Kamalesh Sarkar

Background: Earlier studies conducted by Indian researchers have demonstrated that the elimination of tuberculosis (TB) requires proactive control of silicosis, given India’s significant burden of silicosis and its common comorbidity, pulmonary TB, also known as silicotuberculosis. The TB Control Indian Health Authority saw human immunodeficiency virus infection, diabetes, and malnutrition, among others, as important risk factors for case findings, but overlooked the significance of silicosis. Silicotuberculosis control is often confronted with challenges of detecting microorganisms, uncertain treatment outcomes, a higher likelihood of mono-drug and multi-drug resistance, and increased mortality due to treatment failure. In addition, silicosis has a long latent period, typically 15 years or more, from the onset of silica dust exposure to the appearance of opacities on radiological examination, which is the conventional method of diagnosis of the condition. Objective and recommendation: Facing the aforementioned situation, scientists of the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Occupational Health have identified a useful biomarker, Club cell secretory protein 16 (CC-16) (a lung protein), that might serve as a surrogate marker for early detection of silicosis among silica dust-exposed workers. An added benefit of CC-16 is its ability to detect sub-radiological silicosis, which is recognized as a risk factor for TB and multi-drug-resistant TB. At present, two researchers have developed point-of-care devices for detecting silica-dust-induced lung damage using serum CC-16, to support its further application. Conclusion: The present review highlights possible mechanisms for the early detection of silicosis and silicotuberculosis by assessing several relevant research publications, and the findings suggest that a national silicosis control program, to be integrated with existing TB elimination activities for sustainable and improved outcomes, should be initiated.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most prevalent endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and there is widespread concern about the adverse effects of EDCs on human health. However, the exact mechanism of these toxicities has still not been fully deciphered. Additionally, studies have reported the toxicological effects at far low doses to the generally considered no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level (NOAEL) dose. The present study investigates the effects of a sub‐acute (28 days) exposure to BPA (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day) in adult male mice on various hormones levels, sperm motility, sperm count, functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane, testicular histological changes, oxidative stress markers and DNA damage. The key proteome signatures were quantified by LC‐MS/MS analysis using Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid Mass Spectrometer equipped with nano‐LC Easy‐nLC 1200. Data suggest that the BPA exposure in all doses (below/above NOAEL dose) have greatly impacted the hormone levels, sperm parameters (sperm count, motility and membrane integrity) and testicular histology. Mass spectrometry‐based proteomics data suggested for 1352 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs; 368 upregulated, 984 downregulated) affecting biological process, cellular component, and molecular functions. Specifically searched male reproductive function related proteins suggested a complex network where 46 potential proteins regulating spermatogenesis, sperm structure, activity and membrane integrity while tackling oxidative stress responses were downregulated. These potential biomarkers could shed some more light on our current understanding of the reproductive toxicological effects of BPA and may lead to exploration of novel interventions strategies against these targets for male infertility.

Introduction and Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among workers of ramming mass industries in the East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, eastern India. Workers had occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust of varied duration between 1 and 6 years. A total of 122 subjects participated in it. Relevant epidemiological information was collected from them. All were x-rayed using 300 mA radiation for the detection of the presence of silicotic opacities if any as described by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for the detection of silicosis. Results: The study revealed that 61.4% (n = 75) of subjects had silicosis. Of them, 19 had acute silicosis (having a duration of silica dust exposure of 2 years or lesser) and 56 had accelerated silicosis (a duration of occupational exposure of > 2 to 6 years). The offending agent was clouds of respirable crystalline silica dust from the ramming mass industries. Epidemiological Interpretation: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an outbreak of acute and accelerated silicosis cases because of occupational inhalational exposure to ramming mass in India with a sizable portion of female workers with silicosis. Regional as well as national authorities need to take appropriate interventional measures in a programmatic mode as soon as possible. Conclusion: An in-depth investigation on the existence and magnitude of the problem of silico-tuberculosis is needed to be performed in them as silicosis increases the vulnerability of pulmonary tuberculosis among the affected workers.

Introduction Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is seeing a boom in construction activities, with workers from remote areas coming for work. Poverty, and illiteracy, coupled with employment and regular payments make them oblivious to unsafe working conditions. Long hours of heavy work in bad postures affect their musculoskeletal system leading to work-related musculoskeletal injuries. This study aimed to understand the epidemiology of the above injuries among the construction workers in Bhubaneswar Methods It was a work-site-based multistage cross-sectional study, where the sites engaging >=15 workers were selected randomly. A total of 520 workers (consented, >=21 years of age, and in this profession for at least 3 years) were recruited randomly. Data was collected by interviewing the study participants with the help of a pre-tested questionnaire focusing on sociodemographic profiles and relevant epidemiological variables related to occupational injury of urban construction workers. Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS version 20. Results Over 95% of the participants were heavy workers, 23.1% were laborers, 28.1% had < 10 years of experience, and 72.3% were satisfied with their job. A little more than 19% had work-related injuries in the last 3 months. Age, gender, alcohol abuse, better education, lesser work experience, skilled work and job dissatisfaction were found to be statistically significant when associated with workplace injuries. Multivariate analysis revealed only age and lesser duration of working experience in the construction industry were associated with an increase in occupational injuries. Conclusion This study found that younger age, less work experience, male gender, use of alcohol, nature of work and lack of job satisfaction, and a few other factors were associated with work-related injuries. Often their occupational health and injuries get overlooked. Employers should be primarily responsible for their health, safety, and well-being. Suitable legislation and proper implementation would probably facilitate this.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an omnipresent environmental pollutant. Despite being restrictions in‐force for its utilization, it is widely being used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Direct, low‐dose, and long‐term exposure to BPA is expected when they are used in the packaging of food products and are used as containers for food consumption. Occupationally, workers are typically exposed to BPA at higher levels and for longer periods during the manufacturing process. BPA is a known endocrine disruptor chemical (EDC), that causes male infertility, which has a negative impact on human life from emotional, physical, and societal standpoints. To minimize the use of BPA in numerous consumer products, efforts and regulations are being made. Despite legislative limits in numerous nations, BPA is still found in consumer products. This paper examines BPA's overall male reproductive toxicity, including its impact on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐testicular (HPT) axis, hormonal homeostasis, testicular steroidogenesis, sperm parameters, reproductive organs, and antioxidant defense system. Furthermore, this paper highlighted the role of non‐monotonic dose–response (NMDR) in BPA exposure, which will help to improve the overall understanding of the harmful effects of BPA on the male reproductive system.

We are yet to completely understand the transmission dynamics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a highly infectious disease, and research exploring the same is currently lacking. Hence, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the intra-familial transmission pattern of COVID-19 among the rural residents of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in relation to possible determinants, with a special focus on the viral load as an important factor. This cross-sectional study included visiting 195 families. We interviewed families with at least one case of COVID-19 infection. We recorded information about sociodemographic profiles and secondary transmission of cases. Out of the 195 families, 114 confirmed having at least one infected case within the family. Approximately 38.6% (44/114) of the index cases were asymptomatic, which was much higher than the low viral load index cases. Index cases with high, moderate, and low viral loads had transmitted the infection with an average of 3.3, 1.5, 0.4 secondary cases per index case, respectively. Approximately one-third of the COVID-19 cases were asymptomatic, and the affected individuals were capable of transmitting the disease within families. Moreover, index cases with a higher viral load had a higher transmission potential to generate more secondary cases, as compared to those with a low viral load.