Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy-Based Acetone and Ammonia Measurements from Human Breath Near 8 μm Wavelength Band.

Human breath gas analysis is a noninvasive disease diagnostic approach used to identify different pathological conditions in the human body. Monitoring breath acetone (CHO) and ammonia (NH) as biomarkers is vital in diagnosing diabetes mellitus and liver disorders, respectively. In this article, the quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) technique is proposed and demonstrated for measuring CHO and NH in human exhaled breath samples.

Detailed analysis of the R/ΔI WMS technique and demonstration of significantly higher detection sensitivity compared to 2f WMS for calibration-free trace gas sensing.

Recognizing that wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) is particularly important in the development of high-sensitivity gas sensing systems, this paper presents a detailed analysis of the / WMS technique that has recently been successfully demonstrated for calibration-free measurements of the parameters that support detecting multiple gases under challenging conditions. In this approach, the magnitude of the 1 WMS signal ( ) was normalized by using the laser's linear intensity modulation ( ) to obtain the quantity / that is shown to be unaffected by large variations in itself due to the variations in the intensity of the received light. In this paper, different simulations have been used to explain the approach taken and the advantages that it shows.

Alcohol use among adult men and its impact on personal and family life: findings of a community-based cross-sectional survey and focus groups discussions from a low alcohol taxed region, Puducherry, India.

Background: There is limited published literature on the impact of alcohol use among alcohol dependents and their family members.

Objectives: To find the factors associated with alcohol use and explore the impact of alcohol use on alcohol dependents and their family members.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 316 men aged above 18 years, and four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among alcohol dependents and their family members.

Community-based assessment of postnatal care in Puducherry-A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Postnatal period is a neglected period compared to the antenatal period. Providing adequate care to infant and mother during this vital period is essential.

Objectives: To assess the postnatal care (PNC) received by the mothers and newborn children in Puducherry.

Advances in Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy-Based Sensing Techniques for Exhaled Breath Diagnostics.

Human exhaled breath consists of more than 3000 volatile organic compounds, many of which are relevant biomarkers for various diseases. Although gas chromatography has been the gold standard for volatile organic compound (VOC) detection in exhaled breath, recent developments in mid-infrared (MIR) laser spectroscopy have led to the promise of compact point-of-care (POC) optical instruments enabling even single breath diagnostics. In this review, we discuss the evolution of MIR sensing technologies with a special focus on photoacoustic spectroscopy, and its application in exhaled breath biomarker detection.

Off-Resonance Photoacoustic Spectroscopy Technique for Multi-Gas Sensing in Biogas Plants.

An off-resonance broadband photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) technique with a supercontinuum laser (SCL) in the near-infrared range is demonstrated for biogas measurements with different biomass matrices. The PAS sensor system has been calibrated with known concentrations of methane (CH), carbon dioxide (CO), water vapor (HO vapor), and hydrogen sulfide (HS). A laboratory-scale bioreactor was set up to monitor CH and CO generation using the SCL-PA sensor system.

High prevalence of anemia among postnatal mothers in Urban Puducherry: A community-based study.

Background: Anemia is a common problem across all life stages and ages with a higher burden among women. The postnatal period is an often-neglected period for the provision of effective care to the mothers. Anemia burden is also high during this period, which leads to many morbidities and poor quality of life.

Off-resonant photoacoustic spectroscopy for analysis of multicomponent gas mixtures at high concentrations using broadband vibrational overtones of individual gas species.

The broadband photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) technique is proposed and demonstrated for measurement of CH, CO, and HO vapor in the 1.6 to 2.0 μm wavelength region.

Depression and its determinants among elderly in selected villages of Puducherry - A community-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Depression is the leading cause of disease burden in most regions of the world. But depression among the elderly is usually unrecognized and they have higher morbidity and mortality than those without depression.

Aims: To estimate the prevalence of depression among the elderly and identifying its determinants in selected villages of Puducherry.

Menstrual disorders and quality of life of women in an urban area of Puducherry: A community-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Menstrual disorders are common among women in reproductive age group and affect their normal functioning and social life. Due to cultural reasons, menstrual problems often get unreported. In India, the literature on the effect of menstrual disorders on the quality of life (QOL) of women is limited.

Quality of medication services for morbidities in a rural health center in Puducherry, India.

Background: Client satisfaction on quality of medication services perceived by the patients is an important measure of the health services and needs to be addressed to improve the utilization of primary health-care services.

Methods: This is a descriptive study on quality of medication services perceived by the patients attending a rural health center in Puducherry. The data were collected with pretested semi-structured questionnaire.

Burden of Proteinuria and Risk Factors of Chronic Kidney Disease among Adult Population in Urban Puducherry, India.

Introduction: In the recent times, Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKDs) are emerging as a serious problem all over the world along with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The presence of proteinuria is considered as an indicator of increased risk of progressive kidney diseases.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of proteinuria among an adult population of a tertiary care institute of Puducherry, India.

Awareness of health warnings and factors predicting awareness and perceived effectiveness of pictorial health warnings on tobacco products among adults in rural Puducherry, India.

Background: Limited information exists in India about the awareness and perception of the people regarding pictorial health warnings (PHWs) and text warnings on tobacco products, more so from rural areas. Objectives were to report the awareness of these warnings, factors predicting awareness and perceived effectiveness of PHWs, and understanding of their content in a rural population.

Materials And Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in two villages (chosen randomly out of total four) in the rural field practice area of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Puducherry.

Beneficiary Satisfaction Regarding Old Age Pension Scheme and Its Utilization Pattern in Urban Puducherry: A Mixed Methods Study.

Introduction: National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) was aimed at providing a safety net for India's aging population in terms of social, economical and moral support by helping eligible elderly citizens with direct cash benefit.

Aim: To assess the beneficiary satisfaction and utilization pattern of the monetary benefit received under the old age pension scheme and to explore the perception of the stakeholders regarding delivery of the pension.

Materials And Methods: This is a mixed method research consisting of both quantitative surveys and qualitative in-depth interviews.