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Background: Paediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability (ID), and specific learning disabilities (SLD), present a growing healthcare challenge globally. This study, conducted at a tertiary care hospital in India, aims to explore the utility of neuroimaging techniques in understanding the structural and functional abnormalities associated with these disorders, considering the unique demographic and healthcare landscape of India. Methods: A multidisciplinary team collaborated in a cross-sectional observational study involving paediatric patients diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders. State-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI (fMRI) were employed. Participants underwent clinical assessments, and neuroimaging data were analyzed for structural and functional abnormalities. Advanced techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were utilized to explore microstructural changes in white matter tracts. Results: Distinct neuroimaging patterns were observed in different neurodevelopmental disorders. Structural abnormalities were prominent in ASD and ID, with nuanced variations in gray and white matter volumes. Functional connectivity abnormalities in ADHD were highlighted, emphasizing the involvement of attention and executive function networks. DTI revealed microstructural changes in white matter tracts, particularly in the prefrontal-striatal circuitry in ADHD and disruptions in interhemispheric communication in ASD. Conclusion: Our study contributes valuable insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of paediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing the importance of neuroimaging for tailored diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder and associated with several complications if not diagnosed and managed. Levothyroxine (LT4) replacement therapy is the treatment of choice. Levothyroxine has a long half-life of 6-7 days and hence can be given intermittently keeping the weekly dose the same. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 5 days a week levothyroxine versus daily replacement therapy in patients with hypothyroidism and to identify the patient's satisfaction level at the end of the trial. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in which patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism and having stable thyroid function in the last 6 months with a minimum of two normal thyroid profile reports on the same LT4 dose were shifted 5 days a week LT4 (keeping the total weekly dose the same) after informed consent. Then, patients were followed up at regular intervals, and biochemical analysis of thyroid profile was done at 12 and 24 weeks or Si Opus Sit (SOS)according to clinical judgment. Results: One hundred and fifty patients with hypothyroidism were included in the study with a male-to-female ratio of 4:21. The mean age of our patients was 40.6 ± 8.58 years. The mean duration of hypothyroidism was 5.9 ± 3.01 years. The mean thyroid-stimulating hormone, T4, and T3 at baseline were 3.22 + 0.91 µIU/mL, 8.71 + 1.91 µg/dL, and 0.93 + 0.04 ng/mL, and at 12 weeks and 24 weeks were 3.62 ± 0.82 µIU/mL, 8.01 ± 2.01 µg/dL, and 1.2 ± 0.05 ng/mL and 3.33 ± 0.79 µIU/mL, 8.36 ± 1.99 µg/dL, and 0.88 ± 0.03 ng/mL, respectively. One hundred and twenty-seven patients did not require any dose adjustment. There was no significant difference in thyroid profile. Conclusion: Five days a week levothyroxine replacement regimen is noninferior to daily levothyroxine replacement regimen in treating patients with hypothyroidism and can be conveniently prescribed. Furthermore, 5 days regimen increased the compliance and satisfaction level in patients with hypothyroidism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present communication deals with the sex population status of a hill stream loach fish, Garra lamta inhabiting the Khoh river in the foothills of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand. The sex population status (1 male:1.24 female) was quite natural in Garra lamta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hinduism, caste and language are among India's most distinctive characteristics. According to Indian law, states are created on the basis of language in order to accommodate different linguistic groups and enable their effective integration into the economic, political, social and cultural mainstream of the country. In spite of this, the growing regional differences in India, caused by the linguistic minority states developing faster than the national average, have created tension between the linguistic communities that make up the various Indian states and provinces. As a result, multiculturalism faces a new set of challenges, since it is based on the premise that conflicts in societies are mostly caused by minorities feeling excluded from the general process of socioeconomic progress. Because the minority language groups in India are progressing faster than the majority, there are a number of broader challenges that multiculturalism needs to address. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the world forward into an unforeseen catastrophe and qualms leaving no individual, industry unaffected by this pandemic. This crisis has pushed India into a real risk of long-term unemployment. Mid-level or mid management constitutes the backbone of any organization and is the most stressed sector, proved the statistics. Mid-level or mid management workers has faced significant challenges on all front due to this crisis. There have several causes of job crisis in mid management workers, automation, difficult to change line of work, less pay and more use of AI is among few. Organizations and countries must act now so that this job crisis does not turn into a social crisis. International Organizations like ILO have also helped countries develop a response framework to combat the crisis. With the mid management being one of the worst effected due to this crisis, it is pertinent to suggest plausible recourse measures in order to further save the mid management workers from lay off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the adoption of latrines provided as part of reconstruction efforts after the 2004 tsunami in India. Primary data from 274 households encompassing 1154 individuals were collected from 14 villages. GLM and GLMM tests indicate that sex (more females adopted than males) is a statistically significant factor in latrine adoption (p = 0.046 and p = 0.005, respectively), while income, education, and male age cohorts were significant only in the GLM model. Regression analyses show that six social and demographic variables are somewhat predictive of latrine usage (R2 = 0.123). Thus, while quantitative methods provided a contextual summation, qualitative methods ultimately explained why individuals chose to adopt or abandon the latrines. Interviews (n = 76) and focus group discussions (n = 14) revealed that latrine adoption is influenced by cultural conceptualizations of purity, pollution, and space. For example, conceptualizations of purity and pollution led some households to deem latrines as profane and thus a barrier to the entry of gods, while spatial constraints forced others to convert latrine space to other beneficial uses (e.g., puja room and storage area). Finally, the cost of pumping septic tanks and shared infrastructure arose as barriers to latrine adoption. These barriers underscore the importance of economics as well as community demand, capacity, and cohesion in latrine adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this prospective randomized study is to comparatively evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy of combination therapy (losartan/hydrochlorothiazide) with monotherapy (amlodipine). This prospective randomized clinical study was carried out for twelve months (July 2012 - June 2013) and enrolled 250 newly diagnosed stage-I hypertensive patients (as per JNC-7 criteria), who attended medicine outdoor department of Rohilkhand Medical College & Hospital, Bareilly. Hypertensive patients between 18 - 70 years of age were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide (LST/HCTZ) group included 128 patients and amlodipine group (AMLO) included 122 patients. A total of 40 patients, 14 patients of LST/HCTZ group and 26 patients of AMLO group dropped out during the study. M/F ratio was 0.92:1, and urban/rural ratio was 1.06:1. Majority of patients were in the 41-50 years age group. Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were comparable between both groups, being 152.97 mm Hg and 95.05mm Hg for LST/HCTZ group and 153.27mm Hg and 95.27 mm Hg for AMLO group. Both mean SBP and mean DBP blood were statistically significantly reduced in each of the six follow ups in both the groups (p<0.001). The mean SBP was reduced from 152.97±0.45 to 121.65±0.81 and mean DBP was reduced from 95.05±0.17 to 76.28±0.51(in the sixth follow-up) in LST/HCTZ group. Similarly mean baseline SBP 153.270±64 was reduced to 120.65±0.93 and mean baseline DBP was reduced from 95.270±38 to 75.54±0.67 after six months of therapy in AMLO group. The comparative evaluation of the two regimens revealed no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in both SBP and DBP reduction. Both LST/HCTZ and AMLO regimen were equally effective and well tolerated in lowering blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context · In India, vaidyas (Ayurvedic physicians) traditionally administer triphala and its constituents as therapeutic agents for promoting digestion and satiety. Objective · The research team performed the present study to investigate the effects of triphala and its constituents (T bellirica [bibhitaki], T chebula [haritaki], and E officinalis [amalaki]) on the dietary induction of obesity (diet-induced obesity [DIO]), and other symptoms of visceral obesity syndrome, in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Design · The research team obtained 42 fertile, male, Swiss albino mice, weighing 20 g each, and housed them individually in an approved small-animal facility, in a pathogen-free environment. The team generated DIO mice by feeding them a HFD. Setting · The study took place at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) in Pilani, India. Intervention · The research team fed all mice, except those in a control group (ND), a HFD for 10 weeks beginning at 7 weeks of age, supplementing the HFDs with herbal treatments for 4 of the groups. The team divided the mice into six weight-matched groups of seven mice each: (1) normal diet (ND), (2) high-fat diet (HFD), (3) triphala (HFD+T), (4) amalaki (HFD+A), (5) haritaki (HFD+H), and (6) bibhitaki (HFD+B). Outcome Measures · The research team evaluated daily energy intake, fasting plasma glucose, serum lipid profile, and liver cytology. The team measured food and energy intake daily for 10 weeks and measured the body weight of each mouse every third day during the course of the experiment. The team drew blood samples at 2, 4, 8, and 10 weeks posttreatment and determined fasting plasma-glucose concentrations and fasting plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), LDL, HDL, and plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) using commercial kits. At the completion of the study, a pathologist examined the livers and diagnosed a fatty liver based on the presence of mac-rovesicular or microvesicular fat in the hepatocytes. Results · The research team's results showed that mice fed a HFD for a 10-week period, supplemented with herbal preparation(s) of triphala or its constituents, resulted in significant reductions in body weight (P<.0001), energy intake, and percentage of body fat (P<.001), as compared with mice in the HFD group. Herbal treatment significantly improved the lipid profiles of the mice by lowering serum total cholesterol (Total-C), TG, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as compared to the mice in the HFD group. The research team also found that herbal treatment attenuated glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance as measured by the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and levels of ALT. In addition to treatment with its three individual components, treatment with a popular Ayurvedic formulation of triphala also reversed the pathological changes in liver tissue and decreased the relative weight of visceral adipose fat pads. Conclusions · The present findings suggest that triphala and its constituents can counter the effects of an environment (ie, high dietary intake of fats) and have the potential for use as antiobesity agents with desirable lipid-profile modulating properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is currently passing through a period of momentous change in different spheres - economic, social, cultural and political. In recent decades, it is observed that multilateral institutions as well as several bilateral development agencies have come forward with the good governance package and are forcing / helping introduce it in the third world countries. In case India, increasing directive / assistance is provided to the government by these agencies to introduce the package of reform through loan conditional ties, policy advance, projects and training of personnel. Governance means "The process of decision - making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented). Good governance is a dynamic concept. It encompasses fast changing political, social and economic milieu along with the international environment and conditions of operational governance. Modern concept of good governance is participatory, consensus - oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. Good governance is associated with efficient and effective administration in a democratic framework an administration considered to be citizen friendly, citizen - caring, responsive and respecting human rights at large. The Indian state has adopted a largely favorable stance towards the processes of globalization, liberalization and privatization. It has embarked on the path of reorienting and restructuring its governance system. A whole new set of policies and programmes has been put it place. The canvas of reforms covers both the center and the states. It encompasses reforms in economic, social, administrative and political spheres. Thus, the new governance package, popularly known as 'good governance' is advocated by the major multilateral and bilateral development/financing agencies. They share the view that better quality of governance would promote development. In the era of globalization, there are many streams of discourses doing the rounds within the realm of political economy and political sociology at the national and international levels . The new challenges created by globalization are compellingly illustrated by the international financial system. Globalization has also affected domestic politics and thereby the capacity of governments. to manage these new forces. Good Governance will be the engine for development in a liberalized economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the happiness of 182 married, urban Hindu husbands and wives. Prior research emphasizes that the processes mediating well-being diverge across cultures with personal desires not impacting the happiness of non-Western couples. However, with globalization as self needs become important, barometers of happiness such as intimacy and conflict in a relationship assume a critical role in the quality and longevity of marriage, even for non-Western marriages in a contemporary India. Participants were 91 Indian couples, married an average of 11 years, from three socioeconomic classes, three family structures, and arranged and love marriages. Results reveal that happy couples, compared with unhappy couples, reported agreement, empathy, validation, support, and fulfilled expectations. Couples’ experience and expression of intimacy, affected by social context, also predicted enhanced levels of happiness in marriage while conflict had a negative effect on marital happiness. This research suggests how personal desires may be transforming cultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a lack of knowledge about epilepsy among the students and the population in general, with consequent prejudice and discrimination toward epileptic patients. Objectives: Knowledge, behavior, attitude and myth toward epilepsy among urban school children in Bareilly district was studied. Materials and Methods: A cross?sectional survey was conducted among students of 10 randomly selected secondary schools of the urban areas in Bareilly district. A structured, pretested questionnaire was used to collect data regarding sociodemographic characteristics and assess the subject's knowledge, behavior, attitude and myth toward epilepsy. Results: Of the 798 students (533 boys and 265 girls) studied, around 98.6% had heard of epilepsy. About 63.7% correctly thought that epilepsy is a brain disorder while 81.8% believed it to be a psychiatric disorder. Other prevalent misconceptions were that epilepsy is an inherited disorder (71.55%) and that the disease is transmitted by eating a nonvegetarian diet (49%). Most of them thought that epilepsy can be cured (69.3) and that an epileptic patient needs lifelong treatment (77.2). On witnessing a seizure, about 51.5% of the students would take the person to the hospital. Majority (72.31%) of the students thought that children with epilepsy should study in a special school. Conclusions: Although majority of the students had reasonable knowledge of epilepsy, myths and superstitions about the condition still prevail in a significant proportion of the urban school children. It may be worthwhile including awareness programs about epilepsy in school education to dispel misconceptions about epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of adjuvant therapy in resected periampullary adenocarcinomas is equivocal due to contrasting data and limited prospective trials., Methods: The Multicentre Indian Pancreatic & Periampullary Adenocarcinoma Project (MIPPAP), included data from 8 institutions across India. Of the 1679 pancreatic resections, 736 patients with T3/T4 and/or Node positive adenocarcinomas (considered as high risk for recurrence) were included for analysis. Three (adjuvant): one (observation) matching, using T3/T4 T staging, nodal positivity and ampullary subtype was performed by using the nearest neighbour matching method., Results: Of 736 patients eligible for inclusion, 621 patients were matched of which 458 patients received adjuvant therapy (AT) (predominantly gemcitabine-based) and 163 patients were observed (O). With a median follow-up of 42 months, there was a statistical difference in overall survival in favour of patients receiving AT as compared to those on observation [68.7 months vs. 61.1 months, Hazard ratio: 0.73 (95% CI: 0.54-0.97); p = 0.03]. Besides AT, presence of nodal involvement (median OS: 65.4 months vs not reached; p = 0.04) predicted for inferior OS., Conclusions: The results of the match-pair analysis suggest that adjuvant therapy improves overall survival in periampullary adenocarcinomas at high risk of recurrence with a greater benefit in T3/T4, node-positive and ampullary subtypes., (Copyright © 2024 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: To determine the accuracy of 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (FDG-PET CT) in predicting response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NACRT) in esophageal squamous cell cancer (SCC) and impact of such response on survival., Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with esophageal SCC (cT2-4N0-N+M0) who underwent PET CT before and 6 weeks after NACRT followed by surgery was carried out in this study. Metabolic response was assessed by change in standardized uptake value (ΔSUV max ) after NACRT and the pathological response was graded. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to identify the optimal cut off value of SUV max to predict histopathological response. The impact of metabolic response and pathological response on survival was determined., Results: Of the 73 patients analyzed, 27 had complete metabolic response, while 24 had pathological complete response (PCR). However, only 14 of the 27 complete metabolic responders actually had PCR. At 67% ΔSUV max , the optimum balance between sensitivity (70.83%) and specificity (69.23%) was achieved and the correlation between metabolic response and pathological complete response achieved statistical significance (p = 0.0009). However, ΔSUV max of 67% was found to have no significant association with survival (p = 0.51). PCR was the only significant determinant of improved survival (p = 0.04)., Conclusion: PCR which is a significant determinant of survival is not ideally predicted by ΔSUV max on PET CT., (© 2020. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Thrombocytopenia is commonly seen in Plasmodium vivax malaria, but its prognostic value has not been addressed in children. This prospective study included 676 admitted children of malaria [Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) monoinfection 262, Plasmodium vivax (Pv) monoinfection 380, and mixed (Pf + Pv) infection 34], in which thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150 × 10(3)/mm(3) on admission) was found in 442 (65.38%) children [Pf monoinfection 55.3% (145/262), Pv monoinfection 73.16% (278/380), and mixed infection 55.88% (19/34)]. The association of thrombocytopenia was statistically significant with Pv monoinfection [73.16% (278/380)] in comparison to either Pf monoinfection [55.34% (145/262); odds ratio (OR) = 2.199 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.577-3.068), p < 0.0001] or mixed infection [55.88% (19/34); OR = 2.152 (95%CI 1.054-4.394), p = 0.032]. In Pv monoinfection, thrombocytopenia was highest in 0-5 years age group and subsequently decreased with advancing age, whereas in Pf monoinfection it was reverse. Severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <20 × 10(3)/mm(3)) was present in 16.52% (73/442) children [Pv monoinfection 21.58% (60/278) and Pf monoinfection 8.97% (13/145)]. The risk of developing severe thrombocytopenia was also highest in Pv monoinfection [15.79% (60/380)] in comparison to Pf monoinfection [10.59% (13/262); OR = 3.591 (95%CI 1.928-6.690), p < 0.0001]. Bleeding manifestations were associated in 21.27% (94/442) children [Pf monoinfection 9.92% (26/262), Pv monoinfection 16.58% (63/380), and mixed malaria 14.71% (5/34)]. All the children having bleeding manifestations had thrombocytopenia but low platelet counts were not always associated with abnormal bleeding. The association of severe malaria was significantly more among children having Pv monoinfection with platelet counts <20 × 10(3)/mm(3) [OR = 2.569 (95%CI 1.196-5.517), p < 0.014] with specificity of 88.3% and positive predictive value of 85%. Till today, thrombocytopenia is not included in severe malaria criterion described by WHO, but when platelet counts <20 × 103/mm(3), we advocate it to include as one of the severe malaria criteria.