Natl Med J India
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The amount of smoking, level of smoking addiction and smoking cessation have effects on blood cells, blood lipid levels, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV)/lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR) and monocyte/high- density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (MHR). Methods In this self-controlled experimental study, we included individuals who applied to a smoking cessation clinic and quit smoking. Their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the amount of cigarettes consumed (pack/year), their Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) results, haemogram values before and 6 months after quitting smoking, NLR, PLR, MPVLR, MHR and blood lipid levels before and after the treatment were compared retrospectively. ⋯ After the smoking cessation treatment, their neutrophil, platelet, MPV, red cell distribution width, platelet distribution width (PDW), cholesterol, triglyceride, low- density lipoprotein, NLR, PLR, MPVLR, MHR and HDL values increased (p<0.05). The amount of smoking and level of dependence were negatively correlated with HDL, and positively correlated with other parameters. Conclusion After smoking cessation, in addition to dyslipidaemia, the NLR, PLR, MPVLR and MHR values also decreased, and the difference was found to correlate with the level of addiction and the amount of smoking.
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Background The Covid-19 pandemic drastically affected medical education. One consequence was the shift of teaching-learning process to the online mode. This left many teachers unprepared. ⋯ The positives were the gradual comfort factor with online teaching, and the mental preparation for the long haul with this modality. Conclusion In-depth interview and its qualitative analysis proved useful in getting a deeper understanding of the perceptions of the medical faculty towards online teaching-learning. The negative and positive perceptions thus obtained have proved useful as feedback to the medical education department to suggest changes to improve the online teaching programme.
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Dissections or prosections: Which method has a better impact on sustainable gross anatomy knowledge?
Background Assessing the level of knowledge of anatomy of undergraduate students four years after their primary anatomy training will give a better indication as to which system of teaching is more effective. We aimed to ascertain which method was more effective at establishing a core of anatomy knowledge that could be recalled after a considerable amount of time. Methods We tested two groups of medical students in their final year on the key concepts of gross anatomy using a question paper that included true-false type questions and identification of anatomical line diagrams. ⋯ The two groups were subjected without prior warning to a question paper that had six questions, each with five true-false statements and four questions on identification and labelling of anatomical line diagrams. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the marks obtained for the true-false type questions between the two groups (p=0.08), but the prosections group obtained higher marks for the diagram identification questions (p=0.02). Conclusion A prosection-based curriculum when compared to a dissection-based curriculum was equally effective at establishing a core of gross anatomy knowledge.
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Background Studying loneliness among children is important because it causes much social pain and is considered to be a risk factor for many mental and physical problems. Methods We did an online survey between July and September 2020 among students and their parents from a cluster of government and private schools chosen from north, south, east and west of Chandigarh. The survey consisted of child and parent versions of the Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Questionnaire, Parent-Child Relationship (PCR) Questionnaire and Conflict Behaviour Questionnaire SF. ⋯ Children who share cordial relations with their parents had fewer conflicts and also scored low on loneliness. Conclusion These results suggest that the issue of loneliness and dissatisfaction among children has attained epidemic proportions in the Covid-19 era, and active interventions are needed to safeguard the mental health of children. Our study emphasizes the need to plan guidance strategies with a joint effort of schools and families to strengthen within family relations of children.
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Medical journals started appearing formally in Europe in the 17th century and in North America in the 18th century. In Australia, the first issue of Australian Medical Journal (AMJ) was issued in Sydney, under the stewardship of a New South Wales (NSW) senior surgeon William Brooks working in Newcastle (NSW) in August 1846. This article refers to that issue of AMJ exploring its contents and context. ⋯ With the incorporation of other regional Australian medical journals, AMJ was re-named as the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) in 1914. As MJA, it continues to perform to-date. Natl Med J India 2023;36:263-8.