Effects of passive smoking on pulmonary functions of individuals in an urban area

Background: Passive smoking is a world health problem and part of the tobacco epidemic which victimizes mostly adolescents. Research articles have addressed the relation between passive smoking and respiratory efficiency in adult population and escalated the hazard of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer among adult passive smokers. The present study was conducted to analyze the effects of exposure to passive smoke on pulmonary functions among nonsmoking individuals. Aim and Objectives: The study was determined to assess the effects of passive smoking on pulmonary functions among individuals in urban region. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on smokers, passive smokers, and nonsmokers (control), aged between 17 and 25 years. Ninety healthy individuals were placed in three different groups on the basis of questionnaire (Group A: active smoker, Group B: passive smoker, Group C: control). Study was done with the help of spirometer and pulse oximeter. Results: Forced expiratory flow25–75%, Forced expiratory volume in 1 second/Forced vital capacity % values were significantly reduced in passive smokers as compared to control individuals (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). SpO2 level was decreased in passive smokers and active smokers, but it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The present study showed a strong association between passive smoking and pulmonary abnormalities in individuals exposed to passive smoke. Health hazards caused by passive smoking should be controlled by creating awareness and regular health check-ups among people.

Comparative study of soleus H-reflex in normal humans and in patients with neuropathies

Background: The H-reflex derived its name from Hoffman. Hoffmann reflex is an electrically induced reflex analogous to the mechanically induced spinal stretch reflex. This measurement can be used to assess the response of the nervous system to various neurological conditions, musculoskeletal injuries, and application of therapeutic modalities, pain, exercise training, and performance of motor tasks. This simple and reproducible physiological response was studied to evaluate conduction along the course of the whole “final common pathway” from the moto neuron to the terminal axon as well as to gain some information regarding the function of large diameter group la afferent fibers supplying the muscle spindle. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the H-reflex latency between the normal person and in neuropathic patients. The study aimed to see whether there is any difference in H-reflex latency in the right leg of normal person and in neuropathic patients. The study aimed to see whether there is any difference in H-reflex latency in the left leg of normal person and in neuropathic patients. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 25 normal subjects and 25 neuropathic patients between 20 and 70 years of age from Nootan Medical College and Research Centre, Visnagar. The normal subjects were evaluated clinically to find their normal condition. The neuropathic patients which are included in study are of diabetic neuropathy, plexopathy, radiculopathy, vitamin deficiency, and Guillain Barre Syndrome. The patients who had bilateral neuropathy were included in the study. The study was conducted using mainly stimulator circuit, stimulating and recording electrodes, preamplifier, and oscilloscope. The software used for this experiment was RMS EMG EPMK II, one of the latest software with facilities for nerve conduction velocity, electromyography, F-wave, and H-reflex recording. Results: Out of the 50 participants, 25 participants who were suffering with any kind of neuropathy evaluated for their H-reflex latency in both leg. Patients with neuropathy showed higher latency in the right leg compared to the 25 participants in the control group in the right leg demonstrated significantly higher latency in the group with neuropathy. The 25 participants who were suffering with any kind of neuropathy evaluated for their H-reflex latency left leg compared to the 25 participants in the control group left leg demonstrated significantly higher latency in the group with neuropathy. Conclusion: The results show that there is an increase in the H-reflex latency in neuropathy patients as compared to normal subjects but it can be not used as a specific test for diagnosis of neuropathies, because the H-reflex latency may also change in normal subjects as the age of the persons is increases or the height of the persons increases but H-reflex latency can be used for the diagnosis of the proximal nerve root injuries as it mainly investigates the proximal nerve reflex arc.

Implementation of case-based learning method for teaching biochemistry for undergraduate medical students

Background: First year MBBS curriculum in Biochemistry is taught by the conventional methods of teaching in which didactic lectures share almost 70% of the total content load, in which students fail to grasp the importance of biochemistry and its significant contribution in medical laboratory science. Hence, case-based learning (CBL) is being used in the medical curriculum, so that students are exposed to the real-life medical problems. Aim and Objectives: The study aimed implementation of CBL sessions in 1st year MBBS students and to analyze perception of students and faculty about the effectiveness of CBL method. Materials and Methods: A group of 150 students of Phase 1 MBBS course was selected for interventional study comprising two teaching-learning sessions on two core topics in biochemistry. Pre-test and post-test were conducted before and after the CBL session. A third test was conducted 1 month after the post-test to assess retention of knowledge gained by the students. The performance of the students was analyzed. Results: Pre-test and post-test analysis showed a very significant improvement in performance of the students after the CBL sessions. About 95% of the students and 90% of faculty reported that CBL sessions were useful to facilitate critical thinking through active learning. About 85% of students and 80% of faculty expressed that CBL helped in bridging the gap between theory and practice. Conclusion: It is evident from the present study that CBL in biochemistry can be implemented as innovative and effective teaching module to achieve the learning objectives. Case studies encourage active learning, promote critical thinking, and instill motivation in the subject.

Comparative study of traditional blackboard teaching over PowerPoint teaching in physiology among 1st year medical students

Background: Lectures have always been the most popularly used teaching-learning method since time immemorial. However recently in today’s computer age, PowerPoint method has gained popularity over traditional blackboard teaching method. The use of the blackboard by a teacher depended on teacher’s ability to draw and write on the board. It provided a variety of opportunities for modifying the presentation of the subject content. Chalkboard aid is inexpensive, easy to clean and reuse, allows students to keep pace with the teacher, and is not dependent on electricity. PPT has the advantages of using colors, fonts, diagrams, and animations. Aim and Objective: The aim of this study was to compare blackboard teaching method with PowerPoint teaching method by pre- and post-questionnaire and evaluation of feedback from 1st year MBBS students in the subject of physiology. Materials and Methods: This comparative study was conducted at Nootan Medical College and Research Center, Visnagar, Gujarat on October–December 2019 as a part of Project for the Advance Course in Medical Education. A total of 150 students were participated and their consent was taken. After that, students were divided randomly into two groups, Group A and Group B, each having 75 students. Two different topics with same difficulty level were taught to both groups by both the methods with pre- and post-test of five multiple choice questions. After that, feedback questionnaire with ten questions was given to both groups regarding both the methods. Results of pre- and post-test were analyzed by paired t-test. Results: Mean post-test result for blackboard method was slightly higher than that for PowerPoint Method. Values are statistically significant when analyzed by Paired t-test. Conclusion: Blackboard teaching method is preferred over PowerPoint teaching method in the learning physiology by 1st year MBBS students. Blackboard teaching method has more retention rate, better understanding of topic, and more interactive, effective, and sufficient time available for taking notes.

A study of pain perception by cold pressure test in young females during the different phases of menstrual cycle

Background: Menstruation is a cyclic physiological phenomenon showing fluctuations of various Gonadal hormones. Gonadal hormones (estrogen and progesterone) influences pain sensitivity, the former strongly influences nociceptive actions; whereas the latter prevents neuropathic pain some previous study has shown changes in pain sensitivity during menstruation. However, there is only little evidence present on effect of Gonadal hormones on experimental pain Sensitivity. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study is to differentiate in Sensation of pain stimulus in terms of - pain threshold, pain tolerance, pain intensity, pain unpleasantness in females with normal menstruation during different phases through using cold presser test. Materials and Methods: A total of 55 normal healthy females were enrolled in the study as per the eligibility criteria. Cold presser test was used as a pain stimulus source. The participants were instructed to hold their least dominant hand in the water bath as long as possible and were requested to inform the first sensation of pain which denoted the participants’ pain threshold. Time from pain threshold to the point where participants could no longer cope with pain and indicate stop, was recorded as pain tolerance. At this point, participants were directed to note pain intensity and unpleasantness on the visual analogue scale. Results: The results showed that high significant pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and pain tolerance level were highly significant during follicular phase than luteal phase. Conclusion: In our study, we concluded pain perception difference across during different phase of menstruation in the form of high significant pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and pain tolerance during follicular phase due to the hormonal fluctuation and the differences in autonomic nervous system reactivity these would be the underlying mechanism for these findings.

Consumo de energía y nutrientes, características socioeconómicas, pobreza y área de residencia de mujeres peruanas en edad fértil / Energy and nutrient consumption, socio-economic characteristics, poverty and living places fertile peruvian women

Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre el consumo de energía y nutrientes de mujeres peruanas en edad fértil, sus características socioeconómicas, pobreza y área de residencia. Materiales y métodos: La información fue obtenida de la Encuesta Nacional de Consumo de Alimentos en Mujeres en Edad Fértil y Niños entre 12 y 35 meses en el año 2003. La muestra fue de 2909 mujeres entre 15 a 49 años. El consumo de energía y nutrientes se obtuvo por el método de encuesta de recordatorio de 24 horas. Se incluyó información del área de residencia, características y servicios básicos del hogar. Se agrupó a la población de acuerdo con el método de necesidades básicas insatisfechas (NBI). Se estableció como consumo deficiente una adecuación por debajo de 50 por ciento. Se aplicaron pruebas estadísticas de Chi-cuadrado, Mann Whitney y Kruskall Wallis. Resultados: El 67,6 por ciento de las mujeres vivía en hogares pobres, la pobreza afecta mayormente a las mujeres del área rural. Más de 20 por ciento de mujeres presentan deficiencias en el consumo de energía y nutrientes. Conforme se incrementan las NBI las adecuaciones del consumo van disminuyendo, a excepción de carbohidratos y hierro. Los carbohidratos contribuyen en mayor porcentaje a la energía total de la dieta de las mujeres pobres. Conclusiones: Las condiciones de pobreza en que se encuentran las mujeres influyen sobre su consumo de energía y nutrientes disminuyéndolo, lo cual traería serias consecuencias sobre su estado de salud y nutrición y el de sus niños.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between energy and nutrient consumption in fertile Peruvian women, as well as their socioeconomic characteristics, poverty condition, and living places. Materials and methods: Data were obtained from the National Food Consumption Survey for Fertile Women and 12 to 35 Month Old Children for 2003. The sample consisted in 2909 women between 15 to 49 years old. Energy and nutrient consumption information was obtained using a 24-hour reminder survey. Collected information included living places, as well as households characteristics and basic services. The population was grouped according to the unmet basic needs method. A deficient consumption was established as a less than 50 per cent adequation. Statistical tests used were chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskall-Wallis. Results: 67.6 per cent of surveyed women lived in poor households, and poverty mainly affects women from rural areas. More than 20 of women had deficiencies in energy and nutrient consumption. As long as unmet basic needs increase, adequate consumption is reduced, except carbohydrate and iron consumption. Carbohydrates are the major contributors for total energy intake in poor women. Conclusions: Poverty in women negatively influences energy and nutrient consumption, which may lead to serious consequences on their health status and their childrenÆs health condition as well.