Seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and predictors of seropositivity among employees of a teaching hospital in New Delhi, India

Pragya Sharma,Rohit Chawla,Ritika Bakshi,Sonal Saxena,Saurav Basu,Pradeep Kumar Bharti,Meera Dhuria,S. K. Singh,Panna Lal 질병관리본부 2021 Osong Public Health and Research Persptectives Vol.12 No.2

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to the increased likelihood of clinical exposure during patient management. The study objective was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and its predictors among hospital employees. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at a teaching hospital from August 2020 to September 2020 among 1,401 employees, including 1,217 HCWs, in New Delhi, India. The serum samples were examined for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using the COVID Kavach-Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were collected electronically using the EpiCollect mobile platform. A p<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: A total of 169 participants (12.1%) had detectable IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The highest seropositivity rate was observed in the administrative staff (20.1%), while it was lowest among medical doctors (5.5%, p<0.001). Male sex and ever having lived in a containment zone were independently associated with past infection with SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health workers may be lower than in the general population in New Delhi. However, nonpharmaceutical interventions were not associated with a reduction in the risk of acquisition of SARS-CoV-2.

Practice of Ethnobotanical Plants for the Treatment of Jaundice among Tharu Tribe of Far Western Nepal

( Pragya Bhatt ),( Madhusudan Subedi ),( Rajendra Dev Bhatt ) 대한간학회 2018 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2018 No.1

Aims: Ethnomedicine is a system of therapy using natural agents and their derivatives to treat ailments by the ethnic communities. This study was aimed to analyze and record the knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants for treating liver disorders among tharu tribe of far western Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional observational study was conducted in ten Tharu Tribe inhabited villages of Kanchanpur district of Far West Nepal. Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), ‘Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were employed to collect data from four Guruwas, the main traditional healer, as key informants, some knowledgeable persons, (but not Guruwas) as informants and some youths in Tharu tribes, categorizing them into three groups. The information shared was further discussed among all three groups. Results: This study enumerated an encouraging data of 39 plant species being used for the treatment of liver and related diseases by tharu community. Out of these, 9 plant species (8 families) were solely used for jaundice and biliary ailments.33 other plant species were also recorded for being used to cure digestive system related disorders which might be related to liver diseases.Fresh plants and their parts including leaves (maximum used), barks, fruits, flowers, roots, rhizome and latex in the form of juice, powder, decoction, and paste and pulverized were used and administered by oral route. Some dietary restrictions (no alcohol, less oil etc.) were also made during medication. Consult the Guruwas for traditional healing was found to be the first choice for jaundice in the selected community. Around 43% jaundiced get well with traditional treatment while rest of the patients visited hospitals. Conclusions: A proper documentation and further elaborated research for ethnomedicinal plant being used by this tribal people is essential to understand the mechanism of action of these plants for jaundice and other liver diseases.

3(2) Designing and optimization of aceclofenac transdermal films using response surface methodology: investigating the effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic matrix on ex vivo and in vivo permeation characteristics

Pragya Yadav,Vaibhav Rastogi,Mayur Porwal,Prashant Upadhyay,Anurag Verma 한국약제학회 2017 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.47 No.6

3(2) factorial design and response surface methodology in the fabrication of matrix transdermal films of aceclofenac (ACL) was utilized in this study to investigate the effects of polymers (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) and penetration enhancer (PE) on ex vivo and in vivo drug performance. FTIR and DSC showed no interaction of drug with polymers. The physicochemical characterization showed uniformity among the formulations. Results from the permeation study suggested the effect of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP K-30) and PE, on increasing concentration of PVP K-30 with respect to ethyl cellulose as well as increased concentration of PE resulted in enhanced permeation through the matrix. Significant effect of PE on the lipid and protein framework of the skin was also observed which is responsible for increased permeation. From response surface curve and contour plots, an optimized formulation was selected and evaluated for their ex vivo permeation, skin irritation, in vivo efficacy and stability studies. The optimized formulation showed Higuchi controlled diffusion and was found to be non-irritant and efficacious in reducing carrageenan induced paw edema in rats over a prolonged duration of time as compared to oral delivery. Thus, results indicated that the prepared transdermal system can be a promising non-oral approach to deliver effective amount of ACL to treat various inflammatory conditions.

Seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in children and adolescents in Delhi, India, from January to October 2021: a repeated cross-sectional analysis

Pragya Sharma,Saurav Basu,Suruchi Mishra,Mongjam Meghachandra Singh 질병관리본부 2022 Osong Public Health and Research Persptectives Vol.13 No.3

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess changes in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroprevalence among children and adolescents in Delhi, India from January 2021 to October 2021Methods: This was a repeated cross-sectional analysis of participants aged 5 to 17 years from 2 SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveys conducted in Delhi, India during January 2021 and September to October 2021. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were detected by using the VITROS assay (90% sensitivity, 100% specificity).Results: The seroprevalence among 5- to 17-year-old school-age children and adolescents increased from 52.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51.3%−54.3%) in January 2021 to 81.8% (95% CI, 80.9%−82.6%) in September to October 2021. The assay-adjusted seroprevalence was 90.8% (95% CI, 89.8%−91.7%). Seropositivity positively correlated with participants’ age (p<0.001), but not sex (p=0.388). A signal to cut-off ratio ≥4.00, correlating with the presence of neutralization antibodies, was observed in 4,814 (57.9%) participants.Conclusion: The high percentage of seroconversion among children and adolescents indicates the presence of natural infection-induced immunity from past exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the lack of hybrid immunity and the concomitant likelihood of lower levels of neutralization antibodies than in adults due to the absence of vaccination warrants careful monitoring and surveillance of infection risk and disease severity from newer and emergent variants.

A comparative study to measure the condylar guidance by the radiographic and clinical methods

\Pragya Shreshta,Veena Jain,Ashu Bhalla,Gunjan Pruthi 대한치과보철학회 2012 The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics Vol.4 No.3

PURPOSE. The study was conducted to compare the radiographic and clinical methods of measuring the horizontal condylar guidance (HCG) values. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The condylar guidance was measured using the radiographic (CT scan) and three clinical methods i.e. the wax protrusive records, Lucia jig record and intraoral central bearing device in 12 patients aged between 20-40 years irrespective of sex. The records were taken and transferred on the semi-adjustable articulator to record the HCG values. The CT scan was taken for 3D reconstruction of the mid facial region. Frankfort horizontal plane (FHP) and a line extending from the superior anterior most point on the glenoid fossa to the most convex point on the apex of articular eminence (AE) was marked on the CT scan. An angle between these two lines was measured on both right and left sides to obtain condylar inclination angle. Three interocclusal protrusive wax and jig records were taken and transferred to the semi adjustable articulator. Three readings were recorded on each side. Similarly the records were taken and transferred to the same articulator using the intra oral central bearing device to record the readings. RESULTS. The statistical analysis showed insignificant differences in the HCG values between the right and left sides [(P=.589 (CT), P=.928 (wax), P=.625 (jig), P=.886 (tracer)]. The clinical methods provided low Pearsons correlation values [(R = 0.423 (wax), R = 0.354 (jig), R = 0.265 (tracer)] for the right as well as the left sides when compared with the CT values. Among the clinical methods, jig and wax method showed strong level of association which is statistically significant while the intra-oral tracer showed weak association with the other two methods. CONCLUSION. The right and left HCG values were almost similar. The CT scan showed higher HCG values than the clinical methods and among the clinical methods, values obtained from all the methods were comparable.

Quality of life in patients treated for COVID-19–associated mucormycosis at a tertiary care hospital

Pragya Kumar,Rajath Rao UR,Nilanjan Roy,Deepika Agrawal,Shamshad Ahmad,Kranti Bhavana 질병관리본부 2023 Osong Public Health and Research Persptectives Vol.14 No.2

Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–associated mucormycosis (CAM) has emerged as a formidable infection in patients with COVID-19. The aggressive management of CAM affects quality of life (QOL); thus, this study was designed to assess the QOL in patients with CAM at a tertiary healthcare institution.Methods: This cross-sectional study of 57 patients with CAM was conducted over 6 months using a semi-structured standard questionnaire (the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire [WHO-BREF]) and a self-rated improvement (SRI) scale ranging from 0 to 9. Cut-off values of ≤52 and <7 were considered to indicate poor QOL and poor improvement, respectively. The correlations of QOL and SRI scores were evaluated using Spearman rho values.Results: In total, 27 patients (47.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 34.9%–60.1%) and 26 patients (45.6%; 95% CI, 33.4%–58.4%) had poor QOL and poor SRI scores, respectively. The overall median (interquartile range) QOL score was 52 (41–63). Headache (adjusted B, −12.3), localized facial puffiness (adjusted B , −16.4), facial discoloration (adjusted B, −23.4), loosening of teeth (adjusted B, −18.7), and facial palsy (adjusted B, −38.5) wer e significantly associated with the QOL score in patients with CAM.Conclusion: Approximately 1 in 2 patients with CAM had poor QOL and poor improvement. Various CAM symptoms were associated with QOL in these patients. Early recognition is the key to optimal treatment, improved outcomes, and improved QOL in patients with CAM.

Clinical and Social Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Older Prelinguals

Tyagi Pragya,Chauhan Divya,Singh Anup,Bhutada Mayank,Sikka Kapil,Chaudhary Tanvi,Sharma Sonam,Agarwal Shivani,Verma Hitesh,Sagar Prem,Kumar Rakesh,Thakar Alok 대한청각학회 2023 Journal of Audiology & Otology Vol.27 No.2

Background and Objectives: Cochlear implantation in late implanted prelinguals necessitates a complex decision-making process for clinicians and patients due to the uncertainty of achieving adequate benefit in auditory and speech perception. This study longitudinally evaluated clinical and social outcomes of prelingually deaf children with implantation in their late childhood.Subjects and Methods: A total of 113 (49 females and 64 males) participants, with an age range of 5-15 years, were assessed for the pre-implant parameters such as hearing loss etiology, aided responses, anatomical aspects, and psychological evaluation. The Category of Auditory Performance, Speech Awareness Threshold, Speech Reception Threshold, and Speech Discrimination Score were administered to assess the patient’s auditory skills. Further, the Speech Intelligibility Rating scale was administered to evaluate the patient’s speech intelligibility at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months post-surgery. Subjectively perceived benefits were evaluated using the satisfaction rating scale and a questionnaire.Results: The statistical results showed a significant impact of cochlear implantation in all domains. Positive impact and improvement post-implantation were noted in all the spheres, including auditory, linguistic, social, and educational.Conclusions: The study highlighted that the outcomes of a cochlear implant at a later age might not parallel with the implantation at a younger age. However, this still provides measurable benefits even after a longer period of auditory deprivation.

Upavasa (fasting) for health & longevity: an overview

Gangele, Pragya,Paliwal, Murlidhar Cellmed Orthocellular Medicine and Pharmaceutical 2020 셀메드 (CellMed) Vol.10 No.2

Ayurveda is the science of life. It guides about the protection of health of the healthy and alleviation of ailments of diseased person. In Ayurveda Upavasa (fasting) is one among all Daivavyapashraya (spiritual) therapies and one among ten Langhana (that which produces lightness of the body) therapies. It is also stated in Ayurveda that fasting increases digestive fire and causes digestion of Ama-dosha (metabolic toxins). On religious grounds, Upavasa is a way to get closer to the almighty. Scientists have found fasting activates autophagy. Yoshinori Ohsumi, a Japanese cell biologist won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2016 for his research on how cell recycle and renew their content, a process called autophagy. Many published studies indicate positive effects of fasting on neuroprotection and longevity.

BURP domain-containing genes in legumes: genome-wide identification, structure, and expression analysis under stresses and development

Chitkara Pragya,Poddar Nikita,Singh Amarjeet,Kumar Shailesh 한국식물생명공학회 2022 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.16 No.4

BURP domain-containing proteins are a plant-specific protein family which play an important role in plant metabolism and development. These proteins have also been involved in various abiotic and biotic stress responses. In this study, genome-wide identification and characterization of BURP domain protein encoding gene family is performed in four important legumes, Phaseolus vulgaris, Cicer arietinum, Cajanus cajan, and Vigna radiata. BURP genes were distributed randomly across chromosomes in all four legume plants. The phylogenetic analysis classified all BURP proteins into five major subfamilies, namely, USP-like, RD22-like, BNM2-like, PG1β-like, and BURPV. Our findings revealed that BURP gene family descended from common ancestors with segmental gene duplication events playing a critical role in their evolution and expansion in legumes. The intron–exon and conserved protein motifs analysis revealed that BURP genes are structurally conserved in legumes. The promoter analysis revealed the presence of hormone, and stress-responsive cis-regulatory elements in BURP promoters, implying that BURP functions in both hormone and abiotic stress signaling. Global expression analysis revealed that several BURP genes in all four legumes express differentially during plant development, and under biotic and abiotic stresses. This indicates crucial role of BURP proteins in regulating the development of legumes and adaptation to different abiotic/biotic stresses. This study will provide the starter for cloning and detail functional investigation of BURP proteins in legume crops.

Variations in human pulmonary fissures and lobes:

Sudikshya KC,Pragya Shrestha,Aashish Kumar Shah,Arvind Kumar Jha 대한해부학회 2018 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.51 No.2

The fissures of lungs are embryologically separating the bronchopulmonary segments, which later on persist in interlobar planes of fully developed lung. Fifty lungs (23 right side and 27 left side), obtained during routine dissection and preserved in formalin constituted the material for present study. In them, variations in fissures and lobes of lung were observed and compared with the previous studies. Seven right sided and 14 left sided lungs showed incomplete oblique fissure. Incomplete horizontal fissure of right lung was observed in eight lungs while it was completely missing in three specimens. A right lung with “lobe of the azygos vein” separated by a supernumerary fissure in medial surface was found. One of the right lung had both superior accessory fissure and inferior accessory fissure and four other right lungs and one left lung presented only with inferior accessory fissure. A vertical notch was found in middle lobe of one right lung. Eight left lungs exhibited with left minor fissure among them two lungs had lingula appearing as a separate lobe. Knowledge of variations in fissures and lobes is of interest to all medical professionals to exactly interpret radiographs, computed tomography scans, to diagnose, plan and modify a surgical procedure depending on the merit of the case and also in certain classical clinical cases pertaining to lung pathologies.