Assessing the Efficacy of ChatGPT in Solving Questions Based on the Core Concepts in Physiology.

Background and objective ChatGPT is a large language model (LLM) generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot trained through deep learning to produce human-like language skills and analysis of simple problems across a wide variety of subject areas. However, in terms of facilitating the transfer of learning in medical education, a concern has arisen that while AI is adept at applying surface-level understanding, it does not have the necessary in-depth knowledge to act at an expert level, particularly in addressing the core concepts. In this study, we explored the efficacy of ChatGPT in solving various reasoning questions based on the five core concepts applied to different modules in the subject of physiology. Materials and methods In this study, a total of 82 reasoning-type questions from six modules applicable to the five core concepts were created by the subject experts. The questions were used to chat with the conversational AI tool and the responses generated at first instance were considered for scoring and analysis. To compare the scores among various modules and five core concepts separately, the Kruskal-Wallis test along with post hoc analysis were used. Results The overall mean score for the modules (60 questions) was 3.72 ±0.26 while the average score obtained for the core concepts (60 questions) was 3.68 ±0.30. Furthermore, statistically significant differences (p=0.05 for modules and p=0.024 for core concepts) were observed among various modules as well as core concepts. Conclusion The significant differences observed in the scores among various modules and core concepts highlight the varying execution of the same software tool, thereby necessitating the need for further evaluation of AI-enabled learning applications to enhance the transfer of learning among undergraduates.

Migraine: is it related to hormonal disturbances or stress?

BACKGROUND: Common neurological syndrome (migraine without aura) is more common among women than men. Migraine is among the top 20 causes of disability. Menstruation is known to be a powerful trigger for migraine, and so is stress, but the presentation of headache is similar in both. Also, women are more vulnerable to stress as well as migraine, and this makes a complex relationship of menstruation, stress, and migraine. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to understand the association of hormonal fluctuation in menstruation and stress with common migraine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in 40 young adult females, of whom 20 participants were cases of migraine without aura (18-35 years old), and the remaining 20 participants were age-matched controls. The study was done in Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. Study participants were selected on the basis of International Headache Society (ICHD-IIA1.1) (2004) classification. Study participants with neurological disorders, chronic diseases, and disease suggestive of any hormonal disturbances were excluded. Clinically diagnosed migraine cases were asked to maintain a headache diary and to fill in the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales questionnaire. Biochemical assessment of hormonal status for thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin was also done on the second day of their menstrual cycle. We used the Mann-Whitney U test to compare hormonal levels and the χ (2) test to compare anxiety- or depression-related stress among the migraine and nonmigraine groups. RESULTS: Significantly higher values of prolactin were observed in cases (mean ± standard deviation, 152.7 mIU/L±30.5) compared to controls (76.1 mIU/L±8.7), with a P-value <0.001. There was no statistically significant difference observed in levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (P=0.081), estrogen (P=0.086), luteinizing hormone (P=0.091), or follicle-stimulating hormone (P=0.478). Also, anxiety with stress or depression with stress was significantly higher among the migraine group than the controls (P=0.002). Odds of any stress in migraine were higher in the migraine group than in the nonmigraine group (odds ratio 12, 95% confidence interval 2.7-53.33). CONCLUSION: Migraine, particularly without aura, in women is mainly associated with stress-related anxiety or depression, and are more susceptible to stress in the premenstrual period.

Effect of body mass index on physical self concept, cognition & academic performance of first year medical students.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The relationship between obesity and self perception, particularly in children and young adults has important implications for physical and psychosocial health and well-being. A better understanding of this relationship could help target psychology services and public health strategies more effectively. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of body mass index (BMI) on physical self concept and cognition of the first year medical undergraduate students in a medical college in north India. The relationship between physical self concept and academic performance and presence of any gender differences were also examined. METHODS: The study was carried out on 18-21 yr old first year M.B.B.S. students of Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. Physical self concept was assessed using short version of Physical Self Description Questionnaire (PSDQ-S) which is a psychometrically strong instrument for measuring multiple dimensions of physical self-concept. Cognition was assessed by P300 evoked potentials and academic performance was evaluated on the basis of marks obtained in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry subjects. RESULTS: There was no association between BMI and physical self-concept or between BMI and cognition. Gender differences on physical self-concept were also insignificant. No correlation was seen between physical self-concept and academic performance. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that negative consequences of high body mass index on physical self-concept and cognition are not seen in young adults. It may be that academic achievement nullifies the effect on physical self-concept and the effect on cognition accumulates as the age progresses, therefore, appears later in life.

Attenuation of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor induced cough by iron supplementation: role of nitric oxide.

The present study examined whether (1) the cough associated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor therapy is attenuated by oral intake of iron and anti-oxidants, and (2) nitric oxide (NO) has any role in this attenuation. Of the 100 patients under investigation, cough occurred in 28 of them with preponderance in females. All the 28 patients were followed up for six weeks: the first two weeks were the observation period and the remaining four weeks the experimentation period. After the observation period, 11 patients received a single oral dose of ferrous sulphate (200 mg), eight received vitamin E (200 mg, o.d.) and vitamin C (150 mg, o.d.) and nine were given placebo during the experimentation period. Cough scoring, serum NO and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined during both the periods. While there were significant decreases in cough scores, NO and MDA levels between these two periods in the iron group, cough scores and MDA level decreased significantly in the anti-oxidant group. None of these parameters changed in the control group. NO level was found to be increased significantly in patients who developed cough (n = 28) compared with those who did not cough (n = 72). These results suggest that iron supplementation suppresses cough in patients on ACE-I therapy through its effect on NO generation.