A Novel Technique - Pterygium excision followed by sutureless and gluefree conjunctival autografting

Purpose: To study the efficacy and safety of sutureless and gluefree conjunctival autograft as an adjunctive therapy after removal of primary pterygium and to determine the post operative recurrence.Methods: A prospective, non-comparative, interventional case series. Pterygium excision and supero-temporal bulbar conjunctival autografting without sutures and glue was performed on 52 eyes of 50 patients with primary pterygium. patients were followed upto 1 year.Results: The mean age of the patients was 40.9 +/- 12.09 years. Of the 50 patients recurrence was observed in 1 patient (1.92%).Graft displacement was seen in 4 (7.69%) on 1st post operative day which were successfully repositioned .Graft edema was seen in 4 (7.69%) cases while graft haematoma occurred in 3(5.76%) cases. No granuloma, retention cyst or corneal dellen noted. After 4 weeks,all grafts were taken up well and there was stastically significant reduction in astigmatism(P<0.01).Conclusion: This study suggests that a sutureless and gluefree conjunctival autografting in the management of primary pterygium is a useful procedure resulting in low recurrence rate and also avoids the potential risks and complications of sutures, glue and amniotic membrane

Refexive Planning for Later Life: A Conceptual Model and Evidence from Canada

In this paper, we present a conceptual model to describe an individual's preparations for later life. Situated in the life course perspective, this model invites a comprehensive and systematic study of later life planning. It describes a dynamic process that portrays the interplay between social structure and human agency. Through its consideration of collective preparations (the public protection programs offered by the state), individual preparations (financial and non-financial), and the interplay between them, this model provides fresh insight into the existing literature on retirement planning, the timing of retirement, savings, and consumption patterns in later life. Moreover, the model may be used to structure research questions, to guide policy decision making and to point the direction for the design and content of future research studies. While the purpose of this paper is primarily the development of a conceptual model, we illustrate the model using the results of a self-completion semi-structured questionnaire on this topic that was completed by a convenience sample of 240 seniors in Canada. We conclude by suggesting a number of research questions that may be generated from the model.retirement planning, financial security, savings, independence

The Role of Health and Age in Financial Preparations for Later Life

This paper concerns the self insurance preparations that people make for later life. Policy changes to the Canadian pension, old age security, and health care systems mean that the financial preparations that people make are becoming increasingly important as vehicles to economic independence in later life. Data from the Statistics Canada's Survey on Ageing and Independence are used to investigate the role of health and age in the financial preparations that households make for later life including contributions to RRSPs, savings, other investments, major purchases and access to company pension plans. Data are analyzed using logistic regression. Findings indicate that compared to respondents in poor health, respondents in better health are more likely to have made financial preparations for retirement. Having an activity limitation is associated with increasing odds of making other investments, paying off debts and making other purchases. Middle aged respondents (age 50-64) are more likely to have made RRSP contributions than both their younger and older counterparts. However, the older respondents were more likely to have built up savings, made other investments and paid off or avoided debts. The implications for policy are discussed.SAI; health; age; financial preparations

Disability Related Sources of Income and Expenses: An Examination Among the Elderly in Canada

The primary purpose of this paper is to examine disability-related sources of income and expenses among high and low income older Canadians. Specifically, the paper attempts to answer three questions: Do low and high income seniors experience disability equally? Do low and high income seniors incur equal disability- related non-reimbursed expenses? And, Do low and high income seniors receive equal disability-related pensions and tax credits? The analysis is based on the Health and Activity Limitation Surveys of 1986 and 1991. Both surveys were cross-sectional, designed to gather information on disabilities and their impact on daily living. Among the seniors (those 65 and over), between 10.3% (men in 1986) and 23.2% (women in 1991) were classified as low income and about 40% reporting having at least one disability, compared to one-quarter of women and men of all ages. The analysis indicates that low income seniors are disadvantaged in that they experience more disability, incur more non-reimbursed expenses, and receive less in terms of disability- related pensions and credits than do high income seniors. It thus appears that interventions should be policy based rather than individual based.elderly; disability; income

IDENTIFICATION OF PUTATIVE DRUG TARGETS IN MASTITIS CAUSING STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS BY IN SILICO APPROACH

Objective: In the present study an attempt has been made by the use of a computational approach to investigate putative drug targets in Staphylococcus aureus.Methods: In silico comparative analysis of the metabolic pathways between the pathogen and the Bos taurus was carried out. Further detection of bacterial genes that are non homologous to host, but are essential for the survival of the pathogen represents a promising means of identifying novel drug targets. Metabolic pathways were obtained from the metabolic pathway database Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and were compared to identify unique pathways present only in the pathogen and absent in the host.Results: We have identified total 1930 proteins, which are non homologous to Bos taurus protein sequences and among them 374 enzymes are found to be essential for survival of the S. aureus according to the database of essential genes (DEG) database. Further, 10 proteins were predicted as cytoplasmic and cell wall associated proteins, which could serve as potential drug target candidates.Conclusion: The identified potential drug targets form a platform for further investigation in discovery of novel therapeutic agents against S. aureus.Â

NOVEL BORON COMPLEXES DERIVED FROM CATECHOL AND ARYLAZONAPTHOLS

ABSTRACT The reaction of 2-isopropoxy-1,3,2-benzodioxaborole with arylazonapthols in molar ratio 1:1 in benzene gives mixed ligand boron spirochelate

Reflexive Planning for Later Life: A Conceptual Model and Evidence from Canada

In this paper, we present a conceptual model to describe an individual's preparations for later life. Situated in the life course perspective, this model invites a comprehensive and systematic study of later life planning. It describes a dynamic process that portrays the interplay between social structure and human agency. Through its consideration of collective preparations (the public protection programs offered by the state), individual preparations (financial and non-financial), and the interplay between them, this model provides fresh insight into the existing literature on retirement planning, the timing of retirement, savings, and consumption patterns in later life. Moreover, the model may be used to structure research questions, to guide policy decision making and to point the direction for the design and content of future research studies. While the purpose of this paper is primarily the development of a conceptual model, we illustrate the model using the results of a self-completion semi-structured questionnaire on this topic that was completed by a convenience sample of 240 seniors in Canada. We conclude by suggesting a number of research questions that may be generated from the model.retirement planning,financial security,savings,independence

Allelic dimorphism of Plasmodium vivax gam-1 in the Indian subcontinent

BACKGROUND: Genetic polymorphism is an inevitable component of a complex organism especially in multistage infectious organisms such as malaria parasites. Understanding the population genetic structure of the parasites would provide valuable information for effective malaria control strategies. Recently, the development of molecular tools like PCR has made analysis of field samples possible and easier and research on Plasmodium vivax has also been strengthened. Not many reports are available on the genetic polymorphism of P. vivax from the Indian sub-continent. This study evaluates the extent of diversity in field isolates of India with respect to Pvgam-1. METHODS: A study was designed to assess the diversity of Pvgam-1 among field isolates from India, using a nested PCR assay. Field isolates were collected from different regions of the country and the observed variability was confirmed by sequencing data. RESULTS: Both Belem and Chesson type alleles were present either exclusively or in mixed form among isolates of all 10 study sites. The Belem type allele was predominant, occurring in 67% of isolates. The proportion of isolates showing the mixed form (both Belem and Chesson type alleles occurring together in the same isolate) was about 13 overall (up to 38.5% in some isolates). Sequencing of the PCR-amplified Belem and Chesson type alleles confirmed the PCR results. Among the 10 study sequences, 11 polymorphic sites and four singleton variations were observed. All the nucleotide substitutions were non-synonymous. CONCLUSION: Study shows limited diversity of Pvgam-1 marker in Indian isolates with well representation of both Belem and Chesson type alleles