Common fixed points of self maps satisfying an integral type contractive condition in fuzzy metric spaces

In this paper, first we prove fixed point theorems for different variant of compatible maps, satisfying a contractive condition of integral type in fuzzy metric spaces, which improve the results of Branciari [2], Rhoades [33], Kumar et al. [23] Subramanyam [35] and results of various authors cited in the literature of "Fixed Point Theory and Applications". Secondly, we introduce the notion of any kind of weakly compatible maps and prove a fixed point theorem for weakly compatible maps along with the notion of any kind of weakly compatible. At the end, we prove a fixed point theorem using variants of R-Weakly commuting mappings in fuzzy metric spaces

Profit Driven Decision Assist System to Select Efficient IaaS Providers

IaaS providers provide infrastructure to the end users with various pricing schemes and models. They provide different types of virtual machines (small, medium, large, etc.). Since each IaaS provider uses their own pricing schemes and models, price varies from one provider to the other for the same requirements. To select a best IaaS provider, the end users need to consider various parameters such as SLA, pricing models/schemes, VM heterogeneity, etc. Since many parameters are involved, selecting an efficient IaaS provider is a challenging job for an end user. To address this issue, in this work we have designed, implemented and tested a decision-assist system which assists the end users to select efficient IaaS provider(s). Our decision-assist system consists of an analytical model to calculate the cost and decision strategies to assist the end user in selecting the efficient IaaS provider(s). The decision assist system considers various relevant parameters such as VM configuration, price, availability, etc. to decide the efficient IaaS provider(s). Rigorous experiments have been conducted by emulating various IaaS providers, and we have observed that our DAS successfully suggests the efficient IaaS provider/ providers by considering the input parameters given by the user

Health needs, access to healthcare, and perceptions of ageing in an urbanizing community in India: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: India's elderly population is rising at an unprecedented rate, with a majority living in rural areas. Health challenges associated with ageing, changing social networks and limited public health infrastructure are issues faced by the elderly and caregivers. We examined perceptions of health needs of the elderly across local stakeholders in an urbanizing rural area. METHODS: The qualitative study was conducted among participants in the Andhra Pradesh Children and Parents Study (APCAPS) site in Rangareddy district, Telangana. We collected data using focus group discussions and interviews among communities (n = 6), health providers (n = 9) and administrators (n = 6). We assessed stakeholders' views on the influence of urbanization on health issues faced and interventions for alleviating these challenges. We used a conceptual-analytical model to derive themes and used an inductive approach to organizing emerging codes as per a priori themes. These were organized as per thematic groups and ranked by different authors in order of importance. Bronfebrenner's theory was used to understand stakeholder perspectives and suggest interventions within four identified spheres of influence - individual, household, community and services. RESULTS: Stakeholders reported frailty, lack of transport and dependence on others as factors impacting health access of the elderly. Existing public health systems were perceived as overburdened and insensitive towards the elderly. Urbanization was viewed positively, but road accidents, crime and loneliness were significant concerns. Interventions suggested by stakeholders included health service outreach, lifestyle counseling, community monitoring of healthcare and engagement activities. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend integrating outreach services and lifestyle counseling within programs for care of the elderly. Community institutions can play an important role in the delivery and monitoring of health and social services for the elderly

Effect of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy on adiposity in their infants in India: a protocol of a multicentre cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The carbohydrate 'fuel' metabolism in a pregnant woman may have a long-term impact on the development of her offspring ('fuel-mediated teratogenesis' hypothesis) including in utero exposure to maternal hyperglycaemia leading to fetal hyperinsulinaemia, and the consequent increase in fetal fat cells. Therefore, a feed-forward loop can exist of rising adiposity and hyperinsulinaemia throughout childhood, perhaps leading to obesity and diabetes in later life. There is a need for prospective examination of body fat distribution in children born to mothers with different glycaemic levels to understand the plausible association between glucose metabolism and future risk of diabetes in offspring. The hypothesis is that maternal glucose levels in pregnant women are related to skinfold thickness in their infants. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Hyperglycaemia in pregnancy and adiposity in infants is a multicentre cohort study to evaluate the effects of glucose levels in pregnancy on the risk of adverse infant outcomes, especially in predicting the risk of chronic diseases in infants. The study aims to recruit 1045 participants over a period of 1 year, who will be followed up irrespective of their glycaemia status for a period of 15 months, beginning in the 24th week of gestation. The glucose levels in pregnant women would be obtained through oral glucose tolerance testing. The primary outcome of our study was skinfold thickness in infants at the age of 6 weeks, 3rd and 9th month (as a proxy for fat distribution/adiposity). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The institutional review board at The Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH)-Hyderabad, Public Health Foundation of India has approved the protocol. All participants are required to provide written informed consent

Development and evaluation of a Smartphone-enabled, caregiver-supported educational intervention for management of physical disabilities following stroke in India: protocol for a formative research study.

The incidence and prevalence of stroke in India has reached epidemic proportions. The growing magnitude of disability in patients with stroke in India poses a major public health challenge. Given the nature of the condition, affected individuals often become disabled with profound effects on their quality of life. The availability of rehabilitation services for people with disabilities is inadequate in India. Rehabilitation services are usually offered by private hospitals located in urban areas and many stroke survivors, especially those who are poor or live in rural areas, cannot afford to pay for, or do not have access to, such services. Thus, identification of cost-effective ways to rehabilitate people with stroke-related disability is an important challenge. Educational interventions in stroke rehabilitation can assist stroke survivors to make informed decisions regarding their on-going treatment and to self-manage their condition with support from their caregivers. Although educational interventions have been shown to improve patient knowledge for self-management of stroke, an optimal format for the intervention has not as yet been established, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This formative research study aims to systematically develop an educational intervention for management of post-stroke disability for stroke survivors in India, and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of delivering the intervention using Smartphones and with caregiver support. The research study will be conducted in Chennai, India, and will be organised in three different phases. Phase 1: Development of the intervention. Phase 2: Field testing and finalising the intervention. Phase 3: Piloting of the intervention and assessment of feasibility and acceptability. A mixed-methods approach will be used to develop and evaluate the intervention. If successful, it will help realise the potential of using Smartphone-enabled, carer-supported educational intervention to bridge the gaps in service access for rehabilitation of individuals with stroke-related disability in India. The proposed research will also provide valuable information for clinicians and policymakers

Infantile systemic hyalinosis: A case report

Infantile systemic hyalinosis (ISH) is a rare, progressive, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by connective tissue involvementas hyaline deposition in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, muscles, glands, and other organs. We report a child with this rare conditionpresenting with growth retardation, joint contractures, and intractable diarrhea. Though genetically analyzed, ISH still remains as apoorly understood disease raising concerns during diagnosis and treatment

c.620C>T mutation in GATA4 is associated with congenital heart disease in South India

Background: Congenital Heart Diseases (CHDs) usually refer to abnormalities in the structure and/or function of the heart that arise before birth. GATA4 plays an important role in embryonic heart development, hence the aim of this study was to find the association of GATA4 mutations with CHD among the south Indian CHD patients. Method: GATA4 gene was sequenced in 100 CHD patients (ASD, VSD, TOF and SV) and 200 controls. Functional significance of the observed GATA4 mutations was analyzed using PolyPhen, SIFT, PMut, Plink, Haploview, ESE finder 3.0 and CONSITE. Results: We observed a total of 19 mutations, of which, one was in 5′ UTR, 10 in intronic regions, 3 in coding regions and 5 in 3′ UTR. Of the above mutations, one was associated with Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), two were found to be associated with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and three (rs804280, rs4841587 and rs4841588) were strongly associated with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). Interestingly, one promoter mutation (−490 to 100 bp) i.e., 620 C>T (rs61277615, p-value = 0.008514), one splice junction mutation (G>A rs73203482; p-value = 9.6e-3, OR = 6.508) and one intronic mutation rs4841587 (p-value = 4.6e-3, OR = 4.758) were the most significant findings of this study. In silico analysis also proves that some of the mutations reported above are pathogenic. Conclusion: The present study found that GATA4 genetic variations are associated with ASD, TOF and VSD in South Indian patients. In silico analysis provides further evidence that some of the observed mutations are pathogenic

Study of acute phase reactants in children with sepsis, with special reference to C-reactive protein and procalcitonin

Background: Several inflammatory markers have failed to meet the requirements for an early diagnosis of sepsis in children. Studyresults and trends show that measurement of the combination of biochemical markers offers the best prospects for research on earlydiagnosis of sepsis. Objectives: To evaluate the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) as markers of earlysepsis in pediatric patients. Methods: All the hospitalized children aged more than 28 days with clinically suspected sepsis, as per thedefinition given by International Pediatric Sepsis Consensus Conference, were selected. The patients were divided into two groups; onewith culture proven sepsis and the other with culture negative sepsis. CRP and PCT levels were measured at the time of admission and48 h after admission. Results: A 40 patients were studied, out of that 15 had culture positive and 25 had culture negative sepsis. Themean PCT level was significantly higher at admission than at 48 h after admission, and the mean CRP level was significantly lower atadmission than at 48 h after admission indicating PCT as early marker of sepsis. Conclusion: CRP and PCT levels have favorable testperformance in differentiating between culture positive and culture negative sepsis. PCT is earlier to rise compared to CRP and PCT isbest in predicting the severity followed by CRP