Environmental Social Justice Issues and Health Risks in Younger Kids from Vulnerable Communities in the United States: Educating Youth of Immigrant Communities to Address Social Justice Issues

This project was conducted to examine the environmental social justice issues in the United States and how they are linked to health issues in younger children in low-income communities and people of color through the lenses of multiple theoretical frameworks. The workshop was focused on educating youth from other communities of people of color, providing them resources so that while bridging the cultural gaps they will become allies. The targeted audience was Asian-Indian youth of Maharashtrian communities across the country. The youth of mixed age group and first and second generations of immigrants from those communities participated in the workshop. The findings of the workshop stated that participants walked away with more knowledge about environmental social justice issues and strong desire to share the information with their friends and peers and other members in their communities. They also showed deep interest to know more about the social justice issues and resources so that they can make efforts to address the issues in their local communities

Comparative genomics exploration tools

Comparative Genomics focuses on elucidating the genetic differences between different species or different strains of the same species by the comparative analysis of DNA sequences to identify functional elements and regulatory regions. This thesis describes the design and development of two software tools to support comparative genomics research. These tools were specifically developed to support the analysis and assembly of sequence data produced from innovative new DNA sequencing technology from 454 Life Sciences using the PicoTiterPlate(TM) device. This technology will dramatically affect comparative genomics research. Currently available software tools were developed to handle traditional shotgun sequences averaging 500-1000 base pairs in length. These tools are inadequate to handle the unique characteristics of sequence reads generated by 454 Life Sciences. The goal of this research is to adapt currently available tools and develop new tools to be used for sequence reads generated by any sequencing technology, even those having different characteristics from the traditional shotgun sequences

Comparative Study of Public and Private Sector Tourism With Respect To Tourism Place in Pune

On the off chance that at the national level, the interest of tourism is huge, on the neighborhood level this area presents itself as a fundamental apparatus in territorial advancement, as a way to stay away from provincial desertification and stagnation, fortifying the capability of more undeveloped areas. In this unique situation, public-private organizations assume an essential part in provincial improvement. The point of this paper is to display a hypothetical setting that consolidates distinctive ideas and components to clarify and comprehend the public-private organization marvel in tourism of Pune City. In such a focused part as tourism, organizations ought to create collaborations and accomplish upper hand. Tourism is portrayed just like a part that emerges as one of the business exercises with the best potential for overall development, and as a motor for financial development

A Case Study on effect of Vamana Karma in Lupus Induced Hypothyroidism

Introduction- Auto-immune thyroid disease is most common in lupus.  Anti-Nuclear-Anti-body is related to both. Primary hypothyroidism occurs in about 15%-19% in patient of Lupus. Hypothyroid Signs and symptoms include low metabolic rate, tendency to weight gain, somnolence, lethargy, menstrual disturbance, aches, muscle stiffness, hair loss, infertility and sometimes myxedema. The above symptoms closely resemble the symptoms of Vikruta Kapha Dosha which are Gaurava, Shaithya, Slatangatwa, Tamah, Klaibya. The location of thyroid gland is In Urdwajatrugata Pradesha i.e., Greeva. Adoption of Vamana karma is best shodhana for Kapha Dosha and also for Urdwa Shareerasthitha Roga making an ideal Panchakarma for hypothyroidism. Aim- To evaluate the efficacy of Vamana Karma in Lupus induced Hypothyroidism. Methodology- Single subject was treated with Deepana-Pachana followed by Shodhananga Snehapana and was subjected to Vamana. As per the Shuddhi the subject was advised Samsarjana Krama. Assessment was done with thyroid profile before and after treatment. Result- Significant changes were noted in thyroid profile.  Discussion- Vamana Karma which is ideal for Kapha Dosha has a positive effect over the disease Hypothyroidism in managing and also maintaining health for longer duration

Anaesthetic and Haemodynamic Effects of Dexmedetomidine vs Midazolam used as Premedication in Minor Obstetrics and Gynaecological Procedures- A Prospective Interventional Study

Introduction: Preoperative anxiety for any surgery is a frequent condition. It may lead to high catecholamine levels which increases blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen consumption. Various agents have been used for anxiolysis and sedation as premedicants. Aim: To compare the anaesthetic and haemodynamic effects of injection Dexmedetomidine and injection Midazolam used as premedication in minor Obstetrics and Gynaecological procedures. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective interventional study conducted from July 2016 to September 2017, on total number of 60 patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologist Physical Status (ASA PS I and II) enrolled for the study. They were randomised in two groups: Group A (n=30) for Injection (Inj.) Midazolam 0.04 mg/kg and Group B (n=30) for injection Dexmedetomidine 1mcg /kg injected over a period of 10 minutes prior to General Anaesthesia. After appropriate monitoring like, Heart Rate (HR), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), Mean arterial Pressure (MAP), Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), Respiratory Rate (RR) were noted during the procedure at interval of 5 minutes till 30 minutes and, Ramsay Sedation Score (RSS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in postoperative period for 1 hour at interval of 15 minutes. The significance between all variables and amongst the two groups was calculated by Chi-square test, Repeated measure Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and Independent sample t-test. Results: It was observed that mean HR, SBP (p<0.05), DBP (p<0.05) and MAP (p<0.05 ) decreased significantly in group B. The RR (p<0.05) was significantly decreased in group B. There was no significant difference in SpO2 (p=0.4) value in both the groups. VAS (p<0.05) of group B patients was significantly reduced in the postoperative period but there was no significant difference in RSS score (p=0.1) at 45 and 60 minutes in both the groups. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine is more effective as a sedative agent than injection Midazolam when used in minor gynaecological procedures. Though Dexmedetomidine caused significant reduction in SBP, DBP and HR, it maintained haemodynamic stability well without causing any adverse effects

Myxobacterial diversity of Indian soils - How many species do we have?

Myxobacteria of tropical soils is an under-explored bacterial group. We report below the results of sampling in Pune district of Western Ghats. A number of novel morphotypes were found in forest as well as urban/semi-urban soils. There was a high level of floral dissimilarity between habitats. The morphotypes detected in Pune district also differed from the northern Indian species recorded earlier. Using a species individual curve on the Pune, Lucknow and pooled data, we try to estimate the number of species that are likely to be present in India. A plausible estimate is several fold higher than the species recorded worldwide so far

Association of Vegetable and Animal Flesh Intake with Inflammation in Pregnant Women from India

In pregnant women, studies are lacking on the relationship of vegetable and animal flesh (poultry, red meat and seafood) intake with inflammation, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a cohort study of pregnant women receiving antenatal care at BJ Medical College in Pune, India. The dietary intake of pregnant women was queried in the third trimester using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Twelve inflammatory markers were measured in plasma samples using immunoassays. Only 12% of the study population were vegetarians, although animal flesh intake levels were lower compared to Western populations. In multivariable models, higher intakes of total vegetables were associated with lower levels of the T-helper (Th) 17 cytokine interleukin (IL)-17a (p = 0.03) and the monocyte/macrophage activation marker soluble CD163 (sCD163) (p = 0.02). Additionally, higher intakes of poultry were negatively associated with intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (I-FABP) levels (p = 0.01), a marker of intestinal barrier dysfunction and Th2 cytokine IL-13 (p = 0.03), and higher seafood was associated with lower IL-13 (p = 0.005). Our data from pregnant women in India suggest that a higher quality diet emphasizing vegetables and with some animal flesh is associated with lower inflammation. Future studies should confirm these findings and test if modulating vegetables and animal flesh intake could impact specific aspects of immunity and perinatal health

Measuring routine childhood vaccination coverage in 204 countries and territories, 1980-2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020, Release 1

Background Measuring routine childhood vaccination is crucial to inform global vaccine policies and programme implementation, and to track progress towards targets set by the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) and Immunization Agenda 2030. Robust estimates of routine vaccine coverage are needed to identify past successes and persistent vulnerabilities. Drawing from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2020, Release 1, we did a systematic analysis of global, regional, and national vaccine coverage trends using a statistical framework, by vaccine and over time. Methods For this analysis we collated 55 326 country-specific, cohort-specific, year-specific, vaccine-specific, and dosespecific observations of routine childhood vaccination coverage between 1980 and 2019. Using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression, we produced location-specific and year-specific estimates of 11 routine childhood vaccine coverage indicators for 204 countries and territories from 1980 to 2019, adjusting for biases in countryreported data and reflecting reported stockouts and supply disruptions. We analysed global and regional trends in coverage and numbers of zero-dose children (defined as those who never received a diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis [DTP] vaccine dose), progress towards GVAP targets, and the relationship between vaccine coverage and sociodemographic development. Findings By 2019, global coverage of third-dose DTP (DTP3; 81.6% [95% uncertainty interval 80.4-82 .7]) more than doubled from levels estimated in 1980 (39.9% [37.5-42.1]), as did global coverage of the first-dose measles-containing vaccine (MCV1; from 38.5% [35.4-41.3] in 1980 to 83.6% [82.3-84.8] in 2019). Third- dose polio vaccine (Pol3) coverage also increased, from 42.6% (41.4-44.1) in 1980 to 79.8% (78.4-81.1) in 2019, and global coverage of newer vaccines increased rapidly between 2000 and 2019. The global number of zero-dose children fell by nearly 75% between 1980 and 2019, from 56.8 million (52.6-60. 9) to 14.5 million (13.4-15.9). However, over the past decade, global vaccine coverage broadly plateaued; 94 countries and territories recorded decreasing DTP3 coverage since 2010. Only 11 countries and territories were estimated to have reached the national GVAP target of at least 90% coverage for all assessed vaccines in 2019. Interpretation After achieving large gains in childhood vaccine coverage worldwide, in much of the world this progress was stalled or reversed from 2010 to 2019. These findings underscore the importance of revisiting routine immunisation strategies and programmatic approaches, recentring service delivery around equity and underserved populations. Strengthening vaccine data and monitoring systems is crucial to these pursuits, now and through to 2030, to ensure that all children have access to, and can benefit from, lifesaving vaccines. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe