17q21 Variants Disturb Mucosal Host Defense in Childhood Asthma.

The strongest genetic risk factor for childhood-onset asthma, the 17q21 locus, is associated with increased viral susceptibility and disease-promoting processes. To identify biological targets underlying the escalated viral susceptibility associated with the clinical phenotype mediated by the 17q21 locus. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of nasal brush samples from 261 children (78 healthy, 79 with wheezing at preschool age, 104 asthmatic) within the ALLIANCE (All-Age-Asthma) cohort, with a median age of 10.

Dysfunction among Families of Children with Intellectual Disability in India Using Systems Model: Prevalence, Pattern, and Severity of Impairment.

Objectives: Family dysfunction is observed in families with children with intellectual disability (ID). We study the prevalence, pattern of dysfunction, and severity of impairment in these special families using Systems approach.

Methods: Sixty-two special families (a child with ID) and 62 typical families (all children with typical development) were included in the present study.

Predictors of disability: a 5-year cohort study of first-episode schizophrenia.

Background: There is a dearth of information about the predictors of disability in schizophrenia from low and middle-income countries. This study attempted to investigate the impact of socio-demographic and clinical variables on disability in a cohort of first episode schizophrenia.

Method: Patients diagnosed to have DSM IV schizophrenia (n=131) were assessed prospectively for psychopathology, functioning, insight and explanatory models of illness at baseline, 6, 12 and 60 months using standard instruments.

Predictors of insight in first-episode schizophrenia: a 5-year cohort study from India.

Background And Aims: There is a dearth of data on the predictors of insight in schizophrenia. This study attempted to assess the predictors of insight in a cohort of first-episode schizophrenia followed up over 5 years.

Methods: Patients diagnosed to have Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.

ADad 8: School Phobia and Anxiety Disorders among adolescents in a rural community population in India.

Objective: School Phobia (SP), although is not a formal psychiatric diagnosis, is widely prevalent debilitating phenomenon with a gamut of underlying psychiatric conditions in an overwhelming majority of cases. This study documents the prevalence, symptom presentation and the relationship between the various subtypes of Anxiety Disorders (AD) and School Phobia.

Methods: In a prospective community survey of 500 adolescents, independent raters administered the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders and Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children/Present and Lifetime to identify SP and subtype of AD respectively.

Insight, psychopathology, explanatory models and outcome of schizophrenia in India: a prospective 5-year cohort study.

Background: The sole focus of models of insight on bio-medical perspectives to the complete exclusion of local, non-medical and cultural constructs mandates review. This study attempted to investigate the impact of insight, psychopathology, explanatory models of illness on outcome of first episode schizophrenia.

Method: Patients diagnosed to have DSM IV schizophrenia (n = 131) were assessed prospectively for insight, psychopathology, explanatory models of illness at baseline, 6, 12 and 60 months using standard instruments.

Stigma and explanatory models among people with schizophrenia and their relatives in Vellore, south India.

Background: Stigma associated with mental illness affects patients and their families. Diverse beliefs about the cause and treatment of schizophrenia are common among patients and their relatives.

Aim: To study the association between stigma and beliefs about illness in patients and their relatives.