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In India, Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) generally work with ENT surgeons and use a variety of treatment approaches, service delivery methods, feedback modes, and outcome measures in clinical practice while dealing with voice disorders. The practice preferences of the SLPs are based on theoretical and practical exposure during their graduate course, guidance from professional bodies, evidence-based practices, etc. The facilities in the work setting also determine the practice style of the SLP. This study reports information on demographics of the SLPs, nature of patients served, intervention methods, and evidence-based practices followed by the SLPs via an E-survey. Analysis of the survey from 55 SLPs in India, who work in the area of voice revealed that most SLPs had postgraduate (67.27%; n = 37) and doctorate degree (23.63%; n = 13) and worked in medical-related settings (81.81%; n = 45). Therapeutic approaches were practiced as stated in literature by 43.64% (n = 24) of SLPs. Although 56.36% (n = 31) of SLPs modified therapeutic approaches based on the client's needs (75%), literacy (16.66%) and cultural variations (8.33%). Attending Continuing Education Programs and training workshops were required to practice voice. Voice therapy methods (protocols) used by the SLPs were not uniform across India. The development of an indigenous protocol/method for voice therapy is the need of the hour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroglottography (EGG) is a method to monitor the vibrations of the vocal folds by measuring the varying impedance to a weak alternating current through the tissues of the neck. Non-invasive measures of vocal fold activity are useful for describing normal and disordered voice production. Measures of open, closed and speed quotient from glottal airflow and electroglottographic (EGG) waveforms have been used to describe timing events associated with vocal fold vibration. There are very few studies in western context and no Indian studies were done using speech task. The aim of the present study was to analyze the laryngeal behavior of individuals with chronic laryngitis using electroglottograph on reading voiced passage and to compare with normal individuals. 10 adults with chronic laryngitis and 10 age and gender matched normal adults in the age range of 30 - 40 years participated in the present study. All the recorded samples were analyzed for contact quotient (CQ), open quotient (OQ) and speed quotient (SQ). Results indicated that there was significant statistical difference between normal and abnormal group on all the three EGG quotients for voiced passage reading task. These results also suggested that the closed duration during vocal fold vibratory pattern was longer in individuals with chronic laryngitis and open duration was reduced thereby reducing the speed quotient which indicates the asymmetry of vocal fold vibration during reading passage task in these individuals. It also suggest that connected speech context, as in passage reading, can give better representation, due to the fact that passage is more representative to one's daily speech characteristics than sustained phonation. The laryngeal measures obtained from connected speech context offer a more accurate representation in differentiating normal versus pathological voices. Implications of the findings are discussed and topics for further exploration are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer in men and third most common cancer in women worldwide, with higher incidence reported in western countries. Over the last decade a remarkable 2-4 fold increase in CRC incidence has been observed in Asian countries like India. Lower prevalence of sporadic CRC cases in India have been linked to lifestyle, with an emphasis on a vegetarian diet. However, the incidence of hereditary CRCs in India have not been well documented. In the west hereditary CRCs i.e. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome or the Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC) are common and account for 1% and 2-5% of the CRCs reported, respectively. We report a similar trend at a rural cancer center in western India (KCHRC, Goraj, Gujarat), where 70-75 CRC patients are seen annually. Methods: We have identified three families, one diagnosed with FAP and two with HNPCC. In order to identify the underlying germline mutation in each family, we sequenced the genomes of 3 families, one with FAP and two with reported HNPCC. Results: In The FAP family, we identified a novel heterozygous mutation in the APC (pSerPhefster6) gene in 3 affected members, all aged above 45 years. The mutation was also found in younger unaffected members of this family who have been appropriately counselled. Both HNPCC families had unique mutations in the MLH1 gene, a frequently mutated gene in HNPCC with a role in DNA mismatch repair. Conclusions: Thus far we have identified mutations in genes frequently reported in the west in both FAP and HNPCC. In FAP the region of mutation is APC but the mutation is unique. Further larger number of patients require to evaluate and compare to western countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]