Smoking behaviour among young doctors of a tertiary care hospital in North India

Background:Tobacco use is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. There are more than one billion smokers in the world. Almost half of the world's children breathe air polluted by tobacco. Aim of current study was to study the smoking trends among young doctors in a tertiary care institute in north India.Methods:A descriptive observational cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted among 250 doctors of a tertiary care Hospital in Jammu & Kashmir (Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, SKIMS) during the two months of February-March, 2014. The predesigned tool adopted during data collection was a questionnaire that was developed at the institute with the assistance from the faculty members and other experts.Results:Among 250 participants, (20%) were smokers; among smokers, (76%) were regular smokers and (24%) were occasional smokers. Majority of smokers were in the age group of 21-30 years (80%) & started smoking between 11-20 years (70%). All of them were male (100%). No significant difference was observed among urban and rural students. Among smokers, majority (60%) was in the practice of smoking for last 6 months to 1 year and 26% smoked for <6 months; & (14%) smoked for more than 5 years .It was found more than half of the responding (60%) students used to smoke 5-9 cigarettes per day; 14% is <5 and 26% consumed 10 or more per day .Among smokers, peer pressure was found in 80% cases. (χ2 = 107, P <0.001). Among smokers, almost 20% had other addiction and among non-smokers only 5% had .Effect of parental smoking  was significantly higher in smokers than non-smoker (χ2 = 66.2, P <0.001) .It was seen that peer pressure was the most important risk factor (60%) of initiation of smoking habit followed by parental influence (20%). Majority (78.4%) had no intention to quit in the next 6 months. Lack of Incentive (36.36%) and Addiction (27.27%) were the main reasons for not quitting.Conclusion:We need to create more awareness regarding hazards of smoking in general population especially in medical students, and afterwards provide psychological and pharmacological support for those who intend to quit, as medical students can themselves become a tool to fight this hazard at all levels.

Is Anesthesia an attractive career choice for undergraduates and young doctors of Pakistan?

Objective:To evaluate the factors that act as a barrier for medical students and young doctors inPakistan to choose anesthesia as a career choice. Study design:Cross-sectional study. Study settings:CMH Lahore.Study duration: From January toJune 2021. Materials and Methods:A total of 163 medical students and house officers who were on rotation in operation theatre in various specialties were recruited for this study. A questionnaire was distributed to all the participants. Participants had to select theirspecialty of choice and the reason for not choosing anesthesia. They also had to choose the most important factor for choosing the specialty and the person who influenced them the most to choose the specialty. Results:Only 10 (6.1%) participants chose the anesthesia specialty for their post-graduation, out of these ten, 5 (50%) were male and 5 (50%) were female. The most commonly chosen option {62 (54.87%)} for not selecting anesthesia was “no personal interest”. In response to “What is the most important factor while choosing a specialty?” most of the participants (55%) chose the option “Scope of the specialty”. In response to “Who had the most influence in choosing a specialty?” most of the participants {63 (38.7%)} chose the option “Teachers of the clinical rotations”. Conclusion:It is concluded in our study that only a very small number of students and young doctors willingly opt for anesthesia for their post-graduation which results in a shortage of workforce in this specialty. It is recommended that anesthesia rotation be made compulsory and that the barriers tomentorship in anesthesia be properly addressed. Keywords:Anesthesia, career choice, Influencing factors, specialty, workforce

Is Anesthesia an attractive career choice for undergraduates and young doctors of Pakistan?

Objective:To evaluate the factors that act as a barrier for medical students and young doctors inPakistan to choose anesthesia as a career choice. Study design:Cross-sectional study. Study settings:CMH Lahore.Study duration: From January toJune 2021. Materials and Methods:A total of 163 medical students and house officers who were on rotation in operation theatre in various specialties were recruited for this study. A questionnaire was distributed to all the participants. Participants had to select theirspecialty of choice and the reason for not choosing anesthesia. They also had to choose the most important factor for choosing the specialty and the person who influenced them the most to choose the specialty. Results:Only 10 (6.1%) participants chose the anesthesia specialty for their post-graduation, out of these ten, 5 (50%) were male and 5 (50%) were female. The most commonly chosen option {62 (54.87%)} for not selecting anesthesia was “no personal interest”. In response to “What is the most important factor while choosing a specialty?” most of the participants (55%) chose the option “Scope of the specialty”. In response to “Who had the most influence in choosing a specialty?” most of the participants {63 (38.7%)} chose the option “Teachers of the clinical rotations”. Conclusion:It is concluded in our study that only a very small number of students and young doctors willingly opt for anesthesia for their post-graduation which results in a shortage of workforce in this specialty. It is recommended that anesthesia rotation be made compulsory and that the barriers tomentorship in anesthesia be properly addressed. Keywords:Anesthesia, career choice, Influencing factors, specialty, workforce

Class III malocclusion: missense mutations in DUSP6 gene

Objective: To determine the DUSP6 gene mutation in three generations of Malaysian Malay subjects having Class III malocclusion. Material and Methods: Genetic analyses of DUSP6 gene were carried out in 30 subjects by selecting three individuals representing three generations, respectively, from ten Malaysian Malay families having Class III malocclusion and 30 healthy controls. They were submitted Clinical Evaluation to clinical examination, lateral cephalometric radiographs, dental casts, and/ or facial and intra-oral photographs. Buccal cell was taken from each participant of Class III malocclusion and control groups. DNA extractions from buccal cell were carried out using Gentra puregene buccal cell kit. Bio Edit Sequence Alignment Editor software was used to see the sequencing result. Results: A heterozygous missense mutation c.1094C>T (p. Thr 365 Ile) was identified in DUSP6 gene in three members of one family with Class III malocclusion, whereas no mutation was found in the control group. Conclusion: Current study successfully identified a missense mutation in DUSP6 gene among one Malaysian Malay family affected by Class III malocclusion. The outcome of this study broadened the mutation spectrum of Class III malocclusion and the importance of DUSP6 gene in skeletal functions

External Apical Root Resorption and IL-1A, IL-1RN Gene Polymorphisms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies

Objective: To reconnoiter the IL-1A (-889) and IL-1RN (+2018) gene polymorphisms and their association with EARR. Material and Methods: The Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus databases were comprehensively searched by two independent reviewers. In addition, the bibliographies of all relevant publications and textbooks were searched manually. A meta-analysis was performed using data available up to May 9, 2020. Results: A total of 13 and 9 publications were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively for both IL-1A and IL-1RN genes. Odds ratio (OR) was used to evaluate the association of the gene polymorphism and the risk of EARR. The risk of EARR was estimated using the overall OR from the published studies. No association was found for IL-1A gene for the risk of EARR. However, the dominant and co-dominant models of IL-1RN gene polymorphism were associated with the risk of EARR. Conclusion: More studies are warranted to determine the relationship between IL-1A and IL-1RN gene polymorphisms and EARR for a clearer understanding of their interactions

External Apical Root Resorption and IL-1A, IL-1RN Gene Polymorphisms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies

Objective: To reconnoiter the IL-1A (-889) and IL-1RN (+2018) gene polymorphisms and their association with EARR. Material and Methods: The Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus databases were comprehensively searched by two independent reviewers. In addition, the bibliographies of all relevant publications and textbooks were searched manually. A meta-analysis was performed using data available up to May 9, 2020. Results: A total of 13 and 9 publications were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively for both IL-1A and IL-1RN genes. Odds ratio (OR) was used to evaluate the association of the gene polymorphism and the risk of EARR. The risk of EARR was estimated using the overall OR from the published studies. No association was found for IL-1A gene for the risk of EARR. However, the dominant and co-dominant models of IL-1RN gene polymorphism were associated with the risk of EARR. Conclusion: More studies are warranted to determine the relationship between IL-1A and IL-1RN gene polymorphisms and EARR for a clearer understanding of their interactions

Soft Tissue Cephalometric Measurements Among Malaysian Malays and Chinese

Objective: To obtain the standardized values of individuals of Malaysian Malay and Chinese for further relevant research, such as treatment planning and aesthetical considerations. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, 440 (305 were Malays and 135 were Chinese) standardized lateral cephalometric radiographs of orthodontic patients selected through simple random sampling are profiled using Holdaway’s analysis. The independent t-test was used to assess the disparities in race and gender. The significant level was p&lt;0.05. Results: Significant differences were found between the Malays and Chinese in their skeletal profile convexity, superior sulcus depth, inferior sulcus to the H line and nose prominence. Between Malay females and males, there are significant differences in superior sulcus depth, soft tissue subnasale to H line, basic upper lip thickness, upper lip thickness and nose prominence. Between Chinese males and females, there were differences in their skeletal profile convexity, upper lip to H line, basic upper lip thickness and upper lip thickness. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated the difference between standardized norms and the unique profiles of Malaysian Malays and Chinese. There are significant gender disparities in the soft tissue cephalometric measurements among Malaysian Malay and Chinese subjects

A systematic review and meta-analysis on ChatGPT and its utilization in medical and dental research

Background: Since its release, ChatGPT has taken the world by storm with its utilization in various fields of life. This review's main goal was to offer a thorough and fact-based evaluation of ChatGPT's potential as a tool for medical and dental research, which could direct subsequent research and influence clinical practices. Methods: Different online databases were scoured for relevant articles that were in accordance with the study objectives. A team of reviewers was assembled to devise a proper methodological framework for inclusion of articles and meta-analysis. Results: 11 descriptive studies were considered for this review that evaluated the accuracy of ChatGPT in answering medical queries related to different domains such as systematic reviews, cancer, liver diseases, diagnostic imaging, education, and COVID-19 vaccination. The studies reported different accuracy ranges, from 18.3 % to 100 %, across various datasets and specialties. The meta-analysis showed an odds ratio (OR) of 2.25 and a relative risk (RR) of 1.47 with a 95 % confidence interval (CI), indicating that the accuracy of ChatGPT in providing correct responses was significantly higher compared to the total responses for queries. However, significant heterogeneity was present among the studies, suggesting considerable variability in the effect sizes across the included studies. Conclusion: The observations indicate that ChatGPT has the ability to provide appropriate solutions to questions in the medical and dentistry areas, but researchers and doctors should cautiously assess its responses because they might not always be dependable. Overall, the importance of this study rests in shedding light on ChatGPT's accuracy in the medical and dentistry fields and emphasizing the need for additional investigation to enhance its performance.© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Association between muscle activity and overjet in class II malocclusion with surface electromyography

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the association and correlation between the overjet and muscle activity (the masseter and temporalis muscles) in patient with Class II malocclusion in different genders using surface electromyography (sEMG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The overjet (measured clinically) and electromyographical activity (rest, chew, post chew rest, clench and post clench rest) of the masseter and temporalis muscle of class II malocclusion patient were assessed in 18 patients (3 males and 15 females) from the School of Dental Science, Hospital University Sains Malaysia. RESULTS: The results were compared by simple linear regression test to evaluate the association between overjet and muscle activity in different genders. Class II malocclusion patients with increased overjet group showed significant association with masseter muscle activity on chewing stage (P = 0.005, F = 6.081 and adj-R2 = 0.473). Left temporalis muscle in class II malocclusion showed a significant linear association (P = 0.014, F = 0.812 and adj-R2= −0.034) with gender during clench. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, class II malocclusion patient with increased overjet can affect masticatory muscle function and as well as clench force may differ in gender