Background: Air pollution is one of the greatest public health concerns worldwide. In order to understand its mechanism of harm, we investigated the effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), one of the major constituents of ambient air pollutants, on reactive cell viability, oxygen stress, autophagy, and apoptosis. Materials and Methods: In in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model, cells were exposed to freshly dispersed DEP preparations at 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, or 200 µg/mL for 24 h or at 50 µg/mL DEP for 1, 3, 6, 12, or 24 h. Cell survival and oxidative stress were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX), and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Protein expressions of autophagy (Beclin-1, p62, and light chain 3 [LC3]-II) and apoptosis (Bcl2 and Bax) were assayed by Western blotting. Results: DEP induced a significant dose-dependent and temporal decrease in cell viability and increase in ROS generation and NOX activity, in association with decreased or increased protein levels of p62 or Beclin-1, as well as conversion of the LC3 in a dose-dependent manner. DEP increased pro-apoptotic protein Bax and decreased anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that DEP exposure induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, autophagy, and apoptosis in HUVECs. Novel insight into the mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases caused by air pollution may be provided through these findings.

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Objective: This study was designed to investigate and compare both ultrasonographic and electrophysiological methods of examination of the facial nerve in idiopathic facial paralysis (IFP). Materials and Methods: Patients with IFP diagnosed between January 2018 and June 2019 (n = 178) underwent ultrasonographic and electrophysiological examinations of the facial nerve, within the 1^st week of symptoms and every 1–3 following weeks until asymptomatic, with comparisons between the affected and unaffected sides. Results: There were significant differences in the ultrasonographic diameter and the electrophysiological results obtained from the facial nerve between the affected and unaffected sides. Ninety-one patients completed follow-up and underwent re-examination of the facial nerve by ultrasonography and/or electromyography. The difference between the affected and unaffected sides in terms of the ultrasonographic diameter of the facial nerve gradually decreased with the course of the disease. The ultrasonographic diameter of the facial nerve of the affected side was greater by 0.3 mm than that of the unaffected side for more than 3 weeks, indicative of a poor prognosis, which was consistent with the electrophysiological results. Conclusions: The combination of ultrasonographic and electrophysiological examinations of the facial nerve serves to better guide clinical treatment and assess the prognosis of IFP.

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Context: Constructing latrines and getting people to use them is one of the most effective means of improving public health and saving lives. However, building toilets alone cannot eliminate open defecation. Aims: The aim was to estimate the prevalence of open defecation and factors associated with open defecation in rural areas of a district of Haryana. Settings and Design: This community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in a rural field practice area attached to the department of community medicine of a rural medical college. Subjects and Methods: The study was carried out from July to October 2019. The data were collected from 368 randomly selected households on a pretested semi-structured proforma. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional ethics committee. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using the software R, version 3.6.2. Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, crude odds ratio, adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval, and P value were calculated. Results: The prevalence of open defecation was 30.97% despite having a household toilet. Among the study participants practicing open defecation, the prevalence of open defecation was significantly higher among scheduled caste (64.9%), illiterates (42.7%), laborers (56.6%), and low family income (41.5%). The participants who have constructed latrine recently, i.e., <1 year before (87%), latrine constructed by government expenses (76.9%), and rarely cleaning of the latrine (76.5%) also contributed significantly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that four of these predictor variables, caste, occupation of the head of the family, years since latrine constructed, and latrine cleaning remained significant predictors of open field defecation. Conclusions: Open defecation is common among latrines owners. This behavior is associated with various several structural and sociocultural factors. The present sanitation campaign should consider shifting from toilet construction to toilet use.

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Objective: Exposure to organic barn dusts has been shown to cause numerous lung problems to chronically exposed animal barn workers. Bacterial components in these dusts trigger innate immunity in the lungs. In characterizing these responses, we examined the expression of a lesser examined chemokine believed to be a lower avidity signal for neutrophil migration, CCL9, and how its expression is controlled by dust exposure in a monocyte/macrophage cell line. Materials and Methods: CCL9 expression was assessed in the RAW267.4 macrophage cell line exposed to organic hog barn dust extracts (HDEs) or components of this dust such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan. CCL9 expression was assessed as well as response of CXCL1 (keratinocyte-derived chemokine [KC]). Protein kinase C (PKC)-α, ζ, and δ were inhibited to assess CCL9 expression. Results: HDE was able to induce significant increase of CCL9 expression in RAW264.7 cells. The ability of HDE to induce CCL9 relied upon LPS present in HDE samples. Addition of CCL9 to RAW264.7 cells stimulated with organic dust reduced KC expression. Further, CCL9 expression was particularly sensitive to PKC-ζ inhibition by chemical or siRNA. Conclusion: CCL9 is an inducible chemokine present in mouse monocytes exposed to HDE. HDE-induced production of CCL9 appears primarily mediated by LPS in HDE samples. This induction appears to require PKC signaling, with emphasis on PKC-ζ expression.

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Background: Gujarat is one of the endemic states for the prevalence of fluorosis due to high fluoride levels in water of many villages in the state. Aim and Objectives: To determine the prevalence of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis in Vadodara district, Gujarat, India, and to document various interventions conducted by Government to reduce the prevalence of fluorosis in Gujarat. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey was carried out in 11 villages (6 with high fluoride level and 5 with normal fluoride level) by house to house visits. Various interventions like capacity building of faculties, diagnostic, treatment and counseling for fluorosis and alternate water supply facilities were provided. Results: The prevalence of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis was 59.31% and 18.65% in high fluoride areas, while it was 39.21% and 12.54% in normal fluoride areas, respectively. After estimation of this problem, and other research studies carried in Gujarat, the Government of Gujarat provided a fluorine meter to measure the fluoride level in water and urine in all government medical colleges of the state. Capacity building of faculties from various departments was done regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and counseling of fluorosis patients. Early diagnosis and treatment were provided to all fluorosis patients visiting tertiary care hospitals. Alternate drinking water supply was also provided by the government. Conclusion: Both dental and skeletal fluorosis was high in Gujarat and field level diagnostic facilities are inadequate. A coordinated training program helped to identify the problem and suggest remedial measures. An integrated and comprehensive approach is required to reduce the problem of fluorosis in Gujarat.

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