Delaying haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with viral respiratory infections reduces transplant-related mortality

Viral respiratory infections (VRIs) contribute to the morbidity and transplant-related mortality (TRM) after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and strategies to prevent and treat VRIs are warranted. We monitored VRIs before and after transplant in children undergoing allogeneic HSCT with nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) and assessed the impact on clinical outcome. Between 2007 and 2017, 585 children underwent 620 allogeneic HSCT procedures. Out of 75 patients with a positive NPA screen (12%), transplant was delayed in 25 cases (33%), while 53 children started conditioning with a VRI. Patients undergoing HSCT with a positive NPA screen had a significantly lower overall survival (54% vs. 79%) and increased TRM (26% vs. 7%) compared to patients with a negative NPA. Patients with a positive NPA who delayed transplant and cleared the virus before conditioning had improved overall survival (90%) and lower TRM (5%). Pre-HSCT positive NPA was the only significant risk factor for progression to a lower respiratory tract infection and was a major risk factor for TRM. Transplant delay, whenever feasible, in case of a positive NPA screen for VRIs can positively impact on survival of children undergoing HSCT.     

Role of gene-gene/gene-environment interaction in the etiology of eastern Indian ADHD probands

Associations between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and genetic polymorphisms in the dopamine receptors, transporter and metabolizing enzymes have been reported in different ethnic groups. Gene variants may affect disease outcome by acting synergistically or antagonistically and thus their combined effect becomes an important aspect to study in the disease etiology. In the present investigation, interaction between ten functional polymorphisms in DRD4, DAT1, MAOA, COMT, and DBH genes were explored in the Indo-Caucasoid population. ADHD cases were recruited based on DSM-IV criteria. Peripheral blood samples were collected from ADHD probands (N = 126), their parents (N = 233) and controls (N = 96) after obtaining informed written consent for participation. Genomic DNA was subjected to PCR based analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms and variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs). Data obtained was examined for population as well as family-based association analyses. While case-control analysis revealed higher occurrence of DAT1 intron 8 VNTR 5R allele (P = 0.02) in cases, significant preferential transmission of the 7R-T (DRD4 exon3 VNTR-rs1800955) and 3R-T (MAOA-u VNTR-rs6323) haplotypes were noticed from parents to probands (P = 0.02 and 0.002 respectively). Gene-gene interaction analysis revealed significant additive effect of DBH rs1108580 and DRD4 rs1800955 with significant main effects of DRD4 exon3 VNTR, DAT1 3′UTR and intron 8 VNTR, MAOA u-VNTR, rs6323, COMT rs4680, rs362204, DBH rs1611115 and rs1108580 thereby pointing towards a strong association of these markers with ADHD. Correlation between gene variants, high ADHD score and low DBH enzymatic activity was also noticed, especially in male probands. From these observations, an impact of the studied sites on the disease etiology could be speculated in this ethnic group.     

Phylogenetic analysis and forensic evaluation among Rakhine,Marma, Hajong,and Manipuri tribes from four culturally defined regions of Bangladesh using 17 Y-chromosomal STRs

International Journal of Legal Medicine - We have analyzed haplotypes for 17 Y chromosomal STR loci in Bangladeshi mainstream Bengali population and four largest ethnic groups inhabiting the...     

Prevalence of infections in renal transplant recipients of north India

Renal transplant is usually performed at the end stage of renal disease. Most of the transplant recipients become susceptible to infections due to chronic uremia, protein depletion, anemia and administration of immunosuppressive drugs. It is a retrospective study of 510 post renal transplant recipients. 378 (74%) renal transplant recipients suffered from the infections. Most common site of infection was urinary tract infection (53%). Out of 26% of wound infections, the deep wound infection (23%) was six times higher than superficial wound infection (3.5%). Chest infection and bacteraemia were noticed to be 18% and 8%, respectively. The common isolate was Escherichia coli (160) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (140), Enterococcus (86) and Pseudomonas (69).     

Pattern of distribution of 35 red cell antigens in regular voluntary blood donors of South Gujarat,India

Background

Extended phenotyping is one of the important method of reducing red cell alloimmunisation. Extended phenotyping of red cells from voluntary donors have many uses in addition to its application in population genetics. As there was very little data extended phenotyping on a cohort of Indian Voluntary blood donors this project was undertaken.

NAT positivity in seronegative voluntary blood donors from western India

Background and objectives

Prevalence and composition of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV-1, NAT positive but seronegative voluntary blood donors from western part of India is yet to be documented.

The First Physical Therapy Summit on Global Health: implications and recommendations for the 21st century

The First Physical Therapy Summit on Global Health was convened at the 2007 World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) Congress to vision practice in the 21st century and, in turn, entry-level education and research, as informed by epidemiological indicators, and consistent with evidence-based noninvasive interventions, the hallmark of physical therapy. The Summit and its findings were informed by WHO data and validated through national databases of the countries of the five WCPT regions. The health priorities based on mortality were examined in relation to proportions of physical therapists practicing in the areas of regional priorities and of the curricula in entry-level programs. As a validation check and to contextualize the findings, input from members of the 800 Summit participants was integrated and international consultants refined the recommendations. Lifestyle-related conditions (ischemic heart disease, smoking-related conditions, hypertension, stroke, cancer, and diabetes) were leading causes of premature death across regions. Contemporary definitions of physical therapy support that the profession has a leading role in preventing, reversing, as well as managing lifestyle-related conditions. The proportions of practitioners practicing primarily in these priority areas and of the entry-level curricula based on these priorities were low. The proportions of practitioners in priority areas and entry-level curricula devoted to lifestyle-related conditions warrant being better aligned with the prevalence of these conditions across regions in the 21st century. A focus on clinical competencies associated with effective health education and health behavior change formulates the basis for The Second Physical Therapy Summit on Global Health.