Neha Uppal

Introduction: The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus has been closely associated with dysfunctions observed in Insulin formation and pancreatic b cell functioning. Hepatic glucose output and insulin secretion from fasting levels of glucose and insulin have been widely validated clinically and epidemiologically to form a mathematical tool for estimating insulin resistance and b cell function. The tool has been named as the homeostasis Model Assessment tool (HOMA) and QUICK I index. The present study was designed to evaluate various biochemical parameters in two insulin resistance groups established by cutoffs of HOMA index and QUICK I. Materials and Methods: Total 5 00 non diabetic subjects attending the out-patient department of Sri Guru Ram Das Institute Of Medical Sciences and research Vallah, Sri Amritsar were included in the present study. After excluding 23 persons having HBA1C > 7 % we were left with 477 subjects. They were analyzed for Fasting Blood Glucose, HBA1C, S. Insulin and Lipid Profile. HOMA-IR index and QUICK I index were calculated using formulas. On the basis of the cutoffs of the above indices, the non diabetic persons were divided into High and Low insulin resistance groups. Results: Prevalence of insulin resistance in non diabetic general population was 41.5 % as estimated by cutoffs established by QUICK I index. It was much lower when HOMA IR index was used. Conclusion: Quick I is the more sensitive index as compared to HOMA IR for the screening of Insulin resistance. Moreover, the amount of adipose tissue is the risk factor for Insulin resistance and not the sex. Keywords:  Insulin Resistance, QUICK I, Modified QUICK I, HOMA Ir.

Introduction: Anaemia has a major negative impact in the development of children and increases the risk of child mortality. It also reduces the cognitive and physical development. IDA is also ranked as the third leading cause of disability worldwide and the 13th leading risk factor for the global disability adjusted life years. Anaemia among children has been characterized as the haemoglobin (Hb) concentration present below the diagnostic reference range. These Hb levels vary based on the age of the child and the laboratory that is diagnosing the patient. Reference ranges have to be followed based on the age and diagnosing laboratory. As per the study by World Health Organization (WHO), the Hb levels among children have been characterized for recognizing the case of anaemia. These Hb levels are age group of 6-59 months ), in the age group of 13-14 years). In almost half of these cases, the abnormality is not evident following simple full blood examination and is only detected by complete anemia panel to differentiate between various caused so that exact treatment can be provided for proper development. Materials and Methods: The present study will be undertaken in the Department of Biochemistry, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Sri Amritsar. Study Design: The present observational cross-sectional study was conducted on total of 3 00 children aged 6-60 months , diagnosed with Low Haemoglobin (11 gm %

Introduction: Interaction between the tutor and the pupils becomes the bedrock and keystone of active small group learning medical school sessions. These sessions have been corroborated to surpass didactic lectures in a large class at enhancing critical thought process thus carving out attitudes and values essential for a medical graduate. The core skills of questioning, listening, responding and explaining are better manifested in a small group discussion technique. Various facilitating technologies such as thinking time, buzz groups, syndicates etc impassion students to discuss and improve understanding. Syndicates is a novel peer group teaching learning tool which may help modifying students behavior and leads to enhanced grasping of content as compared to traditional methods. Objectives: The Objective of the present study is to sensitize the faculty and introduce syndicates in the Department of Biochemistry, SGRDIMSAR, Sri Amritsar. Materials and Methods: The present interventional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, SGRDIMSAR, Amritsar after obtaining the prior approval of the institutional ethical committee. A total of 115 students were involved in the present study. The study was done in two different Batches (Batch A and Batch B) on two different occasions. They were divided into 3 groups (Each group having one Facilitator). To begin with the study the faculty was sensitized for Syndicate method of learning. At the end of the session, two students from each group compile and taught their topics to rest of the two batches on behalf of their group. A semi-structured feedback questionnaire including both open and closed ended questions was filled by the students. It was followed by Focus group discussion (FGD) of the Faculty. These were statistically analyzed to evaluate the perception of faculty and students for syndicate method of small group learning. Results: After the conduction of Syndicates session, most of the students opined that these type of sessions help them understand better, learn better from their peers, gave laid back students a chance to present and wanted such sessions more frequently for various dry and difficult topics. Conclusion: Syndicate groups can make learning experience more interesting; create many chances for creative exchange of ideas and lead to better retention of knowledge as compared to teacher oriented methods. Overall it was a satisfactory erudition for the first professional medical graduates. Keywords: Syndicates, Small Group Learning, Biochemistry Curriculum, Innovative teachinglearning methods.

Introduction: Thyroid disorders exhibit widespread effects on mineral and lipid metabolism. Free or ionized calcium is biologically active but not routinely measured. Previous studies carried out on serum calcium in thyroid disorders reveal conflicting results. Materials and Methods: The present study conducted in the department of Biochemistry, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Sri Amritsar, consisted of two groups – group 1 (healthy females) and group 2 (newly diagnosed hypothyroid females). Estimation of serum Thyroid stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels were done by 3rd generation assay, FT4 and FT3 were estimated by Enhanced Chemiluminesence using vitros ECi by Orthoclinical Diagnostics. Serum Magnesium was estimated by calmagite method, Serum calcium by Cresolphthalein complexone method and serum total protein was estimated by biuret method, end point. Serum ionized calcium and magnesium was estimated using formulas. Results: In our study the decrease in serum total calcium was insignificant whereas serum ionized calcium depicted a significant difference in two groups. Serum total and ionized magnesium both showed a significant difference in two groups.  Conclusion: Despite the measurement of free calcium being a better indicator of calcium homeostasis as compared to total calcium, it has not replaced the latter and should be routinely estimated.  Keywords: Total calcium, Ionized calcium, Ionized magnesium, Minerals, Hypothyroidism.

Introduction: Patients’ evaluation of care is a realistic tool to provide opportunity for improvement, enhance strategic decision making, reduce cost, meet patients' expectations, frame strategies for effective management, monitor healthcare performance of health plans and provide benchmarking across the healthcare institutions. Surveys have become a tool to quantify the consumer experience. To the best of our knowledge, there is till date very little data reviewing the patient satisfaction for clinical biochemistry laboratory. Thus, this study is planned to find out the perception of patients for laboratory services for its improvement. Materials and Methods: Using the patient perception for laboratory services as a surrogate marker for quality and value of health care delivery, we reviewed the experience of 100 patients through well designed pre-validated questionnaires, having 11 closed ended and two open ended questions and evaluating the association between quality and patient reported experience for discussing the future opportunities and methods of improvement in Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, SGRDIMSAR, and Amritsar. Results: The overall satisfaction level for laboratory services was very high being 100% for cleanliness and referring the laboratory services to others. It was 97.3% indicating excellent staff behaviour whereas the least was for locating the laboratory i.e. 89.19%. Conclusion: The overall degree of patient satisfaction was very high especially regarding the cleanliness of toilets & behaviour and guidance of the laboratory staff. This would really help in boosting their morale and future willingness to work harder and serve patients in a better manner. Keywords: Patient perception, Laboratory, Surveys, Patient cantered care, Questionnaire.