The present study was designed to explore the possible mechanism of obesity associated metabolic syndrome. 150 subjects (120 men and 30 women) in the age-group of 17 - 26 years were studied. Body Mass Index and Waist-to-Hip Ratio were taken as a measure of generalized obesity and abdominal adiposity. The serum concentration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase increased with increasing levels of Body Mass Index and was found to be significant in obese subjects (Body Mass Index ≥ 30.0 kg/m²) and more so in the obese subjects with abdominal adiposity (p = 0.002) as compared to normal-weight subjects. Karl Pearson coefficient of correlation revealed a significant positive correlation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase with Body Mass Index (r = 0.499; p < 0.001) and malondialdehyde (a biomarker of oxidative stress) (r = 0.736; p < 0.001) but inverse correlation with adiponectin (r = -0.524; p < 0.001). Thus, we conclude that increased expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in obese subjects (more if it is associated with abdominal adiposity) might mediate the onset of obesity associated metabolic disorders by increasing oxidative stress.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the infections that can be transmitted from one sex partner, who already has such infection, to another. The causes of STIs in human are very well elucidated and their causative agents are identified as bacteria, parasites and viruses. The worldwide epidemiology of more than 20 types of STIs has been established, which includes diseases like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Genital herpes, HIV/ AIDS, HPV, Syphilis and Trichomoniasis. Though STIs affect both men and women indiscriminately, however, the pathophysiology of disease is more obvious among women. Other than abstinence, the most effective way to prevent the transmission or acquisition of STIs is to use a condom during sexual intercourse. Condoms are effective in decreasing the transmission of HIV. However, once contacted, STIs caused by bacteria or parasites can be treated with antibiotics. STIs caused by a virus may not virtually have any cure though the medicines may keep the disease under control. Correct usage of preventive measures greatly reduces but does not completely eliminate the risk of catching or spreading STIs.

The present study aims to provide an indication of ambient levels of BTEX in the immediate vicinity of petrol filling stations in Delhi & other road side corridors of Delhi. In this study spatial and seasonal variation of BTEX has been measured at different locations in Delhi. For the measurement of VOCs, passive based diffusion methodology was adopted for the adsorption of BTEX over the activated charcoal. Four categories of sampling sites were chosen (residential, traffic junctions, road side corridors and petrol pumps). The result confirms that the aromatic concentrations in the ambient air of gas stations are appreciably higher than the average values in locations with high vehicular flux. The mean concentration of BTEX at all the locations was 0.622μg/m³, 0.361 μg/m³, 1.037 μg/m³ and 0.122 μg/m³. The average concentration of benzene was highest at petrol pump 3.5 μg/m3 however at all other sampling sites it was in the range of 0.294 to 0.712 μg/m³. The mean concentration value shows that the xylene concentration dominates more in Delhi as compared to benzene. The total average BTEX concentration at road side corridors was 0.594 μg.m^-3, at residential corridors was 0.262 μg.m^-3, at intersections it was 0.649 μg.m^-3 and at petrol filling stations it was 1.457 μg.m^-3. The concentration was in the order of petrol filling stations > intersections > road side corridors > residence. These data show the predominance of diesel driven vehicles in Delhi since xylene mainly comes from diesel exhausts. The influential VOC species in case of diesel engine exhaust are benzene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, propane, n-decane and undecane and in case of gasoline vehicle exhaust influential species are benzene, ethylbenzene, 1,2,4-methylbenzene, 1,3,5-methylbenzene, n-hexane and 2-methylhexane. So xylene is mainly coming from diesel exhaust since gasoline vehicle exhaust doesn’t show this species.