The aim of this study was to compare problembased learning (PBL) with lecture presentation in education of clinical medical students in Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) workshops.

This crossover interventional study was conducted on clinical medical students in pediatric disease department of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. Fortyfour students were randomly divided into two groups and two subjects in IMCI courses were chosen. One of the topics was presented as lecture for the first group of students and as PBL for the second group. The second topic was presented as PBL for the first group and as lecture for the second group of students.

The students’ scores in intervention groups for both topics of “loss of consciousness” and “management of diarrheal diseases” were significantly higher than controls. Each student got significantly higher score in subject presented as PBL. Students preferred PBL compared to lecture for increasing their motivation, a higher quality of education, knowledge retention, and class attractiveness.

Besides the attractiveness of PBL, it seems that this method is more successful than lecture in increasing student's knowledge. We propose to use this method in workshops and medical education in clinic and hospital wards.

Assadi F, Khoshnevisasl P, Sadeghzadeh M,Kamali K. Comparison of Two Methods: Problem-based Learning vs Lecture in Integrated Management of Childhood Illness Workshops. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(3):123-126

The objective of the study was to determine the mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) compared to subjects without type 2 DM and their correlation with fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and duration of type 2 DM respectively.

A prospective analytical case—control study was conducted involving 50 subjects with type 2 DM and 50 subjects without type 2 DM. The mean and standard deviation were estimated for both the groups separately and independent Student's “t”-test was used for evaluating the significant difference. The statistical evaluation was carried out at 95% confidence level.

Mean MPV and PDW in case group was significantly higher compared to control group (p < 0.005). Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and duration of type 2 DM did not significantly alter MPV or PDW.

The study concludes that MPV and PDW are significantly increased in patients with type 2 DM compared to patients without type 2 DM. Platelet volume indices are an important, simple, and cost-effective tool that should be used and explored extensively, especially in countries, such as India, for predicting the possibility of impending acute vascular events in patients with type 2 DM.

This analytical method helps us to use MPV and PDW as early markers of vascular thrombosis.

Bhanukumar M, Ramaswamy PKH, Peddi NK, Menon VB. Mean Platelet Volume and Platelet Distribution Width as Markers of Vascular Thrombosis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(3):127-131.

Rattan J. Biotechnological Inventions and Patent Law: National and International Perspective. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(3):132-135.

The intensive care unit (ICU) is an acute area requiring significant expertise and training. This study aimed to see if a novel package of simulation training of physiotherapists in ICU physiotherapy competencies would promote confidence and be less stressful compared to traditional training. The secondary aim was to see if simulation training was less costly in terms of training time and whether additional support staff hours required.

Fifteen physiotherapists participated in the study, with two trainee cohorts (traditional, n = 5; simulation, n = 5) and supervising staff (n = 5). A simulation training program was implemented over 6 half days during 2013/2014. All participants then completed follow-up questionnaires. Data were also collected relating to training costs and cost of support provided to the trainee on commencement of independent work in the ICU.

Respondents reported that simulation was extremely useful (> 4.75) and likely to reduce stress and improve confidence (> 3.8). All training components were useful (> 3.4) with simulation trainees perceiving the highest usefulness (4—4.8). Simulation training took less time per trainee (mean 3 vs 4.4 days), and less trainer time (total 9 vs 22 days). Costs incurred during 1st week of independent work were similar.

This study has demonstrated that the delivery of a novel package of simulation scenarios was successful in improving the confidence of inexperienced physiotherapists moving into the ICU setting. The mode of up-skilling was also less expensive compared to the existing training model. Simulation may be useful for other health professionals in the critical care environment.

Dennis D, Marsh L. Can Physiotherapists be trained to Work in Critical Care utilizing Clinical Simulation? J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(3):136-140.

The appendix may be involved in ulcerative colitis (UC) to variable extent. Clinical significance of appendicular involvement is not clear and it has long been considered an innocent bystander. This study prospectively investigated appendiceal histology and its clinical significance in patients with UC.

Colonoscopy was performed in 60 patients and biopsies were taken from appendiceal orifice, cecum, and colon. Appendiceal histology was classified as active if there was presence of neutrophils with crypt distortion. Inactive inflammation was defined as positive for crypt distortion and negative for neutrophils. Otherwise the histology was reported as normal or nonspecific changes. The patients were followed for a minimum period of 6 months.

In patients evaluated endoscopically, 63% patients had histological involvement of the appendiceal orifice. Pancolitis was seen more commonly in patients with appendicular orifice inflammation than in patients with normal appendicular histology (44.7 vs 9%, p = 0.001). Most patients with appendiceal orifice inflammation had involvement of the cecum. Skip lesion of the appendix without cecum involvement was seen in 37% of the patients. The patients with appendiceal orifice inflammation had a significantly higher grade of endoscopic colitis compared to patients with normal histology (p = 0.006). Relapse rate was higher in patients with appendiceal orifice inflammation than in patients with normal appendiceal histology (18.4 vs 9%), although the difference was insignificant (p = 0.329).

Appendicular involvement in ulcerative colitis is not uncommon. Its involvement may predict the course, extent, and severity of colitis.

Parvez N, Rana SS, Nada R, Sharma V, Sharma R, Chhabra P, Gunjan D, Dhalaria L, Gupta R, Bhasin DK. Appendicular Histology and Its Clinical Significance in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Prospective Study from North India. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(3):141-147.

Dhillon M, Garg B, Dhillon S, Prabhakar S. Problems of Injury Surveillance and Documentation in Cricket: Indian Experience. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(3):148-150.

Prakash M, Sinha A, Dhillon M, Khandelwal N. Pictorial Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Common Sports Injuries of Knee. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(3):151-155.

Komandla SR, Monigari NK, Danturulu MV, Vidyasagar S. An Uncommon Cause of Pathological Fracture: Tenofovir-induced Osteomalacia and acquired Fanconi's Syndrome in a Retroviral Patient. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(3):156-158.

Aggarwal A, Gupta T, Aggarwal A, Sahni D. Bilateral Variation of Lateral Root of Median Nerve traversing through Coracobrachialis Muscle. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(3):159-161.