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D C Jain

Publications and source records attributed to D C Jain.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Profile of epidemic emergencies in India during 1991-95.

Epidemic emergencies have shown increasing trend in India and most parts of the country appear to be vulnerable to these emergencies. In this paper we present a profile of epidemic emergencies attended by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases in the last five years, to delineate aspects that will promote better preparedness and management. Water borne and water related disease epidemics constituted more than 70% of the epidemic emergencies in India. Non 01 cholera epidemics constituted one fourth of total cholera epidemics during 1991-95. Most of the hepatitis outbreaks were attributed to Non A Non B. The source of infection in majority of the cholera and jaundice epidemics was contaminated water. Dengue and resistant typhoid fever were among other emergencies reported during last five years. Some of these epidemic were reported to local health authorities as mysterious diseases due to lack of public health laboratory facilities. Encephalitis and encephalitis like epidemics in the form of Liquor poisoning and chronic Heat syndrome encephalopathy were also observed. The re-emerging disease epidemics like plague in Beed, Pneumonic plague in Surat and malaria in Rajasthan were also investigated during 1994. These observations indicate the weakness in the epidemiological and laboratory surveillance besides inadequacy in water management practices and other socio environmental reasons.

Disaster Planning↗
PubMed1996

Unusual occurrence of cholera in Delhi during January 1994: epidemiological investigations.

Hundreds of laboratory-confirmed cholera cases occur every year in Delhi. However from 1965 through 1993, no cases of cholera nor carriers of Vibrio cholerae have been detected in the months January and February of all these years. Nevertheless, two cases occurred in January 1994. Both were children who acquired their infection locally. Six hundred fifty-eight rectal swabs collected from possible contacts were negative for V. cholerae. The next isolations could be made only in April, which is the usual beginning of the cholera season. The study suggests that cholera transmission can occur during the winter months in Delhi, but that it is not sustained.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Epidemiology and transmission of V. cholerae O1 and V. cholerae O139 infections in Delhi in 1993.

In 1993, rectal swabs from clinically suspected cases of cholera admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Delhi were examined for Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139. Epidemiological data of 396 cholera cases were collected before the patients' discharge from IDH. Of the 1528 laboratory-confirmed cholera cases, 46% and 54% were caused by serotype O1 and O139 respectively. Both serotypes appeared and disappeared simultaneously, and peaked during the same time of the year. However, the two serotypes affected persons of different age groups; about 65% of the O1 cases occurred in children aged less than 10 years, whereas this age group accounted for 40% of the cases due to V. cholerae O139. Although there were some focal outbreaks due to serotype O139, both serotypes had almost similar geographical distributions. Important risk factors for transmission of cholera were almost equally prevalent in the majority of both types of cholera cases. Since the seasonality, geographical distribution, and risk factors for transmission were similar for both serotypes, the study indicates that the preventive and control measures are also likely to be similar. The study also shows that the emergence of V. cholerae O139 in 1993 did not affect the incidence, seasonality, and epidemiology of endemic V. cholerae O1 E1 Tor strains in Delhi.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Further observations on comparison of immunization coverage by lot quality assurance sampling and 30 cluster sampling.

Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) and standard EPI methodology (30 cluster sampling) were used to evaluate immunization coverage in a Primary Health Center (PHC) where coverage levels were reported to be more than 85%. Of 27 sub-centers (lots) evaluated by LQAS, only 2 were accepted for child coverage, whereas none was accepted for tetanus toxoid (TT) coverage in mothers. LQAS data were combined to obtain an estimate of coverage in the entire population; 41% (95% CI 36-46) infants were immunized appropriately for their ages, while 42% (95% CI 37-47) of their mothers had received a second/ booster dose of TT. TT coverage in 149 contemporary mothers sampled in EPI survey was also 42% (95% CI 31-52). Although results by the two sampling methods were consistent with each other, a big gap was evident between reported coverage (in children as well as mothers) and survey results. LQAS was found to be operationally feasible, but it cost 40% more and required 2.5 times more time than the EPI survey. LQAS therefore, is not a good substitute for current EPI methodology to evaluate immunization coverage in a large administrative area. However, LQAS has potential as method to monitor health programs on a routine basis in small population sub-units, especially in areas with high and heterogeneously distributed immunization coverage.

Cluster Analysis↗
PubMed1995

Quantum chemical studies employing an ab initio combination approach on the binding of the bis-benzimidazole Hoechst 33258 to the minor groove of DNA.

Ab initio calculations (Hartree-Fock) using the 3-21G and the STO-3G Gaussian basis sets were performed on the sequence selective minor groove binding bis-benzimidazole Hoechst 33258. Geometry optimized conformations, energies and distribution of electrostatic charges within the molecule were derived. The binding of the optimized conformations of the drug to both alternating and non-alternating (AT)n sequences was studied.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

An outbreak of viral hepatitis E: role of community practices.

A small localised outbreak of viral hepatitis due to HEV occurred in an educated and well placed community. The overall attack rate was found to be 1.9%; the children and adults were equally affected. No fatality was observed. Five blood samples collected from the cases of jaundice were found negative for Anti HAV IgM, HBsAg and Anti HBc IgM, but positive for Anti HEV. The infection spread by contamination of piped water by sewage system resulting from scarcity of water, intermittent water supply and installation of on-line private booster pumps by the residents. Community action, especially the boiling of drinking water till the quality of piped water improved, restricted jaundice cases to only one incubation period. The outbreak highlights the importance of community behaviour in first precipitating the crisis and then limitating the damage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Community perception of mosquitos and mosquito control in some areas of urban Delhi and rural Alwar, Rajasthan.

There is little information regarding community perception of mosquitos and and their control in India. A qualitative study based on In depth discussions with the people in Urban Delhi, and rural Alwar was carried out in August-September, 1995. In the Ghazipur and Munirka areas of Delhi, 63 respondent groups with 171 head counts, and 59 respondent groups and 305 persons in Alwar were met. Community responses to uniform set of questions on mosquito types, seasonality, biting, breeding places, ongoing control activities, and methods of personal protection were recorded. Most people in the areas surveyed viewed mosquitos primarily as a biting nuisance, and secondarily as agents of disease and debilitators of health. In general the knowledge regarding mosquitos was deficient. An overwhelming tendency to attribute mosquitogenic conditions to the unsavoury features of one's physical environment was observed in both areas. The methods of personal protection and attitudes to organised control are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Validity of a mother's history of measles in children: a review of Indian literature.

A review of the available information on the validity of a mother's history of measles in children and its importance in Indian context is presented. A history of measles was found to have a median sensitivity (SN) of about 60% (n = 6; range 33-75) and a median specificity (SP) of about 95% (n = 5; range 79-100). A subclinical infection seems to be the most plausible explanation for the low SN. Two mechanisms for the development of subclinical infection have been suggested: (i) In infants, exposure to the virus in the households when maternal antibodies are just sufficient to prevent the disease but not the infection. (ii) In older children, exposure to a mild dose of virus outside the households. However, due to the misclassification of non measles cases as measles, the SN increases and SP decreases as the child grows older. The implications of low SN, high SP and varying predictive values of the mother's history of measles are discussed.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Distribution of Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera:Psychodidae) according to the physiographic divisions of India.

In this paper, the distribution of 44 known species of Phlebotomine sandflies which include vectors of leishmaniasis in India are arranged according to accepted physiographic divisions of India. Distribution maps in respect of known disease vectors Phlebotomous argentipes, P. papatasi, P. sergenti, P. salehi and potential vectors of leishmaniashis in India, P. hindustanicus and P. major are presented. The study brings out the salient features of sandfly distribution in India and need for more comprehensive work in the inadequately studied areas of the north east hills and the northern mountain ranges.

Altitude↗
PubMed1995

Appropriate season for measles immunisation campaign in India.

Review of literature on the seasonality of measles in India reveals that measles occur throughout the year with peaks around March, while October-November are the low transmission months. The epidemics of measles however, occur any time during the year. Nevertheless, measles vaccination campaigns are carried out in India in the Month of March to increase the vaccine coverage levels. Being the low transmission season, October and November may be more appropriate for undertaking measles campaigns in India.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

An outbreak of viral hepatitis in Jodhpur city of Rajasthan.

An outbreak of Viral hepatitis occurred in Jodhpur city of Rajasthan during April to June, 1994. The attack rate was 3.04 per cent among 0-14 years age group and 5.49% among the age group above 15 years, the overall attack rate being 4.5 per cent. Males were more affected than females. Epidemiological and serological findings suggest that the outbreak was due to enterically transmitted Non A Non B virus. The source of infection was drinking water contaminated with sewage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Binding of 5,5-diphenylhydantoin with erythrocyte membrane: local lateral order parameter and strong interaction with phospholipid head groups.

We have studied the interaction of 5,5-diphenylhydantoin (5,5-dph), an anticonvulsant drug, with erythrocyte membrane lipids and proteins using IR spectroscopic technique. The local lateral order parameter, which is directly related to the lipid packing density, has been found to be elevated due to 5,5-dph binding. This increase has been accounted for on the basis of relaxation of local discontinuity in orientational order (defects). The transition towards an ordered structure is further supported by our experimental results which exhibit a decrease in the hydrocarbon chain mobility. The reorganization of the polar head groups due to 5,5-dph-lipid interaction leads to the absence of the bands at 1150 cm-1 (C-O stretch or C-O-C antisymmetric stretch) and 1085 cm-1 (C-O-P stretch or PO2- symmetric stretch). These bands are associated with the phospholipid head groups in erythrocyte membrane. Significant intensity changes in amide I (1650 cm-1) and amide II (1520 cm-1) have been explained using the concept of transition dipole moment coupling between C-N and N-H vibrational modes of amide II.

Erythrocyte Membrane↗
PubMed1992

Diarrhoeal diseases amongst children under five. A study in rural Alwar.

A house to house survey was done in three villages of district Alwar covering 875 children under five years age. Two week incidence of diarrhoea morbidity was 2.27 episodes/child/year taking into consideration the seasonal correction factor. The incidence decreased with increase of age. Incidence was found significantly more in children of illiterate mother (p < 0.05). Children of poor socio-economic conditions as determined by occupational status (labourers) suffered significantly more often from diarrhoea as compared to children of higher socio-economic status (agriculturist and others). Fifty per cent episodes of diarrhoea were treated with antibiotics, and only one child was given ORS. It is a matter of concern. About 3.7 per cent mothers washed their hands before preparing meals while, 1.6 per cent washed their hands after toilet. Only 2 per cent mothers had the knowledge of preparing the home made salt sugar solution. An intensive health education campaign is therefore, necessary for health professionals as well as mothers.

Child, Preschool↗