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Thoracic spiracle length and its index was examined for their ability to discriminate two ecological variants, type form and mysorensis, of Anopheles stephensi in the adult stage. The type form is exclusively domestic in all seasons, whereas the mysorensis variant occupies the outdoor niche during monsoon and postmonsoon seasons, with spillover into domestic sites during summer ecological stress periods. A statistically significant co-relation was established between the ridge count of the egg and two adult measurements, the thoracic spiracle length, and the spiracular index. In An. stephensi type form, average spiracle length was 0.11–0.12 mm and average spiracular index was 8.09–9.23, whereas in mysorensis, the corresponding figures were 0.09–0.10 mm and 6.82–7.60. These parameters showed consistent variations in population of mosquitoes that emerged during monsoon and summer season. The thoracic lengths in both variants remained constant, and only spiracular lengths showed fluctuations in thre...

The objective of this article was to systematically analyze the randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the role of mesh in the prevention of parastomal hernia (PSH) at the time of primary colorectal resections.RCTs evaluating the role of mesh in the prevention of parastomal hernia (PSH) at the time of primary colorectal resections were analysed using RevMan®, and combined outcomes were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD).Three RCTs encompassing 128 patients were retrieved for the electronic databases. There were 64 patients in the mesh group and 64 patients in the no-mesh group. In the fixed effects model, the risk of developing postoperative complications (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.36, 3.20; z=0.0; =1.0) was statistically similar after using mesh for PSH prevention at the time of primary colorectal resection and stoma construction in both groups. However, the risk of developing PSH (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.05, 0.27; z=4.88; P0.00001) was significantly lower after using mesh and mesh insertion to prevent PSH development statistically did not influence (SMD, -0.42; 95% CI, -0.96, 0.12; z=1.51; P=0.13) the duration of operation.The incidence of PSH can be reduced by the insertion of mesh at stoma site at the time of primary stoma construction. A major multicentre RCT recruiting higher number of patients and longer follow up is required before recommending the routine use of mesh for PSH prevention.

The influence of age on benefits of stroke unit rehabilitation is largely unknown. A prospective controlled study was undertaken in 245 stroke survivors randomized to a stroke unit or to general wards 2 weeks after stroke. Patients were divided into older (75 years and over) and younger (under 75 years) age groups, and their characteristics, prognosis, duration, and type of therapy input and outcome were compared in different settings. Younger (n = 101) and older (n = 144) stroke patients were comparable for neurological and functional deficits and were distributed equally between the stroke unit and general wards. The duration of therapy input was similar in younger patients in either setting. Older patients received more occupational therapy in both settings (10.7 +/- 2.4 versus 7.9 +/- 04.1) and more physiotherapy (18.4 +/- 9.6 versus 15.2 +/- 7.8) on general wards. Younger patients on the stroke unit showed better outcome compared with those on general wards (discharge home, 83% versus 60%; median Barthel score, 17 versus 13; median length of hospital stay, 27 versus 56 days) and with older patients on the stroke unit (discharge home, 83% versus 65%; median Barthel score, 17 versus 14). Outcome in older stroke patients was similar in both settings except for a shorter median length of hospital stay on the stroke unit (36 versus 84 days). Outcome in younger patients managed on general wards was worse than that in older patients with similar prognostic expectations (discharge home, 41% versus 61%; median Barthel score, 11 versus 13). Younger stroke patients benefited more by stroke unit rehabilitation compared with older patients, not only because of their age but also because of differences in the multidisciplinary input available for elderly patients outside the stroke unit.

BackgroundCervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. However, information about miRNAs in cervical cancer remains limited. ObjectiveTo examine miR-146a and miR-218 expr...

Assessment of stroke rehabilitation is complicated by the heterogeneity of patients and settings and by difficulties in disentangling effects of organization from effects of types and amounts of treatment input. A prospective controlled study was undertaken in 245 stroke patients stratified into three groups according to prognosis and managed on a stroke rehabilitation unit (n = 124) or general medical wards (n = 121). Patients were randomly allocated to either setting 2 weeks after stroke and were comparable for baseline characteristics. Patients on general medical wards received more physiotherapy on average (16.2 +/- 7.2 versus 14.3 +/- 3.2 hours; P < .05) but similar amounts of occupational therapy (9.3 +/- 2.8 versus 9.5 +/- 3.2 hours) compared with stroke unit patients. More time was spent on individual rehabilitation on the stroke unit compared with general wards (P < .001). Functional abilities at discharge, destination of discharge, and length of hospital stay in patients with good prognosis were comparable in both settings. Patients with poor prognosis managed on general wards showed higher mortality (P < .05) and longer hospital stay (123.2 +/- 48.2 versus 52.3 +/- 19.8 days; P < .001), but functional abilities at discharge in survivors were comparable with those of stroke unit patients. Patients with intermediate prognosis had significantly better outcome on the stroke unit, with more patients being discharged home (75% versus 52%; P < .001), shorter average length of hospital stay (48.7 +/- 17.2 versus 104.6 +/- 28.6 days; P < .001), and better functional abilities at discharge (P < .05). Stroke units improve outcome and reduce hospital stay without increasing therapy time. Their effectiveness may be enhanced by patient selection.

A remarkable nonlinearity has been observed for electric transport in K-TCNQ (potassium tetracyanoquinodimethane) quasi-one-dimensional conductor. The negative differential resistance region appears afterV m (turn over voltage), beyond which voltage goes down with increase of current. A possible mechanism is discussed in terms of dynamics of charged solitons and domain walls in one-dimensional molecular stacks of these types of crystals.

Summary The outcome and predictors of stroke rehabilitation were studied prospectively in 96 patients (mean age 81.3 +/- 5.4 years) admitted to geriatric wards from a well-defined area over one year. Of these, 32 (33%) died (median survival 11 days), 52 (54%) returned home (median hospital stay 69 days) and 12 (13%) required long-term care (median hospital stay 164 days). Deaths and discharges showed a bimodal pattern; nearly 40% of the patients died or were discharged within 2 weeks of admission. Early death correlated with level of consciousness (P = 0.02), neurological deficit (P = 0.01) and prestroke Barthel scores (P = 0.04) on admission. Patients with right- rather than left-sided hemiparesis (P = 0.02), good motor power (P = 0.002) and without sensory deficit/inattention (P = 0.002) were discharged early. Discharge home was adversely affected by poor awareness of deficit (P = 0.02), hemianopia (P = 0.03) and incontinence (P = 0.02) assessed at 2 weeks. Stroke survivors with Barthel score < 6 and Mental Test Score < 4 at 2 weeks after stroke required long-term care.

A series of novel labeled phosphoramidites and CPG supports 1a-f with a new non-nucleosidic backbone based upon cyclohexyl-4-amino-1,1-dimethanol have been synthesized. These reagents have been used to label oligonucleotides with biotin and fluorescein at the 5′-, the 3′-, and internal positions.

The authors recently developed a new antigen retrieval technique which allows immunohistochemical detection of proteins in routinely processed, celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections. This technique was used in the present study, which reports the occurrence of S-100 protein in the human inner ear. Fifteen celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections, obtained from the Eastern Temporal Bone Bank at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, were tested with the monoclonal antibody to S-100. This protein was found in the spiral ligament, in Reissner's membrane, in the spiral limbus, and in the basement membrane of the cochlea. S-100-positive, thin fibers could be seen as supporting elements in the acoustic nerve and the facial nerve. This protein was localized along the surface of vestibular wall. The new technique provides an immunohistochemical approach to studying routinely processed human temporal bone sections and may prove useful in the field of immuno-otopathology.

The application of immunohistochemistry to routinely decalcified, celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections has been hampered because of antigen loss during processing of the specimens. To our knowledge, there has been no published report to date describing immunohistochemical staining of such tissues suitable for examination by light microscopy. Here we report a novel antigen retrieval technique which can be successfully used to stain a variety of antigens in routinely formalin-fixed, trichloroacetic acid-decalcified, celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections. The new procedure reported here for decalcified human temporal bone tissues simply requires immersing slides for 30 min at room temperature in an antigen retrieval solution. A total of 60 decalcified, celloidin-embedded human temporal bone tissues were tested with monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to 15 different antigens. Of these, 12 MAb showed definite positive staining, while three were negative. This technique may prove very useful in studying the expression of various antigens by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, acid-decalcified, celloidin-embedded tissues.

The importance of lowering blood pressure in hypertensive subjects is well known but the relationship between hypertension and cognitive function has been a subject of considerable controversy. Cross-sectional studies investigating the relationship between blood pressure and cognition have shown conflicting relationships whilst the majority of longitudinal studies have demonstrated elevated blood pressure to be associated with cognitive decline. Randomised studies have demonstrated heterogeneous and sometimes conflicting effects of blood pressure lowering on cognitive function and suggested reasons include multiple mechanisms by which hypertension affects the brain, the variety of cognitive instruments used for assessment and differences in antihypertensive treatments. Chronic hypertension accelerates arteriosclerotic changes in the brain with a disproportionate effect on subcortical circuits associated with cerebral small vessel disease. Randomised clinical trials assessing the cognitive consequences of blood pressure reduction in people with small vessel disease are lacking and many of the existing controversies on the cognitive consequences of blood pressure lowering, especially in older people, arise from the design limitations of studies. This article describes the methodological issues in designing such a trial and the results of a pilot evaluation to see if careful selection of subjects and measurements would make undertaking intervention studies feasible. Given the predicted upswing in people with cognitive impairments, the time is right for randomised clinical trials with specific cognitive end-points to examine the relationship between cognitive function and hypertension and guide practice.

Kinetic parameters for the unimolecular thermal isomerizations of methylcyclopropane to four isomeric butenes have been determined from rate constant measurements over a wide range of temperatures, 695−1154 K, using a single-pulse shock tube and a static reactor. For the overall reaction, Ea = 64.4 ± 0.3 and log(A, s-1) = 15.37 ± 0.07, values consistent with earlier studies at lower temperatures. The measured rate constants for the isomerization to cis- and trans-2-butene give Ea = 63.3 ± 0.3 and 64.9 ± 0.3 kcal/mol, and log(A, s-1) = 14.60 ± 0.07 and 14.75 ± 0.06, respectively, values in good agreement with the thermochemically based predictions of O'Neal and Benson. The similarity of kinetic parameters for the two reactions is consistent with the formation of the two 2-butenes through a common diradical intermediate. Kinetic data for 1-butene and 2-methylpropene formation are well represented by Ea = 64.5 ± 0.5 and 66.4 ± 0.2 kcal/mol and log(A, s-1) = 15.02 ± 0.11 and 14.81 ± 0.05. The higher Ea for 2-...

BACKGROUND: Organised stroke unit care is provided by multidisciplinary teams that exclusively manage stroke patients in a ward dedicated to stroke patients, with a mobile stroke team or within a generic disability service (mixed rehabilitation ward). OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of stroke unit care compared with alternative forms of care for people following a stroke. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the trials registers of the Cochrane Stroke Group (January 2013) and the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group (January 2013), MEDLINE (2008 to September 2012), EMBASE (2008 to September 2012) and CINAHL (1982 to September 2012). In an effort to identify further published, unpublished and ongoing trials, we searched 17 trial registers (January 2013), performed citation tracking of included studies, checked reference lists of relevant articles and contacted trialists. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled clinical trials comparing organised inpatient stroke unit care with an alternative service. After formal risk of bias assessment, we have now excluded previously included quasi‐randomised trials. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors initially assessed eligibility and trial quality. We checked descriptive details and trial data with the co‐ordinators of the original trials. MAIN RESULTS: We included 28 trials, involving 5855 participants, comparing stroke unit care with an alternative service. More‐organised care was consistently associated with improved outcomes. Twenty‐one trials (3994 participants) compared stroke unit care with care provided in general wards. Stroke unit care showed reductions in the odds of death recorded at final (median one year) follow‐up (odds ratio (OR) 0.81, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.69 to 0.94; P = 0.005), the odds of death or institutionalised care (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.89; P = 0.0003) and the odds of death or dependency (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.90; P = 0.0007). Sensitivity analyses indicated that the observed benefits remained when the analysis was restricted to securely randomised trials that used unequivocally blinded outcome assessment with a fixed period of follow‐up. Outcomes were independent of patient age, sex, initial stroke severity or stroke type, and appeared to be better in stroke units based in a discrete ward. There was no indication that organised stroke unit care resulted in a longer hospital stay. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Stroke patients who receive organised inpatient care in a stroke unit are more likely to be alive, independent, and living at home one year after the stroke. The benefits were most apparent in units based in a discrete ward. We observed no systematic increase in the length of inpatient stay.

In the present study, cultural and nutritional conditions for enhanced production of xylanase by a local soil isolate of Trichoderma viride, using various lignocellulosic substrates in submerged culture fermentation have been optimized. Of the lignocellulosics used, maize straw was the best inducer followed by jowar straw for xylanase production. The highest activity achieved was between 14 to 17 days of fermentation. A continuous increase in xylanase production was observed with increasing level of lignocellulosics in the medium and highest activity was observed with maize straw at 5% level. Xylanase production with higher levels of lignocellulosics (3 to 5%) of maize, jowar and barseem was found to be higher as compared to that with commercial xylan as carbon source. Sodium nitrate was the best nitrogen source among the six sources used. Maximum xylanase production was achieved with initial medium pH of 3.5–4.0 and incubation temperature of 25ºC.The enzyme preparation was effective in bringing about saccharification of different lignocellulosics. The xylanase production could be further improved by using alkali treated straw as carbon source.

Thoracic spiracle length and its index was examined for their ability to discriminate two ecological variants, type form and mysorensis, of Anopheles stephensi in the adult stage. The type form is exclusively domestic in all seasons, whereas the mysorensis variant occupies the outdoor niche during monsoon and postmonsoon seasons, with spillover into domestic sites during summer ecological stress periods. A statistically significant co-relation was established between the ridge count of the egg and two adult measurements, the thoracic spiracle length, and the spiracular index. In An. stephensi type form, average spiracle length was 0.11-0.12 mm and average spiracular index was 8.09-9.23, whereas in mysorensis, the corresponding figures were 0.09-0.10 mm and 6.82-7.60. These parameters showed consistent variations in population of mosquitoes that emerged during monsoon and summer season. The thoracic lengths in both variants remained constant, and only spiracular lengths showed fluctuations in three seasonal populations. These measures provide discrimination of adult variants--identifications that are essential in malaria control programs.

Gedalin [Phys. Rev. E 47, 4354 (1993)] derived a dispersion relation for linear waves in relativistic anisotropic Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). This dispersion relation is used to point out the regions where the relativistic anisotropic MHD leads to new results that cannot be obtained using usual collisional relativistic MHD. This is highlighted by plotting a Fresnal ray surface. Conditions for the onset of firehose and mirror instabilities are also indicated. Such a study can be applied to astrophysical features such as pulsar winds, propagation of cosmic rays, etc.

Summary Background Stroke units reduce mortality and dependence, but the reasons are unclear. We have compared differences in management and complications of patients with acute stroke who were admitted to a stroke unit or to a general ward as part of a previously reported randomised trial. Methods 304 patients had been randomly assigned to stroke units (n=152) or to general wards supported by a specialist stroke team (152). We used a structured format to gather prospective data on the frequency of prespecified interventions in each of the major aspects of stroke care. Observations were undertaken daily for the first week and every week for the next 3 months by independent observers. The effect of differences in management on outcome at 3 months was assessed with the modified Rankin score, dichotomised to good (0–3) and poor (4–6) outcome. Findings Patients in the stroke unit were monitored more frequently (odds ratio 2·1 [1·3–3·4]) and more patients received oxygen (2·0 [1·3–3·2]), antipyretics (6·4 [1·5–27·5]), measures to reduce aspiration (6·0 [2·3–15·5]), and early nutrition (14·4 [5·1–40·9]) than those in general wards. Complications were less frequent in patients in the stroke unit than those in general wards (0·6 [0·2–0·7]), with fewer patients having progression of stroke, chest infection, or dehydration. Measures to prevent aspiration, early feeding, stroke unit management, and frequency of complications independently affected outcome. Interpretation Differences in management and complications between the stroke unit and general wards differ substantially, even when specialist support is provided. Such differences could be responsible for the more favourable outcome seen in patients on stroke units than those on general wards.

Under a multicentre study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 2205 samples of dairy milk were collected from rural and urban areas of 12 states representing different geographical regions of India. These samples were analysed for residues of DDT and different isomers of HCH by gas-liquid chromatography. Analytical quality assurance between various participating laboratories was ensured through analysis of check samples. The residues of DDT and HCH were detected in more than 80% of samples analysed. Concentrations of DDT residues, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH and delta-HCH exceeded their maximum residue limits prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Indian Government in 37, 21, 42, 28 and 4% of the samples, respectively. Median values of DDT and HCH found in dairy milk in India were more than the corresponding values reported from most other countries. The results showed significant variations in the incidence as well as level of these contaminants in dairy milk from different regions of the country.

an organized, goal-defined and time-specified plan of management as envisaged by the integrated care pathway approach can achieve quality outcomes at lower cost. Integrated care pathways may have applications to stroke management because diagnosis is well defined, complex interdisciplinary inputs are required and there is good evidence on best practice.we reviewed medical, nursing, rehabilitation and health services databases to identify studies on integrated care pathways in stroke management. Criteria for inclusion were: use of a care pathway or similar methods in acute or rehabilitation settings, randomized studies or non-randomized comparisons with concurrent or historical controls and some form of outcome assessment.we identified six non-randomized studies of acute stroke. One used concurrent controls; the rest used historical controls. Only one study investigated stroke rehabilitation and this used a quasi-randomized controlled design. Five studies in the acute setting demonstrated reduced hospital stay. A reduction in costs of care was reported in all five studies that examined costs. Two studies reported improved uptake of medical interventions. No difference in length of hospital stay, costs or functional status was seen in the rehabilitation study.integrated care pathway methodology may facilitate quality and cost improvements in stroke care, but evidence is weak and uncertainty exists. Further evidence is needed before implementation in practice.

The antigen retrieval (AR) technique is a non-enzymatic antigen unmasking method that is utilized prior to immunohistochemical staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-, celloidin- or plastic-embedded tissue sections. Two variations exist; the first, based on high-temperature heating, is applicable to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections; the second is a non-heating method that involves immersing the tissue section in an AR solution, such as a NaOH-methanol solution, and is suited to celloidin-embedded tissues. As formalin is the most common fixative used in morphology, the heat-induced AR technique has emerged as a very important approach to the immunohistochemistry of routinely processed tissue sections. Since AR was developed in 1991, there have been more than two hundred articles from all over the world demonstrating the value of AR for routine immunohistochemistry. More than 200 antibodies have been tested, yielding excellent immunohistochemical staining using the AR technique on routine tissue sections in almost all instances. This article reviews the basic principles of the method and describes the application, development and standardization of the AR technique as a basis for establishing current standards of practice and as a foundation for further studies.

The paper gives a brief history of malaria control in India through the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP), implementation of the Modified Plan of Operation (MPO), strengthening of malaria control by launching P. falciparum Containment Programme (PfCP) and the Urban Malaria Scheme (UMS). Making reference to various evaluations of the NMEP, the paper analyses the present malaria situation and brings out reasons demanding change in the strategy of malaria control in consonance with the global malaria control strategy of the World Health Organization (WHO). The epidemiological analysis has revealed that the present adverse malaria situation concentrates mostly under the following five epidemiological paradigms viz. (i) tribal malaria, (ii) rural malaria, (iii) urban malaria, (iv) industrial malaria, and (v) border malaria. Malaria control requires specific approaches and control strategies for each paradigm. We have suggested changes/augmentation in the organizational set-up beginning from NMEP Directorate to the most peripheral health units. The primary responsibility of malaria prevention and control including cost in developmental projects should be shared by the corporate sectors through intersectoral coordination. Residual problems during maintenance phase of the project would come under the general health services. International and bilateral cooperation increases resources availability. The available tools and their rational use for malaria control in different epidemiological paradigms has been discussed with emphasis on integrated control, selective use of chemical insecticides and adoption of cost-effective and sustainable malaria control methods. In this context, intersectoral collaboration, community participation, training, operational research and health education have been discussed as the vital components for effective malaria control.

There is increasing emphasis on the use of integrated systems for timely, accurate, and efficient data collection for a range of service, audit, quality, and research applications. The present study evaluates the acceptability and the quality of data collected on a ward-based system over a 6-month period. A multidisciplinary system specific for stroke rehabilitation was used. Members of each discipline were required to enter demographic, medical, nursing, therapy, and psychosocial data as appropriate to their specialty. A users' survey was undertaken at the beginning and at the end of the study. The quality and completeness of data entry were assessed by a "snapshot" of the database at the end of the study period. Primary users (n = 13) included physicians, nurses, and therapists. The user survey at the end of the evaluation showed a significant increase in confidence in using the system. Although the frequency of use had increased, the time spent in data entry had decreased significantly. The increase in work load, estimated at 15 to 60 minutes per week, was considered to be balanced by the benefits in patient care, audit, and research. There were 67 medical and 1046 other assessments on 67 patients entered into the system. Seven patients (11%) had incomplete medical records. Nursing and therapy assessments had been entered for all patients at admission and on discharge, with more than 95% of all possible assessments monitoring recovery being recorded accurately compared with conventional records. The study showed that it was possible to introduce a computerized multidisciplinary assessment system on rehabilitation wards as a part of day-to-day work without the need for significant extra resources.

Shorter lengths of hospital stay in stroke units could be due to quicker functional recovery or mechanisms of expediting hospital discharge. Stroke survivors with an intermediate prognosis at 2 weeks after stroke (n = 146) were randomized for management in a stroke rehabilitation unit or in general wards. Barthel scores were monitored at weekly intervals until hospital discharge. The duration and type of physiotherapy and occupational therapy received by patients in either setting were also recorded. The rate of change of Barthel scores, therapy input, and the duration of hospital stay were compared between the two settings. Neurological deficits and median initial Barthel scores were comparable between patients in the stroke unit (n = 73) and general wards (n = 68). Median discharge Barthel score of patients managed in the stroke unit was significantly higher than that of patients managed in general wards (15 versus 12). Median Barthel scores in the stroke unit group rose rapidly after 2 weeks, reaching a plateau at 6 weeks. The change in median Barthel score in patients in general wards was significantly slower, reaching a plateau at 12 weeks despite similar therapy input. There was a significant delay in discharging stroke patients in general wards (20 weeks) compared with those in the stroke unit (6 weeks). Functional recovery is significantly greater and more rapid in a stroke rehabilitation unit compared with general wards despite similar therapy input. These units also shorten hospital lengths of stay by expediting appropriate discharges.

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Many studies have confirmed a strong correlation between p16 overexpression and high-grade premalignant or malignant lesions of the cervix. A newer biomarker ProEx C has been implicated as a useful indicator for cervical cancer. However, data on comparison between these biomarkers in cervical cancer remain limited. In this study, we investigated the expression of ProExC, p16 and Ki-67 in cervical carcinoma and ovarian tumors as comparison. Objective: To determine the value of ProEx C combined with p16 and Ki-67 in detection of cervical carcinoma. Methods: Total of 28 cases of cervical carcinoma biopsies were included in this study, among these one was adenocarcinoma and 27 cases were squamous cell carcinoma type. Ovary tissue microarray (TMA) samples (BioGenex TS-4212) were used for comparison. ProEx C antibody cocktail was prepared from rabbit monoclonal antibodies against minichromosome maintenance protein 2 (MCM2, clone ID: EPR4120) and Topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A, clone ID: EP1102Y). All tissue samples were examined for expression of p16 and Ki67. Co-localization of ProEx C/p16 and ProEx C/Ki-67 was determined by simultaneous double stain method. Fully automated Xmatrx® system was used for the IHC staining. Results: Overexpression of ProEx C was found in all 28 cases of cervical carcinoma tissues. All the cancer cells and some other proliferative cell types showed nucleus staining pattern. Upregulated expression of p16 was observed in all 28 cases, with both nucleus and cytoplasmic staining. The p16 staining was limited within those cancer cells. Simultaneous double stain for ProEx C/p16 demonstrated that over 90% of cancer cells co-expressing these two biomarkers. Although Ki-67 staining was also observed in all the cases, a variable portion (less than 50%) of cancer cells was Ki-67 positive. ProEx C/Ki-67 double positive cells were ranging from 20% to 40% of total ProEx C positive cells. Of the 41 ovary tissues from TMA, 35 were ovarian tumor samples and ProEx C positive, 17/35 was p16 positive (48.6%). Conclusions: 1) ProEx C is a sensitive proliferation biomarker for diagnosis of cancer, which is more sensitive in determining proliferation status than that of Ki-67. 2) p16 is a more specific biomarker for cervical carcinoma than that for ovarian cancer. 3) Combination of ProEx C and p16 may increase the sensitivity and specificity in cervical cancer detection. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 334. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-334

A prospective design was used to determine the outcomes associated with unaided smoking cessation and the influence of stress on cessation. Heavy smokers (N = 308) completed stress-related measures and were then recontacted at 1, 6, and 12 months. At each follow-up, they indicated their smoking status (which was confirmed by collateral report and biochemical tests) and completed several stress-related questionnaires. Results indicated that 33% of subjects smoked continuously throughout the year, 39% quit briefly but subsequently relapsed, and 15% quit (confirmed biochemically). An additional 7% reported that they had quit, but this could not be confirmed, and 6% were lost to follow-up. Compared with nonquiters, quitters reported less perceived stress, greater self-efficacy, greater use of problem solving and cognitive restructuring, and less reliance on wishful thinking, self-criticism, and social withdrawal. A model to forecast quitting was built and cross-validated.

The psychomotor effects of control of hypertension were studied in a parallel group comparison of 25 elderly hypertensives (aged 61-79 years; SBP = 192 (range 162-212) mmHg; DBP = 112 (range 98-124) mmHg) shown to have psychomotor impairment when not on antihypertensive treatment. Single blind treatment was commenced with placebo or a diuretic: atenolol, nifedipine or captopril (5 x n = 5). A range of tests using an automated psychomotor test battery showed a significant improvement compared with placebo in tests of attention and psychomotor speed in subjects rendered normotensive (n = 18) after treatment for one week (SDST + 3.8, P0.001; CAT + 1.2, P0.03; PWAT + 1.9, P0.004; INSP -49.5 ms, P0.001). Subgroup analysis suggested greater improvement in psychomotor performance with captopril, but this was equivocal because of the small sample size in each group. Hence, the psychomotor effects of treatment with nifedipine and captopril were compared in a further 13 hypertensives (aged 62-76 years; SBP = 178 (range 169-193) mmHg; DBP = 106 (range 97-117) mmHg) in a double-blind crossover study. With both drugs, control of hypertension was associated with a significant and comparable improvement in several psychomotor performance measures. The results suggest that impaired psychomotor performance due to hypertension improves with antihypertensive treatment. The improvement appears to be related to control of hypertension rather than to the direct CNS effects of antihypertensive drugs.

The psychomotor performance of 25 elderly patients with mild to moderate hypertension (aged 62-78 years, SBP = 162-212 mmHg; DBP = 98-124 mmHg) was compared with 25 age-matched controls (SBP = 110-160 mmHg; DBP = 64-92 mmHg). The hypertensive subjects did not have evidence of target-organ damage and were on no antihypertensive treatment at the time of assessment. Performance on a range of tests: symbol/digit substitution test (SDST) (34.3 vs. 39.5, P0.01), continuous attention test (CAT) (33 vs. 36.2, P0.01), choice reaction time (CRT) (270 ms vs. 320 ms, P0.01), paired word association test (PWAT) (4.1 vs. 7.0, P0.001) and inspection time threshold (INSP) (158 ms vs. 52 ms, P0.001), showed significant impairment in the hypertensive group compared with controls. These differences did not correlate with the duration of hypertension or degree of BP elevation. The impairment in hypertensive subjects was stable over a four week period. These results suggest the occurrence of a functional and possibly reversible impairment of psychomotor performance in elderly hypertensive patients which may have implications for antihypertensive treatment.

Objective: To determine the validity of clinically derived prognostic scores in targeting stroke rehabilitation in elderly patients. Design, Setting and Participants: One-year prospective cohort study in 96 hospitalized stroke patients over 75 years of age from a well defined geographical area. Measurements: Edinburgh prognostic score (incorporating measures of motor deficit, proprioception, and power), Orpington prognostic score (Edinburgh score modified to include a measure of cognition), and Barthel ADL scores were measured at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after stroke. These scores were correlated with outcome and patients' Barthel ADL score at discharge or at 16 weeks if still in hospital. Results: Edinburgh prognostic score measured at 2 weeks correlated significantly with Barthel ADL score at discharge or at 16 weeks (r2 = 0.57, P < 0.001), and Orpington prognostic scores showed greater correlation (r2 = 0.89 vs 0.57), especially in patients with dementia (r2 = 0.81 vs 0.39). Barthel ADL scores at 2 weeks showed a weak correlation with Barthel ADL scores at discharge or 16 weeks (r2 = 0.58). Patients with Orpington Score

Although immunohistochemical studies of intermediate filament proteins have been carried out on temporal bone sections by using modified fixation/embedding techniques to preserve antigenicity, there have been no light microscopic studies concerning immunohistochemical staining on routinely formalin-fixed celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections. A method for immunostaining routinely processed celloidin-embedded tissues would be extremely valuable in that it would permit study of the extensive collections of formalin-celloidin temporal bone specimens that exist in major centers of otopathologic research. Recently, we have developed a new technique which can be used to retrieve the antigenicity masked by formalin fixation and decalcification. This method requires immersing slides for 30 min at room temperature in a solution of saturated sodium hydroxide in methanol before immunostaining. Using this method, 45 celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies to keratin, vimentin, neurofilament, glial fibrillary acidic protein and desmin as primary antibodies using a sensitive streptavidin-biotin procedure. The results obtained by using this technique are at least equivalent to those obtained with modified fixatives, cryosections or immuno-electron microscopy. This new method may provide a useful approach for studying routinely processed, celloidin-embedded human temporal bone sections and open a new field in immuno-otopathology.

Entomological data generated in five entomological zones, of Madhya Pradesh State during 1991 including, Bhopal, Bilaspur, Gwalior, Indore and Raipur were analyzed. The entomological parameters that were studied included per man hour (pmh) density, abdominal physiology and parity status. The inferences were related to i) resting behaviour (exophily/endophily) ii) duration of indoor resting period of mosquitoes iii) man-vector contact iv) efficacy of residual insecticide and v) vulnerability of the area to focal malaria outbreaks. The data chiefly pertains to the putative malaria vector Anopheles culicifacies in all the five zones under study. The studies have brought out that A. culicifacies, traditionally endophilic and endophagic, has demonstrated radical departure in its resting and feeding behaviour. In Gwalior zone the species shows high preference for exophily. In Bhopal and Indore zones there is differential resting behaviour with respect to season. The species shows, for most part of the year exophily but is also endophilic during post monsoon period. In Bilaspur zone the species shows marked exophily and endophagy. Irrigation practices seem to have affected the mosquito population density patterns in these regions as brought out in Indore and Bilaspur zone, where high density pattern is observed between November and February. These findings have obvious implications in selecting the appropriate intervention methods and the period of spray in areas where residual spray is the method of choice for interruption of transmission.

A hospital-based retrospective case study of admitted patients was undertaken in four major hospitals of Delhi during 1991, with a view to assessing (i) recording and reporting system of malaria cases, (ii) diagnostic criteria being followed, (iii) management of complicated and severe malaria cases, and (iv) availability of life-saving antimalarials. The study showed that none of the hospitals either followed the international coding system for recording or adopted the National Malaria Eradication Programme guidelines for diagnostic criteria malaria, i.e. by blood smear examination. Diagnosis of malaria in three out of four hospitals was not preceded by blood examination in all cases. Only 55% of the 283 clinically suspected malaria cases were screened for malaria parasite with overall positivity of 20.14 per cent and of 38.25 per cent in examined cases. Age and sex break-up indicated that males suffered more and 65 per cent of the patients belonged to 16-40 years' age groups as compared to 38.4 per cent population falling in this age group according to 1981 census. Out of 263 recovered study cases, 13 per cent came from adjoining states while this percentage went up to 35 per cent (7 out of 20 cases) in the case of malaria deaths. Over 80 per cent of the clinically suspected cases presented with signs and symptoms of fever or fever with rigour, chills or vomiting. In 38 per cent of the cases there was a definite time lag in reporting of the cases to hospitals but most of the cases (91 per cent) were administered antimalarials within 24 h of admission.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Barmer district of Rajasthan in Thar desert and hitherto a hypoendemic area for malaria came in the grip of a severe malaria epidemic during 1990. The epidemic occurred as an aftermath of floods, preceded by normal rains during 1988 and 1989 after a prolonged drought phase. The epidemic was spread over the whole district including Barmer town. Annual Parasite Incidence (API) and Annual falciparum Incidence (AFI) for the district touched record figures of 17.20 and 5.83 respectively while for the Barmer town they were 36.5 and 14.0 respectively. Out of the eight PHCs, Baitu PHC was the worst affected where the two indices touched all-time high figures of 55.3 and 19.6 per cent respectively. A total of 122 infants were reported positive for malaria, of which 103 were contributed by Baitu PHC alone. Eighty per cent infant positivity was spread over September and November, indicating a high rate of transmission. A total of 47 deaths due to cerebral malaria were reported. However, in view of the high infectivity among infants and paediatric groups there was a strong possibility of deaths among these groups which could not be verified. Entomological findings revealed that a sudden increase in An. culicifacies densities due to extensive breeding potential, as a sequel to floods, activated the transmission, which was maintained at a low level by An. stephensi, predominant in this desert region. Other factors which contributed to the intensity and extent of epidemic were the return of drought-migrated population from malarious areas, low cattle density, malaria non-immune population, inadequate and poor spray coverage and delayed radical treatment. Insecticide adult susceptibility tests revealed a high degree of resistance in An. stephensi against DDT and dieldrin.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration is essential in the determination of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in women. This is especially true in the postmenopausal state, where lipid profiles and CHD risk mimic that of age-matched men. Thus, interventions designed to reduce CHD risk by raising HDL-C levels may have particular significance during the transition to menopause. This review discusses HDL-C-raising therapies and the role of HDL in the primary prevention of CHD in women. Lifestyle-based interventions such as dietary change, aerobic exercise regimens, and smoking cessation are initial steps that are effective in raising HDL-C, and available data suggest women respond similarly to men with these interventions. When combined with pharmacotherapy, the effects of these lifestyle alterations are further amplified. Though studies demonstrating gender-specific differences in therapy are limited, niacin continues to be the most effective agent in raising HDL-C levels, especially when used in combination with fibrate or statin therapy. Emerging treatments such as HDL mimetic therapy show much promise in further raising HDL-C levels and improving cardiovascular outcomes.

We describe a new approach for retrieval of antigens from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues and their subsequent staining by immunohistochemical techniques. This method of antigen retrieval is based on microwave heating of tissue sections attached to microscope slides to temperatures up to 100 degrees C in the presence of metal solutions. Among 52 monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies tested by this method, 39 antibodies demonstrated a significant increase in immunostaining, nine antibodies showed no change, and four antibodies showed reduced immunostaining. In particular, excellent immunostaining results were obtained with a monoclonal antibody to vimentin as well as several different keratin antibodies on routine formalin-fixed tissue sections after pre-treatment of the slides with this method. These results showed that after antigen retrieval: (a) enzyme predigestion of tissues could be omitted; (b) incubation times of primary antibodies could be significantly reduced, or dilutions of primary antibodies could be increased; (c) adequate staining could be achieved in long-term formalin-fixed tissues that failed to stain by conventional methods; and (d) certain antibodies which were typically unreactive with formalin-fixed tissues gave excellent staining.

In biological ecosystems, population tends to fluctuate above or below asymptotic level or the 'carrying capacity'. Self-regulation is achieved by extrinsic, that is, environmental limiting factors and intrinsic, that is, physiological and genetic factors. In Malaria Anthropo-Ecosystem (MAES) which is much more intricate and complex system, Plasmodium being endoparasite is required not only to interact with intrinsic factors of its vertebrate and invertebrate host but also to regulate itself to environmental factors to which its both the hosts are subjected. Attempt has been made to provide, on the basis of present knowledge, the probable explanation of self-regulatory mechanisms from molecular, cell, organ/organism, population/community levels of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts which give stability to MAES as a whole system.

Modified plan of operation (MPO) for malaria control launched in 1977 failed to curb malaria incidence beyond about 2 million cases per annum and thus necessitated development of multipronged malaria control strategies based upon malariogenic stratification. A model for such stratification based upon six most sensitive, but quantifiable, epidemiological parameters for which records are easily available at PHC level, namely, topography, average annual rainfall, vector(s), average annual parasite incidence (API) for the last five years, epidemic potential and vulnerability was developed. This model has been successfully tried in the State of Karnataka and on that basis the whole State has been divided into five strata in order of increasing endemicity. Objectives of malaria control for each of the stratum so defined have been proposed.