Friday, November 4, 2011

Malaria vaccine: Hope for better tomorrow in malaria endemic countries?

Malaria remains one of the few diseases those continue to scourge human civilization despite the significant advances in disease control strategies over the last century. Malaria is responsible for more than 500 million cases and 1–3 million deaths annually. Approximately 85% of these deaths are among children, mostly in Africa, primarily due to P. falciparum. Whole cell vaccines, irradiated sporozoites and genetically attenuated sporozoites have demonstrated long lasting, sterile protection against plasmodium infection in animal and experimental clinical studies. Atypical membrane protein 1 and merozoite surface protein 1 are the two most extensively studied asexual blood stage vaccine candidates. The most promising candidate vaccine under development is RTS, S combined with AS01 adjuvant. Initial results from phase III trials of this candidate vaccine show 50% reduction of malaria in 5–17 mo aged children during the 12 mo after vaccination. WHO anticipates that the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine will be recommended for the 6–14 week age group for co-administration together with other vaccines as part of routine immunization programs in malaria endemic countries. Malaria vaccine could play an important role in elimination and eventual eradication of malaria.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Indian education should be revitalized ?


Time has been changed to great extent since Macaulay, now India have become the leading resource to various national and international establishments viz. NASA, National Health Service, UK etc. Many of the multinationals and educational establishments are now headed by Indians as PepsiCo, Motorola, Vodafone, Unilever, University of mishigan, Columbia university, Deutsche bank, IMF, Citibank, Bose corporation etc. Although I do agree with the fact that Indian education need some kind of practical approach because it is somewhat more theoretical than other good education sytems of the world.