The distribution of N-acetylgalactosamine in the cochlear nucleus of the gerbil revealed by lectin binding with soybean agglutinin

A horseradish peroxidase conjugated lectin from Glycine max (soy bean agglutinin; SBA) was used to characterise the distribution of N-acetylgalactosamine in the cochlear nucleus of the mongolian gerbil. SBA bound differentially to a variety of structures within the cochlear nucleus. Specific SBA labelling was associated with large non-granule neurones of variable size and shape throughout the cochlear nucleus. Compared to adjacent Nissl-stained sections 80% of the non-granule cells in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) and more than 90% of the non-granule cells in the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) bound SBA. The variation in location, size and shape as well as the high percentage of the labelled neurones suggest that cells of several, if not all, non-granule cell types, which have been described for the cochlear nucleus according to the usual Nissl schemes, are SBA positive. Granule cells did not bind SBA because all SBA-labelled cells had diameters above 10 μm. Diffuse labelling, not systematically associated with cells or fibres, was high in the molecular and fusiform cell layers of the DCN and that part of the granule cell area located close to the surface of the VCN. Darkly labelled granules (up to 2 μm diameter) were prominent in the area of the VIIIth nerve root. After long SBA incubations, they were also present in VCN and to a lesser degree in DCN. The results are discussed with respect to findings in other brain areas and the possible co-localisation of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), parvalbumin and N-acetylgalactosamine

Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health of Children and Adolescents: A Narrative Review

Coronavirus pandemic created havoc on our planet, affecting all aspects of human life. It has resulted in human mortality and morbidity worldwide. It did not spare social and economic fabric of societies. It has resulted in huge psychosocial impact on human race. Various disease containment measures such as quarantine, physical distancing, complete lockdowns imposed by governments across the globe has severely affected mental health of children and adolescents. This paper is aimed at reviewing various articles published regarding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impact on mental health of children with or without previous mental health problems. Different electronic databases, such as Science Direct, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for articles describing impact on mental health of children and adolescents with/without previous mental health problems due to COVID-19. Search strategies included terms such as: “COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2”, “mental health”, “children”, “adolescent”, “behavioural impact”, “depression” and “anxiety.” The majority of children and adolescents experienced deterioration in their mental health as emergency measures were implemented throughout the world. Children diagnosed with preexisting mental health problems or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experienced more negative changes compared with children/ adolescents without pre-existing psychiatric diagnoses. There is increased anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep disorders, lethargy, dissatisfaction and fear of death. There is need to plan and implement strategies to provide easy and early access to mental health services for which various stakeholders should come together.</jats:p

Pattern and prevalence of substance abuse in Kashmiri population: a review

Substance abuse is rampant in modern world including Kashmir valley. It has become one of the major health concerns of the society. Here we present review of various studies about prevalence and effects of drug abuse in Kashmir valley. Different electronic databases PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar, for last 20 years were searched for articles describing drug abuse in Kashmir valley. Out of 10 results, 4 were reviewed published from 2012to 2021. In Kashmir, the consumption of opioids has increased significantly with heroin injection not being uncommon. Youth are more vulnerable to the menace which destroys the productive years of their life. Many factors like conflict 2012 to 2021 zone, peer pressure, unemployment, vulnerable to this menace, educational stress is responsible for the substance abuse among individuals. Drug abuse threatens the social fabric of our community. It causes enormous suffering to not only the individual caught in this abuse but also his whole family. To overcome this menace multipronged approach is required with interventions at family and, community level, various government agencies, NGO’s and most important by medical specialists. </jats:p

Role of hydrocortisone and pheniramine as prophylaxis against adverse drug reaction to snake antivenom

Background: Antivenom remains the primary treatment for any patient with serious snake envenomation and in most patients should be used whenever indicated. Reactions to most antivenom preparations are common. Evidence does not support routine pre-treatment with either antihistamines or corticosteroids.Methods: This hospital based retrospective and prospective comparative study was conducted at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar. In our study 108 patients were studied. Patients in group A received premedication with injection hydrocortisone 100 mg and injection pheniramine 25 mg intravenous (IV) stat before anti-snake venom (ASV). Patients in group B did not receive any premedication. Adverse reactions to ASV was compared in two groups.Results: Out of 108 patients, 105 (97.22%) required ASV. Fifty nine were retrospective cases (group A) who had received premedication with hydrocortisone and pheniramine. Forty six patients were studied prospectively, who received ASV (group B) with no premedication. In group A, no patient developed adverse reaction to ASV. 3 patients (6.52%) in group B developed adverse reaction to ASV.Conclusions: Premedication with hydrocortisone and pheniramine do not prevent adverse reactions to ASV significantly. Adverse reactions to ASV were low in our study to comment fully on role of premedication to prevent these reactions.</jats:p

To study high performance analysis of surround gate SOI MOSFET

In this paper, we are presenting a rigorous study about SOI MOSFET devices development. The development of SOI devices based on gate structure from single gate to surround gate is presented in this paper. We compared the various electrical characteristics between Single gate, double gate, and bulk and also discussed the device modeling based on surround gate structure.</jats:p

Clinical and biochemical features of hypokalemic paralysis: a study from rural Eastern India

Key Message Hypokalemic paralysis is an important differential diagnosis of acute flaccid paralysis that rapidly recovers with treatment. Most of the cases are primary, usually a calcium channel disorder (Type I) or very rarely a sodium channel disorder (Type II). However, secondary causes should be evaluated for and reasonably excluded before labeling the disorder as primary hypokalemic paralysis

Clinical and biochemical features of hypokalemic paralysis: a study from rural Eastern India

Abstract Background Hypokalemic paralysis is characterized by episodic attacks of flaccid muscle weakness of variable duration and severity associated with hypokalemia. Overall, there is a scarcity of data regarding hypokalemic paralysis from Indian subcontinent particularly from rural areas. Methods A total of 50 consecutive patients of hypokalemic paralysis who were admitted in our hospital were recruited in this study. Results Fifty patients of hypokalemic paralysis were admitted to our department over a period of 4 years. Forty-two (84%) patients presented with classic acute onset quadriparesis, while eight patients had atypical presentation. Five patients had paraparesis, two had hemiparesis and one patient presented with isolated neck muscle weakness without any limb weakness. Thirty-two patients had primary hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HoPP) and 18 had secondary hypokalemic paralysis. There was no significant difference in severity of weakness (p = 0.53), number of episodes of weakness (p = 0.66) and serum CPK levels (p = 0.36) between primary and secondary hypokalemic paralysis. Secondary cases required significantly prolonged time for recovery as well as higher potassium supplements as compared to the primary HoPP. The severity of weakness of proximal muscles measured in MRC grading showed a significant correlation with serum potassium levels (p = 0.010), but did not show any correlation with CPK Levels (p = 0.86). Conclusion Hypokalemic paralysis is an important cause of acute flaccid paralysis in the Emergency Room that often improves dramatically with potassium supplements. While secondary cases often require treatment of underlying etiology, primary hypokalemic paralysis often requires chronic treatment with acetazolamide and/or potassium-sparing diuretics. </jats:sec