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The COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide lockdowns brought major changes in education systems. There was a sudden obligatory shift toward utilization of digital resources for teaching and learning purposes. Medical education, specifically physiology teaching, comprises hands-on training in the laboratory. It is challenging to offer a course like physiology in a virtual format. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and influence of virtual classroom technology on online physiology education in a sample size of 83 first-year MBBS undergraduates. A questionnaire comprising questions related to technology accessibility and utilization, comprehensibility and effectiveness of instructions, faculty proficiency, and learning outcomes was administered to the group. The responses were collected and analyzed. Validation through principal components and factor analysis showed that online teaching is not very effective and has a limited application in the physiology education of undergraduate MBBS students. Our study also revealed that virtual physiology teaching of undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic had a moderate level of effectiveness.

We study Newton polytopes for cluster variables in cluster algebras $\mathcal{A}(\Sigma)$ of types A and D. A famous property of cluster algebras is the Laurent phenomenon: each cluster variable can be written as a Laurent polynomial in the cluster variables of the initial seed $\Sigma$. The cluster variable Newton polytopes are the Newton polytopes of these Laurent polynomials. We show that if $\Sigma$ has principal coefficients or boundary frozen variables, then all cluster variable Newton polytopes are saturated. We also characterize when these Newton polytopes are empty; that is, when they have no non-vertex lattice points.Mathematics Subject Classifications: 13F60, 52B20Keywords: Cluster algebras, Newton polytopes, snake graphs

Studies have successfully elucidated the mechanism of action of several effector domains that comprise the multifunctional-autoprocessing repeats-in-toxins (MARTX) toxins of Vibrio vulnificus. However, the biochemical linkage between the cysteine proteolytic activity of Makes Caterpillars Floppy (MCF)-like effector and its cellular effects remains unknown. In this study, we identify the host cell factors that activate in vivo and in vitro MCF autoprocessing as adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-Ribosylation Factor 1 (ARF1) and ADP-Ribosylation Factor 3 (ARF3). Autoprocessing activity is enhanced when ARF1 is in its active [guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound] form compared to the inactive [guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-bound] form. Subsequent to auto-cleavage, MCF is acetylated on its exposed N-terminal glycine residue. Acetylation apparently does not dictate subcellular localization as MCF is found localized throughout the cell. However, the cleaved form of MCF gains the ability to bind to the specialized lipid phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate enriched in Golgi and other membranes necessary for endocytic trafficking, suggesting that a fraction of MCF may be subcellularly localized. Traditional thin-section electron microscopy, high-resolution cryoAPEX localization, and fluorescent microscopy show that MCF causes Golgi dispersal resulting in extensive vesiculation. In addition, host mitochondria are disrupted and fragmented. Mass spectrometry analysis found no reproducible modifications of ARF1 suggesting that ARF1 is not post-translationally modified by MCF. Further, catalytically active MCF does not stably associate with ARF1. Our data indicate not only that ARF1 is a cross-kingdom activator of MCF, but also that MCF may mediate cytotoxicity by directly targeting another yet to be identified protein. This study begins to elucidate the biochemical activity of this important domain and gives insight into how it may promote disease progression.

BackgroundFamily screening of a 48-year-old male with recently diagnosed IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) revealed unanticipated elevations in plasma IgG4 in his two healthy teenaged sons.MethodsWe performed gene sequencing, immune cell studies, HLA typing, and analyses of circulating cytotoxic CD4+ T lymphocytes and plasmablasts to seek clues to pathogenesis. DNA from a separate cohort of 99 patients with known IgG4-RD was also sequenced for the presence of genetic variants in a specific gene, FGFBP2.ResultsThe three share a previously unreported heterozygous single base deletion in fibroblast growth factor binding protein type 2 (FGFBP2), which causes a frameshift in the coding sequence. The FGFBP2 protein is secreted by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and binds fibroblast growth factor. The variant sequence in the FGFBP2 protein is predicted to form a disordered random coil rather than a helical-turn-helix structure, unable to adopt a stable conformation. The proband and the two sons had 5-10-fold higher numbers of circulating cytotoxic CD4 + T cells and plasmablasts compared to matched controls. The three members also share a homozygous missense common variant in FGFBP2 found in heterozygous form in ~40% of the population. This common variant was found in 73% of an independent, well characterized IgG4-RD cohort, showing enrichment in idiopathic IgG4-RD.ConclusionsThe presence of a shared deleterious variant and homozygous common variant in FGFBP2 in the proband and sons strongly implicates this cytotoxic T cell product in the pathophysiology of IgG4-RD. The high prevalence of a common FGFBP2 variant in sporadic IgG4-RD supports the likelihood of participation in disease.

The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and organizational climate of secondary school teachers. A sample of 1403 teachers (939 male and 464 female), (1089 govt. and 314), (297 Urban and1106 Rural) were chosen from secondary schools of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban district of union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Organizational climate scale for teachers developed by Venita Singh and emotional intelligence scale developed by Nahid and Jamal Sajjid. The data were analysed using descriptive analyses (mean, standard deviation, t-test, and coefficient of correlation 'r'). Result of the study exhibit that there is significant interaction between emotional intelligence and organizational climate of secondary school teachers. Thus, the null hypothesis, "that there is no significant correlation between organizational climate and emotional intelligence" is rejected. Further, the effect size (commonness) between organizational climate and emotional intelligence is 19%. It means two variables share 19% variance between them. The implication of this paper is to provide an insight and efficient information related to organizational climate and emotional intelligence which is prerequisite in improving teacher's performance in schools. This study has suggested a feasible research strategy that would be helpful to gain a good organizational climate as well as maximize the emotional intelligence of teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Didactic lecture is an effective method to quickly pass on a high volume of information to a large number of students. However, if not well designed, lectures can be monotonous and provide only passive learning, with little scope for higher order learning skills. To address this drawback of lectures, we supplemented it with case-based learning (CBL), which has been shown to promote self-learning. After giving an overview of gastrointestinal physiology through lectures, CBL on peptic ulcer disease was implemented for first-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery students. The present study aimed to evaluate the students' and teachers' opinions on the notion of supplementing lectures with CBL. In previous reports, discussion using clinical cases was primarily employed as the solitary component for conducting CBL. In the present study, three different but mutually exclusive components, such as case discussion, concept map, and critical thinking exercise on a specific topic in gastrointestinal pathophysiology, were integrated to form the multicomponent CBL (MC-CBL). Students reported that MC-CBL could promote application of the knowledge learned in lectures in a more appropriate context (92.42% positive response), enhance their learning efficiency (98.46% positive response), promote their active participation in the learning process (98.48% positive response), and help them in integrating physiological concepts with clinical science (98.46% positive response). Teachers observed that MC-CBL could promote active learning, analytic, and problem-solving skills of students. In conclusion, MC-CBL appeared to be an effective supplement for the lectures, providing an opportunity for the students to relate the knowledge learned during lectures.

Fusion of teeth is the developmental anomaly characterized by union of two or more developing adjacent teeth. Fusion can occur when two distinct tooth germs unite to create a single tooth connected by dentin and/or enamel, or when a permanent tooth fused with a supernumerary tooth. This article presents a case of 32 years old male patient who reported to oral surgery clinic with chief complaint of pain and discomfort in the right molar region since one week. Intra oral periapical view and Orthopantomogram revealed an impacted right mandibular third molar (#48) fused with a distomolar tooth. The fused tooth was surgically extracted. The purpose of this article is to present a case of fusion of mandibular distomolar to the third molar and discuss and review the past published literature regarding prevalence, etiologies, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is scarcity of Indian data on substance dependence in children and adolescents. Methods: Case records of 85 adolescents with the final diagnosis of substance dependence were analyzed (out of 115 registrations during 1978-2003). Results: Time trends showed an increase in individuals with good social support and higher family income, a decrease in individuals with psychiatric comorbidity. Intravenous drug use was prominent during 1988-1997. Conclusions: Clinic attendance may reflect secular trends in the community. (Contains 1 table.)