Search Results

Abstract : Problem based learning (PBL) is a teaching learning methodology that promotes self-directed learning, critical thinking, sharing information and working in a team. PBL was introduced to second year MBBS students to study the perception and acceptance among students and facilitators as a teaching learning method. This is an observational study conducted in Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore in South India. The study was conducted over 3 months. PBL sessions were conducted for second year Medical students. Topics selected were systemic hypertension and foot ulcer, as these were must know topics for medical students and required longitudinal integration. Three triggers were framed for each topic which was validated by the senior members of medical education unit. To sustain the interests and continuation of discussions, PBL sessions were modified to be conducted every day for two weeks. Perception and acceptance of PBL among students and facilitators was studied using a validated questionnaire. 76.6 % of the students opined that PBL was interesting. 84.2% opined that PBL is more focussed on real medical problems. 64.1% of students felt that PBL aided in assessing their weaknesses which helps them in improving them as well as enables them to establish a concrete action plan to achieve their goals. PBL also helps in improving their decision making skills in addition to developing competence. 60.9% students felt that the information gained is more thorough than it would be by conventional teaching. The facilitators opined that PBL promotes comprehensive learning and helps to develop skill of self-directed learning among students. Most of the students felt that PBL was interesting, promoted self-directed learning and was more close to real life medical problems. However students and facilitators felt that PBL cannot replace didactic lectures and cannot be applied to all the topics.

Abstract : Anthropometry and physical fitness characteristics provide relevant information about ones health condition. A reduced risk of chronic diseases has been associated with high fitness level often measured by cardio – respiratory fitness parameters leaving out the other measures of physical fitness. Our study therefore investigated the relationship between anthropometric indices and other selected health-related components of fitness. A cross-sectional survey design was used to recruite 400 undergraduate university students (192 males and 208 females) within 18-35 years. The selected anthropometric indices [height (HT), waist-height ratio (WHtR), forearm girth (FAG)] and health-related components of fitness [handgrip strength (HGS), spinal flexibility (SF) and lean body mass (LBM)] were measured using standard procedures. Pearson‘s product correlation shows a significant relationship between HT and HGS (p = 0.001), HT and LBM (p = 0.001), HT and SF (p = 0.012), WHtR and LBM (p = 0.001), FAG and HGS (p = 0.001); and FAG and LBM (p = 0.001). Regression analysis shows that every one unit rise in HT causes 0.056 unit increase in HGS; every one unit rise in FAG causes 0.120 unit increase in HGS. There is a relationship between selected anthropometric indices and health-related fitness indices. Hence, one can be inferred from the other.

Abstract : Rotator cuff injury can cause a pain and permanent trauma of the head of the humerus, which ultimately leads to arthritis and a decrease of quality of life of patients. Shoulder arthroscopy is the "gold standard" of orthopedics in the treatment of articular pathologies. At the same time, the issues of tactics of surgical treatment, the choice of methods of operations, have not been fully resolved. They require the development of a technique for plastic surgery of the rotator cuff and bone structures of the shoulder joint. Improving the results of treatment of patients with pathologies of the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint by developing new methods of surgical treatment. Investigation was conducted at the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Uzbekistan from 01/01/2015 to 12/30/2021. 82 patients diagnosed with a full-thickness RCT were selected for study. To evaluate the effectiveness and monitor treatment, subjective methods were used: UCLA, Constant Shoulder Score and Simple Shoulder Test. The results before surgery and after 18 months were analyzed. The operation technique arthroscopic subacromial decompression, installation of an autograft from the tendon m. tensor fascia latae of the thigh and fixation of the autograft into the subacromial space. Medium term results of mini-invasive surgical treatment were analyzed. In 38 patients of main group (n=42), positive results were obtained (good result - 32 patients, satisfactory - 6). The complication rate was 8% and included 4 cases of persistent pain during rotational movements above the head afterwards. The diagnostic method and surgical treatment of RCT of the shoulder is convenient and simple, affordable. Allows for painless rotational movements of the shoulder joint, reduces re-traumatization of the RC with a minimally invasive and highly effective way.

Abstract : Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious health condition. surgery is the cornerstone of curative therapy for early-stage rectal cancer, neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) has emerged as a standard treatment option for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). The acute toxicity from NCRT remains a limiting factor for treatment compliance and quality of life in patients with LARC. To evaluate the acute GI toxicity profiles of locally advanced carcinoma rectum patients receiving 3DCRT versus IMRT. During this hospital-based prospective randomised observational study, patients with carcinoma rectum were enrolled between September 2018 and December 2020 at Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer, Cuttack. A total of 54 patients with locally advanced carcinoma rectum were included, among whom 30 patients were treated by 3DCRT (Arm A) and another 24 patients were treated by IMRT (Arm B) with daily concurrent Capecitabine. Out of 15 patients in the 3DCRT arm, eight had grade 2 diarrhea. Six patients had grade 3 diarrhoea during the 5th week of radiation and had to be admitted to the hospital for supportive care. In the IMRT arm, 2 out of 12 patients had grade 2 diarrhea. There was a significant difference between the various groups in terms of the distribution of diarrhoea grade 2 (χ2 = 0.127, p = 0.043). Greater conformity can be achieved with IMRT by optimally modulating the intensity of individual beams, reducing doses to organs at risk and thus decreasing the rate of gastrointestinal toxicity. The use of IMRT for rectal cancer may also potentially prevent surgery delays, improve postoperative healing, and allow for better adjuvant chemotherapy tolerability.

Abstract : Neonatal septicemia is of clinical importance due to its characterized signs of associated infection in the first month of life. This study comparatively examined serum granulocytes, C - reactive protein (CRP) and body weight changes (BWC) in pregnant mothers and their septicemic and non-septicemic neonates at birth. A total of 492 apparently healthy pregnant women and their newborns were ethically recruited and assessed for sepsis at gestational weeks 37, 38 and 39. Umbilical cord serum samples of neonates was obtained during delivery and assayed for CRP levels, polymorphs (basophil, neutrophil and eosinophils) and BWC. Neonates were monitored for 28 days to identify those who will come up septicemic. Mothers of septisemic and non-septicemic neonates, as well as their new-borns formed the experimental and control groups respectively. At 37th week of gestation, study found no significant increase (p = 0.9808) in maternal CRP relative to 38th and 39th weeks. For mothers of non-septicemic neonates, a significant decrease (p = 0.0000) was observed in CRP at weeks 2, 3 and 4 compared to week 1 post birth. ANOVA returned a insignificant increase for assessed granulocytes but eosinophil which increased significantly (p = 0.0450) with increasing pregnancy age. Mothers of septicemic neonates showed no significant change in polymorphs during pregnancy. Sepsis has effect on CRP during pregnancy and should be used with polymorph granulocytes during pregnancy as a routine diagnostic marker in the event of suspicion of septicemia.