Prevalence, risk factors and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus infection among women with and without invasive cervical cancer: Findings from a hospital-based study in Bihar, India.

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is largely responsible for the development of invasive cervical cancer (ICC). Its prevalence, risk factors and genotype distribution among women residing in Bihar (third most populous Indian state) with and without ICC are not well known. Methods In this hospital-based study, we followed up 1439 participants with cytology and HPV report.

Genetic Polymorphism in Xenobiotic Metabolising Genes and Increased Oxidative Stress among Pesticides Exposed Agricultural Workers Diagnosed with Cancers.

Background: Oxidative stress combined with nullity of xenobiotic metabolizing GSTT1/GSTM1/CYP2E1 genes may increase the susceptibility of agricultural workers to adverse health effects including cancer. The present study was conducted to determine; the prevalence of polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1 and CYP2E1 genes, serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxygunosine levels, and the role of these markers in risk of cancer among agricultural workers occupationally exposed to pesticides.

Methods: A total of 360 participants, of which 180 belonging to farming group diagnosed with leukemia (n=60), lymphoma (n=60) and breast cancers (n=60), 90 in non-farming group diagnosed with similar cancers and the other 90 as healthy controls with neither history of occupational exposure nor diagnosed with any type of cancers were recruited.

Mitigation of pesticide residue levels in the exposed dermal regions of occupationally exposed farmworkers by use of personal protective equipment.

Unsafe pesticide handling practices with the limited use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by the Indian farming groups lead to an increased risk of exposure to pesticides. Therefore, a community-based follow-up study based on dosimeters, wipes, and hand-wash technique was carried out to evaluate the dermal exposure to pesticides and to analyze the impact of the usage of PPE on minimizing the exposure among the farmworkers of Rangareddy district, Telangana, India. Risk in terms of hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and safety analysis as margins of safety was assessed.

Residual Dialkyl Phosphate Metabolite Concentrations of Organophosphate Pesticides Among Indian Farmworkers: Implication of Exposure and Hazard Assessment.

Objective: Biomonitoring of urinary dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites, a sensitive biomarker to assess pesticides exposure and also to study the impact of the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Methods: A preintervention-postintervention study to biomonitor dimethylphosphate, diethylphosphate, diethylthiophosphate, and diethyl-dithiophosphate using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry among Indian farmworkers (n = 120).

Results: Dimethylphosphate was detected in all samples at a mean concentration of 74.

Lysosomal storage disorders: from biology to the clinic with reference to India.

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are a group of seventy different metabolic storage diseases due to accumulation of substrate mainly in the form of carbohydrate, lipids, proteins, and cellular debris. They occur due to variant in different genes that regulate lysosomal enzymes synthesis, transport, and secretion. In recent years, due to an increased availability of various therapies to treat these disorders, and increased diagnostic tools, there has been an escalated awareness of LSDs.

Knowledge, attitude and practices related to pesticide usage among farmers: Findings from a hospital based cross-sectional study.

Background: In India, where agriculture is the prime occupation among the rural population, farmers are extensively using pesticides in crop production without taking adequate precautions.

Objective: The current study aimed to examine pesticide usage patterns, usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), knowledge on pesticide toxicity, and attitude towards occupational safety among farmers diagnosed with leukaemia (n = 60), lymphoma (n = 33), and breast cancer (n = 30) visiting a tertiary cancer care hospital in Hyderabad, India.

Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire and the data collected were analysed with statistical software SPSS 23.

The impact of the use of personal-protective-equipment on the minimization of effects of exposure to pesticides among farm-workers in India.

Introduction: Although excessive use of pesticides and unsafe agricultural practices may contribute to numerous intoxications, the role of PPE (personal-protective-equipment) in the minimization of toxicological effects due to pesticide exposure has not been addressed so far. The present study aimed to assess the impact of the use of PPE on the minimization of effects of exposure to pesticides among farm-workers.

Methods: A community-based follow-up study with questionnaire-based survey and field observations was undertaken among farm-workers ( = 180) of Rangareddy district, Telangana, India.

Natural Metabolite Ursolic Acid as an Inhibitor of Dormancy Regulator DosR of : Evidence from Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Free Energy Analysis.

Background: DosR is a transcriptional regulator of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), governing the expression of a set of nearly 50 genes that is often referred to as 'dormancy regulon'. The inhibition of DosR expression by an appropriate inhibitor may be a crucial step against MTB.

Objective: We targeted the DosR with natural metabolites, ursolic acid (UA) and carvacrol (CV), using in silico approaches.

Assessment of dermal exposure to pesticides among farmers using dosimeter and hand washing methods.

Inappropriate use of pesticides followed by unsafe handling practices to control the insect infestation among the farming groups in developing countries has resulted in a high exposure risk. The use of personal protective equipment is also negligible among Indian farmers due to their affordability to access the same. Very little research has been conducted to establish an exposure assessment procedure through dermal penetration of pesticide residues.

Impact of Micronutrient Supplementation on Pesticide Residual, Acetylcholinesterase Activity, and Oxidative Stress Among Farm Children Exposed to Pesticides.

The present interventional study aimed to assess the impact of micronutrient supplementation on pesticide-residues concentrations, vitamins, minerals, acetylcholinesterase activity and oxidative stress among 129 farm children (9-12 years, = 66 and 13-15 years, = 63) involved in farming activities in Ranga Reddy district, Telangana, India. Our data showed the presence of five organophosphorus pesticide residues (chlorpyrifos, diazinon, malathion, monocrotophos, and phosalone) among children before-supplementation (both age-groups); while post-supplementation, only two pesticide residues (chlorpyrifos and diazinon) were detected indicating improved metabolic rate. Vitamin E, copper, magnesium and zinc levels were also improved in both the age-groups and manganese levels were significantly increased only among children of 13-15 years age group.

Alterations in reproductive hormone levels among farm women and their children occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticides.

Exposure to organophosphorus pesticides may lead to reproductive hormone dysfunction. Even among children of pubertal age, the exposure may disrupt growth, development, and maturation. The present study was conducted to assess the alterations in the reproductive hormone levels, among farm women (24-45 years, n = 129) and their children (9-12 years, n = 66 and 13-15 years, n = 63) and compare them with age and gender-matched control group [women (n = 134) and their children (9-12 years, n = 69 and 13-15 years, n = 65)] belonging to villages of Ranga Reddy District, Telangana, India.

Dysregulated Exosomes Result in Suppression of the Immune Response of Pregnant COVID-19 Convalescent Women.

A successful pregnancy outcome is dependent on a delicate balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes throughout the different trimesters. Interruption in this balance can lead to an adverse outcome resulting in pregnancy loss. Since late 2019, the emergence of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus has affected lives worldwide, including pregnant women; therefore, there is an urgent need to address different approaches in relation to prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

Effect of organophosphorus pesticide exposure on the immune cell phenotypes among farm women and their children.

Epidemiological studies suggest suppression of the lymphocytes function through cholinergic stimulation due to organophosphorus pesticide exposure. The study aimed to assess the alteration in the levels of immune cell phenotypes among farm women (FW) and farm children (FC) who were occupationally exposed to pesticides and age/gender-matched control subjects belonging to Rangareddy district (Telangana, India). A total of 129 FW, 129 FC and 268 age/gender-matched controls were recruited.

Fault Lines in India's COVID-19 Management: Lessons Learned and Future Recommendations.

With about 0.4-0.5 million COVID cases diagnosed every single day in a row over the past three weeks back in May 2021, India was at the epicenter of the global viral rampage.

Computational study of novel inhibitory molecule, 1-(4-((2,3)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyl)piperazin-1-yl)-3-phenylurea, with high potential to competitively block ATP binding to the RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

For coronaviruses, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is an essential enzyme that catalyses the replication from RNA template and therefore remains an attractive therapeutic target for anti-COVID drug discovery. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive screening for 16,776 potential molecules from recently established drug libraries based on two important pharmacophores (3-amino-4-phenylbutan-2-ol and piperazine). Based on initial assessment, 4042 molecules were obtained suitable as drug candidates, which were following Lipinski's rule.

Heat Shock Proteins and Their Role in Pregnancy: Redefining the Function of "Old Rum in a New Bottle".

Pregnancy in humans is a multi-step complex physiological process comprising three discrete events, decidualization, implantation and placentation. Its overall success depends on the incremental advantage that each of the preceding stages passes on to the next. The success of these synchronized sequels of events is an outcome of timely coordination between them.

Balancing Healthcare and Economy Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Indian Experience.

With its 1.3 billion population and faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, India is at the junction of two crucial decisions, balancing healthcare and the economy. To prevent the community spread of the virus, the Indian Government imposed a nationwide lockdown.

Organophosphate pesticide exposure among farm women and children: Status of micronutrients, acetylcholinesterase activity, and oxidative stress.

Nutritional status plays a major role in determining the possible adverse health outcomes due to pesticide toxicity. The objective of the present study was to assess the organophosphorus pesticide residue levels among farm women (FW) (24-45years) and farm children (FC) (9-12 and 13-15years) belonging to the Rangareddy district (Telangana, India) along with their micronutrient status, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity, and oxidative stress levels. Residues of Chlorpyrifos, Diazinon, Malathion, Monocrotophos and Phosalone were found in the serum samples of FW and FC along with significantly low levels of vitamins and minerals.

Immunology of HPV-mediated cervical cancer: current understanding.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) has emerged as a primary cause of cervical cancer worldwide. HPV is a relatively small (55 nm in diameter) and non-enveloped virus containing approximately 8 kb long double stranded circular DNA genome. To date, 228 genotypes of HPV have been identified.

Understanding the early host immune response against .

Generation of immune response is a crucial activity of host defense against any microbial attack. When facultative organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) invades its host, various pathways are activated in the host to mount immune responses against invading pathogen for nullifying its actions. During this host-pathogen interaction, interplay of complex network of cytokines and chemokines, initiation of phagocytosis, and formation of granuloma play an important role in containing MTB infections at host side.

Predominant role of antioxidants in ameliorating the oxidative stress induced by pesticides.

Oxidative stress has been reported as one of the adverse effects caused due to pesticides, which is the main mechanism of the toxicity in humans and animals and is a useful parameter in monitoring studies. It involves an imbalance in the equilibrium state of ROS and antioxidant defenses leading to alterations in various antioxidant enzyme levels and lipid peroxidation. The objective of the current paper is to present a review of the potential role and protective mechanism action of the antioxidant micronutrient supplementation to ameliorate the oxidative stress induced by pesticides.

Preeclampsia: Disease biology and burden, its management strategies with reference to India.

Preeclampsia is the cause of significant maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. It is characterized by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Preeclamptic women and children born from preeclamptic pregnancies are at greater risk to develop severe cardiovascular complications and metabolic syndromes later in life.