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Science outreach programs that enable real-time interactions between scientists and school-aged children are known to positively impact learning gains and students' perceptions of scientists. To expand K-12 outreach by scientists, it is important to build structured outreach programs which offer scientists well-defined opportunities, while providing school students regular and diverse interactions. We describe Talk To A Scientist, a science outreach platform in India, where scientists use a webinar-based approach to share their research with K-12 students (6 to 16 years). Running weekly for nearly 3 years, Talk To A Scientist has hosted over 100 live interactions, with a wide reach to participants across the country. Here, we outline the framework used to build Talk To A Scientist and discuss key gains, considerations, and challenges in the development of the program. We also suggest potential adaptations with which this framework can serve as a guideline for the implementation of similar K-12 outreach programs across diverse country- and context-specific settings.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing the adoption and utilization of the online examination portal (OEP) in Indian universities. This study combines the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Usage of Technology (UTAUT) and Task Technology Fit (TTF) to explain the user's intention to use an OEP at an Indian University. Design/methodology/approach: This study's methodology combines UTAUT as a theoretical framework with TTF. It is conceptualized that TTF has a moderating effect on UTAUT's primary construct. The authors collected the data from 182 graduate students from an Indian university. PLS-SEM is used to identify the causal relationship between the constructs using the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. Findings: The findings will demonstrate the applicability of the constructs of performance expectancy, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions in influencing the usage intention and behavior of students towards OEP. The outcome will also demonstrate the moderating effect of TTF on the predictors of intention to use OEP at an Indian University. Research limitations/implications: The sample respondents who participated in the study are students at the Indian University in Pune. The selection of samples was based on convenience sampling. Future research should be conducted at a variety of geographic locations, educational levels, undergraduate and graduate schools, as well as multiple universities. To increase the objectivity of sample selection, the probabilistic sampling method can be used to select samples. For future studies, larger sample sizes (more than 182) can be collected in order to increase the generalizability and applicability of the findings to other developing markets. Practical implications: The study will aid Indian universities in enhancing the effectiveness of OEP. The study will also demonstrate the users' perception of the portal and their willingness to use it. It will also assist the university administration in finalizing the examination portal's implementation strategy. Originality/value: Very few studies have been published on the factors influencing the acceptance and utilization of specific online examination systems. To address this underrepresentation, the current article investigates the factors and criteria that influence students' intent to use the OEP. The authors conceptualize the model using UTAUT as a theoretical foundation, which is absent from the published literature on the OEP. The study incorporated UTAUT and TTF to determine the impact on OEP usage and intent. In addition, the study contributes by testing the moderating effect of TTF on the UTAUT variables that influence the intention to use OEP.

This article brings to the forefront an underexamined aspect of French Indian history. Scholars have researched on various aspects of French imperialism in India, but one aspect which remains outside the purview of many is the role played by European women who accompanied their husbands overseas. This article studies Madame Martin and Madame Dupleix and highlights their functions towards the fostering of the French colonial policy. Although indirect in many ways, they in a way contributed to the ongoing projects of the French Company. Consequently, this article seeks to present a holistic view of Madame Martin and Madame Dupleix. In doing so, mostly French sources have been used, accompanied by a Tamil source. Although there are differences between these two women, one aspect remains clear, which is their adoration for the French Company. The sacrifices they had to endure were immeasurable. The difference in time periods (seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, respectively) also had a very imperative role to play in the lives of Madame Martin and Madame Dupleix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The success of any insurance scheme is contingent upon well-defined processes related to payment, referral, grievances and quality control mechanisms. Any deviation observed may result in unsatisfactory performance. This study attempts to examine various processes related to the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and a state-specific insurance scheme across three states of India. Objective: To describe the policies and process adapted by selected states in implementing a government-sponsored health insurance scheme. To examine the strategies that work effectively, how they operate and what contextual factors enable or disable the desired implementation mechanisms. Methodology: The three states of Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha were selected to understand various processes related to the implementation of Publicly Funded Health Insurance Schemes (PFHIS) schemes in diverse settings. A realist evaluation framework was used to study the contexts and mechanisms and how this influences outcomes. Results: The three schemes differ in implementation modes and follow different strategies owing to the local contexts. Some mechanisms worked well in specific contexts, whereas similar things have hindered the process in other contexts. Conclusion: The evidence generated is helpful to strengthen implementation processes under PMJAY and allows learning from each other to increase uptake of the scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The performance of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) is crucial for the achievement of the 'health for all' goal in India. The performance and motivation of workforce are dependent on various financial and non-financial incentives. This study analyses the linkage of current incentive practices and perceived rewards/sanctions, with the motivation and performance of ASHA. Methods: Cross-sectional qualitative approach and interpretive structural modelling (ISM). Results: The motivation and performance of ASHAs were driven by various inter-related factors. The predominant rewarding factors identified were: monetary incentives, awards, and support and respect of the community towards the ASHAs. Dissatisfaction was fuelled by factors, such as sense of underpayment, comparison with peers and the community cadres of other departments, erratic duty hours, scarce disbursement of resources, financial insecurity post-retirement, difficulty in reading or writing, unavailability of health services and medicines in the nearby healthcare facilities. Conclusions: For a sustained advance in motivation and performance of ASHAs, the public health systems' focus needs to be oriented on: capacity building; optimal resource allocation, rationalised payoffs to the ASHAs working in difficult terrains and improving availability of healthcare services in primary healthcare facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bes, Lennart, The Heirs of Vijayanagara: Court Politics in Early Modern South India. Leiden: Leiden University Press, 2022, xxv + 567 pp., $84.00, ISBN 9789087283711 (Paperback). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provision of primary healthcare in India received thrust of National Health Policy 2017. Vacancy, chronic absenteeism and non-availability of allopathic doctors is a chronic problem of the public health system. Engagement of alternative human resources could get the ailing health system rid of this shortage. AYUSH doctors in Odisha are involved in clinical and public health activities since 1970s. This study aims to examine perspectives of key stakeholders on 'task shifting' as a possible policy alternative. We reviewed the policies and guidelines of government of Odisha on human resources deployment, recruitment, retention and terms of reference of their engagement in the public health sector. Further, 76 AYUSH doctors and 30 key informants were interviewed. Ethical clearance was obtained beforehand. Most AYUSH doctors were involved in monitoring and supervising community-based public health programmes and village-level health service providers, respectively. Their involvement in the implementation of national health programmes was found to range from 8% to 62%. A sizeable proportion of AYUSH doctors had not been trained on management of national vector borne disease control, Tuberculosis control, immunisation (RI) and disease surveillance. More than 70% of respondents showed interest in implementing and managing public health programmes. Almost all key informants recommended for improved involvement of AYUSH doctors in public health activities. Inadequate logistics support, insufficient training on public health and unequal administrative authorities was perceived to be systemic bottlenecks. Job enrichment, management capacity development, and pre-deployment orientation of AYUSH doctors may precede the opportunity of 'task-shifting' of public health functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pharmacokinetics of primaquine [PQ] have been the subject of studies in both adults and healthy participants. However, there is no study on its pharmacokinetics in a setting of undernourishment. In India, there is evidence to show considerable malnourishment in children that in turn can affect drug pharmacokinetics. Given that the country is moving towards malaria elimination, the present study was planned with the objective of comparing pharmacokinetics of the drug in undernourished children relative to normally nourished children. Materials and Methods: After Institutional Ethics Committee approval, children of either gender between the ages of 5 and 12 years and smear-positive for Plasmodium vivax malaria were included. Nourishment status was determined using the Indian Academy of Pediatrics classification of protein energy malnutrition based on Khadilkar's growth charts. Twelve children each were enrolled in the two groups. PQ was given in the dose of 0.3 mg/kg/d and blood collections were made at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours post-dosing. Levels were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Chloroquine in the dose of 25 mg/kg was given over three days along with supportive care. Results: Of the 24 children, there were 17 boys and 7 girls. There was a statistically significant difference in the body weight between the undernourished and the normally nourished children [21.5 ± 5.52 vs. 28.8 ± 8.84, P < 0.05]. PQ levels showed wide inter-individual variation in both groups. No significant difference was seen in any pharmacokinetic parameter between the two groups. Discussion: This study adds to the limited body of evidence on the pharmacokinetics of PQ in children with malaria and indicates that the dosing of primaquine could potentially be independent of the nourishment status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective Statins form the backbone of lipid-lowering therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, there is large interindividual variability in clinical response to statin treatment. Several gene variants that can be aligned to either the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of statin have been proposed as potentially important determinants of statin response. We aimed to study the association of known variations in SLCO1B1, CYP3A4, ABCB1, CYP3A5, ABCG5 and CYP7A1 genes with lipid levels in response to atorvastatin therapy. Methods Genotypes were determined using multiplex allele-specific polymerase chain reaction in 177 Indian patients, treated with 10 mg of atorvastatin for 8 weeks. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( LDL-C) levels were recorded at baseline and after 8 weeks of atorvastatin treatment. Results and Discussion A total of 177 hypercholesterolaemic patients were genotyped to study genetic determinants of atorvastatin response. The genotype distribution for all polymorphisms investigated was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In our study, patients with wild-type genotypes of CYP7A1 (rs3808607), CYP3A4 (rs2740574), SLCO1B1 (rs2306283) and variant allele-carrying genotype of ABCB1 (rs2032582, rs1045642) showed significantly greater LDL-cholesterol reductions in response to atorvastatin therapy. What is new and conclusion The variable response to atorvastatin therapy in terms of LDL-cholesterol lowering due to genetic variations in CYP7A1, CYP3A4, SLCO1B1 and ABCB1 is a promising finding. Further validation in large Indian cohorts is required before it can be assessed for clinical utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study attempts to decipher the seasonal variations in hydro-geochemistry of groundwater in the Terekhol River Basin, western coastal region, Maharashtra, India. A total of 65 groundwater samples of post-monsoon (POMS) and pre-monsoon (PRMS) seasons were collected and analyzed for major ion composition using standard analytical procedures of APHA. Piper and Gibbs plots is used to elucidate the controlling factors which altering the groundwater composition. Scatter plots of ions indicate that major ions from lithologies exposed in the study area and anthropogenic activities are altering the groundwater chemistry. Statistical analysis includes correlation, factor analysis and cluster analysis used to interpret the hydrochemical data. As compared to the WHO drinking standards, all the groundwater samples are fit for drinking. Irrigation water suitability was ascertained based on SAR, %Na and KR indices. Overall, the groundwater chemistry in study area is reflects changes in natural processes rather than anthropogenic inputs. [Display omitted] • Appraisal of groundwater for drinking and irrigation uses in the western coastal part of Maharashtra • Hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater from the Terekhol river basin • Influence of geogenic and anthropogenic inputs on groundwater quality • Spatial variations of ions in the study area • The study is integrated with hydrogeochemical, geospatial and statistical approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is aimed at analysing the INIS bibliographic records of publications in India during the period 2000-2008. The analysis includes the inputting trend, time-lag, contributing journals, country collaboration, content analysis through the classification and keywords. India has a total number of 14,697 records input to the database with an yearly average of 1631 records. The timeliness of input is very noteworthy as 29.15% of all articles are input in the same publication year, 52.57% articles are of only one year delay in inputting. Pramana, Journal of Medical Physics, Radiation Protection and Environment are found as the most contributed Indian journals. Scientists from USA, Germany, Japan, etc., are the main contributors. Nuclear physics and radiation physics, specific nuclear reactors and associated plants, particle accelerators, inorganic, organic, physical and analytical chemistry, etc., are main areas of the Indian input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent of arsenic contamination in the groundwater has been estimated using artificial neural network (ANN) based on multi-layer perceptron (MLP) architecture. The input data to the ANN comprised samples collected from different arsenic affected blocks of Malda district, West Bengal, India. Each data sample consisted of the amount of arsenic contaminant observed in the groundwater together with other geochemical parameters believed to have some relationship with the corresponding arsenic contaminant. Here, the inputs to the ANN were observed values for pH (acidic-alkalinity ratio), specific conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), redox potential (Eh), and depth of tube well water, while the expected output for training the ANN was the amount of corresponding arsenic contaminant observed in the groundwater. Using the back propagation technique, the ANN model was trained with a subset of the input data. The trained ANN model was then used to estimate the arsenic contamination in groundwater beyond the specified training data. The quality of the ANN simulations was evaluated in terms of three different error measures; namely, the root mean square error, the mean absolute error, and the percent mean relative error for proper interpretation of the results. We have also used two other methods for prediction; namely, multiple linear regression and active set support vector regression. Amongst the three methods, the ANN model exhibited better prediction results for predicting the arsenic contamination in groundwater. Based on this methodology, it is possible to show that a four-layer feed-forward back propagation ANN model could be used as an acceptable prediction model for estimating the arsenic contamination in groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the author discusses the incidence rates of oral cancer and natural history of oral precancerous lesions in a ten year follow-up study of Indian villagers. The author reveals that the main conclusions of the follow-ups were that oral cancer and oral precancerous lesions occurred almost solely amongst those who practiced tobacco habits in one form or the other and oral cancer was always preceeded by some kind of precancerous lesion. The author feels that the results of this project have compelled him to undertake an intervention study of oral pre-cancer in relation to tobacco habits.

Wastewater-based environmental surveillance (WBES) has been proven as proxy tool for monitoring nucleic acids of pathogens shed by infected population before clinical outcomes. The poor sewershed network of low to middle-income countries (LMICs) leads to most of the wastewater flow through open drains. We studied the effectiveness of WBES using open drain samples to monitor the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in 2 megacities of India having dense population through zonation approach. Samples from 28 locations spanned into 5 zones of Pune region, Maharashtra, India, were collected on a weekly basis during October 2021 to July 2022. Out of 1115 total processed samples, 303 (~ 27%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The periodical rise and fall in the percentage positivity of the samples was found to be in sync with the abundance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and the reported COVID-19 active cases for Pune city. Sequencing of the RNA obtained from wastewater samples confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Of 337 sequences, lineage identification for 242 samples revealed 265 distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants including 10 highly transmissible ones. Importantly, transition from Delta to Omicron variant could be detected in wastewater samples 2 weeks prior to any clinically reported Omicron cases in India. Thus, this study demonstrates the usefulness of open drain samples for real-time monitoring of a viral pathogen's evolutionary dynamics and could be implemented in LMICs., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the urgency for rapid public health surveillance methods to detect and monitor the transmission of infectious diseases. The wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a promising tool for proactive analysis and quantification of infectious pathogens within a population before clinical cases emerge. In the present study, we aimed to assess the trend and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants using a longitudinal approach. Our objective included early detection and monitoring of these variants to enhance our understanding of their prevalence and potential impact. To achieve our goals, we conducted real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Illumina sequencing on 442 wastewater (WW) samples collected from 10 sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Pune city, India, spanning from November 2021 to April 2022. Our comprehensive analysis identified 426 distinct lineages representing 17 highly transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2. Notably, fragments of Omicron variant were detected in WW samples prior to its first clinical detection in Botswana. Furthermore, we observed highly contagious sub-lineages of the Omicron variant, including BA.1 (~28%), BA.1.X (1.0-72%), BA.2 (1.0-18%), BA.2.X (1.0-97.4%) BA.2.12 (0.8-0.25%), BA.2.38 (0.8-1.0%), BA.2.75 (0.01-0.02%), BA.3 (0.09-6.3%), BA.4 (0.24-0.29%), and XBB (0.01-21.83%), with varying prevalence rates. Overall, the present study demonstrated the practicality of WBE in the early detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants, which could help track future outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2. Such approaches could be implicated in monitoring infectious agents before they appear in clinical cases., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Modern response to pandemics, critical for effective public health measures, is shaped by the availability and integration of diverse epidemiological outbreak data. Tracking variants of concern (VOC) is integral to understanding the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in space and time, both at the local level and global context. This potentially generates actionable information when integrated with epidemiological outbreak data., Methods: A city-wide network of researchers, clinicians, and pathology diagnostic laboratories was formed for genome surveillance of COVID-19 in Pune, India. The genomic landscapes of 10,496 sequenced samples of SARS-CoV-2 driving peaks of infection in Pune between December-2020 to March-2022, were determined. As a modern response to the pandemic, a "band of five" outbreak data analytics approach was used. This integrated the genomic data (Band 1) of the virus through molecular phylogenetics with key outbreak data including sample collection dates and case numbers (Band 2), demographics like age and gender (Band 3-4), and geospatial mapping (Band 5)., Results: The transmission dynamics of VOCs in 10,496 sequenced samples identified B.1.617.2 (Delta) and BA(x) (Omicron formerly known as B.1.1.529) variants as drivers of the second and third peaks of infection in Pune. Spike Protein mutational profiling during pre and post-Omicron VOCs indicated differential rank ordering of high-frequency mutations in specific domains that increased the charge and binding properties of the protein. Time-resolved phylogenetic analysis of Omicron sub-lineages identified a highly divergent BA.1 from Pune in addition to recombinant X lineages, XZ, XQ, and XM., Conclusions: The band of five outbreak data analytics approach, which integrates five different types of data, highlights the importance of a strong surveillance system with high-quality meta-data for understanding the spatiotemporal evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in Pune. These findings have important implications for pandemic preparedness and could be critical tools for understanding and responding to future outbreaks., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest There is no conflict of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Competing Interests: We have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: PK is the President and Founder of SHE-India. PK, FMS, DCP, JJK and DBM are members of the SHE-India Advisory Board.

Prenatal Diagnosis (PND) forms an important part of primary preventive management for families having a child affected with primary immunodeficiency. Although individually sparse, collectively this group of genetic disorders represents a significant burden of disease. This paper discusses the prenatal services available for affected families at various centers across the country and the challenges and ethical considerations associated with genetic counseling. Mutation detection in the index case and analysis of chorionic villous sampling or amniocentesis remain the preferred procedures for PND and phenotypic analysis of cordocentesis sample is reserved for families with well-characterized index case seeking PND in the latter part of the second trimester of pregnancy. A total of 112 families were provided PND services in the last decade and the presence of an affected fetus was confirmed in 32 families. Post-test genetic counseling enabled the affected families to make an informed decision about the current pregnancy., Competing Interests: SMal, PG, SMah, and PKad were employed by the company MedGenome Labs Private Limited. SJ, BS, and JR were employed by the company Mediscan Systems. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Yadav, Gupta, Dalvi, Bargir, Hule, Shabrish, Aluri, Kulkarni, Kambli, Uppuluri, Seshadri, Jagadeesh, Suresh, Raja, Taur, Malaischamy, Ghosh, Mahalingam, Kadam, Lashkari, Tamhankar, Tamhankar, Mithbawkar, Bhattad, Jhawar, Makam, Bansal, Prasad, Govindaraj, Guhan, Bharadwaj Tallapaka, Desai, Raj and Madkaikar.)

Tumor growth factor (TGF)-β1 is a cytokine with potent immunoinhibitory functions and is known to be secreted by vaginal epithelial cells. The present study was designed to determine the association of cervicovaginal levels of TGF- β1 with various innate immune secretions such as cytokines and antimicrobial polypeptides [Trappin-2/Elafin and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI)] and cervical HIV shedding in HIV-infected Indian women. TGF- β1, antimicrobial polypeptides, and cytokine levels were estimated in the cervicovaginal lavages (CVLs) of 36 age-matched HIV-infected and 31 HIV-uninfected asymptomatic Indian women using an ELISA and Bio-Plex Assay, respectively. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's test were used to compare the levels from both the groups and to determine the association of the TGF-β1 levels with cervical viral shedding and antimicrobial peptides. The levels of Trappin-2/Elafin and SLPI were similar in the CVLs of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women, but were significantly associated with a low cervical viral load (r=-0.501, p=0.005 for Trappin-2/Elafin and r=-0.488, p=0.007 for SLPI). Eleven (30.5%) of the 36 HIV-infected women showed 5- to 30-fold higher levels of TGF-β1 as compared to the levels in uninfected women. The TGF-β1 levels were significantly associated with higher cervical viral load (r=0.425, p=0.03) and with lower levels of Trappin-2/Elafin (r=-0.407, p=0.03) and SLPI (r=-0.405, p=0.04). The findings indicate a possible interdependent mechanism driving the identified higher TGF-β1 and lower antimicrobial peptide (Trappin-2/Elafin and SLPI) levels at the genital mucosa surface in HIV-infected women. We postulate that a combination of increased TGF-β1 secretion and altered levels of Trappin-2/Elafin and SLPI contributes to increased HIV shedding. The observation warrants further studies to identify the underlying mechanisms linking increased mucosal TGF-β1 levels and genital HIV shedding. Considering the known association of HIV and cervical cancers, it will also be important to assess the predictive capacity of TGF-β1 levels in HIV-associated cervical malignancies.

In a developing country such as India, deceased donor renal transplantation (DDRTx) accounts for only about 1% of all renal transplants (RTx). Our institute initiated an intercity DDRTx in the year 2006, which significantly increased the number of RTx. We retrieved 74 kidneys from 37 deceased donors from various cities of Gujarat from January 2006 to December 2009. We transplanted the allografts in 66 recipients and a retrospective analysis of the donor profile and management and recipient outcome was performed. The mean age of the donors was 43.3 ± 18.8 years. The causes of death included road traffic accident in 51.35% of the donors and cerebrovascular stroke in 48.65% of the donors; 83.78% of the donors required ionotropes for hemodynamic stability in addition to vigorous intravenous fluid replacement. The average urine output of the donors was 350 ± 150 mL. The organs were perfused and stored in HTK solution. The mean cold ischemia time (CIT) was 9.12 ± 5.25 h. The mean anastomosis time in the recipient was 30.8 ± 8.7 min. 57.6% of the recipients established urine output on the operating table and 42.4% developed delayed graft function. At the end of 1 month after transplantation, the mean serum creatinine was comparable to the Ahmadabad city DDRTx, although the CIT was significantly longer in the intercity patients. Intercity organ harvesting is a viable option to increase the donor pool. Distance may not be an impediment, and good recipient outcome is possible in spite of prolonged CIT in case of proper harvesting and preservation.

Background: To analyze the spectrum of various types and subtypes of acute leukemia., Methods: Two thousand five hundred and eleven consecutive new referral cases of acute leukemia (AL) were evaluated based on WHO classification., Results: It included 1,471 cases (58%) of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 964 cases (38%) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 45 cases (1.8%) of chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis (CMLBC), 37 cases (1.5%) of biphenotypic acute leukemia (BAL), 1 case of Triphenotypic AL, and 2 cases of acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL). Common subtypes of ALL were B-cell ALL (76%), which comprised of intermediate stage/CALLA positive (73%), early precursor/proBALL (3%). T-cell ALL constituted 24% (351 cases) of ALL. Common subtypes of AML included AMLM2 (27%), AMLM5 (15%), AMLM0 (12%), AMLM1 (12%), APML (11%), and AML t(8;21) (9%). CMLBC was commonly of myeloid blast crisis subtype (40 cases)., Conclusion: B-cell ALL was the commonest subtype in children and AML in adults. Overall incidence of AML in adults was low (53% only). CD13 was most sensitive and CD117 most specific for determining myeloid lineage. A minimal primary panel of nine antibodies consisting of three myeloid markers (CD13, CD33, and CD117), B-cell lymphoid marker (CD19), T-cell marker (CD7), with CD45, CD10, CD34, and HLADR could assign lineage to 92% of AL. Cytogenetics findings lead to a change in the diagnostic subtype of myeloid malignancy in 38 (1.5%) cases., ((c) 2008 Clinical Cytometry Society.)

An epidemiologic survey has indicated a comparatively high prevalence of retinoblastoma (Rb) in Asian countries. Recently, the development of preventive strategies in nonfamilial Rb has become a major goal. The present studies were designed for identification and characterization of constitutional and somatic RB1 gene mutations by conventional cytogenetics, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP)-DNA sequencing. Of 34 patients 32 were nonfamilial and 2 were familial Rb. Maternal inheritance of del (13q14) was common. FISH was sensitive in detecting monoallelic RB1 deletion/deletion mosaicism as a first genetic hit in 20% of cases. Somatic and germline RB1 point mutations affected exons 3, 17, 20, and 21 and these were identified as novel mutations. Involvement of exon 20 as a predisposing mutation in sporadic unilateral retinoblastoma (URB) probably suggests the susceptibility of exon 20 to unknown etiologic factors in our population. A de novo RB1 deletion along with transmitted RB1 point mutation from an asymptomatic parent was identified as a unique predisposing RB1 mutation chimerism in a URB case that later evolved to bilateral retinoblastoma (BRB). The predisposing mutations such as del (13q), RB1 mono-allelic deletion and RB1 point mutation in sporadic Rb were de novo as well as transmitted mutations from asymptomatic/symptomatic parents. The RB1 mutation incidence was comparatively higher (25%) in nonfamilial Rb with emphasis on high prevalence in sporadic URB (18% versus 0%-9% in the literature series). The present studies demonstrated the efficacy of a multitechnique approach to detect various types of constitutional RB1 mutations such as RB1 deletion, deletion mosaicism, point mutation, mutation chimerism in patients of symptomatic/asymptomatic parents.

Studies were done to investigate MLL gene aberrations using Conventional Cytogenetics, Southern blotting as well as FISH using a panel of probes on 218 cases which included 206 cases of pediatric/young adult ALL and 12 cases of infantile acute leukemias from Tata Memorial Hospital, India. The incidence of MLL gene rearrangements in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was 9.4% which included infants as well as pediatric/young adults. In infantile group which included ALL as well as AML cases, MLL gene rearrangement was very common (75% frequency). Application of metaphase-FISH helped unravel MLL rearrangements not only as a result of translocations but also inversions, insertions, partial deletion, duplications, partial duplication-->self-fusion. Besides age, MLL gene rearrangements showed significant association with hyperleukocytosis, peripheral blood blast percentage and early Pre-B phenotype. Clinical outcome of patients with MLL gene rearrangements revealed unfavorable prognosis.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban field practice slum area served by Urban Health Centre (UHC) attached to the Dept. of Preventive and Social Medicine, T. N. Medical College and Nair Hospital, Mumbai, to compare the knowledge about different Child Survival and Safe Motherhood interventions in two groups of mothers. 152 mother who regularly attended antenatal check-up in UHC constituted study group and 153 mothers selected by individual matching constituted the control group. Significant differences in the knowledge of study and control groups of mothers were observed about some interventions like time of initiation of breast feeding, duration of exclusive breast feeding, age of starting weaning and number of OPV and DPT doses to be given till 1 year of age.

Fourteen consecutive cases of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia aged 6 to 73 (mean 40.5) years were reviewed to define the natural history of the disease and the risk of acute transformation. The common presenting features included anaemia, fever, purpura, and bleeding tendencies. Abnormal karyotypes were seen in 4 of 6 patients subjected to cytogenetic analysis. Low dose cytosine arabinoside achieved complete remission in two and partial remission in one, of the four patients treated with this modality. The mean survival was 5.6 (range 2-12) months and two patients) evolved to acute myeloid leukaemia. The long term survival with the present form of therapy in chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia is poor.

We analysed forty consecutive patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) using methotrexate cell synchronization and 24 h-unstimulated cultures of bone marrow cells to determine the incidence of chromosomal aberrations and the association of specific anomalies with FAB morphological subtypes, in an Indian population. All patients demonstrated an abnormal karyotypic pattern. The specific chromosomal changes viz., t(9;22), t(8;21), t(15;17), t/del(11q), 12p- were found in M 1(3/5), M2(8/15), M3(8/8), M4(1/1) M5(2/4) and M2Ba(1/1) (M2 with Basophilia) patients. Abnormalities of 11q were also noted in two M2 patients showing monocytic involvement. A translocation involving chromosomes 6 and 9 was seen in one patient with M1 and two patients with M2. An inv(16) was observed in M1 (one case), M2 (two cases) and M6 (one case). A del(16) was noted in an M4 case. Although t(9;22) is frequently associated with M1 patients, it was also detected in M2 (two patients) and M4 (one patient). Among all the FAB specific anomalies described above, t(8;21) and t(15;17) were observed only in M2 and M3 patients, respectively. Interestingly, one M2 patient had two independent clones, one with t(8;21) and t(9;11). Deletion or translocation involving 11q was found in a Ph positive M4 patient. New structural rearrangements such as t(1;7) (q32;q36) in association with t(8;21), and t(14;22) (q32;q11) in association with del(11)(q23) were detected in a M2 and a M5 patient, respectively. In conclusion, our studies have revealed that the incidence of FAB specific abnormalities viz., t(8;21); t(15;17), t(9;22), t/del(11q) and also other recurrent anomalies viz., -7/7q-, +8 is much higher in our patients, as compared with other countries. This difference may be attributed to the influence of differential environmental exposure to unknown carcinogenic agents.