Both, And: The Dichotomous Relationship Between the Model Minority Myth and Psychological Distress for South Asians in the United States

Psychological distress is a prominent concern for South Asian individuals in the United States. Despite substantial research indicating that the model minority myth has numerous consequences with varying implications—including mental health implications—for Asian Americans, very little is known about its impact for South Asians. The present study used an embedded mixed-methods design to explore the relationship between internalization of the model minority myth and psychological distress for South Asians in the United States. Results indicated that South Asians experience mental health consequences of the myth in complex and dichotomous ways: they balance feelings of both pride and pressure related to being a model minority, as well as experiences of both privilege and marginalization in society. Findings also elucidated meaningful differences in experience between South Asian diasporic subgroups, highlighting the importance of considering multiple marginalization and other systemic factors in assessing the impact of the model minority myth

Evaluation of hybrid problem-based learning in large classrooms: a qualitative and quantitative analysis

Background: Problem Based Learning (PBL) for teaching preclinical sciences has been proposed in curricular reform by Medical Council of India. PBL is a student-centred approach, enabling deep and transformative student learning. A 'hybrid' approach to PBL uses a range of class-based teaching methods; delivering a mode of PBL which is less resource intensive and more flexible than ‘pure’ PBL. In hybrid PBL, problems are solved in groups, but lectures are used to present the fundamental concepts and difficult topics. Our institution follows a traditional lecture-based curriculum. The present cohort study was undertaken to determine student and faculty perceptions for hybrid PBL as well as impact on student engagement.Methods: Hybrid PBL method was implemented for one cohort of hundred first year medical students. Previous batch was used as control taught by traditional lecture-based curriculum alone. Methodological triangulation design was employed for impact of hybrid PBL on student engagement (attendance scores-Chi square) and student and faculty perception to hybrid PBL (reflections- grounded theory)Results: The mean attendance score of MBBS batch 2016 was significantly better than batch 2015 (p=0.0001). The emerging themes in student reflections were innovative method, collaborative learning, quest for knowledge, promote long term retention and links to real-life scenario. Acquisition of soft skills (social and moral responsibility) was novel emerging theme in student reflections. Active student participation and improved critical thinking were themes expressed in faculty perceptions.Conclusions: Hybrid PBL with small groups is successful in large classrooms. Introduced at the initial phase of undergraduate medical education, it can assist robust self-appraisal in students and strengthen soft skills

Role of serum progesterone in threatened miscarriage

Background: Miscarriage is the inadvertent loss of a pregnancy before the fetus is viable. The World Health Organization defines this un-survivable state as an embryo or fetus weighing 500 grams or less, which typically corresponds to a fetal age (gestational age) of 20 to 22 weeks or less.Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, M. G. M. Medical College and M.Y. Hospital, Indore from October 2013 to October 2014 on 100 patients.Results: The incidence of first trimester threatened miscarriage, in the Gynaec O.P.D. of M.Y. Hospital, Indore, was 8.8%. The most common risk factor was a history of previous miscarriages in 38% of cases while 9% had advanced maternal age and 35% had advanced paternal age. History of preterm labour was positive in 25% cases and that of congenital anomaly in previous pregnancy in 7% cases. UTI and vaginitis were diagnosed in 10% and 11% cases respectively. Systemic illness was in 24% cases while 6% cases had endocrine disorders. On USG missed miscarriage was found in 8% inconclusive ultrasound was found in 34% cases, rest were normal. Of the 38 cases giving history of previous 1, 2, 3 and more than or equal to 4 miscarriages were 22%, 6%, 8% and 2 % respectively. 36% of the patients presented with bleeding per vaginum. only while 30% had bleeding with pain and 33% cases had only pain in abdomen. On USG 58% had normal scans. USG scan was inconclusive in 34% and only 35% continued with viable pregnancy, rest aborted. 7 of the 100 cases had preterm labour and 51 cases continued to term. Rest 42 aborted. H/o contact, travel, trauma, heavy work did not have any statistically proven effect on outcome of pregnancy.Conclusions: Progesterone assays are currently available in most immunoassay platforms and have shown excellent performance in terms of assay sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and precision with rapid turnaround times. Furthermore, the cost per test for progesterone assay is affordable. Several studies have shown that progesterone is the most specific biomarker for distinguishing viable from nonviable pregnancies. The downfall of progesterone as a biomarker is due to the different cut-off values used by researchers. The cut-off values were also determined on different study populations

Kimura’s disease: a diagnostic and therapeutic enigma

Kimura’s disease is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder present in 2nd and 3rd decade. It has a predilection for head and neck region presenting as a slowly growing painless swelling. It is usually accompanied by peripheral eosinophilia and elevated serum IgE and hence it was initially thought to be of allergic origin. Histologically the lesions are characterized by reactive hyperplasia of lymph nodes, eosinophilic infiltration and increase in postcapillary venules. Authors have reported a male patient with a slowly growing right sided neck swelling which is recurring even after course of steroids and excision done twice at an interval of 6 months. Kimura’s disease although a benign Lymphoid disorder but the incidence of recurrence despite taking treatment is a cause of much concern for the patient

Intralesional Vitamin D3 in Recalcitrant Palmoplantar and Periungual Warts: A Prospective, Observational Study

Cutaneous warts are particularly difficult to treat with conventional treatment on sites such as the palms, soles, and periungual region. Immunotherapy boosts the host immune response and helps clear warts with less chance of recurrence. Vitamin D plays an important role in proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. The aim of this observational study was to study the efficacy and safety of intralesional vitamin D immunotherapy in the treatment of recalcitrant palmoplantar and periungual warts. Patients who had palmoplantar and periungual warts for more than 6 months and were non-responsive to at least two conventional treatment modalities were selected for the study. A maximum of four warts were injected with 0.2 mL of lignocaine (20 mg/mL), followed by intralesional injection of 0.2-0.5 mL of vitamin D3 (15 mg/mL), every 2 weeks for a maximum of four sessions. Response was assessed based on the reduction in the number of warts. A total of 63 patients were includ-ed in the study. The mean number of intralesional vitamin D3 injections required for complete clearance was 3.05±0.83 (mean ± Standard Deviation). Complete response was observed in 56 (88.9%) patients. Maximum clearance was observed in periungual warts (92.9%), followed by palmar warts (90.0%) and plantar warts (86.2%). The most common adverse effect was pain during injection (100.0%) and local swelling (25.4%). Two patients developed recurrence during follow-up. Immunotherapy with vitamin D3 appears to be an effective, inexpensive, and safe treatment in recalcitrant palmoplantar and periungual warts

Stabilizers used in nanocrystal based drug delivery systems

Nanocrystals have emerged as a viable tool to enhance oral bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs. They also enable parenteral administration of these drugs as nanosuspensions. The high surface free energy due to the large surface area to volume ratio of nanocrystals, makes them prone to aggregation, that can lead to physical instability and loss of solubility/dissolution advantage. Stabilizers are incorporated into nanocrystalline formulations to prevent aggregation and these include excipients such as polymers and surfactants. They achieve stabilization by electrostatic repulsion and/or steric hindrance. This article focuses on phenomenon of aggregation in nanocrystal based formulations, stabilizers for inhibition of aggregation, classification of stabilizers, properties of stabilizers and the mechanisms involved in stabilization. A compilation of stabilizers, drugs stabilized, formulation types and techniques used for generation of nanocrystals have been presented. Current challenges and future trends in the field of stabilizers have also been highlighted

“Surveying Oral Health: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Disparity In Methods Of Tooth Brushing”

Aim: This study aimed to explore variations in tooth brushing techniques, frequency, additional mouth rinses, and the usage of toothpaste, daatun, electric toothbrushes, and charcoal among individuals aged 15 and above. Objectives: The primary objective of this research was to identify and analyse patterns of oral hygiene practices across different age groups, investigating potential disparities in methods employed for maintaining oral health. Materials & Methods:A comprehensive questionnaire consisting of 10 questions was designed and administered through Google Forms to collect data on oral hygiene practices. Participants aged 15 and above were randomly sampled, ensuring a diverse representation. The questionnaire focused on aspects such as tooth brushing techniques, frequency, usage of additional oral care products, and preferred oral hygiene tools. Data collection was conducted through online responses. Results: The survey results, obtained through Google Forms, revealed intriguing disparities in oral hygiene practices across age groups. Variations were observed in the choice of tooth brushing techniques, frequency of brushing, and the use of additional products such as mouth rinses, daatun, electric toothbrushes, and charcoal-based oral care items. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study, utilizing Google Forms for data collection, highlighted diverse oral hygiene practices among individuals aged 15 and above. Recognizing these variations is crucial for tailoring oral health education programs and interventions to address the specific needs of different age groups. The findings underscore the importance of personalized oral care approaches to promote optimal oral health across the populatio

Novel composite multilayer face masks for protection against airborne microorganisms

13-19This research focuses on the development of polyurethane (PU)/silica (SiO2) nanofibrous membranes for the filtration of PM2.5 and bacteria, which has been further incorporated in three-layered face mask comprising cotton fabric, nanofibre membrane and polyester fabric. The surface morphology, PM2.5 filtration efficiency and bacterial filtration efficiency of PU/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes have been investigated to find out applicability of nanofibrous membranes in the filtration application. PU/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes (0.5%) are found to have a pressure drop of 126 Pa with filtration efficiency of 95.37% and bacterial filtration efficiency of 99.3% against E. coli bacteria strain. Two- and three-layered fabric structures are developed comprising PU/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes and their contact angle, water vapor transmission rate and air permeability are studied to observe the breathability and waterproof behaviour of the fabric structure. Three- layered PU/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes have contact angle, water vapor transmission rate and air permeability of 145±1°, 109 g/m2/day and 8.56 cm3/s/cm2 respectively

Novel composite multilayer face masks for protection against airborne microorganisms

This research focuses on the development of polyurethane (PU)/silica (SiO2) nanofibrous membranes for the filtration of PM2.5 and bacteria, which has been further incorporated in three-layered face mask comprising cotton fabric, nanofibre membrane and polyester fabric. The surface morphology, PM2.5 filtration efficiency and bacterial filtration efficiency of PU/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes have been investigated to find out applicability of nanofibrous membranes in the filtration application. PU/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes (0.5%) are found to have a pressure drop of 126 Pa with filtration efficiency of 95.37% and bacterial filtration efficiency of 99.3% against E. coli bacteria strain. Two- and three-layered fabric structures are developed comprising PU/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes and their contact angle, water vapor transmission rate and air permeability are studied to observe the breathability and waterproof behaviour of the fabric structure. Three- layered PU/SiO2 nanofibrous membranes have contact angle, water vapor transmission rate and air permeability of 145±1°, 109 g/m2/day and 8.56 cm3/s/cm2 respectively