Background:Team-based learning (TBL) strategy has been widely adapted by medical schools all over the world, but the reports regarding the perceptions and the attitudes of faculty and undergraduate medical students towards TBL approach have been conflicting.Aim:The study aimed to introduce TBL strategy in curriculum of Biochemistry after evaluating its effectiveness through perceptions and attitudes of faculty and 1st-year medical students.Materials and Methods:One hundred and fifty students of first professional M.B.B.S and five faculty members participated in the study. Their responses regarding perceptions and attitudes towards TBL strategy were collected using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, paired sample t-test, and Mann–Whitney U-test.Results:Majority of the students expressed satisfaction with team approach and reported improvement in the academic scores, learning styles, and development of problem-solving, interpersonal, and professional skills. The faculty, however, recommended a modified TBL approach to benefit all sections of the students for the overall success of this intervention.Conclusion:TBL is an effective technique to enable the students to master the core concepts and develop professional and critical thinking skills; however, for the 1st-year medical students, a modified TBL approach might be more appropriate for the effective outcomes.

Background:The stress of complex medical course, emotional immaturity, and adaptations to new surroundings are the challenges faced by the new medical entrants. Therefore, mentorship program was introduced to support them for their academic and personal development.Aim and Objectives:The aim of this study is to introduce and to assess the perception of mentors and mentees on mentorship program.Materials and Methods:A mentorship program was designed for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) First Professional students. A 1-day workshop was conducted to sensitize the faculty. Seventeen faculty members from various departments volunteered to be mentors. After sensitization, 150 MBBS First Professional students were divided among these faculty members by lottery system. A regular visit of mentees was scheduled with the mentor. At the end of mentorship program, the perception of mentors and mentees was taken using a validated and semi-structured feedback questionnaire. A focus group discussion of students was also conducted.Results:A total of 112 students and 16 faculty members completed the feedback questionnaire. The mentors considered this program helpful in their self-improvement, teaching, and communication skills. Most of the mentees felt that this program helped them emotionally and academically. It was a good way to develop a strong student–teacher relationship. All the mentors and mentees were satisfied with the mentorship program.Conclusions:The newly introduced mentorship program helped in the overall development of mentors and mentees. Both mentors and mentees were extremely satisfied with this program and considered this as a successful intervention.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Psoriasis is a well-recognized chronic inflammatory papulosquamous disorder characterized by the formation of salmon colored papules and plaques with silvery white scales. The aim of this study was to do a comparative evaluation of the parameters of oxidative stress, namely glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in patients of psoriasis with normal healthy subjects</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 60 subjects in the age group of 30-70 years were included in the study; Group A consisted of 30 newly diagnosed psoriasis patients presenting to the Dermatology OPD and Group B consisted of 30 normal healthy individuals. Thorough history taking and clinical examination were done. The punch biopsy was performed for histopathological examination and markers of oxidative stress were measured in each case and these values were then compared to healthy controls and statistical analysis was performed.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> On comparison of the two groups, the levels of anti-oxidants superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were found to be decreased in psoriasis patients (168.46±51.89 U/ml and 4121.63±1812.53 U/ml respectively) as compared to controls (237±39.30 U/ml and 8435±1397.54 U/ml respectively) which was statistically highly significant (p &lt;0.001) and the level of pro-oxidant malondialdehyde was found to be increased in patients of psoriasis (0.42±0.13 nmol/ml) in contrast to controls (0.08±0.06 nmol/ml)which was also statistically highly significant (p &lt;0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Keeping in consideration the increased oxidative stress in the patients of psoriasis, the anti-oxidant drugs can form an important part of the therapeutic ladder of psoriasis. </p>

Introduction: Pneumonia remains a significant health problem in India with significant morbidity and mortality. Objectives of this study were to identifying an effective nutritional agent that reduces the need for antibiotics, duration of pneumonia and length of hospitalization would be highly cost-beneficial.Material and Methods: This was a hospital-based case-control study: A total of 100 children including 50 cases and 50 controls, aged 2–60 months, were enrolled. Case definition of severe ALRI as given by the World Health Organization was used for cases. Controls were healthy children attending outpatients’ service for immunization or admitted for minor ailments other than ALRTI.Results: Mean 25(OH)D concentrations in children of the study group were lower than those of the control group (20.431 ng/mL vs. 27.67 ng/mL; p = 0.035). Factors significantly associated with decreased risk of ALRTI in univariate analysis were: exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months (cases 13/50 (26%), controls 42/50 (84%); p=0.000); adequate exposure to sunlight (cases 14/50 (28%), controls 42/50 (84%); P=0.000); and serum 25OHD3 <20 ng/ml (cases 28/50 (56%), controls 0/50 (0%); p=.000). Multivariate logistic model indicated that severe vitamin D deficiency (OR=NA), exclusive breast feeding (OR=.174); 95% CI (.061- .521; p=.002) and adequate sunlight exposure (OR=.179) ;95%CI (.062-.519); p=.002) were significant independent predictive risk factors for ALRTI among the children between 2 months – 5 years of age (all p<0.05).Conclusion: Severe vitamin D deficiency (<20ng/ml), nonexclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life, inadequate sun exposure were significant risk factors for ALRTI in Indian children.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2016;36(1):14-18

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