Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder characterized by degeneration of spinal motor neurons and poses significant adverse outcome in affected population. Survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) protein encoded by SMN1 gene located on 5q is critical for survival and functioning of motor neurons. Almost identical gene SMN2, present on the same chromosome, produces a small truncated protein (SMN2) because of skipping of exon 7 from translation due to translation silent C6U substitution in exon 7 of SMN2 pre-mRNA transcript. Only 10% of the SMN2 mRNAs produce full length SMN2 protein by including exon 7 in healthy individuals. A large deletion or sometimes a point mutation in SMN1 gene is responsible for SMA. In this case the number of copies of SMN2 genes in an individual determines the severity of disease (the more the number of copies the less severe the disease). Nusinersen (ISIS 396443) binds to intron splicing silencer-N1 (ISS-N1; a site present ten nucleotides down to the junction of exon 7 and intron 7), modulating the splicing of SMN2 pre-mRNA transcript to increase the inclusion of exon 7, thereby increasing the production of full length SMN2 protein. Major evidence of its efficacy came from a sham controlled phase 3 clinical study ENDEAR. The study was stopped early based on significantly favorable results in interim analysis and all the patients were transitioned to receive nusinersen in an ongoing open-label, phase 3 study, SHINE, which will evaluate the long-term efficacy, safety and tolerability of the drug. Nusinersen is globally the first drug approved (by the US FDA) for treatment of SMA in children and adults.

As the world struggles to control coronavirus infection with the exhausting capacity of health care systems globally, the role of primary care physician and family physician becomes more important as the first point of contact with the community. Limited availability of mental health services in India requires general practitioners to deal with psychological disorders arising due to infection outbreak and its restrictive control strategies. This article discusses what and how primary physicians can manage the psychological burden of a pandemic, and therefore, reducing the reliance on mental health specialist.

This study analyzed the coverage of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) news by three prominent Bangladeshi dailies named The Daily Star, The Daily Kalerkantho, and The Daily Ittefaq. The research aimed to explore the attention cycle of the selected newspapers about this ongoing outbreak. It also identified the significant differences in framing and used sources in the news stories by respective daily newspapers. The study period was 10 weeks from February 1 to April 10, 2020, considering the Global Health Emergency declaration by the World Health Organization on January 30, 2020, and the announcement of the pandemic on March 11, 2020. This research applied the content analysis method on 761 news articles. The study shows that these three newspapers gave more attention after the pandemic announcement. This study also revealed that The Daily Star emphasized on attributing responsibility to the government and statistical data frames. On the other hand, The Daily Kalerkantho highlighted the individual’s responsibility frame. The Daily Ittefaq concentrated on the economic consequence frame. Regarding the news sources, The Daily Star significantly used more sources from government officials. In contrast, The Daily Kalerkantho relied more on experts, and The Daily Ittefaq frequently used international sources. Due to time limitations, this study only covered the early stage of COVID-19 in Bangladesh. So more samples with a more extended period might clearly illustrate the focus of print media regarding this pandemic. Journalism and media studies students, academicians, and journalists will be most beneficiaries of this study. As appropriate framing helps to build awareness and in-depth knowledge of the community as well as policymakers, print media should pay more attention to proper framing. Keywords: Bangladesh, COVID-19, newspaper coverage, news framing, news source, pandemic, print media.

The aim of present paper is to highlight the significance of relaxation therapy for the reduction of anxiety related symptoms. This paper is based on a case of a girl who was suffering from fatigue and pain hampering her occupational and social life to certain level. Her problem remained unresolved through previous treatment. In psychological clinic psychological interventions of relaxation therapy were applied which included deep breath, instant vacation, ideal relaxation, visualization etc. IPAT Anxiety and IPAT Depression scale were administered before the start of therapy. Detailed history and psycho diagnostic report indicated that client could be diagnosed as having Anxiety Disorder NOS category according to the criteria of DSM-IV-TR. Subsequent to application of different techniques of relaxation therapy client also learned to do it herself at home. After twelve sessions both scales of anxiety and depression were administered again. Results showed drastic decrease in the level of anxiety and depression. Hence as reported by patient there was also reduction in muscle tension, pain, sleep disturbances and her occupational and social functioning were also restored.

OBJECTIVE: It is common among medical students to falsely attribute bodily sensations/symptoms and holds a belief of having a medical illness with varying level of conviction. We studied and compared this condition known as “medical student syndrome”, a type of hypochondriasis, between preclinical and clinical years students. METHODOLOGY: This research was a descriptive study where a total of 100 students were approached and were asked to complete a short form of health anxiety inventory (SHAI) which has Cronbach's alpha 0.855. No personal identifiers were included in the study questionnaires. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical software package (IBM SPSS Statistics Version 23, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The response rate among participants was 88% (42 from preclinical and 48 from clinical years of training). Health-related anxiety (SHAI main section score ≥ 18) was found in 14.77% of students with a higher proportion in preclinical than clinical, 16.66% and 13.04%, respectively. The difference was not significant between the two groups ( χ 2 = 0.429 [1], P = 0.766). Students having medical professional in family had lower rate of health-related anxiety, χ 2 (1, n = 88) = 0.228, P = 0.633. The association between family or personal history of psychiatry or medical illness was not significant with SHAI scores. No relation was noted between current health anxiety (SHAI score) and the number of visits to the doctor per year before entering the medical course (χ = 0.174, P = 0.112). CONCLUSION: Every seventh medical student was found to have health-related anxiety. It was not affected by personal and family history of either psychiatric or medical illness.