Effect of anemia on pregnancy outcome: a prospective study at tertiary care hospital

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy leads to preterm birth, low birth weight and small-for-gestational age babies and increases incidence of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and the reason for the incidence of PPH is higher in India compared with the rest of the world. The objective of this study was to find association between maternal anaemia and neonatal complications and to find long term morbidity and mortality of babies born to anaemic mothers.Methods: It is a prospective study done at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore during October 2009 to October 2011. All subjects were analyzed in full details and haemoglobin estimation done during 1st visit, at 30th week and 36th week of gestation.Results: Study observed moderate anaemia observed in almost 53.0% cases followed by mild (29.5%) and severe (17.5%) respectively. Risk factors present in 58.0% cases and maternal complications in puerperium observed in 14.5% cases. High incidence of adverse foetal outcome in the form of preterm (20%), IUGR (28%), NICU admission (25.5%) and IUD (3%) seen in present study. Study found association between space between pregnancy, LSCS and fetal outcome with severity of anaemia. Ensuring maternal iron sufficiency during gestation is the most cost-effective method of preventing perinatal iron deficiency and related morbidities.Conclusions: Iron supplementation during pregnancy in iron deficient mothers improves iron status during pregnancy and postpartum period, thus providing some protection against iron deficiency in the subsequent pregnancy. Proper antenatal care is the basic requirement for prevention, early detection and treatment of anaemia

Obstetric and neonatal outcome in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage at tertiary care hospital, Karnataka: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Background: When clinical pregnancy is established, the risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss is ~12-14%, and therefore the incidence of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) by chance alone would be in the order of 0.35%. It occurs in 0.5-3% of women. The objective of this study was to evaluate the obstetric outcome in pregnancies with history of one or more abortions.Methods: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study done at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore. Record review of cases was done from January 2005 to December 2009. Inclusion criteria were pregnancies with history of previous abortions.Results: There were 400 cases with previous history of abortions. There were 266 (66.4%) booked cases while 134 (33.5%) were unbooked cases. 272 (68.0%) patients crossed viable period of pregnancy (more than 28 weeks). Around 56 (14.0%) cases had repeat abortions, 276 (69.0%) cases underwent vaginal delivery and 124 (31.0%) underwent cesarean section. Almost 91 (22.8%) of Babies were low birth weight while others were above 2.5 kg. There were 52 (13.0%) preterm babies and 28 (7.0%) Intrauterine demise of fetuses.Conclusions: Patients with previous history of abortions are at increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcome

APTAMERS: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR BIO-IMAGING, BIO-SENSING AND TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

This review describes recent progress made in the aptamer and application of biomedically relevant aptamers and relates them to their future clinical prospects.Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acid or amino acid polymers that recognize and bind to targets with high affinity and selectivity. In nature they exist as a nucleic acid based genetic regulatory element called a riboswitch. Aptamers, simply described as chemical antibodies, are synthetic oligonucleotide ligands or peptides that can be isolated in vitro against diverse targets including toxins, bacterial and viral proteins, virus-infected cells, cancer cells and whole pathogenic microorganisms. They are isolated by the technique called SELEX- systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment. The applications of aptamers range from diagnostics and biosensing, target validation, targeted drug delivery, therapeutics, templates for rational drug design to biochemical screening of small molecule leads compounds, in virology,as novel radio pharmaceuticals.Â

Potentiality of Kolar Dam Water for Drinking Purposes

Kolar Dam, a major masonry dam, is located about 35 km away from Bhopal, near Lawakhari village in Sehore District. Constructed across the Kolar River, a tributary of Narmada on the right bank, the dam is about 45 m high. The maximum storage capacity is 270 Mcm. Kolar reservoir is the important sources of potable water supply for the Bhopal city. To assess its suitability for drinking purpose, the physico chemical and microbiological characteristics were studied on monthly basis.  In general almost all the parameters are within the range except coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria were found beyond the norm prescribed for drinking water by various agencies. The analysis indicates that the water of Kolar reservoir is moderately soft with moderate alkalinity, transparent, low BOD, COD level as apparent by the study. The overall water quality of Kolar reservoir is not much affected by anthropogenic sources as it is surrounded by thick forest and less human activities are evident in this area. Therefore its water can only be used for drinking purposes but only after conventional treatment and disinfection. Keywords: Kolar Dam, Water quality, Physico chemical parameter, Drinking water

Exploratory Analysis of Nutritional Quality and Metrics of Snack Consumption among Nepali Children during the Complementary Feeding Period.

The World Health Organization recommends feeding snacks between meals to young children. This study explored nutritional quality of snacks consumed between meals and consumption metrics (% total energy intakes (%TEI) and amount of kcal from snacks) to understand correlations with dietary outcomes (total energy intakes and dietary adequacy) and body-mass-index-for-age z-scores (BMIZ). Data used were 24-h dietary recalls and anthropometric measurements among a representative sample (n = 679) of one-year-olds in Nepal. Nepali meal patterns for young children were identified through formative research and all foods/beverages consumed outside of meals were categorized as snacks. A nutrient profiling model was used to categorize snacks as healthy or unhealthy, based on positive and negative nutrient content. Snacks consumed between meals provided half of all energy consumed, and were associated with increased energy and nutrient intakes. The positive effect of snacks between meals on dietary adequacy was greater when these snacks were healthy, while increasing %TEI from unhealthy snacks consumed between meals was negatively associated with dietary adequacy. Consumption of snacks between meals was not associated with mean BMIZ among the children. These findings indicate that the provision of and nutritional quality of snacks are important considerations to communicate to caregivers. Discouragement of unhealthy, nutrient-poor snacks is critical for complementary feeding dietary guidelines in contexts experiencing nutrition transition

SWOT Analysis of the Role of Open Educational Resources in Future Education with Special Reference to Open University Library and Librarian

Recent years have seen an immense increase in the digitization of research libraries and institutions especially of higher educational Institutes as well as higher learning. The reason for the same witnessed are E-Learning allows for more efficient learning at a lower cost, as well as expanded worldwide access to learning and explicit accountability for all participants in the learning process. The usage of Open Educational Resources (OER) in modern Indian higher education is playing an increasingly important role in improving the quality of education in both developed and developing nations. The goal of OER is to make this information freely available, therefore increasing educational possibilities for previously underserved groups of society and thereby equalizing access. The study addresses the advantages, disadvantages, and prospects of OER in India. Librarians work in a wide range of disciplines. By framing OER they are critics of open educational commons. It also discusses the difficulties that have arisen as a result of the progress of OERs in India, as well as the recommendations that have been made to solve these concerns

High Consumption of Unhealthy Snack Foods/beverages Is Associated with Lower Length-for-age Z-scores Among Children 12–23 Months in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal (P11-092-19)

Consumption of unhealthy snack foods and beverages (USFB) among young children in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is rising, however, little is known about their effect on nutritional outcomes during the complementary feeding period. This study aimed to assess the association of high versus low USFB consumption on the iron status and growth of 12–23 month old children living in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February – April 2017 among a representative sample of 12–23 month old children and their caregivers (n = 745). Dietary (interactive 4-pass 24 hour recalls) and anthropometric measurements and capillary blood samples were collected to estimate dietary intakes of energy and nutrients, Z-scores for length-for-age (LAZ) and weight-for-length (WLZ), and indices of iron status. Percentages of dietary energy intakes (%TEI) from USFB (defined using the United Kingdom's Food Standard Agency's nutrient profiling model) were calculated. LAZ, WLZ, hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), and transferrin receptor (TR) concentrations of children classified into the lowest versus the highest terciles of %TEI from USFB were compared using multivariable linear regression analyses after adjustment for covariates that influence nutrition. Ninety-one % of all children had consumed a USFB in the previous day. On average, 46.9% TEI came from USFB among the highest tercile consumers, compared to 5.2% TEI among the lowest. Nineteen % of children (n = 138) were stunted (LAZ < –2), 5.2% (n = 38) were wasted (WLZ < -2), while only four children were overweight/obese (WHZ > 2). Thirty-eight % of children (n = 257) were anemic and 28.7% (n = 193) had iron deficiency anemia. In the adjusted model, mean LAZ was nearly 0.3SD lower among high USFB consumers than low consumers (P = 0.003). No associations were found with WLZ or biochemical concentrations. In this LMIC context, urban 1–2 year old children who were high USFB consumers were significantly shorter compared to those who were low USFB consumers. To safeguard child nutrition in LMIC, policies and programs many need to address the increasing access and use of inexpensive, nutrient-poor USFB

Energy intake from unhealthy snack food/beverage among 12‐23‐month‐old children in urban Nepal

Unhealthy snack food and beverage (USFB) consumption among young children has been noted in many low‐income and middle‐income countries (LMIC), however, there is a lack of information on the contribution of these foods to children's diets in these contexts. This study describes the nutrient profiles and costs of snacks consumed by young children in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, and assesses the proportion of total energy intake from nonbreastmilk foods (%TEI‐NBF) contributed by USFB and factors associated with high USFB consumption. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 745 randomly sampled primary caregivers of children aged 12–23 months. Of 239 unique snack foods and beverages consumed, 180 (75.3%) were classified as unhealthy based on nutrient profiling, with 158 of these being commercially branded. Median cost/100 kcal of USFB was lower as compared with healthy snacks. Ninety‐one percent of children had consumed a USFB in the previous 24 hr, with these foods contributing a mean %TEI‐NBF of 24.5 ± 0.7 among all children. Biscuits (10.8%), candy/chocolate (3.5%), and savoury snacks (3.4%) provided the largest %TEI‐NBF. Children who were older, female, or from the poorest households had significantly higher odds of high USFB consumption, whereas children whose caregivers were of upper caste/ethnicity or had achieved tertiary education had lower odds of consumption than other children. To reduce USFB consumption, interventions should seek to further understand social/cultural drivers of feeding practices, target disadvantaged populations, and ensure caregivers are fully aware of the nutritional quality of food products they choose for their children

Unhealthy Snack Food and Beverage Consumption Is Associated with Lower Dietary Adequacy and Length-for-Age z-Scores among 12-23-Month-Olds in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of unhealthy snack foods and beverages (USFBs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is rising, with global awareness increasing about risks of overnutrition. However, little is known about the relation between USFB consumption and young children's diet/nutritional outcomes in contexts where nutrient density of complementary foods is often low. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the association of high USFB consumption, compared with low consumption, with nutrient intakes, dietary adequacy, iron status, and growth in young children in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of 745 primary caregivers of children aged 12-23 mo. Food consumption was measured through quantitative 24-h recalls, and child anthropometric measurements and capillary blood samples were collected. Using adjusted linear/logistic regression models, nutrient intakes, dietary adequacy, length-for-age and weight-for-length z-scores (LAZ and WLZ, respectively), and iron status were compared between lowest and highest tertiles of consumption based on the contribution of USFBs to total energy intakes (TEIs). Mediation of the relation between USFB consumption and LAZ via lowered dietary adequacy was explored using structural equations modeling. RESULTS: On average, USFBs contributed 46.9% of TEI among the highest tertile of consumers, compared with 5.2% of TEI among the lowest. Compared with low-USFB consumers, high-USFB consumers had lower nutrient intakes and a greater proportion were at risk of inadequate intakes for 8 nutrients. Mean LAZ was nearly 0.3 SD lower among high-USFB consumers than low consumers (P = 0.003), with this relationship partially mediated through dietary adequacy. No associations were found with stunting prevalence or iron status. Prevalence of overweight/obesity was low. CONCLUSIONS: In this LMIC context, high USFB consumption among young children was associated with inadequate micronutrient intakes, which can contribute to poor growth outcomes. Addressing increased availability of USFBs in LMIC food systems should be a priority for policies and programs aiming to safeguard child nutrition

Obstetric and neonatal outcome in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage at tertiary care hospital, Karnataka: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Background: When clinical pregnancy is established, the risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss is ~12-14%, and therefore the incidence of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) by chance alone would be in the order of 0.35%. It occurs in 0.5-3% of women. The objective of this study was to evaluate the obstetric outcome in pregnancies with history of one or more abortions.Methods: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study done at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore. Record review of cases was done from January 2005 to December 2009. Inclusion criteria were pregnancies with history of previous abortions.Results: There were 400 cases with previous history of abortions. There were 266 (66.4%) booked cases while 134 (33.5%) were unbooked cases. 272 (68.0%) patients crossed viable period of pregnancy (more than 28 weeks). Around 56 (14.0%) cases had repeat abortions, 276 (69.0%) cases underwent vaginal delivery and 124 (31.0%) underwent cesarean section. Almost 91 (22.8%) of Babies were low birth weight while others were above 2.5 kg. There were 52 (13.0%) preterm babies and 28 (7.0%) Intrauterine demise of fetuses.Conclusions: Patients with previous history of abortions are at increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcome