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Introduction: Mucormycosis is a fulminant life-threatening fungal infection requiring emergency surgical debridement. It is associated with immune-compromised status, multi-systemic involvement, and difficult airway posing challenges to anesthetic management. We conducted this study to find the peri-operative anesthesia concerns in patients of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis Methods: This retrospective observational study included COVID-19-infected patients operated for invasive mucormycosis under general anesthesia. Cases operated under local anesthesia were excluded from the study. Results: A total of 30 patients were included in the study where the majority of the patients were ASA physical status III. ASA classification uses a grading system of l(one) through V( five), with I identifying a person in good health and V as a person with a severe, life-threatening condition. The most common co-morbidity was diabetes mellitus plus hypertension 66% (n=20), followed by only diabetes 30% (n=9). Out of all patients, 33.3% (n=10) were intubated at the first attempt using direct laryngoscope, rest 66.6% required other interventions like the use of video laryngoscope, bougie, or external laryngeal pressure. Perioperative blood transfusion was required in 40% (n=12) of the patients. Of patients who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission 40% (n=12) out of them, 10% patients (n=3) did not survive. The average hospital stay was 55.9 +/-15.8 days with a maximum of 95 days and a minimum of 15 days. Conclusion: Mucormycosis is mostly associated with uncontrolled diabetes milletus in post-COVID patients. These require utmost care peri-operatively as they are associated with a difficult airway, intraoperative complications, prolonged morbidity, and mortality.

Abstract Background Cognitive impairment and depression are two common mental health conditions affecting millions worldwide. CI and depression both have complex etiology and multiple genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in their onset and progression. Further, CI and depression often occur as comorbidities, indicating an overlap in their etiologies. The likelihood of developing major depressive illness and CI, the prognosis in response to treatments, and the possibility of adverse reactions to antidepressant medicines are all significantly influenced by genetics. Looking at the limited literature on the role of ACE I/D polymorphism in CI and depression among Indian populations, the present population-based pilot study was conducted with the aim to understand the association of ACE I/D polymorphism with CI and depression among North Indian adults. Results The present study was conducted among 195 individuals aged 30 years and above. The results of the present study show that the distributions of some of the studied sociodemographic variables, viz., gender, educational status, and employment status, were significantly different between those with and without CI, where a higher percentage of females, nonliterate and unemployed participants were in CI group than in the without CI group (p value

In developing countries, informal sector is the primary job provider for a significant portion of the workforce. This study aims to analyze how jobs in the informal sector affect the unemployment dynamics of developing nations. To achieve this goal, we formulate a nonlinear mathematical model by categorizing the considered workforce into three distinct classes: unemployed, employed, and self-employed, and include a separate dynamic variable to represent vacancies within the informal sector. The proposed model is analyzed using the qualitative theory of dynamical systems. A threshold quantity known as the reproduction number is derived and using this, one can compute the job generation rate necessary to stabilize the system. It is observed that variations in the reproduction number lead to qualitative changes, such as transcritical (forward or backward) and saddle-node bifurcations in the formulated system. Moreover, we propose an optimal control problem to determine an optimal strategy for government policy implementation in enhancing the employment rate of unemployed individuals and promoting the self-employment of informal employees inside the informal sector. Further, the analytical findings are validated numerically. The obtained results suggest that promoting the self-employment of informal employees for job generation effectively reduces unemployment.

One percent of all lymphangiomas are retroperitoneal lymphangiomas, which are uncommon benign cystic lymphatic tumors. Lymphangioma mainly occurs in the age group of

Abstract The present study hypothesises that the selective brain β2 receptor activation through β2-adrenoreceptor agonist (β2ARA), Formoterol (FMT), suppresses SNCA gene expression, a pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in brain. Further, it is also hypothesized that brain targeted delivery of Formoterol via polysorbate-80 surface modified solid lipid nanoparticles of Formoterol (FMT-SLNs-PS80) can improve its stability, therapeutic efficacy and avoid/reduce peripheral off-target side effects. FMT-SLNs-PS80 was prepared by solvent injection method, the formulation was optimized by using Box–Behnken design and characterized by measuring drug content, entrapment efficacy, particle size, zeta potentials and poly dispersibility. The FMT-SLNs-PS80, significantly decreases the SNCA expression, mitochondrial membrane damage and rotenone induced changes in oxidative (SOD, CAT, GSH and ROS) stress markers in SH-SY5Y cell lines. The ex vivo permeation study of the formulation using everted chicken ileum exhibited a steady state flux. The pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies of the formulation in rats showed a significant improvement in the kinetic parameters when compared to naïve FMT, further the formulation also improved the brain bioavailability of FMT. The anti-Parkinson’s efficacy studies of the formulation in mice showed a significant neuroprotection against rotenone-induced changes in behavioural and biochemical parameters. Further, the histopathological analysis of mice brain confirms a significant neuroprotective benefit. The present study successfully establishes the brain targeted delivery and anti-Parkinson’s therapeutic efficacy of FMT-SLNs-PS80.

Nanotechnology provides effective methods for precisely delivering chemotherapeutics to cancer cells, thereby improving efficacy and reducing off-target side effects. The targeted delivery of nanoscale chemotherapeutics is accomplished by two different approaches, namely the exploitation of leaky tumor vasculature (EPR effect) and the surface modification of nanoparticles (NPs) with various tumor-homing peptides, aptamers, oligonucleotides, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Because of higher binding affinity and specificity, mAbs have received a lot of attention for the detection of selective cancer biomarkers and also for the treatment of various types of cancer. Antibody-conjugated nanoparticles (ACNPs) are an effective targeted therapy for the efficient delivery of chemotherapeutics specifically to the targeted cancer cells. ACNPs combine the benefits of NPs and mAbs to provide high drug loads at the tumor site with better selectivity and delivery efficiency. The mAbs on the NP surfaces recognize their specific receptors expressed on the target cells and release the chemotherapeutic agent in a controlled manner. Appropriately designed and synthesized ACNPs are essential to fully realize their therapeutic benefits. In blood stream, ACNPs instantly interact with biological molecules, and a protein corona is formed. Protein corona formation triggers an immune response and affects the targeting ability of the nanoformulation. In this review, we provide recent findings to highlight several antibody conjugation methods such as adsorption, covalent conjugation, and biotin–avidin interaction. This review also provides an overview of the many effects of the protein corona and the theranostic applications of ACNPs for the treatment of cancer.

Introduction: Short-term mortality is related to hyperglycemia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and anemia. Diabetes patients are more likely to suffer from anemia. To investigate the impact of diabetes patients also having anemia on myocardial infarction outcomes, we conducted a retrospective study. Methodology: From a registry that is disease-specific and population-based, information about every patient consecutively hospitalized with AMI was gathered. Diabetes and anemia were present in four groups of patients. Results: 32.2% of Group A, 16% of Group B, 21.45% of Group C, and 6.6% of Group D experienced 30-day mortality (all p < 0.001). Groups A, B, C, and D had, in that order, 31 days to 36 months mortality rates of 47.6%, 20.8%, 34.3%, and 10.4% (all p < 0.001). At 36 months, the odds ratios for diabetes and anemia were 1.61 (1.40–1.84, p < 0.001) and 1.58 (1.37–1.86, p < 0.001), respectively, suggesting that both illnesses remained independent risk factors for death. Of the deaths that occurred between 31 days and 36 months, 43.7% in Group A were due to cardiovascular causes, 54.0% in Group B, 47.1% in Group C, and 50.9% in Group D (p < 0.05, A vs. B). Conclusion: When compared to either diabetes or anemia patients alone, patients who have diabetes and anemia both have a greater death rate. In all groups, cardiovascular death continued to be the most common death cause. Recommendation: According to our findings, individuals with anemia who have experienced a myocardial infarction with or without diabetes may safely have prompt primary percutaneous coronary intervention; nevertheless, they should take extra care to maintain hemoglobin levels.

Objective: This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the relationship between changes in proteinuria and the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Methodology: The prospective study was conducted involving 200 participants in India, with data collection occurring during routine medical examinations from 2020 to 2022. The participants were followed up, and data collection concluded in 2023. Results: Among the participants, those with persistent proteinuria exhibited a significantly higher risk of MI, with a 2.5-fold increased hazard compared to those without proteinuria. Furthermore, a reduction in proteinuria over time was associated with a 21% decrease in MI incidence. This relationship was not observed in individuals without proteinuria, highlighting the importance of persistent proteinuria in influencing MI risk. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the critical role of persistent proteinuria as a predictor of elevated MI risk in individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes. Monitoring and managing proteinuria could potentially mitigate the risk of future heart attacks in this population. Recommendations: Healthcare professionals should consider routine monitoring of proteinuria levels in outpatient settings for individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes. Exploring interventions to lower proteinuria levels for heart attack prevention is recommended, including lifestyle modifications, medications, or targeted therapies. Improved comprehension of the mechanisms connecting proteinuria to the risk of MI is essential for the formulation of efficient preventive approaches. This study underscores the significance of early detection and management of proteinuria in diabetic patients and pre-diabetics to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction.

One of the most often researched optimization issues is the vehicle routing problem. It is categorized as an NP-hard problem with high time complexity. In this study, a novel hybrid technique, named as GA-RR, is developed to tackle capacitated vehicle routing problem. The algorithm is developed by hybridizing two well-known techniques: ruin and recreate algorithm as well as genetic algorithm. The algorithm aims at generating high-quality solutions for different test instances of vehicle routing problem. The suggested algorithm's performance is evaluated on 34 benchmark instances. The outcomes are also compared with some of the other state-of-the-art techniques. The proposed algorithm performance is superior compared to the state-of-the-art algorithms on the existing benchmark instances. The reason behind the superior performance of GA-RR is that the solutions produced by the genetic algorithm are further refined during the ruin and recreate phase of the hybridized approach. Additionally, this study analyzes the exploration-exploitation balance of the suggested algorithm.

Abstract Food waste disposal is regarded as a source of contamination in the environment. There is little information on whether food waste compost can be used in agriculture, especially in the subtropics. The study examined the effect of food waste compost on onion (Allium cepa L) cultivation under an open experimental field condition in a subtropical climate. Standard methods were used to analyze the soil physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, soil moisture, water holding capacity, total organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc) of control and treatment plots. Standard methods were used to measure all other morpho-physiological parameters. The plant height, the number of leaves per plant, the length and width of the leaves, the neck diameter, the relative water content of the leaves, the ash content of the leaves, and the root length were all measured. The treatment group had higher soil fertility than the control group. During the experiment, plant height, leaf number, leaf length, and leaf width all increased. Most morphophysio-chemical parameters in the treatment group onion plants were higher than in the control group after harvest. The yield of control plots was 13.64 t ha−1 and the yield of treatment plots was 32.04 t ha−1. Therefore, from this study it might be concluded that the compost from food waste has the potency to increase the soil fertility followed by the higher onion production. Hence, food waste can be used to prepare compost for higher onion production under sub-tropical conditions. Graphical Abstract

This research is motivated by a real-world industry problem. Environmental concerns caused by the increasing number of internal combustion engine vehicles are developing a growing interest in the study and development of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The cost of EV batteries is critical for the market growth of electric vehicles. As cell is the most essential component in the EV battery, the cost-effective manufacturing of battery cells is a popular topic in industry and academics. Manufacturers invest billions of dollars in battery cell factories based on predicted EV growth rates. However, these manufacturers require information on total manufacturing costs, plant area, total capital equipment costs, and their cost drivers to achieve the goal of a profitable firm. Inspired by these concerns, an EPQ model with a process-based cost modeling technique is developed for the large-scale manufacturing of EV battery cells. The goal of this research is to provide the most precise framework for the manufacturer to maximize its profit in cell manufacturing. The data used in this model is collected from the BatPac model (version 4) developed by Argonne National Laboratory. This study considers two types of battery cells used in electric vehicles, and the firm produces 5 % of defective cells. A well-known cost estimation method (PBCM) and the EPQ model are combined to generate total profit function. The production rate and selling price for both cells are considered as decision variables. The profit function is maximized by using genetic algorithm and graphs are provided to show the relation between decision variables and profit function. According to the findings, the production rate of the cells has a significant impact on the overall profit, and in order to maximize the profit, the production rate and selling price of cell 1 must be lower than cell 2. A detailed cost analysis has been provided to identify which process steps and cost aspects significantly impact the total cost. Finally, managerial implications and conclusions are presented that support manufacturers in increasing the firm’s profit.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and heterogeneous cancer subtypes. High rates of metastasis, poor prognosis, and drug resistance are the major problems associated with TNBC. The current chemotherapeutics eliminate only the bulk tumor cells (non-BCSCs) and do not affect breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). The BCSCs which are left behind after chemotherapy is reported to promote recurrence and metastasis of TNBC. Death receptor-5 (DR-5) is exclusively expressed in TNBCs and mediates the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. DR-5, therefore, can be exploited for targeted drug delivery and to induce apoptosis. Gamma-secretase mediated Notch signaling in BCSCs regulates its proliferation, differentiation, and metastasis. The endogenous ligand, Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4), is reported to activate this Notch signaling in TNBC. Blocking this signaling pathway using both gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) and DLL4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) may produce synergistic benefits. Further, the GSIs (DAPT, LY-411575, RO4929097, MK0752, etc.) suffer from poor bioavailability and off-target side effects such as diarrhea, suppression of lymphopoiesis, headache, hypertension, fatigue, and ventricular dysfunctions. In this hypothesis, we discuss Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) based drug delivery systems containing GSIs and surface modified with DR-5 and DLL4 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to effectivity target and treat TNBC. The delivery system is designed to deliver the drug cargo precisely to TNBCs through its DR-5 receptors and hence expected to reduce the off-target side effects of GSIs. Further, DLL4 mAb and GSIs are expected to act synergistically to block the Notch signal mediated BCSCs proliferation, differentiation, and metastasis.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of aqueous Withania somnifera root (WSR) extract in broiler chicks experimentally infected with Escherichia coli O78 @ 107 CFU/0.5 ml intraperitoneally. Clinical signs and mortality due to colibacillosis observed in infected chicks were mild and lasted for short duration in WSR extract supplemented group as compared with the nonsupplemented group. A significant increase in serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase activities and a decrease in total protein and albumin concentrations were observed in the infected groups, though these changes were of lower magnitude in WSR extract supplemented group. A significantly higher activity of oxidative blood parameters such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase enzymes were noticed in WSR extract supplemented group. The WSR extract supplemented group revealed significantly higher E. coli–specific antibody titer and enhanced lymphocyte proliferation response as compared with the nonsupplemented group. The gross and histopathological lesions of colibacillosis were mild in the WSR extract–supplemented infected group as compared with the nonsupplemented infected group. Withania somnifera root extract supplementation produced 31.48 and 34.38% protection in the gross and histopathological lesions in E. coli infected chicks, respectively. It is concluded that supplementation of 20% WSR extract @ 20 ml/L of water caused a reduction in the severity, mortality, and recovery period of E. coli infection and enhanced the humoral and cellular immune responses suggesting its protective effect on limiting the pathology of E. coli infection in broiler chickens.

Background: The presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in older adults with no cognitive impairment confers a high risk of future cognitive decline. Mild behavioral impairment (MBI) is a syndrome characterized by the new onset of NPS after 50 years, which is sustained and impactful. We report the distribution of various domains of MBI in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) and the association between different blood markers in individuals with MBI. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Memory clinic of the Department of Geriatric Medicine in a tertiary health center. The study duration was 1½ years. Subjects with MCI and SCI were screened for the presence of NPS and MBI. Patients with dementia, impaired activities of daily living, and psychiatric illnesses were excluded. The mild behavioral impairment checklist ascertained the presence of various domains. Levels of various blood markers were assessed. Results: In this study, 124 participants were included. The mean age of the population was 69.21 ± 6.64, 71.77% were male, and 28.23% were female. Fifty-one participants were diagnosed to have MBI. Among the MBI domains, impulse dyscontrol was most commonly involved (68.63%) followed by decreased motivation (60.78%). Low Vitamin D (85.71%; P = 0.005) and high serum triglyceride (50%; P = 0.044) were associated with MBI. Conclusion: NPS, especially impulse dyscontrol and decreased motivation, in participants without dementia, were common in the memory clinic setting. Vitamin D deficiency and high triglyceride levels were significantly associated with MBI.

Eyes are generally the first feature to be noted on one's face. The loss of an eye can be socially, emotionally, and psychologically a very traumatic experience for the patient. Ocular prosthesis plays an important role in restoring the self-esteem and confidence of the patient. Enucleation results in the entire removal of orbital contents whereas, uniocular phthisis bulbi is a condition, in which the eye is shrunken and cornified. This presents a challenging condition for rehabilitation because of a lack of space for the prosthesis. This article aims to explain the challenges while making a customized scleral shell prosthesis over an existing eyeball to obtain optimum cosmetic and functional results.

This paper presents an EOQ model where demand is dependent upon time and selling price. In the proposed model of inventory, the retailer allows its unsatisfied customers to return their product whereas the manufacturer offers a full trade credit policy to the retailer. To make our model realistic, we have assumed that the product returned can be resold with the same selling price. Number of returns is a function of demand. In this proposed inventory model considering deterioration, the retailer does not fully reimburse its customers for the returned product. The primary purpose of this inventory model is to determine the optimal selling price, optimal order quantity, and optimal replenishment cycle length in order to maximize the retailer’s total profit earned per unit time. A numerical example is also presented and a sensitivity analysis is carried to highlight the findings of the suggested inventory model.

Von Recklinghausen’s disease (VRD) is a hereditary disease that occurs because of mutation in NF1 gene located on chromosome 17. About 25% of VRD patients are reported to suffer from gastrointestinal lesions varying from hyperplasia of the gut neural tissue, endocrine tumors of the duodenum and the periampullary region, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Herein, we describe a case of ampullary neuroendocrine tumor with unique histology and immunohistochemistry in a 35-year-old male patient with VRD, detailed review of literature.

Herpes zoster is a clinical manifestation of the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus infection. It is a self-limiting viral infection characterized by painful vesicular eruptions with erythema typically presenting as unilateral dermatomal rash of considerable morbidity, especially in elderly patients. It can be fatal in immunosuppressed or critically ill patients. We present a case of a 52-year-old male who presented with herpes zoster infection involving the V3dermatome, focusing upon early intervention in the management of this condition.

Introduction: Leprosy also known as Hansen’s disease is one of the oldest disease known to mankind. It is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It still remains as a major public health problem facing India. Nearly, 60% of all world leprosy cases are reported from India. The spectrum of presentation of leprosy is very wide. Histopathology is an important tool in making a definitive diagnosis. The objective of the study is to describe the histopathological profile of leprosy in the state of Bihar. Aim: To study the histopathological spectrum of leprosy at a tertiary care centre of Bihar. Materials and Methods: A retrospective hospital-based study of clinically diagnosed leprosy cases was conducted over a period of 28 months (January 2015 to April 2017). Lesional skin biopsies obtained were fixed, processed and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) followed by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining. The lesions were classified on microscopy as per Ridley-Jopling classification. Results: A total of 200 cases were studied. Highest incidence was in the 11 to 30 years age group for both males and females. Males were more affected (M:F=2.4:1). Most common clinical feature was loss of sensation. The commonest reported histopathological type was borderline lepromatous (43%) followed by borderline (17%). Overall ZN staining was positive in 56 (28%) cases. Conclusion: The spectrum of presentation of leprosy is very wide and there is clinical overlap between different types of leprosy. Histopathology still remains the gold standard for early diagnosis and classification of the disease. Accurate diagnosis forms the backbone for appropriate treatment and preventing deformities and drug resistance.

Objective: There have been no long-term studies on trends in antibiotic resistance (ABR) on a national scale in India. Using a private laboratory network, the ABR patterns of organisms most commonly associated with bacteremia, obtained from patients across India between 2008 and 2014, were examined. Methods: A retrospective study of patient blood cultures collected over a 7-year period (January 1, 2008–December 31, 2014) was conducted. Data on the microorganism(s) identified and their antimicrobial susceptibility were obtained from SRL Diagnostics (Mumbai, India). Results: Of 135 268 blood cultures, 18 695 (14%) had at least one identified pathogen. In addition to continual high rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; approximately 44.2%), high resistance to nalidixic acid among Salmonella Typhi (98%) was observed, and carbapenem resistance increased in both Escherichia coli (7.8% to 11.5%; p = 0.332) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (41.5% to 56.6%; p

Introduction: Anemia is a state where there is reduction in the number of red blood cells or haemoglobin levels (a major component in red blood cells), resulting in the lowering of overall oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. In addition to this, nutritional anemia is caused due to deficiency of micronutrients such as folate and vitamin B12 that are vital for the development of red blood cells. Aim: To assess the role of micronutrient (i.e. folate and vitamin B12) deficiency in the causation of anaemia. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study on apparently healthy individuals of either sex aging 30-65 years from nine villages of Palwal district of Haryana, Northern India was conducted 2012 month of September to November, 2013 February to April, July to November 2014. Complete Blood Count (CBC) was done using Sysmex-KX 21 (Transasia) and homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate levels were measured by chemilumniscence using Immulite-1000 (SiemensDiagnostic-Products, and Flanders, NJ, USA). Anaemia status was categorised into macrocytic, normocytic and microcytic anemia, based on Haemoglobin (Hb) and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) levels. Results: Prevalence of anaemia, folate deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency was found to be 51.9%, 36.9% and 45.5% respectively. Anaemia was found to be highest in the age group 41-50 years. Individuals with macrocytic, microcytic and normocytic anaemia showed high prevalence of micronutrient deficiency i.e. vitamin B12 and folate. Conclusions: Majority of anaemic in an apparently healthy population indicates a forthcoming economic burden in the community. Micronutrient deficiencies along with hyperhomocysteinemia among anaemics indicate a plausible co-existence of iron and vitamin B12 deficiency in this cohort. The study hints towards the need for awareness regarding dietary sources of micronutrients along with their supplementation among vegetarian populations.

Aim: The aim was to investigate antibacterial activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), an Indian traditional medicinal plant against Escherichia coli O78, a pathogenic strain. Materials and Methods: Two-fold serial dilutions of 20% aqueous W. somnifera root (WSR) extract were inoculated with E. coli O78 @ 1x107 colony forming units grown in nutrient broth. Following inoculation, turbidity optical density was measured by spectrophotometer at 600 nm in all the tubes at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h of incubation at 37°C. Result: The results revealed that the maximum inhibition of bacterial growth was observed at 1:8 dilution of WSR extract. The highest dilution of the extract that showed inhibited growth of the test organism when compared with control was 1:16. Therefore, the minimum inhibitory concentration of aqueous extract of WSR is 1:16. Conclusion: It is concluded that WSR possessed good antibacterial activity, confirming the great potential of bioactive compounds and its rationalizing use in health care.

Depression is multi-factorial in origin and results from intricate mechanisms with no single identifiable risk factor. The present study is a cross-sectional study, conducted among 808 participants aged 30-70 years from a single mendelian, largely vegetarian population from North India. Socio- demographic and depression status were assessed through standard interview schedule among recruited individuals. Chemi- luminescence Immunoassay technique by Immulite®1000 is used to analyse homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 levels. Of the total studied subjects, 31.1% were found to be having depression with higher rate among females (35.7%) compared to males (24.6%) (p = 0.002). Hyperhomocysteinemia and folate deficiency were found to pose an increased risk for moderate/ severe depression, though not significant. Folate repletion was playing a compensatory role for vitamin B12 deficiency among depressed individuals. MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism was not associated with depression in the present study., Author(s): Gurjinder Kaur [sup.1] , Rajan Gaur [sup.1] , Mamta Kumari Thakur [sup.2] , Kallur Nava Saraswathy [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.261674.0, 0000 0001 2174 5640, Department of Anthropology, Panjab [...]