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Gangjiao Zhu,1,2 Rahul Malhotra,3– 5 Shangzhi Xiong,6 Xinyue Chen,7 Mingyang Zhang,2 You Wu,2 Enying Gong,8 Zhan Wang,9 Xiangyang Tian,10 Weixia Peng,11 Truls Østbye,2,3,12 Lijing L Yan1,2,12 1School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 2Global Health Research Center, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, People’s Republic of China; 3Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; 4Centre for Ageing Research and Education, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; 5Singhealth, Duke-NUS Global Health Institute Medical School, Singapore; 6The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; 7Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; 8School of Population Medicine and Public Health, China Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 9Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; 10Chinese Health Education Center, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 11School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 12Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USACorrespondence: Lijing L Yan, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China, Email lijing.yan@duke.eduPurpose: We assess whether the sequential mediating effects of self-efficacy and depressive symptoms on the relationship between community efficacy for non-communicable disease management (COEN) and medication adherence and whether these relationships differed by sex and age.Patients and Methods: Overall, 662 individuals from 12 communities in China were interviewed twice 1 year apart. Serial mediation analysis examined whether the relationship between COEN and medication adherence was mediated by self-efficacy and depressive symptoms. Model invariance across sex and age groups was assessed using multi-group analysis.Results: Serial mediation analysis indicated that self-efficacy and depressive symptoms sequentially mediated relationship between COEN and medication adherence. Multi-group analysis by sex showed that the path from self-efficacy to medication adherence was significant only for females and from depressive symptoms to medication adherence was significant only for males.Conclusion: Interventions that enhance individual self-efficacy may be beneficial in decreasing depressive symptoms and improving medication adherence.Keywords: medication adherence, neighborhood, community, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, non-communicable chronic diseases, social cognitive theory, China

Introduction: The objective of the current study was to test our hypothesis that older patients sustaining high energy trauma need to be evaluated for their comorbidities similar to geriatric patients sustaining low energy trauma. Materials and methods: This study was a retrospective- prospective analysis of 173 patients of more than 50 years of age enrolled between November 2017 and December 2018. Herewith, we have compared retrospectively collected laboratory investigations of 124 fragility fracture patients with prospectively collected laboratory investigations of 49 patients with high energy trauma. The laboratory investigations, including the liver function tests, renal function tests, indices of calcium metabolism, serum electrolytes, complete blood counts, and bone mineral density (BMD) scores. Results: Both groups were similar to each other as far as baseline demographic characteristics were concerned. The proportion of female patients and patients with non-osteoporotic range BMD (T-score >-2.5) was significantly higher in the high-energy fracture group (P value 148mmol/L) 23.2%, Anaemia (10.4mg/dl) 16.3%, Vitamin D deficiency (

Bridgitte Shen Lee,1 Ranjan Malhotra,2 Kenneth Sall,3 Brittany Mitchell,4 James Peace5 1Vision Optique, Houston, TX, USA; 2Ophthalmology Associates, St. Louis, MO, USA; 3Sall Research Medical Center, Inc., Artesia, CA, USA; 4Medical Affairs North America, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA; 5Peace Eyecare, Inglewood, CA, USACorrespondence: Bridgitte Shen Lee, Vision Optique, 5158 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX, 77005, USA, Tel +1 713-838-2020, Fax +1 713-838-2030, Email bshenlee@gmail.comPurpose: To evaluate the long-term safety of latanoprost benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-free vs currently marketed latanoprost 0.005% ophthalmic solution containing BAK (referred to as reference), to treat open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT).Patients and Methods: This phase 3, multicenter, open-label, nonrandomized, single group assignment, safety study included patients who previously completed a phase 3 noninferiority study. Patients self-administered 1 drop of latanoprost BAK-free nightly for 36 weeks in the affected eye(s). Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity (VA), and slit lamp biomicroscopy were assessed predose at baseline and Days 28, 56, 84, 112, 140, and 168; dilated ophthalmoscopy and visual field (VF) at baseline and Day 168. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded throughout the study.Results: A total of 161 patients who previously received latanoprost BAK-free (n = 80) or reference (n = 81) were enrolled. Latanoprost BAK-free maintained lowered IOP for both the study and nonstudy eye in all patients relative to baseline throughout the study. Clinically significant retinal or optic nerve changes were identified in 5 patients (1 mild-to-moderate change, prior latanoprost BAK-free; 4 mild changes, prior reference). No clinically important changes were identified for VA, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and VF measurements. Ocular AEs occurred in 66 (82.5%) vs 74 (91.4%) patients on prior latanoprost BAK-free and reference, respectively; the most frequent being eye pain (50.0% vs 64.2%) and ocular hyperemia (47.5% vs 54.3%). Most AEs were mild. There were 5 serious systemic AEs in 5 patients (n = 3, prior latanoprost BAK-free; n = 2, prior reference); all were considered unrelated or not likely related to treatment. One patient (prior reference) discontinued due to follicular conjunctivitis. There were no deaths or serious ocular AEs.Conclusion: Latanoprost BAK-free was well tolerated. These findings support the chronic use of latanoprost BAK-free to treat OAG or OHT.Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT00945958.Keywords: adverse events, intraocular pressure, preservative, prostaglandin, safety, tolerability

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to assess the clinical outcomes in nonagenarians following a hip fracture. We also further investigated the factors that influence these outcomes, such as method of treatment (operative versus conservative), comorbidities, and pre-morbid function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 65 nonagenarians that were identifiable from our hospital hip fracture database. We reviewed various parameters of these patients admitted after sustaining a hip fracture (neck of femur or intertrochanteric) and investigated how these parameters affected patient outcomes. The main outcomes studied were: inpatient morbidity, and mortality at one year. RESULTS: Inpatient morbidity was more likely in patients with an ASA grade of 3 to 5. Urinary tract infection was the most common medical complication. The 1-year mortality was 15.4% and was significantly influenced by advancing age. Surgically managed patients had a 1-year mortality rate (14.3%) slightly less than non-operative patients (17.4%). Post injury mobility was significantly better in those who received operative treatment with 63% of surgical cases regaining ambulatory status versus 7% of conservatively managed patients. CONCLUSION: We presented the outcomes of hip fractures in an extreme age group in the population. In nonagenarians with hip fractures surgery was associated with a 1-year mortality rate of 14.3% which is comparable to the general hip fracture population and less than the mortality rate of conservatively managed patients (17.4%). The primary advantage of surgery would be that two-thirds of patients return to ambulatory status. This information is useful to counsel patients and their families especially since the elderly are often more fearful of surgical intervention.

Mohamed Elalfy,1,2 Sundas Maqsood,1 Scott Hau,3 Ruben Y Kannan,4 Charles Nduka,4 Samer Hamada,1 Raman Malhotra1 1Corneo Plastic Unit, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK; 2Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, Egypt; 3Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK; 4Plastic Surgery Department, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UKCorrespondence: Mohamed ElalfyResearch Institute of Ophthalmology, El-Khalifa, Oula, Giza, 12557, EgyptTel +20235718304Email m.s.elalfy@gmail.comObjective: To report the functional and anatomical outcomes including structural changes in corneal nerve density and morphology using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) after corneal neurotisation in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), using a sural nerve graft.Patients and Methods: Prospective study of patients undergoing corneal neurotisation for NK. Functional outcomes were measured through visual acuity, slit-lamp examination of corneal and conjunctival staining, tear production (Schirmer’s 1 test), tear film break-up time, tear film meniscus height, quality and osmolarity, central corneal thickness and corneal sensation using Cochet–Bonnet esthesiometry. Structural outcomes were assessed from changes in corneal nerve density and morphology with IVCM. Subjective outcomes were assessed using VFQ-25 and latest telephonic consultation.Results: Between February 2016 and April 2018, 11 corneal neurotisations were performed on 11 patients (3 males, 8 females). Median age was 43 (range 25– 62) years. Mean follow-up was 14.5 (range, 4– 36) months. Snellen visual acuity improved in 6 patients, corneal and conjunctival staining decreased in 10, tear film breakup time increased in 9, tear meniscus height increased in 7, Schirmers test readings increased in 4, tear film osmolarity reduced in 8 and central corneal thickness increased in 10 patients. Corneal sensation improved in nine patients. Complete IVCM data were available in five cases and demonstrated an improvement of corneal nerve density and length at 12 months.Conclusion: This series confirms the fact that the outcomes of this technique are reproducible and that corneal neurotisation surgery helps restore trophic nerve function more consistently than touch-related sensation.Keywords: corneal neurotisation, neurotrophic keratopathy, sural nerve, corneal sensations

Ashish Sarkar,1,2 Monu,1,2 Vijay Kumar,3 Rajesh Malhotra,3 Hemant Pandit,4 Elena Jones,4 Frederique Ponchel,4 Sagarika Biswas1 1Department of Integrative and Functional Biology, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, 110007, India; 2Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India; 3All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India; 4Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UKCorrespondence: Sagarika BiswasDepartment of Integrative and Functional Biology, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Near Jubilee Hall, Mall Road, New Delhi, 110007, IndiaTel +91 11-2766-2581Email sagarika.biswas@igib.res.inIntroduction: Circulating plasma proteins play an important role in various diseases, and analysis of the plasma proteome has led to the discovery of various disease biomarkers. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint disease, mostly affecting people of older age. OA typically starts as a focal disease (in a single compartment, typically treated with unicompartmental knee replacement), and then progresses to the other compartments (if not treated in time, typically treated with total knee replacement). For this, identification of differential proteins was carried out in plasma samples of OA cases and compared with healthy controls. The aim of this study was to identify circulatory differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in knee-OA patients undergoing total knee replacement or unicompartmental knee replacement compared to healthy controls and assess their role, in order to have better understanding of the etiology behind OA pathophysiology.Methods: DEPs were identified with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ), followed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Validation of DEPs was carried out using Western blot and ELISA. Posttranslational modifications were checked after running native gel using purified protein from patients, followed by detection of autoantibodies.Results: In total, 52 DEPs were identified, among which 45 were distinct DEPs. Haptoglobin (Hp) was identified as one of the most significantly upregulated proteins in OA (P=0.005) identified by both 2DE and iTRAQ. Decreased levels of Hp tetramers and increased levels of autoantibodies against Hpβ were observed in OA plasma.Conclusion: Our data suggest that poor clearance of free hemoglobin and low levels of Hp tetramers may be associated with OA pathogenesis and inflammation.Keywords: osteoarthritis, blood, haptoglobin, hemoglobin, biomarker, inflammation

Farming system approach has been widely recognized and advocated as one of the tools for harmonious use of inputs and their compounded response to make the production system sustainable. The present study was conducted to examine linkages among various components of farming systems in Mizoram state by using Leontief input-output model. The study identified 10 dairy based farming systems based on the major contribution to income of farm enterprise. The inter-component linkages from livestock to crop were stronger as compared to crop to livestock for all the farming systems. The degree of integration of different components of the various farming systems in terms of linkages is found to be strongest under D + C + P + Po farming systems. The interdependence observed among various components of farming system suggests the need to adopt total systems approach for development of sustainable farming systems.

We present a case of a lower limb compartment syndrome associated with the use of an intra-osseous line inserted into the proximal tibia in an adult patient. An unconscious 59-year old male with multiple injuries presented to our Emergency Department after a road traffic accident. Bilateral proximal tibial intra osseous-lines were inserted due to poor venous access. After resuscitation his left leg was noted to be tense and swollen with absent pulses. Acute compartment syndrome was diagnosed both clinically and with compartment pressure measurement. Two incision fasciotomy on his left lower leg was performed. Intra osseous-lines in the proximal tibia are increasingly used in adult patients in the pre-hospital setting by paramedics and emergency physicians. Their use, along with the possible complications of these devices, such as the development of compartment syndrome or osteomyelitis leading to amputation, is well reported in the paediatric literature. To the best of our knowledge, there have not been any previous reports of complications in the adult patient. We present a case of lower leg compartment syndrome developing from the use of an intra-osseous line in the proximal tibia in an adult patient. With the increasing use of intra-osseous lines in adult patients, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of developing compartment syndrome which may lead to disability or amputation in severe cases.

Ranjan Malhotra,1 Joseph Gira,2 Gregg J Berdy,1 Robert Brusatti11Ophthalmology Associates, 2Ophthalmology Consultants, St Louis, MO, USABackground: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% compared with moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5%, when used for infection prophylaxis following uncomplicated phacoemulsification clear cornea surgery using sutureless corneal incision.Methods: This prospective, two-site, parallel-group, investigator-masked clinical study included patients aged ≥18 years scheduled to undergo phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Patients received one drop of either besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension or moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution four times daily, beginning 3 days prior to surgery, which was continued for 7 days postoperatively. The primary endpoint was the rate of adverse events. Secondary endpoints included endothelial cell count, central corneal thickness, and overall and central corneal staining measured on days 7 (±1 day) and 28 (±2 days) following surgery, and intraocular pressure and best-corrected visual acuity measured on days 1, 7 (±1 day), and 28 (±2 days) following surgery.Results: Of the 60 patients enrolled, 58 (29 per treatment group) completed the study. No adverse events were reported in either treatment group. Changes in the central corneal thickness, endothelial cell count, and corneal staining were small and similar between treatments at follow-up visits (P ≥ 0.1549). Intraocular pressure was similar between treatment groups at each visit, as was the distribution of best-corrected visual acuity. The final best-corrected visual acuity was 20/30 or better in 85% of the patients.Conclusion: In this study, besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% was well tolerated when used prophylactically to prevent postoperative endophthalmitis following sutureless cataract surgery.Keywords: besifloxacin, moxifloxacin, corneal integrity, DuraSite®, phacoemulsification, endophthalmitis

Background: Studies assessing the prevalence of reproductive morbidity among males in India have chiefly focused on prevalence of Reproductive Tract Infections/Sexually Transmitted Infections (RTIs/STIs) among males attending Sexually Transmitted Disease clinics, blood donors and other selected population groups, with only few focused on the magnitude and the type of reproductive morbidity amongst Indian males at community level. Objective: To estimate prevalence of reproductive morbidity including (RTIs/STIs) among males in the age group of 20-50 years residing in an urban slum of Delhi. Methods: Out of 268 males in the targeted age group, selected by systematic random sampling, residing in an urban sum of Delhi, 260 males were subjected to clinical examination and laboratory investigations for diagnosis of reproductive morbidity. Laboratory investigations were done for diagnosis of Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Non gonococcal urethritis and urinary tract infection. Results: A total of 90 (33.6%) of 268 study subjects reported one or more perceived symptoms of reproductive tract / sexual morbidity in last six months. Overall reproductive morbidity based on clinical and laboratory diagnosis was present in 76 (29.2%) study subjects and of this sexually acquired morbidity accounted for 21.2% cases. Hepatitis B was most common (10.3%) reproductive morbidity followed by Urinary Tract Infection (5.0%), scabies (3.5%) and congenital anomalies (3.5%). Conclusion: High prevalence of reproductive morbidity (29.2%) amongst males in an urban slum highlights the need for more studies in different settings. There is a need for developing interventions in terms of early diagnosis and treatment and prevention.

© 2015 Macmillan Publishers Limited.The ubiquitin-like molecule ATG12 is required for the early steps of autophagy. Recently, we identified ATG3, the E2-like enzyme required for LC3 lipidation during autophagy, as an ATG12 conjugation target. Here, we demo

Given the success of Delhi’s CNG vehicle program, energy stakeholders are now investigating a transition to hydrogen-compressed natural gas (H-CNG) blends. Past research has shown H-CNG can reduce tailpipe emissions of both criteria and greenhouse gas pollutants relative to diesel and CNG. Here, we examine hydrogen production via gasification of three abundant, non-fodder residues: rice straw, cotton stalk, and mustard stalk. The total availability of these three residues in districts within 150 km of Delhi is 4,717 kilotons (KTs) per year, enough to produce 270.7 KT per year of hydrogen using gasification. This amount far exceeds what is needed to support the current CNG vehicle population with 18%-82% H-CNG blends. The cost of each step of the biohydrogen supply chain is reported in terms of rupees per kg of hydrogen and the total cost of using biohydrogen in Delhi is estimated to be 149.6 rupees (`) ($3.39) per kg.

Background: Siponimod is approved for use in people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (pwSPMS). An integrated digital platform, MSGo, was developed for pwSPMS and clinicians to help navigate the multiple steps of the pre-siponimod work-up. Objective: To explore real-world onboarding experiences of siponimod amongst pwSPMS in Australia. Methods: Retrospective, non-interventional, longitudinal, secondary analysis of data extracted from MSGo (20 April 2022). The primary endpoint was the average time for siponimod onboarding; secondary endpoints were adherence and sub-group analyses of variables influencing onboarding. Results: Mixed-cure modelling estimated that 58% of participants (N = 368, females 71%, median age of 59 years) registered in MSGo would ever initiate siponimod. The median time to initiation was 56 days (95% CI [47–59] days). Half of the participants cited 'waiting for vaccination' as the reason for initiation delay. Cox regression analyses found participants with a nominated care partner had faster onboarding (HR 2.1, 95% CI [1.5–3.0]) and were more likely to continue self-reporting daily siponimod dosing than were those without a care partner (HR 2.2, 95% CI [1.3–3.7]). Conclusions: Despite the limitations of self-reported data and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study provides insights into siponimod onboarding in Australia and demonstrates the positive impact of care partner support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selection of Murrah buffaloes based on production, reproduction, and health traits play an important role in sustainable genetic improvement. With the aim to construct an index comprising of production, reproduction and health traits of Murrah buffaloes, the production and reproduction data during a 50-year span (1971–2020) and for health traits data of 27 years (1994–2020) were analyzed. Various three, four, five, and six trait combinations of production, reproduction, and health traits were explored for construction of performance indices. The income and expenditure method was used to calculate relative economic values (REV) for traits under consideration. A total of 37 performance indices were constructed using a multi-trait combination of production, reproduction, and health traits. Out of 37 indices, the (ADMY-PY-DO-AFC-FF) based index was identified as the best, with 78%, 2%, and 20% weightage given to production, reproduction, and female fertility, respectively. Furthermore, when REVs of traits were increased by 25% and 50%, there was no change observed in the relative importance of traits in the best index, indicating that the index was robust to substantial increases in economic values. Therefore, it is recommended that the above constructed composite selection index can be employed in selection of female buffaloes to achieve sustainable genetic gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]