Milk quality and safety is the biggest concern of the Indians' dairy industry. Although milk contamination can occur at any stage of the milk value chain but farm contamination is supposed to be the major culprit. The present study investigated the perception and practices of dairy farmers about milk safety and quality at the farm level. Randomly selected dairy farmers (n -300), across the five different agro-climatic zones of Punjab, India, were surveyed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The study analyzed the awareness and practices of the respondents based on the five aspects namely milker's hygiene, animal hygiene, environmental hygiene, milk handling, and chemical residue in milk. Pooled milk samples collected from every alternate farm (n-150) were subjected to somatic cell count (SCC), fat, SNF, adulteration, and E.Coli contamination.  Data were analyzed using SPSS software through descriptive statistics, Chi-square test of independence with Cramer’s V value as measures of effect size. Analysis of variances, followed by Games Howell post hoc test was performed to analyze subgroup differences amongst explanatory variables.  The majority of farmers (64%) were found to have low knowledge scores related to all five aspects of milk quality and safety. The milk handling (ranked first) followed by animal hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental hygiene, and antibiotics and other residues in milk (ranked last) ordered wise aspects affecting milk quality and safety. Further, socio-demographic and farm characteristics of respondents have a positive influence on the farmer's knowledge of milk quality and safety. High SCC (Mean- 424000) and E .coli contamination in 24% samples further revealed poor adherence to hygienic milk practices. Only 5% of samples were found adulterated with water and 3% of samples were found to be urea positive.  Ignorance and lack of scientific knowledge among dairy farmers are the major hindrances in the production of quality and safe milk. An extensive awareness program on milk quality and safety, coupled with incentives on quality products should be undertaken to enhance the awareness of the small and medium dairy farmers.
Normal values of cardiac mechanical synchrony parameters in gated myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (GMPS) are well established in literature from the Western population. The aim of the study is to establish normal values of mechanical synchrony with GMPS in Indian population and to find out whether it differs significantly from established values.We retrospectively analyzed 1 day low-dose stress/high-dose rest GMPS studies of 120 patients (sixty males, 52 ± 11.7 years) with low pretest likelihood of coronary artery disease and having normal GMPS study. In GMPS, first-harmonic fast Fourier transform was used to extract a phase array using commercially available software. Phase standard deviation (PSD) and phase histogram bandwidth (PHB) were used to quantify cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony.The values obtained were as follows, PSD: In men, 14.3 ± 4.7 (stress) and 8.9 ± 2.9 (rest), in women 11 ± 4 (stress) and 7.7 ± 2.7 (rest), and PHB: In men, 40.1 ± 11.9 (stress) and 30.6 ± 7.6 (rest), in women, 34.7 ± 12.6 (stress) and 25.3 ± 8.6 (rest). The value of PSD and PHB was significantly less in Indian population as compared with established values in literature. We also observed that synchrony indices derived from the low-dose stress studies are higher than high-dose rest studies.The value of synchrony parameters differs significantly according to population and methodology suggesting that specific population and methodology-based normal database for assessment of cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony should be established.
Abstract Abstract Objective : The WHO has stressed to regularly monitor the mental health of populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we conducted this study to examine anxiety and depression among recovered and recovering COVID-19 patients. Subjects and Methods : An online survey was conducted using a social media platform from 31/05/2020 to 24/06/2020. The study participants were COVID-19 infected individuals who had recovered or still were in the recovery phase from COVID-19. We collected information on demographics, clinical characteristics and physical complications of COVID-19. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using previously validated tools. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were applied to analyze the data. Results : 53.4% of respondents reported that they had a fear of getting COVID-19 again. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were present in 71.7% and 97.6% of respondents respectively. Both disorders were present in 71.3% of respondents. The respondents with shorter durations of physical symptoms (< 2 weeks) demonstrated less anxiety (OR = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.05 - 0.67) and depression (OR = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01 - 0.37). Conclusion : Anxiety and depression appear as common psychological complications in COVID-19 recovering and recovered patients. Longer durations of COVID-19 related physical symptoms were associated with an increased likelihood of anxiety and depression.
The purpose of the study was to assess the differences of physical fitness between girls of private and government schools of Amritsar district of Punjab. The sample included 381 purposively selected girls of various private and government schools. The tests were taken on some selected variables viz. speed, agility, coordination, balance, reaction time, handgrip strength, endurance, explosive power, flexibility, % body fat. The data was analyzed using Student’s independent t-test. The study found that government school girls performed better on the variable reaction time, handgrip strength and endurance whereas private school girls showed less % body fat than their counterparts. Meanwhile, no differences were seen on the variable speed, agility, coordination, balance, explosive power and flexibility.
Abstract Objectives To construct a physical activity profile of the adult population of the Majha region of the Indian Punjab. Methods The study included a total of 1130 adult participants aged 18 to 64 years comprising both genders, from rural, urban, and different sociodemographic backgrounds from the four districts of the Majha region of Punjab. The WHO's STEPwise approach to Surveillance instrument for noncommunicable diseases was used to collect data for the selected variables such as physical activity levels, demographic characteristics, behavioral parameters (daily screen time, fruit intake/week, and vegetable intake/week), physical characteristics and self‐reported history of cardiovascular diseases, raised blood pressure, diabetes, and raised cholesterol. The likelihood of physical inactivity was predicted based on independent variables using logistic regression analysis. Results Overall, 56.81% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 53.9‐59.7) of participants were not sufficiently active as per WHO's moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity recommendations. Obesity and overweight were observed among 40.2% of the participants. Mean minutes/day of smartphone screen time was 86.11 (CI: 79.48‐92.71). Mean fruit (4.69 CI: 4.42‐4.95) and vegetable (15.35 CI: 15.08‐15.62) weekly consumption was lower than the WHO's recommendations. Work status, residence, annual household income, smartphone screen time, history of raised blood pressure, history of diabetes, and history of raised cholesterol were significant predictors of insufficient physical activity. Conclusions Our study found a high prevalence of physical inactivity. Being a government employee, being an urban resident, having a middle‐level annual household income, high smartphone screen time and having a history of raised blood pressure, diabetes, and raised cholesterol were all significant predictors of physical inactivity.
Background : Previous research regarding the relationship between personality traits and physical activity has been mainly focused on big five personality traits whereas the studies regarding Type A behavior pattern in relation to physical activity are scarce. The present study is aimed to relate personality types and PA levels. Methods : To attain the objective, a total of 132 young male adults were recruited and asked to fill two questionnaires: Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and a personality assessment scale. Associations between the categorical variables were examined by applying the Chi-Square test. Results : Findings revealed that associations between personality types and physical activity levels were statistically significant (p< .05). Conclusions : Participants having Type A behavior pattern had high levels of physical activity whereas Type B personalities were largely low active. Furthermore, participants with balanced personality type were found to have moderate to high activity levels. Article visualizations:
Background: The participation in regular physical activity depends upon various factors including psychological parameters. The emerging construct of Trait emotional intelligence is not yet been widely studied in relation to physical activity. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to correlate physical activity level and trait emotional intelligence. Methods: A total of 221 male university students were included in the study. The participants filled two questionnaires: TEIQue for Trait EI and IPAQ (long form) for Physical Activity Levels. Spearmen’s correlation was employed to examine the relationship between two variables. Results: Significant positive correlations were found between physical activity level and Overall Trait Emotional Intelligence (r s =0.178) and subscale Emotionality (r s =0.163). Conversely, there were significant correlations between Physical Activity Levels and subscales Well-being, Self-Control and Sociability. Conclusions: There exists a significant but weak relationship between PA level and Overall Trait EI along with subscale Emotionality. Article visualizations:
Background: Relation between Sedentary behavior and disordered eating attitudes among young adults need to be addressed to fill a critical gap in public health research. Aim: Investigating associations between sitting time and disordered eating attitudes in a sample of 101 university students (aged 18-30) using Spearman's correlation and descriptive statistics. Methods: Sedentary behavior assessed through the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and eating behaviors evaluated using the Disordered Eating Attitude Scale. The study employs a convenience sampling approach and analyzes data with non-parametric statistical procedures. Results: Moderate negative correlation found between sitting time and disordered eating attitudes. Descriptive statistics highlight central tendencies and variabilities, emphasizing the nuanced relationship between sedentary behavior and eating attitudes. Conclusion: The study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of sedentary behavior and disordered eating attitudes among young adults. The observed negative correlation suggests a potential role of sedentary behavior in shaping attitudes toward food. Findings underscore the need for targeted health interventions considering distinct aspects of eating attitudes in the context of sedentary behavior, contributing to the broader discourse on promoting healthier lifestyles among diverse populations.
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