Modulation of intrinsic defects in vertically grown ZnO nanorods by ion implantation.

Intrinsic defects created by chemically inert gas (Xe) ion implantation in vertically grown ZnO nanorods are studied by optical and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The surface defects produced due to dynamic sputtering by ion beams control the fraction of O and Zn with ion fluence, which helps in tuning the optoelectronic properties. The forbidden Raman modes related to Zn interstitials and oxygen vacancies are observed because of the weak Fröhlich interaction, which arises due to disruption of the long-range lattice order. The evolution of the lattice disorder is identified by O K-edge and Zn K-edge scans of XAS. The hybridization strength between the O 2p and Zn 4p states increases with ion fluence and modulates the impact of intrinsic defects. The ion irradiation induced defects also construct intermediate defects bands which reduce the optical bandgap. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to correlate the experimentally observed trend of bandgap narrowing with the origin of electronic states related to Zn interstitial and O vacancy defects within the forbidden energy gap in ZnO. Our finding can be beneficial to achieve enhanced conductivity in ZnO by accurately varying the intrinsic defects through ion irradiation, which may work as a tuning knob to control the optoelectronic properties of the system.

Long-term variability of trace gases over the Indian Western Himalayan Region.

The four-year continuous measurements of CO, NOx, NH3, SO2, and O3 were carried at a high altitude site (32.12°N, 76.56°E at 1347 m AMSL) of the Indian Western Himalayan area to study the mixing ratios of these gases for understanding the changing trends of these trace gases over the region. Each of these trace gases showed significant daily and monthly variabilities. The highest variability was recorded in the monthly mean values of O3 as it varied from 10 to 63 ppb during the study period. All the trace gases except CO showed maximum variability in the pre-monsoon seasons due to the strong advection and vertical circulation of air masses at the site. The seasonal mean maxima of CO were recorded during the monsoon season, while the mean maxima of NH3 were recorded during the post-monsoon seasons. The meteorological parameters have been found to influence the mixing ratios of trace gases. The least variability in the mean seasonal mixing ratios of SO2 during the study period indicated the constant point source of SO2 near the site. The trajectories analysis revealed that the area receives maximum air masses from the southeast to the west directions where a number of the coal-based thermal power plants, industries, cement plants, and agricultural fields are also located. The influence of valley-to-mountain circulations was also observed at the site, resulting in the transport of pollutant-rich air masses from local and distant sources to the site. A comparison of the mixing ratios of different trace gases obtained in the present study is also made with the values reported for other high altitude stations in the world.

Findings from the 2017 HIV estimation round & trend analysis of key indicators 2010-2017: Evidence for prioritising HIV/AIDS programme in India.

Background & objectives: The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and the ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, the nodal agency for conducting HIV estimations in India, have been generating HIV estimates regularly since 2003. The objective of this study was to describe India's biennial HIV estimation 2017 process, data inputs, tool, methodology and epidemiological assumptions used to generate the HIV estimates and trends of key indicators for 2010-2017 at national and State/Union Territory levels. Methods: Demographic Projection (DemProj) and AIDS Impact Modules (AIM) of Spectrum 5.63 software recommended by the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS Global Reference Group on HIV Estimates, Modelling and Projections, were used for generating HIV estimations on key indicators. HIV sentinel surveillance, epidemiological and programme data were entered into Estimation Projection Package (EPP), and curve fitting was done using EPP classic model. Finally, calibration was done using the State HIV prevalence of two rounds of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) -3 and -4 and Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance (IBBS), 2014-2015. Results: The national adult prevalence of HIV was estimated to be 0.22 per cent in 2017. Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland had the highest prevalence over one per cent. An estimated 2.1 million people were living with HIV in 2017, with Maharashtra estimated to have the highest number. Of the 88 thousand annual new HIV infections estimated nationally in 2017, Telangana accounted for the largest share. HIV incidence was found to be higher among key population groups, especially people who inject drugs. The annual AIDS-related deaths were estimated to be 69 thousand nationally. For all indicators, geographic variation in levels and trends between States existed. Interpretation & conclusions: With a slow decline in annual new HIV infections by only 27 per cent from 2010 to 2017 against the national target of 75 per cent by 2020, the national target to end AIDS by 2030 may be missed; although at the sub-national level some States have made better progress to reduce new HIV infection. It calls for reinforcement of HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment efforts by geographical regions and population groups.

A setup for Seebeck coefficient measurement through controlled heat pulses.

A setup is designed for measuring the Seebeck coefficient (S) of materials in the form of thin films, bars, and wires. The main feature of this setup is its control in heating and cooling cycles. In this setup, a heat pulse is used to generate the temperature gradient. To demonstrate the capabilities of this setup, S versus T of standard wire samples such as Au-Fe (0.07%), chromel, Pt, and thin films of Pt and F doped SnO2 are presented. The standard uncertainty of the repeatability in the S measurement is found to be ∼±0.056 µV/K while the temperature stability is ∼±10 mK (at 320 K), estimated for a chromel wire sample. We have tested the setup in the temperature range 100 K-320 K, while it does not have any intrinsic limitations in going down to liquid He temperatures. For temperatures above 320 K, the limitation is due to gluing materials such as varnish.

Efficient multicolor tunability of ultrasmall ternary-doped LaF3 nanoparticles: energy conversion and magnetic behavior.

Luminescence-tunable multicolored LaF3:xCe3+,xGd3+,yEu3+ (x = 5; y = 1, 5, 10, and 15 mol%) nanoparticles have been synthesized via a low cost polyol method. Powder X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies confirm the hexagonal phase of the LaF3:xCe3+,xGd3+,yEu3+ nanophosphors with average sizes (oval shape) ranging from 5 to 7 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses show the uniform distribution of Ce3+, Gd3+, and Eu3+ dopants in the LaF3 host matrix. The photoluminescence spectra and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements guarantee the presence of Eu2+, corroborated through DC susceptibility measurements of the samples displaying paramagnetic behavior at 300 K, whereas weak ferromagnetic ordering is shown at 2 K. The non-radiative energy transfer processes from the 4f(2F5/2) → 5d state (Ce3+) to the intraconfigurational 4f excited levels of rare earth ions and simultaneous emissions in the visible region from the 4f65d1 (Eu2+) and 5D0 (Eu3+) emitting levels, leading to overlapped broad and narrow emission bands, have been proclaimed. The energy transfer mechanism proposes involvement of the Gd3+ ion sub-lattice as the bridge and finally trapping by Eu2+/3+, upon excitation of the Ce3+ ion. The calculation of experimental intensity parameters (Ω2,4) has been discussed and the highest emission quantum efficiency (η = 85%) of the Eu3+ ion for the y = 10 mol% sample is reported. The advantageous existence of the Eu2+/Eu3+ ratio along with variously doped nanomaterials described in this work, results in tunable emission color in the blue-white-red regions, highlighting the potential application of the samples in solid-state lighting devices, scintillation devices, and multiplex detection.

The influence of carbon concentration on the electronic structure and magnetic properties of carbon implanted ZnO thin films.

The influence of carbon concentration on the electronic and magnetic properties of C-implanted ZnO thin films has been studied using synchrotron radiation based X-ray absorption spectroscopic techniques and vibrating sample magnetometer measurements. 20 keV carbon ions were implanted in ZnO films with different fluences (2 × 1016, 4 × 1016 and 6 × 1016 ions per cm2). The pristine ZnO film shows diamagnetic behaviour while the C-implanted films exhibit room temperature ferromagnetism. Our first-principles calculations based on density functional theory show an appreciable magnetic moment only when the implanted C atom sits either in the O-site (2 µB) or in the interstitial position (1.88 µB), whereas the C atom in the Zn substitutional position does not possess any magnetic moment. X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis at the O K-edge reveals that the charge transfer from O-2p to the C-defect site causes the ferromagnetism in the C-implanted ZnO film at low fluence. However at high fluence, the implanted C replaces the lattice and produces more Zn vacancies, as evidenced by extended X-ray absorption fine structure studies at the Zn K-edge, which favors the ferromagnetism. The persistence of the implanted carbon and ferromagnetism of the C-implanted ZnO film has also been studied by isothermal annealing at 500 °C and discussed in detail.

Potassium channel gene associations with joint processing speed and white matter impairments in schizophrenia.

Patients with schizophrenia show decreased processing speed on neuropsychological testing and decreased white matter integrity as measured by diffusion tensor imaging, two traits shown to be both heritable and genetically associated indicating that there may be genes that influence both traits as well as schizophrenia disease risk. The potassium channel gene family is a reasonable candidate to harbor such a gene given the prominent role potassium channels play in the central nervous system in signal transduction, particularly in myelinated axons. We genotyped members of the large potassium channel gene family focusing on putatively functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a population of 363 controls, 194 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) and 28 patients with affective disorders with psychotic features who completed imaging and neuropsychological testing. We then performed three association analyses using three phenotypes - processing speed, whole-brain white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) and schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis. We extracted SNPs showing an association at a nominal P value of <0.05 with all three phenotypes in the expected direction: decreased processing speed, decreased FA and increased risk of SSD. A single SNP, rs8234, in the 3' untranslated region of voltage-gated potassium channel subfamily Q member 1 (KCNQ1) was identified. Rs8234 has been shown to affect KCNQ1 expression levels, and KCNQ1 levels have been shown to affect neuronal action potentials. This exploratory analysis provides preliminary data suggesting that KCNQ1 may contribute to the shared risk for diminished processing speed, diminished white mater integrity and increased risk of schizophrenia.

Correlations of charge neutrality level with electronic structure and p-d hybridization.

The formation of charge neutrality level (CNL) in highly conducting Cadmium oxide (CdO) thin films is demonstarted by the observed variation in the band gap upon annealing and doping. It may be explained by the observation that Tin (Sn) doping breaks the perfect periodicity of CdO cubic crystal structure and creates virtual gap states (ViGS). The level of local CNL resides at the branch point of ViGS, making the energy at which native defect's character changes from predominantly donor-like below CNL to predominantly acceptor-like above the CNL and a schematic band diagram is developed to substantiate the same. Further investigations using soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy (SXAS) at Oxygen and Cadmium edges show the reduction of Sn4+ to Sn2+. The analysis of the spectral features has revealed an evidence of p-d interaction between O 2p and Cd 4d orbitals that pushes the valence band minima at higher energies which is symmetry forbidden at г point and causing a positive valance band dispersion away from the zone centre in the г ~ L, K direction. Thus, origin of the CNL is attributed to the high density of the Oxygen vacancies as confirmed by the change in the local electronic structure and p-d hybridization of orbitals.

Synthesis, phase composition, Mössbauer and magnetic characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles.

The present work describes the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of Fe-precursors in argon and vacuum environments with control over particle size distribution, phase composition and the resulting magnetic properties. The Rietveld refinement analysis of X-ray diffraction data revealed the crystallinity as well the single-phase of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles prepared under vacuum, whereas the argon environment leads to the formation of multi-phase composition of γ-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 (90%) and wustite (10%). Synchrotron X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) indicates that the predominant phase in both samples is γ-Fe2O3, which is subsequently verified from the Mössbauer spectra. DC magnetic measurements indicate behavior typical of a superparamagnetic system validated by Mössbauer analysis. However, further investigation of ac susceptibility by typical Néel-Arrhenius and Vogel Fulcher magnetic models suggests an influence of interparticle interactions on the overall magnetic behavior of the system.

Electronic structure modification and Fermi level shifting in niobium-doped anatase titanium dioxide thin films: a comparative study of NEXAFS, work function and stiffening of phonons.

The electronic structure and tuning of work function (WF) by electronic excitations (EEs) induced by swift heavy ions (SHIs) in anatase niobium-doped titanium dioxide (NTO) thin films is reported. The densities of EEs were varied using 80 MeV O, 130 MeV Ni and 120 MeV Ag ions for irradiation. The EE-induced modifications in electronic structure were studied by O K-edge and Ti L3,2 edge absorption spectra using near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The reduction of hybridized O 2p and Ti 3d unoccupied states in the conduction band with a decrease in energy of the crystal field strength of ∼ 480 meV and the correlated effect on the decrease in the WF value of ∼ 520 meV upon increasing the total energy deposition in the lattice are evident from the study of NEXAFS and scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM), respectively. The observed stiffening in the low frequency Raman mode (LFRM) of ∼ 9 cm(-1) further validates the electronic structure modification under the influence of EE-induced strain in TiO6 octahedra. The reduction of hybridized valence states, stiffening behavior of LFRM and decrease in WF by nano-crystallization followed by amorphization and defects in NTO lattice are explained in terms of continuous, discontinuous amorphous ion tracks containing intestinally created defects and non-stoichiometry in the lattice. These studies are very appropriate for better insights of electronic structure modification during phase transformation and controlled Fermi level shifting, which plays a crucial role in controlling the charge carrier injection efficiency in opto-electronic applications and also provides a deeper understanding of the involved physical processes.

Establishing integrated rural-urban cohorts to assess air pollution-related health effects in pregnant women, children and adults in Southern India: an overview of objectives, design and methods in the Tamil Nadu Air Pollution and Health Effects (TAPHE) study.

INTRODUCTION: In rapidly developing countries such as India, the ubiquity of air pollution sources in urban and rural communities often results in ambient and household exposures significantly in excess of health-based air quality guidelines. Few efforts, however, have been directed at establishing quantitative exposure-response relationships in such settings. We describe study protocols for The Tamil Nadu Air Pollution and Health Effects (TAPHE) study, which aims to examine the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposures and select maternal, child and adult health outcomes in integrated rural-urban cohorts. METHODS AND ANALYSES: The TAPHE study is organised into five component studies with participants drawn from a pregnant mother-child cohort and an adult cohort (n=1200 participants in each cohort). Exposures are assessed through serial measurements of 24-48 h PM2.5 area concentrations in household microenvironments together with ambient measurements and time-activity recalls, allowing exposure reconstructions. Generalised additive models will be developed to examine the association between PM2.5 exposures, maternal (birth weight), child (acute respiratory infections) and adult (chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function) health outcomes while adjusting for multiple covariates. In addition, exposure models are being developed to predict PM2.5 exposures in relation to household and community level variables as well as to explore inter-relationships between household concentrations of PM2.5 and air toxics. Finally, a bio-repository of peripheral and cord blood samples is being created to explore the role of gene-environment interactions in follow-up studies. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocols have been approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Sri Ramachandra University, the host institution for the investigators in this study. Study results will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. In addition, policy-relevant recommendations are also being planned to inform ongoing national air quality action plans concerning ambient and household air pollution.

Prevalence of and risk factors for hypertension in urban and rural India: the ICMR-INDIAB study.

The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) and its risk factors in urban and rural India. In Phase I of the Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study, individuals aged ⩾20 years were surveyed using a stratified multistage sampling design, in three states (Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Jharkhand) and one union territory (Chandigarh) of India. Blood pressure was measured in all study subjects (n=14 059). HTN was defined as systolic blood pressure ⩾140 mm Hg, and/or DBP ⩾90 mm Hg and/or use of antihypertensive drugs. Overall age-standardized prevalence of HTN was 26.3% (self-reported: 5.5%; newly detected: 20.8%). Urban residents of Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Chandigarh and Maharashtra (31.5, 28.9, 30.7 and 28.1%) had significantly higher prevalence of HTN compared with rural residents (26.2, 21.7, 19.8 and 24.0%, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age, male gender, urban residence, generalized obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with HTN. Salt intake ⩾6.5 g per day, showed significantly higher risk for HTN (odds ratio: 1.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.0-1.9, P=0.042) even after adjusting for confounding variables. In conclusion, prevalence of undiagnosed HTN is high in India and this calls for regular screening.

Indian Council of Medical Research consensus document for the management of tongue cancer.

The document is based on consensus among the experts and best available evidence pertaining to Indian population and is meant for practice in India.Early diagnosis is imperative in improving outcomes and preserving quality of life. High index of suspicion is to be maintained for leukoplakia (high risk site).Evaluation of a patient with newly diagnosed tongue cancer should include essential tests: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is investigative modality of choice when indicated. Computed tomography (CT) scan is an option when MRI is unavailable. In early lesions when imaging is not warranted ultrasound may help guide management of the neck.Early stage cancers (stage I & II) require single modality treatment - either surgery or radiotherapy. Surgery is preferred. Adjuvant radiotherapy is indicated for T3/T4 cancers, presence of high risk features [lymphovascular emboli (LVE), perineural invasion (PNI), poorly differentiated, node +, close margins). Adjuvant chemoradiation (CTRT) is indicated for positive margins and extranodal disease.Locally advanced operable cancers (stage III & IVA) require combined multimodality treatment - surgery + adjuvant treatment. Adjuvant treatment is indicated in all and in the presence of high risk features as described above.Locally advanced inoperable cancers (stage IVB) are treated with palliative chemo-radiotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or symptomatic treatment depending upon the performance status. Select cases may be considered for neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical salvage.Metastatic disease (stage IVC) should be treated with a goal for palliation. Chemotherapy may be offered to patients with good performance status. Local treatment in the form of radiotherapy may be added for palliation of symptoms.Intense follow-up every 3 months is required for initial 2 years as most recurrences occur in the first 24 months. After 2(nd) year follow up is done at 4-6 months interval. At each follow up screening for local/regional recurrence and second primary is done. Imaging is done only when indicated.

Knowledge and awareness of diabetes in urban and rural India: The Indian Council of Medical Research India Diabetes Study (Phase I): Indian Council of Medical Research India Diabetes 4.

BACKGROUND: Representative data on knowledge and awareness about diabetes is scarce in India and is extremely important to plan public health policies aimed at preventing and controlling diabetes. AIM: The aim of the following study is to assess awareness and knowledge about diabetes in the general population, as well as in individuals with diabetes in four selected regions of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study subjects were drawn from a representative sample of four geographical regions of India, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand and Maharashtra representing North, South, East and West and covering a population of 213 million. A total of 16,607 individuals (5112 urban and 11,495 rural) aged ≥20 years were selected from 188 urban and 175 rural areas. Awareness of diabetes and knowledge of causative factors and complications of diabetes were assessed using an interviewer administered structured questionnaire in 14,274 individuals (response rate, 86.0%), which included 480 self-reported diabetic subjects. RESULTS: Only 43.2% (6160/14,274) of the overall study population had heard about a condition called diabetes. Overall urban residents had higher awareness rates (58.4%) compared to rural residents (36.8%) (P < 0.001). About 46.7% of males and 39.6% of females reported that they knew about a condition called diabetes (P < 0.001). Of the general population, 41.5% (5726/13,794) knew about a condition called diabetes. Among them, 80.7% (4620/5726) knew that the prevalence of diabetes was increasing, whereas among diabetic subjects, it was 93.0% (448/480). Among the general and diabetic population, 56.3% and 63.4% respectively, were aware that diabetes could be prevented. Regarding complications, 51.5% of the general population and 72.7% diabetic population knew that diabetes could affect other organs. Based on a composite knowledge score to assess knowledge among the general population, Tamil Nadu had the highest (31.7) and Jharkhand the lowest score (16.3). However among self-reported diabetic subjects, Maharashtra had the highest (70.1) and Tamil Nadu, the lowest score (56.5). CONCLUSION: Knowledge and awareness about diabetes in India, particularly in rural areas, is poor. This underscores the need for conducting large scale diabetes awareness and education programs.

Resonant scattering and diffraction beamline P09 at PETRA III.

The resonant scattering and diffraction beamline P09 at PETRA III is designed for X-ray experiments requiring small beams, energy tunability, variable polarization and high photon flux. It is highly flexible in terms of beam size and offers full higher harmonic suppression. A state-of-the-art double phase-retarder set-up provides variable linear or circular polarization. A high-precision Psi-diffractometer and a heavy-load diffractometer in horizontal Psi-geometry allow the accommodation of a wide variety of sample environments. A 14 T cryo-magnet is available for scattering experiments in magnetic fields.

Electric-field-induced polar order and localization of the confined electrons in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures.

With ellipsometry, x-ray diffraction, and resistance measurements we investigated the electric-field effect on the confined electrons at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface. We obtained evidence that the localization of the electrons at negative gate voltage is induced, or at least enhanced, by a polar phase transition in SrTiO3 which strongly reduces the lattice polarizability and the subsequent screening. In particular, we show that the charge localization and the polar order of SrTiO3 both develop below ∼50 K and exhibit similar, unipolar hysteresis loops as a function of the gate voltage.

Reference equation for the 6-minute walk test in healthy North Indian adult males.

SETTING: Lala Ram Swarup Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, New Delhi, India. BACKGROUND: The 6-min walk distance (6MWD) correlates well with functional capacity. However, previous reference equations for the 6MWD have failed to accurately predict the 6MWD due to variations in population ethnicity and geography. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were 1) to measure 6MWD in healthy North Indian adult males, 2) to determine the applicability of Enright and Sherrill's reference equation to healthy North Indian adult males, and 3) to develop a regression equation for Indian males. DESIGN: After physical examination and investigations, the 6-minute walk test was conducted in male subjects aged 40-60 years. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) 6MWD was 536.1 ± 46.9 m. Enright and Sherrill's reference equation did not correctly predict distance in an Indian population: walk distance was overestimated by a mean (±SD) of 46.8 ± 32.9 m. The regression equation developed for males was 6MWD (m) = 3.654 × height (cm) - 4.139 × age (years) + 127.121, and accounted for 63.9% of total variance. CONCLUSIONS: Enright and Sherrill's equation cannot be used to predict the 6MWD in healthy North Indian adult males. The new regression equation is expected to prove useful for various purposes in healthy North Indian adult males.

Prevalence of ß-thalassemia and other haemoglobinopathies in six cities in India: a multicentre study.

The population of India is extremely diverse comprising of more than 3,000 ethnic groups who still follow endogamy. Haemoglobinopathies are the commonest hereditary disorders in India and pose a major health problem. The data on the prevalence of ß-thalassemias and other haemoglobinopathies in different caste/ethnic groups of India is scarce. Therefore the present multicentre study was undertaken in six cities of six states of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka and Punjab) to determine the prevalence of haemoglobinopathies in different caste/ethnic groups using uniform methodology. Fifty-six thousand seven hundred eighty individuals (college students and pregnant women) from different caste/ethnic groups were screened. RBC indices were measured on an automated haematology counter while the percentage of HbA(2), HbF and other abnormal Hb variants were estimated by HPLC on the Variant Hemoglobin Testing System. The overall prevalence of ß-thalassemia trait was 2.78 % and varied from 1.48 to 3.64 % in different states, while the prevalence of ß-thalassemia trait in 59 ethnic groups varied from 0 to 9.3 %. HbE trait was mainly seen in Dibrugarh in Assam (23.9 %) and Kolkata in West Bengal (3.92 %). In six ethnic groups from Assam, the prevalence of HbE trait varied from 41.1 to 66.7 %. Few subjects with δß-thalassemia, HPFH, HbS trait, HbD trait, HbE homozygous and HbE ß-thalassemia as well as HbS homozygous and HbS-ß-thalassemia (<1 %) were also identified. This is the first large multicentre study covering cities from different regions of the country for screening for ß-thalassemia carriers and other haemoglobinopathies where uniform protocols and methodology was followed and quality control ensured by the co-ordinating centre. This study also shows that establishment of centres for screening for ß-thalassemia and other haemoglobinopathies is possible in medical colleges. Creating awareness, screening and counselling can be done at these centres. This experience will help to formulate a national thalassemia control programme in India.

Prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance) in urban and rural India: phase I results of the Indian Council of Medical Research-INdia DIABetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: This study reports the results of the first phase of a national study to determine the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance) in India. METHODS: A total of 363 primary sampling units (188 urban, 175 rural), in three states (Tamilnadu, Maharashtra and Jharkhand) and one union territory (Chandigarh) of India were sampled using a stratified multistage sampling design to survey individuals aged ≥ 20 years. The prevalence rates of diabetes and prediabetes were assessed by measurement of fasting and 2 h post glucose load capillary blood glucose. RESULTS: Of the 16,607 individuals selected for the study, 14,277 (86%) participated, of whom 13,055 gave blood samples. The weighted prevalence of diabetes (both known and newly diagnosed) was 10.4% in Tamilnadu, 8.4% in Maharashtra, 5.3% in Jharkhand, and 13.6% in Chandigarh. The prevalences of prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance) were 8.3%, 12.8%, 8.1% and 14.6% respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, male sex, family history of diabetes, urban residence, abdominal obesity, generalised obesity, hypertension and income status were significantly associated with diabetes. Significant risk factors for prediabetes were age, family history of diabetes, abdominal obesity, hypertension and income status. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATIONS: We estimate that, in 2011, Maharashtra will have 6 million individuals with diabetes and 9.2 million with prediabetes, Tamilnadu will have 4.8 million with diabetes and 3.9 million with prediabetes, Jharkhand will have 0.96 million with diabetes and 1.5 million with prediabetes, and Chandigarh will have 0.12 million with diabetes and 0.13 million with prediabetes. Projections for the whole of India would be 62.4 million people with diabetes and 77.2 million people with prediabetes.

Effect of camel milk on glucose metabolism in adults with normal glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes in Raica community: a crossover study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate effects of camel milk consumption on insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in normal and type-2 diabetics of Raika and Non-Raika community. METHODS: 28 raika and non-raika male were enrolled in study, categorized in 2 groups, non-diabetic and diabetic after one month stabilization. Non-diabetics were supplemented with cow milk and diabetics with camel milk; followed by one-month washout period. Afterwards regimen was interchanged for 3 months. Biochemical and anthropometric data was recorded at baseline, after stabilization, before and after washout and at end of study. RESULTS: An improving trend was observed in both the groups for camel milk effect (FBS 203.86 +/- 24.09 to 161.43 +/- 11.39 mg/dl; p<0.05, OGTT 320.86 +/- 25.34 to 213.79 +/- 15.96 mg/dl; p<0.05 in diabetics and FBS 101.79 +/- 3.06 to 96.79 +/- 2.56 mg/dl, OGTT 114.36 +/- 7.99 to 100.36 +/- 6.74 mg/dl in control). HbAlc improved due to camel milk consumption (8.39 +/- 0.64 to 7.27 +/- 0.67%) whereas deteriorated in the case of cow milk (7.36 +/- 0.66 to 8.26 +/- 0.60%) in diabetic group. The HOMA-IR reduced from 13.21 +/- 4.88 to 4.38 +/- 0.75, AUC-glucose from 37253.57 +/- 2859.08 to 30724.29 +/- 3677.33 and AUC-insulin from 5871.86 +/- 1210.73 to 3301.86 +/- 629.98 in the camel milk group. CONCLUSIONS: In type-2 diabetics camel milk reduces FBS, post-prandial glucose and HbA1c. AUC-insulin and AUC-glucose also decreased significantly along with HOMA-IR. It shows hypoglycemic effect of camel milk reducing insulin resistance. (www.actabiomedica.it).