ABSTRACT
Background: The incidence of breakthrough infection with the emergence of new variants of concern of SARS?CoV?2 is posing a threat, and it is pertinent to understand the role of vaccines in protecting the elderly and people with comorbidities. Objective: The present study was undertaken to understand the natural history of SARS?CoV?2 infection in a closed cohort of the elderly population in an old?age home who have received two doses of COVID?19 vaccination. The study has also undertaken genomic sequencing to identify SARS?CoV?2 variants of concern from an academic perspective. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from March to August 2021 among residents of 11 old?age homes in Kerala who were vaccinated with 2 doses of the COVID?19 vaccine, from 2 weeks following vaccination. Samples with a threshold cycle value of <25 were subjected to targeted sequencing of the spike protein receptor?binding domain coding region. Results: Among the 479 vaccinated individuals, 86 (17.95%) turned positive during the follow?up period. The mean duration of symptoms was 3–5 days, and no hospitalization was required. A phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences from the samples indicated B.1.617.2 lineage representing the Delta strain. Conclusion: The evidence supports maximizing the vaccine coverage among vulnerable groups to prevent hospitalization and death rate on the verge of the emergence of new variants of SARS?CoV?2.
ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus with poor glycemic control is often associated with dental caries. We aim to assess the relationship between dental caries and HbA1c levels among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Chennai. A cutoff of HbA1c ?7.0 to 7.9% (53–63 mmol/mol) was used to define Group 1 (n = 113) as moderately controlled and HbA1c ?8.0% (64 mmol/mol) to define Group 2 (n = 228) as poorly controlled T2D. The absolute numbers of decayed, missing, and filled teeth were examined to calculate the decayed, missing and filled teeth index. Group 2 had a significantly higher percentage (48.2%) of decayed teeth when compared to Group 1 (28.3%). Group 2 had a 2.65 times higher risk of decayed teeth when adjusted for mean carbohydrate consumption, sweets consumption, oral hygiene, and brushing habit. T2D with higher HbA1c levels is associated with an increased number of decayed teeth. Hence, there is a need for monitoring dental status in T2D as earlier treatment may prevent or delay decay teeth.
ABSTRACT
Background: Coal?fired thermal power plants (TPPs) have a serious impact on soil, air, and water quality resulting in deterioration of health and environment around the plant. Objective: The present study was undertaken with the objectives of assessing the respiratory health status of the population around the plant and to measure selected heavy metals in fly ash, air, water, and soil samples. Materials and Methods: The current cross?sectional study was conducted among 3533 adult residents living in two strata within 10 km radius around the TPP in Udupi district of Karnataka state. Data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaire and spirometry and environmental air monitoring by DustTrak aerosol monitor, water, and soil samples were collected for analysis. Results: Majority of the study participants were in the age group of >45 years (41.4%). 70.6% were females and 0.39% were trans?genders. 4.3% were suffering from various respiratory problems. Bivariable logistic regression showed subjects aged 46–65 years and >65 years have 2.91 times and 4.42 times higher odds of respiratory disease as compared to those with age ?45 years. Multivariable logistic regression showed significant association between higher age group (P < 0.0001) and in subjects who had closed window during cooking (P < 0.006). Levels of heavy metals in soil samples and particulate matter 2.5 were well within permissible limits whereas the ground water samples had excess levels of iron, manganese, and copper. Conclusion: The present study has implications for policymaking to protect the environment and health of vulnerable populations in industrial clusters and the vicinity of power plants.