Reply to correspondence by Deora et al. in Human Genomics 18, article no.: 52 (2024): critical insights on "Association of the C allele of rs479200 in the EGLN1 gene with COVID‑19 severity in Indian population: a novel finding".

A reply to the correspondence by Deora et al.- Critical insights on "Association of the C allele of rs479200 in the EGLN1 gene with COVID‑19 severity in Indian population: a novel finding". The reply contains point-wise rebuttal to the concerns, particularly addressing the epidemiological, statistical, and mathematical issues raised by Deora et al.

Association of the C allele of rs479200 in the EGLN1 gene with COVID-19 severity in Indian population: a novel finding.

The present study investigated two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)-rs479200 and rs516651 in the host EGLN1/PHD2 gene for their association with COVID-19 severity. A retrospective cohort of 158 COVID-19 patients from the Indian population (March 2020 to June 2021) was enrolled. Notably, the frequency of C allele (0.

Exploring the Immunodominant Epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein as Exposure Biomarker.

Background The nucleocapsid protein (N protein) of SARS-CoV-2 is undeniably a potent target for the development of diagnostic tools due to its abundant expression and lower immune evasion pressure compared to spike (S) protein. Methods Blood samples of active COVID-19 infections (n=71) and post-COVID-19 (n=11) were collected from a tertiary care hospital in India; pre-COVID-19 (n=12) sera samples served as controls. Real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR (rRT-PCR) confirmed pooled sera samples (n=5) were used with PEPperCHIP® SARS-CoV-2 Proteome Microarray (PEPperPRINT GmbH, Germany) to screen immunodominant epitopes of SARS-CoV-2.

Respiratory morbidities and lung function abnormalities in survivors of Bhopal Gas Disaster: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Respiratory morbidities remained significant for the last four decades among the survivors of the Bhopal gas disaster. We hypothesized that lung function abnormalities, especially small airway dysfunctions, were responsible for the ongoing respiratory morbidities.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between 2018 and 2020 in the severely exposed cohort of the Bhopal gas disaster.

Lung Perfusion Scintigraphy Early After COVID-19: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

The incidence of thromboembolic complications in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is well recognized. The present study retrospectively evaluated the type and prevalence of lung perfusion defects in early-post-COVID-19 patients with hypoxia and was aimed to identify the risk factors for mismatched perfusion defects. We analyzed SPECT/CT images of 54 early-post-COVID-19 patients (44 men and 10 women).

Oxidative biomarkers of exhaled breath condensate in adults exposed to traffic-related air pollution: a case-control study.

Traffic-related air pollution exposure (TRAP) is a major public health problem. The effects of TRAP exposure on the oxidative biomarkers of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of adults are seldom studied. We compared the oxidative EBC biomarkers in a group of individuals exposed to TRAP with those of individuals unexposed to TRAP.

Elevated serum matrix metalloprotease (MMP-2) as a candidate biomarker for stable COPD.

Background: The increasing trend of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in becoming the third leading cause of deaths by 2020 is of great concern, globally as well as in India. Dysregulation of protease/anti-protease balance in COPD has been reported to cause tissue destruction, inflammation and airway remodelling; which are peculiar characteristics of COPD. Therefore, it is imperative to explore various serum proteases involved in COPD pathogenesis, as candidate biomarkers.

Long-term ambient air pollution exposure and respiratory impedance in children: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The present study was aimed to compare the respiratory impedance of children residing in areas with different ambient air pollution (AAP).

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional pilot study was carried out in healthy school children of two cities in India i.e.

Regression equations of respiratory impedance of Indian adults measured by forced oscillation technique.

Background: Forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a technique to measure the mechanical properties of the lung. The present study was aimed to develop regression equations of within- and whole-breath respiratory impedance (Zrs) of healthy Indian adults.

Methods: Total 323 adults were sequentially screened.

Regression Equations of Respiratory Impedance Measured by Forced Oscillation Technique for Indian Children.

Objective: To develop regression equations of within and whole-breath respiratory impedance for Indian children aged 5 to 17 y.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in 5 to 17 y old school children of Bhopal, India. Healthy children were identified by physical examination and by administering questionnaire.

Respiratory Morbidity of Roadside Shopkeepers Exposed to Traffic-related Air Pollution in Bhopal, India.

Background: Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is a major source of ambient air pollution in urban areas. Shopkeepers of heavily trafficked roadside shops are persistently exposed to high levels of TRAP.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of respiratory morbidity in shopkeepers of shops in heavily trafficked roadside areas in Bhopal city (India) and to determine any association with long term exposure to TRAP.

Role of Proteases in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is generally associated with progressive destruction of airways and lung parenchyma. Various factors play an important role in the development and progression of COPD, like imbalance of proteases, environmental and genetic factors and oxidative stress. This review is specifically focused on the role of proteases and their imbalance in COPD.

CD14 C-159T polymorphism and its association with chronic lung diseases: A pilot study on isocyanate exposed population of Central India.

Context: CD14 functions as a multifunctional receptor for bacterial cell wall components including endotoxin and lipopolysaccharide and is likely to influence the cytokine profile and subsequent immunoglobulin E production in response to antigen/allergen contact in allergic phenotypes.

Aims: The present study was to investigate genetic polymorphism in CD14 gene - 159C/T, which may be one of the risk factor for increased prevalence of Chronic Lung Diseases in the Central India.

Settings And Design: Survivors of Methyl isocyanates toxicity in Bhopal still suffering from various respiratory ailments were examined.

Body mass index among patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

Body mass index (BMI) is one of the important parameter to assess functional status of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The aim of present study was to assess the prevalence of underweight among clinically stable COPD patients and relationship of BMI with increasing severity of COPD. COPD was defined as a subject who had post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < lower limit of normal, age more than 40 years and either current or ex smoker.

Annual change in spirometric parameters among patients affected in Bhopal gas disaster: A retrospective observational study.

Background: The involvement of respiratory system due to inhalation of methyl isocyanate (MIC) during Bhopal gas disaster was particularly severe. We retrospectively evaluated the annual changes in spirometric parameters among those who were affected in this disaster (exposed survivors) and had respiratory symptoms.

Materials And Methods: Spirometry reports of exposed survivors that were carried out in our institution were retrospectively reviewed and we identified 252 subjects who had performed spirometry at least twice with interval of more than one year.

An HIV1/2 point of care test on sputum for screening TB/HIV co-infection in Central India - Will it work?

Objective: To determine whether the OraQuick® HIV-1/2 Assay (OraSure Technologies, Inc., Bethlehem, PA, USA) in sputum is a valid tool for HIV surveillance among TB patients.

Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on sputa of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis.

Subjective assessment of quality of sleep in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient and its relationship with associated depression.

Background: The quality of sleep in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient from India has not been studied. Aim of this study was evaluation of subjective assessment of sleep quality in stable COPD patients and its relationship with associated depression.

Materials And Methods: Forty clinically stable COPD patients were recruited from outpatient department and their disease status was classified as per Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guideline.

Multi-antigen and antibody assays (SEVA TB ELISA) for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion.

Objective: Prospective evaluation of inhouse developed SEVA TB ELISA using cocktail of Mycobacterial antigens ES-31 and EST-6 (containing ES-38 and ES-41) and their specific antibodies in the diagnosis of Tuberculous pleural effusion was done in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: Detection of circulating free and immune-complexed (IC) antigens and antibody by sandwich and indirect peroxidase ELISA respectively was done in pleural fluid and sera specimens. Total 33 patients with pleural effusion, including 24 patients diagnosed as tuberculous pleural effusion based on clinico-radiological, microbiological and biochemical profile (protein, LDH and ADA) of pleural effusion and nine patients with non-tuberculous pleural effusion, were studied.