Sheetal D Ullal

Assessment of Learning Styles of Undergraduate Medical Students Using the VARK Questionnaire and the Influence of Sex and Academic Performance.

While there are several tools to study learning styles of students, the visual-aural-read/write-kinesthetic (VARK) questionnaire is a simple, freely available, easy to administer tool that encourages students to describe their behavior in a manner they can identify with and accept. The aim is to understand the preferred sensory modality (or modalities) of students for learning. Teachers can use this knowledge to facilitate student learning. Moreover, students themselves can use this knowledge to change their learning habits. Five hundred undergraduate students belonging to two consecutive batches in their second year of undergraduate medical training were invited to participate in the exercise. Consenting students (415 students, 83%) were administered a printed form of version 7.0 of the VARK questionnaire. Besides the questionnaire, we also collected demographic data, academic performance data (marks obtained in 10th and 12th grades and last university examination), and self-perceived learning style preferences. The majority of students in our study had multiple learning preferences (68.7%). The predominant sensory modality of learning was aural (45.5%) and kinesthetic (33.1%). The learning style preference was not influenced by either sex or previous academic performance. Although we use a combination of teaching methods, there has not been an active effort to determine whether these adequately address the different types of learners. We hope these data will help us better our course contents and make learning a more fruitful experience.

Safety and radiosensitizing efficacy of sanazole (AK 2123) in oropharyngeal cancers: randomized controlled double blind clinical trial.

UNLABELLED Oropharynx is an important site of cancer in India. Global comparison indicates higher incidences in India. Radiotherapy remains an important treatment modality. Efforts to improve loco-regional treatment and prolong survival are areas of focus. Radiosensitizers in hypoxic tumors have shown promise. AIM To study the safety and radiosensitizing efficacy of sanazole in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (stage T2-4, N0-3, M0) as phase-II double blind controlled trial in patients treated with conventional radiotherapy. SETTINGS AND DESIGN Single institutional, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS Group 1 (control; n = 23) received normal saline infusion, group 2 (test; n = 23) received sanazole biweekly 1.25 g intravenous infusion 15 minutes before radiotherapy. Surrogate end points of efficacy were tumor and nodal size; safety parameters were mucositis, salivary and skin reactions, dysphagia, vomiting, dysgeusia and neurological deficit. Investigators blinded to the trial evaluated patients, weekly during treatment for six weeks and thereafter monthly for three months. STATISTICAL METHODS Non-parametric, Friedmans, Chi square, Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS In the test, 15 (65%) patients had complete response, five (22%) partial/no response, two (9%) died, one (4%) lost to follow up. In the control, five (22%) patients had complete response, 16 (70%) partial/no response, one (4%) died, one (4%) lost to follow up. Short-term loco-regional response was better in the test (DF = 3, 95% Confidence Interval 0.418, 0.452, P = 0.0048). In the test group significant vomiting and one case of grade 3 neurological deficit was observed. CONCLUSION The study validates the usefulness of sanazole for initial loco-regional control in oropharyngeal cancers.

Effect of Tribulus terrestris on Haloperidol-induced Catalepsy in Mice

Haloperidol, an antipsychotic drug, leads to the development of a behavioural state called catalepsy, in which the animal is not able to correct an externally imposed posture. In the present study we have attempted to evaluate the anticataleptic effect of Tribulus terrestris on haloperidol-induced catalepsy in albino mice. Mice were allocated to four groups, each group containing six animals. Both, the test drug, Tribulus terrestris and the standard drug trihexyphenidyl were uniformly suspended in 1% gum acacia solution. Catalepsy was induced in mice with haloperidol (1.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). The first group received the vehicle (10 ml/kg, orally), the second group received trihexyphenidyl (10 mg/kg, orally) and the remaining two groups received Tribulus terrestris (100, 200 mg/kg, orally). The animals were assessed after single and repeated dose administration for ten days, 30 min prior to haloperidol, using standard bar test. The result of the present study demonstrates Tribulus terrestris has a protective effect against haloperidol-induced catalepsy, which is comparable to the standard drug used for the same purpose. Our study indicates Tribulus terrestris can be used to prevent haloperidol-induced extrapyramidal side effects.

Anxiolytic activity of aqueous extract of Camellia sinensis in rats

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to evaluate anxiolytic effect of Camellia sinensis (CS) and possible mechanism on acute and chronic administration in rats. Materials and Methods: Eight groups of rats with six in each group were used. Group I served as control. Group II received diazepam (1 mg/kg). Groups III, IV, and V received CS in doses of 3.3, 16.5, and 33 mg/kg, respectively. Three pharmacologically validated experimental models – elevated plus maze (EPM), light and dark box (LDB), and open field tests (OFT) – were employed. Each animal was tested initially in the EPM and then in the LDB, followed by the OFT in a single setting. In EMP, number of entries into, time spent in, and number of rears in each arm in a 5-min period were noted. In LDB, number of entries and time spent in bright arena, number of rears, and duration of immobility were noted. In OFT, number of peripheral and central squares crossed, time spent, and number of rears in central squares were observed for a 5-min period. One-way ANOVA followed by post hoc least significant difference test was performed. Results: In EPM and LDB, CS at 3.3, 16.5, and 33 mg/kg (acute and chronic models) increased the number of entries and time spent and rearing in the open arms and bright arena, respectively, compared to control. In the OFT, CS at 16.5 and 33 mg/kg significantly increased the number of squares crossed, time spent, and the number of rears in the central squares compared to control. Anxiolytic effect was dose dependent in EPM and LDB and CS at 33 mg/kg showed better anxiolytic activity compared to diazepam (1 mg/kg) in all models. Flumazenil (0.5 mg/kg) and bicuculline (1 mg/kg) completely inhibited while picrotoxin (1 mg/kg) partially inhibited the anxiolytic effect of CS. Diazepam and CS at 33 mg/kg reduced the locomotor activity in rats. Conclusion: CS has dose-dependent anxiolytic activity which is comparable to diazepam. Anxiolytic action of CS is likely mediated through GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor – Cl − channel complex – since flumazenil and bicuculline inhibited the anxiolytic effect.

Prevalence of Hypertension in Boloor Diabetes Study (BDS-II) and its Risk Factors.

INTRODUCTION Hypertension is a major public health problem in India and worldwide. Since hypertension is often asymptomatic, it commonly remains undetected, leading to serious complications if untreated. Hypertension is one of the leading causes of end stage renal disease. It doubles the risk of developing coronary artery disease, increases the risk of congestive heart failure by four folds and that of cerebrovascular disease and stroke by seven folds. Hypertension is directly responsible for 57% of all stroke deaths and 42% of coronary heart disease deaths in India. AIM To identify prevalence and risk factors for hypertension in a semi urban population of Mangalore, who participated in Boloor Diabetes Study (BDS-II). MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted on 551 subjects aged ≥ 20 years who were randomly selected. Hypertension was diagnosed and classified according to Joint National Committee 7 (JNC) criteria. Blood pressure was measured by a doctor using calibrated sphygmomanometer. Anthropometric measurements, lipid and glucose estimations were done for all subjects. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test and students t-test (unpaired). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done using hypertension as dependent variable and the various risk factors as independent variables. RESULTS Overall prevalence of hypertension in the community was 41% (227/551) (40.9% in men, 41.3% in women). Prehypertension was found in 40% (223/551) (45.4% in men, 38.1% in women), and only 18.3% (101/551) had normal blood pressure. Stage I hypertension was seen in 29.7% (164/551) (28.9% in men, 30.1% in women). Stage II hypertension was seen in 11.4% (63/551) (12% in men, 11% in women). Age, obesity, diabetes, serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides were strongly associated with hypertension. Only 46% (254/551) of the hypertensive subjects were aware that they were hypertensive. CONCLUSION Prevalence of hypertension was high in this population. Nearly 54% were unaware of their hypertensive status. Prevalence increased with age, obesity, diabetic status and dyslipidemia. Nearly half of subjects were prehypertensives. This study highlights the need for regular screening coupled with educational programmes to detect, improve awareness and optimally treat hypertension in the community to reduce cardiovascular and renal complications.

Effect of losartan and atenolol on insulin sensitivity in nondiabetic hypertensive patients.

In Table 2, the homeostasis model assessment‐estimated IR values for the atenolol group at 12 weeks have been expressed as median (2.89 [1.51–5.48]), whereas in Table 3, the same has been expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) (3.04 ± 1.08). Similarly, the other glucometabolic parameters such as fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride have been expressed both as mean ± SD (Gaussian data) and median (interquartile range) (non‐Gaussian data) in Tables 2 and 3 interchangeably.

Serum pyridoxine levels in HIV-positive patients and its association with tuberculosis and neuropsychiatric manifestations

Background: Studies have shown the prevalence of micronutrient insufficiency in HIV patients. Decreased plasma levels of pyridoxine, Vitamins B12, A, and E, and zinc have been correlated with significant alterations in immune response and cognitive functions. Serum pyridoxine levels in different subgroup of HIV patients are not well studied. Objective: To study the proportion of pyridoxine deficiency in different subgroups of HIV-positive patients (HIV with tuberculosis - Group I, HIV with neuropsychiatric manifestations - Group II, and HIV-positive patients without neuropsychiatric symptoms or tuberculosis - Group III) and the comparison of mini mental state examination (MMSE) score, Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D), and Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A) in them. Methodology: One hundred and fifty HIV patients were divided into three groups. MMSE, HAM-D, HAM-A, hemoglobin levels, pyridoxine levels, waist-hip ratio, and body mass index were noted. Results: The proportion of patients with pyridoxine deficiency was 18.8% in Group I and 28.3% in Group II. The percentage of pyridoxine deficiency between Group II and Group III significantly differ (P = 0.048). Patients in Group II showed an association with abnormal neuropsychiatric assessment using MMSE/HAM-D/HAM-A (χ2 = 7.843; P = 0.005). There was a significant correlation between CD4 count and pyridoxine in Group I (r = 0.391, P = 0.006) only. Interpretation and Conclusions: Increased proportion of pyridoxine deficiency is seen in individuals with HIV. Proportion of pyridoxine deficiency is also higher in HIV patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations. HIV patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms and tuberculosis have a low CD4 count and pyridoxine levels as compared to HIV-positive patients without neuropsychiatric symptoms or tuberculosis.