Location-specific forecast at Sriharikota during the launch of GSLV-F01

The present study was carried out to examine the performance of two high-resolution mesoscale/regional atmospheric models to provide real time short range forecast during the GSLV-F01 launch on 20 September 2004. The main objective was to provide vertical shear of horizontal wind, which is very important for launch operations. The models are integrated to provide forecasts 36 h in advance. The model predictions are compared with observations and their performances are evaluated in terms of statistical skill scores. The mesoscale model of Pennsylvania State University (PSU)/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) MM5 was found to perform better than the High-resolution Regional Model (HRM) though marginally. Performance of MM5 model was further investigated after improvement of model initial condition with insertion of conventional observations into the large-scale global analysis to perform reanalysis at high resolution (horizontal resolution of 9 km). Results indicate significant improvement in model performance with improvement in initial condition

Optimization of the conventional minimum inhibitory concentration method for drug susceptibility testing of ethionamide

AbstractEvaluation of newer methods and optimization of existing methods for the susceptibility testing of second-line drugs, especially ethionamide, are essential when treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is warranted. The ideal method must clearly demarcate sensitive from resistant strains. Hence, optimization of the conventional minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method was attempted using diluted inoculum. The optimized MIC method was evaluated using 206 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from new and previously treated tuberculosis patients and were compared with the conventional MIC method and proportion sensitivity (PST) method. The sensitivity and specificity of the optimized MIC method in comparison with the PST method was 74% and 90%. Assessment of the optimized MIC method with the conventional MIC method gave a sensitivity of and specificity of 73% and 98%. Overall agreement between the methods was found to be ⩾80%. Endowed with the ability to identify the resistant strains precisely, the optimized MIC method can be used for screening resistance to ethionamide

Revisiting the susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to ethionamide in solid culture medium.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Increase in the isolation of drug resistant phenotypes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis necessitates accuracy in the testing methodology. Critical concentration defining resistance for ethionamide (ETO), needs re-evaluation in accordance with the current scenario. Thus, re-evaluation of conventional minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and proportion sensitivity testing (PST) methods for ETO was done to identify the ideal breakpoint concentration defining resistance. METHODS Isolates of M. tuberculosis (n=235) from new and treated patients were subjected to conventional MIC and PST methods for ETO following standard operating procedures. RESULTS With breakpoint concentration set at 114 and 156 µg/ml, an increase in specificity was observed whereas sensitivity was high with 80 µg/ml as breakpoint concentration. Errors due to false resistant and susceptible isolates were least at 80 µg/ml concentration. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS Performance parameters at 80 µg/ml breakpoint concentration indicated significant association between PST and MIC methods

Risk factors for myocardial infarction among low socioeconomic status South Indian population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As longevity increases, cases of myocardial infarction (MI) are likely to be more. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major global health problem reaching epidemic proportions in the Indian subcontinent, also among low socio-economic status (SES) and thin individuals.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>The present study was undertaken to elicit risk factors for MI among low SES Southern Indians and to find out its association with body mass index (BMI).</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>A case-control study of patients with MI matched against healthy control subjects was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Standard methods were followed to elicit risk factors and BMI. Chi-square and Fishers exact test for categorical versus categorical, to show relationship with risk factors were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 949 patients (male (M) = 692 and post menopausal female (F) = 257) and 611 age and sex matched healthy controls were included. In our study, BMI was below 23 in 48.2% of patients and below 21 in 22.5%. The risk of developing MI was significantly more in males (odds ratio (OR) = 3.3, 95% confidence interval (C.I.) = 2.69-4.13), among females with post-menopausal duration (PMD) of more than or equal to 3 years (OR = 9.27, 95% C.I. = 6.36-13.50) and in those with BMI less than 23 with one or other risk factors (P = 0.002, OR = 1.38, 95% C.I. = 1.13-1.70).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>BMI cannot be considered as a lone independent risk factor, as the study population had low BMI but had one or more modifiable risk factors. It would be advisable to keep BMI at least 21 kg/m²for screening program. Health education on life style modification and programs to diagnose and control diabetes and hypertension have to be initiated at community level in order to reduce the occurrence.</p

High dietary diversity is associated with obesity in Sri Lankan adults: An evaluation of three dietary scores.

Background: Dietary diversity is recognized as a key element of a high quality diet. However, diets that offer a greater variety of energy-dense foods could increase food intake and body weight. The aim of this study was to explore association of diet diversity with obesity in Sri Lankan adults. Methods: Six hundred adults aged > 18 years were randomly selected by using multi-stage stratified sample. Dietary intake assessment was undertaken by a 24 hour dietary recall. Three dietary scores, Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), Dietary Diversity Score with Portions (DDSP) and Food Variety Score (FVS) were calculated. Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg.m−2 is defined as obese and Asian waist circumference cut-offs were used diagnosed abdominal obesity. Results: Mean of DDS for men and women were 6.23 and 6.50 (p=0.06), while DDSP was 3.26 and 3.17 respectively (p=0.24). FVS values were significantly different between men and women 9.55 and 10.24 (p=0.002). Dietary diversity among Sri Lankan adults was significantly associated with gender, residency, ethnicity, education level but not with diabetes status. As dietary scores increased, the percentage consumption was increased in most of food groups except starches. Obese and abdominal obese adults had the highest DDS compared to non-obese groups (p<0.05). With increased dietary diversity the level of BMI, waist circumference and energy consumption was significantly increased in this population. Conclusion: Our data suggests that dietary diversity is positively associated with several socio-demographic characteristics and obesity among Sri Lankan adults. Although high dietary diversity is widely recommended, public health messages should emphasize to improve dietary diversity in selective food items

Transcultural Diabetes Nutrition Therapy Algorithm: The Asian Indian Application

India and other countries in Asia are experiencing rapidly escalating epidemics of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease. The dramatic rise in the prevalence of these illnesses has been attributed to rapid changes in demographic, socioeconomic, and nutritional factors. The rapid transition in dietary patterns in India—coupled with a sedentary lifestyle and specific socioeconomic pressures—has led to an increase in obesity and other diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Studies have shown that nutritional interventions significantly enhance metabolic control and weight loss. Current clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are not portable to diverse cultures, constraining the applicability of this type of practical educational instrument. Therefore, a transcultural Diabetes Nutrition Algorithm (tDNA) was developed and then customized per regional variations in India. The resultant India-specific tDNA reflects differences in epidemiologic, physiologic, and nutritional aspects of disease, anthropometric cutoff points, and lifestyle interventions unique to this region of the world. Specific features of this transculturalization process for India include characteristics of a transitional economy with a persistently high poverty rate in a majority of people; higher percentage of body fat and lower muscle mass for a given body mass index; higher rate of sedentary lifestyle; elements of the thrifty phenotype; impact of festivals and holidays on adherence with clinic appointments; and the role of a systems or holistic approach to the problem that must involve politics, policy, and government. This Asian Indian tDNA promises to help guide physicians in the management of prediabetes and T2D in India in a more structured, systematic, and effective way compared with previous methods and currently available CPGs