Trends in Selected Birth Defects Among Parents from Below Poverty Line Population in Karnataka During 2010–2020

The aim of the study is to reveal the common birth defects among parents of newborns belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) category in Karnataka state (South India) by analyzing Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust data. In the last 10 years, 3672 kids in BPL families have been born with various birth abnormalities. It is found that 50.3% of newborns have anorectal malformations, 33.1% have hypospadias, 6.0% have diaphragmatic hernia, 5.1% have esophageal atresia, and 2.8% have intestinal atresia and obstruct. As a parent's age rises, the likelihood of having a child with birth abnormalities raise as well, particularly anorectal malformations than diaphragmatic hernia. Male newborns have a higher risk of birth defects. We hypothesized that poverty, material deprivation, and low socioeconomic profile throughout the life course among the BPL community could be some of the key reasons for poor maternal health care and related neonatal outcomes

Understanding mixed sequence DNA recognition by novel designed compounds: the kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of azabenzimidazole diamidines

Sequence-specific recognition of DNA by small organic molecules offers a potentially effective approach for the external regulation of gene expression and is an important goal in cell biochemistry. Rational design of compounds from established modules can potentially yield compounds that bind strongly and selectively with specific DNA sequences. An initial approach is to start with common A·T bp recognition molecules and build in G·C recognition units. Here we report on the DNA interaction of a synthetic compound that specifically binds to a G·C bp in the minor groove of DNA by using an azabenzimidazole moiety. The detailed interactions were evaluated with biosensor-surface plasmon resonance (SPR), isothermal calorimetric (ITC), and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) methods. The compound, DB2277, binds with single G·C bp containing sequences with subnanomolar potency and displays slow dissociation kinetics and high selectivity. A detailed thermodynamic and kinetic study at different experimental salt concentrations and temperatures shows that the binding free energy is salt concentration dependent but essentially temperature independent under our experimental conditions, and binding enthalpy is temperature dependent but salt concentration independent. The results show that in the proper compound structural context novel heterocyclic cations can be designed to strongly recognize complex DNA sequences

Design and Synthesis of Heterocyclic Cations for Specific DNA Recognition: From AT-Rich to Mixed-Base-Pair DNA Sequences

The compounds synthesized in this research were designed with the goal of establishing a new paradigm for mixed-base-pair DNA sequence-specific recognition. The design scheme starts with a cell-permeable heterocyclic cation that binds to AT base pair sites in the DNA minor groove. Modifications were introduced in the original compound to include an Hbond accepting group to specifically recognize the G-NH that projects into the minor groove. Therefore, a series of heterocyclic cations substituted with an azabenzimidazole ring has been designed and synthesized for mixed-base-pair DNA recognition. The most successful compound, 12a, had an azabenzimidazole to recognize G and additional modifications for general minor groove interactions. It binds to the DNA site −AAAGTTT− more strongly than the −AAATTT− site without GC and indicates the design success. Structural modifications of 12a generally weakened binding. The interactions of the new compound with a variety of DNA sequences with and without GC base pairs were evaluated by thermal melting analysis, circular dichroism, fluorescence emission spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, and molecular modeling

An evaluation study on Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) assisted under national rural health mission programme in the rural parts of Andra Pradesh-South India: some prelude observations

This study is based on the preliminary results obtained from the ongoing evaluation study on JananiSurakshaYojna (JSY) in Karnataka and Undivided Andra Pradesh of south India.. Towards achieving the objectives of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), JananiSuraksha Yojana was launched in April 2005 to promote institutional deliveries among the poor population, through provision for cash incentives for institutional delivery, referral, transport, and escort services. This scheme also intends to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate in the country. A cross-sectional community based survey is being done in Chamarajnager districts (South Karnataka) and Medakdist of Undivided and Andra Pradesh. Through these study socio-demographic factors, antenatal services availed and stake holders opinion have been studied. This study has found that there is a strong requirement to create more awareness among rural population about the utilization of this JSY scheme. Stake holders should also take action for implementation process. Targeting remote areas, SC./ST population, and special measures and encouraging more antenatal visits are more necessary prerequisites to get better impact out of JSY scheme is need of the hou. Study is still going o

"Will Development Ever Come Their Way? Indian Rural towards Inclusive Growth "

The urban-rural divide has to be bridged and rural areas have to be integrated with the economic processes to ensure equitable and inclusive growth of marginalized sections. Government. and NGOs have to play an important role in enhancing employment opportunities in farm and non-farm enterprises in rural areas, and should provide the necessary expertise to these areas. There are many sectors in which private players can participate to bridge this gap including providing micro finance, contract farming, setting up storage facili-ties for agro¬prod uce.Local folk could also develop heritage sites and tourist spots and encourage the promotion of traditional arts and crafts in joint ventures with rural enterprises. The next revolution that is waiting 'reaping the benefits'. We need to learn about participatory strategies, about organizing and mediating conflicting goals and needs, about technological transfer and social justice

Role of NGOs in Biodiversity Conservation: A Situational Analysis

India has experienced serious deforestation during the last century and it is anticipated that by the year 2035 India will be almost devoid of forests. NGO's have gained popularity in various parts of India by initiatives to conserve biodiversity such as establishing forest reserves and through the mobilization of indigenous organizations and development. However, the relationships that emerge among NGOs, Govt. and indigenous people with regard to conservation and control over biodiversity is problematic and co-management of established forest reserves often failed, because indigenous ways of use and control of biodiversity were difficult to accept by some conservation organizations. More importantly, there is the claim that NGO's have been working to create dependency while mobilizing indigenous organizations with assistance of Western donors. Recently, to face mainstream conservation models various NGOs are launching awareness movements. These NGOs movements emphasize a co evolution between local biodiversity, indigenous ecological practices, culture and self-development

Voices from the top of the pile: Elites perceptions on rural public health care management in Karnataka State-South India

Health is one of the prime concerns of mankind, since his emergences on the earth. The issue of rural health has drawn increasing attention both at the national and international level today because of elites role in health policies. In India, there is a debate on the expected role of the elites in case of new health policies. Objective The major objective of this paper is to elicit the elite's perception on various issues of rural health care system in Karnataka-South India. Methodology Primary data were collected from the selected 50 elites from cross-section of the society using structured interview technique. Result It is found that elites have criticised focusing on pitiable health infrastructure and health behaviour and its impact on physical, mental, social, moral and spiritual health of the rural folks. It is also found that elites opined that poor rural health infrastructure and the various socio-cultural barriers are the main hurdles in implementing modern medial health care facilities in the rural parts. Next, we learned that there must be a focus on improving the health status of the rural people stressing promotion of the scientific usage of traditional medicinal system and rapid improvement in rural health infrastructure

Ecotourism for Rural Karnataka: Some Impact Assessments

unique heritage, cultural and natural attractions. Karnataka has tremendous potentiality for the growth and development of ecotourism. In fact Karnataka forms a part of the global biodiversity hot spots with varieties of rural heritage, which can be used for advocating environmental awareness, long-term conservation measures and economic benefits to the local people. Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors worldwide especially in Karnataka. Climate change and its various impacts pose a significant risk to tourism, especially in developing countries where tourism is often the single most important industry. However experts feel ecotourism also causes a kind of atrocity on the bio diversity. Through this article the author is analyzing both positive and negative impacts of ecotourism

Changing framework of sociology of health and treatment: few retrospections

The sociology of health and illness has a long history. Over the last 100 years, many concepts, theories, findings have been explored for the better understanding of health behaviour of human being and the role of the society. Majority of the theories and approaches relating to the health and illness have been originally propounded by the Western sociologists only. Even today researchers in developing countries are heavily depending on the Western theories to explain health culture and behaviour of the rural community. In developing countries social class, caste, gender and others play a vital role in accessing suitable healthcare facilities. More than these, the underlying social, political and economic forces are also counting a lot. It is found that sociology of health and illness significantly helps us in better understanding of people's concepts about onset of various diseases and its cure in a cross-cultural framework. This paper gives a solid platform to discuss about changing phenomenon of sociology of medicine India