Polycystic ovarian syndrome among adolescent and young women: a hospital based observational study in a tertiary care teaching Hospital

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorder among women of fertile age. The incidence of PCOS as claimed by various observer ranges from 2.2% to as high as 26%. India is considered as an emerging epidemic area for PCOS and limited studies are done. Hence aim of this study is to find the prevalence of PCOS and determine the associated determining factors in adolescent girls.Methods: All the girls aged 15-24 years were approached and after undergoing detailed history, examination and investigations were further diagnosed as PCOS. The study subjects were then classified into two group: the PCOS and non-PCOS group and compared to determine significant differences as per the Rotterdam criteria.Results: The prevalence of PCOS was 7.5%, 18.68% and 11.18% as per NIH, Rotterdam and AES criteria respectively. BMI more than 30, waist circumference > 80 cm, hyperandrogenic manifestations, menstrual irregularity (oligomenorrhea) and family history of PCOS and DM showed statistically significant association with PCOS. Serum LH, LH/FSH ratio, S. Testosterones, serum insulin and HOMA-IR had significant association with PCOS. No significant association of Fasting blood sugar levels and deranged lipid profile was found with PCOS.Conclusions: PCOS is an emerging disorder during adolescents and hence awareness creation, early screening in order to inculcate early life style modifications and prevent metabolic and reproductive complications of this disease.

Learning Preferences of Undergraduate Dental Students: A Longitudinal Assessment Over Four Years

Objective: To compare the learning preferences of 78 undergraduate dental studentsfrom the first to thefourth year of dental education.Methods: The study assessed the learning sensory modality preferences of the first-year students byadministering Fleming’s VARK questionnaire and reassessed the same students in fourth-year, using thesame questionnaire and methodology.Results: A significant increase in the mean visual scores was observed from 2.91±1.81 in the first year to3.63±2.06 in the fourth yearof dental education (p-value 0.036). Also, the mean aural scores significantlyincreased from 4.87±2.22 in the first year to 5.86±2.18 in the fourth year (p-value 0.005). Although the meanread/write scores and the mean kinestheticscoresalso increased over four years, yet these were notstatistically significant. Additionally, amultimodal learning style was observed in 53.84% students of first-year and 51.28%students offourth-year.Conclusions: A significant increase in the mean visual scores and the mean aural scores of students fromthe first to fourth year of dental education demonstrates that learning preferences are dynamic in nature. Fordelivering student-centered education, educators need to be cognizant of this potential shift so that teachingstrategies and resourcesmay bemodified for improved learning and student satisfaction.

Reduction of vitrification in in vitro raised shoots of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. & Fernand., a rare potent medicinal herb.

Reduction of vitrification in in vitro raised shoots derived from shoot bases and immature floral buds along with inflorescence axis used as explants of C. borivilianum, a rare medicinal herb is described. Shoot multiplication was obtained on MS medium with 2 mg l(-1) benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.1 mg l(-1) indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and MS medium with 2 mg l(-1) kinetin (Kin) + 0.1 mg l(-1) 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) from shoot bases and inflorescence axis respectively. Best multiplication rates were obtained from both the explants on MS medium with 2 mg l(-1) BAP. Vitrification of shoots in cultures appeared during the multiplication stage. Culture bottles with aerated caps reduced the vitrification to 80%. Reduction of BAP concentration from 2 mg l(-1) to zero during subsequent subcultures also minimized vitrification. Use of 0.5-2 mg l(-1) Kin produced healthy shoots when compared to BAP. In vitro raised shoots rooted on Knop salts containing iron and vitamins of MS medium, 2 mg l(-1) IBA and 0.1% activated charcoal. About 80% plantlets survived upon soil transfer. Scanning electron microscopic and image analyzer studies reveal the morphological structural differences between the leaves of normal and vitrified plantlets.

In vitro clonal propagation of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand., a rare medicinal herb from immature floral buds along with inflorescence axis.

A novel method of shoot regeneration from immature floral buds along with inflorescence axis in C. borivilianum, a rare medicinal herb is described. Using this explant, axenic cultures were established with very less contamination (10%). MS medium with 2 mg l(-1) kinetin and 0.1 mg l(-1) 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid proved to be the best for multiple shoot induction. Maximum number (35) of shoot production was achieved in MS medium with 2 mg l(-1) benzylaminopurine. Rooting of shoots (86.7%) with maximum fasciculated roots (5) occurred on Knops medium containing iron and vitamins of MS medium with 2 mg l(-1) indole-3-butyric acid and 0.1% activated charcoal. Plant survival was 80% in four weeks after their removal from in vitro conditions. Per explant 34 hardened plants generated within 50 weeks. This protocol can be useful for large-scale clonal multiplication from immature floral buds with inflorescence axis and successfully used for germplasm conservation of this rare medicinal herb without destroying the mother plant.