Relative Biological Effectiveness of Energetic Heavy Ions for Intestinal Tumorigenesis Shows Male Preponderance and Radiation Type and Energy Dependence in APC(1638N/+) Mice.

Purpose: There are uncertainties associated with the prediction of colorectal cancer (CRC) risk from highly energetic heavy ion (HZE) radiation. We undertook a comprehensive assessment of intestinal and colonic tumorigenesis induced after exposure to high linear energy transfer (high-LET) HZE radiation spanning a range of doses and LET in a CRC mouse model and compared the results with the effects of low-LET γ radiation.

Methods And Materials: Male and female APC(1638N/+) mice (n=20 mice per group) were whole-body exposed to sham-radiation, γ rays, (12)C, (28)Si, or (56)Fe radiation.

Malaria situation in India with special reference to tribal areas.

Background & Objectives: In India, malaria is a major public health problem in States having predominantly tribal population. The objective of this analysis was to find out the incidence of malaria in various States/districts having varied proportions of tribal population using National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) data.

Methods: States and districts were classified into three categories based on proportions of Scheduled Tribes (ST) population as <10, 10-29.

Wip1 abrogation decreases intestinal tumor frequency in APC(Min/+) mice irrespective of radiation quality.

Low-linear energy transfer (low-LET) γ-ray exposure is a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). Due to their high-LET nature, energetic iron ions found in space are expected to pose greater CRC risks to astronauts undertaking long-duration space missions beyond low Earth orbit. Wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) is important for cellular DNA damage response and its abrogation has been shown to inhibit spontaneous intestinal tumorigenesis in APC(Min/+) mice, a well-studied mouse model of human CRC.

ERK/MAPK regulates ERRγ expression, transcriptional activity and receptor-mediated tamoxifen resistance in ER+ breast cancer.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators such as tamoxifen (TAM) significantly improve breast cancer-specific survival for women with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) disease. However, resistance to TAM remains a major clinical problem. The resistant phenotype is usually not driven by loss or mutation of the estrogen receptor; instead, changes in multiple proliferative and/or survival pathways over-ride the inhibitory effects of TAM.

Impact of mass drug administration on elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Surat city, India.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the major public health problems in some of the endemic districts in India including Surat city of Gujarat province. Historical data reveals that in 1960s, Surat city had infection rate of about 23% and infectivity rate of 1.6%.

Identification of an anchor residue for CheA-CheY interactions in the chemotaxis system of Escherichia coli.

Transfer of a phosphoryl group from autophosphorylated CheA (P-CheA) to CheY is an important step in the bacterial chemotaxis signal transduction pathway. This reaction involves CheY (i) binding to the P2 domain of P-CheA and then (ii) acquiring the phosphoryl group from the P1 domain. Crystal structures indicated numerous side chain interactions at the CheY-P2 binding interface.

Knowledge and practices related to sexually transmitted infections and HIV among sex workers in an urban area of Gujarat, India.

This study is a part of STD prevalence study done in Gujarat amongst sex workers (SWs) of urban red light area during the year 2000. In the clinic specially set up in their area, after an informed consent from the participants, knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) questionnaire schedule was administered to 125 SWs; 2/3rds of them were below the age of 30 years, 81.5% had never gone to school and 76.

New perspectives of malaria control in India under World Bank Project.

The World Bank has been assisting Government of India (GoI) for a number of years with development of effective health services for the control of vector borne diseases (VBDs). An Enhanced Malaria Control Project (EMCP) under financial assistance from Bank was implemented in selected tribal states and districts from 1997 to 2005. While most of the project districts did report a decline in malaria incidence, the Implementation Completion Report (ICR) highlighted the need for major reform.

Emergence of drug resistance in India.

Chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium malaria is an emerging problem globally. In India resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to choloroquine, the cheapest and the most used drug was first reported in the year 1973 from Diphu of Karbi-Anglong district in Assam state. Systematic monitoring of drug resistance is being undertaken in the country from 1978 by the Directorate of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) through its 13 Pf monitoring teams.

Counselling of leprosy affected persons and the community.

"Counselling is a helping process where one person explicitly and purposefully gives his/her time, attention and skills to assist a client to explore their situation, identity and act upon solutions within the limitations of their given environment". The GATHER (greet, ask, tell, help, explain, return visit) technique can be useful in successful counselling. Counselling services have been proven successful in reducing stigma.

Effect of physical and mental activity on blood pressure.

Objectives: The authors measured and recorded the physical (outdoor playing) and mental (home study) activity behavior and blood pressure amongst school going children and observed their association with the blood pressure levels.

Method: It was a cross sectional school-based study from 12 primary schools; selected by stratified random sampling. Participants included 2250 children aged 10 years and above.

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and performance of STI syndromes against aetiological diagnosis, in female sex workers of red light area in Surat, India.

Objectives: To measure prevalence of selected sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV among female sex workers (SWs) in the red light area of Surat, India, and to evaluate the performance of STI syndrome guidelines (for general population women in India) in this group against the standard aetiological diagnosis of STIs by laboratory methods.

Methods: In a cross sectional study, 124 out of an estimated total of 500 SWs were mobilised to a health camp near the red light area during 2000. After obtaining consent, a behavioural questionnaire was administered, followed by clinical examination and specimen collection for different STIs.

Laboratory diagnosis of malaria.

Malaria particularly falciparum malaria is a major public health problem in India. Its correct and early diagnosis is very important for prompt treatment as a preventive and control measure. Microscopy is the traditional method for laboratory diagnosis of malaria, which is used widely.

Impact assessment of school-based sex education program amongst adolescents.

This was a cross-sectional, interview-based study to assess the impact of sex education on the students and the feasibility of such a program. Study sample consisted of 189 students from two secondary schools of Surat city. Impact was assessed by "before and after" administration of questionnaires.