Nm23‐H1 and nm23‐H2 are putative metastasis suppressor genes that encode nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) A and B. NDPKs form oligomers distributed between soluble and particulate fractions of cells and therefore may exert their effects as either soluble or bound proteins. To determine whether metastasis‐related functions of NDPKs are mediated by their catalytic activity in membrane bound or soluble complexes, we have stably transfected highly metastatic human melanoma Line IV Cl 1 cells with wild‐type and catalytically inactive (H118Y) nm23‐H1 and nm23‐H2 genes and assayed their metastatic potential in nude mice. Transfection with wild‐type nm23‐H1 and nm23‐H2 genes and catalytically inactive nm23‐H1 did not significantly (all p > 0.10) alter the metastatic potential of Line IV Cl 1 cells while transfection with catalytically inactive nm23‐H2 significantly (p < 0.01) reduced their metastatic potential. The lack of effect of transfection with wild‐type and catalytically inactive nm23‐H1 suggests that neither soluble nor membrane bound NDPK A affect the metastatic potential of Line IV Cl 1 cells. The metastasis suppressive effect of catalytically inactive NDPK B overexpression suggests that competition with bound complexes containing catalytically active NDPK B inhibits metastasis of Line IV Cl 1 cells. These results imply that bound NDPK B promotes metastasis and suggest that inhibition of its function or of its binding to critical sites may be a useful approach to limit the development of metastases in human melanoma. Int. J. Cancer 88:547–553, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Background: Associated health risks and increasing mortality with tobacco consumption has been increasing. If people involved in health care of the community practice the same it may further increase the magnitude of problem. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and reasons of tobacco consumption among health care workers (housekeeping staff and nursing orderlies) of a tertiary care center in Haryana, India. Methods: It was a fully mixed concurrent dominant status design with dominant quantitative part where cross sectional design was used. The qualitative component used phenomenology. All the housekeeping staff and nursing orderlies working (306 total) at a tertiary care center, Faridabad were recruited in the study. In depth interview was conducted on twenty workers (12 housekeeping staff and 8 nursing). Results: Overall prevalence of tobacco consumption was 43.4%. Among tobacco users, smokeless tobacco was used by more than half of housekeeping staff (53.2%). Nursing orderly preferred smoked form i.e. cigarette (41%). Participants discussed social and cultural conditions in Haryana under which smoking hookah are practiced and maintained. Smoking as a means of socializing and relaxation were consistently discussed as the main reasons for continued use in everyday lives. Working condition was a compelling factor for housekeeping staff leading to its continuous use to carry on the current job. Conclusion: Tobacco consumption among health workers is higher as compared to general population. Appreciating their diverse representations their attitudes towards health and anti-tobacco measures; would increase acceptance of policies and probability that can lead to positive outcomes.

BACKGROUND Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a disease of multiple aetiology and its importance lies in its chronicity and dreaded complications. Both Gram-positive and negative organisms are responsible for infection of the middle ear. Due to advent of newer and sophisticated antibiotics, the microbiological flora is changing constantly. This requires a reappraisal of the flora in CSOM and their in vitro antibiotic sensitivity pattern in cases of CSOM, which do not respond to local antibiotics. The frequent presence of CSOM in general practice and its poor response to the routine treatment are the factors responsible for undertaking this study. MATERIALS AND METHODSOne hundred and fifty patients with tubotympanic type of CSOM were prospectively studied. They had chronic ear discharge and had not received antibiotics for the previous five days. Swabs were taken and cultured for bacteria. The standard method of isolation and identification was followed. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the bacterial isolates was performed by Kirby-Bauer's disc diffusion method. RESULTSAnalysis of bacterial flora of the present study showed predominance of Gram-negative bacilli (41.4%). The highest incidence (36.5%) was that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by Staphylococcus aureus (29.5%). Overall most sensitive antibiotic groups were Fluoroquinolones and Cephalosporins and least effective were Penicillin and Macrolides. CONCLUSIONThe outcome of our study enabled us to set an empirical medical treatment for an early resolution of ear discharge and inflammation in our patients with CSOM as we could understand the aetiological pathogens and their susceptibility pattern. Effective medical treatment in obtaining a discharge free ear prior to surgical treatment led us to improve the surgical outcome in our patients with CSOM.

Background: Depression is a hidden pandemic among adolescents with multi-factorial causal risk and risk correlates. Objectives: To find the prevalence of depression and risk factors among school-going adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 838 adolescents enrolled in 6 th –11 th standards (age: 11–19 years) in 15 urban schools in Patna city by using the modified Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); binary logistic regression was applied to find significant risk correlates. Results: Depression was noted among 51.2% adolescents of our study participants: mild 32.3%, moderate 14.3%, moderately severe 3.9%, severe depression 0.6%; among early adolescents (46.2%; boys-21.2%, girls-78.8%) and among late adolescents (55.3%, boys-34.7%, girls-65.3%). Adolescent depression was significantly associated in our study with female gender, late adolescence, higher classes (9th–11th), vegetarian diet, soft drink consumption, fast foods, screen time, domestic harassment, academic dissatisfaction, parental discord as well as mental illness. Girls had higher risk who were in higher classes, on a vegetarian diet, habitually on soft drink, more screen time (>3 h), face more family nuisance, parents brawling frequently, and suffering from known mental diseases. Conclusion: Depression was noted in more than half of the adolescents, with a higher prevalence in girls, scholastic failure, higher grades, vegetarian diet, more screen time, familial disease, and conflict.

Achieving a strict glycaemic control is the key factor in diabetes management and associated complications. Although A1C is the best indicator of overall glycaemic control during the previous 2-3 months and remains the gold standard for assessing glycaemic control in patients with diabetes. But in low resource setting areas where HbA1c is a costlier affair, postprandial plasma glucose estimation can be a good alternative in estimating glycaemic control. By analyzing the results from many previous papers on glycaemic profiles, we conclude that contribution of postprandial plasma glucose was relatively high in patients with fairly good control of diabetes (HbA1c <7.5%) and decreased progressively with worsening diabetes (HbA1c >10.2%). Whereas the contribution of fasting plasma glucose showed a consistent contribution with increasing levels of HbA1c. So, we can understand that post-meal glycemia was a better predictor of good or satisfactory control of diabetes (HbA1c <7.5%) than was fasting glucose. Postprandial plasma glucose is the prominent contributor in patients with satisfactory to good control of diabetes, whereas the contribution of fasting plasma glucose increases with worsening diabetes. Hence, PPG is better in predicting overall glycaemic control in the absence of HbA1c.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the major non-communicable health problems of 21st century associated high morbidity and mortality, global burden of which increasing day by day. Hypertension is a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases which affects people silently all over the world. It is suggested that hypertension has its origin in childhood but goes undetected unless specically looked for during this period. Thus early detection of hypertension and its precipitating or aggravating factors are important if one is to evolve measures so that complications of hypertension can be averted. To estimate prevalence of Hypertension among Adolescent school students, to studyObjectives: distribution of blood pressure of adolescent school students according to age, sex and height and to identify the socio demographic and behavioral factors associated with Hypertension among school students. This was School based, epidemiological, observational Study wasMethods: conducted in two Government co-education secondary and higher secondary (H.S) schools in urban area of Patna Bihar. In Female Group,Result: 15(8.2%) students had SBP <90 mm Hg, 127(69.4%) school students had 91-119 mm Hg systolic blood pressure, 37(20.2%) school students had 120-129 mm Hg systolic blood pressure. In Male Group, 36(17.6%) students had SBP of <90 mm Hg, 93(45.6%) students had 91-119 mm Hg systolic blood pressure, 35.8%school students had SBP between 120-129mm Hg and SBP 2 male students was 130 mm Hg or more. In Female Group, DBP of 156(85.2%) students were between 51-79 mm Hg, and 27(14.8%) students had DBP of ≥80 mm Hg. In Male Group, 10(4.9%) students had DBP of ≤50mm Hg, 178(87.3%) students had 51-79mm Hg of Diastolic blood pressure and 16(7.8%) school students had ≥80mm Hg DBP. Findings of the study is expected to be of much help to the public health programme planner and manages to ne tune strategicConclusion: intervention for reducing non-communicable disease burden in the country.

Introduction: In developing countries like India, the comprehension of rubella virus illness, its consequences, and vaccine are nominal. Rubella virus infection occurring during pregnancy could lead to congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Aim: The study aimed to know the awareness among young women healthcare practitioners of the reproductive age group towards rubella virus illness, its impacts, and vaccination. Method: The research had been carried out on 200 medical practitioner women of reproductive age category between 18 and 40 years. A restructured questionnaire-based interview has been conducted to check their comprehension about it. Result: Nearly all women of reproductive age did not know about the occurrence of rubella virus disease, its consequences, and vaccination. Conclusion: The research shows the absence of knowledge of rubella virus disease and demands for awareness programs to advertise properly in Bihar.

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a rare tumor arising from the mesenchymal lining and commonly arising near proximity of joint. The tumor is difficult to diagnose initially or can be misdiagnosed due to its site and slow-growing potential. This is a malignant tumor with genetic predisposition and has a poor prognosis, if metastasizes to distant organs. The current study tries to describe the clinical, histopathological and immunochemistry findings of synovial sarcoma. A case of SSs presented in our institute for surgery and histopathological examination. Relevant history was taken retrospectively and consent of the patient was also taken. The treatment modality consists of wide excision surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. In this case, a 35 years old having tumor growth involving thigh area, the excised tumor was sent to our department for histopathological examination. On HPE, monophasic spindle cell tumor was diagnosed with differential diagnosis of SS or malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and immunohistochemistry staining was done for further confirmation.