Pramod Kumar Gupta

Somatic embryogenesis in woody plants

Section A. 1. Somatic Embryogenesis in White Spruce: Studies of Embryo Development and Cell Biology L. Kong, et al. 2. Proliferative Somatic Embryogenesis in Woody Species K. Raemakers, et al. 3. Somatic Embryo Germination and Desiccation Tolerance in Conifers E.I. Hay, P.J. Charest. 4. Performance of Conifer Stock Produced Through Somatic Embryogenesis S.C. Grossnickle. 5. Apoptosis During Early Somatic Embryogenesis in Picea spp L. Havel, D.J. Durzan. 6. Water Relation Parameters in Conifer Embryos: Methods and Results N. Dumont-Beboux, et al. 7. Image Analysis for Sorting Somatic Embryos Y. Ibaraki. 8. Somatic Embryogenesis in Woody Legumes R.N. Trigiano, et al. 9. Cold Storage and Cryopreservation of Camellia Embryogenic Cultures A.M. Vieitez, A. Ballester. 10. Cryopreservation of Embryogenic Cultures of Conifers and Its Application to Clonal Forestry D.R. Cyr. 11. Commercialization of Plant Somatic Embryogenesis B.C.S. Sutton, D.R. Polonenko. Section B. 12. Somatic Embryogenesis in Myrtaceous Plants J.M. Canhoto, et al. 13. Somatic Embryogenesis Induction in Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) J.M. Canhoto, et al. 14. Somatic Embryogenesis in Simarouba glauca Linn G.R. Rout, P. Das. 15. Somatic Embryogenesis in Magnolia spp. S.A. Merkle. 16. Somatic Embryogenesis and Evaluation of Variability in Somatic Seedlings of Quercus serata by RAPD Markers K. Ishii, et al. 17. Somatic Embryogenesis from Immature Fruit of Juglans cinerea P.M. Pijut. Section C. 18. Somatic Embrygonesis in Pinus patula Scheide et Deppe N.B. Jones, J. van Staden. 19. Somatic Embryogenesis in African Cycads (Encephalartos) A.K. Jager, J. van Staden. 20. Somatic Embryogenesis in Picea wilsonii Y. Yang, Z. Guo. 21. Somatic Embryogenesis in Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb) Y.S. Park, et al. 22. Somatic Embryogenesis in Hybrid Firs J. Jasik, et al. 23. Somatic Embryogenesis in Taxus S.R. Wann, et al.

Protocol for somatic embryogenesis in woody plants

Section A -- Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) -- Somatic Embryogenesis and Genetic Transformation in Pinus radiata -- Douglas - Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) -- Omorika Spruce (Picea omorika) -- Somatic Embryogenesis in Picea glauca -- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Black Spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) -- Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) -- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis of Pinus nigra Arn. -- Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) -- Somatic Embryogenesis in Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) -- Somatic Embryogenesis in Pinus patula -- Somatic Embryogenesis in Norway Spruce -- Section B -- Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) -- Somatic Embryogenesis Protocol: Coffee (Coffea arabica L. and C. canephora P.) -- Protocols for Somatic Embryogenesis and Plantlet Formation from Three Explants in Tea (Camellia sinensis (l.) o. kuntze) -- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis from Citrus spp. Anther Culture -- Integrated System for Propagation of Theobroma cacao L. -- Mango (Mangifera indica L.) -- Somatic Embryogenesis Injackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) -- Somatic Embryogenesis in Indian Olive (Elaeocarpus robustus L) -- Rescue of Endangered Palms by in vitro Methods: The Case of ‘Bottle Palm’ -- Somatic Embryogenesis in American Grapes (Vitis x labruscana L.H. Bailey) -- Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) -- Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) -- Date Palm Phoenix dactylifera L. -- Somatic Embryogenesis Protocol: Citrus -- Olive (Olea europaea L.) -- Section C -- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. (Sissoo) -- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) and Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea /Matt./ Liebl.) -- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Tamarillo (Cyphomandra betacea (Cav.) Sendtn.) -- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: European Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) -- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis in Acacia arabica (Lamk.) Willd. -- Protocol for Hazelnut Somatic Embryogenesis -- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Ocotea catharinensis Mez. (Lauraceae) -- Cork Oak, Quercus suber L. -- Sawara Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera Sieb. et Zucc. -- Protocol of Somatic Embryogenesis: Holm Oak (Quercus ilex L.) -- Protocols for Somatic Embryogenesis of Hybrid Firs -- Somatic Embryogenesis in Sandalwood -- Echinacea purpurea L.: Somatic Embryogenesis from Leaf Explant -- Section D -- Histological Techniques -- Bioencapsulation of Somatic Embryos in Woody Plants -- Protoplast Isolation and Culture of Woody Plants -- Cryopreservation of Embryonal Cells -- Double Staining Technology for Distinguishing Embryogenic Cultures -- Thin Cell Layer Sectioning for Inducing Somatic Embryogenesis in Woody Plants.

Kuppuswamy’s Socioeconomic Status Scale 2010—The Need for Periodic Revision

Sir,Socioeconomic status (SES) refers to an individual’sposition within a hierarchical social structure, which isone of the important determinants of health status.Composite scales are generally used to measure the SES,which has a combination of social and economic variables.The Kuppuswamy scale proposed in 1976, measures theSES of an individual based on three variables namely,education and occupation of the head of the household andincome of the family [1]. Of the three variables, educationand occupation of the head of the household do not changefrequently with time. However, the steady inflation and theresultant devaluation of the rupee necessitate periodicrevisions of the income variable. The previous revisionsof the scale were done in the years 1998 and 2007 [2, 3].The changes in the income scale are proportional to thechange in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for IndustrialWorkers—CPI (IW). The CPI values are interpreted withreference to a particular base year. The previous base yearswere 1960, 1982 and 2001. The latest CPI-(IW) availablefor December 2010 has been calculated taking 2001 as thebase year.We have attempted updating the income scale forDecember 2010 using the corresponding CPI-(IW) value. Tobegin with we calculated the income scale for the selectedyears 1982 and 2001 which coincides with change in baseyear for calculation of CPI by applying the appropriateconversion factors on the original scale (Table 1).We have presented the values for the current base year2001, which facilitates the easier updations of the incomescale every year or even every month based on the CPIrevisions. The researcher has to calculate the multiplicationfactor for the period of research by dividing the CPI valuefor the period by 100 (base value at 2001). The incomescale of 2001 is then multiplied by the multiplication factorto update the scale for the desired period. For example, theCPI value as on December 2010 is 185. So the multipli-cation factor for December 2010 is 185/100=1.85. Multi-plying the income scale of 2001 by 1.85 updates the scalefor December 2010 (Table 1).It is the responsibility of the researchers to take note ofthe periodic revisions in the CPI values before attemptingsocioeconomic classification of their study population [4].The method proposed by us makes it easy for the researcherto update the income scale to the latest available CPIvalues.

Comparison of low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide with oral mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of lupus nephritis

No previous study has compared mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) with low-dose cyclophosphamide (CYC) in the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN). To do so, we recruited patients with LN (class III, IV, or V) and randomized them to receive either low-dose CYC or oral MMF. Those with crescentic LN, a serum creatinine over 265 μmol/l, and neurological or pulmonary lupus were excluded. MMF was prescribed at daily doses of 1.5-3 g for 24 weeks, while CYC was administered as six fortnightly infusions of 500 mg each. All patients received three methylprednisolone injections, followed by oral corticosteroids. Maintenance therapy with azathioprine and low-dose corticosteroid was started at end of induction therapy. The primary end point was treatment response at 24 weeks, while secondary end points were complete remission, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index and adverse events. Of the 173 patients recruited, 100 were equally randomized to receive either CYC or MMF. Baseline characteristics were similar, except for higher 24 h proteinuria in the CYC group. At 24 weeks, 37 patients in each group achieved the primary end point. The complete remission rate was 50% in CYC and 54% in MMF group. Gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly more frequent in patients receiving MMF (52 vs. 4%). However, other adverse events were similar. Thus, low-dose intravenous CYC is comparable in safety and efficacy to oral MMF in the induction treatment of less severe LN.

Substance use and dependence in the Union Territory of Chandigarh: Results of a household survey using a multistage stratified random sample

Background: Substance misuse is a global health and social problem with major adverse consequences. A number of regional studies on prevalence of substance use and dependence have been carried out in India; but methodologically robust data from Chandigarh are sparse. Methodology: A house-to-house survey was carried out to estimate the prevalence of substance use and dependence in an adequate multistage-stratified random sample in the Union Territory (UT) of Chandigarh, using standardized instruments and predefined measures. Two thousand individuals (1000 each from urban and rural sites) from 743 households were interviewed. Results: Lifetime use of any substance was reported in 21.26% households (8.01% of all respondents; 13.6% males and 1.01% females). Current use was reported in 6.55% of respondents. Prevalence rates of both lifetime and annual/current substance dependence were 2.96% (4.74% for males and 0.72% for females). Alcohol (6.72%) was the most common substance to be ever used by respondents, followed by tobacco (3.34%), opioids (0.17%), and hypnotics (0.04%). Lifetime dependence rates were found to be 1.76%, 2.28%, 0.04% and 0.17% for alcohol, tobacco, hypnotics, and opioids, respectively. None reported the use of cannabinoids, inhalants, or stimulants. Substance users were more likely to be married, employed, and in higher income group as compared to those who never used substance. Only 3.78% substance users had ever sought treatment for the same. Conclusion: Substance use is prevalent in the UT of Chandigarh, with a higher prevalence in males. Substance users hardly ever seek treatment for substance use. This highlights the need of awareness and community-level services for the treatment of substance use disorders.

Value of minimum apparent diffusion coefficient on magnetic resonance imaging as a biomarker for predicting progression of disease following surgery and radiotherapy in glial tumors from a tertiary care center in Northern India

Purpose: Studies have shown that cellularity of glial tumors are inversely correlated to minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values derived on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The purpose of this prospective exploratory study was to evaluate whether temporal change in “minimum ADC” values during follow-up predict progressive disease in glial tumors post radiotherapy and surgery. Materials and Methods: Adult patients of glial tumors, subjected to surgery followed by Radiotherapy (RT), were included in the study. Serial conventional magnetic resonance imaging with DWI at the following time points – presurgery, pre-RT, post-RT imaging at 3, 7, and 15 months were done. For “minimum ADC” values, multiple regions of interest (ROI) were identified on ADC maps derived from DWI. A mean of 5 minimum ADC values was chosen as “minimum ADC” value. The correlation was drawn between histology and minimum ADC values and time trends were studied. Results: Fourteen patients were included in this study. Histologies were low-grade glioma (LGG) – 5, anaplastic oligodendroglioma (ODG) -5, and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) – 4. Minimum ADC values were significantly higher in LGG and GBM than ODG. Presurgery, the values were 0.812, 0.633, and 0.787 × 10−3 mm2/s for LGG, ODG, and GBM, respectively. DWI done at the time of RT planning showed values of 0.786, 0.636, 0.869 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively. During follow-up, the increasing trend of minimum ADC was observed in LGG (P = 0.02). All these patients were clinically and radiologically stable. Anaplastic ODGs, however, showed an initial increase followed by the fall of minimum ADC in all the 5 cases (P = 0.00). Four of the five cases developed progressive disease subsequently. In all the 4 GBM cases, a consistent fall of minimum ADC values was observed (P = 0.00), and they all progressed in spite of RT. Conclusions: The DWI-derived minimum ADC values are an important yet simple quantitative tool to assess the treatment response and disease progression before they are evident on conventional imaging during the follow-up of glial tumors.

Pattern and prevalence of substance use and dependence in the Union Territory of Chandigarh: Results of a rapid assessment survey

Background: Substance misuse is a matter of major public health concern in India. House-to-house survey, though an appealing method to generate population-level estimates, has limitations for estimating prevalence rates of use of illicit and rare substances. Materials and Methods: In this rapid assessment survey (RAS), respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit substance-using individuals from the field. Size of the substance-using population was estimated using the “benchmark-multiplier” method. This figure was then projected to the entire population of the Union Territory (U.T) of Chandigarh. Focused group discussions were used to study the perceptions and views of the substance users regarding various aspects of substance use. Results: Prevalence of any substance dependence in the U.T of Chandigarh was estimated to be 4.65%. Dependence rates on opioids, cannabinoids, and sedative hypnotics were found to be 1.53%, 0.52%, and 0.015%, respectively. Prevalence of injectable opioids was calculated to be 0.91%. Injectable buprenorphine was the most commonly used opioid, followed by bhukhi/doda/opium and heroin. A huge gap was found between the prevalence rates of substance-using population and those seeking treatment. Conclusion: RAS can be a useful method to determine the prevalence of illicit and rare substances. Our survey shows that the use of substance including that of opioids is highly prevalent in the U.T of Chandigarh. The findings of this survey can have implications for policymaking.

Estimation of prevalence of pretreatment renal insufficiency and use of mathematical formulae to assess the renal dysfunction in patients of head and neck cancers undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy in Northern India

Background: Cisplatin (CDDP)-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard of care in locally advanced head and neck cancers (HNCs). CDDP, a known nephrotoxic drug, has been administered in three different protocols. Baseline renal function needs to be known before CRT. Renal function can be measured directly by measuring the measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) using radioisotope and indirectly by either serum creatinine (SCR) levels or estimated GFR (eGFR) using mathematical formulae “abbreviated modification of diet in renal disease (aMDRD)” and “Cockcroft–Gault (CG).” The present study was performed to see the prevalence of pretreatment renal insufficiency (RI) in HNC patients and to find a realistic method using CG and aMDRD formulae for assessing RI instead of doing mGFR and to compare the nephrotoxicity in three CDDP protocols. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out between January 2005 and December 2006. Consecutive patients of HNC undergoing RT/CRT were included. Renal function using parameters SCR, mGFR, and eGFR using CG and aMDRD formulae was estimated for pre- and post-treatment and during follow-up. Results: Of 295 eligible patients, baseline prevalence of RI was in 17% by mGFR, 6% by SCR, 13% by aMDRD, and 41% patients by CG formula. aMDRD correlated better than CG with the mGFR. Of the 145 patients of CRT, pretreatment RI was seen in 9% by aMDRD and 30% by CG formula as compared to 12% by mGFR and post treatment RI was seen in 12% by aMDRD and 43% by CG formula. All the three CDDP protocols showed similar fall in GFR post treatment, and late renal injury at 6 months was seen in 2%, 4%, and 3%, respectively. Conclusions: RI exists in HNC patient. RI assessment by SCR is inadequate and should be done by eGFR estimation using aMDRD or CG formula if not able to do mGFR. Different CDDP protocols have similar nephrotoxicity.

Survival and failure outcomes in PCNSL with WBRT followed by CHOP Chemotherapy: An alternative treatment approach in community settings in low resource countries

Introduction: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is relatively uncommon malignancy with potentially aggressive behavior. The standard management of PCNSL is high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) based chemotherapy and whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT). This treatment is associated with toxicity and requires in-patient admission with intensive monitoring. An alternative approach with WBRT followed by systemic chemotherapy with standard cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP) regimen can be used in community settings in a cohort of patients who cannot receive the standard treatment due to logistic reasons. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patients of PCNSL treated in our institute from January 2004 to May 2010. A total of 39 patients of PCNSL were treated. All patients received WBRT followed by systemic chemotherapy with standard CHOP regimen. Survival analysis was done with Kaplan-Meier method using Statistical Package for Statistical Analysis (SPSS version 15). Prognostic factor influencing survival was evaluated using Cox regression analysis. Toxicity and overall treatment compliance analysis was also evaluated. Results: Overall compliance to RT and chemotherapy was excellent, 37 (94.9%) patients completed planned treatment within the stipulated time period. Grades II-III skin toxicity was seen in three patients and Grade II hematological toxicity was seen in two patients. At 1 month after completion of planned treatment, 15 patients had no symptoms and 20 patients had significant improvement while four patients deteriorated clinically while radiological imaging showed complete response, partial response, progression of disease in 22, 12 and 5 patients respectively. Mean overall survival (OS) was 36.34 months and median OS was 20.0 months with 3-year actuarial OS of 38%. Age of 50-year was a significant (P < 0.05) prognostic factor for survival. Conclusions: The standard of care in management of PCNSL is HD-MTX based chemotherapy. However, considering poor compliance and tolerability to treatment in low resource countries in routine clinical setting, WBRT followed by systemic chemotherapy with standard CHOP regimen for treatment of PCNSL demonstrate reasonably good outcome. This regimen is quite economic as well as simple to implement.

Long-term results of low dose daily cisplatin chemotherapy used concurrently with modestly accelerated radiotherapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head neck cancer region

Introduction: Concurrent single agent cisplatin (CDDP) with radiotherapy (RT) improves outcomes in locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head neck (LA-SCCHN). CDDP at 100 mg/m 2 at 3 weekly intervals raise compliance, hospitalization, and supportive care issues. Low dose daily CDDP was delivered with RT to evaluate its compliance, long-term safety and efficacy. Patients and Methods: During the period of month between November 2005 and May 2007, 52 patients of stage III/IV LA-SCCHN were given with conventional RT in a phased manner (dose-70 Gy/35 fractions/6 weeks) along with daily CDDP (6 mg/m 2 ; capped 10 mg-30 cycles) over 6 weeks. No hospitalization or antiemetic cover was planned. Compliance, acute and late toxicity were recorded as per Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer grading system and survival outcomes were evaluated. Results : The median follow-up was 63 months. 43 (83%) cases complied with RT schedule and >28 cycles of CDDP was administered in 38 (73%) cases. Confluent mucositis was seen in 65%, Grade III/IV dysphagia in 67%; 77% required enteral feed and hospitalization in 15%. There were four treatment related deaths. At 5 years, the loco-regional control was 25% (median-11 months) and the overall survival was 31% (median-11 months). The 5 years actuarial rates of late Grade III/IV toxicity was 24%. Late swallowing difficulty/aspiration were seen in 17%; xerostomia-40%; ototoxicity-6%; nephrotoxicity-4%; and no second malignancy. Conclusion: Low dose cisplatin with moderately accelerated RT schedule appears feasible and logistically suitable out-patient option without increasing long-term toxicity in LA-SCCHN cancer region.