Browsing by Author "Sahni, Chetan"
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Publication A Bioinformatics Tool for Predicting Future COVID-19 Waves Based on a Retrospective Analysis of the Second Wave in India: Model Development Study(JMIR Publications Inc., 2022) Kumar, Ashutosh; Asghar, Adil; Dwivedi, Prakhar; Kumar, Gopichand; Narayan, Ravi K.; Jha, Rakesh K.; Parashar, Rakesh; Sahni, Chetan; Pandey, Sada N.Background: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, health policymakers globally have been attempting to predict an impending wave of COVID-19. India experienced a devastating second wave of COVID-19 in the late first week of May 2021. We retrospectively analyzed the viral genomic sequences and epidemiological data reflecting the emergence and spread of the second wave of COVID-19 in India to construct a prediction model. Objective: We aimed to develop a bioinformatics tool that can predict an impending COVID-19 wave. Methods: We analyzed the time series distribution of genomic sequence data for SARS-CoV-2 and correlated it with epidemiological data for new cases and deaths for the corresponding period of the second wave. In addition, we analyzed the phylodynamics of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the Indian population during the study period. Results: Our prediction analysis showed that the first signs of the arrival of the second wave could be seen by the end of January 2021, about 2 months before its peak in May 2021. By the end of March 2021, it was distinct. B.1.617 lineage variants powered the wave, most notably B.1.617.2 (Delta variant). Conclusions: Based on the observations of this study, we propose that genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants, complemented with epidemiological data, can be a promising tool to predict impending COVID-19 waves. � Ashutosh Kumar, Adil Asghar, Prakhar Dwivedi, Gopichand Kumar, Ravi K Narayan, Rakesh K Jha, Rakesh Parashar, Chetan Sahni, Sada N Pandey.Publication An Overview of Clinical Manifestations in Chondrodysplasia Punctata(Brazilian Society of Anatomy, 2023) Jessy, J.P.; Kumar, Rajesh; Rani, Neerja; Kapoor, Kanchan; Sharma, Mahesh; Kaur, Anupriya; Sahni, ChetanIntroduction: chondrodysplasia punctata (CDP) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the punctuate calcifications of long bones epiphyses, cataract, and developmental delay. CDP is associated with inborn errors of metabolism, chromosomal abnormalities, and teratogens. The routine fetal autopsy was performed in 23+1 weeks abortus fetus showed dysmorphic facies, bilateral brachydactyly, and overriding of the toes, and X-ray examination suggested stippling of the epiphysis of long bones. Coronal clefts were seen in the region of the lumbar vertebrae. In this case, genetic counseling was offered to the couple. The diagnosis of CDP on autopsy was made after the radiological examination; hence this case also illustrates the importance of radiology in fetal autopsies. Molecular analysis is required for final diagnosis in such cases. � 2023 Brazilian Society of Anatomy. All rights reserved.Publication Ayurvedic medicines in alleviating the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant in North Indian population: A regional genomic study(Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2023) Reddy, Konduru Rama Chandra; Sahni, Chetan; Singh, Royana; Chandana, Hari; Sharma, Rohit[No abstract available]Publication Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Education of Medical Students(Brazilian Society of Anatomy, 2022) Sahni, Chetan; Devadas, Deepa; Nayak, Amit Kumar; Singh, RoyanaIntroduction: the virus is changing the world and human lives; medical education is not an exception for this. Anatomy as a medical subject is the substratum in the medical education, which helps the clinicians to prosper their clinical knowledge. The dissection of cadavers during anatomy teaching is a signature learning experience in medical education system. Whole medical education system including anatomical education been impacted by the Covid-19 because of unexpected sudden nation-wide lockdown. The digital switchover in teaching is the only option at present not only for Indian anatomists but throughout the world and was achieved with least delays. This transformation is not easy for students as well as for faculty. Each faculty was trying to deliver the subject knowledge to the pupils however learning anatomy on virtual platform is not an easy task. It has its own ineluctable glitches. In the present questionnaire based cross-sectional study, 93 out of 100 first year students of MBBS 2020-2021 batch (Institute of medical sciences, Banaras Hindu University) had participated. They reported, that their study been affected for 20 days on average. Out of 93 students, 34 students (37%) were not comfortable with online mode of teaching either due to poor internet connectivity or due to lack of good devices and due to unavailability of books and notes at home during lockdown. According to students, online learning mode of Anatomy is much difficult as compared to physical offline mode learning. Not only in anatomy, 69% students were also facing similar problem in learning the subject in biochemistry and physiology. 70% students reported uncertainty of concepts in online teaching, and fear of failure in exam because of not able to understand the certain topics in online teaching mode. � 2022 Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.. All rights reserved.Publication Ossification of calcaneal tendon: Plausible role of hypoxia-induced factor 1 alpha(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2022) Kaushal, Parul; Roy, Tara; Jacob, Tony; Srivastava, Deep; Sahni, Chetan; Rani, NeerjaIntroduction: Tendons may rarely be ossified. The calcaneal tendon (CT) is the largest in the body. The incidence and mechanism of ossification of CT is not known. Material and Methods: We carried out a morphological, radiological, histological, and immunohistochemical study on the CT of 50 (30 - male and 20 - female) human cadavers. Results: The mean length (cm) of the CT was 27.60 � 2.30 (right) and 27.51 � 2.60 (left) in males and 25.43 � 0.77 on both sides in females. The contribution to the formation of the CT from the two heads of gastrocnemius muscle was greater from medial head in 84%, lateral head in 12%, and equal in 4%. On screening the CT by C-arm radiography, slight opacification at the site of insertion of CT (bilaterally) was noted in an elderly male. Large, bilateral opacification was seen in another elderly male cadaver. Well-defined lamellar bone with osteocytes lying in lacunae and bone marrow amid the tendon collagenous tissue was noted in hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections. The osteocytes expressed hypoxia-induced factor 1 alpha. Discussion and Conclusion: In this study, we confirmed that the radiological opacification in the CT was ossification that may have been triggered by hypoxia. � 2022 Journal of the Anatomical Society of India | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.Publication SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Genomic Sequences and Their Epidemiological Correlates Regarding the End of the Pandemic: In Silico Analysis(JMIR Publications Inc., 2023) Kumar, Ashutosh; Asghar, Adil; Singh, Himanshu N.; Faiq, Muneeb A.; Kumar, Sujeet; Narayan, Ravi K.; Kumar, Gopichand; Dwivedi, Prakhar; Sahni, Chetan; Jha, Rakesh K.; Kulandhasamy, Maheswari; Prasoon, Pranav; Sesham, Kishore; Kant, Kamla; Pandey, Sada N.Background: Emergence of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529 worried health policy makers worldwide due to a large number of mutations in its genomic sequence, especially in the spike protein region. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated this variant as a global variant of concern (VOC), which was named �Omicron.� Following Omicron�s emergence, a surge of new COVID-19 cases was reported globally, primarily in South Africa. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand whether Omicron had an epidemiological advantage over existing variants. Methods: We performed an in silico analysis of the complete genomic sequences of Omicron available on the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) database to analyze the functional impact of the mutations present in this variant on virus-host interactions in terms of viral transmissibility, virulence/lethality, and immune escape. In addition, we performed a correlation analysis of the relative proportion of the genomic sequences of specific SARS-CoV-2 variants (in the period from October 1 to November 29, 2021) with matched epidemiological data (new COVID-19 cases and deaths) from South Africa. Results: Compared with the current list of global VOCs/variants of interest (VOIs), as per the WHO, Omicron bears more sequence variation, specifically in the spike protein and host receptor-binding motif (RBM). Omicron showed the closest nucleotide and protein sequence homology with the Alpha variant for the complete sequence and the RBM. The mutations were found to be primarily condensed in the spike region (n=28-48) of the virus. Further mutational analysis showed enrichment for the mutations decreasing binding affinity to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor and receptor-binding domain protein expression, and for increasing the propensity of immune escape. An inverse correlation of Omicron with the Delta variant was noted (r=�0.99, P<.001; 95% CI �0.99 to �0.97) in the sequences reported from South Africa postemergence of the new variant, subsequently showing a decrease. There was a steep rise in new COVID-19 cases in parallel with the increase in the proportion of Omicron isolates since the report of the first case (74%-100%). By contrast, the incidence of new deaths did not increase (r=�0.04, P>.05; 95% CI �0.52 to 0.58). Conclusions: In silico analysis of viral genomic sequences suggests that the Omicron variant has more remarkable immune-escape ability than existing VOCs/VOIs, including Delta, but reduced virulence/lethality than other reported variants. The higher power for immune escape for Omicron was a likely reason for the resurgence in COVID-19 cases and its rapid rise as the globally dominant strain. Being more infectious but less lethal than the existing variants, Omicron could have plausibly led to widespread unnoticed new, repeated, and vaccine breakthrough infections, raising the population-level immunity barrier against the emergence of new lethal variants. The Omicron variant could have thus paved the way for the end of the pandemic. � 2023, JMIR Publications Inc.. All rights reserved.