Storage of heat-fixed unstained sputum AFB smears for panel testing in a tuberculosis unit in South India.

To evaluate the suitability for panel testing of heat-fixed unstained sputum AFB smears stored for up to 10 months, panels of slides were prepared at the national laboratory and stored under ambient conditions. Every month, three slides were utilised for panel testing in each of 12 microscopy centres; 70 smears were checked in a blinded fashion after 10 months. Reading errors occurred in 15/360 slides used in panel testing and in 4/70 slides used in blinded checking.

Lot quality assurance sampling of sputum acid-fast bacillus smears for assessing sputum smear microscopy centers.

Assessment of 12 microscopy centers in a tuberculosis unit by blinded checking of eight sputum smears selected by using a lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) method and by unblinded checking of all positive and five negative slides, among the slides examined in a month in a microscopy centre, revealed that the LQAS method can be implemented in the field to monitor the performance of acid-fast bacillus microscopy centers in national tuberculosis control programs.

Status report on DOTS expansion and implementation during the 4th quarter 2003.

Performance of RNTCP involvement of medical colleges in implementing DOTS strategy, management of paediatric TB under RNTCP, TB/HIV co-ordination, external quality assurance, training of staff, strengthening of ICE, monitoring, supervision and collaboration with other sectors are briefly discussed with regard to DOTS expansion and implementation during the 4th quarter, 2003.

Unequivocal evidence of genotoxic potential of argemone oil in mice.

Consumption of mustard oil adulterated with argemone oil leads to a clinical condition, commonly referred to as "Epidemic Dropsy." Since in vitro studies have shown that sanguinarine, an active benzophenanthridine alkaloid of argemone oil, intercalates DNA molecule, the in vivo clastogenic and DNA damaging potential of argemone oil was investigated in mice. Swiss albino mice were intraperitoneally administered 0.

Modulation of flyash-induced genotoxicity in Vicia faba by vermicomposting.

Cytogenetic effects of pre- and postvermicomposted flyash samples were evaluated on the root meristem cells of Vicia faba. Seedlings of V. faba were directly sown in flyash and cow dung-soil mixtures (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) and the lateral roots grown in these test mixtures were sampled at 5 days.

Protective effects of indole-3-carbinol on cyclophosphamide-induced clastogenecity in mouse bone marrow cells.

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is present in many cruciferous vegetables and is known to possess protective properties against chemically induced toxicity and carcinogenesis. In the present study, the antimutagenic potential of I3C has been evaluated using in vivo chromosomal aberration (CA) assay as a cytogenetic end point. Chromosomal analysis was carried out in mouse bone marrow cells following administration of 13C (5 mg/kg; i.

Cytogenetic effects of leachates from tannery solid waste on the somatic cells of Vicia faba.

The contamination of surface- and groundwater by the leaching of solid wastes generated by industrial activities as a result of water runoff and rainfall is a matter of great concern. The leachates from tannery solid waste (TSW), a major environmental pollutant, were examined for their possible genotoxic effects on the somatic cells of Vicia faba. Leachates were prepared from solid wastes procured from leather-tanning industrial sites, and V.

Genotoxic Effects of Diuron Contaminated Soil on the Root Meristem Cells of Allium sativum: A Possible Mechanism of Chromosome Damage.

Diuron, a persistant substituted urea herbicide, was tested in the root meristem cells of Allium sativum for the possible cytogenetic effects and to compare the sensitivity with Allium cepa. Test concentrations of diuron 22.5, 45.

Role of WHO recruited consultants in successful implementation and expansion of the DOTS programme in India.

For successful implementation of DOTS in India, many factors have played important part and one of which is the use of WHO-contracted local consultants. WHO had recruited consultants known as RNTCP Medical Consultants (RMCs) and assigned them to States and districts to provide technical assistance to the State and District TB Officers. In the districts the RMCs assist in preparation of action plans and interact with district and State authorities.

TB and human rights.

Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and is fundamental to human rights. TB affects nearly all aspects of health-physical, mental and social. The poor are vulnerable to TB and TB continues to be a stigma in large sections of society.

Health policy, systems and services research and the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme.

Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) has become the accepted standard for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. DOTS is the best treatment strategy available today, but it does not and cannot remain static. Health policy, systems and services research (HPSSR) described in the context of TB control, offers significant gains at relatively low cost and in a shorter timeframe.

Challenges for the RNTCP in India.

Tuberculosis has been a public health problem in India since time immemorial. The disease has a devastating socio-economic cost in India, with over 450,000 people dying of TB each year--1000 every day, 1 every minute. To control the menace, Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) was implemented starting in October, 1993.

Status report of the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme: January 2003.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health problem in spite of DOTS programme recommended by WHO. One person dies from TB in India every minute. Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) is playing a major role in global DOTS expansion.

HIV/TB in India: a public health challenge.

The impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic on the epidemiology of TB worldwide is being noted with growing concern. Patients with HIV are more susceptible to opportunistic diseases including TB. The risk of development of TB in HIV-infected patients in India is 6.

Blinded rechecking of sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli to ensure the quality and usefulness of restaining smears to assess false-positive errors.

Setting: Microscopy Centres, Velliyur Tuberculosis Unit, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu, India.

Procedures: Twelve microscopy centre laboratory technicians examined 41978 direct sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli. Senior Tuberculosis Laboratory Supervisors (STLS) checked all positive smears (4696) and 10% of negative smears (4776) in an unblinded fashion as per Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) guidelines.

Evaluation of cytogenetic effects of isoproturon on the root meristem cells of Allium sativum.

Objective: To validate the use of Allium sativum as a reliable test model for genotoxicity, isoproturon, a substituted phenylalkylurea herbicide, was evaluated on the root meristem cells by this plant system.

Method: Test concentrations were selected by determining EC50 and root tips were exposed to various concentrations for 6 or 24 hr. EC50 concentration was calculated to be 70.

Induction of chromosome aberrations, micronucleus formation and sperm abnormalities in mouse following carbofuran exposure.

Carbofuran was tested to study in vivo cytogenetic effects in mouse bone marrow cells and morphological alterations in sperms. The acute oral and intraperitoneal (i.p.

In vivo induction of sister chromatid exchange in mouse bone marrow following oral exposure to commercial formulations of alpha-cyano pyrethroids.

In vivo genetic toxicity potential of cypermethrin and deltamethrin, two alpha-cyano pyrethroid insecticides was evaluated through induction of sister chromatid exchange in mouse bone marrow cells. Groups of four healthy, adult, male albino mice were each administered with a single oral dose of 10.6, 21.

Cytogenetic effects of deltamethrin on rat bone marrow.

Deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, was administered to adult female albino rats as a single i.p., s.

An improved chemical substitute for fetal calf serum for the micronucleus test.

The routine use of the micronucleus test in the mutagenicity evaluation of xenobiotics is limited by high cost and limited availability of fetal calf serum. On the other hand, there are disadvantages, such as hypotonic damage and clumping of cells, associated with the use of mineral medium substitutes for fetal calf serum. Alternatively, we recommend a chemical medium containing Hanks' buffered salt solution, 1% (w/v) bovine serum albumin, and 0.