The effects of scale on the costs of targeted HIV prevention interventions among female and male sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgenders in India

BACKGROUND: The India AIDS Initiative (Avahan) project is involved in rapid scale-up of HIV-prevention interventions in high-risk populations. This study examines the cost variation of 107 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) implementing targeted interventions, over the start up (defined as period from project inception until services to the key population commenced) and first 2 years of intervention. METHODS: The Avahan interventions for female and male sex workers and their clients, in 62 districts of four southern states were costed for the financial years 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 using standard costing techniques. Data sources include financial and economic costs from the lead implementing partners (LPs) and subcontracted local implementing NGOs retrospectively and prospectively collected from a provider perspective. Ingredients and step-down allocation processes were used. Outcomes were measured using routinely collected project data. The average costs were estimated and a regression analysis carried out to explore causes of cost variation. Costs were calculated in US$2006. RESULTS: The total number of registered people was 134,391 at the end of 2 years, and 124,669 had used STI services during that period. The median average cost of Avahan programme for this period was$76 per person registered with the project. Sixty-one per cent of the cost variation could be explained by scale (positive association), number of NGOs per district (negative), number of LPs in the state (negative) and project maturity (positive) (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: During rapid scale-up in the initial phase of the Avahan programme, a significant reduction in average costs was observed. As full scale-up had not yet been achieved, the average cost at scale is yet to be realised and the extent of the impact of scale on costs yet to be captured. Scale effects are important to quantify for planning resource requirements of large-scale interventions. The average cost after 2 years is within the range of global scale-up costs estimates and other studies in India

Soluble perlecan domain i enhances vascular endothelial growth factor-165 activity and receptor phosphorylation in human bone marrow endothelial cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Immobilized recombinant perlecan domain I (PlnDI) binds and modulates the activity of heparin-binding growth factors, <it>in vitro</it>. However, activities for PlnDI, in solution, have not been reported. In this study, we assessed the ability of soluble forms to modulate vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (VEGF₁₆₅) enhanced capillary tube-like formation, and VEGF receptor-2 phosphorylation of human bone marrow endothelial cells, <it>in vitro</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In solution, PlnDI binds VEGF₁₆₅in a heparan sulfate and pH dependent manner. Capillary tube-like formation is enhanced by exogenous PlnDI; however, PlnDI/VEGF₁₆₅mixtures combine to enhance formation beyond that stimulated by either PlnDI or VEGF₁₆₅alone. PlnDI also stimulates VEGF receptor-2 phosphorylation, and mixtures of PlnDI/VEGF₁₆₅reduce the time required for peak VEGF receptor-2 phosphorylation (Tyr-951), and increase Akt phosphorylation. PlnDI binds both immobilized neuropilin-1 and VEGF receptor-2, but has a greater affinity for neuropilin-1. PlnDI binding to neuropilin-1, but not to VEGF receptor-2 is dependent upon the heparan sulfate chains adorning PlnDI. Interestingly, the presence of VEGF₁₆₅but not VEGF₁₂₁significantly enhances PlnDI binding to Neuropilin-1 and VEGF receptor-2.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our observations suggest soluble forms of PlnDI are biologically active. Moreover, PlnDI heparan sulfate chains alone or together with VEGF₁₆₅can enhance VEGFR-2 signaling and angiogenic events, <it>in vitro</it>. We propose PlnDI liberated during basement membrane or extracellular matrix turnover may have similar activities, <it>in vivo</it>.</p

Anganwadi based nutritional survey of children in Attappadi

Background: Malnutrition and anaemia form major public health problems among the school age children, particularly in the developing countries.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among children between 6 months and 18 years, in randomly selected 25 Anganwadis of Attappadi area. Objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of anaemia and malnutrition among the children of Attappadi. Children were divided in to tribal and nontribal. Anthropometric measurements, haemoglobin estimation by cyanmethemoglobin method and peripheral smear examination were done.Results: 65.5% tribal and 54.1% non-tribal were anaemic. Among males 65.9% tribal and 56.4% non-tribal were anaemic. Among females 65.1% tribal and 52.6% nontribal were anaemic. In the age group less than 6 years, 9% tribal females, 8.9% nontribal females, 12% tribal males and 5.8% nontribal males were severely stunted. Above 6yrs it was 3.3% tribal females, 2.7% nontribal females, 2.4% tribal males and 7.4% nontribal males. In the age group less than 6 years, 12.5% tribal females, 3.9% nontribal females, 15.9% tribal males and 4.3% nontribal males had severe underweight. Above 6 years it was 8.3% tribal females, 0% non-tribal females, 19% tribal males and 3% non-tribal males.Conclusions: Anaemia and malnutrition are common among children of Attappadi. Tribal children are more affected than non-tribal children. Anaemia is more common among two age groups, less than 5 years and more than 11 years. Among females’ adolescent girls are more affected. Periodic assessment of growth parameters and early detection and treatment of anaemia are needed.</jats:p

Texturally-enhanced 55S0P and 45S10P Bioactive Glass ceramic particles: Sol-gel fabrication, nano-characterization and comprehensive Bio-evaluation for applications in Bone tissue engineering

Bioactive glass ceramics (BGC) play a pivotal role in bone tissue engineering, specifically addressing challenges associated with bone repair and regeneration. In this study, we developed silica-based 55S0P and 45S10P spherical BGC nanoparticles (NPs), without and with P2O5 content, using a modified Stöber sol-gel process with base hydrolysis. The fabricated spherical NPs with pronounced textural features effectively contribute to enhanced surface roughness, a desirable parameter for improved biological activity in physiologically relevant solutions and tissue matrices. A comprehensive evaluation of the structural properties of these novel spherical BGC-NPs using diverse characterization techniques revealed distinct nano-textural features in the form of cracks and pores. The HR-TEM confirmed the nanoscale dimensions (170–190 nm) of particles with spherical surface morphology and also systematically analysed via DLS, FE-SEM studies. An augmented surface area with mesopores when phosphate added to the silica glass network was revealed by BET analysis. On the biological front, the study records the formation of an HCA layer on the surfaces of the BGC-NPs, the thickness of which increased with an increase in both phosphate content and immersion time (0, 3, 14 & 28 days) in the SBF solution. The zeta potential values attain a maximum from −22 mV to −23.6 mV for 55S0P and −21.5 mV to −26.4 mV for 45S10P BGC-NPs, and improved with increased immersion time, thereby favouring cellular adhesion for desired biological responses. In vitro, cell culture studies on MG-63 cells, after 24 and 72 h of incubation, demonstrated higher cell adhesion and proliferation, with pronounced biocompatibility. In addition, these BGC-NPs exhibited good hemocompatibility even at the highest test concentration (15 mg/ml) and demonstrated effective antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae and E. coli. A combinatorial analysis of structural and biological properties revealed that the 45S10P BGC-NPs are more potent than 55S0P BGC-NPs for desired biological performances. In conclusion, the results suggest that the sol-gel fabricated BGC-NPs with enhanced nano-textural features are evidently suitable for applications in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

First record of the cubera snapper, Lutjanus cyanopterus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae), from the Azores (NE Atlantic) and possible extension range for the West Atlantic

BACKGROUND. A lutjanid recently captured in Flores Island represents the first documented record of a snapper for the Azores Islands. Since this specimen was not made available to us besides photographs and a muscle sample, a genetic study approach was necessary in order to accurately describe and discuss this somewhat unexpected occurrence. The main objective of this paper was to explain and discuss the presence of this single specimen in this part of the north-eastern Atlantic. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The specimen was caught by spear fishers on 30 July 2014 off Flores Island. We analysed all available photographs and a sample of muscle tissue that was taken and preserved frozen to be used for DNA barcoding. RESULTS. The specimen was a reproductively mature female with a total length of 108.7 cm and weighing 14.84 kg. The body depth of the specimen from the Azores was 2.9 in SL and the analyses conducted showed no divergence from the Canary Islands specimen reported by García-Mederos and Tuset (2014) as Lutjanus dentatus (Duméril, 1861) with the body depth of 2.5 in SL, which demonstrates that this character is highly variable and not useful for species identification. CONCLUSIONS. The snapper specimen from the Island of Flores is a Lutjanus cyanopterus (Cuvier, 1828) and confirmed as first record for this part of the north-eastern Atlantic. Comparisons with a L. dentatus from the Canary Islands point towards synonymy although the available molecular evidence is too scarce and by no means conclusive.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio