Synthesis and Characterization of Zn(II) Complex of 4-chloro-2-(((2-phenoxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol and its Biological Efficacies: DNA Interaction, ADMET, DFT and Molecular Docking Study.

Condensing 2-phenoxyaniline with 5-chlorosalicyldehyde under reflux conditions, a 4-chloro-2-(((2-phenoxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol Schiff base has been Synthesized. A zinc complex was synthesized by combining the ligand in a 1:1 molar ratio with zinc sulphateheptahydrate. Mass spectroscopy, NMR, infrared, and elemental analysis were used to characterize the ligand and zinc complex. By measuring the molar conductance, the non-electrolytic character of the complex was confirmed. The zinc ion is coordinated in a pentadentate manner, according to an IR and NMR investigation. Viscosity measurements, absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy were utilized to examine the complex's interaction with CT (calf thymus) DNA. Furthermore, the ligand and complex's ADMET characteristics were ascertained through the use of ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity) study. Calculation of the different electronic parameters of the optimized structure through Density Functional Theory (DFT) indicated the stability of the Zn(II) complex. Molecular docking study reflected the future opportunity for the consideration of Zn(II) complex to fight against Alzheimer and Glaucoma diseases.

Synthesis of Novel [{(2-Amino-5-Nitro-N-[(E)-Thiophen-2-yl-Methylidene]Aniline-κ3N1:N4:S)(Sulphato-κ2O1:O3)}Zinc(II)] Complex with Physico-Chemical and Biological Perspective Exploration: A Combined Experimental and Computational Studies.

A novel metal complex was synthesized using freshly prepared 2-Amino-5-nitro-N-[(E)-thiophen-2-yl-methylidene]aniline ligand with Zn (II) sulphate heptahydrate in a 1:1 molar ratio. The ligand and the complex were characterized using different spectroscopic techniques, and the complex was assigned a distorted square pyramidal geometry. Additionally, DNA binding assays and antibacterial activity were used to assess the biological perspectives for the synthesized complex, including the ligand and complex which was further confirmed by molecular docking. Fluorescence Spectroscopy, viscosity measurement, and adsorption measurement were used to investigate the interaction of the Zn (II) complex with CT-DNA. A comparative in vitro antibacterial activity study against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus strains were studied with free ligand and Zn (II) metal complex. The stable geometry of the complex was additionally established through computational simulation utilizing density functional theory, which was followed by the calculation of several electronic properties. The ADMET characteristics of the complex and ligand were also assessed using ADMET analysis. The in-silico ADMET properties pointed to a significant drug-likeness feature in the synthesized compounds, based on the Lipinski criteria.

Association Between Internet Addiction, Depression and Sleep Quality Among Undergraduate Students of Medical and Allied Sciences.

BACKGROUND: The use of the internet is growing rapidly worldwide with easier availability and affordability in developing countries like Nepal. Apart from several benefits, it has also led to deleterious effects on certain individuals' physical and mental well-being. The present study aimed to assess the burden of internet addiction among nursing, dental and medical undergraduates at a medical school, and examine its relationship with depression and sleep quality. METHODS: A cross-sectional study among 494 students pursuing nursing, dental and medical undergraduate courses at the same medical college in Nepal was conducted. The burden of internet addiction, depression, and sleep disturbance was assessed using Young's Internet addiction test, Beck's depression inventory, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaires respectively. RESULTS: The majority of respondents reported either controlled use of internet or mild problem with internet use. However, 4.7% of respondents reported significant problems due to internet use. Further, about 42.3% reported poor sleep quality, and 8.9% screened positive for depression. In both chi-square and logistic regression analyses, internet addiction was significantly associated with poor sleep quality and depression. CONCLUSION: The study shows that about half of the participants experienced at least some problems and a small but significant proportion of them reported severe problems due to internet use. This warrants the need to address the issue of internet addiction among medical and allied sciences students in Nepal. Further, internet addiction is associated with both depression and poor sleep quality, highlighting a need to develop effective interventions targeting all three problems holistically.

Effect of lockdown on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals attending services at a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: Lockdown is an emergency measure or condition in which people are temporarily prevented from entering or leaving a restricted area or building during a threat or danger. Since the start of COVID-19 till date, almost one-third of the world's population is under some degree of restriction and lockdown, and the mental health effect of which is something that is being discussed widely. AIM: The study aimed to assess the effect of lockdown on mental health among individuals (patients or accompanying person) seeking services at a tertiary care center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Kathmandu Medical College is a tertiary care center and a medical college in Kathmandu, Nepal. In this study, we enrolled every 4th individual coming to the hospital's outpatient department registration counter to seek service and giving consent, for the duration of 1 month during the ongoing lockdown period. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed and approved by the department and was used to collect sociodemographic details and to rate the stress level. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) Nepali version was used to assess psychological well-being of the participants and a score of ≥3 by binary method was taken as positive case. RESULTS: The total number of cases enrolled in the study was 204, out of them 62.2% were male and 32.8% were female and the mean age was 32.03 years. Twenty-three percent (23.5%) had preexisting health conditions. Out of the 204 participants, 67.6% said they were stressed following the lockdown and the mean rated stress was 2.90 in a scale ranging from 1 to 7. The frequently identified stressors were fear of contamination, restricted movement, and for inadequate supplies. Twenty-seven percent said they had some psychological symptoms and the most common symptoms were palpitation and sleep disturbance. Seventy-three individuals (36.5%) were found to have psychiatric problem according to their scores in GHQ-12. Rated stress and GHQ-12 scores were found to be strongly correlated (P = 0.000). Similarly, those who stated "Yes" in psychological symptoms significantly scored higher on GHQ-12 and stress (both P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The lockdown has caused stress in majority of cases, and a significant number of individuals have diagnosable mental health conditions. Mental health impact of the lockdown is something that needs to be addressed seriously.

Prevalence of Depression among Medical Students of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Depression is one of the major problems encountered by medical students. This may cause a negative effect on cognitive functioning and learning of students resulting in poor health care and service delivery in future. The presence of this major problem is necessary to be evaluated. Enough recent data regarding its prevalence is not available in our country. Thus, the main aim of this study is to find the prevalence of depression among medical students of a tertiary care teaching hospital. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted among undergraduate medical students of a tertiary teaching hospital over a four-month period (July to October 2019). Ethical clearance was received from the Institutional Review Committee of the same tertiary teaching hospital. Random sampling technique was used to collect data to meet the calculated sample size. Data analysis was done in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression among selected medical students of Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital is 59 (27.2%) at 95% Confidence Interval (21.28-33.12%). Thirty (14%) of the participants were mildly depressed, 21 (10%) moderately depressed while 8 (4%) were severely depressed according to Beck's Depression Index II. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of depression among medical students is relatively significant as found in similar studies done in other centres. Thus appropriate programs and strategies should be implemented to avoid depression from causing a negative effect on cognitive functioning and learning of students. Favourable environment where students are able to talk about their mental health issues is a must.

Knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease Among Medical Students of a Medical College.

INTRODUCTION: Dementia is a public health concern as the prevalence is increasing worldwide with significant increase being in low-middle income countries. However these countries appear to be less prepared in handling this rise in terms of diagnosis and management. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kathmandu medical College, from June 2017 to July 2017. Purposive sampling was done and the medical students who were in their first and final year of study were included in the study after obtaining an informed consent. RESULTS: Total 185 students were included in the study, 80 (43.24%) from first year and 105 (56.75%) from final year of medical study. The mean score of knowledge among the students was 17.44±2.46; 15.32±1.22 among first year and 19.06±1.87 among the final year students. Majority of the students said they have heard about dementia however, only 3 (3.75%) of first year and 43 (41.9%) from final year students have either attended a class or continuing medical education on dementia Conclusions: The knowledge about dementia was found to be average among medical students but better among final year medical students in comparison to first year. The knowledge was found to be better statistically among those who had either attended a class or continuing medical education on dementia or had exposure through different medias.

Assessing Caregiver Burden in Caregivers of Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder in Kathmandu Medical College.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder are chronic psychiatric illness that requires long term care. This study tends to measure psychological burden and factors associated with it among caregivers of these two illnesses. METHODS: This is a cross- sectional study that included participants by purposive sampling method. Self designed performa was used to collect the socio-demographic details of the caregivers. Modified caregiver strain index was used to assess the overall stress. Beck`s depression inventory and Beck`s anxiety inventory was used to assess depression and anxiety respectively. RESULTS: Hundred caregivers, 50 each of schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder were enrolled. Seventy-two percent of caregivers were found to have higher level of stress. Twenty-five percent had depression and 29% anxiety related problems. Stress was found to be significantly associated with being in debt, longer duration of illness, education level, marital status, subjective feeling of psychological stress and self- acknowledgement of need of professional help. Caregivers of both group experienced similar level of stress. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological burden is seen to be high in caregivers of patients of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorder.