Assessment of knowledge on forensic anatomy among preclinical medical students

Anatomy is one of the key disciplines in forensic science. The knowledge of anatomy is very important for a medical examiner or forensic expert. If there is any internal damage in the corpse and the forensic experts have no idea, then they may mistake it for a normal structure. In Malaysia, forensic anatomy is not included as a subdiscipline in the present preclinical medical curriculum. A preliminary study was undertaken to assess students knowledge on forensic anatomy and its scope. Primary data was collected through survey method from 66 students. A structured closed questionnaire was used to collect data from first year preclinical students of medical programme of International Medical School of Management and Science University. Majority of the students had knowledge on forensic anatomy and its scope. The students were aware of forensic anatomy and they had information on this subject from various website sources. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. The available results are discussed in the light of available literature. The results indicate the students are eager and enthusiastic in exploring the opportunity on learning more about forensic anatomy and its career prospects

Investigation of brain tumour patients with headache and non-headache phenotypes using sequences of MRA, MRS and DWI techniques

The sequences of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), magnetic resonance angiography and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) play a vital role in recognizing the brain tumours with headache. MRS calculates the concentration of brain metabolites to determine the characteristics and grading of the brain tumour with headache. Diffusion weighted imaging evaluates the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values depicting tissue heterogeneity and brain tumour cellularity depicting cause of headache. MRA is utilized to understand anatomy of intracranial blood vessels with aneurysm or stenosis in brain tumour headache. All these three techniques of magnetic resonance imaging are non-invasive techniques. The brain tumour initiates imbalance in the brain metabolism which is a factor for aneurysm of intracranial blood vessels precipitating headache. At the same time, increased cellularity of these tumours is another consideration for origin of headache. Thus this study aims to investigate the relation from impact of tumour associated changes in metabolites, caliber of the intracranial blood vessels and its cellularity causing headache. In this cross sectional study, retrospective HUSM 3T MRI radiological images of PRESS MRS, time-of-flight MRA and b0 and b-1000 s/mm2 DWI images from 2013 – 2018 years are selected. This includes 77 brain tumour patients with headache and 61 non-headache patients selected from PAC system and patient case files. Further, Patients with MRA, MRS and DWI were filtered for their respective analysis. Manual processing and software packages Radiant DICOM viewer (2020 2.3), Image J and Neuromantic v1.6.3 are applied by setting up ROI and different methods of estimation and analysis. The evaluation of brain metabolites, caliber of intracranial blood vessel and ADC values are statistically compared using SPSS software version 23. The results indicate a clear and wider picture of the alteration of metabolites providing information of the type and grading of tumour associated with headache. A drop in NAA level has illustrated involvement of the neurons and the rise in Cho level displayed increase membrane cellularity in tumour core of headache patients that corresponds with the low ADC value of (0.65±0.46 10-3 mm2/s) in tumour core depicting high cellularity of the tumour in headache patients precipitating headache. Consequently, a decrease in Cho/Cr ratio in contralateral healthy side of brain tumour patients with headache has imitated a typical tension type of headache. This is also supported by dilatation of ICA (5.03±1.40) in tumour side of headache patients compared to non-headache (3.31±1.81) brain tumour patient. The final results has established a connection between the changes in metabolites, increase cellularity and changes in the intracranial blood vessels enlightening the type of headache that provides valuable information to cure brain tumour patient with headache

Comparison of the learning of two notations:A pilot study

Introduction: MICAP is a new notation in which the teeth are indicated by letters (I-incisor, C-canine, P-premolar, M-molar) and numbers [1,2,3] which are written superscript and subscript on the relevant letters. FDI tooth notation is a two digit system where one digit shows quadrant and the second one shows the tooth of the quadrant. This study aimed to compare the short term retention of knowledge of two notation systems (FDI two digit system and MICAP notation) by lecture method. Methods: Undergraduate students [N=80] of three schools participated in a cross-over study. Two theory-driven classroom based lectures on MICAP notation and FDI notation were delivered separately. Data were collected using eight randomly selected permanent teeth to be written in MICAP format and FDI format at pretest (before the lecture), post-test I (immediately after lecture) and post-test II (one week after the lecture). Analysis was done by SPSS version 20.0 using repeated measures ANCOVA and independent t-test. Results: The results of pre-test and post-test I were similar for FDI education. Similar results were found between post-test I and post-test II for MICAP and FDI notations. Conclusion: The study findings indicated that the two notations (FDI and MICAP) were equally mind cognitive. However, the sample size used in this study may not reflect the global scenario. Therefore, we suggest more studies to be performed for prospective adaptation of MICAP in dental curriculum

Adapted digital health literacy and health information seeking behavior among lower income groups in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Misinformation has had a negative impact upon the global COVID-19 vaccination program. High-income and middle-income earners typically have better access to technology and health facilities than those in lower-income groups. This creates a rich-poor divide in Digital Health Literacy (DHL), where low-income earners have low DHL resulting in higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the impact of health information seeking behavior on digital health literacy related to COVID-19 among low-income earners in Selangor, Malaysia.Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted conveniently among 381 individuals from the low-income group in Selangor, Malaysia. The remote data collection (RDC) method was used to gather data. Validated interviewer-rated questionnaires were used to collect data via phone call. Respondents included in the study were 18 years and older. A normality of numerical variables were assessed using Shapiro-Wilk test. Univariate analysis of all variables was performed, and results were presented as means, mean ranks, frequencies, and percentages. Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal Wallis H test was applied for the comparison of DHL and health information seeking behavior with characteristics of the participants. Multivariate linear regression models were applied using DHL as dependent variable and health information seeking behavior as independent factors, adjusting for age, gender, marital status, educational status, employment status, and household income.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 38.16 ± 14.40 years ranging from 18 to 84 years. The vast majority (94.6%) of participants stated that information seeking regarding COVID-19 was easy or very easy. Around 7 percent of the respondents cited reading information about COVID-19 on the internet as very difficult. The higher mean rank of DHL search, content, reliability, relevance, and privacy was found among participants who were widowed, had primary education, or unemployed. An inverse relationship was found between overall DHL and confidence in the accuracy of the information on the internet regarding COVID-19 (β = -2.01, 95% CI = -2.22 to -1.79).Conclusion: It is important to provide support to lower-income demographics to assist access to high-quality health information, including less educated, unemployed, and widowed populations. This can improve overall DHL