South Indian men with reduced CAG repeat length in the androgen receptor gene have an increased risk of prostate cancer

The androgen receptor (AR) gene possesses polymorphic CAG tandem repeats and the repeat length has been inversely related to the risk of prostate cancer (PCa). The distinct ethnic variation in the CAG repeat length may be correlated to differences in PCa risk in different populations. To evaluate the CAG repeat length in the AR gene and the implications for PCa, we screened 87 PCa patients and 120 control subjects from South India. The mean CAG repeat length in PCa patients was significantly smaller than that of controls (17.0 vs 20.7; P<0.001). Men with 19 CAG repeats had a significantly increased risk of cancer compared to those with >19 CAG repeats (age-adjusted OR=7.01; 95% CI=3.52–13.94; P<0.001). However, no significant association was observed between CAG repeats and age of onset or prostate-specific antigen levels. Although there was a trend towards shorter CAG repeat length in high grades of cancer, it was not significant (P=0.085). Thus, our results suggest an association between short CAG repeats in the AR gene and PCa risk in South Indian men. Further, we propose that CAG repeats could be used as a prognostic marker for PCa diagnosis.     

The UPANAYAN’ early intervention programme

The Upanayan programme is a product of Indchem Research and Development Laboratory, a scientific association recognized by Government of India, Ministry of Science and Technology. The objective of the project was to develop a computer assisted programme for the training of persons with mental retardation. The project was executed by an inter disciplinary team of experts. The focus of the training programme is the mother who is the intervening agent. The programme, developed in the first phase of the project, is an expert system for the infant stimulation and early intervention process for children below 2 years of age with the disability. The system comprises of: (i) a development check list of skills for assessment and programming, (ii) a profile to record the observations, (iii) intervention strategies in the form of activities to acquire all the skills in the check list. The programme is designed for the Indian socio-economic conditions and is available in the form of a printed manual, and also as a computer software. The two can be used independently of each other. The programme has been translated into Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi. With this programme as the basis, a centre for early intervention, Madhuram Narayanan Centre for Exceptional Children—was set up in Madras about 3 years back. Presently 210 children are receiving training there. The Centre has evolved intervention strategies based on parental involvement, with salutary effect on the parents as well as on the children.     

Comparison of acute elastic recoil between the SAPIEN‐XT and SAPIEN valves in transfemoral–transcatheter aortic valve replacement

• Complex arch anatomy (type 2, type 3) and bovine configuration were identified in 34.4% and 20.5% of carotid stent patients, respectively.
• Catheter manipulation time (CMT), rather than arch complexity per se, was the only independent predictor of adverse events after carotid stenting.
• Careful attention to patient selection, preprocedural planning, and stent technique are important to ensure success.

     

Conformational variability of a picornavirus capsid: pH-dependent structural changes of Mengo virus related to its host receptor attachment site and disassembly

The structure of Mengo virus had been determined from crystals grown in the presence of 100 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.4. It is shown that Mengo virus is poorly infectious at the phosphate concentration similar to that in which it was crystallized. Maximal infectivity is achieved at 10 mM phosphate or less in physiological saline. The phosphate effect is ameliorated when the pH is lowered to 4.6. Although it has not been possible to study the crystal structure of the virus at low phosphate concentrations, it is shown that increasing the Cl- concentration at pH 6.2 or decreasing the pH to 4.6 causes substantial conformational changes confined to the "pit," a deep surface depression. These structural changes involve a movement of the "FMDV loop" (GH loop) in VP1, an ordering of the "VP3 loop" (GH loop in VP3) between 3176 and 3182, the displacement of a bound phosphate near the "FMDV loop" (GH loop in VP1), and movement of the carboxy terminus of VP2. The changes in conformation are correlated with the dissociation of the virion into pentamers at pH 6.2 and 150 mM Cl-. The localization of the conformational changes and the correlated role of the phosphate in controlling infectivity support the hypothesis that the "pit" is the receptor attachment site.     

Developing and implementing dietary guidelines in India

Single nutrients are no solution to the problem of malnutrition. It is essential that food based dietary guidelines (FBDG) are developed and implemented to overcome the diet related diseases and promote health in the population. A multidisciplinary group was constituted to develop FBDGs in India. A manual with scientific details and an abridged version were prepared with 6 goals and 14 dietary guidelines covering all age groups to overcome the public health nutritional problems. The guidelines are based on dietary patterns and specific outcomes of health and disease. Dietary diversification has been suggested as the practical approach. Diets from locally available and culturally accepted foods in household measures have been suggested to ensure optimal health. For successful implementation of FBDGs, political/bureaucratic commitment are essential. It must become a tool in the developmental plans for food, nutrition, agriculture, rural, educational and biotechnology policies. Workshops and meetings were organized to sensitise the administrative set-up. The intersectoral nature of FBDG for implementation was highlighted. The department of women and child development, which is responsible for implementing the National Nutritional Policy, was recognized as nodal agency. Meetings were organised for secondary target audiences. The press was invited to participate in popularization of the FBDGs. Social marketing strategies were used to match the local dietary and cultural aspects. Interpersonal communication and professional societies were used for better dissemination. Industry and legislative bodies were requested to take active action in this regard. The FBDGs have to be implemented to achieve food and nutrition security and the Millennium Development Goals.