Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (MGMCRI) is a medical college and hospital located in the Bahour taluk of the union territory of Puducherry, India. The institute is run by the institution of Sri Balaji Educational and Charitable Public Trust (SBECPT) and founded by chairman, Shri M.K. Rajagopalan.The institution is recognized by the Medical Council of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India, and the Government of Puducherry. M.G.M.C.R.I was affiliated to Pondicherry University. M.G.M.C.R.I was recognized as a deemed university by university grants commission, New Delhi, on 4 August 2008.The campus is situated at Pillayarkuppam, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from the city of Pondicherry, near the town of Cuddalore. M.C.
The increasing prevalence of neurological disorders linked to dopamine dysregulation necessitates advanced diagnostic tools for precise dopamine (DA) monitoring. This study introduces a novel copper-doped NiAl2O4 (CNAO) nanoparticle-modified carbon paste electrode (CNAO-MCPE) designed for enhanced electrochemical dopamine detection. The optimized electrode (4 mg CNAO loading) demonstrated superior performance compared to the bare carbon paste electrode (BCPE), exhibiting an anodic peak current of 84 mu A for DA sensing and an expanded electroactive surface area of 0.62 cm2. pH optimization revealed the highest current response at pH 7.0. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) further confirmed the electrode's exceptional sensitivity, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.4 mu M and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.46 mu M. The electrode effectively distinguished dopamine and uric acid (UA) with clear peak separation and strong linear correlations (R2 = 0.99 for DA and R2 = 0.998 for UA), demonstrating excellent anti-interference properties. Stability tests over 20 cycles showed minimal degradation (8.9%), retaining 91.1% of initial activity, highlighting its durability for repeated use. These results establish CNAO-MCPE as a promising electrode material for accurate, selective, and sensitive dopamine detection, paving the way for advanced biosensing applications in clinical diagnostics.
Background: Teaching cardiovascular examination skills to large groups of undergraduate medical students poses critical challenges due to the limited availability of patients and peer practice limitations.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an indigenous designed low-cost trainer for teaching cardiovascular examination compared to the traditional training.Methods: A half-body CPR mannequin was upgraded to teach cardiovascular physical examination by the addition of inflatable bladders for pulsations, and a Bluetooth speaker for heart sounds. Undergraduate medical students, divided into experimental and control groups, were trained by demonstration and practice on a simulator/volunteer. A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group design was conducted to compare the outcomes of the two teaching models. Performance was assessed by Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) and compared. Feedback on confidence and satisfaction was gathered. A value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The total OSPE scores showed no significant difference between the experimental and control groups (p=0.184) [P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant]. However, the control group performed significantly better in in-patient interaction skills (p=0.008). Student feedback indicated a preference for a combination of both traditional and simulator-based teaching methods, with 43% favoring this approach. Additionally, 33% preferred traditional methods alone, while 24% chose simulator-based teaching exclusively.Conclusion: The indigenous designed low-cost cardiovascular examination trainer demonstrated comparable effectiveness to traditional teaching methods in skill acquisition. It offers a cost-effective alternative for large-scale medical education, though additional emphasis on patient interaction skills is placed while simulators are used. Student preferences suggest that a blended approach, combining both traditional and simulator-based methods, may be optimal for teaching cardiovascular examination skills
In the growing landscape of intelligent diagnostic tools, the creation of multifunctional nanomaterials that serve both biomedical and forensic needs is redefining the capabilities of modern sensing systems. In this study, Sm-doped ZnAl₂O₄ (SZAO) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using a combustion synthesis strategy and incorporated into a carbon-paste electrode to fabricate a highly responsive electrochemical platform for dopamine (DA) detection. The resulting SZAO-modified electrode (SZAO-ME) produced a pronounced anodic peak current of 8.426 μA far exceeding that of the unmodified electrode with optimal activity observed at physiological pH (7.0). Scan-rate analyses indicated that the electro-oxidation process follows diffusion-controlled kinetics, while differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurements demonstrated a clear linear dependence on dopamine concentrations in the 1–5 μM range (R2 = 0.99). The system achieved a detection limit (LOD) of 0.238 μM and a quantification limit (LOQ) of 0.797 μM. The electrode further allowed dual detection of dopamine and uric acid (UA) with strong selectivity, yielding excellent linearity (R2 = 0.993 for DA and 0.996 for UA). Operationally, the SZAO-ME maintained more than 91% of its initial response after repeated testing cycles, evidencing notable stability. Its performance consistency was reinforced by low relative standard deviation (RSD) values 1.58% for repeatability and 1.55% for reproducibility. In addition to its electrochemical capabilities, the SZAO nanomaterial was applied for forensic studies, enabling clear visualization of latent fingerprints (LFP). High ridge clarity, low background interference, and well-resolved minutiae across multiple surface types underscore its strong potential for advanced forensic fingerprint development.
Modern diagnostics demand real-time tracking of neurochemicals, and dopamine (DA) is a key target. In this work, Gd2O3 and Gd2O3:1% Sm3+ nanoparticles (NPs) was synthesized by combustion method and used to modify an electrode for DA sensing. The samarium-doped gadolinium oxide (SGO) modified electrode (ME) showed a clear rise in anodic peak current (9.336 mu A) compared to the bare electrode (6.422 mu A) due to faster electron transfer and additional active sites. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurements delivered an LOD of 0.375 mu M, an LOQ of 1.25 mu M, and a linear range of 1-5 mu M at pH 7. The sensor remained selective in the presence of uric acid, retained 92.11% of its signal after 20 cycles, and showed strong repeatability (RSD 1.57%) and reproducibility (RSD 1.63%). Real-sample tests with DA injections yielded an average recovery of 91%. Gd2O3:Sm3+ NPs also produced strong red emission and adhered well to fingerprint residues, offering sharp ridge contrast and clear minutiae on smooth and porous surfaces. Their uniform deposition enabled clear visualization of minutiae with high signal-to-background ratio, highlighting their suitability for high-resolution latent fingerprint imaging. Collectively, Gd2O3:Sm3+ provides a sensitive, stable platform for DA detection while also enabling high-resolution latent fingerprint imaging, highlighting its multifunctional potential.
Objectives:Fasting hyperglycaemia (FHG) in insulin resistance is due to oxidative stress wherein gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and uric acid (UA) are known to impair insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells due to their pro-oxidant action and their role in metabolism of antioxidant glutathione. This study aims to determine the association of GGT and UA with FHG and its role in predicting the onset of prediabetes. Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted in Government Villupuram Medical College, Villupuram, India, from July to December 2023. Individuals in the age range of 25-65 years attending the master health check-up clinic were included. The subjects were classified as normoglycaemic (FBG <100 mg/dL) or hyperglycaemic (FBG ≥100 mg/dL). GGT, UA, glucose (Glu):GGT ratio, Glu:UA ratio, lipid profile and GGT: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were compared between the two groups using Student's t test. The parameters were compared between the quintiles of glucose using ANOVA. Pearson's correlation was used to analyse the correlation between the study parameters. Results:A total of 500 adults were included in this study. Triglyceride (TG), TG:HDL ratio, GGT, UA and Glu:GGT, Glu:UA and GGT:HDL ratios were significantly high in fifth quintile compared to other glucose quintiles. Glu:UA and Glu:GGT ratios showed significant positive correlation with glucose levels. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that Glu:UA ratio was a good predictor of FHG (AUC = 0.808; P <0.0001) with a sensitivity of 70.1% and specificity of 79.8% at a cut-off value of 26.5 to diagnose insulin resistance. Conclusion:Glu:UA and Glu:GGT ratios are surrogate markers of underlying oxidative stress and insulin resistance and good predictors of fasting hyperglycaemia.
