ABSTRACT
A recently released report titled ‘Magnitude of Substance Use in India 2019' found that a significant part of India's population suffers from substance use disorders and are in need of treatment. Dedicated facilities for treatment of these people are inadequate in terms of available resources and necessary infrastructure. Even amongst different types of substances that are widely used and subsequently abused, the prevalence of alcohol is highest. In many Indian states, imposition of liquor prohibition and subsequent illegitimisation of alcohol's production, sale, consumption, etc. resulted in public health management problems. These problems received great public attention when the lockdown imposed to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in India resulted in closure of non-essential industries, shops and workplaces. It also led to the imposition of a nationwide prohibition on sale of liquor. Research suggests that during lockdown, people suffering from alcohol abuse disorders had a hard time coping with withdrawal symptoms. The problem was further aggravated by lockdown restrictions and non-availability of treatment facilities. Delving into the experiences recorded during the lockdown, this research looks at the role that legal systems, legal education and legal awareness can play in risk mitigation and management of substance abuse. © 2023 DMICS.
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Cyanometabolites are active compounds derived from cyanobacteria that include small low molecular weight peptides, oligosaccharides, lectins, phenols, fatty acids, and alkaloids. Some of these compounds may pose a threat to human and environment. However, majority of them are known to have various health benefits with antiviral properties against pathogenic viruses including Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Ebola virus (EBOV), Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Influenza A virus (IAV) etc. Cyanometabolites classified as lectins include scytovirin (SVN), Oscillatoria agardhii agglutinin (OAAH), cyanovirin-N (CV-N), Microcystis viridis lectin (MVL), and microvirin (MVN) also possess a potent antiviral activity against viral diseases with unique properties to recognize different viral epitopes. Studies showed that a small linear peptide, microginin FR1, isolated from a water bloom of Microcystis species, inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), making it useful for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our review provides an overview of the antiviral properties of cyanobacteria from the late 90s till now and emphasizes the significance of their metabolites in combating viral diseases, particularly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has received limited attention in previous publications. The enormous medicinal potential of cyanobacteria is also emphasized in this review, which justifies their use as a dietary supplement to fend off pandemics in future.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cyanobacteria , Humans , Antiviral Agents/metabolism , SARS-CoV-2/metabolism , Lectins , Cyanobacteria/chemistryABSTRACT
Objective: The study explored the impacts of restrictions on the perceived psychological distress and health outcomes in children by their mothers who acted as their full-time caregivers during the pan-India lockdown after the outbreak of COVID-19. Method: A narrative qualitative research design was used and a purposive heterogeneous sample of 20 mothers of children aged 9–11 years were chosen, who were in a full-time caregiving role. Data obtained through a telephonic semi-structured interview were analysed using Narrative Thematic Method. Results: Four themes were generated: aberrant social responsivity and loneliness, decreased interest in regular activities, psychological distress and defiant emotional responses, and negative health outcomes. Anxiety, irritation, quarrelsome behaviours, anger, frustration, feeling low, reduced interest in games, boredom, etc. were reported in children. Decreased appetite, sleep disturbances, complaints of indigestion and multiple complaints of body aches were major negative health outcomes. Conclusions: Mothers described a variety of psychological distress and health outcomes for children due to the extreme restrictions, uncertainty, apprehension, reduced positive engagement and lowered social connection after the outbreak of the pandemic. Family-, media-, school- and community-based real or virtual intervention programmes are recommended to minimize the negative impacts and to guard children against the ill-consequences of restrictions of current and future pandemics. © 2021 Australian Psychological Society.
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Introduction: The term Infectious Spondylodiscitis involves infection of the vertebra and infection of the intervertebral disc, or both. Any delay in its diagnosis or management may cause serious long-term morbidity and mortality. In this study, we report the experiences in our Institution in the management of severe and complicated cases of infectious spondylodiscitis. Material(s) and Method(s): Over the period of 2 years from 2020-2022 (covid-19) 40 patients were operated in our medical college the management was tailored according to the clinical condition based on VAS, ODI, radiological studies and lab results of each case;and patients were then prospectively followed-up for 2 years. Result(s): The goals of treatment for spondylodiscitis is to relieve pain, restore pain free mobilization of the patient and to eliminate infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was considered the main choice of investigating tool other assessments were done by ODI, VAS, Neurologic deficits was assessed by Modified McCormick scale, sepsis, an intraspinal empyema, the failure of conservative treatment, and spinal instability are all indications for surgical treatment. Conclusion(s): The quality of life of patients who have been appropriately treated for infectious spondylodiscitis has been found to be highly satisfactory in general. The risk of recurrence increases in the presence of accompanying illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, renal failure, which were managed by immediate debridement and results were good which was assessed according to above mentioned post-op ODI and VAS. Copyright © 2023 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
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Background: About two-thirds of the benign intraspinal neoplasms are intradural extramedullary spinal cord tumours (IESCT). On rare occasions, they exhibit neurological involvement ranging from acute to chronic, necessitating urgent surgical intervention. Method(s): Here, we examined a group of 10 intradural extramedullary tumours treated between 2020 and 2022 by a single orthopaedic surgeon at Rajshree Medical and Research Institute, Bareilly's department of orthopaedics. Patients were followed up forat least two years. Clinical and functional outcome of these patients were evaluated by Karnofsky Performance Score [KPS], and Modified McCormick scale. Result(s): Thoracic spine 07 (70%) and junctional tumours 3 (30%) were the major sites of the majority of IESCT tumour in our study. There were 5 meningiomas, 2 schwannomas, 2 inflammatory, and 1 benign cyst on histo-pathological analysis. Meningiomas were typically found dorsal spine and dorso-lumbar junction, while schwannomas were found in the middle of the dorsal region. Both KPS and the Modified McCormick scale were significantly improved after surgery. Conclusion(s): MRI scan with constrast can easily identify the majority of benign intradural extramedullary tumours. It was observed that earlier diagnosis of neurological involvement were associated with good prognosis. Notably, surgical intervention is followed by positive functional outcomes. Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
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Corticosteroids are a form of medication that helps to reduce inflammation in the body. They also suppress the body immune system and are prescribed as medicines to treat diseases such as asthma, arthritis, lupus, and allergies because they reduce swelling, itching, redness, and allergic reactions. Further, corticosteroids have been recommended for use in different formulations and doses with varying durations in patients suffering with Covid-19 infection. In view of these facts, most commonly used corticosteroids namely, dexamethasone, prednisolone and hydrocortisone have been chosen in this study. Molecular geometries of these steroids have been optimized using density functional theory technique at B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) level. Further, optimized structures have been used for molecular docking that has been performed on SwissDock web server. The binding energies between corticosteroids and residues of the glucocorticoid receptor (1M2Z) represent that there exist several binding sites between drug molecules and residues of the target protein. Therefore, most preferred binding sites are taken for the molecular dynamics simulation which elucidates the stability of drug-protein complexes. Results have been used to discuss the binding affinities of dexamethasone, prednisolone and hydrocortisone with protein receptor along with various electronic properties of the corticosteroid drugs.
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Suggested cell entry mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 are binding of S1 protein present on spikes of SARS-CoV-2 with the cell surface of hACE2 and S-protein priming by the serine protease, Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and cysteine protease, Cathepsin B and L (Cat B/L). Melittin is the primary constituent of Apis mellifera, the European honeybee poison which acts as an anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory agent. Reports suggested that Melittin can directly lyse the viral membrane, may act as Serine Protease inhibitor and is able to inhibit aggregation of membrane proteins and thus can reduce the pneumonia-like symptoms during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we discuss the potential use of Melittin to subside pneumonia-like symptoms and act as an anti-viral agent in the early stages of COVID-19 treatment. © 2021, Indian Pharmaceutical Association. All rights reserved.