Nutritional Status of School Age Children (5-14 years) in a Rural Health Block of North India (Kashmir) Using WHO Z-Score System

Objective: To assess the nutritional status of school going children in Rural Block Hajin. Methods: School children from various primary and middle level educational facilities from a rural health block were surveyed during the School Health Program. Height and weight was measured following standard procedures. MS Excel and Interactive statistics page were used for analysis of data. Results: Both mean weight and height were higher in females than males. The overall prevalence of under nutrition was 19.2%. The prevalence of underweight was lowest in 5 year female (0.0%) and highest in 6 year male (21.5%). For Stunting 7 year males recorded the lowest (0.0%) and 12 year males the highest (28.5%) prevalence. The highest and lowest prevalence of wasting was recorded in 6 year old females (2.56%) and 9 year old males (24.6%) respectively. Prevalence of thinness was lowest in 13 year old females (14.2%) and highest in 13 year old males (47.1%).Conclusion: The nutritional status of school age children in this health block are comparatively better even though a large number of children still fall below the cutoff for various nutritional indicators

Water-pipe smoke condensate increases the internalization of Mycobacterium Bovis of type II alveolar epithelial cells (A549)

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem, and there is an association between tobacco smoke and TB. Water pipe smoking has become an increasing problem not only in Middle Eastern countries but also globally because users consider it as safer than cigarettes. The presence of high levels of toxic substances in water-pipe smoke may be a predisposing factor that enhances the incidence of pulmonary disorders. For example, uncontrolled macropinocytosis in alveolar epithelial cells following exposure to water-pipe smoke may predispose subjects to pulmonary infection. Here, we studied the effects of water-pipe condense (WPC) on the internalization of Mycobacterium Bovis BCG by macropinocytosis in the alveolar epithelial cell line A549. Methods: A549 cells were exposed to WPC (4 mg/ml) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Cell viability was studied using the methyl thiazolyldipenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay and proliferation by bromodeoxyUridine (BrdU) incorporation. Cells were exposed to FITC-Dextran (1 mg/ml) (as a control) and FITC-BCG (MOI = 10) for 20 min at 37 ° Cbeforecellswere collected and the uptake of BCG-FITC determined by flow cytometry. Similar experiments were performed at 4 ° Casacontrol . The Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 (1 μ M) was used to assess the mechanism by which WPC enhanced BCG uptake. Results: WPC (4 mg/ml) increased the uptake of BCG-FITC after 72 (1.3 ± 0.1 fold, p < 0.05) and 96 (1.4 ± 0.05 fold, p < 0.05) hours. No effect on BCG-FITC uptake was observed at 24 or 48 h. WPC also significantly increased the uptake of FITC-Dextran (2.9 ± 0.3 fold, p < 0.05) after 24 h. WPC significantly decreased cell viability after 24 (84 ± 2%, p < 0.05), 48 (78±, 3%, p < 0.05), 72 (64 ± 2%, p < 0.05) and 96 h (45 ± 2%, p < 0.05). Y-27632 completely attenuated the increased uptake of BCG by WPC. Cell proliferation showed a decreasing trend in a time-dependent manner with WPC exposure. Conclusion: WPC exposure increased epithelial cell endocytosis activity and death as well as enhancing their capacity for macropinocytosis. Our in vitro data indicates possible harmful effects of WPC on the ability of lung epithelial cells to phagocytose mycobacterium

Advancement of scientific research on Helicobacter pylori in humans: Where do we stand?

Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) has been associated with humans for millions of years and its association wih gastroduodenal diseases has well been established. Research explosion has added vastly to the current dimensions. The new and unusual pattern of involvement in the form of diffuse duodenal nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (DDNLH) due to specific strain of H. pylorii has been reported from Kashmir recently, which heckles early recognition and treatment and on the other hand, we continue to face challenges so far as the prevention of carcinoma of stomach, a worst sequlae of H. pylori is concerned although population screening and prevention surveys are underway in many countries. Continued scientific work has now unfolded involvement of H.pylori in extragastric diseases like cerebrovascular , cardiovascular, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, sideroblastic anaemia, mental diseases, and collagen vascular disease .Moreover the beneficial effects of H. pylori with respect to allergic diseases and obesity are clear. Problem of drug resistance for eradication of H. pylori has arisen for which novel treatments are tried. Lactobacillus reuteri having ant H.pylori action is one of the promising treatment as is now available in India for usage. The main challenges which remain are prevention of H. pylori related diseases by effective treatment and screening procedures and development of a vaccine which can address all these issues including beneficial aspects of H. pylori.Key words: H. pylori, novel clinical behaviour, gastric cancer, extragastric diseases, lactobacillus reuteri, vaccination

Kinetics and isotherm of cadmium adsorption onto polyethylene microbeads in artificial seawater

This study investigates the interactions between cadmium (Cd) and microplastic under controlled laboratory conditions using low density polyethylene microbeads as model of plastic particles. Cadmium was added to suspensions of artificial seawater to investigate heavy metal adsorption on microbeads surface in five different concentration. Polyethylene microbeads proved to have affinity in providing surface area for cadmium. Microbeads served as an effective sorption surface and concentrated cadmium amount in seawater through adsorption process. The maximum adsorption was monitored for 96 hours. Maximum adsorption capacity determined to be 0.0101 mg/g occurring within 12-48 hours in test concentration. While, kinetic study was performed according to pseudo-first-order kinetic with kd at 0.011 L/g. Using data from pseudo first order, isotherm study was performed in nonlinear regression and dataset was in good agreement with Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich Petterson with coefficient of determination at 0.865, 0.964 and 0.962 respectively. Adsorption of cadmium to polyethylene microbeads has important implications for the potential role of microplastics, in this case microbeads-cadmium contaminated act as a quantified link in aquatic food webs

Nutritional Status of School Age Children (5-14 years) in a Rural Health Block of North India (Kashmir) Using WHO Z-Score System

Objective: To assess the nutritional status of school going children in Rural Block Hajin. Methods: School children from various primary and middle level educational facilities from a rural health block were surveyed during the School Health Program. Height and weight was measured following standard procedures. MS Excel and Interactive statistics page were used for analysis of data. Results: Both mean weight and height were higher in females than males. The overall prevalence of under nutrition was 19.2%. The prevalence of underweight was lowest in 5 year female (0.0%) and highest in 6 year male (21.5%). For Stunting 7 year males recorded the lowest (0.0%) and 12 year males the highest (28.5%) prevalence. The highest and lowest prevalence of wasting was recorded in 6 year old females (2.56%) and 9 year old males (24.6%) respectively. Prevalence of thinness was lowest in 13 year old females (14.2%) and highest in 13 year old males (47.1%).Conclusion: The nutritional status of school age children in this health block are comparatively better even though a large number of children still fall below the cutoff for various nutritional indicators