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Mpox (previously known as Monkeypox) has recently re‐emerged, primarily through human‐to‐human transmission in non‐endemic countries including India. Virus isolation is still considered as the gold standard for diagnosis of viral infections. Here, the qPCR positive skin lesion sample from a patient was inoculated in Vero E6 cell monolayer. Characteristic cytopathic effect exhibiting typical cell rounding and detachment was observed at passage‐02. The virus isolation was confirmed by qPCR. The replication kinetics of the isolate was determined that revealed maximum viral titre of log 6.3 PFU/mL at 72 h postinfection. Further, whole genome analysis through next generation sequencing revealed that the Mpox virus (MPXV) isolate is characterized by several unique SNPs and INDELs. Phylogenetically, it belonged to A.2 lineage of clade IIb, forming a close group with all other Indian MPXV along with few from USA, UK, Portugal, Thailand and Nigeria. This study reports the first successful isolation and phenotypic and genotypic characterization of MPXV from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of the study was to estimate the fluoride content in regular food items available, including fish, in a coastal area of the South Karnataka state of India.Materials and Methods: Fish and food samples were collected from a local market, i.e., Deralakatte, Mangalore of Karnataka State, India. Commonly consumed different species of fish (eight types are included in the study) and popular food items (twelve types) were collected through a random sampling strategy and then processed for the study. The flesh and bones of fish were separated from individual fish. Samples of flesh, bones, and food (nonfish, vegetarian food consumed by a proportion of Karnataka population) were homogenized separately, dried, and the pH of the processed samples was adjusted to neutrality (pH 7.0). Fluoride anion was determined using a fluoride ion selective electrode (ISE, Nico2000 Ltd., UK). Although the ingredients of the different fish and food items explored differed, the same processing technique and analytical laboratory bench-work procedure were performed for each sample, i.e., as per published research elsewhere. This ensured the accurate estimation of fluoride for each food item.Results: Concentrations of fluoride in foods (Nonfish, vegetarian food) was estimated to ranging from 0.85 to 7.09 ppm and that in fish samples ranged from 1.45 to 2.30 ppm. The highest concentration was estimated 3.16 ppm in Rohu fish flesh, and 7 ppm in rava dosa (a vegetarian food).Conclusion: In conclusion, the Rohu (Labeo rohita) fish species were found to contain higher concentrations of bone fluoride. Fluoride determined in fish flesh was also high in concentration 2.28 ppm. Among the regular food items, rava dosa (a thin and crispy crepe made from rava and rice flour) preparation has a higher level of fluoride. These values would provide valid information regarding the future development of recommended dietary allowance strategy for a population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Using data from multi-waves of the National Family Health Survey conducted in India between 1992 and 2006, this study examines the pattern of rural–urban differentials in childhood malnutrition in India over time. Furthermore, it identifies the factors responsible for the rural–urban gap in childhood malnutrition and quantifies their contribution. The result shows a considerable and widening gap in childhood malnutrition across rural–urban residence in the country over the study period. The rural–urban gap in childhood malnutrition has narrowed in a few states whereas it widened in most states over time. The economic status of the household and parental education was the most significant contributors to the rural–urban gap in childhood malnutrition in India. Based on the findings, this study suggests that to reduce the rural–urban gap in childhood malnutrition, focus should be given to the rural poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have shown that early motherhood is associated with less utilization of maternal health care services as well as increased risk of maternal and child health outcomes. The present study advances our knowledge in Indian context. Adverse impacts of teenage childbearing on low weight at birth, infant mortality rate, and on mother's anaemic conditions is examined using data of third round of National Family Health Survey conducted during, 2005-06. Bivariate and multivariate analysis is employed in the study. Result indicates that risk of poor health is higher among teenage mothers than in the comparison group. However, differences are more pronounced for infant mortality. Multivariate analysis shows that teenage mothers are significantly and negatively associated with risk of low birth weight, infant mortality, and prevalence of anaemia after adjusting other confounders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital deafness is one of the common disorders, with some common genes accounting for most of the cases. One in 1000 children are born with sensorineural hearing loss, and of that 50% are hereditary. In the Mediterranean Europeans, 80% of the nonsyndromic recessive deafness is due to homozygous mutation in GJB2 , the 35del G allele. InWestern population, the GJB2 variation have been found in up to 30-40% cases. In Indians, the GJB2 variants have been found in up to 20% cases, mostly from central and southern India. In the present study, DNA was extracted from blood using standard methods. This was used to perform targeted gene capture using a custom capture kit. Multiple genes causing deafness were sequenced by next-generation sequencing to mean >80-100x coverage on Illumina sequencing platform. We found variants in GJB2 , WFS1 , FGF3 , EYA4 , MYO7A . and CHD7 genes. Most of these variants were pathogenic and novel, and possibly causative. Deafness is most commonly due to the autosomal dominant genes but in severe cases of early onset deafness, autosomal recessive genes may contribute in our population. In selected families of severe prelingual deafness, prenatal diagnosis can be done.