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Structural and optical characterization and efficacy of hydrothermal synthesized Cu and Ag doped zinc oxide nanoplate bactericides. Materials Chemistry and Physics 184 (2016), pp. 172-182. http://dx.AbstractThis study reports on a novel synthesis of pure zinc oxide and both Cu and Ag doped ZnO nanoplates using a simple and lowcost hydrothermal method. The structural and optical properties of the nanoplates were quantified and the materials were tested for antibacterial activity. Xray diffraction revealed the formation of the wurtzite phase of ZnO and scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of randomly oriented ZnO nanoplates, having thickness less than 80 nm and diameter less than 350 nm. The elemental analyses of both the pure and doped samples were evaluated by energy dispersive Xray spectrometry. The FTIR spectra of ZnO nanomaterials showed the predictable bands at 3385 cm 1 (O-H stretching), 1637 cm 1 (stretching vibration of H 2 O), 400 cm 1 to 570 cm 1 (MO stretching). The as synthesized samples showed a strong absorption peak in the UV region (~376 nm) and a near band edge emission at 392 nm with some defect peaks in the visible region. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi bacteria were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of undoped and doped ZnO. Although all the materials showed some antibacterial characteristics, the Ag doped ZnO exhibited remarkable destruction of bacteria with low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 40 µg/ml for E.coli and S.aureus and only 20 µg/ml (S.typhi), which are comparable to commercial antibiotics without optimization. Further, these chemically modified nanoparticles will be applicable for various industrial or medicinal applications such as the deposition of antimicrobial coatings and food packaging applications.

Level of physical activity was found to be insufficient among adult urban population of Puducherry. Working adult population found to be active, that too due to their work pattern. There is a need to promote leisure time and travelling time physical activity.

Background: Antenatal care is an important indicator in any health system. Through our study we intended to assess the perception of pregnant women regarding health seeking behaviour and awareness about complications during pregnancy. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out in August 2016, among the 41 pregnant women over 27 weeks of gestation in a rural area of south India. Women were selected randomly from the routine surveillance system maintained by Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences – Rural Health Training Centre, Chunampet, Kancheepuram District. Interviews audio recorded. After verbatim, manual coding and analysis was done based on pre decided eight themes. Results: In general all the antenatal women aware of the importance of regular antenatal check up. Knowledge regarding complications and danger sign was not adequate. Most of the women in rural area seek care in government facility due to its availability, accessibility and affordability. Decision making in health care is mostly taken by their husbands. Transportation has been identified as a barrier in seeking health care. Conclusions: Although few of the antenatal mothers in the study population were aware about some complications of pregnancy, but in general knowledge among most of the women was inadequate. There is a need for creating awareness among the antenatal mothers about common complications in pregnancy. On the other hand, the notion of routine care seeking during the antenatal period seems to be well rooted among the study population which is a very good sign. It is a good opportunity and is foundational to all other interventions relating to betterment of antenatal care in the community.

Introduction: Xpert MTB/RIF was implemented in 2016 as the initial diagnostic test for extrapulmonary, pediatric, and human immunodeficiency virus–associated tuberculosis (TB) and as an add-on test for sputum microscopy–negative patients under Revised National TB Control Programme, Puducherry, India. We intended to study the change in TB case notification rates (CNRs) after 2015 and explore the enablers and barriers for implementation of Xpert. Materials and Methods: Sequential mixed-methods study, quantitative phase followed by a descriptive qualitative phase (key informant interviews with healthcare providers in the program). Results: The TB (all forms) CNR increased in 2016 followed by a drop to 2015 levels in 2017. There was a reduction in patients notified as sputum-negative pulmonary TB and pediatric TB during 2016–2017. Healthcare providers used a negative Xpert result in ruling out TB among patients who would previously get diagnosed clinically. Perceived benefits of Xpert were efficiency, rapid results, and detecting resistance. Barriers included poor awareness among medical colleges and the private sector, difficulty in motivating sputum microscopy–negative patients for Xpert, and incompletely filled referral forms. Conclusion: Xpert-negative results should be interpreted cautiously after clinical assessment. Identified barriers should be addressed to ensure that all eligible undergo testing.