Mritunjoy

Inspired By Shakti Within | Science Of Spirituality Article on Speakingtree.in

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 08:13:00 +0000

Inspired By Shakti Within | Science Of Spirituality Article on Speakingtree.in:

'via Blog this'

School Of Health Sciences IGNOU my review 1

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:53:00 +0000

Population of India is more then 1.2 billion. Every seventh person on this globe is an Indian. But still we have too few doctors and a crumbling medical education system, which with its indecisiveness and lack of clarity has made it difficult for bright and ambitious minds to take up a carrier in medical profession.While Doctor-patient ration is worst in our country still be produce far less medical graduates then countries like china and USA.

This is where School Of Health Sciences IGNOU steps in. IGNOU as you all know is a Open University providing Distance, Regular and Online education. Presently there are 23 courses available on Distance Education basis and 1 on Regular basis. Below is a list of available courses. (kindly note that this information is from IGNOU website and in case of any discrepancy kindly contact a IGNOU official.)

To Download the Information Brochure click here

It should be noted here that all courses may not be available in all places of India as most of these are practical courses and the presence of a training institute recognized by IGNOU must be present in your desired city or town.
Click here to find out more about your desired course.

For those who are apprehensive about recognition a medical degree awarded by a Open University here is some pacification.

In my next post i will deal with How to join SOHS IGNOU.

National Immunization Schedule of India

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:22:00 +0000

I was asked to give a small presentation by the HOD of Peads on our National Immunization Schedule. At first i thought it was nothing as i already knew the schedule by heart. But still i opened the book to for a confirmation. I was a bit puzzled as, what i remembered ( from class notes i guess) and that writen in the book didn't matched. So i decided to google it. It was a agonizing experience after that. More schedule non of them matching with one another. Fed-up with all this i decided to ask my seniors. I was surprised to find out that each of them had a different view but known was 100% sure. At last, frustrated with all this I went to one of the senior most doctors, it was he who cleared all my douts.

There are no fixed schedules, each hospital can make there own immunization schedule. And of course each state had their own schedule. But broadly speaking there are two schedules. One the EPI and another one given by IAP.

National Immunization Schedule
The national immunization schedule comprises of those vaccines that are given free of cost to all children of the country under EPI ( Expanded Program of Immunization).

$ MMR is available in some states only.

$$ Hib is being introduced in two states to begin with.

IAP Immunization Schedule

The IAP Committee on Immunization submits its position on vaccines not included in the national schedule on a periodic basis as and when they are licensed and made available in the country. Below is the list of IAP recommended Vaccines 2011.

IAP Immunization Time Table 2011; IAP recommended vaccines for routine use

* OPV alone if IPV cannot be given

*# Rotavirus vaccine (2/3 doses depending on the brand at 4-8 weeks interval)

** The third dose of Hepatitis B can be given at 6 months

$ The second dose of MMR vaccine can be given at any time 4-8 weeks after the first dose

$ $ Varicella (2nd dose may be given any time 3 months after the 1st dose)

# Typhoid revaccination every 3 years

& Tdap preferred to Td, followed by repeat Td every 10 years

^ Only females, three doses at 0, 1-2 (depending on brands) and 6 months

LINKS

http://www.iapindia.org/files/IAP%20Immunization%20Guide%20Book_2009_2010.pdf

http://www.whoindia.org/LinkFiles/Routine_Immunization_National_Immunization_Schedule.pdf

Repost - Learning by spaced repetation by chris Nickson

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:02:00 +0000

Found this great post from Mr Chris Nickson about learning, memory, and remembering things. I always had a hard time remembering things, so this post was like god's gift for me. Excellent article, a must read for every one.
Link - http://lifeinthefastlane.com/2011/11/learning-by-spaced-repetition/

What is Medvarsity

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:24:00 +0000

Medvarsity India's first virtual medical university was established April 2000. It offers distance education degree, diploma and certificate programs for the Healthcare Industry. It is an initiative by Apollo Hospitals group, leader in healthcare in Asia-Pacific region and NIIT Ltd, the global leaders in e-learning solutions.

Courses offered

Click here for more Information
Click here to Download Medarsity Corporate Brochure

Affiliations and Associations
Medvarsity has been associated and affiliated to a number of reputed national as well as International bodies.

Method of Training

Courses Available Now

Admission are open for Diploma in Emergency Medicine & Diploma in Family Medicine.

Contact Details

HEAD OFFICE - HYDERABAD, AP, INDIA

Syed Taha Muzammil (97050 00768)
Email : syed_tm@medvarsity.com

Manisha Goyal (98662 49689)
Email : manisha@medvarsity.com

Medvarsity Online Limited
Life Sciences Building, Apollo Hospitals Complex,
Film Nagar, Hyderabad- 500 096, A.P, India.
Tel : +040 - 23554000 ext 3829, 23541654 / 23554723
Fax : 23554723
Website : www.medvarsity.com

For more Click here

Collaborations

You are allowed to purchase BMJ Course or Medvarsity Course through Payment Gateway of Medvarsity portal.
For Medvarsity Courses: As per the eligibility criteria Medvarsity informs you the procedure with login details
For BMJ Courses: Once a course is purchased through Medvarsity Payment Gateway, it takes 72 hours to provide you login id and password, from the date of purchase, where by you are requested to login as;

- for BMJ Learning International: www.learning/bmj.com/info/medvarsity

- for BMJ Online Exams: http://www.onexamination.com/india

EVENTS- Fourth International Congress,CME cum Workshop organised by ISTAC IN AIIMS

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:25:00 +0000

Indian Society for Trauma and Acute Care (ISTAC®) is organizing the Fourth International congress, CME cum Workshop mainly related to Trauma care in collaboration with Apex Trauma Centre AIIMS. This years Theme is “Connecting Crisis to Care”.

The Workshop and Conference are accredited with the Delhi Medical Council for 28.5 CME Credit Hours

Conference Dates- 9-13 Nov 2011

The conference is said to be a treat for all surgeons, physicians, intensivist’s, nurses, rehabilitation professionals and paramedics working in the field of Trauma and Injury prevention. The conference will have Pre-conference hands on workshops on 9th and 10th November, followed by the main conference from 11th to 13th November 2011.

Conference Registration :- Both offline and online modes of registration are available. Click here for details.

Abstract Submission :- You can submit your abstract for the conference here.

Pre-Conference workshop:- Live Pre Conference Workshops will be held on the 9th and 10th of November, 2011 at JPN Apex Trauma Centre. This year a total of 9 workshops are being held - however registered delegates can attend only one workshop as they are being held simultaneously. There are limited seats for Pre Conference Workshops (20 for each workshop) on first come first serve basis. All participants must be registered for the main conference to register for the workshops.Click here for details.

Conference Venue :- Pre-Conference Venue - JPN Apex Trauma Center,AIIMS, New Delhi

Main Conference -JLN Auditorium Complex, AIIMS, New Delhi

Contact details :- click here for contact details. Or visit the website http://www.trauma2011.in/index.html

EVENTS- CME-Workshop on Critical Care Medicine by NBE on Nov 23rd & 24th, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:26:00 +0000

National board of Examinations in collaboration with Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjang Hospital Delhi is organizing a CME-Workshop on Critical Care Medicine. The CME is scheduled on November 23rd & 24th , 2011 at National Board of Examinations, PSP Area, Sector – 9 , Dwarka, New Delhi.
For more information click here

Write a Blog and win a Prize! yup that's possible!

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:29:00 +0000

MedGadgat's 2010 Medical Weblog Awards Sponsored by Epocrates and Lenovo

First of all thanks to MedGadget for this novel venture. I am a die hard fan of MedGadget and am really proud for what they are doing. Recently they had a kind of evaluation in which the best Blogs were evaluated and prizes distributed.

Nomination procedure: The nomination process were very easy and transparent. All one had to do was to go to the site in the comments box give once's blog URL, blogs name, and the category you want to nominate for.For more click here

Prizes and Sponsors: We all know its not so difficult to get sponsors in Medical field. So there were many. Epocrates, Lenovo and Placebo Journal. For more click here

Winners: This is the best part. There were altogether seven categories so there were seven winners. To see who were the winners click here

I am going to get nominated next time, Are you? And thanks once again MedGadget for such an en-devour, such competitions are surely going to Encourage more Healthcare professionals to write with increased Jill and enthusiasm.

'Aakash' the tablet of the masses what can it change in hospitals and wards

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 20:47:00 +0000

"With his raised right fist pointing to the sky and the shining gadget in his left hand, as Kapil Sibal unveiled the world's cheapest tablet computer, Aakash, on Wednesday, it was difficult not to ask this one question: whose brilliant idea was it to give the tablet the same name as that of a nuclear capable surface-to-air missile that is going to cost the Indian taxpayer Rs 23,000 crore? That apart, the tablet raises more questions. " These were the words used by Shobhan Saxena in his article "Miracle pill or cheap gimmick?" in TOI.

On the other hand Sunit singh tuli CEO of its Montreal based manufacturing company DATAWIND had a one-on-one with saira kurup of TOI. Here is what he says in a nutshell "The whole world has been trying to create a $100 laptop and has failed. This device with wi-fi, GPRS, one that works as a phone has an MRP of Rs 2,999. We are not surprised anymore when a rickshawalla has a mobile phone. What if a few years from now, we aren't surprised that his kids are using the internet. Two months ago, we took our kids for a rickshaw ride. After the ride, the rickshawalla gave me a business card with his number and said, "Sir, give me a missed call and I'll come." They are not illiterate, give them the opportunity - watch what they'll do. I want to make lots of profit but I realize that the way to make it is to go after the billion Indians who are cut off."

When i saw this piece of news i started thinking that what if it is supplied to HCP (health care professional) in both rural and urban India. What difference is it going to make in elevating the pathetic health scenario of our nation. Having been part of the system for some time now i instantly started recalling situations where having a Tablet would have helped. So, here i list the positives of having a Tablet in hospital setups :-

Reference:- One can keep all essential ebooks of their interest which will be a big boon to HCP. One can keep essential videos of rare surgical procedures which i think a big problems surgeons face every now and then.
Telemedicine:- It is one of the hottest topics in India today. With a Small tablet one can easily contact a consultant (who are generally on call) and have a face to face discussion about a surgical problem or a complicated rare condition.
Software:- Doctors will have instant access to the best softwares in healthcare which will have reduce time and money for both patients and hospital. Our government can likewise have more collaborations with software companies to make specialized software for these platforms.
Hospital data collection will become more easy and efficient.

And the list is endless. Tablets have been used in western hospitals for some time now. But due to the cost factor it was a far cry in India till date. But with the lunch of Aakash Indian hospitals have the best ever chance to upgrade to the next level.

Best free medical app for healthcare professionals

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 11:56:00 +0000

Free applications are a hit these days, and there is no reason why health care professionals should lag behind. Today the internet provides us with a herd of free medical applications which can be used both in PC and smart phones. So, here is a list of such a few applications :-

1. Medscape Mobile App :- It is the best app available for free today.

The amount of free content provided by Medscape is absolutely mind numbing and seems to continuously grow with each update. 7,000+ drug references, 3,500+ disease clinical references, 2,500+ clinical images and procedure videos, robust drug interaction tool checker, CME activities, and more. With its multiple search options, drug interaction checker, medical news and education options it becomes a must have for all healthcare profs.

2. Epocrates

The free version of Epocrates is considered by many to be an essential drug reference. Useful and easy-to-learn features like the pill identifier, several medical calculators, and drug interaction checker make Epocrates a favorite of clinicians and students alike.

3. Skyscape Although i havent yet used it myself, it seems to be a excellent free software for all of us.

just have a try with it.

4. Monthly Prescribing Reference (MPR):- It claims to be the most widely used drug reference by clinicians.

5. CIMS :- Our own cims ( commonly found as MIMS in india) is also a excellent site. With multiple options to look up for drugs, news & cme, diagnosis it becomes a handy tool.

Although you might be asked to sign up for long term use, registration is free and fast. It provides you with multiple brand information. The medical events category is a great innovation in cims.

Pune gets is first human milk bank - The Times of India

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 06:47:00 +0000

PUNE: The city's first human milk bank has been set up by the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Centre jointly with the Rotary Club, Nariman Point, Mumbai. The human milk bank service is established for collecting, screening, processing, storing and distributing donated human milk.

The department of paediatrics of the hospital will inaugurate the human milk bank on June 26, in the presence of district governor Jayant Kulkarni at 4.30 pm.

The mother's milk may not be available in neonatal intensive care unit, as the mother may be admitted in another hospital or may be sick herself or even have inadequate milk due to stress. In such cases, the breast milk bank is extremely helpful.

A statement issued by the hospital said that to prevent transmission of infections, donor's health history is taken, screening is done for HIV I and II and hepatitis B, heat treatment is given to donor's milk and consent is taken from the mother.

The first milk bank was set up by Armida Fernandez at the LTMG hospital in Sion, Mumbai in November 1989. Since then the human milk bank has been in most prolific demand. There are eight milk banks across India supplying milk to needy infants.

These milk banks are popular in Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Bulgaria among other countries.

What is Hippocratic Oath

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:05:00 +0000

As a young undergraduate i had heard about the all famous Hippocratic Oath for doctors, but i had never read it. That is why i am so pleased to write about it. Thanks a lot to Wikipedia the messiah of all knowledge for proving the vital informations.Here is the direct link; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath#Modern_version

Modern version

The widely used modern version of the traditional oath was penned in 1964 by Dr. Louis Lasagna, former Principal of the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences and Academic Dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University:

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given to me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

National List of Essential Medicines of India 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:08:00 +0000

Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of majority of the population. The essential medicines list needs to be country specific addressing the disease burden of the nation and the commonly used medicines at primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare levels. The medicines in National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) should be available at affordable costs and with assured quality. The medicines used in the various national health programmes, emerging and reemerging infections should be addressed in the list. The Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) is mandated to ensure the quality healthcare system by assuring availability of safe and efficacious medicines for its population. The primary purpose of NLEM is to promote rational use of medicines considering the three important aspects i.e. cost, safety and efficacy. Furthermore it promotes prescription by generic names. Healthcare delivery institutions, health insurance bodies, standards setting institutions for medicines, medicine price control bodies, health economists and other healthcare stakeholders will be immensely benefitted in framing their policies.

MEDICINES ADDED IN THE NLEM - 2011
1. 25% Dextrose
2. 5-Amino salicylic Acid (5-ASA)
3. Allopurinol
4. Amoxicillin+Clavulinic acid
5. Atorvastatin
6. Betamethasone
7. Carboplatin
8. Cefixime
9. Cetrizine
10. Chlorambucil
11. Clindamycin
12. Clopidogrel
13. Dacarbazine
14. Daunorubicin
15. Diazepam
16. EMLA cream
17. Enoxaparin
18. Famotidine
19. Fentanyl
20. Filgrastim
21. Hydroxychloroquine phosphate
22. Ifosfamide
23. Imatinib
24. Ipratropium bromide
25. Leflunomide
26. Lorazepam
27. Mefloquine
28. Mesna
29. Misoprostol
30. N-acetylcysteine
31. Olanzapine
32. Oxaliplatin
33. Pantoprazole
34. Permethrin
35. Piperazine
36. Premix Insulin 30:70 injection
37. Propofol
38. Sevoflurane
39. Stavudine+Lamivudine
40. Tramadol
41. Vecuronium
42. Zidovudine+Lamivudine+Nevirapine
43. Zinc Sulfate

MEDICINES DELETED FROM NLEM - 2003
1. Acenocoumarol
2. Aminophylline
3. Benzoic Acid + Salicylic Acid
4. Benzylpenicillin
5. Bretylium Tosylate
6. Cefuroxime
7. Centchroman
8. Chloramphenicol
9. Chlorthalidone
10. Clarithromycin
11. Clomipramine hydrochloride
12. Clonidine Hydrochloride
13. Doxapram
14. Ethyl Chloride
15. Flucytosine
16. Furazolidone
17. Gamma Benzene Hexachloride
18. Isoprenaline Hydrochloride
19. Isoxsuprine hydrochloride
20. Ketoconazole
21. Loperamide
22. Mebendazole
23. Menadione Sodium Sulphite
24. Mexiletine Hydrochloride
25. Nalidixic Acid
26. Niclosamide
27. Nitrazepam
28. Norfloxacin
29. Pancuronium
30. Pentazocine
31. Pethidine Hydrochloride
32. Physostigmine Salicylate
33. Procaine Benzylpenicillin
34. Prochlorperazine
35. Pyrantel Pamoate
36. Quinidine
37. Roxithromycin
38. Silver Nitrate
39. Terazosin
40. Tetracycline
41. Tetracycline Hydrochloride
42. Theophyline compounds
43. Thiacetazone + Isoniazid
44. Tinidazole
45. Trifluoperazine
46. Trimethoprim
47. Xylometazoline

You can download the whole list of essential drugs 2011 from this link ;- http://www.mohfw.nic.in/showfile.php?lid=785

intubation endotracheal

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 10:39:00 +0000

Tenofovir Vaginal Gel First Microbicide to Prevent HIV, HSV Infections

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:31:00 +0000

Some good news in the fight against HIV. A new vaginal Gel has been developed that has the potential to bring down the rate of infection of HIV. Although in its 2b stage of clinical trial, I think the idea itself is great as HIV today is a epidemic mainly in the developing part of the globe, and given its cost-effectiveness (which i hope so) , it should have a better acceptability in the society. Combined with a condom ( all condoms should be premedicated with this gel) and HIV might soon be in the list of eliminated diseases. hoping for d best.

thanx to medspace for this article. here is d link http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/725583

ROUTINE INVESTIGATIONS NORMAL RANGE

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Sat, 28 May 2011 14:49:00 +0000

Below is a set of Routine investigations with there normal range. These values are from a well known hospital in new delhi. It is only for reference purpose, to be more accurate please checkout your own hospital's normal range values.
1. Bl. sugar
F : mg/dl ( 60- 100)
PP : mg/dl (90-160)
R : mg/dl (60- 140)

2. Kidney Function Test
Urea : mg/dl (15-45)
Creatinine : mg/dl (0.6-1.2)
Uric acid : mg/dl (2.5-6.0)

3. Liver Function Test
Total Bil : mg/dl (0.2-1.2)
Direct Bil : mg/dl (0.1-0.3)
Indirect Bil : mg/dl (0.2-1.1)
SGOT : U/L (15-50)
SGPT : U/L (15-50)
Alk. Phos : U/L (50- 300)

4. S. Protiens
T. prot :gm/ dl (6.0-8.0)
Albumin :gm/dl (3.5-5.5)
Globulin :gm/dl (1.5-3.5)

5. Lipid Profile
T. Cholest : mg/dl (130-230)
HDL Chol : mg/dl (30-65)
LDL Chol : mg/dl (50-150)
VLDL Chol : mg/dl (up to 40)
Triglyceride : mg/dl (50- 200)

6. Serum Electrolytes
Na : mmol/l (130-150)
K : mmol/l (3.5-5.5)
Cl : mg/dl (100-110)
Ca : mg/dl (8.5-10.5)
P : mg/dl (3.5-5.5)

7. Cardiac Profile
CPK : U/L ( 50-200)
Ck-MB : U/L (up to 25)
LDH : U/L (up to 260)
SGOT : U/L (15-50)

8. Iron profile
T. Iron : ug/dl (60-150)
TIBC : ug/dl (250-400)
UIBC : ug/dl (150-250)
Saturation : % (20-35)

All about the "pill"

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Sun, 01 May 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Oral contraceptives can be taken by a woman to prevent pregnancy. A prescription is required and the pills are often inexpensive. They also can often be obtained at a family planning clinic if you have no regular physician. The pills have very few side effects, and many that do occur disappear after two or three cycles. Oral contraceptives also keep your cycle regular, can make your periods lighter and shorter, and are effective if used correctly.

How to use

It is a big irony that many well educated women don’t know how to correctly use OC pills (oral contraceptive pills).

But before talking about this I must let u know that there are two types of pill packs available in d market. 1. 21 day pill pack 2. 28 day pill pack.

Start the pill within five days after the onset of your last menstrual period. During this time, the body is not fertile. Adding the contraceptive pill at this time ensures that there is enough time for the hormones to enter the system before fertility occurs. Some people recommends starting it one a Sunday for each cycle, as it is easy remembered.

Take a pill each day. For 21 day pack users they will have a 7 day pill free period, after which start d next pack. For 28 day pack users its d same, only difference is that they don’t have to stop taking the pill.

Missed pill????

If u have missed a pill there is no need to panic. You can take a pill as soon as you remember, then take that days scheduled pill on the normal time.

(e.g. if u forgot to take the pill of say yesterday and remembered about it at 2 o’clock today, take d pill immediately and then take todays pill on the normal time.)

If u have missed 2 pill on a row, even then the above said method works well. Take one pill immediately (not 2 pills) then take scheduled pill of the day according to time.

If u have missed 3 or more pills in a row then it becomes a matter of concern. U should take a pill immediately (only one) and continue to take the rest pack, but u will have to use other contraceptive methods for the rest of the cycle ( e.g condoms, spermicides).

Smokers more likely to be impulsive

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:34:00 +0000

A new study has revealed that people who smoke are more likely to be impulsive and indecisive than those who have never smoked in their life.

Researchers of the Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin and Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) have found that a specific region of the cerebral cortex of smokers is thinner than that of people don't smoke.

This region is decisive for reward, impulse control, and the making of decisions.

To investigate the relation between cortical thickness and nicotine dependence, the brains of 22 smokers and 21 people who have never smoked in their lives were investigated with the aid of a magnetic resonance tomograph.

The measurements were carried out at PTB and furnished high-resolution three-dimensional images of the brain structure.

On the basis of these data, the individual thickness of the cortex could be determined by means of a special evaluation procedure.

A comparison of the two groups showed that in the case of smokers, the thickness of the medial orbito-frontal cortex is, on average, smaller than in the case of people who have never smoked.

The thickness of this region decreased in relation to the increase in the daily consumption of cigarettes, and depending on how long in their lives the participants in the study had been smokers.

Although it is known from animal experiments that nicotine changes the development of the brain and leads to a damaging of neurocytes, it cannot be ruled out that the reduced thickness of the frontal cortex region found in the case of the participants in the study already existed before they started smoking.

Courtesy: Smokers more likely to be impulsive - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Smokers-more-likely-to-be-impulsive/articleshow/6833888.cms#ixzz18eCFUzNE

Delhi Medical Council Provisional Registration

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:26:00 +0000

This is for all those daredevils who want to do their Internship in Delhi. I must late u know, unless u already know this that to do your internship in delhi u must get registered with the delhi medical council (DMC). If you have got your provisional from MCI then just follow my article, if not wait for the provisional.

OK, first things first. First get your documents ready coz it is biggest headache. Download the form from this link : http://delhimedicalcouncil.nic.in/forms.html

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Next I am giving the list of document you will need. But the most important part is you must get all the documents attested and should also carry all the original documents Coz they verify your documents then and there.

Here is the list:

Applicants having passed final MBBS examination from Delhi

Application is to be submitted in the office of the Delhi Medical Council along with four recent passport size photographs with name and signature at the backside.
Provisional degree/diploma or provisional certificate of having passed the MBBS examination issued by the Dean/Principal/Registrar of the College/University in original alongwith relevant copies be forwarded with this application.
Certificate of Date of Birth (Secondary School Certificate or equivalent).
Bank Draft for Rs. 500/- (Rupees Five Hundred only) in favour of the Delhi MedicalCouncil payable at New Delhi should be submitted with the application as nonrefundable fee for provisional registration.
Identity proof : Photo Identity Card / Passport / Driving License / Electoral Card.

Applicants having passed final MBBS examination from other states

In addition to requirements mentioned at (a) the following are to be complied with

Marksheets of I, II, III (Part 1 & 2) professional exams
No objection certificate from College/University
Class 10th & 12th Marksheets with passing certificates
Provisional registration certificate (In case already provisionally registered with other State medical Council/MCI.)

Applicants having passed final MBBS/MD’Physician’ examination from outside India

(b) & (c)
Screening Test Copy
Copy of the passport duly attested by a Gazetted officer(from the first page to last page with English transalation of the content in the passport)

All the documents are to be produced in original alongwith a photocopy(in case of category (b)* (c)attested photocopies)
Application for provisional registration is to be submitted in person.

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As u must have read above that for provisional registration you must submit a DD of Rs 500. In case you haven’t made the DD and have reached the door steps of MAMC u must be wondering where to make the DD. Don’t worry I have a solution for that too. There is a syndicate bank behind the DMC office building from where you can get the DD made. They charge Rs 30 extra. As far as I can remember you can get it from counter no. 2.

Do remember to write the DD no. in the registration form.

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Having done all this last but very important and frustrating part is how to get there. Don’t worry I am giving u a detailed and the simplest way in.

Delhi metro is the best part of delhi so have a ride- get down in New delhi station ( it is one stop after Rajiv chok in yellow line) – Take a auto or rickshaw to MAMC ( maulana azad medical collage ) – go to the pathology block- just ask for DMC and you are there.

Free advice –

Go early, it opens at 9, and there is a long line, so make sure u get there early.
Get your documents attested.

Goa Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:03:00 +0000

It has been a long time since my last post. actually i had been preoccupied with my studies. Now having finished my exams here i am with a bang!

I visited Goa recently with my tolly. It was great fun. Goa is a great place to be. A must visit place for all am addmi to burn up your hard earned money coz u get value for your money. A bit expensive though.

Dolphin show in d sea

What keeps smokers thin

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:01:00 +0000

Previous studies have shown that smokers have less body fat as compared to non-smokers. Now, a new study by US researchers may help explain the reason.

For the study, researchers from WeillMedical College of Cornell University New York evaluated the levels of alpha2-zinc-glycoprotein1 (AZGP1), a gene linked to weight loss, in 37 healthy non-smokers and 55 healthy smokers. They found that AZGP1 levels were higher in smokers than non-smokers.They could not directly prove that smoking induced increases in AZGP1 are enough to mediate weight loss, but they speculate that the increased AZGP1 levels in smokers could be one mechanism contributing to the weight difference between smokers and non-smokers.

This study is published in the May issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American.

Anemia Classification

noreply@blogger.com (Dr akash boruah) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:32:00 +0000

Classification of Anemia

Anemias can be classified as :-

1) Cytometric schemes (i.e., those that depend on cell size and hemoglobin-content parameters, such as MCV and MCHC)

2) Erythrokinetic schemes (those that take into account the rates of rbc production and destruction)

3) Biochemical/molecular schemes (those that consider the etiology of the anemia at the molecular level).

An example: sickle cell anemia:

Cytometric classification: normochromic, normocytic
Erythrokinetic classification: hemolytic
Biochemical/molecular classification: DNA point mutation producing amino acid substitution in hemoglobin beta chain

A. Cytometric classification :- Because cytometric parameters are more easily and less expensively measured than are erythrokinetic and biochemical ones, it is most practical to work from the cytometric classification, to the erythrokinetic, and then (hopefully) to the biochemical. Your first job in working up a patient with anemia is to place the case in one of three major cytometric categories

1) Normochromic, normocytic anemia (normal MCHC, normal MCV)
These include:

· anemias of chronic disease

· hemolytic anemias (those characterized by accelerated destruction of rbc's)

· anemia of acute hemorrhage

· aplastic anemias (those characterized by disappearance of rbc precursors from the marrow)

2) Hypochromic, microcytic anemia (low MCHC, low MCV).
These include:

· iron deficiency anemia

· thalassemias

· anemia of chronic disease (rare cases)

3) Normochromic, macrocytic anemia (normal MCHC, high MCV)
These include:

· vitamin B12 deficiency

· folate deficiency

B. Erythrokineti classification

You would now want to proceed with classifying your case based on the rate of rbc turnover. If this is high, a normoregenerative anemia exists. Such anemias are seen in hemolysis (excess destruction of rbc's) or hemorrhage (loss of rbc's from the vascular compartment. In these cases, the marrow responds appropriately to anemia by briskly stepping up the production of rbc's and releasing them into the bloodstream prematurely. There are several lab tests that allow you to determine if increased rbc turnover exists:

1) Reticulocyte count :- A sample of blood is stained with a supravital dye that marks reticulocytes. An increased number of reticulocytes is seen when the marrow is churning out rbc's at excessive speed (presumably to make up for those lost to hemolysis or hemorrhage). Most labs will report the result of the reticulocyte count in percent of all rbc's counted. A typical normal range is 0.5-1.5 %. Making clinical decisions based on this raw count is somewhat fallacious.

For instance: A normal person with an rbc count of 5,000,000 /microliter and an absolute reticulocyte count of 50,000 /microliter would have a relative retic count of 1.0%. An anemic person with 2,000,000 rbc's/microliter and the same 50,000 retics/microliter would have an apparently "abnormal" relative retic count of 2.5 % and could be misdiagnosed as having high turnover.

Clearly, one needs to find some way to correct the raw retic count so as to avoid this problem. One can easily calculate the absolute retic count (in cells/microliter) by multiplying the rbc count by the relative retic count. The normal range for the absolute retic count is 50,000-90,000 /microliter.

2) Serum unconjugated bilirubin and urine urobilinogen concentration:-
When red cells, at the end of their 120-day life-span, go to the great spleen in the sky, they are systematically dismantled. Through a series of biochemical steps too boring to go into even here, the heme is changed into bilirubin. The bilirubin is greedily scarfed up by the liver, conjugated with glucuronide, squirted into the alimentary tract in the bile, and converted to urobilinogen by evangelical colonic bacteria. The urobilinogen is excreted in the stool (most of it) or reabsorbed and excreted in the urine (very little of it). This is summarized in the next diagram.

In cases of accelerated rbc destruction, the capacity of the liver to capture bilirubin is saturated, and the concentration of unconjugated bilirubin in serum increases, occasionally to the point of producing clinical jaundice. Moreover, the increased production of urobilinogen that results is reflected by increased urobilinogen concentration in the urine. Unconjugated bilirubin is not water soluble and therefore will not be excreted in the urine, despite its elevation in the serum.

3) Serum haptoglobin concentration :-
When an rbc is destroyed, the liberated hemoglobin binds mole-for-mole with a serum protein, haptoglobin. The "purpose" of this reaction is to keep the kidneys from squandering iron (free hemoglobin is freely filtered by the glomerulus, but hemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes are too big to muscle their way through, so that they are safe to bumble their way back to the reticuloendothelial system where they can be properly disassembled). The serum haptoglobin concentration then decreases. Laboratory measurement of haptoglobin is fairly easy and yields useful information to assist in documenting decreased rbc life span.
In the case of hemolysis which takes place in the bloodstream (rather than in the RES), so-called intravascular hemolysis, additional biochemical phenomena are observed (see diagram, below). Free hemoglobin in excess of that which binds haptoglobin is rapidly filtered into the urine. What remains in the plasma spontaneously degrades into metheme and globin. A portion of metheme binds albumin to produce a measurable compound, methemalbumin, while the remainder binds to a measurable serum protein, hemopexin, which then decreases in serum concentration. All of the substances whose names are boxed in the diagram are those whose laboratory measurement is feasible and helpful in documenting hemolysis.

4) Bone marrow biopsy:- This can be used to directly observe any accelerated production of rbc's. The ratio of the number of myeloid to erythroid precursors (the M:E ratio) tends to decrease in high-production states, and the marrow becomes hypercellular. Marrow biopsy is not usually performed just to measure the M:E ratio, but to answer other hematologic questions that have been raised.
The normoregenerative anemias are in contrast to those characterized by inadequate marrow response to the degree of anemia. These are the hyporegenerative anemias. In such cases, the reticulocyte production index is decreased. The classic example is aplastic anemia, in which there is primary marrow failure to produce enough erythrocyte mass. As you have probably come to expect, the distinction of these categories is not always absolute. For instance, in thalassemia major there is a degree of hemolysis (generally associated with the normoregenerative states) and inadequate marrow response to the degree of anemia.

C. Biochemical classification
Finally, one should attempt to determine the etiology of the anemia as specifically as possible. In some cases (e.g., iron deficiency), etiologic classification is easily attained; in others (e.g.. aplastic anemia) the biochemical mechanism of disease may be hopelessly elusive. Generally, biochemical tests are aimed at identifying a depleted cofactor necessary for normal hematopoiesis (iron, ferritin, folate, B12), an abnormally functioning enzyme (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase), or abnormal function of the immune system (the direct antiglobulin [Coombs'] test).