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There is an extensive debate on the neurological consequences of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its impact on Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, which seems to puzzle neurologists. Links between viral infections and PD have long been suspected and studied, but the exact relationship remains elusive. Since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters the brain through multiple routes and has a direct impact on the brain, cumulative damage occurs due to the activation of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. SARS-CoV-2 seems to aggravate PD due to its effects on α-synuclein, mitochondrial dysfunction, and dopamine depletion. A few studies have even highlighted the higher vulnerability of PD patients to COVID-19. The sudden dramatic change in lifestyle caused by the pandemic and the widespread lockdowns that were implemented have added to the hidden sorrows of PD patients, as they already have a compromised mechanism for coping with stress. This review summarizes insights from basic science and the clinical effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the human brain, with a specific focus on PD.
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OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of ABO and Rh blood groups based on the antigenic presence on the surface of red blood cells with respect to gender and calculate allele frequency of the blood groups. Globally, approximately 700 type red cell antigens have been identified till now. ABO and Rh blood groups play an important role in the process of blood transfusion, resolving certain medicolegal issues, parental testing, and various genetic studies. METHODS: This study was conducted in H.N.B. Base Hospital, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, from January 2012 to December 2016. Relevant data of blood donors were collected from blood bank department of the hospital. Blood grouping was conducted using commercially available standard monoclonal antisera applying test tube and column agglutination techniques. RESULTS: Out of 9883 individuals, 9333 (92.4%) were males and 750 (7.6%) were female individuals. The most common blood group found was B (31.68%) and least common being AB (11.70%). The prevalence of Rhesus positive and negative distribution in the present studied population was found as 93.51% and 6.49%, respectively. Overall, male ABO group pattern found was shown by formula B > A > O > AB which was similar among Rh-positive male individuals while Rh-negative males' pattern was found as A > B = O > AB. In females, ABO group pattern was B > O > A > AB which was similar to Rh-positive female pattern while differs in Rh negative. The estimated allele frequencies were found as 0.2403, 0.2475, and 0.5122 for IA (p), IB (q), and IO (r), respectively. CONCLUSION: The most common blood group found among the Gharwali donors was B positive while the least common was AB negative, which plays an important contribution for making government policies to develop National Health Program.
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BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency is the world's single greatest cause of preventable mental retardation. In developing countries, only 69% of households are consuming iodized salt. OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge and practices with respect to the current use of iodized salt, and to estimate its uptake at the household level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in six villages under Rural Health Training Center. A total number of households surveyed were 253. The data collectors obtained verbal consent from the Family, and Pretested Standardized Questionnaire was administered in every selected household. The respondents were asked questions regarding salt purchasing and consumption habits, salt storage, awareness of iodized salt, and iodine deficiency diseases. Rapid iodized salt test kit (MBI kit) was used in the survey to assess iodine content in salt used in households. RESULTS: In this study, 93.7% households were using packet salt. The most common source of information was a television (31.1%). More than half (53.8%) of the households were unaware of the benefits of iodine. About 62.5% of households were consuming adequately iodized salt. Significant association was found between the practice of storing salt in closed containers and use of packaged iodized salt (Chi-square value -37.6, P < 0.001), awareness about the benefits of iodine and type of salt used (P = 0.02) while no association was observed between the socioeconomic status and type of salt used in the household. CONCLUSIONS: Though the use of packet salt was more than 90%, adequately iodized salt was consumed only in 62.5%, and more than half of the subjects lacked the knowledge about iodine deficiency diseases.
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Preclinical studies suggest that bortezomib, through inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, may enhance the effects of radioimmunotherapy. This phase I trial was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of weekly bortezomib induction combined with Y-90-ibritumomab tiuxetan followed at the time of count recovery by weekly bortezomib consolidation in patients with relapsed/refractory follicular or transformed non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities were observed in eight of nine treated patients, and all but one of these toxicities were hematologic. One patient had grade 3 cardiotoxicity. A dose limiting toxicity (DLT) of grade 4 thrombocytopenia was observed in two of three patients treated with bortezomib at 1.6 mg/m(2), resulting in a MTD of 1.3 mg/m(2). The overall response rate was 89% (two complete response [CR], six partial response [PR], one stable disease [SD]), with a median progression-free survival of 6.5 months (range: 3-22.5+ months). A phase II trial at the MTD is under way to better define the toxicity and effectiveness of this regimen.
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Anticuerpos Monoclonales/uso terapéutico , Ácidos Borónicos/uso terapéutico , Linfoma no Hodgkin/terapia , Pirazinas/uso terapéutico , Adulto , Anciano , Anticuerpos Monoclonales/efectos adversos , Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Bortezomib , Terapia Combinada , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Esquema de Medicación , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Quimioterapia de Inducción/efectos adversos , Quimioterapia de Inducción/métodos , Linfoma no Hodgkin/patología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neutropenia/etiología , Radioinmunoterapia/efectos adversos , Radioinmunoterapia/métodos , Recurrencia , Resultado del Tratamiento , Radioisótopos de ItrioRESUMEN
HoxA10 is a homeodomain transcription factor that is involved in maintenance of the myeloid progenitor population and implicated in myeloid leukemogenesis. Previously, we found that FGF2 and CDX4 are direct target genes of HoxA10 and that HOXA10 is a Cdx4 target gene. We also found that increased production of fibroblast growth factor 2 (Fgf2) by HoxA10-overexpressing myeloid progenitor cells results in activation of ß-catenin in an autocrine manner. In this study, we identify novel cis elements in the CDX4 and HOXA10 genes that are activated by ß-catenin in myeloid progenitor cells. We determine that ß-catenin interacts with these cis elements, identifying both CDX4 and HOXA10 as ß-catenin target genes in this context. We demonstrate that HoxA10-induced CDX4 transcription is influenced by Fgf2-dependent ß-catenin activation. Similarly, Cdx4-induced HOXA10 transcription is influenced by ß-catenin in an Fgf2-dependent manner. Increased expression of a set of Hox proteins, including HoxA10, is associated with poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia. Cdx4 contributes to leukemogenesis in Hox-overexpressing acute myeloid leukemia, and increased ß-catenin activity is also associated with poor prognosis. The current studies identify a molecular mechanisms through which increased expression of HoxA10 increases Cdx4 expression by direct CDX4 activation and by Fgf2-induced ß-catenin activity. This results in Cdx4-induced HoxA10-expression, creating a positive feedback mechanism.
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Regulación de la Expresión Génica/fisiología , Proteínas de Homeodominio/biosíntesis , Proteínas de Homeodominio/metabolismo , Células Progenitoras Mieloides/metabolismo , Elementos de Respuesta/fisiología , beta Catenina/metabolismo , Animales , Factor 2 de Crecimiento de Fibroblastos/genética , Factor 2 de Crecimiento de Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Proteínas Homeobox A10 , Proteínas de Homeodominio/genética , Humanos , Ratones , Ratones Noqueados , Células Progenitoras Mieloides/citología , Transcripción Genética/fisiología , Células U937 , beta Catenina/genéticaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The rural health system in India has long been disadvantaged by a shortage of health staff, including doctors. Providing medical students with a rural clinical placement has been suggested as one strategy to overcome this shortage. This study examined the attitudes of and inclination to rural healthcare careers among medical students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 201 students (147 males and 54 females) from two medical colleges in the National Capital Region (NCR) of India. A pre-tested semi-open-ended questionnaire was used to obtain information about students' socio-demographic characteristics and their views about a rural health career. Students' open-ended responses were collated and coded into broad categories. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 160 (79.6%) had a rural background. The current status of rural health services in India was rated as unsatisfactory by 178 students (88.6%). In total 110 (54.7%) indicated an interest in working in a rural area after graduation with 68 (33.8%) willing to set up their practice in a rural area. Students with a rural background were more likely to be willing to practice in a rural area. Those whose parents were highly qualified (postgraduate education or higher) were significantly less likely to practice in a rural area (p=0.004). Potential benefits of working in a rural area included 'health services for the poor/ benefit for the nation', and 'gain of knowledge about rural people and their diseases'. Potential drawbacks included 'lack of infrastructural facilities', 'less salary' and 'low standard of living'. A majority of the students believe the undergraduate medical curriculum needed modification to improve student awareness of rural needs. CONCLUSION: The medical students surveyed had a positive view of the importance of rural health care. However, factors such as infrastructure and salary were perceived as potential barriers to a career in rural health. The findings are a starting point to understanding the attitude of medical students towards rural health care and designing specific strategies to overcome the shortage of rural doctors in India.
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Selección de Profesión , Fuerza Laboral en Salud , Servicios de Salud Rural , Estudiantes de Medicina/psicología , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , India , Masculino , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Influenza viruses cause annual epidemics and occasional pandemics that have claimed the lives of millions. Understanding the role of specific perceptions in motivating people to engage in precautionary behavior may help health communicators to improve their messages about outbreaks of new infectious disease generally and swine flu specifically. OBJECTIVES: To study the knowledge and practices of health care providers regarding swine flu and to study the attitudes and practices of health care providers toward the prevention of the swine flu epidemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional (descriptive) study and was conducted in the month of September, 2009, among doctors and nurses. A maximum of 40% of the total health care providers of GTB Hospital were covered because of feasibility and logistics, and, therefore, the sample size was 334. RESULTS: Around 75% of the health care providers were aware about the symptoms of swine flu. Mostly, all study subjects were aware that it is transmitted through droplet infection. Correct knowledge of the incubation period of swine flu was known to 80% of the doctors and 69% of the nurses. Knowledge about high-risk groups (contacts, travelers, health care providers) was observed among 88% of the doctors and 78.8% of the nurses. Practice of wearing mask during duty hours was observed among 82.6% of doctors and 85% of nurses, whereas of the total study population, only 40% were correctly using mask during duty hours. CONCLUSIONS: Significant gaps observed between knowledge and actual practice of the Health Care Provider regarding swine flu need to be filled by appropriate training. Data indicate that the health care providers are very intellectual, but they do not themselves practice what they preach.
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Rituximab has been proven to be an important part of the treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma both alone and in combination with chemotherapy. Given its tolerability, rituximab has now been investigated in the maintenance setting in an effort to further improve progression-free and overall survival in patients with follicular lymphoma.
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Anticuerpos Monoclonales de Origen Murino/uso terapéutico , Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Linfoma Folicular/tratamiento farmacológico , Anticuerpos Monoclonales de Origen Murino/efectos adversos , Humanos , Inducción de Remisión , RituximabRESUMEN
Surgery has become an integral part of global health care, with an estimated 234 million operations performed yearly. The World Bank in 2002 reported that an estimated 164 million disability-adjusted life years, representing 11% of the entire disease burden, were attributable to surgically treatable conditions. To study the prevalence of various surgical operations undergone by individuals in their life time, in an urbanized community of Delhi. Cross-sectional study, conducted from October 2008 to April 2009 in Vivek Vihar-an urban affluent colony in Delhi. A total of 3,043 individuals residing in 622 households were interviewed as part of the study. Total number of households with some member having ever undergone surgery was 306 (49.2%). 12.3% of our study population (375 out of 3,043) had undergone one or the other form of major surgical operation in their life time. Caesarean section was found to be the most common surgical procedure performed. 61.7% surgeries were elective in nature and 81.9% were performed in a private hospital. The lifetime prevalence of surgical procedures was 1.77% among children, 12.6% among adult males and 15.8% among adult females (p < 0.001). It was observed that the expense of surgeries conducted in private hospitals was more compared to government. Our findings suggest that surgery occurs at a substantial rate, at least among the urban affluent, with most of the patients choosing to refer to a private hospital for their surgery.
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Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are a heterogenous group of abnormal lymphoid proliferations that occur after solid organ transplant (SOT) or hematopoietic transplantation. PTLDs consist of a disease spectrum ranging from hyperplasia to aggressive lymphomas with 60-70% being Epstein-Barr virus positive. The majority of cases are B-cell, although 10-15% are of T-cell origin or rarely Hodgkin lymphoma. Recent SOT series suggest PTLD occurs at a median of 36-40 months after transplant. Clinically, extra-nodal disease is common (up to 75-85%) including CNS involvement, which is seen in 10-15% of all cases. Since the first report over 40 years ago, PTLD has remained one of the most morbid complications associated with SOT. However, recent data suggests improved survival in the modern era, especially with the integration of early rituximab-based therapy. These studies utilized first line rituximab (+/- chemotherapy) together with reduced immune suppression (RI) for monomorphic and polymorphic PTLD. It will be critical in future studies to determine which PTLDs are most amenable to initial therapy with RI alone, versus RI/rituximab, versus RI/rituximab/chemotherapy. Additionally, novel therapeutics, such as adoptive immunotherapy, should continue to be explored.
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Anticuerpos Monoclonales de Origen Murino/administración & dosificación , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/administración & dosificación , Terapia de Inmunosupresión/efectos adversos , Trastornos Linfoproliferativos/patología , Trastornos Linfoproliferativos/terapia , Linfocitos B/inmunología , Linfocitos B/patología , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Terapia Combinada , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Esquema de Medicación , Infecciones por Virus de Epstein-Barr/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Virus de Epstein-Barr/terapia , Herpesvirus Humano 4 , Humanos , Inmunoterapia Adoptiva , Trastornos Linfoproliferativos/diagnóstico , Trastornos Linfoproliferativos/etiología , Trastornos Linfoproliferativos/inmunología , Trastornos Linfoproliferativos/mortalidad , Morbilidad , Trasplante de Órganos/efectos adversos , Factores de Riesgo , Rituximab , Tasa de Supervivencia , Linfocitos T/inmunología , Linfocitos T/patología , Trasplante de Tejidos/efectos adversos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Luciferase from the North American firefly (Photinis pyralis) is a useful reporter gene in vivo, allowing noninvasive imaging of tumor growth, metastasis, gene transfer, drug treatment, and gene expression. Luciferase is heat labile with an in vitro halflife of approximately 3 min at 37 degrees C. We have characterized wild type and six thermostabilized mutant luciferases. In vitro, mutants showed half-lives between 2- and 25-fold higher than wild type. Luciferase transfected mammalian cells were used to determine in vivo half-lives following cycloheximide inhibition of de novo protein synthesis. This showed increased in vivo thermostability in both wild-type and mutant luciferases. This may be due to a variety of factors, including chaperone activity, as steady-state luciferase levels were reduced by geldanamycin, an Hsp90 inhibitor. Mice inoculated with tumor cells stably transfected with mutant or wild-type luciferases were imaged. Increased light production and sensitivity were observed in the tumors bearing thermostable luciferase. Thermostable proteins increase imaging sensitivity. Presumably, as more active protein accumulates, detection is possible from a smaller number of mutant transfected cells compared to wild-type transfected cells.