Female work participation and child health: an investigation in rural Tamil Nadu, India

This paper seeks to examine the linkage between mothers’ work and child health. The data are from a survey of 75 working and 75 non-working women in a village in Tamil Nadu, India. The results show that the working women spend on an average 1.7 hours less than the non-working women on child care. The duration of breastfeeding also is shorter among the working women. The morbidity rates were higher for the children of working women than for the children of nonworking women. Logistic regression analysis showed that the children of working women are at a significantly greater risk of morbidity even when socio-economic factors are controlled. The results, however, do not show a significant variation in morbidity by sex

Effect of thermal effluent discharge on benthic fauna off Tuticorin bay, south east coast of India

Benthic fauna of Tuticorin bay in relation to thermal effluent discharge was studied for a period of two years (March 1990 to April 1992). Station I situated closer to thermal effluent discharging site was characterised by high water temperature (surface mean 38.92°C, Bottom mean 3S.S6 °C), low dissolved oxygen (surface mean 3.79±O.29 mill) ami high percentage of sand (mean sand 87.96%, mean silt 7.57%, mean clay 4 .8

A Comprehensive study on Cervical Lymphadenopathy

INTRODUCTION: The cervical lymph node enlargement is the commonest swelling in the neck. Inflammation of cervical lymph nodes are exceedingly common and more so in the developing and underdeveloped countries and presents an enigmatic dilemma considering its varying import and in its management. Underlying its presentation though most of the cases are tuberculosis lymphadenitis or acute reactive hyperplasias, when it occurs in an elderly, one cannot be oblivious to the fact it can always be a secondary carcinomatous deposits. In this country TB is still rampant and tuberculosis cervical lymphadenitis is still a common cause, occurring primarily in children. Absence of co-existing or primary pulmonary focus but the appearance of matted group of lymph nodes in the posterior triangle of a child or adult, who may or may not present with a constitutional symptoms, though diagnostic but still demands a thorough investigation. Of all investigations FNAC has emerged as an important tool that is more confirmative and sensitive. It being simple and easier to perform needing meager experience in performing and consuming less time to perform can be done as an outpatient procedure without any morbid complications. It needs no preparation for sampling, but some cases may need more tissue for examination that may require a tru-cut biopsy or excision biopsy. FNAC remains the prime mode in differentiating benign from malignant cause of cervical lymphadenopathy. In older ages malignant deposits warrants the search for primaries in upper aero digestive system, occult primaries in nasopharynx, oropharynx, Hypopharynx and thyroid etc. Cervical lymphadenopathy may rarely be a part of generalized lymphadenopathy like Hodgkin’s lymphoma or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or sarcoidosis etc. In a myriad of causes ranging from a simple benign enlargement to a disastorous malignant deposits, cervical lymphadenopathy cannot be considered as the condition to be ignored. This study of cervical lymphadenopathy has been performed in an attempt to define the incidence of various etiological factors of presentations and to formulate the diagnostic approach and treatment mode in a given setup and facilities available. AIM OF THE STUDY: 1. To study the incidence of cervical lymphadenopathy. 2. To analyze the presenting symptoms of different causes of cervical lymphadenopathy. 3. To study the appropriate diagnostic approach and treatment modality of cervical 4. lymphadenopathy. 5. To discuss the conservative and surgical management of cervical lymphadenopathy. 6. To study the commonest secondary metastatic deposit and occult primary in cervical lymph node. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cases included in this study had presented to the surgical department either as outpatients or as an inpatients. These patients were studied systematically and followed carefully based on protocol formatted and the relevant parameters were noted. This study was prospective study period of three years between June 2004 to September 2006. This patient symptoms, duration of illness, clinical findings were noted and baseline investigations and confirmatory diagnostic test were performed. ENT, upper GI Endoscopy, Bronchoscopy, as conditions applied were done and treatment modalities adapted accordingly. OBSERVATIONS: 1. Incidence for TB lymphadenopathy is high in 21-30 age group. 2. The average age of cervical lymphadenopathy at presentation is 33.83 years. 3. Neck secondaries incidence is high in males. 4. Most common presenting symptom is swelling with or without pain (almost 100%). 5. Most common group of lymph node involved is Upper deep cervical lymph nodes. 6. Slight preponderance for males; F:M:: 62:38. 7. Tuberculous lymph node presented mostly at Stage I. Average duration of symptoms is 24 months and the commonest duration is one month. CONCLUSION: Most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy is tuberculosis. Most common group of lymph nodes involved is level II which correlates with the literature followed by level V/IV. Cervical lymphadnopathy occurs with female preponderance including tuberculosis. FNAC is the simplest and most cost effective mode in diagnosing the etiology of cervical lymphadenopathy except lymphoma which required excision to assess the grade of the tumour. Tuberculous patients were treated with ATT & Modified radical neck dissection for mobile occult primary and palliative RT for advanced neck secondaries. The most commonest cause for malignant cervical lymph node enlargement is due to naso, oro & hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Thyroid malignancy presented as lateral aberrant thyroid. Inflammatory breast carcinoma presented with supraclavicular metastasis

Domestic Coercive Control and Common Mental Disorders Among Women in Informal Settlements in Mumbai, India: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Coercive control behaviors central to the abuse of power appear more frequent than other types of domestic violence, but little is known about its frequency, features, and consequences for women in India. We aimed to examine the prevalence of domestic coercive control and its association with physical, sexual, and emotional domestic violence in the preceding year and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thinking. In a cross-sectional survey, we interviewed 4,906 ever-married women aged 18-49 years living in urban informal settlements in Mumbai, India. We developed a 24-item scale of coercive control, assessed physical, sexual, and emotional violence using existing questions, and screened for symptoms of depression with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9), anxiety with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD7) questionnaire, and suicidal thinking with questions developed by the World Health Organization. Estimates involved univariable and multivariable logistic regression models and the prediction of marginal effects. The prevalence of domestic coercive control was 71%. In total, 23% of women reported domestic violence in the past 12 months (emotional 19%, physical 13%, sexual 4%). Adjusted models suggested that women exposed to controlling behavior had greater odds of surviving emotional (aOR 2.1; 95% CI 1.7, 2.7), physical (1.4; 1.0, 1.9), and sexual (1.8; 1.1, 3.0) domestic violence in the past 12 months; and higher odds of a positive screen for moderate or severe depression (1.7; 1.3, 2.2), anxiety (2.1; 1.3, 3.1), and suicidal thinking (1.7; 1.2, 2.3), and increased with each additional indicator of coercive control behavior. When women reported 24 indicators of coercive control, the adjusted predicted proportion with moderate or severe depressive symptoms was 60%, anxiety 42%, and suicidal thinking 17%. Inclusion of coercive control in programs to support domestic violence, would broaden our understanding of domestic abuse to resemble most victims experience and improve interventions

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, ANTI-MICROBIAL, ANTI-CANCER, AND ANTI-OXIDANT ACTIVITY OF NOVEL 1-(NAPHTHALEIN 2-YL OXY)(PHENYL)(METHYL) THIOUREA MANNICH BASE AND ITS METAL COMPLEXES

ABSTRACT Objective: Mannich bases of 2-naphthol are predominantly popular in metal-mediated and ligand-accelerated catalysis of enantioselective carbon-carbon bond formation. Since these compounds have multiple centre for chelation with metal ions, they are likely to be potent inhibitors of metallo-enzymes. A number of pharmaceutical and agricultural agents have a naphthalein frame work. Our present study focuses on the synthesis of Mannich base derived from the condensation of 2-naphthol, benzaldehyde and thiourea and its metal complexes and their biological activities. Methods: The ligand 1-(naphthalein -2-yloxy )(phenyl)(methyl) thiourea (BNBTU) was synthesized by Mannich condensation reaction  between 2- naphthol, benzaldehyde and thiourea in 1:1:1 molar ratio. Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II)  and Zn(II) complexes of the new Mannich base BNBTU have been synthesized. Results: The anti-bacterial activity of the ligand and all the metal complexes leads to the conclusion that most of the complexes were found to have activities against E.coli    and B. subtilis. The cytotoxic effects of the newly synthesized ligand have been found good inhibition activity against the cancer cell line. Further the ligand and the metal complexes have been screened for their fungicidal and anti-oxidant properties and they are found to be significantly active. Conclusion: The ligand 1-(naphthalein -2-yloxy )(phenyl)(methyl) thiourea (BNBTU) has shown as one of the novel ligand and its coordination with transition metals exhibited enhanced biological activity

Economic abuse and its associations with symptoms of common mental disorders among women in a cross-sectional survey in informal settlements in Mumbai, India

BACKGROUND: Domestic violence takes a range of interconnected forms, of which economic abuse is common, but less studied than others. We examine the prevalence of economic abuse, its determinants, and its association with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. METHODS: Our cross-sectional survey in informal settlement areas in Mumbai, India, asked women aged 18-49 years 15 questions about acquisition, use, and maintenance of economic resources, demographic and socioeconomic factors, and physical, sexual, and emotional violence. We administered the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) scales and asked about suicidal thinking. Determinants of economic abuse and its associations with positive screens for depression and anxiety were explored in univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 4906 ever-married women respondents, 23% reported at least one form of economic abuse by either an intimate partner or another family member. The commonest were denial of property rights (10%), not being trusted with money (8%), and coercive appropriation of belongings (7%). Economic abuse was more commonly reported by widowed, separated, or divorced women than by married women (aOR 12.4; 95% CI 6.4, 24.1), and when their partners used alcohol or drugs (aOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2-1.7). Women had greater odds of reporting economic abuse if they had suffered emotional (aOR 6.3; 95% CI 5.0-7.9), physical (aOR 1.9; 95% CI 1.4-2.6), or sexual violence (aOR 5.4; 95% CI 3.6-8.1) in the preceding 12 months. Economic abuse was independently associated with positive screens for moderate-severe depression (aOR 2.6; 95% CI 2.0-3.4), anxiety (aOR 2.7; 95% CI 1.9-3.8), and suicidal ideation (aOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.5-3.1). The odds of anxiety and depression increased with each additional form of economic abuse. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first community-based study in India of the prevalence of economic abuse and its associations with symptoms of common mental disorders. It provides empirical support for the idea that economic abuse is at least as harmful to women's mental health as physical violence. Surveys should include questions on economic abuse and prevention and intervention strategies need to help survivors to understand its forms

Methylglyoxal Binding to Bovine Liver Catalase Results in Loss of Activity and Heme Dislocation

Glycation, the non-enzymatic attachment of glucose to protein, is one of the important events in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other diseases. Methylglyoxal (MG), a dicarbonyl compound formed during glycation, monosaccharide autoxidation, and metabolism is elevated during diabetes mellitus. Among other antioxidant enzymes, catalase is important for the defense against oxidative damage. However, antioxidant enzymes including catalase can themselves become targets of non-enzymatic modification by methylglyoxal. In this study, catalase was incubated with increasing concentrations of MG for different time intervals. Structural and functional alterations to catalase were monitored by a variety of approaches, namely, assay of enzyme activity, staining of gels for activity as well as heme, measurement of protein carbonyls and Arg pyrimidine, which is a specific MG modification product. A progressive increase in electrophoretic mobility and detachment of heme from the monomer were observed with increasing concentrations of methylglyoxal. The MG-modified enzyme showed reduced affinity towards the substrate hydrogen peroxide. Molecular modeling studies revealed that MG can access the heme and arginine residues close to it. Thus, the decrease in activity of methylglyoxal-modified catalase may be important in aggravating the severity of secondary complications seen in diabetes mellitus.HIGHLIGHTS•Increase in concentration of methylglyoxal caused a progressive increase in electrophoretic mobility and detachment of heme from the monomer.•MG-modified enzyme showed reduced affinity towards the substrate hydrogen peroxide.•Molecular modeling studies showed that MG can access the heme and arginine residues close to it

Menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives To assess the status of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) among adolescent girls in India to determine unmet needs. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, The Global Health Database, Google Scholar and references for studies published from 2000 to September 2015 on girls’ MHM. Setting India. Participants Adolescent girls. Outcome measures Information on menarche awareness, type of absorbent used, disposal, hygiene, restrictions and school absenteeism was extracted from eligible materials; a quality score was applied. Meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled prevalence (PP), and meta-regression to examine the effect of setting, region and time. Results Data from 138 studies involving 193 subpopulations and 97 070 girls were extracted. In 88 studies, half of the girls reported being informed prior to menarche (PP 48%, 95% CI 43% to 53%, I2 98.6%). Commercial pad use was more common among urban (PP 67%, 57% to 76%, I2 99.3%, n=38) than rural girls (PP 32%, 25% to 38%, I2 98.6%, n=56, p<0.0001), with use increasing over time (p<0.0001). Inappropriate disposal was common (PP 23%, 16% to 31%, I2 99.0%, n=34). Menstruating girls experienced many restrictions, especially for religious activities (PP 0.77, 0.71 to 0.83, I2 99.1%, n=67). A quarter (PP 24%, 19% to 30%, I2 98.5%, n=64) reported missing school during periods. A lower prevalence of absenteeism was associated with higher commercial pad use in univariate (p=0.023) but not in multivariate analysis when adjusted for region (p=0.232, n=53). Approximately a third of girls changed their absorbents in school facilities (PP 37%, 29% to 46%, I2 97.8%, n=17). Half of the girls’ homes had a toilet (PP 51%, 36% to 67%, I2 99.4%, n=21). The quality of studies imposed limitations on analyses and the interpretation of results (mean score 3 on a scale of 0–7). Conclusions Strengthening of MHM programmes in India is needed. Education on awareness, access to hygienic absorbents and disposal of MHM items need to be addressed

Distribution and abundance of carangids along the EEZ India

Distribution and abundance of carangid groups of fish along the EEZ of India based on the data collected during 80 cruises undertaken by FORV Sagar Sampada is presented here. East coast of India showed maximum concentration of ctrangids with a catch rate of 64 kg/hr along the northeast coast. The least distribution was noticed along the northwest coast ( 5 kg/hr). Carangids formed up to a maximum of 19 % of the total bottom trawl catch along the northwest coast. With more than 20 species of carangids reported to be caught in various cruises, Decapterus spp formed the most dominant group, followed by species like Atule mate, Selar crumenophthalmus, Carangoides malabaricus etc. Depthwise distribution showed higher density in the 60-80 m range all along the coast excepting the Andaman-Nicobar archipelago. Areawise, higher densities of carangids were noticed at latitude-longitude 7°N - 77°E, 1TN - 75°E, 1TN - 79°E, 14°N - 80°E , 18°N - 72°E, 19°N -85°E and 19°N -86°E. Seasonally, carangids were represented in the catch more during the monsoon especially along the northeast and southwest coasts. Potential yield of carangids along the EEZ of India is estimated to be 94971 tonne

How do Muslim service users, caregivers, and community members in Malappuram, Kerala, use their faith to address the challenges associated with mental ill health?

Our aim was to explore the role religion and spiritual beliefs play in dealing with the challenges associated with mental ill health among the Muslim community in Malappuram, Kerala. Twenty-four interviews were conducted with patients of Islamic faith diagnosed with a mental health condition (n = 10) in urban (Ponnani) and rural (Vailathur) area of Malappuram, a Muslim majority district in Kerala, their family carers (n = 8) and community members (n = 6). Four key themes were derived, namely (1) Attribution to supernatural factors, (2) Relying on “God’s will”, (3) Prayer, and (4) Traditional healing. Faith was seen to be a prerequisite for any treatment, including modern medicine, to work. Even within a single faith group there can be considerable variation in belief and practice, with more pious participants disapproving of the reliance on local traditional healers and belief systems, highlighting the value of paying attention to the detail of local beliefs and practices