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Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has extended the longevity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. However, this has resulted in greater awareness of age-associated diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Accelerated cellular senescence may be responsible, but its magnitude as measured by leukocyte telomere length is unknown and its relationship to HIV-associated COPD has not yet been established. We measured absolute telomere length (aTL) in peripheral leukocytes from 231 HIV-infected adults. Comparisons were made to 691 HIV-uninfected individuals from a population-based sample. Subject quartiles of aTL were assessed for relationships with measures of HIV disease severity, airflow obstruction, and emphysema severity on computed tomographic (CT) imaging. Multivariable regression models identified factors associated with shortened aTL. Compared to HIV-uninfected subjects, the mean aTL in HIV-infected patients was markedly shorter by 27 kbp/genome (p<0.001); however, the slopes of aTL vs. age were not different (p=0.469). Patients with longer known durations of HIV infection (p=0.019) and lower nadir CD4 cell counts (p=0.023) had shorter aTL. Shorter aTL were also associated with older age (p=0.026), smoking (p=0.005), reduced forced expiratory volume in one second (p=0.030), and worse CT emphysema severity score (p=0.049). HIV-infected subjects demonstrate advanced cellular aging, yet in a cART-treated cohort, the relationship between aTL and age appears no different from that of HIV-uninfected subjects.

Aim: To know the efficacy of Triphala extract and Chlorhexidine mouth rinse against plaque and gingival inflammation. Materials and Methods: A double blinded parallel arm randomised control trial was done among 60 participants aged 18-24 years. Participants were randomly allotted to three groups with 20 participants in each group of 0.6% triphala, 0.12% chlorhexidine and control group. Study was done in 2 phases of 21 days duration. During the experimental period, participants rinsed with the allocated mouth rinse 10ml twice daily for 30 seconds without any supervision. The plaque and gingival status were assessed using Silness and Loe and Loe and Silness at baseline and end of the phase. Statistical Analysis Used: The results were analysed using ANOVA(Analysis of Variance), Wilcoxon sign rank test and post hoc test with significant level at P value < 0.05. Results: Triphala and Chlorhexidine showed significant reduction in plaque and gingival scores as compared to Control group (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between the plaque and gingival scores obtained with triphala extract and chlorhexidine mouth rinse. Conclusion: Triphala extract mouth rinse was effective in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation with reported no side effects.

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) appears comparable to standard care, including exercise stress testing (EST), in diagnosing acute coronary syndrome in emergency department (ED) patients with chest pain but may increase downstream testing. The objective of this study was to investigate rates of post-CCTA versus post-EST testing for (1) invasive angiography and (2) all combined cardiac testing. This was a retrospective cohort study performed at 2 urban Canadian EDs involving patients aged up to 65 years with chest pain but no objective ACS findings that were evaluated with CCTA or EST at the physician's discretion. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who had 30-day invasive angiography in each group; secondary outcomes included all subsequent 30-day cardiac testing, including nuclear medicine scanning. From July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2014, we collected 1,700 patients: 521 CCTA and 1,179 EST. Demographics and risk factors were similar in both cohorts. In the following 30 days, 30 CCTA (5.8%) and 297 EST (25.2%) patients underwent any type of additional cardiac testing (difference 19.4%, 95% CI 16.0 to 22.6), whereas 12 CCTA (2.3%) and 20 EST patients (1.7%) underwent angiography (difference 0.6%, 95% CI −0.8% to 2.6%). No patients in either group died or had a myocardial infarction within 30 days. For ED patients with chest pain who underwent brief observation, CCTA and EST had similar 30-day angiography rates, but CCTA patients underwent significantly less overall cardiac investigations.

The present article reviews recent advances in pulmonary computed tomography (CT) imaging, focusing on the application of dual‐energy CT and the use of iterative reconstruction. Dual‐energy CT has proven to be useful in the characterization of pulmonary blood pool in the setting of pulmonary embolism, characterization of diffuse lung parenchymal diseases, evaluation of thoracic malignancies and in imaging of lung ventilation using inhaled xenon. The benefits of iterative reconstruction have been largely derived from reduction of image noise compared with filtered backprojection reconstructions which, in turn, enables the use of lower radiation dose CT acquisition protocols without sacrificing image quality. Potential clinical applications of iterative reconstruction include imaging for pulmonary nodules and high‐resolution pulmonary CT.

Thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans are widely performed in clinical practice, often leading to detection of airway or parenchymal abnormalities in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic individuals. However, clinical relevance of CT abnormalities is uncertain in the general population. We evaluated data from 1361 participants aged ≥40 years from a Canadian prospective cohort comprising 408 healthy never-smokers, 502 healthy ever-smokers, and 451 individuals with spirometric evidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who had thoracic CT scans. CT images of subjects were visually scored for respiratory bronchiolitis(RB), emphysema(E), bronchial-wall thickening(BWT), expiratory air-trapping(AT), and bronchiectasis(B). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess associations of CT features with respiratory symptoms, dyspnea, health status as determined by COPD assessment test, and risk of clinically significant exacerbations during 12 months follow-up. About 11% of life-time never-smokers demonstrated emphysema on CT scans. Prevalence increased to 30% among smokers with normal lung function and 36%, 50%, and 57% among individuals with mild, moderate or severe/very severe COPD, respectively. Presence of emphysema on CT was associated with chronic cough (OR,2.11; 95%CI,1.4-3.18); chronic phlegm production (OR,1.87; 95% CI,1.27-2.76); wheeze (OR,1.61; 95% CI,1.05-2.48); dyspnoea (OR,2.90; 95% CI,1.41-5.98); CAT score≥10(OR,2.17; 95%CI,1.42-3.30) and risk of ≥2 exacerbations over 12 months (OR,2.17; 95% CI, 1.42-3.0). Burden of thoracic CT abnormalities is high among Canadians ≥40 years of age, including never-smokers and smokers with normal lung function. Detection of emphysema on CT scans is associated with pulmonary symptoms and increased risk of exacerbations, independent of smoking or lung function.

Urban air quality and COVID-19 have been considered significant issues worldwide in the last few years. The current study highlighted the variation in air pollutants (i.e., PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and SO2) profile between Christmas and new year celebrations in 2019, 2020, and 2021. It can be seen that the concentration of selected air pollutants shows a substantially higher concentration in celebration periods in all reported years. The results indicate that air pollutants values are always higher than permissible limits. This observation indicates that people gather and reunite during Christmas and new year celebrations than the preceding years (2020 and 2021) amidst the pandemic. In the pandemic year, a higher margin enhanced the transportation and firework-induced air pollutant load in urban city Jodhpur, Rajasthan. In all states, a significant tendency was observed to retain the concentration profile of air pollutants in baseline concentration for almost more than one week after the celebration. This study addresses the pandemic situation, but it also dealt with the air pollutant parameter that brings down the sustainable quality of the environment due to the high usage of private vehicles, and crackers. In addition, a study on COVID-19 (cases and death rate) indicates a clear picture of the increasing trend after the event in probably all states. Thus, this approach suggested that stringent law enforcement is needed to ameliorate gatherings/reunions and pollution levels due to such events.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to show how scenario-based forecasting can give a better understanding of future commercial potential of a newly developed technology. This study aims to bridge the existing gaps in technology commercialization process for various projects supported under innovation support schemes in India. Design/methodology/approach The scope of this study is to understand the commercial potential and future deployment prospect of “sun direct hot water system (SDHWS)”. Scenarios have been drawn using “cone of plausibility” method and the commercial potential forecasted under different scenarios using arithmetic and linear regression forecasting tool. Findings The SDHWS is an incremental innovation but has great potential to overcome major constraints and barriers associated with existing solar water heater (SWH) technologies. Among the three scenarios drawn, plausible scenario is most likely to happen in future. The SDHWS is technically and economically capable of replacing existing conventional systems of SWHs. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to developing alternate qualitative scenarios and, further, an attempt to quantify the commercial potential. Various assumptions have been taken because of non-availability of past data on SDHWS technology. Originality/value Scenario-based forecasting to understand commercial potential for innovative technology is a new approach. The adoption of such insight and analysis would brighten the chance of SDHWS technology to reach the market.

Introduction: Dental pain is a major public health problem and one of the consequences of oral diseases which requires significant adjustments in life management leading to decreased quality of life. Objective: To assess prevalence of dental pain and its impact on daily life and to explore its relationship with oral health behavior and clinical oral status among 10-15 year old school children attending oral health promoting schools. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted in 6 schools serving low -middle socio economic strata in Bangalore, India. A total of 1237 children were surveyed for history of dental pain during past 3 month. Participants who reported dental pain completed self-reported oral health behaviour and Child dental pain questionnaire. Clinical oral examination included assessment of dental caries, periodontal status. Data was analyzed using t - test, Chi-square test, ANOVA and Regression Analysis. Results: Prevalence of dental pain was 15.6% (n = 194). Among children with pain, 17%, 43% and 40% reported mild, moderate and severe pain. Impact on daily activities was reported by 66%. Mean DMFT and DMFS was 1.80 and 2.11 Mean deft and defs was 2.47 and 3.41. Multiple logistic regression revealed that severity and impact of dental pain was associated with gender, frequency of tooth brushing, consumption of sweets and deciduous dental caries experience. Conclusion: Prevalence of Dental pain is associated with brushing behavior, consumption of sweets and deciduous dental caries experience, showing need for further attention to these conditions and a need to strengthen preventive and therapeutic dental services.

Rice production is affected by many biotic and abiotic stresses; among them, bacterial blight (BB) and blast diseases and low soil phosphorous stress cause significant yield losses. The present study was carried out with the objective of combining the BB resistance gene, Xa21 , the blast resistance gene, Pi54 , and the low soil phosphorous tolerance QTL/gene, Pup1 , into the genetic background of the Indian mega-rice variety, MTU1010 (Cottondora Sannalu), through marker-assisted pedigree breeding. RP5973-20-9-8-24-12-7 [a near isogenic line (NIL) of MTU1010 possessing Pup1 ] and RP6132 [a NIL of Akshayadhan possessing Xa21 + Pi54 ] were crossed and ‘true’ F 1 s were identified, using the target gene-specific markers and selfed. F 2 plants, which are homozygous for all the three target genes/QTLs, were identified using PCR based markers and were advanced further through the pedigree method of breeding, with selection based on phenotypic traits specific for MTU1010. At the F 5 generation, a set of 15 promising triple positive homozygous lines were identified and screened for their resistance against BB and blast diseases and tolerance to low soil P. Among them, two lines (LPK 30-18-16 and LPK 49-15-22) showed higher yields as compared to MTU1010, along with the desirable long slender grain type in both low soil P and normal soil P plots, and also exhibited high levels of resistance against BB and blast diseases, with lesser grain shattering as compared to MTU1010. These lines are being advanced for multi-location trials for validating their performance.

This study describes the impact of assimilation of INSAT-3D radiances data from both imager and sounder for Indian summer monsoon simulation and rainfall forecast over a hilly terrain using Weather Research Forecast model and its three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) technique. The assimilation experiments conducted for the whole month of July 2016 reveal the superior impact of radiance data assimilation (DA) on analysis and forecast of the vertical profile of wind and temperature than the conventional DA experiment. Compared to the rest of the experiments, the imager DA experiment significantly improves the wind forecasts throughout the troposphere and ameliorates the temperature forecasts from 950 to 450 hPa. The sounder DA shows more improvement in the upper-level temperature forecast compared to the imager DA experiment. In addition, the spatial representation of low-level jet, temperature and moisture fields shows more relative improvement in the experiments with radiance DA than conventional DA experiments. While the impact of imager DA is superior for low-level jet forecast, the sounder DA reveals a more accurate tropospheric temperature and relative humidity forecast compared to the rest of the experiment. The rainfall forecast has also improved significantly with radiance DA over the Indian continent, mainly in India's northern, eastern and northeastern regions. Further, India’s northeastern region’s high-resolution rainfall forecast illustrates improvement using INSAT-3D radiance DA from both imager and sounder together compared to only conventional DA.