Dietary Changes among the Indian Population during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: After the COVID-19 outbreak, significant changes in lifestyle and dietary patterns were observed. There are many studies indicating lifestyle changes but very few pointing out the intricate changes in consumption of different food groups, so our aim is to analyze the same. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 participants between the age group of 18 and 60 years. A self-developed questionnaire with questions regarding the change in consumption of different food groups during the pandemic was circulated online among the urban population. Results: It was observed that 46% participants turned down their consumption of fish and seafood and 48.2% participants lowered frozen protein consumption. 44.9% respondents increased their milk consumption and 41.8% reduced their intake of ice-creams. It was observed that 42.4% participants turned up their consumption of bread and buns and 47.3% of respondents increased their rice intake. It was further recorded that 39.6% and 40.9% participants raised their intake of sweets and chocolates and biscuits and cookies, respectively. 50% and 61.3% respondents ate more green leafy vegetables and fruits during the pandemic. There was a 53.3%, 46.9%, and 38.7% reduction in the consumption of hamburgers, pizza, and fried foods, respectively. Conclusion: Majority of the participants have increased consumption of healthy foods like milk, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, while reduced the consumption of junk foods, carbonated drinks, and ice-cream. There has been a positive shift in the dietary pattern of the Indian population toward foods that help develop immunity despite its limited availability during the pandemic.

Use of CRISPR in Infection Control.

One of the greatest threats to the global world is infectious diseases. The morbidity and fatality of infectious diseases cause 17 million deaths annually. The recent COVID-19 pandemic describes the uncertain potential of these diseases. Understanding the pathogenesis of infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. and the evolution of rapid diagnostic techniques and treatments has become a pressing priority to improve infectious disease outcomes worldwide. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) constitute the adaptive immune system of archaea and bacteria along with CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins that recognize and destroy foreign DNA acting as molecular scissors. Since their discovery, CRISPR systems are classified into 6 types and 22 subtypes. Type II, V, and VI are used for diagnostic purposes. Utilizing the CRISPR-Cas system's capabilities will aid promote the development of novel and improved diagnostics as well as innovative delivery systems and the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia Manifesting as Acute Kidney Injury and Bing-Neel Syndrome With Excellent Response to Ibrutinib.

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma associated with a monoclonal immunoglobulin M protein. Extranodal involvement in WM is not very common. In this article, we present a rare case of WM with kidney and central nervous system involvement. Bing-Neel syndrome is a distinct complication of WM where lymphoplasmacytic cells involve the central nervous system (CNS). Our patient was initially treated with dialysis and steroids with improvement in his kidney function. He was then started on systemic treatment with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone with stable kidney function but persistent CNS symptoms. Due to rarity of cases, there is no standard treatment for Bing-Neel syndrome. His treatment was switched to ibrutinib with dramatic improvement in his CNS symptoms as well as radiological findings on magnetic resonance imaging.

Cutaneous Disease as a Rare Presentation of Follicular Lymphoma Progression.

Follicular lymphoma, the third most common lymphoid malignancy, is considered indolent but incurable non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Isolated cutaneous relapse from follicular lymphoma is very uncommon, and very few cases have been reported in the literature. In this article, we present a case of an adult patient with a history of treated follicular lymphoma who presented with a skin lesion on his face and scalp. Further workup, including biopsy, led to the diagnosis of relapsed follicular lymphoma with no progression of disease elsewhere. We reviewed cases of follicular lymphoma, which relapsed with isolated cutaneous involvement. Treatment options for relapsed follicular lymphoma include observation, anti-CD 20 antibody alone, or in combination with chemotherapy, radio-immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation in selected patients. Increased awareness of disease evolution and prompt diagnosis of this form of relapse from follicular lymphoma will improve the effectiveness and outcome of its management.