Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a major form of anovulatory infertility in women. It is often associated with obesity and insulin resistance (IR), both of which are linked to leptin and its receptors. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the interrelationship between serum leptin level with anthropometric indices of obesity, lipid profile, IR, and with circulating steroidal hormones in PCOS women. Settings and Design: An observational case–control study was conducted in a medical college and hospital setting. Methods: Ninety diagnosed cases of PCOS along with ninety age-matched normal women were enrolled. Serum insulin, lipid profile, steroidal hormones, and serum leptin were estimated. IR was calculated using the Homeostatic Model Assessment-IR. Anthropometric measurements were also taken of each study participant. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics along with independent sample t-test and Pearson (r) correlation coefficients were used. Results: Women with PCOS had high mean value of waist circumference (P = 0.00), hip circumference (P = 0.00), and hormonal levels than the control group (luteinizing hormone [LH] [P = 0.00], testosterone [P = 0.00], LH/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio [P = 0.00], leptin [P = 0.00], and IR [P = 0.00]). Serum insulin levels (P = 0.02), IR (P = 0.01), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03), and fasting blood sugar (P = 0.01) had a positive correlation with leptin. Insulin (P = 0.01), IR (P = 0.02), fasting blood sugar (P = 0.001), and leptin (P = 0.00) were more in the obese control group. Conclusion: Serum leptin level is raised in PCOS patients, and it is correlated positively with BMI, fasting blood sugar, insulin metabolism, and IR.

Background: Overweight and obesity are important determinant of increasing morbidity among all age groups, including menopausal women. The symptoms of menopause have a negative impact on the quality of life. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in menopausal women and also to find its association with menopausal symptoms and sociodemographic variables. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among middle-aged women (40–60 years) from April 2018 to March 2019. The Menopausal Rating Scale was used to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms in 400 women, and data were collected for sociodemographic factors, menstrual history in the past month, and personal history. Results: About 35.5% of menopausal women were overweight/obese (26% overweight and 9.5% obese) with average body mass index of 23.9 ± 4.84 and mean age of 53.65 ± 5.11 years Joint and muscular discomfort (P = 0.001), hypertension (P = 0.014), literacy level (P = 0.009), and socioeconomic status (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with overweight/obesity. With reference to women with no/little somatic and urogenital complaints, the odds of developing obesity was more (adjusted odds) in patients with mild (odds ratio [OR] - 2.8), moderate (OR - 2.1), and severe (2.19) somatic complaints and also higher risk in patients with mild (OR-3.2), moderate (OR - 1.1), and severe (OR - 1.74) urogenital symptoms. The age of menopause was significantly more among overweight than normal-weight women (P = 0.033). Conclusion: Overweight and obesity associated with menopause require increased attention and a multidisciplinary approach to women's health to prevent morbidity in this population group.

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic infection acquired by consuming food and water contaminated by the faeces of a Taenia solium tapeworm carrier. It is an important cause of acquired seizures and also the common identifiable cause of new-onset seizures in children. Methods: A hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study of NCC was undertaken in a medical college in north-west India. All patients aged 1-15 years admitted to the paediatric emergency room with a first-onset seizure were selected.NCC was diagnosed and staged on the basis of MRI findings. A structured, pretested schedule was administered to each patient's parent for analysis of risk factors for NCC. Results: Of 79 patients with first-onset seizure, 43 (54.4% were diagnosed with NCC based on MRI findings. The association of NCC with age and pig-rearing near the patients' homes was statistically significant (p = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). The association between NCC and other risk factors such as gender, religion, father's occupation, parents' literacy, source and storage of drinking water, the washing and peeling of fruit and vegetables and distance of refuse disposal from residential areas was not statistically significant. Although open defaecation is an important risk factor for transmission of NCC, there was no significant association with NCC. Conclusion: In India, NCC is a common cause of first-onset seizure. The major risk factors are poor environmental sanitation and poor food and drinking water hygiene. NCC can be controlled and prevented by generating awareness of hygienic consumption of food and water and the provision of good sanitation.

Context: Despite so many efforts to control dengue, the disease has a huge impact on the health, well-being, and economy of the population. The key success to control dengue depends not only on services provided by health authorities but also on the awareness of the community about preventing practices and their health-seeking behavior. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess the awareness regarding dengue and its determinants among urban adult population of Rohtak. Aims: To assess the awareness regarding dengue and its determinants among urban adult population of Rohtak. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods and Materials: Data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured interview schedule from 210 participants which included information on the demographic profile of the subject, awareness about the symptoms, transmission, vector behavior in terms of biting time and breeding places, preventive measures and treatment of dengue fever, and responsibility of vector control. Cumulative awareness was calculated on the basis of correct answers provided. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical data were presented as a percentage. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to evaluate differences between groups for categorical variables. Results: The level of awareness was better among males (statistically significant). The difference in the level of awareness with respect to education, occupation, and the socioeconomic class was found highly statistically significant. Conclusions: Awareness regarding dengue and its preventive measures were specifically low in women; mostly housewives, in participants of the lower socioeconomic group, and those who were illiterate.

Background: Adolescents often struggle with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties that can lead to functional impairment later in life. School-going children are at risk of bullying victimization at school, which can lead to social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties (SEBD). This study aimed to estimate the burden of SEBD, evaluate possible risk factors, and explore the correlation between bullying victimization and SEBD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 9th to 12th class students from July 2021 to June 2022. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was utilized to evaluate SEBD. Bullying victimization was assessed by “Adolescent peer relation instrument” (APRI). Chi square test, t -test, pearson correlation, and logistic regression was used. Results: Out of 391 participants, 35.3% faced peer problems, 22.2% conduct problems, 16.4% hyperactivity, and 15.6% emotional symptoms. Prosocial behavior was present in only 12.7% of adolescents. 70.8% bullied others and 62.9% were victims in the past 1 year. The victims were at increased risk for emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems. Social perpetrators were at risk for emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems; verbal and physical perpetrators were prone to conduct problems and hyperactivity. Higher emotional problems and prosocial behavior were reported among girls; higher conduct problems, peer problems, and hyperactivity were reported among boys. Hyperactivity was significantly more prevalent in students with poor performance. Emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems were positively correlated with bullying and victimization, but negatively correlated to prosocial behavior. Conclusions: The burden of SEBD and bullying is high among school-going adolescents. Bullying and gender are significant risk factors for social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. It also impacts the academic performance of the student. Anti-bullying interventional programs, cognitive behavior therapy, and parent management training programs for parents at school should be implemented universally at school to control these problems effectively.