More Evidence on the Impact of India's Conditional Cash Transfer Program,Janani Suraksha Yojana: Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of the Effects on Childhood Immunization and Other Reproductive and Child Health Outcomes

Background

In 2005, India established a conditional cash transfer program called Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), to increase institutional delivery and encourage the use of reproductive and child health-related services.

Objective

To assess the effect of maternal receipt of financial assistance from JSY on childhood immunizations, post-partum care, breastfeeding practices, and care-seeking behaviors.

Methods

We use data from the latest district-level household survey (2007–2008) to conduct a propensity score matching analysis with logistic regression. We conduct the analyses at the national level as well as separately across groups of states classified as high-focus and non-high-focus. We carry out several sensitivity analyses including a subgroup analysis stratified by possession of an immunization card.

Results

Receipt of financial assistance from JSY led to an increase in immunization rates ranging from 3.1 (95%CI 2.2–4.0) percentage points for one dose of polio vaccine to 9.1 (95%CI 7.5–10.7) percentage points in the proportion of fully vaccinated children. Our findings also indicate JSY led to increased post-partum check-up rates and healthy early breastfeeding practices around the time of childbirth. No effect of JSY was found on exclusive breastfeeding practices and care-seeking behaviors. Effect sizes were consistently larger in states identified as being a key focus for the program. In an analysis stratified by possession of an immunization card, there was little to no effect of JSY among those with vaccination cards, while the effect size was much larger than the base case results for those missing vaccination cards, across nearly all immunization outcomes.

Conclusions

Early results suggest the JSY program led to a significant increase in childhood immunization rates and some healthy reproductive health behaviors, but the structuring of financial incentives to pregnant women and health workers warrants further review. Causal interpretation of our results relies on the assumption that propensity scores balance unobservable characteristics.     

Identification of 1-chloro-2-formyl indenes and tetralenes as novel antistaphylococcal agents exhibiting sortase A inhibition

Tetralene and indene compounds have shown inhibitory activity against human pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Their potential use as antistaphylococcal agent against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has not been explored so far. We determined in vitro antistaphylococcal activity and mechanism of action of these compounds as sortase A inhibitors through in silico analysis followed by biological assays. Tetralene and indene series were tested against S. aureus strains MTCC96, MRSA, and VA30. Three compounds showed significant reduction in MIC in both wild-type and drug-resistant S. aureus strains. In silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity analysis of identified leads and cytotoxicity testing with colorimetric method using Vero and WRL-68 cell lines showed no significant cytotoxic effects. Molecular docking of these molecules with sortase A (PDB: 2KID) showed H-bond interaction with functional site residue Arg197 of sortase A. Sortase A inhibition assay was developed by expressing SrtA_?N from S. aureus strain MTCC96. Tetralene and indene compounds were found to have sortase A inhibitory potential. S. aureus strain MTCC96 treated with these compounds showed surface-sorting inhibition of fibronectin-binding protein and reduction in adherence to host extracellular matrix protein, fibronectin. 1-Chloro, 2-formyl, 6-methoxy, 1-tetralene (Tet-5), 1,5-dichloro, 2-formyl, 1-indene (Tet-20) and 1-chloro, 2-formyl, 5,6-methylenedioxy, and 1-indene (Tet-21) exhibited antistaphylococcal activity along with sortase A inhibition. The results also indicate the possible role of these leads in other reactions essential for cell viability.     

TNF-TNFR2/p75 Signaling Inhibits Early and Increases Delayed Nontargeted Effects in Bone Marrow-derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells

TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is highly expressed after being irradiated (IR) and is implicated in mediating radiobiological bystander responses (RBRs). Little is known about specific TNF receptors in regulating TNF-induced RBR in bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (BM-EPCs). Full body γ-IR WT BM-EPCs showed a biphasic response: slow decay of p-H2AX foci during the initial 24 h and increase between 24 h and 7 days post-IR, indicating a significant RBR in BM-EPCs in vivo. Individual TNF receptor (TNFR) signaling in RBR was evaluated in BM-EPCs from WT, TNFR1/p55KO, and TNFR2/p75KO mice, in vitro. Compared with WT, early RBR (1–5 h) were inhibited in p55KO and p75KO EPCs, whereas delayed RBR (3–5 days) were amplified in p55KO EPCs, suggesting a possible role for TNFR2/p75 signaling in delayed RBR. Neutralizing TNF in γ-IR conditioned media (CM) of WT and p55KO BM-EPCs largely abolished RBR in both cell types. ELISA protein profiling of WT and p55KO EPC γ-IR-CM over 5 days showed significant increases in several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1α (Interleukin-1 alpha), RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), and MCP-1. In vitro treatments with murine recombinant (rm) TNF-α and rmIL-1α, but not rmMCP-1 or rmRANTES, increased the formation of p-H2AX foci in nonirradiated p55KO EPCs. We conclude that TNF-TNFR2 signaling may induce RBR in naïve BM-EPCs and that blocking TNF-TNFR2 signaling may prevent delayed RBR in BM-EPCs, conceivably, in bone marrow milieu in general.     

Distribution of tension wood like gelatinous fibres in the roots of Acacia nilotica (Lam.) Willd

Key message

The present study unravels the anatomical characteristics and distribution patterns of cell wall polymers in the G-fibres found in the roots of A. nilotica using different microscopy techniques (light, electron and immunofluorescence microscopy).

Abstract

The present study was aimed to investigate the anatomy of reaction xylem in the positively gravitropic roots of Acacia nilotica growing in compact and waterlogged soils. The roots collected from the two different sites showed occurrence of gelatinous fibres throughout xylem radii from a distance of 4 cm from the soil surface. The thickness of gelatinous layer (G-layer) increased in the root collected from the deeper soil. Further, the ultrastructural studies revealed a complete replacement of S₂ and S₃ layers in G-fibres nearer to root tip region as compared to the root portion close to upper part of the soil surface. In addition, these fibres demonstrated intense lignification in compound middle lamellae region of G-fibre walls. Moreover, the vessel density and their width increased considerably near the root tip region. The immunofluorescence analysis suggested that the β-1,4-galactans were prevalent in G-layer, whereas the xylan was restricted to only regions of lignified secondary wall. The similarities in distribution pattern and anatomical features of G-fibres in waterlogged and non-waterlogged roots suggest the occurrence of G-fibres as inherent characteristics in the roots of Acacia nilotica.     

Survival kinetics of Salmonella enterica serotype senftenberg (S. senftenberg) after heat and acid stress

The survival kinetics of two clinical isolates of Salmonella senftenberg were studied after heat and acid stress. The strains survived better at 53 and 55 °C after heat shock of 30 min at 50 °C or overnight heat adaptation at 45 °C. An increase in the decimal reduction time, D, of heat-shocked [10.2 min (53 °C) and 9.37 min (55 °C)] and heat-adapted [8.12 min (53 °C) and 7.8 min (55 °C)] cells was observed compared with the non-stressed cells [6.87 min (53 °C), 6.56 min 55 °C)]. A significant difference was also observed in the survival of acid-adapted to acid non-adapted S. senftenberg bacteria.     

Diatoms as indicators of stream quality in the Kathmandu Valley and Middle Hills of Nepal and India

1. Diatoms are recognised as indicators in temperate streams, but only recently have assessments begun of their value in indicating stream quality in the tropics and sub‐tropics. Here, we extend previous studies by assessing stream diatom assemblages in relation to water quality and habitat character in the Kathmandu Valley, and in the Middle Hills of Nepal and northern India. We also assessed whether the U.K. Trophic Diatom Index (TDI) was sufficiently portable to reveal pollution in Himalayan rivers. In the more urbanised and highly agricultural Kathmandu Valley, we compared diatom response to water quality classes indicated by a local invertebrate index, the Nepalese Biotic Score (NEPBIOS). 2. Thirty and 53 streams in the Kathmandu Valley (2000) and Middle Hills (1994–96), respectively, were sampled in October and November during stable flows following the monsoon. Diatoms were collected in riffles, water samples taken for chemical analysis, and habitat character of the stream channel, bank and catchment assessed using river habitat surveys. In the Kathmandu Valley, macroinvertebrates were collected by kick‐sampling. 3. In total, 113 diatom taxa were found in the Kathmandu Valley streams and 106 in the Middle Hills. Of 168 taxa recorded, 62 occurred only in the Kathmandu Valley, 56 only in the Middle Hills and 50 were common to both areas. Most taxa found only in the Kathmandu Valley belonged to the genus Navicula while most taxa confined to the Middle Hills were Achnanthes, Fragilaria and Gomphonema. 4. In the Kathmandu Valley, richness and diversity increased significantly with K, Cl, SO₄ and NO₃, but declined significantly with Al, Fe, surfactants and phenols. Richness here also varied with habitat structure, being lowest in fast flowing, shaded streams with coarse substrata in forested catchments. In all streams combined, richness increased significantly with Si, Na and PO₄, but declined significantly with increasing pH, Ca and Mg. 5. Diatom assemblage composition in the Kathmandu Valley strongly reflected water chemistry as revealed by cations (K, Na, Mg, Ca), anions (Cl, SO₄), nutrients (NO₃, PO₄, Si), and also substratum composition, flow character and catchment land use. The commonest taxa in base‐poor forested catchments were Achnanthes siamlinearis, A. subhudsonis, A. undata and an unidentified Gomphonema species; Cocconeis placentula and Navicula minima in agricultural catchments; and Mayamaea atomus var. alcimonica, M. atomus var. permitis, and Nitzschia palea at polluted sites near settlements. Diatom assemblages in none‐agricultural catchments of the Kathmandu Valley and Middle Hills were similar, but they contrasted strongly between urban or agricultural catchments of the Kathmandu Valley and the less intensively farmed catchments of the Middle Hills. 6. In keeping with variations in assemblage composition, most streams in the Kathmandu Valley had higher TDI values (33–87, median = 64) and more pollution tolerant taxa (0–78%, median = 16) than streams in the Middle Hills (25–82, median 45, 0–26%, median = 2). TDI values correlated significantly with measured PO₄, Si, and Na concentrations in the Kathmandu Valley, and with Si and Na concentrations in the Middle Hills. There was some consistency between water quality classes revealed by NEPBIOS and diatoms, but also some contrast. Water quality class I–II sites had lower TDI values and were less species rich than water quality II sites, however, there were no significant differences in detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) assemblage scores and relative abundances of pollution tolerant taxa between NEPBIOS classes. 7. While diatoms in the Middle Hills indicate unpolluted or only mildly enriched conditions, they reveal pronounced eutrophication and organic pollution in the densely populated Kathmandu Valley. In addition, diatoms appear to respond to altered habitats in rural agricultural and urban areas. As demands on water resources in this region are likely to increase, we advocate the continued development of diatoms as indicators using methods based on what appear to be consistent responses in the TDI between Europe and the Himalaya.     

Novel rhodanine derivatives induce growth inhibition followed by apoptosis

We have designed and synthesized three novel compounds, 5-isopropylidiene derivatives of 3-dimethyl-2-thio-hydantoin (ITH-1), 3-ethyl-2-thio-2,4-oxazolidinedione (ITO-1), and 5-benzilidene-3-ethyl rhodanine (BTR-1), and have tested their chemotherapeutic properties. Our results showed that all three compounds induced cytotoxicity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner on leukemic cell line, CEM. Among the compounds tested, BTR-1 was 5- to 7-fold more potent than ITH-1 and ITO-1 when compared by trypan blue and MTT assays. IC₅₀ value of BTR-1 was estimated to be <10 μM. Both cell cycle analysis and tritiated thymidine assays revealed that BTR-1 affects DNA replication by inducing a block at S phase. BTR-1 treatment led to increased level of ROS production and DNA strand breaks suggesting activation of apoptosis for induction of cell death.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of potent thiosemicarbazone based cathepsin L inhibitors

A small library of 36 functionalized benzophenone thiosemicarbazone analogs has been prepared by chemical synthesis and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the cysteine proteases cathepsin L and cathepsin B. Inhibitors of cathepsins L and B have the potential to limit or arrest cancer metastasis. The six most active inhibitors of cathepsin L (IC₅₀ < 85 nM) in this series incorporate a meta-bromo substituent in one aryl ring along with a variety of functional groups in the second aryl ring. These six analogs are selective for their inhibition of cathepsin L versus cathepsin B (IC₅₀ > 10,000 nM). The most active analog in the series, 3-bromophenyl-2′-fluorophenyl thiosemicarbazone 1, also efficiently inhibits cell invasion of the DU-145 human prostate cancer cell line.