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We are living in an unprecedented difficult time due to the infectious COVID-19 pandemic, a global emergency. During the on-going pandemic, most allergy/immunology care could be postponed/delayed or handled through virtual care. Seven experts from different parts of India deliberated on this subject in 3 weekly webinars (May 10, 17, and 24, 2020) charted out consensus-based approach for diagnosis and management of patients suffering with allergic respiratory diseases in India during this COVID-19 pandemic. This publication includes these recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Forearm fractures are common injuries in children. In older children, there management is difficult due to increased chances of re-displacement after closed reduction. Aim: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of managing paediatric forearm fractures using Titanium Elastic Nailing System (TENS). Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients in the age group 6 to 14 years with fractures in both bones of forearm were managed by internal fixation using TENS and prospective follow-up were done for six months. Results: On final evaluation in terms of symptoms and range of motion of adjacent joints using Price CT et al., criteria for results, we had excellent outcomes in 92% patients and good in 8%. There were no significant complications except for superficial pin tract infections at entry site of nail in only 6% of patients. Conclusion: We conclude that TENS is an effective and minimally invasive method of fixation of forearm fractures with excellent results in terms of bony union and functional outcomes with minimal complications and without jeopardizing the integrity of the physis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited information is available in the literature regarding the long-term effect of chronic arsenic toxicity after stoppage of consumption of arsenic-containing water. Treatment options for the management symptoms of chronic arsenicosis are also limited. Mitigation option available for dealing with the health problem of ground water arsenic contamination rests mainly on supply of arsenic safe water in arsenic endemic region of Indo-Bangladesh subcontinent. The current study was therefore done to study the prevalence of arsenicosis and to assess the effect of drinking arsenic safe water (<50μg/L) on disease manifestation of arsenicosis. Manifestations of various skin lesions and systemic diseases associated with chronic arsenic exposure was ascertained initially by carrying on baseline study on 191 families having 1097 family members along with 44 children studying in Chouduar Primary School in Chouduar village of Malda District of West Bengal. The study population was taking water solely from a particular Chouduar primary school tube well with arsenic level >50 μg/L. The base line study findings were compared objectively at the end of six months follow up period after installation of a community filter at the Chouduar primary school tube well. Around 11.36% of school children had clinical features of suspected arsenicosis with mild keratosis either in the palm or sole. The prevalence was more common in males. 15.8% of the remaining study population was having one or more dermatological and non dermatological manifestations of arsenicosis and there was 1.94% decrease in prevalence of non dermatological manifestations without any change in dermatological manifestations after taking arsenic safe water at the end of 6 months of follow up study. Around 70% of population was not aware about adverse health effects of arsenicosis and not taking animal protein regularly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Though India has been thought to be an ideal destination for conduct of clinical drug trials, other smaller countries seem to be doing better. The pace of growth observed during 2005-2009 seems to be plateaued in 2010. Aims: There is an urgent need for introspection and corrective actions. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted among various stakeholders from clinical drug trial industry in India regarding their perception about clinical drug trial industry in India. Respondents were requested to rate training of investigator sites, industry, performance of regulatory, etc. Results: Majority of respondent felt that the clinical drug trial industry in India is growing, though India is not utilizing its full potential. Lack of trained investigators and delay in regulatory approvals came out as biggest hurdles. Conclusions: Urgent steps need to be taken in terms of proper training of all stakeholders. Regulatory bodies ought to bring about some radical changes in the system so as to match the other competing nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM) has been recognized as the recent pandemic; India and China competing each other for the title--"Diabetes Capital of the World." A number of new drugs have been recently available and has lead to a boom in the clinical drug trial industry. We intend to evaluate the trend of clinical drug trials in Type 2 DM over last one decade. Materials and Methods: Clinical drug trial registry of USA was used for getting the data regarding number of drug trials conducted in each country over last decade. India, China, and USA being the countries with highest prevalence of diabetes were included in the analysis. The percentage share of each country in clinical drug trials in Type 2 DM was compared with their percentage share in prevalence of Type 2 DM. Discussion: A significant growth in the drug trials in Type 2 DM was observed during 2005 to 2008, after which there has been a plateau. It was also recognized that India and China which contribute to around 30% of diabetic population of the world contributed in only 9.73% and 5.15% of drug trials in Type 2 DM during 2010, respectively. USA comprising of 15.15% of diabetic population of world was seen to have contributed in 38.36% of clinical drug trials in Type 2 DM. This raises a question of skewing in the data generated from various drug trials conducted in Type 2 DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]