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Abstract: The fourteenth international Ataxia-Telangiectasia Workshop 2012 (ATW2012) (www.atw2012.com) on ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) and the role of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene in DNA repair, neurological disease, cancer and related topics was held from February 07 to 11, 2012 in Delhi, India. The international ATW2012 meeting reported the latest advances in ATM research as well as potential therapeutic treatments for A-T. The meeting was attended by a productive mix of scientists, ranging from those prominent in the initial characterization of the underlying genetic defect to young scientists just entering the field. In broad terms, three main themes were discussed at the meeting: first, a wealth of new details emerged on DNA damage signaling/repair mechanisms for which ATM is a critical element; secondly, important functions for ATM in previously unrelated cellular pathways were identified; and thirdly, new physiological effects and potential therapeutic treatments related to A-T were presented. This report summarizes below a sampling of the many interesting results from the meeting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Gastric Carcinoma (GC) is one of the most common malignancies, which accounts for 6.8% of total cancer population worldwide. In India, the northeastern region has the highest gastric cancer incidence, and the Kashmir Valley has a very high incidence of gastric cancer as compared to other parts of Northern India. It exceeds 40% of total cancers with an incidence rate of 3-6-fold higher than other metro cities of India. Gastric cancer is a heterogeneous disease where most of the cases are sporadic, and <15% are due to obvious familial clustering. The heterogeneous nature of the disease can be associated with differences in genetic makeup of an individual. A better understanding of genetic predisposition toward GC will be helpful in promoting personalized medicine. The aim of this review is to analyze the development and progression of GC and to explore the genetic perspectives of the disease with special emphasis on Jammu and Kashmir, India., Competing Interests: None