Inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) are a group of genetically heterogeneous disease of which retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) are the most common and severe type. In our study we had taken three unrelated South Indian consanguineous IRD families. Homozygosity mapping was done using Affymetrix 250K Nsp1 GeneChip in each of LCA, Cone-Rod dystrophy (CRD) and autosomal recessive RP (arRP) families followed by targeted re-sequencing by next generation sequencing (NGS) on Illumina MiSeq. Known candidate genes ranging from 1-8 in numbers within the homozygous blocks were identified by homozygosity mapping and targeted NGS revealed the causative mutations; RDH12 c.832A>C, ABCA4 c.1462G>T, CDHR1c.1384_1392delCTCCTGGACinsG, in the LCA, CRD and arRP families, respectively. The identified mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing, segregation in the families and their absence in 200 control chromosomes. Homozygosity mapping guided targeted NGS, especially when more numbers of known candidate genes within the homozygous blocks are observed is a comprehensive method for mutation identification. Molecular data from a larger retinal degenerative disease cohort would reveal the spectrum and prevalence of mutations and genes in Indian population. Molecular diagnosis also aids in genetic counseling, offering carrier and prenatal testing to family members.

Context: Stressful life events affect the psychological wellbeing of individuals. Through this study, we aim to understand this effect and various other factors affecting the psychological wellbeing of the study participants. Aims: To determine the vulnerability of study participants to psychological distress following stressful life events Settings and Design: Cross-sectional observational study in an urban setting Methods and Materials: Systematic random sampling with a sample size of 178. Statistical Analysis Used: Analysis is done using SPSS version 22. Tests used are chi square test, Spearman's rank correlation test. Results: The number of life events and psychological distress scores had a positive correlation.The events that occurred in one month before history taking, a correlation was found to be strongest and no correlation was found between the events which occurred more than one year before study enrolment and the psychological distress. Factors like sleeping patterns, exercise, and marital status also had a significant correlation with the psychological distress score of participants. Conclusions: Mental health is dependent on many parameters with life events being a major factor at a given point of time. However, different factors apart from life events will affect psychological wellbeing, and mental health is an interplay of all those factors.

Background: Many families lack accurate information and knowledge about need for immunization, the need for subsequent dose(s), and the importance of completing the entire immunization schedule. Considering this fact present study was undertaken to identify the factors influencing knowledge of parents regarding immunization.Methods: It’s a cross sectional study conducted for a period of one year in an urban slum area of Malad, Mumbai. Children aged 12-24 months in the study area were included and their parents interviewed using semi structured questionnaire which was validated with the help of a pilot study.Results: Ninety seven percent respondents had heard about immunization. Only 2.8% of them were not aware about immunization. Total 30.5% of respondents could correctly identify the purpose of immunization i.e. protection of child from disease. Almost 65.2% of them did not know vaccines given under national immunization program. Fever (72.3%) was commonest side effect reported by respondents followed by swelling (38.3%). Reasons for lack of knowledge were ignorance about immunization (31.0%), followed by enough information was not received from health providers (24.1%).Conclusions: Knowledge regarding immunisation is very poor among the residents of urban slums of Mumbai. IEC material regarding immunization should be displayed in waiting areas of immunization clinic and several strategic places in the community. There is a need for additional training or capacity building of health workers to improve their attitudes towards clients, and to strengthen their ability to counsel regarding immunization.

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BACKGROUND: Microteaching is a teacher training technique where a teachers get a constructive feedback from peer or faculty in order to improve their teaching skills. Microteaching is conducted at the departmental level. By evaluating the components of microteaching, better teaching skills can be developed in postgraduate (PG) students. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the pattern of teaching skills and to evaluate the components of teaching skills of microteaching in PG students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a retrospective record-based study done over a period of 1 month. Microteaching assessment records of 34 PG students of the department of community medicine were analyzed. RESULTS: Teaching skills including setting induction during the class, lesson planning, presentation, and use of audio-visual aids were found to be satisfactory. Students lacked the skills of interaction and summarization of the topic. CONCLUSION: PG students’ performance with many components was satisfactory, but still, there is a scope for improvement. Internalization of microteaching skills can make doctors a better teacher, a better learner, and a better health educator.