Skilled lactation support using telemedicine in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: NICU mothers face unique challenges in initiating and sustaining breastfeeding, but previous studies have focused on outpatient breastfeeding support. We conducted a retrospective study of NICU breastfeeding outcomes before and after implementing telelactation.

Methods: Pre-Telemedicine mothers received in-person support by NICU lactation consultants, while Telemedicine mothers received solely telemedicine consults after maternal discharge.

Early detection of sensory nerve function impairment in leprosy under field conditions.

Aim: To assess the fine sensation of palms and soles in field conditions, to enable early detection of nerve function impairment before the loss of protective sensation, thus preventing the development of disability.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at seven tertiary referral hospitals located in different states in India. This study included all newly diagnosed patients affected by leprosy, who were registered during the period between March 2011 and April 2012.

A comparison of three types of targeted, community-based methods aimed at promoting early detection of new leprosy cases in rural parts of three endemic states in India.

Background: India achieved elimination of leprosy nationally in 2005, but since then the number of patients with grade 2 disability at diagnosis increased steadily indicating delay in diagnosis. Therefore, there was a need for public health interventions which can increase case finding in their earlier stage. The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of three such community-based interventions; 1) Enhancement of community awareness on leprosy; 2) Education and motivation of "Index" leprosy cases; and 3) Involvement of Non-Formal Health Practitioners (NFHPs) to promote early detection of new cases of leprosy.

AZALEP a randomized controlled trial of azathioprine to treat leprosy nerve damage and Type 1 reactions in India: Main findings.

Background: Leprosy Type 1 reactions are difficult to treat and only 70% of patients respond to steroid treatment. Azathioprine has been used as an immune-suppressant and we tested its efficacy in treating leprosy T1R.

Methodology: Randomised controlled trial adding azathioprine to steroid treatment for leprosy reactions.

ENLIST 1: An International Multi-centre Cross-sectional Study of the Clinical Features of Erythema Nodosum Leprosum.

Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a severe multisystem immune mediated complication of borderline lepromatous leprosy and lepromatous leprosy. ENL is associated with skin lesions, neuritis, arthritis, dactylitis, eye inflammation, osteitis, orchitis, lymphadenitis and nephritis. The treatment of ENL requires immunosuppression, which is often required for prolonged periods of time and may lead to serious adverse effects.

What stops people completing multi-drug therapy? Ranked perspectives of people with leprosy, their head of family and neighbours--across four Indian states.

Unlabelled: Summary To maximise successful completion of multi-drug therapy (MDT) and optimise treatment outcomes for people with leprosy, it is vital to understand the relative importance of perceived factors which prevent them from completing the required number of doses in time.

Objective: To explore personal, family, social, community, attitudinal, practical, geographical, cultural and traditional factors which may influence adherence to treatment, a two-phase study was undertaken comprising issue identification via focus groups, and a ranking exercise via individual interview.

Study Design: The perspectives of 895 respondents (320 people affected by leprosy who were not able to complete treatment, 302 of their 'operational heads of family', and 273 of their nearby community members) across four states of India namely i.

Household costs of leprosy reactions (ENL) in rural India.

Background: Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a common immune-mediated complication of lepromatous (LL) and borderline lepromatous (BL) leprosy. Most patients experience chronic or multiple acute ENL over many years during an economically active period of their lives. Understanding the economic burden of ENL is essential to provide effective patient support, yet this area has not been investigated.

Reconstructive surgery in children to correct ulnar claw hand deformity due to leprosy.

Objectives: To study the impact of tendon transfer surgery for ulnar claw hand correction in children with leprosy.

Subjects And Methods: All the children who underwent reconstructive surgery for ulnar nerve paralysis during the period 2007 to 2012 were included in the study. Unassisted angle, grasp contact, pinch contact and functional assessment were the main outcome measures.

Enhancing counselling strategies for leprosy patients through the participation scale.

Background & Objectives: Counsellors provide psychological support, appropriate education and coping skills to persons affected by adverse events. Counselling of leprosy patients is essential to enable them to cope with perceived stigma as well as managing severe enacted stigma at home, place of work or elsewhere. Professional counselling was instituted at the Leprosy Mission Community Hospital in Naini, Allahabad District, India, in 2004.

A conceptual protocol for translational research in the complex reality of leprosy.

In response to an international strategy to prioritise and focus research efforts in leprosy, this conceptual protocol outlines a research plan to address key translational research priorities. The protocol describes in broad terms a five-phase psychosocial and service-related research programme to facilitate: prevention of delay in diagnosis, improvement of adherence with multi-drug therapy, the roll out of chemoprophylaxis and increased participation in community based rehabilitation. The protocol proposes a model of research utilisation and the notion of complexity to form an integrating theoretical framework for exploring and enhancing research translation.

Assessment of needs and quality care issues of women with leprosy.

Objectives: Leprosy causes not just physical but psychosocial and economic problems which are further magnified in women due to gender disadvantages especially in developing countries. In order to determine the needs and quality care issues of women leprosy patients attending a hospital/health care facility, a research project was done.

Design: All women leprosy patients attending a Leprosy Referral Hospital in Kolkata, India during 2006 were interviewed in depth and clinically assessed, using a standardised proforma.

Temperature dependent polarized Raman spectra of nonaaqualanthanoid (Pr) single crystal.

Polarized Raman spectral changes with respect to temperature were investigated for Pr(BrO3)3.9H2O single crystals. FTIR spectra of hydrated and deuterated analogues were also recorded and analysed.

Patients' perceptions of reconstructive surgery in leprosy.

Reconstructive surgery has made significant advances in correcting deformities in leprosy. However, several patients seem hesitant and unenthusiastic to take advantage of this facility. A study was therefore carried out at the Leprosy Mission Hospital in Kolkata during 1999, to assess patients' perceptions to reconstructive surgery.

Vibrational spectra of melamine diborate, C3N6H62H3BO3.

IR and Raman spectra of melamine diborate have been recorded and analysed. Band assignments are given based on the vibrations of melamine and boric acid molecules. Three sets of frequencies observed for the N-H stretching mode region is ascribed to different types of hydrogen bonds in the amino groups of the triazine ring.

FT-IR, FT-Raman and FT-SERS spectra of 4-aminosalicylic acid sodium salt dihydrate.

FT-IR, FT-Raman and FT-SERS spectra of 4-aminosalicylic acid sodium salt dihydrate (4ASAS) have been recorded and analysed. The vibrational bands due to NH2, OH, carboxyl group, and the benzene ring are identified. The CX ipb(17a, 17b), CC ipb(6,18a) and CH ipb (3,14a, 14b) bands are more enhanced in SERS.