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Yes, we have the power to end TB!
No full textRobust efforts are essential to sustain and increase the advancements made in battling TB, as well as to tackle persistent issues that have caused the fight against the disease to be uneven. The End TB Strategy proposes that new technologies are to be developed by 2025 to encourage a quick growth in TB occurrence diminishment. This calls for a cross-sectoral focus on creating and distributing suitable medical and programmatic modernizations in a fair manner. However, many difficulties and differences still exist in the realms of research and development regarding vaccines, drugs, technical advances, and services related to TB. Therefore, priority needs to be given to overcoming these difficulties and discrepancies for a better future.
On World TB Day 2023, SEAR Union, TB Alliance, the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) and Open Source Pharma Foundation (OSPF) gathered to discuss an important topic under the heading: “YES, WE HAVE THE POWER TO END TB!” With a commitment to putting the patient first and increasing their collective efforts, the organizations recognized that it is possible to make this goal a reality. The organizations involved in the discussion have declared their commitment to engaging in collaborative efforts to end TB globally. They advocate for strengthening access to TB services, controlling and preventing TB, improving surveillance and drug resistance management, and investing in research and development. Furthermore, they recognize the importance of reducing stigma and integrating patient voices in this endeavour. This Round Table serves as a framework to build on and ensure that the goal of ending TB is achievable
Seasonal Variability in Fine Particulate Matter Water Content and Estimated pH over a Coastal Region in the Northeast Arabian Sea
Get PDFThe acidity of atmospheric particles can promote specific chemical processes that result in the production of extra condensed phases from lesser volatile species (secondary fine particulate matter), change the optical and water absorption characteristics of particles, and enhance trace metal solubility that can function as essential nutrients in nutrient-limited environments. In this study, we present an estimated pH of fine particulate matter (FPM) through a thermodynamic model and assess its temporal variability over a coastal location in the northeast Arabian Sea. Here, we have used the chemical composition of FPM (PM2.5) collected during the period between 2017–2019. Chemical composition data showed large variability in water-soluble ionic concentrations (WSIC; range: 2.3–39.9 μg m−3) with higher and lower average values during the winter and summer months, respectively. SO42− ions were predominant among anions, while NH4+ was a major contributor among cations throughout the season. The estimated pH of FPM from the forward and reverse modes exhibits a moderate correlation for winter and summer samples. The estimated pH of FPM is largely regulated by SO42− content and strongly depends on the relative ambient humidity, particularly in the forward mode. Major sources of FPM assessed based on Positive matrix factorization (PMF) and air-mass back trajectory analyses demonstrate the dominance of natural sources (sea salt and dust) during summer months, anthropogenic sources in winter months and mixed sources during the post-monsoon season
Science, Technology and Development: How long is t he long path for developed India. (NIAS/NSE/U/RR/11/2023)
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South Asia: A. India
No full textThe Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is the leading agency working under the Central Government that looks after environment-related issues in India. Apart from MoEF&CC, the Supreme Court of India (SC) and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) play a crucial role in regard to protecting the environment, climate change, and other environment-related issues. The actions taken and roles played during the past year by the MoEF&CC, the SC, and the NGT are as follows
Background and baseline levels of PM2.5 and PM10 pollution in major cities of peninsular India
No full textThe pandemic-induced lockdown resulted in negligible anthropogenic emissions of particulate pollutants and provided an opportunity to estimate the baseline levels (to which people are chronically exposed) and the background levels (when internal emissions are negligible but external intrusions are ongoing). We report the baseline and background PM2.5 and PM10 levels in five major cities of peninsular India and compare them with the corresponding levels estimated for other parts of India. The baseline levels of PM2.5 and PM10 in these cities are estimated to be in the range of 5–15 μg/m3 and 15–43 μg/m3, respectively, whereas their background levels are 18–37 μg/m3 and 46–70 μg/m3, respectively. Although the ambient PM10 levels in Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam are significantly lesser than in Delhi, the baseline levels in these cities are higher than in Delhi. In general, the baseline levels in Indian cities are higher than the WHO air quality guidelines. Human susceptibility to air pollution may vary based on age distribution, nutritional intake, access to health care, meteorological conditions, and any natural immunity. Therefore, this study will be useful to epidemiologists and policymakers to develop effective risk management policies and refine the national air quality standards
Measurements of surface ozone and its precursors in different microenvironments of coastal Indian metropolis of Mumbai
No full textMeasurements of surface ozone (O3) and its precursors (oxides of nitrogen (NOx)), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOC) have been carried out over a coastal city Mumbai (19.07° N, 72.87° E), from January 2016 to December 2017. This study aimed to understand the diurnal and seasonal variation of O3, NOx, CO, and VOC and meteorological parameters at different city micro-environments. During the observation period, O3, NOx, CO, and VOC concentrations were high in the winter season, and the lowest was observed during the monsoon season over all the types of microenvironments. At all sites, the concentration of O3 was found to increase from 10:00 h and peaked between12:00 and 15:00 h; after that, it gradually decreased. In contrast, NOx depicts a reverse pattern, and the amplitude of diurnal variation was the least in the monsoon month. A high level of O3 was observed at the coastal backgrounds site, whereas the minimum level was found in the heavy traffic area. O3 concentrations were positively correlated with CO, NOx, and VOC. The inverse relation observed between O3 and relative humidity and wind speed indicated that the major photochemical paths for removal of O3 become effective in higher humid conditions, and high wind speed disperses the pollutants. The rate of change of O3 [d(O3)/dt] was highest during the winter season and lowest in the monsoon overall microenvironments. This distribution of O3 and precursors can be used for the implementation of emission control policies in megacities
Molecular modelling reveals how abundance of α4 sub-type in synaptic GABARA receptor can lead to refractoriness toward GABA and BZ-type drugs
No full textEpilepsy is a complex neurological disorder with genetic and acquired causes, and the drugs presently used to treat epilepsy are not effective in about 30% of the cases. Identification of the molecular mechanisms of resistance will help in the development of newer molecules for treatment. Recent clinical data indicate increased expression of α4- and γ2-containing synaptic GABARA receptors in patients of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), which is associated with refractory epilepsy pathology. We have investigated, by molecular modelling and docking, the structure and ligand-binding efficiency of the α4-containing hetero-pentameric synaptic GABARA receptor. Though the overall conformation is similar to that of the α1-containing receptor, local conformational changes are seen due to differences between aligned α1 and α4 sub-type residues. The overlaps ALA209(α1)/PRO215(α4) and PHE73(α1)/TYR79(α4) have together caused conformational changes in ARG100(α4) (aligned with ARG94 in α1) thereby affecting key hydrogen bonding interactions with the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. This may influence the nature of seizures as strength of GABA-binding is known to affect the nature of Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Currents (IPSCs) from GABAergic neurons. The residue ARG135 (α4) aligns with the residue HIS129 (α1) in the benzodiazapine binding pocket. Molecular modelling also shows that a steric clash between benzodiazapine-type (BZ-type) drugs and ARG135 would reduce the binding of BZ-type drugs to α4-containing receptor. These two findings rationalize the observed association between over-expression of α4-containing synaptic GABARA receptors and refractory epilepsy pathology in FCD. The accurate three-dimensional geometry of the receptor-drug complex made available by these modelling studies will help in designing effective drugs
Regional Cooperation to Preserve the Himalayan System
No full textThe Himalaya is a unique ecological system and millions of people depend on its rivers for water, food and energy. It has distinctive biodiversity with a variety of high altitude vascular plants, grasslands, birds, etc. The Himalaya is under stress due to natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, glacial lake outburst floods, climate change impacts such as the retreat of glaciers, and changes in precipitation patterns. Besides, anthropogenic activities related to infrastructure development, urbanisation, tourism, etc., also affect the Himalayan system. Defencerelated activities by China, Pakistan and India have placed additional pressure on the Himalayan ecology. The geological, cryospheric, hydrological and atmospheric processes and their interaction need to be modeled for the preservation of the Himalayan ecosystem. The formation of the Himalayan Science Council (HSC) is a positive step but it needs to set up monitoring systems for observing/measuring geological, hydrological, cryospheric, atmospheric and biological phenomena. Collaboration between research institutes of the Himalayan nations is a critical necessity