Introduction: The purpose of teaching is to facilitate learning and to encourage the learners to learn more effectively. The learning style is an individual's consistent way of perceiving, processing and retaining new information. Educational researchers have shown an increasing interest in the learning styles, the related instructional methods and the andrgogical teaching techniques. This interest is spurred by a desire to help the students to become capable and successful learners. Aim:The aim of this study was to determine the preferred learning styles of medical students as well as their preferences of specific teaching-learning methods.Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on 100 first semester medical students who were enrolled at SMS & R, Sharda University, India. The VARK questionnaire, version 7.1 was used to categorize the learning preferences/modes as visual (V), auditory (A), read and write (R) and kinaesthetic (K). The students were also asked to rank the various teaching methodologies viz. lectures, tutorials, demonstrations and practicals/dissections from the most preferred choice to the least preferred one. Results:The majority (61%) of the students had multimodal VARK preferences. Among them, 41%, 14% and 6% preferred the bimodal, trimodal and the quadrimodal ways of information presentation. 39% of the respondents had one strong (unimodal) learning preference. The most common unimodal preference was kinaesthetic, followed by visual, auditory and read and write. The most preferred teaching methodology was practical/dissection (39%) and tutorial was the least preferred one (12%). Conclusion:One single approach to teaching does not work for every student or even for most of the students. The educators' awareness of the various learning styles of the students and their efforts towards matching the teaching and learning styles may help in creating an effective learning environment for all the students.

No abstract

No abstract

Background: The ratio of the lengths of the index and the ring finger (2D:4D ratio) is generally different between men and women. This has often been used as an indicator of the levels of prenatal androgen exposure. It has hence been suggested to have a role in many gender differences including performance in sports. Men generally outperform women in most physical abilities. However, reports in various studies have been inconclusive, depending upon the physical ability tested. Hand Grip Strength (HGS) is a good measure of overall strength of an individual. Hence, we decided to determine the relationship between 2D:4D and HGS of both hands in men and women.Methods: Scanned images of both hands of young volunteers were analysed and the 2D:4D ratio calculated. HGS was measured and results correlated with 2D:4D.Results: 2D:4D ratio of men was significantly less than of women for the right (p<0.001) and the left hand (p<0.001). HGS of men was significantly greater than that of women for the right (p<0.0001) and for the left hand (p<0.0001). 2D:4D ratio in men showed a weak but significant positive correlation with HGS of right(p<0.05) and left hand(p<0.05). A weak but significant positive correlation was also seen for the left hand in females. However, 2D:4D ratios did not show any significant correlation with HGS for the right hand in women.Conclusions: We conclude that 2D:4D ratio is a measure of Hand Grip Strength in men, but is not a robust measure of HGS in women.

Introduction: Mylohyoid Bridging (MB) is a hyperostotic variation in the mandible. On the inner aspect of the ramus of the mandible, the Mylohyoid Groove (MG) is observed. The content of this groove is the mylohyoid nerve and vessels. The mylohyoid bridging can compress these neurovascular structures. Aim: To determine the incidence of mylohyoid bridging and to determine, whether it is complete/incomplete or proximal/distal or unilateral/bilateral. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, in July 2022. The study was conducted on 60 dried human mandibles (120 sides). The mandibles were collected from the Department of Anatomy. The mandibles were observed for the presence of a mylohyoid bridge on the inner aspect of its ramus on both sides. Results were expressed using descriptive statistics and were expressed in terms of frequency and percentage. Results: Mylohyoid bridge was observed in three out of 120 (2.5%) mylohyoid grooves. All the observed mylohyoid bridges were incomplete types (one each of proximal type, intermediate type, and distal type). In one of the mandible, a triangular bony spicule was noted at the proximal end of the mylohyoid groove, in a close approximation of the mandibular foramen on the right-side, whereas in one of the mandible, the mylohyoid groove was very deep, and communication between the mylohyoid groove and mandibular canal was noted. Conclusion: Knowledge regarding mylohyoid bridging will help in the successful administration of inferior alveolar nerve block.