ABSTRACT
Objective: To improve English language of newly admitted 1st MBBS students from vernacular medium byimplementing English Language Proficiency Program (ELPP).Method: English Language Proficiency Program of 40 hours’ duration was implemented for 38 Gujarativernacular medium students of 1st MBBS. ELPP was delivered by Expert English language teacher. ELPPincludes reading, writing, speaking and grammar. ELPP was evaluated through Pre and Post-test for Englishlanguage component like, reading & comprehension, vocabulary, grammar & written expression. Studentfeedback was also taken at the end of program.Results: English language proficiency programme significantly improved the vocabulary and writtencommunication, however no significant improvement was observed in grammar and reading comprehension.Majority of students rated the course as good to excellent. Large numbers of students felt that the coursewas useful and improved their communication skills.Conclusion: English language course for student of 1st MBBS vernacular medium was received well. Studentalso rated the program as useful for improving their language proficiency and communication skills.
ABSTRACT
Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) is a water-soluble vitamin. Cobalamin is synthesized only by microorganisms. The only source of vitamin B12 for humans is food of animal origin. Hyperpigmentation of skin has been reported only rarely as the presenting manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency. We report a patient who had hyperpigmentation as her presenting medical complaint and in whom Vitamin B12 deficiency was the cause. A 36-year-old female presented with generalised weakness and progressive and asymptomatic hyperpigmentation of hand and feet for 5 months. She is vegetarian by diet. On examination, hyperpigmentation was present over dorsal aspect of metacarpophalangeal, proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. Hyperpigmentation were present over dorsum of the foot and over the joints. The tongue was depaillated, and hyperpigmentation was present. Her serum level of vitamin B12 was diminished (83pg/ml). Megaloblastic anemia presents with protean manifestations. The association between vitamin B12 deficiency and hyperpigmentation, although unusual, has been described. Cutaneous manifestations associated with B12 deficiency include characteristic mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation (most common), vitiligo, angular cheilitis, and hair-nail changes. It mainly affects knuckle pads and oral mucosa. It is an under-recognized sign of megaloblastic anemia and should always be looked for in the setting of pallor. Hyperpigmentation could be the earliest manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency before anemia sets in. It is worthwhile to consider the possibility of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency in a patient with unexplained pigmentary changes. Early detection and adequate treatment will prevent anemia and various neurological manifestations.
ABSTRACT
Background: Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the major challenge in the new millennium in the developing countries as the size of elderly population continues to rise due to betterment of medical facilities and increased life expectancy. Lipids are implicated in the pathogenesis of ARMD. The relationship between systemic lipids and ARMD has not been well characterized, especially in rural population. The objective was to investigate the relationship between serum lipids and ARMD in older adults.Methods: In this case-control study, 300 adults, aged ≥50 years, 150 each among cases and controls were included in the study. Mean lipids values between cases and controls were compared.Results: Mean age of cases was 62.45±8.472 years and mean age of controls was 61.89±8.51 years. Among 150 cases, 124 (82.66%) cases were of dry ARMD while 26 (17.33%) cases were Wet ARMD. Author found that 38 cases among total cases (25.33%) and 15 individuals (10%) among controls had altered lipid profile. All mean lipid values were higher among cases compare to controls (p>0.05), while the mean of VLDL, TG and TG/HDL were significantly raised showing positive association (p<0.05).Conclusions: Present study showed that high levels of serum lipid values especially VLDL, TG and TG/HDL positive association with an increased risk for development of ARMD, implying that strategies reducing serum lipid levels may be useful to prevent the development of the disease.
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Background: Timely given feedback is useful for cognitive performance during academic learning. Immediatefeedback is more effective than delayed feedback. Immediate problem solving is acceptable than massknowledge transfer.Aim and Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of immediate feedback during clinical examination forimprovement of cognitive learning and skills of 1st MBBS students.Methodology: Immediate feedback versus no feedback was checked during formative practical test. Immediatefeedback was given to one practical batch (B Batch= 32 students) of 1st MBBS students during theirformative practical test. At the same time feedback was not given to second batch (A Batch= 33 students)of same academic year. Evaluation of feedback was done during next formative practical examinations.Formative Physiology practical examination was taken by Objective structured practical examination (OSPE).Results: Students of study group (B batch, n=32) who received individual face to face feedback performedwell as compared to control group (A batch, n=33) who didn’t received feedback. The marks of clinicalexamination for study group, before feedback was 12.12±2.19 and after the feedback was 17.59±1.72.Difference between the marks of two exams in study group is 5.4 and it is around 27.35%. The marks ofcontrol group at the time of initial exam was 14.09±3.18 and during next exam was 16.39±1.86. Differencebetween the marks of two exams in control group is 2.3 and it was around 11.5%.Conclusions: Results showed that immediate feedback during clinical (practical) assessment had a statisticallysignificant positive effect on learning gains. Immediate verbal feedback is positively associated with learning.In order to facilitate role of immediate verbal feedback during formative assessment needs further supportiveevidence from large longitudinal studies from multicenter.
ABSTRACT
Introduction : There are so many studies associating blood pressure in children and adolescents with body fatness i.e. stating that high body fat is associated with high blood pressure in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to determine that which portion of the body mass index, fat or fat free mass index is more influencing the blood pressure in Gujarati Indian adolescents. Methods : 733 schoolchildren of 10-18 years of both genders were chosen for this study. The body fat percentage and blood pressure were measured and on the basis of body mass and fat mass, fat free mass index and various other indices were calculated. The association of fat mass index and fat free mass index with blood pressure was computed using correlations. Results : The relationship of BMI with mean blood pressure of boys (R=.326) was more strong than that in girls (R=.149). The blood pressure was having more strong positive correlation with lean body mass index than that with fat mass index in all subjects (R=0.230 versus R=0.184), boys (R=0.285 versus R=0.242), & girls (R=0.179 versus R=–0.081). Conclusion : Fat free mass index has more strong association with blood pressure than fat mass index in the adolescent population irrespective of gender. However as far as prevention of hypertension is concerned, reducing body fat (rather than only body weight) may remain an important measure to prevent hypertension as body fat mass is reducible while lean body mass may not be reducible and, in long term, obesity itself can lead to hypertension by various mechanisms.