287 research outputs found
Tapping Economies of Scale and Scope in Consumer Cooperation - A Case Analysis of Possible Cooperation among selected Cooperatives
No full textBecause of its narrow and negative perspective of safeguarding the interests of only poor consumers against unethical practices of the private traders, consumer cooperation in India seems to have failed, except probably in some isolated pockets. A number of social welfare functions like poverty alleviation and public distribution of essential items of consumption have been imposed on them at the cost of their basic economics. With the basic micro and macro-economic rationale for consumer cooperatives as a positive form of economic organization being lost sight of, they seem to be facing enormous problems both historically as well as currently in a era of economic liberalization. Their worries seem to have been compounded with the threat of impending competition from large private enterpriss - both domestic and foreign, which highlights the need for evolving strategies to rectivy their systemic weaknesses and tackling the competition head on. This case has attempted to document just such an initiative through a round table conference with several doyens of the consumer cooperative movement in India such as Warana Bazar and Amalsad Mandali as well as some fledging consumer cooperatives from West Bengal which are already in existence for some time or contemplating entry into this field. The roundtable conference organized in the spirit of Cooperation among Cooperatives attempted to evolve strategies to capture economies of scale and scope in order to take on the competition, as well as to facilitate dissemination of ideas and information across the country.
Low Endothelial Cell Count and Clear Corneal Grafts
No full textSpecular microscopic study on clear corneal grafts indicates that at times surprisingly low endothelial cell density can maintain the grafted cornea in a relatively dehydrated state. The critical limit of the endothelial cell count for corneal decompensation is thought to be 700 cells/mm2. This communication reports 13 cases of clear corneal graft with endothelial cell count below 700 cells/mm2
Descemet stripping and endothelial keratoplasty in endothelial dysfunctions: Three-month results in 75 eyes
No full textPurpose: To analyze the results of Descemet stripping and endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) in the first consecutive 75 cases. Materials and Methods: Prospective, non-randomized, non-comparative interventional case series. Seventy-five eyes of 75 patients with endothelial dysfunctions of different etiology, scheduled for DSEK, were included in this study. Healthy donor cornea with a cell count of> 2000 cells/sq mm was considered for transplantation in each case. Indications, operative problems and postoperative complications were noted. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive and keratometric astigmatism, central corneal thickness (CCT) and endothelial cell density (ECD) were analyzed for each patient after a minimum follow-up of three months. Results: Main indication was pseudophakic corneal edema and bullous keratopathy in 53 (70.7%) eyes. Seventeen (22.7%) cases had moderate to severe Fuchs′ dystrophy with various grades of cataract; and DSEK was combined with manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) in those cases. After three months, BCVA was 20/60 or better in 62 (82.7%) cases. Mean refractive and keratometric astigmatism were 1.10 ± 0.55 diopter cylinder (DCyl) and 1.24 ± 0.92 DCyl. The CCT and ECD were 670.8 ± 0.32 µm and 1485.6 ± 168.6/sq mm respectively. The mean endothelial cell loss after three months was 26.8 ± 4.24% (range: 13.3-38.4%). Dislocation of donor lenticule occurred in six (8.0%) eyes. Graft failure occurred in one case. Conclusions: Descemet stripping and endothelial keratoplasty is a safe and effective procedure in patients with endothelial dysfunctions with encouraging surgical and visual outcomes. It can be safely combined with MSICS with PCIOL in patients with moderate to severe Fuchs′ dystrophy with cataract
Complications and management in Descemet′s stripping endothelial keratoplasty: Analysis of consecutive 430 cases
No full textPurpose: To analyze the complications and their managements in Descemet′s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) in consecutive 430 cases by single surgeon in a tertiary eye hospital. Materials and Methods: 430 eyes of 366 patients with endothelial dysfunctions scheduled for DSEK, were analyzed retrospectively. In all cases donor dissection was performed manually, and ′Taco′ insertion and unfolding technique was used. Intra-operative and postoperative complications with their managements and outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Periodic endothelial cell density was analyzed for each patient till the last visit. Follow-up period was between 3 to 60 months (mean 18.7 months). Results: 13 (3.0%) eyes had operative complications during donor dissection and 16 (3.7%) had during recipient procedure. In 7 (1.6%) eyes, donor lenticule was replaced with a new one during the surgery. In early postoperative period, 21 (4.9%) eyes had donor dislocation and 12 (2.8%) eyes had air-induced pupillary block; and they were managed immediately. 2 cases had primary graft failure and in 1 case had postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis requiring evisceration. In late postoperative period, 48 (11.3%) eyes had secondary glaucoma and 14 (3.3%) eyes had late secondary graft failure. Endothelial rejection occurred in 5 (1.2%) cases. Mean endothelial cell loss was 19.7% after 3 months and 54.2% after 5 years. Total graft failure in this series was 31 (7.2%) and in 17 cases re-DSEK was performed successfully. Conclusions: Both operative and postoperative complications do occur in DSEK. Most of these complications can be managed by medical or appropriate surgical means. Some of the complications can be avoided and reduced with experience
Erotismo e intimismo nell'opera Rāʼiḥat al-qirfa di Samar Yazbik
No full textThis article deals with the last novel Ra'ihat al-qirfa (Smell of cinnamon, 2008) by Samar Yazbik, a prolific author of the new generation of Syrian writers. In this novel, Samar Yazbik relates the story of two women of different ages and belonging to different social classes in contemporary Damascus, who fall in love with each other. The article focuses on words and figures relating to the senses of smell and of touch, used by the author to represent an erotic and intimist dimension in the text. This particular choice of words and images enables the direct expression of the inner emotions and feelings of the main characters who, through their lesbian relationship, try to oppose the oppressive society in which they live
Erotismo e intimismo nell'opera Rāʼiḥat al-qirfa di Samar Yazbik
No full textThis article deals with the last novel Ra'ihat al-qirfa (Smell of cinnamon, 2008) by Samar Yazbik, a prolific author of the new generation of Syrian writers. In this novel, Samar Yazbik relates the story of two women of different ages and belonging to different social classes in contemporary Damascus, who fall in love with each other. The article focuses on words and figures relating to the senses of smell and of touch, used by the author to represent an erotic and intimist dimension in the text. This particular choice of words and images enables the direct expression of the inner emotions and feelings of the main characters who, through their lesbian relationship, try to oppose the oppressive society in which they live
Comparison of seropositivity of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and syphilis among Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme-Donors versus voluntary cornea donors at a large eye bank in Eastern India
No full textPurpose: To compare the serology profile of donors from Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme-donors (HCRP-D) and voluntary cornea donors (VC-D) from a large eye bank in Eastern India. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of donor details from January 2011 to December 2016. Donor demographics, cause of death, and serology reports were compiled. Postmortem blood was tested for human immunodeficiency virus 1 and 2 (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and syphilis using government-approved kits as per the National Programme for Control of Blindness Standards of Eye Banking. Donors for whom serology was not possible were excluded. Results: A total of 4300 of 4353 donors were included of which 74.3% were hospital donors and 25.7% were voluntary donors. A total of 93 (2.2%) donors with 94 seropositive reports were noted: 79 (84.9%) from HCRP-D and 14 (15.1%) from VC-D which was statistically significantly higher (P = 0.02). Among seropositive reports, HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis accounted for 12 (12.8%), 38 (40.4%), 36 (38.3%), and eight (8.5%), respectively. There was no correlation between the cause of death and seropositivity. A statistically significant decreasing trend in seroprevalence among hospital donors was observed over the years (5.3% in 2011 to 1.4% in 2016; P = 0.004). Two (0.47%) of 421 hospital donors with prior negative serology were found to be seropositive. Conclusion: Seropositive rates are significantly higher among hospital donors in spite of medical prescreening compared to nonscreened voluntary donors. Serology should be repeated even when prior reports are available
Keratouveitis caused by <i> Euphorbia</i> plant sap
No full textThe milky sap or latex of Euphorbia plant is highly toxic and an irritant to the skin and eye. This report illustrates the spectrum of ocular inflammation caused by accidental inoculation of latex of Euphorbia plant. Three patients presented with accidental ocular exposure to the milky sap of Euphorbia species of recent onset. The initial symptoms in all cases were severe burning sensation with blurring of vision. Visual acuity reduced from 20/60 to counting fingers. Clinical findings varied from kerato-conjunctivitis, mild to severe corneal edema, epithelial defects, anterior uveitis and secondary elevated intraocular pressure. All symptoms and signs had resolved by 10-14 days with active supportive medication. People who handle Euphorbia plants should wear eye protection. It is always advisable to ask the patient to bring a sample of the plant for identification
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