Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in women due to indoor biomass burning: a meta analysis.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is attributable to household air pollution and is known to increase the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), morbidity and mortality and women are most susceptible groups for the exposure. In order to understand the global risk among women with COPD due to exposure of household air pollutants, an evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Meta regression analysis was carried out to identify potential sources of heterogeneity.

Saliva and urine metabolic profiling reveals altered amino acid and energy metabolism in male farmers exposed to pesticides in Madhya Pradesh State, India.

Globally, the human population is exposed to low doses of pesticides due to its extensive use in agriculture. The chronic exposure to pesticides can lead to cancer, depression, anxiety, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases etc. Here, we have made an attempt to use mass spectrometry based metabolomics to investigate the metabolic perturbations induced by the pesticides in the urine and saliva samples of farmers from the Madhya Pradesh State of India.

Association between PAHs biomarkers and kidney injury biomarkers among kitchen workers with microalbuminuria: A cross-sectional pilot study.

Background: To study the association between kidney injury biomarkers and urinary OH-PAH metabolites in kitchen workers, with microalbuminuria.

Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted among 120 male kitchen workers in a mega kitchen located at Coimbatore, India. Personal and sub-clinical details of study subjects were collected using a questionnaire.

PAH exposure-associated lung cancer: an updated meta-analysis.

Background: Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been shown to be associated with lung cancer in various epidemiological studies in industries such as aluminium reduction/smelting, coal gasification, coke production, iron/steel foundries, coal/coke and related products and carbon/graphite electrodes production.

Aims: To update data on the association between PAH exposure and morbidity and mortality due to lung cancer among workers in different occupations, including smoking data.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to retrieve relevant papers for meta-analysis.

Indoor air pollution and its association with poor lung function, microalbuminuria and variations in blood pressure among kitchen workers in India: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The present study is an attempt to explore the association between kitchen indoor air pollutants and physiological profiles in kitchen workers with microalbuminuria (MAU) in north India (Lucknow) and south India (Coimbatore).

Methods: The subjects comprised 145 control subjects, 233 kitchen workers from north India and 186 kitchen workers from south India. Information related to the personal and occupational history and health of the subjects at both locations were collected using a custom-made questionnaire.

Alterations in Lung Functions Based on BMI and Body Fat % Among Obese Indian Population at National Capital Region.

Background: In India, non-asthmatic hospital admission case study has been conducted to find out the relationship between obesity and lung functions. The main objective of the present study was to find out the alterations in lung functions due to obesity among Indian population living at National Capital Region (NCR).

Materials And Methods: We examined 609 non obese and 211 obese subjects in a cross sectional study from National Capital Region, India with age group ranges between 18-70 years.

Heat and PAHs Emissions in Indoor Kitchen Air and Its Impact on Kidney Dysfunctions among Kitchen Workers in Lucknow, North India.

Indoor air quality and heat exposure have become an important occupational health and safety concern in several workplaces including kitchens of hotels. This study investigated the heat, particulate matter (PM), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emissions in indoor air of commercial kitchen and its association with kidney dysfunctions among kitchen workers. A cross sectional study was conducted on 94 kitchen workers employed at commercial kitchen in Lucknow city, North India.

Gender Disparity in Lung Function Abnormalities among a Population Exposed to Particulate Matter Concentration in Ambient Air in the National Capital Region, India.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) global air quality study shows that 27 Indian cities, including New Delhi, are among the one hundred cities with the worst air quality globally. The scope of airway obstruction cases among residents in locations with critical air pollution levels like particulate matter (PM) pollutants PM and PM has not been addressed in the National Capital region, India.

Objectives: The present cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) % predicted abnormalities among residents living in the National Capital Region, India with respect to their exposure to particulate matter pollutants (PM, PM) in ambient air.

Assessing hazardous risks of indoor airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the kitchen and its association with lung functions and urinary PAH metabolites in kitchen workers.

Background: Indoor air pollution is associated with decreased pulmonary function but the relative impact of pollution from kitchen sources on health risks in kitchen workers is not well-known or studied. A study was conducted to measure the kitchen indoor air quality including PAHs estimation and risk assessment based on reported PAHs in indoor air in a central kitchen at North India.

Methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken to assess the lung function status using spirometer and urinary PAH metabolite measurements using GC-MS/MS among 94 male kitchen workers and their corresponding controls.

Occupational health hazards of trichloroethylene among workers in relation to altered mRNA expression of cell cycle regulating genes (p53, p21, bax and bcl-2) and PPARA.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is widely used as a metal degreaser in industrial processes. The present study reports on the effects of TCE exposure on workers employed in the lock industries. To ensure exposure of the workers to TCE, its toxic metabolites, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), dichloroacetic acid (DCA) and trichloroethanol (TCEOH) were detected in the plasma of the subjects through solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-electron capture detection.

Lung function impairment in women exposed to biomass fuels during cooking compared to cleaner fuels in Uttar Pradesh, India.

A national survey has shown that approximately 75-80% use of fire wood and chips, 10% of dung cake rural women in Uttar Pradesh, India. Considering the respiratory health risk of biomass fuel exposure to women, a cross sectional study was conducted to elucidate the relationship between cooking smoke and lung function impairments. The present study showed significant decline in air flow limitation based on reduced PEFR (3.

Mathematically derived body volume and risk of musculoskeletal pain among housewives in North India.

Background: Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 demonstrates the impact of musculoskeletal diseases as the second greatest cause of disability globally in all regions of the world. The study was conducted to determine the role of mathematically derived body volume (BV), body volume index (BVI), body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA) and body fat % (BF %) on musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among housewives in National Capital Region (NCR).

Methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken among 495 housewives from Gurgaon and New Okhla Industrial Development Area (NOIDA) in National Capital Region (NCR), New Delhi, India.

Adverse respiratory health and hematological alterations among agricultural workers occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticides: a cross-sectional study in North India.

Background: Non-protective work practices followed by farm workers during spraying of pesticides lead to occupational exposure among them.

Objective: This study is designed to explore the respiratory health and hematological profile of agricultural workers occupationally exposed to OP pesticides.

Materials And Methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken among 166 pesticide sprayers working in mango orchards of Lucknow district in North India compared with 77 controls to assess the respiratory illness, lung functions, cholinesterase levels and hematological profile.

Seasonal variations in cholinesterase activity, nerve conduction velocity and lung function among sprayers exposed to mixture of pesticides.

Pesticide spraying operation is associated with the increased risk of adverse health effects among sprayers who do not follow safe farm work practices. A study was conducted among pesticide sprayers in North India to evaluate the clinical and subclinical variations in their vital health parameters before and after the pesticide spraying season. Blood cholinesterase levels, pulmonary function test, nerve conduction velocity and self-reported symptoms were studied among 18 eligible and consenting male sprayers.

Groundwater contaminated with hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)]: a health survey and clinical examination of community inhabitants (Kanpur, India).

Background: We assessed the health effects of hexavalent chromium groundwater contamination (from tanneries and chrome sulfate manufacturing) in Kanpur, India.

Methods: The health status of residents living in areas with high Cr (VI) groundwater contamination (N = 186) were compared to residents with similar social and demographic features living in communities having no elevated Cr (VI) levels (N = 230). Subjects were recruited at health camps in both the areas.

Genetic predisposition for dermal problems in hexavalent chromium exposed population.

We studied the effect of genetic susceptibility on hexavalent chromium induced dermal adversities. The health status of population was examined from the areas of Kanpur (India) having the elevated hexavalent chromium levels in groundwater. Blood samples were collected for DNA isolation to conduct polymorphic determination of genes, namely: NQO1 (C609T), hOGG1 (C1245G), GSTT1, and GSTM1 (deletion).

Particulate matter concentration in ambient air and its effects on lung functions among residents in the National Capital Region, India.

The World Health Organization has estimated that air pollution is responsible for 1.4 % of all deaths and 0.8 % of disability-adjusted life years.

The normal range of body mass index with high body fat percentage among male residents of Lucknow city in north India.

Background & Objectives: Several studies have raised the suspicion that the body mass index (BMI) cut-off for overweight as defined by the WHO may not adequately reflect the actual overweight status. The present study looked at the relationship between BMI and body fat per cent (BF %) / health risks (hypertension and type 2 diabetes) in male residents of Lucknow city, north India to evaluate the validity of BMI cut-off points for overweight.

Methods: One thousand one hundred and eleven male volunteer subjects (18-69 yr) who participated in different programmes organized by the Institute during 2005 to 2008 were included in the study.

Ocular morbidity in the rural areas of Allahabad, India.

Background: Although there has been a considerable reduction in the infective causes of ocular morbidity, the global burden of blindness has not significantly altered for over a decade.

Objectives: To find the extent of ocular morbidity in different subgroups of the rural population and to study the factors associated with ocular morbidity.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Jasra and Saidabad blocks of Allahabad District.

Musculoskeletal pain and its associated risk factors in residents of National Capital Region.

Background: Musculoskeletal (MS) pain is responsible for poor quality of life and decreased productivity. Objective information about the burden of musculoskeletal disorders among the general community in India is scanty, and the few reports that exist are based on a small sample size.

Materials And Methods: This paper examines the issue of MS pain and its associated risk factors in a cross-sectional study of 2086 subjects from National Capital Region (NCR).

Studies on oxidative stress induced nerve conduction deficits in cigarette smokers.

An important role of oxidative stress for the development of vascular and neurological complications has encouraged us to undertake a study to assess the oxidative stress induced nerve conduction deficits among cigarette smokers. Eighteen regular male cigarette smokers and twenty nine male non-smokers were diagnosed for clinical neuro-physiological tests viz., motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity (MNCV and SNCV) and redox status.

Cholinesterase levels and morbidity in pesticide sprayers in North India.

Background: Pesticide sprayers in North India use different application methods for different crops.

Aims: To compare cholinesterase activity and symptoms in knapsack and tractor-mounted pesticide sprayers.

Methods: Blood cholinesterase activity and symptoms were recorded for 42 knapsack and 66 tractor-mounted sprayers attending a health camp in North India in 2009 and for 30 controls.

Health risks of employees working in pesticide retail shops: An exploratory study.

Background: Shop keepers dealing with pesticides are exposed to multiple pesticides that include organophosphates, organochlorines, carbamates, pyrethroids. Hence an exploratory health study was conducted on shopkeepers selling pesticides in urban areas of Lucknow and Barabanki District, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Materials And Methods: Detailed information regarding socio-economic status, family history, personal habits and work practices were recorded for 20 subjects and controls by the investigator on a pre-tested questionnaire.

Adverse health effects of pesticides in agrarian populations of developing countries.

Developing countries use only 20% of the world's agrochemicals, yet they suffer 99% of deaths from pesticide poisoning. Pesticide poisoning is a significant problem in developing countries primarily because of unsafe pesticide application and handling practices. Safety is further exacerbated by the illiteracy and poverty that prevails in most farming communities of developing countries.