Knowledge of radiation protection among radiology professionals and students: A medical college-based study.

Background: Radiation protection is the core of radiography for safe radiation-based imaging practice. This study aims to determine the knowledge of radiation protection among radiology professionals and students in a medical college of Nepal.

Material And Methods: A questionnaire survey was carried out among 35 radiology staff and students at Universal College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), Bhairahawa, Nepal.

Module to facilitate self-directed learning among medical undergraduates: Development and implementation.

Context: Currently, self-directed learning (SDL) is emphasized in medical institutions all over the world. The skills of SDL enable one to be a lifelong learner, a necessity to cope up with fast-expanding medical knowledge.

Aims: This study aims to develop and implement an "SDL" module for medical undergraduates and find out their perception about the same.

D-Ribose-L-cysteine exhibits adaptogenic-like activity through inhibition of oxido-inflammatory responses and increased neuronal caspase-3 activity in mice exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress.

Adaptogens are substances that act nonspecifically to combat stress by regulating the key elements involved in stress-induced pathologies. D-Ribose-L-cysteine (DRLC), a potent glutathione (GSH) booster, has been recommended for relief of stress. Hence, we investigated its adaptogenic-like effect in mice subjugated to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS).

High-Throughput RNA Sequencing Analysis of Plasma Samples Reveals Circulating microRNA Signatures with Biomarker Potential in Dengue Disease Progression.

The circulating microRNA (miRNA) profile has been widely used for identifying potential biomarkers against viral infections. However, data on circulating microRNA expression patterns in dengue patients are scanty. Considering the impact of severity caused by dengue infection, circulating miRNA profiles in plasma of dengue patients may prove to be valuable for developing early prognostic markers for the disease severity.

Screen Time in Indian Children by 15-18 Months of Age.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and practices of exposure to screen-based media in children by 15-18 months of age.

Methods: This observational descriptive study was conducted from March to August, 2019. Mothers of 370 healthy developmentally normal children (15-18 months of age) were enrolled during their visit to immunization clinic of a medical college affiliated hospital.

Seasonal Variation in Serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D and its Association with Clinical Morbidity in Healthy Infants from Northern India.

Objective: To evaluate the seasonal change in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) level in healthy infants and to relate it to common childhood morbidities.

Methods: 72 healthy breastfed infants residing in Delhi were enrolled at the end of summer and followed till the end of winter [mean (SD) duration 200 (10) d]. Serum 25-OHD was estimated at baseline and follow-up.

Role of AMPK/SIRT1-SIRT3 signaling pathway in affective disorders in unpredictable chronic mild stress mice.

Objectives: To explore the role of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/sirtuin1-sirtuin3 (AMPK/SIRT1-SIRT3) signaling pathway in behavioral and neuroinflammation/oxidative stress alterations in unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) model mice.

Methods: Male ICR mice weighing 20-22 g were used in this study. Behavior performance was evaluated from the 14th day of drug treatment.

The AFPI-CAR policy paper on identifying basic framework of possible roadmap for one health.

Unlabelled: Zoonotic diseases are an important public health problem. Keeping this in way, a panel reviewed the discussion around "one health" strategy of the WHO in combating zoonotic diseases during Seventh annual conference of Consortium Against Rabies (CAR) with the theme of "" held on 14th and 15th June 2019. The panel came out a manuscript discussing the need, background, and rationale for basic framework of possible roadmap for one health.

Development and implementation of a competency-based module for teaching research methodology to medical undergraduates.

Context: Research experience helps an undergraduate student to understand published works, to learn teamwork, and even to consider research as a career. Few medical institutions have attempted to engage undergraduates in research experience. Competency-based medical education has emerged as a core strategy to educate and assess medical students worldwide.

Mechanisms of Stress-Induced Spermatogenesis Impairment in Male Rats Following Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress (uCMS).

The negative association between psychological stress and male fertility has been known for many years. This study was aimed at (i) identifying spermatogenesis impairment induced by psychological stress in rats and (ii) exploring the role of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling in these adverse effects (if they exist). Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to a six-week period of unpredictable chronic mild stress (uCMS) along with cotreatment of GR antagonist RU486 (1 mg/kg/day).

miR-200a-3p modulates gene expression in comorbid pain and depression: Molecular implication for central sensitization.

Chronic pain and depression are often comorbid exhibiting common clinical presentations and biological connections related to central nervous system sensitization. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the brain plays a crucial role in response to long-lasting stress and chronic pain, and microRNA imbalance in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) might be involved in central sensitization. Male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) and spared nerve injury (SNI) to initiate depressive-like behavior and chronic pain behavior, respectively.

Indian Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines on the Fast and Junk Foods, Sugar Sweetened Beverages, Fruit Juices, and Energy Drinks.

Justification: In view of easy availability and increasing trend of consumption of fast foods and sugar sweetened beverages (fruit juices and drinks, carbonated drinks, energy drinks) in Indian children, and their association with increasing obesity and related non-communicable diseases, there is a need to develop guidelines related to consumption of foods and drinks that have the potential to increase this problem in children and adolescents.

Objectives: To review the evidence and formulate consensus statements related to terminology, magnitude of problem and possible ill effects of junk foods, fast foods, sugar-sweetened beverages and carbonated drinks; and to formulate recommendations for limiting consumption of these foods and beverages in Indian children and adolescents.

Process: A National Consultative group constituted by the Nutrition Chapter of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), consisting of various stakeholders in private and public sector, reviewed the literature and existing guidelines and policy regulations.

Cerebral MAO Activity Is Not Altered by a Novel Herbal Antidepressant Treatment.

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A/B can ameliorate depressive- and anxiety-related symptoms via increase of monoamine extracellular levels. However, such inhibition can also instigate hypertensive response following exposure to dietary tyramine (i.e.

CREB deletion increases resilience to stress and downregulates inflammatory gene expression in the hippocampus.

The transcription factor CREB (cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-binding protein) is implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. Structural and functional studies in both animals and humans suggest that abnormalities of the hippocampus may play a role in depression. CREB regulates thousands of genes, yet to date, only a handful that mediate depression or antidepressant response have been identified as relevant CREB targets.

Medical Council of India's new guidelines on admission of persons with specified disabilities: Unfair, discriminatory and unlawful.

The Medical Council of India (MCI)'s recent guidelines on admission of persons with specified disabilities into the medical course under the disability quota has escalated into a huge controversy. Multiple litigations have been initiated against MCI by successful National Eligibility cum Entrance Test candidates with disabilities across the country. In light of our new Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I argue in this essay that these guidelines are unfair, discriminatory and unlawful.

Ophthalmic Presentation of Disseminated Tuberculosis with Relapse-Immunological Profile.

TB as the cause of uveitis varies from 0.5 to 10.5%; low sensitivity of confirmatory laboratory investigations and inconsistency of diagnostic criteria leads to paucity of data.

Diabetes self care activities among adults 20 years and above residing in a resettlement colony in East Delhi.

Background: Self-care activities are the cornerstone of diabetes care that ensures patients participation to achieve optimal glycemic control and to prevent complications.

Objective: The aim of this study is to find the level of self-care activities among diabetics aged ≥20 years residing in a resettlement colony in East Delhi and its association with sociodemographic factors, disease, and treatment profile.

Methods: Using cross-sectional survey, 168 known diabetic patients were selected from Nand Nagri, a resettlement colony in East Delhi.

Spirituality, religiousness and coping in patients with schizophrenia: A cross sectional study in a tertiary care hospital.

Religion is a form of coping that helps individuals to deal with a wide variety of difficult life situations. But most of the research in this field has been in acute patients of schizophrenia. Also, most of the research on religion and schizophrenia has focused on religion and spirituality as coping mechanisms, and research evaluating the relationship between spirituality/religiousness and repertoire of other coping skills is sparse.

Consequences of a double hit of stress during the perinatal period and midlife in female rats: Mismatch or cumulative effect?

The interplay between experiences during critical developmental periods and later adult life is crucial in shaping individual variability in stress coping strategies. Exposure to stressful events in early life has strongly programs an individual's phenotype and adaptive capabilities. Until now, studies on programming and reversal strategies in early life stress animal models have been essentially limited to males.

Celiac Disease in Children with Moderate-to-Severe Iron-deficiency Anemia.

Objective: To evaluate the proportion of children with moderate to severe iron-deficiency anemia who have associated celiac disease.

Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among children aged 1 to 12 years of age with moderate-to-severe iron deficiency anemia and control children without anemia. Serum IgA-tissue trans-glutaminase levels were assessed in both cases and controls.

Clinical empathy in medical students in India measured using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student Version.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical empathy of a cohort of medical students spanning 4 years of undergraduate study and to identify factors associated with empathy.

Methods: A cross-sectional study to assess the empathy of undergraduate medical students at the University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital in Delhi, India, was conducted using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student Version. Demographic data were obtained using a pre-tested, semi-open-ended questionnaire.

Role of Chronic Stress and Exercise on Microvascular Function in Metabolic Syndrome.

Purpose: The present study examined the effect of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) on peripheral microvessel function in healthy and metabolic syndrome (MetS) rodents and whether exercise training could prevent the vascular dysfunction associated with UCMS.

Methods: Lean and obese (model of MetS) Zucker rats (LZR and OZR) were exposed to 8 wk of UCMS, exercise (Ex), UCMS + Ex, or control conditions. At the end of the intervention, gracilis arterioles (GA) were isolated and hung in a pressurized myobath to assess endothelium-dependent (EDD) and endothelium-independent (EID) dilation.

Gestational Age Specific Postnatal Growth Curves for Singleton Babies in A Tertiary Hospital of Western Nepal.

Introduction: Measurement of birth weight, crown-heel length, head circumference and chest circumference used to assess the intrauterine growth of a baby vary with altitude, race, gender, socioeconomic status, maternal size, and maternal diseases. The study aimed to construct centile charts for birth weight, crown-heel length and head circumference for new born at different gestational ages in Western Nepal.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done over a period of 15 months in a tertiary care hospital of Western Nepal.

Escitalopram and NHT normalized stress-induced anhedonia and molecular neuroadaptations in a mouse model of depression.

Anhedonia is defined as a diminished ability to obtain pleasure from otherwise positive stimuli. Anxiety and mood disorders have been previously associated with dysregulation of the reward system, with anhedonia as a core element of major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether stress-induced anhedonia could be prevented by treatments with escitalopram or novel herbal treatment (NHT) in an animal model of depression.