A cross-sectional investigation of regional patterns of diet and cardio-metabolic risk in India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role of diet in India's rapidly progressing chronic disease epidemic is unclear; moreover, diet may vary considerably across North-South regions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The India Health Study was a multicenter study of men and women aged 35-69, who provided diet, lifestyle, and medical histories, as well as blood pressure, fasting blood, urine, and anthropometric measurements. In each region (Delhi, n = 824; Mumbai, n = 743; Trivandrum, n = 2,247), we identified two dietary patterns with factor analysis. In multiple logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, education, income, marital status, religion, physical activity, tobacco, alcohol, and total energy intake, we investigated associations between regional dietary patterns and abdominal adiposity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Across the regions, more than 80% of the participants met the criteria for abdominal adiposity and 10 to 28% of participants were considered diabetic. In Delhi, the "fruit and dairy" dietary pattern was positively associated with abdominal adiposity [highest versus lowest tertile, multivariate-adjusted OR and 95% CI: 2.32 (1.03-5.23); P_trend= 0.008] and hypertension [2.20 (1.47-3.31); P_trend< 0.0001]. In Trivandrum, the "pulses and rice" pattern was inversely related to diabetes [0.70 (0.51-0.95); P_trend= 0.03] and the "snacks and sweets" pattern was positively associated with abdominal adiposity [2.05 (1.34-3.14); P_trend= 0.03]. In Mumbai, the "fruit and vegetable" pattern was inversely associated with hypertension [0.63 (0.40-0.99); P_trend= 0.05] and the "snack and meat" pattern appeared to be positively associated with abdominal adiposity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Cardio-metabolic risk factors were highly prevalent in this population. Across all regions, we found little evidence of a Westernized diet; however, dietary patterns characterized by animal products, fried snacks, or sweets appeared to be positively associated with abdominal adiposity. Conversely, more traditional diets in the Southern regions were inversely related to diabetes and hypertension. Continued investigation of diet, as well as other environmental and biological factors, will be needed to better understand the risk profile in this population and potential means of prevention.</p

Molecular analysis of the XLRS1 gene in 4 females affected with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis

Background: X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is the most common cause of juvenile macular degeneration in males. Because of its X-linked mode of transmission, the disease is rare in females. In this article, we describe a mutation screen conducted on a family in which 4 female Patients affected with XLRS presented with an unusually severe phenotype. Methods: DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and the XLRS1 gene was amplified on DNA samples of all the available family members. The mutation screen was conducted by performing direct DNA sequencing using an MJ Research PTC-225 Peltier Thermal Cycler. Results: A novel mutation, 588-593ins.C, was identified in exon 6 of the gene. The affected father was found to be heterozygous for the mutation, whereas all the female Patients were homozygous for this mutation. The homozygosity of the mutation in the affected females led to severe phenotypes. The defective allele was expressed in infancy in I Patient, whereas the disease manifested itself at variable ages in the other Patients, reflecting a variation in the phenotype. Interpretation: This report describes a novel mutation in a family in which consanguinity has led to XLRS in 4 females. A variation in the phenotype of the disease is consistent with the published literature and suggests the involvement of genetic modifiers or environmental factors in influencing the clinical severity of the disease

The impact of cyclone Aila on the sundarban forest ecosystem

Climate change is expected to increase stress on mangrove forests across the globe in multiple pathways. Changes in sea level, temperature, tropical cyclones, saline water invasion, land inundation, ocean acidification, invasive species due to climate change. Livelihoods of above hundred million people depending on mangrove forest ecosystem services, mostly living in developing countries will be severely affected due to climate change. The impacts of recently occurred tropical cyclone Aila (May 25, 2009) on Sundarban mangrove forest ecosystem in Bangladesh has been assessed in this research in order to understand the possible impacts of climate change induced extreme weather events on forest ecosystem services. Time series of satellite images, socio-economic census data, focus group discussions (FGD) outcomes, and other ancillary information have been analyzed for this purpose. The study revealed that cyclone Aila caused incremental stresses on the socioeconomic conditions of coastal communities through rendering huge areas of land unproductive for a long time, and in some cases forever. People who were dependent on land resources for their livelihoods were forced to change their livelihood on forest resources, which in turn caused increased pressure on already stressed forest resources. It is concluded that increasing frequency and severity of climate change induced extreme events will certainly increase pressure on forest ecosystem services, which eventually may pose threat of extinction to biodiversity of Sundarban mangrove forest, if necessary adaptation measures are not taken