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Aim and background Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is thought to be multifactorial in origin. Very recently the focus has shifted to the involvement of a family of candidate genes in the pathogenesis of LDD. There is particular emphasis on the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR gene). The VDR polymorphisms FOK1, TAQ1, and APO1 have been variably associated with LDD. Objective To evaluate the association between the FOK1/Taq1 genes and LDD. Materials and methods One hundred unrelated healthy (asymptomatic) individuals who presented for routine health checkup and 93 consecutive patients (43 males and 50 females) with no history of low back pain were enrolled in the study after informed consent was obtained. The MRI images of cases and controls were graded and peripheral blood samples were collected from all participants and sent for genetic analysis. Results Individuals with the dominant genotype for Taq1 had a significantly higher association with LDD than those without it. There was no association between LDD and the Fok1 genotype. Conclusion Genetic predisposition is an important risk factor for LDD.

Background: Formative evaluation has been effective in promoting active learning and a better futureperformance in students after immediate personalized feedback.Aim and Objectives: To analyze the effect of “Direct observation of procedural skills” (DOPS) assessmentand immediate feedback for first year MBBS students in estimation of RBC Count.Methodology: The study was done on first year MBBS students (n=120) during the Physiology practicalclass. Checklist for estimation of RBC count (15 steps) was prepared by six faculty members. The formativepractical test was divided into two practical sessions. During the first session, each faculty observed 4students performing RBC estimation one by one (DOPS) and the details were recorded in the checklist.Similarly in five practical classes 120 participants were evaluated and immediate feedback was given tothem for two minutes. In the second session the same procedure was followed and results were compared.Students perception about the assessment process (DOPS) was documented by feedback questionnaire asper Likert scale.Results: The mean practical marks of the participants before feedback was 8.32 ± 2.25 and after feedbackwas 10.18 ± 1.81 (P

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) autonomic neuropathy and reflux esophagitis are common in chronic diabetics. To gauge the adequacy of peristalsis, high-resolution esophageal manometry is considered as a reliable test. Aim and Objective: To compare the GI symptoms and high-resolution manometry parameters between type II diabetes patients and normal volunteers. Materials and Methods: This comparative study was conducted on 35 known type II diabetes mellitus patients (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] levels ≥6.5%) and 35 normal volunteers between the age group of 35 and 70 years. Sociodemographic details, drug history, disease duration, and GI symptoms were elicited among the study participants. HbA1c and High-resolution manometry were measured for all the participants. Results: The frequency of epigastric pain (31.48%), heartburn (34.28%), pharyngeal irritation (31.43%), and loose stools (37.14%) were significantly higher in the diabetics. Significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in mean basal expiratory pressure (MBEP) and mean basal inspiratory pressure (MBIP) values between diabetics and controls. There was a positive significant correlation between esophagogastric junction contractile integral and MBIP (r = 0.557), MBEP (r = 0.583), Median Integrated Relaxation pressure (r = 0.410). Conclusion: Hyperglycaemia seems to be an independent risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Obesity significantly increments the occurrence of GERD in diabetics. Strict adherence to preventive measures such as weight reduction, diet management, glycaemic control will have a great impact on the occurrence of GERD in diabetics.

Background: Hypertension is a chronic condition of concern due to its role in the cardiovascular complications. Poor compliance is assumed to be an important explanation for inadequate blood pressure control, convincing evidence for the same is lacking. This study was undertaken to provide such evidence, so that corrective measures can be recommended to attain better BP control. The aims and objectives of the study were to study compliance pattern and side effects of anti-hypertensive drugs among the known hypertensive patients; to study role of different factors that influence the compliance rate such as age, number of medications, frequency and follow-up visits of antihypertensive medication.Methods: A total of 207 hypertensive patients were identified from the family folders maintained in the Urban Health Centre, RMMCH and included in the investigation. During first visits, socio-demographic, drug intake history was taken. Follow up was done every two months and thus totally six visits were completed.Results: Socio demographic factors like age, marital status, literacy, occupation and income have no role on the compliance status. Sex has significant association with the compliance level (86.1%), where males have 93.4% and females 82.7% compliance (p