Systematic review of infant and young child complementary feeding practices in South Asian families: the Pakistan perspective

OBJECTIVE: Suboptimal nutrition among children remains a problem among South Asian (SA) families. Appropriate complementary feeding (CF) practices can greatly reduce this risk. Thus, we undertook a systematic review of studies assessing CF (timing, dietary diversity, meal frequency and influencing factors) in children aged <2 years in Pakistan. DESIGN: Searches between January 2000 and June 2016 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, Web of Science, OVID Maternity & Infant Care, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, BanglaJOL, POPLINE and WHO Global Health Library. Eligibility criteria: primary research on CF practices in SA children aged 0-2 years and/or their families. Search terms: 'children', 'feeding' and 'Asians' with their derivatives. Two researchers undertook study selection, data extraction and quality appraisal (EPPI-Centre Weight of Evidence). RESULTS: From 45 712 results, seventeen studies were included. Despite adopting the WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding guidelines, suboptimal CF was found in all studies. Nine of fifteen studies assessing timing recorded CF introduced between 6 and 9 months. Five of nine observed dietary diversity across four of seven food groups; and two of four, minimum meal frequency in over 50 % of participants. Influencing factors included lack of CF knowledge, low maternal education, socio-economic status and cultural beliefs. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first systematic review to evaluate CF practices in Pakistan. Campaigns to change health and nutrition behaviour are needed to meet the substantial unmet needs of these children

Development and comparison of loop mediated isothermal amplification assay and polymerase chain reaction based on major capsid protein gene for detection of CyHV-2 infection in gold fish Carassius auratus (L.)

Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2) is the etiological agent of goldfish herpesviral haematopoietic necrosis (GHVHN) that caused high economic losses in goldfish aquaculture. In this study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay as well as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting major capsid protein (MCP) gene of CyHV-2 were standardised and evaluated for detection of CyHV-2. CyHV-2 was purified from infected fantail goldfish fin (FtGF) cells using ultracentrifugation and used as template for developing the diagnostic assays. The new LAMP and PCR assays are highly specific and did not amplify the nucleic acids of other fish pathogens tested, namely spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV), Cyprinid herpesvirus-3 (CyHV-3), and viral nervous necrosis virus (VNNV), Aeromonas hydrophila, A. veronii, A. caviae, Edwardsiella tarda, Vibrio anguillarum, V. parahaemolyticus, V. harveyi and Proteus hauseri. Among the two assays developed, LAMP was found to be more sensitive, capable of detecting 10 copies of the plasmid construct containing 942 bp fragment of MCP gene of CyHV-2, while PCR could detect only 100 copies. The LAMP assay developed is a simple, rapid and reliable method for detection of CyHV-2 infection which can also be used in field conditions

PROGRESSIVE FACIAL HEMIATROPHY — A CASE SERIES

Six female patients diagnosed with Progressive Facial Hemiatrophy are presented here. The clinical and serological features are highlighted, and treatment options for the condition are discussed. We would like to highlight the need to differentiate the condition from localized scleroderma and the with limitation of its medical management

Electronic medical records in dermatology: Practical implications

<b>Background:</b> Electronic medical records (EMRs) can be of great use in dermatological data recording. Unfortunately, not many studies have been carried out in this specific area. <b> Aims:</b> We attempt to evaluate the use of an EMR system in dermatology, comparing it with a conventional paper-based system. <b> Methods: </b> Two hundred patient records of patients attending the dermatology outpatient department were studied over a 3-month period. Half the reports were entered in the conventional paper-based format while the other half was entered in an EMR system. The time taken for each consultation was recorded and the same was carried out for the first subsequent follow-up visit. <b> Results:</b> The average time taken for the completion of the EMR-based consultation for new cases was 19.15 min (range, 10-30 min; standard deviation, 6.47). The paper-based consultation had an average time of 15.70 min (range, 5-25 min; standard deviation, 6.78). The <i>P</i>-value (T-test was used) was 0.002, which was significant. The average time taken for consultations and entering progress notes in the follow-up cases was slightly less than 10 min (9.7) for EMR while it was slightly more than 10 min (10.3) for the paper format. The difference was not statistically significant. The doctors involved also mentioned what they felt were the advantages and disadvantages of the system along with suggestions for improvement. <b> Conclusion:</b> The use of an EMR system in dermatology (or for that matter in any specialty) may overawe most users at the beginning, but once a comfort level is established, EMR is likely to outscore conventional paper recording systems. More time-motion-case studies are required to ascertain the optimal usage of EMR systems

CYTOPHAGIC HISTIOCYTIC PANNICULITIS: REPORT OF TWO CASES

Cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis (CHP) was first described in 1980 by Winkelmann as a chronic histiocytic disease of the subcutaneous adipose tissue, which is characterized clinically by tender erythematous nodules, recurrent high fever, malaise, jaundice, organomegaly, serosal effusions, pancytopenia, hepatic dysfunction, and coagulatory abnormalities. CHP may occur either isolated or as part of cutaneous manifestations of hemophagocytic syndrome. Here, we report two different presentations of CHP

Basic digital photography in dermatology. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol (2008) 74(5):532–6. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.44334 Conflict of Interest Statement: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial r

ABSTRACT Digital photography has virtually replaced conventional film photography as far as clinical imaging is concerned. Though most dermatologists are familiar with digital cameras, there is room for improvement in the quality of clinical images. We aim to give an overview of the basics of digital photography in relation to dermatology, which would be useful to a dermatologist in his or her future clinical practice