In silico screening of potential antiviral inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 main protease

Respiratory illness due to SARS-CoV-2 emerged in 2019 and has a significant morbidity and mortality rate. The main protease (Mpro) is mainly responsible for viral replications, which acts as a good drug target to inhibit SARS-CoV-2-related diseases. Chemical compounds obtained from various herbal plants are showing potent antiviral activity against numerous viral diseases. Initial screening was performed with the phytochemicals against Mpro using molecular docking. This result shows that there is a strong interaction exhibited between active sites (His-41 and Cys-145) of Mpro with chemical compounds. In addition, ADME prediction and Lipinski's rule of five (RO5) calculations demonstrated that the selected compounds have potential drug-like properties. Further, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to understand the stability and structural changes of protein–ligand complexes for the top five compounds. MM/PBSA studies strongly suggested that compounds, β-spinasterol, and asarinin form stable complexes with Mpro. The most significant hot spot residues such as Thr-25, Met-49, Cys-145, Met-165, and Gln-189 have strongly interacted with the selected chemical compounds. Our calculations suggest that asarinin is the best inhibitor to the Mpro, which supports these candidates and could be potent antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Health Risks and Consequences of a COVID-19 Infection for People with Disabilities: Scoping Review and Descriptive Thematic Analysis

This study aims to synthesize the literature on any disproportionate health risks or consequences of a COVID-19 infection for people with disabilities. Scoping review with a descriptive thematic analysis was carried out. Up to mid-September 2020, seven scientific databases and three preprint servers were searched to identify empirical or perspective papers. Snowballing searches and expert' consultations also took place. Two independent reviewers were used for the screenings and data extractions. Of 1027 references, 58 were included, 15 of which were empirical articles. The thematic analysis showed that: (1) People with disabilities living in residential or long-term care facilities were more likely to have greater infection rates;(2) Intersecting mediators of greater infection risks were multiple (e.g., lack of accessible information);(3) People with disabilities often face greater health problems when infected;and (4) Unethical disadvantages in the rationing of lifesaving and critical care can be experienced by people with disabilities. Conclusions : Beyond any health-related vulnerabilities (e.g., comorbidity rates), multiple yet modifiable environmental factors can provide disproportionate health risks and consequences of a COVID-19 infection for people with disabilities. Public health and policy measures must prevent or reduce modifiable environmental risks.

Perception of students towards anatomy internal assessment in competency based undergraduate curriculum

Introduction: Many changes have taken place in the field of education to improve the standards of professional course. A new competency based UG curriculum developed from2020 in response to improve knowledge & skills in medical students. Assessment is the essentialkey to judge the students knowledge. Students feedback about new curriculum is a useful tool to identify strength and weakness of the new curriculum. Objective: To assess the perception of under graduate medical students towards assessment in anatomy in competency based curriculum.To identify challenges and obstacles faced during competency based curriculum. Materials & MethodS: 135 first year undergraduate Medical students studying in A.C.S medical college were selected for the study. A questionnaire that includes questions relating to new curriculum, teaching methodology and assessment techniques were prepared and circulated among the students using google form. Results: Most of the students felt that the Assessment should be conducted once in a month. Students favoured examination pattern was clinical based & multiple choice questions . Majority of the students felt that internal assessment should be the criteria for allowing students to appear for theUniversity examinations .Students feedback was affirmative for histology discussion. Many of the students agreed that they had enough time to prepare for the Internal Assessment in covid-19 lock down period. Conclusion: The study concluded that the students were favoured towards Anatomy Internal Assessment in competency based UG curriculum.