Demographic determinants of risk,colon distribution and density scores of diverticular disease

AIM:To investigate associations between ethnicity,age and sex and the risk,colon distribution and density scores of diverticular disease(DD).METHODS:Barium enemas were examined in 1000 patients:410 male,590 female;760 whites,62 Asians,44 black africans(BAs),and 134 other blacks(OBs).Risks and diverticula density of left-sided DD(LSDD) and rightsided-component DD(RSCDD = right-sided DD + right and left DD + Pan-DD) were compared using logistic regression.RESULTS:Four hundred and forty-seven patients had DD(322 LSDD and 125 RSCDD).Adjusted risks:(1) LSDD:each year increase in age increased the odds by 6%(95% CI:5-8,SE:0.8%,P < 0.001);Asians:odds ratio(OR):0.23(95% CI:0.10-0.53,SE:0.1,P ≤ 0.001) and OBs:OR:0.25(95% CI:0.14-0.43,SE:0.07,P ≤ 0.001) appeared protected vs Whites;(2) RSCDD:each year increase in age increased the odds by 4%(95% CI:2-6,SE:1%,P < 0.001);females were 0.60 times(95% CI:0.40-0.90,SE:0.12,P = 0.01) less likely than males to have RSCDD;BAs were 3.51 times(95% CI:1.70-7.24,SE:1.30,P < 0.001) more likely than Whites to have RSCDD;and(3) DD density scores:each year increase in age increased the odds of highdensity scores by 4%(95% CI:1-6,SE:1%,P < 0.001);RSCDD was 2.77 times(95% CI:1.39-3.32,SE:0.67,P < 0.001) more likely to be of high density than LSDD.No further signif icant differences were found in the adjusted models.CONCLUSION:Right colonic DD might be more common and has higher diverticula density in the west than previously reported.BAs appear predisposed to DD,whereas other ethnic differences appear conserved following migration.

FRIOS Parameters, Key to Reduce Feto-Maternal Mortality in Pre-Eclampsia

Objective(s): To evaluate the role of free radical induced oxidative stress in predicting, prevent and prompt management of pre-eclampsia. Method(s): This prospective study was conducted on 320 pregnant women of which 240 women with pregnancy induced hypertension taken as study group and 80 normal pregnant women were taken as control. Free radical status was evaluated by estimating lipid peroxidation product malonyladehyde and antioxidants-superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS software. Result(s): Pre-eclampsia is significantly associated with free radical induced oxidative stress. Serum level of lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde increased in pre-eclamptic women. Serum level of antioxidants SuperOxide Dismutase, Catalase level, Glutathione Reductase were reduced. Results are statistically significant. Conclusion(s): Free radical induced oxidative stress is increasing in pre-eclampsia and plays a critical role in etiopathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

Big Data Study for Gluten-Free Foods in India and USA Using Online Reviews and Social Media

Celiac disease, gluten-allergy or gluten-sensitivity is caused due to glutamine protein from the grains like wheat, rye and barley (collectively called gluten). This protein damages the small intestine and causes stomach pain, bloating, weakness etc. Celiac disease, gluten-allergy or gluten-sensitivity has never really been taken seriously in developing countries like India. However, in developed nations like UK, USA, Canada and other parts of Europe, gluten-free foods have become quite popular. With a prevalence rate of about one in 100 - 133 people worldwide, celiac disease is widespread across the globe and life-long consumption of gluten-free food is recommended treatment for this allergy. Apart from celiac-disease patients, gluten-free foods are also consumed by health conscious people for weight management and high protein diet and by the patients for diabetes, autism and food allergies. Apart from gluten-free flour, biscuits, cookies and snacks, product innovations like gluten-free beers are becoming very popular. Big data including online blogs, articles, and reviews have played a major role in increased sales of gluten-free foods. Thus, analysis of editorial and social media content becomes essential to understand the leading trends in gluten-free foods. This study provided deep insights about positive, negative and neutral sentiments related to gluten-free foods using the data from Perspectory Media Insights and Google Trends. This study also revealed that most of the consumers talked and expected product innovation in food sections like snacks, fast food (pizza, pasta and noodles) and desserts through comments on social and editorial media. Searches were divided into developed (e.g., U.S.A.) and developing nations (e.g., India) to get more details about the consumer preferences. This study would help manufacturers of gluten-free foods to develop food products according to the choices and preferences of consumers. The study is very unique in itself since it combines big data to niche food market of gluten-free foods to draw the valuable consumer preferences using online platforms.

Spot urine protein/creatinine ratio—A quick and accurate method for diagnosis of pre-eclampsia

Objective(s):To assess the diagnostic accuracy of spot urine protein-creatinine (P/C) ratio and its compareson with 24-hour urine proteinuria for predicting eclampsia. Method(s): Spot urine P/C ratio was determined in a mid-stream urine sample, and the 24-hour urine protein was measured. The correlation between the spot P/C ratio and 24-hour urine protein amount was done. Logistic regression analysis and ROC curve analysis have been used to analyse data. Result(s): There was a strong correlation between the spot P/C ratio and 24-hour urine protein excretion (pearson’s correlation coefficient r = 0.71;P < 0.0001). The optimal spot P/C ratio cutoff point was 0.25, for 300 mg/24 h of protein excretion, with sensitivity and specificity of 69% and 75% respectively. Conclusion(s): Spot urine P/C ratio is a quick and reliable tool which can be used as an alternative method for evaluation of proteinuria for diagnosis of pre-eclampsia.

Market Capturing and Business Expansion Strategy for Gluten-Free Foods in India and USA Using PESTEL Model

The ultimate goal for any business is to grow vertically and horizontally. Successful business is combination of careful analysis of external and internal factor of business environment and adoption of appropriate business strategy. In this study external factors of gluten-free market are studied in detail through PESTEL model (for external factors). The study would facilitate manufacturers to bring gluten-free foods from niche market to main stream market and to make it more affordable for all the sections of the society. The study focuses on markets of India and USA, since both of these nations have high potential for gluten-free foods and the demand further continues to increase every year.

Assessment of long-term climate variability and its impact on the decadal growth of horticultural crops in central India

Background:The impact of climate change on horticultural production is of utmost concern worldwide.One such vulnerable region of horticultural importance is the Madhya Pradesh state in the central part of India.It is crucial to analyse the long-term trend in climatic variations and its effect on horticultural crop production.Therefore,this study focuses on detecting trends in mean annual precipitation and temperature of 115 years for the 15 districts covering all the regions of the state as well as projections of all the Representative Concentration Pathway(RCP)climatic scenarios for 2050 and 2080 of Madhya Pradesh state.The decadal(2010–2020)insight into the area and production of horticultural crops is undertaken which will help forecasting the future growth trend.For a better insight,case study on four horticultural crops is undertaken to assess their decadal growth trend vis-à-vis climate parameters in these 15 districts.Results:The Mann–Kendall test for 1901–2016 and Sen’s slope indicated a non-significant change in long-term trend for precipitation except for increasing change in Khargone and decreasing change in Rewa districts.Signifi-cant increasing trend of average temperature is obtained for Hoshangabad,Jabalpur,Sagar and Rewa districts.The Sen’s slope indicated an increase of 0.005 to 0.009℃for maximum temperature and 0.005 to 0.012℃for minimum temperature annually.The projections of all the RCP climate scenarios for the years 2050 and 2080 indicated non-significant variation in precipitation but an increase in maximum(1.4 to 4.1℃)and minimum(1.45 to 4.65℃)annual temperatures.An increasing trend in area and production for horticultural crops is also observed in central India for the study period.There is yield increase in all the crops selected in case study except for potato,which recorded a decreased yield between the years 2010–2015.Conclusion:The Mann–Kendall test and projections indicate towards climate change with a temperature rise.Though the decadal study indicates an increasing trend in horticultural crops,the districts identified to be affected by climate change need to have a plan to lessen the horticultural loss in the state.This study contributes to understand-ing the future climate change trends and its impact on horticultural crop production to formulate various adaptation strategies.