Distinct evolution of type I glutamine synthetase in Plasmodium and its species-specific requirement.

Malaria parasite lacks canonical pathways for amino acid biosynthesis and depends primarily on hemoglobin degradation and extracellular resources for amino acids. Interestingly, a putative gene for glutamine synthetase (GS) is retained despite glutamine being an abundant amino acid in human and mosquito hosts. Here we show Plasmodium GS has evolved as a unique type I enzyme with distinct structural and regulatory properties to adapt to the asexual niche. Methionine sulfoximine (MSO) and phosphinothricin (PPT) inhibit parasite GS activity. GS is localized to the parasite cytosol and abundantly expressed in all the life cycle stages. Parasite GS displays species-specific requirement in Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) having asparagine-rich proteome. Targeting PfGS affects asparagine levels and inhibits protein synthesis through eIF2α phosphorylation leading to parasite death. Exposure of artemisinin-resistant Pf parasites to MSO and PPT inhibits the emergence of viable parasites upon artemisinin treatment.

Current knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards physical activity (PA) and its impact on obesity management in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Bangladeshi people's current knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) on obesity and physical activity (PA), as well as the associated factors. Methods: The KAP was evaluated using a standard questionnaire among 429 individuals, of whom 75.5% were men and had a mean age (±SD) of 28.9 ± 7.9 years. Using a mobile-based KoBo toolbox v.25.0 program, information was gathered from respondents who resided in various districts. A Chi-square test and a linear regression test were performed to determine the relationship between the variables, and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to the determine differences in means. Results: The study showed that more than 95% of participants had good knowledge level, although the attitude and practice levels were low. Based on ANOVA test, the mean knowledge score was significantly different (p < 0.05) with age, marital status, and education; attitude levels with education and body mass index (BMI); and practice levels with education, residence, marital status, and BMI. Linear regression analysis exhibited: the level of knowledge was associated with age (ß = -5.34), BMI (ß = 3.67), and attitude (ß = 0.46) while the level of attitude was associated with education (ß = 2.26), BMI (ß = -2.42), knowledge (ß = 0.2) and practice levels (ß = 0.18); and finally, the level of practice was associated with education (ß = -3.29), BMI (ß = -4.5) and attitude (ß = 0.35). Conclusion: The increased prevalence of obesity among the Bangladeshi population was indicated by optimal levels of knowledge but inadequate levels of attitude and practice toward PA. So, proper initiatives should be taken to educate people on the importance of regular PA to manage obesity by policymakers and the government.

Anatomical variation of posterior slope of tibial plateau in adult Eastern Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Upper surface of the proximal tibial end, tibial plateau, has a slope directed posteroinferiorly relative to the long axis of the middle of the shaft. It has important consideration in surgeries such as knee arthroplasty, high tibial osteotomy, and medical imaging of the knee joint. The aim of the present study was to estimate the tibial plateau angle (TPA) by plain radiograph in the adult Eastern Indian population as during literature review, we were unable to find any study, except one (without specific reference axis), on this variable among the Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample was taken from adult patients attending the outpatient department of orthopedics of the institute with minor knee problems. Measurement of the TPA was done in the true lateral radiographs of the knee joints of the selected subjects by a standardized method. RESULTS: TPA varied widely from 6° to 24°, with the mean ± standard deviation value 13.6° ±3.5°. Student's unpaired t-test revealed no significant difference of TPA between left and right knees, both in male (P = 0.748) and female (P = 0.917) separately and in the entire study population irrespective of gender (P = 0.768). Comparison of TPA between male (13.3° ± 3.3°) and female (13.9° ± 3.4°) by Student's unpaired t-test showed no sexual dimorphism (P = 0.248). There were poor correlations of TPA with age and body mass index. CONCLUSION: The present study described the variations of the TPA in the adult Eastern Indian population (range 6°-24°, mean ± SD 13.6° ± 3.5°, no laterality, no sexual dimorphism, poor correlation with age and BMI). Knowledge of this study could be used in different orthopedic surgeries and imaging technique in or around the knee joint.

Evaluation of proximal femoral geometry in plain anterior-posterior radiograph in eastern-Indian population.

BACKGROUND: The morphologic features of the proximal femur are used in preoperative planning prior to total hip arthroplasty. The standard commercially available marketed prostheses sometimes may not be the best fit to all subjects because of the large anatomic variation among different population. Orthopaedic surgeons always stress the need for a proper implant-patient match in hip joint replacements to avoid post-operative complication of mismatch which may affect the ultimate outcome of the operation. AIM: The present study was undertaken to measure the important parameters of upper end of femur in elderly Eastern Indian population which will help the prosthetist to manufacture ideal implant for the local population. This will also help the orthopaedic surgeons while positioning the implants during total hip replacement (THR) procedure in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Measurements were made on both sides, left and right from anterior-posterior radiograph of 102 subject (>50yrs, 42 male and 60 females) using AGFA software. Three parameters femoral head diameter (FHD), neck-shaft angle (NSA) and horizontal off-set (HO) were measured. RESULTS: SPSS software used for data analysis. Gender- wise no significant differences were found in NSA and FHD, but HO was significantly lower in female than that of male (p<.05).The values on both sides didn't differ significantly. CONCLUSION: Improved knowledge of the morphology of the proximal femora will assist the surgeon in restoring the geometry of the proximal femur during total hip arthroplasty and the data could be used as a guideline to design a more suitable implant for Eastern Indian population.