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Background: Dermatological problems in pediatric population constitute at least one third of all outpatient visits to pediatricians and dermatologists, associated with significant morbidity. There is a relative paucity of data calculating the prevalence of pediatric dermatoses in developing countries like India with low socioeconomic factors, poor hygiene and malnutrition being the contributing factors. Aim and Objectives: To study the prevalence and pattern of dermatoses in pediatric attendees of our tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: Nine hundred four pediatric patients aged 0-18 years attending the dermatology outpatient department and those from emergency referral of our tertiary care hospital were enrolled in this cross-sectional type of observational study carried over a period of two years. Results: Our study included 497 males and 407 females aged 0-18 years. Patients with non–infectious dermatoses: 555 (61%) and those with infectious dermatoses: 349 (39%). Fungal infections (156, 45%) were the most common finding in infectious dermatoses; atopic eczema (99, 17.84%) being the commonest in non–infectious dermatoses. Conclusion: Our study reflects the various patterns of dermatoses among paediatric patients. This information would further help in creating awareness about common dermatoses that are easily preventable by maintaining proper self-care and good personal hygiene.

We present a case of recurrent strokes in a patient with absent left internal carotid artery (ICA) and pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are abnormal communications between pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein, cause extracardiac right to left shunting of blood and are known to significantly increase the risk of stroke primarily due to paradoxical embolization. They are often hereditary and are commonly associated with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasias (HHT). Delayed bubbles seen in the left ventricle (after 3 cardiac cycles) on transthoracic echocardiogram with bubble study is often the first clue to the presence of PAVMs. CT scan of the chest can confirm the diagnosis. Percutaneous embolotherapy is the treatment of choice with reduction in stroke risk post embolization.

Thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) is the most common congenital anomaly of the neck. The thyroglossal duct is an embryological structure which connects the base of the tongue to the thyroid gland, which when fails to obliterate results in this anomaly. The incidence of this anomaly is approximately 7%, representing about 75% of the congenital masses of the neck. This cystic lesion is usually mobile and nontender in nature and usually presents with respiratory distress in infants. A lingual TDC is the rarest form of a TDC, and differs from a classical thyroglossal cyst totally in presentation and management. We present here a rare case of 2-month infant presenting with respiratory distress due to lingual TDC extending up to the suprathyroid region.

Meroterpenoids are natural products synthesized by unicellular organisms such as bacteria and multicellular organisms such as fungi, plants, and animals, including those of marine origin. Structurally, these compounds exhibit a wide diversity depending upon the origin and the biosynthetic pathway they emerge from. This diversity in structural features imparts a wide spectrum of biological activity to meroterpenoids. Based on the biosynthetic pathway of origin, these compounds are either polyketide-terpenoids or non-polyketide terpenoids. The recent surge of interest in meroterpenoids has led to a systematic screening of these compounds for many biological actions. Different meroterpenoids have been recorded for a broad range of operations, such as anti-cholinesterase, COX-2 inhibitory, anti-leishmanial, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, anti-bacterial, antimalarial, anti-viral, anti-obesity, and insecticidal activity. Meroterpenoids also possess inhibitory activity against the expression of nitric oxide, TNF- α, and other inflammatory mediators. These compounds also show renal protective, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective activities. The present review includes literature from 1999 to date and discusses 590 biologically active meroterpenoids, of which 231 are from fungal sources, 212 are from various species of plants, and 147 are from marine sources such as algae and sponges.

ABSTRACT The emergence and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is characterized by the occurrence of diverse sets of mutations that affect virus characteristics, including transmissibility and antigenicity. Recent studies have focused mostly on spike protein mutations; however, SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest (VoI) or concern (VoC) contain significant mutations in the nucleocapsid protein as well. To study the relevance of mutations at the virion level, recombinant baculovirus expression system-based virus-like particles (VLPs) were generated for the prototype Wuhan sequence along with spike protein mutants like D614G and G1124V and the significant RG203KR mutation in nucleocapsid. All four structural proteins were assembled in a particle for which the morphology and size, confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, closely resembled that of the native virion. The VLP harboring RG203KR mutations in nucleocapsid exhibited augmentation of humoral immune responses and enhanced neutralization by immunized mouse sera. Results demonstrate a noninfectious platform to quickly assess the implication of mutations in structural proteins of the emerging variant. IMPORTANCE Since its origin in late 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been constantly mutating and evolving. Current studies mostly employ spike protein (S) pseudovirus systems to determine the effects of mutations on the infectivity and immunogenicity of variants. Despite its functional importance and emergence as a mutational hot spot, the nucleocapsid (N) protein has not been widely studied. The generation of SARS-CoV-2 VLPs in a baculoviral system in this study, with mutations in the S and N proteins, allowed examination of the involvement of all the structural proteins involved in viral entry and eliciting an immune response. This approach provides a platform to study the effect of mutations in structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 that potentially contribute to cell infectivity, immune response, and immune evasion, bypassing the use of infectious virus for the same analyses.

Abstract This study demonstrates the fabrication of self-aligning three-dimensional (3D) platinum bridges for ammonia gas sensing using gas-phase electrodeposition. This deposition scheme can guide charged nanoparticles to predetermined locations on a surface with sub-micrometer resolution. A shutter-free deposition is possible, preventing the use of additional steps for lift-off and improving material yield. This method uses a spark discharge-based platinum nanoparticle source in combination with sequentially biased surface electrodes and charged photoresist patterns on a glass substrate. In this way, the parallel growth of multiple sensing nodes, in this case 3D self-aligning nanoparticle-based bridges, is accomplished. An array containing 360 locally grown bridges made out of 5 nm platinum nanoparticles is fabricated. The high surface-to-volume ratio of the 3D bridge morphology enables fast response and room temperature operated sensing capabilities. The bridges are preconditioned for ~ 24 h in nitrogen gas before being used for performance testing, ensuring drift-free sensor performance. In this study, platinum bridges are demonstrated to detect ammonia (NH3) with concentrations between 1400 and 100 ppm. The sensing mechanism, response times, cross-sensitivity, selectivity, and sensor stability are discussed. The device showed a sensor response of ~ 4% at 100 ppm NH3 with a 70% response time of 8 min at room temperature.

Abstract Background The current pandemic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, widely known as COVID-19, has affected millions of people around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended vigorous testing to differentiate SARS-CoV-2 from other respiratory infections to aid in guiding appropriate care and management. Situations like this have demanded robust testing strategies and pooled testing of samples for SARS-CoV-2 virus has provided the solution to mass screening of people for COVID-19. A pooled testing strategy can be very effective in testing when resources are limited, yet it comes with its own limitations. These benefits and limitations need critical consideration when it comes to testing highly infectious diseases like COVID-19. Methods This study evaluated the pooled testing of nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-COV-2 by comparing the sensitivity of individual sample testing with 4-and 8-pool sample testing. Median cycle threshold (Ct) values were compared, and the precision of pooled testing was assessed through an inter- and intra-assay of pooled samples. Coefficient of variance was calculated for inter- and intra-assay variability. Results The sensitivity becomes considerably lower when the samples are pooled. There is a high percentage of false negative reports with larger sample pool size and when the patient viral load is low or weak positive samples. High variability was seen in the intra- and inter-assay, especially among weak positive samples and when more number of samples are pooled together. Conclusion As COVID − 19 infection numbers and need for testing remain high, we must meticulously evaluate the testing strategy for each country depending on its testing capacity, infrastructure, economic strength, and need to determine the optimal balance on the cost-effective strategy of resource saving and risk/ cost of missing positive patients.

Suchismita Sarkar, Saroj Sharma, Shashi Raheja Department of Anatomy, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Rohini, Delhi, IndiaCorrespondence: Suchismita Sarkar B-8, Sai Apartments, Sector-13, Rohini, Delhi, 110085, IndiaTel +91-7678642842Email dr.suchi02@gmail.comPurpose: The application of blended learning approach improves student engagement, active learning and achievement of higher order analytical thinking. Despite that there is still no clear proof that use of computer assisted learning is better than traditional teaching in human anatomy. In this study, a model of collaborative learning strategy is applied, using both online and face-to-face instruction delivery, for the Phase I medical students. The study aimed to innovate a model of blended learning in delivery of gross anatomy lectures and determine the effectiveness of this strategy in comparison to traditional classroom teaching by student’s perception analysis.Methods: Students were provided with PowerPoint lectures, clinical video of patient cases, and lecture summary handouts before the interactive face-to-face lecture session. Learner satisfaction survey was done to validate the student’s perception.Results: The students’ participation in the survey was 90.4%, with the mean of students’ responses on the survey scale was 4.10 ± 0.94 (standard deviation). Highest agreement was 83.1% on the effectiveness of online resources. Students gave minimum agreement of 54.9% about the time allotted for the online materials. Thematic analysis of the perception of student feedback provided with many positive outcomes for this approach.Conclusion: We propose that blended learning is a process that helps in enhancing student involvement and participation, motivation for self-directed learning and promotes deeper learning of educational outcomes.Keywords: blended learning, anatomy, student engagement, online, interactive face to face

Activation of interleukin-17 (IL-17) receptor signaling within intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) promotes colorectal cancer development. Here, the authors show that miR-146a limits inflammation-induced colorectal carcinogenesis by inhibiting both IL-17 induction from myeloid cells and inhibiting IL-17R signaling within IECs.

The article evaluates different assays for measuring factor VIII activity after the administration of valoctocogene roxaparvovec (VR), a gene therapy for severe hemophilia A. The study compares one-stage (OS) and chromogenic substrate (CS) assays and finds that CS assays provide consistent results across laboratories, while OS assays show significant differences compared to CS assays. The study suggests that using a CS assay is preferable for monitoring factor VIII activity over time. However, the study acknowledges limitations such as a small sample size and lack of consistency between laboratories. It recommends that laboratories without access to CS assays should send samples to a laboratory that does have access to CS assays for accurate measurement of factor VIII activity. [Extracted from the article]