Novel COVID-19 Pandemic Threat: Systematic Approaches To Preventing and Controlling Transmission in Eye Care System in Developing Countries

Background: 2019-novel coronavirus is a pandemic and major threat being how to avoid catching an infection. Purpose: To develop a working protocol to prevent and control community transmission of novel and life-threatening corona viral strain (COVID 19) in a tertiary eye care system of a tier-three city in developing counties such as India and underdeveloped countries. Methods: Prevention and control measures concerning staff training, working environment, staff health, patients, and outreach activities implemented and being practiced in our tertiary care ophthalmology hospital are focussed. Results: Proper and adequate training imparted by a qualified immunologist in addition to continual updates on disease out breaking news and guidelines to the employees. Ways to limit transmission within and between patients and staff are discussed in conjunction with the disinfection of equipment and high- and low-risk areas in a more frequent manner. Outreach camps are stopped in the obedience of the authorized governing bodies. Conclusion: This systemic approach developed based on our experience, and observational data will be useful in preventing transmission of this pandemic threat.

Comparison of Tamsulosin versus Tadalafil as an Effective Expulsive Treatment for Distal Ureteral Stones – A Prospective Comparative Study

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of ureteric stone is a matter of concern in this era and it may be linked to improvedquality of life. Medical expulsive therapy, including alpha-blockers, steroids, and calcium channel blockers, has been extensivelystudied for improving the rate of stone passage in patients who do not require immediate urologic intervention.Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of tamsulosin and tadalafil in expulsive treatment for distal ureteralstones.Materials and Methods: This was a prospective comparative study included 120 adult patients (>18 years of age) presentingwith distal ureteric stones were randomized into 60 patients with tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily (Group A) or 60 patients withtadalafil 10 mg once daily (Group B) treatment. Therapy was given for a maximum of 4 weeks.Results: About 85% of study patients had a size between 5 mm and 7 mm and 18 patients had size between 8 mm and 10 mm.There was no statistical difference noted in the pain duration and analgesic usage of both groups. In Group A, 67% of patientshad expulsion of stones; in Group B, 63% of patients had expulsion of stones. About 90% of patients in 40 cases of expelledstones are in <5 days in Group A and 89% of patients 38 cases of expelled stones are in <5 days in Group B. There was nostatistical difference noted between both groups.Conclusion: Tamsulosin and tadalafil have shown similar expulsion rate. Both of them simultaneously provides better paincontrol and significantly lower the needs for analgesia.

​Clinical Presentation and Management of Urethral Strictures: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: Male urethral stricture (US) disease is a common condition which results in narrowing or obliteration of the urethrallumen and may involve any segment of the urethra from the urethral meatus to the bladder neck.Aim: This study aims to study the clinical presentation and management of US.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 200 patient’s data were analyzed. Stricture characteristics, investigations,treatment, and complications were recorded.Results: In this study, 190 (95%) males and 10 (5%) females were included in the study. The mean age of onset of USs was51 ± 7.28 years. The most common site of the occurrence of male US was the bulbar urethra (80 patients). Endoscopy opticalinternal urethrotomy was done in 60 patients and dilatation was done in 40 patients and 30 patients needed buccal mucosal graft.Conclusion: The US is a common disease that accounts for a considerable amount of morbidity and cost to the health-caresystem. Proper diagnosis and repair of the strictures are essential along with the appropriate imaging modality to prevent therisk of renal failure and to reduce morbidity.

Dumbbells and ankle-wrist weight training leads to changes in body composition and anthropometric parameters with potential cardiovascular disease risk reduction

Objectives: Promoting physical activity is a global strategy to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to determine and compare the effect of light resistance training using either dumbbells or ankle-wrist weights on the anthropometric parameters and body composition of adults in Kelantan

Malaysia. Methods: This randomized community trial was conducted in Kelantan, Malaysia, from March through August 2012. Adults with a body mass index [BMI] of more than 23 kg/m2 were randomized into dumbbell [N ¼ 69] and ankle-wrist [N ¼ 69] weight groups. Participants in the dumbbell group performed structured group exercises three times per week using a pair of onekilogram dumbbells. Participants in the ankle-wrist weight group were given one pair of 500 gm ankle weights and one pair of 500 gm wrist weights to be worn during the activities of daily living three days per week for at least 20 min. BMI, waist circumference [WC], waist-tohip ratio [WHR], body fat percentage [BF%] and skeletal muscle percentage [SM%] were measured at baseline, week 6, month 3 and month 6

Results: Eighty-nine participants completed this study. There were significant reductions in BMI only at week six for the dumbbell group. No significant BMI changes were observed for the ankle-wrist weight group. Significant improvements of WC, WHR, BF%, and SM% were observed in both intervention groups from baseline at week 6, month 3, and month 6

Conclusion: Resistance exercise using either dumbbells or ankle-wrist weights produced significant improvements in certain components of body composition and anthropometric parameters

Assessment of regulatory T lymphocytes in different clinical presentation of chronic hepatitis C virus infection

CD4CD25[+] regulatory T lymphocytes are a subset of circulating CD4 T cells with suppressive properties. CD4CD25[+] regulatory T cells suppress HCV-specific T cell responses and it has been suggested that they may play a role in viral persistence. Our aim was to assess the frequency of regulatory T cells in the different clinical presentation of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian population. Peripheral blood CD4[+]CD25[+] regulatory T cells from patients with chronic HCV [n=20], patients with HCV related liver cirrhosis [n=20], patients with HCV related-HCC [[n=20], and from normal control subjects [n20], were analyzed by flow cytometry. A higher frequency of CD4CD25 regulatory T cells were found in chronic HCV [3 +/- 0.9%], Hey related liver cirrhosis [3 +/- 0.8%], HCV related-HCC [3.9 +/- 1.6%], when compared with normal controls [2.3 +/- 0.8%]. No statistical significant differences were found when comparing HCV related cirrhotic patients with chronic HCV infected patients [p=0.95]. Meanwhile, a significant increase was detected when comparing HCV related HCC patients with chronic HCV patients [p=0.047]. Our results indicated the presence of higher than normal frequency of peripheral blood CD4CD25 regulatory T cell among Egyptian patients with different clinical presentation of chronic hepatitis C virus infection and in particular HCC

Urinary tubular enzyme excretion in children with nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis with hydronephrosis

Objective: Nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis are recurrent conditions associated with significant morbidity and economilc impact. Previous studies have suggested that cell- crystal interactions lead to tubular damage and/or dysfunction. To find further proof for these observations, a metabolic evaluation [including serum and urine biochemistry and urinary enzyme excretion] was done in children with nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis with hydronephrosis

Patients and Methods: This study included two groups: 10 normal children [controls] and 32 children with calcium oxalate urinary tract stones. The latter group was further subdivided into those with nephrolithiasis [n=12] and urolithiasis with hydronephrosis [n=20]. Levels of uric acid, oxalate, calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorus in 24-hour urine and serum were determined. Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase [NAG], beta-galactosidase [beta-GAL], beta-hexosaminidase [beta-Hex], angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] and gamma glutamyl transferase [y-GT] levels were also determined colorimetrically

Results: Increases in urinary excretion of oxalate, calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorus were the major abnormalities found in stone forming patients. Elevated urinary NAG, beta-GAL, beta-Hex and ACE levels were also noted in patients compared with controls. Urinary excretion of oxalate, NAG, beta-GAL and ACE was significantly elevated in children with nephrolithiasis compared to those with urolithiasis and hydronephrosis

Conclusion: Abnormal urine biochemistry seems to have a role in the risk for urinary-tract stone formation in children. Hyperoxaluria can induce tubular cell injury mainly in proximal tubules, which is more pronounced in children with nephrolithiasis. The tubular injury manifested by enzymuria occurs before alteration of renal functions and blood biochemistry. Urinary tubular enzymes should be screened in children with urinary tract stones

Socioeconomic predictors of unconstrained child growth in Muscat, Oman

We conducted a study to identify socioeconomic factors associated with unconstrained growth among preschoolers in Muscat, Oman. A sample of children born in 1995 and aged 28-43 months was drawn from the Child Health Registers of 2 health care centres. Sociodemographic data were collected by oral interview and maternal and child anthropometry measured. Regression analysis was used to identify socioeconomic indicators and cut-offs associated with unconstrained growth. Children from households with a monthly income > or = 800 Omani rials and mother's education > or = 4 years attained height-for-age levels comparable to the current international growth reference. By screening using this criterion, we could obtain a suitable sample for the World Health Organization Multicentre Growth Reference Study in Muscat