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  1. Knowlton ED, Kamath A
    Neotrop. Entomol., 2018 Dec;47(6):780-785.
    PMID: 30191403 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-018-0631-6
    Many organisms use chemicals to deter enemies. Some spiders can modify the composition of their silk to deter predators from climbing onto their webs. The Malaysian golden orb-weaver Nephila antipodiana (Walckenaer) produces silk containing an alkaloid (2-pyrrolidinone) that functions as a defense against ant invasion-ants avoid silk containing this chemical. In the present study, we test the generality of ants' silk avoidance behavior in the field. We introduced three ant species to the orb webs of Nephila clavipes (Linnaeus) in the tropical rainforest of La Selva, Costa Rica. We found that predatory army ants (Eciton burchellii Westwood) as well as non-predatory leaf-cutting ants (Atta cephalotes Linnaeus and Acromyrmex volcanus Wheeler) avoided adult N. clavipes silk, suggesting that an additional species within genus Nephila may possess ant-deterring silk. Our field assay also suggests that silk avoidance behavior is found in multiple ant species.
  2. Kamath MG, Pai CG, Kamath A
    Indian J Gastroenterol, 2016 Nov;35(6):425-431.
    PMID: 27783351
    BACKGROUND: Little data exist on the progression of recurrent acute (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) from regions from where the entity of tropical chronic pancreatitis was originally described. The study aimed to follow up patients with RAP and CP seen at a southern Indian centre for progression of disease over time.

    METHODS: Prospectively enrolled patients with RAP and CP were followed up, and the alcoholic and idiopathic subgroups were assessed for progression of structural and functional changes in the organ.

    RESULTS: One hundred and forty patients (RAP = 44; 31.4 %, CP = 96; 68.5 %) were followed up over a median 12.2 (interquartile range 12.0-16.8) months. The cause was alcohol in 31 (22.1 %) and not evident in 109 (77.8 %). The disease progressed from RAP to CP in 7 (15.9 %), 6 (16.2 %) out of 37 in the idiopathic and 1 (14.2 %; p = 1.00) out of 7 in the alcoholic subgroups. Three (42.8 %) and 1 (14.2 %) developed steatorrhea and diabetes mellitus (DM), respectively, and 2 (4.5 %) developed calcification. Established CP progressed in 19 (19.7 %), 1 (1.0 %), 5 (5.2 %), 2 (2.0 %) and 11 (11.4 %) newly developed DM, steatorrhea, calcification and duct dilation during follow up. Among the idiopathic and alcoholic CP, disease progression was seen in 15 (20.8 %) out of 72 and 4 (16.6 %) out of 24 respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic RAP and CP progressed during the short-term follow up. This is similar to other etiological forms of pancreatitis, as described from elsewhere in the world.

  3. Abraham R, Ramnarayan K, Kamath A
    BMC Med Educ, 2008 Jul 24;8:40.
    PMID: 18652649 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6920-8-40
    BACKGROUND: It has been proved that basic science knowledge learned in the context of a clinical case is actually better comprehended and more easily applied by medical students than basic science knowledge learned in isolation. The present study intended to validate the effectiveness of Clinically Oriented Physiology Teaching (COPT) in undergraduate medical curriculum at Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal Campus), Manipal, India.

    METHODS: COPT was a teaching strategy wherein, students were taught physiology using cases and critical thinking questions. Three batches of undergraduate medical students (n = 434) served as the experimental groups to whom COPT was incorporated in the third block (teaching unit) of Physiology curriculum and one batch (n = 149) served as the control group to whom COPT was not incorporated. The experimental group of students were trained to answer clinically oriented questions whereas the control group of students were not trained. Both the group of students undertook a block exam which consisted of clinically oriented questions and recall questions, at the end of each block.

    RESULTS: Comparison of pre-COPT and post-COPT essay exam scores of experimental group of students revealed that the post-COPT scores were significantly higher compared to the pre-COPT scores. Comparison of post-COPT essay exam scores of the experimental group and control group of students revealed that the experimental group of students performed better compared to the control group. Feedback from the students indicated that they preferred COPT to didactic lectures.

    CONCLUSION: The study supports the fact that assessment and teaching patterns should fall in line with each other as proved by the better performance of the experimental group of students compared to the control group. COPT was also found to be a useful adjunct to didactic lectures in teaching physiology.

  4. Mishra S, Shetty A, Rao CR, Nayak S, Kamath A
    Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2020 07 08;14(5):1163-1169.
    PMID: 32673836 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2020.06.048
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A variety of risk factors have been reported for the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). But limited review on the role of antenatal perceived stress necessitated the design of the present study to evaluate the association between GDM and perceived stress during pregnancy.

    METHODS: A prospective case-control study was carried out among 100 GDM cases and 273 matched controls, attending regular antenatal clinic at two private hospitals of Karnataka. Data was collected by personal interviews using a standard questionnaire. Perceived stress was assessed using the Cohen 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Score of ≥20 was identified as high stress. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 15 was used for analysis.

    RESULTS: Exposure rates for high maternal perceived stress among cases during pregnancy were noted. The odds of GDM were 13 folds higher among those with high antenatal stress (≥20) compared to those with low (<20) (p 

  5. Ahammad J, Kamath A, Shastry S, Chitlur M, Kurien A
    Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis, 2020 Jan;31(1):29-34.
    PMID: 31789664 DOI: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000000870
    : Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is a rare inherited bleeding disorder characterized by the quantitative or qualitative defect of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor on platelets which leads to ineffective aggregation. Light transmittance aggregometry is considered as the gold standard for diagnosis of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. Thromboelastography (TEG) is a global hemostatic assay which measures clot formation, clot strengthening and fibrinolysis. This study evaluates the clinical, laboratory and TEG profiles in patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. Bleeding score by (International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis) ISTH-bleeding assessment tool (bleeding score), laboratory tests to diagnose Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, and TEG parameters were correlated in 11 Glanzmann's thrombasthenia patients. Seventeen participants with normal bleeding score were included as controls. Bleeding score was increased in all patients. The highest bleeding score was in an adult female (26), whereas the lowest score (4) was in two children of less than 1 year. Majority of TEG parameters (except R-time) showed a statistically significant difference between Glanzmann's thrombasthenia patients and controls (K-time: P 
  6. Chandra Sekaran V, Bailey A, Kamath VG, Ashok L, Kamath A
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2020 Jun;51:102021.
    PMID: 32315964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102021
    Adolescents experience myriad emotions which occur in relation to their immediate social space which may shape their perceptions of members within the microsystem. The photovoice method uniquely provides participants with the means to capture their life through the lens of a camera while also enabling them to express emotions and meanings they attach to their particular life situations. We explore the various emotions adolescents attach to the spaces they occupy and how they link them to socialization in the context of the microsystem. This study was conducted in rural and urban areas of Udupi taluk, southern India. A total of 21 participants, ranging from early to late adolescence participated and provided multiple forms of data with 112 photographs, 21 journals on their daily interactions and one-on-one interviews facilitated using the SHOWeD model. The analytical method involved compiling visual data from photographs, journal content and interview data pertaining to each participant as a single data file, developing codes using ATLAS.ti, version 8, and further developing sub-themes and themes as they emerged into narratives. Our study was able to elicit emotions and meanings that adolescents attached to social interactions with gendered nuances specific to the Indian cultural setting. Future applications of the photovoice methodology on research among adolescents have also been discussed.
  7. Kamath R, Bhat V, Rao R, Das A, Ks G, Kamath A
    Indian J Community Med, 2009 Jan;34(1):48-51.
    PMID: 19876455 DOI: 10.4103/0970-0218.45373
    BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence of goiter and to study the factors influencing goiter among people of the rural community in Karnataka state, a community based study. Setting and Study Design: A cross sectional study was carried out to find out the prevalence of goiter in a rural community of Belgaum district. The study was conducted by house-to-house survey for a period of one month.
    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two villages (Handiganur and Gundwad) were selected randomly from Belgaum and Raibag taluks of Belgaum district. All the family members in each household were examined for the presence of goiter using WHO criteria. Iodine content of the salt sample obtained from each household was estimated by using spot testing kits. Information regarding the determinants of goiter was collected and recorded in a pre tested proforma. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS statistical packages.
    RESULTS: The prevalence of goiter among rural population was found to be 16.6%. Goiter of grade 1 was 15.7% and that of grade 2 was 0.9%. Prevalence among males and females were 7.2% and 21.8%, respectively. The prevalence of goiter was highest among adolescents. Estimation of iodine content in the salt sample revealed that 50% of samples had adequate iodine content (>/=15 ppm). Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis revealed that females of the age group 10-49 years were independently associated with goiter.
    CONCLUSION: Prevalence of goiter was relatively high and therefore constituted a public health problem in this region.
    KEYWORDS: Determinants; goiter; multiple logistic regression analysis; prevalence
  8. Sekaran VC, Ashok L, Kamath VG, Kamath A, Hegde AP, Devaramane V
    Indian J Pediatr, 2020 03;87(3):200-206.
    PMID: 31925719 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-019-03114-z
    OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of parents and their adolescent children, specifically the dimension of parental involvement in the lives of their adolescent children and how adolescents perceived it.

    METHODS: Following informed consent, a total of nine families with 22 participants took part in the study including nine adolescents, aged between 14 and 16 y, and 13 parents. One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted at their homes following informed consent. Following transcription, the data was coded and themes were identified using Atlas.ti software. A grounded theory approach was undertaken in analysing the data.

    RESULTS: Two main themes were identified including perceptions of parental involvement in the lives of their adolescent children and family strategies to improve bonding. Adolescents' concerns centered on reduced interaction time with their family members. Concerns were also raised over the adolescents' increasing academic burden and parents particularly emphasized the increasing use of media and mobile technology by adolescents as deterrents to interaction. Though mothers functioned as primary caregivers, fathers also took on more active roles in the rearing of their children, stepping away from the traditionally viewed role of being a distant patriarchal provider. To improve interaction, parents devised creative strategies to increase time spent interacting with family members such as having dinner, performing household chores, playing games, or visiting places together.

    CONCLUSIONS: The increasing academic burden and access to digital media were perceived as factors leading to reduced interaction between the parent-adolescent dyad. Creative parenting strategies to increase interaction were sought as a solution.

  9. Sekaran VC, Kamath VG, Ashok L, Kamath A, Hegde AP, Devaramane V
    Asian J Psychiatr, 2020 Apr;50:101941.
    PMID: 32070886 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.101941
    INTRODUCTION: Adolescent behavioural problems are a growing public health concern. The authors in this study investigated paternal and maternal reports of parenting attitudes and dimensions as predictors of adolescent behavioural problems in the Indian context.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using stratified sampling at the community level, 640 parents including 419 mothers and 221 fathers participated in the study. Tools included a socio-demographic pro-forma; Parental attitude inventory (PAI) to assess parenting attitudes, Parent Global Report of the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ) to assess current parenting dimensions, and the parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to assess behavioural problems among adolescents. We examined the prevalence and predictors of total difficulties, externalizing and internalizing behavioural problems among adolescents from paternal and maternal reports.

    RESULTS: Paternal and maternal reports of total difficulties (11.3 %, 13.6 %), externalizing (2.3 %, 1.9 %) and internalizing behaviours (8.6 %, 7.4 %) among adolescents are reported. Predictors of abnormal behaviours per paternal reports included lower social class and poor paternal control. Being a male adolescent increased the odds of total difficulties and externalizing problems. Favourable maternal attitude, good maternal warmth and control predicted the reduced likelihood of total difficulties and externalizing behaviours per maternal reports. Paternal control and maternal warmth and control were found to reduce the likelihood of internalizing behaviours among adolescents.

    CONCLUSION: Maternal attitude, paternal control and maternal warmth and control dimensions emerged as significant predictors of total difficulties, externalizing and internalizing behavioural problems among adolescents.

  10. Ahammad J, Kurien A, Shastry S, Shah HH, Nayak D, Kamath A, et al.
    Int J Lab Hematol, 2020 Apr;42(2):180-189.
    PMID: 31889401 DOI: 10.1111/ijlh.13148
    INTRODUCTION: Thromboelastography (TEG) is a whole blood clotting assay largely used in major surgeries and trauma to monitor patients' in vivo hemostatic status. Standardization of kaolin-activated citrated whole blood thromboelastography is not done in the Indian population. This study primarily aims to derive reference ranges of kaolin-activated TEG for healthy volunteers in the Indian population. Secondarily, it aims to study the age- and gender-related hemostatic changes in the study population.

    METHODS: A total of 120 healthy volunteers were enrolled (55 adult males, 32 adult females, and 33 children). The volunteers were interviewed for any bleeding history or drug intake which affects coagulation. Kaolin-activated TEG was performed on citrated whole blood, and parameters including R-time, K-time, angle, MA, LY30, and CI were analyzed.

    RESULTS: Derived reference range for total volunteers irrespective of age and sex were as follows: R-time: 3.8-10.6, K-time: 1.2-3.1, angle: 44.9-72.0, MA: 41.2-64.5, LY30: 0-9.9, and CI: -3.7 to 3.4. Statistically significant difference was observed in different age and sex groups for R-time, K-time, and angle. About 40% of the volunteers had at least one abnormal parameter according to the manufacturer's reference range which decreased to 12.5% when the derived reference ranges were considered.

    CONCLUSION: Gender- and age-related variances were observed in reference ranges of our population and which was also differed from the other ethnic population. Many of our healthy volunteers were categorized as coagulopathic when manufacturer's reference range was considered. So, it is important to derive the reference range of the target population before using the TEG into clinical practice.

  11. Jacob SS, Prasad K, Rao P, Kamath A, Hegde RB, Baby PM, et al.
    Front Physiol, 2019;10:1230.
    PMID: 31649550 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01230
    Eryptosis is the suicidal destruction-process of erythrocytes, much like apoptosis of nucleated cells, in the course of which the stressed red cell undergoes cell-shrinkage, vesiculation and externalization of membrane phosphatidylserine. Currently, there exist numerous methods to detect eryptosis, both morphometrically and biochemically. This study aimed to design a simple but sensitive, automated computerized approach to instantaneously detect eryptotic red cells and quantify their hallmark morphological characteristics. Red cells from 17 healthy volunteers were exposed to normal Ringer and hyperosmotic stress with sodium chloride, following which morphometric comparisons were conducted from their photomicrographs. The proposed method was found to significantly detect and differentiate normal and eryptotic red cells, based on variations in their structural markers. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for each of the markers showed a significant discriminatory accuracy with high sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve values. The software-based technique was then validated with RBCs in malaria. This model, quantifies eryptosis morphometrically in real-time, with minimal manual intervention, providing a new window to explore eryptosis triggered by different stressors and diseases and can find wide application in laboratories of hematology, blood banks and medical research.
  12. Chandra Sekaran V, Bailey A, Kamath VG, Ashok L, Ravindran SK, Kamath A, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(10):e0258306.
    PMID: 34618867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258306
    BACKGROUND: Exploring the cultural context of intergenerational continuity of warm and harsh parenting informs parents motivations to adopt specific parenting behaviours.

    OBJECTIVE: Parents' perceptions of being parented in the past and their current parenting as well as adolescents' perceptions of current parenting were explored applying a multi-method approach.

    METHODS: Following written informed consent, a total of 24 interviews with 10 families (dyads of 14 parents and ten adolescents) from Udupi taluk in southern India was conducted. In the first stage, in-depth interviews were conducted with parent participants (Generation 1 (G1)) and in the second stage, adolescents (Generation 2 (G2)) participated in the photovoice component. Multiple forms of data including photographs, journals and interviews facilitated using the SHOWeD model were collected and were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti(v.8).

    RESULTS: Subtle changes in reinforcing culture-specific gender norms between generations were elicited. Differences in communication, granting autonomy to female adolescents, and in disciplining methods between G1 and G2 were observed. Warm parenting was transmitted between generations while harsh parenting in G1 in the presence of external social support was discarded in favor of warm parenting in G2.

    CONCLUSION: We provide evidence for perceptions of parenting and adolescent behaviors across two generations. Transmission of warm parenting and interruption in the cycle of harsh parenting in the presence of external social support were significant findings. Related theoretical and methodological applications are discussed.

  13. Badagabettu S, Nayak DM, Kurien A, Kamath VG, Kamath A, Nayak BS, et al.
    Res Pract Thromb Haemost, 2018 Jul;2(3):518-524.
    PMID: 30046756 DOI: 10.1002/rth2.12103
    INTRODUCTION: Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders are underreported and cause significant morbidity and mortality in resource-constrained countries. Training and the creation of awareness among accredited social heath activists (ASHAs) will aid in the early detection of bleeding disorders at the community level.

    OBJECTIVE: To develop awareness and skills for the screening and identification of cases with bleeding symptoms among ASHAs in Udupi District, Karnataka, India.

    METHODS: An interventional study was undertaken in Udupi District, which has three taluks and approximately 233 villages. All ASHAs with a current role (586) from rural Udupi were provided a competency-based training program at the community health center using a specifically designed training manual for the identification of cases with bleeding disorders. A pre-test/post-test evaluation was performed to discover the training outcomes.

    RESULTS: Sixteen (2.7%) participants had average knowledge in the first post-test, and 570 (92.2%) participants had good knowledge. Thirty-nine (6.6%) participants had average knowledge in second post-test, and 547 (94.3%) participants had good knowledge. The effectiveness of the training program was assessed using Friedman's two-way test. A significant difference in knowledge scores (χ2 = 955.1) was found at baseline evaluation and end of the training test 1 and at 30 days of training test 2 among the ASHAs.

    CONCLUSION: Accredited social heath activists health care workers, who are the most important link between the community and health services, successfully created public awareness concerning the early detection of bleeding disorders.

  14. Jacob SS, Bankapur A, Barkur S, Acharya M, Chidangil S, Rao P, et al.
    Front Physiol, 2020;11:821.
    PMID: 32754052 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00821
    Derangements in bilirubin metabolism and/or dysfunctions in the hepato-biliary system lead to the unhealthy buildup of bilirubin in blood, resulting in jaundice. During the course of this disorder, circulating red cells are invariably subjected to toxic effects of serum bilirubin and an array of inflammatory compounds. This study aimed to investigate the vibrational spectroscopy of live red cells in jaundice using micro-Raman spectroscopy combined with optical-trap. Red cells from blood samples of healthy volunteers and patients with jaundice were optically immobilized and micro-Raman probed using a 785 nm diode laser. Raman signatures from red cells in jaundice exhibited significant variations from the normal and the spectral-markers were obtained from multivariate analytical methods. This research gives insightful views on how different pathologies can act as "stress-milieus" for red cells in circulation, possibly impeding their normal functions and also exasperating anemia. Raman spectroscopy, an emerging bio-analytical technique, is sensitive in detecting molecular-conformations in situ, at cellular-levels and in real-time. This study could pave way in understanding fundamental red cell behavior in different diseases by analyzing Raman markers.
  15. Poojar B, Shenoy KA, Naik PR, Kamath A, Tripathy JP, Mithra PP, et al.
    Trop Med Health, 2020;48:15.
    PMID: 32180685 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-020-00199-7
    Background: Tuberculosis (TB) depicts heterogeneous spatial patterns with geographical aggregation of TB cases due to either ongoing person-to-person transmission or reactivation of latent infection in a community sharing risk factor. In this regard, we aimed to assess the spatiotemporal aggregation of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) patients notified to the national TB program (NTP) from 2015 to 2018 in selected districts of Karnataka, South India.

    Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among DR-TB patients notified from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Chikamagalur districts of the state of Karnataka. Clinico-demographic details were extracted from treatment cards. The registered addresses of the patients were geocoded (latitude and longitude) using Google Earth. Using the QGIS software, spot map, heat maps and grid maps 25 km2 with more than the expected count of DR-TB patients were constructed.

    Results: Of the total 507 patients studied, 376 (74%) were males and the mean (standard deviation) age of the study participants was 41.4 (13.9) years. From 2015 to 2018, the number of patients increased from 85 to 209 per year, the area of aggregation in square kilometers increased from 113.6 to 205.7, and the number of rectangular grids with more than the expected DR-TB patients (> 1) increased from 12 to 47.

    Conclusions: The increase in the number of DR-TB patients, area of aggregation, and grids with more than the expected count is a cause for concern. The NTP can use routine programmatic data to develop maps to identify areas of aggregation of disease for targeted TB control activities.

  16. Global Burden of Disease 2019 Cancer Collaboration, Kocarnik JM, Compton K, Dean FE, Fu W, Gaw BL, et al.
    JAMA Oncol, 2022 Mar 01;8(3):420-444.
    PMID: 34967848 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.6987
    IMPORTANCE: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 (GBD 2019) provided systematic estimates of incidence, morbidity, and mortality to inform local and international efforts toward reducing cancer burden.

    OBJECTIVE: To estimate cancer burden and trends globally for 204 countries and territories and by Sociodemographic Index (SDI) quintiles from 2010 to 2019.

    EVIDENCE REVIEW: The GBD 2019 estimation methods were used to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2019 and over the past decade. Estimates are also provided by quintiles of the SDI, a composite measure of educational attainment, income per capita, and total fertility rate for those younger than 25 years. Estimates include 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).

    FINDINGS: In 2019, there were an estimated 23.6 million (95% UI, 22.2-24.9 million) new cancer cases (17.2 million when excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) and 10.0 million (95% UI, 9.36-10.6 million) cancer deaths globally, with an estimated 250 million (235-264 million) DALYs due to cancer. Since 2010, these represented a 26.3% (95% UI, 20.3%-32.3%) increase in new cases, a 20.9% (95% UI, 14.2%-27.6%) increase in deaths, and a 16.0% (95% UI, 9.3%-22.8%) increase in DALYs. Among 22 groups of diseases and injuries in the GBD 2019 study, cancer was second only to cardiovascular diseases for the number of deaths, years of life lost, and DALYs globally in 2019. Cancer burden differed across SDI quintiles. The proportion of years lived with disability that contributed to DALYs increased with SDI, ranging from 1.4% (1.1%-1.8%) in the low SDI quintile to 5.7% (4.2%-7.1%) in the high SDI quintile. While the high SDI quintile had the highest number of new cases in 2019, the middle SDI quintile had the highest number of cancer deaths and DALYs. From 2010 to 2019, the largest percentage increase in the numbers of cases and deaths occurred in the low and low-middle SDI quintiles.

    CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this systematic analysis suggest that the global burden of cancer is substantial and growing, with burden differing by SDI. These results provide comprehensive and comparable estimates that can potentially inform efforts toward equitable cancer control around the world.

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