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Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is the co-occurrence of abnormalities that can ultimately increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in a particular individual. The abnormalities include hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and obesity. As the tribal population is now living a transitioning lifestyle, they are also becoming susceptible to various key factors responsible for the metabolic syndrome. The study of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the tribal population is a necessary step to know its true status. Aim & objective of the study: To estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults of Baiga tribe population of Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh. Methodology: The present study is a cross-sectional study, in which 791 respondents from the Baiga tribe of Dindori district, Madhya Pradesh, India screened for metabolic syndrome. The villages were selected by cluster sampling and the respondents by simple random sampling from age 18 years–65 years. The respondents were subjected to WHO STEP-wise approach to the NCD risk factor surveillance questionnaire for socio-demographic, behavioral, physical activity, and clinical measurements. Subsequently, anthropometric measurements were done and blood & urine samples were collected for the biochemical tests. The dietary patterns were recorded by a self-designed, catering tribal diets food frequency questionnaire. The criteria used for determination were given by the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III). Results & analysis: According to NCEP ATP III criteria, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Baiga tribe of Dindori district was observed to be 7.83 %, in which males accounted for 6.9 % and females for 9.2 %. Discussions: The present study shows a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome among the tribal population. This can be inferred as the situation in the tribal population is as serious as it is in the urban population. The situation can become more complicated as the tribal population lives in remote and secluded areas and has poor diagnostic and treatment facilities as compared to the urban population. Thus, immediate attention is required from the tribal health policymakers to intervene in this matter.

BackgroundMortality statistics are vital for health policy development, epidemiological research, and health care service planning. A robust surveillance system is essential for obtaining vital information such as cause of death (CoD) information. ObjectiveThis study aims to develop a comprehensive model to strengthen the CoD information in the selected study sites. The specific objectives are (1) to identify the best practices and challenges in the functioning of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system with respect to mortality statistics and CoD information; (2) to develop and implement interventions to strengthen the CoD information; (3) to evaluate the quality improvement of the Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD); and (4) to improve the CoD information at the population level through verbal autopsy for noninstitutional deaths in the selected study sites. MethodsAn uncontrolled, before-after, mixed method study will be conducted in 3 blocks located in the districts of 3 states (Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha) in India. A baseline assessment to identify the best practices and challenges in the functioning of the CRVS system, along with a quality assessment of the MCCD, will be conducted. An intervention informed by existing literature and the baseline assessment will be developed and implemented in the study sites. The major components of intervention will include a Training of Trainers workshop, orientation of stakeholders in the functioning of the CRVS system, training of physicians and medical officers in the MCCD, and training of community health workers in World Health Organization Verbal Autopsy 2022 instrument. Postintervention evaluation will be carried out to assess the impact made by the intervention on the availability and quality improvement of CoD information in the selected study sites. The outcome will be measured in terms of the quality improvement of the MCCD and the availability of CoD information at population level through verbal autopsy in the selected study sites. ResultsThe project has been funded, and regulatory approval has been obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. The data collection process began in May 2023. The duration of the study will be for 24 months. ConclusionsOur study is expected to provide a valuable contribution toward strengthening CoD information, which could be helpful for policy making and further research. The intervention model will be developed in collaboration with the existing functionaries of the health and CRVS systems in the selected study sites that are engaged in reporting and recording CoD information; this will ensure sustainability and provide lessons for upscaling, with the aim to improve the reporting of CoD information in the country. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/51493

Human gut microbial species are crucial for dietary metabolism and biosynthesis of micronutrients. Digested products are utilised by the host as well as several gut bacterial species. These species are influenced by various factors such as diet, age, geographical location, and ethnicity. India is home to the largest human population in the world. It is spread across diverse ecological and geographical locations. With variable dietary habits and lifestyles, Indians have unique gut microbial composition. This review captures contrasting and common trends of gut bacterial community establishment in infants (born through different modes of delivery), and how that bacterial community manifests itself along infancy, through old age between Indian and global populations. Because dysbiosis of the gut community structure is associated with various diseases, this review also highlights the common and unique bacterial species associated with various communicable as well as noncommunicable diseases such as diarrhoea, amoebiasis, malnutrition, type 2 diabetes, obesity, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and gut inflammation and damage to the brain in the global and Indian population.

Background & objectives: Emerging zoonotic and vector-borne diseases are posing new challenges to public health authorities. Morbidities and mortalities due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a serious health problem in paediatric patients. We conducted serological investigations on AES cases from six districts of north eastern Madhya Pradesh (MP), India for Japanese encephalitis (JE). Methods: The paired serum and CSF samples were collected from paediatric patients having signs and symptoms of encephalitis and admitted at a tertiary care hospital during the study period from August 2020 to October 2021. Demographic and clinical information was collected in predesigned formats. Serum and CSF were subjected to JE IgM specific ELISA. Results: Samples from 110 patients were collected during the study period of which 28 (25.4%) were reactive for JE IgM antibodies. JE IgM positivity was marginally higher in male children (26.6%) as compared to female children (22.8%). Out of 28 positive cases, 11 (39.2%) deaths were attributed to JE. Four districts of north eastern Madhya Pradesh showed JE activity. Maximum cases were observed in post-monsoon season. Interpretation & conclusion: Our results show that JEV is an emerging threat in eastern central India and health authorities need to be vigilant. A systematic molecular and serological survey among humans and animals along with xenomonitoring will help in understanding intricacies of JE epidemiology in the region.

Diabetes has emerged as one the leading detrimental factors for human life expectancy worldwide. The disease is mainly considered as outcome of dysregulation in glucose metabolism, resulting in consistent high glucose concentration in blood. At initial stages, the diabetes particularly type 2 diabetes, is manageable by lifestyle interventions such as regular physical activity and diet with less carbohydrates. However, in advance stage, regular intake of external insulin dose and medicines like metformin are recommended. The long-term consumption of metformin is associated with several side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, lectic acidosis etc., In this scenario, several plant-based medicines have shown promising potential for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Berberine is the bioactive compound present in the different plant parts of berberis family. Biochemical studies have shown that berberine improve insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Additionally, berberine induces glucose metabolism by activating AMPK signaling and inhibition of inflammation. A series of studies have demonstrated the antidiabetic potential of berberine at in vitro, pre-clinical and clinical trials. This review provides comprehensive details of preventive and therapeutic potential of berberine against diabetes.

IntroductionA community-based health survey was conducted in Tamnar block, Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh, India.MethodologyA total of 909 individuals (adults) were selected from 909 households from 33 sampled villages from March 2019 to February 2020. All individuals were clinically examined, and observations were recorded.ResultsAmong adults older than 18 years, hypertension was observed in 21.7%. Type II diabetes was observed in only 4.0% of individuals. Tuberculosis was seen in 23 (2.5%) individuals.DiscussionCommon morbidities were similar in tribal and non-tribal communities living in the same area. For communicable diseases, being male, having nutritional deficiencies, and smoking were independent risk factors. For non-communicable diseases, the independent significant risk factors identified were being male, an altered body mass index, disturbed sleep, smoking, and nutritional deficiencies.