Self evolution: 1(st) domain of spiritual health.

While measuring physical, mental, and social health as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), the basis of measurement is in terms of Determinants. Recently with the advent of health promotion activities, the emphasis is on enabling individuals, groups, and societies to have control on these Determinants. To measure the spiritual health, the 4(th) Dimension, a Spiritual Health Scale consisting of 3 Domains, 6 Constructs, and 27 Determinants of spiritual health were identified through a scientific process.

Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV in India through service integration: lessons from Mysore District, Karnataka.

Meeting the needs of HIV-positive pregnant women and their offspring is critical to India's political and financial commitment to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. This review of the strategy to prevent vertical transmission of HIV in Mysore district, Karnataka, highlights the need to integrate prevention of parent-to-child transmission (PPTCT) and reproductive and child health (RCH) services. All key officials who were involved in the integration of services at the state and district levels were interviewed by use of semistructured protocols.

Influence of different length spacers containing enzyme conjugate on functional parameters of progesterone ELISA.

In steroid enzyme immunoassay (EIA), there is an increase or decrease of labeled steroid recognition by antibody due to homologous and heterologous combinations of enzyme conjugate with immunogen that affects sensitivity of the assay. We have introduced three to 18 atomic length linkers between enzyme and steroid moieties and studied their effects on functional parameters such as sensitivity, ED(50), and specificity of progesterone enzyme immunoassays. Progesterone-3-carboxymethyloxime-bovine serum albumin (P-3-CMO-BSA) was used as an immunogen to raise the antiserum in New Zealand white rabbits.

Complete sperm suppression in rats with dienogest plus testosterone undecanoate is facilitated through apoptosis in testicular cells.

Complete suppression of the production of sperm in rats with dienogest (DNG, 40 mg/kg body weight [bw]) plus testosterone undecanoate (TU, 25 mg/kg bw), every 45 days, was found to be associated with a significant increase in germ cell apoptosis. Caspase 3 activity and expression in testis were simultaneously upregulated. Rise in the activities of caspase 8 and 9 was associated with overexpression of upstream marker proteins from extrinsic (Fas [Fatty acid synthase], FasL [Fatty acid synthase ligand], and caspase 8) and intrinsic (Bax [Bcl2-associated-x protein], Bcl2 [B-cell lymphoma 2], and caspase 9) pathways of apoptosis.

Role of inter personal communication in infant and young child feeding practices in an urban slum: an overview based on case studies.

In India, child malnutrition is prevalent, especially among the poor and vulnerable. It is mostly the result of high levels of exposure to infection and inappropriate infant and young child feeding and caring practices, and it sets in mostly during the first 2 to 3y of life. Therefore, the present study was done to assess the role of inter personal communication in influencing the infant and young child feeding practices of mothers in an urban slum of Delhi.

The risk factor of domestic violence in India.

Background: It is over the last decade that research in this field of domestic violence has led to greater recognition of the issue as public health problem. The paper aims to study the prevalence of physical, psychological, and sexual violence and potential risk factors of the women confronting violence within the home in India.

Materials And Methods: A multicentric study with analytical cross-sectional design was applied.

Awareness regarding risk factors, symptoms and treatment facilities for cancer in selected states of India.

Objective: To study the level of awareness and knowledge about cancers and associated risk factors among households in selected states of India.

Methods: In the study 3070 households were interviewed from six states viz, West Bengal, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Mizoram.

Results: Knowledge of cancers other than those related to tobacco was very low (prostate 8%, colon 11% ) among the communities, with a poor awareness of warning signs and symptoms.

Clomiphene citrate potentiates the adverse effects of estrogen on rat testis and down-regulates the expression of steroidogenic enzyme genes.

Objective: To investigate the antiestrogenic effect of clomiphene citrate (CC) in male rats estrogenized with estradiol-3-benzoate (EB).

Design: Prospective experimental study.

Setting: Laboratory.

siRNA as a tool to delineate pathway channelization in H(2)O(2) induced apoptosis of primary Leydig cells in vitro.

Using siRNA as a tool, the channelization of pathway in H(2)O(2) induced apoptosis of primary Leydig cells was investigated in vitro. Exposure (4 h) to H(2)O(2) (250 μM) induced maximum apoptosis but affected Leydig cell viability significantly. Therefore, expression of apoptotic marker genes, caspase-8, -9, -3 and polyadenosine ribose polymerase was subsequently investigated using the same concentration post 1 h exposure.

Heterologous enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of testosterone in serum.

In steroid enzyme immunoassay (EIA), homologous and heterologous combinations of enzyme conjugate with immunogen influences labeled steroid recognition by antibodies that affect sensitivity of the assay. To develop testosterone enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antibodies were generated against testosterone-3-carboxymethyloxime-bovine serum albumin (T-3-CMO-BSA), testosterone-11-hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin (T-11-HS-BSA), testosterone-17-hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin (T-17-HS-BSA), testosterone-17-glucuronide-bovine serum albumin (T-17-G-BSA), and testosterone-19-carboxymethylether-bovine serum albumin (T-19-CME-BSA). Testosterone horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme conjugate were prepared using carboxyl derivatives of 11-keto-testosterone (11-keto-T) and 1-dehydrotestosterone (1-Dehydro-T).

Cytoprotective effects of fruit pulp of Eugenia jambolana on H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat Leydig cells in vitro.

This study was undertaken to investigate the cytoprotective effect of the fruit pulp of Eugenia jambolana (50-250 μg ml(-1) ) against the damage induced by H 2 O 2 (100 μm) exposure to Leydig cells in vitro. Cell survival with extract was found comparable to similar effects by N-acetyl-l-cysteine. H 2 O 2 -induced rise in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance formation and decline in the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-s-transferase were effectively checked.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine modulates multiple signaling pathways to rescue male germ cells from apoptosis induced by chronic hCG administration to rats.

The present study was aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of N-acetyl-L: -cysteine (NAC, 150 mg/kg bw twice/week) against testicular germ cell apoptosis in rats induced by chronic hCG administration (100 IU/rat/day for 30 days). NAC co-treatment improved serum testosterone, prevented rise in lipid peroxidation, intracellular H(2)O(2) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in germ cells. Replenishment of intracellular GSH and total antioxidant capacity was seen.

Complete sperm suppression induced by dienogest plus testosterone undecanoate is associated with down-regulation in the expression of upstream steroidogenic enzyme genes in rat testis.

Background: We had shown that dienogest (DNG) + testosterone undecanoate (TU) induced complete sperm suppression in rats when administered together every 45 days. On the other hand, individual drugs given alone in a similar fashion failed to achieve the same result.

Study Design: The present study was therefore undertaken to determine the reason for such a differential sperm suppression and to correlate it with the expression of steroidogenic enzyme genes in the rat testis.

Influence of different length linker containing DHEA-7-cmo-enzyme conjugates on sensitivity and specificity of DHEA-3-hs-antibody.

The introduction of spacers in coating steroid antigen or enzyme conjugates or immunogen is known to exert an influence on the sensitivity of steroid enzyme immunoassays. We have introduced different homobifunctional spacers having varying atomic length (3 to 10) between enzyme and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) moiety and studied their effects on functional parameters such as sensitivity and specificity of DHEA enzyme immunoassays. DHEA-3-hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin (DHEA-3-HS-BSA) was used as immunogen to raise the antiserum in New Zealand white rabbits.

Extended intervention time and evaluation of sperm suppression by dienogest plus testosterone undecanoate in male rat.

Background: The potential of using dienogest [DNG, 40 mg/kg body weight (bw)] plus testosterone undecanoate (TU, 25 mg/kg bw) in rats for development of a once-a-month male hormonal contraceptive has been reported earlier in our laboratories.

Study Design: In the present study, we report a separate efficacy evaluation of the same combination, DNG (40 mg/kg bw) and TU (25 mg/kg bw) in which interval of drug administration has been extended further to 45 and 60 days instead of every 30 days.

Results: Complete sperm suppression was observed in rats sacrificed either 60 or 90 days after DNG+TU administration, for two injections at 45-day interval.

Differential modulation of apoptotic gene expression by N-acetyl-L-cysteine in Leydig cells stimulated persistently with hCG in vivo.

The present study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of NAC (150 mg/kg bw twice/week) action in vivo under repeated hCG (100 IU/rat/day) stimulation to adult rats. Leydig cell refractoriness led to a significant decline in serum testosterone and intracellular cAMP by day 30 of chronic hCG intervention which improved significantly following NAC co-administration. It inhibited the rise in lipid peroxidation, improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes along with intracellular glutathione and total antioxidant capacity in the target cells.

Testosterone administration to adult rats differentially modulates androgen and oestrogen receptor-α expression in reproductive organs and pituitary.

Regulation of androgen receptor (AR) and oestrogen receptor α (ERα) expression has direct bearing on the physiology of male reproductive organs. With the help of three independent tools of immunohistochemistry, western blotting and RT-PCR, AR and ER α receptor expression was examined in the testis, epididymis, prostate, seminal vesicle and pituitary of adult rats following testosterone enanthate (TE, 3 mg/100 μl of olive oil/rat per week) intervention for 15 and 30 days. TE administration reduced AR immunoexpression which coincided well with the decline in the receptor protein and transcript levels.

Antigen heterologous enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the measurement of DHEA in serum.

Homologous and heterologous combinations of enzyme conjugate and antibody in steroid enzyme immunoassay (EIA) influences unlabeled steroid recognition by antibody that affects sensitivity of the assay. To develop dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) antigen heterologous enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antibodies were generated against DHEA-3-hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin (DHEA-3-HS-BSA), DHEA-7-carboxymethyloxime-bovine serum albumin (DHEA-7-CMO-BSA), and DHEA-17-carboxymethyloxime-bovine serum albumin (DHEA-17-CMO-BSA). Five horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme conjugates were prepared using five testosterone derivatives [testosterone-3-CMO (T-3-CMO), testosterone-17-HS (T-17-HS), testosterone-17-glucuronoside (T-17-G), testosterone-19-carboxymethylether (T-19-CME), and testosterone-11-HS (T-11-HS)].

Influence of different length linker containing DHEA-7-CMO-enzyme conjugates on sensitivity and specificity of DHEA-17-CMO-antibody.

Introduction of spacers in enzyme conjugates is known to exert an influence on the assay parameters of steroid enzyme immunoassays. We have introduced 3 to 10 atomic length linkers between enzyme and steroid moieties and studied their effects on sensitivity and specificity of dehydroepiandrosterone enzyme immunoassays. Dehydroepiandrosterone-17-carboxymethyloxime-bovine serum albumin (DHEA-17-CMO-BSA) was used as an immunogen to raise the antiserum in New Zealand white rabbits.

Development of an antigen heterologous enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of corticosterone in rat serum.

Homologous and heterologous combinations of enzyme conjugate and antibody in steroid enzyme immunoassay (EIA) influences unlabeled steroid recognition by antibody that affects sensitivity of the assay. To develop corticosterone enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antibodies were generated against corticosterone-3-carboxymethyloxime-bovine serum albumin (corticosterone-3-CMO-BSA) and corticosterone-21-hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin (corticosterone-21-HS-BSA). Four horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme conjugates were prepared using two corticosterone derivatives (corticosterone-3-CMO and corticosterone-21-HS) and two cortisol derivatives (Cortisol-3-CMO and Cortisol-21-HS).

Insured yet vulnerable: out-of-pocket payments and India's poor.

Protecting households from high out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for health care is an important health system goal. High OOP payments can push households into poverty and make them vulnerable to catastrophic health expenditures. This study, based in India, aims to: (a) estimate OOP payments for health and related impoverishment across economic groups; (b) decompose OOP payments and relate the contribution of their components to impoverishment; and (c) examine how well recently introduced national insurance schemes meant for the poor are able to provide financial protection.

Role of estrogen in the regulation of spermatogenesis in the Indian wall lizard Hemidactylus flaviviridis.

The role of estrogen in the Indian wall lizard, Hemidactylus flaviviridis during PMSG induced spermatogenesis in the regression phase and during normal spermatogenesis in the active breeding phase was investigated. Blood hormone levels demonstrated a high testosterone to estrogen ratio in the breeding and vice verse during the regressed phase. PMSG treatment (30 IU in 100 μl saline/lizard/alternate day for 30 days) during the regressed phase stimulated spermatogenesis which was associated with a significant (p<0.

Influence of different homologous and heterologous combinations of antibodies and enzyme conjugates of dehydroepiandrostosterone on the sensitivity and specificity of DHEA ELISA.

Anti-sera were raised against three immunogen: dehydroepiandrostosterone-17-carboxymethyl-oxime-bovine serum albumin (DHEA-17-CMO-BSA), DHEA-7-CMO-BSA, and dehydroepiandrostosterone-3-hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin (DHEA-3-HS-BSA). They were evaluated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled DHEA-17-CMO, DHEA-7-CMO, DHEA-3-HS enzyme conjugates for their influence on the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA. Of the various combinations, DHEA-3-HS-BSA antiserum along with DHEA-7-CMO-horseradish peroxidase (DHEA-7-CMO-HRP) enzyme conjugate showed no cross-reaction with any of the closely related steroids.

Indian approaches to retaining skilled health workers in rural areas.

Problem: The lack of skilled service providers in rural areas of India has emerged as the most important constraint in achieving universal health care. India has about 1.4 million medical practitioners, 74% of whom live in urban areas where they serve only 28% of the population, while the rural population remains largely underserved.