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After witnessing the unruly and disruptive behaviour amongst college students on trivial topics, a study was conducted to find the reason behind it. The study consisted of students discussing topics like politics, situational problems etc. and it was observed that students lacked the concept of perception. Studying this even further, it was found that the cause for this was because our modern-day education focused more on literally manufacturing people for jobs and less on value systems and critical thinking. The present education system is finding it very difficult in ensuring the required quality that every student must possess. This also gives rise to students being confused about their career paths and life in general. They don't realise their true potential and abilities and thus start developing a "follow the crowd" mentality. To improve this situation, a radical change has to be brought into the education system and this change can only be supported by retrospection of India's ancient education system. The focus must now divert towards developing skills rather than just concentrating on academics. These ancient practices cannot be applied as it is in this modern era. Hence, their application calls for reinvention and resurgence to benefit today's students.

Background There are no robust guidelines on strategies to prevent the adverse skeletal effects of glucocorticoids in children. Objectives To evaluate the role of prophylactic calcium and vitamin D on bone health in children with new-onset nephrotic syndrome (NS) treated with short-term (12 weeks), high-dose glucocorticoids. Methods Prospective, randomized, controlled, single blind, interventional study conducted on 41 steroid-naive pre-pubertal children (29 boys, 12 girls). All children received prednisolone for 12 weeks (60 mg/[m.sup.2]/day daily for 6 weeks, followed by 40 mg/[m.sup.2]/day alternate days for 6 weeks). Recruited children were randomized into the intervention group (IG; vitamin D 1,000 IU/day and elemental calcium 500 mg/day) and the control group (CG). Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (L1-L4) were estimated at baseline and at 12 weeks. Mean percentage changes in BMC and BMD in IG and CG were compared. Results Children in the IG showed an increase of 11.2% in BMC versus the CG, who showed an 8.9% fall (p < 0.0001). Net intervention-attributable difference in BMC was 20.1%. BMD increased in both groups (IG 2.8% vs CG 0.74%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.27). Conclusions Short-term, high-dose glucocorticoid therapy decreases the BMC of the lumbar spine in steroid-naive children with NS. Vitamin D and calcium co-administration not only prevents this decline, but also enhances BMC of the lumbar spine. Keywords Nephrotic syndrome * Glucocorticoids * BMC * BMD * DXA * Calcium * Vitamin D, Introduction Infancy and childhood are crucial periods for skeletal mineral acquisition. Threats to bone health during childhood are harmful in the long term, since the growth and development of the [...]

Introduction: Differentiating an acute from chronic compression fracture of the thoracolumbar (TL) spine can pose a dilemma for radiologists interpreting spinal imaging following trauma. Mild wedging of the vertebrae can be due to spondylosis or osteoporosis, whilst acute simple compression fractures may not always be associated with loss of body height. In this observational study, we hypothesize that the presence of a vertebral body cortical step is a reliable sign of an acute compression fracture on Computed Tomography (CT) scans. Methods: In a retrospective review of thoracolumbar CT scans following trauma, two observers analysed for the presence of a cortical step at the anterior or posterior vertebral body cortex, fracture morphology and associated injuries. A 'cortical step' is defined as a break of hyperdense cortex on CT scans, intervening non-sclerosed trabecular bone, and sharp overlap of the underlying cortex. MRI of the spine was used as gold standard. Results: 187 consecutive CT scans over 2 years were assessed. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of cortical step sign were 100%, 90.2% and 97% in diagnosing an acute thoracolumbar compression fracture, respectively. The interobserver reliability was high (kappa = 0.97). False positive cortical step was seen in Kummel's disease and large Schmorl's nodule. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity of 'cortical step sign' in diagnosing acute vertebral body compression fractures of TL spine on CT scans in patients with trauma. This sign can be useful to radiologists for safe clearance of the thoracolumbar spine following trauma, helping distinguish acute trauma from chronic causes of vertebral body height loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metacarpal fractures are common, accounting for 40 % of all hand injuries. The use of plates for the fixation of these fractures allows early aggressive hand therapy post-operatively, reducing post-operative stiffness. Traditionally, bicortical fixation is the standard practice, where both dorsal and palmar cortices of the metacarpal are drilled through, with screws engaging both cortices. Recent biomechanical studies have shown that unicortical fixation, where only the near cortex is drilled and engaged by the screw, results in no difference in stiffness, load to failure or failure mechanism, when compared with bicortical fixation. This trial aims to compare fracture union, complication rate and functional outcomes between unicortical and bicortical fixation for adults with displaced metacarpal fractures.Methods/design: All adults with displaced diaphyseal metacarpal fracture requiring plate fixation are potentially eligible to take part in this study. A total of 315 consenting patients will be randomly allocated to either unicortical or bicortical plate and screw fixation. The surgery will be performed in specialist hand trauma units across the UK. Data regarding fracture healing, hand function, quality of life, and complications will be collected at 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 6 months following surgery.Discussion: This pragmatic, prospective, multi-centre, randomized controlled trial is expected to deliver results in 2018.Trial Registration: ISRCTN 18006607 . Registered on 19 Nov 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]