COVID-19, a biomedical disease has serious physical and tremendous mental health implications as the rapidly spreading pandemic. One of the most vulnerable, but neglected, an occupational community of internal migrant workers is prone for development of psychological ill-effects due to double whammy impact of COVID-19 crisis and concomitant adverse occupational scenario.Permutations and combinations of the factors viz susceptibility for new viral infections, potential to act as vectors of transmission of infection, high prevalence of pre-existing physical health morbidities such as occupational pneumoconiosis, tuberculosis, HIV infections, pre-existing psychological morbidities, adverse psychosocial factors like absence of family support and caretaker during the crisis, their limitations to follow the rules and regulations of personal safety during the COVID 19 crisis, social exclusion, and inability to timely access the psychiatric services; all give rise to the peri-traumatic psychological distress to internal migrant workers. Superadded, is the blow of financial constraints due to loss of work, absence or suspension of occupational safety and health-related basic laws with associated occupational hazards, which make this occupational group highly vulnerable for the development of psychological illnesses.We attempt to draw the attention of mental health professionals, general medical practitioners and occupational health policymakers to the various, interrelated and interdependent predisposing and causative factors for the development of psychological ill-effects amongst internal migrant workers with the interventions needed to address it, from an occupational health perspective angle.

Background A carboxypeptidase protein called ACE2 is found in many organs. ACE2 protein can play a pivotal role to regulate the pathological changes of several diseases including COVID-19. TMPRSS2 gene is expressed in many human tissues and plays a critical role in spreading the infection of the viruses including coronavirus and progression of prostate cancer, and hence could be used as a potential drug target. There are limited reports on occurrence of genetic polymorphism of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in general population, expressions in pathological conditions, and its impact on COVID-19 disease. Hence we comprehended the occurrence of ACE2, TMPRSS2 polymorphism in general population, expression in various diseases and its impact on COVID-19 disease. Method We utilized multiple databases, PubMed (Medline), EMBASE and Google Scholar for literature search. Description ACE2 polymorphisms have significant linkages with various diseases, including severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Genetic variations of these genes contribute to individual's genetic susceptibility to viral infection and its subsequent clearance. The diversity and variations in the population distribution of these genes, might greatly influence and in turn reflect into the observed population and gender differences of the severity and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion There are diversities in distribution of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 polymorphisms among different populations. Analyzing the genetic variants and expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genes, in a population may provide the genetic marker for susceptibility or resistance against the coronavirus infection, which might be useful for identifying the susceptible population groups for targeted interventions and for making relevant public health policy decisions.

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This lead exposure study was conducted in a total of 452 school children in the age group of 9–14 years. Two hundred and ninety-eight exposed children came from the villages situated within a 2.5 km radius of the lead–zinc mine whereas the comparative group children were selected from the villages at least 10 km away from mine. Environmental monitoring study suggested that lead levels in air and water samples near the mining areas were within the Central Pollution Control Board prescribed standards. Lead levels in about 80% of the children were less than 10 μg/dl. Medical examination of all children did not show any signs related to lead toxicity but central nervous system-related symptoms, as reported by the subjects during medical examination, were found to be higher in the exposed group when compared with the comparative group. The values of physical growth parameters of the exposed group were comparable with that of the comparative group for both girls and boys. Hence, the physical growth of children was found to be unaffected by the observed level of lead exposure. To safeguard the health of the children residing near the mining area, various preventive and control measures were suggested.

Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the main cellular receptor for entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and acts as a proinflammatory mediator of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The clinical outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection is influenced by proinflammatory mediators. The specific microRNAs (miRNAs) influence the ACE2 expression and are accountable for the increased circulatory proinflammatory mediator levels. Thus host factors play a crucial role in COVID-19 pathophysiology. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 disease is not well understood. Hence we comprehended the role of miRNAs, proinflammatory cytokines and ACE2 in COVID-19 pathophysiology. Methods: We utilized multiple databases, specifically, EMBASE, PubMed (Medline) and Google Scholar for our search. Discussion: SARS-CoV-2 genes could be target of host miRNAs. The miRNAs regulate the expression of ACE2 in various organs including kidney, heart, blood vessels, and lung. ACE2 acts as a proinflammatory mediator of SARS-CoV-2 associated disease. Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β and TNF) have been associated with severe COVID-19 disease. Hence variation in expression of miRNAs would influence the regulation of COVID-19 pathophysiology. The clinical outcomes of COVID -19 are variable which could be linked with the difference in binding of host miRNA to target genes. Conclusion: Correlation of these genes with severe or critical stages of patients will provide biomarkers for severity of lung inflammation which would be useful in rapid identification of patients in need of hospital admission. Analysis of relationship between the miRNAs and ACE2 will be helpful in designing anti-miR therapy for ACE2-related SARS-CoV-2 infection.