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Background & Objective: Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) has gained popularity as an objective assessment tool. Traditional assessment methods such as video and semester practical examinations are better suited to assessing the cognitive domain in pharmacology. The competency-based medical education curriculum has shifted to the psychomotor and attitude communication domains (hands-on demonstration on manikins, criticism of prescription and medical literature, hands-on demonstration on manikins, computer-assisted learning), and assessing these domains calls for more objective methods of assessment, such as the OSPE. This study aimed to design and implement the OSPE as an assessment tool for practical pharmacology for Phase II MBBS students. We also evaluated the perception, acceptability, and usefulness of OSPE for the students and the faculty. Material & Methods: The faculty was sensitized. Group discussions with the head of the department and faculty were held regarding the content of the OSPE stations and the design, planning, implementation, and feasibility checks. The OSPE was scheduled to be held at the upcoming formative examination with a set of 8 OSPE stations and 2 rest stations. The OSPE stations were set up in the department and were initially piloted by faculty. The OSPE was carried out in the formative examination of Phase II students. Feedback questionnaires for both students and faculty members were prepared and validated prior to administration. Results: Of the ninety-eight students in the batch, 96 participated. The average OSPE score obtained by the students was 22.23 ± 5.74 (the total OSPE score was 35). Ninety-six percent of the students enjoyed the OSPE, 99% of whom were satisfied (Likert scale 3-5). All the faculty agreed that the OSPE was unbiased and structured, although it required more effort, and manpower and preparation were time consuming. Conclusion: The key to a successful OSPE is careful planning. A well-designed OSPE can drive learning and have a positive impact on education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Amrita. Sil [INLINE:1] Authors : Indranil Saha, Bobby Paul 4th edition, March 2023 Pages : 444 Soft bound cover Publishers : Academic publishers Price : Rs. 595/- Essentials of [...]

Byline: Arunima. Dhabal, Nilay. Das, Amrita. Sil Sir, Symmetric drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) is an infrequently encountered dermatological adverse drug event occurring in susceptible persons after systemic administration [...]

Byline: Abhishek. De, Nidhi. Choudhary, Amrita. Sil, Aarti. Sarda, Abu. Hasanoor Raja Introduction: Vitiligo is a multifactorial disorder, most often explained by the autoimmune hypothesis. The objective of this study [...]

This article discusses the importance of registering an ethics committee before conducting biomedical research in India. The article explains that ethics committee approval is mandatory and that committees must be registered with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) or the Department of Health Research (DHR) depending on the type of research. The article provides detailed instructions on how to register an ethics committee on the DHR and CDSCO portals, including the necessary documents and steps. The registration remains valid for a certain period of time and must be renewed if there are any changes. Overall, registering the ethics committee ensures the quality and ethical supervision of clinical trials and biomedical research. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Filaggrin (FLG) gene encoding the protein filaggrin plays an important role in barrier function of the skin and its alteration is a predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis. FLG gene variants result in absent or decreased filaggrin protein. Worldwide, the prevalence of FLG variants ranges from 14 to 56%. FLG null variants are distinct in each population. Objectives: To study the FLG gene polymorphisms in Indian children and attempt a genotype-phenotype correlation in atopic dermatitis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, multicentre study conducted on 75 Indian children. Demographic details, clinical features and identified FLG null variants were recorded. We performed a whole gene sequencing of the entire FLG coding region using next-generation sequencing technology. Results: The prevalence of FLG null variants was 34.7%. A total of 20 different FLG loss of function variants in 26 children were documented. Sixteen (80%) variants were novel and four (20%) were previously reported in Asian and European populations. We found a statistically significant association between FLG variants with early age of onset of atopic dermatitis (P = 0.016) and elevated serum IgE levels (P = 0.051). There was no significant difference between atopic dermatitis phenotypes in children having one variant as compared to children harbouring two or more null variants. Limitations: Small sample size. Conclusion: Our study reports a unique set of FLG variants different from Asian and European populations, with these variants being significantly associated with an early age of onset of atopic dermatitis and elevated serum IgE levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Impact of COVID-19 pandemic has been immense. An innocent casualty of this disaster is medical education and training. Dermatology, which primarily deals with out-patient services, medical and surgical interventions, and in-patient services, was one of the worst hit. The National Medical Commission of India has implemented competency-based medical education (CBME) in Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy since 2019. The new curriculum relies on acquiring practical and procedural skills, training skills in research methodology, professionalism, attitude, and communication. Objectives: The study was undertaken to understand the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on postgraduate dermatology CBME training in India. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out on postgraduate dermatology teachers and residents in India after obtaining ethics committee approval. An online semi-structured English questionnaire was administered by Google Forms. The calculated sample size was 366 dermatology faculty and 341 postgraduate students. Validity (Content validity ratio (CVR) ≥0.56) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0.7249) of the questionnaire were determined. Results: Among the 764 responses received, 51.4% reported that their institutes were converted to exclusive COVID hospitals. Domains of dermatology education affected were procedural training (n = 655), bedside clinical teaching (n = 613), outpatient department-based clinical teaching (n = 487), bedside laboratory procedures (n = 463), research activities (n = 453), histopathology (n = 412), and theory classes (n = 302). To keep up with the teaching-learning process, online platforms were mostly utilized: Zoom Meeting (n = 379), Google Meet (n = 287), and WhatsApp Interaction (n = 224). Teaching during ward rounds was significantly more affected in exclusively COVID institutes than non-exclusive COVID institutes (P < 0.001). Psychomotor skill development suffered a major jolt with 26.7% of respondents reporting a standstill (P < 0.001). Communication skills among students suffered due to social distancing, mask, and poor attendance of patients. According to 23.84% of respondents, formative assessment was discontinued. Conclusion: Online seminars, journal clubs, and assessments have been incorporated during the pandemic. Online modalities should be used as a supplementary method as psychomotor skills, communication skills, research work, and bedside clinics may not be replaced by the e-learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As Oral Lichenplanus (OLP) is considered a T cell mediated disease associated with a Th1 imbalance of cytokine production, most of the therapeutic interventions have aimed to target the inflammatory pathway underlying OLP. The most commonly used anti-inflammatory medication is corticosteroids. Although, the JAK-STAT pathway inhibitor drug Tofacitinib has been postulated to be useful in the management of Lichen Planus. Aim: To assess the Lichen Planus Activity and Damage Index (LiPADI) and to assess the quality of life of the patients through Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP 14) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Materials and Methods: This was an institution based, investigatorblind randomized controlled trial conducted after obtaining clearance from ethics committee and registering in the clinical trial registry (CTRI/2023/07/055368). Patients were screened into either Group A (Receiving oral prednisolone 0.5 mg/kg/day) or Group B (Receiving Tofacitinib 5 mg twice/day) with allocation ratio 1:1 as per the randomization sequence. Participants from both the groups had their oral and dermal health related quality of life evaluated using a questionnaire. (OHIP-14 questionnaire and DLQI). Physician blinding was achieved by Sequentially Numbered Opaque Sealed Envelope (SNOSE) technique. Informed consents, blood, Lipid and Urea profile, Chest x rays were obtained. Follow up visits were conducted in 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and their effectiveness parameters, side effects, severity index of the disease, quality of life were monitored. Results: Both the groups were comparable at baseline with regards to number of lesions and its severity. Oral and Dermal lesions improved significantly from 1st follow-up (2nd week) onward in both the groups. OHIP-14 and DLQI was also noted to be improved at 12th week in both the groups. Conclusion: Tofacitinib significantly improves the cure rate in Lichen Planus with lesser number of side effects as compared to Prednisolone. Though 6 weeks of treatment is not sufficient to achieve complete cure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pyogenic granulomas are benign vascular lesions of the skin and mucosa which are often a source of concern because of their recurrent bleeding even with minimal trauma. Current treatment for pyogenic granuloma is ablative; no medical therapy is standardized to date. Timolol, due to its vasoconstrictive effect, vascular growth factor inhibition and apoptosis promotion properties, is a potential therapeutic option. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of topical timolol in the treatment of pyogenic granulomas. Methods: A two-centre, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial (Registration CTRI/2019/04/018581) was conducted. Patients of either sex were recruited with pyogenic granuloma lesions of less than eight weeks duration. Topical treatment with 0.5% timolol or matching glycerin placebo was continued for six weeks. Changes in color, size, bleeding tendency, physicians’ and patients’ global assessments and adverse events were assessed. Results: Forty subjects were randomized between the two groups which were comparable in age, sex, duration of illness and baseline lesion size. Significant improvement was noted with timolol, with color change from first follow-up onwards and lesion size reduction from second follow-up onward. Patients’ assessment of bleeding tendency also showed imrovement from the second visit onward. Between-group comparison showed significant difference with respect to percentage reduction in size (timolol 40.9%, placebo 3.4%; P = 0.002). Rescue treatment (electrosurgery) was required in five patients on placebo and in one in the timolol group (P = 0.182). Complete resolution occurred in 2 (10%) patients with timolol and in no patients on placebo (P = 0.231). Limitations: We observed effects of treatment for only six weeks. Conclusion: Topical timolol may be a treatment option for early pyogenic granulomas but complete resolution is unlikely in six weeks. Studies of longer duration are required to assess resolution and recurrence rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]