Background: Anganwadi centres (AWCs) remain hub for promoting nutrition in children. For an effective functioning of programs, Anganwadi workers (AWWs) need to have a sound knowledge and perception regarding under-nutrition. A qualitative study (Focus Group Discussion) was conducted with aim to assess perceptions and knowledge of AWWs regarding under-nutrition in 6 domains like about term under-nutrition in children, its causes, identification of it, its community management, advices to be given to parents and knowledge of program related to under-nutrition in their locality.Methods: 2 Focus group discussions (each consisted of 12 members and took around 40-45 minutes) were conducted in December 2018 among AWWs of Berhampur through purposive sampling. One author played role of facilitator who carried out discussions, another acted as recorder who took notes and sociograms were recorded by another author. Audio-visual recordings were done. Data were analysed and a report was created based on grounded theory.Results: Participants had fair knowledge of term under-nutrition. They had good knowledge of causes of under-nutrition in children and knew how to identify. But none of them had proper knowledge of community management of malnutrition (CMAM) in children. Though most of them have knowledge of screening of malnourished children and referral to Nutritional rehabilitation centre, they were unaware of other key components of CMAM. Many AWWs didn’t know much about programs for combating malnutrition; however they were well acquainted with ICDS and VHND.Conclusions: Quality training programs and more sensitisation should be done for Anganwadi workers. Specific training on CMAM should be carried out for them.

BACKGROUND Candida species belong to the normal microbiota of an individual's mucosal oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and vagina. The alteration in the homeostasis between Candida, host immune system and normal oral bacterial flora causes damage to tissue by resisting host defense and production of hydrolytic enzymes. Salivary gland hypofunction may alter the oral microbiota and increase the risk of oral candidiasis. Oral submucosal fibrosis patients are prone to the above pathologies. The objective of this study is to study the prevalence of candida species and to determine the salivary flow rates of patients with oral submucosal fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS 42 patients presenting to ENT OPD of VIMSAR, Burla, with clinically diagnosed oral submucosal fibrosis (OSMF) between September 2015 and August 2017 were chosen for the study. The patients were compared with age and gender matched controls (n= 42). Samples for candida colony count were collected by oral rinse technique and salivary flow rates in mL per minute were calculated by saliva collection techniques. Patients were staged from stage 1 to 4 OSMF clinically. Candida was quantified as colony forming units (CFU) and species identification was done by standardised methods. Data was tabulated in Excel Sheets and statistical analysis was done by Mann-Whitney U Test in SPSS software version 16.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS There was significant difference between cases and controls with regards to prevalence of candida and salivary flow rates (p<0.000). Candida albicans was the most common species identified in both cases and controls. Salivary flow rates progressively decreased from stage 1 to 4, while CFUs were highest in stage 3 and lowest in stage 1 OSMF. CONCLUSION The mucosal changes in OSMF render the patients to increased susceptibility to Candida infection. With clinical progression of OSMF, salivary flow rates decrease. This study may be helpful for deciding prophylactic management of fungal infection as well as xerostomia in OSMF patients.

BACKGROUND This study intends to assess the left ventricular function in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria and investigate whether any relationship exists between severity of microalbuminuria and duration of diabetes. METHODS Type-2 DM patients fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were subjected to test for Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR) using Combilyzer13 strips. Echocardiographic assessment was done using standard criteria in those patients who were positive for microalbuminuria. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test, t-test, and correlation test using SPSS software. RESULTS 102 patients out of 408 selected Type-2 DM patients were positive for microalbuminuria. UACR was positive in 25% of the studied population with male-29% and female-19%. Microalbuminuria was significantly associated with male sex (p<0.05). The age range in the study group was 42-68 years (mean 54.44 years), the duration of the disease was from 8-22 years (mean 14.70 years). BMI in the study group was from 18.54 to 38.62 (mean 27.78). The mean values of the lipid profile were Cholesterol-232.34 mg/dL, TG-188.53 mg/dL, HDL 29.39 mg/dL, VLDL 60.38 mg/dL, LDL 159.31 mg/dL which shows an atherogenic lipid profile in the study population. The mean values of FBS and PPBS were 135.90 mg/dL and 221.75 mg/dL respectively. HbA1c had ranges from 5.1 to 9.2 (mean 6.55). LV diastolic and systolic dysfunction was observed in 43.14% and 38.24% of patients respectively. Global LV dysfunction was noted in 8.82% of subjects. Systolic dysfunction showed significant correlation with severity of microalbuminuria and duration of disease with p values <0.01 each. Diastolic dysfunction also showed significant correlation with duration of diabetes (p<0.01) and severity of microalbuminuria. CONCLUSIONS Left ventricular dysfunction occurs in Type-2 DM with microalbuminuria. It correlates well with both severity of microalbuminuria and duration of diabetes.