Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have tremendous potential as a new class of next-generation therapeutics; however, their progress is lagging due to issues related to stability, biodistribution, and cell-membrane permeability. To overcome these issues, there is widespread interest in chemically modifying siRNAs. In this study, siRNAs that contain a triazole-backbone unit with pyrimidine-modified hydrophobic substituents were synthesized and examined for their gene-silencing activity. In our study, we generated a library of siRNAs that target both a plasmid reporter system and an endogenous gene target, bcl-2. Our results indicate that these unique modifications are well tolerated within the RNA interference pathway. In addition, a cholesterol-modified triazole-linked siRNA targeting the exogenous target firefly luciferase was capable of gene-silencing at levels greater than 80% in the absence of a carrier complex.
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is one of the major National Human Resource Development Programmes of the Government of India. The programme completed 18 years of its effective operational duration on 2 October 1993. During this period we have conducted various baseline surveys, multicentre longitudinal and periodic studies, and unicentre special study projects to determine the impact of the programme on the nutritional status of children aged 0 to < 6 years and evaluate the coverage of the scheme. The children with normal nutrition in ICDS blocks constituted 50 per cent of the surveyed population in 1976 in comparison to 75 per cent observed in baseline data of 1990 survey. There was a highly significant decrease in severely malnourished children from 21 per cent in 1976 to 7 per cent in 1990. The benefit of the programme was evident in all sections of the society including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward and Minority communities. The nutritional services (supplementary nutrition, Vit. A, Iron, and Folic Acid) coverage of the children increased from 25 per cent in 1976 to 53 per cent in 1985 in ICDS blocks in comparison to 42 per cent in non-ICDS blocks, while that for pregnant and lactating women increased from 17 per cent and 14 per cent in 1976 to 25 per cent and 26 per cent 1985, respectively.
India is currently the home of the largest number of under-nourished and over-nourished children in the world. Data from longitudinal studies in India indicate that both under nutrition and over-nutrition in childhood is associated with higher risk of over-nutrition and noncommunicable diseases in adult life. A community based mixed longitudinal study of underfive children from urban low income families was taken up to assess their nutritional status. Weight was taken every month in all; length was measured every month in infants and height was measured once in three months in 1-5 year children. BMI was computed in all. Nutritional status was assessed using the WHO anthro software package. Between 2012 and 2015, 3888 pre-school children were enrolled (49.4% boys and 50.6% girls); mean age of these children at enrolment was 22.5±16.17 months. The mean Z scores for height for age was - 1.79; weight for age was - 1.41 and -0.47 for BMI for age. Prevalence of stunting was 43.4%; underweight was 31.9%, wasting was 12% and over-nutrition was between 3-5%. The reduction in wasting rate between 0-3 years was mainly due to the increase in prevalence of stunting. With universal screening for early detection of wasting and over-nutrition and effective management of these, it will be possible to achieve the WHA targets of reducing and maintaining wasting below 5% and preventing increase in over-nutrition in this population. This may reduce the risk of over-nutrition and non-communicable diseases in these children during their adult life.
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