Research options for controlling Zoonotic disease in India, 2010-2015

BACKGROUND: Zoonotic infections pose a significant public health challenge for low- and middle-income countries and have traditionally been a neglected area of research. The Roadmap to Combat Zoonoses in India (RCZI) initiative conducted an exercise to systematically identify and prioritize research options needed to control zoonoses in India. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Priority setting methods developed by the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative were adapted for the diversity of sectors, disciplines, diseases and populations relevant for zoonoses in India. A multidisciplinary group of experts identified priority zoonotic diseases and knowledge gaps and proposed research options to address key knowledge gaps within the next five years. Each option was scored using predefined criteria by another group of experts. The scores were weighted using relative ranks among the criteria based upon the feedback of a larger reference group. We categorized each research option by type of research, disease targeted, factorials, and level of collaboration required. We analysed the research options by tabulating them along these categories. Seventeen experts generated four universal research themes and 103 specific research options, the majority of which required a high to medium level of collaboration across sectors. Research options designated as pertaining to 'social, political and economic' factorials predominated and scored higher than options focussing on ecological, genetic and biological, or environmental factors. Research options related to 'health policy and systems' scored highest while those related to 'research for development of new interventions' scored the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: We methodically identified research themes and specific research options incorporating perspectives of a diverse group of stakeholders. These outputs reflect the diverse nature of challenges posed by zoonoses and should be acceptable across diseases, disciplines, and sectors. The identified research options capture the need for 'actionable research' for advancing the prevention and control of zoonoses in India

Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy

Background: Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy is defined as platelet count of less than 150,000/µl. It may be inherited or idiopathic, acute or chronic in onset, either primary or associated with other disorders. Gestational thrombocytopenia is the most common type which is diagnosed usually in the last trimester. When there is severe thrombocytopenia, it is usually pathological in origin. The goal of this study was to identify thrombocytopenia in early stages of pregnancy and evaluate the risk factors involved. Aim was the evaluation of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a tertiary care centre from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020. Data was collected and analyzed by SPSS version 17.Results: In the current study, 71.1% of cases were mild thrombocytopenia and 64.4% were picked up in the third trimester. Out of the 90 cases taken, 64% of the cases were due to the most common cause i.e., gestational thrombocytopenia. The second most common cause of thrombocytopenia was pregnancy induced hypertension which accounted for 18% of the total number of cases. Symptomatic thrombocytopenia of moderate and severe degree was seen in cases of PIH and ITP. 37.5% of the cases had underlying hypertension.Conclusions: Timely identification and management of the cause of thrombocytopenia is crucial in the antenatal group of women. Although it is an incidental finding in most cases, when there is an underlying cause, severity of thrombocytopenia increases tremendously and has dire consequences. Every pregnant woman should undergo complete blood count examination once in each trimester to avoid maternal and fetal complications

Soil-Structure Interaction of Soft Clay Using Prefabricated Vertical Geodrains Under Seismic Stresses

Experimental model study was carried out on soft Kaolinite clay using modified hydraulically pressurized oedometer with vertical sandwick of different diameter using open mandrel technique to investigate consolidation characteristics based on settlement and excess pore water pressure dissipation measurements. The main aim of this paper is to know the behavior of this consolidated mass under seismic stresses for different periods of time using shaking table.Pre and post shear strength of consolidated soil mass is evaluated using vane shear apparatus under seismic stresses. The interaction phenomena between clay and sandwick drain is also studied in oedometer to know stability of vertical geodrain under vibratory loads. Average degree of consolidation is computed from settlement and pore pressure measurement readings and is compared with theoretical solutions developed by authors. The results clearly indicate that by using sandwicks the % loss in strength can be reduced within the limits. Also it was concluded that clay-drain interface was not much disturbed under seismic stresses and quick clay condition can be reduced by using sandwicks

Reduced-Force Closed Trocar Entry Technique: Analysis of Trocar Insertion Force Using a Mechanical Force Gauge

Reduced force trocar entry technique decreases trocar insertion force by 50% and is fast, safe, and cost effective