North Bengal Medical College

About: North Bengal Medical College is a other organization based out in Darjeeling, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 624 authors who have published 691 publications receiving 5492 citations.

Early Clinical Exposure as a Learning Tool to Teach Neuroanatomy for First Year MBBS Students.

Abstract: Context: Early clinical exposure (ECE) is one of the important tools to teach basic science to the MBBS students. It is one form of vertical integration between basic science and clinical subjects. This study is an effort at exploring the use of ECE as a motivational tool toward better learning in neuroanatomy for first year MBBS students. Aim: This study aims to make the students interested and motivated to study neuroanatomy by using ECE as learning tool in neuroanatomy and to make the students enable to retain the knowledge of neuroanatomy more efficiently and correlate the knowledge of neuroanatomy with neuromedicine. Settings and Design: This study was conducted in collaboration with the Departments of Anatomy, General Medicine and Medical Education Unit in the year 2016. This was cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and fifty students of 1st Professional MBBS were subdivided into two groups. After preliminary classes on brain, brainstem, and spinal cord for both groups, conventional lecture classes were taken for Group A only on upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) paralysis, and only Group B visited General Medicine ward where HOD, General Medicine showed and examined patients of UMN paralysis and LMN paralysis, elicited different symptoms, and discussed different investigation. It was followed by assessment of all by problem-based multiple choice questions (MCQ) and short answer questions. Then, Group B attended lecture class on different cranial nerve palsy whereas Group A visited medicine ward. It was followed by assessment of both groups by problem-based MCQ and short answer questions. The performance was compared. Then, the feedback of the students on ECE was collected by means of reflection writing followed by administration of questionnaire. Then, the perception of teachers regarding ECE was recorded by focused group discussion. Statistical Analysis Used: Student's t-test was used to compare the performance of both batches. Reflection writing and focus group discussion were analyzed qualitatively. Results: There was a significant difference in Group A (P = 0.019) but no significant difference in Group B (P = 0.679). All the teachers opined that ECE was an efficient method but more time and interdepartmental collaboration were necessary. Conclusions: Group A improved performance due to ECE but Group B maintained the motivational effect of it. Therefore, ECE can be used as an effective learning tool.

Bilateral striatal necrosis and dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria: A-I editing efficiency of ADAR1 mutants and phenotype expression.

Abstract: ADAR1 mutations cause an autosomal dominant pigmentary disorder, dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria (DSH), and bilateral striatal necrosis (BSN) affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Here we report gene analysis of an Indian girl with dyschromatosis and dystonia and diagnose her as having DSH with BSN. No cases of DSH with BSN harboring ADAR1 bi-allelic mutations have been reported previously. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Recurrent aggressive angiomyxoma of the vulva - a rare presentation.

Abstract: We describe here a case of a 38-year-old lady presenting with a about 5x4cm in size swelling on the left labia majora. She had similar type of swelling 2 years back which was treated surgically. FNAC report of the present mass revealed angiomyxoma. In view of its’ recurrent nature wide local surgical excision of the mass was done. Histopathology report confirmed the diagnosis of angiomyxoma. The lady is under follow up and there is no further recurrence till date.

A study of sleeping disorders in blind patients.

Abstract: An internal 24-hour biological clock working in tandem with external environmental cues like bright light regulates our daily rhythms specially sleep-wake cycle. In a blind individual, due to absence of external cue endogenous rhythm may take upper hand and free running of sleep-wake cycle starts without any synchronicity with day-night cycle, creating ground for sleep disorders. To evaluate the frequency of sleep disorders, 65 blind individuals without any comorbid medical or surgical problem were interviewed according to the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder-IV (DSM-IV). Simultaneously 70 persons with no visual impairment were assessed in the same manner as used for blind persons. Blind patients showed far higher presence (44.6%) of sleep problems compared to controls (15.7%), and this difference was highly significant statistically [odd's ratio (OR) = 4.32, CI 95 =1.8-10.54]. Blind patients showed far higher presence (43.1%) of DSM-IV based diagnosis compared to controls (8.6%), and this difference was highly significant statistically [OR = 8.072, CI 95 = 3.059-21.298]. Circadian sleep disorders, insomnia and hypersomnia were relatively higher in blind patients. High incidence of sleep disorders calls for development of short reliable screener for sleep disorders among blind persons and better liaison among ophthalmologists and psychiatrists for early detection of this problem.