Tuberculosis preventive treatment in eight SEAR countries - Current practices, implementation challenges and operations research priorities.

Objectives: Countries in the South East Asian region face similar challenges in control of infectious diseases. There is limited access to experiences and learnings of neighboring countries. The Indian Council - of Medical Research (ICMR) has established a Regional Enabler for the South-East Asia Research Collaboration for Health (RESEARCH) Platform for South East Asian Region (SEAR) countries to address the above issues.

Quantifying the potential epidemiological impact of a 2-year active case finding for tuberculosis in rural Nepal: a model-based analysis.

Objectives: Active case finding (ACF) is an important tuberculosis (TB) intervention in high-burden settings. However, empirical evidence garnered from field data has been equivocal about the long-term community-level impact, and more data at a finer geographic scale and data-informed methods to quantify their impact are necessary.

Methods: Using village development committee (VDC)-level data on TB notification and demography between 2016 and 2017 in four southern districts of Nepal, where ACF activities were implemented as a part of the IMPACT-TB study between 2017 and 2019, we developed VDC-level transmission models of TB and ACF.

Feasibility of implementing public-private mix approach for tuberculosis case management in Pokhara Metropolitan City of western Nepal: a qualitative study.

Background: The Public-Private Mix (PPM) approach is a strategic initiative that involves engaging all private and public health care providers in the fight against tuberculosis using international health care standards. For tuberculosis control in Nepal, the PPM approach could be a milestone. This study aimed to explore the barriers to a public-private mix approach in the management of tuberculosis cases in Nepal.

Barriers to Treatment Compliance of Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse among Pulmunary Tuberculosis Patients.

Background: Treatment compliance is an important aspect for tuberculosis prevention and control. Poor compliance to treatment can lead to the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to explore the factors affecting treatment compliance for tuberculosis patients.

Expression of microRNA-21 in saliva and tumor tissue of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: a predictor of cervical lymph node metastasis.

Objective: Evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in saliva and tumor tissue for presurgical assessment of lymph node metastasis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Study Design: Unstimulated whole saliva and tumor tissue was obtained from clinically suspected patients with OSCC. A total of 130 patients diagnosed with OSCC were included as study participants.

Health related quality of life and associated factors with medication adherence among tuberculosis patients in selected districts of Gandaki Province of Nepal.

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the significant public health problems of Nepal. Adherence to medication is very important for improving quality of life and preventing complication. Adherence to tuberculosis medications has significant economic and therapeutic consequences as non-adherence patients are at greater risk of developing complications which affect their health status and overall quality of life.

Assessment of cervical lymph node metastasis based on total RNA from saliva and tumor tissue in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: An observational study.

Background: In case of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) most patients die within first 2 years due to metastasis. To overcome the limitations and drawbacks of the present available methods of assessment of lymph nodes metastasis, the search for alternative method is needed.

Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of salivary and tumor tissue RNA for assessment of lymph node metastasis in patients with OSCC.

Crouzon syndrome: a social stigma.

Crouzon syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused due to genetic mutations. It is characterised by partial hearing loss, dry eyes, strabismus and underdevelopment of the upper jaw with facial deformities and malocclusion. These facial deformities greatly affect the social and emotional development of the affected child.