Introduction:: Clinical exposure to assist pharmacology teaching is essential for training the medical students to apply the pharmacological therapeutic principles in medical practice. In view of this, we planned to introduce and implement a new module in pharmacology – case of the month series and get the feedback of undergraduate medical students. Materials and methods:: The study was conducted on second-year MBBS students after obtaining permission from Institutional Ethics Committee. Topics for the case of the month series were predefined and announced to the students. During their clinical posting, the students were given a proforma to collect the details, including the patient details, presenting illness, past history, provisional diagnosis, investigations, and treatment chart. The case of the month had to be submitted to the faculty who would then discuss it with the batch after practical classes. The students‟ feedback was collected at the end of four such case-of-the-month series as a questionnaire with a few open-ended questions. Results:: A total of 204 students submitted the responses online; their mean age was 20.6±1.4 years. 56.3% of students were of the opinion that this exercise was helpful for rational prescription of drugs in the future. 52% of the students opined that the series was interesting and stimulating. Conclusion: The case of the month series was well perceived by students and faculty. It also stimulated the interest of medical students in learning the importance of clinical pharmacology.

No abstract available.
Colorectal Neoplasms*

The aortic arch gives rise to three classical branches, namely the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery. We report a rare variation of the left common carotid artery and the right vertebral arteries originating from the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left vertebral artery that was arising from the arch of the aorta, proximal to the origin of the left subclavian artery. Variations in the branching pattern of the arch of aorta can alter the cerebral haemodynamics that leads to cerebral abnormalities. Knowledge of the variations in the classical branches of the arch of aorta is important in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysm after subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Aorta, Thoracic ; abnormalities ; pathology ; Brachiocephalic Trunk ; abnormalities ; anatomy & histology ; Cadaver ; Carotid Artery, Common ; abnormalities ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Subclavian Artery ; abnormalities ; anatomy & histology ; Vertebral Artery ; abnormalities ; anatomy & histology

Animals ; Attitude to Health ; Food Parasitology ; Humans ; Neurocysticercosis ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Taenia solium

The study is to investigate the foot care practices among filarial lymphoedema patients, which is relevant to strengthen the second pillar of the Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (PELF). The patients are drawn randomly from a clinic as well as from the community. After getting verbal consent, each patient was subjected to an in-depth interview by using a structured questionnaire on how she/he dealt with lymphoedema and probed about various foot care practices. Of the six foot care measures, most of the patients are practising one or two measures only. Substantial numbers of patients are practising the washing the affected limb regularly. Though majority use normal footwear, none of the patients use specially made footwear. Other foot care practices like, massaging, elevation and exercising of affected, limb and use of bandage are practised by a few patients. The patients' education and lymphoedema grade had significant influence on number of foot care practices adopted. The present results are not surprising, but disappointing, as a few patients are practising the measures specifically aimed to ameliorate the lymphoedema condition. Though the present study area is covered by the mass drug administration under PELF, no serious attempts are made to alleviate disability and morbidity control. Appropriate care of affected limb at early stage can help in prevention or reversal of the progression of the disease, in addition to decrease in frequency of acute lymphangitis attacks. PELF is one of the functions of primary healthcare (PHC) system and hence, peripheral level health institutions of PHC system including primary health centres, health sub-centres and their health workers should take lead in encouraging the patients to modify their behaviour with foot care practices.
Pes ; Lymphedema ; Health ; Extremities ; Surveys