BMC research notes
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Clinical Trial
Catatonia in Ugandan children with nodding syndrome and effects of treatment with lorazepam: a pilot study.
Nodding syndrome (NS) is a severe neuropsychiatric syndrome of an unknown etiology affecting children and adolescents mostly in Eastern Africa. Symptoms of NS and catatonia seem to overlap. We investigated the presence and types of catatonic symptoms in NS and their response to one or two doses of lorazepam, the first-line treatment for catatonia. ⋯ About half of a selected sample of children with NS met criteria for catatonia. Catatonia scores decreased in most patients after one or two doses of lorazepam. Larger, longer, and controlled studies are warranted to assess the prevalence of catatonia in NS and to assess the use of lorazepam in NS through its effects on catatonia.
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Student-led teaching has long been regarded as a useful ancillary educational method. It is also a valuable tool in the development of aspects of professionalism in student tutors and contributes to a sense of community within the student body. In 2014, a peer-assisted learning (PAL) program, organised by students at Sydney Medical School (Central), explored students' experience of tutoring their junior peers. ⋯ This student initiated PAL program provided tutors with the opportunity for content and clinical skills revision and assisted in the development of professional competencies required on entering the medical workforce. The resultant sense of community at CCS will aid the expansion of the program in 2015 with an aim to review quality assurance measures.
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The medical student population is believed to be at an increased risk for sleep deprivation. Little is known about students' perceptions towards sleep deprivation and its relationship to academic performance. The aim of study is to explore the perceptions of medical students and their academic advisors about sleep deprivation and its relationship to academic performance. ⋯ Our results showed that students had correct conceptions about the negative impact of sleep deprivation on academic performance and mood. Also, our results highlighted the need for curricular/extracurricular education and counseling about healthy sleep patterns.