No abstract

The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has a high spreading and fatality rate. To control the rapid spreading of the COVID-19 virus, the government of India imposed lockdown policies, which creates a unique opportunity to analyze the impact of lockdown on air quality in the two most populous cities of India, i.e., Delhi and Mumbai. To do this, the study employed a spatial approach to examine the concentration of seven criteria pollutants, i.e., PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NH 3 , CO, NO 2 , O 3 , and SO 2, before, during, and after a lockdown in Delhi and Mumbai. Overall, around 42%, 50%, 21%, 37%, 53%, and 41% declines in PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NH 3 , CO, NO 2 , and SO 2 were observed during the lockdown period as compared to previous years. On the other hand, a 2% increase in O 3 concentration was observed. However, the study analyzed the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) for Delhi and Mumbai and found that lockdown does not improve the air quality in the long term period. Our key findings provide essential information to the cities' administration to develop rules and regulations to enhance air quality.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) linked with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a serious threat to public health worldwide. Firstly, the SARS-CoV-2 was reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. Initially, the major proportion of virus-infected cases (i.e. about 99%) was reported in China and now it is being reported in other counties as well. Humans begin to be infected within their communities and transmittance of the viral epidemic increased rapidly due to lack of understanding of its transmission routes and precautionary measures. The existence of SARS-CoV-2 in China threatened the population greatly due to the high incidence of fatal respiratory infections. Current investigations speculated that this virus transferred into a human from viral-infected bats. However, the process of interspecies viral transmission is an important scientific question to be addressed. Due to the continuous increase in the patients infected with COVID-19 associated pneumonia, the World Health Organization (WHO) has included this viral epidemic to the priority list of diseases. Therefore, accelerated research developments are required to control the spread of this outbreak, as it is declared as a public health emergency by WHO especially in the absence of efficacious drugs and vaccines. Our review encompasses the recent status of disease severity in China, a particular replication mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and potential risks and precautionary measures required to avoid contact with this fatal viral infection.

Purpose: A case of a patient with sepsis from a urinary source due to carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae treated with a novel combination of aztreonam, ceftazidime/avibactam, and colistin is described. Summary: An 80-year-old South Asian male presented to the hospital with sepsis from a urinary source. Blood and urine cultures were positive for a carbapenemase-producing K pneumoniae sensitive only to colistin and tigecycline. Novel beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations ceftazidime/avibactam and meropenem/vaborbactam were resistant. Patient was initially on ceftazidime/avibactam and colistin combination followed by tigecycline and colistin with lack of improvement. Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing K pneumoniae was suspected based on the sensitivity pattern and history of medical treatment in India. Patient was then initiated on novel combination of ceftazidime/avibactam, aztreonam, and colistin. Patient’s white blood cell (WBC) count and fever curve normalized. Unfortunately, the patient failed to recover completely likely because of his multiple comorbidities and declining functional status, resulting in the family’s decision to pursue hospice. Conclusion: The combination of ceftazidime/avibactam and aztreonam should be considered as a viable treatment option for patients with infections caused by MBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Myopia has significantly risen in East and Southeast Asia, and the pathological outcomes of this condition, such as myopic maculopathy and optic neuropathy linked to high myopia, have emerged as leading causes of irreversible vision loss. Addressing this issue requires strategies to reduce myopia prevalence and prevent progression to high myopia. Encouraging outdoor activities for schoolchildren and reducing near-work and screen time can effectively prevent myopia development, offering a safe intervention that promotes healthier habits. Several clinical approaches can be employed to decelerate myopia progression, such as administering low-dose atropine eye drops (0.05%), utilizing orthokeratology lenses, implementing soft contact lenses equipped with myopia control features, and incorporating spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets. When choosing an appropriate strategy, factors such as age, ethnicity, and the rate of myopia progression should be considered. However, some treatments may encounter obstacles such as adverse side effects, high costs, complex procedures, or limited effectiveness. Presently, low-dose atropine (0.05%), soft contact lenses with myopia control features, and orthokeratology lenses appear as promising options for managing myopia. The measures mentioned above are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and researchers are increasingly exploring their combined effects. By advocating for a personalized approach based on individual risk factors and the unique needs of each child, this review aims to contribute to the development of targeted and effective myopia prevention strategies, thereby minimizing the impact of myopia and its related complications among school-aged children in affected regions.