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Objective: To evaluate the influence of menstrual cycle on auditory and visual reaction times.Method: This study was conducted on thirty, healthy, regularly menstruating female subjects who were in the age group of 18-25 years. Influence of different phases of menstrual cycle on Auditory Reaction Time (ART) and Visual Reaction Time (VRT) was evaluated by using a portable audiovisual reaction time apparatus. Result:The statistical tests which were used were ANOVA and Students 't' test, which showed that there were significant increases in ART and VRT during luteal phase, as compared to those in follicular phase. Conclusion:Changes in ART and VRT during different phases of menstrual cycle could be due to changes in the levels of female sex hormones, which in turn may lead to salt and water retention. INTRODUCTIONMenstrual cycle refers to the cyclic changes which occur in the endometrium during active reproductive years in females, leading to a recurrent monthly bleeding per vaginum. Menstrual cycle of 28 days can be divided into 3 phases, menstrual, proliferative (follicular), and luteal (secretory). About 24 hours before the end of menstrual cycle, oestrogen and progesterone levels decline, resulting in menstrual bleeding. This is followed by a proliferative phase which is under the influence of oestrogen and then the secretory phase, which is under the influence of oestrogen and progesterone [1].Gonadal hormones not only influence the reproductive functions, but they also display neuroactive effects [2]. Some behavioural and neurological symptoms like a decreased concentration, nervous irritability, emotional instability, poor judgement, depression and tension are seen in women during the premenstrual phase [3].Reaction time is used to measure the ability in processing information and in judging the ability to concentrate and coordinate [4]. Reaction time is defined as the time interval between the application of a stimulus and an appropriate voluntary response from the subject [5]. It has been used as a measure of cognition [6].It is considered to be an index of speed of processing [7]. It represents the level of neuromuscular coordination in which the body, through different physical, chemical and mechanical processes, decodes ART and VRT, which travel via afferent pathways and reach the brain as sensory stimuli [8]. Studies have shown that reaction time is significantly prolonged during premenstrual phase [3,5,9,10]. MATERIAL AND METHODSThis study was conducted in the Department of Physiology SSIMS and RC after getting the approval of the institutional ethical committee, from September 2012 to December 2012. Thirty, apparently healthy, eumenorrhic females who were in the age group of 18-25 years, who did not have any history of irregular menstrual cycles, pregnancy, lactation or use of contraceptives in past one year, were included in the study. Subjects with a history of visual or hearing disorders, any psychiatric illness or sleep disorders, smoking or alcohol intake were excluded from the study. Th...

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Introduction: The aim of Self-directed Learning (SDL) is to motivate the undergraduate student to become a lifelong learner who plays an active role in the acquisition of knowledge and skills. With the implementation of competency based medical education (CBME) in 2019, SDL has become an integral part of the curriculum hence it is important to know whether our students are ready for it or not. Aim: To assess the readiness of the students of Medical College and college of Nursing and Paramedical sciences, Government medical college, Anantnag for SDL. Materials and Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 295 undergraduate medical and paramedical students of Government medical college, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Williamson’s SDL readiness scale (SDLRS) was provided to the students who were instructed to describe themselves by indicating on the Likert scale, the extent to which the item best described their personal attitude. The score ranges from 60 to 300. Data was calculated in form of frequency (n) and percentages (%) and was analysed by using Pearson Chi-square test. Results: Out of the 295 students (150 were boys and 145 were girls, 195 medical and 100 paramedical students), mean age 19.07±0.762 years, who took part in the study, 40% (N=118) had high readiness scores, 52.88% (N=156) had moderate score and 7.12% (N=21) had low score. A total of 45.52 % (N=66) of girls had high readiness as compared to 34.66% (N=52) boys. Nursing and paramedical students appeared to be more ready for SDL than Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students as 52% (N=52) of nursing and paramedical students had a high score whereas only 33.85 % (N=66) of medical students had a high score and this difference was statistically significant (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Most of the medical and paramedical students seem to be ready for self-directed learning and paramedics are more ready for SDL than medical students. Female students seem to be more receptive for SDL as compared to male students.

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Background: The Prevalence of blindness is reported to be very high (2% and above) in J & K with cataract being the leading cause of blindness. Others are uncorrected refractive errors, childhood blindness, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy. Since major burden of blindness is due to preventable causes, early detection and treatment of ocular morbidity is very important in all the age groups. Therefore we took up the present student with an aim to find out the prevalence of ocular morbidity (irrespective of the age) in Kashmiri population attending a tertiary eye care center. Materials & Methods: This is a hospital based cross sectional study which was conducted at Al Kabir Eye care center, Srinagar, J&K after approval from institutional ethical committee. The data was collected over a period of 2 years (2017 and 2018) from 4595 patients who was then analyzed to find out the prevalence of various ocular morbidities and was expressed in percentage. Detailed ophthalmological examination was done by experienced and qualified ophthalmologists. Results: Our study shows that the most Prevalent ocular morbidity in the study group was cataract (30%) followed by refractive errors (21%), diabetic retinopathy (17%), glaucoma (15%), childhood diseases (13%),squint (3 %) and corneal blindness( 1 %). Conclusion: High prevalence of ocular morbidity calls for early screening of the population and creating awareness among them. Since most of the causes of ocular morbidity are preventable therefore educating the masses regarding healthy eye care practices, periodic eye checkups, importance of vitamin A in the diet, availability of subsidized cataract surgeries and other eye care services is important.

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