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Background: Adolescence is a period during which psychological foundations are laid down as well as consolidated. Not much information is available on rural Indian adolescent girls and their psychological health.Methods: We did a pilot survey of psychological health of 80 adolescent girls residing at KOKAN region of western India. Psychological health was evaluated using Youth Paediatric Symptom Checklist (Y-PSC) consisting of 35 items with maximum score of 70. Girls with a score >30 were classified as psychologically impaired. In addition we also collected random blood sample and measured the micronutrients. Macronutrient intake was estimated by 24 h recall.Results: The mean age of the girls was 14 years with a standard deviation of 1.5. In all 35/76 (46.1%) could be classified as psychologically impaired. There was a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies with varying degrees. More than 65% were deficient in calcium, zinc and folic acid. About 22% were anemic and 36% were vitamin B1 deficient. More than 75% had a low recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of macronutrients. Those with poor serum calcium concentration had higher psychological score (p < 0.05). Fat and calcium intakes were inversely associated with psychological score (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 respectively). Odds ratios for psychological impairment were significant for those with low calcium levels [1.47 (95% CI 1.21, 4.31)], and for those with low calcium intake 1.43 (1.08, 3.19) and low iron intake 3.04 (1.02, 9.26).Conclusion: Our pilot data has shown the urgent need to improve the nutrition of adolescent girls, which could improve their psychological health.

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Background: Mood disorders and psychosis has been reported among the patients with macrocytosis; however, its prevalence among the first episode of psychosis and depression is unknown. The purpose of the study was to establish the prevalence of macrocytosis among the patients with the first episode of depression and psychosis. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, three groups comprising patients with first episode of depression ( n = 100), patients with the first episode of psychosis ( n = 100), and healthy controls ( n = 100) were included. Blood samples were collected from each participant and analyzed using the automated coulter counter. The hematological variables (e.g., macrocytosis, anemia) in the three groups were compared using the Chi-square and analysis of variance tests. Results: The prevalence of macrocytosis among patients with depression and psychosis was 2.6 (8%) and 3.3 times (11%) higher, respectively than that among the healthy controls (3%). In addition, the hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume and mean platelet volume in patients with first episodes of psychosis and depression significantly differed from those in healthy controls P < 0.001. Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of macrocytosis among the first episode of depression and psychosis was higher than healthy controls. Macrocytosis may have etiological and prognostic significance among these patients. Prospective studies are needed to explore the clinical significance of macrocytosis among the patients with depression and psychosis in the clinical practice.

Background Lack of recognition in national programs, poor referral system, and non‐availability of trained human resources are the important barriers for the delivery of perinatal depression (PND) services in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LAMICs). To address this there is an urgent need to develop an integrative and non‐specialist‐based stepped care model. As part of its research thrust on target areas of India's National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), the Indian Council of Medical Research funded a research project on the outcome of PND at four sites. In this article, we describe the development of the primary health care worker‐based stepped care model and brief psychological intervention for PND. Methods A literature review focused on various aspects of PND was conducted to develop a model of care and intervention under NMHP. A panel of national and international experts and stakeholders reviewed the literature, opinions, perspectives, and proposal for different models and interventions, using a consensus method and WHO implementation toolkit. Results A consensus was reached to develop an ANM (Auxillary nurse midwife)‐based stepped‐care model consisting of the components of care, training, and referral services for PND. Furthermore, a brief psychological intervention (BIND‐P) was developed, which includes the components of the low‐intensity intervention (eg, exercise, sleep hygiene). Conclusion The BIND‐P model and intervention provide a practical approach that may facilitate effective identification, treatment, and support women with PND. We are currently evaluating this model across four study sites in India, which may help in the early detection and provision of appropriate and integrative care for PND.

Background: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is involved in the etiology of localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP), a condition that frequently requires supplemental antibiotic therapy. Information on antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and guidelines for oral antibiotic therapy are not available on Indian patients. Aim: The main aim of the present study was to screen clinical isolates on a panel of antibiotics commonly used for oral/systemic therapy. Materials and Methods: The study included 40 strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans isolated from patients with LAP. The subgingival plaque was plated onto Trypticase Soy Serum Bacitracin Vancomycin Agar medium and incubated for 72 h, and suspected colonies were confirmed by phenotypic tests. Each isolate was tested against a panel of 12 antibiotics using MIC gradient strip test. ATCC strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype A and C were used as standards. Performance and interpretation of the test were done according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Distribution of MICs among isolates ( n = 40) were used to calculate concentrations inhibiting 50% (MIC 50 ) and 90% (MIC 90 ) of strains. Results: Moxifloxacin, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone showed excellent activity with 100% growth inhibition followed by amoxicillin, amoxiclav and doxycycline (>90% activity). The bacterial strains were moderately susceptible to cefuroxime, cefazolin and tetracycline but displayed poor susceptibility to clindamycin and azithromycin. All isolates were resistant to metronidazole. Conclusion: The isolates of A. actinomycetemcomitans displayed a high level of resistance to azithromycin and clindamycin. Development of resistance against tetracycline also appears to be significant. Variable resistance among the different members of the cephalosporin group is a factor to be investigated further since susceptibility profile against these antibiotics and interpretative criteria for oral bacteria are not available.

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IntroductionPrecise impact of nutritional insufficiencies in adolescence as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCD) in later life as adults remains largely unknown.We are conducting research into the effects of nutrition on adolescent girls of Ratnagiri district by a prospective cohort study (aDolescent and prEconception health peRspectiVe of Adult Non-communicable diseases cohort). Our study focuses on the physical health, nutritional parameters and cognitive profiles of adolescent girls, during the prenatal and postnatal period and we aim to follow this cohort and their offspring for 20 years.Methods and analysisCohort recruitment began in June 2019. Our aim is to recruit more than 1500 adolescent girls, age 16–18 years, over a period of 3 years. The recruit’s cognition, diet and physical activity will be recorded. The following investigations will be performed: body composition by anthropometry and bioimpedence, and blood pressure, fasting blood sample to measure glucose, insulin, lipids, micronutrients and hormones, abdominal ultrasonography to measure liver, pancreas and kidneys.A biorepository has been created for long-term storage of blood, urine and saliva samples for future analysis. By this longitudinal study, we aim to identify the effects of malnutrition on the behavioural and biological measures in adolescent subjects and evaluate if these are associated with the onset of NCDs in adulthood.Ethics and disseminationInstitutional Ethic Committee (IEC) of BKL Walawalkar Rural Medical College and Hospital has granted the permission to carry out the study. IEC is registered with Government of India. Its registration code is EC/755/INST/MH/2015/RR-18. It is not a clinical trial but as required we have also registered the study on Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI). The registration code is CTRI/2019/04/018453.Appropriate written informed consent and assent are obtained from the parents and the adolescent girls, respectively. We plan to publish our results in peer-reviewed journals.