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Neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (NCLs) are a group of severe neurodegenerative conditions, most likely present in infantile, late infantile, juvenile, and adult-onset forms. Their phenotypic characteristics comprise eyesight damage, reduced motor activity and cognitive function, and sometimes tend to die in the initial stage. In recent studies, NCLs have been categorized into at least 14 genetic collections (CLN1-14). CLN2 gene encodes Tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1), which affects late infantile-onset form. In this study, we retrieved a mutational dataset screening for TPP1 protein from various databases (ClinVar, UniProt, HGMD). Fifty-six missense mutants were enumerated with computational methods to perceive the significant mutants (G475R and G501C) and correlated with clinical and literature data. A structure-based screening method was initiated to understand protein-ligand interaction and dynamic simulation. The docking procedure was performed for the native (3EDY) and mutant (G473R and G501C) structures with Gemfibrozil (gem), which lowers the lipid level, decreases the triglycerides amount in the blood circulation, and controls hyperlipidemia. The Native had an interaction score of -5.57 kcal/mol, and the mutants had respective average binding scores of -6.24 (G473R) and − 5.17 (G501C) kcal/mol. Finally, molecular dynamics simulation showed that G473R and G501C mutants had better flexible and stable orientation in all trajectory analyses. Therefore, this work gives an extended understanding of both functional and structural levels of influence for the mutant form that leads to NCL disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms (PAPs) are uncommon entities consisting of contained rupture of the pulmonary artery and are a potentially fatal cause of hemoptysis. We describe two index cases of left lower lobe PAPs and arterial ectasia post-COVID-19 pneumonitis and their endovascular treatment with Amplatzer vascular plug, coils, and glue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat foot rot disease is caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., a soil-inhabiting pathogen with a broad host range. In wheat, this pathogen causes blighted appearance and death. Studies on this organism have been performed mainly on morphological, physiological and pathogenic variability, but molecular diversity analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of isolates collected from different wheat growing areas of Karnataka has not been attempted. ITSs are widely used for molecular detection and species identification. In this study, the DNA sequence of the region amplified by the ITS5 and ITS4 primer pair was used to detect five isolates of S. rolfsii collected from different agro-climatic zones of Karnataka. BLAST analysis of the aligned ITS5/4 sequences of the five isolates showed sequence homology with other Athelia rolfsii (teleomorph of S. rolfsii) sequences reported on other crops, while no previous sequences have been reported from wheat. Phylogenetic relationships across these isolates were analyzed and showed significant variability between the isolates by grouping them into two clades. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a molecular sequence of Sclerotiumrolfsii infecting wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and Objectives: Healthy eating habits are essential not only for overall physical health, but also for the development and maintenance of a healthy oral cavity. Evidences indicate that dietary habits acquired in childhood persist through to adulthood, and the family and community have important roles to play in acquisition of nutrition related knowledge and practices. The purpose of this study was to survey the knowledge, attitudes and the eating practice of nutritious and junk foodamong rural school children and to assess any improvement in the attitudes and eating behaviours of the childrenwith increasing level of knowledge. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire surveywas conducted in eight government schools around Mangalore which included a sample population of 2,355 children divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of Class V to Class VII and Group 2 of Class VIII to Class X. A questionnaire consisting of seventeen multiple choice questions to assess the knowledge, attitude and daily consumption of nutritional aswell as junk foodswas used. Results and Conclusion: Our survey found that although there was better knowledge and attitude among the older children belonging to Group 2, there was an increased preference for junk foods among both the younger and older children alike, the taste and visual appeal being the major reasons. Despite increased awareness, consumption of junk food was still prevalent among the vastmajority in all age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Nebulised ketamine is a painless route of drug administration in children. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of ketamine nebulisation as opposed to intravenous ketamine as premedication in children. Methods: 64 children aged 5-10 years, undergoing tonsillectomy were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Both groups received glycopyrrolate 5mcg/kg. First group received ketamine nebulisation (1mg/kg) 20minutes prior to the surgery and other group received intravenous ketamine (1mg/kg) just before shifting to operating room. Children were anaesthetised by standard technique using fentanyl 1 µg/kg, propofol 2mg/kg, atracurium 0.5mg/kg and sevoflurane. Postoperatively, pain score using verbal rating scale(VRS) was assessed immediately after shifting to post anaesthesia care unit (PACU)and after one hour and the time of first rescue analgesic requirement was noted. Children were also assessed for parental separation scores and levels of sedation using 5-point sedation scale preoperatively. Results: There was no difference in VRS pain score immediately after shifting to PACU but there was significant difference in the VRS pain score at one hour postoperatively (p<0.05). The mean time for rescue analgesia was significantly prolonged in ketamine nebulisation group (300±26.40min) in contrast to intravenous ketamine group (237.19±34.38min) (p<0.05). Nebulised and intravenous ketamine produced similar levels of sedation (score-2) and acceptable parental separation scores (score1,2) (table 1). Conclusion: Ketamine nebulisation (1mg/kg) administered before tonsillectomy significantly prolonged postoperative analgesia as opposed to intravenous ketamine with similar parental separation scores and sedation scores. Hence nebulisation can be used as an alternative route for administering ketamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Globally road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-19 years and second leading cause among 5-14 year olds. The UN General Assembly has declared 2011 to 2020 as the "Decade of Action for Road Safety" which seeks to halt the increasing trends in road traffic deaths and injuries worldwide. The starting point for any interventions aimed at achieving the UN declaration especially with regard to young people would be to first know their understanding and behaviour patterns with respect to road safety. Methods: A school based cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 485 high school students in Anaichikuppam area of Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu. Results: Majority of study population (n=277, 57.1%) were girls and 34.6% of the students were aware of the legal age for driving but 55% were unable to identify even one of the five given mandatory road signs. 98.1% of the children were aware of the risks of drunken driving. Only 33 (20.88%) students were using helmets while riding motorised two-wheelers and 55 (11.34%) school children had been involved in road-related accidents in the past 1 year. Conclusions: Study revealed poor knowledge of traffic rules and unsafe traffic behaviour among the school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India harbours the largest number of diabetic patients in the world. Poor awareness and practices are some of the important variables influencing the development and progression of diabetes and its complications, which are largely preventable. Preventive strategies need to be formulated based on factors contributing to the development and progression of diabetes. Knowledge, attitudes and practices among diabetics from backward areas of the country like Bijapur are not readily available. This study was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding prevention and control of diabetes mellitus among patients attending the diabetic clinic at B.M. Patil Medical College and Hospital, Karnataka. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study in 730 type 2 diabetic patients aged = 20 years was undertaken. Results: Mean age was 56.64 ± 11.38 years, 67% were males. 15.35% of respondents had poor, 59.9% average and 24.8% had good knowledge. Majority (60-90%) of the respondents had positive attitudes. 36.4% of the respondents were taking extra care in case they were injured and 40.7% were exercising regularly. Conclusions: Though good number of respondents had positive knowledge and attitude regarding diabetes, the same cannot be said about practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]