Using data from the 60(th) round of the National Sample Survey of India (2004), the study investigates the incidence and correlates of 'catastrophic' maternal expenditure (ME) in India. Data on ME come from 6879 births that took place during 365 days prior to the survey. The study adapts earlier definitions and methods for catastrophic total health care expenditure to measure 'catastrophic' ME as: (i) maternal health care expenditure more than 10% of the annual normative household consumption expenditure (ME-1), and (ii) maternal health care expenditure more than 40% of the annual 'capacity to pay' (ME-2). The 'capacity to pay' was derived by subtracting state-wise poverty-line household expenditure from household consumption expenditure. The average maternal expenditure varied by place of delivery: US dollar 9.5, US dollar 24.7 and US dollar 104.3 for birth at home, in a public facility and in a private facility, respectively. Sixteen per cent of households incurred ME of more than 10% of total household consumption expenditure (ME-1), while 51% households incurred ME of more than 40% of household 'capacity to pay' (ME-2). While incidence of ME-1 increased with income decile, the reverse was observed for ME-2, reflecting higher non-utilization of institutional maternal care and its non-affordability among poorer households. All the households from the poorest decile and 99% from the second poorest decile paid more than 40% of their capacity to pay. Multivariate regression results indicate that antenatal care and delivery care in private facilities increased the chances of ME-1 and ME-2 (P < 0.001). Measuring maternal expenditure against 'capacity to pay' (ME-2) may be better than measuring it as a proportion of overall household expenditure when assessing financial constraints in the use of maternal services. Improving the performance of the public sector, appropriate regulation of and partnership with the private sector, and effective direct cash transfers to pregnant women in the poorest households may increase utilization of maternal services and reduce the financial distress associated with ME.

The lipase-producing strain, Arthrobacter sp. (ABL), isolated was immobilized in Ca-alginate beads by entrapment. The alginate beads were prepared as an aqueous mixture of sodium alginate, the cells and CaCl2 to increase its reusability, and overall enzyme stability. Various parameters like alginate and CaCl2 concentration, lipase units loading and bead size were evaluated for optimum immobilization yield. It was observed that with the increase in alginate concentration, the yield of immobilized enzyme also increased up to a limit. A similar pattern was observed with CaCl2 addition; the optimum concentrations of alginate and CaCl2 observed were 1.5% (w/v) and 2%, respectively. The concentration of enzyme entrapped in the beads with an activity of 5 units per gram of wet beads was obtained by the addition of 100 units in 10 mL of slurry; beyond this amount a very little increase in activity was observed. The maximum immobilization yield was observed with a 1.2 mm bead size; increased bead sizes decreased the yield of immobilization. After optimization of all the parameters, a 40% yield of lipase (ABL) activity was observed in the Ca-alginate beads. These lipase beads were used for 10 cycles for the hydrolysis of triglycerides without any loss in activity. The entrapped lipase was more stable over a wide range of temperatures, pH, and storage time as compared to free enzyme.

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Alzheimer's disease is an unavoidable neurological disorder in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive decline and ultimate dementia. It is the most common cause of dementia in people of 65 years and older. It affects 10% of people over the age of 65 and 50% over the age of 85 years. Approximately 4million Alzheimer's patients in the United States (U.S.) and the annual treatment costs = $100 billion. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and is becoming prevalent in many other countries. The total brain size shrinks with Alzheimer's -the tissue has progressively fewer nerve cells and connections. As such there is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease the death of brain cells in the dementia cannot be halted or reversed. Along with an aim to improve research in to prevention and treatment, the goals of the plan also include measures for present interventions. To help people suffering expand supports for people with Alzheimer's disease and their families, and enhance public awareness and engagement and expand your support towards them. Enhance care quality and efficiency. There are no disease-modifying drugs available for Alzheimer's disease but some options may reduce its symptoms and help improve quality of life and thereby help the patients to some extent. There are four drugs in a class called cholinesterase inhibitor approved for symptomatic relief in the US i.e., Donepezil (brand name Aricept), Alantamine (Reminyl), Rivastigmine and Tacrine (Cognex). A different kind of drug, memantine (Namenda), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, may also be used, alone or in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor. As with other types of dementia and neurodegenerative disease, a major part of therapy for patients with Alzheimer's comes from the support given by healthcare workers to provide dementia quality-of-life care, which becomes more important as needs increase with declining independence and increasing dependence.

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This paper addresses the overall performance and inequalities in the immunization of children in Vietnam. Descriptive and logistic analysis of cross-national demographic and health data was used to examine inequality in immunization, identify the most vulnerable groups in immunization coverage, and identify the gap in coverage between hard-to-access people and the remainder of the population. The gap in the coverage was found to occur primarily in vulnerable groups such as the poor minority or poor rural children. No evidence was found of a difference in immunization coverage because of sex or birth order. However, the age of children showed a significant influence on the rate of immunization. Mother's education and regular watching of television had a significant influence on child immunization. In order to improve child immunization coverage in Vietnam, efforts should be concentrated on poor children from minority groups and those living in rural areas, especially remote ones. Community development, investment for immunization and re-organization of immunization services at the grassroots level are also key factors to remove the barriers to immunization for vulnerable populations in Vietnam.

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