Search

Introduction: Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) accounts for 14.3% of all cancers in India and 4.8% of all cancers worldwide. In India, the most common sites are the lip and oral cavity (>80%), which are more prevalent in men than in women. Histologically, most cases are Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCC). The majority of patients present with locally advanced stages, where surgery and definitive chemoradiation therapy are not possible and palliative Radiotherapy (RT) is considered a treatment option for better symptomatic relief and improved Quality of Life (QoL). The Quad Shot (QS) palliative regimen has shortened treatment time, reduced toxicity and increased compliance. Aim: To compare the QS regimen administered over two consecutive days versus the Conventional Palliative Regimen in the treatment of locally advanced HNC, in terms of treatment response, acute toxicities and QoL. Materials and Methods: In this prospective randomised clinical trial conducted from May 2023 to July 2024 in the Department of Radiation Oncology at King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, patients with biopsy-proven locally advanced carcinoma of the head and neck were recruited, with a sample size of 50 in each of the study Group B and control Group A arms. Patients in the control arm received 30 Gray (Gy) in 10 fractions, 5 fractions per week over two weeks (Conventional palliative arm). In the study arm, patients received 14 Gy in 4 fractions delivered in two daily sessions, six to eight hours apart, for two consecutive days over three cycles (QS arm). The Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) Criteria 1.1 was used to assess the tumour response objectively three months post-RT. Health-related QoL was assessed using questionnaires developed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), specifically the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ). Continuous data were compared using the t-test for nominal data and the Mann-Whitney U test was used otherwise. Results: The mean age was 39.66±12.05 years in Group A and 42.76±11.65 years in Group B. The QS and conventional palliative arms each had 47 and 49 patients recruited, respectively. The QS arm exhibited fewer instances of skin toxicity, with 25 (53.2%) experiencing Grade I and 7 (14.9%) experiencing Grade II toxicity, compared to the conventional palliative arm, where 30 (61.2%) had Grade I and 12 (24.5%) had Grade II toxicity. Mucositis in the QS arm included 22 (46.9%) cases, with 14 (29.7%) classified as Grade I and Grade II, whereas the conventional arm had 12 (24.5%) Grade I cases, 29 (59.5%) Grade II cases and 3 (6.1%) Grade III cases. The treatment response, in terms of partial and stable disease combined, was observed in 61.2% of the conventional arm compared to 78.7% in the QS arm. QoL was reported to be better in the QS regimen post-treatment. Conclusion: Given the total number of patients recruited, the QS arm, with its shorter treatment time, demonstrated better benefits in terms of reduced toxicities and improved treatment response, as well as enhanced QoL compared to the conventional palliative arm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate the spread of the global COVID-19 pandemic, various regions, including India, implemented stringent measures such as nationwide lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus. The air quality dynamics during the COVID-19 lockdown period revealed diverse trends across various pollutants all over the world. This study explores the impact of these lockdowns on air quality in Delhi, one of India’s megacities, across distinct phases: pre-lockdown, during lockdown, and post-lockdown periods. PM 10 was observed to show a substantial decline in concentration, particularly in April 2020, serving as a testament to the immediate effectiveness of implementing lockdown measures to control particulate matter concentrations. However, these levels returned to their previous peak in subsequent years post lockdown. PM 2.5 followed a similar pattern, experiencing an initial decline during the lockdown, but as industries and factories resumed their activities post June 2020, the levels shot up back to their original baseline, highlighting the transient nature of low PM concentrations. Other pollutants like Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), and Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels showed varying degrees of mild to steep decline during the lockdown, but they too returned to their original concentrations as few months after the lockdown was lifted. There was, contrary to expectations, an increase in ozone (O3) concentrations after the implementation of lockdown, challenging our assumptions. Spatial mapping was done to observe the variation of concentration in different tehsils of Delhi.

Given the increasing influence of urban areas and worries about the environment, electric automobiles are being incorporated into the power grids of megacities. In this regard, this examine what happens to Delhi’s grid when it adopts EVs which is one among many transportation- energy-challenged cities worldwide. The aim of this research is to show where and when people charge their electric vehicles (EVs) by means of studying overall demand patterns as well as impacts on electricity systems. It also looks at required infrastructure improvements including those related with peak loads during charging hours among others things such like stabilizing measures taken for ensuring such stability against any disturbances caused due increased utilization rates within these periods between different regions across Delhi city area served mainly by DUSIB substation(s). Trying our best during estimation process not only forecast activities but also analyze them separately considering each type according its purpose intended use or level expected intensity etc.; all these should be done while taking into account possible effects associated with renewable energy sources integration aiming towards sustainable development goals achievement in terms environmental friendliness.