arm I and arm II, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.605). The median progression free survival was 24 months for arm I while it was 35 months for arm II (P=0.2877, hazard ratio [HR]=0.688, 95% CI 0.3346–1.4150). The median overall survival was 31 months for arm I and 37 months for arm II (P=0.4344, hazard ratio [HR]=0.7542 95% CI 0.3661–1.5539). Proliferative disease showed trend towards significance in terms of response but could not reach the level of significance (P=0.086). No statistically significant difference was found in toxicity profile of two arms.ConclusionGefitinib and cisplatin combination is well tolerated concurrently with radiation but does not have impressive effect on response rate, progression free survival and overall survival, but encouraging result was seen in response rate in proliferative morphology

Gefitinib concurrente con quimiorradiación en el cáncer de cabeza y cuello localmente avanzado

ResumenAntecedentesLa quimiorradiación es el tratamiento de referencia para el cáncer orofaríngeo e hipofaríngeo localmente avanzado, aunque solo unos cuantos pacientes sobreviven a largo plazo. Los novedosos agentes terapéuticos que actúan sobre los receptores EGFR han demostrado beneficios de supervivencia en el entorno paliativo y de radiosensibilización en estudios preclínicos. Comparamos la quimiorradiación concurrente basada en cisplatino frente a la quimiorradiación basada en cisplatino y gefitinib en pacientes con cáncer oro e hipofaríngeo locorregionalmente avanzado.MétodosPacientes de entre 18 y 70 años de edad con carcinoma epidermoide oro-hipofaríngeo localmente avanzado (estadios iii y iv, M0) fueron asignados aleatoriamente a radioterapia con cisplatino concurrente a 100mg/m2 los días 1, 23 y 43, o a radioterapia con cisplatino concurrente a la misma dosis más gefitinib 250mg al día iniciado 2 semanas antes de comenzar la radioterapia y hasta el final de la misma. Los criterios principal y secundario de valoración fueron la supervivencia libre de progresión y global, respectivamente.ResultadosDe un total de 67 pacientes asignados aleatoriamente, a 32 se les administró cisplatino con radiación (brazo i) y a 35 cisplatino más gefitinib con radiación (brazo ii). Las tasas de respuesta global (completa y parcial) fueron del 62 y el 71.42% en los brazos i y ii, respectivamente, sin que se registraran diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p=0.605). La mediana de supervivencia libre de progresión fue de 24 meses en el brazo i, en tanto que en el brazo ii fue de 35 meses (p=0.2877), proporción de riesgo (HR)=0.688; IC del 95%: 0.3346-1.4150). La mediana de supervivencia global fue de 31 meses en el brazo i y de 37 meses en el brazo ii (p=0.4344, HR=0.7542; IC del 95%: 0.3661-1.5539). La enfermedad proliferativa mostró una tendencia hacia la significación en términos de respuesta, aunque no pudo alcanzar el nivel de significación (p=0.086). No se encontró ninguna diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el perfil de toxicidad de los 2 brazos.ConclusiónLa combinación de gefitinib y cisplatino es bien tolerada en concurrencia con radiación, pero no presenta ningún efecto sorprendente sobre la tasa de respuesta, la supervivencia libre de progresión ni la supervivencia global, aunque se observaron resultados alentadores en la tasa de respuesta en la morfología proliferativa.AbstractBackgroundChemoradiation is standard treatment in locally advanced oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer but only few surviving for long term. Novel therapeutic agents targeting EGFR receptors demonstrated survival benefit in palliative setting and radiosensitization in preclinical studies. We compared cisplatin based concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin and gefitinib based chemoradiation in patients with locoregionally advanced oro-hypo pharyngeal cancer.MethodsPatients of oro-hypo pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with age between 18 and 70 and with locally advanced (stage iii and iv, M0) were randomly assigned to receive either radiation with cisplatin 100mg/m2 on d1, 23 and 43 or radiation with cisplatin in same dose plus gefitinib 250mg daily started two week before commencing radiotherapy till the end of radiation treatment. Primary and secondary end points were progression free and overall survival, respectively.ResultsOut of total 67 patients randomized, 32 received cisplatin with radiation (arm i) and 35 received cisplatin plus gefitinib with radiation (arm ii). Overall response rates (complete and partial) were 62% and 71.42% in arm i and arm ii, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P=.605). The median progression free survival was 24 months for arm i while it was 35 months for arm ii (P=0.2877, hazard ratio [HR]=0.688, 95% CI 0.3346-1.4150). The median overall survival was 31 months for arm i and 37 months for arm ii (P=.4344, HR=0.7542, 95% CI 0.3661-1.5539). Proliferative disease showed trend towards significance in terms of response but could not reach the level of significance (P=.086). No statisticallysignificant difference was found in toxicity profile of two arms.ConclusionGefitinib and cisplatin combination is well tolerated concurrently with radiation but does not have impressive effect on response rate, progression free survival and overall survival, but encouraging result was seen in response rate in proliferative morphology

Physical Education: A Catalyst for Transforming Public Health Systems in Schools

This paper examines the transformative capacity of Physical Education (PE) as an essential tool in promoting public health through school-based initiatives. By incorporating health education into PE curricula, schools can develop healthy habits that promote lifelong engagement in physical activity for good health. These initiatives not only tackle the increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders but also contribute to the mental well-being of students. The paper outlines strategies to enhance the role of PE teachers in public health, including curriculum reform aimed at improving health literacy, fostering community partnerships to increase engagement, and advocating for policies that ensure the sustainability of PE programs. By capitalizing on the unique position of schools and PE teachers, this article also emphasizes the potential of PE as a catalyst for public health and advocates for a more integrated approach within school environments to improve societal health outcomes

Development of National Cancer Database for Cost and Quality of Life (CaDCQoL) in India: a protocol

Introduction The rising economic burden of cancer on healthcare system and patients in India has led to the increased demand for evidence in order to inform policy decisions such as drug price regulation, setting reimbursement package rates under publicly financed health insurance schemes and prioritising available resources to maximise value of investments in health. Economic evaluations are an integral component of this important evidence. Lack of existing evidence on healthcare costs and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) makes conducting economic evaluations a very challenging task. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a national database for health expenditure and HRQOL for cancer.Methods and analysis The present study proposes to develop a National Cancer Database for Cost and Quality of Life (CaDCQoL) in India. The healthcare costs will be estimated using a patient perspective. A cross-sectional study will be conducted to assess the direct out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE), indirect cost and HRQOL among cancer patients who will be recruited at seven leading cancer centres from six states in India. Mean OOPE and HRQOL scores will be estimated by cancer site, stage of disease and type of treatment. Economic impact of cancer care on household financial risk protection will be assessed by estimating prevalence of catastrophic health expenditures and impoverishment. The national database would serve as a unique open access data repository to derive estimates of cancer-related OOPE and HRQOL. These estimates would be useful in conducting future cost-effectiveness analyses of management strategies for value-based cancer care.Ethics and dissemination Approval was granted by Institutional Ethics Committee vide letter no. PGI/IEC-03/2020-1565 of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. The study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented to the policymakers at national level