DESIGN OF COX-2 INHIBITORS-AN IN-SILICO APPROACH

Objective: The aim of the present work was to design the novel series of chalcone derivatives of indane-1,3-dione for its inhibition towards COX-2. Methods: COX-2 inhibitors were designed on the binding ability of the compounds with the target. Docking analysis was performed using Acclerys discovery studio 3.5. Molecular properties, ADME parameters, Toxicity parameters were analysed using the same in-silico tool. Results: Most of the designed compounds were possessing good binding affinity towards the COX-2. Other in-silico parameters such as ADMET and TOPKAT were within the appreciable range. Among all the designed compounds several compounds possess good CDOCKER energy and CDOCKER interaction energy with specific amino acid indicating that it could possess good binding with the target. Most of the design compounds could act as COX-2 because it forms hydrogen bonding with ARG120. Conclusion: Compound l possess good binding affinity indicating that the presence of hydroxyl group in the phenyl ring possess good activity which can be further optimized for its druggabality after its pharmacological activity. Â&nbsp

Study of TORCH infections and its impact on newborn babies and infants: a retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: TORCH is an acronym for Toxoplasma, others (syphilis), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex virus. These are important causes of morbidity and mortality in new-borns, infants and children. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality.Methods: It was a cross sectional record based retrospective record-based study conducted in King George Hospital, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Samples from clinically suspected cases (newborns and infants) for possible TORCH infections were tested in virology laboratory from January to November 2019 and the samples were collected and tested by EUROIMMUN kit for the respective IgM antibodies and analyzed. Clinical details of newborns and infants were gathered from the patients through telephonic communication.Results: Total number of patients tested were 104 in which 54 (52%) showed positivity in which 36 were positive for CMV, 25 for HSV2, 23 for Rubella, 12 for Toxoplasma and 11 for Varicella zoster infection. Out of 52 positive cases 20.4% were alive and normal, 20% were alive but severely affected, mortality was 16.7%. Out of 16.7% mortalities 22% of deaths were due to nephrotic syndrome. Clinical manifestations include hepato-splenomegaly in 33.3% cases, fever in 30%, low birth weight in 25%, heart disease in 13.7%, microcephaly in 13.7%.Conclusions: Our study showed hepatomegaly, fever and low birth weight as common clinical manifestations. Fever and nephrotic syndrome were typically associated with CMV positive cases. Out of 52 % positively tested cases CMV was very common infection followed by HSV2, Rubella and Toxoplasmosis

Physiology Seminars: Perceptions of Undergraduate allied health sciences students

Background: Seminar is reported as an effective method for improving communication skills and facilitates learning process. Seminars enable active participation, peer interaction, questioning the minds of students, handling of debatable issues, effective presentational skills, presenting opinions. Aims and objectives: The present study was aimed to observe the effectiveness of seminar in allied health science students through their own perceptions. Materials and Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted in 60 male and female first year undergraduate allied health science students, after obtaining voluntary, written informed consent after explaining the need of the study and ensuring confidentiality. Results: Majority of the students expressed positive opinion about seminar. Conclusion: We recommend that seminar could be implemented successfully as a learning process. We also recommend further studies with involvement of multiple centers to support the implementation of seminars in the curriculum, to increase the academic performance of students in Physiology