Engineered graphene quantum dot nanocomposite triggers α-synuclein defibrillation: Therapeutics against Parkinson's disease.

Emerging clinically required α-synuclein (α-syn) inhibitor which acts as a neuroprotective nanocomposite drug is in increased demand as a patient-safe central nervous system therapeutic. This inhibitor is intended to chemically engineer graphene quantum dot (GQD) with blue luminescence, and stands to be a potential cure for Parkinson's disease. It has been theorized that α-syn aggregation is a critical step in the development of Parkinson's.

Effect of Structured Physical Activity on Inflammation and Immune Activation Profile of Antiretroviral Therapy-Experienced Children Living With HIV.

Aim: To compare the markers of inflammation and immune activation in virally suppressed HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy, who practiced regular structured exercise comprising running and yoga to those who did not over a 2-year period.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 72 children aged 8 to 16 years divided into 2 groups, exercisers (n = 36) and the nonexercisers (n = 36) based on their intentional physical activity. The analyses were carried out at baseline and after 2 years (Y2) for the soluble biomarkers of inflammation and immune activation (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interferon gamma, sCD14, and sCD163).

Effect of a Community Health Worker-Delivered Parental Education and Counseling Intervention on Anemia Cure Rates in Rural Indian Children: A Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Iron deficiency anemia, the largest cause of anemia worldwide, adversely affects cognitive development in children. Moreover, the imperceptible childhood anemia prevalence reduction in response to anemia control measures is associated with tremendous social and economic cost.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of community-based parental education/counseling when combined with usual treatment on children's anemia cure rate.

Viral evolution in the cell-associated HIV-1 DNA during early ART can lead to drug resistance and virological failure in children.

Using cell-associated DNA and cell-free RNA of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), we investigated the role of drug-resistant viral variants that emerged during early antiretroviral therapy (ART) in determining virological outcome. This case-control study compared virologic nonresponder children (two viral loads [VLs] ≥ 200 copies/mL within 2 years of ART) and responder children (two VLs < 200 copies/mL after six months of ART) infected with HIV-1 initiated on nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based ART. The partial reverse-transcriptase gene of HIV-1 in cell-associated DNA was genotyped using next-generation sequencing (NGS; Illumina; threshold 0.

Optimizing diagnostic biomarkers of iron deficiency anemia in community-dwelling Indian women and preschool children.

The detection of iron deficiency anemia is challenged by the paucity of diagnostic tests demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity. Using two biomarkers, zinc-protoporphyrin/heme and hepcidin, we established the diagnostic cut-off values for iron deficiency anemia in preschool children and women. We randomly selected non-anemic individuals (n=190; women=90, children=100) and individuals with iron deficiency anemia (n=200; women=100, children=100) from a preexisting cohort of healthy preschool children and their mothers.

Investigation on paper cup waste degradation by bacterial consortium and Eudrillus eugeinea through vermicomposting.

Disposable Paper cups are a threat to the environment and are composed of 90% high strength paper with 5% thin coating of polyethylene. This polyethylene prevents the paper cup from undergoing degradation in the soil. Hence, in the present study two different approaches towards the management of paper cup waste through vermicomposting technology has been presented.

The Epidemiology of IRIS in Southern India: An Observational Cohort Study.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is an uncommon but dynamic phenomenon seen among patients initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). We aimed to describe incidence, risk factors, clinical spectrum, and outcomes among ART-naive patients experiencing IRIS in southern India. Among 599 eligible patients monitored prospectively between 2012 and 2014, there were 59.

Anemia, diet and therapeutic iron among children living with HIV: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Children living with HIV have higher-than-normal prevalence of anemia. The beneficial effect of therapeutic iron has been questioned in the setting of high prevalence of infections. This study examines anemia prevalence and effect of standard therapeutic iron on HIV disease progression among children.

Longitudinal Analysis of Adherence to First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy: Evidence of Treatment Sustainability from an Indian HIV Cohort.

Introduction: Given the chronic nature of HIV infection and the need for life-long antiretroviral therapy (ART), maintaining long-term optimal adherence is an important strategy for maximizing treatment success. In order to understand better the dynamic nature of adherence behaviors in India where complex cultural and logistic features prevail, we assessed the patterns, trajectories and time-dependent predictors of adherence levels in relation to virological failure among individuals initiating first-line ART in India.

Methods: Between July 2010 and August 2013, eligible ART-naïve HIV-infected individuals newly initiating first-line ART within the national program at three sites in southern India were enrolled and monitored for two years.

Potentiality of Eisenia fetida to degrade disposable paper cups-an ecofriendly solution to solid waste pollution.

The aim of the present study was to subject the post-consumer waste, namely paper cups for vermicomposting along with cow dung in three different ratios for a period of 90-140 days employing Eisenia fetida. The post-consumer wastes are a menace in many developing countries including India. This waste was provided as feed for earthworms and was converted to vermicompost.

Influence of adverse drug reactions on treatment success: prospective cohort analysis of HIV-infected individuals initiating first-line antiretroviral therapy in India.

Introduction: Adverse drug reactions related to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remain a challenge in resource-limited settings, often causing significant morbidity and impaired adherence leading to treatment failure. This 2-year prospective study aimed to describe patterns and predictors of adverse reactions to first-line ART and assess the impact of these events on treatment success.

Methods: Between 2010-2013, 321 ART-naïve eligible adults were enrolled at two clinics in southern India.

Supporting adherence to antiretroviral therapy with mobile phone reminders: results from a cohort in South India.

Background: Adherence is central to the success of antiretroviral therapy. Supporting adherence has gained importance in HIV care in many national treatment programs. The ubiquity of mobile phones, even in resource-constrained settings, has provided an opportunity to utilize an inexpensive, contextually feasible technology for adherence support in HIV in these settings.

Growth patterns and anaemia status of HIV-infected children living in an institutional facility in India.

Objective: To understand the health status of HIV orphans in a well-structured institutional facility in India.

Method: Prospective longitudinal analysis of growth and anaemia prevalence among these children, between June 2008 and May 2011.

Results: A total of 85 HIV-infected orphan children residing at Sneha Care Home, Bangalore, for at least 1 year, were included in the analysis.

Supporting patient adherence to antiretrovirals using mobile phone reminders: patient responses from South India.

There has been exponential growth in the use of mobile phones in India over the last few years, and their potential benefits as a healthcare tool has raised tremendous interest. We used mobile phone reminders to help support adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV patients at an infectious disease clinic in a tertiary hospital in Bangalore. Between March and June 2010, 139 adult HIV patients taking regular ART for at least a month received weekly reminders to support adherence.

Higher prevalence of predicted X4-tropic strains in perinatally infected older children with HIV-1 subtype C in India.

Background: Coreceptor switch from CCR5 to CXCR4 is considered to be less common in HIV-1 subtype C even in advanced stages of infection. In this study, we have examined viral genotypic coreceptor tropism and its clinical, virological, and host genetic determinants among perinatally infected children in India.

Methods: Genotypic coreceptor tropism analysis was conducted on env V3 sequences using Geno2pheno with a threshold of 10% false-positive rate.

The prevalence and etiology of anemia among HIV-infected children in India.

Unlabelled: In this report, the prevalence and multifactorial etiology of anemia among Indian human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children are described. HIV-infected children aged 2-12 years were prospectively enrolled in 2007-2008. Measured parameters included serum ferritin, vitamin B(12), red-cell folate, soluble transferrin receptor, and C-reactive protein.

Naturally occurring polymorphisms and primary drug resistance profile among antiretroviral-naive individuals in Bangalore, India.

Although India has a large burden of HIV infection, good access to first-line antiretroviral therapy is widely available. However, understanding HIV resistance-associated mutations and polymorphisms is critical for continued success. The RT region of the HIV-1 pol gene was studied among 21 ART-naive HIV-1-infected individuals from South India.

Designing a mobile phone-based intervention to promote adherence to antiretroviral therapy in South India.

Integration of mobile phone technology into HIV care holds potential, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Clinic attendees in urban and rural South India were surveyed to ascertain usage of mobile phones and perceptions of their use as an adherence aid. Mobile phone ownership was high at 73%; 26% reported shared ownership.

A pilot study on awareness of diabetic retinopathy among non-medical persons in South India. The challenge for eye care programmes in the region.

This study was conducted to determine awareness and practices relating to diabetic retinopathy among non-medical persons in a south Indian population. In this population-based cross-sectional study, trained social workers conducted face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire with 200 randomly selected paramedical personnel and 204 persons randomly selected from the community. Responses were graded on a five-point scale.

Utilization of community-based rehabilitation services for incurably blind persons in a rural population of southern India.

Purpose: To identify barriers in utilisation of community based rehabilitation (CBR) services for incurably blind persons in rural South India.

Methods: A community-based rehabilitation programme for incurably blind persons was initiated in Theni district of southern Tamil Nadu in south India. After door-to-door enumeration and preliminary ocular screening by trained workers at the village, identified blind persons were categorised as either curable or incurable by an ophthalmologist.

Can the bruckner test be used as a rapid screening test to detect amblyogenic factors in developing countries?

Purpose: To determine the usefulness of the Brückner test as a screening tool for detection of amblyogenic factors in developing countries.

Methods: A double blind prospective study of 101 children aged 1 to 16 years attending the pediatric ophthalmology department of a tertiary eye care center. A trained optometrist masked to clinical findings of the subject performed the Brückner test in a dark room using a direct ophthalmoscope and compared differences in brightness of the pupillary reflex of both eyes.