Brain Activation Using Brain Gym for Effective Learning

This study attempts to find out the effectiveness of brain activation using brain gym training in learning educational psychology. Brain Gym comprised of six basic exercises that helps to improve cognitive function and learning. It consists of a series of simple body movements that help to cajole the two hemispheres of the brain into working in unison. This is an experimental study that compares the impact of two teaching approaches (brain gym and conventional method). The intervention lasted for two weeks. The post-test-only rotational group design study included 90 students, 45 in the experimental group (Brain gym) and 45 in the control group (Conventional method). To ensure the similarity of the groups an entry level test was conducted and the scores obtained were compared using t test. The data were analysed using SPSS and the results indicated that brain gym had a significant effect on learning

Endoscopic Removal of an Impacted Needle with Syringe from the Esophagus

AbstractBackgroundIn adults, non-food foreign body ingestions occur more in denture users, incarcerated individuals, and in patients with psychiatric disorders or alcohol intoxication. The majority of the ingested foreign body will pass spontaneously. Sharp or pointed foreign body, animal or fish bones, and magnets increase the risk of perforation.PatientAn incarcerated patient with bipolar disorder swallowed a 14cm in length needle attached with a syringe three months prior to presentation. The needle penetrated the distal esophagus leading to mediastinitis.MethodsIn this video manuscript, we demonstrated endoscopic techniques on how to remove this 14cm long sharp object.ResultsThe foreign body was removed uneventfully and mediastinitis resolved with antibiotic treatment.ConclusionsEmergent endoscopy is indicated in (1) esophageal obstruction and the patient are unable to swallow secretions and (2) disk batteries and sharp-pointed foreign body in the esophagus

Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) and Post-Trial Cardiovascular Events and Mortality Within the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Estrogen-Alone Trial.

BackgroundAmong women aged 50 to 59 years at baseline in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Estrogen-Alone (E-Alone) trial, randomization to conjugated equine estrogen-alone versus placebo was associated with lower risk of myocardial infarction and mortality, and, in an ancillary study, the WHI-CACS (WHI Coronary Artery Calcification Study) with lower CAC, measured by cardiac computed tomography ≈8.7 years after baseline randomization. We hypothesized that higher CAC would be related to post-trial coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and total mortality, independent of baseline randomization or risk factors.Methods and resultsWHI-CACS participants (n=1020) were followed ≈8 years from computed tomography scan in 2005 (mean age=64.4) through 2013 for incident CHD (myocardial infarction and fatal CHD, n=17), CVD (n=69), and total mortality (n=55). Incident CHD and CVD analyses excluded women with CVD before scan (n=89). Women with CAC=0 (n=54%) had very low age-adjusted rates/1000 person-years of CHD (0.91), CVD (5.56), and mortality (3.45). In comparison, rates were ≈2-fold higher for women with any CAC (>0). Associations were not modified by baseline randomization to conjugated equine estrogen-alone versus placebo. Adjusted for baseline randomization and risk factors, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for CAC >100 (19%) was 4.06 (2.11, 7.80) for CVD and 2.70 (1.26, 5.79) for mortality.ConclusionsAmong a subset of postmenopausal women aged 50 to 59 years at baseline in the WHI E-Alone Trial, CAC at mean age of 64 years was strongly related to incident CHD, CVD, and to total mortality over ≈8 years, independent of baseline randomization to conjugated equine estrogen-alone versus placebo or CVD risk factors.Clinical trial registrationURL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00000611

Yolk sac tumor, a rare and challenging ovarian malignancy: case report

Yolk sac tumors (YST) are rare and rapidly developing neoplasm presenting in young females. They are second most common germ cell tumor after dysgerminomas. Fertility preservation is an important concern in treatment of patients of YST. We present a case of 22 years nulliparous female with rapidly evolving abdominal mass. The patient underwent fertility preserving surgery with four cycles of post operative bleomycin etoposide and paclitaxel (BEP) chemotherapy and is fairly doing well. BEP chemotherapy has successfully improved the treatment outcomes of YST patients

Do Antenatal Parasite Infections Devalue Childhood Vaccination?

On a global basis, both potent vaccine efficacy and high vaccine coverage are necessary to control and eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases. Emerging evidence from animal and human studies suggest that neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) significantly impair response to standard childhood immunizations. A review of efficacy and effectiveness studies of vaccination among individuals with chronic parasitic infections was conducted, using PUBMED database searches and analysis of data from the authors' published and unpublished studies. Both animal models and human studies suggest that chronic trematode, nematode, and protozoan infections can result in decreased vaccine efficacy. Among pregnant women, who in developing countries are often infected with multiple parasites, soluble parasite antigens have been shown to cross the placenta and prime or tolerize fetal immune responses. As a result, antenatal infections can have a significant impact on later vaccine responses. Acquired childhood parasitic infections, most commonly malaria, can also affect subsequent immune response to vaccination. Additional data suggest that antiparasite therapy can improve the effectiveness of several human vaccines. Emerging evidence demonstrates that both antenatal and childhood parasitic infections alter levels of protective immune response to routine vaccinations. Successful antiparasite treatment may prevent immunomodulation caused by parasitic antigens during pregnancy and early childhood and may improve vaccine efficacy. Future research should highlight the varied effects that different parasites (alone and in combination) can have on human vaccine-related immunity. To optimize vaccine effectiveness in developing countries, better control of chronic NTDs may prove imperative

Genetic Diversity of Genus \u3cem\u3eAvena\u3c/em\u3e in North Western-Himalayas assessed by Morphological Traits

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is a cool season, annual crop grown mainly in moist areas of temperate climates of the world serving as a food for mankind and forage for cattle. Oat is an important rabi fodder crop in India.In India, oat is also cultivated in Himalayan states like Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Oat in these regions have a wider adaptability, because of its excellent growing habitat, quick re-growth and better nutritional value (Misri, 2004). Oat breeding programme in Indian regions has not achieved much impetus due to a narrow genetic base of cultivated gene pool within the regionally adapted germplasm. The competition for utilization of land for food grains and fodder necessitates intensified efforts towards more efficient forage research and production, for which it is imperative to characterize and evaluate Avena species in order to identify donors for different traits and diversify primary oat gene pool. Historically, morphological traits have been important in the diversity analysis of crop species. The characterization of germplasm using morphological traits help the plant breeders to select the accessions to be utilized in hybridization programme. Considering the potential forage value of oats and limited genetic information available at morphological level, present study was aimed to assess the genetic diversity of genus Avena using morphological characterization. The information generated from this study will be helpful in characterizing the genus Avena germplasm and in the selection and utilization of diverse genotypes to enhance variability and productivity of commercial oat for future crop improvement endeavors in the Indian North-Western Himalayan region