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The growing prevalence of smartphones may prompt individuals with epilepsy to pursue unfulfilled healthcare requirements through mobile health (mHealth) apps, but the content and quality of these mHealth apps are rarely analysed. Hence, this study aimed to identify and assess the quality of epilepsy apps for patients with epilepsy (PWE), their caregivers, and healthcare practitioners (HCPs) available in the Play Store and App Store of India. We performed a systematic search on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store of India to identify the mHealth apps for epilepsy which were released and updated till May 2023. The identified applications were downloaded and the quality was assessed using a Mobile app rating scale (MARS) for the overall quality, Aesthetics, Engagement, Functionality, and Information by three independent reviewers. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to assess the interrater reliability between the reviewers. An unpaired t-test was calculated to analyse the difference in mean scores for Android and iOS applications. The systematic search yielded a total of 2518 apps, out of which 26 were selected for inclusion in the study. Among these, 9 apps were compatible with Android, 11 with iOS, and 6 on both platforms. The mean (SD) MARS score of the apps was 3.5 (0.6) and the ICC for the overall app quality was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.82–0.96). Overall, apps scored highest in functionality (3.9), followed by aesthetics (3.6), information (3.3), and engagement (3.2). Among the included apps, the overall quality score was found to be higher for iOS apps than Android (MD = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.02 – 1.07; p-value: 0.042). Our study identified twenty-six mHealth applications for epilepsy that integrated various aspects of epilepsy self-management. The results of this study emphasize the importance of ensuring that current and future applications offer evidence-based information, integrate features that align with patient preferences, and generate evidence regarding the effectiveness of application usage. • This systematic review provides an overview of the mHealth applications for epilepsy available in theApp Stores of India. • We identified 26 mobile health applications that scored differently across the mobile app rating scale. • The results highlight the importance of incorporating features that enhance user engagement and provide informative content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damage and loss assessment is the first step towards the bringing the disaster affected communityback to mainstream life. The asset is the deciding factor; hence those who do not have assets arenormally excluded from compensation. In India many Dalit victims are forced to remain outside thepurview of formal disaster rehabilitation. Also, the value of assets of such asset-less communitiesseldom figures in a damage and loss assessment, which prevents the community from attainingsustainable resiliencethus exposing them to cumulative vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis is a major ailment among rheumatic disorders. A large number of herbal extracts are in vogue used for treatment of various types of rheumatic disorders. Enicostemma axillare (Linn), an Indian herb, used as a traditional medicine for Diabetes mellitus, Rheumatism, Abdominal ulcers, Hernia, Inflammation, Epilepsy, Cancer and Hepatic disorders. The present study deals with in vitro anti-arthritic activity. The methanol, chloroform and aqueous extracts were subjected to various in vitro anti-arthritic pharmacological models, such as, inhibition of protein denaturation, effect of membrane stabilization, and Proteinase inhibitory action. The extracts were found to possess in vitro anti-arthritic activity when compared to acetyl salicylic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines both the success and failure of the reading habits and interest of the faculty members to the information and communication technology (ICT) in medical college libraries in Puducherry, India. Survey shows that many of the faculty members of colleges spent time in the library for a maximum of one hour on a daily basis. It finds out that they visited a maximum of two libraries to search for ICT information and to use the Internet in the library. It points out their use of electronic resources via guidance from others and through external course.

The article presents the results of a study investigating the use of electronic resources at the Krishnasamy Collect of Engineering & Technology Library in Cuddalore, India. The study's goals of determining the utilization, satisfaction levels, and opinions of students, faculty, and staff regarding electronic information resources and methodology are described, and the findings that many more students than faculty utilized electronic resources and that many still preferred print versions of resources due to convenience are explored.

The article looks at self-financing, or private, engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu, India, as of 2011, focusing on the introduction and use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in their libraries. It presents the results of a study which surveyed over half of the self-financing engineering college libraries in the state on issues including computer hardware and software resources, computer networking, and types of digital content available. The author cites a need for greater ICT spending by the libraries and suggests that state governments and/or the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) should provide aid for the libraries' technology development.

The article presents a study about the use of information and communication technology (ICT) tools by librarians. The library survey focuses on information literacy amongst librarians and library professionals in India. Information on the impact information technology advancements have had on library services is provided. Additional topics include barriers to library automation in Sri Lanka. The article also reports that the barriers to innovation adoption in Nigeria were lack of funds and a limited electric infrastructure.

The article discusses the engineering college libraries in Tamil Nadu, India, recommending the design, construction and implementation of a network system between the libraries. An overview is presented of networked libraries in other countries including the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain. The study proposes designing the Tamil Nadu Engineering College Libraries Network (TECLIBNET). A review of the literature and resources available for establishing networked libraries is given. Also discussed are the details of the proposed TECLIBNET.

In developing countries most libraries, including academic libraries face financial and resource constraints in building up adequate collections of information sources and therefore are not able to fully satisfy the information needs of the various categories of users. In this context the main task of a librarian is to adjust the input resources to the desired output by adopting various alternatives for taking effectiye decisions and providing services to users. One strategy is resource sharing in a networking system. This has been practised since the 1930s in developed countries. In recent years libraries in india have focused on interlibrary loan, shared cataloguing, online references, shared circulation and online Due to the high cost of serials, academic library networks in a consortia mode offer subscriptions to more journals to the participating libraries at a relatively lower cost. This paper discusses three models of networking and network design for engineering college libraries in Tamil Nadu (TECLIBNET). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory syncytial virus is a major causative agent of lower respiratory tract infection in children, especially infants with substantial morbidity and mortality implications. The virus undergoes continuous evolution documented by accumulation of mutations in the glycoprotein gene necessitating vigilant surveillance to provide essential data to epidemiologists and researchers involved in development of vaccines. This study was aimed to perform molecular characterization of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among children ≤ 5 years admitted in hospital. In the current study we observed RSV-A (2019 (n = 95) and 2021 (n = 61) seasons) and RSV-B (2022 season (n = 68)). Phylogenetic analysis revealed all RSV-A strains (n = 47) to be GA.2.3.5 and RSV-B (n = 22) were classified as GB.5.0.5a. Selection pressure analysis identified one positive (P274L/V) and one negative site (P230T) in RSV-A, while in RSV-B there was only one negatively selected site (S295). This study spanning over three seasons contributes to RSV evolutionary dynamics in India emphasizing the importance of on-going surveillance to inform effective public health strategies and vaccine development efforts., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The ecological sustainability of rivers is in question due to severe pollution and lack of stringent regulations. Long term (1990-2016) water quality data of five stations namely Haridwar, Bareilly, Kanpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi of Upper Ganga river, India was considered for analysis using fuzzy analytical process (FAHP) based water quality index (WQI) to assess surface water quality. The value of water physical, biological and chemical parameters of temporal resolution (monthly, seasonal and yearly) indicate that value of electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total alkalinity (Mg CaCO 3 ), total hardness (Mg CaCO 3 ), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) and bicarbonate (HCO 3 ) were observed very high compared to recommended value of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and World Health Organization (WHO) at Kanpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi stations. However, low value of parameters is observed at Haridwar and Bareilly stations. Also, the high deviation was observed in water quality parameters during 1990-2010 whereas the deviation of parameters is decreased in 2011-2016. It is observed from the piper diagram that magnesium and bicarbonate at Haridwar, sodium, potassium and bicarbonate in Bareilly, Kanpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi stations are dominant during monthly and seasonal periods. The fuzzy based WQI value indicate that water quality is excellent to poor at Haridwar, while poor to unsuitable in Bareilly, Kanpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi during monthly and seasonal periods. The water quality ranges from poor to unsuitable during the 1990-2010 period and good to very poor during the 2011-2016 period at Bareilly, Kanpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi stations. Whereas very good to good during 1990-2010 and excellent to good during 2011-2016 at Haridwar. It was also determined that water quality parameters (Ca, Na+K, SO 4 , Hardness, Cl and Mg) and WQI values were increased with length of the stream. It indicates that drain discharge, urban growth, urban functions, ecological footprints and crop area increment were key sources of pollution., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Bronchial asthma is an important public health problem in India with significant morbidity. Several international guidelines for diagnosis and management of asthma are available, however there is a need for country-specific guidelines due to vast differences in availability and affordability of health-care facilities across the globe. The Indian Chest Society (ICS) and the National College of Chest Physicians (NCCP) of India have collaborated to develop evidence-based guidelines with an aim to assist physicians at all levels of health-care in diagnosis and management of asthma in a scientific manner. Besides a systematic review of the literature, Indian studies were specifically analysed to arrive at simple and practical recommendations. The evidence is presented under these five headings: (1) definitions, epidemiology and impact, (2) diagnosis, (3) pharmacologic management of stable disease, (4) management of acute exacerbations, and (5) non-pharmacologic management and special situations. The modified grade system was used for classifying the quality of evidence as 1, 2, 3, or usual practice point (UPP). The strength of recommendation was graded as A or B depending upon the level of evidence.

An attempt has been made to develop and validate a simultaneous HPLC method for novel approach of drug release via oil-in-water (o/w) nanoemulsion formulation and Habb-e-Khardal Unani tablet containing piperine and guggul sterones E and Z as main ingredients. Nanoemulsion was prepared by titration method using sefsol-218 as an oily phase, cremophor-EL as a surfactant, transcutol as a co-surfactant and distilled water as an aqueous phase. The formulation was optimized on the basis of thermodynamic stability and dispersibilty test. The nanoformulation was evaluated for particle size, surface morphology, electrical conductivity and viscosity determination. The in vitro dissolution was carried out by dialysis bag method. Drugs were quantified using an HPLC method developed in-house with a C(18) column as stationary phase and acetonitrile and water as mobile phase at λ(max) of 240 nm. The optimized formulation showed higher drug release, lower droplet size and less viscosity as compared with the conventional Habb-e-Khardal Unani tablet. The present study illustrated the potential of nanoemulsion dosage form in improving biopharmaceutic performance of piperine and guggul sterone. The HPLC method was also found to be quite sufficient for the routine quality control of formulations containing piperine and guggul sterone E and Z as ingredients and also for in vitro drug release studies., (Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in India uses a fully intermittent thrice-weekly rifampicin-containing regimen for all tuberculosis (TB) patients, including those who are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected, whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends daily anti-tuberculosis treatment at least during the intensive phase. The WHO recommendation was based on the results of a meta-analysis demonstrating increased risk of recurrence and failure among HIV-infected TB patients receiving intermittent TB treatment compared to a daily regimen. Review of the primary evidence indicates limited, low-quality information on intermittency, mostly from observational studies in the pre-antiretroviral treatment (ART) era. Molecular epidemiology in India indicates that most of the recurrences and many of the failures result from exogenous re-infection, suggesting poor infection control and high transmission rather than poor regimen efficacy. Subsequently published studies have shown acceptable treatment outcomes among HIV-infected TB patients receiving intermittent anti-tuberculosis regimens with concomitant ART. Treatment outcomes among HIV-infected TB patients treated under programmatic conditions show low failure rates but high case fatality; death has been associated with lack of ART. The highest priority is therefore to reduce mortality by linking all HIV-infected TB patients to ART. While urgently seeking to reduce death rates among HIV-infected TB patients, given the poor evidence for change and operational advantages of an intermittent regimen, the RNTCP intends to collect the necessary evidence to inform national policy decisions through randomised clinical trials.

Background: In 2010, WHO expanded previously-recommended indications for anti-retroviral treatment to include all HIV-infected TB patients irrespective of CD4 count. India, however, still limits ART to those TB patients with CD4 counts <350/mm(3) or with extrapulmonary TB manifestations. We sought to evaluate the additional number of patients that would be initiated on ART if India adopted the current 2010 WHO ART guidelines for HIV-infected TB patients., Methods: We evaluated all TB patients recorded in treatment registers of the Revised National TB Control Programme in June 2010 in the high-HIV prevalence state of Karnataka, and cross-matched HIV-infected TB patients with ART programme records., Results: Of 6182 TB patients registered, HIV status was ascertained for 5761(93%) and 710(12%) were HIV-infected. 146(21%) HIV-infected TB patients were on ART prior to TB diagnosis. Of the remaining 564, 497(88%) were assessed for ART eligibility; of these, 436(88%) were eligible for ART according to 2006 WHO ART guidelines. Altogether, 487(69%) HIV-infected TB patients received ART during TB treatment. About 80% started ART within 8 weeks of TB treatment and 95% received an efavirenz based regimen., Conclusion: In Karnataka, India, about nine out of ten HIV-infected TB patients were eligible for ART according to 2006 WHO ART guidelines. The efficiency of HIV case finding, ART evaluation, and ART initiation was relatively high, with 78% of eligible HIV-infected patients actually initiated on ART, and 80% within 8 weeks of diagnosis. ART could be extended to all HIV-infected TB patients irrespective of CD4 count with relatively little additional burden on the national ART programme.