Genetic diversity and spatiotemporal distribution of SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant in India

After the spill to humans, in the timeline of SARS-CoV-2, several positively selected variants have emerged. A phylogeographic study on these variants can reveal their spatial and temporal distribution. In December 2020, the alpha variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has been designated as a variant of concern (VOC) by WHO, was discovered in the southeastern United Kingdom (UK). Slowly, it expanded across India, with a considerable number of cases, particularly in North India. The study focuses on determining the prevalence and expansion of the alpha variants in various parts of India. The genetic diversity estimation helped us understand various evolutionary forces that have shaped the spatial distribution of this variant during the peak. Overall, our study paves the way to understand the evolution and expansion of a virus variant.

The association of ABO blood group with the asymptomatic COVID-19 cases in India

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted several waves of infection in many countries worldwide. The large variations in case fatality ratio among different geographical regions suggests that the human susceptibility against this virus varies substantially. Several studies from different parts of the world showed a significant association of ABO blood group and COVID-19 susceptibility. It was shown that individuals with blood group O are at the lower risk of coronavirus infection. To establish the association of ABO blood group in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, we for the first time analysed SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies as well as blood groups among 509 random individuals from three major districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh region of India.. Interestingly, we found neutralising antibodies in significantly higher percentage of people with blood group AB (0.36) followed by B (0.31), A (0.22) and lowest in people with blood group O (0.11). This indicates that people with blood group AB are at comparatively higher risk of infection than other blood groups. Further, in line to previous reports we too observed that people with blood group O have significantly decreased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, among the asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals with blood group AB has highest, whilst blood group O has lowest risk of infection.

Survey regarding difficulties encountered by foreign medical postgraduates in China / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective To investigate the general information such as study motivation, study de-mand, and encountered difficulties of foreign medical postgraduates in China. Methods 45 medical post-graduates in Chongqing Medical University participated in this survey in February 2014. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions, including study motivation, the reasons to learn in China, language proficiency, study expectation, satisfaction rate, and future career plan. In total, 45 questionnaires were handed out, and 42 (93%) were recovered. Results All respondents (42 persons) had already acquired medical license in their own countries. 45%of them (19 persons) had obtained bachelor’s degree in other university and were attracted by the reputation of Chongqing Medical University. 50% of respondents (21 persons) considered language barrier as the biggest problem in their learning process. 60%(25 persons) were generally satisfied with their postgraduate education in China. And lack of clinical practice opportunity was ranked as the No. 1 reason of dissatisfaction (54%, 23 persons). Conclusion Language barrier as well as lack of clinical practice opportunity is the biggest two problems encountered by foreign medical postgraduates in China. Although Chongqing Medical University has gained a lot of experience in foreign medical postgraduate education, improvements regarding training program and mentor selection should still be made.

Anterior arthroscopic-assisted fixation of posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures.

BACKGROUND: Avulsion fractures of the tibial insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) have always been regarded as rare injuries. The tibial attachment of the PCL is located in an area, which is difficult to access. HYPOTHESIS: To verify the effects of anterior arthroscopic fixation of PCL avulsion fractures. METHODS: 18 patients with PCL avulsion fracture were included. The inclusion criteria were: (1) the fracture fragment size was greater than 20 mm; (2) surgery in the acute phase of fractures (<3 weeks). The intervention was anterior arthroscopic fixation of fractures. Outcome variables included posterior laxity assessment with KT2000 arthrometer, posterior sag sign, the quadriceps activation test, the reverse Lachman, posterior stress X-rays, range of motion, and the IKDC form assessment. RESULTS: Complete osseous union showed in all cases during the follow-up (24-49 months). The posterior laxity assessment demonstrated slight posterior tibia translation (<5 mm) on the femur in 1 patient at 89 N and in 2 at maximal testing. All were stable on the posterior sag sign, the quadriceps activation test, the reverse Lachman and posterior stress X-rays. Two had loss of flexion of about 10° (grade B). Others showed a full range of knee motion. According to the IKDC form assessment, 16 patients were classified as grade A and 2 were classified as grade B. 16 of 18 patients were absolutely pain free, and there was general satisfaction on pain questionnaire. All the patients returned to their pre-injury knee function. No revision surgery was performed. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior arthroscopic-assisted fixation guided with a tibial PCL guide is a simple and feasible alternative for treating PCL avulsion fractures when the fragment size is larger than 20 mm.

Multiple sclerosis：an overview

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which body's immune system eats away the protective sheath that covers nerves which interferes with the communication between brain and the rest of body. Ultimately this may result in deterioration of the nerves themselves a process that’s irreversible. Symptoms vary widely, depending on the amount of damage and the type of nerves affected. Patients with severe cases of multiple sclerosis may lose the ability to walk or speak. Multiple sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose early in the course of the disease because symptoms often come and go sometimes disappearing for months. There’s no cure for multiple sclerosis. However treatments can help treat attacks, modify the course of the disease and treat symptoms.

Antibacterial activity and physicochemical evaluation of roots of Butea monosperma

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the petroleum ether extract of root of Buteamonosperma B. monosperma was studied against Staphylococcus faecalis (S. faecalis), Sterptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis), Aeromonas hydrophilia (A. hydrophilia), Salmonela typhae (S. typhae), Stphylococcus cohni (S. cohni), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Serratia ficaria (S. ficaria) by using well diffusion method. Results: Petroleum ether extract of root of B. monosperma exhibited a prominent inhibitory effect against bacterial strains. Conclusion: From the result it can be concluded that the B. monosperma extract has potent in vitro antibacterial activity. (B. monosperma). Method: In vitro antibacterial activity of petroleum ether i.e.

Role of surface activity in the biological actions of ranitidine and famotidine.

The role of surface activity has been studied in the biological actions of ranitidine (RNT) and famotidine (FMT). The drugs have been shown to generate liquid membranes in series with a supporting membrane with the virtue of their amphiphilicity. Transport of histamine, acetylcholine, and ions (chloride, bicarbonate, potassium, sodium and calcium) have been studied in the presence of liquid membranes generated by surface-active RNT and FMT. The data on the modifications in the permeability of histamine, acetylcholine and ions indicate that the liquid membranes generated by RNT and FMT may play a significant role in their biological action. The surface-active nature of the drugs has been discussed with relevance to their pharmacological effects.