Statistical estimation of noise induced hearing loss among the drivers in one of the most polluted cities of India.

In the present study, an attempt has been made to assess the impact of vehicular noise upon the 3-wheeler tempo drivers and to know whether there is any relationship between hearing loss and cumulative noise exposure. For this purpose, 3-wheeler tempo drivers (Exposed group) and non-commercial light motor vehicle car drivers (Unexposed group) were chosen as study subjects. Three traffic routes were selected to assess the noise level during waiting and running time in the exposed and unexposed groups.

Exploring the association between long-term MODIS aerosol and air pollutants data across the Northern Great Plains through machine learning analysis.

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Ångström exponent (AE) are the major environmental indicators to perceive air quality and the impact of aerosol on climate change and health as well as the global atmospheric conditions. In the present study, an average of AOD and AE data from Tera and Aqua satellites of MODIS sensors has been investigated over 7 years i.e.

Advances in bioelectrochemical systems for bio-products recovery.

Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have emerged as a sustainable and highly promising technology that has garnered significant attention from researchers worldwide. These systems provide an efficient platform for the removal and recovery of valuable products from wastewater, with minimal or no net energy loss. Among the various types of BES, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a notable example, utilizing microbial biocatalytic activities to generate electrical energy through the degradation of organic matter.

Development, performance evaluation, and kinetic studies of microbial fuel cell based auto dripping bioelectrochemical reactor (AutoDriBER) for urine treatment.

A bioelectrochemical reactor is an assembly, which facilitates energy generation and resource recovery using electrochemically active microorganisms. To maximise energy production from wastewater in this bioreactor system special design is required. Therefore, in the present study, continuous flow auto dripping bioelectrochemical reactors (AutoDriBERs) were developed as a single and multi-electrode assembly for urine treatment.

Spatio-temporal assessment of ambient air quality, their health effects and improvement during COVID-19 lockdown in one of the most polluted cities of India.

The present work aims to investigate seasonal variations in air pollution levels in Lucknow and assess the ambient air quality of the city together with highlighting the health impacts of major pollutants like PM, PM, SO, NO, Pb, Ni and aerosols from 2010 to 2019. The maximum and minimum values of PM, PM, SO, NO, Pb and Ni were found to be 270.75 and 122.

Hyperhomocysteinemia induced locked-in syndrome in a young adult due to folic acid deficiency.

'Locked-in syndrome (LIS)' is a neurological disorder, often missed initially and can have grave consequences. A rare case of LIS caused due to folic acid deficiency-induced hyperhomocysteinemia is being described here. A 16-year-old boy presented with complaints of sudden onset weakness of all the four limbs with loss of voice for one day.

Panhypopituitarism- An unusual presenation of tuberculous meningitis.

Pituitary gland involvement is a very rare entity of central nervous system tuberculosis. Tubercular meningitis (TBM) is a chronic meningitis on hypothalamic-pituitary axis which causes high morbidity and mortality hence it is the most dreaded form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis. Here we report a case of 24 year old female presenting with three months history of fever and headache along with altered sensorium since four days.

Computational Models Accurately Predict Multi-Cell Biomarker Profiles in Inflammation and Cancer.

Individual computational models of single myeloid, lymphoid, epithelial, and cancer cells were created and combined into multi-cell computational models and used to predict the collective chemokine, cytokine, and cellular biomarker profiles often seen in inflamed or cancerous tissues. Predicted chemokine and cytokine output profiles from multi-cell computational models of gingival epithelial keratinocytes (GE KER), dendritic cells (DC), and helper T lymphocytes (HTL) exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or synthetic triacylated lipopeptide (Pam3CSK4) as well as multi-cell computational models of multiple myeloma (MM) and DC were validated using the observed chemokine and cytokine responses from the same cell type combinations grown in laboratory multi-cell cultures with accuracy. Predicted and observed chemokine and cytokine responses of GE KER + DC + HTL exposed to LPS and Pam3CSK4 matched 75% (15/20, p = 0.

A genomics-informed computational biology platform prospectively predicts treatment responses in AML and MDS patients.

Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are generally older and have more comorbidities. Therefore, identifying personalized treatment options for each patient early and accurately is essential. To address this, we developed a computational biology modeling (CBM) and digital drug simulation platform that relies on somatic gene mutations and gene CNVs found in malignant cells of individual patients.

Association of hepcidin and anemia in early chronic kidney disease.

Hepcidin is being extensively studied for anemia and inflammation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Hepcidin is thought to regulate iron metabolism by iron blockade through various mechanisms. Patients with CKD have early cardiac mortality due to anemia and subclinical inflammation; hence, we studied hepcidin as a biomarker in patients with early stage of CKD in relation to anemia and inflammation.

Prevalence of Myopia and Associated Risk Factors in Schoolchildren in North India.

Significance: Studies reporting the prevalence and associated risk factors of myopia among schoolchildren in India are limited. Knowledge about the prevalence and the modifiable risk factors associated with myopia development will help in planning cost-effective strategies to prevent its progression in India.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated behavioral risk factors of myopia in schoolchildren in Gurugram, Haryana, in north India.

Thyrotoxic Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis.

Hypokalemia is a serious and life-threatening clinical condition. We present a case of a 45-year-old male, with known hyperthyroidism presenting with profound tremor, irritability, quadriparesis, and labored breathing since morning, on the day of admission. Arterial blood gas analysis showed severe hypokalemia.

Agenesis of dorsal pancreas in a young adult: a rare cause of diabetes mellitus.

Dorsal pancreatic agenesis is an extremely rare entity characterised by absence of body and tail of pancreas, while there are so many other developmental anomalies of the pancreas that have been reported. Here we report a 25-year-old young man who presented with pain in the abdomen, recurrent loose stools and hyperglycaemia. On radiological imaging study, there was complete agenesis of the dorsal pancreas except for thin stripe of tissue at the level of the uncinate process.

The minimum test battery to screen for binocular vision anomalies: report 3 of the BAND study.

Purpose: This study aims to report the minimum test battery needed to screen non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies (NSBVAs) in a community set-up. When large numbers are to be screened we aim to identify the most useful test battery when there is no opportunity for a more comprehensive and time-consuming clinical examination.

Methods: The prevalence estimates and normative data for binocular vision parameters were estimated from the Binocular Vision Anomalies and Normative Data (BAND) study, following which cut-off estimates and receiver operating characteristic curves to identify the minimum test battery have been plotted.

Changes in stimulus and response AC/A ratio with vision therapy in Convergence Insufficiency.

Purpose: To evaluate the changes in the stimulus and response Accommodative Convergence to Accommodation (AC/A) ratio following vision therapy (VT) in Convergence Insufficiency (CI).

Methods: Stimulus and response AC/A ratio were measured on twenty five CI participants, pre and post 10 sessions of VT. Stimulus AC/A ratio was measured using the gradient method and response AC/A ratio was calculated using modified Thorington technique with accommodative responses measured using WAM-5500 open-field autorefractor.

Prevalence of non-strabismic anomalies of binocular vision in Tamil Nadu: report 2 of BAND study.

Background: Population-based studies on the prevalence of non-strabismic anomalies of binocular vision in ethnic Indians are more than two decades old. Based on indigenous normative data, the BAND (Binocular Vision Anomalies and Normative Data) study aims to report the prevalence of non-strabismic anomalies of binocular vision among school children in rural and urban Tamil Nadu.

Methods: This population-based, cross-sectional study was designed to estimate the prevalence of non-strabismic anomalies of binocular vision in the rural and urban population of Tamil Nadu.

Computational drug treatment simulations on projections of dysregulated protein networks derived from the myelodysplastic mutanome match clinical response in patients.

Although the majority of MDS patients fail to achieve clinical improvement to approved therapies, some patients benefit from treatment. Predicting patient response prior to therapy would improve treatment effectiveness, avoid treatment-related adverse events and reduce healthcare costs. Three separate cohorts of MDS patients were used to simulate drug response to lenalidomide alone, hypomethylating agent (HMA) alone, or HMA plus lenalidomide.

Binocular vision anomalies and normative data (BAND) in Tamil Nadu: report 1.

Background: This population-based, cross-sectional study was designed to determine normative data for binocular vision and accommodative testing in rural and urban populations of Tamil Nadu.

Methods: A sample of 936 was determined, based on a previous pilot study. The epidemiological field work included a comprehensive eye examination and a binocular vision and accommodative assessment carried out in a total of four public schools, two each in the rural and urban arms of Chennai.

Effect of epithelial cell type on in vitro invasion of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae.

Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) have been shown to have variable ability for in vitro invasion with a range of epithelial cells, and increased invasion of BEAS-2B cells has been associated with altered penicillin binding protein3 (PBP3), which is concerning as these strains are increasing worldwide. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of respiratory cell type and the presence of altered PBP3 on the in vitro invasion of NTHi. A collection of 16 clinical NTHi isolates was established, 7 had normal PBP3, and 9 had altered PBP3 as defined by an N526K substitution.

Personalization of cancer treatment using predictive simulation.

Background: The personalization of cancer treatments implies the reconsideration of a one-size-fits-all paradigm. This move has spawned increased use of next generation sequencing to understand mutations and copy number aberrations in cancer cells. Initial personalization successes have been primarily driven by drugs targeting one patient-specific oncogene (e.

Intergenotypic variation of Vitamin B12 and Folate in AD: In north indian population.

Objectives: Changes in lifestyle habits such as diet modification or supplementation have been indicated as probable protective factors for a number of chronic conditions including Alzheimer's disease (AD). With this background, we aim to hypothesize that whether C677T polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene contributes towards the risk of developing AD and its association with vitamin B12 and folate levels.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study comprising of total 200 subjects, within the age group of 50-85 years.

Gene-gene and gene-environment interaction on the risk of Parkinson's disease.

Background: Even with numerous studies the cause of Parkinson's disease (PD) remains elusive. It has been hypothesized that interactions between genetic and environmental factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD.

Objectives: To examine the gene-gene and gene-environment interaction on PD risk with respect to gene polymorphism of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) and glutathione S-transferases pi 1 (GSTP1), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and metals.

Polymorphism in Cytochrome P450 2D6, Glutathione S-Transferases Pi 1 Genes, and Organochlorine Pesticides in Alzheimer Disease: A Case-Control Study in North Indian Population.

Objectives: It has been assumed that the association between Alzheimer disease (AD) and pesticides may be stronger among genetically susceptible individuals. The aim of the study was to examine the genetic polymorphism in cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) and glutathione S-transferases pi 1 (GSTP1) with respect to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and metals in AD.

Methods: This study included 100 patients with AD and 100 age-matched controls.