Red cell indexes made easy using an interactive animation: do students and their scores concur?

A good understanding of red cell indexes can aid medical students in a considerable manner, serving as a basis to unravel both concepts in red cell physiology and abnormalities associated with the same. In this study, we tried to assess whether an interactive animation was helpful in improving student comprehension and understanding of red cell indexes compared with conventional classroom teaching. Eighty-eight first-year MBBS students participated, of which 44 were assigned to group A and 44 were assigned to group B after randomization. After further creation of smaller groups, students were provided with 45 min to revise red cell indexes, after which they were required to complete a multimodal questionnaire. Group A subgroups used written material for revision, whereas group B subgroups had access to an interactive animation. After completion of the questionnaire, group A students also used the animation after which feedback was collected from all students. Efficacy of the animation to improve learning and retention was demonstrated, as group B students scored significantly higher than group A students on the questionnaire ( P = 0.0003). A clear majority of the students agreed/strongly agreed that the animation was easy to operate, conveyed important concepts efficiently, and improved their knowledge of related clinical aspects as well. From the results and feedback, we found that the animation was a simple, well-received model, which, by significantly improving student performance, corroborated our hypothesis that inclusion of interactive animation into student curriculum can advance their academic attainment, compared with didactic teaching alone.

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Immunity to Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, and Poliomyelitis in Children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia After Cessation of Chemotherapy

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.67.2.222 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 67 (2) ◽

pp. 222-229 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. van der Does-van den Berg ◽

J. Hermans ◽

J. Nagel ◽

G. van Steenis

Keyword(s):

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

First Year ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Healthy Control ◽

Antibody Titers ◽

Group A ◽

One Year ◽

Group B ◽

Antibody Levels

Antibody titers to diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and poliomyelitis (types I to III) were measured in previously vaccinated children with acute lymphocytic leukemia in remission after cessation of therapy. The response to revaccination one year after therapy was stopped was also studied. The patients' antibody titers were compared with those of healthy children, matched for age and sex. Two groups of patients were studied: one group (group A, N = 30) was given two drugs (6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate); the other group (group B, N= 19) was given three drugs (6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, and cyclophosphamide) for maintenance treatment. In general, the patients' antibody titers were lower than those of healthy children, but in most patients they were still at levels considered to be protective. No significant differences in antibody levels between the two patient groups were found. A spontaneous rise in antibody titers in the first year after termination of therapy was not observed. After revaccination the rise in antibody titers was correlated with preexisting antibody titers in the same way in patients as in healthy children, and the antibody titers in patients and in healthy control subjects were on roughly the same level.

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Comparative study of knowledge about oral cancer among undergraduate dental students

Einstein (São Paulo) ◽

10.1590/s1679-45082016ao3729 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 338-345

Author(s):

Samara Ribeiro da Silva ◽

Yara Juliano ◽

Neil Ferreira Novo ◽

Ilan Weinfeld

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Oral Cancer ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Dental Students ◽

Clinical Aspects ◽

Significance Level ◽

First Semester ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

Self Examination

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate and compare the knowledge of dental undergraduate students about oral cancer. Methods: The students were divided into two groups according to semester attended in the undergraduate course: Group A, the first semester; and Group B, seventh semester. They were asked to answer a questionnaire about epidemiology, risk factors, clinical aspects, therapeutic solutions and oral self-examination. For statistical analysis, the Fisher's exact test, the Cochran's G test and Kendall's concordance test were used, with significance level set at 0.05. Results: Regarding the prevalent sex, only 8.0% of Group A and 56.0% of Group B judged males as the frequent affected by the disease (p=0.0006). In terms of age, 84.0% of the Group B and 44.0% of the Group A estimated that most cases were diagnosed over 40 years (p=0.0072). Smoking was identified as the major risk factor for 64.0% and 91.6% of Groups A and B, respectively (p=0.0110). On issues related to sex, ethnicity, age, risk factors, self-examination, treatment, professional responsible for treatment and profile of an individual with the disease, the seventh-semester showed significantly higher correct answer percentages than first-semester undergraduates. Conclusion: There was significant correlation between the right and wrong answers given by first and seventh semester students, making necessary a specific approach directed to their lack of knowledge.

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A case of weak blood group B expression (Bm) associated with abnormal blood group galactosyltransferase

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v59.2.323.bloodjournal592323 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 323-327

Author(s):

A Yoshida ◽

K Yamato ◽

V Dave ◽

H Yamaguchi ◽

Y Okubo

Keyword(s):

Blood Group ◽

Cell Membranes ◽

Transferase Activity ◽

Red Cell ◽

Direct Mutation ◽

Group A ◽

Michaelis Constants ◽

Normal Enzyme ◽

Red Cell Membranes ◽

Group B

The mechanisms of unusually weak A and B blood group expressions have not been well understood. Since the human blood group A and B substances are produced by the action of blood group GalNAc transferase and Gal transferase, respectively, the mechanism may be elucidated by examining the properties of the blood group transferases and membranes of the subjects with the abnormality. We examined a case associated with very weak B activity in red blood cells, an absence of the B agglutinin in serum, and an existence of the H and B substances in saliva, i.e., a case commonly classified as Bm. More than 85% of H sites remained unglycosylated in the subject's red cell membranes. The blood group Gal transferase activity in the subject's plasma and red cell membranes was about 50% of that of normal. The pH-activity profile and the Michaelis constants for UDP-Gal and 2'-fucosyllactose of the subject's enzyme were distinctively different from that of normal enzyme. These findings led us to conclude that the weak B activity in the present Bm case was due to a direct mutation in B gene resulting in formation of variant B enzyme with low affinity to UDP-Gal and insufficient galactosylation of H sites in the subject.

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INTEGRATING “ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION” APP INTO PRONUNCIATION TEACHING: HOW IT AFFECTS STUDENTS’ PARTICIPATION AND LEARNING

Journal of Languages and Language Teaching ◽

10.33394/jollt.v8i2.2551 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 202

Author(s):

Haryadi Haryadi, S ◽

Aprianoto Aprianoto

Keyword(s):

Independent Learning ◽

First Year ◽

English Pronunciation ◽

Group A ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Group B ◽

Teaching Pronunciation ◽

Participant Observer ◽

Self Learning

This study aimed to find out whether the integration of the English Pronunciation app in pronunciation class at Mandalika University of Education (UNDIKMA) can increase students’ participation and self-learning. This study made use of quasi-qualitative design. Forty-eight first-year English department students from two groups of learning involved in this research, aged between 19 to 21. Each group, group A and group B, comprised of 24 students. Both groups received instruction using the English pronunciation app. Data was collected using class observation and interviews. In conducting observation, the observer chose to take the role of participant-observer in that the researcher immersed with the students during the observation activities. One volunteer assistant was employed to work with the researcher. It was intended to increase the accuracy of the data collected. In regard to the interview process, the researcher used individual and group interviews where one interviewer/researcher interviews a group of students. The result of the study indicates that the integration of the English Pronunciation app in teaching pronunciation increased the students’ participation (engagement, attitude, and conduct). In addition, the app brought a positive effect to the establishment of independent learning to a significant number of students.

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A case of weak blood group B expression (Bm) associated with abnormal blood group galactosyltransferase

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v59.2.323.323 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 323-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

A Yoshida ◽

K Yamato ◽

V Dave ◽

H Yamaguchi ◽

Y Okubo

Keyword(s):

Blood Group ◽

Cell Membranes ◽

Transferase Activity ◽

Red Cell ◽

Direct Mutation ◽

Group A ◽

Michaelis Constants ◽

Normal Enzyme ◽

Red Cell Membranes ◽

Group B

Abstract The mechanisms of unusually weak A and B blood group expressions have not been well understood. Since the human blood group A and B substances are produced by the action of blood group GalNAc transferase and Gal transferase, respectively, the mechanism may be elucidated by examining the properties of the blood group transferases and membranes of the subjects with the abnormality. We examined a case associated with very weak B activity in red blood cells, an absence of the B agglutinin in serum, and an existence of the H and B substances in saliva, i.e., a case commonly classified as Bm. More than 85% of H sites remained unglycosylated in the subject's red cell membranes. The blood group Gal transferase activity in the subject's plasma and red cell membranes was about 50% of that of normal. The pH-activity profile and the Michaelis constants for UDP-Gal and 2'-fucosyllactose of the subject's enzyme were distinctively different from that of normal enzyme. These findings led us to conclude that the weak B activity in the present Bm case was due to a direct mutation in B gene resulting in formation of variant B enzyme with low affinity to UDP-Gal and insufficient galactosylation of H sites in the subject.

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Is laparoscopic experience helpful in simulator based robotic training in general surgery?

Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association ◽

10.47391/jpma.05-779 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 71 (9) ◽

Author(s):

Shahriyar Ghazanfar ◽

Sajida Qureshi ◽

Muhammad Zubair ◽

Yumnah Safdar ◽

Aftab Ahmed Leghari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Robotic Surgery ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

First Year ◽

Robotic Training ◽

Laparoscopic Skills ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Robotic Skills ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

The Individual

Objective: To evaluate whether or not prior laparoscopic training improves performance during robotic surgery utilising DaVinci robotic skills simulator. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Civil Hospital, Karachi, from May 4 to November 11, 2018, and comprised first year residents in Group A with no laparoscopic skills and fourth year residents doing laparoscopic cholecystectomy independently and surgical faculty members in Group B who had laparoscopic skills. Both the groups had no previous exposure to robotic surgery and skills simulator. There were 4 exercises which were repeated three times by each participant. Scoring was done using the the DaVinci robotic skills simulator software. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Results: Of the 30 surgeons, there were 15(50%) in Group A with a mean age of 26±0.56 years, and 15(50%) in Group B with a mean age of 32 years± 9.16 (p<0.001). The overall mean age was 32±9.16 years (range: 25-52 years). There were 19(63.3) females in the sample compared to 11(36.6%) males. Mean scores of Ring walk 2, Peg board 2, and Suture sponge 3 were better in Group A, while mean score of Matchboard 2 was better in Group although B (p>0.05). Group B fared better in the individual scoring of Suture sponge 2 (p>0.05). Conclusion: Laparoscopic skills apparently did not confer any benefit while performing exercises on the DaVinci skills simulator. Key Words: DaVinci Si, DaVinci skills simulator, dVSSS, Robotic surgery curriculum, Robotic surgery simulation. Continuous...

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Final Height in Girls with Turner Syndrome after Long-Term Growth Hormone Treatment in Three Dosages and Low Dose Estrogens

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2002-021171 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 88 (3) ◽

pp. 1119-1125 ◽

Cited By ~ 138

Author(s):

Yvonne K. van Pareren ◽

Sabine M. P. F. de Muinck Keizer-Schrama ◽

Theo Stijnen ◽

Theo C. J. Sas ◽

Maarten Jansen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Turner Syndrome ◽

Low Dose ◽

Final Height ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Chronological Age ◽

First Year ◽

Bone Maturation ◽

Gh Treatment ◽

Group A ◽

Group B

Although GH treatment for short stature in Turner syndrome is an accepted treatment in many countries, which GH dosage to use and which age to start puberty induction are issues of debate. This study shows final height (FH) in 60 girls with Turner syndrome treated in a randomized dose-response trial, combining GH treatment with low dose estrogens at a relatively young age. Girls were randomly assigned to group A (4 IU/m2·d; ∼0.045 mg/kg/d), group B (first year, 4 IU/m2·d; thereafter 6 IU/m2·d), or group C (first year, 4 IU/m2·d; second year, 6 IU/m2·d; thereafter, 8 IU/m2·d). After a minimum of 4 yr of GH treatment, at a mean age of 12.7 ± 0.7 yr, low dose micronized 17β-estradiol was given orally. After a mean duration of GH treatment of 8.6 ± 1.9 yr, FH was reached at a mean age of 15.8 ± 0.9 yr. FH, expressed in centimeters or sd score, was 157.6 ± 6.5 or −1.6 ± 1.0 in group A, 162.9 ± 6.1 or −0.7 ± 1.0 in group B, and 163.6 ± 6.0 or −0.6 ± 1.0 in group C. The difference in FH in centimeters, corrected for height sd score and age at start of treatment, was significant between groups A and B [regression coefficient, 4.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4, 6.9; P < 0.01], and groups A and C (coefficient, 5.0; 95% CI, 2.3, 7.7; P < 0.001), but not between groups B and C (coefficient, 0.9; 95% CI, −1.8, 3.6). Fifty of the 60 girls (83%) had reached a normal FH (FH sd score, more than −2). After starting estrogen treatment, the decrease in height velocity (HV) changed significantly to a stable HV, without affecting bone maturation (change in bone age/change in chronological age). The following variables contributed significantly to predicting FH sd score: GH dose, height sd score (ref. normal girls), chronological age at start of treatment, and HV in the first year of GH treatment. GH treatment was well tolerated. In conclusion, GH treatment leads to a normalization of FH in most girls, even when puberty is induced at a normal pubertal age. The optimal GH dosage depends on height and age at the start of treatment and first year HV.

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Impact of FDG-PET to detect recurrence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1016/j.otohns.2007.05.063 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 137 (4) ◽

pp. 647-653 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Sophie P$eAri$eA ◽

Alexis Hugentobler ◽

Bertrand Susini ◽

Sona Balogova ◽

Dany Grahek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Fdg Pet ◽

First Year ◽

Therapeutic Impact ◽

Curative Therapy ◽

Positron Emission ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

The Impact

Objective Prospectively evaluate the impact of fluorodeoxy-glucose-fluorine-18 positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the management of recurrence of advanced head and neck squa-mous cell carcinoma during the first year after treatment. Study Design Seventy patients were followed-up every 6 to 8 weeks during the first year after initial combined curative therapy. FDG-PET, together with conventional imaging and en-doscopy were performed systematically at 1 year (group A) or prompted earlier in case of clinically suspicious recurrence (group B). The referring physician evaluated the impact of FDG-PET on the patient's management. Another clinician checked the pertinence of decisions. Results FDG-PET had a therapeutic impact in 8 of 43 group A patients and in 16 of 27 group B patients; the overall rate was 34%. This change was pertinent in 5 of 8 and 14 of 16 cases, respectively. Overall pertinence rate of decisions was 90% versus 70% without FDG-PET. Conclusions FDG-PET had a significant overall therapeutic impact; the induced decisions were either pertinent or just led to “futile” noninvasive examinations. Systematic FDG-PET had a significantly lesser impact in comparison with FDG-PET motivated by clinical suspicion.

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CYP21 Genotype, Adult Height, and Pubertal Development in 55 Patients Treated for 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2003-030123 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 88 (12) ◽

pp. 5680-5688 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Antonio Balsamo ◽

Alessandro Cicognani ◽

Lilia Baldazzi ◽

Michela Barbaro ◽

Federico Baronio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Diagnosis ◽

First Year ◽

Compound Heterozygous ◽

Target Height ◽

Hydroxylase Deficiency ◽

Genotypic Analysis ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

21 Hydroxylase Deficiency ◽

First Year Of Life

Abstract In a retrospective study we evaluated long-term growth, pubertal developmental patterns to final height (FH), and medication in 55 patients (35 females) affected by 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The patients were classified into 3 groups according to predicted mutation severity: group A (11 women and 9 men), homozygous or compound heterozygous for null or In2 splice mutations [residual enzymatic activity (RA), <1%]; group B (11 women and 4 men), homozygous for I172N or R341P or R426H mutations (RA, ∼2–3%) or compound heterozygous with any of the group A or B mutations; and group C (13 women and 7 men), homozygous for P30L or V281L or P453S mutations (RA, >30%) or compound heterozygous with any of the group A, B, or C mutations. Three patients showed unclassifiable genotypes. FH was similar in the female groups, whereas male patients in group B were shorter than males in groups A and C. Fifty-five percent of patients in group A, 33% in group B, and 40% in group C reached an FH within 0.5 sd of target height. Four of the 7 patients diagnosed via neonatal screening achieved an FH equal to or above the target height. In the entire group, early diagnosis (<1 yr) improved height outcome. Early diagnosed CAH patients who received lower cortisol equivalent doses during the first year of life reached a better FH. Our results underline the importance of mineralocorticoid therapy, as CAH subjects in groups A and B who did not receive this treatment showed reduced FH. Early diagnosis, the use of more physiological cortisol equivalent dosages during the first year of life, and the extension of mineralocorticoid therapy to all classical patients are shown to improve the auxological outcome. Genotypic analysis helped to interpret the height results of our cases and prospectively may represent a useful tool for improving the therapeutic choice and the height outcome.

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Observations on worm population dynamics in calves naturally infected withSchistosoma mattheei

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182000065999 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 111 (4) ◽

pp. 485-491 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

J. De Bont ◽

J. Vercruysse ◽

F. Sabbe ◽

M. T. Ysebaert

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Infected Snail ◽

Natural Infection ◽

First Year ◽

Monthly Basis ◽

Initial Exposure ◽

Susceptibility To Infection ◽

Development Of Resistance ◽

Group A ◽

Group B

SUMMARYThe evolution of faecal egg output, worm burdens and tissue egg counts in young calves was monitored during the first year of natural exposure toSchistosoma mattheeiinfection on a Zambian farm. According to the duration of their stay on the farm, these calves were classified into 2 groups of 14 temporary tracers (TT calves) which were introduced on a 2-monthly basis for residential periods of 2 months, and 12 permanent tracers (PT calves) introduced either at the beginning of the experiment (Group A) or 2 months later (Group B) and gradually removed after residential periods of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months on the farm. Worm counts in the TT calves showed that infection occurred throughout the year on the farm and that levels of infection acquired during each period of 8 weeks correlated well with the respective infected snail densities observed at the main transmission site. Marked differences in worm population dynamics were recorded between the 2 groups of PT calves. In Group B animals which apparently were initially exposed to heavy transmission, according to the results from TT calves, much higher worm counts and greater susceptibility to reinfection were observed than in Group A animals initially exposed to lighter exposure. These results suggest that the development of resistance to natural infection withS. mattheeimay depend on the initial exposure to the parasite. Low initial exposures may lead to resistance whereas high initial exposures may result in decreased immune responses resulting in susceptibility to infection.

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