Thermodynamic behaviour of two-dimensional vesicles revisited

We study pressurised self-avoiding ring polymers in two dimensions using Monte Carlo simulations, scaling arguments and Flory-type theories, through models which generalise the model of Leibler, Singh and Fisher [Phys. Rev. Lett. Vol. 59, 1989 (1987)]. We demonstrate the existence of a thermodynamic phase transition at a non-zero scaled pressure $\tilde{p}$, where $\tilde{p} = Np/4\pi$, with the number of monomers $N \rightarrow \infty$ and the pressure $p \rightarrow 0$, keeping $\tilde{p}$ constant, in a class of such models. This transition is driven by bond energetics and can be either continuous or discontinuous. It can be interpreted as a shape transition in which the ring polymer takes the shape, above the critical pressure, of a regular N-gon whose sides scale smoothly with pressure, while staying unfaceted below this critical pressure. In the general case, we argue that the transition is replaced by a sharp crossover. The area, however, scales with $N^2$ for all positive $p$ in all such models, consistent with earlier scaling theories.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, EPL forma

A study of association of vitamin D deficiency and coronary artery disease

Background: Recently vitamin D has received great interests for its multiple effects on inflammatory system and potential role in atherothrombosis. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the common causes of death and disability in developed countries. Experimental evidence points to the involvement of multiple factors in coronary plaque formation, including vitamin D. The study aimed to examine the association of coronary artery disease with vitamin D level.Methods: 140 patients of CAD (coronary artery disease) and 101 age and sex matched control were enrolled in the study and 25-hyroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration was measured. All participants were evaluated for presence of conventional risk factors for coronary artery disease. Association of vitamin D level was established after adjusting other risk factors using logistic regression analysis.Results: In our study vitamin D level is significantly lower in patient group (CAD patients) compared with control group (18.2±10.9 vs 28.8±21ng/mL). Vitamin D deficiency was present in 81.4% patient in CAD patients whereas 57.7% in control group. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be an independent predictor of CAD after adjusting effect of other risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, high blood cholesterol and level of physical activity with adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 2.695 (1.148-6.330).Conclusions: In present study patients of coronary artery disease had significantly low level of vitamin D as compared to individual without coronary artery disease. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be an independent predictor of CAD after adjusting other risk factors emphasizing that vitamin D can be a potential risk factor for development of coronary artery disease. 

Effect of Indole 3-butyric acid (IBA), rooting media and their interaction on different rooting and growth characteristic of air-layers in guava (Psidium guajava L. cv. L-49)

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of different concentrations of Indole 3-butyric acid (0, 2000, 4000, 8000 and 10000 ppm), different types of rooting media (i.e. sphagnum moss, coco peat, vermicompost, sphagnum moss + coco peat and sphagnum moss + coco peat + vermicompost) and the interaction of these in different combinations on rooting and growth characteristic of guava, cv. L-49. The results revealed that the exogenous application of Indole 3-butyric acid (IBA) 8000 ppm with media combination of sphagnum moss + coco peat + vermicompost (I3M5) significantly increased the root characters i.e. success percent of air-layers (83.3 %), callus formation (23.7), number of primary roots (24.21) and secondary roots (32.57); and growth characters i.e. number of leaves (48.17), branches (7.92) and sprouts (8.48) and survival percentages (83.18) over the other treatments and control. Among the rooting media, the combination of sphagnum moss + coco peat + vermicompost (M5) produced the highest rooting percentage (71.27), root characters and growth characters during months of July and August

Natural selection among Kinnaura of the Himalayan highland: A comparative analysis with other Indian and Himalayan populations

The present investigation on fertility and mortality differential among Kinnaura of the Himalayan highland is based on data collected from 160 post-menopausal women belonging to the middle and high altitude region of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh (Indian Himalayas). Selection potential based on differential fertility and mortality was computed for middle- and high-altitude women. Irrespective of the methodology, the total index of selection was found to be highest among middle-altitude women (0.386) as compared with high-altitude (0.370) women, whereas for the total population it is estimated to be 0.384. It was found that the Kinnaura of the Himalayan highland showing moderate index of total selection and relative contribution of the mortality component (Im) to the index of total selection is higher than the corresponding fertility component (If). The analysis of embryonic and post-natal mortality components shows that the post-natal mortality components are higher in comparison with the embryonic mortality components among highlanders and needs special intervention and health care. The present findings are compared with other Indian tribes as well as non-tribes of the Himalayan region and other parts of the country. It reveals that this index among Kinnaura is moderate than the other population groups; among the Himalayan population, the highest was reported for Galong (It = 1.07) of Arunachal, whereas the lowest was reported from Ahom (It = 0.218) of Manipur. The correlation and regression analysis between total index of selection (It) and fertility (If) and mortality (Im) components for pooled data of populations of the Indian Himalayan states show that If and Im account for 21.6 and 29.1% variability, respectively. In Crow\u2032s total index of selection (It) along with strong association, which is significant at the 1% level, this indicates that mortality plays a greater role in natural selection in comparison with fertility among populations of the Indian Himalayas

Nutrition Knowledge, Personal Motivation, And Food Label Use Among Indian Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Background: There has been little research conducted within developing nations examining the link between knowledge and diet-related perceptions and behaviors. In addition, prior investigations have rarely examined interrelationships between knowledge and other nutrition-related factors. Purpose: This study explored the relationship between nutrition knowledge, social/informational factors, and diet-related outcomes among Indian adults with multiple chronic conditions. Methods: A snowball sampling technique was employed to recruit individuals. Hierarchical regression analysis was employed to examine mediating and moderating relationships. Results: Results from a cross-sectional survey indicated that knowledge only predicted use among those reporting greater pressure/concern from close others. Furthermore, social support and social trust were found to moderate the relationship between knowledge and diet-related perceptions and behaviors. Discussion: Results suggest that social factors may play a critical role in moderating the impact of nutritionknowledge on diet-related perceptions and behaviors. Translation to Health Education Practice: Public Health Education interventions targeting developing nations should aim to maximize consumers\u27 nutritionknowledge while identifying valued close others who can help encourage positive health action. Furthermore, Health Educators as well as government and local communities must engage in outreach efforts to reinforce or, if necessary, change public perceptions regarding the food industry

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural population of India- a study from Western Uttar Pradesh

Background: Diabetes is a major challenge for a resource-limited country like India. Majority of the patients are diagnosed late in the course of illness with presence of complications. There is limited data on diabetes from rural India. Present study is an attempt to provide data on diabetes in rural India. The overall objective of present study was to estimate the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural population above 25 years age in district Etawah and neighbouring areas of Uttar Pradesh, India.Methods: The study was planned to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in rural community by health camp and door to door approach. Fasting capillary blood glucose was first determined using a glucose meter (SD check code free, SD biosensor Inc. Korea). All the adults were given 75gm of glucose dissolved in 200ml water which was drunk over a period of up to 5 minutes and the 2-hour post load capillary blood glucose was estimated. Diabetic status was confirmed by taking blood samples for fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels in a fluoride vacutainer. Fasting plasma glucose ≥126mg/dl and or 2-hour postprandial glucose ≥200mg/dl were taken as the diagnostic criteria for diagnosis.Results: Prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the rural population was found to be 8.03%. Prevalence was higher in female population (9.91%) as compared to males (6.79%). 19.74 % of participants over 70 yrs of age were diabetics while diabetes was present only in 2.95% of participants in the age group of 25-39 year. The maximum number of diabetes were in the age group of 50-59 years. 10.04 % of participants were diagnosed to be Prediabetics. 35.77% of the diabetics were newly diagnosed.Conclusions:Present study shows there is high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in rural area of western Uttar Pradesh, India.

Prevalence of hypertension in rural population of Central India

Background: Hypertension is an important public health problem in both rural and urban areas of economically developed as well as developing nations. It is a chronic medical condition and is one of the most common life threatening non-communicable disease. It is an asymptomatic condition, symptoms do not arise unless the complications develop which result in delayed diagnosis and treatment especially among the uneducated and unexplained social groups such as rural population. Present study was an attempt to provide data on hypertension in rural area of central India. The objective of present study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension in rural population above 18 years of age in Etawah and neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh, India.Methods: The study was planned to determine the prevalence of hypertension in rural community by health camp and door to door approach. BP measurements were made after the subject had rested for at least 5 minutes in a seated position using mercury sphygmomanometer. The first blood pressure measurement was taken after obtaining socio-demographic information from the study subject, while the second was recorded after 5 minutes.Results: The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 17%, which was observed to be higher among female i.e. 170 (18.3%) individuals than males 153 (15.8%) individuals. The prevalence of hypertension was observed to be higher among the older individuals. It was found to be 5.26 times higher in older (>50 years) than the younger (<30 years) age group. We found prehypertension in 65.74%, Stage I hypertension in 11.33% and stage II hypertension in 5.69% individuals.Conclusions: Present study showed that high prevalence of hypertension in rural area of Western Uttar Pradesh, Central India

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a rural population- a cross sectional study from Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: Prevalence of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease is on the rise due to the change in lifestyle, unfavourable dietary habits and obesity. Metabolic syndrome is a simple tool by which we can predict the future risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Studies showed that prevalence of metabolic syndrome is rising in Indian population, but majority of them were done in urban population. This study was conducted to look into the current status of the metabolic syndrome in rural population.Methods: The study was conducted among a population of 2982. Each participant was subjected to clinical examination, anthropometric measurements and necessary laboratory investigations. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed based on modified NCEP: ATP III criteria.Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was found to be 11.7% and was higher among female population (13.8%) as compared to males (9.6%). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased with increasing age. 28.3% of the participants over the age of 50 years had metabolic syndrome whereas it was only 0.4% below the age of 20 years. Nearly half (47.1%) of the obese individuals were suffering from metabolic syndrome implicating obesity as one of the most important risk factors in the etiopathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. The prevalence was only 1.1% among the underweight group.Conclusions: Present study has shown moderate prevalence of metabolic syndrome among the rural population of Western Uttar Pradesh, India with a more female predisposition