A study on knowledge, attitude and practice on blood donation among medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Role of youngsters in voluntary blood donation is crucial to meet the demand of safe blood. Therefore understanding the various factors contributing to knowledge, attitude and practice of voluntary blood donation (VBD) among youngsters is important. The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding blood donation among the health care medical students.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 students in second MBBS in a tertiary care teaching Hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, using a structured survey questionnaire.Results: The present study shows majority of the medical students have very good knowledge and attitude towards blood donation. Compared to knowledge and attitude, the practice is good and 66% of responses were above average. Majority of the students have an intention to donate blood and 46% of the students have donated blood. Most of the students have positive attitude towards blood donation, even the reason for non-donation is just not getting opportunity for donation. The non-donors showed positive attitude by expressing their willingness to donate blood if they were asked to donate blood.Conclusions: The present study shows second MBBS students participated in the study has adequate knowledge and attitude. The practice of blood donation is also good and further can be improved by educational programmes

Ride Dynamics of a Tracked Vehicle with a Finite Element Vehicle Model

Research on tracked vehicle dynamics is by and large limited to multi-rigid body simulation. For realistic prediction of vehicle dynamics, it is better to model the vehicle as multi-flexible body. In this paper, tracked vehicle is modelled as a mass-spring system with sprung and unsprung masses of the physical tracked vehicle by Finite element method. Using the equivalent vehicle model, dynamic studies are carried out by imparting vertical displacement inputs to the road wheels. Ride characteristics of the vehicle are captured by modelling the road wheel arms as flexible elements using Finite element method. In this work, a typical tracked vehicle test terrain viz., Trapezoidal blocks terrain (APG terrain) is considered. Through the simulations, the effect of the road wheel arm flexibility is monitored. Result of the analysis of equivalent vehicle model with flexible road wheel arms, is compared with the equivalent vehicle model with rigid road wheel arms and also with the experimental results of physical tracked vehicle. Though there is no major difference in the vertical bounce response between the flexible model and the rigid model, but there is a visible difference in the roll condition. Result of the flexible vehicle model is also reasonably matches with the experimental result.

PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SARGASSUM POLYCYSTUM C. AGARDH AND SARGASSUM DUPLICATUM J. AGARDH

Objective: The present study was aimed to reveal the phytochemical composition of Sargassum polycystum C. Agardh and Sargassum duplicatum J. Agardh from Manapad, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, India.Methods: Seaweeds Sargassum polycystum C. Agardh and Sargassum duplicatum J. Agardh were collected from Manapad, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, India by hand picking method. The dried and powdered materials (10 g) of S. polycystum and S. duplicatum were extracted with 60 ml of solvents viz., petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, Methanol and aqueous. The sample was kept in dark for 72 h with intermittent shaking. The different extracts were tested for steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinone and sterol. Phytochemical screening of extracts was carried out according to the standard method. To know the extractive values and physicochemical characters of S. polycystum and S. duplicatum, the ash and fluorescence analysis was determined by standard method.Results: Among the various tested extracts, methanolic extracts of S. polycystum showed the presence of the maximum of seven metabolites out of ten metabolites examined. Next to that chloroform and acetone extracts of S. polycystum displayed the occurrence of four metabolites. Petroleum ether extract of S. polycystum demonstrated the presence of three metabolites. Aqueous extracts of S. polycystum showed the occurrence of only two metabolites. The methanolic and chloroform extracts of S. duplicatum showed their presence of maximum of five metabolites out of ten metabolites examined. Next to that acetone extract of S. duplicatum displayed four metabolites. Petroleum ether extract of S. duplicatum demonstrated the occurrence of three metabolites in the crude extracts. Aqueous extract of S. duplicatum displayed the presence of two metabolites. The characteristic fluorescent properties or colours emitted by the powdered thallus of S. polycystum and S. duplicatum before and after treating with various extracts were recorded.Conclusion: To strengthen the global scientific effort, in the present study the phyto-constituents presence in S. polycystum and S. duplicatum are documented.Â

PREDICTION OF ANTI-ALZHEIMER’S ACTIVITY OF FLAVONOIDS TARGETING CD33 THROUGH IN-SILICO APPROACH

Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, fatal brain disorder that would be putting a growing strain on health and social care systems. Present anti-AD agents are limited in their application due to their adverse effects, toxicity, and limited targets in AD pathology. As a result, it is important to develop an AD-fighting compound. Some flavonoids (such as kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, and syringetin) have been shown to be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Methods: We chose 284 flavonoids from the NPACT database for molecular docking studies in order to examine their binding interactions with the Alzheimer target protein CD33. Results: These compounds exhibited significant docking interactions with a variety of targets implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. We chose the top three compounds (Rutin, Morin, and,4,4'-Trihydroxydihydrochalcone) based on the scoring parameter. Conclusion: These compounds exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties, indicating that they could be attractive drug candidates for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Budding nurses readiness for clinical practice: the future is now

Background: Freshly registered nurses’ experience of conversion from student to skilled professionals calls for making significant adjustments to shifting personal and professional roles at the beginning of their career as a nurse. Nursing education is aimed to help students to become beginning practitioners in the field of nursing. This study was taken up to explore the perception of the outgoing nursing students about their readiness to work in the clinical settings after graduation. On completion of graduation, these budding practitioners are anticipated to adjust in the clinical settings rapidly and be proficient of providing innocuous care for patients with multifaceted care needs. It is expected from graduate nurses to be well equipped for clinical practice, but reality may be different and there could be numerous barriers associated with it.Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. A total of 176 outgoing graduate nursing students were selected using total enumerative sampling from different colleges of state of Uttarakhand and were asked to complete a demographic data sheet and self- reported readiness to clinical practice questionnaire.Results: Results have shown that more than half of the outgoing graduate nursing students were not ready for clinical practice. Most of them recognized sleep disturbance, low salary, lack of time and documenting error as barrier for their readiness to clinical practice.Conclusions: The findings of the study show that 63.3% of outgoing graduate nursing students were not ready to work in clinical area which is a matter of concern with the rising healthcare needs and increasing demands of the consumers of health. The results call for a change in the working condition for the nursing staff and a raise in wages worth making them to opt for clinical practice

Assessment of Health Related Quality of Life among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease on Maintenance Dialysis

BACKGROUND : Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) deteriorating disease which is not only a public health but also a socio economic problem of a country. This study intended to determine health related quality of life among patients with chronic kidney disease on maintenance dialysis at Lee Kidney Care and Multi Speciality Hospital, Madurai. METHOD : A quantitative approach was used for this study. The design adopted for the study was descriptive correlation research design. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select 75 patients with Chronic Kidney Disease on maintenance dialysis. The techniques used for data collection were interview and record analysis. Assessment of health related quality of life was done by using the KDQOL-SF 1.3 also includes a 36- item health survey (RAND 36- items Health Survey 1.0 or SF-36). Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS : Among 75 patients with chronic kidney disease 73.3% were above the age of 50 years. Males (62.7%) are more affected than female (37.3%). Majority of them were hailed from rural area (72%). Nearly 2/3rd of them (66.7%) have been undergoing dialysis for more than 3 years. Diabetes and hypertension was the leading cause of CKD. The Overall HRQOL of CKD patients on maintenance dialysis is 31.87±3.51, Overall Physical health composite (20.36 5.70), Mental health composite (26.05 6.89), Kidney Disease Problem Composite (30.69 4.56) and Patient satisfaction (50.49 11.87), in which HRQOL related to physical health composite is the worst affected. There is a statistically significant association between overall physical health composite score and serum creatinine (mg/dl) [t= 02.85, p =0.006], overall mental health composite score and selected demographic Occupation [t= 2.03,p = 0.003], overall kidney disease problem composite score and selected biochemical variable like hemoglobin (g/dl) [t= 2.05, p =0.02] and blood urea (mg/dl) [t=2.22, p=0.02], overall patient satisfaction composite score and selected demographic variable education [t= 2, p = 0.04],overall patient satisfaction composite score and selected clinical variable like stay in any hospital overnight or longer (days) [t= 1.91, p = 0.05] and duration of illness [F= 2.65, p = 0.04], overall health related quality of life and selected demographic variable occupation [t= 2.34, p = 0.04], income [F = 2.71, p = 0.05] and there is positive relationship were found between mental health composite and kidney disease problem composite (r=0.28, p=0.01), overall health related quality of life and mental health composite score (r=0.46.p=0.00), overall health related quality of life and kidney disease problem composite (r = 0.27, p = 0.01), overall health related quality of life and patient satisfaction (r=0.63, p = 0.00). CONCLUSION : CKD has a profound effect on HRQOL and a better understanding of HRQOL issues would enable providers to deliver more patient-centred care and improve overall well-being of the patients

EMPATHY AND SYMPATHY AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS: CHANGING TRENDS

Objectives: There is general belief that empathy is crucial for the physician-patient relationship and thus an important issue in medical education. This comparative study was designed to establish the changing attitude in empathy and sympathy among the first year, second year and final year medical students. Methodology: A comparative study among 100 first year, 100 second year and 75 final year medical students was conducted in Government Kilpauk medical college Chennai from January 2012 to June 2012. The study subjects were selected using simple random sampling technique from the list of the students. Study participation was voluntary. Results: Out of the total 275 students, according to our analysis, we found 82.67% of final year students and 80.21% of second year students and 40% showing average or above average levels of empathy. Sympathy scores of final year, second year and first year students were 32%, 40%, and 80% respectively. Conclusion: The results of our study show that students in the first year have higher sympathy levels, students in their second year and final year had higher empathy levels compared to first year students and  final year students had highest empathy levels

USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BY THE MEDICAL STUDENTS

Background: Usage of information technology   is increasing among university students. The extent of usage among medical students is not studied well. The aim of the study is to assess the usage pattern of information technology by first year and second year medical students of government Kilpauk medical college. Chennai. Method : 200 students of first year and second year students were participated in this study. They were interviewed using pretested questionnaire to bring out the different pattern of the internet use and application knowledge of information technology in medical field. Results: Among 200 students 84% of second years and43% of first years access the internet using their mobile phones .The application knowledge of information technology (IT) is 97% in second year students when compared to first year student45%.Majority of students(97%) prefers computer classes to be included in medical curriculum. Conclusion: The usage of information technology by the second year medical students are increasing when compared to the newly admitted students  and also the purpose of using IT  and knowledge of  IT in medical field  also improving when they are entering second year. Key words: computer, internet , information technology

A comparative longitudinal study of bovine trypanosomiasis in tsetse-free and tsetse-infested zones of the Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia

A study was conducted to determine the incidence of trypanosome infections in cattle in tsetse-free and tsetse-infested zones of the Amhara Region of northwest Ethiopia. A total of six sentinel herds were established and the cattle observed during a period of 8 consecutive months. The prevalence of seropositive cattle was high in both the tsetse-free and tsetse-infested zones. The average monthly incidence of trypanosome infection, determined using molecular diagnostic tools, was 20.9% and 25.7% in the tsetse-free and the tsetse-infested zones, respectively. In the tsetse-free, Trypanosoma vivax was responsible for 90.9% of the cattle trypanosome infections. In the tsetse-infested zone, Trypanosoma congolense and T. vivax contributed almost equally to the trypanosome infections in cattle. Trypanosome infection, regardless of species, resulted in anaemia as evidenced by a significant decrease in the packed cell volume of the infected animal. The outcome of this longitudinal study suggests that control of trypanosomiasis in the Amhara Region cannot be achieved by tsetse control alone. Supplemental measures to include drug therapy and biting fly control are discussed