Introduction: Medical students encounter a constant pressure of academic and clinical activities, as well as easy access to drugs which could enable them to use different substances. Medical students who use substances can endanger others by losing sound judgment, failing to take responsibility, and causing harm to service recipients. Objective: The study was aimed to find out the prevalence and pattern of substance use among undergraduate medical students of Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Nepal. Methodology: This hospital based cross sectional study was carried out from January 2021 to February 2021 at Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Morang Nepal. A total of 207 subjects were included in the study, which was selected using convenience sampling. All participants were given a self-prepared semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire in order to gather information about their sociodemographic profile and pattern of substance use. Result: The overall prevalence of substance use among students of BMCTH was 59 (28.50%) (n=207). Males were significantly associated with substance use than females (P < 0.001). Prevalence of substance use were maximum among final year students 26(76.47%). The most common used substance was alcohol 49 (83.05%) followed by tobacco smoking 24 (40.67%) and cannabis 11 (18.64%).Curiosity of experience 39 (35.77%) and seeking pleasure 19 (17.43%) were the main reason of substance use among students. Conclusion: In this study students were found to be involved in some form of substance use, with many of them initiating after enrolling in medical school. Majority of students used for the sake of fun which they use as a source of entertainment to deviate their minds from the pressure of studies.

Background: The pterion is defined as an H shaped sutural confluence present on the lateral side of the skull. This pterion junction has been used as a common extra-cranial landmark for surgeons in microsurgical and surgical approaches towards important pathologies of this region. Methods:This is ananalytical cross sectional study conducted at Department of Anatomy, Birat Medical College & Teaching Hospital, Tankisinuwari, Morang, Nepal. Total enumeration technique was used to collect samples where 31 dry human skulls of unknown age and sex were taken. The sutural pattern and location of the pterion was determined and measured on both sides of each skull using digitalvernier caliper. Results: Three types of sutural patterns of pterion were observed. Among them, Sphenoparietal type was higher in frequency.The frequency was 26 (83.8%) on the right side and 24 (77.4%) on the left side. The distance between the centre of pterion to the midpoint of upper border of zygomatic arch was 3.82±0.3 cm on the right side and 3.8±0.29 cm on the left side. The distance between the centre of pterion to the postero-lateral aspect of fronto-zygomatic suture was 3.02±0.23 cmon the right side and 3.0±0.23 cm on the left side. Conclusions: The information of thesutural pattern and the location of the pterion from the different bony landmarks of our study may be useful for anthropologists and neurosurgeons.

Introduction: The anatomical relationship of the Anterior Clinoid Process (ACP) with its neighboring structures in the base of the skull is complex with different variations. Thus, study of its morphology is essential in defining and directing surgery. Objective: This study aims to investigate the anatomy of the anterior clinoid process and prevalence of Caroticoclinoid foramen (CCF) to highlight its variations. Methodology: The measurements were performed in 31 dry human skulls to define the structure of ACP, the presence of CCF and other relevant landmarks using digital Vernier Calipers. Results: The mean length, basal width and thickness of the right ACP was 9.88+/- 1.36 mm, 8.72+/-1.50 mm, and 5.21+/-1.83 mm respectively and that of the left was 10.30+/-1.47, 8.73+/-1.71, and 5.33+/-1.60 mm respectively.  Paired t-test was used to compare the mean of these sides. Type III was the most common form of ACP for both the sides. Out of 31 skulls, CCF was observed in 12 (38.7%) skulls with 7 (22.6%) in right and 5 (16.13%) in left side. Distances between neighboring ACP’s, between Posterior Clinoid process (PCP), between ACP to Crista Galli (CG) and ACP to PCP were 24.41+/-2.32, 20.01+/-3.23, 31.6+/-2.20, and 8.30+/-3.10 mm respectively. Conclusion: This article highlights the detailed morphology of ACP. There is variation in relation to its dimensions across other studies. This study also explores the prevalence of CCF and parasellar landmarks in relation to ACP giving an idea of the exposure achievable during surgical approach of the region.

Vitamin A status was measured in 50 pre-school children with acute and persistent diarrhoea. It was measured by (a) Fluorometric micromethod and (b) Conjunctival impression cytology (CIC). The results were compared with 25 normal children. Vitamin A status was lower in children with persistent diarrhoea whereas the results were comparable between the children with acute diarrhoea and control subjects.

Background: The superficial veins of the cubital fossa are frequently variable in existence and arrangement. Many clinical procedures, such as reconstructive microsurgery and arterial bypass surgery, as well as intravenous injections or therapy, require the use of superficial veins. Aims and Objective: The aim of the study was to observe and describe the variations in anatomical distribution of the superficial veins of the cubital fossa in Nepalese pre-clinical medical students. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study included a total of 98 students between 18 to 24 years of age. A total of 196 anterior aspects of both arms were examined for cubital venous pattern. A tourniquet was applied at the mid-arm and drawing of the pattern of veins was made on a separate unglazed paper. The venous patterns in the cubital fossa were then categorized based on their gender. Results: Six patterns of superficial veins of the cubital fossa were observed. The commonest pattern in both genders was type I pattern. No statistical significant difference was observed between patterns of superficial veins on the right and left cubital fossa (P = 0.728 and 0.825 respectively) in both male and female subjects. Conclusion: Our research showed six venous patterns of superficial veins at the cubital fossa in Nepalese population. Understanding the common anatomy, patterns and variations of superficial vein anastomosis is imperative as this knowledge would help those needing venous access for various medical procedures.