Now, thousands may avoid open-heart surgery

A Minimally Invasive Procedure Reserved For The Old & Sick Is Good For Younger, Healthier Patients Too: Study

Gina Kolata  18.03.2019

The operation is a daring one: To replace a failing heart valve, cardiologists insert a replacement through a patient’s groin and thread it all the way to the heart, maneuvering it into the site of the old valve.

The procedure, called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), has been reserved mostly for patients so old and sick they might not survive open-heart surgery. Now, two large clinical trials show that TAVR is just as useful in younger, healthier patients.

It might even be better, offering lower risks of disabling strokes and death, compared to open-heart surgery. Cardiologists say it will likely change the standard of care for most patients with failing aortic valves.

“Is it important? Heck, yes,” said Dr Robert Lederman, who directs the interventional cardiology research programme at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The findings “were remarkable,” he added.

Lederman was not involved with the studies and does not consult for the two device companies that sponsored them.

In open-heart surgery, a patient’s ribs are cracked apart and the heart is stopped to insert the new aortic valve.

With TAVR, the only incision is a small hole in the groin where the catheter is inserted. Most patients are sedated, but awake through the procedure, and recovery takes just days, not months, as is often the case following the usual surgery.

The studies are to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented Sunday at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting.

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the procedure for lowerrisk patients. As many as 20,000 patients a year would be eligible for TAVR, in addition to the nearly 60,000 intermediate- and high-risk patients who get the operation now.

The study led by Mack and Dr Martin Leon, an interventional cardiologist at Columbia University in New York, tracked deaths, disabling strokes and hospitalizations at one year following the procedures. The rates were 15% with surgery versus 8.5%with TAVR.

Aortic valve replacements have been performed for decades, and surgeons know the valves placed during surgery last at least 10 to 15 years. It remains to be seen if TAVR valves will fare as well. At the moment, it will be up to most patients which procedure they choose, Popma said — TAVR or surgery. NYT NEWS SERVICE

In open-heart surgery, a patient’s ribs are cracked apart and the heart is stopped to insert the new aortic valve. With TAVR, the only incision is a small hole in the groin where the catheter is inserted. Recovery takes just days, not months

Eating extra half-egg a day ups risk of cardiovascular disease by 6%: Study

The debate over whether eggs are good for you is age-old: while a good source of protein, they also contain potentially harmful cholesterol. Now, a new study — published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) — has weighed in. After analyzing 30,000 Americans from six separate studies, researchers concluded that eating an extra half-egg a day increased the risk of cardiovascular disease (6%) and premature death (8%) over the study period. That is relatively little, especially given that a half-egg daily is double what the average American eats. Separately, the study found an additional 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol per day increases the risk of heart disease by 17% and premature death by 18%. But 300 mg is twice the average daily amount eaten by Americans. A large egg contains about 186 mg of cholesterol. The new data suggest that eating eggs increases the risk of heart attack or stroke, although the study does not establish a causal link. AFP

After 26 years, expert panel to review OBC ‘creamy layer’ criteria

Subodh.Ghildiyal@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:18.03.2019

In a move that has raised anxiety levels among interested groups, the Centre has constituted an expert committee to “revisit the criteria” for determining the “creamy layer” for OBCs which was laid down in 1993. It has argued that the review was required to “simplify and streamline” the norms in view of “issues” arising from their implementation.

“Creamy layer” is the section of OBCs that is economically advanced and ineligible for Mandal reservations in jobs and education. Following the Supreme Court’s judgment on Mandal Commission, the exclusion norms for “creamy layer” were laid down by the DoPT’s office memorandum of 1993 based on the report of the Prasad committee.

Now, after 26 years, ministry of social justice, on March 8, set up a panel headed by retired GOI secretary B P Sharma, with “terms of reference” which sound radical in their breadth and scope.

The committee will “revisit the criteria evolved by the Prasad committee” and give recommendations for “redefining, simplifying and streamlining the concept of creamy layer” while keeping in view the SC’s observations in Indira Sawhney case.

The backdrop for the review is the controversy arising from the DoPT’s application of different “wealth test” yardsticks — inclusion of “salaries” in family income — for OBCs with parents employed in central and state governments, and those with parents in PSUs.

At the core of the problem is that posts in PSUs have not been identified as Group A/B/C/D like in government, creating confusion.

The Centre has argued that the review was required to “simplify and streamline” the norms in view of “issues” arising from their implementation

Jet suspends all flights to Etihad hub Abu Dhabi

Saurabh.Sinha @timesgroup.com

New Delhi:18.03.2019

Jet Airways will from Monday suspend all flights to and from Abu Dhabi, the base of Etihad which has a 24% stake in it and from whom fund infusion is awaited for Jet to survive. In a notice, Etihad Airport Services warned passengers of “minor disruption” due to the “short notice of flight cancellation”.

Jet-Etihad combine, in the past few years, has become the largest in terms of flying people in and out of India. “The cancellation of Abu Dhabi flights is part of our ongoing route restructuring due to the operational issues (read grounding of more than 50 planes so far for reasons like non-payment to lessors). For the same reason, we have reduced our Delhi to Dubai and Bangkok flights,” said a senior Jet official. While Etihad may mount extra flights to and from Abu Dhabi, it may not be able to accommodate all those booked on Jet’s cancelled flights.

Other Indian carriers refuse to accommodate Jet passengers

Other Indian carriers like Air India have already refused to accommodate Jet flyers. Jet did not comment on how it will accommodate passengers on flights cancelled to and from Abu Dhabi and beyond on Etihad flights to and from rest of the world from there.

A significant number of Jet’s passengers on flights to and from Abu Dhabi are those who are travelling between India and the West like Europe, Africa and North America. The ‘interim’ suspension of Abu Dhabi flights means these transit passengers will also be affected.

At the peak of their partnership three years ago, the combined networks of Etihad and Jet offered over 250 weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and 15 cities across India. However, this number has dropped significantly in the past few months due to failing financial health. While Jet and Etihad did not give how many flights they operate from Abu Dhabi to how many Indian cities daily, travel industry sources say Etihad has 175 weekly flights to India while Jet has “one daily from Delhi (cancelled in March and April); two daily from Mumbai (no operations in March and only one flight in April); had three daily from Bangalore, which are currently not operating and one from Pune with no operation in April.”

“Jet is in a critical condition. But cancellation of Abu Dhabi flights will hurt Etihad even more. For example, the refund of Delhi-Abu Dhabi-New York-Abu Dhabi-Delhi ticket means a greater shelling out for Etihad as it would have carried on the flights to and from the US,” said a travel agent.

Jet has significant tie-ups with Air France-KLM, Delta and Etihad for flying traffic between India and the rest of the world through those airlines’ hubs. The cancellation of Abu Dhabi will mean the entire one-stop traffic between India and the West on Jet and its partners Etihad, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic will now be on airline partners other than Etihad. At least till Jet gets sustainable and resumes flights there. However given Jet’s precarious financial condition, it remains to be seen if flyers are confident enough to book tickets of the airline.

A senior Jet official claimed the cancellation of flights to Abu Dhabi is not linked to delay in equity infusion from Etihad. Goyal had on March 8 written to Etihad Group CEO Tony Douglas seeking urgent infusion of ₹750 crore within a week failing which he warned the airline could even get grounded. While it is now 10 days since the SOS was sent, Jet has not received any funds from Etihad.

Incidentally, Monday (March 18) is by when Jet founder Naresh Goyal had told employees in a letter on March 1 of the “situation gently easing up in our favour”. While whether that happens, remain to be seen, Jet will for now stop flights to its partner’s hub from that date.

Jet officials themselves do not know when the situation will improve as that depends on fund infusion happening from Etihad and then banks restructuring loans. Asked if the Monday (March 18) date given for things to start improving will be met, the official said, “We are hoping for the best.”

In the meanwhile, Jet is slowly losing its critical operational resources built over past 25 years. The lessors of its grounded aircraft are now looking at redeploying them elsewhere, including at SpiceJet. IndiGo, which is facing severe pilot shortage, is holding road shows to hire pilots, a move many in the industry see is aimed at Jet’s unpaid-for-months pilots. In fact, IndiGo pilots are reportedly upset at the way the airline is going all out to woo pilots from other airlines (read Jet) and have sought a hike for themselves.

Parrikar, 4-time Goa CM and ex-defence minister, no more
Crisis Deepens In State, BJP Says It Has Numbers

Vijay.Desouza@timesgroup.com

Panaji:18.03.2019

Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, whose stature far outgrew the small state he led with flair and distinction, passed away at 63 on Sunday evening after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, deepening the political uncertainty in the state where BJP leads a fragile coalition with arazor thin majority.

The four-time CM and former Union defence minister, who was ailing for some time, attended office almost to the last day and recently presented the budget, embodying a no-nonsense approach that was his hallmark. Despite his illness, BJP persisted with Parrikar who seemed the most capable in steering a coalition in a state where smaller parties are seen to hold the balance.

The BJP brass dispatched senior leader Nitin Gadkari to Goa to take stock and weigh options. Congress had already staked claim on Saturday, arguing the government had lost majority and its numbers could fall further. It said the demise of BJP MLA Francis D’Souza had eroded its numbers.

On Sunday, Goa Congress again wrote to governor Mridula Sinha staking claim to form the government. Terming Parrikar’s demise as “unfortunate”, leader of the opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said BJP “has no allies as of now” as coalition partners had allied with the saffron party on the condition that Parrikar heads the government. “Congress being the single largest party, it is submitted that the leader of the Congress legislative party is invited to form the next government,” he said.

While there is no clarity on Parrikar’s successor, the swearing-in ceremony of the new CM is slated around 9.30 am on Monday, deputy speaker Michael Lobo said.

Gadkari was expected to reach Goa late on Sunday night and is scheduled to meet leaders and coalition partners. With Parrikar’s demise, the strength of the Goa assembly is 36 with BJP now having 12 MLAs. With three MLAs each of Maharashtra Gomantak Party and Goa Forward Party and three independents, the coalition just about has a majority in the House.

Parrikar fielded Christians, broke political fault lines

The contenders for the CM’s post are seen to be Union Ayush minister Shripad Naik, Goa speaker Pramod Sawant, health minister Vishwajit Rane and state BJP president Vinay Tendulkar.

The BJP parliamentary board is expected to meet on Monday to condole Parrikar’s death and may also take a view on the way ahead in terms of the leadership.

Parrikar’s demise was condoled across the political spectrum, testifying to the leader’s reputation as an affable but tough administrator. Despite his image as unbending on rules, he was a successful coalition builder, having formed a majority government when he reached out to the Catholic community and fielded Christian candidates in 2012 and broke the state’s political fault lines.

Parrikar’s reputation was embellished by his stint as defence minister at the Centre where he led the ministry with a hands-on approach and worked to ensure transparent procedures in high value purchases. He had a role in speeding up the Rafale acquisition.

This led to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi alleging that he was under pressure to hide wrongdoings. Rahul met him briefly in January and claimed that Parrikar said he had no hand in the “new” Rafale deal. Parrikar flatly denied discussing the issue in a conversation that lasted a few minutes. The surgical strikes on terror launch pads in PoK took place during his tenure in 2017.

The IITian who became a politician breathed his last at 6.15pm on Sunday. He was 63.

Parrikar was diagnosed with cancer in February 2018, and since then Goa’s politics turned more turbulent. With Parrikar gone, Goa’s politics will never be the same again.

Full report on www.toi.in

TN BJP & MNM leaders condole Parrikar’s demise

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan condoled the death of Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday. She said he gave precedence to people and their concerns and continued to serve them till his last breath despite his ill-health. He could establish the BJP government in Goa because of his goodwill and humility, she said in a statement.

Paying tributes to Parrikar, Makkal Needhi Maiam leader Kamal Haasan tweeted: “He was a ‘good and gentleman’. Not even cancer can kill a spirit like @manoharparrikar… As will the Nation, I too will remember him (sic).” TNN

Disciplinary Proceedings Can't Be Initiated Against Employee For Having 'Illicit Sexual Relationship' With Person Of His/Her Choice: Rajasthan HC

Disciplinary Proceedings Can't Be Initiated Against Employee For Having 'Illicit Sexual Relationship' With Person Of His/Her Choice: Rajasthan HC: 'Employer cannot dictate the expression of sexuality between the consented adults. A relationship between a man and a woman is a private affair. The employer has nothing to do with it.'

Employee Should Know Service Rules; Not For Employer To Advise Him About It: SC [Read Judgment]

Employee Should Know Service Rules; Not For Employer To Advise Him About It: SC [Read Judgment]: 'The department was not expected to advise and/or tell the employee about how the seniority will be fixed and/or about the rota-quota rule'

Kerala: Hostel girls can go for late night films, orders HC

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

PublishedMar 17, 2019, 1:21 am IST

Win for Kerala Varma students.

Kerala High Court

Kochi: The High Court has held that girls staying in hostels are free to participate in political activities and go out for late night films. The court has quashed the restrictions imposed in this respect on the girl students of Kerala Varma College hostel in Thrissur. It observed that the girls are entitled to the rights enjoyed by the boys and held that any restrictions in the matter would be a violation of fundamental rights.

Justice Mushtaq Mohammad passed the order on a petition filed by Anjitha K. Jose and Rinsa Thasni, two inmates of the college hostel. They challenged the order of the hostel warden banning the hostel inmates from taking part in political activities and attending processions and meetings. The warden had also stipulated that hostel inmates will be allowed to watch films only on the day permitted by the warden. The permission was only for first show screenings (6 pm to 9 pm).

The court said that the hostel management has the full right to decide on the principles of hostel discipline. The students do not have any right to dictate to the management that it should behave in a particular manner. The court, however, made it clear that the management can use this right only by taking into account the purpose of such rights. The stipulation that taking part in political activities has no relation with the practice of discipline, it said. Any citizen in the country has the freedom to hold and practise her/his political views. The restriction on political activity is the violation of fundamental rights.

The court also observed that the choice of watching a cinema and the timing of the same are part of individual choice. It is for the students to decide whether to go for a film during the first show or second show, the court said and pointed out that such acts are outside the purview of the hostels. Boy students do not have any such time restrictions for watching the movies.

The college authorities are entitled to fix the timing for the students to enter the hostel, the court said but pointed out that it should be based on wisdom. The counsel for the college management submitted that these conditions were accepted by the parents and students at the time of admission to the hostel. The court, however, observed that the parent does not have any authority to deny the rights of the adult individuals. The petitioners submitted that the 6.30 p.m. deadline fixed by the principal for students to enter the hostel posed a lot of difficulties. The court asked the principal to take a decision on the matter with a realistic perspective.