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Fully domesticated rice is considered to have emerged in India at approximately 2000 B.C., although its origin in India remains a contentious issue. The fast-growing 60-days rice strain described in the Vedic literature (1900–500 B.C.) and termed Shashtika (Sanskrit) or Njavara (Dravidian etymology) in Ayurveda texts including the seminal texts Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita (circa 660–1000 B.C.) is a reliable extant strain among the numerous strains described in the Ayurveda literature. We here report the results of the phylogenetic analysis of Njavara accessions in relation to the cultivars belonging to the known ancestral sub-groups indica, japonica, aromatic, and aus in rice gene pool and the populations of the progenitor species Oryza rufipogon using genetic and gene genealogical methods. Based on neutral microsatellite markers, Njavara produced a major clade, which comprised of minor clades corresponding to the genotypic classes reported in Njavara germplasm, and was distinct from that were produced by the ancestral sub-groups. Further we performed a phylogenetic analysis using the combined sequence of 19 unlinked EST-based sequence tagged site (STS) loci with proven potential in inferring rice phylogeny. In the phylogenetic tree also the Njavara genotypic classes were clearly separated from the ancestral sub-groups. For most loci the genealogical analysis produced a high frequency central haplotype shared among most of the rice samples analyzed in the study including Njavara and a set of O. rufipogon accessions. The haplotypes sharing pattern with the progenitor O. rufipogon suggests a Central India–Southeast Asia origin for Njavara. Results signify that Njavara is genetically distinct in relation to the known ancestral sub-groups in rice. Further, from the phylogenetic features together with the reported morphological characteristics, it is likely that Njavara is an extant early domesticate in Indian rice gene pool, preserved in pure form over millennia by the traditional prudence in on-farm selection using 60-days maturity, because of its medicinal applications.

A descriptive Study on Assessment of the psychological wellbeing residing in pooncheri rural community area in kancheepuram (dist.), Tamil Nadu India. The objectives are to assess psychological wellbeing of elderly people. To find out the association between levels of psychological wellbeing of elderly people and selected demographic variables of elderly people. The sampling technique was non-probability, purposive sampling technique with 111 samples of elderly people and WHO standardized psychological wellbeing scale were used to assess psychological wellbeing of elderly. The demographic variables Performa, were used to collect data. The data collection tools were validated and reliability was established. The data collection for the main study was done. The collected data was tabulated and analyzed, using descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority of elderly 71.2% had adequate, 28.8% had moderate wellbeing, There no poor wellbeing. The psychological wellbeing mean value is 57.34. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood obesity is a major public health crisis nationally and internationally. Hence, effective intervention strategies are being used to prevent and control obesity in children is necessary8. The study was conducted to assess the knowledge on factors influencing childhood obesity among school children in selected schools at Kanchipuram. District, Tamil Nadu. The objectives of the study were to assess the Knowledge on factors influencing childhood obesity and to associate the Knowledge on factors influencing childhood obesity among school children with selected demographic variables. By using descriptive research design and by using simple random sampling the total of 60 samples were selected. The study finding revealed that the frequency distribution in the study shows that majority 3(5%) were having adequate knowledge, 37(62%) of them having moderate knowledge and 20(33%) of them having inadequate knowledge on childhood obesity. Regarding association there is significant association of factors influencing childhood obesity among school children with selected demographic variables like type of family, monthly family income, dietary habit, height in cms and there is no significant association between factors influencing childhood obesity with demographic variables like age, number of sibling to children, education status and weight in kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cough is a major symptom of respiratory and some non-respiratory ailments for which patients usually seek primary medical care. Homoeopathy is frequently used for treatment of chronic cough. Objective: This study aims to assess whether homoeopathy is useful for treating chronic cough resulting from Upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), Asthma and related syndromes, or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Study Design: A multi-centre, prospective, observational cohort study was design. Study setting: The study was conducted in the outpatient departments of 10 centres of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, India from May 2018 - June 2020. Patients: The study enrolled patients of any gender, between 7-65 years of age, presenting cough lasting >8 weeks. Main Outcome Measure(s): Cough Severity Index (CSI) and EQ-5D-5L scales were used to analyse the outcomes. Results: Out of 2397 patients screened, only 706 cases with minimum four follow ups were studied on modified Intention to Treat (mITT) basis. The outcomes of the study were analysed by CSI and EQ-5D-5L scores. The mean of the CSI score at baseline was 19.09 while it reduced to 3.89 in the eighth follow-up with p value p-value<0.05. Phosphorus, Arsenic album, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Lycopodium and Silica were found to be the most often prescribed medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the association and possible predictive role of visfatin, resistin, fetuin-A and chemerin with incident type 2 diabetes (T2DM) among Asian Indians with prediabetes. Their association with insulin resistance, β-cell function, glycaemia and anthropometry were also studied. This is a nested case-control study of a large 2-year prospective prevention trial in persons at high risk of developing T2DM. Baseline HbA1c values between 6.0% (42 mmol/mol) and 6.2% (44 mmol/mol) were chosen for this analysis (n = 144). At follow-up, persons with incident T2DM (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, 48 mmol/mol) were grouped as cases (n = 72) and those reverted to normoglycaemia, (HbA1c < 5.7% (39 mmol/mol) as controls (n = 72). Insulin resistance showed the strongest association with incident T2DM ((Odds Ratio (OR): 23.22 [95%CI 6.36-84.77]; p < 0.0001). Baseline visfatin (OR: 6.56 [95%CI 2.21-19.5]; p < 0.001) and fetuin-A (OR: 1.01 [95%CI (1.01-1.04)]; p < 0.0001) independently contributed to the conversion of prediabetes to T2DM. The contribution was significantly higher when their elevated levels coexisted (OR: 12.63 [95%CI 3.57-44.63]; p < 0.0001). The area under the curve was 0.77 ± SE 0.4 (95%CI 0.69-0.85) and 0.80 ± SE 0.04 (95%CI 0.73-0.88) for visfatin (median 17.7 ng/ml, sensitivity and specificity: 75%, p < 0.0001) and fetuin-A (mean 236.2 µg/ml, sensitivity: 71%, specificity: 75%, p < 0.0001) respectively. Higher baseline visfatin and fetuin-A concentrations are strongly associated with incident T2DM and are predictive of future diabetes., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Aims/hypothesis: This randomised controlled trial was performed in India and the UK in people with prediabetes to study whether mobile phone short message service (SMS) text messages can be used to motivate and educate people to follow lifestyle modifications, to prevent type 2 diabetes., Methods: The study was performed in people with prediabetes (n = 2062; control: n = 1031; intervention: n = 1031) defined by HbA 1c ≥42 and ≤47 mmol/mol (≥6.0% and ≤6.4%). Participants were recruited from public and private sector organisations in India (men and women aged 35-55 years) and by the National Health Service (NHS) Health Checks programme in the UK (aged 40-74 years without pre-existing diabetes, cardiovascular disease or kidney disease). Allocation to the study groups was performed using a computer-generated sequence (1:1) in India and by stratified randomisation in permuted blocks in the UK. Investigators in both countries remained blinded throughout the study period. All participants received advice on a healthy lifestyle at baseline. The intervention group in addition received supportive text messages using mobile phone SMS messages 2-3 times per week. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 6, 12 and 24 months. The primary outcome was conversion to type 2 diabetes and secondary outcomes included anthropometry, biochemistry, dietary and physical activity changes, blood pressure and quality of life., Results: At the 2 year follow-up (n = 2062; control: n = 1031; intervention: n = 1031), in the intention-to-treat population the HR for development of type 2 diabetes calculated using a discrete-time proportional hazards model was 0.89 (95% CI 0.74, 1.07; p = 0.22). There were no significant differences in the secondary outcomes., Conclusions/interpretation: This trial in two countries with varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds showed no significant reduction in the progression to diabetes in 2 years by lifestyle modification using SMS messaging., Trial Registration: The primary study was registered on www.ClinicalTrials.gov (India, NCT01570946; UK, NCT01795833)., Funding: The study was funded jointly by the Indian Council for Medical Research and the UK Medical Research Council.

Objective: The objective of the current study was to assess the secular trends in the prevalence of diabetes, prediabetes, and risk factors from two epidemiological surveys done 10 years apart in three adult populations of different geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds in Tamil Nadu, India., Research Design and Methods: This survey was conducted in 2016 using methodology similar to that used in 2006. Persons aged ≥20 years ( n = 9,848) were screened for diabetes, prediabetes, and the risk variables. Fasting and 2-h plasma glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure, anthropometry, and socioeconomic and behavioral details were recorded. Comparative analyses of age-standardized prevalence were done. Prevalence ratios (PRs) between 2016 and 2006 of diabetes and also prediabetes were assessed using Poisson regression analyses., Results: Prevalence of diabetes increased from 18.6% (95% CI 16.6-20.5) to 21.9 (20.5-23.3) in the city, 16.4 (14.1-18.6) to 20.3 (18.9-21.6) in the town, and 9.2 (8.0-10.5) to 13.4 (11.9-14.8) in the periurban villages (PUVs) ( P < 0.0001 in all). The PR showed a nonsignificant 8% rise in diabetes in the city, while significant increases had occurred in the town (39%) and PUVs (34%). Prevalence of prediabetes also increased. Age, family history of diabetes, and waist circumference were common risk determinants among the populations. Though general obesity and abdominal obesity increased, the latter was associated with the increased prevalence., Conclusions: Prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes increased in all locations; the rise was significant only in the town and PUVs. Abdominal obesity is significantly associated with increased trend even among the villagers. Rural populations may be targeted for future public health measures to combat diabetes., (© 2019 by the American Diabetes Association.)

Cyclophosphamide, and antineoplastic drug, and vitamin E, the common antioxidant present in the diet, were administered in separate dosages and in combination to animals (rats) with fibrosarcoma, metastatic tumor of the connective tissues, induced. The anticancer drug (20 mg/kg body weight) and the vitamin-E (400 mg/kg body weight) was administered for a period of 28 days from the day of tumor transplantation. The individual and the combined effects of these two substances were investigated by checking the growth of the tumor. Tumor markers like lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum glutamate pyruvate transminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase were analyzed for the changes in their concentration in serum, liver, and kidney to assess the success of the therapy. The increased level of the enzymes in the fibrosarcoma-suffering rats (GPII) was reduced by cyclophosphamide treatment (GP III) and vitamin E administration (GP IV). Among the treated groups, the combination therapy (GP V) showed greater efficacy in the treatment of fibrosarcoma than did individual administration, as there was more reduction in the levels of enzymes in Group V than those in to Groups III and IV. The enzyme levels were brought to near the normal level.