Leprosy deformities. II. As parameters to monitor the effectivity of leprosy control programme.

Leprosy deformities have been considered as the main reason for dehabilitation and social ostracism. Prevention of deformities is considered as one of the most important objectives of leprosy control programme. In present work based on deformity status, efforts have been made to evolve new parameters and their possible application in assessment of leprosy control programme.

Leprosy deformities. I. An epidemiological study in a rural area of Rajasthan.

Leprosy deformities have been the cause of dehabilitation, destitution and social ostracism. Present study was planned and conducted in a rural area situated in eastern districts of Rajasthan. Out of 426 cases of leprosy, ninety cases were found suffering with deformities. The influences of various host factors and disease factors, in causation of deformities have been discussed.

Leprosy in eastern region of Rajasthan.

Total population survey covering 28055 persons living in 34 villages of eastern Rajasthan was carried out. Out of 28055 persons 20276 (72.27%) were actually examined and 218 cases of leprosy were detected. Prevalence of leprosy was found to be 10.75/1000, which is very high and contrary to earlier observations regarding leprosy prevalence in Rajasthan. Leprosy problem in Rajasthan has been discussed.

Interaction of two LAC repressor protein segments with polynucleotides.

The interaction of the oligopeptides Ala-Gln-GIn-Leu-Ala-Gly-OH and Gln-Leu- Ala-Gly-OMe corresponding, respectively, to the sequence 53–58 and 55–58 of lac repressor protein with four polynucleotides was studied. The two peptides did not interact with poly dA. poly dT, poly d(A-T).poly d(A-T) or poly d(A-G).poly d(C-T). But they interacted in a characteristic way with poly d(A-C). poly d (G-T), the sequences of which are in abundance in the lac operator region. Both the peptides stabilised the melting of poly d (A-C). poly d (G-T) at a peptide to nucleotide ratio (P/N) of 4; at lower ratios, they destabilised the DNA slightly. The circular dichroism of the alternating polynucleotide with CAC/GTG sequences was perturbed by both the oligopeptides. The hexapeptide at a P/N of 4 caused the transformation of the Bform circular dichroism spectrum to a new state, characterised by strong 220 and 240 nm bands, and a rather weak long wavelength spectrum.