NON PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACH FOR TREATMENT OF OSMF- A REVIEW

Ancient medicine used herbs, for their medicinal purposes and theraeutic benefits. Herbs became important in the global context today, because they offer solutions to the various concerns faced by mankind. Herbal extracts have been proven effective because they interact within the body with the special chemical receptors. Nevertheless as such herbal medicinal products were part of human evolutionary cycle substituted with allopathic preparations. In the last few years because of usage of antimicrobials and antifungals drugs, many organisms with apparent side have gained resistance with negative consequences. Late resurgence towards herbal medicines is therefore on the horizon rise. The following manuscript sheds light on the various organic materials possible remedies for treating oral mucosal lesions. The study is to review the non-pharmacological therapies in the management of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

The COVID-19 Psychological Distress Scale (CPDS-16): development and initial validation

The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused psychological distress among the Indian population. There are several scales that assess fear and distress related to COVID-19 among individuals. However, these scales are context-specific and lack multi-cultural environment applicability in countries such as India. Therefore, the present study developed a psychometric instrument to assess psychological responses to COVID-19 among the Indian population. A total of 420 participants (60.5% females, Mage=25.89 years) were recruited online using a convenience sampling technique. The 16-item COVID-19 Psychological Distress Scale (CPDS-16) was developed based on the extensive review of the existing scales on psychological constructs related to COVID-19 (yielding four scales with a total of 37 items) and independent review by two external experts. Internal consistency and reliability of the scale was established by using corrected item-total correlations, Cronbach's alpha, and McDonald's omega. Factor structure of the scale was determined by using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Convergent validity of the scale was established by correlating CPDS-16 scores with the three subscales of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Corrected item-total correlations (range = 0.43 to 0.70), Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.90), and McDonald's omega (ω = 0.89) provided evidence for very good internal consistency and reliability of the scale. EFA of the CPDS-16 demonstrated a two-factor structure identified as 'individual level distress' (10 items) and 'community level distress' (6 items). Convergent validity of the scale was established using the DASS-21 with statistically significant and positive correlations between CPDS-16 and the three DASS-21 subscales (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress). The CPDS-16 is a reliable and valid instrument in assessing psychological distress caused due to COVID-19 with robust psychometric properties. The scale can be administered rapidly and is useful in screening psychological distress caused due to COVID-19

Internet gaming disorder, loneliness, and insomnia among Indians during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The lockdown and stay at home orders implemented by the Indian government to inhibit the spread of COVID-19 disrupted the lifestyle of most individuals in the country. This appeared to result in behavioral changes such as increased internet usage, feelings of loneliness, and disturbance of sleeping patterns. Objectives: The objective of the present study was to examine IGD prevalence and its association with loneliness and insomnia among the Indian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the previous literature, it was hypothesized that IGD would be positively associated with both loneliness and severity of insomnia. Materials and Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, a total of 372 participants (54% males, 42.4% females; 3.5% other; mean age 23.26 years [SD=9.07]) completed an anonymous self-report survey. The three key variables were assessed using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Results: The prevalence of IGD among Indians during the COVID-19 pandemic was 0.8% in the total sample and 2.02% among gamers. Regression analysis indicated that IGD was associated with average hours spent online gaming per day (β=0.164; p=0.02), loneliness (β=0.177; p=0.01), and severity of insomnia (β=0.483; p<0.001). Conclusion: The study indicated average hours spent online gaming, loneliness, and severity of insomnia as predictors of IGD. Future research is required to develop a comprehensive understanding of internet gaming behaviors during unprecedented times such as COVID-19

A Reversible Color Polyphenism in American Peppered Moth (Biston betularia cognataria) Caterpillars

Insect body color polyphenisms enhance survival by producing crypsis in diverse backgrounds. While color polyphenisms are often indirectly induced by temperature, rearing density, or diet, insects can benefit from immediate crypsis if they evolve polyphenisms directly induced by exposure to the background color, hence immediately deriving protection from predation. Here, we examine such a directly induced color polyphenism in caterpillars of the geometrid peppered moth (Biston betularia). This larval color polyphenism is unrelated to the genetic polymorphism for melanic phenotypes in adult moths. B. betularia caterpillars are generalist feeders and develop body colors that closely match the brown or green twigs of their host plant. We expand on previous studies examining the proximal cues that stimulate color development. Under controlled rearing conditions, we manipulated diets and background reflectance, using both natural and artificial twigs, and show that visual experience has a much stronger effect than does diet in promoting precise color matching. Their induced body color was not a simple response to reflectance or light intensity but instead specifically matched the wavelength of light to which they were exposed. We also show that the potential to change color is retained until the final (sixth) larval instar. Given their broad host range, this directly induced color polyphenism likely provides the caterpillars with strong protection from bird predation

Anti-malarial activity of Holarrhena antidysenterica and Viola canescens, plants traditionally used against malaria in the Garhwal region of north-west Himalaya

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The increasing number of multidrug-resistant <it>Plasmodium </it>strains warrants exploration of new anti-malarials. Medicinal plant research has become more important, particularly after the development of Chinese anti-malarial drug artemisnin from <it>Artemisia annua</it>. The present study shows evaluation of anti-malarial effects of two plants commonly used against malaria in the Garhwal region of north-west Himalaya, in order to discover the herbal-based medicine.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>In vitro </it>anti-plasmodial sensitivity of plant extracts was assessed using schizont maturation and parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. Cytotoxic activities of the examined extracts were determined on L-6 cells of rat skeletal muscle myoblast. The 4-day test for anti-malarial activity against a chloroquine sensitive <it>Plasmodium berghei </it>NK65 strain in Swiss albino mice was used for monitoring <it>in vivo </it>activity of plant extracts.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Chloroform extract of <it>H. antidysenterica </it>(HA-2) and petroleum ether extract of <it>V. canescens </it>(VC-1) plants significantly reduced parasitaemia in <it>P. berghei </it>infected mice. The extract HA-2 showed <it>in vitro </it>anti-plasmodial activity with its IC₅₀value 5.5 μg/ml using pLDH assay and ED₅₀value 18.29 mg/kg in <it>P. berghei </it>infected Swiss albino mice. Similarly petroleum ether extract of <it>V. canescens </it>(VC-1) showed <it>in vitro </it>anti-plasmodial activity with its IC₅₀value 2.76 μg/ml using pLDH assay and ED₅₀15.8 mg/kg in <it>P. berghei </it>infected mice. The extracts coded as HA-2 at 30 mg/kg and VC-1 at 20 mg/kg exhibited parasite inhibition in mice: 73.2% and 63.0% respectively. Of these two plant extracts, petroleum ether extract of <it>V. canescens </it>was found slightly cytotoxic.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present investigation reflects the use of these traditional medicinal plants against malaria and these plants may work as potential source in the development of variety of herbal formulations for the treatment of malaria.</p

Nephrin Regulates Lamellipodia Formation by Assembling a Protein Complex That Includes Ship2, Filamin and Lamellipodin

Actin dynamics has emerged at the forefront of podocyte biology. Slit diaphragm junctional adhesion protein Nephrin is necessary for development of the podocyte morphology and transduces phosphorylation-dependent signals that regulate cytoskeletal dynamics. The present study extends our understanding of Nephrin function by showing in cultured podocytes that Nephrin activation induced actin dynamics is necessary for lamellipodia formation. Upon activation Nephrin recruits and regulates a protein complex that includes Ship2 (SH2 domain containing 5′ inositol phosphatase), Filamin and Lamellipodin, proteins important in regulation of actin and focal adhesion dynamics, as well as lamellipodia formation. Using the previously described CD16-Nephrin clustering system, Nephrin ligation or activation resulted in phosphorylation of the actin crosslinking protein Filamin in a p21 activated kinase dependent manner. Nephrin activation in cell culture results in formation of lamellipodia, a process that requires specialized actin dynamics at the leading edge of the cell along with focal adhesion turnover. In the CD16-Nephrin clustering model, Nephrin ligation resulted in abnormal morphology of actin tails in human podocytes when Ship2, Filamin or Lamellipodin were individually knocked down. We also observed decreased lamellipodia formation and cell migration in these knock down cells. These data provide evidence that Nephrin not only initiates actin polymerization but also assembles a protein complex that is necessary to regulate the architecture of the generated actin filament network and focal adhesion dynamics

Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the evolution of form and function in the amniote jaw.

The amniote jaw complex is a remarkable amalgamation of derivatives from distinct embryonic cell lineages. During development, the cells in these lineages experience concerted movements, migrations, and signaling interactions that take them from their initial origins to their final destinations and imbue their derivatives with aspects of form including their axial orientation, anatomical identity, size, and shape. Perturbations along the way can produce defects and disease, but also generate the variation necessary for jaw evolution and adaptation. We focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate form in the amniote jaw complex, and that enable structural and functional integration. Special emphasis is placed on the role of cranial neural crest mesenchyme (NCM) during the species-specific patterning of bone, cartilage, tendon, muscle, and other jaw tissues. We also address the effects of biomechanical forces during jaw development and discuss ways in which certain molecular and cellular responses add adaptive and evolutionary plasticity to jaw morphology. Overall, we highlight how variation in molecular and cellular programs can promote the phenomenal diversity and functional morphology achieved during amniote jaw evolution or lead to the range of jaw defects and disease that affect the human condition

Analytical Investigations of Toxic p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) Levels in Clinical Urine Samples with Special Focus on MALDI-MS/MS

Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is a common chromophoric ingredient in oxidative hair-dyes. In some African countries like Sudan, Egypt and Morocco but also in India this chemical is used alone or in combination with colouring extracts like Henna for dyeing of the hair or the skin. Excessive dermal exposure to PPD mainly leads to the N-mono- and N,N′-diacetylated products (MAPPD, DAPPD) by N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 (NAT1 and 2) catalyzed reactions. Metabolites and PPD are mainly excreted via renal clearance. Despite a low risk of intoxication when used in due form, there are numerous cases of acute intoxication in those countries every year. At the ENT Hospital - Khartoum (Sudan) alone more than 300 cases are reported every year (∼10% fatal), mostly caused by either an accidental or intended (suicidal) high systemic exposure to pure PPD. Intoxication leads to a severe clinical syndrome including laryngeal edema, rhabdomyolysis and subsequent renal failure, neurotoxicity and acute toxic hepatitis. To date, there is no defined clinical treatment or antidote available and treatment is largely supportive. Herein, we show the development of a quick on-site identification assay to facilitate differential diagnosis in the clinic and, more importantly, the implementation of an advanced analytical platform for future in-depth investigations of PPD intoxication and metabolism is described. The current work shows a sensitive (∼25 µM) wet chemistry assay, a validated MALDI-MS/MS and HPLC-UV assay for the determination of PPD and its metabolites in human urine. We show the feasibility of the methods for measuring PPD over a range of 50–1000 µM. The validation criteria included linearity, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), accuracy and precision, recovery and stability. Finally, PPD concentrations were determined in clinical urine samples of cases of acute intoxication and the applied technique was expanded to identify MAPPD and DAPPD in the identical samples