The utilisation of Himalayan Nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) plant for development of UV protective textiles: A new perspective of a traditionally used plant

910-915The Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) plant has been traditionally used to make various fibre-based products such as sack, rope etc. but with this fast-moving technological era, new developments and researches are required to meet the demand of present so that it could also be made commercially viable. Presently UV radiation causes various skin problems including skin cancer. The present study explores the fabric properties of woven fabrics made of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) fibre for new end uses to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation. Nettle Yarn was procured from Kraftloom Overseas Private Limited, Dehradun. Twill and crepe weave fabric were prepared using handloom at Kumaon woollens, Haldwani. Physical properties and Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of the developed woven fabric were studied at textile testing lab of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. Based on results it was found that properties of nettle woven fabric like thickness, weight, thread count and cover factor affected the UPF of the nettle fabric. It was also found that ultraviolet protection properties of nettle woven fabric could be enhanced through weave variation. Ultraviolet protection properties of fabric made of nettle fibre were explored and reported for the first time which could be utilised for different UV protection products such as curtains, blinds and jackets. Further natural dyeing of developed fabric was also done in another part of the study to maximise the UV protective properties of the fabric

The utilisation of Himalayan Nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) plant for development of UV protective textiles: A new perspective of a traditionally used plant

The Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) plant has been traditionally used to make various fibre-based products such as sack, rope etc. but with this fast-moving technological era, new developments and researches are required to meet the demand of present so that it could also be made commercially viable. Presently UV radiation causes various skin problems including skin cancer. The present study explores the fabric properties of woven fabrics made of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) fibre for new end uses to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation. Nettle Yarn was procured from Kraftloom Overseas Private Limited, Dehradun. Twill and crepe weave fabric were prepared using handloom at Kumaon woollens, Haldwani. Physical properties and Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of the developed woven fabric were studied at textile testing lab of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. Based on results it was found that properties of nettle woven fabric like thickness, weight, thread count and cover factor affected the UPF of the nettle fabric. It was also found that ultraviolet protection properties of nettle woven fabric could be enhanced through weave variation. Ultraviolet protection properties of fabric made of nettle fibre were explored and reported for the first time which could be utilised for different UV protection products such as curtains, blinds and jackets. Further natural dyeing of developed fabric was also done in another part of the study to maximise the UV protective properties of the fabric

PREVALENCE OF VITAMIN-A DEFICIENCY & REFRACTIVE ERRORS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL-GOING CHILDREN

Purpose: The objectives of the study were to assess refractive errors in primary school-going children; to critically analyze the need for supplementation of Vitamin A; and to children of low socioeconomic strata. Methods: Students were examined from 2 primary schools. Visual acuity was tested using Snellen’s chart, Pictogram & Landolt C chart. Detailed anterior and posterior segment examination was done using Binocular loop, Ophthalmoscope and Streak retinoscope. Results: Total no of 560 children of age 3 to 13yr were screened from 2 primary schools.Statistically significant difference was found in the age of the study subject & presence of refractive errors. Percentage of students having Refractive error: myopia (29.64%) is the major cause of refractive error, followed by astigmatism (4.28%) hypermetropia (3.25%) and amblyopia (1.25%). Conclusion: It was observed that many children had high refractive error and were undiagnosed. The possible reason could be ignorance on the part of teachers and parents, even when the children have vision related complains. Also the children in the younger age-group lack the acumen to judge whether they can see clearly or not. Prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency appears reduced in urban areas

The evolutionary dynamics of variant antigen genes in Babesia reveal a history of genomic innovation underlying host-parasite interaction

Babesia spp. are tick-borne, intraerythrocytic hemoparasites that use antigenic variation to resist host immunity, through sequential modification of the parasite-derived variant erythrocyte surface antigen (VESA) expressed on the infected red blood cell surface. We identified the genomic processes driving antigenic diversity in genes encoding VESA (ves1) through comparative analysis within and between three Babesia species, (B. bigemina, B. divergens and B. bovis). Ves1 structure diverges rapidly after speciation, notably through the evolution of shortened forms (ves2) from 5′ ends of canonical ves1 genes. Phylogenetic analyses show that ves1 genes are transposed between loci routinely, whereas ves2 genes are not. Similarly, analysis of sequence mosaicism shows that recombination drives variation in ves1 sequences, but less so for ves2, indicating the adoption of different mechanisms for variation of the two families. Proteomic analysis of the B. bigemina PR isolate shows that two dominant VESA1 proteins are expressed in the population, whereas numerous VESA2 proteins are co-expressed, consistent with differential transcriptional regulation of each family. Hence, VESA2 proteins are abundant and previously unrecognized elements of Babesia biology, with evolutionary dynamics consistently different to those of VESA1, suggesting that their functions are distinct

Regional and experiential differences in surgeon preference for the treatment of cervical facet injuries: a case study survey with the AO Spine Cervical Classification Validation Group

Purpose: The management of cervical facet dislocation injuries remains controversial. The main purpose of this investigation was to identify whether a surgeon’s geographic location or years in practice influences their preferred management of traumatic cervical facet dislocation injuries. Methods: A survey was sent to 272 AO Spine members across all geographic regions and with a variety of practice experience. The survey included clinical case scenarios of cervical facet dislocation injuries and asked responders to select preferences among various diagnostic and management options. Results: A total of 189 complete responses were received. Over 50% of responding surgeons in each region elected to initiate management of cervical facet dislocation injuries with an MRI, with 6 case exceptions. Overall, there was considerable agreement between American and European responders regarding management of these injuries, with only 3 cases exhibiting a significant difference. Additionally, results also exhibited considerable management agreement between those with ≤ 10 and > 10 years of practice experience, with only 2 case exceptions noted. Conclusion: More than half of responders, regardless of geographical location or practice experience, identified MRI as a screening imaging modality when managing cervical facet dislocation injuries, regardless of the status of the spinal cord and prior to any additional intervention. Additionally, a majority of surgeons would elect an anterior approach for the surgical management of these injuries. The study found overall agreement in management preferences of cervical facet dislocation injuries around the globe

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Women gaining ground

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Union fait la forceSpanish version available in IDRC Digital Library: En la unión está la fuerz

Gran marcha de las mujeres

Versión en inglés disponible en la Biblioteca Digital del IDRC: SPARC of hope for India's slum dwellersVersión en francés disponible en la Biblioteca Digital del IDRC: Union fait la force