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Occupational exposure to heavy metals like lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) is associated with the development of several diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of occupational co-exposure to Pb and Cd on the blood levels of selected immune-modulatory cytokines related to T helper (Th), that is, Th1, interleukin-2 (IL-2), Th2, (IL-4 and IL-10), and Th17, (IL-17) cells. The study comprised 207 individuals divided into two groups: exposed (n = 110) and nonexposed (n = 97). Blood Pb and Cd were determined using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, and serum levels of cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The study revealed significantly higher blood Pb and Cd levels in the exposed group. A significant decrease in Th1 cytokine-IL-2 and Th2 cytokine-IL-10 was found, while IL-4 (Th2 cytokine) and IL-17 (Th17) levels were higher in the exposed group. In the mixed exposure analysis, among all the selected cytokines, IL-4 levels were significantly different between individuals having higher levels of both Pb and Cd versus lower levels of Pb and Cd. While IL-2 levels were highest among the low Pb and Cd group, the IL-17 levels were highest among individuals with higher Cd levels. The study demonstrated that co-exposure to low levels of Pb and Cd might have an immune-modulatory effect. The data suggested a metal-induced pro-inflammatory immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the present era, there are plenty of distractions which affect one's ability to stay focused, making them inattentive. Due to being inattentive, the things learnt in classrooms doesn't get stored in long term memory and are easily forgotten which ultimately affect the learning of the students. Objectives: To assess the cognitive attention and student study behaviour for learning among the undergraduate students. Material and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at National Institute of Nursing Education, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Total enumeration sampling technique was used in this study. Total 88 undergraduate nursing students were enrolled for the study. Data collection was done using Questionnaires which includes Socio demographic profile of students, Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ), Student study behaviour inventory (SSBI). Results were analyzed by using SPSS Version 21.0. Results: The total mean score of Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ) was 40.28 showing that they have 40 episodes of inattention and forgetfulness and the domain wise mean score of Cognitive Failure Questionnaire was in forgetfulness domain. It was 12.54 which depicts that students had on average 13 episodes of forgetfulness, in distractibility domain it was 15.03 which depicts the students had 15 episodes of distractibility while in false triggering domain it was 9.71 which means students had 10 false triggering episodes. The mean score of Student Study Behaviour Inventory (SSBI) was 69.20 showing that they had poor study behaviours and needed improvement and domain wise score of Student Study Behaviour Inventory was 18.02 in motivation domain, 19.61 in acquisition domain, 18.79 in retention domain and 12.79 in performance domain. Conclusion: Undergraduate students had quite high episodes of inattention and forgetfulness in their day to day life and have poor study behaviour for learning and they needed to improve their study behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallothioneins (MTs) are low molecular weight cysteine-rich, metal-binding proteins. They are involved in transportation and detoxification of heavy metals, homeostasis of essential metals, and as antioxidation against reactive oxygen species. Polymorphisms in a gene may increase or decrease the expression efficiency of a gene. This study aimed to determine the genetic effect of MT1A rs8052394 on lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and aluminum (Al) levels in factory workers. The study included 100 occupationally heavy metal exposed workers from different factories around Jodhpur. Pb, Cd, Zn, and Al levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Individuals with the GG genotype had lower Pb, Zn, and Al levels and higher Cd levels than AA and AG genotypes. The genotyping of MT1A rs8052394 was done by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP). The mean ± standard deviation of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Al was 5.88 ± 13.28 µg/dL, 3.52 ± 1.25 µg/L, 16.45 ± 16.69 µg/dL, and 58.92 ± 58.91 µg/L, respectively. A significant association was found between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MT1A gene and Cd (p = 0.006) and with Zn levels (p = 0.031) but no association found with Pb and Al levels. Among the study population, 78 participants were homozygote major (AA), 19 were heterozygote (AG), and 3 were homozygote minor (GG). The χ 2 test presented the genotypic distribution of all three genotypes under the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05). The frequency of the A allele was 87.5% (175) and the G allele was 12.5% (25). To conclude, polymorphism in rs8052394 of the MT1A gene is associated with increased metal accumulation which in turn may lead to increased toxic effects in the exposed individuals. Factory workers thus, should be more cautious about protecting their health against the toxic effects of heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical inactivity during adolescence and youth has been considered as potential risk factor for future mental health problems. The present study was conducted with the aim to examine whether an association exists between leisure-time physical activity (PA) and depression among the youth of Kangra district, studying in professional or degree colleges. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the students of Medical College (MC), Central University (CU) and Industrial Training Institute (ITI) of Kangra district. 370 adolescents and youth of age <25 years, who consented to participate, were recruited. The sample size was divided into three parts among all the three institutes. Only one question regarding leisure time PA (LTPA) was asked, as to how many hours spent in the last week; and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) was used. Results: There were 124 participants from ITI, 126 from CU and 120 from MC. The mean score of CES-DC was highest among CU students 22.7 (±11.0) and lowest among MC students; 13.6 (±9.2). Low LTPA (<4 h) was significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms among all students (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]; 3.34 [1.41-7.92]). Conclusion: LTPA was associated with lower rates of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]