Explore the vast range of titles available.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with impaired resistance to infection, which may be mediated by alterations in cytokine responses. We investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation to infants on whole blood in-vitro cytokine production and on the inflammatory marker, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Blood samples were taken at 6 months of age from infants participating in the DIVIDS (Delhi Infant Vitamin D Supplementation) randomized controlled trial of weekly vitamin D supplements (1400 IU=recommended intake) from birth to 6 months with the aim of decreasing mortality and severe morbidity. We measured plasma CRP and whole blood in-vitro production of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interferon-γ (INFγ), interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-13 following no stimulation or stimulation with lipopolysaccharide or phytohemagglutinin. RESULTS: Although the intervention improved vitamin D status in a severely deficient population, there were no differences between treatment groups in plasma CRP or in the production of any of the cytokines in either unstimulated or stimulated cultures. Recent illness had limited association with immunological markers. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were not associated with CRP or production of any cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D supplementation did not affect plasma CRP or whole blood cytokine production of vitamin D-deficient low birth weight infants. This is consistent with the lack of effect of vitamin D on mortality and severe morbidity among infants in the DIVIDS trial.

Introduction and objectivesRandomised controlled trials of vitamin D to prevent acute respiratory infection have yielded mixed results. We conducted an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis to identify factors that may explain this heterogeneity.MethodsWe performed an IPD meta-analysis of 25 trials of vitamin D supplementation with incidence of acute respiratory infection as a pre-specified outcome (total 11,321 participants, aged 0 to 95 years). We used one-step logistic regression with random effects adjusting for age, sex, study duration and clustering by study. Pre-specified sub-group analyses were done to determine whether effects of vitamin D on risk of acute respiratory infection varied according to baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration or dosing regimen.ResultsIPD were obtained for 10,933/11,321 (96.6%) participants. Vitamin D supplementation reduced risk of acute respiratory infection among all participants (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81 to 0.96, P = 0.003; P for heterogeneity < 0.001). Sub-group analysis revealed a strong protective effect among individuals with baseline 25(OH) D < 25 nmol/L (aOR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.83, P = 0.002), not seen among those with higher levels (aOR 0.91, 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.05; Pinteraction = 0.01). A protective effect was also seen in individuals receiving daily or weekly vitamin D without additional bolus doses (aOR 0.81, 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.91, P < 0.001), but not in those receiving one or more bolus doses (aOR 0.97, 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.10, Pinteraction = 0.05). Vitamin D did not influence the proportion of participants experiencing at least one serious adverse event (aOR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.20, P = 0.83). The body of evidence contributing to these analyses was assessed as being of high quality.ConclusionsVitamin D supplementation was safe, and it protected against acute respiratory infection overall. Very deficient individuals and those not receiving bolus doses experienced the most benefit.

The field emission performance of aluminium-based metal matrix composites reinforced with graphene (AlGr-MMCs) has garnered significant attention due to their potential applications in advanced electronics and in materials-based cathode systems. The field emission performance plays a crucial role in the high-power micro-wave tube devices and in energy applications, where material composition significantly influences emission stability and efficiency. This research work explores the impact of graphene incorporation into aluminum-based metal matrix composites (AlGr -MMCs) on field emission characteristics. By leveraging machine learning (ML) models, we predict the trends of emission current density (J) as a function of the applied electric field(E) and the emission current stability (I) over time(t) for Aluminium-Graphene (AlGr) composites with varying graphene weight% (wt%) greater than 1 and less than 2 (1.25, 1.5, 1.75, and 2.0). A two-stage machine learning framework was implemented. In Stage 1, datasets for pure aluminum, 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% graphene reinforced aluminium composites were used to train various ML models, categorized into five baskets: Decision tree-based, Support Vector models, Neural networks, Bayesian Models and Statistical Models. Model evaluation was conducted based on R²(R-squared), RMSE (Root Mean Squared Error), and Adjusted R² scores. In stage 2, the top models were further refined using advanced techniques, including Gradient-Based Methods and Ensemble Methods. Among the studied compositions, AlGr 2, containing 2 wt% graphene, exhibits the lowest turn-on electric field, whereas other compositions, including 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75 wt%, show comparatively higher values. This remarkable performance of AlGr2 arises from a delicate balance between conductive network formation, field enhancement and minimal agglomeration. The superior field emission performance of AlGr2 can be attributed to its optimal dispersion and percolation of graphene within the aluminium matrix. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of machine learning in accurately predicting field emission behavior, providing valuable insights for optimizing metal matrix composites in high-performance applications.

Objectives To assess the overall effect of vitamin D supplementation on risk of acute respiratory tract infection, and to identify factors modifying this effect.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data (IPD) from randomised controlled trials.Data sources Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number registry from inception to December 2015.Eligibility criteria for study selection Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trials of supplementation with vitamin D3 or vitamin D2 of any duration were eligible for inclusion if they had been approved by a research ethics committee and if data on incidence of acute respiratory tract infection were collected prospectively and prespecified as an efficacy outcome.Results 25 eligible randomised controlled trials (total 11 321 participants, aged 0 to 95 years) were identified. IPD were obtained for 10 933 (96.6%) participants. Vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of acute respiratory tract infection among all participants (adjusted odds ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.81 to 0.96; P for heterogeneity <0.001). In subgroup analysis, protective effects were seen in those receiving daily or weekly vitamin D without additional bolus doses (adjusted odds ratio 0.81, 0.72 to 0.91) but not in those receiving one or more bolus doses (adjusted odds ratio 0.97, 0.86 to 1.10; P for interaction=0.05). Among those receiving daily or weekly vitamin D, protective effects were stronger in those with baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <25 nmol/L (adjusted odds ratio 0.30, 0.17 to 0.53) than in those with baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels ≥25 nmol/L (adjusted odds ratio 0.75, 0.60 to 0.95; P for interaction=0.006). Vitamin D did not influence the proportion of participants experiencing at least one serious adverse event (adjusted odds ratio 0.98, 0.80 to 1.20, P=0.83). The body of evidence contributing to these analyses was assessed as being of high quality.Conclusions Vitamin D supplementation was safe and it protected against acute respiratory tract infection overall. Patients who were very vitamin D deficient and those not receiving bolus doses experienced the most benefit.Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42014013953.

•2899 (40%) out of 7285 stool samples were rotavirus positive from 2005 to 2009.•G12 infections rose to 39% in Northern India and to 24% in the Western India.•8% of rotavirus detections had multiple G-types and 3% had multiple P-types. India accounts for 22% of the 453,000 global rotavirus deaths among children <5 years annually. The Indian Rotavirus Strain Surveillance Network provides clinicians and public health partners with valuable rotavirus disease surveillance data. Our analysis offers policy-makers an update on rotavirus disease burden with emphasis on regional shifts in rotavirus strain epidemiology in India. Children <5 years requiring hospitalization for acute gastroenteritis were selected from 10 representative hospitals in 7 cities throughout India between November 2005 through June 2009. We used a modified World Health Organization protocol for rotavirus surveillance; stool specimens were collected and tested for rotavirus using enzyme immunoassay and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. A total of 7285 stool specimens collected were tested for rotavirus, among which 2899 (40%) were positive for rotavirus. Among the 2899 rotavirus detections, a G-type could not be determined for 662 (23%) and more than one G type was detected in 240 (8%). Of 1997 (69%) patients with only one G-type, the common types were G1 (25%), G2 (21%), G9 (13%), and G12 (10%). The proportion of rotavirus infections attributed to G12 infections rose from 8% to 39% in the Northern region and from 8% to 24% in the Western region. This study highlights the large, ongoing burden of rotavirus disease in India, as well as interesting regional shifts in rotavirus strain epidemiology, including an increasing detection of G12 rotavirus strains in some regions. While broad heterotypic protection from rotavirus vaccination is expected based on pre- and post-licensure data from other settings, effectiveness assessments and rotavirus strain monitoring after vaccine introduction will be important.

To tackle one of the major environmental issues concerning modern day mankind, that is air pollution and to reduce dependency on other countries for conventional fuel, finding an alternative fuel is of high priority. Biodiesel is one such alternative. Adding nanoparticles like Carbon nanotubes (CNT) leads to reduction in emissions and enhancement in performance. In this context, in the present paper an experimental investigation was carried out on a computerized single cylinder water cooled diesel engine coupled with an eddy current dynamometer to determine the impact of blending CNT with biodiesel (Neem Oil Methyl Ester or NOME) and a comparative study of various blends using diesel as the baseline was done. The concentration of CNT used were 25 ppm, 50 ppm and 100 ppm CNT blended with B20 biodiesel. The blends were prepared using homogeniser. Readings were recorded for different loads for all the blends and comparative graphs were drawn for performance, combustion and emission characteristics. There was an improvement in the performance characteristics with 8.1% increase in BTE, lowered emissions with 0.0785% decrease in CO and 8.15% decrease in UBHC emissions along with improved combustion relative to diesel when CNT (50 ppm) was added to B20 biodiesel.

Objective To investigate whether vitamin D supplementation can decrease the mortality and morbidity of low birthweight infants in low income countries.Design Randomised controlled trial.Setting Large government hospital in New Delhi, India.Participants 2079 low birthweight infants born at term (>37 weeks’ gestation).Main outcome measures Primary outcome was admission to hospital or death during the first six months of life. Main secondary outcome was growth.Interventions Weekly vitamin D supplements for six months at a dose of one recommended nutrient intake per day (35 µg/week). Infants were visited weekly at home for observed supplementation and were brought to the clinic monthly for clinical examination and anthropometric measurements.Results Between group differences were not significant for death or hospital admissions (92 among 1039 infants in the vitamin D group v 99 among 1040 infants in the placebo group; adjusted rate ratio 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.68 to 1.29; P=0.68), or referral to the outpatient clinic for moderate morbidity. Vitamin D supplementation resulted in better vitamin D status as assessed by plasma calcidiol levels at six months. In adjusted analyses, vitamin D treatment significantly increased standard deviation (z) scores at six months for weight, length, and arm circumference and decreased the proportion of children with stunted growth (length for age z score ≤2) or with arm circumference z scores of 2 or less.Conclusion A weekly dose of vitamin D resulted in better vitamin D status and benefited the classic vitamin D function of bone growth but did not decrease the incidence of severe morbidity or death among young low birthweight infants.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00415402.

Diarrhoeal infections are the fifth leading cause of death worldwide and continue to take a high toll on child health. Mushrooming of slums due to continuous urbanization has made diarrhoea one of the biggest public-health challenges in metropolitan cities in India. The objective of the study was to carry out a community-based health and nutrition-education intervention, focusing on several factors influencing child health with special emphasis on diarrhoea, in a slum of Delhi, India. Mothers (n=370) of children, aged >12-71 months, identified by a door-to-door survey from a large urban slum, were enrolled in the study in two groups, i.e. control and intervention. To ensure minimal group interaction, enrollment for the control and intervention groups was done purposively from two extreme ends of the slum cluster. Baseline assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices on diarrhoea-related issues, such as oral rehydration therapy (ORT), oral rehydration salt (ORS), and continuation of breastfeeding during diarrhoea, was carried out using a pretested questionnaire. Thereafter, mothers (n=195) from the intervention area were provided health and nutrition education through fortnightly contacts achieved by two approaches developed for the study—'personal discussion sessions' and 'lane approach'. The mothers (n=175) from the control area were not contacted. After the intervention, there was a significant (p=0.000) improvement in acquaintance to the term 'ORS' (65-98%), along with its method of reconstitution from packets (13-69%); preparation of home-made sugar-salt solution (10-74%); role of both in the prevention of dehydration (30-74%) and importance of their daily preparation (74-96%); and continuation of breastfeeding during diarrhoea (47-90%) in the intervention area. Sensitivity about age-specific feeding of ORS also improved significantly (p=0.000) from 13% to 88%. The reported usage of ORS packets and sugar-salt solution improved significantly from 12% to 65% (p=0.000) and 12% to 75% (p=0.005) respectively. The results showed that health and nutrition-education intervention improved the knowledge and attitudes of mothers. The results indicate a need for intensive programmes, especially directed towards urban slums to further improve the usage of oral rehydration therapy.