Anthropometric predictors of blood pressure in women between the ages 26–45 years

The study of 199 (26 to 45 years) women of Latvia was undertaken to study the anthropometric predictors of blood pressure between age groups. The data were collected in the years 2001–2005. The women were divided into two agegroups: I (26–35 years) and II (36–45 years) for making even sample analysis. Anthropometric variables of each woman including height, weight, waist and hip circumferences (WC, HC), and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Mean arterial blood pressure (MBP), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI) were also calculated through standard equation. The relationships between blood pressure and different anthropometric variables were determined in both age groups. The mean age of the participants was 35.18±2.85. The mean±SD systolic blood pressures were 124.25±12.81 and 131.52±17.04 mmHg while the mean diastolic blood pressures were 82.78±9.78 and 88.71±12.44 mmHg in both age groups. The mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased with age. In this study anthropometric measurements such as weight, waist and hip circumferences (WC, HC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI) indicated a strong positive relation with blood pressure in both age groups. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was not a significant predictor for systolic and diastolic blood pressures of women at the age of 26–35 years. According to this study, selected anthropometric measures were significant predictors of systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Therefore, it is important that early measurements of blood pressure, weight, waist and hip circumferences (WC, HC), and some indices become a routine in health services in order to prevent conditions or risk factors of different diseases.publishersversionPeer reviewe

New Solution for Human Anatomy Remote Teaching to Medical Students : An Implementation of a Demo Class in Study Course

In searching for new and fast solutions in response to the Covid-19 period, medical tutors transformed a lot of methods and materials into online formats and digital platforms. A special solution for Human Anatomy remote teaching was found in the organization of practical classes for all groups of students at the same time. Weekly “live” and all semesters demonstrations or Demo classes were started in the study course from 2020. The present study aimed to extract and summarize tutors’ general experience in the implementation of a Demo class in the Human Anatomy course. In the academic years 2020-2022, Zoom and Panopto platforms allowed the tutors to teach Demo classes remotely for the 1st year and the 2nd year students of the Faculty of Medicine. Over 2.5 years, there were organized 252 online anatomical Demo classes. Every Demo class (two academic hours in length) was related to the special anatomical topics and their contents. The data of this study were collected using open-ended questions to find out tutors’ experiences with the implementation of a Demo class in the study course. The answers were coded and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Before every demonstration, most of the tutors studied, how to organize and deliver a class. During online sessions all students received information at the same time and could follow the tutors’ explanations of the topic step by step. At the end of each Demo class, tutors liked to get any feedback from students about the presented content and displayed several questions and answers in the “live” chat. All Demo classes were recorded by tutors and afterward reviewed, optimized, linked, uploaded onto e-studies and accessible to students or other tutors of the study course. This experience gives further development and next transformation of teaching methods in the study course with implemented Demo class.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Combination of new, innovative and demonstrative 3D elements with classical learning methods in Human Anatomy course

The aim of this work was to study, compare and summarize our experience in combination of innovative and demonstrative 3D elements with classical learning methods in Human Anatomy course. In practical classes 100 students of the 1st study year of the Faculty of Medicine used the virtual dissection Anatomage Table and/or their own prepared anatomical models by 3D printer. 100 students of the 2nd study year used the classical human cadaveric dissections. All participants were asked to discuss about these used teaching methods and complete an anonymous feedback questionnaire. 70% of students were satisfied with the virtual dissection and/or their own prepared anatomical 3D models in group 1, but they liked to highlight the role and necessity of real dissection. Some students were satisfied with the classical learning and teaching of human anatomy when associated it with the use of different 3D elements. 90% of students considered that virtual elements and models were useful in learning the study course outside the practical classes. In group 2 more than 95% of participants indicated that dissections should be regular. There classical learning of anatomical structures obtained better results than only in the innovations supported group. In human anatomy 3D elements together with classical learning methods can motivate students to study the morphological disciplines, increase their interest and the effectiveness of studies.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Ethical Challenges in Teaching Genetics for Medical Students

Although inclusion of ethics as a study course in medical students’ curricula is a common practice, special approaches in teaching ethics in the context of genetics should be considered. In the realm of genomics, there are several ethically sensitive topics such as diagnosis of genetic diseases, in vitro fertilization, and identification of genetic susceptibility to common diseases. In addition, in communication with the general public, genetic terms should be used with caution. Demonstration of the phenotypes of affected individuals should be regarded as a particular aspect of teaching genetics. In a description of a patient’s phenotype, not only is it necessary to provide scientifically precise characteristics of a patient; voice timbre, facial expression, and body language should also be carefully controlled. Furthermore, in medicine, the theory–practice gap is a problematic aspect, and students often find it difficult to apply knowledge on ethical issues to real situations in clinics. For this purpose, clinical cases are presented during classes and their analysis requires a very respectful attitude on the part of both students and lecturers. For many genetic diseases, evaluation of minor anomalies such as a curved fifth finger, low situated ears, or missing of some teeth is required. Some minor anomalies are found in healthy individuals too, and interpretation of such features must therefore be considered carefully. This article describes our experiences in teaching genetics at Riga Stradinš University, ethical problems faced while teaching genetics, and their solutions.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Remote Practical Anatomy Classes New Challenges and Directions for Tutors

Human Anatomy tutors had to adapt to Covid-19 reality by restructuring their methods by teaching in spring – autumn in 2020 at the Department of Morphology. The aims of this study were to identify and understand the variety of solutions being utilized by tutors and to clarify new challenges and directions. The open-ended interviews were used to collect data from 15 Anatomy tutors. Thematic analysis, used to analyze the qualitative data, emphasized the tutors’ perceptions of remote practical anatomy classes’ efficiency. Tutors developed their action plans for online teaching and highlighted the preparation of new materials, adoption of new technologies and skills. Based on the results of the transition from face-to-face to online anatomy teaching, there were detected five thematic items that were related to tutors’challenges. It was concluded that challenges that need to become a priority for tutors in online education concern mainly the special training courses, design of new models, video and/or online lectures, demonstration labs, practical classes, collegial contacts, technicians, IT-staff and colleagues support, consultation hours and communication. Future directions for tutors must be effective not only for increasing the quality of the Human Anatomy study process but also for the evolution of anatomy education.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Review of different anthropometric and nutritional measurements in children with bronchial asthma

The aims of this study were to describe and compare the recent literature data of anthropometric and nutritional measurements in children with bronchial asthma from the researches published in the last 10 years. 46 studies from the year 2003 to 2014 were reviewed and analyzed along with the information published before. The measurements reviewed include body height, body weight, body mass index and body composition. The severity and duration of bronchial asthma, along with the inhaled corticosteroid treatment, negatively correlate with the height of the children. Also, the fat free mass of the body is decreased and fat mass is increased. Due to more robust body build and the body mass index in children with bronchial asthma is usually increased if compared to healthy children. An increased body mass index in these children reduces the effectiveness of the treatment. Increased body mass index can also be a predictor for the risk for developing late onset bronchial asthma in girls.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Effectiveness of the digital image library cases in human anatomy studies

In several education technologies and options for teaching and studies one of the alternatives is the Anatomage 3D virtual dissection table with included Digital Image Library. The aim of this study was to observe the effectiveness of the Digital Image Library cases in Human Anatomy studies at Rīga Stradiņš University(RSU). In 2017 it was used every second week during the autumn`s practical classes on several occasions to show variety of interesting and many unique human anatomy cases, abnormalities, diseases and detailed sectional scans. As methods for collecting data were used discussions between students groups and survays. The sample included 100 students and 1 Human Anatomy tutor. The findings suggest that the Digital Image Library cases are very interactive and effective tools of the teaching and studies in HumanAnatomy at RSU. This is a new form of the communication between students, tutor, virtual reality of the body systems and it provides a lot of digital materials that develop relationships between basic and clinical study subjects.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Use of waist to hip ratio in the determination of the body composition in preschool children in Latvian population

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2008, the waist to hip ratio (WHR) has been suggested superior to the body mass index (BMI) in predicting the cardiovascular disease risk in adults and adolescents. There have been studies about the WHR in preschool children in the populations of Pakistan, Chile and Mexico; and it is not the WHO which recommended it as a routine method in preschool children.The present study includes 85 children (41 girls and 44 boys), aged 5 to 7 years, without any chronic conditions. Body height, body weight, waist cir-cumference, hip circumference, triceps skinfold, abdominal skinfold and subscapular skinfold were measured. The WHR, the BMI, the sum of three skinfolds and the percentage of body fat (%BF) were calculated.It was found that the WHR decreased with age in girls; there were no spe-cific changes found in the WHR with age in boys. The present study found no correlation in boys or girls between the WHR and the BMI; the WHR and the sum of three skinfolds; the WHR and the percentage of BF. There was also no correlation between the Z-scores of the BMI and Z-scores of the WHR.Conclusions. The WHR is a questionable body composition marker in preschool children in the Latvian population and must be evaluated separately from other body composition markers.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Age specific relation in blood pressure with some anthropometrical variables of women in Latvia: a rural-urban comparison

The aims of this study were to describe and compare the relationships between some variables of anthropometrical measurements and the blood pressure of women according to the age group categories in the urban and the rural population in Latvia. For this purpose 369 women (urban, 197 and rural, 172) were anthropometrically examined during the period of 2001–2005. The body height, the body weight, three circumferences (chest, waist, hip) and four skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac) were measured. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and studied. The difference between rural and urban women in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure was found to be statistically significant. All the variables of the anthropometrical measurements and the age were significantly positive with blood pressure. The relationships between the variables of anthropometrical measurements and the age were assessed through the stepwise multiple regression analysis. All the anthropometrical variables appear as significant predictors of blood pressure and enter the regression equations in urban and rural populations of women in Latvia. Future studies, based on the interpretation of anthropometric measurements and their changes in the urban and rural women aged 21–45 years in Latvia, should also be carried out

Variations in some anthropometrical parameters of the women with the different iris color in Latvia

The aim of this study was to confirm the variations between the women with the different iris color in their anthropometrical parameters. The sample of subjects consisted of 873 women from Latvia. Twelve anthropometrical measurements were taken, all of which covered the area of the longitudinal, transversal, circular dimensionality and the subcutaneous fatty tissue. The differences between the anthropometrical parameters were determined by means of the t-test for independent samples. In 51.8% the iris color was blue as the most prevalent color, and in 7.1% the color was brown as the least prevalent color. In many of the parameters were found intra-group differences, which signaled that the group was heterogeneous in terms of the evaluated characteristics. The results showed that there were some statistically significant differences of the anthropometrical parameters between the women with the different iris color. Further studies are recommended to investigate the probable associations.publishersversionPeer reviewe