Computational fluid dynamics analysis of the hydraulic (filtration) efficiency of a residential swimming pool.

Hydraulic or filtration efficiency of residential swimming pools, quantified in terms of residence time characteristics, is critical to disinfection and thus important to public health. In this study, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model together with Eulerian and Lagrangian-based techniques are used for investigating the residence time characteristics of a passive tracer and particles in the water, representative of chemicals and pathogens, respectively. The flow pattern in the pool is found to be characterized by dead zone regions where water constituents may be retained for extended periods of times, thereby potentially decreasing the pool hydraulic efficiency. Two return-jet configurations are studied in order to understand the effect of return-jet location and intensity on the hydraulic efficiency of the pool. A two-jet configuration is found to perform on par with a three-jet configuration in removing dissolved constituents but the former is more efficient than the latter in removing or flushing particles. The latter result suggests that return-jet location and associated flow circulation pattern have an important impact on hydraulic efficiency. Thus return-jet configuration should be incorporated as a key parameter in the design of swimming pools complementing current design standards.

Antral follicle count recovery in women with menses after treatment with and without gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist use during chemotherapy for breast cancer.

PURPOSE: After chemotherapy for breast cancer, most women will recover some ovarian function, but the timing and extent of this recovery are poorly understood. We studied post-chemotherapy ovarian recovery in women with and without a history of ovarian suppression during chemotherapy. METHODS: Reproductive age breast cancer patients who were seen prior to chemotherapy for fertility preservation consult were consented for follow-up ovarian function assessment (every 3-6 months after chemotherapy) with antral follicle count (AFC) in this prospective cohort study. We restricted our analysis to those with menses present after chemotherapy. Box plots were used to demonstrate the change in follow-up AFC versus time elapsed after chemotherapy. A mixed effects regression model was used to assess differences in AFC. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients with a history of newly diagnosed breast cancer were included. Forty-five patients (51%) had ovarian suppression with GnRH agonist (GnRHa) during chemotherapy. AFC recovery appeared to plateau at 1 year after completing chemotherapy at a median of 40% of pre-chemotherapy AFC. After adjustment for age, initial AFC, cyclophosphamide exposure, combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) use, and tamoxifen use, AFC recovered faster and to a greater degree for those women who underwent GnRHa therapy for ovarian protection during chemotherapy (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Women with menses after chemotherapy for breast cancer appear to recover their full potential AFC 1 year after their last chemotherapy dose. Treatment with GnRHa during chemotherapy is associated with a higher degree of AFC recovery. The findings of this study can aid in counseling patients prior to chemotherapy about expectations for ovarian recovery and planning post-treatment fertility preservation care to maximize reproductive potential when pre-treatment fertility preservation care is not possible or has limited oocyte yield.

Are low birth weight neonates at risk for suboptimal renal growth and function during infancy?

BACKGROUND: To assess the renal growth and function of neonates during infancy in relation to birth weight and gestational age. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in South India from June 2010 to August 2014. Low birth weight neonates (LBW) were further sub-classified based on gestational age and compared with normal birth weight (NBW) full term neonates at birth, 6 months and 18-24months of age. The renal volume was measured by ultrasound and renal function by Cystatin C- derived glomerular filtration rate (CysGFR) at the three time points during the dynamic phase of renal maturation in infancy. RESULTS: We recruited 100 LBW and 66 NBW term neonates. Thirty five percent of the LBW neonates were SGA. Among the AGA neonates, 39 % were LBW neonates. The mean height and weight of the LBW neonates were significantly lower compared to NBW neonates throughout infancy. The increment in kidney volume was in accordance with the change in body size, being lower in LBW compared to NBW infants. The combined kidney volume was significantly lower in LBW and SGA neonates across all three time points (p < 0.001). CysGFR in the LBW and SGA infants, despite having low kidney volumes, were comparable to the GFRs of NBW and AGA neonates at the end of infancy. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the fact that both birth weight and gestational age influence kidney growth and function in infancy. At the end of infancy, despite a significant difference in kidney volumes and age at last follow up, the glomerular filtration rate was comparable between LBW and NBW infants. Though not statistically significant, there was a trend towards higher urine microalbumin in LBW compared to NBW in infancy.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension among people aged 50 years and more in Banepa Municipality, Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a cardiovascular disorder rapidly emerging as a major public health problem in developing countries and is the most widely recognized modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence and associated risk factors with hypertension among people aged 50 years and more in Banepa Municipality, Kavre, Nepal. METHODS: It is a cross- sectional, population based study which was carried out in Banepa Municipality from May 15 to June 15, 2009. Among total 11 wards of Banepa municipally, wards number 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 10 were selected by using Simple Random Sampling Technique and 405 subjects of people aged 50 years and more were selected for study from the selected wards by using Cluster Sampling. The structured interview method was used for collection of data. Mercury sphygmomanometers with standard cuff were used to measure the indirect auscultatory arterial blood pressure. Two consecutive blood pressure readings were taken and average of them was calculated to determine single value of blood pressure. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 44.9 percent (47.75% in male and 42.73% in females). Among them, only 32.9 percent (60/182) were previously diagnosed as hypertension. The higher proportion of hypertensive cases were in age > 65 years (55.49%) than in the age group < 65 years (36.32%). The prevalence of hypertension was seen positively associated with non vegetarian eating habits, alcohol consumption, and > 25 Body max index. Taking green leafy vegetable at least once a week was negatively associated with the prevalence of the hypertension. CONCLUSION: These findings provide important information on the prevalence, associated factors of hypertension in Banepa Municipality. Effective public health measures and strategies are needed to improve prevention, diagnosis and access to treatment of these 50 years and above population.

Degradation and failure of field emitting carbon nanotube arrays.

It has been observed experimentally that the collective field emission from an array of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) exhibits fluctuation and degradation, and produces thermal spikes, resulting in electro-mechanical fatigue and failure of CNTs. Based on a new coupled multiphysics model incorporating the electron-phonon transport and thermo-electrically activated breakdown, a novel method for estimating accurately the lifetime of CNT arrays has been developed in this paper. The main results are discussed for CNT arrays during the field emission process. It is shown that the time-to-failure of CNT arrays increases with the decrease in the angle of tip orientation. This observation has important ramifications for such areas as biomedical X-ray devices using patterned films of CNTs.

Cardiovascular disease in live related renal transplantation.

Cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients, although its pathogenesis and treatment are poorly understood. Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and graft dysfunction both play an important role in development of post transplant cardiovascular events. Prevalence of cardiovascular disease was studied in stable kidney transplant patients on cyclosporine based triple immunosuppression in relation to the various risk factors and post transplant cardiovascular events. Analysis of 562 post transplant patients with stable graft function for 6 months, the patients were evaluated for cardiovascular events in post transplant period. Pre and post transplant risk factors were analyzed using the COX proportional hazard model. 174 patients had undergone pre transplant coronary angiography, 15 of these patients underwent coronary revascularization (angioplasty in 12, CABG in 3). The prevalence of CAD was 7.2% in transplant recipients. Of 42 patients with CAD 31 (73.8%) had cardiovascular event in post transplant period. Age > or = 40 yrs, male sex, graft dysfunction, diabetes as primary renal disease, pre transplant cardiovascular event, chronic rejection showed significant correlation in univariate analysis and there was significant between age > or = 40 years (OR = 2.16 with 95% CI, 0.977-4.78) S creatinine > or = 1.4 mg % (OR = 2.40 with 95% CI, 1.20 - 4.82), diabetes as primary disease (OR with 95% CI 3.67, 3.2-14.82), PTDM (OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.45-9.40), pre-transplant cardiovascular disease (OR 4.14, 95% CI .38-13.15) with post transplant cardiovascular event on multivariate analysis. There was poor patient and graft survival among those who suffered post transplant cardiovascular event. The incidence of cardiovascular disease continues to be high after renal transplantation and modifiable risk factors should be identified to prevent occurrence of events in post transplant period.

The prevalence of and risk factors for hypertension in adults living in central development region of Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disorder and now regarded as major public health problem. It is a precursor to major diseases like myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure etc. There are very limited community based data on hypertension in Nepal, so, information on the prevalence of hypertension in the population is desirable. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of hypertension and to explore the risk factors associated with hypertension. METHODS: In a cross sectional study , a total of 527 subjects (males n=214 and females n=313) participated in our study (age =18 years). The participants underwent anthropometric measurement and blood pressure and answered a pretested questionnaire. Hypertension was defined as per JNC VII criteria. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of hypertension was 22.4% (males: 32.7% and female: 15.3%). Age specific prevalence of hypertension showed significant progressive increase in blood pressure ranging from 8% to 35%. Almost 40% of hypertensives did not know about their status. Bivariate analysis showed significant relationship of hypertension with gender, age, literacy, physical inactivity, body mass index (BMI), smoking and alcohol consumption. Multivariate analysis excluded literacy but all other risk factors continued to show positive association with hypertension. CONCLUSION: Being elderly, less physical activity, obese/overweight, smoking and alcohol consumption are significant risk factors of hypertension. Therefore, intervention measures are warranted emphasizing on modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and obesity to prevent hypertension.

Pattern of organophosphorous poisoning: a retrospective community based study.

BACKGROUND: Pesticide poisoning is very common in Nepal. Hospital based studies from various parts of Nepal have shown that poisoning with organophosphorus compounds is the most common type of poisoning. Current study is undertaken to see the pattern of organophosphorus poisoning and to identify the common risk factors among the cases. If the risk factors are modifiable, attempts in addressing the risk factors and decreasing the likelihood of poisoning will certainly be fruitful in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with organophosphorus poisoning. OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk factors of organophosphorus poisoning which is major public health problem in Nepal. METHODS: A community based retrospective study of 75 cases of organophosphate poisoning who were brought to the emergency department of Dhulikhel hospital over the period of 3 years. Basic information was collected from hospital records and home visits were made to study the risk factors. Data were collected through interviews of the study population and their family members using a pre-designed questionnaire. RESULTS: In this study 75 cases and their families were interviewed of which there were 59% males and 42% females (M/F ratio of 1:1.4). The majority (40%) of the poisoning cases were in the age group 25-34 years. Lower literacy level showed positive association with the incidence of poisoning. Occupation wise vast majority (80%) of the cases were engaged in agricultural work. Suicidal attempts by ingesting organophosphate compounds were high in farmers and females. CONCLUSION: In this study, majority of the poisoning were attempts of intentional self harm. Agriculture workers and females are high risk groups and may be associated with the fact that they have easy access to the poison. Interventions directed towards health education, counseling, and enforcement of laws restricting the availability and use of harmful pesticides may help in reducing such events in future.

Disease-Suppressive Soils-Beyond Food Production: a Critical Review.

In the pursuit of higher food production and economic growth and increasing population, we have often jeopardized natural resources such as soil, water, vegetation, and biodiversity at an alarming rate. In this process, wider adoption of intensive farming practices, namely changes in land use, imbalanced fertilizer application, minimum addition of organic residue/manure, and non-adoption of site-specific conservation measures, has led to declining in soil health and land degradation in an irreversible manner. In addition, increasing use of pesticides, coupled with soil and water pollution, has led the researchers to search for an environmental-friendly and cost-effective alternatives to controlling soil-borne diseases that are difficult to control, and which significantly limit agricultural productivity. Since the 1960s, disease-suppressive soils (DSS) have been identified and studied around the world. Soil disease suppression is the reduction in the incidence of soil-borne diseases even in the presence of a host plant and inoculum in the soil. The disease-suppressive capacity is mainly attributed to diverse microbial communities present in the soil that could act against soil-borne pathogens in multifaceted ways. The beneficial microorganisms employ some specific functions such as antibiosis, parasitism, competition for resources, and predation. However, there has been increasing evidence on the role of soil abiotic factors that largely influence the disease suppression. The intricate interactions of the soil, plant, and environmental components in a disease triangle make this process complex yet crucial to study to reduce disease incidence. Increasing resistance of the pathogen to presently available chemicals has led to the shift from culturable microbes to unexplored and unculturable microbes. Agricultural management practices such as tillage, fertilization, manures, irrigation, and amendment applications significantly alter the soil physicochemical environment and influence the growth and behaviour of antagonistic microbes. Plant factors such as age, type of crop, and root behaviour of the plant could stimulate or limit the diversity and structure of soil microorganisms in the rhizosphere. Further, identification and in-depth of disease-suppressive soils could lead to the discovery of more beneficial microorganisms with novel anti-microbial and plant promoting traits. To date, several microbial species have been isolated and proposed as key contributors in disease suppression, but the complexities as well as the mechanisms of the microbial and abiotic interactions remain elusive for most of the disease-suppressive soils. Thus, this review critically explores disease-suppressive attributes in soils, mechanisms involved, and biotic and abiotic factors affecting DSS and also briefly reviewing soil microbiome for anti-microbial drugs, in fact, a consequence of DSS phenomenon.

Consensus and development of document for management of stabilized acute decompensated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in India.

AIM: Ensuring adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) is an effective strategy to reduce mortality and readmission rates for heart failure (HF). Use of a checklist is one of the best tools to ensure GDMT. The aim was to develop a consensus document with a robust checklist for stabilized acute decompensated HF patients with reduced ejection fraction. While there are multiple checklists available, an India-specific checklist that is easy to fill and validated by regional and national subject matter experts (SMEs) is required. METHODOLOGY: A total of 25 Cardiology SMEs who consented to participate from India discussed data from literature, current evidence, international guidelines and practical experiences in two national and four regional meetings. RESULTS: Recommendations included HF management, treatment optimization, and patient education. The checklist should be filled at four time points- (a) transition from intensive care unit to ward, (b) at discharge, (c) 1st follow-up and (d) subsequent follow-up. The checklist is the responsibility of the consultant or the treating physician which can be delegated to a junior resident or a trained HF nurse. CONCLUSION: This checklist will ensure GDMT, simplify transition of care and can be used by all doctors across India. Institutions, associations, and societies should recommend this checklist for adaptability in public and private hospital. Hospital administrations should roll out policy for adoption of checklist by ensuring patient files have the checklist at the time of discharge and encourage practice of filling it diligently during follow-up visits.

Vitamin D insufficiency prior to bariatric surgery: risk factors and a pilot treatment study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess vitamin D status and the influences of race, sun exposure and dietary vitamin D intake on vitamin D levels, and to evaluate two vitamin D repletion regimens in extremely obese patients awaiting bariatric surgery. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of dietary vitamin D, sun exposure, PTH [intact (iPTH) and PTH(1-84)] and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD; differentiated 25OHD2 and 25OHD3) in 56 obese [body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg/m(2)] men and women (age 20-64 years). In a pilot clinical trial, 27 subjects with 25OHD levels < 62 nmol/l were randomized to receive ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Serum 25OHD was low (mean 45 +/- 22 nmol/l) and was inversely associated with BMI (r = -0.36, P < 0.01). Each BMI increase of 1 kg/m(2) was associated with a 1.3 nmol/l decrease in 25OHD (P < 0.01). BMI, sun exposure, African American race and PTH predicted 40% of the variance in 25OHD (P < 0.0001). Serum 25OHD significantly increased at 4 and 8 weeks in both treatment groups (P < 0.001), whereas PTH(1-84) declined significantly in subjects treated with cholecalciferol (P < 0.007) and tended to decrease following ergocalciferol (P < 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: In severely obese individuals, those who are African American, have higher BMI and limited sunlight exposure are at greatest risk for vitamin D insufficiency. These demographic factors can help to identify at-risk patients who require vitamin D repletion prior to bariatric surgery. Commonly prescribed doses of ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol are effective in raising 25OHD. Further investigation is needed to evaluate whether these regimens have differential effects on PTH, and to determine the optimal regimen for vitamin D repletion in the extremely obese patient.

Developmental changes due to long-distance movement of a homeobox fusion transcript in tomato.

Long-distance movement of RNA through the phloem is known to occur, but the functional importance of these transported RNAs has remained unclear. Grafting experiments with a naturally occurring dominant gain-of-function leaf mutation in tomato were used to demonstrate long-distance movement of mutant messenger RNA (mRNA) into wild-type scions. The stock-specific pattern of mRNA expression was graft transmissible, indicating that the mRNA accumulation pattern is inherent to the transcript and not attributable to the promoter. The translocated mRNA caused changes in leaf morphology of the wild-type scions, suggesting that the translocated RNA is functional.

Vector density and the control of kala-azar in Bihar, India.

Bihar, India has been in the grip of kala-azar for many years. Its rampant and severe spread has made life miserable in most parts of the state. Such conditions require a comprehensive understanding of this affliction. The numbers coming out of the districts prone to the disease in the north and south Ganges have provided us with several startling revelations, as there are striking uniformities on both sides, including similar vegetation, water storage facilities, house construction and little change in risk factors. The northern areas have been regularly sprayed with DDT since 1977, but eradication of the disease appears to be a distant dream. In 2007 alone, there were as many as 37,738 cases in that region. In contrast, the southern districts of Patna and Nalanda have never had the disease in its epidemic form and endemic disease has been present in only some pockets of the two districts. In those cases, two rounds of spraying with DDT had very positive results, with successful control and no new established foci. In addition, an eleven-year longitudinal study of the man hour density and house index for the vector Phlebotomus argentipes demonstrated that they were quite high in Patna and Nalanda and quite low in north Bihar. Given these facts, an attempt has been made to unravel the role of P. argentipes saliva (salivary gland) in the epidemiology of kala-azar. It was determined that patchy DDT spraying should be avoided for effective control of kala-azar.

Comparative study of community medicine practice in MBBS curriculum of health institutions of Nepal.

BACKGROUND: A revolution in health care is occurring as a result of changes in the practice of medicine and in society. Medical education, if it is to keep up with the times, needs to adapt to society's changing attitudes. Presently medical education has been criticised for its orientation and insensitivity to people's need. The MBBS curriculum of medical institutions of Nepal has been focusing on community-based approaches and is still guided by the same notion. The question put forward is whether it has been appropriate to nurture the present health needs and aspiration of people. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to review the existing community based medical education in health institutions of Nepal to strengthen the components of community care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative study was done by reviewing the curricula and existing community medicine courses/activities in MBBS curriculum of Institute of Medicine (IoM)/Tribhuvan University, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKHIS) and Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS). FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: The curriculum of all the health institutions have addressed significantly on community medicine practice. As per Institute of Medicine, the community medicine practice is achieved through community based learning experiences like community diagnosis, concurrent field with families of sick members and district health system management practice. In BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, community medicine practice is undertaken through exposure to community diagnosis program, health care delivery system, family health exercise, applied epidemiology and educational research methodology, management skills for health services and Community Oriented Compulsory Residential Rotatory Internship Program (COCRRIP). In KUSMS, community medicine module is carried out as- community diagnosis program, community health intervention project, school health project, occupational health project, health delivery system functioning, family health care activities and Compulsory Residential Rotatory Internship Program in outreach clinics. In the practice the practical aspects are largely unstructured that waste too much time in non-educational activities and rely on learning and doing. Meanwhile, expectation of the community is increasing and the challenge of nurturing their demands has come in forefront. Community has perceived that the medical schools are concentrating on fulfilling the demand of their curriculum rather directing on their health care need. CONCLUSION: Health institutions need to be accountable to take the responsibility of strengthening the health status of the community of their catchments areas. The practice of community medicine need to be done in an innovative way and these schools should execute continual intervention activities and complement other institutions working in their areas.

Evaluation of WHO haemoglobin colour scale & palmar pallor for screening of anaemia among children (6-35 months) in rural Wardha, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Anaemia is a public health problem in India, particularly in women and children. Clinical diagnosis by health workers may be inaccurate. It is therefore important to evaluate simple methods for diagnosis of anaemia in rural set up with no or minimal laboratory facilities. We carried out this study to evaluate the performance of haemoglobin colour scale and palmar pallor against filter paper cyanmethaemoglobin method as screening methods for anaemia in children 6-35 months of age. METHODS: A total of 772 children between 6-35 months were studied from three primary health centres of Wardha district, central India, by house-to-house visit. The child was examined for presence of palmar pallor and haemoglobin estimated by haemoglobin colour scale (HCS) and filter paper cyanmethaemoglobin method independently by two persons. RESULTS: Haemoglobin colour scale had sensitivity of 89 per cent and specificity of 97 per cent in detecting anaemia in children. Pallor had sensitivity of 73 per cent and specificity of 98 per cent. The predictive values were 99 per cent and 69 per cent for positive and negative HCS result. Similarly, the predictive values were 99 and 48 per cent for positive and negative pallor result. Correct diagnosis of anaemia was 34 and 0.1 times common if HCS test result was positive (Hb < 110.0 g/l) and negative (Hb > 110.0 g/l) for anaemia. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: HCS fulfills the requirement of field test for screening of anaemia in resource poor country. It also has acceptable precision and accuracy and hence can be used in national anaemia control programmes.

Epidemiological correlates of nutritional anemia among children (6-35 months) in rural Wardha, Central India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nutritional anemia is associated with impaired performance of a range of mental and physical functions in children, along with increased morbidity. Iron supplementation at a later age may not reverse the adverse effects. National Nutritional Anemia Control Program was launched in India in 1970, but it failed to make any impact. The present study was undertaken to find out prevalence of anemia and its correlates in rural Wardha in children 6-35 months of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven hundred seventy-two children between 6 months and 35 months of age were studied for anemia by cluster-sampling method. The hemoglobin was estimated in the child by 'Filter paper cyanmethemoglobin method.' Pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic and other variables. Data was analyzed by SPSS 12.0.1. RESULTS: Mean hemoglobin level was 98.5+/-12.9 gm/L. Prevalence of anemia was 80.3%. Only 1.3% children had severe anemia (hemoglobin<70 gm/L). The univariate analysis showed that anemia is significantly associated with age of the child, education of mother and father, occupation of father, socioeconomic status, birth order and nutritional status as measured by weight for age. The final model suggested that only educational status of the mother, occupation of the father, birth order and nutritional status of the child were significantly associated with anemia. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: For short-term impact, appropriate nutritional interventions remain the only operational intervention as only the nutritional status (weight for age) is a modifiable factor. But for long-term sustained impact, policy makers need to focus on improving maternal education and reducing family size.

The 2006 dengue outbreak in Delhi, India.

Dengue is a worldwide condition spread throughout the tropical and subtropical zones between 30 degrees north and 40 degrees south. It is endemic in South East Asia, the pacific, East and West Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. Dengue outbreaks are occurring almost every three yearly in Delhi for the last 12 years. The latest outbreak was in the year 2006, which started late in August, peaked in the month of October and lasted till late November. We describe here the clinical, hematological and biochemical data of 70 patients of dengue fever diagnosed as per WHO criteria in Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi during this outbreak. Hematological parameters were estimated by automated counter and dengue serology was done by capture ELISA technique. The results displayed widespread effect of dengue fever on hematological and biochemical profile. Some of our patients also had atypical dengue manifestations. These results suggest that dengue fever is a major public health problem which can lead to significant morbidity and can even be fatal at times. All efforts should be made to prevent it.

Isotopic study of intraseasonal variations of plant transpiration: an alternative means to characterise the dry phases of monsoon.

The isotopic characteristics of plant transpired water are strongly controlled by soil evaporation process, primarily by relative humidity. The monsoon system is characterised by large variability of several atmospheric parameters; the primary one being the rainfall, which in turn, modulates the relative humidity. Due to the strong dependency of transpiration on relative humidity, it is expected that this process would vary in accordance with the active and break periods of the monsoon season, which are known to produce cycles of humid and relatively dry phases during a monsoon season. To study the transpiration process, an experiment was conducted wherein rainwater and transpired water were collected from a few plants and analyzed for their isotopic ratios during the summer monsoon seasons of 2016 and 2017. The difference between the isotopic characteristics of the transpired water and rain water is expected to be nominally positive, however, a large variability was observed. This difference is found to be high (low) during the reduced (enhanced) humidity conditions and varies in tandem with the break and active phases of the monsoon season. This characteristic feature may thus be used to delineate the dry and wet phases of monsoon on local to regional scale.