ICMR BULLETIN VOL. 6-No. 10-OCTOBER-1976.pdf
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DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DR. C. GOP ALAN
■
I
,瞄Earch information bulletin
DIVISION OF PUBLICATION & INFORMATION
ANSARI NAGAR NEW DELHI-110016.
Vol. 6 No. 10
EDITOR
DR. G.V. SATYAVATI
October, 1976
BIOMEDICAL
Recent advances in science and technology
have brought a much needed integration between
the life sciences and the physical sciences
resulting
in the
birth of many a
new
discipline.
Biomedical engineering is one
sucli new inter-disciplinary field which has
come to the forefront in recent years.
The term "Biomedical Engineering'* encom
passes not only the fabrication^ maintenance,
repair and operation of sophisticated equip
ment,
but also monitoring the
practical
application of advanced technological pro
cedures for health care as well as biomedical
research,
Biomedical engineering entails,
therefore, a multifaceted, multi-disciplinary
* approach
involving
various
fields
like
electronics, instrumentation, biophysics, bio
mechanics, prosthetics,
biomaterials, etc.
Biomedical Engineering is a new and growing
science whicli has not been given the attention
it deserves in our country.
The application
of computers in medical research, formulation
of standards and safety codes for biomedical
equipment, development of artificial limbs,
innovation of advanced techniques for testing
the functions of vital organs like the heart,
central nervous system, liver etc., fall in
the purview of biomedical engineering.
A major bottleneck in biomedical research
as well as health care systems in our country
has been not so much the lack of sophisticated
equipment but the dearth of expertise to
maintain and operate the equipment avai Table
in most of the major research institutes and
hospitals.
Expensive biomedical equipment
procured by major hospitals are known to be
ENGINEERING
lying unused.
In 1968, a Study Group on
hospitals set up by the Ministry of Health and
Family Planning reported that the equipment
lying idle at that time in the big hospitals
in India, for want of repairs and maintenance,
were adequate to meet the needs of 10 new
medical college hospitals, if these equipment
could be kept in working condition.
Another
survey carried out by the Electronics Corporation of India revealed that over 60 per cent
of biomedical equipment in our country was
unserviceable. While advances in the field of
biomedicine have created greater demand for
the use of complicated
and sophisticated
instruments for diagnosis,
therapy, moni
toring, visuali zation and data processing and
analysis, there has been no correspending in
crease in the technological services to deal
with these sophisticated apparatus.
As more
and more sophisticated biomedical equipment
the requirement of
are coming into use,
services for
maintenance and
specialized
repair will become more and more critical.
Inadequate maintenance degrades the quality of
medical services,
wh i ch in the long run
results in the wastage of not only equipment
but also man hours.
A well planned maintenance programme can enhance the life and
performance of the equipment and markedly
reduce the total expenditure.
Another facet of the problem is the
safety of the patients subjected to various
procedures for diagnosis, treatment, rehabili
tation etc., particularly in situations where
several instruments are used simultaneously on
the same patient.
A systematic approach is
required for protection of patients against
such electrical or radiation hazards as posed
by these
advanced techniques,
by provid
ing proper earthing, shielding and fault
detection facilities. This naturally requires
expert technical knowledge in the field of
biomedical engineering and also in the selec
tion, installation, operation and maintenance
of the various components of the system.
Realizing th.e growing importance
and
scope of Biomedical Engineering, the Indian
Council of Medical Research constituted a
Study Group on Biomedical Engineering in order
to formulate research proposals of practical
relevance to our country, in this field.
The
Study Group met on September 1-2, 1976 at the
ICMR, New DeIhi, under the chairmanship of
Wing Commander N. Mohan Murali.
Over
30
experts from different parts of India parti
cipated in this meeting.
The Group discussed a wide range of
topics such as the
role
of
biomedical
engineers in improving the quality and extend
ing the outreach of health care services; the
formulation of safety codes and standards for
electromedical equipment; the identification
of research and development needs in the field
of biomedical instrumentation; the potential
uses of computers in medicine, both with res
pect to hospital management as well as field
operations; the development of biomaterials
and polymers for medical applications; the
role of biomedical
engineering
in
the
rehabilitation
of
the
handicapped;
new
engineering tools for pollution control and
industrial hygiene.
In view of the high proportion of bio
medical equipment in hospitals which were
apparently unusable for lack of proper mainte
nance facilities, the Study Group recommended
the setting up of in-house medical engineering
service units for
hospitals and regional
servicing centres to carry out major repairs
and servicing.
The Group also emphasised the
need for greater participation of specialists
in biomedical engineering in medical research
as well as postgraduate teaching in medical
colleges.
The Group emphasised the need for
training of more and more scientists and
technicians to meet the current needs.
The
Group further recommended that short term
training courses in biomedical engineering
should also be conducted at the under-graduate
and post-graduate levels at various centres.
In the field of electro-medical instru
mentation
including
biophysics,
several
proposals were discussed on its current state
2
in the country as well as the mechanisms for
development of technology in medical electro
nics ,
The Study Group recommended greater
support for research oriented towards the
development of new techniques on the basis
of which diagnostic kits suitable for early
diagnosis of diseases and leading to insti
tution of early therapy, could be made indi
genous ly.
The Group also emphasised that
proper testing procedures
of indigenously
developed medical electronic equipment, in
cluding its evaluation should be conducted
at various centres.
One of the priority
approaches identified for such a development
was that of a health care van which could
provide
mobile medical facilities to the
rural areas.
In the field of application of computers
in medicine and biomedical research, the Group
recommended that medical data analysis and
retrieval which has already been initiated in
some institutes should be extended to a few
other centres where good computer facilities
exist.
The Study Group also recommended the
setting up of a computer rese irch division
under the Indian Council of Medical Research
to collect scientific data and also to conduct
studies on the morbidity pattern in the coun
try with relevance to regional or ethnic
distributions and trends.
With regard to biomaterials, the scope
and application of which has been extended
beyond the development of artificial internal
organs, hospital disposables, food package
materials,
substances of
controlled bio
degradability
as required
for long term
therapy with drugs including contraceptives
etc., the Study Group recognized the need and
importance of indigenous development of bio
materials such as polymers, metals, ceramics
and composite metals.
The Group recommended that biomaterials
required for common
and mass application
should
receive
high
priority.
It was
recommended that biomaterials and bioimplants
should be obligatorily tested for biocompati
bility before undertaking clinical trials.
For this purpose, standards for biomaterials
and bioimplants need to be drawn up.
The
Group also stressed that the development of
freeze-drying for skin homografts needs to
be encouraged, in view of the fact that
research in the field o£ skin prosthesis is
currently in its early phase of development.
The Study Group also discussed the role
of biomedical engineering in the rehabili
tation of the handicapped. While appreciating
the current efforts on the production of
artificial limbs, the Study Group felt that
more attention should be directed towards
developing technology that could benefit the
poor masses residing in rural areas. In order
to achieve this, the Group emphasised that
there was 时 imperative need for adopting the
currently available technology to suit the
Indian rural conditions so that rehabilitation
devices could be brought within the reach of
the poor masses.
The Group also recommended
that special attention should be paid to the
requirement of materials for limb prosthesis
procedures for hot as well as humid condi
tions .
The
Group discussed the
application
of biomedical
engineering for
pollution
control and industrial hygiene. The following
areas were identified as important in this
field:(1) Development of techniques to determine
quantities of pollutants in air and water.
(2) Deve1opment of systems for
continuous
monitoring of pollutants and to keep a
vigil on the concentration of the pollu
tants in the environment.
(3) Development of systems for
continuous
monitoring of effluent quality in treat
ment plants to ensure that the treatment
systems for purification of polluted air
and water are functioning properly.
⑷
Computer systems for the prevention and
control of discharge of pollutants from
industrial processes at the source of
pollution.
(5) Development of techniques to follow the
pathways of pollutants in the human system
for a better understanding of the
of pollutants on human health.
(6) Instrumentation
pollution.
for
control
effects
of
noise
The Council now proposes to follow up the
recommendations of the Study Group by formu
lating concrete
research proposals to be
undertaken in different parts of the country
depending on the expertise and facilities
available. A beginning in this direction has
already been made by the Council by setting up
regional instrumentation units at two or three
centres.
One such centre is functioning at.
the National Institute of Nutrition,Hyderabad.
This unit
is
subserving
the
following
functions:-
(i) maintenance and repair of equipment
at the Institute and provision of
necessary maintenance and
service
facilities, in the initial stages, to
various other establishments of the
Council in the neighbourhood.
(ii) calibration
and
modification
existing equipment.
(iii) procurement
and
cation of spares.
(iv) inspection of
installation.
indigenous
of
fabri
new equipment and
its
(v) advice on safety codes and standards.
(vi) training in biomedical engineering
for
suitable candidates/scientists
sponsored by the Council.
Training courses in Biomedical engineer
ing are being organised for research workers
including the ICMR Talent Scheme fellows.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SECOND ICAR-ICMR JOINT PANEL MEETING HELD AT
KRISHI BHAVAN. NEW DELHI ON 22ND SEPTEMBER, 1976
The Second Annual Meeting of the ICARICMR Joint Panel was held on 22nd September,
1976 at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi under the
Chairmanship
of
Dr.
M.S. Swaminathan,
Director-General,
Indian Council of Agri
cultural Research.
of milk with, suitable iron salts, utilization
of leaf protein in food
supplements for
children in organised trials in institutions
and better utilisation of root vegetables,
specially potato, sweet potato, tapioca, etc.
The Panel first considered a few schemes
related to the possibilities of fortification
The Panel then considered the reports of
two independent investigations by the All
India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
3
and the
National Institute of Nutrition,
Hyderabad, into the outbreaks of liver disease
associated
with
food contaminants.
One
re lated to the outbreak of acute toxic hepa
titis in parts of Western India (Rajasthan and
Gujarat) associated with the ingestion of
maize contaminated with aflatoxin； the other
related to tlie outbreak of endemic ascites and
veno-occlusive disease in areas of Sarguja
District of Madhya Pradesh, associated with
the consumption of a minor millet, gondUlz
(Panzcion mi Hare)3 contaminated with the weed
of Crotalaria species.
The observations of
these groups on various aspects of the out
breaks relating to epidemiology, aetiological
factors involved, clinical features and histo
pathology of target tissues appeared identi
cal . Appropriate measures for control and
prevention of such outbreaks were considered.
The following
suggestions were
generally
accepted:
(a) With regard to prevention of aflatoxin
contamination,
it was suggested that the
farmers should be educated on better methods
of storage of staples.
Since the studies at
NIN, Hyderabad, have shown that some varieties
of maize are relatively resistant to toxin
elaboration,
it was suggested that agri
cultural extension services should try to
popularise
cultivation of
such resistant
varieties.
It was also suggested that there
should be a continuous monitoring of this
area both for fresh outbreaks of the disease
as also prevalence of A. flavus contamination
in staples. It was noted that NIN, Hyderabad
is already carrying out such investigations.
(b) With regard to the prevention of veno
occlusive liver disease in.parts of Sarguja
District, since evidence suggested that it was
due to contamination of the staple gondhli
with
seeds of
jhunjhunia
(a Cratal aria
species), deweeding operation could be tried.
It was also pointed out that the weed involved
is known to have symbiotic relationship with
the millet cultivated and also the advantage
of fixing nitrogen in the soil,
it was
suggested that a more practicable solution
would be, to educate the tribals to remove the
weed seeds at the household level by mechani
cal operations or sieving.
It was also
suggested that extension services of the agri
culture and health departments could undertake
the educative campaign in these villages.
It was further suggested that such in
vestigations need to be pursued further in
other areas where gondhli is grown, with a
4
view to look for such weed contamination and
epidemiological studies for the prevalence of
ascites and veno-occlusive liver disease.
Damage to the stored food grains caus’d
by extensive floods in U.P. was discussed.
The Chairman suggested that samples suspected
to have become damaged due to floods may be
collected from these areas and sent to the
NIN,Hyderabad, for examination of their fungal
flora and fungal toxinfe .
There was a detailed discussion on the
reports presented by the Tamil Nadu Agri
cultural
University
on the
problem
o.f
fluorosis in cattle and human beings in some
areas of Tamil Nadu. Data on fluorine content
of water and soil,and copper and molybdenum
contents of soils were presented.
It was
pointed out that copper deficiency was in
variably associated with
fair degrees of
excess of molybdenum in soils and these condi
tions appeared to exaggerate the proneness to
fluoride toxicity in cattle and perhaps in the
human population also.
It was suggested that
the copper and molybdenum contents of foods
should be looked into.
As part of control
measures, it was suggested that high fluoride
water could be treated with calcium oxide or
Magnesium silicate and the possibility of
diversion of water supplies with low fluoride
from contiguous rivers or canals be examined.
A position paper on rural wages related
to nutritional needs was taken up for consi
deration.
It was suggested that at least 50
per cent
of
the
wages to
agricultural
labourers could be given in kind, as food
grains .
This approach may be tried out on a
pilot scale in some areas where integrated
rural development schemes will be started and
based on this experience, it could be extended
to other areas with suitable modifications.
Newer sources of edible oils was another
topic taken up for consideration.
The recent
organised efforts to exploit sources such as
rice-bran and sal seeds were reviewed. It was
suggested that more detailed investigations
should be taken up on mango seed kernel oil
for testing its edibility and wholesomeness.
It was pointed out that the National Institute
of Nutrition has standardised a protocol for
testing the
edibility
and
toxicological
aspects of new oils from plant sources.
The
Chairman pointed out that the I6AR-ICMR panel
in consultation with the Oil Technologists
Group may consider bringing out a compre
hensive monograph on all possible sources of
new plant oils, pointing out particularly the
available
information on physico-chemical
characters and the gaps in our knowledge with
regard to edibility and toxicity.
Such a
monograph could motivate further research
areas where information is needed.
on
ABSTRACTS
Some Research Projects completed recently
Erythropoiesis and erythropoietin in hypo
hyperthyroidism
,
ond
To evaluate the nature and mechanism of
altered erythropoiesis
commonly associated
with hypo and hyper-thyroidism,qualitative and
quantitative studies of erythropoiesis were
done in 23 hypo and 21 hyperthyroid patients.
These included the
routine haematological
evaluation, bone marrow morphology, status of
serum iron,B12 and folate, red blood cell mass
and plasma volumes by radio-isotope methods3
erythrokinetics and radiobioassay of plasma
erythropoietin.
Maj ori ty of patients with
hypothyroidism had significant reduction in
the red blood cell mass (per kg of body
weight).
The presence of anaemia in many of
these patients was not evident due to concomi
tant reduction in the plasma
volume. The
erythrokinetic data in hypothyroid patients
showed evidence of significant decline of
erythropoietic activity of the bone marrow.
Erythroid cells in the
bone marrow were
considerably
depleted and
showed reduced
proliferative activity as
indicated by a
relatively lower 3h thymidine labelling index.
Plasma erythropoietin levels were remarkably
reduced,
often being immeasurable by the
polycythaemic mouse bioassay technique. These
changes in erythropoiesis in the
hypothyroid
state appeared to be part of a physiological
adjustment to the reduced oxygen requirement
of the tissues due to diminished basal meta
bolic rate.
Investigations in patients
of hyper
thyroidism revealed mild erythrocytosis in a
significant proportion.
Lack of erythro
cytosis found in other patients of this group
was associated with impaired erythropoiesis
due to deficiency of haemopoietic nutrients
such as iron, vitamin B】2 and folate.
The
mean plasma erythropoietin level of these
patients was significantly elevated. The bone
marrow showed erythroid hyperplasia in all
cases of hyperthyroidism.
The mean 3h thymi
dine labelling index of the erythroblasts was
also significantly higher in hyperthyroidism.
Erythrokinetic studies also provided evidence
of increased erythropoietic activity in the
bone marrow. It is postulated that excess of
thyroid hormones
sti mulates erythropoiesis
(probably mediated through erythropoietin),
leading sometimes to erythrocytosis, provided
there
is no
deficiency of haemopoietic
nutrients.
K.C. Das
and
R.J. Dash
Deptt. of Haematology
and Endocrinology,
Postgraduate Institute
of Medical Education
and Research,
Chandigarh.
PUBLICATION:
Das, K.C., Mukherjee, M., Sarkar, T.K., Dash,
R・J・, and Rastogi, G.K.
(1975).
J. Clin.
Endoerln, Metabot. 40, 211.
A study of the association between systemic
auto-immune
disorders
and
auto-zrmrrune
thyroiditis
A cross sectional study of thyroidal
iodokinetics was undertaken in different auto
immune disorders.
For this purpose,
50
patients with systemic auto-immune disorders
(39 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, 6 of type
II nephritis and 5 of systemic lupus erythematosis i.e. S.L.E.) were investigated.
.Goitre was noted to occur'in 10 cases of
rheumatoid arthritis and two,' cases of SLE.
None of the 6 cases of nephritis had goitre.
Hyperthyroidism was evident only in one case
of rheumatoid arthritis.
Out of 10 biopsies
done, only in two there was lymphoid infil
tration in the thyroid.
In the others only
two gave a positive TRC (Tanned Red Cell)
agglutination test.
Based on this study, it appears that
auto-immune damage to the thyroid gland is not
5
a salient feature of rheumatoid arthritis.
However, further studies are required to find
out if the histological evidence of antiimmune damage is preceded or followed by a
rise in serum anti-thyroid antibodies.
Also,
in cases in which histological evidence of
lymphocytic infiltration is lacking, serial
biopsies may be necessary to delineate
natural history of the disease.
the
M. Bhaskar Rao
Department of Medicine
Maulana Azad Medical College
New Delhi.
SUMMARY OF THE SANDOZ CANCER RESEARCH AWARD (1975) ORATION
Dr. C.R.R.M. Reddy, Professor of Patho
logy, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam,
delivered the Sandoz Cancer Research Award
(1975) Oration on * Reverse smoking and carci
noma of hard palate in coastal Andhra* at the
Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi,
on 23rd September, 1976.
Reverse smoking of ehuttas is a very
common habit in the coastal districts of
Visakhapatnam
and
Srikakulam
in
Andhra
Pradesh. Carcinoma of the hard palate is also
very common in these areas.
To investigate a
possible association between reverse smoking
and cancer palate, a study was undertaken at
Visakhapatnam.
3955 men and 5445 women from 20 villages
in a field survey and 3400 women and 2600 men
in the hospital, hailing from villages other
than the 20 surveyed, were examined and their
smoking habits and changes in the palate were
studied.
It was found that 25 per cent males
and 50 per cent females,
aged 20 years and
above, indulged in reverse smoking.
About 70
to 80 per cent of them showed stomatitis nicotina, a papular umbilicated lesion of the
glandular zone of the hard palate, demons
trated by vital staining with toluidine blue.
Severe type of stomatitis nicotina was seen in
reverse smokers in both the field and hospital
studies.
One-third of the reverse smokers
showed atypia and some showed microinvasive
carcinoma.
The atypia was highest in the
squamous metaplastic epithelium of the duct.
When the type of smoking and the epithelial
atypia were correlated it was seen that more
atypia was seen in reverse smokers than in
other smokers.
Microinvasive carcinoma was
also seen along with stomatitis nicotina.
In
the field study, it was found that women with
a long history of smoking
had regressing
stomatitis nicotina with a thickened palate,
whitish or pigmented with flattened papules
and small depressions. On biopsy, it was found
that there was hyperorthokeratosis of the
mucosa in between the openings of the ducts
6
along with the surface keratinization.
When
whole papules were biopsied it was seen that
metaplasia of ducts and partial atrophy of the
glands
below,
had
occurred because
of
obstruction of the ducts.
Some ducts were
convoluted and tortuous or dilated or even had
papillomatous projections into them.
It was
found that atypia occurred at an earlier age
than cancer but the hyperorthokeratotic change
without atypia occurred at the same age as
cancer.
Karyopyknotic (KP) index of smears
from the palate, tongue, and cheek of normal
and reverse smoking females was studied.
It
was seen that in reverse smokers, the palatal
KP index increased while that
of the cheek
did not. . The tongue showed an increase in KP
index but not to the same extent as the
palate. When 30 palatal ulcers or big stoma
titis nicotina papules with more than 4 to
5 mm umblication were followed by toluidine
blue staining for a period of 3 years, it was
found that 3 out of 8 positive ulcers turned
malignant while only one of the 22 negative
ulcers became malignant.
From an area with a million population,
all the oral and oropharyngeal cancer cases
which came to the hospital over a particular
period were also studied to determine the
relative
risk of
their developing
oral
cancer due to smoking (reverse or otherwise)
and chewing pan and tobacco.
It was found
that reverse smoking did not carry any risk
of the development of pharyngeal, laryngeal,
oesophangeal or nasopharyngea1 carcinomas.
An interesting finding of the study was
that more often than not, stomatitis nicotina
regressed.
The initial reaction to the pyro
lytic products was hyperorthokeratosis of the
mucosa in between the openings of the glands
and also squamous metaplasia of the duct
lining.
If the ducts are keratinized early
and get closed, papular lesions of stomatitis
nicotina do not occur as the glands drained
by the ducts fail to undergo hyperplasia and
only atrophy. In most of the cases of reverse
smoking, stomatitis nicotina papules develop.
But on continued reverse smoking, the squamous
metaplastic lining of the ducts undergoes
keratinization, getting merged with the sur
face keratinization and later closing up.
This results in a flattened, pitted, whitish
and pigmented mucosa of the palate, as seen
in a majority of cases. Rarely, the ducts do
not close up and the newly formed
squamous
metaplastic
lining
may
undergo atypical
changes and progress to carcinoma.
Another
interesting
finding was the
localization of microinvasive carcinoma and
carcinoma of the hard palate in the glandular
zone of the hard palate without being present
in the buccal mucosa, tongue, soft palate and
the non-glandular area of the hard palate,
though all the sites have a chance of being
bathed by the pyrolytic products of tobacco.
The reverse smoker is denied even the length
of the chutta as a filter and the pyrolytic
products have a direct access to the palatine
mucosa. The results of cytological and histo
pathological studies have thrown some light
on the factors leading to this localization of
the lesions. The atypia seen in the squamous
metaplastic lining of the ducts in stoma
titis nicotina is more as compared to other
areas, showing that the pyrolytic products of
tobacco which are known to be carcinogenic
might gain entry through the ducts of the
glands.
If there is an effective expulsion
of the carcinogenic agents from the glands,
which probably occurs when the glands are
situated in between muscle fibres, the lesions
may not occur and even if they do, they may
not progress further.
Such a situation is
found in the posterior one-third of the tongue
and soft palate which escape getting stoma
titis nicotina, microinvasive carcinoma or
carcinoma, even though glands are present in
these areas. The buccal mucosa has glands but
is free from lesions due to reverse smoking
because it does not get exposed directly to
the pyrolytic products of tobacco, as the
mucosa gets opposed to the alveolar borders
during the act of sucking in air, to keep lit
the end of the chutta.
The anterior twothirds of the tongue has no glands and hence,
perhaps, escapes.
The glands of the hard
palate mucosa are situated between the bone
above and keratinized mucosa below, having no
effective emptying meclianism except that of
gravitational force and therefore, lesions
are localised to that area.
The studies have thus revealed a good
correlation
between
reverse
smoking and
carcinoma of the hard palate.
ICMR NEWS
Dr. Usha K. Luthra,
Deputy Director-General,
ICMR, has been elected Fellow of the Indian
National Science Academy.
I
The
Scientific Advisory Committee of the
Cholera Research Centre, Calcutta, met on the
21st September, 1976.
A symposium on ''Alternative Approaches to
health care delivery systems" was held at the
National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad,
between 27th and 30th October, 1976.
VISITS ABROAD:
Dr. C. Gopalan,
President
of
the Inter
national Union
of
Nutritional
Sciences,
visited Brazil between 1st and 5th October in
connection with the organisation of the XI
International Congress of Nutrition (Brazil
1978)・
Dr. C. Gopalan participated in the XVI General
Assembly of the
International Council of
Scientific Unions at Washington D.C. between
10th and 16th October, 1976.
The newly built second floor of the Isolation
Block of the Government Royapettah Hospital,
Madras,is being taken over by the Tuberculosis
Chemotherapy Centre for the OPD and laboratory
services of the ICMR proj ect on * Chemotherapy
of Mycobacterial Diseases1.
Dr. N.P. Gupta,
Director,
Virus Research
Centre, Poona, participated in the meeting of
the WHO Expert Committee on Viral Hepatitis
held at Geneva from 11th to 16th October,
1976.
Dr. K. Banerjee took over as Deputy Director,
Virus Research Centre, Poona, on the 29th
September, 1976.
Dr. M.S. Bamji, Assistant Director
K. Prema, Senior Research Officer,
Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad
and Dr.
National
and Dr.
K.D. Virkar,
Assistant Director
and
Dr.
U.M. Joshi, Senior Research Officer, Institute
for Research in Reproduction, Bombay, parti
cipated in the meeting of the WHO Task Force
on Interaction of Contraceptive Agents and
Methods with Nutrition and other Health Vari
ables held at Geneva between 25th and 28th
October, 1976.
Shri I.M.S.Lamba,Data Processing Officer,ICMR,
New Delhi, proceeded on a 3 month WHO fellow
ship to the University of California at Los
Angeles.
of
Dr. N. Raghuramulu,
National Institute
Nutrition, Hyderabad proceeded on a one year
NIH Post-doctoral fellowship at the Department
of Biochemistry,
University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Shri A.L. Aggarwal, Research Officer, National
Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad,
proceeded on a 10 month WHO fellowship
Netherlands for training in public
engineering.
to the
health
Shri H.V.K. Bhatt, Research Officer, National
Institute of Occupational HealthAh me dab ad,
attended the UNESCO sponsored International
Course on Modem Problems in Biology which
commenced on Sth October, 1976 at Prague,
Czechoslovakia.
Research
Officer,
Virus
Dr. S.S. Gogate,
Research Centre, Poona, proceeded on a WHO
starting
from
fellowship
for 6 months,
for
training
in
advanced
October, 1976,
techniques for culture of viruses.
Dr. Tarala V. Purandare,
Assistant Research
Officer, Institute for Research in Repro
duction, Bombay, has been awarded a 6 month
Ford Foundation Fellowship to work on auto
radiography and immuno-histochemistry.
ICMR AIDED SYMPOSIA/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS
A workshop is being organised on the
* Role of Paediatricians in the delivery of
health care1 at Srinagar between 1st and 4th
October, 1976.
An International Symposium on *Molecular
Basis of Host Virus Interaction* organised by
the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi, will be held bet
ween 17th and 20th October, 1976.
A workshop
and teaching
seminar on
1 Radioisotopes, Instrumentation and Techniques
in practice of Nuclear Medicine1 is being
organised as part of the 8th Annual Conference
of the Society of Nuclear Medicine (India) at
Bangalore on 6th Novenber, 1976.
A satellite symposium of the 9th Inter
national Diabetes Congress on 'Nutrition and
Diabetes1 is being organised by the Diabetes
Association of India at the Osmania Medical
College,
Hyderabad,
November 8th and 9th,
1976.
A symposium on 1 Development in Malaria
Immunology1 is being organised by the Indian
College of Allergy and Applied Immunology, at
the V.P・ Chest Institute, New Delhi, on 8th
November, 1976.
As part of the 45th annual meeting of the
Society of
Biological
Chemists
(India),
8
Symposia are being organised on Reproductive
Biology and Aging, Stress and Metabolic Dis
orders between November 12th and 14th, 1976,
at the
National Institute
of Nutrition,
Hyderabad.
The second National Symposium on 1 "'ryogenics * is being organised by the
Indian
Institute of Technology, Madras from 8th to
10th December, 1976.
An International Symposium on * Vitamin
and Carrier Functions of Polyprenoids1 is
being organised at the Indian Institute of
Science,
Bangalore
between 8th and 11th
December, 1976.
A Symposium on 'Prophylactic measures to
combat deficiencies of fat soluble vitamins1,
is being organised at the Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore, on 10th and 11th December,
1976.
The Sixth All India Symposium on * Bio
medical Engineering* is being organised at the
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, bet
ween 14th and 16th December, 1976.
The Fourth Seminar on * Data base of
Indian Economy with
special reference to
Health and Education1 is being organised by
the Indian Association for Study of Population
at the
Institute of Social and Economic
Change, Bangalore on 22nd December, 1976.
A workshop on * Research Methodology in
Pharmacology* is being organised during the
9th Annual Conference of the Indian Pharmaco
logical Society at the Institute of Medical
Sciences,
Varanasi between 26th and 28th
December, 1976。
A Symnosium on 'Physiology and Physical
Performance' is being
held during the 22nd
Annual
Conference
of
Physiologists
and
Pharmacologists of India, at the S.N. Medical
College, Agra between 27th and 29th December,
1976.
A Symposium on * Research and Treatment in
Burns * is being organised during the 36th
Annual Conference
of the
Association of
Surgeons of India, at New Delhi, from the 27th
to 31st December, 1976.
A Symposium on Tarcinoma breast and its
Comprehensive Approach*
is being held in
connection with the 30th Annual Congress of
Radiology at Chandigarh, between 1st and 4th
January, 1977.
A Symposium on 'Atherosclerosis' is being
organised during the 3rd Annual Conference of
the Association of Biochemists of India at the
Medical College, Baroda, between 7th and 9th
January, 1977.
An International Symposium on 1Venom and
Toxins * is being organised by the Haffkine
Institute, Bombay in February, 1977.
SCIENTIFIC LECTURES TO BE HELD AT
INDIAN COUNCIL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH HEADQUARTERS OFFICE
DURING OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, 1976.
Date
Topic
Speaker
15.10.1976
Virology in Public Health:
Not an island entire in itself
(Basanti Devi Amir Chand Prize
Oration)
Dr. K.M. Pavri, Poona
29.10.1976
Long term effects of Vasectomy
Dr. Shanta S. Rao, Bombay
3.11.1976
Etiology of Chronic Cor Pulmonale
in Delhi.
[Dr. Kamala Menon Medical Research
Award (1975) Oration]
Dr. S. Padmavati,
New Delhi.
19.11.1976
Depressive illness and suicide in
India.
[Dr. P.N. Raju Award (1975) Oration]
Dr. A. Venkoba Rao,
Madurai
COUNCIL'S TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR 1976-77
(A) EXISTING ANNUAL TRAINING COURSES:
Nutrition and Endocrinology:
At the National Institute of Nutrition,
Hyderabad.
(1)
Annual Certificate Course in Nutrition;
(December 1, 1976 to February 28, 1977)
(2)
Ninth M.Sc. (Applied Nutrition) Course:
(June 1, 1976 to February 28, 1977)
(3)
*Fourth Annual Certificate Course in Human
Nutrition for Teachers in Agricultural
Universities.
(4)
Fifth
Annual
Training
Course
in
Endocrinological Techniques
and their
application: (August 19 to September
30
1976)
9
Diploma Course in Virology of Poona
University (July 1, 1976)
Reproductive Biology and Ferti11ty Control:
At the Institute
duction, Bombay.
for Research in Repro
Clinical Pharmacology:
CD
Annual Training Course in Reproductive
Endocrinology: (September 15, 1976 to
October 15, 1976)
⑵
Seventh Annual Training Course in Reproductive Biology and Fertility Control:
(November 1, 1976 to February 28, 1977)
(3)
Sixth Annual Training Course on Hormone
Assays: (February 1, 1977 to March 31,
1977)
At the Department of Pharmacology,
G.S. Medical College, Bombay.
A Training Course in Clinical Pharma
cology and Drug Evaluation: (January 15,
1977 to February 28, 1977).
(B) NEW TRAINING COURSES DURING 1976-77:
Reproductive Biology and Fertility Control:
Haematology:
At the
Bombay.
Blood Group
Reference
Centre,
Training Course in Blood Banking and
Basic ilaematology for Technicians (February 16, 1976 to May 15, 1976)
Research in
Course in Cytology
(September, 1976)
and
Repro
Cytogenetics:
At the National Institute of Occupational
Health, Ahmedabad.
At the School of Tropical Medicine,
cutta.
Cal-
on
Course
Training
(April 1, 1976 to June 30,
Biostatistics:
At the National Institute of Nutrition,
Hyderabad.
Third Annual Training Course in Biostatistics for Statisticians and Medical
Research Workers: (September 1976)
Animal Technicians Training:
At the
Laboratory Animal Information
Service, National Institute of Nutrition,
Hyderabad.
Ninth Annual Animal Technicians Training
Course: (September 1,1976 to November 30,
1976)
Virology:
At the Virus Research Centre, Poona.
10
At the Institute for
duction, Bombay.
Occupational Health:
Amoebiasis:
Technicians
Amoebiasis:
1976)
Seth
⑴
ICMR/IVHO Training Course of Evaluation
and Control of Industrial Environment:
(February 16-28, 1976)
⑵ *Training Course on the organizationa of
Occupational
Industry:
⑶
Health
Programmes
in
Training Course on Industrial Hygiene
be organised in collaboration with
National Safety Council: (November, 1976)
Haematology:
At the
Bombay.
Blood
Group
Reference
Centre,
A certificate course in Blood BankingTechnology and basic Haematology for
medical Officers for
period of eight
weeks (February 1, 1977 to March
31,
1977)・
Laboratory Animal Technology:
At the Virus Research Centre, Poona.
A short-term course in breeding and
maintenance of laboratory mouse colonies:
(March 1977).
(C) COURSES FOR TALENT SEARCH SCHEME FELLOWS:
Principles and Methods in Medical Statist!cs:
At the Tuberculosis Chemotherapy Centre,
Madras:(December, 1976)
Clinical Chemistry and Instrumentation:
At the National Institute of Nutrition
Hyderabad (March 1-10, 1976)
Immunological Techniques:
Cell-Biology and Cyto-Genetics:
At the Indian
Institute of Science：
Bangalore: (April 12-21, 1976)
ICMR
At the Department of Biochemistry, All
Medical Sciences,
India Institute of
New Delhi: (January 24, 1977 to February 5, 1977)
PUBLICATIONS
TECHNICAL REPORTS
Price
Rs.
r-
1.
Research in Medical Education 1970
4.00
2.
Research in Health Practices 1970
4.00
3.
Acute Encephalopathy Syndrome in Children 1970
4.00
4.
Technical Review on Pneumoconiosis in India 1970
4.00
5.
Exfoliative Cytology 1971
4.00
6.
Symposium on Nutrition and Heart Disease 1971
4.00
7.
Developments in Industrial Psychology in India 1971
4.00
8.
Study Group in Urolithiasis 1971
4.00
9.
Proceedings of Seminar on Immunity and Immunoprophylaxis in Cholera 1971
4.00
10. Assessment of the National Filaria Control Programme (India, 1961-70) 1971
4.00
11. Diagnosis and Treatment of Pesticide Poisoning 1971
4.00
12. Symposium on Clinical Evaluation of New Drugs 1972
4.00
13. Techniques in Blood Group Serology 1972
4.00
14. Laboratory Methods in Investigation of Thyroid Diseases 1972
4.00
17. Proceedings of the First Annual Meeting
4.00
of the Indian Academy of Cytologists 1972
18. Growth and Physical Development of Indian Infants and Children 1972
4.00
19. Review of Work Done in Rural Water Supply in India 1972
4.00
20. Genetics and our Health 1972
4.00
21. All India Conference on Research in Reproduction and Fertility 1973
4.00
22. A study of Morbidity Patterns and Standard of Medical Care in the Rural Health
Centres of West Bengal 1973
4.00
11
23. Proceedings of the First All-India Workshop Conference on Stroke, 1973
4.00
24. Seminar on Infectious Hepatitis and Study Group on Australia Antigen, 1973
4.0C
25. Atlas of Histopathology of Liver: Hepatitis and Cirrhosis, 1974
10.00
26. Studies on Pre-school Children 1974
4.00
27. Studies on Weaning and Supplementary Foods 1974
4.00
28. Medicinal Plants of India - Vol. I
30.00
SPECIAL REPORTS
1.
Results of Diet Surveys in India 1935-48 (1951) (Special Report No.20)
2.00
2.
Memorandum on the Trearment of Leprosy with Sulphones (1952) (Special Report No.24)
0.37
3.
A Supplement to the Results of Diet in India by K・ Mitra (1953)
(Special Report No.25)
1.00
Review on Haematology with a note on criteria for averages and normals (1953)
(Special Report No.26)
1.00
Treatment and Hygienic Disposal of Lac Wastes by T.R. Bhaskaran (1954) (Special
Report No.28)
0.62
A review ot work on Indian Medicinal Plants by R.N. Chopra and I.C. Chopra
(1955) (Special Report No.30)
3.00
A review of Work Done on Infant Mortality by D.M. Satur and S. Bhatia (1957)
(Special Report No.32)
1.00
Proteins in Foods by S. Kuppuswamy, M. Sriniwasan and V. Subramanyan (1958)
(Special Report No.33)
12.0。
Tuberculosis in India: A Sample Survey, 1955-58 (1959) (Special Report No.34)
2.00
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Physiological Norms in Indians: Pulmonary Capacities in Health by M・N・ Rao,
A. Sen Gupta, P.N. Saha and A. Sita Devi (1961) (Special Report No.38)
3.00
11. Treatment and Disposal of Sugar Factory Effluents by T.R. Bhaskaran, R.N. Chakraborty,
N. Das and S.N. Sinha (1961) (Special Report No.39)
1.00
12. Nutrition for mother and child by P.S. Venkatachaiam and L.M. Rebellow (1962),
2nd Edition 1971 (Special Report No.41)
'
1.S0
13. Manual of Standards of Quality for Drinking Water Supplies (1962),
Second Edition 1975 (Special Report Series No.44)
1.00
14. Manual of Methods for the Examination of Water Sewage and Industrial Wastes
(1963) (Special Report No.47)
4.50
12
5
15. Utilization or Liquid Wastes from Molasses Distillery for Recovery of Potassium
Salts by R.N. Chakraborty and T.R. Bhaskaran (1964) (Special Report No.49)
16. Occupational Health Research in India: A Second Review by M.N. Rao and
B.B. Chatterjee (1964) (Special Report No.50)
0.50
Gratis
17. Nardostachys jatamansi - A Chemical, Pharmacological and Clinical appraisal by
R. B. Arn^a (.1965) (Special Report No. 51)
4.50
18. Dietary Allowances for Indians by C. Gopalan and B.S. Narasinga Rao (1968)
Reprinted in 1974 (Special Report No.60)
4.00
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
1.
Memorandum on Poliomyelitis by C.G. Pandit and V. Ramalingaswamy (1955)
2.
Technical Information Bulletin No.1.
Haemorrhagic Fever in Calcutta Area (1964)
Gratis
3.
Technical Information Bulletin No.2.
An outline of -treatment of Cholera (1965)
Gratis
4.
Technical Information Bulletin No.3.
Cholera (1966), Reprinted 1968
An outline of Diagnosis and Treatment of
0.50
Gratis
5.
Technican Hand Book on Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (1966)
Gratis
6.
Review of Research Work in India on Intra-uterine Contraceptive Devices (1968)
Gratis
7.
Report of the Assessment Committee on the National Filaria Control Programme
India (1961), Reprinted 1967
Gratis
8.
Control of Communicable Diseases in Man, 9th Edition 1960
9.
Recommended Daily Allowances of Nutrients and Balanced Diets (1968)
Gratis
10. Diet Atlas of India by C. Gopalan, S.C. Ba]asubramanian, B.V. Rama Sastri
and K. Vishveswara Rao (1971)
8.00
11. Nutritive Value of India Foods by C. Gopalan, B.V. Rama Sastri and
S.C. Balasubramanian (1971) Reprinted 1976
7.00
12, Nutrition Atlas of India by C. Gopalan and K. Vijaya Raghavan (1971)
10.50
13. Report of Nutrition Work Done in States in 1967
14. Some Therapeutic Diets by S. Pasricha (1974)
3.00
Gratis
0.50
15. Lathyrisn - A preventable Paralysis (1967) Reprinted 1974
Gratis
16. Seminar on Atherosclerosis and Ischaemic Heart Diseases (1961)
Gratis
17. Indian Research Fund Association and Indian Council of Medical Research 1911-61.
Fifty years of Progress by C.G. Pandit and K. Someswara Rao (1961)
Gratis
18. Indian Children on a Psychiatrist1 s Playground by Ema M. Hoch (1967)
12.25
Gratis
19. Hand Book of I.C.M.R. Permanent Institutes (1975)
(Available from Division of Publication & Information,
Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110016.
Indian
Council
of
Medical
Research,
ICMR TALENT SEARCH SCHEME
The Council has initiated a programme of talent search designed to identify and
eventually induct into its research cadre young medical graduates with brilliant academic
records.
According to the new scheme, an advertisement is issued in the press in the month of
January and copies of the same sent to all Directors/Principals of Medical Colleges in the
country every year, with the request that the advertisement be exhibited on the college
notice-boards.
The advertisement carries the announcement that the Council will award
Senior Research Fellowships of Rs.750/- in the ls-t year, on a rising scale per mensem
tenable for 3 years to talented medical graduates willing to opt for a medical' research
career. The selection is made on the basis of a competitive examination consisting of a
written test.
The test is held simultaneously in 3 or 4 centres in the country and has
a common paper to ensure uniformity of standards.
The candidates for the examination are
selected from those applicants, under 25 years, who have secured 60 per cent or more in
the aggregate marks of the final MBBS, and have passed all MBBS examinations in the first
attempt.
These candidates largely represent the cream of available medical talent in the
country.
During the period of their fellowship the candidates are allowed to work for and
obtain a postgraduate qualification e.g., M.D. in their chosen fields working in their
respective colleges. Subjects such as Anatomy, Otorhinolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Anaes
thesiology, Radiology and Surgery are not accepted.
During the period of 3 years, while
pursuing their postgraduate training programme leading to the M.D. degree, the candidates
will be offered special training courses in important frontier areas of biomedical
research.
There will be 2 such courses every year, each course lasting for 10-14 days.
The training courses which are envisaged, will cover such areas as Biostatistics, Epi
demiology, Clinical ChemistryInstrumentation,
Animal Experimentation, Cell Biology,
Cytogenetics, Immunology, Use of Isotopes in medical research, Haematological Techniques,
New Advances in Fertility control Research etc.
In addition to this core training
programme, elective programme will also be offered to candidates depending upon their
special requirements.
These programmes will be conducted in appropriate institutions in
the country where the requisite expertise and facilities exists, and the entire travel
expenditure and per diem expenditure involved will be borne by the Council.
The candidates will be required to give an undertaking (sign a bond) at the time of
their selection, that, after completion of the fellowship period of 3 years, they will
serve the Council for a minimum period of 3 years.
At the end of the three years fellow
ship period, the Council will offer to suitable candidates a regular assignment as
Research Officer, which will eventually make them eligible for absorption in the perma
nent research cadre of the Council.
The candidates not offered such regular assignment
will, however, be free to seek other avenues and employment.
It is hoped that this
arrangement will provide training in biomedical research techniques and methodology for a
large number of bright medical graduates every year, and will also generate a pool of well
trained medical graduates from among whom selection to the permanent research cadre in the
Council can be made.
14
INDIAN COUNCIL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
Applications are invited for the
field of bio-medical sciences:-
1.
Junior Fellowships
following fellowships for research
Rs.400/- p.m. for
the first year
Rs.450/- p.m. for
the second year
in
the
M.Sc./M.A./B.D.S.
M.V.Sc., M.S.W., M. Pharma or
B. Pharma, with three years
research experience, or equi
valent qualifications.
Rs.500/- p.m. for
the third year
2.
Senior Fellowships
Rs.600/- p.m.'
M.B.B.S.,should have completed
internship or M.Sc. with atleast 3 years research ex
perience.
3.
Research Associates
Rs.700/- p.m. to
Rs, 1100/- p.m. Tlie
actual value will be
determined on the
basis of qualifi
cations and research
experience.
A doctorate Degree in Medicine
or Science viz. M.D., Ph.D. or
equivalent qualification with
research experience.
The above fellowships will be awarded for specific time bound research projects
to be carried out in the permanent Institutions of the Council, other Biomedical
Research Institutes, Medical Colleges and Universities in the Country.
Full details and application forms obtainable from the Di re ctor- Gen era 1Indian
Council of Medical Research, Post Box No.4508, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110016.
Applications wi11 be received throughout the year.
15
MONOGRAPH ON MEDICINAL PLANTS OF INDIA
The Indian Council of Medical Research is bringing out a Monograph on Medicinal
Plants of India in two volumes.
The Monograph presents, for the first, time, in a
systematic way, highlights of researches conducted (between 1960-1972) on medicinal
plants.
Thus, apart from the botanical (including pharmacognostic), phytochemical,
pharmacological and clinical data, the Monograph presents the Ayurvedic description
of the plants (including synonyms, properties, actions and uses as indicated in
various Ayurvedic treatises) along with illustrations of the plants.
A glossary of
Sanskrit/Ayurvedic terms has also been incorporated to help the readers. The Mono
graph also provides a list of plants classified on the basis of their pharmacological
properties (indicating also the active chemical principles, wherever available).
Volume I of the Monograph comprising 350 species of medicinal plants presented
in alphabetical order, has just been released.
It is modestly priced at Rs.30/(plus postage Rs.6.50 for registered parcel and Rs.8/- for V.PA,.).
Those who are
desirous of procuring the Monograph by post may send Rs.36.50 in advance, in the form
of bank draft or money order made out in the name of the Director-General, Indian
Council of Medical Research, New Delhi.
All requests for the Monograph may be
addressed to the Chief, Division of Publication and Information, Indian Council of
Medical Research, Post Box 4508, New Delhi-110016.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Chairman
Dr. C. Gopalan
Director-Genera1
Editor
Dr. G.V. Satyavati
Mernbers
Dr. S.V. Apte
Dr. Usha K. Luthra
Dr. V.N. Rao
Dr. A.D. Taskar
Dr. Sabita Tejuja
Printed and Published by Shri Prem Chand for the Indian Council of Medical
Research, New Delhi at the ICMR Offset Press, New Delhi.
R.N. 21813/71
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