A study on clinical profile, management and outcome in pediatric patients admitted with scorpion envenomation

Background: Scorpion envenomation is a common medical emergency. The main aim is to study clinical profile, management and outcome.Methods: Prospective observational study of Scorpion envenomation cases for six months. case sheets were analysed for clinical profile, symptoms, complications, management and outcome.Results: During the study period first 50 cases were admitted and treated for the following results 66% were males and 34% were females, 46% were upper extremity and 54% were lower extremity. common clinical symptoms are pain at site, autonomic storm, palpitation, headaches, abdominal pain, altered sensorium, vomiting. 40% of patients received prazosin with 1-2 hrs. the major complications were myocarditis, encephalopathy, Peripheral circulatory failure & congestive cardiac failure. There was no mortality in this study.Conclusions: The study finding shows that early and effective use of prazosin treatment showed good outcome in patients. Less complications were seen in patients those who received the first aid. This study concludes that majority of patient were exposed to complication due to shortfall in education, awareness and pre-hospitalization. We, as a clinical pharmacist, tried to create awareness and provide education to health care workers in all primary health care center through distributing pamphlets to general public in and around hospital

Spray pyrolysed In2S3 thin films: A potential electron selective layer for large area inverted bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells

In this paper, we report the results of investigations on the potential of spray pyrolysis technique in depositing electron selective layer over larger area for the fabrication of inverted bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells. The electron selective layer (In2S3) was deposited using spray pyrolysis technique and the linear heterojunction device thus fabricated exhibited good uniformity in photovoltaic properties throughout the area of the device. An MEH-PPV:PCBM inverted bulk-heterojunction device with In2S3 electron selective layer (active area of 3.25 3.25 cm2) was also fabricated and tested under indoor and outdoor conditions. Fromthe indoor measurements employing a tungsten halogen lamp (50mW/cm2 illumination), an opencircuit voltage of 0.41V and a short-circuit current of 5.6mA were obtained. On the other hand, the outdoor measurements under direct sunlight (74mW/cm2) yielded an open-circuit voltage of 0.46V and a short-circuit current of 9.37mACochin University of Science and TechnologyPhys. Status Solidi A 209, No. 1, 199–203 (2012

Role of yoga in stress management and implications in major depression disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the leading causes of disability affecting more than 340 million people and second largest contributor to global burden of disease. Chronic stress is a common risk factor and important contributor for MDD. Stress could be defined as the “perceived inability to cope”. Stressful life events are shown to provoke a sequence of psychological and physiological adjustments including nervous, endocrine and immune mechanisms. Stress can lead to elevation of a variety of inflammatory cytokines and stress hormones, can cause autonomic dysfunction and imbalance in neurotransmitters. Yoga can reduce depressive symptoms by alleviating stress. Studies have shown that yoga can reduce inflammation, maintain autonomic balance and also has a role in maintaining the neurotransmitters. It has role on hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, the peripheral nervous system including GABA, limbic system activity, inflammatory and endocrine responses. Yoga along with antidepressants can help in reducing the depressive symptoms in patient with MDD. Yoga is an ideal complementary and alternative therapy for mental health disorders

E-learning and E-modules in medical education-A SOAR analysis using perception of undergraduate students.

BackgroundApplication of e-learning and e-modules in medical education has been shown to have a positive impact on learning outcomes among all types of learners, across diverse educational settings. Despite its benefits, e-learning and e-modules has not yet reached its full potential in medical education in India. Objective of this study is to evaluate the perception of undergraduate students regarding e-learning and e-modules using an appreciative inquiry tool SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) analysis, and to identify the barriers and challenges for the same.MethodsThis longitudinal study was conducted among participants from three consecutive batches (n = 250 x 3) of first-year medical students and two consecutive batches (n = 100 x 2) of first-year dental students. The sample was selected using a purposive sampling method. Two structured and validated questionnaires were developed for this study based on the modified Zhou's Mixed Methods Model; the 'Knowledge, Attitude and Practice' Questionnaire (KAPQ) on e-learning and the feedback questionnaire (FBQ) on e-modules. The questionnaires were administered via MOODLE / hard copy, before and after the implementation of e-modules, respectively. Identified strengths, potential opportunities, probable aspirations and likely results for e-learning and e-modules were tabulated based on the qualitative analysis of perceptions of large number students sampled across three years.ResultsSix hundred and ninety students returned both questionnaires representing a response rate of 76.6%. Nine themes were identified in the "Strengths" domain as follows: Regular Update of Knowledge, Innovative Learning, Availability, Knowledge Sharing, Abundance of Information, Accessibility, Source of Knowledge, Creativity, and Increased Engagement. Eleven themes were identified in the "Opportunities" domain as follows: Clinical Skills training, Timesaving, Flexibility, Creativity, Increased engagement, Standardized content, Capacity building for students, Capacity building for faculty, Skills training, and Self-assessment. Thirteen themes were identified under the "Aspirations" domain with the three key themes being "maintaining and building on current strengths", "increasing potential opportunities", and "addressing the barriers and challenges identified in the responses to the KAPQ and FBQ questionnaire". Four themes identified for 'Barriers' were eye strain, distractions, preference for conventional methodologies, and internet connectivity.ConclusionsThe findings of this qualitative study are based on the responses received from first-year medical and dental students of a Private University in Chennai, India. In this population of students, implementation of e-learning as blended learning using structured and interactive e-modules may provide more engagement during learning as well as support self-directed learning (SDL) directly or indirectly. Adoption of blended learning with e-modules as an integral part of curriculum planning may be beneficial for the achievement of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) goals in India

Metal-based antitumor compounds: beyond cisplatin

Despite improvements in the 5-year survival rate to over 80% in cancers, such as Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer, more aggressive tumors including pancreatic and brain cancer still have extremely low survival rates. The establishment of chemoresistance, responsible for the reduction in treatment efficiency and cancer relapse, is one possible explanation for this setback. Metal-based compounds, a class of anticancer drugs, are largely used in the treatment of cancer. Herein, we will review the use of metal-based small molecules in chemotherapy, focusing on recent studies, and we will discuss how new nonplatinum-based agents are prompting scientists to increase drug specificity to overcome chemoresistance in cancer cells