BACKGROUND Smartphone-a hand-held minicomputer housing in itself innumerable applications (Apps) from as simple as a clock to more complex apps like mobile banking etc. has completely revolutionized the very existence of human beings. There are myriads of apps available to the medical fraternity, which aids in not only practicing medicine but learning it too. The major advantage is the convenience it provides in accessing and organizing the data at a speed which is manually inconceivable. But as every coin has two sides, this tool like any other has disadvantages too. Distraction, dependence and reliability of information are some to name a few. The present survey was undertaken as a preliminary step to discern the stance of medical and dental students towards smartphone and its integration as an aid to promote teaching and learning. METHODS A questionnaire based cross sectional study was conducted in SGT University and Manav Rachna Dental College. A total of 750 MBBS and BDS students participated in the study. RESULTS The study revealed that smartphones have permeated the medical education system, but their use is still limited to sharing timetables, assignment and staying connected with teachers and fellow students. Portability, ease of accessing data, time management, cost effectiveness and respite from carrying heavy books everywhere have endeared the device to students. But a majority of them (83%) still feel more comfortable in learning texts from conventional textbooks. CONCLUSIONS Though the merits of incorporating smartphones in our education system definitely outnumber the demerits, one cannot ignore the challenges facing us today. Addressing the limitations, especially devising a method to keep the smartphones in the campus but out of our lectures is of utmost importance.

BACKGROUND:The second most common reason for blindness worldwide is refractive error. Not only is the global burden of refractive error very high, but also increasing every day. A number of associated serious complications and the various modes of treatment aspect of the refractive errors, warrants the necessity to explore the various factors that have impact on them. The present study was done with the purpose of establishing the relation of refractive error with corneal curvature of the eye in adult subjects. This study was done on one thousand eyes, of five hundred adult cases, over a total period of 2 years. The cases included were of both sex's male and female, taken from Patiala and around Patiala. The subjects were recruited on the basis of inclusion criteria: refractive error-myopia and hyperopia, aged between 20-40 years. The subjects in our study included students of M.B.B.S. (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) and B.D.S. (Bachelor of Dental Sciences) and routine OPD (outpatient door) patients falling in the range of concern of my study. The instruments used in this study were: Auto refractor and Auto keratometer for measuring refractive error and corneal curvature respectively. Each subject was explained thoroughly about the whole procedure. Their informed written consent was also taken. General examination was done in each and every case. Thereafter local examination was done and the two concerned ocular parameters were recorded. The aim was to find in the subjects the type and degree of refractive error and corneal curvature and to find the relationship in between the two parameters. Statistical analysis was done of the data obtained. The results of our present study have showed that the spherical refractive error has statistically highly significant positive correlation with corneal curvature, in right eye (r=0.159, p<0.01) and in left eye (r=0.184, p<0.01). It means that as we progress from myopic to hyperopic refractive error accordingly the corneal curvature increases. In myopia or shortsightedness, image is formed in front of retina. Increase in myopic refractive error is found to be in close association with decreased corneal curvature. In hyperopia or long sightedness, image is formed behind the retina. Increased corneal curvature of the eyeball is found to be closely associated with hyperopia.

BACKGROUND: Dissection of human cadaver forms an integral part of anatomy pedagogy. 'Willed body donation' is a must to maintain a constant supply of cadavers for anatomy teaching. To encourage the public towards body donation we must first develop a positive attitude in medical professionals towards the same. AIMS: The present study aims to evaluate the awareness, attitudes, beliefs of doctors towards willed body donation. METHOD: A questionnaire was administered to 250 consenting doctors (divided into two groups-male doctors and female doctors) practicing Delhi and NCR India. RESULTS: It was observed that though doctors unanimously agree to the importance of dissection in anatomy teaching and understanding they are themselves not keen on donating their bodies. The number of female doctors (29%) consenting to donation is significantly less than the number of male doctors (52%) (p<.0001). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Dissection does modulate the attitudes of doctors towards donation. Whether it is the disrespectful behavior they see being observed towards the cadaver in the dissection hall or the detachment and depersonalization they feel bound to develop towards the cadaver in order to dissect it, the outcome remainsthey are not eager to consider such fate for their own dead corpse. As the success of willed body donor programs lies in the trust the health care professionals develop with the public, it is imperative to first address and allay their fears -psychological and spiritual. Only when the doctors support this idea in all its entirety can we hope to address and preach the society of the importance of body donation. Inclusion of literature in the curriculum, seminars conducted in medical conferences and media such as television and print media are some of the suggested platform to address this issue. A positive change in society's attitude towards body donation is the ultimate goal.

BACKGROUND: Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of epidermal ridges and their configurations on the palmar region of hand and fingers and plantar region of foot and toes. The myocardial infarction is almost always caused by coronary artery disease. Against the genetic background of dermatoglyphic patterns and coronary artery disease, the study was undertaken to determine the correlation between them. AIMS To do a comparative study of the dermatoglyphics (finger tip pattern) in patients with myocardial infarction and control group and to assess the usefulness of finger tip pattern in serving as a predictor for myocardial infarction. SETTING AND DESIGN: The study was done in 200 persons of age between 40 to 75 years. Out of them,100 were confirmed cases of CAD and 100 were normal healthy controls. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The finger and palmar prints of both hands were taken on white paper by Ink method and kores duplicating ink was used for taking the prints. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: In statistical analysis SPSS software was used and Z test was used. The p value less than .001 and .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the total number of whorls are significantly higher in patients with myocardial infarction and total number of loops are significantly lower in patients with CAD. Such difference was significant only in right thumb, left thumb, right ring finger and left little finger. Similarly, loops were significantly less in right thumb, right index finger, right and left little finger. With regard to high incidence of MI, it can be concluded that the knowledge of dermatoglyphics in patients with MI can be utilized to find out genetic correlation. The existence of such relation might be important in the screening program for prevention of MI.

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