Infant and child mortality in Nepal : socio-economic, demographic and cultural factors

This study examined the differentials in infant and child mortality in Nepal according to socio-economic, demographic, cultural and health-related determinants. It also explored factors that account for the higher infant and child mortality levels in certain parts of the country as well as the role of the change in the value of explanatory variables versus the change in the structural relationship between variables in explaining the decline in infant and child mortality from the 1960s to the 1980s. The data for this thesis came from the nationally representative sample surveys, the 1976 Nepal Fertility Survey (NFS) and the 1986 Nepal Fertility and Family Planning Survey (NFFS). The direct estimation technique for infant and child mortality levels and logistic regression were the major tools of data analysis in this study. The length of the preceding birth interval and the survival status of the preceding child from both the NFS 1976 and NFFS 1986 were the most important demographic determinants of infant and child mortality in Nepal. Most of the influence of mother's age at childbirth and birth order of the child on infant and child mortality was due to the length of birth interval. Sibling competition for mother's care, tangible resources and health care as a path through which birth spacing is likely to influence child survival prospects is not ruled out in this study. However, the correlation between the deaths of siblings in a family suggested the existence of other possible mechanisms where the influence of the survival status of the preceding child could be working through repetitive biological, behavioural, household socio-economic and environmental factors common to all children born to the same mother. Ever use of contraception emerged as an important factor in influencing infant mortality. Its role in explaining the decline in both infant and child mortality was impressive. The influence of contraceptive use on infant and child mortality, however, was mediated neither through mother's age at childbirth nor through length of birth interval. It was thus hypothesized that this effect on infant mortality was working through the maternal and child health care services delivered in conjunction with the family planning services. The important socio-economic factors influencing infant and child mortality were whether or not mothers worked outside the home, urban or rural place of residence, the number of cows possessed by households, and the size of land-holding of the households. Mother's education as a determinant of child mortality was more important for the period 1971-80 than 1961-70. The effect of maternal education on child mortality is attributed to the better position of women with some education as against women with no education in terms of resources and socio-economic situation rather than to education per se. Much of the inter-regional variation in infant and child mortality was due to the differences in the variable values rather than the difference in the structure in relationship between the regions, but this was more true for infant than child mortality. The small proportion of women with second and third order births, the small proportion of births 37 months or more after the birth of the preceding child, the low average level of education of mothers, the small proportion of ever users of contraception and the small proportion who spoke Nepali at home in the high mortality region (HMR) were factors contributing to the higher average infant mortality in the HMR. The analysis also suggested that the implied structural differences in the determination of child mortality were cultural in nature to a much greater extent than was the case in the analysis of infant mortality. It is also clear in this study that, although demographic factors were more important than socio-economic, cultural and health-related factors in explaining the cross-sectional differentials in infant and child mortality, socio-economic, cultural and health factors were much more important than demographic factors in explaining the decline in infant and child mortality over the two periods in this study. Intervention to increase spacing between births, raising the age at marriage, increasing the use of contraception, increasing the level of health knowledge and awareness among women, and dissemination of health-related messages through the media using local languages will contribute to further improvement in the child survival prospects in Nepal

Nutritional Intervention during Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Environments A Dietary Perspective

The future war scenario is based on use and applications of various conventional and non-convectional agents which includes weaponised or non-weaponised chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN), toxic industrial materials, direct energy devices/ weapons, and or high yield explosives. These include nerve agents, blood agents, vesicants or skin blistering agents, lung irritants, asphyxiants or choking agents. Biological weapons are basically disease causing microorganisms and other replicating entities including viruses, infectious nucleic acids and prions. These agents have ability to infect host and are highly virulent, pathogenic and dangerous in nature. The interface between ammunitions and above agents is soldier whose physical and mental health is affected as enough precautionary measures are not adopted. The reducing environment thus created has various agents which enter into exposed body and lead to mild to serious damage to various vital parts of the human body. As food is important component for survival and intrinsic to basic human nutrition and health, therefore, it is imperative to develop certain kind of a wholesome meal system which can be consumed by the soldiers tasked with combating CBRN situations during such operations. Such meals can be in the form of solid or liquid type and packaged in suitable delivery system, compatible and amenable with the CBRN suit. Food can be contaminated during CBRN conditions by coming in direct or indirect contact with CBRN agents. Therefore, the food materials to be used under such conditions need to be protected in suitable coverings as consumption of contaminated food can be lethal. Designer meal for CBRN environment is not only suitable for soldiers but also to all human interface dealing with similar scenario viz. the low intensity conflicts and surgical operations, nuclear submarines, cosmonauts, pilots, individuals handling radiation equipment and patient undergoing chemotherapy for cancer

Optimisation of Processing Parameters for the Preparation of Vegetable Curd from Decorticated Sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum)

Current study aims to develop and optimise the processing parameters for the preparation of imitated curd by using vegetable milk extracted from decorticated sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum). Experiments were planned to optimise curdling process for sesame milk with respect to inoculum (1-5%), lactose (1-5%), added proteins (1-3%). It was established that total solid content in a range of 9-10%, dispersion stability with 30-45% scored well (7.8±0.2) on preferential sensory test i.e. nine-point hedonic scale. Sesame milk supplemented with 5% lactose, 1% electrolyte salt mix, 1% sucrose was subjected to fermentation (10±1.0) hrs at 35±2°C) with 5% inoculum (lactic acid bacteria culture) resulted into a vegetable curd with desired consistency (855.6±47.5 g.sec), acidity (0.57±0.02% lactic acid equivalent; LAE), flavor and overall acceptability (OAA). The Solid Not Fat (SNF) content of optimised vegetable curd was found to be 22.20±0.40%, with protein, fat and ash content as 6.70±0.06%, 6.91±0.06% and 0.92±0.01% respectively. The characteristics of vegetable milk (non-dairy) and toned milk (dairy) were well comparable on various aesthetic parameters (fluidity, color, flavor and taste). Proportional characterisation of vegetable (non-dairy) curd with dairy curd relating to its nutritional profile, color analysis, textural and rheological parameters established its similarity. Such dairy analogues may be considered as substitute to various dairy products where milk-based products are scanty or non-available

Distribution, Composition Profiles and Source Identification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Roadside Soil of Delhi, India

Distribution, composition profiles and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were evaluated in roadside soils from Delhi, India. PAH determination was made by Sonication extraction and chromatographic clean-up with final analysis by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet-diode array detector (HPLC-UV-DAD).The average concentration of ∑PAHs was 6838.6±3528.4 µg kg-1 and ranged between 81.6 to 45017.4 µg kg-1. Seven possible carcinogenic PAHs (7c-PAHs) accounted 67.4% to the total PAHs. Diagnostic ratios of individual PAHs and LMWPAHs to HMWPAHs ratio were calculated and applied to assess the possible sources of PAHs which, indicates the mixed pyrogenic activities such as petroleum, biomass and coal combustion are the main contributors. Although, concentrations of individual PAHs were lower than the guideline values but, the concentrations of some high molecular weight PAHs were higher at the locations in the vicinity of industrial areas and there is probable some risk to human health. Keywords: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), HPLC-UV, roadside soil, diagnostic ratio, Indi

Residues of Pesticides and Herbicides in Soils from Agriculture Areas of Delhi Region, India

This paper presents the residue levels of organochlorine, organophosphate pesticides and herbicides in agricultural soils from Delhi region. Among OCPs, HCH, DDT endosulphan and dieldrin ranged between <0.01-104.14 ng g-1, <0.01-15.79 ng g-1, <0.01-7.57 ng g-1 and <0.01-2.38 ng g-1, respectively. The concentration of OPPs ranged from <0.01-20.95 ng g-1, ND-3.92 ng g-1, ND-31.73 ng g-1, ND-6.46 ng g-1 and ND-6.46 ng g-1 for phosphomidon, monocrotophos, chlorpyriphos, quinolphos and ethion, respectively. Pendimethalin (0.27 ng g-1) was the dominant herbicides followed by butachlor (0.19 ng g-1), and fluchloralin (0.05 ng g-1). Data showed the region was contaminated by technical DDT and technical HCH mixture. The study reveals that the level of some organochlorine pesticides in agricultural soils is a matter of concern for future food chain accumulation and human health so; regular investigation of pesticide residues is recommended on soil health and contamination levels. Keywords: pesticides, herbicides, agricultural soil, Delhi, Indi

GPS observations of ionospheric TEC variations over Nepal during 22 July 2009 solar eclipse

As the study of ionospheric behavior during various solar activities is an important task, various studies of ionospheric changes during eclipse events have been widely performed in the different regions of the globe. This paper investigates the ionospheric responses to the solar eclipse on 22 July 2009 over Nepal using the total electron content (TEC) measured by dual-frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. The time-averaged Vertical TEC (vTEC) of ten GPS stations from Nepal is analyzed and it is found that the value of ionospheric TEC decreases due to the reduction of ionizing radiation. In addition, the deviation in the TEC value on eclipse day from the mean vTEC value of the top five quietest days is found to lie in the range ~1–5 TECu at those regions which were associated with the partial eclipse shadow. On the other hand, the region with the total eclipse (BRN2 and RMTE) faced ~6–7 TECu on average reduction in the TEC value. Considering that the eclipse of 22 July 2009 occurred just at sunrise in the Nepalese zone, a maximum reduction of about 5 TECu is very significant. Higher deviation in TEC is therefore linked with the path of totality and the obscuration rate. This study reveals that the ionospheric TEC over Nepal was altered by wave-like energy and momentum transport, as well as obscuration of the solar disc due to the partial and total solar eclipse. Furthermore, the cross-correlation results presented similar type signatures of the eclipse-induced ionospheric modification over Nepal. This research work serves a crucial future reference for the comparative study of change of ionospheric TEC variability over the Nepal region during Eclipse event

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of MRSA Isolates from Pus and Blood Samples with Special Reference to MecA and ErmA Gene at a Tertiary care in Kanpur

Background: Methicillin-resistant staphylococci are now recognized as a major cause of infectious diseases, particularly in hospitals. Molecular epidemiology is important for prevention and control of infection. This study is used to find out the prevalence and gene causing resistance mechanisms for MRSA isolates. Aim and objectives: To study the Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of MRSA isolates from Pus and Blood Samples with Special Reference to MecA and ErmA Gene. Methods: Our study was a retrospective study which was carried out in the Department of Microbiology and Central Research Lab of RMCH &RC for a period of 2 years 4 months i.e, March 2019 to July 2021. The isolates were collected from blood and pus patients of different wards. Phenotypic and Genotypic isolation of MRSA was performed. The bacteria were initially identified by colony morphology, mannitol fermentation, Gram characteristics, catalase test, coagulase test, and DNase activity. In phenotypic methicillin resistance was assessed using the cefoxitin disk diffusion method following the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines (CLSI). The detection of MecA and ErmA genes was done by isolating DNA following DNA amplification. Results: Total 220 isolates were included in our study, out of which 90 were confirmed to be MRSA by CX , OX , E-test and MIC method and remaining 130 were MSSA. From the 90 MRSA isolates, 25 were found to be D test positive, whereas 20 were confirmed cMLSB while the other 25 were noticed to be MS phenotype and 25 were found sensitive phenotypes. All methicillin-resistant staphylococci were tested for their susceptibility against commonly used antibiotics. All MRSA isolates were sensitive to linezolid, Teicoplanin, vancomycin, Gentamycin and Resistance to Cefoxitin and Oxacillin. The presence of MecA gene was detected in all the 90 isolates and the presence of ErmA gene was found in 5 isolates among the MRSA. The presence of MecA and ErmA gene was confirmed by sequencing. The prevalence of MRSA was found to be 40.9% in our study. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to develop better measurements among clinical microbiology laboratories for proper detection, identification, and reporting of MRSA isolates with deep knowledge among physicians toward antibiotic and prescription practices for this multi-drug resistant organism

Identifying Anti-Oxidant Biosynthesis Genes in Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] Using Genome—Wide Association Analysis

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R Br.] is an important staple food crop in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa. It is a cereal grain that has the prospect to be used as a substitute for wheat flour for celiac patients. It is an important antioxidant food resource present with a wide range of phenolic compounds that are good sources of natural antioxidants. The present study aimed to identify the total antioxidant content of pearl millet flour and apply it to evaluate the antioxidant activity of its 222 genotypes drawn randomly from the pearl millet inbred germplasm association panel (PMiGAP), a world diversity panel of this crop. The total phenolic content (TPC) significantly correlated with DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity (% inhibition), which ranged from 2.32 to 112.45% and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity ranging from 21.68 to 179.66 (mg ascorbic acid eq./100 g). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted using 222 diverse accessions and 67 K SNPs distributed across all the seven pearl millet chromosomes. Approximately, 218 SNPs were found to be strongly associated with DPPH and FRAP activity at high confidence [–log (p) > 3.0–7.4]. Furthermore, flanking regions of significantly associated SNPs were explored for candidate gene harvesting. This identified 18 candidate genes related to antioxidant pathway genes (flavanone 7-O-beta-glycosyltransferase, GDSL esterase/lipase, glutathione S-transferase) residing within or near the association signal that can be selected for further functional characterization. Patterns of genetic variability and the associated genes reported in this study are useful findings, which would need further validation before their utilization in molecular breeding for high antioxidant-containing pearl millet cultivars