Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection among Smokeless Tobacco-using Tribal Women in Mysuru, India.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) is consumed by more than 300 million people worldwide. Studies show high use among Indian indigenous women who are also at high risk for oral cancers. Both human papillomavirus infection (HPV) and SLT have been associated with oral cancer, this study examined the presence of high-risk HPV in oral samples collected from tribal smokeless tobacco users in Mysuru, India.

Prevalence and correlates of metabolic syndrome among women living in urban slums, Mysore, India.

Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) is a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). About a third of urban Indians suffer from MetSyn. This study examined the prevalence of MetSyn among women living in urban slums.

Phylogenetic analyses of Salmonella detected along the broiler production chain in Trinidad and Tobago.

This study was conducted to determine the phylogenies of Salmonella strains isolated from cross-sectional studies conducted at hatcheries, broiler farms, processing plants, and retail outlets (broiler production chain) in Trinidad and Tobago over 4 yr (2016-2019). Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to characterize Salmonella isolates. Core genome phylogenies of 8 serovars of public health significance were analyzed for similarities in origin and relatedness.

Evaluating the moderating role of accredited social health activists on adverse birth outcomes in rural India.

Background: The Indian government established the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) program in 2006 to improve access and healthcare coverage in rural regions. The objective of this study was to examine the moderating role of ASHA home visits and ASHA-accompanied antenatal care visits (ANC) on the relationship between sociodemographic latent classes of pregnant women and preterm birth and low birth weight infants in rural Mysore District, India.

Methods: Utilizing a prospective cohort study conducted between 2011 and 2014, secondary data analysis was performed among 1540 pregnant women in rural Mysore, India.

Genomic Comparison of Eight Closed Genomes of Multidrug-Resistant Strains Isolated From Broiler Farms and Processing Plants in Trinidad and Tobago.

is an important foodborne pathogen worldwide. We used long and short-read sequencing to close genomes of eight multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, belonging to serovars Infantis (2), Albany, Oranienburg, I 4,[5],12:i:-, Javiana, Schwarzengrund, and Kentucky from broiler chicken farms and processing plants in Trinidad and Tobago. They also belonged to seven different sequence types (STs- 32, 292, 1510, 19, 24, 152, and 96).

Molecular Characterization of Detected along the Broiler Production Chain in Trinidad and Tobago.

This cross-sectional study determined the serovars, antimicrobial resistance genes, and virulence factors of isolated from hatcheries, broiler farms, processing plants, and retail outlets in Trinidad and Tobago. in silico serotyping detected 23 different serovars where Kentucky 20.5% (30/146), Javiana 19.

Sociodemographic patterns of preterm birth and low birth weight among pregnant women in rural Mysore district, India: A latent class analysis.

Few studies have utilized person-centered approaches to examine co-occurrence of risk factors among pregnant women in low-and middle-income settings. The objective of this study was to utilize latent class analysis (LCA) to identify sociodemographic patterns and assess the association of these patterns on preterm birth (PTB) and/or low birth weight (LBW) in rural Mysore District, India. Secondary data analysis of a prospective cohort study among 1540 pregnant women was conducted.

Occurrence, Risk Factors, Serotypes, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella Strains Isolated from Imported Fertile Hatching Eggs, Hatcheries, and Broiler Farms in Trinidad and Tobago.

Abstract: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the occurrence, risk factors, and characteristics of Salmonella isolates recovered from imported fertile broiler hatching eggs, hatcheries, and broiler farms in Trinidad and Tobago. Standard methods were used to isolate and characterize Salmonella isolates from two broiler hatcheries and 27 broiler farms in the country. The frequency of isolation of Salmonella was 0.

Parity and later life risk for coronary heart disease among slum-dwelling women in Mysore, India.

Background: To examine the role of parity in coronary heart disease (CHD) among middle-aged Indian women living in government-designated slums in Mysore, India.

Methods: Between October 2017 and May 2018, a cross-sectional study was carried out among women, 40-64 years of age, residing in government-designated slums in Mysore, India. In addition to socio-demographics, data were collected on CVD risk factors including use of tobacco and alcohol, diet, physical activity, sleep, quality of life, and personal and family history of chronic disease.

Characterization of Isolates Recovered from Stages of the Processing Lines at Four Broiler Processing Plants in Trinidad and Tobago.

This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors for contamination of chicken with at four operating broiler processing plants in Trinidad. Standard methods were used to isolate and characterize the isolates. The overall prevalence of at the four processing plants was 27.

Community-based Mobile Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Rural India: Successes and Challenges for Implementation.

Background: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility; mention the challenges encountered and highlight the success of implementing a community-based mobile cervical cancer-screening program in rural India.

Methods: Communities were mobilized through extensive peer education and by screening in existing community spaces using a mobile clinic model. An initial "screen and treat" protocol was transitioned to "screen, test, and treat" using Pap smears for confirmatory testing, and cryotherapy or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) for treatment.

Closed Genome Sequence of a Salmonella enterica Serotype Senftenberg Strain Carrying the Gene Isolated from Broken Chicken Eggshells in Trinidad and Tobago.

Salmonella enterica is a highly important foodborne pathogen worldwide. We report the complete genome sequence of a sequence type 14 Salmonella enterica serotype Senftenberg strain carrying the gene in a plasmid isolated from broken chicken eggshells in Trinidad and Tobago, obtained by using a combination of long- and short-read sequencing.

The impact of information about tobacco-related reproductive vs. general health risks on South Indian women's tobacco use decisions.

Smokeless tobacco use among Indian women is increasing despite prevention efforts. Evolutionary theories suggest that reproductive-aged women should be more concerned about immediate threats to reproduction than threats to survival occurring late in life. This study therefore compared an anti-tobacco intervention that emphasized near-term reproductive harms to one involving general harms occurring later in life.

Size at birth and cognitive function among rural adolescents: a life course epidemiology study protocol of the Kisalaya cohort in Mysuru, South India.

Introduction: It is proven that adverse intrauterine environment results in 'early life programming,' alterations in metabolism and physiological development of the fetus, often termed as 'Developmental Origins of Health and Disease' (DOHaD) resulting in a smaller size at birth, greater non-communicable diseases (NCD) risk factors during childhood and adolescence, and cardiometabolic disorders in adulthood. Nevertheless, very few studies have examined the relationship between DOHaD programming and cognition. This study aims to examine if impaired prenatal growth indicated by birth weight is associated with cognition among adolescents in the Kisalaya cohort, a rural birth cohort in South India, thus providing newer insights into DOHaD programming for adolescent mental health in a low-income and middle-income country setting.

Cohort profile: the Kisalaya cohort of mother-infant dyads in rural south India (2008-2012).

The Kisalaya cohort was established in 2008, providing integrated antenatal care (ANC) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in order to reduce adverse birth outcomes and pediatric HIV infections. The program used a mobile clinic model to deliver health education, ANC, and HIV/sexually transmitted infection testing and management to pregnant women in rural communities in southern India. This cohort includes pregnant women residing in 144 villages of the Mysuru taluk (a rural region) who received ANC through the mobile clinic and delivered their infants between 2008 and 2011.

The association between social support through contacts with Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and antenatal anxiety among women in Mysore, India: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: In India, antenatal anxiety prevalence estimates range from 6 to 48%. Social support is strongly associated with mental wellbeing, yet most studies have examined the impact of support from partners and family members rather than peers, community members, or health care providers. This study explores the supportive role of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) contacts for antenatal anxiety.

Exploring biocultural models of chewing tobacco and paan among reproductive-aged women: Self-medication, protection, or gender inequality?

Objectives: Tobacco and areca nut are two of the most widely used psychoactive plant substances worldwide, yet the biocultural factors that account for variation in use patterns are not well understood. Here we attempt to understand the high prevalence of, and variation in, tobacco and areca nut use among reproductive-aged women.

Methods: Research was carried out in Mysore, Karnataka, India.

A community-based, cross-sectional study of hrHPV DNA self-sampling-based cervical cancer screening in rural Karnataka, India.

Objective: To examine the feasibility of implementing a high-risk HPV (hrHPV) DNA-based screening program for cervical cancer and the prevalence of hrHPV DNA-positive women in a community setting in rural India.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the community level in the Hunsur taluk of the Mysore district from January to August 2016. Cervical cancer screening was conducted with self-collected vaginal samples that were analyzed using the Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) assay (Qiagen, USA).

Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella Isolates Recovered from Chickens Sold at Retail Outlets in Trinidad.

This study determined the frequency of resistance of 135 isolates of Salmonella, including 15 serotypes recovered from chickens purchased from retail outlets (cottage processors and supermarkets) across Trinidad. Resistance to 16 antimicrobial agents was determined by using the disk diffusion method. Resistance among the isolates was related to the type of retail outlet, location of outlets, type of sample, and isolate serotype.

Prevalence and serotypes of Salmonella spp. on chickens sold at retail outlets in Trinidad.

Background: This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and their serotypes on dressed chicken sold at retail outlets in Trinidad. The study also investigated the risk factors for contamination of dressed carcasses by Salmonella spp.

Comparison of culture-dependent and culture-independent molecular methods for characterization of vaginal microflora.

Purpose: To date, molecular methods that circumvent the limitations of traditional culture methods have not been used to describe the vaginal microflora in India. Here, we compared culture and culture-independent molecular methods in characterizing the vaginal microbiota in Indian women.

Methodology: Culture methods involved traditional cultivation on Rogosa and sheep blood agar, whereas culture-independent methods bypassed a culturing step by performing broadrange 16S rDNA PCR on DNA isolated directly from vaginal swabs.

The distribution and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna in Pondicherry mangroves, India.

Background: Species distribution, abundance and diversity of mangrove benthic macroinvertebrate fauna and the relationships to environmental conditions are important parts of understanding the structure and function of mangrove ecosystems. In this study seasonal variation in the distribution of macrobenthos and related environmental parameters were explored at four mangrove stations along the Pondicherry coast of India, from September 2008 to July 2010. Multivariate statistical analyses, including cluster analysis, principal component analysis and non-multidimensional scales plot were employed to help define trophic status, water quality and benthic characteristic at the four monitoring stations.

Management of fresh water weeds (macrophytes) by vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida.

In the present study, potential of Eisenia fetida to recycle the different types of fresh water weeds (macrophytes) used as substrate in different reactors (Azolla pinnata reactor, Trapa natans reactor, Ceratophyllum demersum reactor, free-floating macrophytes mixture reactor, and submerged macrophytes mixture reactor) during 2 months experiment is investigated. E. fetida showed significant variation in number and weight among the reactors and during the different fortnights (P <0.

Edible wild plants of pastorals at high-altitude grasslands of Gurez Valley, Kashmir, India.

Alpine grasslands of Kashmir are a storehouse of numerous wild edible plants, besides serving as summer pastures for the flocks of various ethnic communities. Throughout these grasslands, pastorals, nomads, and other indigenous communities collect and use these plants in several different ways. This article reports the richness, distribution, use, mode of use, and frequency of use of edible wild plants by three ethnic communities viz.