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Purpose Screening preschool children for vision-related disorders poses a challenge. This study is designed to determine the agreement and diagnostic accuracy of the spot vision screener (SVS) in screening preschool children compared to screening procedure by vision technicians (VT). Methods This study was conducted as a part of the ongoing study titled "Initiative for Screening Children for Refractive Errors and other Eye Health Needs (I-SCREEN)." Children from 33 Anganwadis (preschools) in two districts, Adilabad district of Telangana and Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, in South India, underwent eye health screening by a VT and by a trained community eye health workers (CEHW) using the SVS. Findings were compared for agreement and diagnostic accuracy of assessment. Results A total of 976 preschool children were screened by the VT and separately by the CEHW using the SVS in Adilabad (15 schools) and Krishna (18 schools) districts. The overall mean age of these children was 2.5 years (SD ± 1.3 years). There were 48 (4.9%) referrals by VT compared to 105 (10.8%) referrals by CEHW using SVS. The overall sensitivity of SVS was 91.7% (95% CI: 80%-97.7%) and the specificity was 93.4% (95% CI: 91.6%-94.9%). Positive predictive value was 41.9% (95% CI: 32.3%-51.9%) and negative predictive value was 99.5% (95% CI: 98.8%-99.9%) with a moderate agreement (0.54; 95% CI 0.49-0.64) between VT screening and screening with SVS. Conclusion The SVS showed good diagnostic accuracy and agreement in screening for possible vision-related disorders in preschool children.

Aim: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) sourced allografts are promising interventions for tissue regeneration. As applications of these allografts and regulations governing them continue to evolve, we were prompted to identify parameters determining their quality, safety and regenerative potential. Materials & methods: Flow-cytometry, mass-spectrometry, protein multiplexing, nanoparticle tracking analysis and standard biological techniques were employed. Results: Quality attributes of a uniquely processed UCB-allograft (UCBr) were enumerated based on identity (cell viability, immunophenotyping, proteomic profiling, and quantification of relevant cytokines); safety (bioburden and microbiological screening), purity (endotoxin levels) and potency (effect of UCBr on chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells derived exosomes). These attributes were stable up to 24 months in cryopreserved UCBr. Conclusion: We identified a comprehensive panel of tests to establish the clinical efficacy and quality control attributes of a UCB-sourced allograft.

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment (VI) and blindness and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Siwan district, Bihar.A population-based cross-sectional study was done from January to March 2016 using the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness 6 (RAAB 6, incorporating DR module) methodology. All individuals aged ≥50 years were examined in 57 randomly selected clusters within the district.A total of 3476 individuals were enumerated and 3189 (92%) completed examination. The overall prevalence of blindness and severe VI was 2.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6-2.8) and 3.4% (95% CI: 2.6-4.3), respectively. Untreated cataract was the leading cause of blindness (73%) and severe VI (93%). The cataract surgical coverage (CSC) at3/60 was 71.5% for eyes and 89.3% for persons in this sample and the CSC was similar between the genders. Refractive error (71%) was the primary cause of early VI. The overall prevalence of known and newly diagnosed diabetes was 6.3% (95% CI, 5.4-7.2%). Prevalence of any DR, maculopathy, and sight-threatening DR was 15, 12.4, and 6%, respectively.To conclude, as compared to previous reports, the prevalence of blindness and DR in Siwan district of Bihar was found to be lower and the CSC was higher. However, the problem of avoidable blindness remains a major problem in this region.

Aim: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) finds frequent applications in regenerative medicine. We evaluated the role of cytokines present in a uniquely processed, UCB-derived cellular allograft product (UCBp). Materials & methods: Luminex multiplex assay and standard cell biology methods were employed. Results: Study with allografts from 33 donors identified 44 quantifiable cytokines in the UCBp derived conditioned media (CM). The UCBp-CM elevated proliferation and migration rates of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and bone marrow stromal cells. Moreover, UCBp-CM induced secretion of VEGF-A and osteoprotegerin, which promoted angiogenesis of endothelial cells and positively influenced the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, respectively. Conclusion: Cytokines in UCBp stimulate cellular processes important for bone regeneration, making UCBp an excellent candidate for potential applications in orthopedic procedures like bone non-union and spinal fusion.

Rural electrification is a critical ingredient for the rural development process. Efficient provision of electricity contributes to poverty reduction by acting as a catalyst for industrial growth and enhancing agricultural productivity. Being central to the basic human needs of health and education, it has a significant impact on the quality of life in the rural areas. Despite this strong and well-established link between development and electricity provision, it is ironic that India's track record with rural electrification has been far from impressive. After 58 years of Independence, 72% of the country's population lives in the rural areas and still does not have adequate access to electricity. Recent policy initiatives have given the muchneeded thrust to the electrification process in rural India and have made an attempt to place electricity in the holistic picture of rural development. The GoI (Government of India) has set a target of achieving universal household electrification by 2010. While this ambitious target does convey the spirit to empower rural India, its actual implementation and success remains to be seen. This paper analyses the challenges that need to be duly addressed if India is to meet the mammoth task of universal electrification in a timely and sustainable manner.

Solar Sister is an award-winning social enterprise advancing women’s entrepreneurship to bring off-grid electricity and clean cooking solutions to underserved communities across sub-Saharan Africa. Neha Misra, Solar Sister’s Co-Founder and Chief Collaboration Officer shares insights on why achieving the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All objectives and women’s empowerment are intrinsically tied together.

Electricity is one of the key inputs for socio-economic development. Efficient provision of electricity contributes to poverty reduction by fuelling economic growth and enabling the fulfilment of the basic human needs of health and education. Provision of electricity is thus crucial for improving living standards, supporting development and job opportunities, and fostering social activities. To meet the challenges of ever-increasing demand for electricity different models for reforming the power sector have been adopted across the developing world. Following a decade of energy sector reforms in many developing countries, it is appropriate to ask to what extent these reforms have benefited the poor, in particular, their impact on access, quality and reliability of electricity available to the poor. This paper investigates this question in a systematic manner by critically examining the impact of reform processes adopted in selected states in India and in the Philippines on access to electricity for the poor. It is observed that the focus of Indian reform legislation has been more on improving financial viability of the ailing power sector than on improving access to electricity. The legislation does not explicitly spell out the provisions for the extension of electricity services to the poor and the need and mechanism for subsidizing marginalized consumers. In contrast, the Philippine legislation has provision of lifeline rates for the poor and defines an approach to cross-subsidy, subsidy and the expansion of the network. The Act stipulates a definite time-frame for the elimination of cross-subsidy and at the same time it ensures subsidized rates for the identified poor. This paper brings out the need to have a proactive legislation that addresses issues linked to access to reliable and affordable sources of electricity. To effectively meet the electricity needs of the poor, legislative and policy support for mechanisms such as the provision of lifeline rates and special functions like missionary electrification needs to be put in place.