Impact of Supplementary Nutrition on Undernourished Children In An Urban Area Of Meerut- A Longitudinal Study

Background: Infants and pre-school are most susceptible to undernutrition. Integrated Child Development Services is the programme focussing undernourished children by providing them supplementary nutrition. Aim& Objective: To study prevalence of undernutrition in 0-6 year old children and to study factors associated with it. To study impact of supplementary nutrition on undernourished children. Settings and Design: A longitudinal study. Methods and Material: The present longitudinal study was conducted in randomly selected Anganwadis of urban Meerut. Children found to be suffering from under nutrition were followed up at interval of six months to see the impact of supplementary nutrition provided to them at the anganwadi centre. A detailed history of relevant underlying factors responsible for causation of under nutrition were taken from mothers of these children. Statistical analysis used: chi square test was used to find out association between risk factors and undernutrition. Risk factor found statistically significant were further analysed using step wise multiple logistic regression analysis. The impact of supplementary nutrition was assessed using paired t test. Results: Iron folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, exclusive breast feeding in children, immunization and time of initiating complementary feed were found statistically significant on both chi-square and multiple logistic regression analysis. No impact of supplementary nutrition was found on anthropometric measurements of children. Conclusions: The main focus for fighting undernutrition in children (0-6 years) should be on preventing risk factors associated with mothers in antenatal period and during child rearing practice

Developments in Biotechnology: An Overview

9-16Human quest for improving the natural capabilities of microorganisms, making them capable of novel processes, and discovering microorganisms with new capabilities has led to tremendous development, today referred to as modern biotechnological advances. This has led to the development of recombinant DNA technology, which allows modifying microbes and other organisms to create in them highly valuable, novel and naturally non-existent capabilities. R&D in areas such as stem cell, human genome, transgenic crops, etc. has made untreatable diseases to understand and control. However, research in many areas such as cloning, stem cell, etc. has also posed serious concern on ethical and societal issues, which if not taken proper measures, could be eventually very dangerous. This paper traces the significant biotechnology developments and their impact on human life with a futuristic approach

A luminescent pyrene-valine conjugates for the detection of copper (II) ions in aqueous media

A novel pyrene-based fluorescent chemosensor (pyren-1-ylmethyl)-L-valine (1) has been synthesized. 1 is a highly selective chemosensor for detecting Cu(II) ions through fluorescence quenching over other competitive metal ions and showing aqueous-organic solvent-based gelation properties. Rod-shaped surface morphology may be attributed to intermolecular Hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic acid group and π-π stacking of pyrene moiety. In addition, 1 can also be utilized for the practical detection of Cu2+ion in natural water samples

Challenges in Accessing and Delivering Maternal and Child Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Rapid Survey from Six States of India

Background/Objectives: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention and control policies have impacted maternal and child health (MCH) services. This study documents the challenges faced by patients in accessing MCH services, and the experiences of health care providers in delivering those services during the COVID-19 outbreak, explicitly focusing on the lockdown period in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study (rapid survey) was conducted in 18 districts from 6 states of India during March to June, 2020. The sample size included 540 MCH patients, 18 gynaecologists, 18 paediatricians, 18 district immunisation officers and 108 frontline health workers. Bivariate analysis and multivariable analysis were used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics, and challenges faced by the patients. Results: More than one-third of patients (n = 212; 39%) reported that accessing MCH services was a challenge during the lockdown period, with major challenges being transportation-related difficulties (n = 99; 46%) unavailability of hospital-based services (n = 54; 23%) and interrupted outreach health services (n = 39; 18.4%). The supply-side challenges mainly included lack of infrastructural preparedness for outbreak situations, and a shortage of human resources. Conclusions/Recommendations: A holistic approach is required that focuses on both preparedness and response to the outbreak, as well reassignment and reinforcement of health care professionals to continue catering to and maintaining essential MCH services during the pandemic

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Letter to the editor