Dietary tannic acid attenuates elastase-induced pulmonary inflammation and emphysema in mice.

Emphysema is one of the major components of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterised by the destruction and enlargement of air spaces, leading to airflow limitation and dyspnoea, finally progressing to oxygen dependency. The alveolar wall destruction is due to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and proteinase/anti-proteinase imbalance. So far, there has been no effective therapy for patients with COPD. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of tannic acid (TA), a naturally occurring plant-derived polyphenol in the murine emphysema model. In C57BL/6 J mice, we established emphysema by intratracheal instillation of elastase (EL). Then, mice were treated with TA and evaluated 1 and 21 days post-EL instillation. After 24 h, TA treatment significantly reduced EL-induced histopathological alterations, infiltrating leukocytes, and gene expression of markers of inflammation and apoptosis. Similarly, after 21 days, TA treatment suppressed the mean linear intercept, gene expression of proteinases, and increased elastic fiber contents in the lungs when compared to the EL-alone group. Furthermore, EL induced the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) p65 pathways in the lungs was suppressed by TA treatment. In summary, TA has the potential to mitigate EL-induced inflammation, apoptosis, proteinase/anti-proteinase imbalance, and subsequent emphysema in mice.

Survival Analysis for Cohort of Bhopal Gas Disaster Victims during 1985-2015.

Context: After the gas tragedy on the night of December 2/3, 1984, at Bhopal, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) started following up on four population cohorts with different levels of post-disaster mortality from December 3-6, 1984. Aims: The present study was undertaken to estimate the survival time of the cohort, and investigate the risk of mortality based on exposure, gender, and median age. Settings and Design: Survival analysis is generally used to evaluate factors associated with the time to an event of failure or death among any covered population. Methods and Materials: To know the cause of death and mortality rate, a retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on the outcomes of 92,320 individuals with an exposed and non-exposed group from 1985 to 2015 in Bhopal, India. Statistical Analysis Used: Basic survival analysis method, Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox proportional hazard regression model were used to analyze the mortality risk. Results: During the past 30 years, the survivability was 87.25%, and the mortality rate was 7.2% for the cohort population of Bhopal gas survivors. Cox regression analysis showed that exposed, males, and individuals above 21 years (at the time of the disaster) were at higher risk of mortality from 1985 to 2015. Conclusions: During the initial two phases, the mortality was higher in the exposed group, but over time, their survival turned out to be the same in both groups.

Urinary tract infection and sepsis causing potential of multidrug-resistant Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli isolated from plant-origin foods.

The dissemination of Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) in food is a critical concern for human health and food safety. The present study is the first to systematically examine the diverse plant-origin foods such as cucumber, carrot, tomato, radish, chilli, fenugreek, coriander, peppermint, spring onion, cabbage, and spinach for the presence of ExPEC or specific putative ExPEC pathotypes with an in-depth assessment of their phylogenetics, virulence, and drug resistance. A total of 77 (15.9 %) ExPEC isolates were recovered from 1780 samples of the diverse plant-origin foods of distinct environments. Specific putative ExPEC pathotypes such as Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC, 23.3 %) and Septicemia-associated E. coli (SEPEC, 24.6 %) were identified among ExPEC isolates. The Clermont revisited new phylotyping method revealed the varied distribution (1-27 %) of specific putative ExPEC pathotypes in the different phylogenetic lineages such as A, D/E, B1, and Clade 1, etc. All putative ExPEC pathotypes possess multiple genes (4.3-92.8 %) or phenotypes (3.3-100 %) associated with their virulence. In-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing of all putative ExPEC pathotypes demonstrated the presence of 100 % multidrug resistance with moderate to high (52-100 %) resistance to drugs used as last-resorts (chloramphenicol, colistin) or frontline (nitrofurantoin, sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, gentamicin) in ExPEC-associated infections in humans. Overall, the present findings significantly contribute to our better understanding of the presence of ExPEC in the non-clinical niche, such as plant-origin foods with a possible consequence on human health and food safety.

Is ambient air pollution a risk factor for Parkinson's disease? A meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence.

Current evidence shows inconsistencies about ambient air pollution (AAP) exposure as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). We performed meta-analyses to estimate the pooled risk of PD due to AAP exposure. We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Google Scholar, The Cochrane Library, and J-GATEPLUS databases for peer-reviewed epidemiological studies reporting the risk of PD due to exposure to PM2.5, PM10, O3, CO, NO2, NOX and SO2; from the beginning until October 2021. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for the effect of NO2 (per 1 µg/m3) and O3 (per 1 ppb) on PD was 1.01[95% CI: 1.00,1.02; I2 = 69% (p = .01)] and 1.01 [95% CI: 1.00,1.02; I2 = 66% (p = .03)], respectively. The ORs for the effects of PM2.5 (per 1 µg/m3) and CO (per 1 ppm) on PD were 1.01 [95% CI: .99,1.03; I2 = 40%] and 1.64 [95% CI: .96,2.78; I2 = 75% (p = .01)], respectively. The study showed the adverse roles of NO2, O3, PM2.5, and CO in increasing the risk for PD.

Is Air Pollution Associated with Increased Risk of Dementia? A Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Research.

Background: There are prevailing inconsistencies in epidemiological research about air pollution being a risk factor for dementia. Objective: We performed meta-analyses to calculate the pooled estimates of the risk of developing dementia due to air pollution exposure. Methods and Materials: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Google Scholar, The Cochrane Library, and J-GATEPLUS databases for peer-reviewed epidemiological studies reporting the risk of developing all-cause dementia, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) due to exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and less than 10 µm (PM10), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the beginning until December 2020. Meta-analysis was performed by adopting the random-effects model using Meta-XL. Results: In all-cause dementia, the pooled hazard ratio (HR) for PM2.5 and NO2 exposure was 1.03 [(95%CI: 1.01-1.06; I2 = 99% (P < 0.001)] and 1.00 [(95%CI: 1.00-1.01; I2 = 96% (P < 0.001)], respectively. The pooled HR for NOX was 1.00 [(95%CI: 1.00-1.01; I2 = 61% (P = 0.05)]. In AD, the pooled HRs for PM2.5 and O3 was 1.08 (95%CI: 1.01-1.15; I2 = 99% (P < 0.001)]) and 1.02 (95%CI: 0.96-1.08; I2 = 100% (P < 0.001)], respectively. In VaD, the pooled HR for PM2.5 exposure was 1.03 (95%CI: 1.01-1.06; I2 = 91% (P < 0.001)]. In NO2/NOX, the results were found to be equivocal. Meta-analysis could not be performed in cognitive decline because of wide variations in assessments methods. Conclusions: The present study showed exposure to PM2.5 as a risk factor for all-cause dementia, AD, and VaD and exposure to O3 as a possible risk factor for AD. These findings can be used for policy measures and further research.

Environmental monitoring and health assessment in an industrial town in central India: A cross-sectional study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Textile industry has been widely implicated in environmental pollution. The health effects of residing near manufacturing industries are not well documented in India, especially in central India. Hence, a cross-sectional environmental monitoring and health assessment study was initiated as per directions of the local authorities. METHODS: Comprehensive exposure data about the concentrations of relevant pollutants in the ambient air and ground water samples in the study area will be collected over one year. Using stratified random sampling, 3003 apparently healthy adults will be selected from the study area. Sociodemographic and anthropometric information, relevant medical and family history, and investigations including spirometry, electrocardiogram, neurobehavioral tests, and laboratory investigations (complete blood count, lipid profile and random blood glucose) will be conducted. Finally Iodine azide test and heavy metal level detection in urine and blood samples respectively will be conducted in a subset of selected participants to assess individual pollution exposure. Ethics approval has been obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of the National Institute for Research in Environmental Health (No: NIREH/IEC-7-II/1027, dated 07/01/2021). DISCUSSION: This manuscript describes the protocol for a multi-disciplinary study that aims to conduct environmental monitoring and health assessment in residential areas near viscose rayon and associated chemical manufacturing industries. Although India is the second largest manufacturer of rayon, next only to China, and viscose rayon manufacturing has been documented to be a source of multiple toxic pollutants, there is a lack of comprehensive information about the health effects of residing near such manufacturing units in India. Therefore implementing this study protocol will aid in filling in this knowledge gap.

Gans repositioning maneuver for the posterior canal BPPV patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) is a syndrome marked by brief bouts of vertigo accompanied by rapid changes in head position. Recent ongoing therapeutic approaches used are vestibular rehabilitation exercises and physical maneuvers like the Epley maneuver, Semont maneuver. Gans repositioning maneuver (GRM) is a new hybrid maneuver, consisting of safe and comfortable series of postures that can be conveniently applied on patients with any spinal pathology or even in elderly. METHODS: Randomized controlled/clinical trials of the Gans maneuver were identified. The proportion of patients who improved as a result of each intervention was assessed, as well as the conversion of a 'positive' Dix-Hallpike test to a 'negative' Dix-Hallpike test. RESULTS: Improvement was seen in almost all patients with the Gans maneuver and the Epley Maneuver in three trials with the pooled estimate for random effect model is 1.12 [0.87; 1.43: 100%]. There were no significant side effects from the treatment. DISCUSSION: This study shows that the Gans maneuver is a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from posterior canal BPPV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The review is registered in Prospero with no. CRD42021234100.

Effects of ambient air pollution on psychological stress and anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence.

OBJECTIVES: Ambient air pollution (AAP) is an important risk factor for increased mental health morbidity. Studies have highlighted the effect of AAP on psychological stress and anxiety disorder. However, existing evidence regarding this is largely equivocal. This systematic review with meta-analysis aims to synthesize published evidence to calculate the pooled estimate of the effect of AAP on psychological stress and anxiety disorder. CONTENT: A systematic bibliographic search was undertaken using PubMed, JGateplus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library for observational human studies published in English till 31st March 2020 reporting the effect of AAP on psychological stress and anxiety disorder. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Meta-analysis was performed adopting a random-effects model using Meta-XL. Of 412 articles retrieved, a total of 30 articles [AAP and anxiety disorders, (n=17, 57%); AAP and psychological stress, (n=9, 30%) and AAP and both psychological stress and anxiety disorders, (n=4, 13%)] fulfilled the inclusion criteria covering a total population of 973,725 individuals. The pooled estimate (OR) of the effects of PM10 on psychological stress was 1.03 [(95% CI: 1.00, 1.05) (p=0.17, I 2=41%)]. The pooled estimate of the effects of NO2 and PM10 on anxiety disorder was 0.93 [(95% CI: 0.89, 0.97) (p=0.91, I 2=0%)] and 0.88 [(95% CI: 0.78, 0.98) (p=0.01, I 2=59%)] respectively. The pooled estimate of the effects of PM2.5 on anxiety Disorder was 0.88 [(95% CI: 0.72, 1.06) (p=0.00, I 2=80%)]. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK: The present study provides the most updated pooled estimate of the effect of AAP on psychological stress and anxiety disorder. Future studies should focus on longitudinal studies conducted in LIC and LMIC countries using uniform and standardized criteria for exposure and outcome assessment as well as robust adjustment for confounders to minimize methodological heterogeneity resulting in reliable and comparable estimation of environmental mental health burden.

Myofascial release versus other soft tissue release techniques along superficial back line structures for improving flexibility in asymptomatic adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Our review is aimed to find out the efficacy of Myofascial Release Technique (MFRT) based on the Randomised Controlled Trials, on flexibility when given along superficial back line (SBL) structures and to compare it with other soft tissue release techniques. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature search on MEDLINE (Pubmed), Google Scholar, Science direct, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Clinical Trial Database in English; up to April 2020 was undertaken. STUDY SELECTION: PRISMA (The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols) was used for screening the relevant citations and reviewing the relevant studies. The literature searched total of 6,938 articles, however, only 68 were screened for eligibility. In the further screening, 16 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria for our systematic review. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted into a table containing sample size, mean age of subjects, types of intervention, area to be treated, outcome measures used, and results of the accepted studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: 16 randomized controlled trials and cross-over trials were found to be eligible for our review. Quality assessment of the RCTs was done with the PEDro scoring method. Randomised clinical trials that studied the comparative effect of Myofascial Release (MFRT) technique with different MFRT techniques, control/sham, and other soft tissue release techniques like stretching, were included. Results of this analysis showed little evidence proving the additional effectiveness of MFRT treatment compared to other soft tissue release techniques for improving flexibility so as to consider it as the preferred treatment. Methodological aspects of selected studies for further research are suggested. Study was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020179118). CONCLUSION: MFRT appears to be a good technique for improving flexibility. However, in comparison with other soft tissue release techniques, this therapy becomes less successful. More research is needed regarding its effectiveness.

Micro-dissection testicular sperm extraction as an alternative for sperm acquisition in the most difficult cases of Azoospermia: Technique and preliminary results in India.

CONTEXT: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is an unfavorable prognostic condition for male infertility since spermatogenesis is disrupted. Sperm retrieval (SR) coupled with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the only option for men with NOA who seek fertility. Among the SR techniques, microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) has been applied with encouraging results. AIMS: We describe how we implemented the micro-TESE procedure and present initial micro-TESE experience in a group of men with NOA and poor prognosis for SR. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Case series of men with NOA treated in a tertiary healthcare center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) facility was setup to perform SR using microsurgery. Fourteen men with NOA and previous failed retrievals or unfavorable histologic results underwent micro-TESE while their female partners received ovarian stimulation for oocyte pickup (OCP). Micro-TESE was performed the day prior to OCP and testicular sperm were used for sperm injections. We assessed retrieval rates and ICSI outcomes. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Outcomes of SR and ICSI were analyzed descriptively. Mann-Whitney and Fisher exact test were used to compare characteristics of men with successful and failed SR. RESULTS: The success of micro-TESE was 50.0% with no major complications. A clear microscopic distinction between enlarged and collapsed seminiferous tubules was seen in 35.7% of the cases, and sperm were retrieved in all but one of these cases. Patients with successful and failed retrieval did not differ with respect to baseline characteristics, use of medical therapy, presence of varicocele, and testicular histology. Sperm injections resulted in normal fertilization and embryo cleavage of 64% and 75%, respectively. A total of five transfers with an average of 1.5 embryos resulted in a cumulative clinical pregnancy rate per ICSI cycle of 28.6%, with an implantation rate of 33.3%. CONCLUSIONS: We were successful in integrating the micro-TESE procedures to the in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory. Our initial experience with micro-TESE applied to the most difficult cases of azoospermia is reassuring.