Preeti Tabitha Louis

Bio: Preeti Tabitha Louis is an academic researcher from VIT University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Learning disability & Educational program. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 4 publications receiving 8 citations.

Evaluating the Cognition, Behavior, and Social Profile of an Adolescent With Learning Disabilities and Assessing the Effectiveness of an Individualized Educational Program

Abstract: Objective: The present study seeks to outline a holistic assessment method that was used in understanding problems experienced by an adolescent boy and in designing and implementing an individualized educational program. Methods: An adolescent child referred for concerns in learning was screened for learning disability using standardized inventories and test batteries. The Connors Parent and Teacher Rating Scales (short forms), Wechsler's Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), the Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS), and the Kinetic Family Drawing (KFD) test were used to assess the behavior, cognition, and social profile of the child. An individualized educational program was designed and this intervention was provided for 6 months by using parents as co-therapists. Participant and parent interview schedules were used in identifying underlying issues of concern. The child was reassessed 6 months after the intervention was provided. Results: Findings on the Connors Parent Rating Scale revealed scores that were greater than the 50th percentile on the domains of inattention and cognitive problems. On the Connors Teacher Rating Scale, we observed scores greater than the 50th percentile on the hyperactivity, cognitive problems, and the inattention domains. The WISC revealed that the child had a "Dull Normal" Intellectual functioning and there was also a deficit of 2 years on the social skills as tested by the Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS). The Kinetic Family Drawing Test revealed negative emotions within the child. Post intervention, we noticed a remarkable improvement in the scores across all domains of behavior, social, and cognitive functioning. Conclusion: Designing an individualized education program that is tailored to the specific needs of the child and using parents as co-therapists proved to be an effective intervention.

Assessing Adolescents with Learning Disability and Planning A Wholistic Intervention: A Case Analysis

Abstract: The present study seeks to outline a wholistic assessment method that was used in understanding problems experienced by an adolescent boy. Quantitative and qualitative assessments were done to identify cognitive and psychosocial problems. Parent, teacher and child’s reports were used in obtaining essential information. We developed intervention strategies using parents as co-therapists. An individualized educational program was designed and assistive techniques were suggested. We reassessed the child after six months to understand the effectiveness of the intervention. Findings suggested that there was an overall improvement in academic performance, social and communication skills. These are important implications for practioners as learning disability can be managed successfully with the help of specially designed individual programs.

Computational studies on PLK1 delta gene in cancer diseases

Abstract: Article history: Received on: 14/07/2015 Revised on: 19/08/2015 Accepted on: 07/09/2015 Available online: 12/11/2015 Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Polo-like kinases (Plks) are a family of conserved serine/threonine kinases involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression through G2 and mitosis. One of them being PLK1, it’s over expression leads to a variety of cancers. Plk1 delta, an uncharacterized protein sequence found in UniProt was studied and found to consist of the N-terminal portion of plk1gene. The 3D protein structure of PLK1 delta was modeled and then the predicted structure was validated. Molecular dynamics simulation was performed to find the stability of the protein. The modelled protein was docked to BI 2536, an inhibitor of Plk1 to obtain conformation of least binding energy. The interacting sites between the protein and inhibitor were also analyzed.

Protein contact maps: A binary depiction of protein 3D structures

Abstract: In recent years, there has been a considerable interest in examining the structure and dynamics of complex networks. Proteins in 3D space may also be considered as complex systems emerged through the interactions of their constituent amino acids. This representation provides a powerful framework to uncover the general organized principle of protein contact network. Here we reviewed protein contact map in terms of protein structure prediction and analyses. In addition, we had also discussed the various computational techniques for the prediction of protein contact maps and the tools to visualize contact maps.

In silico prediction of novel residues involved in amyloid primary nucleation of human I56T and D67H lysozyme

Abstract: Amyloidogenic proteins are most often associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease, but there are more than two dozen human proteins known to form amyloid fibrils associated with disease. Lysozyme is an antimicrobial protein that is used as a general model to study amyloid fibril formation. Studies aimed at elucidating the process of amyloid formation of lysozyme tend to focus on partial unfolding of the native state due to the relative instability of mutant amyloidogenic variants. While this is well supported, the data presented here suggest the native structure of the variants may also play a role in primary nucleation. Three-dimensional structural analysis identified lysozyme residues 21, 62, 104, and 122 as displaced in both amyloidogenic variants compared to wild type lysozyme. Residue interaction network (RIN) analysis found greater clustering of residues 112–117 in amyloidogenic variants of lysozyme compared to wild type. An analysis of the most energetically favored predicted dimers and trimers provided further evidence for a role for residues 21, 62, 104, 122, and 112–117 in amyloid formation. This study used lysozyme as a model to demonstrate the utility of combining 3D structural analysis with RIN analysis for studying the general process of amyloidogenesis. Results indicated that binding of two or more amyloidogenic lysozyme mutants may be involved in amyloid nucleation by placing key residues (21, 62, 104, 122, and 112–117) in proximity before partial unfolding occurs. Identifying residues in the native state that may be involved in amyloid formation could provide novel drug targets to prevent a range of amyloidoses.