Nutritional Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices among HIV-positive Individuals in India

This descriptive study investigated the nutrition-related knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in India. Data relating to nutritional KAP and sociodemographic profile were gathered from a sample of 400 PLHIV from New Delhi, India, using preset multiple-choice questionnaire. The knowledge on HIV/AIDS was low; nutritional knowledge was moderate as 80% of respondents could answer 4 out of 7 questions correctly. The attitude toward disease and food was positive but the application of nutritional knowledge was lacking as indicated by the moderate practice score of 8.1\ub12.3 out of a total score of 15. There were no significant differences in scores between genders. The PLHIV had knowledge about importance of nutrition during infection, had positive attitude toward the disease and the importance of nutrition during the course of the disease but translation of this knowledge into practice was low. Thus, there is a need for continuous interventions primarily aiming at behaviour change to convert knowledge into healthy dietary practices

A cross sectional study of knowledge, attitude and practices of medical students regarding COVID-19 in Northern India

Background: Practicing preventive measures essential to control the spread of infection and possessing the required knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 could possibly affect the behavior and perception of medical students towards the disease which must be observed and studied. Studies have been conducted to assess medical students’ willingness to volunteer in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but not many have focused on their level of pandemic preparedness and eligibility to volunteer. Our study explored the knowledge, attitude and practices of medical students, and also helps to develop effective action plans regarding the reopening of medical colleges in India. Material and methods: This cross-sectional observational study was done in a tertiary care center in North India on Medical and Dental undergraduate students spanning across all professional years after they gave a written informed consent. A self-designed questionnaire was established based on published literature. The study questionnaire consisted of four sections - socio-demographics of students, knowledge, attitudes/beliefs and practice-based statements about COVID-19. Results: 238 students participated in this study and for majority (79.4%) of students the major source of information for gaining knowledge towards COVID-19 was social media. All students were aware that COVID-19 spreads through droplet infection, 94.1% responded that people with chronic illnesses were at high-risk of infection and 91.2% and 88.2% reported that fever and dry cough were the main symptoms of COVID-19 respectively. The majority of students disagreed that they would avoid isolation (n=147), and the students also disagreed on aspect of keeping the report confidential if a near one is affected (n=140). Though there were no statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the level of knowledge, attitude and practices found between students studying in different professional years. Conclusion: To conclude, the results of our study showed that major source of information for gaining knowledge for COVID-19, was through social media. The students demonstrated a satisfactory level of knowledge, attitude and practices for the prevention of COVID-19

Attenuation of camptothecin production and negative relation between hyphal biomass and camptothecin content in endophytic fungal strains isolated from Nothapodytes nimmoniana Grahm (Icacinaceae)

Endophytic fungi, a group of fungi living inside the host plant tissues without causing visible symptoms of disease, are known to occur ubiquitously in plants. Existing in a mutualistic association with their host plants, they have been shown to enhance the plant’s ability to tolerate abiotic and biotic stresses3. In culture, many endophytic species have been shown to produce a number of important secondary metabolites including anticancer,antidiabetic, antifungal and immunosuppressant compounds. Many of these compounds closely mimic those produced by the respective host plants, suggesting that the fungi could in fact potentially serve as an alternative source of plant secondary metabolites. Notwithstanding these findings, to date, there has been no major breakthrough in commercially exploiting the endophytic fungi as a source of important secondary metabolites. Among the reasons attributed is the severe attenuation of production of the secondary metabolite by the fungi in culture. Li et al. showed that successive cultures of an endophytic fungi Pericornia sp. isolated from Torreya grandifolia, resulted in the attenuation of taxol production, though the fungal growth itself was unaffected. Although the reasons for such attenuation are not extensively studied, it is conjectured that it could be due to lack of host stimulus in the culture media

Inhaled medications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease predict surgical complications and survival in stage I non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: Lung function is routinely assessed prior to surgical resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Further assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using inhaled COPD medications to determine disease severity, a readily available metric of disease burden, may predict postoperative outcomes and overall survival (OS) in lung cancer patients undergoing surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated clinical stage I NSCLC patients receiving surgical treatment within the Veterans Health Administration from 2006-2016 to determine the relationship between number and type of inhaled COPD medications (short- and long-acting beta2-agonists, muscarinic antagonists, or corticosteroids prescribed within 1 year before surgery) and postoperative outcomes including OS using multivariable models. We also assessed the relationship between inhaled COPD medications, disease severity [measured by forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)], and diagnosis of COPD. RESULTS: Among 9,741 veterans undergoing surgery for clinical stage I NSCLC, patients with COPD were more likely to be prescribed inhaled medications than those without COPD [odds ratio (OR) =5.367, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.886-5.896]. Increased severity of COPD was associated with increased number of prescribed inhaled COPD medications (P\u3c0.0001). The number of inhaled COPD medications was associated with prolonged hospital stay [adjusted OR (aOR) =1.119, 95% CI: 1.076-1.165), more major complications (aOR =1.117, 95% CI: 1.074-1.163), increased 90-day mortality (aOR =1.088, 95% CI: 1.013-1.170), and decreased OS [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) =1.061, 95% CI: 1.042-1.080]. In patients with FEV1 ≥80% predicted, greater number of prescribed inhaled COPD medications was associated with increased 30-day mortality (aOR =1.265, 95% CI: 1.062-1.505), prolonged hospital stay (aOR =1.130, 95% CI: 1.051-1.216), more major complications (aOR =1.147, 95% CI: 1.064-1.235), and decreased OS (aHR =1.058, 95% CI: 1.022-1.095). When adjusting for other drug classes and covariables, short-acting beta2-agonists were associated with increased 90-day mortality (aOR =1.527, 95% CI: 1.120-2.083) and decreased OS (aHR =1.087, 95% CI: 1.005-1.177). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with early-stage NSCLC, inhaled COPD medications prescribed prior to surgery were associated with both short- and long-term outcomes, including in patients with FEV1 ≥80% predicted. Routine assessment of COPD medications may be a simple method to quantify operative risk in early-stage NSCLC patients

Gift of a daughter, change and continuity in marriage patterns among two generations of North Indians in Toronto and Delhi

grantor: University of TorontoIndian marriage has maintained a traditional form over a course of centuries. Studies have shown that most Indian marriages at the close of the 20 th century continue to be arranged within traditional structural boundaries defined by family characteristics. The present study for the first time makes an attempt to study changes and continuities in marriage patterns among two generations of North Indians living in two diverse geographical locations, namely Toronto and Delhi. Besides relying on the ideal marriage system and its rituals as given in the epics, the study uses various studies and indigenous theories relating to issues like 'kanyadan' (gift of a virgin), hypergamy, and dowry, peculiar to the North Indian marriage system. The study also uses McCall's (1966) Exchange and Bargaining perspective and the Choice and Exchange theory of Nye (1979) to examine trends in the marital behavior. A total of 56 families (28 each in Toronto and Delhi) were screened. From each family one informant each from the first and the second-generation were interviewed making a total of 56 respondents. The present analyses show that although arranged marriage is still a way of life, certain modifications have been introduced in the process of marriage of the younger generation. Movement in the direction of giving freedom to the young in the selection of their spouse was found in both Toronto and Delhi samples, and among both males and females. It is argued that the reason for the slow change could be due to the high costs associated with not conforming to the group's expectations and since the alternatives also seemed to carry heavy costs most respondents were found to have generally followed the existing norms and values of the East Indian society. Generational differences in behavior are interpreted here as a process of secular change over time and across generation. In general while the first-generation data indicate towards the adherence to a more traditional pattern of marriage; the behavior of the second-generation suggests a weakening of some traditional norms. Also while the young seem to be experimenting with the Canadian culture (in Toronto) and Westernization (in Delhi), high premiums continue to be placed on traditional norms associated with marriage.Ph.D

The inhibitory effect of stevioside on bacillus cereus growth in milk: validation and its response surface optimization

Stevioside, a glycoside present in the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, offers therapeutic benefits such as anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive, antiinflammatory, anti-tumor, diuretic and immune influencing properties. In this work antimicrobial activity of stevioside against Bacillus cereus, a major source of milk contamination was investigated. The isolate was confirmed by various biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The effect of temperature, incubation time and concentration of stevioside was optimized from a central composite response surface design. The standard plate count (SPC) of pasteurized milk was drastically reduced in comparison to toned and fresh milk. The optimal temperature, incubation time and stevioside concentration were observed to be 60.23°C, 21 h, and 275 μg/ mL respectively. The synergism of stevioside with the external factors (temperature and time) against B. cereus was observed. Our studies showed that addition of stevioside in fresh as well as pasteurised milk would control growth of B. cereus in milk

Anthropometric and nutritional profile of people living with HIV and AIDS in India: an assessment

Background: Importance of nutrition in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is well-established; however, the information regarding the diet quality of people living with HIV (PLHIV) especially in India is lacking. Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the anthropometric and nutritional profile of Indian PLHIV. Material and Methods: The study was performed on 400 adult PLHIV registered at the Antiretroviral Center (ART) center in New Delhi, India. Anthropometric data including height, weight, waist, hip, mid arm, and calf circumferences, were collected; 1-day 24-h dietary recall was done to gather nutrient intake from which nutrient adequacy ratios were computed. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was also conducted. Results: The mean body mass index (BMI) of the sample was 19.73 ± 3.55 kg/m 2 with around 40% having BMI <18.5 kg/m 2 . All anthropometric measurements were found to correlate positively and significantly with CD4 count (P < 0.05). The sample consumed poor quality of diet as they could not meet even the 2/3 rd of the Indian Council of Medical Research (2010) requirements for energy, protein, calcium, iron, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, B12, copper, and zinc. Classification of subjects according to MNA indicated that more than 50% of the sample was at-risk of malnutrition and 34% were malnourished. With 40% of sample having BMI less than normal, 50% at risk of malnutrition together with poor nutrient intakes over a long period of time could contribute to further worsening of the nutritional status. Conclusion: There is a need to develop a database on nutritional profile of PLHIV in India which reinforces the need for development of effective strategies to improve their nutritional status

Nutritional Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices among HIV-positive Individuals in India

This descriptive study investigated the nutrition-related knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in India. Data relating to nutritional KAP and sociodemographic profile were gathered from a sample of 400 PLHIV from New Delhi, India, using preset multiple-choice questionnaire. The knowledge on HIV/AIDS was low; nutritional knowledge was moderate as 80% of respondents could answer 4 out of 7 questions correctly. The attitude toward disease and food was positive but the application of nutritional knowledge was lacking as indicated by the moderate practice score of 8.1±2.3 out of a total score of 15. There were no significant differences in scores between genders. The PLHIV had knowledge about importance of nutrition during infection, had positive attitude toward the disease and the importance of nutrition during the course of the disease but translation of this knowledge into practice was low. Thus, there is a need for continuous interventions primarily aiming at behaviour change to convert knowledge into healthy dietary practices

Enzyme-assisted extraction of bioactives from plants

Demand for new and novel natural compounds has intensified the development of plant-derived compounds known as bioactives that either promote health or are toxic when ingested. Enhanced release of these bioactives from plant cells by cell disruption and extraction through the cell wall can be optimized using enzyme preparations either alone or in mixtures. However, the biotechnological application of enzymes is not currently exploited to its maximum potential within the food industry. Here, we discuss the use of environmentally friendly enzyme-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from plant sources, particularly for food and nutraceutical purposes. In particular, we discuss an enzyme-assisted extraction of stevioside from Stevia rebaudiana, as an example of a process of potential value to the food industry.<br /

Downstream processing of stevioside and its potential applications

Stevioside is a natural sweetener extracted from leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, which is commercially produced by conventional (chemical/physical) processes. This article gives an overview of the stevioside structure, various analysis technique, new technologies required and the advances achieved in recent years. An enzymatic process is established, by which the maximum efficacy and benefit of the process can be achieved. The efficiency of the enzymatic process is quite comparable to that of other physical and chemical methods. Finally, we believe that in the future, the enzyme-based extraction will ensure more cost-effective availability of stevioside, thus assisting in the development of more food-based applications.<br /