Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about probiotic use among health professionals of Ahmedabad, India. Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire was prepared. The questionnaire consisted of 12 close-ended questions related to definition, mechanism of action, safety consideration, health benefits, sources and four questions to assess their attitude and practice about probiotics. Total 267 healthcare professionals were requested to fill the questionnaire. Participants were doctors, medical students, nutritionists, nutrition students, pharmacists and pharmacy students. Findings Results of the survey revealed that most of the participants (93.25 per cent) were aware of the term probiotic, 66.66 per cent professionals were able to answer the right mechanism of action of probiotics. Only 54.68 per cent health professionals knew the health benefits correctly. There was a significant difference between the knowledge of professionals from different fields (p < 0.05). Medical students had highest knowledge scores, whereas nutrition students had lowest knowledge scores. There was no significant difference between knowledge of doctors, pharmacist and nutritionist, but knowledge of medical students was significantly higher than the nutrition students (p < 0.05). Majority of the respondents (85.76 per cent) believed that probiotics are useful for patients. Nearly 50 per cent preferred probiotic food over probiotic drugs. Almost half of them (48.68 per cent) agreed that probiotics can significantly affect the outcome of any therapy. Originality/value Nutritionists and medical students have shown to be more knowledgeable about probiotics than professionals and students of other fields. A positive and significant correlation was found between knowledge and attitude of healthcare providers.

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Experiments on frog tadpoles exposed to chromium (VI) revealed a marked teratogenic effect of the element. The toxicity of chromium also led to abnormal behavioral responses and death. The results of this study support our earlier findings with Annelids 1 that the permitted levels of chromium in irrigation waters are harmful to terrestrial and aquatic organisms.

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Background: Rebound hyperbilirubinemia may occur after cessation of phototherapy in new-borns in certain high-risk situations. However, data regarding the phenomenon of bilirubin rebound is lacking from India. Aim was to study the incidence and associated risk factors of post phototherapy rebound hyperbilirubinemia.Methods: The study subjects included all neonates (gestation >34 weeks) admitted to newborn unit who required phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia. Unit protocol based on American academy of pediatrics (AAP) guidelines were used to start and stop phototherapy. Rebound bilirubin was measured 24±6 hours after stopping phototherapy. Significant bilirubin rebound (SBR) was defined as post phototherapy bilirubin level needing reinstitution of phototherapy. The risk factors associated with significant rebound were studied.Results: Out of total 509 neonates who received phototherapy due to hyperbilirubinemia, 63 (12%) had significant bilirubin rebound requiring reinstitution of phototherapy. There was significant risk for rebound in neonates who had prematurity (p <0.01), ABO (<0.001) and Rh incompatibility (p<0.005) with mother, G6PD deficiency (p < 0.001) and onset of hyperbilirubinemia less than 72 hours of postnatal age (p< 0.001). However, neonates with extravasations of blood, polycythaemia, sepsis, other causes of haemolysis and idiopathic group did not have significant risk of developing rebound.Conclusions: Post phototherapy bilirubin estimation and follow up should be ensured in high-risk neonates.