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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.

ImportanceDespite persistent inequalities in access to eye care services globally, guidance on a set of recommended, evidence-based eye care interventions to support country health care planning has not been available. To overcome this barrier, the World Health Organization (WHO) Package of Eye Care Interventions (PECI) has been developed.ObjectiveTo describe the key outcomes of the PECI development.Evidence ReviewA standardized stepwise approach that included the following stages: (1) selection of priority eye conditions by an expert panel after reviewing epidemiological evidence and health facility data; (2) identification of interventions and related evidence for the selected eye conditions from a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs); stage 2 included a systematic literature search, screening of title and abstracts (excluding articles that were not relevant CPGs), full-text review to assess disclosure of conflicts of interest and affiliations, quality appraisal, and data extraction; (3) expert review of the evidence extracted in stage 2, identification of missed interventions, and agreement on the inclusion of essential interventions suitable for implementation in low- and middle-income resource settings; and (4) peer review.FindingsFifteen priority eye conditions were chosen. The literature search identified 3601 articles. Of these, 469 passed title and abstract screening, 151 passed full-text screening, 98 passed quality appraisal, and 87 were selected for data extraction. Little evidence (≤1 CPG identified) was available for pterygium, keratoconus, congenital eyelid disorders, vision rehabilitation, myopic macular degeneration, ptosis, entropion, and ectropion. In stage 3, domain-specific expert groups voted to include 135 interventions (57%) of a potential 235 interventions collated from stage 2. After synthesis across all interventions and eye conditions, 64 interventions (13 health promotion and education, 6 screening and prevention, 38 treatment, and 7 rehabilitation) were included in the PECI.Conclusions and RelevanceThis systematic review of CPGs for priority eye conditions, followed by an expert consensus procedure, identified 64 essential, evidence-based, eye care interventions that are required to achieve universal eye health coverage. The review identified some important gaps, including a paucity of high-quality, English-language CPGs, for several eye diseases and a dearth of evidence-based recommendations on eye health promotion and prevention within existing CPGs.

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.

Aim: Placental allografts used for tissue regeneration differ in membrane compositions and processing techniques. A uniquely folded dehydrated binate amniotic membrane (DBAM) was biochemically characterized to evaluate its potential role in wound healing. Methods: Histology, Luminex-based immunoassay and standard in vitro cell biology techniques were employed. Results: Histological staining confirmed that the DBAM was chorion free with epithelial cell layer of the respective amnion membranes facing outward. DBAM had quantifiable levels of relevant cytokines that induced proliferation and migration while bolstering secretory activity of the cells. DBAM retained biological efficacy at a broad range of temperatures. Conclusion: Cytokines in DBAM stimulate bone marrow stromal and stem cells that may lead to tissue regeneration and wound healing in a clinical setup.

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.

La prosperite energetique concerne les femmes. Chaque jour, dans le monde entier, des femmes n’ont pas acces a l’energie moderne. Elles investissent plus de 40 % du revenu familial dans des lampes a kerosene inefficaces et dangereuses et dans des bougies pour s’eclairer. Elles parcourent de grandes distances pour ramasser du bois de chauffage. Elles accouchent dans l’obscurite, font la cuisine dans des cuisines enfumees et sortent la nuit pour aller aux latrines sans un eclairage adequat. L’education des filles est compromise par le manque d’eclairage. Assurer que les femmes et les filles ont acces a l’energie est non seulement une question de droits des femmes, mais une question de droits de l’homme fondamentaux. Des etudes quantitatives et qualitatives ont montre que l’acces a l’energie propre donnait aux filles de meilleures chances de terminer le cycle de l’enseignement primaire et aux femmes de gagner mieux leur vie tout en contribuant a reduire la violence sexiste. Donner la possibilite de charger les telephones mobiles permet d’assurer une meilleure connectivite et offre de meilleures perspectives commerciales.

Energy is a key ingredient of the socio-economic development of any region. South Asia is not only one of the fastest growing regions in the world; it is also one of the poorest, which thus puts energy at the very heart of the development process in the region. This paper looks at the challenges faced by the South Asia sub-region for economic co-operation (SASEC) comprised of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, and also at the role of greater regional energy co-operation therein. The region is characterized by pressures of growing economies and increasing population. While the per capita energy consumption is one of the lowest in the world, energy intensity continues to be very high. A large portion of the population lacks access to modern sources of energy and depends on traditional sources that are not only inefficient but also have severe health and environmental problems associated with them. Increasing oil import dependency and huge investment needs for energy market development pose a further challenge. The region has a good resource potential and tremendous scope for energy co-operation, which can play a key role in addressing many of these energy security concerns and in putting it on the path of sustainable development. It is ironic that the record in the area has been so limited and that too in the most basic form of co-operation, i.e. bilateral arrangements between countries. This paper puts forth a multi-pronged strategy for sub-regional energy co-operation encompassing softer options aimed at confidence building to more substantial and larger scale co-operation efforts. Delays in decision making to ensure stronger and mutually beneficial co-operation efforts are associated with high costs not only to the energy sector but also for the entire development agenda. With the precarious energy situation in the region and unprecedented increases in international oil prices seen in recent times, it is high time for policy makers, financing institutions, NGOs and the civil society to push for a greater integration of the SASEC energy sector.

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.

Plant growth-promoting bacteria with the ability to tolerate heavy metals have importance both in sustainable agriculture and phytoremediation. The present study reports on the isolation and characterization of mineral phosphate-solubilizing (MPS) bacteria associated with the Achyranthes aspera L. plant (prickly chaff, flower plant). Out of 35 bacterial isolates, 6 isolates, namely RS7, RP23, EPR1, RS5, RP11 and RP19, with high MPS activity were selected and subjected to the assessment of MPS activity under various stress conditions, viz. ZnSO4 (0.30–1.5 M), NaCl and temperature. MPS activity by the selected isolates was observed at concentrations of as high as >1.2 M ZnSO4. Significant improvement in plant growth was observed on bacterization of seeds (pearl millet) with all of the six selected isolates. Plant growth was measured in terms of root length, shoot length, fresh weight and % increase in root biomass. The molecular diversity among the phosphate-solubilizing bacteria was studied employing enterobacterial repetitive intergenic sequence-PCR (ERIC-PCR). Representative strains from each ERIC type were identified, on the basis of a partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene, as members of the genera Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, Acinetobacter, Serratia, and Enterobacter. Among all the isolates, RP19 was the best in terms of phosphate-solubizing activity and its response to various stresses. The ability of RP19 and other isolates to exhibit MPS activity at high ZnSO4 concentrations suggests their potential as efficient biofertilizer for growing plants in metal (ZnSO4)-contaminated soil. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)