Effects of Corona Pandemic on Global Environment and Economy

The COVID-19 pandemic is draw into concern as the most reproving international fitness tragedy of the century since December 2019, the era of Second World War. A new transmissible respiratory disease comes in existence in Wuhan, Hubei province, China and the World Health Organization named it as COVID-19 (corona virus disease 2019). For the quarter of 2020 the corona virus epidemic has swamp the international locations of the sector and changed the pace, material and nature of our lives. In this evaluation accompanying, we inspect some of the various social, environmental and economic issues influenced by COVID-19. The COVID-19 epidemic has ended in over 4.3 million confirmed instances and over 290,000 deaths globally. The Indian economy as with the global economy, was faced with multiple curtailment too when the pandemic emerged. Advance estimation recommend that the Indian economy is anticipate to witness real GDP augmentation of 9.2 per cent in 2021-22 after reducing in 2020-21. This implicit that overall economic activity has retrieve past the pre-epidemic levels. Social spacing, self-isolation and travel diminution have led to a less staff throughout all capitalism or economic sectors, and because of that many jobs to be bygone. Schools have closed down, and there is requirement for artefacts and products has reduced. In contrast, there requirement for medical essentials has significantly increases. In reaction to this global epidemic, we summarize the effect of COVID-19 on socio-economic condition on individual factors of the world economy and environment.

Cross-country transport and isolation and identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae by use of alternate sources of blood supplemented media among laboratories in India

Background: The isolation of S. pneumoniae (Sp) depends on specimen integrity / transport, media and expertise. The non-availability of sheep blood agar poses a challenge in identification of colonial morphology and identification in India. Methods: Laboratories processed swabs containing either pure Sp or Sp in mixed cultures with a second (confounding) bacterium shipped across the country in cold conditions. Duplicate set of swabs was shipped back to the central laboratory to assess the impact of shipping on culture viability. The identical swab was cultured on sheep, human blood and one additional agar plate used in the laboratory. Results: 46/60(77%) of cultures containing only Sp were correctly identified. In specimens where Sp was present in mixed culture, the proportion of isolates in which Sp was correctly identified varied, with most variability attributed to the particular confounding organism rather than the media. There was no discernible impact of temperature-controlled (4-6°C) transport on the isolation of Sp from culture swabs. Conclusions: The study clearly elucidates the ability of laboratories for isolation of S. pneumoniae on human blood agar in resource limited settings. The results highlight the difficulties inherent in correctly identifying pathogens in mixed cultures in needs improvement using standardized tests across the study centers. The study also reaffirms the ability to transport biological specimens over long geographical distances without loss.

Do joint national committee VII criteria also need to take non pharmacological measures into consideration? – Empirical evidence from slum resettlement colony from Delhi.

Background: Currently Joint National Committee (JNC) VII criteria are used worldwide to diagnose hypertension but it does not take non pharmacological measures into consideration. Also, it does not consider Indian system of medicine. Objectives: To assess whether JNC VII in its present form is valid to diagnose hypertension correctly or revision is required especially for Indian communities where such practices are prevalent. Material and methods: The present community based cross-sectional study was carried out in nand nagri, a slum resettlement of East Delhi which comes under field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine, UCMS, Delhi from August 2010 to February 2012. Total 310 subjects aged 20- 59 years were selected through multistage systematic random sample. Though the blood pressure cut-offs considered in our criteria was similar to the JNC VII cut-offs (SBP ³140 mmHg and or DBP ³90 mmHg), the difference was in the last part of JNC VII definition of hypertension i.e. treatment by anti hypertensive medicines; our criteria comprised of this statement as “any anti hypertensive measure”. Chi-square (χ²) test was applied for analysis. Results: Overall 54 were found to have hypertension by JNC VII criteria whereas 61 by our criteria. Seven patients who were not hypertensive by JNC VII but hypertensive by our criteria and the difference was found to be statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Exercise was the most common non pharmacological measure adopted by male gender where as in females, salt restriction was the most common measure adopted Conclusion: Our study emphasized inclusion of non-drug therapy measures into consideration while making diagnosis of hypertension in our setup.

Prevalence and predictors of hypertension among residents aged 20–59 years of a slum‑resettlement colony in Delhi, India.

Background: Slum‑resettlement communities are increasingly adopting urban lifestyles. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and identify correlates of hypertension among residents aged 20–59 years of a slum‑resettlement colony. Materials and Methods: A community‑based cross‑sectional study was done from 2010 to 2012 in NandNagri, a slum‑resettlement area in east Delhi. 310 participants aged 20–59 years were enrolled through multistage systematic random sampling. Each study subject was interviewed and examined for raised blood pressure; data on risk factors including smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity and salt consumption were also collected. Data were analysed by use of univariate and multivariate regression. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 17.4% and 35% participants were prehypertensive. On multiple logistic regression, age 40–49 years (P = 0.020) and 50–59 years (P = 0.012), clerical/professional occupation (P = 0.004), abnormal waist circumference (≥90 cm in males and ≥ 80 cm in females; P = 0.001), positive family history of hypertension in both parents (P = 0.013) and above‑average daily salt intake (P = 0.000) were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusions: These findings indicate that hypertension is a significant health problem in the study population. Many study participants diagnosed with prehypertension are at risk of developing hypertension, thus immediate public‑health interventions are indicated.

Prevalence of stress among resident doctors working in Medical Colleges of Delhi.

The present cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2007 to December 2008 in four medical colleges and associated hospitals of Delhi. Study subjects comprised 930 resident doctors. The overall prevalence of stress was found to be 32.8% in resident doctors from all colleges. Out of 930 resident doctors, 165 (17.7%) had mild stress, 113 (12.2%) had moderate stress, and 27 (2.9%) were severely stressed. Important reasons of stress as perceived by the study subjects included long duty hours, departmental academic activities, financial constraints, family and emotional problems in the decreasing order of preference. Important factors significantly associated with stress-included existence of children, year of residency, type of department, and presence or absence of job satisfaction, having close friends, spending time with family/friends, and place of graduation. In the multivariate model, year of residency, giving time to family and or friends, having close friends during residency, job satisfaction, and state of graduation came out as predictors of stress.

Depression, anxiety and stress among adolescent students belonging to affluent families: A school-based study.

Objective. To study depression, anxiety and stress (DAS) among adolescent school students belonging to affluent families and the factors associated with high levels of DAS. Methods. 242 adolescent students belonging to class 9-12th selected for the study. DASS-21 questionnaire was used for assessing DAS. Results. The scores in the three domains (DAS) were found to be remarkably correlated. It was seen that depression was significantly more among the females (mean rank 132.5) than the males (mean rank 113.2), p=0.03. Depression (p=0.025), Anxiety (0.005) and Stress (p<0.001) were all significantly higher among the ‘board classes’ i.e., 10th and 12th as compared to the classes 9th and 11th. All the three (DAS) were found to have an inverse relationship with the academic performance of the students. Depression and Stress were found to be significantly associated with the number of adverse events in the student’s life that occurred in last one year. Conclusion. A significant proportion of the students were found to be having high levels of DAS and several important factors were found to be associated with them. Proactive steps at the school-level and community-level and steps for improved parent-adolescent communication are needed for amelioration of the problem.

Dietary profile of sportswomen participating in team games at state/national level.

A cross sectional study was conducted toassess dietary profile of 100 Delhi based national / state level sportswomen, aged 18-25 years, participating in team games--volleyball, hockey, football and kabaddi. Mean energy intake was found to be 1471 +/- 479 Kcal. Only 24 percent of the sports women met the recommendations of 60-65 energy percent from carbohydrates and 87 percent were consuming more than 25 energy percent from fat. The mean macronutrients and micronutrient intakes of all the subjects were much lower than the recommendations. Improper food choices were also observed in majority. It becomes necessary to generate awareness among sports personnel regarding proper nutrition practices.

Plasticity of myenteric neurons.

The nervous system exerts a profound influence on all digestive processes. The wall of digestive system is endowed with its own, local nervous system referred to as the enteric or intrinsic nervous system which is responsible for the modulation of the rhythmic gastrointestinal peristaltic activities along with other functions. The principal components of the enteric nervous system are two neuronal networks: myenteric and submucosal, embedded in the wall of the digestive tract and extend from esophagus to anus. The musculature of different parts of gastrointestinal tract is differently disposed to perform different functions. Thus the aim of present study was to demonstrate the presence of neurons and to quantify the number of collections of neurons, number of neurons in each collection and area of the neurons of the plexus. One cm piece from all the parts of GIT containing entire wall was taken from the same region of 5 adult cadavers of postmortem cases which were embalmed in the Department ofAnatomy, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Chandigarh and were processed for paraffin sectioning. 5 and 10 micro thick serial sections were obtained and 6th and 7th slides were stained with: Hematoxylin and Eosin and Marsland, Glees and Erikson's silver stain. The slides were photomicrographed using digital camera. The morphometrical analysis was done using Image Pro Express software. Aggregations of 1-31 neurons present in myenteric network located between longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the GIT whose size varied from 10.263-259.660 microm2. They were oval or round; multipolar, arranged in two rows and dispersed in groups in connective tissue of muscularis propria. The collections of neurons were appeared to be more numerous in appendix and ileoceacal valve.

Methods for estimating prevalence and incidence of senile cataract blindness in a district.

The problem of senile cataract blindness (SCB) is very acute in India, contributing to 80 per cent of total blindness. The national objective of reducing the prevalence of blindness from 1.49 per cent, during 1986-89 to 0.3 per cent by AD 2000 has necessitated the surgical correction of SCB to be the major activity. With the introduction of District Blindness Control Society (DBCS), there has been a substantial increase in the number of operations of SCB in those districts. However, in the absence of standard, feasible, simple and cost effective methods to estimate the prevalence and incidence of SCB, the DBCS may find it difficult to plan and execute its major activity in a realistic way. The paper suggests two such methods for the use by DBCS. Only five seemingly rational assumptions have been adopted for the purpose. The authors feel that proper field testing is required to be sure about the reliability and validity of these methods.

Does B.C.G. vaccination prevent or postpone the occurrence of tuberculous meningitis?

The reported efficiency of B.C.G. vaccine in prevention of primary childhood or sputum positive adult tuberculosis vary widely but it is believed to offer significant protection against hematogenous forms of tuberculosis. The present hospital-based, case control study was aimed at evaluation of impact of B.C.G. vaccination on one of the hematogenous forms of tuberculosis i.e. Tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Records of cases of TBM admitted in the pediatric wards of Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi, over one year were analyzed retrospectively for B.C.G. positivity status and age distribution. The results were compared with similar data obtained from a control group comprising of non-TBM cases in pediatric wards of same hospital, recruited on 2 days, separated by an interval of three weeks. No statistically significant difference was found in B.C.G. positivity status of cases and control groups. However, there was an obvious trend in age distribution among cases of TBM with respect to the B.C.G. status, with a significantly higher proportion of B.C.G. vaccinated children in over 5-year age group, as compared to those in under 5 year age group. The results, therefore, indicate probable effectiveness of B.C.G. against TBM only for a limited duration i.e. single B.C.G. immunization only postpones rather than prevent the occurrence of TBM.

Acute respiratory infections in children: a study of knowledge and practices of mothers in rural Haryana.

In the present study, data were collected on knowledge and practices of mothers in two villages of Block Beri of district Rohtak for devising a standard management plan. In all 304 mothers were interviewed. About 23 per cent mothers recognised pneumonia by fast breathing and 11.2 per cent recognised severe pneumonia by chest indrawing. Only 1.3 per cent mothers knew infective origin of ARI. Although most of them were convinced about continuation of breast feeding, 70 per cent of them were advising food restriction. Use of herbal tea in ARI was widely prevalent and so was the practice of putting warm mustard oil in ear for curing ear pain. Primary Health Centre was the most frequented place for treatment of ARI and mother-in-law was the most important person in taking management decisions for the child.