Developmental adversities early in life are associated with later psychopathology. Clustering may be a useful approach to group multiple diverse risks together and study their relation with psychopathology. To generate risk clusters of children, adolescents, and young adults, based on adverse environmental exposure and developmental characteristics, and to examine the association of risk clusters with manifest psychopathology. Participants (n = 8300) between 6 and 23 years were recruited from seven sites in India. We administered questionnaires to elicit history of previous exposure to adverse childhood environments, family history of psychiatric disorders in first-degree relatives, and a range of antenatal and postnatal adversities. We used these variables to generate risk clusters. Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-5 was administered to evaluate manifest psychopathology. Two-step cluster analysis revealed two clusters designated as high-risk cluster (HRC) and low-risk cluster (LRC), comprising 4197 (50.5%) and 4103 (49.5%) participants, respectively. HRC had higher frequencies of family history of mental illness, antenatal and neonatal risk factors, developmental delays, history of migration, and exposure to adverse childhood experiences than LRC. There were significantly higher risks of any psychiatric disorder [Relative Risk (RR) = 2.0, 95% CI 1.8–2.3], externalizing (RR = 4.8, 95% CI 3.6–6.4) and internalizing disorders (RR = 2.6, 95% CI 2.2–2.9), and suicidality (2.3, 95% CI 1.8–2.8) in HRC. Social-environmental and developmental factors could classify Indian children, adolescents and young adults into homogeneous clusters at high or low risk of psychopathology. These biopsychosocial determinants of mental health may have practice, policy and research implications for people in low- and middle-income countries.

Girstmair [‘On an irreducibility criterion of M. Ram Murty’, Amer. Math. Monthly 112(3) (2005), 269–270] gave a generalisation of Ram Murty’s irreducibility criterion. We further generalise these criteria.

We report a familial cluster of 24 individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The index case had a travel history and spent 24 days in the house before being tested and was asymptomatic. Physical overcrowding in the house provided a favourable environment for intra-cluster infection transmission. Restriction of movement of family members due to countrywide lockdown limited the spread in community. Among the infected, only four individuals developed symptoms. The complete genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 was retrieved using next-generation sequencing from eight clinical samples which demonstrated a 99.99% similarity with reference to Wuhan strain and the phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a distinct cluster, lying in the B.6.6 pangolin lineage.

We present an experimental and numerical investigation of electrokinetic instability (EKI) in microchannel flow with streamwise conductivity gradients, such as those observed during sample stacking in capillary electrophoresis. A plug of a low-conductivity electrolyte solution is initially sandwiched between two high-conductivity zones in a microchannel. This spatial conductivity gradient is subjected to an external electric field applied along the microchannel axis, and for sufficiently strong electric fields an instability sets in. We have explored the physics of this EKI through experiments and numerical simulations, and supplemented the results using scaling analysis. We performed EKI experiments at different electric field values and visualised the flow using a passive fluorescent tracer. The experimental data were analysed using the proper orthogonal decomposition technique to obtain a quantitative measure of the threshold electric field for the onset of instability, along with the corresponding coherent structures. To elucidate the physical mechanism underlying the instability, we performed high-resolution numerical simulations of ion transport coupled with fluid flow driven by the electric body force. Simulations reveal that the non-uniform electroosmotic flow due to axially varying conductivity field causes a recirculating flow within the low-conductivity region, and creates a new configuration wherein the local conductivity gradients are orthogonal to the applied electric field. This configuration leads to EKI above a threshold electric field. The spatial features of the instability predicted by the simulations and the threshold electric field are in good agreement with the experimental observations and provide useful insight into the underlying mechanism of instability.

Rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) can provide prompt, accurate identification of infectious organisms and be a key component of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs. However, their use is less widespread in Asia Pacific than western countries. Cost can be prohibitive, particularly in less resource-replete settings. A selective approach is required, possibly focusing on the initiation of antimicrobials, for differentiating bacterial versus viral infections and identifying locally relevant tropical diseases. Across Asia Pacific, more data are needed on RDT use within AMS, focusing on the impact on antimicrobial usage, patient morbidity and mortality, and cost effectiveness. Moreover, in the absence of formal guidelines, regional consensus statements to guide clinical practice are warranted. These will provide a regionally relevant definition for RDT; greater consensus on its role in managing infections; advice on implementation and overcoming barriers; and guidance on optimizing human resource capacity. By addressing these issues, the outcomes of AMS programs should improve.

In this paper, a novel design of ultra-wide stop-band single-side single-layer frequency selective surface (FSS) is presented. The unit cell of the proposed FSS is designed using the combination of conventional square loop and cross (CSLC). To enhance the bandwidth of this structure, an additional cross is inserted in all the four quadrants of CSLC. The stop-band transmission bandwidth assuming −10 dB threshold is found to be 128.94% (2.16–10 GHz) which is 34.33% more as compared to the bandwidth of CSLC. The unit cell with a dimension of 16 × 16 mm2 is printed on one side of an FR4 substrate. The design is fabricated and the measured results are found to be in good agreement with the simulated results. The design provides excellent stability for both transverse magnetic and transverse electric polarizations. The design is very flexible, where any resonant frequency can be achieved by changing the length of unit cell. The design is useful in many applications such as antenna gain enhancement, electromagnetic wave shielding for Wi-Fi/5G systems, and other Internet of Things-based applications.

Background:Candida auris is an emerging nosocomial fungal pathogen causing invasive illness and outbreaks worldwide. A major issue regarding C. auris is that it can be misidentified unless appropriate technology is used. We conducted a survey of available methods for identification of C. auris in 21 hospital laboratories in India regarding their protocols for prevention of C. auris infection. Methods: The survey was an adaptation of a similar survey conducted for the Connecticut Laboratory Response Network in 2017. We mailed the survey to 30 microbiologists and ID physicians, and 21 of them from 12 states responded. All respondents were from private acute-care and teaching hospitals. The responses were analyzed and compared to the Connecticut study. Results: Of 21 hospitals, 19 (90.5%) can identify C. auris in house. Also, 18 (85.7%) have identified C. auris in the past 18 months. Species level identification was done only for blood cultures in all hospitals. Only 5 (26%) laboratories speciated Candida spp isolated from other sites such as respiratory and urinary specimens. Automated systems were used like Vitek 2 in 16 (84.2%), Phoenix BD in 2(10.5%) and Microscan in 1(5.26%) laboratory. MALDI-TOF MS and PCR for identification were used in 2 laboratories. Antifungal susceptibility testing is done in-house in 19 (90.5%) laboratories. Only 10 (52.6%) responding hospitals from India had infection prevention protocols for C. auris, and 9 (47.4%) of them isolated patients. The major challenges for infection prevention with C. auris are absence of screening in high-risk patients (66.7%), misidentification by automated systems (84.2%), and inability to speciate from nonsterile sites underestimates the prevalence (100%). Conclusions: There is an urgent need to enhance the capacity of hospital laboratories to detect C. auris early, and to implement infection prevention measures. In both studies early detection is the key and as suggested by the US authors, challenges can be overcome through collaboration between hospitals and referral laboratories when resources are limited. This optimizes laboratory capacity and prevents global spread through colonized patients. The limitation of this study is that data from public hospitals are unknown and larger studies are needed.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major global threat to patient safety. Systematic surveillance is crucial for understanding HAI rates and antimicrobial resistance trends and to guide infection prevention and control (IPC) activities based on local epidemiology. In India, no standardized national HAI surveillance system was in place before 2017. Methods: Public and private hospitals from across 21 states in India were recruited to participate in an HAI surveillance network. Baseline assessments followed by trainings ensured that basic microbiology and IPC implementation capacity existed at all sites. Standardized surveillance protocols for central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) were modified from the NHSN for the Indian context. IPC nurses were trained to implement surveillance protocols. Data were reported through a locally developed web portal. Standardized external data quality checks were performed to assure data quality. Results: Between May 2017 and April 2019, 109 ICUs from 37 hospitals (29 public and 8 private) enrolled in the network, of which 33 were teaching hospitals with >500 beds. The network recorded 679,109 patient days, 212,081 central-line days, and 387,092 urinary catheter days. Overall, 4,301 bloodstream infection (BSI) events and 1,402 urinary tract infection (UTI) events were reported. The network CLABSI rate was 9.4 per 1,000 central-line days and the CAUTI rate was 3.4 per 1,000 catheter days. The central-line utilization ratio was 0.31 and the urinary catheter utilization ratio was 0.57. Moreover, 3,542 (73%) of 4,742 pathogens reported from BSIs and 868 (53%) of 1,644 pathogens reported from UTIs were gram negative. Also, 1,680 (26.3%) of all 6,386 pathogens reported were Enterobacteriaceae. Of 1,486 Enterobacteriaceae with complete antibiotic susceptibility testing data reported, 832 (57%) were carbapenem resistant. Of 951 Enterobacteriaceae subjected to colistin broth microdilution testing, 62 (7%) were colistin resistant. The surveillance platform identified 2 separate hospital-level HAI outbreaks; one caused by colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae and another due to Burkholderia cepacia. Phased expansion of surveillance to additional hospitals continues. Conclusions: HAI surveillance was successfully implemented across a national network of diverse hospitals using modified NHSN protocols. Surveillance data are being used to understand HAI burden and trends at the facility and national levels, to inform public policy, and to direct efforts to implement effective hospital IPC activities. This network approach to HAI surveillance may provide lessons to other countries or contexts with limited surveillance capacity.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Anaemia affects approximately 69 % of Indian children aged 6–12 months, with Fe deficiency (ID) being a common cause. The effectiveness of micronutrient-fortified infant cereal in improving Fe status and neurodevelopment was evaluated in non-anaemic and mildly anaemic Indian infants. An intervention group (IC) enrolled at age 6 months consumed 50 g/d of rice-based cereal providing 3·75 mg Fe/d as ferrous fumarate for 6 months (n 80) and was compared with a matched static cross-sectional control group (CG) without intervention enrolled at age 12 months (n 80). Mean Hb was higher in IC (118·1 (sd 10·2) g/l) v. CG (109·5 (sd 16·4) g/l) at age 12 months (adjusted mean difference: 9·7 g/l; 95 % CI 5·1, 14·3; P < 0·001), while geometric mean serum ferritin tended to be higher (27·0 (–1 sd 13·4, +1 sd 54·4) v. 20·3 (–1 sd 7·5, +1 sd 55·0) ng/ml); P = 0·085) and soluble transferrin receptor was lower (1·70 (–1 sd 1·19, +1 sd 2·43) v. 2·07 (–1 sd 1·29, +1 sd 3·33) mg/l; P = 0·014). Anaemia (23 v. 45 %; P = 0·007) and ID (17 v. 40 %; P = 0·003) were lower in IC v. CG. Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Third Edition scores for language (P = 0·003), motor development (P = 0·018), social-emotional (P = 0·004) and adaptive behaviour (P < 0·001), but not cognitive development (P = 0·980), were higher in IC v. CG. No significant difference in anthropometric Z-scores was observed between the groups. Consuming a micronutrient-fortified infant cereal daily for 6 months during complementary feeding promoted better Fe status while reducing the risk for anaemia and ID and was associated with superior neurodevelopmental scores.

The paper presents a new coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed rectangular patch antenna with a square-shaped ground plane that can be employed in modern advanced navigation systems. For realizing broad impedance bandwidth in the proposed antenna, a wide slot is introduced in the square ground plane and the rectangular patch is shifted toward the left edge of the ground surface. In addition, by means of introducing square-shaped stubs near the left and right edge of the ground plane, the circular polarization is achieved at L1, L2, and L5 satellite bands. As per the simulation results, the proposed antenna provides a wide impedance bandwidth (S11<−10 dB) of 123% (1.12–4.72 GHz) and 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of 11% (1.15–1.29 GHz) and 18% (1.5–1.8 GHz) suitable for multipurpose wireless applications. The designed single feed circularly polarized antenna is low profile, small size, light weight and easily integrable with other high-frequency communication devices. To validate radiation performance of the proposed structure, the antenna is fabricated and integrated with the commercially available Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and it is found that the measured values are in close agreement with the desired results.

Vitamin D has been recognised as a potent immunomodulator and its deficiency is common in different population groups including patients with diabetic foot infection. Diabetic foot infection reflects the altered immune status of the host. As cytokine regulation plays a significant role in infection and wound-healing processes, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin D status and inflammatory cytokine profiles in patients with diabetic foot infection. The serum concentrations of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D), IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were measured in 112 diabetic foot infection cases and 109 diabetic controls. Severe vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration < 25 nmol/l) was more common in cases than in controls (48·2 v. 20·5 %). Although age, duration of diabetes, HbA1C (glycosylated Hb) concentration and BMI were similar, cases had significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 (P≤ 0·001), IL-1β (P≤ 0·02) and TNF-α (P≤ 0·006) than controls. A significant negative correlation was also observed between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and circulating concentrations of IL-1β (r − 0·323; P≤ 0·001) as well as IL-6 (r − 0·154; P≤ 0·04), but not between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and TNF-α and IFN-γ concentrations. Furthermore, a significant difference in IL-1β (P≤ 0·007) and IL-6 (P≤ 0·02) concentrations was observed in patients with severe 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency compared with patients with 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration ≥ 25 nmol/l, and this difference was remarkable for TNF-α. In conclusion, severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with elevated inflammatory cytokine concentrations in diabetic patients, particularly in those with foot infection. A 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration value < 25 nmol/l is suggested as the ‘cut-off’ for such immunological alterations in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is an important herbaceous medicinal plant with a worldwide distribution. The herb possesses a medicinal value and is used extensively in traditional systems of medicine. The medicinal properties of the herb are attributed to the presence of characteristic triterpenoids and their saponins in the leaves. The major triterpenoids are asiaticoside, madecassoside and their aglycones asiatic acid and madecassic acid, respectively, among others. The present study reports a remarkable qualitative and quantitative variability in secondary metabolites in different accessions of C. asiatica L. as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The accessions analyzed in this study can be considered as the core set of discrete chemotypes of C. asiatica. Considerable and contrasting biochemical variations were observed in the terpenoid profiles of the chemotypes. From the basic and applied phytochemical utility, this chemotypic variability in the total content of triterpenoids is important and interesting.

The mass concentration of uranium in water samples collected from the Bathinda district of Punjab state, India, was estimated using the laser fluorimetric technique. The study region has shown a pronounced number of cancer cases in the recent period. The study aims to calculate the human radiological risk and chemical toxicity associated with uranium consumption through drinking water. The mass concentration of uranium was found to vary from 0.48 to 571.7 μg/l with a mean value of 84.70 μg/l. The radiological risk due to consumption of uranium through contaminated drinking water was observed to be in the range of 1.34 × 10-6 to 1.60 × 10-3 with a mean value of 2.37 × 10-4. The chemical toxicity was found to vary from 0.04–43.11 µg.kg-1.day-1 with a mean value of 6.38 µg.kg-1.day-1.

In the published article Kumar et al. (2012) one of the authors’ names was incorrect and should have read ‘Shivani’ with no first name initial. This error also occurred in the reference list.

The press apologises to Dr Shivani, her co-authors and the readers for this error.