Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Health

Worldwide, more than 4 million deaths annually are attributed to indoor air pollution. This largely preventable exposure represents a key target for reducing morbidity and mortality worldwide. Significant respiratory health effects are observed, ranging from attenuated lung growth and development in childhood to accelerated lung function decline and is determined by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease later in life. Personal exposure to household air pollutants include household characteristics, combustion of solid fuels, cooking practices, and household pest allergens. This review outlines important sources of indoor air pollution, their respiratory health effects, and strategies to reduce household pollution and improve lung health across the globe

Correlation of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology with Histopathology in the Diagnosis of Thyroid Swellings

Introduction Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is now being accepted as the most cost-effective, minimally invasive technique with very low incidence of complications in the diagnosis of most of the thyroid lesions with an added advantage of segregating the patients of solitary thyroid nodule (STN) into operative and non-operative groups. Materials and Method A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken over a period of one year (2015) at the out-patient department of a medical college hospital in Tamil Nadu to determine the accuracy of FNAC in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in comparison with histopathology in the diagnosis of a thyroid swelling. Patients with solitary thyroid nodule, in euthyroid state without serious medical disorders were included in our study. FNAC was performed with 23G needle, smears were fixed with ether-95% alcohol solution, and staining was performed using Papanicolaou’s stain. The thyroid specimen which was excised during the thyroidectomy procedure was processed in automated tissue processing units and sent for histopathological examination. Results The validity of FNAC in terms of sensitivity and specificity was assessed by comparing it with the histopathological examination. The sensitivity of FNAC in detecting all the benign and malignant type of thyroid lesions was found to be in the range of 80-100%, whereas the specificity and the positive predictive value was almost 100% and the negative predictive value was between 98-100%, for all the lesions detected by FNAC. The accuracy of detection of lesions through FNAC is almost 94%.   Conclusion The use of FNAC has reduced the number of patients with solitary thyroid nodules undergoing unnecessary surgery and has led to proper planning of surgery in malignant cases

Correlation of fine needle aspiration cytology with histopathology in the diagnosis of thyroid swellings

Introduction Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is now being accepted as the most cost-effective, minimally invasive technique with very low incidence of complications in the diagnosis of most of the thyroid lesions with an added advantage of segregating the patients of solitary thyroid nodule (STN) into operative and non-operative groups. Materials and Method A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken over a period of one year (2015) at the out-patient department of a medical college hospital in Tamil Nadu to determine the accuracy of FNAC in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in comparison with histopathology in the diagnosis of a thyroid swelling. Patients with solitary thyroid nodule, in euthyroid state without serious medical disorders were included in our study. FNAC was performed with 23G needle, smears were fixed with ether-95% alcohol solution, and staining was performed using Papanicolaou’s stain. The thyroid specimen which was excised during the thyroidectomy procedure was processed in automated tissue processing units and sent for histopathological examination. Results The validity of FNAC in terms of sensitivity and specificity was assessed by comparing it with the histopathological examination. The sensitivity of FNAC in detecting all the benign and malignant type of thyroid lesions was found to be in the range of 80-100%, whereas the specificity and the positive predictive value was almost 100% and the negative predictive value was between 98-100%, for all the lesions detected by FNAC. The accuracy of detection of lesions through FNAC is almost 94%.   Conclusion The use of FNAC has reduced the number of patients with solitary thyroid nodules undergoing unnecessary surgery and has led to proper planning of surgery in malignant cases

Estimation of matrix metalloproteinase‑3 levels in gingival crevicular fluid in periodontal disease, health and after scaling and root planing

Background: Initial research has shown a positive correlation between the severity of periodontal disease and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) concentrations in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). However, there are no enough reports to correlate the MMP-3 concentrations in GCF in periodontal health, disease and after treatment. Hence, the present study is to estimate the levels of MMP-3 in GCF in periodontal health, disease and to evaluate the effect of periodontal therapy on MMP-3 concentrations in GCF. Materials and Methods: Periodontal examination and collection of GCF by extracrevicular method was performed in 30 subjects selected randomly and categorized into three groups. Group I (Healthy, n=10), group II (Chronic periodontitis, n=20) and group III (After treatment group, n=20). Scaling and root planing (SRP) was performed and GCF was collected after 8 weeks of treatment. MMP-3 levels were estimated in GCF samples using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: MMP-3 was detected in all samples. Highest mean MMP-3 concentrations in GCF were obtained for group II (7.490 ng/ml), while the lowest concentrations were seen in group I (0.344 ng/ml) and group III (2.129 ng/ml). This suggests that MMP-3 levels in GCF increases proportionally with the progression of periodontal disease and decreases after treatment. Conclusion: There is a substantial increase in the concentrations of MMP-3 as periodontal disease progresses. Since MMP-3 levels in GCF are positively correlated with gingival index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level, MMP-3 may be considered as a "novel biomarker" in periodontal disease progression. However, controlled, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this possibility

Rapid Design and Implementation of Post-COVID-19 Clinics.

Survivors of COVID-19 are a vulnerable population, with complex needs because of lingering symptoms and complications across multiple organ systems. Those who required hospitalization or intensive care are also at risk for post-hospital syndrome and post-ICU syndromes, with attendant cognitive, psychological, and physical impairments, and high levels of health care utilization. Effective ambulatory care for COVID-19 survivors requires coordination across multiple subspecialties, which can be burdensome if not well coordinated. With growing recognition of these needs, post-COVID-19 clinics are being created across the country. We describe the design and implementation of multidisciplinary post-COVID-19 clinics at two academic health systems, Johns Hopkins and the University of California-San Francisco. We highlight components of the model which should be replicated across sites, while acknowledging opportunities to tailor offerings to the local institutional context. Our goal is to provide a replicable framework for others to create these much-needed care delivery models for survivors of COVID-19

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Not AvailableThis study investigates the spatio-temporal changes in maize yield under projected climate and identified the potential adaptation measures to reduce the negative impact. Future climate data derived from 30 general circulation models were used to assess the impact of future climate on yield in 16 major maize growing districts of India. DSSAT model was used to simulate maize yield and evaluate adaptation strategies during mid (2040-69) and end-centuries (2070-99) under RCP 4.5 and 8.5. Genetic coefficients were calibrated and validated for each of the study locations. The projected climate indicated a substantial increase in mean seasonal maximum (0.9–6.0 °C) and minimum temperatures (1.1–6.1 °C) in the future (the range denotes the lowest and highest change during all the four future scenarios). Without adaptation strategies, climate change could reduce maize yield in the range of 16% (Tumkur) to 46% (Jalandhar) under RCP 4.5 and 21% (Tumkur) to 80% (Jalandhar) under RCP 8.5. Only at Dharwad, the yield could remain slightly higher or the same compared to the baseline period (1980–2009). Six adaptation strategies were evaluated (delayed sowing, increase in fertilizer dose, supplemental irrigation, and their combinations) in which a combination of those was found to be effective in majority of the districts. District-specific adaptation strategies were identified for each of the future scenarios. The findings of this study will enable in planning adaptation strategies to minimize the negative impact of projected climate in major maize growing districts of India.Not Availabl