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Drastic measures such as lockdown imposed in the countries worldwide to control the extent of COVID-19 have influenced environmental parameters substantially. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of lockdown on the air quality in Hyderabad city by comparing the pollutants concentration during lockdown and pre-lockdown periods. A comparative study was also made on the pollutant concentrations observed during the pre-lockdown (1st February – 23rd March 2020) and lockdown period (24th March - 30th April 2020) to those of the pollutants in the previous years (2018 and 2019). The Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to correlate the ozone (O 3 ) concentration with other pollutants. Carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO X ) and O 3 were monitored along with meteorological parameters like temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation. It was observed that the O 3 concentration increased from 26 ppb (by volume) to 56.4 ppb during pre-lockdown and lockdown period, respectively, due to the decrease in CO and NO X concentration. The concentration of NO 2, NO and CO were also reduced during the lockdown period by 33.7%, 53.8% and 27.25%, respectively. To identify the statistical significance of the parameters, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. The present study provides new insights on the ambient air pollution in terms of the aforesaid parameters and could pave the way for regulatory authorities to implement control measures to curb the air pollution. Highlights • COVID-19 lockdown improved the air quality by the reduction in air pollutants leading to increased ozone concentration. • Pearson model was used to correlate the ozone (O 3 ) with oxides of nitrogen (NO X ), CO and other meteorological parameters. • NO X and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were reduced by 33.7 % and 27.25 %, respectively, due to COVID lockdown. Graphical abstract

To assess the surface ozone concentration (O 3 ), there is a need to establish relationship between air pollutants and meteorological parameters. The study was conducted on variation of air pollutants, viz. O 3 , nitrogen oxides (NO X  = NO 2  + NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) along with meteorological parameters like temperature (Temp), relative humidity (RH), solar radiation (SR) and wind speed (WS). The precursor gases were recorded in Hyderabad at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research-National Balloon Facility (TIFR-NBF; 17.47° N, 78.58° E). Correlation analysis is done on hourly averaged trace gases concentration and metrological data for the entire year 2016. O 3 is in negative correlation with NO X , CO and RH. NO X which is one of the precursor gases plays a major role in formation of O 3 by photo-chemical reaction (PCR). The increase in O 3 concentration is in proportion with the decrease in NO X concentration. O 3 correlated positively with Temp, SR and WS. Two sets of four models were constructed with multiple linear regression (MLR) representing the data for the three seasons (summer, winter and monsoon) and for the total year as well. The adjusted R 2 was determined and found to be in the range of 0.6 to 0.9 for the models using precursor gases and 0.9 by meteorological parameters. The models were validated by various performance indicators, viz. root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean biased error (MBE).

Objective To analyse the available evidence regarding the incidence and severity of white spot lesions (WSLs), plaque accumulation and salivary caries-associated bacteria(SCB) in clear aligners (CA) verses conventional fixed (CF) orthodontic appliances. Methods Electronic searches of MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, Clinical trial registry, OpenGrey and ProQuest were done for all relevant studies. Eligibility criteria were; Randomized Controlled Trials and Non-Randomized Studies that compared the incidence and severity of WSLs, plaque accumulation and SCB between CA and CF appliances in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. The risk of bias(ROB) and certainty of evidence was assessed independently by two reviewers using Cochrane’s ROB and GRADEpro, respectively. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to estimate the effect size using STATA 17 software. Results A total of 14 studies met the eligibility criteria, and eight were suitable for meta-analysis. The qualitative results showed lower incidence and severity of WSLs, plaque accumulation, and SCB in CA group compared to CF appliances. The pooled results showed significantly lower plaque accumulation(SMD − 1.58;95%CI:-2.57,0.58;p = 0.002) in CA compared to CF appliances. Conclusions A moderate-quality evidence reveals less plaque accumulation and less SCB in CA, which might be related to the reduced incidence and severity of WSLs associated with CA when compared with CF appliances. However, the results of the present study should be interpreted with caution given the high ROB among some of the included studies as well as the marked heterogeneity across the studies. Clinical relevance For patients who can be treated with either CA or CF appliances, CA may be a better choice concerning oral health. Registration Open Science Framework (DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/kcpvb ).

Oral poliovirus vaccine is less immunogenic and effective in low-income countries than in high-income countries, similarly to other oral vaccines. The high prevalence of intestinal pathogens and associated environmental enteropathy has been proposed to explain this problem. Because administration of an antibiotic has the potential to resolve environmental enteropathy and clear bacterial pathogens, we aimed to assess whether antibiotics would improve oral poliovirus vaccine immunogenicity. We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of the effect of azithromycin on the immunogenicity of serotype-3 monovalent oral poliovirus vaccine given to healthy infants living in 14 blocks of Vellore district, India. Infants were eligible to participate if they were 6–11 months old, available for the study duration, and lacked serum neutralising antibodies to serotype-3 poliovirus. Infants were randomly assigned (1:1) at enrolment to receive oral 10 mg/kg azithromycin or placebo once daily for 3 days, followed by serotype-3 monovalent oral poliovirus vaccine on day 14. The primary outcome was detection of serum neutralising antibodies to serotype-3 poliovirus at a dilution of one in eight or more on day 35 and was assessed in the per-protocol population (ie, all those who received azithromycin or placebo, oral poliovirus vaccine, and provided a blood sample according to the study protocol). Safety outcomes were assessed in all infants enrolled in the study. The trial is registered with the Clinical Trials Registry India, number CTRI/2014/05/004588. Between Aug 5, 2014, and March 21, 2015, 754 infants were randomly assigned: 376 to receive azithromycin and 378 to placebo. Of these, 348 (93%) of 376 in the azithromycin group and 357 (94%) of 378 infants in the placebo group completed the study per protocol. In the azithromycin group, 175 (50%) seroconverted to serotype-3 poliovirus compared with 192 (54%) in the placebo group (risk ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·81–1·08; p=0·366). Azithromycin reduced faecal biomarkers of environmental enteropathy (calprotectin, myeloperoxidase, α1-antitrypsin) and the prevalence of bacterial but not viral or eukaryotic pathogens. Viral pathogens were associated with lower seroconversion. Three serious adverse events were reported (two in the azithromycin group and one in the placebo group), but none was considered related to the study interventions. Azithromycin did not improve the immunogenicity of oral poliovirus vaccine despite reducing biomarkers of environmental enteropathy and the prevalence of pathogenic intestinal bacteria. Viral interference and innate antiviral immune mechanisms might be more important determinants of the immunogenicity of live-virus oral vaccines. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Recent research on glioblastoma (GBM) has focused on deducing gene signatures predicting prognosis. The present study evaluated the mRNA expression of selected genes and correlated with outcome to arrive at a prognostic gene signature. Patients with GBM (n = 123) were prospectively recruited, treated with a uniform protocol and followed up. Expression of 175 genes in GBM tissue was determined using qRT-PCR. A supervised principal component analysis followed by derivation of gene signature was performed. Independent validation of the signature was done using TCGA data. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analysis was carried out among patients from TCGA cohort. A 14 gene signature was identified that predicted outcome in GBM. A weighted gene (WG) score was found to be an independent predictor of survival in multivariate analysis in the present cohort (HR = 2.507; B = 0.919; p<0.001) and in TCGA cohort. Risk stratification by standardized WG score classified patients into low and high risk predicting survival both in our cohort (p = <0.001) and TCGA cohort (p = 0.001). Pathway analysis using the most differentially regulated genes (n = 76) between the low and high risk groups revealed association of activated inflammatory/immune response pathways and mesenchymal subtype in the high risk group. We have identified a 14 gene expression signature that can predict survival in GBM patients. A network analysis revealed activation of inflammatory response pathway specifically in high risk group. These findings may have implications in understanding of gliomagenesis, development of targeted therapies and selection of high risk cancer patients for alternate adjuvant therapies.

Virtual healthcare holds significant potential to advance inclusive healthcare for persons with disabilities in India, supporting the World Health Organization's goal of Universal Health Coverage. However, individuals with disabilities often face barriers to accessing virtual healthcare due to a lack of disability-inclusive infrastructure, technology, and operational support, which further limits equitable service delivery. This study aimed to investigate the experiences of persons with disabilities and their caregivers regarding virtual healthcare services in India. The focus was on assessing the accessibility, availability, acceptability, and quality (AAAQ) of these services. Data were collected through 20 in-depth interviews and five focus group discussions with persons with vision, hearing, physical, and intellectual disabilities, as well as their caregivers, across geographically diverse regions of India. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling method, and thematic analysis was applied to identify key patterns and barriers. The findings revealed that while virtual healthcare platforms offered convenience and reduced travel burdens for persons with disability, significant barriers persisted. Challenges included limited accessibility of digital platforms for screen readers, inconsistent availability of sign language interpreters, and insufficient disability-specific training for healthcare providers. Public platforms like eSanjeevani remained underutilized due to low awareness and usability issues. This study emphasizes the need for disability-inclusive design and service delivery in virtual healthcare systems. Key recommendations include targeted training for healthcare staff, accessibility audits of virtual platforms, and policy reforms ensuring affordability and awareness of public virtual care services. Strengthening these areas can support equitable access to virtual healthcare.

The 151Eu(n,γ)152m1Eu reaction cross-section at the neutron energies (En) of 1.12, 2.12, 3.12 and 4.12 MeV was determined by using activation and off-line γ-ray spectrometric technique. The mono-energetic neutrons of 1.12–4.12 MeV were generated from the 7Li(p,n) reaction by using the proton beam energies of 3–6 MeV. The 197Au(n,γ)198Au reaction cross-section was used as the neutron flux monitor. The 151Eu(n,γ)152m1Eu reaction cross-section was also calculated by using computer code TALYS 1.6 and compared with the experimental data to check its validity. The Eu(n,γ) reaction cross-section is important for the safety of the fast reactor and conventional fission reactor.

Background Recent research on glioblastoma (GBM) has focused on deducing gene signatures predicting prognosis. The present study evaluated the mRNA expression of selected genes and correlated with outcome to arrive at a prognostic gene signature. Methods Patients with GBM (n = 123) were prospectively recruited, treated with a uniform protocol and followed up. Expression of 175 genes in GBM tissue was determined using qRT-PCR. A supervised principal component analysis followed by derivation of gene signature was performed. Independent validation of the signature was done using TCGA data. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analysis was carried out among patients from TCGA cohort. Results A 14 gene signature was identified that predicted outcome in GBM. A weighted gene (WG) score was found to be an independent predictor of survival in multivariate analysis in the present cohort (HR = 2.507; B = 0.919; p<0.001) and in TCGA cohort. Risk stratification by standardized WG score classified patients into low and high risk predicting survival both in our cohort (p = <0.001) and TCGA cohort (p = 0.001). Pathway analysis using the most differentially regulated genes (n = 76) between the low and high risk groups revealed association of activated inflammatory/immune response pathways and mesenchymal subtype in the high risk group. Conclusion We have identified a 14 gene expression signature that can predict survival in GBM patients. A network analysis revealed activation of inflammatory response pathway specifically in high risk group. These findings may have implications in understanding of gliomagenesis, development of targeted therapies and selection of high risk cancer patients for alternate adjuvant therapies.