Hello, Jiri, we missed you.

The US-based research team arrived in Jiri safe and sound, and in good time (a drive that was less than 8 hours). It has been about 7 months since we were here last. It is always good to come back and to meet up with our good friends and collaborators from the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology.

Today marks the first of 12 days of sampling and data collection with a day off in between to recharge the batteries, catch up on paper/administrative work etc. Our recruitment goal on this trip is another 250 individuals. But for now, looking forward to enroll our first volunteer for today, our 1,294th volunteer overall.

Looking forward to keeping you up-to-date on our progress and all things Jiri over the course of the next couple of weeks but in the meantime, here are some images from our trip from Kathmandu to Jiri yesterday...

A local stall in Dhulikhel, east of Kathmandu.

Segments of the trip can be dusty and stuck behind traffic.

Managed to capture our vehicle in the mirror while getting a shot of the Himalayas.

There is still a lot of construction, re-building in Nepal following the earthquakes back in 2015.

Back down in a valley before making the next climb.

Stopped for lunch.

Made it to Kathmandu

Hi all, just a quick update to say that everyone, and their luggage, made it to Kathmandu safe and sound yesterday (Nov. 4). After some last minute shopping for clinic supplies (bleach etc.) we are now ready (well, almost) for our day-long drive to Jiri today (Nov. 5). We start data collection tomorrow, Nov. 6.

The experienced gained on trips like these tend to make one a better person, especially when back home, and already this trip is no exception. The lesson learnt on this trip so far is that one will never complain about crowds, congestion and cramped spaces at a supermarket ever again!!

Now, we are almost ready for the drive to Jiri...

Off on our 6th field trip & DNA isolation

Once again the US-based research team embarks on their approx. 48 hour journey back to Nepal to conduct the next data collection session. However, unlike last time, all team members awoke without the assistance of other team members (i.e., banging on bedroom windows) and were on time. It's amazing how an on start time like this makes for a stress free morning and check in at the airport.

Meanwhile, there has been a lot of work going on back in the lab where the JES research staff have been busy with isolating DNA from the blood clot material collected in the field. The procedure being adopted to isolate the DNA phenol/chloroform with ethanol precipitation procedure. The DNA is being isolated for exome sequencing that will commence in the coming months (more on this element of the study in the near future). In the meantime, while the researchers make their way back to Nepal, here are some images of the DNA isolation procedure.

Inspecting the blood clot.

Removing clot from tube.

Clot (still mostly frozen) is removed.

Only 1/2 to 3/4 of the clot is needed.

Clots are thawing.

Thawed clots undergoing a proteinase K digestion.

Ready for the ethanol precipitation.

Undergoing ethanol precipitation.

Isolated DNA (will undergo additional cleaning steps) can be seen at the bottom of the 50 mL Falcon tube.

Random images from Nepal

As our fifth field session to collect data draws to a close, we thought we would leave you with a few random images (mostly from Jiri) of our time here. Thank you again for your interest and we'll be in touch after the remainder of the research team hits south Texas. Until then...

Tilganga Community Eye Center: Charikot, Nepal

On our way back from Jiri to Kathmandu Drs. Suman ji, Sandy ji and Matt ji (Drs. Sarah ji and Janardan ji had to leave a day earlier due to other work-related commitments back in the US) stopped by Tilganga's Community Eye Centre in Charikot. The purpose of these Community Eye Centers is to offer comprehensive eye care services in rural areas of Nepal. Services include comprehensive screening, minor surgery, referral services and various eye health education and awareness programs. Construction of the Charikot Community Eye Center building was completed with the support of the Shikshya Foundation Nepal, an organization that seeks to oversee and facilitate the education of Nepali children in need from primary school through secondary school and higher education. Since the start of the Jiri Eye Study the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology has now established a permanent Community Eye Center in Jiri.

Eye charts you would not see in the English speaking parts of the world.

Minor procedure room.

 Slit lamp examination area.

A large selection of prescription glasses to choose from.

Prescription lenses are cut/shaped on site to fit various frame configurations.

Participant recruitment in the field

Jiri is a municipality in Dolakha District in the Janakpur Zone of north-eastern Nepal and sits approximately 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) above sea level. Sitting within the Pahad (hill) region, negotiating this undulating terrain can be quite challenging on one's stamina. Not so for our recruitment staff, Sanjita ji and Bhim Bahadur ji! For about one month prior to research clinic activities Sanjita ji and Bhim Bahadur ji venture out into the Jiri region to start their recruitment duties. It is with thanks to their hard work that as at the conclusion of this field trip we have successfully recruited 1,293 individuals to the project! Thank you Sanjita and Bhim!

Here is a collection of photographs of Sanjita and Bhim working within the Jirel community recruiting potential study participants. (All photographs were taken with permission).

Sanjita ji is seated on the right.

Bhim Bahadur ji is seated on the far right and left, respectively.

Sanjita ji (center) explains to a potential female and male participant, respectively, the amount of blood that would be collected. Blood is collected to test lipid levels, blood sugar levels and test DNA loci against clinical phenotypes such as cataract, glaucoma, and intraocular pressure.

Reading glasses for our study participants

As you may recall from a recent entry (Reading glasses donation: Lions Club International), reading glasses for our research participants are being provided, in part, by the Texas Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (TLERC). This very kind donation is making a difference to the Jirel community in a simple but effective way that most people in the developed world may take for granted.Thank you once again to the Lions Club and the TLERC!

Here we see Dr. Suman ji (the project's ophthalmologist) giving reading glasses (donated by the TLERC) to a male research participant.

Dr. Suman ji seeing if a female participant is willing to try on her new reading glasses (donated by the TLERC).

A female participant sporting her new reading glasses (donated by the TLERC). Nothing but style up here in Jiri! (photo taken with permission)