Objectives:The study aims to understand the process and factors influencing the implementation of structured oral examination (SOE) for undergraduate medical students; in comparison with conventional oral examination (COE) in pharmacology.Methods:In a randomized, parallel group study, 123 students of pharmacology were divided into two groups, SOE (n = 63) and COE (n = 60). Students of each group were subdivided into two, and four examiners took viva voce individually. Three sets of questionnaires from autonomic nervous system were prepared, each having 15 items with increasing difficulty levels and were validated by subject experts and pretested. Ten minutes were allotted for each student for each viva. Feedback of students and faculty about the novel method was obtained.Results:SOE yielded significantly lower marks as compared to COE. There were significant inter-examiner variations in marks awarded in SOE and COE. Other factors influencing implementation were difficulty in structuring viva, rigid time limits, lack of flexibility in knowledge content, monotony, and fatigue. The students perceived this format not different from COE but felt that it required in-depth preparation of topic. Faculty opined that SOE led to less drift from main topic and provided uniform coverage of topics in given time.Conclusion:Conducting SOE is a resource-intensive exercise. Despite structuring, inter-examiner variability was not completely eliminated. The students’ performance was depended on factors related to examiners such as teaching experience, vernacular language used, and lack of training. Orientation and training of examiners in assessment strategies is necessary. Standardization of questionnaire is necessary before the implementation of SOE for summative assessment.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a glucose tolerance disorder that occurs or is diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. Perinatal morbidity is more and women with GDM have more risk of developing diabetes. Uttar Pradesh is a state of India with one of the highest rate of infant as well as maternal mortality which might be, at least partially, due to GDM. Thus, appropriate assessment and management of GDM can improve the outcomes. Aims & Objectives: Primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of GDM and evaluate the maternal and fetal outcome in and around Kanpur. Thus, this study was undertaken to know the extent of burden on the healthcare, before scope of intervention could be defined. Materials and Methods: A prospective study (September, 2012-October, 2014) was done at 198 healthcare facilities. 24,656 mothers were screened (24 th-28 th weeks of pregnancy) as per guidelines of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group India (DIPSI) and Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI). Results: > 94% pregnant women did not know about GDM. Prevalence of GDM was 14.42%. Stillbirth, Perinatal & neonatal mortality were respectively 2, 3.3 & 6 times higher in GDM. Most of the GDM were diagnosed in primigravida (62%). Congenital Malformation was 8 times higher. Low Birth Weight (LBW) was 35% in GDM (16% in Non GDM). GDM positive cases had 20.6% positive family history of diabetes (compared to 6.5% in non-GDM). Relative risks for PBU (post birth unit), LGA (large for gestational age), LBW (low birth weight), pre-eclampsia and jaundice were also higher. Conclusion: A well predictive screening criteria is needed. As the ignorance about GDM among pregnant ladies is high, to reduce the risk, awareness can be an area of thrust.

Xylanases have a great potential, mainly known for industrial applications. They can hydrolyze the xylose (Hemicellulose of plant cell wall) and can be used for bio-bleaching the kraft pulp. As it reduces the requirement of harsh chemicals in the process, it can be used further to a number of bio-products with a great aggregate value. Microbial-origin xylanases can also be used in improving the nutritional quality of animal feed (e.g. food additives to poultry, piggery or fishery) and indirectly affect the humans. Additionally they can be used directly in human food in bakery, clarification of juices and in xenobiotics like tobacco processing. The great value of xylanase as a bio-bleaching agent has now a new dimension of fiber digesting agent having relevance to food, drugs and cosmetics act. This review presents some important applications of Xylanases extended up to biomedical sciences. [Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2013; 2(3.000): 237-246

Background: G6PD deficiency is distributed worldwide including India and is involved in accidental hemolysis and anemia by inadvertent use of oxidizing drugs. Awareness of community wise occurrence of G6PD deficiency can help in screening beforehand. Methods: On 150 community wise classified, non-anemic, non- hemolysed (in recent past) visitors of pathological laboratory attached to C U Shah Medical College, Surendranagar, Gujarat, Crayman’s hemoglobin colorimetric kit (item no 700540) was used to estimate normal or below normal status of G6PD. Results: 10 people (6.6% of population) were found deficient – 7 (4 male + 3 female) from Harijan community, 2 (1 male + 1 female) from Rabbari community and 1 (1 male + 0 female) from Lohana community. Conclusions: While applying oxidizing drugs in a person of Harijan community (prevalence 7 out of total 26, i.e. 27%), extra caution is required, esp. if a person otherwise vulnerable (e.g. alcoholic). For other less represented communities, larger stratified sampling is required. [Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2013; 2(2.000): 170-176

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