Publications by authors named "Poonam Bhatia"

Article Synopsis
  • Pediatricians observed a rise in tic-like behaviors among kids during the COVID-19 pandemic, often linked to viewing Tourette syndrome (TS) videos on TikTok.
  • * A study analyzed the 100 most-viewed videos under #tourettes on TikTok to assess the accuracy of the tic behaviors depicted, with input from pediatric neurologists.
  • * Findings revealed that most videos showcased atypical behaviors rather than typical TS symptoms, and there was only moderate agreement between reviewers on their assessments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome is a rare neuroimmunologic disorder typically presenting in previously healthy infants and toddlers. It is characterized by a clinical triad of (1) erratic saccadic intrusions; (2) myoclonus and/or ataxia; (3) behavioral features, typified by developmental plateauing, irritability and insomnia. About half of cases are associated with an underlying neuroblastoma and diagnostic imaging is essential once OMAS is suspected.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Intensive rice-wheat cultivation cycle in Northern belt of India in general and in the State of Punjab in particular results in large volumes of straw and other post-harvest residue annually. The agricultural area, bordering the districts of Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur, is popularly known as the seleniferous belt of India. The agri-residues, generated in seleniferous region of this state, are observed to contain significantly high concentration of selenium (Se).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cultivation of saprophytic fungi on selenium-rich substrates can be an effective means to produce selenium-fortified food. Pleurotus florida, an edible species of oyster mushrooms, was grown on wheat straw from the seleniferous belt of Punjab (India) and its potential to mobilize and accumulate selenium from the growth substrate was studied. Selenium concentration in biofortified mushrooms was 800 times higher compared with control samples grown on wheat straw from non selenium-rich areas (141 vs 0.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • * Results showed that all mushroom species significantly absorbed high levels of selenium, which had not been previously documented with naturally selenium-enriched substrates.
  • * The research highlights the potential for using selenium-rich agricultural byproducts in mushroom cultivation to enhance selenium content for dietary supplements and health products.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Primary mitochondrial disorders are clinically and genetically heterogeneous, caused by an alteration(s) in either mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA, and affect the respiratory chain's ability to undergo oxidative phosphorylation, leading to decreased production of adenosine triphosphophate and subsequent energy failure. These disorders may present at any age, but children tend to have an acute onset of disease compared with subacute or slowly progressive presentation in adults. Varying organ involvement also contributes to the phenotypic spectrum seen in these disorders.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The majority of primary mitochondrial disorders are due to nuclear gene mutations, not aberrations within the mitochondrial genome. The nervous system is frequently involved due to its high-energy demands. Many nonspecific neurologic symptoms may be present in mitochondrial disease; however, there are well-recognized red flags that should alert the clinician to the possibility of mitochondrial disease.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF