Scientific Program

Conference Series Ltd invites all the participants across the globe to attend 29th World Congress on Neurology and Therapeutics London, UK.

Day 1 :

Keynote Forum

MAS Ahmed

Queen’s Hospital, UK

Keynote: Migraine visual aura: Heterogeneity and overlapping with other paroxysmal disorders

Time : 09:10-09:40

Conference Series Neurology 2020 International Conference Keynote Speaker MAS Ahmed photo
Biography:

MAS Ahmed is a Clinician with expertise in Childhood Headache. He delivers regular childhood headache clinics at the Queen’s University Hospital, Essex. He is an honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Queen Mary University London. His clinical research has focused upon the assessment of patients with emphasis on the use of brain imaging for the well-being of children with headache and visual aura among patients with paroxysmal disorders such as migraine and syncope. He is active in teaching of medical students and paediatricians. He has received top teacher of the year awards and excellence in medical education award by eminent London Universities.

Abstract:

Background: There is a considerable variation in symptoms of Visual Aura (VA) that occur in individuals who fulfil the ICHD criteria of migraine VA. The precise mechanism of migraine VA is not well defined, although its symptoms are generated somewhere in the visual system rather than the eye. Vision is mapped on a variety of cortical areas and each is likely to be specialised for a different visual attribute. Serotonin and acetylcholine are concentrated in Visual Cortex (VC) and Visual Thalamic Neurons (TN), suggesting the role of cholinergic-serotonergic interaction in VA. Neurons of the Retino-Geniculo- Calcarine (RGC) pathway are excitatory to those in the primary VC, while interneurons in the LGN are inhibitory. The RGC visual pathway is also modulated by other factors. Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD) is thought to be the substrate of the migraine aura but could be associated with epileptic seizure. The distance, to which CSD spreads, rests on the steadiness between factors that predispose or inhibit the brain to CSD. The CSD markedly alters neuronal firing of ipsilateral third order thalamic nuclei. The thalamus processes signals from the retina to create images and plays key role in coordinating complex sensory and motor input to and from the cortex.
 
Purpose: To examine the characteristics of migraine VA and to compare its symptoms with that caused by other paroxysmal disorders (e.g. syncope and epilepsy).
 
Method: A qualitative analysis of prospectively collected data, on characteristics of visual symptoms during attacks of migraine and syncope. Diagnosis of migraine VA was based on the ICHD-3 beta. We provide opportunity for patients to illustrate their visual aura symptoms to aid in diagnosis.
 
Results: Visual symptoms were reported by 387/1079 (36%) of migraineurs. 172 (16%) patients fulfilled the ICHD Criteria A, B, C iv and D but missed one (43.5%) or two (56.5%) of the remaining items of criteria C as the visual symptoms were of non-gradual spread (20%), appeared in both visual fields (58%), or lasted less than 5 minutes or more than 60 minutes (75%).
 
Conclusion: Symptoms of migraine VA varied considerably in duration, pattern, mobility, location, mode of onset and colours. Our findings and literature review support the heterogeneity of migraine VA and its overlapping with that of other paroxysmal disorders.
 
Recent Publications:
• Floery D et al. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2012; 33:1546–1552.
• Iizuka T et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2015; 86:344–353.
• Vincent MB et al. Cephalalgia. 2007; 27: 1368–1377.
• Rasmussen BK et al. Cephalalgia. 1992; 12: 221-8

 

Keynote Forum

Anna Jarrett

University of Arkansas, USA

Keynote: Clarifying the diagnosis of acute flaccid myelitis

Time : 09:40-10:10

Conference Series Neurology 2020 International Conference Keynote Speaker Anna Jarrett photo
Biography:

Anna Jarrett is a doctoral prepared nurse practitioner certified by American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC).  She holds four nursing degrees, three national certifications, and has expertise in education, research, and practice. She is a master teacher, a seasoned researcher in the area of managing trauma outcomes, and she is a skilled advanced practice nurse in acute and primary care settings. Anna has practiced critical care and emergency nursing since 1978 in both small rural and larger metropolitan areas. She specializes in trauma intensive care, emergency, and disaster nursing. Anna maintains competency through practice, mentoring new faculty, and continued research efforts.

 

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a serious condition that primarily affects children. AFM is a type of Acute flaccid paralysis, a global terms for AFM and non-AFM etiologies.  AFM is diagnosed by gray matter abnormalities in the spinal cord on MRI, or pleocytosis in the cerebral spinal fluid.  AFM attacks spinal cord gray matter resulting in lower motor neuron injury and flaccid weakness in the extremities. Although the specific cause of most cases is unknown, viruses, toxins and genetic disorders have been implicated. Stopping the spread of viral infections is crucial to preventing this potentially disabling disease.  Simple prevention measures to stress to all patients are:  a) hand hygiene by washing your hands, b) control respiratory droplets by coughing/sneezing into your sleeve and then wash your hands, c) stay current with your immunizations, and d) stay away from those who are ill. Identifying patients with AFM is difficult.  If suspected, it is important to act quickly with the assistance of local or state health departments in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine the causative factor. The CDC provides up-to-date information.  Treatment has been unsuccessful using conservative measures, but there is hope for nerve transfer procedures in upper and lower extremities using microsurgery techniques. This is an unfolding story with more to come if this disease cannot be controlled or eradicated.

Recent Publications:

1.Shreve, M., Scott, A., Jarrett, A. (February 8, 2019).  ZIKA: An update.  The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 15(6); 410-414 e2. IF: 0.70

2.Kilmer, M., Shreve, M., Jarrett, A. (February 23, 2019). Understanding Acute Flaccid           Myelitis, The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 15(6); 444-448 e2.

3.Shreve, M., McNeill, C., Jarrett, A. (February 2018). Mumps: A New Outbreak! The Journal for Nurse Practitioners.14 (2), 81-87.

4.McNeill, C., Sisson, W., Jarrett, A. (2017). Listeriosis: A Resurfacing Menace. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 13(10), 647-653. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2017.09.014

5.McNeill, C., Jarrett, A., Shreve, M. (2017). Bedbugs: Current Treatment Guidelines. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 13(6), 381-388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra. 2017.03.018.

                       

 

 

Keynote Forum

JPN Mishra

Central University of Gujarat, India

Keynote: Modulating neural functions, sleep quality and level of consciousness through meditation

Time : 10:10-10:40

Conference Series Neurology 2020 International Conference Keynote Speaker JPN Mishra photo
Biography:

J P N Mishra has his basic expertise in Life Science with specialization in Human Physiology. His previous dimensions of research included the discipline of Neurobiology, Sleep Medicine and Yogic sciences. He has explored the mechanism of operation in Circadian rhythm and sleep quality following yoga practices. His area of research also includes applied efficacy of different natural phytochemicals on various carcinoma cells.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: The system of Preksha Meditation (PM) is originated from Jain Canonical literature which is based on “Perception of Thoughts”. It is imbued with spiritual powers that cleanse the mind and body of negative energy and thereby facilitate the improvement in various sensory and motor functions of brain, reduces level of stress and enhances the sleep quality and level of consciousness.
 
Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of PM on adolescent post-graduate students by measuring parameters related to psychological status, neurological functions, sleep quality and level of consciousness.
 
Methodology: Four components of PM were applied on 50 adolescents. The assessment parameters viz. alpha brain waves, sleep duration, component of REM and Non-REM, Sleep spindles; awareness subjectivity and state of awareness; neurotic reactions, anxiety level, mental ability, fear and emotional level were applied.
 
Findings: The experimental participant students exhibited significantly enhanced number of alpha brain wave omission and reduced level of stress hormones in blood, which led them to remain in state of relaxation. Total Non-REM duration of sleep was found increased with significantly improved sleep quality too, with greater awareness. They were having reduced fear, frustration and anxiety level and emotionally well balanced.
 
Conclusion with Significance: Synchronization of brain waves with alpha waves predominating may be correlated with deep relaxation associated with better sleep quality and improved psychological state. Positive changes recorded may be attributed to decreased sympathetic activity and parasympathetic dominance, modulated by cortical functions in Central Nervous System. Findings of the study provided a viable and composite programme for health and well-being in adolescents.
 
Recent Publications:
• Singh A and Srinivasan N (2019) Concentrative (Sahaj Samadhi) meditation expands subjective time. PsyCh J 8(1):28-35.
• Deepak KK (2019) Meditation induces physical relaxation and enhances cognition: A perplexing paradox. Progress in Brain Research 244:85-99.
• Parker S (2019) Training attention for conscious non-REM sleep: The yogic practice of yoganidrā and its implications for neuroscience research. Progress in Brain Research 244:255- 272.
• Raffone A, Marzetti L Del Gratta C2, Perrucci MG, Romani GL and Pizzella V (2019) Toward a brain theory of meditation. Prog Brain Res. 244:207-232.
• Balaji PA, Varne SR and Ali SS (2012) Physiological effects of yogic practices and transcendental meditation in health and disease. North American Jounals of Medical Sciences 4(10):442-448.
 

Keynote Forum

Nigora Kadyrkhodjayeva

Tashkent Medical Academy, Uzbekistan

Keynote: Management of chronic daily headache with focus on botulinum toxin type

Time : 11:30-12:00

Conference Series Neurology 2020 International Conference Keynote Speaker Nigora Kadyrkhodjayeva photo
Biography:

Nigora Kadyrkhodjayeva was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Medicine from the Tashkent Medical Academy in 2006 and completed her residency of Neurology at Tashkent Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education in 2009. From 2006 till 2007 she was studying Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutics at the Tashkent Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education. Nigora has more than 10 years’ experience in Neurology. While studying her bachelor she volunteered in different cities of Uzbekistan within the program of USAID. She successfully cleared certification course of BLS & ACLS in 2018 and renewed in 2020. From September 2017, she is pursuing her PhD at the Tashkent Medical Academy. She has published several articles and abstracts in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Goal: The purpose of the study was to review the efficacy, safety and tolerability of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) as a prophylactic treatment in adults with chronic daily headache (CDH). 

Material and methods: The study involved 100 patients with CDH comparing between two groups of patients. Group I, 54 patients (31 women and 23 men) treated by BTX-A, and group II, 46 patients (27 women and 21 men) treated with the classical method, with an average age of 35 ± 9 years. The patient’s condition in group I was evaluated on the third day, on the 7th day and on the 15th day after the BTX-A injection and assessed every 15 days for 3 months, in group II the patients were assessed every 15 days.

Results: After 3 months headache severity in group I: 2 (3,7%) patients had no changes, 7 (12,9%) patients with less than 50 percent reduction in pain, 23 (42,6%) reported 70 to 95 percent pain relief, and 22 (40,8%) had complete relief. Group II: 12 (26,1%) patients had no changes, 16 (34,8%) patients with less than 50 percent reduction in pain, 10 (21,7%) reported 70 to 95 percent pain relief, and 8 (17,4%) had complete relief. The mean change from baseline frequency of headaches ranged from 3 ± 1 headaches per 30‐day period in group I and 7±2 headaches in group II. The patients in group I used painkiller for an acute headache 4±1 day, compared to 10 ± 2 days for the group II per 30-day period.

Conclusion: In this study, BTX-A injections have been shown to be safe, well ‐tolerated, not any treatment-related serious adverse events reported. BTX-A injections recommended optimizing clinical outcomes for patients with CDH without using other prophylactic medications. Although, further observations are needed.

 

Keynote Forum

Janean E Holden

The University of Michigan, USA

Keynote: Pretreatment with duloxetine may prevent chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain: A pilot study

Time : 10:40-11:10

Conference Series Neurology 2020 International Conference Keynote Speaker Janean E Holden photo
Biography:

Janean E. Holden, PhD, RN, FAAN is the Barbara A. Therrien Collegiate Professor of Nursing. She received her PhD from the University of Michigan and did post-doctoral research in Pharmacology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research focus is on the role of the hypothalamus in descending pain modulation with emphasis on the role of norepinephrine in the spinal cord.

 

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Approximately 70% of patients receiving oxaliplatin for colorectal cancer develop painful oxaliplatin- induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN-P).  OIPN-P can persist up to 11 years after treatment is stopped, affecting quality of life, and contributing to falls, depression, and sleep loss. OIPN-P also necessitates decreased dosage during treatment, thereby decreasing treatment effectiveness and increasing mortality risk. The serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, duloxetine, is approved for treating OIPN-P, but is effective only in about 50% of patients. Recent work is suggestive that pretreating with tricyclic drugs can prevent onset of OIPN-P, but these drugs have serious side effects. We investigated whether pretreatment with duloxetine would prevent onset of OIPN-P in male and female rats in a model of oxaliplatin-induced hyperalgesia. Methodology: Rats were pretreated with duloxetine (15 mg; PO) for 7 days prior to and through oxaliplatin treatment, and for 20 days post oxaliplatin treatment. Rats were then tested for 6 days after all treatment stopped. The measure used was a 15 g von Frey filament applied to the left foot, which measures hyperalgesia, a sign of neuropathic pain. Findings: We found that rats pretreated with duloxetine presented with significantly less hyperalgesia through the testing period compared to control, and notably for the six days after all treatment stopped (p ≤ 0.003; p ≤ 0.13; males and females resp.). Conclusion and Significance: These pilot study findings are suggestive of the need for further study to determine whether pretreatment with duloxetine can prevent onset of OIPN-P.

Recent Publications:

1.Holden JE, Wagner, MA & Reeves, B. (2018). Anatomical Evidence for Lateral Hypothalamic Innervation of the Pontine A7 Catecholamine Cell Group in Rat. Neuroscience Letters. 668:80- 85.

2.Wagner MA, Jeong Y, Banerjee T, Yang J, & Holden JE (2016). Sex differences in hypothalamic-mediated tonic norepinephrine release for thermal hyperalgesia in rats. Neuroscience, 324:420-9.

3.Wardach J, Wagner M, Jeong Y, & Holden JE (2016). Lateral hypothalamic stimulation reduces thermal hyperalgesia through spinally descending orexin-A neurons in neuropathic pain. Western Journal of Nursing Research 38:292-307.

4.Holden JE, Wang E, Moes JR, Wagner M, Maduko A, & Jeong Y (2014). Differences in carbachol dose, pain condition and sex following lateral hypothalamic stimulation. Neuroscience, 270:226- 35.

5.Jeong Y, Moes JR, Wagner M & Holden JE (2012). The posterior hypothalamus exerts opposing effects on nociception via the A7 catecholamine cell group in rat. Neuroscience, 227:144-153.

Break: Network & Refreshment Break 11:10-11:30 @ Foyer
  • Neurology | Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery | Neuroinfections and Neuroimmunology | CNS and Brain Disorders | Cognitive Neuroscience | Neurotherapeutics | Neuropharmacology and Neurogenetics
Location: London, UK

Chair

Anna Jarrett

University of Arkansas, USA

Session Introduction

Noboru Imai

Japanese Red Cross Shizuoka Hospital, Japan

Title: Dynamic resting state functional connectivity differences between ictal and the pre or postictal phase of migraine

Time : 12:00-12:20

Biography:

Noboru Imai is a Neurologist, specialises in diagnosing and treating Headache Disorders including Migraines, Cluster Headaches and other forms of Chronic Headache. He is one of the leading Japanese Headache experts and Clinical Researchers. Noboru Imai is the President of the 49th Annual Japanese Headache Society Meeting. Imai’s research focuses on the mechanisms and management of migraine, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia and medication overuse headaches. His studies aim to investigate the clinical features and neuroimaging findings of headache disorders.

Abstract:

Background and Aims: Migraine is a phasic disease, with ictal, preictal and postictal phases. Aberrant static restingstate functional connectivity (rs-FC) has been demonstrated in migraine sufferers. However, there are few studies on dynamic rs-FC during migraine. This study aimed to investigate the differences of static and dynamic rs-FC between ictal and pre- or postictal phases of migraine.
 
Methods: Migraineurs in the ictal (n=16), preictal (11) and postictal (10) phases underwent 3T MRI. We compared the static and dynamic rs-FC among subjects in the ictal preictal and postictal phases using region-of-interest to region-of-interest analyses of 91 cortical, 17 subcortical and 30 infratentorial areas.
 
Results: Analysis of static rs-FC showed no significant differences among migraineurs in the ictal, preictal and postictal phases. Analysis of dynamic rs-FC demonstrated that migraineurs in the ictal phase had significantly less connectivity between right thalamus and right insular cortex, between left PAG and right interior frontal gyrus, and six other region-of-interest pairs than migraineurs in the preictal phase (Figure 1), as well as significantly less connectivity between the left thalamus and left cerebellum and six other region-of-interest pairs than migraineurs in the postictal phase.
 
Conclusions: In our study, dynamic rs-FC analysis revealed significantly different connectivity pairs between migraineurs in the ictal and pre- or postictal phases. Our study also revealed that the migraine brain dynamically
changed rs-FC during the preictal, ictal and postictal phases.
 
Recent Publications:
• Dumkrieger G, Chong C D, Ross K, et al. (2019) Static and dynamic functional connectivity differences between migraine and persistent post-traumatic headache: A resting-state magnetic resonance imaging study. Cephalalgia 39(11):1366-1381.
•Lee M J, Park B Y, Cho S, et al. (2019) Dynamic functional connectivity of migraine brain: a resting-state fMRI study. Pain 160(12):2776-2786.
• Tu Y, Fu Z, Zeng F, et al. (2019) Abnormal thalamocortical network dynamics in migraine. Neurology 92(23):e2706-e2716.
• Coppola G, Di Renzo A, Petolicchio B, et al. (2019) Aberrant interactions of cortical networks in chronic migraine: A resting-state fMRI study. Neurology 92(22):e2550-e2558.
• May A and Burstein R (2019) Hypothalamic regulation of headache and migraine. Cephalalgia. 39(13):1710-1719.
 

Speaker
Biography:

Gianella Alejandra Liabeuf Altamirano is Nutritionist University of Valparaíso, Master in Aging and Quality of Life, INTA, University of Chile. Actually, Doctoral student in Nutrition and Food, University of Chile. Professional characterized by having solid knowledge in Nutrition Sciences, Management and Health Care and Nutrition. Constant motivation for knowledge and development in new work areas. He formed a research team as a thesis in project FONDECYT nº 1151297 by Dr. Maria Isabel Behrens: “Cellular Senescence and Senescence Associated Secretion Phenotype Involvement in the Inverse Association between Alzheimer Disease and Cancer”. Currently performing research activities in the Laboratory of Digestive Physiology in the Department of Nutrition of the University of Chile with Dr. Martin Gotteland in the study of the intestinal microbiota and the intestinal intestine axis and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract:

Cancer and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are prevalent diseases associated with aging. Epidemiological studies have evidenced an inverse association between both, proposing a common biological mechanism deregulated in opposite directions. In both age-related pathologies, senescent cells have been identified. Measurement of senescence markers could help to understand the underlying common biological process and mutual protection between cancer and AD. The objective was to study cellular senescence and senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in lymphocytes of four groups of patients: (1) with mild cognitive impairment Alzheimer type (MCI type Alzheimer), (2) with history of cancer without cognitive impairment, (3) patients with both diagnoses and (4) healthy controls, of both sexes and comparable ages. Senescence was measured by β-galactosidase (β-gal) activity by flow cytometry and the presence of p16 INK4A by western blot. β-gal at basal level showed greater activity in the group MCI type Alzheimer group compared to the others, although it did not reach significance. However, upon exposure to a senescence stimulus H2O2 10 µM, the MCI type Alzheimer group showed significant increase in β-gal activity (p = 0,0307) compared with the value without stimulus (p = 0,2385). The presence of p16 INK4A showed no difference between groups. Expression levels of SASP- markers (IL-6, IL-8) were determined by qPCR. The MCI type Alzheimer + Cancer group showed greater expression of IL-6 and IL-8 compared with Control group (p=0,0175; p= 0,0259 respectively). Increase in IL-6 and IL-8 in the MCI type Alzheimer + Cancer suggests that presence of both pathologies represents a situation of inflammation that might be explained by a high level of cognitive deterioration present in this group. Our results support the hypothesis of lymphocyte susceptibility to cell death as a biomarker and that alterations occurring in AD do not necessarily have their origin at central nervous system level.

Recent Publications:

  1. Behrens, M. I., Lendon, C., Roe, C. M. (2009). A common biological mechanism in cancer and Alzheimer's disease? Current Alzheimer Research 6(3); 196-204.

  2. Campisi, J. (2013). Aging, cellular senescence and cancer. Annual Review of Physiology. 75, 685-705.

  3. Campisi, J., Andersen, J., Kapahi, P., & Melov S. (2011). Cellular senescence: A link between cancer and age-related degenerative disease?  Seminars in Cancer Biology. 21, 354-359.

  4. Vandenberk, B., Brouwers, B., Wildiers, H. (2014). p16 INK4a: A central player in cellular senescence and a promising aging biomarker in elderly cancer patients. Journal of Geriatric Oncology. 2; 259-269.

  5. Interleukin-6 in Aging and Chronic Disease: A Magnificent Pathway. The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 61(6); 575–584.

Ghada Al-Kafaji

Arabian Gulf University, Kingdom of Bahrain

Title: Defects of the mitochondrial genome in multiple sclerosis

Time : 12:40-13:00

Speaker
Biography:

Ghada Al-Kafaji is an Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics in the Department of Molecular Medicine/Al-Jawhara Centre for Molecular Medicine and Genetics and the Director of Personalized Medicine Master Program at the College of Medicine, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain. She obtained her MSc degree in Molecular Biology from Baghdad University, Iraq and her PhD degree in Molecular Genetics from King's College London, University of London, UK. Afterwards, she worked in the UK as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Medicine, King's College London and as an Assistant Professor in Molecular Genetics at the College of Science, University College Kensington, UK.

Abstract:

The impaired mitochondrial function has been implicated in the pathogenicity of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease of the CNS. We investigated whether variants in the genes encoding mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase (ND1-ND6 and ND4L) of complex I are involved in MS. We also investigated if mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) alteration in the peripheral blood is implicated in the pathogenicity of MS and could serve as a disease biomarker.The study included 124 Saudi subjects, 60 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 64 healthy individuals. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. The mtDNA-encoded ND genes were amplified and sequenced, and the mtDNA-CN was quantified by real time PCR. Sequence analysis revealed several synonymous variants in ND genes in both patients and controls. However, four variants in the ND4 gene were identified as missense mutations in MS patients with either direct or indirect impact on complex I function. Analysis of mtDNA-CN showed that the mtDNA-CN was lower in patients than in controls. Subgroup analysis with stratification of patients based on disease duration (under or over 10 years) revealed that the mtDNA-CN was lower in the group with longer disease duration. The ROC curve analysis indicated a significant ability of mtDNA-CN to differentiate patients from controls.Our study identified four novel mutations in the mtDNA-encoded ND4 gene in Saudi patients with RRMS, which could lead to complex I dysfunction. The identified novel mutations in Saudi patients with RRMS may be ethnic-related and may prove to be significant in personalized treatment. Our study also showed that the reduction in mtDNA-CN may be an early event in MS and suggested the utility of circulating blood-based mtDNA-CN as a non-invasive biomarker for mitochondria-mediated neurodegeneration and MS, which can put forward the clinical applicability over other invasive markers. These results further confirmed the implication of mtDNA defects in the pathogenicity of MS.

Recent Publications:

1.Al-Kafaji G, Bakheit HF, Alharbi MA, Farahat AA, Jailani M, Ebrahin BH, Bakhiet M. Mitochondrial DNA copy number in peripheral blood is a novel non-invasive biomarker for multiple sclerosis. NeuroMolecular Medicine, 2020 Jan 4. doi: 10.1007/s12017-019-08588.

2.Alharbi MA, Al-Kafaji G, Ben Khalaf N, Messaoudi SA, Taha S, Daif A, Bakhiet M. Four novel mutations in mitochondrial ND4 gene of complex I in Saudi patients with multiple sclerosis. Biomedical Reports, 2019 Dec;11(6):257-268. doi: 10.3892/br.2019.1250.

3.Mohamed A, Al-Kafaji G, Almahroos A, Almosawi Z, Abdulla R, Alammadi F, Almubarak A, Al-Mahrezi A, Kamal A. Effects of enhanced environment and induced depression on cuprizone mouse model of demyelination. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2019, 18(1):566-572.

4.Hasan ZA, Al-Kafaji G, Al-Sherawi MI, Abdul Razzak R, Eltayeb D, Skrypnk C, Bakhiet M. Investigation of serum levels of leptin, ghrelin and growth hormone in Bahraini children with autism. International Archives of Translational Medicine 2019, 5(1).

5.Al-Muhtaresh H, Salem AH, Al-Kafaji G. Upregulation of circulating cardiomyocyte-enriched miR-1 and miR-133 associate with the risk of coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetes patients and serve as potential biomarkers. Journal of Cardiovascular Translation Research, 2019, 12(4):347-357.

Break: Lunch Break 13:00-13:50 @ RBG
Speaker
Biography:

MAS Ahmed is a Clinician with expertise in Childhood Headache. He delivers regular childhood headache clinics at the Queen’s University Hospital, Essex. He is an honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Queen Mary University London. His clinical research has focused upon the assessment of patients with emphasis on the use of brain imaging for the well-being of children with headache and visual aura among patients with paroxysmal disorders such as migraine and syncope. He is active in teaching of medical students and paediatricians. He has received top teacher of the year awards and excellence in medical education award by eminent London Universities.

Abstract:

Headache can be the initial presentation of brain tumour and patients with headache could be at risk of brain tumour. Depending on neurological examination, headache diagnosis and the presence of Red Flags (RFS), clinicians may arrange urgent or routine Brain Imaging (BI) of children with headache. During prospective period, we carried out 3 studies examining the yield of BI of Neurologically Normal (NN) children with recurrent headaches.
In one study, 710 children with headache were classified according to RFs and headache diagnosis. BI of 389/710 children showed significant abnormalities in only 3 children (0.8%). These three children had unclassified headache and RFs. BI was not arranged for the 211/710 children. None of the 211 children developed RFs or abnormal signs on follow‐up for a mean of 13 months. The second study comprised of 101 NN children with headache on wakening. BI of all children showed no significant intracranial abnormality. All 101 patients had established diagnosis (67 migraine; 16 TTH, 11 medication overuse headaches and 1 sinusitis). The third study consisted of 119 NN children with recurrent side locked unilateral headache. BI of all children showed no significant abnormalities. All patients had established headache diagnoses.

Conclusion and Recommendations: Our studies and review of literature, disclose the following key observations: 1) Yield of BI is considerably low if the child is NN, has established headache diagnosis and no RFs: 2) Isolated RFs or UH in children with normal neurological examination and established headache diagnoses should not be regarded as worrisome.

Recent Publications:
• Mas Ahmed et al., when to image neurologically normal children with headache. Acta Paediatrica 2010, 99: 940-943.
• Mas Ahmed et al., Yield of brain imaging among neurologically normal children with headache on wakening or headache waking the patient from sleep. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2018; 5: 797 – 802.
• Mas Ahmed et al., Side locked headaches. Mas Ahmed et al. Journal of headache and pain, 2013; 14: 64.
• Tsze D et al., Red flag findings in children with headaches: Prevalence and association with emergency department neuroimaging Cephalalgia 2018.
• Samantha L et al., Occipital Headaches and Neuroimaging in Children. Current Pain and Headache Reports 2018; 22: 9.

Speaker
Biography:

S.M.RathnasiriBandara  got his MBBS in Faculty Of Medicine, University of Peradeniya in 1998  and Diploma in psychiatry  in faculty of medicine ,university of Colombo in 2008  and   is waiting to complete his PhD in 2021at faculty of medicine ,University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka on the topic of paranasal nitric oxide and migraine and working as senior medical officer at Neurology  unit.

Abstract:

Introduction:
Migraine is a primary headache disorder and is the most common disabling primary headache disorder that occurs in children and adolescents. This study evaluated the effects of paranasal air suction using a portable air sucker on headache relief and other migraine symptoms such as photophobia, phonophobia, numbness over face and scalp, nausea/vomiting and generalized tiredness/weakness of the body and side effects up to 24 hours.

Methodology:
A randomized, double blind control clinical trial was conducted with 86 Sri Lankan school children of age 16 – 19 years, who met International Headache Society criteria for migraine (with or without aura). They were randomly allocated into 2 groups where one group was subjected to three intermittent ten second paranasal air suctions using a portable air sucker with a ten second suction free interval between two suctions for each nostril. The other group was subjected to placebo air suction (no paranasal air suction) in a similar arrangement. severity of headcahe, left and right scalp and supraorbital tenderness, photophobia, phonophobia, numbness over the face and scalp , nausea/vomiting and generalized tiredness/weakness of the body before and after suction were recorded using standard pain rating scale and were monitored for 24 hour period.

Results:
There was a significant reduction in severity of headcahe, left and right scalp and supraorbital tenderness, photophobia, phonophobia, nausea/vomiting and generalized tiredness/weakness of the body in the treatment group compared to control group and these symptoms did not recur within the initial 24 hour period. There were no significant side effects recorded during the 24 hour observation period.

Conclusion:
This is pilot study showed that paranasal air suction for 60 seconds using a low pressure portable air sucker gave considerable immediate benefits and the benefit lasted for 24 hour period without side effects. Further studies are needed with a larger sample to confirm these results.

Recent Publications:

1. Bandara SMR, Samita S, Kiridana AM, Ralapanawa DMPUK, Herath HMMTB. Paranasal sinus air suction for immediate pain relief of acute migraine - a randomized, double blind pilot study. BMC Neurol. 2019; 19(1):248-248. Doi: 10.1186/s12883-019-1486-0.

2. Rathnasiri Bandara SM. Paranasal sinus nitric oxide and migraine: A new hypothesis on the sino rhinogenic theory. Medical Hypotheses. 2013; 80(4):329-340. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2012.12.001.

3. Klapper J, Lucas C, Røsjø Ø, Charlesworth B, ZODIAC study group. Benefits of treating highly disabled migraine patients with zolmitriptan while pain is mild. Cephalalgia. 2004;24(11):918-924. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2982.2004.00735.x

4. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalalgia. 2013;33(9):629-808. doi:10.1177/0333102413485658.

5. Saunders B, McGeeney BE. Pharmacological Management of Migraine. In: Sinus Headache, Migraine, and the Otolaryngologist. Vol 6. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2017:37-64. Doi:10.1007/978-3-319-50376-9_4.

Speaker
Biography:

Vishnu N Thakare has expertise in screening of natural drug candidates in experimentally induced depressive behaviour in rodents. His area of interest is
Neurobiology largely focused on investigation of mechanism of action responsible for depression and associated symptoms. Dr. Thakare’s recent work is study of PCA and silymarin in depression and focusing on underlying mechanism of action. Further, he is also working on investigating novel mechanism of action antidepressant potential of piperine. Now, Dr. Thakare is future work is to understand the sleep pattern in depressive behaviour and natural compound to improve the sleep pattern in depressive condition and thus improve cognitive disturbances in such conditions.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Protocatechuic acid (PCA), a natural flavonoid elicited antidepressant-like activity in acute stress-induced depression. Amelioration of oxidative stress via promoting the endogenous antioxidant system and enhancement of monoamines in brain were the important underlying antidepressant mechanism of PCA. The aim of the present study is to explore the potential antidepressant mechanism(s) PCA in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Depressive-like behaviors were induced by subjected mice to the CUMS protocol for 4 weeks. PCA was administered at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg per oral and behavioral alterations
(sucrose preference, immobility time, exploratory behavior) and biochemical changes mainly (serum corticosterone, monoamines, BDNF, inflammatory cytokines, TNF- α, IL-6, antioxidants parameters) in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex were investigated.

Findings: Experimental findings revealed that CUMS subjected mice induce significant impairment in behavioral alterations, mainly increased immobility time, impaired preference to the sucrose solution, monoamines, BDNF levels and serum corticosterone, cytokines, MDA formation with impaired antioxidants in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Administration of PCA to CUMS mice attenuated the immobility time and serum corticosterone, cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, MDA) and improved sucrose preference, monoamines, and BDNF level.

Conclusion & Significance: Hence, the present findings demonstrated the antidepressant potential of PCA which is largely achieved probably through improving monoaminergic, BDNF and by modulation of the oxidative stress response, cytokines systems and antioxidant defense system in mice.

Recent Publications:
• Thakare VN, Dhakane VD, Patel BM. (2016).Potential antidepressant-like activity of silymarin in the acute restraint stress in mice: Modulation of corticosterone and oxidative stress response in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Pharmacol. Rep 2016; 68, 1020-1027.
• Thakare VN, Patel MB (2015). Potential targets for the development of novel antidepressants: future perspectives CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets.14:270-281.
• Weng L, Guo X, Li Y, Yang X, Han Y. (2016). Apigenin reverses depression-like behavior induced by chronic corticosterone treatment in mice. Eur. J. Pharmacol. : 774, 50-54.
• Thakare VN, Patel BM. (2015). Potential targets for the development of novel antidepressants: future perspective CNS. Neurol. Disord. Drug. Targets. 205:14, 270-281.
• Thakare VN, Dhakane VD, Patel BM (2017). Attenuation of acute restraint stress-induced depressive like behavior and hippocampal alterations with Protocatechuic acid treatment in mice Met. Brain Dis. 32: 401-413.

 

Anwar Jamal Ayubi

Queen’s Hospital, UK

Title: Triggers of childhood migraine

Time : 14:50-15:10

Biography:

Abstract:

Objective:
Currently there is limited research into triggers of childhood migraine1 – 7. The aim of this study was to identify trigger in young patients with migraine.

Methods:
This is non-interventional hospital-based study of healthy patients (< age of 17 years) with migraine.  Migraineurs must experience > two attacks of migraine that almost always or often precipitate an attack of headache. Trigger was defined as any factor that on exposure leads to of a migraine attacks. We did not inquire about the duration, amount or severity of exposure of trigger factors. Also we did not break down figures regarding particular factor.

Results:
In the present study, 362 migraineurs reported at least one factor that triggered an attack of acute migraine. In our cohort, we were able to identify in total 14 different triggers of migraine. Majority (n=263; 72%) patients reported one trigger. Table shows common factors. Bright light, missing meals, computer games and exercise were the least common migraine triggers. Majority of patients with MA and those with MoW indicated their migraine triggered mostly by one factor (71% vs. 74% respectively), and prevalent triggers in both groups are the same.

Comment and recommendations:
Interestingly, when analysing our findings and available data migraine triggers, there are similar themes, that migraine triggered by common factors despite different societies, climates and cultures. This raises questions regarding the mechanism of action of triggers. It is important for health workers to identify migraine triggers as education of patients, parents and teachers would play a major role in migraine prevention. Because drug preventive therapy of migraine, has adverse effects, lack of satisfied responses, poor-compliance, limitations that restrict their use in children, and no specific drug has yet been specifically designed to prevent migraine.

Recent Publications:

  1. Chakravarty A et al., J Headache Pain. 2009; 10:375–380.
  2. Neut D et al., Headache Pain. 2012; 13: 61–65. 
  3. Solotareff L et al., J Child Neurol. 2017 Jul; 32:754-758.
  4. Fraga MD et al., Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2013;71:290–293. 
  5. Kelman L. Cephalalgia. 2007; 27:394–402.

 

 

Speaker
Biography:

Shouzi Zhang is a neurologist engaged in neurology and gerontology for more than 20 years. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of various types of dementia (Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, etc.). He and his team have done many study works of pathogenesis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and completed many cases of autopsies to make definite diagnosis for AD.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Vascular Parkinsonism (VaP) is defined as Parkinsonism resulting from cerebral vascular disease (CVD), based on the presence with variable motor and non-motor signs that are corroborated by clinical, anatomic or imaging findings of cerebrovascular disease. It is difficult to distinguish from primary neurodegenerative parkinsonism and identify overlapping syndromes with mixed pathologies. Vascular parkinsonism (VaP) is very cormmon and has been found to be present in about 3–5% in a post-mortem study of patients with parkinsonism. The frequency of post-stroke movement disorders is likely to be underestimated.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: We report a case of an 84-year-old man presented progressive parkinsonism with prominent postural instability, gait impairment, pseudobulbar, cognitive and urinary symptoms and poor responsiveness to dopaminergic drugs. He has been diagnosed as Parkinson disease (PD) at the baseline and Parkinson Disease Dementia (PDD) at last. The patient’s post-mortem study did not conform to PD manifestation with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) of multiple lacunar infarction, cerebral microhemorrhage and subcortical white matter lesions. While immunohistochemical staining for α-synuclein showed no antibody accumulation.

Conclusion & Significance: Insidious onset VaP subtype is more frequent, presenting with progressive parkinsonism with prominent postural instability, gait impairment, corticospinal, pseudobulbar, cerebellar, cognitive and urinary symptoms and tending to be poor responsive to dopaminergic drugs. Misdiagnosis may occur because of asymptomatic CSVD as a pathogenic factor.

Ehsan Kamani

Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Title: Evaluation of Low Level Laser Application in the Treatment of Epilepsy

Time : 15:30-15:50

Biography:

My goal is to promote the science of laser medicine for the health of the people of the world Ehsan Kamani was born in 1994 in Iran. I am a graduate of the field of optics and laser engineering and has credible evidence of laser application in medicine. I began researching from a student day about the use of laser in cancer-using laser in the proliferation of laser-use cells in depression- Application of hematologic laser. But, unfortunately, I am looking for an active scholarship and group to advance the goals.

Abstract:

Increased risk of death in people with epilepsy. This increase is about 2.5 to 2.5 times that of the normal population and is usually due to: the underlying cause of the attacks, epileptic seizures, suicide, trauma, and epileptic seizure death (SUDEP). The problem lies in the fact that due to the lack of drug use, the risk of suicide in people with epilepsy is two to six times higher than in others. The reason for this is unclear. SUDEP appears to be partly related to the frequency of generalized tonic-clonic seizures and accounts for about 1% of epilepsy deaths. The method of reducing this risk is unclear. They are of unknown origin, have the lowest risk. In the UK, it is estimated that between 1 and 5% of deaths are likely to be preventable. In developing countries, many deaths are due to untreated epilepsy leading to epileptic seizures or crises. Therefore, we believe that with the help of a low-powered laser diode, epilepsy can play a significant role in the recovery of epilepsy, from surgery and Drug use that has significant side effects.

Biography:

Supriya Sharma is a senior Ph.D. scholar, working in the area of pharmacology, specifically in epilepsy and associated cardiac damage. She has expertise in molecular biology and has established chronic epilepsy associated cardiac damage model in the lab.

Abstract:

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition that is mainly characterized by occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures.  Study has also shown that temporal lobe seizure lead to development of ventricular fibrillation, shortening or prolongation of QT intervals, producing prolongation in the action potential, propensity to malignant tachyarrhythmia’s thus risking cardiac damage.

Methods: The present study was envisaged to understand the cardiac changes during different phases of epileptogenesis and molecular changes in rat lithium-pilocarpine (Li-pilo) model of epilepsy. The animals were exposed to Li-pilo for induction of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS).

Findings: Latent means arterial pressure decreased as compared to the basal, whereas it was increased during initial and late SRS phases. Prolonged QTc interval was observed during late SRS as that of basal and latent phase. A significant increase in the serum level of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase was observed in epileptic animals, along with hypertrophy, degenerative changes and fibrosis in heart sections.

Conclusion: The results concluded that Li-pilo-induced SRS leads to cardiac dysfunction via mTOR pathway upregulation, thus suggested the regulatory control of mTOR pathway as a potential target for SUDEP management.

  • Public Health & Nutrition | Sexually Transmitted Diseases | Mental Health & Mental Disorders | Healthcare Nursing | Maternal, Infant & Child Health | Medical Ethics & Fitness Guidelines
Location: London, UK
Speaker

Chair

Prabhaker Mishra

Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, India

Session Introduction

Raghav Khanal

Hope International College, Nepal

Title: Depression and its associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kaski district, Nepal

Time : 15:10-15:30

Biography:

Raghav Khanal is a Public Health Student from Nepal. He is very much interested in scientific study and research. I also have a lot of good experience working in Public Health field under our Academic Curriculum beside my Academic field.

Abstract:

Background: People living with HIV/AIDS are at a higher risk of mental disorder with a prevalence that is two to four times higher compared with comparable HIV-negative individuals or the general population.

Objectives: The study had major objective to find the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kaski district Nepal.

Material and Methods: The study design used was descriptive cross-sectional study design among people living with HIV/AIDS undergoing ART centre at Pokhara Academy of Health Science which is the only ART centre of whole Kaski district. All the registered cases under the ART were the study population (n=278). The depression assessment was done by using Nepali Version Beck Depression Inventory and Semi structured questionnaire was used.

Results: The study found that the prevalence depression among PLWHAS in Kaski district, Nepal was (27.7%) with mild (13.3%) depression was highest, followed by moderate (8.6%) and severe (5.8%) depression. The study found that different factor such sex, employment, educational status, discrimination, tobacco consumption etc. were significantly associated with depression and the study also showed that female are more likely 2.577 more likely to have depression then men, illiterate were also 2.66 times more likely to have depression than literate respondents, etc. The study also showed that there is negative correlation between depression score and monthly income of respondent.

Conclusions: The study concluded that the prevalence of depression among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kaski district was (27.7%) and demographic, social, economic and behavioral factors like sex, educational status, income,
discrimination, tobacco consumption, etc. were significantly associated with depression.

Biography:

Nirmala M Emmanuel has completed her M.Sc Nursing at the age of 30 years from Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University. She is working as a Nurse Manager in the Surgical Nursing department of CMC, which is a multispecialty hospital with nearly 2500 beds. She also serves as a Professor at the College of Nursing, CMC, Vellore. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has National and International presentations for her credit.

Abstract:

Introduction: Low Back Pain (LBP) affects 80% of the population globally. In India, prevalence of LBP among nurses is reported to be 66%.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted to assess the sleep quality of nurses with low back pain in a tertiary care setting, South India and to determine the relationship of sleep quality with the physical
and psychological parameters such as pain intensity, functional disability, anxiety and depression. All the nurses willing to participate in the study and available during the data collection period were screened for LBP. Among
the nurses with LBP, 193 subjects were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Study was approved by the Institutional Review Board and informed written consent was obtained from the subjects. Subjects were
asked to complete the following questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SFMP), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODI), Zung Self-rating Anxiety (ZSA) and Depression (ZSD) scales.

Results: Among 1284 nurses screened, 686 (53.4%) had LBP. Of the 193 nurses included in the study 68.4% of the nurses had good quality of sleep. Majority of the subjects had minimal disability (68.4%), moderate pain (81.3%) and normal anxiety (56.3%) and depression (91.7%) levels. There was a significant positive correlation between sleep quality and pain intensity (r=.355, p<.01), disability (r=.376, p<.01), anxiety (r=.297, p<.01) and depression (r=.233, p<.001).

Conclusion: Improving sleep quality will decrease the physical and psychological manifestations of patients with low back pain and hence improve the quality of life of nurses with LBP.

Recent Publications:
•Emmanuel N M, Ezhilarasu P and Lee P (2015) Postoperative pain experience among elders: A phenomenological approach. IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science, 4(6): 69-71.

Maria Kyprianidou

Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus

Title: The prevalence of multi-morbidity in Cyprus; A cross-sectional study

Time : 15:50-16:10

Biography:

Maria Kyprianidou is a PhD candidate in Public Health in the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Technical University of Cyprus. She has studied Mathematics at University of Patras and took her M.Sc in Biostatistics from the University of Athens. She has been involved in several epidemiologic surveys about the short term effects of atmospheric pollution on pediatric admissions in Arkansas (USA), the associations between physical activity, TV watching and tobacco use among Cypriot adolescents, as well as the EUVETCARE project.

Abstract:

Introduction: Multi-morbidity is defined as the co-existence of two or more chronic conditions. As the average life expectancy is increasing worldwide so does the prevalence of multi-morbidity.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of multi-morbidity in the general adult population of Cyprus as well as to identify the most common diseases and its combinations.

Methods: The referent population was the general adult population of Cyprus. A representative sample of n=1143 individuals, 18-94 years old was surveyed during 2018-2019. Demographic characteristics, chronic clinical and mental conditions were collected through a validated questionnaire. Chronic conditions were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11).

Results: We estimated that 25.81% of the participants had multi-morbidity and the rates increased according to age (p for trend <0.001); the highest prevalence was among people aged 65+, i.e., 68.89%. The prevalence of multimorbidity
was higher in females than males (28.19% vs. 22.78%, p=0.039) and similarly among residents of urban vs. rural regions (26.53% vs. 23.79%, p=0.371). The most prevalent chronic diseases were hypercholesteremia (17.90%), followed by hypertension (13.27%), thyroid diseases (8.80%) and gastric reflux (7.83%), while the most common combinations were diseases of circulatory (63.5%) and endocrine system (67.7%).

Conclusion: The significant proportion of Cypriots who has multi-morbidity, even from the younger ages, underlines the emerge need of prevention strategies and relevant programs for the entire population.

Break: Network & Refreshment Break 16:10-16:30 @ Foyer
Biography:

Mithun Gupta has completed her Masters of Public Health from National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Bangladesh. She has been working in public health since last seven years. She is now working as a senior sector specialist and leading programme focusing early childhood nutrition of health, nutrition and population department of BRAC, which is world’s number one development organization. She has worked with the research team of NIPSOM and participated in several conferences to share her experiences in working with the community people.

Abstract:

According to Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (BDHS 2014) only 55% infants aged 0-6 months are exclusively breastfed mainly due to traditional norms and lack of knowledge of mothers/family members about recommended practices (Formative Research Report, Ministry of Information & UNICEF, 2014). Moreover, according to the Bangladesh national labor force survey in 2010, around 3.2 million women are working in garments sector. Most of them reside in urban slums where malnutrition rates are high. Despite having major contribution to the national growth, they have very limited access and rights to enjoy benefits like maternity leave, baby-friendly policies etc. Female workers in lactating stage often face challenges to ensure EBF. Through Mothers@Work initiative of UNICEF, BRAC is implementing this programme to improve EBF support and practice for working mothers in RMG factories by engaging public, private and civil society stakeholders. The objective of the programme is to improve quality of breastfeeding counseling and support for pregnant and lactating mothers (PLW) during ANC and PNC as well as to improve EBF practices in the workplace. This project aims to address the bottlenecks to practice EBF in workplaces. Two RMG factories were selected randomly of Dhaka district to implement seven minimum standards
(such as maternity leave and benefits, day-care & breastfeeding centers, breastfeeding supportive environment, maternity health protection, breastfeeding breaks etc.) based on the Global and Bangladesh policy framework and guidelines to enhance breastfeeding support among working women through targeting senior, mid management and general workers of factories. Working PLW’s are counseled every month on breastfeeding techniques and problem solving. Breastfeeding corners were also established. Monthly progress report and quarterly monitoring tools were used to track the findings. The project after running almost one and half years could increase EBF rates from 17% (October 2016) to 72% (August 2018) in both factories. Factors that influenced the improved EBF practices were identified as functional breastfeeding corners, involvement of higher management and hands-on support to PLW mothers regarding attachment, positioning and manual expressions of breast-milk with labeling and storing. The outcome shows how counselling, enabling environment and monitoring during ANC and PNC can improve EBF practice among working mothers.

Break: Network & Refreshment Break 16:10-16:30 @ Foyer
  • Special Session
Location: London, UK

Session Introduction

Prabhaker Mishra

Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, India

Title: Application of Z-scores in assessment of growth and nutritional status in children

Time : 16:30-16:50

Speaker
Biography:

Prabhaker Mishra (DOB: January 1979), presently working as Assistant Professor in SGPGI Lucknow-India since July 2014. He had completed his PhD in Statistics on the topic “Statistical Study of Human vulnerability and Risk. Assessment of Natural Hazards in Orissa” as Senior research fellowship (ICMR) in 2010. He had worked as Assistant Professor (Biostatistics) in the Department of Community Medicine, in medical colleges during 2011 to 2014. He had co-supervised 8 MD students; and presently other 12 MD /1PhD students are pursuing under his co-supervision /supervision. He had published 68 research papers in various national / international journals. His expertise area is applied and medical statistics.

Abstract:

Anthropometric measurements are used to assess the size, shape and composition of the human body. Percentiles and Z-scores are routinely used in clinical practice to assess and monitor children’s growth and nutritional status and also widely used in the analysis of data from child nutrition surveys and epidemiological studies. Although Z-score is widely recognized as the best method of anthropometric data to assess the growth and malnutrition as well as risk of overweight, underweight , stunting, thinning etc. Z-score (or SD-score) is ratio of difference between observed value of the data and median value of the reference population w.r.t. standard deviation value of reference population. i.e. Z-score system expresses the anthropometric value as a number of standard deviations or Z-scores below or above the reference mean or median value. Usually Z-score is calculated for weight-for-height, weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age. The aim of this study is to discuss the methods of computation of Z-score for children for their anthropometric measurements and its advantages and disadvantages over percentiles.

Speaker
Biography:

Abhiruchi Galhotra is working as an Additional Professor, Dept of Community & Family Medicine, AIIMS, Raipur and Nodal Officer for ICMR funded Research Project on Prevalence & Etiology of Hearing Impairment. She has Post PG teaching experience of 17 years and Supervised for 2 PG thesis. She has contributed 5 chapters in various textbooks of which one is by Springer Nature and 2 others are by Springer. She also have more than 25 research publications to my credit which includes, original articles, review articles, commentary, viewpoint and letter to editor. She has been instrumental in establishing the department of Community & Family Medicine at AIIMS Raipur.

Abstract:

Background: Universal access to adequate sanitation is a fundamental human right article 21 of Indian constitution. Hygienic sanitation facilities are crucial for public health. The world continues to urbanize and the cities increasingly bear the burden of poor sanitation with an estimated 57% and 16% of urban dwellers lack access to toilets and basic sanitation services respectively. Almost 100 million urban residents practice open defecation in the midst of challenges of providing many millions of rural households with adequate sanitation. The issue of toilets is more serious in urban areas because in urban areas, spaces are cramped and open space is deficient.

Objectives: Our objectives of the study to assess the availability and accessibility of various types of sanitary facilities to adolescent girls.

Material and Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study. Complete enumeration of adolescent females (10-19 years) living in the selected division was done and a list of the same was prepared (107). Written informed consent was obtained from all the study participants.

Results: Out of a 107 adolescent girls enumerated, 98 consented for the study. Mean age of adolescent girls in the present study was 15.44 ±2.2 years and a majority of them were in high school. Only 38.7% (n=38) of study subjects had access to an independent household/private toilet facility, 9.2% (n=9) were practicing open defecation and remaining 52% (n=51) were using public/community pooled toilets.

Conclusions: Common problems faced by public/pooled toilet users were lack of privacy in 56.9% (n=29) and about males gathering around the toilets that were there in 66% (n=34) of the public toilet users.