The Association of Total Meat Intake with Cardio-Metabolic Disease Risk Factors and Measures of Sub-Clinical Atherosclerosis in an Urbanising Community of Southern India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis for the APCAPS Cohort

AIM

Meat is commonly consumed in India; however, in comparison to Western settings, it is eaten in relatively lower quantities and with minimal processing. The association between meat intake and cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs) and their risk factors in India is currently uncertain. We examined whether meat intake is associated with risk factors for CMDs and the measures of subclinical atherosclerosis in urbanising villages in southern India.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 6012 adults (52.3% male) participating in the Andhra Pradesh Children and Parents' Study (APCAPS), which is a large prospective, intergenerational cohort study in Southern India that began with the long-term follow-up of the Hyderabad Nutrition Trial (1987-1990). We used cross-sectional data from the third wave of data collection conducted in 2010-2012, where total meat intake was assessed using 100-item, semi-quantitative validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQ). The FFQs were validated using multiple weighed 24 h dietary recalls. The main predictor, 'total meat intake', was calculated as the sum of chicken, red meat, and fish consumption. The risk factors for CMDs [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting glucose, total cholesterol, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein] and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis [Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Pulse Wave Velocity, and Augmentation Index] were assessed using standardised clinical procedures. Stratified by gender, the association of meat intake with the risk factors of CMDs and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis was examined using linear multilevel models with random intercept at the household level.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age of the male (n = 3128) and female participants (n = 2828) was 34.09 years (15.55) and 34.27 years (12.73), respectively. The median (IQR) intake of meat was 17.79 g/day (8.90, 30.26) in males and 8.90 g/day (4.15, 18.82) in females. In males, a 10 g increase in total meat intake/1000 Kcal/day was positively associated with DBP, BMI, WC, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides, whereas in females, a 10 g increase in total meat intake/1000 Kcal/day was positively associated with SBP, DBP, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides. There was no relationship between meat consumption and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Meat intake had a linear positive association with CMD risk factors among the relatively younger Indian population who were consuming meat at lower levels compared to their European counterparts.

Burden, determinants, consequences and care of multimorbidity in rural and urbanising Telangana, India: protocol for a mixed-methods study within the APCAPS cohort

INTRODUCTION

The epidemiological and demographic transitions are leading to a rising burden of multimorbidity (co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions) worldwide. Evidence on the burden, determinants, consequences and care of multimorbidity in rural and urbanising India is limited, partly due to a lack of longitudinal and objectively measured data on chronic health conditions. We will conduct a mixed-methods study nested in the prospective Andhra Pradesh Children and Parents' Study (APCAPS) cohort to develop a data resource for understanding the epidemiology of multimorbidity in rural and urbanising India and developing interventions to improve the prevention and care of multimorbidity.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We aim to recruit 2100 APCAPS cohort members aged 45+ who have clinical and lifestyle data collected during a previous cohort follow-up (2010-2012). We will screen for locally prevalent non-communicable, infectious and mental health conditions, alongside cognitive impairments, disabilities and frailty, using a combination of self-reported clinical diagnosis, symptom-based questionnaires, physical examinations and biochemical assays. We will conduct in-depth interviews with people with varying multimorbidity clusters, their informal carers and local healthcare providers. Deidentified data will be made available to external researchers.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has received approval from the ethics committees of the National Institute of Nutrition and Indian Institute of Public Health Hyderabad, India and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. Meta-data and data collection instruments will be published on the APCAPS website alongside details of existing APCAPS data and the data access process (www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/centres-projects-groups/apcaps).

[Blunt abdominal trauma in children and adolescents: treatment concepts in the acute phase]

Fatal accidents due to blunt force trauma are the leading cause of death in children and adolescents [1]. Abdominal trauma is the third most common cause of death after traumatic brain injury and thoracic injuries [2]. Abdominal injury is seen in approximately 2-5% of children involved in accidents [3]. Blunt abdominal injuries are common sequelae of traffic accidents (for example as seat belt injury), falls, and sports accidents. Penetrating abdominal injuries are rare in central Europe. Spleen, liver, and kidney lacerations are the most common injuries after blunt abdominal trauma [4]. In most situations, nonoperative management (NOM) has become the gold standard with the surgeon leading the multidisciplinary treatment [5].

Impact of a financial incentive scheme on purchase of fruits and vegetables from unorganised retailers in rural India: a cluster-randomised controlled trial

Background

Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables is prevalent in rural areas of India, where around 65% of the population reside. Financial incentives have been shown to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables in urban supermarkets, but their feasibility and effectiveness with unorganised retailers in rural India is unclear.

Methods

A cluster-randomised controlled trial of a financial incentive scheme involving ∼20% cashback on purchase of fruits and vegetables from local retailers was conducted in six villages (3535 households). All households in three intervention villages were invited to participate in the scheme which ran for three months (February-April 2021), while no intervention was offered in control villages. Self-reported (pre-intervention and post-intervention) data on purchase of fruits and vegetables were collected from a random sub-sample of households in control and intervention villages.

Findings

A total of 1109 households (88% of those invited) provided data. After the intervention, the weekly quantity of self-reported fruits and vegetables purchased were (i) 18.6 kg (intervention) and 14.2 kg (control), baseline-adjusted mean difference 4 kg (95% CI: -6.4 to 14.4) from any retailer (primary outcome); and (ii) 13.1 kg (intervention) and 7.1 kg (control), baseline-adjusted mean difference 7.4 kg (95% CI: 3.8-10.9) from local retailers participating in the scheme (secondary outcome). There was no evidence of differential effects of the intervention by household food security or by socioeconomic position, and no unintended adverse consequences were noted.

Interpretation

Financial incentive schemes are feasible in unorganised food retail environments. Effectiveness in improving diet quality of the household likely hinges on the percentage of retailers willing to participate in such a scheme.

Funding

This research has been funded by the Drivers of Food Choice (DFC) Competitive Grants Program, which is funded by the UK Government's Department for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and managed by the University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, USA; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK Government's official policies.

Childhood Socioeconomic Position and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Adulthood: Systematic Review of Evidence From Low- and Middle-Income Countries

INTRODUCTION

Socioeconomic disadvantage in childhood is strongly associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease in high-income countries. However, the association in low- and middle-income countries, where childhood poverty remains prevalent, has not been reviewed.

METHODS

The authors systematically searched Embase, MEDLINE, and Global Health databases for articles on the association between childhood socioeconomic position and risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood in low- and middle-income countries until September 2020. Outcomes included measures of cardiovascular disease, its subclinical markers (e.g., carotid intima-media thickness), and its major risk factors (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes). Where available, associations were extracted before and after adjustment for socioeconomic position in adulthood. Results were synthesized qualitatively by outcome. The study protocol is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018086984).

RESULTS

The search returned 3,568 unique abstracts, from which 29 eligible articles from 14 middle-income countries were identified, representing >150,000 participants. The most commonly reported outcomes were cardiovascular risk factors; very few studies reported prevalent measures of cardiovascular disease, and no studies reported cardiovascular disease incidence or mortality. Of the 46 reported associations between childhood socioeconomic position and risk of cardiovascular disease, 8 were inverse, 0 were positive, and 38 showed no clear evidence of association. All articles had high (16/29) or medium (13/29) risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence from middle-income countries provides little support for an association between childhood socioeconomic position and risk of cardiovascular disease, and evidence from low-income countries is lacking. It would be premature to consider childhood poverty as a target for cardiovascular disease prevention in these settings.

Changing family structures and self-rated health of India's older population (1995-96 to 2014)

A common view within academia and Indian society is that older Indians are cared for by their families less than in the past. Children are a key source of support in later life and alternatives are limited, therefore declining fertility appears to corroborate this. However, the situation may be more complex. Having many children may be physiologically burdensome for women, sons and daughters have distinct care roles, social trends could affect support provision, and spouses also provide support. We assessed whether the changing structure of families has negatively affected health of the older population using three cross-sectional and nationally representative surveys of India's 60-plus population (1995-96, 2004 and 2014). We described changes in self-rated health and family structure (number of children, sons, and daughters, and marital status) and, using ordinal regression modelling, determined the association between family structure and self-rated health, stratified by survey year and gender. Our results indicate that family structure changes that occurred between 1995-96 and 2014 were largely associated with better health. Though family sizes declined, there were no health gains from having more than two children. In fact, having many children (particularly daughters) was associated with worse health for both men and women. There was some evidence that being sonless or childless was associated with worse health, but it remained rare to not have a son or child. Being currently married was associated with better health and became more common over the inter-survey period. Although our results suggest that demographic trends have not adversely affected health of the older population thus far, we propose that the largest changes in family structure are yet to come. The support available in coming years (and potential health impact) will rely on flexibility of the current system.

Childhood socio-economic conditions and risk of cardiovascular disease: results from a pooled sample of 14 011 adults from India

Background

South Asians are at an increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease, but the reasons for this are unclear. Poor socio-economic conditions in childhood are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in many high-income countries and may be particularly relevant to South Asia, where socio-economic deprivation is more prevalent and severe. However, evidence from South Asia is limited.

Methods

We pooled data from two large population-based studies in India to provide a geographically representative and adequately powered sample of Indian adults. We used multilevel linear regression models to assess associations between standard of living index (SLI) in childhood (measured by recalled household assets at age 10–12 years) and major cardiovascular risk factors including adiposity, blood pressure, and fasting blood lipids, glucose and insulin.

Results

Data on 14 011 adults (median age 39 years, 56% men) were analysed. SLI in childhood was inversely associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, independent of socio-economic conditions in adulthood, with beta coefficients (95% CIs) of −0.70 mmHg (−1.17 to −0.23) and −0.56 mmHg (−0.91 to −0.22), respectively, per SD increase in SLI in childhood. There was no strong evidence for an association between SLI in childhood and other risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

Conclusions

Poor socio-economic conditions in childhood may contribute to the increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease among South Asians by raising their blood pressure. Elucidating the mechanisms and improving socio-economic conditions for children in South Asia could provide major reductions in the burden of cardiovascular disease.

Tuberculosis mortality and the male survival deficit in rural South Africa: An observational community cohort study

BACKGROUND

Women live on average five years longer than men, and the sex difference in longevity is typically lower in populations with high mortality. South Africa-a high mortality population with a large sex disparity-is an exception, but the causes of death that contribute to this difference are not well understood.

METHODS

Using data from a demographic surveillance system in rural KwaZulu-Natal (2000-2014), we estimate differences between male and female adult life expectancy by HIV status. The contribution of causes of death to these life expectancy differences are computed with demographic decomposition techniques. Cause of death information comes from verbal autopsy interviews that are interpreted with the InSilicoVA tool.

RESULTS

Adult women lived an average of 10.4 years (95% confidence Interval 9.0-11.6) longer than men. Sex differences in adult life expectancy were even larger when disaggregated by HIV status: 13.1 (95% confidence interval 10.7-15.3) and 11.2 (95% confidence interval 7.5-14.8) years among known HIV negatives and positives, respectively. Elevated male mortality from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and external injuries were responsible for 43% and 31% of the sex difference in life expectancy among the HIV negative population, and 81% and 16% of the difference among people living with HIV.

CONCLUSIONS

The sex differences in adult life expectancy in rural KwaZulu-Natal are exceptionally large, atypical for an African population, and largely driven by high male mortality from pulmonary TB and injuries. This is the case for both HIV positive and HIV negative men and women, signalling a need to improve the engagement of men with health services, irrespective of their HIV status.

[Strategies for paediatric spleen and liver injuries]

Traumatic injuries of the spleen and liver are typically caused by age-related falls or sports and traffic accidents. Today, the non-operative management for isolated injuries is established and evidence-based guidelines are available. The intact abdominal wall and the limited space within the peritoneum produce a compression which is the pathophysiological explanation for the limitation of the haemorrhage. Precondition for the non-operative therapy is the radiology-based classification of the injury (organ injury scale) and a haemodynamically stable patient. Haemodynamic stability is, if necessary maintained with blood transfusion, volume substitutes and the administration of catecholamines. In cases of hilar vascular injury and devascularisation or haemodynamic instability of the patient, despite utilisation of the measures mentioned above, urgent operative therapy needs to be performed. Organ sparing surgery is the therapy of choice for both liver and spleen. The spleen is required for the development of a competent immune system in the growing organism. Liver injuries can be further complicated by injury to the bile system, which might require operative reconstruction. If a patient suffers from multiple injuries and spleen or liver are involved, the decision on the management needs to be taken individually, no guidelines exist but the rate for operative therapy increases. Independent of the dimensions of injury, an experienced paediatric surgeon with his multidisciplinary team, considering the anatomic and age specific characteristics of a child, achieves the best therapeutic results.

[Diametaphyseal forearm fracture in childhood. Pitfalls and recommendations for treatment]

The optimal treatment for fractures in the diametaphyseal transition zone of the forearm is still a matter of debate. Stable fractures should be immobilized or treated by closed reduction when non-tolerably displaced. Unstable and displaced fractures can be treated by various operative techniques, which are all characterized by technical impracticability or disadvantages for the patient. In younger patients transepiphyseal intramedullary K-wire fixation represents a minimally invasive, quick and technically easy treatment option but requires additional immobilisation. In adolescent patients volar locking plate osteosynthesis constitutes an immobilisation-free treatment option, but is combined with high invasiveness. Percutaneous K-wire fixation and elastic stable intramedullary nailing may lead to poor results in the diametaphyseal region due to technical or biomechanical problems associated with the implant. The external fixator is indicated in some multifragmentary fractures. The choice of treatment option often results from an individual decision based on the patient's age, complexity and stability of the fracture and interest of the patient. The priority objective of all treatment modalities is a fully functional upper extremity, i.e. full range of motion.

Unstable diametaphyseal forearm fractures: transepiphyseal intramedullary Kirschner-wire fixation as a treatment option in children

BACKGROUND

In unstable metaphyseal and diaphyseal forearm fractures the treatment of choice is percutaneous Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation or elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN), respectively. The optimal treatment for the diametaphyseal transition zone is still a matter of debate.

METHODS

The diametaphyseal transition zone was defined as the square over the "physis of distal radius and ulna" minus the square of "physis of distal radius alone". Transepiphyseal intramedullary K-wire fixation was performed in unstable fractures affecting this transitional area. The operative, postoperative and functional outcomes were assessed and compared to previously treated patients who were treated using other techniques (plate, external fixator or ESIN).

RESULTS

10 patients received transepiphyseal intramedullary K-wire fixation. Additionally the ulna was stabilized by antegrade ESIN in 5 cases. Cast immobilization was performed for 39, sports restriction for 43 and metal removal was done after 50 days. No complications, bone malalignment, or functional deficits occurred (mean follow-up: 17 months). 13 patients were treated using alternative options. 3 patients had plates with cast immobilization for 26 days, sports restriction for 63 and metal removal after 287 days. 5 patients were treated by external fixation for 54 days. Their sports restriction was 73 days. The remaining 5 patients had ESIN. In 1 of these cases additional cast immobilization was necessary. Their sports restriction was 51 days and metal removal was done after 88 days. In 4 cases a malalignment >10° of the radius was documented, and 1 patient had a functional deficit of forearm pro-/supination.

CONCLUSION

Transepiphyseal intramedullary K-wire fixation in unstable diametaphyseal forearm fractures is a minimally invasive, quick and technically easy treatment option but requires additional immobilization. Our data suggest that this technique offers advantages compared to alternative treatment options.

Neutrophil maturation and activation determine anatomic site of clearance from circulation

The long-term disposition of circulating neutrophils and the site of disappearance from circulation remain unclear. We investigated neutrophil localization in mice using (111)In-labeled murine peripheral blood neutrophils, mature bone marrow neutrophils, and peritoneal exudate neutrophils to track in vivo localization of these different cell populations. Infused peripheral neutrophils were found to localize equally between liver and marrow sites by 4 h (31.2 +/- 1.9 vs. 31.9 +/- 1.8%), whereas exudate neutrophils predominantly localized to liver (42.0 +/- 1.1%) and marrow-derived neutrophils to the marrow (65.9 +/- 6.6%) where they were found to localize predominantly in the hematopoietic cords. Stimulation of marrow neutrophils before infusion caused a shift in localization from marrow to liver, and subsequent induction of an inflammatory site after infusion and marrow sequestration led to remobilization of infused marrow neutrophils but not of peripheral neutrophils. These results indicate that the marrow participates in removing neutrophils from circulation, with evidence supporting both storage and perhaps disposal functions. Furthermore, models for circulating neutrophil homeostasis should consider that the site of retention is governed by the maturation and activation states of the cell.

Motor cortex excitability in patients with focal epilepsy

We studied the excitability of the motor cortex using, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in patients with temporal and extratemporal epilepsy. We applied single and paired-pulse TMS to 15 patients with temporal (n = 7), extratemporal (n = 6) and focal epilepsy lateralised to one hemisphere (n = 2). Patients had no antiepileptic drugs in the last 48 h and were seizure free for 4 h prior to testing. We determined the threshold for EMG responses at rest (RMT), the cortically evoked silent period (CSSP) and intracortical inhibition (ICI, intervals of 2-4 ms) and facilitation (ICF, 7-15 ms) and compared the results to those obtained in 17 normal controls. ICI and ICF was reduced in both hemispheres (P < 0.01. ANOVA) compared to the controls. In the hemisphere of seizure origin ('abnormal') there was a reduction of ICF (P < 0.01) and normal ICI, in the 'normal' hemisphere there was a reduced ICI (P < 0.01) and a slight reduction of ICF (P < 0.05). ICF on the 'abnormal' side was reduced (P < 0.05) compared to the 'normal' hemisphere. RMT was increased in two patients, but group comparison of RMT and CSSP showed no significant differences between patients and controls. The results suggest a remote effect of epileptic activity onto the motor cortex leading to an alteration of activity in local inhibitory circuits.

Influence of social partner on interactions of toddlers with disabilities: comparison of interactions with mothers and familiar playmates

The social exchanges of young children with developmental disabilities over time with two different social partners and the nature of these exchanges were compared. Thirty-three toddlers with developmental disabilities were video-taped for 15 minutes with each partner at two different data points. Data were transcribed and coded using a modification of Vandell and Wilson's (1979) coding system. Results showed that more of the observation time was spent socially with mothers than with peers, and the number of turns per exchange was longer with mothers. In contrast, toddlers initiated more social exchanges with peers than with mothers. There were similarities in the content of the social exchanges with both partners. There were few changes over time, although exchanges consisted of more purely social behaviors at Time 2. Results were interpreted with respect to implications for early intervention.

Mast cell immunohistochemistry: non-immunological immunostaining mediated by non-specific F(ab')2-mast cell secretory granule interaction

During investigations of murine and human mast cell immunoreactivity with potential anti-interleukin-4 antibodies, non-specific, non-immunological labelling of mouse and human mast cells became apparent. Non-specific, non-immunological labelling was identified by (i) immunolabelling of mast cells when using control isotype primary antibodies, (ii) ability of conjugated secondary antibodies to label mast cells without prior mast cell exposure to a primary antibody, (iii) extinction of the non-specific labelling and retention of specific labelling when the pH of the diluting and washing buffers is shifted from pH 7.2 to pH 6.0, and (iv) reduction/extinction of the labelling when the antibodies are pre-incubated with soluble heparin prior to immunostaining. The site of the reactivity on the electron microscope level was shown to be confined to the mast cell secretory granules. The results of this study support the hypothesis that non-specific labelling of mast cells results from an ionic interaction between the F(ab')2 segments of antibodies and the heparin constituent of the mast cell secretory granules. This study points out the necessity of stringent controls when using immunohistochemistry to determine mast cell reactivity to various antibodies.