Brain Awareness Week 2021 at Ibn Sina Academy (India): A Report

Brain- and neuroscience-related diseases and research are an important aspect to be discussed and explored at public interest. International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) is an international organization that is involved in spearheading both these activities. Brain Awareness Week (BAW) was never organized in a city which gave rise to the foundation of “Indian Academy of Neurosciences (IAN).” Stalwarts like Professor P. N. Saxena, Professor Om Chandra, Professor Mahdi Hasan, Professor K. C. Singhal, etc. did some significant efforts to promote neuroscience and brain research in Aligarh. They also established “Interdisciplinary Brain Research Centre” at Aligarh Muslim University and organized many scientific events including the Fifth Annual Conference of the IAN from December 7 to December 9, 1986. They also established “Interdisciplinary Brain Research Centre” at Aligarh Muslim University. Likewise, Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences is another institution where a large number of publications on neuroscience exist. With this background, BAW with a theme, “Neuroscience through the ages to modern times” was organized by the courtesy of IBRO-APRC Brain Awareness Week Grant. The exhibition of publications extant at Ibn Sina Academy (depicting history of neuroscience since medieval era specially the works of medieval Arabs who played a significant role in the growth of neurosurgery) and public awareness lectures on importance of neuroscience research helped in some extent to increase public awareness, foster public enthusiasm and interest in the younger generation. Students of all science disciplines including Unani medicine were invited to participate at various events such as presentation of postal stamps on neuroscience, paintings, essay writing competition, and poetry on brain and neuroscience.

Knowledge and Attitude about Immunization Recommended by Government of India and Indian Academy of Paediatrics among Medical Students

Background: Immunization being the most cost-effective treatment for preventing disease and extending life, is essential to know about its schedule and be aware of vaccines that are available up to date. Immunization is one of the most important strategies for protecting children from disease. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of immunization among medical students recommended by Government of India (NIS) and Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP). Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai among final year MBBS students, Medical Interns using a structured questionnaire. The study was conducted between February 2021 & April 2021. Results: In a total of 259 study participants, around78(65%) of Medical Interns and 74(52%) of final year MBBS students are aware that as per NIS, BCG vaccine in catch up can be given until 1 year of age. Conclusion: The degree of knowledge among medical students should be emphasised and various initiatives regarding the knowledge and awareness about immunization among the interns and the medical students should be introduced.

A study on impact of iron deficiency on cognition and anthropometry in pediatrics and clinical pharmacist’s intercession to provide awareness about iron deficiency in tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies largely affect pediatric population worldwide. In India, pediatric category is more prone to iron deficiency, the most common micronutrient deficiency disorder which produces haematological as well as non-hematological disturbances. This study aimed to identify the impact of iron deficiency on cognitive function and anthropometric changes in pediatric populations.Methods: A hospital based, prospective observational study was conducted at Department of Pediatrics in Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital, 127 participants were enrolled in this study. BKT kit of Intelligence, Electronic weighing machine, Stadiometer, BMI Calculator by CDC guidelines and patient’s haemoglobin values were used in this study.Results: Out of 127 patients, 66 patients had iron deficiency with anemia and remaining 61 had iron deficiency without anemia. Cognitive behaviour was assessed based on the norms and majority were under the category- dull average (52 patients) followed by average (45 patients) and other’s had single digit patients. Growth charts of Indian Academy of Pediatrics were used to assess anthropometric characteristics and majority were in the underweight category (61.4%) followed by average category (38.6 %).Conclusions: Low cognitive scores and underweight were found in participants with low haemoglobin levels. Hence, our study provides convincing evidence that iron plays a vital role in the cognition, motor and physical growth. Awareness about the importance of iron and the health issues associated with its deficiency was also provided to the participants.

Indian English is also Creole: Incorporating Regional Bias in Research Pedagogy

Research pedagogy in India should readjust itself to accommodate claims of regional autonomy in arts and letters. Different ways of reconstructing a pedagogy of research are recommended. Reflexive Humanism ensures adequate assessment and evaluation of cultural, literary, and aesthetic achievements of diverse populations. The Indian English corpus is redefined as a creolized Indian language with lexical and semantic factors borrowed from English. The consciousness of pro-national subjectivism is also considered an essential constituent of Indian English literature. Lines of research are suggested for aspiring scholars in the Indian academy. The author emphasizes a dynamic and sensitive adaptation of research methodology which respects and reintegrates itself with the evolution of globally aware, contemporary society in India.

Comparison of the proportion of overweight and obesity using 2015 Indian Academy of Pediatrics and WHO body mass index charts among 5-18 years old children attending a tertiary care centre in South Kerala

Background: Childhood obesity is associated with impaired health during childhood and it is a risk factor for later adult diseases if left untreated. There is a rising trend of over nutrition in developing countries including India. Hence the present study has been envisaged to estimate the proportion of overweight/obesity among 5-18 years old children of a tertiary care centre in South Kerala. The objective of this study was to compare the proportion of overweight and obesity using 2015 Indian Academy of Paediatrics and WHO BMI charts among 5-18 years old children attending a tertiary care centre in South Kerala.Methods: After getting ethical committee clearance this cross-sectional study was conducted among children between 5 and 18 years of age in the department of paediatrics of a tertiary care centre in South Kerala, during the period between August 2018-October 2020. The BMI was plotted and analysed with appropriate software.Results: Among the 250 children the proportion of obesity and overweight was 88 (35.2%) by IAP standards, 63 (25.2%) by WHO standards. The highest proportion of obesity was found in children aged between 7-8.5 years 17 (38.6%). There was a statistically significant association between age and BMI status (p value<0.001).Conclusions: IAP BMI standards are more suitable for Indian children to identify the proportion of overweight and obesity than WHO standards. Also, this study alerts us to concentrate more on the age group between 7-10.5 years for early prevention of childhood obesity and overweight.

Prevalence of Obesity and Hypertension among Rural School Adolescents: A School Based Pilot Study in Kerala, India

Aim: The prevalence of hypertension and obesity is increasing worldwide. Recent data on sustained hypertension and obesity among school-going children and adolescents from the state of Kerala, India are limited. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of obesity and hypertension among apparently healthy school going adolescents. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 252 school going adolescents aged 11-16 years (173 boys and 79 girls) selected from two private aided rural schools of Thrissur, District, Kerala, India. Measurements like height, weight, and blood pressure were done using standard guidelines. Guidelines of Indian Academy of Pediatrics and standard guidelines of blood pressure measurement using gender height specific blood pressure percentile charts were used to identify the overweight/obese and pre-hypertensive/ hypertensive adolescents respectively. Analysis was done using SPSS version 27.0. Gender wise differences were checked using chi-square and t-test. Results: Among 252 adolescents, 83 (20.7%) were either overweight or obese and pre-hypertensive or hypertensive. The overall prevalence of obesity and overweight was found to be 9.5% and 15.1% respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was found to be 15 (6.0%) and 24 (9.5%) respectively. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure was found to be statistically lower (P<0.001) among those with normal BMI, than those with overweight or obesity. The mean systolic and diastolic BP was slightly more among boys than girls and it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The high prevalence of hypertension, obesity and the strong association between obesity and high blood pressure seen among school-going adolescents necessitates immediate attention. Strategies should be designed and implemented for prevention, early identification, and treatment of pediatric obesity and hypertension in forestalling the morbidity/mortality from non communicable diseases and its complications.