Air quality and health co-benefits of climate change mitigation and adaptation actions by 2030: an interdisciplinary modeling study in Ahmedabad, India.

Climate change-driven temperature increases worsen air quality in places where coal combustion powers electricity for air conditioning. Climate solutions that substitute clean and renewable energy in place of polluting coal and promote adaptation to warming through reflective cool roofs can reduce cooling energy demand in buildings, lower power sector carbon emissions, and improve air quality and health. We investigate the air quality and health co-benefits of climate solutions in Ahmedabad, India-a city where air pollution levels exceed national health-based standards-through an interdisciplinary modeling approach. Using a 2018 baseline, we quantify changes in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution and all-cause mortality in 2030 from increasing renewable energy use (mitigation) and expanding Ahmedabad's cool roofs heat resilience program (adaptation). We apply local demographic and health data and compare a 2030 mitigation and adaptation (M&A) scenario to a 2030 business-as-usual (BAU) scenario (without climate change response actions), each relative to 2018 pollution levels. We estimate that the 2030 BAU scenario results in an increase of PM2.5 air pollution of 4.13 µg m-3 from 2018 compared to a 0.11 µg m-3 decline from 2018 under the 2030 M&A scenario. Reduced PM2.5 air pollution under 2030 M&A results in 1216-1414 fewer premature all-cause deaths annually compared to 2030 BAU. Achievement of National Clean Air Programme, National Ambient Air Quality Standards, or World Health Organization annual PM2.5 Air Quality Guideline targets in 2030 results in up to 6510, 9047, or 17 369 fewer annual deaths, respectively, relative to 2030 BAU. This comprehensive modeling method is adaptable to estimate local air quality and health co-benefits in other settings by integrating climate, energy, cooling, land cover, air pollution, and health data. Our findings demonstrate that city-level climate change response policies can achieve substantial air quality and health co-benefits. Such work can inform public discourse on the near-term health benefits of mitigation and adaptation.

A Preemptive Living Donor Renal Transplant in an HIV Positive Patient from an HIV Positive Donor.

With recent advances in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), renal transplantation is no longer considered a contraindication in properly selected HIV-positive patients. Several studies have demonstrated comparable patient and graft outcomes between HIV-negative and HIV-positive renal transplant recipients. Most of the information on outcomes of HIV-positive to HIV-positive transplantation is based on data from deceased donors. There are only a handful of case reports about living donor renal transplantation in an HIV-positive patient from an HIV-positive donor. Furthermore, there is no report in the world of preemptive living donor renal transplantation in this setting. Here, we report a case of successful preemptive renal transplantation in an HIV-positive recipient from an HIV-positive living donor performed at our center.

An Unusual Presentation of Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma commonly presents as anemia, renal failure, bone pain, and infections. Presentation with epistaxis is extremely rare, and hence myeloma as the etiologic factor is seldom considered. We report the case of a patient who initially presented with recurrent epistaxis and then with myasthenia. It was only when he developed acute kidney injury 4 months after the initial presentation with epistaxis that a diagnosis of multiple myeloma was made.

Retrospective Diagnosis of Nail-patella Syndrome.

A 37 years old female presented with asymptomatic nephrotic range proteinuria due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). She was treated with steroids and mycophenolate mofetil to which there was no response and progressed to advanced chronic kidney disease. When her brother who was being evaluated as a potential donor, for renal transplant, was found to have proteinuria and a genetic study for the steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome was done. This revealed mutation in the LMX1B gene. It is then that a diagnosis of nail-patella syndrome (NPS) was made. She underwent a successful renal transplant with her father as a donor and is doing well.

Absorption properties and forcing efficiency of light-absorbing water-soluble organic aerosols: Seasonal and spatial variability.

Light-absorbing organic aerosols, also known as brown carbon (BrC), enhance the warming effect of the Earth's atmosphere. The seasonal and spatial variability of BrC absorption properties is poorly constrained and accounted for in the climate models resulting in a substantial underestimation of their radiative forcing estimates. This study reports seasonal and spatial variability of absorption properties and simple forcing efficiency of light-absorbing water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC, SFEWSOC) by utilizing current and previous field-based measurements reported mostly from Asia along with a few observations from Europe, the USA, and the Amazon rainforest. The absorption coefficient of WSOC at 365 nm (babs-365) and the concentrations of carbonaceous species at Kanpur were about an order of magnitude higher during winter than in the monsoon season owing to differences in the boundary layer height, active sources and their strengths, and amount of seasonal wet precipitation. The WSOC aerosols during winter exhibited ∼1.6 times higher light absorption capacity than in the monsoon season at Kanpur site. The assessment of spatial variability of the imaginary component of the refractive index spectrum (kλ) across South Asia has revealed that it varies from ∼1 to 2 orders of magnitude and light absorption capacity of WSOC ranges from 3 to 21 W/g. The light absorption capacity of WSOC aerosols exhibited less spatial variability across East Asia (5-13 W/g) when compared to that in the South Asia. The photochemical aging of WSOC aerosols, indicated by the enhancement in WSOC/OC ratio, was linked to degradation in their light absorption capacity, whereas the absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) remained unaffected. This study recommends the adoption of refined climate models where sampling regime specific absorption properties are calculated separately, such that these inputs can better constrain the model estimates of the global effects of BrC.

Crystalline Nephropathy due to APRT Deficiency: A Preventable Cause of Renal and Renal Allograft Failure.

Adenine phosphororibosyl transferase (APRT) deficiency, a rare inborn error of metabolism is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. It presents with 2,8-dihydroxyadenine (2,8-DHA) crystal nephropathy and recurrent nephrolithiasis and often progresses to end stage renal disease (ESRD). After transplant, it can recur in the allograft. If APRT deficiency is recognized early, renal failure can be prevented, arrested or reversed in native kidney and in allograft by treatment with allopurinol, which inhibits xanthine oxidase and reduces 2,8-DHA formation. We report two cases of APRT deficiency from our center. DNA sequencing of APRT gene performed in one of the cases revealed a pathogenic variant in Exon1 of APRT gene (c.3G>C; p.Met1). This variant affects the translation initiation codon and results in a start loss. The variant has previously been reported in two cases with APRT deficiency.

Efficacy and Safety of Canagliflozin in Kidney Transplant Patients.

INTRODUCTION: There is no report of efficacy and safety of canagliflozin, a sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor in post kidney transplant patients with diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pilot study was undertaken in stable renal transplant recipients with preexisting diabetes or new onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) to look at the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitor, cangliflozin. With the introduction of canagliflozin (100 mg), the dose of insulin and/or other oral hypoglycemic agents was reduced if the blood sugar control improved. The parameters monitored were body weight, blood pressure (BP), serum creatinine, HbA1c, and tacrolimus trough level. Safety was assessed by adverse event (AE) reports. Each patient was followed for a minimum period of 6 months. RESULTS: The study included 24 (23 males and 1 females) stable kidney transplant patients with diabetes. The mean age of the patients was 53.8 ± 7.12 years. The mean body weight of study subjects was 78.6 ± 12.1 kg before and 76.1 ± 11.2 kg 6 months after starting canagliflozin (P < 0.05). The mean systolic and diastolic BP (mm Hg) was 142 ± 21 and 81 ± 9 before and 134 ± 17 and 79 ± 8, 6 months after starting canagliflozin, respectively (P < 0.05 for systolic BP). There was no significant change in creatinine level (mg/dL). It was 1.1 ± 0.2 before and 1.1 ± 0.3 after starting canagliflozin. The tacrolimus level (ng/mL) was 6.7 ± 3.7 before and 6.1 ± 2, 6 months after starting canagliflozin. The mean HbA1c before was 8.5 ± 1.5%. At 6 months, it was 7.6 ± 1%. Hypoglycemia was not seen. There was no increase in infections. CONCLUSION: Canagliflozin provided reductions in body weight, BP, HbA1c, and the requirement of other hypoglycemic agents without any hypoglycemic episodes and without significant AEs.

Mutagenicity and Cytotoxicity of Particulate Matter Emitted from Biodiesel-Fueled Engines.

Biodiesel engines produce several intermediate species, which can potentially harm the human health. The concentration of these species and their health risk potential varies depending on engine technology, fuel, and engine operating condition. In this study, experiments were performed on a large number of engines having different configurations (emissions norms/fuel used), which were operated at part load/full load using B20 (20% v/v biodiesel blended with mineral diesel) and mineral diesel. Experiments included measurement of gaseous emissions, and physical, chemical, and biological characterization of exhaust particulate matter (PM). Chemical characterization of PM was carried out for detecting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) and PM bound trace metals. The biological toxicity associated with PM was assessed using human embryonic kidney 293T cells (HEK 293T). The mutagenic potential of the PM was tested at three different concentrations (500, 100, and 50 µg/mL) using two different  Salmonella strains, TA98 and TA100, with and without liver S9 metabolic enzyme fraction. PM samples exhibited cytotoxic effect on HEK 293T cells (IC50 < 100 µg/mL) and there was significant potential for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Comparison of different engines showed that modern engines (Euro-III and Euro-IV compliant) produced relatively cleaner exhaust compared to older engines (Euro-II compliant). Biodiesel-fueled engines emitted lower number of particles compared to diesel-fueled engines. However, chemical characterization revealed that biodiesel-fueled engines exhaust PM contained several harmful PAHs and trace metals, which affected the biological activity of these PM, as reflected in the biological investigations. Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of PM from biodiesel-fueled engines were relatively higher compared to their diesel counterparts, indicating the need for exhaust gas after-treatment.

Dicarboxylic acids and levoglucosan in aerosols from Indo-Gangetic Plain: Inferences from day night variability during wintertime.

This study assesses daytime and nighttime atmospheric abundance and molecular distribution of dicarboxylic acids (DCA: C2-C10) and biomass burning tracers (levoglucosan and biomass burning derived potassium: K+BB) in PM10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter≤10µm) from an urban location, Kanpur (in central Indo-Gangetic Plain: IGP) during wintertime (December 2015-February 2016). In this study, PM10 varied from 130 to 242 and 175-388µgm-3 during daytime and nighttime, respectively. The average ratios of OC/EC (day: 12.3; night: 9.3) and WSOC/OC (day: 0.74; night: 0.48) were relatively high during daytime (OC: organic carbon; EC: elemental carbon; WSOC: water-soluble organic carbon). Strong linear correlations (R2≥0.6; p<0.05) of OC with levoglucosan and K+BB suggest biomass burning emission as predominant source of organic aerosols over the IGP. The measured concentrations of total DCA (ΣC2-C10) showed pronounced diurnal variability with a higher concentration during nighttime (2510±1025ngm-3) as compared to that in daytime (1499±562ngm-3). Concentrations of oxalic acid (C2), succinic acid (C4) and malonic acid (C3) were predominantly high as compared to other congeners of DCA (C2-C10) over central IGP. Relatively higher mass fraction (73.4%) of C2 in total DCA during nighttime than that in daytime (61.5%) indicates role of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) formation involving aqueous-phase chemistry. Strong linear correlations of C2 with C3 and C4 plausibly suggest that C2 can have predominant formation pathways via decomposition of higher congeners of DCA. Overall, strong linear correlations of C2 with levoglucosan and sulphate suggest that biomass burning emission and secondary transformations are predominant sources of DCA over IGP during wintertime.

Chemical composition and source-apportionment of sub-micron particles during wintertime over Northern India: New insights on influence of fog-processing.

A comprehensive study was carried out from central part of Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP; at Kanpur) to understand abundance, temporal variability, processes (secondary formation and fog-processing) and source-apportionment of PM1-bound species (PM1: particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter ≤ 1.0 µm) during wintertime. A total of 50 PM1 samples were collected of which 33 samples represent submicron aerosol characteristics under non-foggy condition whereas 17 samples represent characteristics under thick foggy condition. PM1 mass concentration during non-foggy episodes varied from 24-393 (Avg.: 247) µg m-3, whereas during foggy condition it ranged from 42-243 (Avg.: 107) µg m-3. With respect to non-foggy condition, the foggy conditions were associated with higher contribution of PM1-bound organic matter (OM, by 23%). However, lower fractional contribution of SO42-, NO3- and NH4+ during foggy conditions is attributable to wet-scavenging owing to their high affinity to water. Significant influence of fog-processing on organic aerosols composition is also reflected by co-enhancement in OC/EC and WSOC/OC ratio during foggy condition. A reduction by 5% in mineral dust fraction under foggy condition is associated with a parallel decrease in PM1 mass concentration. However, mass fraction of elemental carbon (EC) looks quite similar (≈3% of PM1) but the mass absorption efficiency (MAE) of EC is higher by 30% during foggy episodes. Thus, it is evident from this study that fog-processing leads to quite significant enhancement in OM (23%) contribution (and MAE of EC) with nearly equal and parallel decrease in SO42-, NO3- and NH4+ and mineral dust fractions (totaling to 24%). Characteristic features of mineral dust remain similar under foggy and non-foggy conditions; inferred from similar ratios of Fe/Al (≈0.3), Ca/Al (0.35) and Mg/Al (0.22). Positive matrix factorization (PMF) resolves seven sources: biomass burning (19.4%), coal combustion (1.1%), vehicular emission (3%), industrial activities (6.1%), leather tanneries (4%), secondary transformations (46.2%) and mineral dust (20.2%).

Water soluble organic aerosols in indo gangetic plain (IGP): Insights from aerosol mass spectrometry.

Filter samples collected during winter of 2015-16 from two polluted urban locations (Allahabad and Kanpur) residing within Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP) showed high levels of water-soluble organic aerosols (WSOA). Total organic aerosols (OA) in submicron fraction, measured at Kanpur in real time via Aerosol Mass Spectrometer also showed substantially high concentration levels. WSOA to OA contribution in Kanpur was found to be very high (around 55%) indicating significant contributions from secondary OA (SOA). On average, WSOA oxidation ratio (O/C) was found to be higher (15-20%) in Kanpur than at Allahabad. WSOA from Allahabad was found to be following a much shallower slope (-0.38) in Van Krevelen diagram (H/C vs O/C plot) than Kanpur (-0.58). These differences suggest different composition and chemistry of WSOA at these two different locations. O/C ratios of WSOA were found to be much higher (~40%) than that of OA and independent of WSOA loading. Higher OA loadings were found to be associated with less oxidized primary OAs (POA) and culminated into lower WSOA/OA ratios. The presence of organo sulfate in filter samples from both locations indicate a significant amount of aqueous processing of organics. Concentrations and characteristics of water insoluble OA (WIOA) in Kanpur revealed that although they are present in significant quantity, their oxidation levels are much (almost 3 times) lower than that of WSOA. This finding indicates that less oxidized OAs are less soluble in line with the conventional wisdom. This study provides the first insight into oxidation levels and evolution of WSOA from India and also explores the interplay between WSOA and OA characteristics based on AMS measurements.

One year record of bioaerosols and particles concentration in Indo-Gangetic Plain: Implications of biomass burning emissions to high-level of endotoxin exposure.

Previous studies worldwide have suggested the potential role of bioaerosols as ice-nuclei and cloud-condensation nuclei. Furthermore, their participation in regulating the global carbon cycle urges systematic studies from different environmental conditions throughout the globe. Towards this through one-year study, conducted from June 2015-May 2016, we report on atmospheric abundance and variability of viable bioaerosols, organic carbon (OC) and particles number and deduced mass concentrations from Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP; at Kanpur). Among viable bioaerosols, the highest concentrations of Gram-positive bacteria (GPB), Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and Fungi were recorded during December-January (Avg.: 189 CFU/m3), November (244 CFU/m3) and September months (188 CFU/m3), respectively. Annual average concentration of GPB, GNB and Fungi were 105 ± 58, 144 ± 82 and 116 ± 51 CFU/m3. Particle number concentration (PNC) associated with fine-fraction aerosols (FFA) predominates throughout the year. However, mineral dust (coarser particle) remains a perennial constituent of atmospheric aerosols over the IGP. Temporal variability records and significant positive linear relationship (p < 0.05) of GPB and GNB with OC and biomass burning derived potassium (K+BB) indicates their association with massive emissions from paddy-residue burning (PRB) and bio-fuel burning. Influence of meteorological parameters on viable bioaerosols abundance has been rigorously investigated herein. Accordingly, ambient temperature seems to be more affecting the bacteria (anti-correlation), whereas wet-precipitation (1-4 mm) relates to higher abundance of Fungi. High abundance of GNB during large-scale biomass burning emissions has implications to endotoxin exposure on human health. Field-based data-set of bioaerosols, OC, PNC and deduced mass concentrations reported herein could serve to better constraint their role in human health and climate relevance.

Comparison of linear and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models for appraisal of risk factors associated with dental caries.

CONTEXT: Dental caries among children has been described as a pandemic disease with a multifactorial nature. Various sociodemographic factors and oral hygiene practices are commonly tested for their influence on dental caries. In recent years, a recent statistical model that allows for covariate adjustment has been developed and is commonly referred zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) models. AIM: To compare the fit of the two models, the conventional linear regression (LR) model and ZINB model to assess the risk factors associated with dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1138 12-year-old school children in Moradabad Town, Uttar Pradesh during months of February-August 2014. Selected participants were interviewed using a questionnaire. Dental caries was assessed by recording decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) index. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: To assess the risk factor associated with dental caries in children, two approaches have been applied - LR model and ZINB model. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries-free subjects was 24.1%, and mean DMFT was 3.4 ± 1.8. In LR model, all the variables were statistically significant. Whereas in ZINB model, negative binomial part showed place of residence, father's education level, tooth brushing frequency, and dental visit statistically significant implying that the degree of being caries-free (DMFT = 0) increases for group of children who are living in urban, whose father is university pass out, who brushes twice a day and if have ever visited a dentist. CONCLUSION: The current study report that the LR model is a poorly fitted model and may lead to spurious conclusions whereas ZINB model has shown better goodness of fit (Akaike information criterion values - LR: 3.94; ZINB: 2.39) and can be preferred if high variance and number of an excess of zeroes are present.

Efficacy of 0.25% Lemongrass Oil Mouthwash: A Three Arm Prospective Parallel Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine mouthwash has earned eponym of gold standard to treat and/or prevent periodontal diseases. However, the present study was carried out to explore an alternative herbal mouthwash. AIM: To compare the anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis efficacy of a 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash to that of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double-blinded parallel designed clinical trial with 60 subjects was taken for the study. Baseline plaque index (PI) & gingival index (GI) score was recorded. Oral prophylaxis was done and the plaque score was set at zero. Then, subjects were randomly allocated into 3 groups (N=20 in each): 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash, 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash and oral prophylaxis only. Subjects were asked to swish with respective mouthwash twice daily for 21 days. Subjects were again re-evaluated on 14(th) and 21(st) day for GI and PI. Comparison of the mean difference among the variables was performed by parametric tests. RESULTS: Lemongrass oil mouthwash group showed highest reduction in GI & PI at both 14(th) and 21(st) day, which was statistically significant (p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: Lemongrass oil mouthwash can also be used as a good herbal alternative to chlorhexidine mouthwash, so further studies are needed.

Social capital and oral health.

Social determinants have always been an important element of the oral health. It has been seen that social aspects like the organizations and relations influence the health of population. A new domain named social capital has come up into limelight which refers to "features of social organization, such as trust, norms and networks that can improve the efficacy of society by facilitating coordinated actions". The bonds between individuals, both in intimate relationships and in voluntary associations have been claimed to have health promoting effects. Oral health can never be segregated from general health as they are bidirectional in their relationship. Therefore determinants of general health and its promotion are interlinked with that of oral health. So, this review tries to figure out the effects of social capital on various aspects of oral health.

Organic aerosols and inorganic species from post-harvest agricultural-waste burning emissions over northern India: impact on mass absorption efficiency of elemental carbon.

Atmospheric PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 2.5 µm), collected from a source region [Patiala: 30.2 °N; 76.3 °E; 250 m above mean sea level] of emissions from post-harvest agricultural-waste (paddy-residue) burning in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), North India, has been studied for its chemical composition and impact on regional atmospheric radiative forcing. On average, organic aerosol mass accounts for 63% of PM2.5, whereas the contribution of elemental carbon (EC) is ∼3.5%. Sulphate, nitrate and ammonium contribute up to ∼85% of the total water-soluble inorganic species (WSIS), which constitutes ∼23% of PM2.5. The potassium-to-organic carbon ratio from paddy-residue burning emissions (KBB(+)/OC: 0.05 ± 0.01) is quite similar to that reported from Amazonian and Savanna forest-fires; whereas non-sea-salt-sulphate-to-OC ratio (nss-SO4(2-)/OC: 0.21) and nss-SO4(2-)/EC ratio of 2.6 are significantly higher (by factor of 5 to 8). The mass absorption efficiency of EC (3.8 ± 1.3 m(2) g(-1)) shows significant decrease with a parallel increase in the concentrations of organic aerosols and scattering species (sulphate and nitrate). A cross plot of OC/EC and nss-SO4(2-)/EC ratios show distinct differences for post-harvest burning emissions from paddy-residue as compared to those from fossil-fuel combustion sources in south-east Asia.

Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and isomer ratios as tracers of biomass burning emissions in Northern India.

Emission from large-scale post-harvest agricultural-waste burning (paddy-residue burning during October-November and wheat-residue burning in April-May) is a conspicuous feature in northern India. The poor and open burning of agricultural residue result in massive emission of carbonaceous aerosols and organic pollutants to the atmosphere. In this context, concentrations of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their isomer ratios have been studied for a 2-year period from a source region (Patiala: 30.2°N; 76.3°E) of two distinct biomass burning emissions. The concentrations of 4-6 ring PAHs are considerably higher compared to 2-3 ring PAHs in the ambient particulate matter (PM2.5). The crossplots of PAH isomer ratios, fluoranthene / (fluoranthene + pyrene) and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene/(indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene + benzo[g,h,i]perylene) for two biomass burning emissions, exhibit distinctly different source characteristics compared to those for fossil-fuel combustion sources in south and south-east Asia. The PAH isomer ratios studied from different geographical locations in northern India also exhibit similar characteristics on the crossplot, suggesting their usefulness as diagnostic tracers of biomass burning emissions.

Polar and non-polar organic aerosols from large-scale agricultural-waste burning emissions in Northern India: Implications to organic mass-to-organic carbon ratio.

This study focuses on characteristics of organic aerosols (polar and non-polar) and total organic mass-to-organic carbon ratio (OM/OC) from post-harvest agricultural-waste (paddy- and wheat-residue) burning emissions in Northern India. Aerosol samples from an upwind location (Patiala: 30.2°N, 76.3°E) in the Indo-Gangetic Plain were analyzed for non-polar and polar fractions of organic carbon (OC1 and OC2) and their respective mass (OM1 and OM2). On average, polar organic aerosols (OM2) contribute nearly 85% of the total organic mass (OM) from the paddy- and wheat-residue burning emissions. The water-soluble-OC (WSOC) to OC2 ratio, within the analytical uncertainty, is close to 1 from both paddy- and wheat-residue burning emissions. However, temporal variability and relatively low WSOC/OC2 ratio (Av: 0.67±0.06) is attributed to high moisture content and poor combustion efficiency during paddy-residue burning, indicating significant contribution (∼30%) of aromatic carbon to OC2. The OM/OC ratio for non-polar (OM1/OC1∼1.2) and polar organic aerosols (OM2/OC2∼2.2), hitherto unknown for open agricultural-waste burning emissions, is documented in this study. The total OM/OC ratio is nearly identical, 1.9±0.2 and 1.8±0.2, from paddy- and wheat-residue burning emissions.

Perception of Dental Professionals towards Biostatistics.

Biostatistics is becoming an integral part of dental sciences. Awareness regarding the subject is not thoroughly assessed in the field of dentistry. So the study was conducted to assess dental professionals' knowledge, attitude, and perception toward biostatistics at an academic dental institution. An anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among all the faculty and postgraduate students of two dental colleges in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. The responses were assessed on 5-point likert scale. The survey response rate was 73.71%. Two-thirds of respondents believed biostatistics to be a difficult subject and at the same time half of them did not consider it to be more difficult than other subjects in dentistry. Females were less competent than males in applying biostatistical skills which was found to be statistically significant. Results suggested that dentists with research or academics as an adjunct to their clinical practice had better command over the subject. The current study shows that there is lack of command over the subject of biostatistics among dental professionals although they were aware of its importance in dentistry. There is a need of changing the training pattern of biostatistics for dental professionals which would make them confident enough to apply biostatistics in their clinical practice.