Achieving Economic Growth through Science Diplomacy in the Indian Subcontinent

9-13Sustainable Development is one of the prominent agendas of all nations and has become a global mission to be accomplished

Observational study to characterize socio-demographic data and clinical presentation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common inflammatory disease with high global morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by poorly reversible airway obstruction. The major risk factor associated is smoke exposure which leads to chronic respiratory failure. Various chronic medical conditions commonly coexisting with COPD include coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis and muscle weakness. Co-morbid conditions should be managed appropriately along with treatment of COPD. Present observational study was undertaken to characterize socio-demographic data, clinical presentation and possible co-morbidities (cardiac, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension) in COPD patients. The observed data was analyzed to study prevalence of all parameters gender wise and relation with diagnostic technique i.e. chest X-ray and electrocardiography (ECG) for cardiac screening. Therefore, in the following study, elderly and male patients were prominently affected by COPD with common symptoms of cough, breathlessness, expectoration, fever and chest pain. Diabetes is one of the co-morbidities observed in this set of patients. Hence, random blood sugar (RBS) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) parameters were deranged in this cohort of patients. Additionally, ECG was also observed to be abnormal in few patients. Conclusively, this study highlighted various demographic features, clinical symptoms and comorbidities responsible for health burden of COPD patients

Microbial Study of Water Samples Collected from Different Districts of Himachal Pradesh

Water Microbiology deals with the study of the living organisms of microscopic size present in water that causes infectious diseases of man. The primary test performed on water taken from 10 different sites act as an indicator of different types of water pollution, especially fecal pollution of water due to the presence of coliforms bacteria because they are invariably present in feces of human beings. The safety of drinking water is an ongoing concern within the global village. Traditionally, the safety of potable water supplies has been controlled by disinfection, usually by chlorination and coliform population estimates. However, it has been reported that coliform-free potable water may not necessarily be free of pathogens. Some diseases causing microorganisms enter the water from different sources and causes different types of diseases such as Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis, Shigellosis, Salmonellosis can spread through this contaminated water which is a matter of concern

Significance and Factors Hampering Patents Commercialization in India

As per the Patents Act, 1970 one of the patentability criteria is ‘the invention should have industrial application’. The patents’ rights conferred to the patentee are merely not to enjoy the monopoly over the invention, but the patentee has to ensure the use of technology for the societal and economic benefit of the country. Once the patent is granted, the patentee has to ensure the working of the patent in India on a commercial scale. In return, the patentee gets his due amount for his hard work and efforts rendered for the intellectual creativity. Current paper focuses on the working/non-working profile of the patents granted to Indian Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and National Research Labs (NRLs) in the country from January 2010 to December 2017. The data has been procured from the prescribed ‘Form-27’ by the Indian Patent Office, which the patentee is required to file every year before the end of financial year, post grant of the patent. The research depicts in how many patentees submitted requisite ‘Form-27’, and in how many cases patents granted, worked or didn’t work. Moreover, various reasons cited for the non-working of the patents have also been identified. The issues being encountered with by the patentees have been identified and measures thereof required to be taken, at the individual level, institutional level and government level, have also been suggested

Postoperative sore throat with 0.05% betamethasone gel and 2% lignocaine jelly used as a lubricant for ProSeal LMA (PLMA) insertion

AbstractPostoperative sore throat (POST) is a minor complication after general anaesthesia. Many agents have been used as lubricant to reduce the incidence of POST with variable efficacy. We conducted a study to compare the incidence of POST with 0.05% betamethasone gel and 2% lignocaine jelly as a lubricant for PLMA insertion in patients undergoing general anaesthesia.Sixty subjects were divided randomly into two groups. Patients in Group I (n=30) had 2.5ml of 0.05% of betamethasone gel while the Group II had 2.5ml of 2% lignocaine jelly applied on the cuff of PLMA. After standard induction and insertion of PLMA cuff inflated to 60cm of H2O and was maintained at the same throughout the surgery. In PACU, patients were inquired about sore throat at immediate and 24h post operative period.POST was not observed in any of the patients of Group I. In group II 33% of the patients had 1st degree and 10% had 2nd degree of sore-throat in immediate post-operative period. After 24h 16% patients had 1st degree sore-throat and 3% patients had 2nd degree of sore-throat in Group II patients. We conclude that lubricating cuff of PLMA with 0.05% of betamethasone gel is effective in reducing the incidence of POST

Patents Commercialization Profile of Universities and Higher Education Institutes in India

Innovation is the key ingredient that drives the economic growth of the nation. Globalization has diminished barriers thereby, delivering a larger market area for these innovations. Countries like USA, China, South Korea, Japan, etc. have acknowledged this fact and are thriving through consistent innovation. They have a dynamic ecosystem that supports and encourages commercialization worthy research and development (R&D) through healthy engagements among the various stakeholders. Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), a vital component of this ecosystem, offer themselves as a cradle of fundamental research and a powerhouse of potential innovations. Countries like USA have banked heavily on their HEIs, such as, Stanford and Harvard, building a sustainable framework around them. Indian HEIs, which have long been in the practice of publication of their technological advancements, are also making the transition towards the patenting system. Although the IP movement at most HEIs in India is still in nascent stages, roots have already been formed at a few select institutes.This paper attempts to provide an overview of Indian HEIs leading in patents granted and their commercialisation status, based on the “Statements of Working filed” on Form-27 at the Indian Patent Office (IPO)

Burden of overweight and obesity among children studying in schools of Western Rajasthan

Background: Obesity in children has become a public health concern worldwide with a significant rise in recent years. Aim & Objective: This study aimed to estimate the occurrence of overweight and obesity in adolescents studying in school and to determine the risk factors for obesity as well as overweight in this population. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional research was carried out among adolescent children of age group 12-15 years from Jodhpur's rural and urban schools. Methods and Material: The present study included 1864 school children. A well-structured questionnaire was used to gather data, and the researchers measured weight and height with the help of calibrated tools. Index for Body Mass (BMI) and Z-scores were calculated, and the World Health Organization (WHO) standardized gender-specific growth chart was used to classify children as being overweight and obese. Statistical analysis used: The statistical evaluation was conducted utilising SPSS version 23.0. Chi-square analyses were applied to analyse the relationship of independent variables with overweight/obesity status. Variables showing statistical significance at a 5% level were further analysed using multiple logistic regression. Results: It was discovered that the rate of overweight and obesity among Jodhpur schoolchildren was 23.2%, with 22.9% classified as overweight and 0.3% as obese. The analysis revealed that children attending urban and public schools exhibited higher rates of obesity and overweight compared to those in rural and private schools. Conclusions: The study highlights a considerable burden of overweight among children enrolled in schools of Jodhpur, warranting the implementation of sustainable intervention aimed at encouraging physical exercise and a balanced diet