English Language Proficiency Program for First Year Medical Undergraduate Students of Vernacular Medium

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.

Arterial Blood Pressure is Inversely Associated with Vascular Sympathetic Reactivity l(sometric Handgrip Exercise) in Gujarati Indian Adolescents.

Studies conducted earlier have found that vascular sympathetic reactivity to isometric handgrip exercise is either low or high in adolescents with higher blood pressure (Hypertensives) as compared to adolescents with relatively lower blood pressure (Normotensive). The current study was conducted to determine the correlation of vascular sympathetic reactivity to isometric handgrip exercise with blood pressure in Gujarati Indian adolescents so as to understand the pathogenesis and/consequences of Hypertension in this population. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 651 Gujarati Indian adolescents (285 girls, 366 boys) of age group 13-19 years. Blood pressure was measured by oscillometry and vascular sympathetic reactivity (Percentage rise in Diastolic Blood Pressure, %RDBP) was assessed using isometric handgrip test. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was determined to study the correlation between %RDBP and blood pressure. In both girls and boys, %RDBP showed significant negative correlation with resting SBP, DBP and MAP. The study thus indicates that an inverse association exist between arterial blood pressure and vascular sympathetic reactivity to isometric handgrip exercise in Gujarati Indian adolescents.