We developed an easy-to-use model for the prediction of side-specific ECE, and hope it serves as a tool for planning nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy and in the reduction of PSM in future series.

The dynamic process of wound healing has various phases, and the knowledge of which is essential for identification of the pathology involved in a chronic intractable wound. Various instruments for the assessment of wound healing have been described, primarily for clinical assessment of the wound. However, very few instruments are currently available for histological grading of the wound. The aim of this article is to review all available literature from 1993 to 2014 on the objective histological scoring of the state of wound healing. This review article emphasizes the importance of histological grading of wounds based on the different parameters from each phase of wound healing and the need for an ideal grading system in order to help assessment of wound status. The parameter chosen in an experimental model should be defined by the scientific question, the underlying hypothesis and the pathogenesis of the disease.

BACKGROUNDAgeing is a natural process. By 2020, the number of people aged 60 years and older will outnumber children younger than 5 years in the entire world. This natural phenomenon of population ageing is rampant in developing countries like India while data and studies regarding health conditions and prevalence of multimorbidity is lacking.

In the country presently, preclinical medical students are not routinely exposed to real patients. Thus, when they start clinical postings, they are found to have poor clinical reasoning skills. Simulated virtual patients (SVPs) can improve clinical skills without endangering real patients. This pilot study describes the development of two SVPs in endocrine physiology and their validation in terms of acquisition of clinical knowledge and student engagement. Two SVPs, Nandini Sharma (unintentional weight gain) and Sunil Yadav (polyuria), were created and published on the i-Human Patients platform through an iterative, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary collaborative process using the conceptual framework of Kim et al. (Kim S, Phillips WR, Pinsky L, Brock D, Phillips K, Keary J. Med Educ 40: 867-876, 2006). After internal and external peer validation, the SVPs were piloted on 40 students (20 students per virtual patient) over 2 wk. A cognitive pretest was conducted before exposure, and a posttest soon after. Faculty and student feedback were collected. Faculty found SVPs authentic, helpful as teaching-learning tools, and useful for giving feedback and for assessment. Students found SVPs more engaging than paper cases and helpful in developing clinical reasoning and in imparting clinical exposure. Pretest and posttest scores indicated knowledge gain ( P < 0.01). Although challenging to create, SVPs created on the i-Human Patients platform improved learning in endocrine physiology and were well accepted by students and faculty as a means to provide early clinical exposure. More SVPs can be developed through collaboration between stakeholder departments and integrated into the curriculum for greater benefit.