Synthesis, Spectral Characterization, Thermal and Optical Studies of Novel Complexes: 4-(Dimethylamino)benzylidene-4-acetamideaniline and 4-(Dimethylamino)benzylidene-4-nitroaniline.

The phase diagram representing solid-liquid equilibrium of entire range of composition and thermodynamic studies of two binary organic systems of 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB) with two NLO active compounds, p-aminoacetanilide (PAA) and p-nitroaniline (PNA), have been studied by solid state synthetic route. Both systems are independently forming a new entity called intermolecular complex (IMC) and two eutectics on either side of intermolecular complexes. The various thermodynamic parameters such as heat of mixing, entropy of fusion, roughness parameter, interfacial energy and excess thermodynamic functions of IMCs and eutectics were calculated using the heat of fusion values. The TGA and DTA studies were performed to understand the physico-chemical, thermal behavior and unique identity of newly synthesized organic complexes, 4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene-4-acetamideaniline (DMABPAA) and 4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene-4-nitroaniline (DMABPNA), and their respective enthalpy of fusion values were found to be 30.01 and 37.26 kJ mol- 1. The higher melting point of both the novel complexes than their parent's compounds reveal the strong molecular interaction between parent components to yield the complex. The FTIR spectral analysis predicts the disappearance of aldehyde peaks of DMAB and NH2 peaks of PAA and PNA while the appearance of entirely new peaks than that of parent's compounds are the supportive for the formation of new molecular entities. These findings are further supported by FTNMR spectrum studies by observation of disappearance of proton peak of aldehyde of DMAB and amine peaks of PAA and PNA rather formation of new imine proton peak or peaks were observed. The appearance of new peaks in Powder XRD of complexes than those of parent components is further indicative for the formation of complexes. The absorption spectrum of DMABPAA and DMABPNA showed intra-molecular charge-transfer (ICT) excited state absorption at 258 and 241 nm, respectively. Both the IMCs, DMABPAA and DMABPNA, show strong fluorescence with quantum yield 0.66 and 0.93, respectively, in methanol solution.

Synthesis, physicochemical and optical characterization of novel fluorescing complex: o-phenylenediamine-benzoin.

The complex of o-phenylenediamine (o-PDA) and benzoin (BN) was synthesized adopting solid state reaction by mixing of their melt together followed by chilling. The phase diagram study shows the formation of a complex in 1:1 molar ratio with congruent melting point and two eutectics lying on either side of complex. The formation of complex was confirmed using the FTIR, NMR, mass spectroscopy, powder XRD and DSC studies. The optical properties of the parent component, their complex and few other compositions nearby the complex were studied using absorption and laser luminescence techniques. The significantly higher green/yellow emission was noted with newly synthesized complex as compared to that of their parents as well as other compositions of o- PDA and BN.

The impact of housing structures on filarial infection.

A study was undertaken to correlate the impact of housing and patterns of house construction on the vector density and transmission of filaria among the inhabitants of these houses. Three different types of houses in ecologically similar hamlets of Hariharpur village in Varanasi were selected for determining the density of Culex quinquefasciatus, the vector of Wuchereria bancrofti and its infectivity. The maximum per man hour density of the vector was recorded during March (31.66, 40.33 and 41.33) while minimum was recorded during June (1.3, 2.6 and 0.33) in all the three types of houses. Infection rate in the vectors collected from poorly constructed houses was observed during April, May, October and January of the following year, whereas in moderately constructed houses, infection was observed only in September and in the well constructed houses dissection results did not reveal any infection during the months of the study. Infectivity rate was observed to be 10.0% in moderately constructed houses (group B) during the month of September and 14.2% in poorly constructed houses (group C) during the month of October. Parasitological observations of the population showed a 12.2% microfilaria (mf) rate and 6.7% disease rate among the residents of poorly constructed houses, 5.8% mf rate and 2.9% disease rate among residents of moderately constructed houses. Among residents of well built houses (Group A), none were found to be positive with mf, but disease rate was observed to be 2.7%. Throughout the year the relative humidity was observed to be higher in the poorly constructed houses and ambient temperatures were found to be lower during the summer but higher during the winter than to those of the better constructed houses. The study made evident that the construction of houses plays an important role in the vector's resting preference, leading to a higher density in poorly constructed houses, thereby increasing the possibility of infection within them, and thus maintaining a higher potential for filarial transmission among its inhabitants.

Implementation of revised strategy of filaria control-baseline clinico-parasitological survey.

A clinico-epidemiological study of filariasis was carried out in Varanasi District in October and November, 1997 to generate baseline data for assessing the impact of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in the district. Disease rate was found to be 6.6% (9.9% in males and 3.0% in females) and microfilaria rate was 5.3% (5.2% in males and 5.5% in females). Mean microfilaria density was found to be 9.86 per 20 Cu.mm blood. Genital manifestations (77.5%) outnumbered all other forms of clinical manifestations. Vector infectivity rate was found to be 0.93%.

Widespread outbreaks of measles in rural Uttar Pradesh, India, 1996: high risk areas and groups.

OBJECTIVE: To describe outbreaks of measles which affected many districts in Uttar Pradesh (UP) during 1996. DESIGN: Outbreak investigations. SETTING: The state of Uttar Pradesh, India. METHODS: The reported data on measles morbidity, mortality and vaccine coverage from 1991 through 1996 were reviewed. Reported vaccine coverage levels were compared with the results of coverage surveys carried out in UP from 1992 through 1996. Line lists on measles cases were analyzed to ascertain the age, immunization status, geographical distribution, and age and sex-specific fatality ratios during the outbreaks. A community survey was organized in 7 affected villages to estimate vaccine effectiveness. RESULTS: Fifty one of 68 districts in UP reported 6922 measles cases and 281 deaths in 1996. The majority of cases and deaths occurred in June and July which are usually low transmission months. Overall cases fatality ratio (CFR) was 4.1%. CFRs were significantly higher in females and young children. The median age of cases was found to be below 5 years. There was heavy clustering of cases and deaths in rural areas. About 85% of the cases and virtually all the measles associated deaths occurred in unvaccinated children. Published documents on statewide coverage surveys revealed that the measles vaccine coverage levels ranged between 26% and 36% during 1992-96. Large gaps were found between reported coverage and survey results. Nevertheless, epidemiological studies indicated a vaccine effectiveness of more than 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The outbreaks occurred due to poor vaccine coverage levels and an inefficient surveillance system which failed to generate early warning signals. The study highlights the urgent need to raise the vaccine coverage levels rapidly in all districts to achieve measles control and prevent future outbreaks in UP.

Impact of DDT indoor residual spraying on Phlebotomus argentipes in a kala-azar endemic village in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Data on the operational efficacy of DDT indoor residual spraying against Phlebotomus argentipes, the vector of kala-azar in India, are scarce. We therefore undertook a study of the impact on kala-azar and its vector of DDT indoor residual spraying in the Varanasi district of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Preliminary results indicate that after two rounds of DDT spraying in one village no P. argentipes were found during the peak vector season; in contrast, a large number of these sandfies were collected in the unsprayed comparison village.

Persistence of Vibrio cholerae in inter epidemic period--preliminary observations on analysis of water.

Out of the 61 water samples collected from hand pumps and wells from cholera endemic areas of Varanasi City, Vibrio cholerae non 01 was detected in only one sample. However, seven (18.9 per cent) samples out of 37 samples of river water were positive for V. cholerae non 01. None of the samples showed Vibrio cholerae. These observations indicate transmission and dilution of Vibrio cholerae bacillus in environment.

Obligatory role of Ca2+ in the cytotoxic activity of dengue virus-induced cytotoxin.

The role of calcium ions (Ca2+) in the cytotoxic activity of the dengue type 2 virus (DV)-induced macrophage (M phi) cytotoxin (CF2) was investigated in the present study. The findings show that CF2 prepared in Ca(2+)-free medium had no cytotoxic activity on normal mouse spleen cells suspended in Ca(2+)-free medium but killed the cells suspended in the medium with Ca2+. Substitution with calcium chloride restored the cytotoxic activity of CF2 the optimal dose being 10(-4) M concentration. CF2 induced an influx of Ca2+, as assayed by uptake of radiolabelled calcium chloride (45Ca), in the susceptible target cells, viz. M phi and T lymphocytes. The cytotoxic activity of CF2 as well as the CF2-induced influx of 45Ca was inhibited by treatment of the target cell with the calcium channel blocking drugs verapamil and nifedipine. Thus, the presence of Ca2+ is obligatory for the cytotoxic activity of CF2 and cell death is associated with increased intracellular Ca2+.

Kala-azar in Varanasi (UP)--preliminary observations.

An epidemiological and entomological survey was conducted in Badohi town of Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh (India) from where an outbreak of kala-azar was reported. Serological and clinical results showed 83 cases who responded to sodium antimony gluconate. Phlebotomus argentipes and P. papatasi could be detected in area of outbreak. An active transmission of kala-azar is strongly indicated.

Larvivorous fishes in controlling mosquito breeding from draw wells.

Culex quinquefasciatus have been found to breed in about 29 per cent of the wells in semi-urban area and 14 per cent of the wells in rural areas of Varanasi at one time or other. Majority of such wells are used-ones. Effectiveness of Poecillia reticulata, Esomus danrica and Trichogaster fasciatus in controlling well breeding is evaluated in the present study with successful results.

An action research in the delivery of primary health care through community based distribution.

PIP: In adhering to the spirit of primary health care (PHC), the Varanasi District in India began its community based distribution (CBD) project of oral rehydration solution (ORS) packets in Chiraigaon block in 1979. The CBD later included Cholapur, Kashi Vidyapith, Sewapuri, Araijiline, Haurah, Pindra, and Niyamatabad during 1980-1981. In 1989, an honorary project director headed the project and its cadre of regular paid staff. At the main office, staff included a project coordinator, technical consultant medical officer, field supervisors, and field assistants. 754 depot holders or kendra kalyan sanjojak (KKS) worked at the community level. They came from all segments of the society, e.g., farmers, teachers, individuals in business, etc. The KKS implemented the CBD and its policies. Individuals at the headquarters prepared ORS packets using the standard WHO formula. They included health information brochures about ORS written in the local language in each packet. Field assistants delivered these packets to the KKS each month at a no profit no loss cost. The depot holders then sold the packets at a marginal profit. From 1980-1983, the number of packets increased from 1725-9660. From 1980-1985, CBD workers distributed a total of 29.862 packets to all 8 blocks. Rigid social marketing criteria adopted in 1984 brought about a downturn in distribution, however. The number of families trained in ORS preparation varied from 80 in 1980 to 1688 in 1985. The number of families totaled 6919. Health education activities, such as group discussion and individual contracts, flourished at the community level which stimulated demand for ORS packets.^ieng

Epidemiology of measles--a thirteen years prospective study in a village.

A prospective study on measles was undertaken during 1974 to 1986 in Hiramanpur village, Varanasi having an initial population of 1538 which rose to 2101 in 1986 enabling to register a total of 23,221 (all population) person years of observation and a total of 9191 (0-14 years) person years of observation. The entire population was covered regularly through domicilliary visits by trained para-medical personnel under direct supervision of medical officers. All cases were verified by doctors. A total of 411 measles cases were detected, which gave average annual incidence rates of 17.7 and 44.7 per thousand population and per thousand children (0-14 yrs), respectively. The maximum number of cases occurred in Ist quarter of the year (69.7 per cent). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov Statistical method validated the seasonal character of the disease (Vn = 5.18, p less than 0.01). The maximum measles cases occurred in children 1-4 yrs (57.4 per cent). Males (54.9 per cent) were affected slightly more than females (45.1 per cent). A total of 246 (59.9 per cent) cases developed complications. The most frequent was respiratory infections (42.2 per cent) followed by infection of gastrointestinal system (32.2 per cent). The complication rates were found higher in infants and older children (greater than 5 yrs.) in both the sexes. Three-fourth of the cases did not get any treatment. The overall case-fatality rate was 2.2 per cent. Females had higher rate (3.3 per cent) than males (1.3 per cent) and the highest case fatality rate was observed in infants, particularly in females.

Clinico-epidemiological profiles of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in Varanasi.

Twenty-seven cases of Post Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (P. K. D. L.) were detected in an endemic focus of Kala-azar in Sujabad village in Varanasi Distt. Male-Female ratio of cases was 4.4:1. Majority (66.6 per cent) of cases had macular lesions. Histopathology of one case showed Leishmania donovani (L. D.) bodies. Densities of sand fly were more in pockets where P. K. D. L. cases were detected. All the 13 cases, which were treated with sodium antimony gluconate, responded well to therapy.