Prevalence of inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption and associated food choice motives among adults in an urban population in Kerala.

Background: Existing literature does not account for food choice motives associated with the non-communicable disease risk factor of an unhealthy diet, primarily characterised by inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, among adults residing in Kochi Municipal Corporation. Our study aims to measure the prevalence of inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption in this urban population and to identify priority food choice motives among individuals at risk.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 adults (mean age 46 years, men 50%) selected by cluster sampling.

Critical properties of Heider balance on multiplex networks.

Heider's structural balance theory has proven invaluable in comprehending the dynamics of social groups characterized by both friendly and hostile relationships. Since people's relations are rarely single faceted, we investigate Heider balance dynamics on a multiplex network, consisting of several copies of the same agent displaying correlated relations at different layers building the multiplex. Intralayer interactions in our model adhere to Heider dynamics, while interlayer correlations stem from Ising interactions, with the heat-bath dynamics of link signs.

Level of physical activity among adolescents in Ernakulam District, Kerala: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: For children aged 5-17 years, WHO recommends moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes daily which would account for 420 minutes of physical activity per week regardless of working days or holidays. With the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Kerala, this study aimed to assess the level of physical activity among high school students in Ernakulam District, Kerala.

Materials And Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among ninth and tenth standard students of two randomly selected schools in Ernakulam District.

An easy and cost-effective method for the isolation and culturing of neural stem/progenitor cells from the subventricular (SVZ) and dentate gyrus (DG) of adult mouse brain.

Background: Isolation of adult Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells (NSPCs) from their neurogenic niches, is a prerequisite for studies involving culturing of NSPCs as neurospheres or attached monolayers in vitro. The currently available protocols involve the use of multiple animals and expensive reagents to establish the NSPCs culture.

New Method: This unit describes a method to isolate and culture NSPCs from the two neurogenic niches in the mouse brain, the Subventricular Zone (SVZ) and Dentate gyrus (DG)/subgranular zone (SGZ), in an easy and cost-effective manner.

A retrospective study for association between post-transfusion hemoglobin S level and pre-transfusion hemoglobin S level at the next scheduled transfusion.

Background: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) frequently undergo prophylactic red blood cell (RBC) exchange transfusion and simple transfusion (RCE/T) to prevent complications of disease, such as stroke. These treatment procedures are performed with a target hemoglobin S (HbS) of ≤30%, or a goal of maintaining an HbS level of <30% immediately prior to the next transfusion. However, there is a lack of evidence-based instructions for how to perform RCE/T in a way that will result in an HbS value <30% between treatments.

Seroprevalence of COVID-19 antibody among children aged 5-17 years in an urban and rural area of Ernakulam District, Kerala.

Background: The age group of 5-17 years belongs to the vulnerable segment of the population for COVID-19 infection in India. Seroprevalence in this population can therefore allow inferences to be made about the extent of infection.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the seroprevalence and to determine the factors associated with COVID-19 antibody among children aged 5-17 years in an urban and rural area of Kochi, Kerala.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding mosquito-borne diseases among migrant laborers from a migrant settlement in Ponekkara, Ernakulam Kerala.

Background: Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) such as Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis, and Japanese Encephalitis are important public health problems in India. Ernakulam in Kerala being a hub of construction activities has a large influx of migrants from Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, U. P.

A new upper limit for effective dose in patient administered with 18F-FDG for PET/CT whole-body imaging with diagnostic CT parameters.

Introduction: The aim of present study is to estimate effective dose in patient undergoing F-FDG for whole body PET/CT imaging with diagnostic CT parameters and identify the lowest achievable total effective dose.

Method: A total of 2247 PET/CT patients with normal glucose level underwent F-FDG-whole body imaging procedures. The F-FDG dose of 3.

Microarray Analysis of the Genomic Effect of Eugenol on Methicillin-Resistant .

is a highly adaptive human pathogen responsible for serious hospital- and community-acquired infectious diseases, ranging from skin and soft tissue infections, to complicated and life-threatening conditions such as endocarditis and toxic shock syndrome (TSS). The rapid development of resistance of this organism to available antibiotics over the last few decades has necessitated a constant search for more efficacious antibacterial agents. Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) belongs to the class of chemical compounds called phenylpropanoids.

In vitro methods used for discovering plant derived products as wound healing agents - An update on the cell types and rationale.

Wounds still pose a huge burden on human health and healthcare systems in many parts of the world. Phytomedicines are being used to heal the wounds since ancient times. Now-a-days also many researchers are exploring the wound healing activity of phytomedicines.

Public health implications of Sabarimala mass gathering in India: A multi-dimensional analysis.

Introduction: Mass gathering for religious and spiritual purposes are common in India. However, mass gathering health and travel medicine is still in its infancy in India.

Objectives: The study explored bio-medical, environmental and psycho-social dimensions of mass gathering in Sabarimala pilgrimage, which is annually attended by 25 million pilgrims.

Investigating a community wide outbreak of hepatitis A in Kerala, India.

Background: There was an outbreak of acute hepatitis in Nellikuzhy panchayat of Kothamangalam taluk, Ernakulam district, Kerala, during November and early December 2016. Objective of this study is to describe the epidemiological features of the outbreak and to identify the probable source.

Materials And Methods: The outbreak was defined in terms of time, place, and person.

Kytococcus sedentarius and Micrococcus luteus: highly prevalent in indoor air and potentially deadly to the immunocompromised - should standards be set?

The multifarious types of infections contracted from indoor environments show that buildings can serve as a reservoir for infectious bacteria. This study is an investigation into the type and concentrations of bacteria in the indoor and outdoor environments of an electronic factory, an office and a winery in Malaysia. Trypticase soy agar (TSA) (with ambient air incubation) and TSA supplemented with haemin and NADH (with CO enhanced incubation) were used for the isolation of bacteria.

Impact of Prothrombin Complex Concentrate on Blood Use, Cost, and Outcomes in Heart Transplantation.

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients undergoing heart transplantation have increased bleeding risk. We compared conventional warfarin reversal with fresh frozen plasma vs 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) and the effect on transfusion requirements, blood bank costs, and clinical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review identified 60 consecutive LVAD recipients undergoing heart transplantation divided into two groups: 30 (no PCC) received fresh frozen plasma and 30 (PCC) received PCC.

Effect of photodynamic therapy adjunct to scaling and root planing in periodontitis patients: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: A randomized split-mouth controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in reducing Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) in periodontitis patients.

Methods: Twenty patients with periodontitis were recruited for the trial. Following random allocation of either quadrants of the selected jaw to test or control treatment, conventional non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) was performed.

The Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL) Consensus on Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in India: The Puri Recommendations.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditure in patients with chronic liver disease. There are no consensus guidelines on diagnosis and management of HCC in India. The Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL) set up a Task-Force on HCC in 2011, with a mandate to develop consensus guidelines for diagnosis and management of HCC, relevant to disease patterns and clinical practices in India.

Bacterial constituents of indoor air in a high throughput building in the tropics.

Airborne bacteria are significant biotic constituents of bioaerosol. Bacteria at high concentrations in the air can compromise indoor air quality (IAQ) and result in many diseases. In tropical environments like Malaysia that extensively utilize air-conditioning systems, this is particularly significant due to continuous recirculation of indoor air and the potential implications for human health.

A safe therapeutic apheresis protocol in paediatric patients weighing 11 to 25 kg.

Background And Objectives: Erythrocytapheresis and leukapheresis (LPE) of small children are logistically complex and many centres are reluctant to perform these procedures. In children, both sickle cell and leukaemic emergencies demand prompt action to prevent additional morbidity but detailed protocols for small children are lacking, and often are performed using guidelines shown to work in larger patients. We report a 3-year experience with children weighing 11-25 kg at a large academic medical centre.

Environmental enrichment exposure restrains the neuronal damage induced by diabetes and stress in the motor cortex of rat brain.

Objective: The present study was intended to assess the effect of environmental enrichment on the diabetes as well as combined actions of diabetes and stress on the neurons of the motor cortex of rat brain.

Background: Untreated diabetes mellitus causes severe insults to the neurons of the central nervous system. Treatment with environmental enrichment is known for producing significant and reliable neuronal changes in the neurological disorders of central nervous system.

In vitro antibacterial effects of Cinnamomum extracts on common bacteria found in wound infections with emphasis on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cinnamomum species have been widely used in many traditional systems of medicine around the world. In the Malaysian traditional system of medicine, the leaves, stem bark and stem wood of Cinnamomum iners, Cinnamomum porrectum, Cinnamomum altissimum and Cinnamomum impressicostatum have been used to treat wound infections. To study the antibacterial effects of Cinnamomum iners, Cinnamomum porrectum, Cinnamomum altissimum and Cinnamomum impressicostatum against common bacteria found in wound infections with primary focus on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Serum ferritin and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liver disease of viral etiology: a case-control study.

Background: The worldwide incidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) vary widely. Some countries like India have a low incidence despite having a large burden of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infection. We hypothesized that long-term iron deficiency could attenuate the hepatic inflammation and lead to a lower incidence of HCC in India than expected.

A comparative observational study of early versus delayed feeding after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the procedure of choice for long-term enteral feeding.

Objective: This prospective observational study was carried out to compare the safety of commencing feeding 3 h compared to 16-24 h after PEG tube placement.

Methods: One hundred and ten patients with oropharyngeal malignancies who had consented for PEG were enrolled.