Consequence and Role of Telomeres on Cell-Division Rates and Life-Spans

Abstract There has been growing evidence that lifestyle factors may affect the health and lifespan of an individual by affecting telomere length. Telomeres are unique protein-DNA structures that comprise the termini of eukaryotic linear chromosomes. Telomere length shortens with age. Progressive shortening of telomeres leads to senescence, apoptosis, or oncogenic transformation of somatic cells, affecting the health and lifespan of an individual. We planned to focus the significance of telomeres in human health and aging and to summarize possible lifestyle factors that may affect health and longevity by altering the rate of telomere shortening

Geospatial Epidemiology of chicken-pox disease in India between 2015-2021: A GIS based analysis

Introduction: In this paper, we introduce geographical information systems (GIS) as a tool to study trends in disease spread in time and space. Based on data gathered by the integrated disease surveillance programme (IDSP), we can see where outbreaks of Chickenpox have occurred. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the trends in chickenpox diseases in India between January 2015 and April 2021 using GIS maps. Methods: For the collection of secondary data relating to chickenpox, a free app called collect 5 was used for collecting data weekly from the IDSP website and then storing them in an online server. In this project, variables that needed to be processed with QGIS were combined with table attributes of many shapefiles of India and presented as maps. Results: Between Jan 2015 and May 2021, 1269 chickenpox outbreaks (27,257 cases) have been recorded. Thirty-one deaths have been confirmed, with most occurring in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Nineteen states did not report any deaths. According to the seasonally adjusted trend, the number of cases was highest during the months of January and March. Conclusion:  In summary, geographic information systems have become an invaluable tool for mapping the hotspots of acute epidemics and planning public health interventions to prevent the spread of these diseases

Glycosylated Hemoglobin among Non-diabetic Patients Diagnosed as Benign Thyroid Lesions on Cytology: A Cross Sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in India

Background: Hypothyroidism and diabetes usually coexist and are the most common endocrine disorders seen in India (1). Glycosylated Hb (HbA1c) is used for assessment of glycemia and American Diabetic Association (ADA) has recommended its use in diabetes and prediabetes (2). A value between 5.7% and 6.5% represents prediabetes while a value ≥6.5% is considered as diabetes mellitus (3). Glycosylated hemoglobin is a fraction of hemoglobin that undergoes non-enzymatic glycation over the circulatory life span of erythrocytes (4). Several studies have shown glycosylated Hb varies in different conditions like hemoglobinopathies, pregnancy and chronic kidney disease (5).Thyroid hormone plays an important role in glucose homeostasis (6). TSH regulates hematopoiesis in bone marrow (7). Hypothyroidism depresses the marrow which causes decreased erythrocyte production which alters the life span of erythrocytes. Altered life span causes spurious elevation of HbA1C (8, 9, 10). Hence, glycosylated Hb not only depends on glycemia but also on life span of RBC (11). Conditions which effect erythrocyte turnover or survival lead to falsely high or low Hb A1C levels (12). RBC turnover is increased in thyrotoxic states whereas hypothyroidism has the opposite effect (3).In the present study, we hypothesise that glycosylated hemoglobin shows variation in individuals with altered thyroid status. It also aim to establish if a correlation exits between fasting plasma glucose level and hemoglobin with glycosylated hemoglobin in patients with altered thyroid status.Aims and Objectives: To find a correlation between thyroid profile and glycosylated Hb in non-diabetic patients who have been diagnosed on cytology as benign thyroid lesions and Compare the fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin with glycosylated Hb in these patients.Material and Methods: A cross sectional study on 50 cases cytologically diagnosed as benign thyroid lesions in the Department of Pathology in ESIC Medical College and Hospital Faridabad were included in the study with consent of ethical committee.Data Analysis: Pearson’s coefficient was applied to test the association between variables. The significance level was set at 5%.Results: Out of 50 patients (n=25) 50% were hypothyroid, (n=13) 26% were hyperthyroid and (n=12) 24% were euthyroid and (n=22) 88% hypothyroid patients presented with HbA1C >6.5% and were labeled as Diabetic, (n=3) 12% hypothyroid patients were labelled as prediabetic and none was nondiabetic. Most of the euthyroid (n=11) 92% and all of the hyperthyroid patients (n=13) 100% had HbA1C in the nondiabetic range of 6.5%). The correlation of HbA1C with TSH, Hb and MCH of these patients showed statistical significance (p 6.5%) or prediabetic (HbAIc between 5.7 to 6.5%)

Plasmodium falciparum Reticulocyte Binding-Like Homologue Protein 2 (PfRH2) Is a Key Adhesive Molecule Involved in Erythrocyte Invasion

Erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium merozoites is a complex, multistep process that is mediated by a number of parasite ligand-erythrocyte receptor interactions. One such family of parasite ligands includes the P. falciparum reticulocyte binding homologue (PfRH) proteins that are homologous with the P. vivax reticulocyte binding proteins and have been shown to play a role in erythrocyte invasion. There are five functional PfRH proteins of which only PfRH2a/2b have not yet been demonstrated to bind erythrocytes. In this study, we demonstrated that native PfRH2a/2b is processed near the N-terminus yielding fragments of 220 kDa and 80 kDa that exhibit differential erythrocyte binding specificities. The erythrocyte binding specificity of the 220 kDa processed fragment of native PfRH2a/2b was sialic acid-independent, trypsin resistant and chymotrypsin sensitive. This specific binding phenotype is consistent with previous studies that disrupted the PfRH2a/2b genes and demonstrated that PfRH2b is involved in a sialic acid independent, trypsin resistant, chymotrypsin sensitive invasion pathway. Interestingly, we found that the smaller 80 kDa PfRH2a/2b fragment is processed from the larger 220 kDa fragment and binds erythrocytes in a sialic acid dependent, trypsin resistant and chymotrypsin sensitive manner. Thus, the two processed fragments of PfRH2a/2b differed with respect to their dependence on sialic acids for erythrocyte binding. Further, we mapped the erythrocyte binding domain of PfRH2a/2b to a conserved 40 kDa N-terminal region (rPfRH240) in the ectodomain that is common to both PfRH2a and PfRH2b. We demonstrated that recombinant rPfRH240 bound human erythrocytes with the same specificity as the native 220 kDa processed protein. Moreover, antibodies generated against rPfRH240 blocked erythrocyte invasion by P. falciparum through a sialic acid independent pathway. PfRH2a/2b thus plays a key role in erythrocyte invasion and its conserved receptor-binding domain deserves attention as a promising candidate for inclusion in a blood-stage malaria vaccine

Inequality in the immunization schedules of different states of the Same Country: Are we aware?

With Universal Immunization Programme in India incorporating newer vaccines, the immunization schedule has been changing rapidly, varying from one state to another. The number of diseases being protected against has increased from 6 to 14 in the past few years. The immunization schedules of the states of Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana were compared among themselves and also with the schedule recommended by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Variations were observed. The migrants, service providers, and those users switching between private and public sector many a time are affected due to this variation among the immunization schedules

Association between smoking, tuberculosis and diabetes-TB: an analysis on Indian TB patients

Background India is currently carrying the double burden of Communicable diseases like Tuberculosis (TB) and Non communicable diseases (NCDs) like Diabetes Mellitus. Tobacco is one of the established risk factors for NCDs and India has around 28.6% of current tobacco users (GATS-2016-17). Evidence suggests association between tobacco smoking and TB in some populations. We aim to evaluate the association between tobacco smoking and TB and TB-DM both. Methods The cross sectional study on 400 patients with TB from district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh was carried out in 2014-15. In this analysis the demographic details of TB patients above the age of 18 years were included along with history of tobacco smoking in form of bidi and cigarette. The criteria used for diagnosing type 2-DM was American Diabetes Association criteria or with a diagnosed history of DM and or on oral hypoglycemic drugs/ insulin. The MDR-TB patients and patients suffering from type 1 DM, HIV and leprosy were excluded from the study. Results At the time of diagnosis of TB 13.5% (54/400) were diagnosed with DM. More than one third (34.4%) of the TB patients without DM were current smokers and 16.5% were ex-smokers at the time of diagnosis. Among the patients suffering from both DM-TB equal proportion were current and ex-smokers (31.4% each). The distribution was statistically significant (p:0.03). The median duartion of bidi/cigarette smoked in years was significantly higher among DM-TB group (20) as compared to TB alone (0.5) (p: 0.03). On multivariate logistic regression analysis only history of current smoker has a significant positive association with TB without DM (OR (95%CI): 2.49 (1.09-7.87)). Conclusions Current smoking was independently associated with TB only. For development of diabetes other factors also play a major role. Smoking DM with TB (known+ newly diagnosed) 54 (13.5) Non DM with TB 346 (86.5) Total (400) 400 (100) P value Non Smoker 20 (10.5) 170 (89.5) 190 (100) 0.03 Current 17 (12.5) 119 (87.5) 136 (100) Ex -Smoker 17 (33.0) 57 (77.0) 74 (100) Median duration of smoking (IQR) in years 20 (30) 0.5 (25) 3 (65) 0.03 [Prevalence of Smoking with TB DM

Adverse Events Following Pneumococcal Vaccination among Infants attending Immunization Clinic at a Tertiary Hospital in Northern India

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) has been introduced in India in a phased manner. In Haryana it was introduced in 2017. The adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with PCV in real community setting are yet to be detected. Objective: To calculate the incidence and associated factors for various AEFI after pneumococcal vaccination at a tertiary centre of Faridabad, Haryana. Methodology: The descriptive observational study was conducted from April through October 2019 at the immunization centre of a tertiary care centre of Faridabad, Haryana. Each dose of PCV-13 given to the infants attending immunization centre was the study unit. A telephonic contact was done within 24 hours, after 48 hours and between 5-7 days to enquire about any adverse events (minor & major), if occurred. Results: A total of 135 PCV-13 doses were followed up for any AEFIs. 113 AEFIs (incidence: 67.3 per 100 dose) reported in 93 infants. Incidence of fever was 45 per 100 dose followed by tenderness and erythema (39 per 100 doses for each). Incidence of Swelling was 21 per 100 doses. Conclusion: Active surveillance and co administration of Pentavalent vaccine could have resulted in higher proportion of AEFIs

Life satisfaction and correlates among working women of a tertiary care health sector: A cross-sectional study from Delhi, India

Background: The dual role of women at home and workplace negatively impacts their quality of life. The health-care system demands quality services and urbanization and globalization have increased the demands of every individual to lead a satisfactory life. Objective: The aim of this study is to find the correlates of life satisfaction (LS) among working women of the health sector. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among female staff in the campus of a tertiary care center of New Delhi for 6 months (2011–2012). A sample of 345 women was selected with equal representation from all the departments of the institution. All participants were asked to complete modified pretested semi-structured LS scale by Alam and Srivastava. Results: The prevalence of overall satisfaction among working females in our study was 39.3%. Females were highly satisfied with their job, but satisfaction level in health and the economic domain was low. Age, type of occupation, mode of transport, family type, and income as compared to the husband's income were the significant correlates of satisfaction level in different domains. Conclusions: Satisfaction among workers that to females in the health sector is proportional to job profile which comes at the cost of their personal needs. These tentative conclusions demand further investigations determining causality of the observed associations. It is high time to make our workplace environment worker-friendly to increase the output

Health insurance coverage and out-of pocket expenditure: A study among rural and urban households of Faridabad, Haryana

Introduction: Catastrophic health spending is one of the major factors pushing people into poverty. Reducing “out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE)” on health through health insurance coverage is an effective approach. The objectives of this study are (1) to estimate health insurance coverage among rural and urban households (HHs) and (2) to determine the proportion of income spent on health as OOPE among the selected HHs. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural and urban parts of district Faridabad, Haryana. A sample of 374 were taken from rural and urban areas. The unit of the study was HHs in both the areas. The proportion of income spent on health care (both direct and indirect expenses included) as OOPE was taken as outcome variable. Results: Health insurance coverage was higher among urban HHs (58.0%) as compared to the rural (38.5%). The rural population was availing of private consultation, laboratory, and pharmacy services to a greater extent than the urban; hence, they were spending a substantial proportion of their income on health-care services. The majority of the HHs in the rural and urban areas spent up to 20% of their income on health care. Conclusion: Universal health coverage without health insurance is unlikely