Elimination of tuberculosis requires prior control of silicosis including sub-radiological silicosis.

India is committed to the elimination of tuberculosis by 2025. But its achievement appears to be difficult as India has a huge burden of silicosis as well as sub-radiological silicosis, which was never given its required attention. Silicotic subjects are highly vulnerable to pulmonary tuberculosis due to the progressive decline of lung immunity.

Simultaneous Intranasal Codelivery of Donepezil and Memantine in a Nanocolloidal Carrier: Optimization, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics Studies.

This work focuses on developing nanoemulsions using a low-energy emulsification method for the codelivery of donepezil and memantine in one dosage form intended to be administered via the intranasal route for enhanced brain delivery. The nanoemulsion formulation was prepared using a low emulsification technique and characterized using various microscopy and nasal ciliotoxicity studies. The safe nanoemulsion was intended for preclinical pharmacokinetics with brain distribution and pharmacodynamics in a scopolamine-induced murine model.

Deciphering the response of thirteen apple cultivars for growth, fruit morphology and fruit physico-chemical attributes during different years.

Apple cultivation is one of the most significant means of subsistence in the Kashmir region of the northwestern Himalayas. It is considered as the backbone of the region's economy. Apple cultivation in the region is dominated by a late maturing cultivar "Red Delicious" which usually on maturity causes glut in the market.

Challenges and opportunities for silicosis prevention and control: need for a national health program on silicosis in India.

Background: Silicosis has been one of the most serious occupational public health problems worldwide for many decades. The global burden of silicosis is largely unknown, although it is thought to be more prevalent in low and medium-income countries. Individual studies among workers exposed to silica dust in various industries, however, reveal a high prevalence of silicosis in India.

Prevalence and determinants of (work-related) musculoskeletal disorders among dentists - A cross sectional evaluative study.

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the second most common cause of disability, accounting for 17% of all Years lived with a disability (YLDs) worldwide. Healthcare professionals, especially dentists, are known to be at a higher risk of WMSDs. Therefore, this study aims to determine the point and period prevalence of WMSDs among dentists and to assess the risk factors for WMSDs, including workstation analysis.

CLEC5A mRNA expression analysis to predict Dengue susceptibility in cancer patients.

Dengue fever is the fastest-growing infectious disease in the world. It is the leading vector-borne viral neglected tropical disease. The most acute immune response to dengue virus infection is dengue shock syndrome and hemorrhagic fever, which is due to the activation of CLEC5A C-type lectin domain family 5, member A (CLEC5A).

Air pollution attributed disease burden and economic growth in India: Estimating trends and inequality between states.

Background: Air pollution is one of the major contributors to the disease burden in India after malnutrition. We examined the relation, and state-wise disparities in air pollution attributed to disease burden (APADB) concerning gross state domestic product (GSDP) and growth in motor vehicles in India.

Methods: We retrieved disability-adjusted life year (DALY) estimates for India due to air pollution from the Global Burden of Disease Studies, injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD).

Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) based polypharmacological combination stimulates energy expending phenotype to reverse HFD-induced obesity in mice.

Background & Aim: Obesity is a worldwide epidemic leading to decreased quality of life, higher medical expenses and significant morbidity. Enhancing energy expenditure and substrate utilization in adipose tissues through dietary constituents and polypharmacological approaches is gaining importance for the prevention and therapeutics of obesity. An important factor in this regard is Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channel modulation and resultant activation of "brite" phenotype.

Determination of multi-class pesticide residues in food commodities from Gujarat, India and evaluation of acute and chronic health risk.

An increasing concern for food safety has drawn attention to the overuse of pesticides, which pose a risk to public health. The present study determined 61 pesticide residues in 120 samples of cauliflower, green chili, cucumber, grapes, bananas and mangoes samples, and these were collected from markets in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surendranagar, Anand and Sabarkantha districts of Gujarat state, India. The samples were extracted and analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-q-TOF-MS) and Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS).

Plight of migrant construction-site workers during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020: A qualitative exploration in Bhavnagar, Western India.

Background: During the unexpected lockdown implemented in early 2020 in reaction to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a considerable section of India's population of migrant construction-site workers were stuck.

Objective: Our objective was to explore the lived experiences and consequent perceptions of migrant workers related to the COVID-19 lockdown and the consequences on their lives.

Methods: We conducted structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) with twelve migrant construction-site workers in Bhavnagar, Western India, from November to December 2020, using qualitative research methods.

Cadmium exposure and DNA damage (genotoxicity): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Existing literature suggests an association between chronic cadmium (Cd) exposure and the induction of DNA damage and genotoxicity. However, observations from individual studies are inconsistent and conflicting. Therefore current systematic review aimed to pool evidence from existing literature to synthesize quantitative and qualitative corroboration on the association between markers of genotoxicity and occupational Cd exposed population.

A mixed-methods study on impact of silicosis on tuberculosis treatment outcomes and need for TB-silicosis collaborative activities in India.

Globally, silicosis and tuberculosis (TB) have been targeted for elimination by 2030. The study's objectives were to determine the association of silicosis with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes, as well as to explore experts' perspectives on improving treatment outcomes among silico-tuberculosis patients. A retrospective cohort study evaluated TB treatment outcomes in Khambhat block, the western part of India, between 138 patients with silico-tuberculosis and 2610 TB patients without silicosis in February-March 2022.

Development and validation of Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry method and its application for clinical evaluation of blood lead levels among occupationally exposed lead smelting plant workers.

The growing interest in estimating the blood lead levels, for early detection of lead exposure, warranted a need for a validated analytical method for trace levels estimation of lead. The present study aimed to develop an analytical method for detecting trace amounts to elevated levels of lead in human blood using the Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry technique and its application in evaluating blood lead levels among occupationally exposed individuals. The method validation was performed with standard test parameters including linearity, recovery, precision, method detection limit, and limit of quantification.

A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study on costs incurred by patients with tuberculosis comorbid with diabetes in Bhavnagar, western India.

Diabetes is one of the commonest morbidity among patients with tuberculosis (TB). We conducted this study to estimate the costs incurred by patients with TB comorbid with diabetes and to explore the perspectives of program managers as well as patients on the reasons and solutions for the costs incurred due to TB-diabetes. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study to estimate costs among 304 patients with TB-diabetes comorbidity registered in the public health system during 2017-2020 in the Bhavnagar region of western India, which was followed by in-depth interviews among program functionaries and patients to explore solutions for reducing the costs.

Susceptibility of male reproductive system to bisphenol A, an endocrine disruptor: Updates from epidemiological and experimental evidence.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an omnipresent environmental pollutant. Despite being restrictions in-force for its utilization, it is widely being used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Direct, low-dose, and long-term exposure to BPA is expected when they are used in the packaging of food products and are used as containers for food consumption.

A Comparative Health Assessment of Occupationally Lead Exposed Individuals with Blood Lead Levels Range across Upper Acceptable Limit.

Context: Lead (Pb) smelting workers are exposed to high lead levels and its adverse health effects. Despite no biological role, regulatory bodies regard blood lead levels (BLL) ≤40 µg/dL as upper acceptable limit in occupationally lead exposed population.

Objective: To explore the differences in general health status of individuals with BLL ≤40 µg/dL and >40 µg/dL.

Taxonomic and functional profiling of Indian smokeless tobacco bacteriome uncovers several bacterial-derived risks to human health.

Smokeless tobacco (ST) consumption keeps human oral health at high risk which is one of the major reasons for oral tumorigenesis. The chemical constituents of the ST products have been well discussed; however, the inhabitant microbial diversity of the ST products is less explored especially from south Asian regions. Therefore, the present investigation discusses the bacteriome-based analysis of indigenous tobacco products.

Short-term trivalent arsenic and hexavalent chromium exposures induce gut dysbiosis and transcriptional alteration in adipose tissue of mice.

Background: Inorganic arsenic [As(III)] and hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] can potentially affect metabolic functions. These heavy metal(s)/metalloids can also affect the gut microbial architecture which affects metabolic health. Here, we assessed the effects of short-term exposure of As(III) and Cr(VI) on key transcription factors in adipose tissues and on selected gut microbial abundances to understand the possible modulatory role of these toxicants on host metabolic health.

Exposure to Organic Solvents and Neurobehavioral Assessment of Working Children of Informal Footwear Units of Agra, India.

Background: Children aged 5 to 14 years are employed in the informal units of footwear making and are exposed to a mixture of organic solvents present in the adhesives. Organic solvents are reported to be toxic to the neurobehavioral system.

Objective: The present study was undertaken among the working children of informal footwear units of Agra to assess neurobehavioral functions using neurobehavioral tests.

TGF-β controls stromal telomere length through epigenetic modifications.

Unlabelled: Telomere length is primarily controlled by the enzyme telomerase, but being chromatin structures, telomeres undergo epigenetic regulation for their maintenance and function. Altered telomere length among cancer cells combined with shorter telomere length in cancer-associated stromal cells, strongly implicated with progression to prostate cancer metastasis and cancer death and providing a novel target for therapeutics. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathways are well-recognized for their role in stromal-epithelial interactions responsible for prostate androgen responsiveness, promoting tumorigenesis.

Costs incurred by patients with tuberculosis co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus in Bhavnagar, western India: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research.

Background: India reports the highest number of tuberculosis (TB) and second-highest number of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) globally. We hypothesize that HIV might increase the existing financial burden of care among patients with TB. We conducted this study to estimate the costs incurred by patients with TB co-infected with HIV and to explore the perspectives of patients as well as program functionaries for reducing the costs.

Human health risk assessment of pesticide residues in vegetable and fruit samples in Gujarat State, India.

The present study was initiated with the purpose to evaluate possible health risks associated with pesticide residues through consumption of vegetables and fruits by general population of Gujarat, India. A total of 1075 samples comprising of twelve different varieties of commonly consumed food commodities were collected from twenty-five divergent locations in Gujarat. The collected samples were extracted using QuEChERS method and analyzed for the presence of organophosphorus (OPs), organochlorine (OCs) and synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) pesticides using UHPLC-HR/MS, GC-μECD and GC-MS/SIM.

In silico prediction of COVID-19 cytokine storm in lung cancer types.

Lung cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumors and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Mainly, Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for more than eighty-five percent of all lung cancers, consists of two major subtypes: lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) affected millions of people caused by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) around the globe.