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Part I. Lists various abstracts of research papers related to pharmacology presented during the XXXVI Annual Conference of the Indian Pharmacological Society held on December 5 to 7, 2003 in New Delhi. Title of paper; Research author; Affiliation; E-mail address; Objectives; Methods; Results; Conclusions; Possible anorectic case effect of methanol extract of Benincasa hispida by Kumar A.; Study of ulcerogenic potential of methylene blue by Shah H.; Role of potassium channel agonist and antagonist in ouabain induced arrhythmias by Dhasmana D.C.

Objective: This paper highlights the hydrocephalus research efforts undertaken at AIIMS, New Delhi, supporting progress in the field.Material: Over a period of three decades, basic research, clinical investigations, and multicentric studies were undertaken. This report will review the work mainly to emphasize the need for future generations to pursue further research. Studies that impacted hydrocephalus care (mainly in India) are described, and some of these findings may be useful in other resource-challenged situations.Results: Investigative studies on the effect of shunting on brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER), transcranial Doppler (TCD), and CT-SPECT were published offering management options for patients. Participation in the International Infant Hydrocephalus Study (IIHS) study offered opportunities to compare our approaches and develop modifications in patient care. This effort proved shunting was equal or better for young children with congenital aqueductal stenosis. Shunt infection protocols and changes made in a systematic manner helped develop local protocols to reduce postoperative shunt infections.Conclusions: Hydrocephalus research over three decades at AIIMS, New Delhi was productive and educational, confirming that locally performed investigative work can help in decision making. Further studies and active participation in international efforts are necessary to advance the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents several papers presented at the 34th Annual Conference of Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohematology (ISBTI) in New Delhi, India from November 20-22, 2009. One paper examines the therapeutic plasma exchange in neuroimmunological disorders. Another paper discusses predonation blood donor referral. One paper discusses the causes of blood donor deferral.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi published guidelines, titled "Report of the Expert Group for framing Guidelines for admission of candidates with benchmark disabilities in postgraduate courses at AIIMS, New Delhi", for doctors with disabilities seeking postgraduate admissions to the Institutions of National Importance. The expert group, which lacked representation of people with disabilities, in general, and doctors with disabilities, in particular, puts immense effort into justifying why trainees with disabilities must not join AIIMS, at times in bold and/or capital letters, and at other places, in an outright ableist language. In addition, there is blatant plagiarism from well-known advisories and guidelines which are known for promoting the inclusion of trainees with disabilities. Attitudinal barriers and biases remained incorrigible as sections of these documents were selectively abridged to justify prevailing exclusion practises. We link the connection of these members to the controversial National Medical Council guidelines for undergraduate admission of persons with specified disabilities, which were successfully challenged in courts, as well as to the identification of posts for employment at AIIMS. We justify disability accommodations by citing inclusive court interventions from India to emphasise that the notion of inclusive equality includes the provision for reasonable accommodations. It is high time that the motto "Nothing about us, without us" becomes a locus classicus for immediate change of these discriminatory guidelines, as well as the prescribing powers of such experts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A medical postgraduate course in the field of Laboratory Medicine for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree holders has existed for more than two decades in India, initiated and offered by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, which was created under the special Act of Parliament of India 1956. This course has recently been included in the draft of National Medical Commission's Post Graduate Regulation 2021 list of medical courses, and the foundation guidelines have been laid for other medical colleges and teaching hospitals across the country to start this course. This article, written purely in academic interest, describes the past, present and future of this postgraduate training program in India with an aim to answer several doubts regarding this unique and holistic course with a view to providing a direction to those who are willing to become a laboratory physician through this post-graduation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing prevalence of community-acquired infections (CAIs) due to Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), especially the Cefotaxime-Munich (CTX-M) type, carbapenemase, and New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), has been reported globally posing a serious public health threat that has complicated treatment strategies for Gram-negative bacterial infections. While most of the reports in this regard are based on hospitalized patients from the urban community, there is a paucity of data in a rural community presenting with CAIs. Materials and Methods: A total of 1275 strains of E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolated over a period of 3 years from patients with CAIs were subjected to the detection of ESBL by double-disc synergy test; carbapenemase by modified Hodge test; metallo-β-lactamase by MIC test strip metallo-β-lactamase (MBL); and blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, and blaNDMgenes by polymerase chain reaction. Results: Among 1275 E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolated during the study period, 773 (60.6%), 102 (8%), and 28 (2.2%) isolates were detected as ESBL, carbapenemase and MBL producers, respectively. Of the 773 ESBL producers, 635 (82.1%) were found to harbor blaCTX-M genes, and of the 102 carbapenemase producers, 12 (11.8%) were found to harbor blaNDMgenes. Gene sequencing of all the 12 NDM-positive isolates revealed blaNDM-1 genes. Antibiotic resistance pattern of the ESBL-positive isolates revealed a high degree of co-resistance to noncephalosporin antibiotics such as amoxyclav, co-trimoxazole, chloramphenicol, and fluoroquinolones. Conclusion: The present study showed the increasing the prevalence of ESBL including CTX-M variety, carbapenemase production by E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates, and spread of NDM-1 in the patients from the rural community of North India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug therapy in diabetes care along the duration of diabetes has been documented scarcely in literature, especially from Indian subcontinent. An audit of an endocrine practice from New Delhi was conducted to understand the current diabetes practice and its direct cost to the patient. Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the current trend in the use of antidiabetes as well as other drugs for comorbidities along the duration of diabetes. The study also aimed to analyze the direct drug cost to patients. Settings and Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods: Data captured in clinic electronic medical records of an endocrine practice was analyzed. Statistical Analysis Used: Data was analyzed descriptively using machine learning codes on python platform. Results: Records of 489 people who attended the clinic during the 6-month period were retrieved. Data of 403 people with diabetes were analyzed after exclusion of incomplete data. Use of antidiabetic drug increased from 1.44 (0.78) [mean (standard deviation)] in people with a duration of diabetes <5 years to 3.18 (1.05) in people with 20+ years of diabetes. The mean number of antidiabetic drug usage seems to plateau at 15 years of diabetes. About 46% of people with 20+ years of diabetes required insulin therapy. Prescription patterns involving a combination of different drug classes in patients were also analyzed. The cost of diabetes therapy increases linearly along the duration of diabetes. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights on temporal prescription patterns of antidiabetic drugs from an endocrine practice. Metformin remains the most preferred drug across the entire duration of diabetes. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors seem to be fast catching up with sulfonylureas as a second-line treatment after metformin. After 20 years or more of diabetes duration, 46% people would require insulin for glycemic control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A calendar of the scientific program for the 12th Asian Oceanian Congress of Neurology (AOCN) and 16th Annual Conference of the Indian Academy of Neurology (IAN) in New Delhi, India from October 23 to 26, 2008 is presented including a symposium on cerebro-vascular disorders, a guest lecture on multiple sclerosis (MS), and walking poster sessions.

The article analyzes the results of a cross-sectional study of the treatment-seeking behavior of parents of children with locomotor disability in New Delhi, India. Based on the pattern of first consultation, parents of disabled children were found to have little confidence in the government health care system. Also noted is the relationship of socio-economic status and place of residence with the treatment seeking pattern. The need for coordination and smooth referral link-ups among health service providers is emphasized.

Information about the 35th Indian Prosthodontic Society (IPS) Conference held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, India on September 6-11, 2007 is presented. The conference was hosted by the Army Dental Corps. There were 526 scientific presentations received by the organizing committee which includes 385 oral presentations, 123 posters and 27 table clinics. Furthermore, the speakers of the conference includes Dr. Chadrashekar Nair, Dr. Suresh Meshram and Dr. Shilpa Shetty.

The author reflects on the successful launching of the program that provides access to quality drugs carried out by the National Capital Region of Delhi. According to the author, the success of the program was attributed to three things: the political will of Harsh Vardhan, the then Minister of Health and Family Welfare; effective administrative support headed by Ranjit Roy Choudhury; and a dedicated independent organization called the Delhi Society for the Promotion of Rational Use of Drugs.

Information regarding the 26th Federation of Operative Dentistry of India (FODI) and 19th Indian Endodontic Society (IES) national Conference held at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, India on November 11-13, 2011 is presented. Topics explored include issues involving the dental sector, the significance of innovation in dentistry, and exhibitions of high-impact dental products. The event featured Sam Pitroda of the National Knowledge commission of India, doctors Peter Murray, and Paul Abbott.

The article offers information on the 41st Annual Conference of the Indian Pharmacology Society to be held at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India.