IMPACT OF CALORIC VESTIBULAR STIMULATION ON CO-ORDINATION IN PARKINSON DISEASE INDUCED MICE

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of vestibular stimulation on motor coordination in Parkinson’s disease (PD) induced mice. Methods: 18 healthy adult male Swiss albino mice were used in this study. Vestibule was stimulated by caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS). Pesticide Rotenone was used to induce Parkinson’s disease (PD). Motor coordination was assessed by the fall-off time and the activity score using the rotarod and actophotometer, respectively. Results: In the rotarod test, there was a significant increase in the fall-off time (p<0.01) in the CVS PD group (131.63±18.34) on the 30th day when compared to the PD group (95.33±15.17). In the actophotometer, the activity score improved in the PD CVS group on the 15 (235±47.09) and 30th days (251.38±25.76), while there was no improvement in the PD group. This shows the significant effect of caloric vestibular stimulation on motor coordination in Parkinson’s disease. Conclusion: This study confirms that caloric vestibular stimulation with hot water resulted in the improvement of motor coordination in PD. Hence this study certainly merits further studies with a higher sample size to confirm the effect of caloric vestibular stimulation on the enhancement of motor coordination in individuals with Parkinson’s disease

Perspectives of Teachers at Medical Colleges Across India regarding the Competency based Medical Education Curriculum – A Qualitative, Manual, Theoretical Thematic Content Analysis

Background: Competency-based medical education (CBME) curriculum has been implemented in India since 2019 with a goal to create an “Indian Medical Graduate” (IMG) possessing requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, and responsiveness. Objectives: To explore teachers’ perceptions across India at medical colleges on the newly implemented competency-based medical education curriculum. Methods: This was a qualitative cross?sectional study conducted among teachers working at medical colleges across India, between February and April 2022 (n = 192). The data collection was done using Google forms online survey platform on teachers’ perception regarding CBME, its specific components, and perceived bottlenecks. We analyzed this qualitative data using manual, theoretical thematic content analysis following the steps endorsed in Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. Results: The majority of the teachers (64.1%) have positively responded to the CBME curriculum’s implementation. However, it came with a caution that the curriculum should continuously evolve and adapt to regional demands. The foundation course, early clinical exposure, and the family adoption program were the specific components of CBME curriculum over which the teachers raised concerns. The need for additional teachers in each department (department-specific teacher or faculty per hundred students ratio to be worked out) and the need for enabling faculty preparedness through adequate training was highlighted. Concerns were also raised regarding implementing CBME with teachers without a medical background (especially in preclinical departments). Conclusion: It is the need of the hour for the curriculum to incorporate a systematic feedback mechanism built into the system, though which such critical appraisals can be meaning collated and acted upon, to ultimately evolve, thereby creating an “Indian Medical Graduate” for the needs of todays’ society

Phase I, Dose-Escalation, Two-Part Trial of the PARP Inhibitor Talazoparib in Patients with Advanced Germline BRCA1/2 Mutations and Selected Sporadic Cancers

Talazoparib inhibits PARP catalytic activity, trapping PARP1 on damaged DNA and causing cell death in BRCA1/2-mutated cells. We evaluated talazoparib therapy in this two-part, phase I, first-in-human trial. Antitumor activity, MTD, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of once-daily talazoparib were determined in an open-label, multicenter, dose-escalation study (NCT01286987). The MTD was 1.0 mg/day, with an elimination half-life of 50 hours. Treatment-related adverse events included fatigue (26/71 patients; 37%) and anemia (25/71 patients; 35%). Grade 3 to 4 adverse events included anemia (17/71 patients; 24%) and thrombocytopenia (13/71 patients; 18%). Sustained PARP inhibition was observed at doses ≥0.60 mg/day. At 1.0 mg/day, confirmed responses were observed in 7 of 14 (50%) and 5 of 12 (42%) patients with BRCA mutation–associated breast and ovarian cancers, respectively, and in patients with pancreatic and small cell lung cancer. Talazoparib demonstrated single-agent antitumor activity and was well tolerated in patients at the recommended dose of 1.0 mg/day

Exploring the regrets for joining medical profession and Its Determinants Among Phase I MBBS Students: A Mixed-Methods Study

Objectives: To determine the proportion of Phase I MBBS students regretting their choice of joining medical profession; and to assess the reasons for regretting their choice of joining medical profession. Methods: This was a questionnaire based, mixed-methods, cross-sectional study conducted among Phase I medical students pursuing Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in MCI/NMC recognised institutions across India. Results: In this study involving 1060 Phase I MBBS students, 32.0% regretted their decision to pursue medicine. Factors contributing to regret included societal pressure, demanding nature of education and profession, lack of support systems, negative patient attitudes, and COVID-19 stress. Notably, 53.7% of those regretting cited the pandemic's influence, while 51.3% desired super specialization. Those regretting were more likely to doubt their career choice before joining (58.1%), compared to 21.6% who didn't regret. Additionally, 56.3% of regretful students preferred clinical specialization, and 34.0% had taken education loans. Demographics showed significance in parental medical background (11.2% regretful vs. 7.2% non-regretful with doctor fathers). Qualitative analysis emphasized the need for parental guidance reconsideration and systemic improvements to alleviate stress and enhance support structures within medical education. Conclusion: The findings underscore the complex interplay of personal, environmental, and systemic factors shaping students' perceptions of their chosen profession. To mitigate the negative consequences of regret and promote career satisfaction among medical students, targeted interventions and support services are needed

CHOICE OF MEDICAL PROFESSION -PASSION OR PRESSURE: MEDICAL STUDENTS PERSPECTIVES

Objective: Medical profession is one of the most aspired career option among school students and parents. Though the profession may look so lucrative and charming, one needs to be committed a lot to become a successful doctor. Passion and interest towards the career will be the most determining option to be a successful practitioner. But there will be many external influences in a students life to choose this career. This study was conducted with the objective to understand the factors that influenced MBBS students to choose this career. Methods: An analytical cross sectional study was conducted among 1060 MBBS students throughout India. A self designed questionnaire which contained questions related to why they selected this career was prepared and validated among experts in the field and was converted into google forms and was circulated to all the medical colleges in India through social media platform. Results: Though majority (60.4%) mentioned that passion to serve as the main reason, nearly one fourth(25.8%)  have opted the career for social status, job opportunity, good remuneration and life style. Nearly one third(32%) have regretted joining the profession. Regarding the plan after MBBS, most of them(59.2%) preferred speciality practice. Clinical subjects were the most preferred Postgraduation. Conclusion: Though passion for the medical profession was the most common reason for coming into this career, parental and few other external influences were also found as the reasons for choosing MBBS among some student

EFFECT OF VESTIBULAR STIMULATION ON BEHAVIORAL CHANGES IN PARKINSON DISEASE-INDUCED MICE

Objective: This prospective study was conducted to provide an authoritative database for beneficial effects of vestibular stimulation, a simple non-invasive method to alleviate the behavioral changes in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: Vestibule is stimulated by caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS). Pesticide Rotenone is used to induce PD. Open field test and elevated plus maze were used to access learning, memory, and behavior. Results: Behavioral scores were taken before and after stimulation of the vestibular system. The scores were significantly different between rotenone-induced PD, control, and hot water vestibular stimulation groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study categorically confirms that CVS with hot water causes behavioral changes in PD. This study certainly merits further studies with higher sample sizes to confirm the effect of CVS for enhancement of learning, memory, and behavior in patients with Parkinsonism