Public knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19: An online cross-sectional study in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19, since its emergence, has become a global health problem with countries adopting unprecedented measures to control the spread of this pandemic. Adherence of the populations to control measures is affected by their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards the disease. It was with this aim that the present study was conducted among the residents of UT of J&K to assess their KAP toward COVID-19. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional online survey of 464 J&K residents was conducted between 1st May and 10th May 2020. Survey Monkey tool was used to develop a link and KAP questionnaire was used for data collection. The survey instrument consisted of demographic characteristics, 11 items on knowledge, 5 items on attitudes, and 7 items on practices. Data collected was represented in descriptive statistics, and one-way analysis of variance was the test of significance. RESULTS: Mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 7.69 ± 0.74, 4.70 ± 0.57, and 4.32 ± 0.68, respectively, among the respondents. Majority (99%) knew the sign and symptoms, mode of transmission of the disease and avoided attending large gatherings. Use of mask was almost universal and about 38% were taking supplements like vitamins or herbal medicines. Good knowledge, positive attitude, and appropriate practices among the respondents about COVID-19 suggest that community based health education programs play a key role in containment and mitigation of this disease. CONCLUSION: Sustained messaging and updates from the national and local health authorities on COVID-19 to the public are likely to help control the transmission of the disease.

Comparative Effect of Dry Needling and Neural Mobilization on Pain, Strength, Range of Motion, and Quality of Life in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis: Protocol for Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe a study protocol that will aim to assess the effectiveness of adding dry needling or neural mobilization to conventional physiotherapy in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. METHODS: We propose to conduct a 2-group, participant-blinded, randomized clinical trial with recruitment of 36 participants with lateral epicondylitis from a recognized super-speciality tertiary care hospital. After fulfilling eligibility criteria, consenting participants will be randomized to either a dry needling group or a neural mobilization group, both with conventional therapy as well. The outcome measures will be the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation questionnaire, pain pressure threshold, grip strength, and range of motion. RESULTS: Data analysis will be done by Wilcoxon signed-rank test or paired t test and Mann-Whitney U test or independent t test. The significance level will be set at 0.05. All outcome measures will be recorded at baseline and after 2 weeks of intervention. CONCLUSION: This study protocol will provide data regarding the effects of dry needling and neural mobilization in people with lateral epicondylitis.

Anti-rheumatic activity of Phenethyl isothiocyanate via inhibition of histone deacetylase-1.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects approximately 1% of the total world population. Despite incessant research and development of new therapeutic agents, management of RA is still a troublesome affair. Histone Deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) is an epigenetic regulator which play important role in pathogenesis of RA. In present study, we hypothesized that Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a potent inhibitor of HDAC1, may ameliorate RA. Efficacy of PEITC was evaluated in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis model in rats. CFA (0.1 ml) was injected subplantarly in the left hind paw on day 0 to all the groups except normal control. The administration of test drug PEITC (10, 24 & 50 mg/kg) and standard drug Ibuprofen started simultaneously and was continued for 21 days. Paw edema, total arthritic index, mobility score, stair climbing ability, behavioral parameters, and bone erosion were evaluated. Further, radiographic studies, TNF-alpha as well as HDAC1 levels in synovial tissue homogenate and histological analysis were performed. Prophylactic treatment of PEITC attenuated paw edema, total arthritic index, mobility score, stair climbing ability, behavioral parameters, and bone erosion in dose dependent manner. Furthermore, there was significant decrease in TNF-alpha as well as HDAC1 levels in synovial tissue homogenate. Histological analysis revealed no cartilage damage, bone erosion, hyperplasia at synovial lining as well as infiltration of inflammatory cells in treatment group. Results of this study suggest potent anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity of Phenethyl isothiocyanate in CFA induced RA model in rats.

Colon cancer stem cells: Potential target for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Despite incessant research, colon cancer still is one of the most common causes of fatalities in both men and women worldwide. Also, nearly 50% of patients with colorectal cancer show tumor recurrence. Recent investigations have highlighted the involvement of colon cancer stem cells (CCSCs) in cancer relapse and chemoresistance. CCSCs deliver a significant protumorigenic niche through persistent overexpression of self-renewal capabilities. Moreover, CSCs cross network with stromal cells, immune infiltrates, and cyotokine-chemokine, which potentiate their aggressive proliferative potential. Targeting CCSCs through small molecule inhibitors, miRNAs, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in in vivo studies has generated compelling evidence for the effectiveness of these various treatments. This review effectively compiles the role of CCSC surface markers and dysregulated and/or upregulated pathways in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer that can be used to target CCSCs for effective colorectal cancer treatment.