P. K. Sethi 1927-2008Kisse poonche hamne kahan woh chehra-e-roshan dekha haiMehfil mehfil ghoom chuke hain, gulshan gulshan dekha haith November, 1927 in Varanasi. He attended St. John's School (1932-1933), Balwant Rajput Intermediate College (1934-1942), and Agra College (1942-1944). He attained his MBBS (1949) from Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra, with honors in Surgery and six other subjects and completed MS in General Surgery (1952). He obtained FRCS in 1954. On his return to India, Dr. Sethi joined as a lecturer in Surgery at the SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, with which he remained associated till his retirement in 1982. He started and developed Orthopaedic Department and Rehabilitation Unit from scratch.Dr. Pramod Karan Sethi was born on 28Dr. Sethi sometimes met his amputees whom he had fitted with prosthesis, but who were not wearing it. He soon realized the reason was the foot piece, which did not fit their milieu. He set out to solve the rural patients' need for a foot piece that would look like a bare foot, would be waterproof and durable and flexible enough to allow for ease of walking over uneven ground and for its wearer to squat and sit cross-legged. Finally, it should be made of inexpensive, readily available materials. Thus, began the journey of the development of the Jaipur foot. Ram Chandra, a master craftsman whom Dr. Sethi affectionately referred to as “Masterji,” produced an aluminum die. Dr. Sethi, drawing on the experience in Sri Lanka of surgeon G. M. Muller, decided to pack the die with rubber. Knowing “next to nothing about rubber,” he asked Chuga Bhai, owner of a one-man tire retreading shop near the hospital to vulcanize the foot, but it was too heavy. The doctor and the craftsman produced modification after modification. Finally, the SACH foot assembly was eliminated completely and different components were used. The final product had flexibility and resilience, simulated subtalar, ankle, and torsional movement and it was durable. Dr. Sethi's desire and hope was that the Jaipur model of uniting the skills and services of doctors, craftsmen, and volunteers be duplicated throughout India so that the handicapped can be served closer to their homes.He presented his first scholarly paper on the Jaipur foot at the Association of Surgeons of India's annual conference, Bangalore (1970). That same year, he reported on the foot at a meeting of the British Orthopedic Association at Oxford, England and received a standing ovation. The Western India Orthopedic Society presented Dr. Sethi with a Gold Medal in 1973. Dr. Sethi was asked to give the lead talk at the First World Congress on Prosthetics and Orthotics held in Montreux, Switzerland (1974). He was conferred Padma Shri in 1981, Ramon Magsaysay Award, Manila (1981), Guinness Award for Scientific Achievement (1982), D.Sc. (Honoris Causa), Rajasthan University (1982), and R.D. Birla Award for Outstanding Medical Research (1983). He delivered the Gandhi Memorial Oration (1988), Raman Research Institute, Bangalore and was elected a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences (1989). He was awarded the Knud Jansen Medal and Oration, World Congress in Prosthetics and Orthotics, Kobe, Japan (1989). He received the Dr. B.C. Roy National Award as Eminent Medical Man (1989), and an Honorary Fellowship, Indian Orthopaedic Association (1999).His research endeavors were not limited to the Jaipur foot alone. Dr. Sethi and Prof. S.C. Lakkad of IIT Mumbai worked on using carbon fiber composites for fabricating light-weight calipers, a spin-off of aerospace, and defense technology for social welfare initiated by the former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, then Director of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). This was standardized by DRDO and Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, in 1994. Till now 9000 polio patients have benefited all over the country with this technology.His excellent professional knowledge was indisputable. He spent at least 1 or 2 h every single day in the Robert Heilig library of SMS Medical College. He was an avid reader. He was a Member of an elite book lovers club, which included luminaries of the Rajasthan University as Dr. Daya Krishan, a professor of Philosophy; Prof. Unnithan, a musicologist; Dr. Mukund Laat, a physicist; Prof. Loknathan, Dr. Rao of Malviya Engineering College, who was also a scholar of nature study; Ms. Hemlata Prabhu, a professor of English, and Mr. Anil and Mrs. Otima Bordia. This diverse group met once a month to review a book, be it the latest best seller, fiction or nonfiction, on literature or arts, metaphysics or philosophy, on management or behavior, and so on. No wonder that his personal library is probably among the best individual collection of books.The first qualities of the heart a surgeon must possess and which he did in ample measure was humility. It is reflected in his response to the citation for the R.D. Birla National Award, which seemed to come straight from the heart. “The RD Birla Smarak Kosh has honoured our small team of doctors and artisans and the community of my town of Jaipur without whose help and contribution it would not have been possible. For years our work went unnoticed because there was nothing exotic or glamorous about the simple, almost austere technology which was associated with it….the present award has lent credibility and legitimacy to the kind of clinical research which is meaningful and relevant for our country's needs. Hopefully our research institutions and planning bodies would now be compelled to carry out some hard reappraisal of their priorities.”In qualities of the hand, he was a master craftsman. At surgery, he invariably meticulously planned his case. He used to tell us that, no matter how many times he had performed an operation, he will review it before coming for surgery. His dissection was meticulous, patiently executed, and no step skipped. He would set out problems and tasks and indicate a line along which they may be approached.Dr. Sethi had a very versatile personality, coupled with a charming and pleasant countenance. Many of his postgraduates joined Orthopaedics not out of a genuine love or craze for the subject, but because of the charisma of this man, Dr. P. K. Sethi. I was one among them. In the words of William Shakespeare “Here was a Caesar. When comes such another.”th January, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Sulochna; three daughters, Lata, Nita and Amrita; and a son, Harsh.Dr. P. K. Sethi passed away in the early hours of 6


You have achieved success in your field when you don't know whether what you're doing is work or play.Warren Beatty.Quoted in Deccan chronicleth Oct 2009Bengaluru Edition, 19What a wonderful year it was! I have picked up the quote above simply because the exhilaration of many positives we had over shadowed all the toil it entails in getting the journal in shape and in time. Before I get to mention the Pubmed Central indexing of our journal, there are a few points to be certainly noted.The journal is getting released each time, in time. The final issue of the last year 51(4) was in web by early December and the New Year Issue, Jan – March 2010 is already in web in the second week of Jan 2010. I will assure you, being certain of continuity in the office, that the April-June issue will be ready by February 2010.The special supplement of Dementia under the guest editorial of Dr. K.S. Shaji is a big hit and is already well quoted.I must thank Dr. Sudheer Kumar, Organizing Secretary, ANCIPS, 2009 at Agra for the timely arrangement made for the publication of abstracts in April supplement.Apart from the many indexing agencies quoted in the general information sheet in the journal, the crowning glory as the indexing of our journal at Pubmed Central. I must thank our president, Dr. E. Mohandas, Immediate Past Presidents Dr. P.C. Shastri and Dr. Indla Ramasubba Reddy and the incoming president Dr. Ajit Avasthi at the outset. Dr. Govind M. Bang, Honarary General Secretary, Dr Asim Kumar Mallick, Honarary Treasurer deserve special mention. I am grateful to our editorial office bearers, Dr. G. Swaminath, Dr. Roy Abraham Kallivayalil, Dr. G. Prasad Rao, Dr. Ajith V. Bhide and Dr. Sandeep Grover, Editorial board members, Journal Committee members, National and International Advisory Board members, the reviewers and the authors who made this possible. Ultimately much of the credit must go to Dr. Sahu and his team at Medknow Publications, Mumbai, who are responsible for this achievement. My sincere thanks also go to Prof Mario Maj, Dr. J. Mezzich and the world Psychiatric Association (WPA), in particular Dr. Helen Hermann, Dr. Jair Mari, Dr. Vikram Patel, Dr. Christian Keiling and others. Very specifically I am grateful to Prof Maj and all in the task force, as well as observer Dr Shekhar Saxena, consultant Prof Norman Sartorius, Anna Engstrom and those in WPA Who have helped including members of the executive committee for support and advice.The major success of indexing goes to Dr. Sahu and his team. I like to quote his letter Which also makes our responsibilities increase many told:th September 2009Dated 11http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmedandterm=%22Indian%20J%20Psychiatry% 22 [Journal]). All the articles will get linked to IJP's website in next three to four days.‘We are pleased to inform that the Indian Journal of Psychiatry is now indexed with PubMed. One can search the articles published in IJP from 2009 onwards from PubMed  and searchable separately from Entrez PubMed. we will provide the back volumes to PMC in a couple of weeks so that all the articles from 2007 of IJP are available in PubMed. Older issues will be added over a few months.The full text of IJP is also archived with PMC  of the online tools for this purpose.http://www.eprints.org/openaccess/self-faq/#self-archiving to learn more about archiving.If your institution has an open archive repository, you can put the PDF of your article in the archive with a link to the article on the journal's website. Check http://www.opendoar.org/find.php and http://opcit.eprints.org/explorearchives.shtml#disciplinary.Deposit the article in a subject based OAI-PMH compliant repository. You can find subject wise list of repositories from Link your paper from as many websites as possible using citation and social book marking tools such as GetCited, CiteULike, Connotea, Zotero, etc. The URLs for registering with few of these sites arehttp://www.getcited.org/add/http://www.citeulike.org/registerhttp://www.connotea.org/registerhttp://www.indexcopernicus.com/info.php?id=1http://www.zotero.org/http://www.stumbleupon.com/sign-up.php?pre2=hp-joinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthamoeba—keratitis#References [Ref. 5] or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallermann-Streiff—syndrome#References.Link the article from an appropriate topic in the wikipedia e.g. http://www.nihms.nih.gov/db/sub.cgi to submit your paper.As an author you can also deposit your paper with the NLM's PubMedCentral, if you have received an NIH grant. Use the myNCBI link on Link the paper from your personal / institution web pages.The future Is very encouraging. A significant overhaul of our boards is on the agenda. The steps are being taken to strengthen the editorial office further so also the clearing of the backlog. You might have already noticed the increase in the number of pages of each issue, being around 100 pages. The new initiatives in the form of “Annotations of Indian Psychiatry” and “The ICONS of Indian Psychiatry” are Slated for the release in January, coinciding with ANCIPS 2010 at Jaipur. I am confident that they will go a long way in enhancing our impact factor at Science Citation Index.Ultimately, I have the satisfaction of mission accomplished. I am confident the New Year will be the beginning of an arduous travel ahead for the much more to be achieved. Well begun is war already half won! To repeat, you can certainly expect more from us!Personally, and on behalf of the editorial team, I wish you a happy reading and a happy new year.Long Live IJP and IPSDr. T. S. Sathyanarayana Raoth December 200910


Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) species complex, namely A. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) and Anopheles arabiensis. Historically, the former species was proportionately dominant in indoor resting collections of females.High coverage of insecticide-treated bed nets in Asembo and low coverage in Seme, two adjacent communities in western Nyanza Province, Kenya; followed by expanded coverage of bed nets in Seme, as the Kenya national malaria programme rolled out; provided a natural experiment for quantification of changes in relative abundance of two primary malaria vectors in this holoendemic region. Both belong to the A. gambiae s.s. and A. arabiensis sampled from inside houses were obtained from the literature from 1970 to 2002 for sites west of Kisumu, Kenya, to the region of Asembo ca. 50 km from the city. A sampling transect was established from Asembo (where bed net use was high due to presence of a managed bed net distribution programme) eastward to Seme, where no bed net programme was in place. Adults of A. gambiae s.l. were sampled from inside houses along the transect from 2003 to 2009, as were larvae from nearby aquatic habitats, providing data over a nearly 40 year period of the relative abundance of the two species. Relative proportions of A. gambiae s.s. and A. arabiensis were determined for each stage by identifying species by the polymerase chain reaction method. Household bed net ownership was measured with surveys during mosquito collections. Data of blood host choice, parity rate, and infection rate for Plasmodium falciparum in A. gambiae s.s. and A. arabiensis were obtained for a sample from Asembo and Seme from 2005.Data of the relative abundance of adult Anopheles gambiae s.s. adult females from indoor collections predominated from 1970 to 1998 (ca. 85%). Beginning in 1999, A. gambiae s.s decreased proportionately relative to A. arabiensis, then precipitously declined to rarity coincident with increased bed net ownership as national bed net distribution programmes commenced in 2004 and 2006. By 2009, A. gambiae s.s. comprised proportionately ca. 1% of indoor collections and A. arabiensis 99%. In Seme compared to Asembo in 2003, proportionately more larvae were A. gambiae s.s., larval density was higher, and more larval habitats were occupied. As bed net use rose in Seme, the proportion of A. gambiae larvae declined as well. These trends continued to 2009. Parity and malaria infection rates were lower in both species in Asembo (high bed net use) compared to Seme (low bed net use), but host choice did not vary within species in both communities .A. gambiae s.s. population occurred as household ownership of bed nets rose in a region of western Kenya over a 10 year period. The increased bed net coverage likely caused a mass effect on the composition of the A. gambiae s.l. species complex, resulting in the observed proportionate increase in A. arabiensis compared to its closely related sibling species, A. gambiae s.s. These observations are important in evaluating the process of regional malaria elimination, which requires sustained vector control as a primary intervention.A marked decline of the  Recent progress in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality in Africa is founded upon expanded coverage of insecticide-treated bed nets , indoor residual spraying, and combination drug therapy . For thiAnopheles species show elevated activity due to the excitation effects of the active ingredients in some insecticide formulations of indoor residual sprays or insecticide-treated bed nets, resulting in their movement away from the sprayed walls or treated nets, with or without having obtained a human blood meal [Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus population density declined markedly in a randomized evaluation trial of permethrin-treated bed nets in treatment compared to control villages in western Kenya [Vector populations can respond behaviourally, numerically, or evolutionarily to insecticides implemented against them in malaria control programmes. With regard to behaviour, females of some ood meal -8. With ood meal -11. For rn Kenya , an effern Kenya . Evolutirn Kenya .Anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquitoes to long-term implementation of insecticide-treated bed nets in western Nyanza Province, Kenya. This species complex contains six species whose members are indistinguishable morphologically but which differ in certain behavioural and ecological attributes that are important to their vectorial capacity for malaria and for sampling [Anopheles gambiae s.s. and Anopheles arabiensis are the two most common members of this complex and the only two found in western Kenya; A. gambiae s.s. feeds mostly on humans, whereas A. arabiensis feeds mostly on cattle and other animals, less so on humans, making it a less efficient but still capable malaria vector [In the present study, research was focused on the population numeric responses of sampling -18. Anopa vector ,18.Anopheles vectors of malaria diminished substantially, villagers' health improved, and child mortality declined [A. funestus diminished to negligible levels, when bed nets were used at high coverage in the trial in western Kenya, whilst mosquitoes of the A. gambiae s.l. complex persisted as transmission declined [et al [A. gambiae s.s. was significantly less in Asembo (51.2%) compared to Seme (77.4%), suggesting that the greater number of permethrin-treated bed nets in Asembo was disproportionately affecting populations of the former species. Building upon this observation, we postulated that populations of A. gambiae s.s. would decline when bed nets were owned and used at high rates, compared to the local sibling species, A. arabiensis. The increasing and well-documented patterns of bed net coverage in Asembo and Seme allowed a test of this hypothesis by measuring changes in numbers of adult and larval mosquitoes of both species over several years. Further, historical data were obtained to examine multi-decadal trends in changes in the proportions of these two species as the national malaria campaign in Kenya resulted in increases in bed net ownership regionally.The region where the research reported here was conducted, in the Asembo Bay area of Nyanza province in western Kenya, has been an area of active research on effectiveness of insecticide treated bed nets in reducing malaria transmission, and malaria-related morbidity and mortality in people ,19-21. Ideclined ,20. Popudeclined . In sampd [et al  observedhttp://www.nmcp.or.ke.This study was conducted in Kisumu and Bondo districts in western Nyanza Province, Kenya, extending west of the city of Kisumu to the community of Asembo Figure . StudiesA. gambiae s.s. and A. arabiensis. Adult females were sampled from 20 houses in four discrete sites each along the sampling transect in 2005 [2 for the years 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively, with equal areas sampled in Asembo and Seme, and minimally 100 houses sampled. The reason was that A. gambiae s.s. had become progressively rarer and mosquitoes overall less abundant, requiring greater sampling area to find individuals of this species. Adult females were sampled in 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009 from inside houses using either aspiration by hand or the pyrethrum spray catch method for purposes of determining the proportions of the two species as well. Anopheles gambiae s.l. were identified by PCR [A. gambiae s.s. or A. arabiensis. Adult mosquitoes sampled from subsets of compounds along the transect in Asembo and Seme in 2005 [Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites [In 2003, larval mosquitoes were sampled quantitatively using area samplers ,27 from  in 2005 . The samd by PCR ,30, as A in 2005  were dis in 2005  analysed in 2005 , and tesrozoites .Bed net ownership in Asembo and Seme was assessed during indoor adult mosquito collections by noting presence or absence of a net, or from cross-sectional surveys conducted by the Kenya Medical Research Institute and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additional data of bed net ownership from 2003 for Seme were provided by Dr. Mark Polhemus of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Kisumu, Kenya.A. gambiae s.s. and A. arabiensis were obtained from indoor collections from nine published studies conducted from 1970 to 2002 in villages in this area  than Asembo . Further, density of A. gambiae s.l. larvae was lower in Asembo than in Seme in each of the two transect sweeps. It was higher overall in the second transect sample compared to the first, likely representing population growth during the course of the rainy season that year . In the first transect sample, the proportion of A. gambiae s.s. larvae relative to A. arabiensis was 16.7% in Asembo but 59% in Seme  with transect sampling position from Asembo to Seme . Density of adult female A. gambiae s.l. inside houses was lower in Asembo than Seme, and the proportion of them that were A. gambiae s.s. was lower within Asembo (27.0%) compared to Seme (58.4%) .In 2003, when bed net coverage was high in Asembo but low in Seme  Figure . The proA. gambiae s.s. and A. arabiensis in larval and adult female stages in Asembo and Seme are shown in Figure A. gambiae s.s. was lower in Asembo compared to Seme initially and then equalized in later years when A. arabiensis dominated both stages. Within Seme, the proportion that was A. gambiae s.s. decreased markedly from 2003 to 2008 . Anopheles gambiae s.s. larvae were significantly less abundant in 2006 compared to 2003 . Anopheles gambiae s.s. larvae and adults were rare in both Asembo and Seme in 2007, when bed net coverage was high in both areas . The remainder was A. arabiensis. Of 3,185 larvae identified to species in the same year, 26 (0.8%) were A. gambiae s.s., equally from Asembo and Seme. Species composition differed significantly between 2003 and 2007 in Seme, with the proportion of A. gambiae s.s. being much lower than expected for adults  and larvae . In 2008, the proportions of larval and adult A. gambiae s.l. that were A. gambiae s.s. remained low in Asembo, but were higher in Seme compared to 2007  were A. gambiae s.s. , the remainder being A. arabiensis. Of 497 larvae identified as A. gambiae s.l., 456 produced PCR amplicons; only 41 (9.0%) of these were A. gambiae s.s. . The proportion that was A. gambiae s.s. in 2008 was lower than expected compared to 2003 for adults  and larvae . In 2009, only one of 94 (1.1%) adult, female specimens that reacted in PCR was A. gambiae s.s.; the others were A. arabiensis. The proportion of A. gambiae s.s. was significantly lower in 2009 than in 2003 . An additional 128 females that were identified morphologically as A. gambiae s.l. did not react in PCR; due to a storage problem, no A. gambiae s.l. larvae reacted in PCR from 2009 samples, thus, the ratio of A. gambiae s.s. and A. arabiensis for larvae in that year could not be calculated.The relative proportions of 8 Figure . SpeciesA. gambiae s.s. in Asembo (n = 329) and A. arabiensis (n = 207)  than Seme  although these differences were not significant . A total of 149 A. gambiae s.s. and 153 An arabiensis were tested for blood host  and A. gambiae s.s on humans ; there were no significant differences in host choice within species between the two sites ; however, host selection was significantly different between mosquito species without regard to study sites .In 2005, the proportion of females in the parous condition was lower in Asembo compared to Seme for both ) Figure . Based ot Figure . AnophelData of daily rainfall and average daily temperature from 1990 to 2009 in Kisumu airport showed no aberrant trends Figure .A. gambiae s.s. in samples of females collected indoors, was high relative to A. arabiensis from 1970 to 1998, but thereafter declined . Any sampling bias would likely be against A. arabiensis females in indoor collections due to their relatively reduced likelihood of entering and resting in houses, compared to A. gambiae s.s. females [A. arabiensis is highly unlikely to be an explanation for the trend. As larvae of these species show no habitat segregation in this study area [A. gambiae s.s. in the study area, but persistence of A. arabiensis. Larval sampling facilitated delineation of this process and should prove useful to others who wish to compare relative changes of the two species under similar conditions.Historical review of data on the relative proportions of  females ,18,30 thudy area ,35, chanA. gambiae s.s. coincided geographically and temporally with scale-up of national programmes leading to high rates of household ownership  of bed nets, suggesting that presence of the bed nets in most houses caused the observed population decline. Alternative explanations seem less likely. First, biased sampling, if having an effect, would have worked against the trend. Second, there was no evidence of an environmental or climate change that could have affected the species distributions locally; indeed, temperature and rainfall were consistently within a normal range across a two decade period . Thus, ownership does not equate to use. Nets in Asembo were retreated at regular intervals by house to house campaigns through 2003. Thereafter, retreatment was available at central locations at regular intervals and the service was free through 2007, but retreatment rates (not quantified) were certainly never 100% . In Seme, household ownership of nets increased through efforts by the Kenya Ministry of Health yet remained incomplete after the second roll-out  persisted, and residual malaria transmission was attributed to A. arabiensis [Anopheles darlingi) were originally numerous but disappeared, whereas larvae and adults of a zoophilic species, Anopheles aquasalis, persisted [The decline of an anthropophilic, anopheline mosquito species; and corresponding proportionate rise of a zoophilic one; during malaria vector control has rarely been reported in Africa. In the Pare-Taveta region of northern Tanzania and southeastern Kenya, indoor residual spraying with dieldrin resulted in the near elimination of atically . Even thnto 1966 , demonstvery low ,30, nor iae s.s. , but speiae s.s. . In Soutabiensis . Howeverersisted .A. gambiae s.s. in western Kenya has been associated with a simultaneous decline in malaria prevalence from 70% between 1997-1999 [et al [A. gambiae s.s., leaving residual transmission by A. arabiensis (see Additional File A. gambiae s.s. to A. arabiensis under conditions where both species occur and are transmitting malaria may be a useful relative index of programme effectiveness in places where the former species has been historically the dominant vector, as was the case in parts of southern Africa [et al [A. arabiensis becomes the dominant vector, if elimination is to be achieved; the opportunity to test this hypothesis is now available. The need for alternative control methods for A. arabiensis is also apparent.The marked decline in 997-1999  to ca. 2997-1999 , when th9 [et al  could no9 [et al . Howevern Africa . With wia [et al  proposedRecent perspectives on the process of elimination propose a shift from population-based coverage of interventions to a clinical surveillance-based system with expanded drug treatment . ResultsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.A. gambiae s.l. complex with PCR. MJH, JEG, DM, WAH, and JMV obtained data of bed net ownership. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.MNB, JEG, WAH, JMV, and EDW designed the study and wrote the manuscript. MNB, DKM, FM, MRO, JEG, and EDW sampled and processed mosquitoes; DKM, LK, MRO, and EDW identified mosquitoes of the Anopheles gambiae s.l. complex from indoor collections in western KenyaHistorical records of . List of references and summary of historical data used for composition of Figure Anopheles gambiae sensu lato complex identified as either Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto or Anopheles arabiensis.Click here for fileEstimation of vectorial capacity. For illustrative purposes, vectorial capacity was calculated for A. gambiae s.s. and A. arabiensis before and after scale-up of bed nets, using data from Asembo and Seme.Click here for file


He completed his schooling from Tadikonda, in Guntur district. He completed his MBBS from Guntur Medical College, Guntur in 1990 and later did his DA from the same institute. Dr. Syam Babu was Life member of the ISA, Guntur branch. He left for his heavenly abode on 29th May 2010. At that time, he was working as a consultant anaesthesiologist at the Amaravathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Guntur.Dr. Syam Babu was born on 2Dr. Syam Babu is succeeded by his wife, Mrs. P. Swarna Latha, who is working as a junior lecturer and two children, N. Sunder Emmanuel and N. Sarah Supriya.May his soul rest in peace.


Microarray experiments are multi-step processes. At each step—the growth of cultures, extraction of mRNA, reverse transcription, labelling, hybridization, scanning,and image analysis—variation and error cannot be completely avoided. Estimatingthe amount of such noise and variation is essential, not only to test for differentialexpression but also to suggest at which level replication is most effective.Replication and averaging are the key to the estimation as well as the reduction ofvariability. Here I discuss the use of ANOVA mixed models and of analysis of variancecomponents as a rigorous way to calculate the number of replicates necessary todetect a given target fold-change in expression levels. Procedures are available in thepackage YASMA (http://www.cryst.bbk.ac.uk/wernisch/yasma.html) for the statisticaldata analysis system R (http://www.R-project.org).


Plasmodium falciparum. However, screening of Haitian refugees in Jamaica in 2004, by microscopic examination, identified P. falciparum, P. vivax, and P. malariae. PCR confirmed the P. malariae and P. falciparum but not P. vivax infections. DNA sequencing and rRNA gene sequences showed transmission of P. malariae. This report confirms that P. malariae is still being transmitted in Haiti.Since 1963, reported malaria transmission in Haiti has been restricted to  Plasmodium malariae and 1 P. vivax) were reported  of the 869 million persons live in areas where ecologic conditions have been propitious for the transmission of malaria  was chosen by the Ministry of Health for inclusion in this aspect of the study. These samples included 30 P. falciparum. P. malaria, or P. vivax by using either the single-round PCR protocol of Padley et al.  were sent to the Heath Protection Agency, Malaria Reference Laboratory, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, for species confirmation by PCR. DNA was extracted from 105 filter-paper blood spots and tested for DNA from P. vivax were found with PCR. The absence of P. vivax was verified by species-specific real-time PCR, as described by de Monbrison et al. .Four P. malariae rRNA gene sequences in GenBank, and to that of P. brasilianum that had been isolated from a monkey in French Guiana  by using the program T-Coffee (http://ca.expasy.org/tools/#translate). The alignment produced is presented in the P. malariae rRNA gene sequences in GenBank and with that of the indistinguishable simian parasite, P. brasilianum  because the population is immunologically naive and the competent vector,


Glenn H. Dillon, Ph.D. requested the full retraction of the above review article (Mol Vis 2008; 14:Dr. Dillon states that one of the faculty of University of North Texas Health Science Center, Dr. Lazlo Prokai, found that data from Dr. Prokai's laboratory was included in this review article without his knowledge or attribution. Dr. Dillon states that evidently this was done inadvertently, as Drs. Prokai and Agarwal were collaborators, and that the particular data in question were apparently generated by another individual.Dr. Agarwal, corresponding author, also requests that this article be retracted, stating the error of inclusion of these data.On this basis, The Editors formally retract this article from Molecular Vision.Sincerely,The Editors


Dr. C. H. Metgud completed MBBS in the year 1980, DA in 1984, and MD Anaesthesiology in 1990, from J. N. medical College, Belgaum . From 1991 to 2005, he worked as teaching faculty of Anaesthesiology holding various hierarchical positions at J. N. Medical College, Belgaum. From July 2005 to May 2010, he served as Professor and Head of Department of Anaesthesiology at Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belgaum, and played a pivotal role in setting up the Department of Anaesthesia and ancillary departments in newly established Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belgaum. To his credit, there are 21 publications at international/ national level. He had also delivered guest lectures at various platforms on various topics of anaesthesiology. He was an active member of ISA Belgaum city branch. May his soul rest in peace.


In 2007, the Urological Society of India [USI] completes 16 years of its existence as an independent society. However, it was conceptualized many years before and the man responsible for this was none other than Dr. G. M. Phadke, the founder President of the USI. The seeds of the Association of Genitourologic (GU) Surgeons were sown during a meeting of the Association of the Surgeons of India [ASI]. Along with Dr. H. S. Bhat, Dr Colabawalla and Dr. S. Mansingh, Dr. G. M. Phadke started this association and became its founder President.The first sectional meeting of this association took place in Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore in 1963, with Dr. H. S. Bhat as the organizing Chairman and Dr. Ashok Bhajekar as the organizing secretary. Needless to say, this was just the beginning of what is now known as the Urological Society of India (USI).Dr. G. M. Phadke was born in 1901 into a prominent zamindar family in Khandesh. He was a bright and ambitious student and had always dreamed of becoming a doctor. After completing his matriculation at the age of 19, he left for the UK to pursue higher education.The next 12 years that he spent in the UK were momentous for him as they moulded his character and gave direction to his life. Dr. Phadke graduated from the prestigious University College Hospital, London and obtained a fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Besides pursuing his medical studies, he also excelled in golf, skiing and ballroom dancing. After gaining considerable surgical experience, Dr. Phadke returned to India at the advice of his mentor, the famous neurosurgeon, Sir Wilfred Trotter.On his return from the UK in 1933, Dr. Phadke joined King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Mumbai as Assistant Surgeon. He got married in 1933 and Ajit, his son (now an eminent urologist himself) was born in 1935. He started the Colony Nursing Home in the heart of Matunga in 1935 in collaboration with Dr. V. N. Shirodkar. With his humane approach and exceptional surgical skills, Dr. G. M. Phadke soon became the most sought-after surgeon of his time. His fame, reputation and loyalty to his profession earned him patients nationwide including many prominent personalities.His career took an interesting turn when a senior venereologist colleague, Dr. A. P. Pillay started referring a lot of men with “infertility” and obstructive azoospermia to him for further treatment. In the twentieth century, smallpox was a common disease in India. Dr. G. M. Phadke and his colleague, Dr. A. M. Phadke, were the first to report that smallpox was the most common etiological factor for obstructive azoospermia in India. They also showed that vasoepididymal anastomosis was successful in improving sperm counts.Around the same time, the association of Planned Parenthood [APP] from New York was trying to gain a foothold in India. In collaboration with Dr. G. M. Phadke and Dr. V. N. Shirodkar, APP started the Family Planning Association [FPA]. Interestingly, Dr. Phadke was also instrumental in advocating vasectomy as a highly effective and harmless family planning operation. He also busted several myths about vasectomy and convincingly demonstrated its successful reversibility (VVA). The Films' Division of India even made a documentary film entitled, “Role of vasectomy in the family planning campaign in India” with Dr. G. M. Phadke's help. Although andrology was his initial interest, urology soon became equally important. In the early 50's, Dr. Phadke went back to England and learned retropubic prostatectomy from the famous Dr. Terrence Millins. He was also very fond of performing Johanson urethroplasty for treating urethral strictures.He joined Bombay Hospital in 1950 and continued to offer his dedicated services until 1964. He was very fond of teaching small groups of medical students. His simple words and tricks of wisdom made his bedside clinics a big hit in KEM Hospital. With his love for teaching, he made a mark at the national level. Attending the annual conference of the ASI was an annual pilgrimage for him. He was elected as the President of the ASI in 1957 and later was responsible for starting a separate section on urology.Apart from urology, Dr. G. M. Phadke was an avid fan of music and in particular, enjoyed listening to Marathi Natya Sangeet. He was one of the trustees of Marathi Sahitya Sangh and enjoyed watching Marathi plays. In addition to his professional excellence, he was also a great humanitarian and never charged any money for his professional services from teachers or performing artistes. Although his professional commitments did not allow him to spend much time at home, he was very particular about having at least one meal every day with his entire family in attendance including his ageing mother.Dr. G. M. Phadke passed away following a massive myocardial infarction in 1964. Apart from his innumerable grateful patients and students, the USI also owes a lot to this legendary figure and salutes his spirit. The USI has instituted a traveling fellowship and an oration in memory of Dr. G. M. Phadke.


The growth of s.c. Walker 256 carcinoma was found to be independent of secondary growths induced by i.v. injection. Tumour cells injected i.v. lodged mainly in the lungs, with small clusters of cells in the lymph nodes. The rate of cellular proliferation of these secondary growths of Walker carcinoma was significantly higher than that observed in the s.c. tumour. In addition, host lung tissue was found to inhibit the development of metastases, and it is postulated that the host tissue may produce a diffusible inhibitor and that differences in the effectiveness of these humoral factors may account, in part, for locational differences in tumour growth patterns.


B. cepacia, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus are the most important infectious agents in cystic fibrosis patients. However, healthcare professionals must pay attention to emerging infectious agents in these patients, because they represent a potentially serious future problem. Therefore, these pathogens should be pointed out as a risk to these patients, and hospitals all over the world must be prepared to detect and combat these bacteria.Cystic fibrosis is the most common and best known genetic disease involving a defect in transepithelial Cl- transport by mutations in the CF gene on chromosome 7, which codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR). The most serious symptoms are observed in the lungs, augmenting the risk of bacterial infection. The objective of this review was to describe the bacterial pathogens colonizing patients with cystic fibrosis. A systematic search was conducted using the international bibliographic databanks SCIELO, HIGHWIRE, PUBMED, SCIRUS and LILACS to provide a useful and practical review for healthcare workers to make them aware of these microorganisms. Today,  Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal genetic disease in North America, affecting 1:2000 Caucasian individuals . This diStaphylococcus aureus and Hemophilus influenzae are the most common bacteria isolated from the sputum, but in the second and third decade of life, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the prevalent bacteria. In Germany, analysis of the sputum from CF patients during a period of 12 months showed the presence of P. aeruginosa in 50% of these individuals, S. aureus in 63.3%, Haemophilus influenzae in 16.6%, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in 15% and nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) in 13.3% [During the first decade of life of CF patients, Due to this succession of bacterial populations in CF patients and due to the importance of these pathogens in prognosis, the objective of this article was to review and identify known and emerging bacterial pathogens associated with pulmonary problems and involved with cystic fibrosis. For this objective, a systematic search was conducted using the international bibliographic databanks SCIELO, HIGHWIRE, PUBMED, SCIRUS and LILACS. The uniterms Cystic fibrosis, infection and antibiotic therapy were used in a retrospective search between 1990 to 2007. Any articles with this theme, reporting bacterial pathogen associated with CF patients with no distinction of sex and age were selected and only the articles describing pathogens and the antibiotic therapy were really used.Mycobacteria in the CF population [et al. [S. aureus and a low one of P. aeruginosa when compared with patients without NTM, indicating that the presence of these bacteria may be taken as a good prognostic sign [The nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are a group of microorganisms that is very common in chronic pulmonary diseases. The increase in the life expectancy of CF patients has also increased the prevalence of pulation . The cli [et al.  found thtic sign .Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium avium, and Mycobacterium intracellulare [et al. [M. fortuitum, M. gordonae and M. kansasii. Today, the NTM more likely associated with the disease is Mycobacterium abscessus [M. avium, combined therapy with rifampicin, clarythromycin and ethambutol must be extended 12 months after negativation. M. abscessus infection is particularly resistant to therapy. Usual treatment is a one month course of intravenous imipenem or cefoxitin plus amikacin followed by oral clarithromicin plus ethambutol for at least 12 months after negativation. In case of local lesions, surgery is an option [The most common NTM infecting CF patients are ellulare , but Ser [et al.  identifibscessus . The idebscessus . TreatmePseudomonas aeruginosa [S. aureus is a co-infective pathogen associated with P. aeruginosa. Together, the inflammatory process is more intense due the additive effect of these two pathogens [S. aureus was the causative agent of several deaths in children with CF. Today, this risk is not so serious, but CF patients not given the correct antibiotic therapy show a higher prevalence of S. aureus in the nasal epithelium when compared to treated patients [S. aureus remains in the patient for 1–2 years [Usually, this is the first pathogen to infect and colonize the airways of CF patients, being the most common pathogen . This miruginosa . Howeverathogens . Before patients . About t–2 years .S. aureus (MRSA) has become a major nosocomial pathogen with a progressive increase in prevalence also in CF populations. The acquisition of MRSA occurred only in adulthood [pvl, is a matter of concern [Methicillin-resistant dulthood . In Eurodulthood . MRSA is concern ,21.S. aureus constitute a bacterial population with distinctive phenotypic traits of S. aureus populations from CF patients [et al. [Small colony variants (SCVs) of patients . These ppatients , but Sad [et al.  isolatedP. aeruginosa is an oxidase-positive Gram-negative motile rod [et al. [P. aeruginosa, but Burns et al. [P. aeruginosa. The capacity of this bacterium to develop biofilm is a characteristic that allows it to survive for very long periods in the lungs of CF patients [tile rod . Vonbergtile rod  showed ttile rod . Aaron e [et al.  showed ts et al.  found thpatients .P. aeruginosa can be differentiated in terms of its morphotypes, including mucoid, not mucoid and those with biofilm, which vary their patterns of susceptibility to antibiotics. This differentiation causes several problems in the treatment, because is necessary identify the morphotype to choose the treatment strategy [Isolated from strategy ,32.Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is a complex of Gram-negative rod, aerobic, mesophilic and chemoorganotrophic [B. cepacia), II (B. multivorans), III (B. cenocepacia), IV (B. stabilis), V (B. vietnamiensis), VI (B. dolosa), VII (B. ambifaria), VIII (B. anthina), IX (B. pyrrocinia) [otrophic . This isotrophic ,35: genorocinia) .Burkholderia, as Burkholderia gladioli and Burkholderia pseudomallei, which are distinct from the Burkholderia cepacia complex have also been reported in patients with cystic fibrosis [B. cepacia complex are very resistant to antibiotic therapy because its genome is very plastic and suffers several mutations and adapts itself, making it a hard challenge for treatment. Its resistance is mainly due the production of enzymes with capacity to inactivate the substances used in the treatment [Infected CF patients show high levels of BCC in the salivary fluid, indicating the possibility of indirect transmission by kissing and sexual contact , but thefibrosis -42. Membreatment . By thisreatment .P. aeruginosa [This bacterium is a Gram-negative rod, anaerobic, motile, oxidase and catalase positive and lactose non-fermentative. It is usually distributed in the environment, but can be a human pathogen causing bacteremia, meningitis and pneumonia . This isruginosa ,46.et al. [Inquilinus, belonging to α-proteobacteria and further identified as I. limosus. This bacterium is a mesophilic Gram-negative rod, non-spore forming. Due to its recent characterization, we have little knowledge about its natural habitat, prevalence and pathogenicity, but CF patients infected with this bacterium have been identified in hospitals in France, Spain and Germany [Coenye et al.  in 2002  Germany ,49.Ralstonia, mainly due to their difficult identification, where they are usually misidentified as P. fluorescens or a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex [These bacteria are Gram-negative and non-fermentative rods, and little is known about the natural occurrence and the pathogenicity of bacteria from the genus  complex -54.et al. [Reports indicate a low prevalence of pathogen from this genus in CF patients, but Coenye et al.  showed tet al. [P. aeruginosa. This finding is very important due to the fact that these patients are first infected with P. aeruginosa, indicating that the latter pathogen may act as a starting point for P. apista infection.This is a Gram-negative and non-fermentative bacterium that over the years has shown a growing isolation frequency among CF patients, representing a possible emerging pathogen in these patients ,56. Atkiet al.  analyzedThis microorganism is considered a transient pathogen in CF patients , mainly S. maltophilia is a pathogen of CF patients with a very constant incidence [S. maltophilia were older, showing a high rate of prior co-infection with P. aeruginosa and B. cepacia, but the prevalence of this pathogen in CF patients has been growing in the last years [This is a Gram-negative and non-fermentative rod that is frequently isolated from hospitals ,62. S. mncidence . Goss etst years .H. influenzae [This bacterium usually infects younger CF patients. In Brazil, 20.4% of CF children between 6 and 12 years old are infected by fluenzae . This bafluenzae .et al. [S. aureus, which can be a potential zoonotic infectious agent, aggravating the CF patient situation.This is a Gram-negative coccobacillus, non spore-forming, strictly anaerobic, and catalase and coagulase positive . This baet al. , reporteCystic fibrosis is characterized by chronic pulmonary infection with acute pulmonary exacerbation (APEs), where antibiotic therapy is necessary against opportunistic infections .P. aeruginosa was the most important risk factor for pulmonary deterioration [P. aeruginosa as a microbial marker.Previous studies have indicated that the presence of mucoidal ioration ,71. By tPseudomonas aeruginosa. Mulheran et al. [Gentamicin and tobramycin are recognized as standard antibiotics for the treatment of CF patients infected with n et al.  observedn et al. . When thn et al. ,75.Pseudomonas aeruginosa, when the drug is administered by ultrasonic nebulization or intravenously, but these levels decrease after the second administration [Tests with animals have shown the augmentation of the amykacin concentration in the lung against stration .P aeruginosa, such as the use of polymyxins combined with a β-lactamic are useful in antipseudomonial therapy, as shown in the work of Dong & Chung-Dar [Antibiotic combinations against hung-Dar .P aeruginosa. Wagner et al. [P aeruginosa PAO1, affecting bacterial growth and the expression/exportation of products that stimulates the immune system such as pyocyanin.Azithromycin displays interesting therapeutic results in the treatment of CF patients infected with r et al.  reportedP aeruginosa infection: total eradication, using heavy doses of antibiotics with adverse symptoms, or the management of the infection, with a higher risk to develop the resistance? Few years ago, the eradication of chronic P. aeruginosa infection was considered impossible [et al. [et al. [P. aeruginosa (after eradication) were different of the first ones and more sensitive to the antibiotics, showing that persistent populations of P. aeruginosa in the airway would increase the antibiotic resistance with time because of prolonged exposure to antibiotics, as in the case of management, indicating the eradication as the most interesting strategy.Other point of discussion is the objective of the treatment of possible , but Ho  [et al.  e Pitt e [et al.  showed tB. cepacia, commonly resistant to several antimicrobial drugs used by CF patients, the better treatment choice is a drug combination. Combinations of two antibiotics from different classes such as meropenem-minocycline, meropenem-amikacin and meropenem-ceftazidime or three different antibiotics such as tobramycin, meropene and an additional antibiotic were more effective than the use of any antibiotic alone [P. aeruginosa by Dong et al. [For other microorganisms such as ic alone . Similarg et al.  who showet al. [in vitro effectiveness of 150 antimicrobial peptides in multidrug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Achromobacter xylosoxidans and S. aureus. A better activity was observed for several peptides compared to most of the antibiotics used in the clinic. Similar results were obtained by Etienne et al. [However, new therapeutic perspectives are needed, such as from the work of Zhang et al.  who evale et al.  who usedThe quality of life and life expectancy of CF patients have improved considerably as a result of the control of bronchopulmonary bacterial colonization and acute infectious exacerbations -85.These reports indicate the necessity for more research into the discovery and rational design of new antibacterial drugs that will be more efficient in combating infections in cystic fibrosis patients. However, the use must be well defined. Our search indicates that the combination of 2 or more antibiotics may represent an interesting alternative in the CF treatment, colonized for any bacterial pathogen.Other point of interest is the indication of aerosolized and biofilm-inhibitory drugs may control and avoid the colonization of the respiratory tract by several pathogens cited in this study. Maybe, using this several approaches, we will maximize the control of the colonizers and the infections that affect the CF patients.Several factors affect transmission, such as the type of bacterial strain, the immune state of the patient and the use of contaminated medical equipment. Therefore, all CF patients infected or colonized the major pathogens cited in this article must be isolated in a single room because they represent sources for nosocomial transmission of the microorganism to other patients during the treatment ,55.Although the epidemiology of bacterial pathogens in CF patients has become more complex, the life expectancy of these patients continues to increase. This has led to a better control of the transmission of these pathogens by the separation of adults and children with CF in different treatment centers. Furthermore, the utilization of basic preventive guidelines , combined with disinfection techniques to be applied at home or hospital make control easier. These precautions help reduce the impact of infections in CF patients. In addition, educational programs to support administrative measures, guidelines for the control of nosocomial infections and the assistance to healthcare workers and to the families of the patients to show the importance of these measures are essential tools for blocking the transmission of these bacterial pathogens to CF patients.The authors declare that they have no competing interests.VSFS and GFG contributed to conception and design, designed the review, carried out the literature research, and manuscript preparation. HDMC contributed to conception and design, carried out the manuscript editing and manuscript review. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.


Urban malaria is a major health priority for civilian and militaries populations. A preliminary entomologic study has been conducted in 2006-2007, in the French military camps of the two mains towns of Gabon: Libreville and Port-Gentil. The aim was to assess the malaria transmission risk for troops.Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoïte (CSP) indexes were measured by ELISA, and the entomological inoculation rates (EIR) were calculated for both areas. Molecular assessments of pyrethroid knock down (kdr) resistance and of insensitive acetylcholinesterase resistance were conducted.Mosquitoes sampled by human landing collection were identified morphologically and by molecular methods. The Anopheles gambiae s.s. S form was the only specie of the An. gambiae complex present and was responsible of 9.4 bites per person per night. The circumsporozoïte index was 0.15% and the entomological inoculation rate estimated to be 1.23 infective bites during the four months period. In Port-Gentil, Anopheles melas (75.5% of catches) and An. gambiae s.s. S form (24.5%) were responsible of 58.7 bites per person per night. The CSP indexes were of 1.67% for An. gambiae s.s and 0.28% for An. melas and the EIRs were respectively of 1.8 infective bites per week and of 0.8 infective bites per week. Both kdr-w and kdr-e mutations in An. gambiae S form were found in Libreville and in Port-Gentil. Insensitive acetylcholinesterase has been detected for the first time in Gabon in Libreville.In Libreville, Malaria transmission exists in both town, but with high difference in the level of risk. The co-occurrence of molecular resistances to the main families of insecticide has implications for the effectiveness of the current vector control programmes that are based on pyrethroid-impregnated bed nets. P. falciparum and malaria transmission is perennial and was considered until today as hyperendemic ) for An. gambiae s.s and 0.28% (CI95% [0.03-1.02]) for An.melas. The respective weekly EIR for a person who did not protect himself during the week of study were of 1.8 infective bites per week for An. gambiae s.s and of 0.8 infective bites per week for An. melas. We tested all the 54 PCR-identified An. gambiae s.s and 96 of the PCR-identified An.melas for the kdr and ace1 mutations. The genotypic frequencies are shown in Table Kdr-e and kdr-w resistance alleles were present in S forms with a higher frequency of the kdr-w allele (68%) than the kdr-e allele (31%). None Kdr mutation was found in An.melas. Both An.gambiae s.s. and An.melas tested for insensitive AChE were found to be susceptible.In total, 6,396 mosquitoes were caught  and their compliance to malaria chemoprophylaxis. 80% of bites are occurring in the second part of the night. During this period, most of soldiers are sleeping in mosquito-proofs buildings and are so protected. Only the outside sentinels are probably exposed to mosquito bites and to malaria vectors.In Libreville, < 4/year . In Portescribed ,29. Extrescribed . The malAn. gambiae molecular form S were present . Contrarily to a previous study in Libreville, kdr allele was present both in Libreville and Port-Gentil, and as already described in neighbouring countries , the kdr-w allele was the most frequent both in Libreville and Port-Gentil [kdr alleles was similar in the two military camps of Port-Gentil and Libreville but there was a statistically significant difference with the historical data in Libreville . This difference is possibly due to sampling bias or to variations in the repartition of kdr alleles in An. gambiae s.s. populations between quarters in Libreville. Both kdr-w and kdr-e mutations have been tightly linked with DDT and pyrethroid resistance phenotypes in field populations of An. gambiae s.s [kdr-e and kdr-w alleles at high frequencies in these populations has implications for the effectiveness of the current vector control programmes, that are based on pyrethroid-impregnated bed nets both for French forces and for the Libreville or Port-Gentil inhabitants. Currently, the impact of kdr on the efficacy of ITNs is unclear with contradictories studies [As reported previously in Gabon in Libreville and in the inlands, both kdr-w and kdr-e mutations in t-Gentil ,32. The biae s.s -36. The  studies -39. Neve studies . TherefoAn. gambiae. A low level of insensitive AChE was detected in Libreville with an allele frequency of 0.4. None insensitive AChE was detected in Port-Gentil but there was no statistically difference in the ace1 mutation frequency between Libreville and Port-Gentil. Complementary studies have to be conducted to monitor the possible existence of a resistance to organophosphates and carbamate insecticides in urban An.gambiae s.s. form S populations in Gabon. If carbamates remain a viable alternative in front of the low level of insensitive AchE and in the Gabonese context of a probable high resistance to pyrethroids, their extensive use alone would probably conduct to select multi-resistant specimens of An.gambiae s.s. form S in Libreville and Port-Gentil. This possibility has to be taking in account before implementing vector control programmes both in military camps and in towns. The use of a combination of pyrethroids and organophosphates in mixture, mosaic or in parallel on different supports has been proposed against pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors [An. gambiae has shown no benefits compared to classical long-lasting insecticidal nets [It was the first time that a molecular screening was conducted in Gabon to assess the presence of an insensitive acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in populations of  vectors -43. A nedal nets ,45.Anopheles melas is clearly involved in malaria transmission in Port-Gentil, but further studies in different parts of Libreville are necessary to understand its involvement or not. Until today, molecular screenings of resistance in Gabon have only concerned kdr mutation. Here is the first report of insensitive acetylcholinesterase in Gabon. This paper highlights the worrying level of pyrethroids resistance of An. gambiae s.s. for most of 50% of Gabon's population. There is a lack of entomological data to understand the dynamic of urban malaria in Gabon. Further studies have to been conducted in different areas of theses towns including central and peripheral districts, coastal and inland districts, modern and traditional districts. The situation of insecticide resistance has to be clarified in using molecular tools and insecticide bioassays in different districts of each town.According to literature, this was the first time that entomological studies on malaria transmission were conducted in the main towns of Gabon, which represent more than 50% of the total population. Malaria transmissions exist in both towns but with high difference in the level of risk. In urban areas, malaria transmission is highly focused and a single study in one area of a town is not sufficient to assess the global level of transmission. And one should not minimize the possible impact of the vector control programme implemented in the camps all year round. In Libreville, the risk is comparable to other big African cities, but seems very low according to the equatorial situation and the previously described hyperendemic transmission. Nevertheless, these results are concordant with the clinical statements made by physicians and researchers in Libreville that all concluded to a decrease in malaria transmission since 2000 in Libreville -11. In PThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.JRM was responsible for the supervision of data collection, analysis, interpretation and production of the final manuscript and revisions. TC contributed to the supervision of data collection, the data analysis, interpretation and production of final manuscript. FJ contributed to the supervision of data collection, to the data analysis. BP contributed to the supervision of data collection, to the data analysis, interpretation and production of final manuscript. RA FJ contributed to the supervision of data collection, to the data analysis. CR contributed to overall scientific management, analysis, interpretation and preparation of the final manuscript and revisions. MK contributed to overall scientific management, analysis, interpretation and preparation of the final manuscript and revisions. FP was responsible for overall scientific management, analysis, interpretation and preparation of the final manuscript and revisions. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.


Growth of isogeneic transplants of a spontaneous murine adenocarcinoma, which is virtually devoid of tumour-specific transplantation antigens, is inhibited by i.v. injection of C. parvum 3 days after tumour inoculation, or by mixing a small dose of C. parvum with the tumour inoculum. Moreover, the therapeutic effect of cyclophosphamide, followed by i.v. or i.p. injection of C. parvum 5 days later, on established transplants of the same tumour is greater than that of cyclophosphamide alone. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that in both situations  the effect of C. parvum is largely due to activation of macrophages or macrophage precursors. They have the important practical implication that adjuvant therapy with C. parvum may be of value, even with tumours which are devoid of TSTA.


Angiostrongylus cantonensis is emerging in mainland China. However, the distribution of A. cantonensis and its intermediate host snails, and the role of two invasive snail species in the emergence of angiostrongyliasis, are not well understood.Eosinophilic meningitis (angiostrongyliasis) caused by A. cantonensis was carried out using a grid sampling approach . One village per grid cell was randomly selected from a 5% random sample of grid cells located in areas where the presence of the intermediate host snail Pomacea canaliculata had been predicted based on a degree-day model. Potential intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis were collected in the field, restaurants, markets and snail farms, and examined for infection. The infection prevalence among intermediate host snails was estimated, and the prevalence of A. cantonensis within P. canaliculata was displayed on a map, and predicted for non-sampled locations. It was confirmed that P. canaliculata and Achatina fulica were the predominant intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis in China, and these snails were found to be well established in 11 and six provinces, respectively. Infected snails of either species were found in seven provinces, closely matching the endemic area of A. cantonensis. Infected snails were also found in markets and restaurants. Two clusters of A. cantonensis–infected P. canaliculata were predicted in Fujian and Guangxi provinces.A national survey pertaining to A. cantonensis and two invasive snail species, indicating that a considerable number of people are at risk of angiostrongyliasis. Health education, rigorous food inspection and surveillance are all needed to prevent recurrent angiostrongyliasis outbreaks.The first national survey in China revealed a wide distribution of  Angiostrongylus cantonensis). This parasite is endemic in Southeast Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, and on Pacific Islands. Moreover, the disease is emerging in mainland China, which might be related to the spread of two invasive snail species . Thus far, the biggest angiostrongyliasis outbreak in China occurred in 2006 in Beijing, involving 160 patients. However, detailed information about the national distribution of A. cantonensis and its intermediate hosts is still lacking, and the importance of the two invasive snail species for disease transmission is not well understood. Therefore, a national survey on the distribution of A. cantonensis and its intermediate hosts in China was carried out in 2006/2007. It was found that A. fulica and P. canaliculata were implicated in most angiostrongyliasis outbreaks, and that the distribution of A. cantonensis closely matched that of these snails. The two invasive snail species facilitated the expansion of the parasite, thus probably leading to the emergence of angiostrongyliasis, a previously rare disease, in mainland China.Eosinophilic meningitis is caused by the rat lungworm ( Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is considered an emerging infectious disease in mainland China Pomacea canaliculata, and took place in the capital Beijing in 2006 Eosinophilic meningitis, a potentially fatal disease caused by A. cantonensis in 1946 A. cantonensis live in the pulmonary arteries of its definitive hosts, i.e., rodents, especially rats, which pass infective first-stage larvae (L1) in their feces. The life cycle also involves mollusks, harboring larval stages. In humans, larvae fail to mature, and hence humans and their excreta play no role in the transmission and direct dissemination of the parasite. Humans become infected by ingesting third-stage larvae (L3) in raw or undercooked intermediate host mollusks  or paratenic hosts  A. cantonensis it is difficult to control this parasite Achatina fulica and P. canaliculata, are believed to be closely associated with angiostrongyliasis in China. These snails were imported into mainland China in 1931 The parasite was first described by Chen based on worm specimens collected from pulmonary arteries of rats in Guangzhou (Canton) A. cantonensis. Here, we report the design and key findings of this survey. Moreover, predictions are made for the spatial distribution of A. cantonensis and its intermediate hosts. Finally, recommendations are offered for the prevention of angiostrongyliasis.In response to the recent angiostrongyliasis outbreak in Beijing that had received considerable national and international attention and mass-media coverage, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of China launched the first national survey on Angiostrongylus cantonensis in China” has been approved by the institutional ethics committee of the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Shanghai (ref. no. 2006030101). Animal experiments were carried out in adherence to institutional guidelines for animal husbandry.The project entitled “The first national survey on A. cantonensis and its definitive and intermediate hosts in mainland China was implemented in two phases over a 1-year period, i.e., between September and November 2006, and between March and October 2007. Considering that the distribution of A. cantonensis is affected by several environmental and ecological factors, the potential distribution of the parasite was first determined. Temperature was selected as the main factor to predict the potential distribution of the parasite and two invasive snail species in China. Since revealing the distribution of both the parasite and two snail species implicated in its transmission was the main aim of this survey, the widest potential distribution of P. canaliculata, which has previously been regarded as the most important intermediate host, delineated the survey region. The potential range of P. canaliculata in China was predicted using a degree-day model based on temperature data obtained from 149 observing stations across China The first national survey pertaining to A. cantonensis. Some insectivores also serve as suitable definitive hosts Rattus norvegicus) and insectivores  were trapped in fields and in residents' houses. All captured animals were euthanized and dissected to determine the presence of adult A. cantonensis in their hearts and lung arteries.Rats are the definitive hosts of P. canaliculata and Bellamya aeruginosa), terrestrial snails  and certain terrestrial slugs were collected from the surroundings of the study villages, and from restaurants and markets in the capital town of the counties, and snail farms across the study area, and examined for the presence of A. cantonensis larvae. Up to 100 specimens of each species were collected at each study site. The intermediate hosts were artificially digested using routine procedures (incubation in a solution containing 0.2% pepsin and 0.7% hydrochloric acid at 37°C for 2 h) P. canaliculata, a recently developed method relying on specific lung tissue features of this species was employed A. cantonensis larvae were then directly observed under a microscope. Paratenic hosts were also collected from markets and restaurants, and examined for L3 using an artificial digestion method.Freshwater snails  rats. The animals were then maintained in the laboratory to confirm the identity of adult worms.A. cantonensis endemic if the parasite was detected in any kind of animals captured in the field. The geographic locations of these sampling sites were linked to an existing geographic information system (GIS), using the software ArcGIS version 9.1 . Subsequently, ordinary kriging, a statistical technique for spatial prediction A. cantonensis infection prevalence in P. canaliculata was produced.An area was considered A. cantonensis in China was implemented in 164 counties belonging to 19 provinces. A detailed list of the surveyed locations is available from the corresponding author upon request. Various mollusks were collected, belonging to one of the three following groups: (i) freshwater snails, (ii) terrestrial snails, and (iii) terrestrial slugs. All collected specimens were deposited in the “Preservation Center for Parasite Specimens in China” (http://www.psic.cn), and further details are available from this center upon request. Overall, 11,709 P. canaliculata were screened, 6.8% of which harbored L3 of A. cantonensis. The prevalence among the other freshwater snails  was only 0.05%. Of 3,549 A. fulica examined, 13.4% were infected. The infection prevalence among the 1,421 other terrestrial snail specimens was only 0.3%. Finally, 5,370 terrestrial slugs were dissected, revealing an infection prevalence of 6.5%. Hence, the endemicity of A. cantonensis in mainland China is primarily attributable to P. canaliculata, A. fulica and terrestrial slugs . None of the 46 insectivores (Suncus murinus) were infected. The 652 paratenic hosts collected during the survey included frogs, shrimps, crabs, toads and fish. No A. cantonensis was found in any of these animals.Of the 711 potential host animals trapped during the field surveys, 32 were found to be infected with A. cantonensis prevalence in P. canaliculata in China, using an ordinary kriging approach with a spherical model, highlighted two potential clusters with prevalences of 19–28% in Guangxi province and 28–40% in Fujian province, respectively (The prediction map of the ectively .A. cantonensis at county level in China. The parasite was identified in 59 of the 164 surveyed counties (36.0%). Most of the A. cantonensis-endemic areas were defined by infections in P. canaliculata and/or A. fulica snails. Only in three counties infected rats were found, but the presence of the parasite in intermediate hosts could not be ascertained. Seven provinces in southeastern China  were identified as A. cantonensis endemic.P. canaliculata was introduced in Zhongshan city, Guangdong province in 1981 P. canaliculata is now well established in southern China in a band spanning northeast-southwest. A separate endemic area is located in the Sichuan basin. The snail now colonizes almost the entire Pearl River valley, the Southern River system and the Southeast River system. The snail has also been observed in mountainous areas at high elevations in Yunnan province. Moreover, P. canaliculata snails have crossed from the Pearl River valley into the Yangtze River valley, and already inhabit the southeast section of the latter.A. fulica has a more focal distribution than P. canaliculata, although the former species had been introduced into China half a century earlier than the latter. At present, A. fulica is known to occur in the provinces of Guangdong, Hainan, and Guangxi, in the southern areas of Yunnan and Fujian provinces, and in one county of Guizhou province. Unlike P. canaliculata, A. fulica occurs only south of 25° N latitude, and does not appear to be associated with major river networks.P. canaliculata snails were found on markets and/or in restaurants in 21 counties, whereas A. fulica snails were detected in three counties only. Infected P. canaliculata and A. fulica were found in nine and two counties, respectively. Additionally, two native freshwater snail species, i.e., B. aeruginosa and Cipangopaludina chinensis, were commonly found to be on sale in many markets and restaurants. C. chinensis is one of the key intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis in Taiwan and, in the current survey, infected specimens were detected in one restaurant in Fujian province. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. cantonensis-infected C. chinensis from mainland China. On two markets in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, infected B. aeruginosa snails were detected.P. canaliculata (located in Jiangsu and Jiangxi provinces) and one for A. fulica (in Zhejiang province) were identified during this survey. None of the snails collected in these farms was infected with A. cantonensis.Only two commercial snail farms for A. cantonensis is endemic in Southeast Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean. To date, more than 2,800 human cases have been reported A. fulica (intermediate host) especially during World War II Eosinophilic meningitis caused by A. cantonensis and its hosts in China reported here indicate that there is a need for strengthening food safety inspections and food-borne disease surveillance. Long-distance trade, biological invasion and animal migration are contributing to the emergence of new diseases and the re-emergence of diseases that have previously been controlled The results of the first national survey on the distribution of A. cantonensis-endemic area is very wide, covering seven southern provinces. However, not a single snail or rat infected with A. cantonensis was found in Yunnan province. This observation comes as a surprise, since the parasite was first documented in Yunnan some 20 years ago The results of the national survey can be summarized as follows. First, the A. cantonensis-infected P. canaliculata and A. fulica clearly destined for human consumption were recorded. This observation suggests that the transmission of A. cantonensis to humans is ongoing, and that the health education and awareness raising campaigns initiated after the 2006 outbreak in Beijing – targeting consumers, health personnel and officials alike – must be improved since they appeared to have failed yet to stop the sale and consumption of infected snails. It follows that the impact of the previous health education campaigns through mass media to change human behavior has probably been overestimated, because angiostrongyliasis outbreaks continued in Guangdong province in 2007 Second, several freshwater and terrestrial snail species were found on local markets and in restaurants, and A. cantonensis infection. For example, the consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater snails is held responsible for the early-2008 angiostrongyliasis outbreak in Dali. As a direct consequence of the booming inland tourism in China, the interest in minority dishes is growing, and ethnic dining has become popular among tourists and wealthy urban residents alike. Travelers to endemic regions with a tradition of preparing snails for human consumption should be better informed about the risks associated with certain dishes, and food inspection and hygiene regulations need to be enforced.Third, culturally-routed dietary habits of certain ethnic groups increase the risk of A. cantonensis in China, the two invasive mollusk species P. canaliculata and A. fulica, play a central role. A range of mollusks can serve as intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis and were examined during the national survey. The prevalence of A. cantonensis infection among P. canaliculata, A. fulica and terrestrial slugs was found to govern the endemicity of this parasite in China. However, terrestrial slugs had rarely been found to be associated with human angiostrongyliasis; the only exception being their occasional use in local traditional medicine P. canaliculata and A. fulica are probably responsible for most angiostrongyliasis cases in China. Both snails not only expand their range, but also frequently go on the table for human consumption.Fourth, among the different factors facilitating the spread and transmission of P. canaliculata and A. fulica have facilitated the spread of the endemic area of A. cantonensis rather than the introduction of a new pathogen. Man-made ecological transformations and climate change are important drivers of the spread of exotic species and their establishment in new areas A. cantonensis in at least two ways. First, the invasion of these snails facilitates the establishment of the life cycle of the parasite and thus increases the chances for an exposure of native mollusks to A. cantonensis in existing endemic areas. Previous experiments indeed documented a superior susceptibility of these snails to A. cantonensis compared to native snails A. cantonensis since they rapidly expand their range, resulting in the local establishment of the snail and – sometimes – the parasite life cycle in previously non-endemic areas.Interestingly, A. fulica was recorded for the first time in mainland China in 1931 A. fulica were accidentally imported from Singapore with shipments of plants, and that an initial snail population became established in Xiamen (Amoy) A. fulica spreads across southern China, probably facilitated by the rapid expansion of long-distance trade and an increasing demand for farmed plants going hand-in-hand with China's ongoing economic development. It has even been speculated that A. fulica invaded China more than once. For example, the snail populations in Yunnan province might derive from trade with Indochina (Mekong basin) rather than eastern China A. fulica in mainland China was only noted when a parasitologically-confirmed case of angiostrongyliasis found in 1984 could be linked to this snail A. fulica snails is generally less popular than that of P. canaliculata in mainland China.P. canaliculata was deliberately introduced into China for human consumption. The invasion process can be stratified into three stages, i.e., (i) introduction, (ii) establishment, and (iii) spread P. canaliculata was emphasized by the first major angiostrongyliasis outbreak in Wenzhou in 1997 A. cantonensis and the area where P. canaliculata breed two or even three generations per year A. cantonensis largely depends on this freshwater snail for its expansion in China. Although P. canaliculata in the whole endemic area of A. cantonensis were found to be infected, point prevalences of infection are heterogeneous: two heavily endemic areas could be identified in the provinces of Fujian and Guangxi, respectively. The snail is indeed responsible for many sporadic cases recorded throughout Fujian province. However, it remains to be investigated why no angiostrongyliasis cases have been observed thus far in Guangxi province.The freshwater snail A. fulica and P. canaliculata appear to have contributed to the emergence of angiostrongyliasis in China, several characteristics of P. canaliculata suggest that this species is mainly responsible for the spread of A. cantonensis. This claim is supported as follows. First, the aquatic P. canaliculata probably spread along waterways, accelerated through flooding events. This might partly explain why P. canaliculata more rapidly expanded its range than A. fulica, which appears to largely depend on human-facilitated transport. Second, the area colonized by P. canaliculata also expands far beyond that of A. fulica despite a considerably longer presence of the latter in China. Third, the consumption of P. canaliculata is more popular than that of A. fulica. During the national survey, for example, P. canaliculata was on sale in 21 counties, while A. fulica was only noted in three counties.Although both A. cantonensis and its hosts in China. The results indicate a need for more pointed attention to this emerging threat through awareness-raising campaigns among the medical community, the establishment of a hospital-based sentinel surveillance system, improved community-based health education and strengthening of food safety inspection. A number of pressing research questions could also be identified. For example, the model for predicting the prevalence of A. cantonensis within P. canaliculata identified two high-prevalence clusters. However, the accuracy of this prediction has not been assessed since no ground truthing of the predictions has been made thus far. The small-scale distribution, the range of hosts and the host-parasite compatibility should also be investigated to deepen our understanding of the transmission dynamics.The national survey shed light on different important aspects regarding the distribution of A. cantonensis and two invasive snail species, i.e., P. canaliculata and A. fulica, and the pivotal role of these invasive snails for the transmission of this parasite. The results of the survey also suggest that people are at risk of angiostrongyliasis through consumption of raw or undercooked snails infected with A. cantonensis that are found in many markets and restaurants. Continued health education, rigorous food inspection, and hospital-based surveillance are needed to prevent recurrent angiostrongyliasis outbreaks in China.In conclusion, the first national survey revealed the distribution of


Dear Friends,During my tenure of 14 years as the secretary of the ISP from 1994-2006 and an additional year 2007, then President Elect 2008, and President 2009, I have seen ISP rise and reach the zenith of success and popularity on not only the national but also the international front as well .th year of new BDS course.Perio subject exam to be kept on 5JISP has to be made quarterly issue.I have gone through a tortuous road and its ups and downs as a secretary but without all the support and backing from several people, I would not have been able to take ISP to this pedestal.Today I am immensely happy to thank and acknowledge all the people without whom I would not achieved this success.I would like to remember and express my gratitude towards the founding members of ISP, late. Dr. G. B. Shankwalkar and Dr.Lalit Guglani, for their dynamism and vision. They always serve as a source of inspiration for me. I thank all my office bearers during my tenure as Secretary: Dr. SA Kale, Dr. CP Boghani, Dr. PJ Chitnis, Dr. Ajay Kakar, Dr. A Kumarswamy and during my Presidential tenure: Dr. MM Dayakar, Dr. CD Dwarkanath, Dr. Pravin Kudva, Dr. Santosh Sridhar, Dr. Mathai Thomas, Dr. Anirban Chatterjee and Dr. Arunachalan.I should not forget to acknowledge all my postgraduates and staff who were always there to help me and shore up in all situations. Without their help, it could not have been possible to run the ISP office effectively. I am profoundly thankful to Dr. Nirmala, Dr. Natasha, Dr. Ashwini, Dr. Rajesh Gaikwad, Dr. Pranita, Dr. Neha Mehta, Dr. Prajakta Nayak, Dr. Rajeev Chitguppi, Dr. Gauri Satarkar, Dr. Om Bhagele, Dr. Srinivas, Dr. Farah, Dr. Sameer Dalvi, Dr. Roshni Thakur, Dr. Akash Akinwar, Dr. Ranjit Bapat, Dr. Javed Sayyed, Dr. Vivek Dave, Dr. Yadav Rathod. Dr. Rupasi Kudle, Dr. Jyoti Jonnala, Dr. Mukesh Chute, Dr. Tanay Gunjikar and my assistant Girish Jethwa who have helped me persistently for ISP.I appreciate the assistance rendered by all of them. I am also thankful to Colgate & Palmolive for sponsoring most of the ISP activities, Mr. Arekar, legal advisor and auditor A. W. Ketkar.Last but not the least I would like to express my gratitude towards my wife Dr. Nutan Pol for being so patient to support and encourage me in this long journey. My life is blissful and contented due to my sweet and adorable daughters Dr. Samruddhi, Sukhsiddhi and Sanmati. I am thankful to them for making me comfortable and peaceful at home after my busy life after taking charge of ISP for 17 years.This is just the beginning and the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of dreams and conclude with my favorite hopeful sher -Ek Nayi Subah, Ek Nayi Asha, Ek Nayi Umeed, Ek Nayi Soch, Ek Baar Phir Asman Chhune ki Koshish, Kamayab Hone ki Chahat - Naye Saal ki Subah ki Pehle Kiran ke Saath……Happy and Prosperous New Year


Prof. A. K. Gupta, M.S, F.R.C.S, M.Ch.Orth 1917-2007th December 2007, just after his 90th birthday. He fought an extended battle against cancer in the last two years of his life. Throughout his active life, he displayed admirable qualities of responsibility and commitment to both patient care and teaching.Professor Arun Kumar Gupta, the doyen of Indian Orthopaedics, died on 30th December 1917. He entered Patna Medical College and obtained M.B.B.S. (1941) and M.S. General Surgery (1944). He then joined the Indian Army and served in India, Singapore and Malaysia. He left the Short Service Commission of the Army in 1947 and went to the UK, where he worked at United Liverpool Hospital. He obtained M.Ch. (Orth) from Liverpool (1951) and F.R.C.S. (1952) from Royal College of Surgeons, England. He was full of national pride and so returned to India in 1953 to join Irwin Hospital  in Delhi where he remained till 1955. His next appointment was as Lecturer of Orthopaedics at S.N. Medical College, Agra from 1955 to 1957. He then moved to G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur, as Reader in Orthopaedics and was responsible for establishing the Department of Orthopaedics there. He became Professor and Head of the Department in 1959, a position he held till his retirement in 1976. The course for M.S.Orth. degree was started at Kanpur in 1960 and in the next 15 years till his retirement, 38 M.S. and 36 D.Orth surgeons were trained. Most of his students achieved senior professional and academic positions in India and overseas.Prof. A. K. Gupta was born on 17Prof. A. K. Gupta had a positive and optimistic attitude, and did not believe in wasting time and complaining about problems. He never appeared rushed and no one ever heard him speak in a harsh voice to anyone around him. He had appropriate facial expressions, body movements and a friendly attitude, which are ingredients of lasting relationship. He was a dedicated teacher, tireless surgeon and a respected leader. Educating orthopaedic residents never took a backseat to anything. Prof. Gupta was a lifelong scholar. He read voraciously and had broad depth of knowledge of orthopaedics as well as of literature and current events.Prof. A. K. Gupta had wide-ranging clinical interests, but the topics very close to his heart were rickets and osteomalacia, paediatric femoral neck fractures, osteotomies around hip, correction of foot deformities and hand and lower limb deformities of poliomyelitis, and Hansen's disease.st Annual Conference of Indian Orthopaedic Association in 2006 at Delhi. “A.K. Gupta Trophy” is awarded to the best chapter of IOA, and the best paper presented at UP Chapter of Indian Orthopaedic Association (UPCON), gets “A.K. Gupta Gold Medal”. UPCON - 2008 and the January 2008 issue of Bone and Joint Diseases were dedicated to the memory of Prof. A. K. Gupta.He played an active role in Indian Orthopaedic Association and was its Secretary from 1963 to 1966 and then held the chair of vice-president in 1967. He was honoured with Presidency of Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA) in 1975-1976 and was awarded the highest honour of “IOA - Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 51Prof. A. K. Gupta spent a lot of time trying to impart compassion as a surgical skill. He was a very loving man and will be missed dearly not only by his family, but also by his students and all who ever came in contact with him.


Mycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex genome. This region consists of 36 bp repetitive sequences separated bynon-repetitive unique spacer sequences. Around this region there are several genescoding for proteins of unknown function. To determine whether the M. smegmatis, M.avium, M. marinum and M. leprae genomes contain sequences and ORFs similar tothose of the DR locus of the M. tuberculosis complex, we analysed the correspondingregions in these species. As a first step, some conserved genes that flank the DR genes were used as markersto locate the corresponding orthologues in M. smegmatis, M. avium, M. marinum andM. leprae in silico. Most of these M. tuberculosis marker genes have highly similarorthologues located in the same order and orientation in the other mycobacteria. Incontrast, no orthologues were found for ORFs Rv2801–Rv2824, suggesting that thesegenes are unique to M. tuberculosis within the genus Mycobacterium.We observed thatin M. smegmatis and M. avium, Rv2800 and Rv2825 are adjacent.This observation was experimentally confirmed by PCR. In conclusion, as the DR locus and the ORFsaround it are absent in M. smegmatis and M. avium and, as it is possible that thesespecies are older than M. tuberculosis, we postulated that the DR locus was acquiredby the M. tuberculosis complex species or by an ancestor bacterium.The direct repeat (DR) region is a singular locus of the


Correction to:British Journal of Cancer (2008) 98, 1085–1093. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6604281During revision and subsequent submission of the above paper to the journal, an author's name, Rajmohan Murali, was omitted from the authors list. The complete list of authors is given above.