ABSTRACT
Background: After collection of blood from a blood donor, it undergoes certain tests for its suitability for transfusion to a recipient. According to the Red Cross, women should have at least a hemoglobin level of 12.5 g/dL and men should have 13 g/dL. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to observe the hemoglobin level of donated blood according to the sex and according to the blood groups – A, AB, B, and O. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional data audit was conducted with the data of males and females from a blood bank of a tertiary care hospital in India. A total of 4 years of data from 2013 to 2016 were analyzed. The hemoglobin levels were tested by the Shapiro–Wilk normality test. The distribution was not normal. Hence, data were presented as median (first quartile–third quartile) and tested by nonparametric tests – Mann–Whitney test and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: Total data of 7026 blood donors (6658 [94.76%] males and 368 [5.24%] females) were analyzed in this study. The level is above the cutoff suggested by Red Cross. The overall hemoglobin level was 13.8 (13.2?14.1) g/dL. Male had higher hemoglobin 13.8 (13.2?14.2) g/dL than females 13 (13?13.5) g/dL, P < 0.0001. There was no difference in hemoglobin in A, AB, B, and O blood group in overall, males, and females. Conclusion: There were more male blood donors than female donors. Males have higher hemoglobin levels than females in all types of blood groups in the ABO system. There was no difference in hemoglobin concentration in different blood groups.
ABSTRACT
Background: Admission in medical colleges exposes students to a new educational environment. Then, they encounter the pressure of huge syllabus, language hurdles, peer stress, stress of hostel life, etc. The coping capability in these stressful conditions varies student to student. Aim and Objectives: In this study, we aimed to ascertain the level of stress assessed by a validated questionnaire among first-year medical students. Materials and Methods: This was an online survey-based study. A validated questionnaire Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was used to ascertain the level of perceived stress. The questionnaire assesses the perceived stress for the past 1 month period. Questionnaire link was distributed among 200 students. Data were tabulated and presented by descriptive statistical tests such as mean, standard deviation, and percentage. The inferential statistical test – Chi-square test and ANOVA were conducted in Microsoft Excel 2010. Results: A total 103 student submitted completed questionnaire (survey response rate 51.5%). Among the students, 27.18% was in “no stress” category and 72.82% was among different level of “stress” category. Among the stressed students, 39.81% was in “mild stress,” 18.45% was in “moderate stress,” and 14.56% was in “severe stress.” Mean score of these four groups showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) difference when tested by ANOVA. Conclusion: The majority of medical students have mild stress. A significant percent also suffers from moderate-to-severe stress. Teacher and the stakeholders should take necessary steps to help those students in coping up with stress related to studies by counseling and other interventions.
ABSTRACT
Fumonisin B1 level in culture material and in naturally contaminated corn by F. moniliforme was reduced by 30 and about 40%, respectively, by ammonia treatment. Atmospheric ammoniation of corn did not appear to be an effective method for detoxification of F. moniliforme contaminated corn.