Sensor-Based Solid Waste Handling Systems: A Survey.

As a consequence of swiftly growing populations in the urban areas, larger quantities of solid waste also form rapidly. Since urban local bodies are found to be unable to manage this perilous situation effectively, there is a high probability of risks relative to the environment and public health. A sudden change is indispensable in the existing systems that are developed for the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste, which are entangled in turmoil. However, Smart sensors and wireless technology enable cyber-physical systems to automate solid waste management, which will revolutionize the industry. This work presents a comprehensive study on the evolution of automation approaches in solid waste management systems. This study is enhanced by dissecting the available literature in solid waste management with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), and Internet of Things (IoT)-based approaches and analyzing each category with a typical architecture, respectively. In addition, various communication technologies adopted in the aforementioned categories are critically analyzed to identify the best choice for the deployment of trash bins. From the survey, it is inferred that IoT-based systems are superior to other design approaches, and LoRaWAN is identified as the preferred communication protocol for the automation of solid waste handling systems in urban areas. Furthermore, the critical open research issues on state-of-the-art solid waste handling systems are identified and future directions to address the same topic are suggested.

Assessment of heavy metals in food and drug packaging materials.

Background: Food and drug packaging materials are an integral part of our everyday life.  Noxious elements can inadvertently be included in packaging materials in various stages of their production. Adulterants, adhesives, colorants and heavy metal interference are the common sources of contamination in food packaging materials. Heavy metal toxicity has far-reaching ill effects on living organisms. The present study aimed at qualitatively and quantitatively analysing heavy metal contamination of various materials that are used for food and drug packaging in India. Methods: The qualitative detection was done by rapid assay and heavy metals were quantified with the help of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). A total of 13 types of food and drug packaging materials were procured from local market and analysed for four heavy metals viz. arsenic (As), vanadium (V), mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd). The concentration of each heavy metal in the samples was compared with permitted values published by the European Council. Results: Of the 13 samples, heavy metals were qualitatively detected in 10 samples. ICP--OES values for quantitative estimation showed presence of heavy metal above permissible range in 10 of the studied samples for vanadium, all samples for arsenic, two samples for mercury and one sample for cadmium. Arsenic was found to be the commonest heavy metal contaminant, present in 13 samples above permissible limit. Conclusions: The significantly higher concentration of heavy metal poses a potential health risk to the consumer and affects the quality of the food.

Comprehensive Review on Diabetes Associated Cardiovascular Complications - The Vitamin D Perspective.

Vitamin D, a steroid hormone is primarily known for its role in calcium and bone mineral homeostasis. Over the years, vitamin D has been implicated in various non-skeletal diseases. The extraskeletal phenomenon can be attributed to the presence of vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in almost all cells and identification of 1-α hydroxylase in extrarenal tissues. The vitamin D deficiency (VDD) pandemic was globally reported with increasing evidence and paralleled the prevalence of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A dependent link was proposed between hypovitaminosis D glycemic status, insulin resistance and also the other major factors associated with type 2 diabetes leading to CVDs. Insulin resistance plays a central role in both type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance syndrome. These 2 disorders are associated with distinct etiologies including hypertension, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and significant vascular abnormalities that could lead to endothelial dysfunction. Evidence from randomised clinical trials and meta-analysis, however, yielded conflicting results. This review summarizes the role of vitamin D in the regulation of glucose homeostasis with an emphasis on insulin resistance, blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, endothelial dysfunction and related cardiovascular diseases and also underline the plausible mechanisms for all the documented effects.

A randomized controlled trial of topical benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel with a low glycemic load diet versus topical benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel with a normal diet in acne (grades 1-3).

BACKGROUND: The improvement in insulin resistance and acne lesions on low glycemic load diets in various studies suggests that diet plays a significant role in acne pathogenesis. AIMS: To compare the efficacy of a low glycemic load diet plus topical benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel with that of only topical benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel in grades 1, 2 and 3 of acne vulgaris. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 84 patients with grades 1, 2 and 3 acne vulgaris were divided into two groups, to receive a low glycemic load diet and no dietary intervention respectively. Acne lesions (face) were scored and graded at baseline and 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and body mass index were measured during the first and last visits. Statistical analysis was done with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 17.0. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant reduction in acne counts at 12 weeks (P = 0.931) with no statistically significant difference between the groups. The differences in body mass index and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance between the groups were statistically significant (P = 0.0001). Group 1 showed reductions in body mass index and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance values at the end of the study, whereas group 2 did not. LIMITATIONS: Application of mild topical cleanser in both the groups might have contributed to the improvement in epidermal barrier function, and topical application of 2.5% of benzoyl peroxide gel in both groups contributed to the improvement in acne counts. CONCLUSIONS: A low glycemic load diet did not result in any significant improvement in acne counts.

Thyroid Function in Chronically Transfused Children with Beta Thalassemia Major: A Cross-Sectional Hospital Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder worldwide. Use of iron chelators has improved survival but endocrine complications have become more frequent. The frequency of hypothyroidism in Beta Thalassemia Major (BTM) children ranges from 6 to 30 %. Thyroid dysfunction mainly occurs by gland infiltration, chronic tissue hypoxia, free radical injury, and organ siderosis. OBJECTIVES: (a) To evaluate the thyroid function status in chronically transfused children with BTM, in the first and second decade of life and (b) to study the influence of factors like duration and amount of blood transfusions, serum ferritin level, and iron chelation therapy on thyroid function. METHODOLOGY: BTM children, 3 years old and above, on regular blood transfusions with serum ferritin > 1500 mcg/l were included in the study. Thyroid function and ferritin assessment was done using ELISA kits. Autoimmune thyroiditis was ruled out by antithyroid peroxidase and antithyroglobulin antibody testing. RESULTS: A study population of 83 children consisted of 49 boys (59%) and 34 girls (41%). 4.8% of the children had evidence of subclinical hypothyroidism. Among them two belonged to the first decade and the other two to the second decade of life. Mean TSH, FT4, and ferritin values among children with thyroid dysfunction were 6.38 ± 0.83 mIU/ml, 1.08 ± 0.45 ng/dl, and 3983.0±1698.30 ng/ml, respectively. The severity of thyroid dysfunction was statistically significantly associated with higher serum TSH values in children in the second decade of life with a p value = 0.001. No other significant correlation was found between oral chelation, amount and duration of blood transfusion, or serum ferritin levels. CONCLUSION: Subclinical hypothyroidism was the thyroid dysfunction observed in our study. Regular blood transfusions with adequate chelation may decrease incidence of thyroid dysfunction.

Indices of Glucose Homeostasis in Cord Blood in Term and Preterm Newborns.

OBJECTIVE: According to the thrifty phenotype hypothesis, intrauterine malnutrition has a role in the etiology of type 2 diabetes. This study was planned to determine the early alterations in indices of glucose homeostasis (glucose, insulin, and cortisol) in term and preterm newborns and the correlations of glucose, insulin, and cortisol levels with insulin resistance indices. METHODS: A descriptive study comprising 35 term and 35 preterm newborns was carried out from December 2013 to June 2015. Venous cord blood was collected and plasma glucose was analyzed by the glucose oxidase-peroxidase method in an auto analyzer. Serum insulin and cortisol levels were assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index and glucose insulin ratio were calculated to assess insulin resistance. The data on physical and metabolic parameters were analyzed using standard tests for statistical significance. RESULTS: In term newborns, mean glucose and cortisol levels (83.6±17.4 mg/dL and 11.88±5.78 µg/dL, respectively) were significantly higher than those in preterm infants (70.4±15.8 mg/dL and 8.9±4.6 µg/dL, respectively). Insulin and HOMA-IR levels were found higher in preterm newborns (10.8±4.8 µIU/mL and 1.52±0.66, respectively) than in term newborns (7.9±2.7 µIU/mL and 1.19±0.29, respectively). Insulin was found to positively correlate with HOMA-IR, whereas cortisol was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR in both term and preterm newborns. CONCLUSION: Higher insulin levels and HOMA-IR values in the cord blood of preterm newborns support the theory of intrauterine origin of metabolic diseases.

Utility of C-terminal Telopeptide in Evaluating Levothyroxine Replacement Therapy-Induced Bone Loss.

BACKGROUND: Levothyroxine (LT4) therapy has shown to have effects on bone metabolism though its deleterious effect on bone remodeling is debatable. This study was aimed at assessing the diagnostic utility of the bone remodeling marker C-terminal telopeptide (CTx) in detecting early bone loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 84 premenopausal women of 30-45 years of age were selected. Out of them, 28 were recently diagnosed of hypothyroidism (not on LT4), 28 were on LT4 replacement therapy (100-200 µg/day) for more than five years, and 28 had euthyroid. Plasma CTx levels were estimated. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) method. Pearson's coefficient of correlation and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: CTx was most elevated in LT4-treated group (0.497 ± 0.209 ng/mL). It showed a significant negative correlation with T-score and Z-score of BMD values. In the treatment group of more than 150 µg/day, CTx showed significantly negative correlation with TSH (r = -0.462, P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: LT4 therapy induces bone loss in hypothyroid patients. CTx levels can measure such bone loss along with BMD. Regular monitoring of CTx with adjustment in LT4 doses may help delay osteoporosis induced by prolonged LT4 replacement therapy.

Influence of iron deficiency anemia on hemoglobin A1c levels in diabetic individuals with controlled plasma glucose levels.

INTRODUCTION: Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) reflects patient's glycemic status over the previous 3 months. Previous studies have reported that iron deficiency may elevate A1C concentrations, independent of glycemia. This study is aimed to analyze the effect of iron deficiency anemia on HbA1c levels in diabetic population having plasma glucose levels in control. METHODS: Totally, 120 diabetic, iron-deficient anemic individuals (70 females and 50 males) having controlled plasma glucose levels with same number of iron-sufficient non-anemic individuals were streamlined for the study. Their data of HbA1c (Bio-Rad D-10 HPLC analyzer), ferritin (cobas e411 ECLIA hormone analyzer), fasting plasma glucose (FPG, Roche Hitachi P800/917 chemistry analyzer), hemoglobin (Beckman Coulter LH780), peripheral smear examination, red cell indices, and medical history were recorded. Statistical analysis was carried out by student's t-test, Chi-square test, and Pearson's coefficient of regression. RESULTS: We found elevated HbA1c (6.8 ± 1.4%) in iron-deficient individuals as compared to controls, and elevation was more in women (7.02 ± 1.58%). On further classification on the basis of FPG levels, A1C was elevated more in group having fasting glucose levels between 100-126 mg/dl (7.33 ± 1.55%) compared to the those with normal plasma glucose levels (<100 mg/dl). No significant correlation was found between HbA1c and ferritin and hemoglobin. CONCLUSION: This study found a positive correlation between iron deficiency anemia and increased A1C levels, especially in the controlled diabetic women and individuals having FPG between 100-126 mg/dl. Hence, before altering the treatment regimen for diabetic patient, presence of iron deficiency anemia should be considered.

Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and their correlation with malondialdehyde in schizophrenic patients.

Free radical mediated pathological processes may have a role in schizophrenia. Free radicals (oxy radicals, such as superoxide, hydroxyl ions and nitric oxide) cause cell injury, when they are generated in excess or when the antioxidant defense is impaired. Both these processes seem to be affected in schizophrenia. In this study we investigated erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities as antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA) as a sign of lipid peroxidation in schizophrenic patients. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and malondialdehyde were greater in patients compared with the control group which may reflect increased oxidative stress in the brain tissue of schizophrenics. In the patient group erythrocyte SOD and CAT activities were weakly negative correlated with MDA concentration. These data reveal that antioxidant defense mechanisms might be impaired in schizophrenic patients. These findings also provide a theoretical basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies, such as antioxidant supplementation.