Teaching statistics to medical students using problem-based learning: the Australian experience

Background: Problem-based learning (PBL) is gaining popularity as a teaching method in UK medical schools, but statistics and research methods are not being included in this teaching. There are great disadvantages in omitting statistics and research methods from the main teaching. PBL is well established in Australian medical schools. The Australian experience in teaching statistics and research methods in curricula based on problem-based learning may provide guidance for other countries, such as the UK, where this method is being introduced. Methods: All Australian medical schools using PBL were visited, with two exceptions. Teachers of statistics and medical education specialists were interviewed. For schools which were not visited, information was obtained by email. Results: No Australian medical school taught statistics and research methods in a totally integrated way, as part of general PBL teaching. In some schools, statistical material was integrated but taught separately, using different tutors. In one school, PBL was used only for 'public health' related subjects. In some, a parallel course using more traditional techniques was given alongside the PBL teaching of other material. This model was less successful than the others. Conclusions: There are several difficulties in implementing an integrated approach. However, not integrating is detrimental to statistics and research methods teaching, which is of particular concern in the age of evidence-based medicine. Some possible ways forward are suggested

Berberine for prevention of dementia associated with diabetes and its comorbidities: A systematic review

Background A growing number of epidemiological studies indicate that metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated features play a key role in the development of certain degenerative brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Produced by several different medicinal plants, berberine is a bioactive alkaloid with a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antidiabetic effects. However, it is not clear whether berberine could prevent the development of dementia in association with diabetes. Objective To give an overview of the therapeutic potential of berberine as a treatment for dementia associated with diabetes. Search strategy Database searches A and B were conducted using PubMed and ScienceDirect. In search A, studies on berberine’s antidementia activities were identified using “berberine” and “dementia” as search terms. In search B, recent studies on berberine’s effects on diabetes were surveyed using “berberine” and “diabetes” as search terms. Inclusion criteria Clinical and preclinical studies that investigated berberine’s effects associated with MetS and cognitive dysfunction were included. Data extraction and analysis Data from studies were extracted by one author, and checked by a second; quality assessments were performed independently by two authors. Results In search A, 61 articles were identified, and 22 original research articles were selected. In search B, 458 articles were identified, of which 101 were deemed relevant and selected. Three duplicates were removed, and a total of 120 articles were reviewed for this study. The results demonstrate that berberine exerts beneficial effects directly in the brain: enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission, improving cerebral blood flow, protecting neurons from inflammation, limiting hyperphosphorylation of tau and facilitating β-amyloid peptide clearance. In addition, evidence is growing that berberine is effective against diabetes and associated disorders, such as atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, hepatic steatosis, diabetic nephropathy, gut dysbiosis, retinopathy and neuropathy, suggesting indirect benefits for the prevention of dementia. Conclusion Berberine could impede the development of dementia via multiple mechanisms: preventing brain damages and enhancing cognition directly in the brain, and indirectly through alleviating risk factors such as metabolic dysfunction, and cardiovascular, kidney and liver diseases. This study provided evidence to support the value of berberine in the prevention of dementia associated with MetS

No-till sowing systems in North America with relevance to Western Australia

The contents of this report were based on the best available information at the time of publication. It is based in part on various assumptions and predictions. Conditions may change over time and conclusions should be interpreted in the light of the latest informatio

Soil conservation earthworks design manual

In view of the great diversity of hydrological conditions encountered in the field, and the relative paucity of information with which to design soil conservation earthworks, it is frequently not possible to quantify all aspects of hydrologic design. It remains for the practising soil conservationist to search for a reasonable solution to a problem which is most appropriate to the situation, location, information and skills. The equations in this Manual provide the best available estimates of flow rates and volumes for carrying out design but it must be recognised that the information has come from a relatively limited data set, and that a significant amount of variability in runoff estimates remains unexplained by the equations. The observations of landholders during previous runoff events and the experience of local Departmental personnel are particularly valuable and should be used in conjunction with the design equations. It is not intended that the material in this Manual will be adequate in all situations. In complex or high risk situations, assistance should be requested from specialist personnel of the Division of Resource Management

No-tillage seeders and their adoption in North America with relevance to Western Australia

The adoption of no-tillage seeders appears generally to be at a similar stage in North America as in Western Australia. One notable difference is the communication provided by several no-tillage farmers organisations, such as the Manitoba-North Dakota Zero Tillage Farmers Association. Since almost all development of no-tillage systems has been carried out by farmers, such associations have proven invaluable in directly providing communication with their peers

Calibration and use of a combination atmometer to estimate evapotranspiration and monitor soil moisture storage on farmland catchments in Western Australia

The readily-operated combination method of estimating evapotranspiration was applied using simple atmometers, calibrated against absolute evapotranspiration. While 76.6 per cent of the variance of estimates was accounted for by the regression in the first season under wheat, no significant results were achieved in a further four seasons. Combined data for two seasons under legume pastures enabled 30.1 per cent of the variance of estimates to be accounted for

Minimal soil disturbance sowing in New South Wales and its relevance to reducing water erosion in Western Australia

During a study tour in New South Wales both inexpensive modifications to existing seeders and state of the art new mechanisms were investigated. Narrow-winged points can readily be fitted to existing tined seeders to immediately reduce water erosion in Western Australia. Press wheels may improve crop establishment, particularly with early sowing in this predominantly winter-rainfall region

Water erosion of farmland in 1988

Widespread heavy rains in WesternAustralian agricultural areas in 1988 caused severe water erosion, much of which could have been avoided by minimum cultivation and lower stocking rates