Welcome to volume 2 of Journal of Medical Research and Innovation

It is my pleasure to introduce the first issue of volume 2 from Journal of Medical Research and Innovation (JMRI). The entire JMRI team is excited to begin our second year journey of publishing good quality-research from across all the medical-related disciplines, all the way from the bench to the bedside. Although we have some quite interesting things planned for 2018, in this Foreword, we will have a look back over some important highlights from volume 1 and some achievements of JMRI from the year 2017

ENTERIC FEVER IN TRAVELERS: AN UPDATED INSIGHT

ABSTRACTEnteric fever is a broad term used to represent typhoid and paratyphoid fever which is caused by S. typhi and S. paratyphi respectively. The mostcommon cause being S. typhi, overall. However, S. paratyphi is known to infect the travelers at a higher rate. Indian subcontinent being one of the mostendemic region, it is always beneficial for the travelers to get immunized while traveling to these areas. However, Vaccination to S. paratyphi is not yetavailable, hence travelers often fall prey to the disease. The morbidity is often high but mortality is very rare, especially due to first line treatment drugslike ceftriaxone, nalidixic acid and floroquinolones (if patients are sensitive to it). Recently, it was observed that Multi-drug resistance (Resistance to atleast ampicillin, chloramphenicol and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole]) was limited to Typhi isolates and was increased at an exponential rate. Hence,with increasing resistance to these drugs, developing vaccines or new drugs against these bacteria, remains an area of prime interest.Keywords: Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Enteric fever, Traveler

Vegetarian Diet: A Boon or Bane for Health?

In recent times, there have been many scientific evidences which suggest that wholesome vegetarian diets offer significant advantages compared to diets containing meat and other foods of animal origin. The benefits ranges from lower intakes of cholesterol, saturated fats, animal proteins and higher intakes of dietary fiber, vitamin C and E, carotenoids, magnesium, folic acid,  and other phytochemicals. However, it is often said that vegetarian diet lacks the nutrients like vitamin B12, proteins, zinc, calcium etc., but if an “Appropriate diet with proper planning” involving supplements is consumed, these deficiencies will never exist. Through the present editorial, I would like to show few benefits of having a vegetarian meal

Emergence of New Risk Factors for causing Hypertension

The major risk factors which we have been hearing since decades for causing hypertension are high salt diet, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, age, race, consuming tobacco, sedentary lifestyle, stress, drinking too much alcohol etc. However, there are many studies which shows that sugar, fats and low vitamin d levels are equally responsible for causing hypertension. The article will put forward some interesting points to show that sugars, fats and vitamin d levels equally play an important role in causing hypertension

Should Research be Made Compulsory in Medical School?

oai:ojs2.jmrionline.com:article/2Healthcare decision-making is mostly reliant on evidence–based medicine. Building and upgrading skills in scientific reasoning and thinking amongst medical students has now became an important part of medical education. But due to unforeseen reasons, medical students in developing countries have no or very little opportunities to develop research skills and become evidence based physician-scientist. Moreover, there is also an alarming decline in the current number of physician-scientists, which also threatens the progress of translational medicine in the upcoming era. The compulsion of research work in residency, has no doubt, increased the quantity, but the quality has subsided. The only way, to improve the quality of research and medical evidence based health care, is by inculcating various research programs in school and motivating the professors and subsequently, the medical students. Many schools around the world have started various research training programs and the results are astonishing. Hence we suggest, instead of making research compulsory, there should be a location and school based research program which can help in developing interes

Health awareness and behavior among adolescent students in a rural school: a cross sectional observational study

Background: Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to many health issues. Studies in Indian literature have documented low health awareness and many health related issues in adolescents. The aim and objective of the study was to evaluate health awareness and behavior among adolescents studying in a rural school in Maharashtra, India.Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative, observational questionnaire-based survey was conducted among high school students between 15 to 19 years of age studying at a local rural school in Maharashtra, India. The questionnaire assessed health awareness and behavior related to (a) exercise and nutrition; (b) malnutrition and obesity; (c) tobacco and (d) sexually transmitted diseases (HIV/AIDS).Results: The overall response rate of survey was 92.72%. Out of 102 students surveyed, 58.82 % (60) were males and 41.18 % (42) were females. 93.13% students were aware of importance of exercise on health and 70.58% devoted time for exercise & recreational activities. 85.29% students were aware of the ill effects of Malnutrition and Obesity. 85.29% were aware of ill effects of taking Tobacco and only 4.90% consumed tobacco. 98.04 % were aware of Sexually transmitted diseases and 90.19 % knew the correct route of spread.Conclusions: Overall, the health awareness among adolescent students was high. Males tend to be more aware about the importance of exercise on health while females were more aware about the ill effects of taking tobacco. Further qualitative studies should be conducted to identify potential adolescent issues so that an intervention can be planned at school, community and home level.

Dear depression, why do you even exist in the budding medicos?

It is a matter of fact that the high demands and pressure of medical school and pre-residency entrance tests pose a tremendous challenge to the personal wellbeing for the physicians in training which leads to high rates of anxiety, burnout, decreased attention, increased incidence of errors, negligence and depression

Association of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and Lipid Profile in Pregnancy

Introduction: Thyroid hormones have significant functions in embryogenesis and fetal development. Evidence suggests that thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) may exert extra-thyroidal effects and modify the profile of blood lipids. Aim: To determine the association between maternal blood lipid profile and thyroid stimulating hormone in second and third trimester of pregnancy. Methods & Materials: The present study was carried out at MGM Hospital, Navi Mumbai, India. 200 antenatal cases from October, 2012 to October 2014 were enrolled after taking an informed consent. The blood samples for Thyroid stimulating hormone and lipid profile were taken at 16th and 32nd weeks. Results: The mean TSH level in second trimester was 1.53 mIU/L, with a standard deviation of 1.147 mIU/L. In third trimester, the mean TSH level was increased to 2.60 mIU/L with a standard deviation of 0.836mIU/L. The t-stat value was found to be -10.649 (p < 0.001). In third trimester, TSH was negatively correlated with Cholesterol (r= -0.214, p < 0.01) and VLDL (r= -0.148, p < 0.05). Conclusion: TSH levels rises according to the gestational age, being higher in third trimester as compared to second trimester. There is a significant negative correlation between TSH levels and cholesterol & VLDL in third trimester of the pregnancy. Hence, TSH levels should be looked for, especially in third trimester, in order to keep the thyroid related problems in check

Why should you do Research?

Today, the world is facing pandemic outburst of diseases. Many Physicians-Scientist are working really hard to find out the measures which can either prevent or cure these diseases. But, we are still lagging behind in one or the other way. The most important way through which we will be able to curb these diseases is by doing Research.  Research is defined as a process of investigation, interpretation and updating of the scientific knowledge. Research is a tool for building knowledge and efficient learning. It is also important for budding and veteran writers, both offline and online. For those looking for a job or a promotion in good hospitals, research is likewise a necessity. It helps in understanding various ongoing health hazards. It is also a way to discard old hypothesis and develop new facts on which the medical world can completely rely on. Research is the need of the day and everyone in medical profession is encouraged to do it including medical students. But their contribution to research is quite less when compared to students of other profession. History says that many inventions were created by medical students. One of the most important research was of insulin discovery and its purification which was made by Dr. Frederick Banting and his second-year medical student assistant Charles Best. Jay Mclean, a medical student from John Hopkins University had discovered Heparin. However, Research should not be made compulsory. Research entails both reading and writing. These two literacy functions help enable computation and comprehension. Without these skills, it is less likely for anyone to appreciate and get involved in research. Reading opens the mind to a vast horizon of knowledge, while writing helps a reader use her/his own perspective and transform this into a more concrete idea that s/he understands. Apart from reading and writing, listening and speaking are also integral in conducting research. Interviews, attending knowledge-generating events, and casual talks with anyone certainly aid in formulating research topics. They can also facilitate the critical thinking process. Listening to experts discuss the merits of their studies helps the listener to analyze a certain issue and write about such analysis. Curiosity may kill not just the cat, but the human as well. Yet, it is the same curiosity that fuels the mind to seek for answers. Indeed, research and doing research encourage people to explore possibilities, to understand existing disorders, and to disclose facts. Without research, healthy life would remain as fantasy. Reading, writing, observing, analyzing, and interacting with others facilitate an inquisitive mind's quest for knowledge and efficient learning. Research serves as an instrument to achieve that healthy world goal