Double burden of malnutrition among Indian schoolchildren and its measurement: a cross-sectional study in a single school.

Objective: This cross-sectional study set in a single school on the outskirts of a large city aimed to document the extent of double burden of malnutrition (coexistence of overnutrition and undernutrition) among Indian schoolchildren from lower socioeconomic groups, and to determine if mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) can be used as a proxy for body mass index (BMI).

Subjects: The total number of participants was 1444, comprising 424 girls and 1020 boys belonging to playgroups and grades 1 to 7.

Measurements: Anthropometric measurements, such as participants' MUAC, height and weight were measured using standard techniques.

Out-of-pocket nonmedical expenses associated with out-patient treatment of common childhood illnesses.

Background: Out-of-pocket expenses, medical and non-medical, have an impoverishing effect on the family.

Objective: Determine non-medical out-of-pocket expenses incurred during out-patient attendance for primary care services.

Methods: A descriptive survey was undertaken at a rural medical college using interviewer-administered questionnaire to parents of children <6 years over a period of 6 weeks.

Teaching primary care in pediatric outpatient department in developing countries: a feasibility study.

We studied the feasibility of teaching primary care to undergraduate medical students in an outpatient department (OPD) using a specially developed teaching package. Teaching was conducted in four 30 min sessions during a 4 week rotation term, and a test was offered at the end. We concluded, on the basis of grades achieved in the test, that it is feasible to impart primary care knowledge through OPD teaching using structured teaching goals for teachers.

Development of cell-based assays for in vitro characterization of hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease inhibitors.

A recombinant vaccinia virus, expressing the NS3-to-NS5 region of the N clone of hepatitis C virus (HCV), was generated and utilized both in a gel-based assay and in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate the pyrrolidine-5,5-trans-lactams, a series of inhibitors of the HCV NS3/4A protease. The absolute levels of processed, mature HCV nonstructural proteins in this system were found to decrease in the presence of the trans-lactams. Monitoring of this reduction enabled end points and 50% inhibitory concentrations to be calculated in order to rank the active compounds according to potency.