Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems in India: A Comprehensive Health Systems Approach.

Climate change has a significant impact on human health, leading to increased mortality and morbidity worldwide, including in India. To address this issue, countries must work on developing health systems that can effectively respond, manage, recover, and adapt to climate-related shocks and stresses. Strengthening the health system's resilience requires focusing on essential building blocks, such as leadership, health information systems, the health workforce, essential medical products and technologies, service delivery, and health financing.

Developing a competency assessment framework for medical laboratory technologists in primary healthcare settings in India.

Medical Laboratory Technologists play a significant role in delivering quality laboratory Services. The competency assessment of MLTs is a critical driver for enhancing primary healthcare performance. While several countries have developed competency frameworks for MLTs in primary care, such frameworks are lacking in the Indian context.

Anterior versus posterior endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation: comparison of indications, populations, and outcomes.

Purpose: To examine how indications, patient characteristics, and outcomes differ between anterior and posterior approaches of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) in the treatment of glaucoma.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of 9 anterior and 20 posterior ECP cases (n = 29).

Results: Posterior ECP cases were typically associated with a dramatic increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), whereas the anterior ECP was associated with chronically elevated pressures.

MULTIMODAL IMAGING OF AN INTRARETINAL TUBERCULAR GRANULOMATOUS NEURORETINITIS.

Purpose: To report a rare case of an intraretinal tuberculoma and associated neuroretinitis.

Methods: The patient was evaluated with various imaging modalities including fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and optical coherence tomography; her extensive laboratory workup returned positive for tuberculosis.

Results: After initially presenting with no light perception, 13 weeks of antitubercular therapy allowed for visual acuity recovery to 20/30.

Intravitreal AAV2.COMP-Ang1 Attenuates Deep Capillary Plexus Expansion in the Aged Diabetic Mouse Retina.

Purpose: We determine whether intravitreal angiopoietin-1 combined with the short coiled-coil domain of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein by adeno-associated viral serotype 2 (AAV2.COMP-Ang1) delivery following the onset of vascular damage could rescue or repair damaged vascular beds and attenuate neuronal atrophy and dysfunction in the retinas of aged diabetic mice.

Methods: AAV2.

New capsular tension segment with 2-point fixation for zonular weakness.

We describe clinical applications and surgical techniques for a new type of capsular tension segment (CTS) for use during cataract surgery. The Ambati CTS is distinguished from other CTS devices by having 2 eyelets close to each other, which allows it to distribute tension to 2 points, avoiding too much stress at a single point on the anterior capsulotomy, which prevents peaking of the capsulorhexis, and potentially reducing the risk for anterior capsule tear. Two of these CTS devices could possibly be used to provide 4-point fixation of a capsular bag in eyes with near-complete zonular instability.

Two single-piece acrylic intraocular lens choices and their effect on patient-reported driving habits.

Purpose: To determine whether intraocular lens (IOL) type affects patient driving habits 6 months to 5 years after cataract surgery, and to determine whether there were differences in self-reported driving habits between patients who received 1 of 2 IOLs.

Setting: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Risk factors and biomarkers of age-related macular degeneration.

A biomarker can be a substance or structure measured in body parts, fluids or products that can affect or predict disease incidence. As age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world, much research and effort has been invested in the identification of different biomarkers to predict disease incidence, identify at risk individuals, elucidate causative pathophysiological etiologies, guide screening, monitoring and treatment parameters, and predict disease outcomes. To date, a host of genetic, environmental, proteomic, and cellular targets have been identified as both risk factors and potential biomarkers for AMD.

Role of multiplex polymerase chain reaction using IS6110 and Protein b for the diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis: North India.

Background: Prompt and accurate diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is highly challenging. Current conventional techniques lack sensitivity and are time-consuming. Here, we report our experience with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPCR) using two targets namely IS6110 and protein antigen b in the diagnosis of extra-pulmonary TB.

Role of 30 kDa antigen of enteric bacterial pathogens as a possible arthritogenic factor in post-dysenteric reactive arthritis.

Background: Reactive arthritis (ReA)/Reiter's syndrome (RS) may be caused as a sequel of infections caused by enteric bacterial pathogens, although the mechanisms through, which different pathogens cause similar disease are not clear.

Aim: This study was done to look for the presence and role of any common bacterial antigen among the pathogens isolated from such patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 51 patients of ReA and 75 controls (three groups of 25 subjects each: Group 1: Patients who did not develop arthritic complications within 3 months after bacillary dysentery/diarrhea; Group 2: Patients with other arthritic diseases and Group 3: Normal healthy subjects) were included.

Evaluation of in-house loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid diagnosis of M. tuberculosis in pulmonary specimens.

Background: Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay has come forward as a rapid, cost-effective molecular technique for diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in developing countries. This study evaluated Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific in-house LAMP assay targeting 16s rRNA and compared it with other conventional tests and nucleic acid amplification assay (IS6110 PCR).

Methods: A total of 133 sputum specimens (103 from suspected pulmonary TB cases and 30 from non-TB controls) were subjected to conventional tests, IS6110 PCR and 16s rRNA LAMP assay.

Evolution of bacterial flora in burn wounds: key role of environmental disinfection in control of infection.

Bacterial flora in burn patients undergoes change over period of time and is dependent upon many factors. Study of burn flora is not only helpful in locating entry of multidrug resistant bacterial strains into the unit's usual flora but also in determining current antibiotic susceptibilities. Since no studies are available from India that have studied sequential emergence of different microorganisms in burn wound, present study was carried out to study evolution of bacterial flora in burn wounds and its correlation with invasive wound infection.

Fecal contamination of drinking water supplies in and around Chandigarh and correlation with acute gastroenteritis.

Acute gastroenteritis due to Vibrio cholerae and Enterotoxigenic E. coli is a common problem faced in the hot and humid summer months in north India. The study was undertaken to evaluate drinking water supplies for fecal coliforms, V.

Comparative efficacy evaluation of disinfectants routinely used in hospital practice: India.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare practically achieved disinfection efficacy of some locally available disinfectants on surfaces and infectious microbiological hospital waste.

Materials And Methods: Seven disinfectants were tested at concentrations recommended by manufacturers on rough and smooth surfaces that were contaminated experimentally by locally circulating isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, standard isolate of Salmonella typhi and Candida albicans. Reduction in microbial counts before and after surface disinfection was expressed as log reduction.

Fecal contamination of drinking water supplies in and around Chandigarh and correlation with acute gastroenteritis.

The study evaluated drinking water from localities in and around Chandigarh for fecal coliforms, V. cholerae and Enterotoxigenic E. coli and correlate with occurrence of acute gastroenteritis occurring from the same region.

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction using protein b primers for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

Background: Rapid and specific diagnosis of tubercular meningitis (TBM) is of utmost importance.

Aim: To evaluate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using protein b primers directed against M. tuberculosis for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

Time course of blood bicarbonate and pH three hours after sodium bicarbonate ingestion.

This study examined the increase in blood pH and bicarbonate concentration after ingestion of a standard sodium bicarbonate solution. Peak blood pH and bicarbonate concentration occurred between 60 and 90 minutes. Values decreased over the remainder of the ingestion period although still elevated above preingestion levels.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli causing cholerogenic syndrome during an interepidemic period of cholera in North India.

A study was undertaken to look for heat-labile enterotoxin producing Escherichia coli (LT-ETEC) in patients with acute watery diarrhea resembling cholera in Chandigarh in North India. Two periods were selected, an interepidemic (2001) and an epidemic (2002) period. Heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) was detected using reverse passive latex agglutination test.

Re-emergence of multi-drug resistant Shigella dysenteriae with added resistance to ciprofloxacin in north India & their plasmid profiles.

Background & Objectives: Multi drug resistant Shigellae pose a major threat in control of shigellosis with. Shigella dysenteriae being the most prevalent species at our centre before 1994. A gradual decrease in S.

A recent outbreak of cholera due to Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa in & around Chandigarh, North India.

An outbreak of cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa occurred in and around Chandigarh during July 22-31, 2002. Of the 303 patients admitted to two hospitals, 82 were confirmed by culture. Two rehabilitation colonies located at the periphery of Chandigarh were mainly affected.

Oculo - Dento-dlgital Dysplasia.

A 21 year old male was seen with typical oculo-dento-digital dysplasia. However, photophobia and corneal turbidity were additional features in our patient. These have not been reported earlier.

Acrokerato - Elastoidosis Lineaius Manus.

A Variant of acrokerato elastoidosis characterized by linear, scaly, hyperkeratotic, fissured and transluscent papules on sides of thumbs and index fingers, was seen in 55 male patients, above the age, of fifty years. Actinic damage and repeated trauma were not evident. The term acrokerato - elastodosis linearis manus is suggested for this variant.

Lipoid Proteinosis.

A case of lipoid proteinosis presented with multiple papular lesions on the face and hoarseness of voice from early infancy. Five sibs of the patient were affected and one had died early in infancy, probably because of laryngeal obstruction.

Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis with Club Foot Deformity.

A case of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis is reported. The patient had extensive verrucous scaling resembling porcupine man. There was associated bilateral foot deformity in the form of congenital club foot.