3-Dimensional model making as an innovative tool for enhanced learning through student engagement among early professional medical graduates

Background: Various innovative teaching-learning methods have been introduced in the medical curriculum for a better understanding of the difficult topics. We introduced the 3-dimensional (3D) model-making as an innovative tool for enhanced learning through student engagement among early professional medical graduates. Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry of a Private Medical College. The phase I medical undergraduate students were divided into 20 groups with 10 students in each group. The topics taught by didactic lectures were allotted to each group by lottery method and were informed that the best model will be suitably rewarded after evaluation. Feedback was collected from the students on a five-point Likert scale after the submission and evaluation of the models. Results: About 92% of the students expressed that 3D model-making was an innovative method of learning in the medical profession, and 96.3% agreed that the topics allotted were relevant to the syllabus and helped in better understanding of the subject when compared to didactic lectures. The students also agreed that the 3D model-making activity enhanced their creativity and application of knowledge to learn biochemistry, developed a positive attitude, helped to coordinate with their peers, and improved communication skills. They suggested that this activity should be continued with the inclusion of more topics. Discussion: The 3D model-making activity helped the students to enjoy learning, think differently, understand better, expand their knowledge and recall information more comprehensively

Biochemical & Hematological parameters to predict severity and mortality in COVID 19 patients – a retrospective study

Introduction: Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19), the global pandemic has posed a serious threat to the health of individuals across the world and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Several biochemical and hematological parameters are found to be altered in these patients and there is a need to identify a suitable biomarker that can help in better risk stratification of these patients. Hence in this study, we intend to evaluate the clinical utility of these parameters to predict severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Material & Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital involving Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) positive COVID-19 patients (n-322). Data about patient\u27s age, gender, co-morbidities, duration of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, need for mechanical ventilation and laboratory investigations were obtained from the Hospital Information System (HIS). Results: The average duration of hospital stay was 10 days, and the ICU stay of these patients was 6.5 days.[M1] [DSS2] There was a statistically significant increase in C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), neutrophils, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and lower mean lymphocytic count (p=0.05), in patients who required ICU admission when compared to those who didn’t and[M3] [DSS4] also among non-survivors compared to survivors. Conclusion: Among the various biochemical & hematological markers, CRP, ferritin, LDH AST, and NLR were found to be better predictors of severity and mortality in COVID 19 patients. Timely monitoring of these markers would therefore help in better management and improved outcome for these patients

Prediction of outcome and prognosis of patients on mechanical ventilation using body mass index, SOFA score, C-Reactive protein, and serum albumin

Context: Body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) appear to be major determinants of hospitalization. Aim: To determine the predictive ability of BMI, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA score), serum albumin, and CRP to assess the duration and outcome of mechanical ventilation (MV). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients aged >18 years who required mechanical ventilation (MV) were enrolled for the study. They were divided into two groups; patients who improved (Group 1), patients who expired (Group 2). Group 1 was further divided into two groups: patients on MV for <5 days (Group A), and patients on MV for >5days (Group B). BMI and SOFA score were calculated, and serum albumin and CRP were estimated. Results and Discussion: Out of the 30 patients, 18 patients successfully improved after MV (Group 1) and 12 patients expired (Group 2). Among the 18 patients in group 1, ten patients improved within 5 days (Group A) and 8 patients after 5 days (Group B). SOFA score and CRP were significantly increased (P value 0.0003 and 0.0001, respectively) in group 2 when compared to group 1. CRP >24.2 mg/L or SOFA score >7 at the start of MV increases the probability of mortality by factor 13.08 or 3.92, respectively The above parameters did not show any statistical difference when group A was compared to group B. Conclusion: Simple, economic and easily accessible markers like CRP and assessment tools of critically ill patients with SOFA score are important determinants of possible outcomes of a patient from MV

Prediction of outcome and prognosis of patients on mechanical ventilation using body mass index, SOFA score, C-Reactive protein, and serum albumin

Context: Body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) appear to be major determinants of hospitalization. Aim: To determine the predictive ability of BMI, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA score), serum albumin, and CRP to assess the duration and outcome of mechanical ventilation (MV). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients aged >18 years who required mechanical ventilation (MV) were enrolled for the study. They were divided into two groups; patients who improved (Group 1), patients who expired (Group 2). Group 1 was further divided into two groups: patients on MV for <5 days (Group A), and patients on MV for >5days (Group B). BMI and SOFA score were calculated, and serum albumin and CRP were estimated. Results and Discussion: Out of the 30 patients, 18 patients successfully improved after MV (Group 1) and 12 patients expired (Group 2). Among the 18 patients in group 1, ten patients improved within 5 days (Group A) and 8 patients after 5 days (Group B). SOFA score and CRP were significantly increased (P value 0.0003 and 0.0001, respectively) in group 2 when compared to group 1. CRP >24.2 mg/L or SOFA score >7 at the start of MV increases the probability of mortality by factor 13.08 or 3.92, respectively The above parameters did not show any statistical difference when group A was compared to group B. Conclusion: Simple, economic and easily accessible markers like CRP and assessment tools of critically ill patients with SOFA score are important determinants of possible outcomes of a patient from MV

Comparative assessment of cytokines and other inflammatory markers for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis-a case control study.

OBJECTIVE: Cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α), sCD163, and C-reactive protein were serially measured in an attempt to identify a set of tests which can reliably confirm or refute the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis at an early stage. METHODS: One hundred neonates suspected to have sepsis on clinical grounds and who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled for the study. Based on the positive or negative blood culture reports they were classified as infected (n=50) and non-infected (n=50) neonates respectively. Fifty healthy neonates without any signs of sepsis were also included in the study as control group. The initial blood sample was taken on day 0 (at the time of sepsis evaluation) and two further samples were taken on days 1 and 2 for monitoring the clinical progress and response to treatment. In the control group the cord blood and 48 hours venous sample was collected. Plasma CRP (ng/ml), IL-6 (pg/ml), IL-8 (pg/ml), TNF-α (ng/ml) and sCD163 (ng/ml) were determined by double antibody method Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay in all the three blood samples. RESULTS: The cut of levels for CRP at >19,689 ng/ml had a sensitivity of 68%, specificity of 92%, for IL-6 at >95.32 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 54%, specificity of 96%, for IL-8 at >70.86 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 70%, for sCD163 at >896.78 ng/ml had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 88% for the diagnosis of infection before antibiotics. TNF-α levels of >12.6 ng/ml showed 100% sensitivity and 72% specificity for the diagnosis of inflammation. CONCLUSION: The most powerful predictor to differentiate between the non-infected and infected neonates before antibiotics was sCD163. The most powerful indicator for evaluation of prognosis is IL-6. sCD163 can be used alone to screen for sepsis in neonates before the results of blood culture are received

Predictive ability of the study parameters to differentiate between the non-infected and infected neonates at different time intervals.

c<p>p<0.0001.</p

Predictive ability of the study parameters to differentiate between the between the survivors and non-survivors of the infected group at different time intervals.

a<p>p<0.05, ^bp<0.001, ^cp<0.0001.</p

Prognostic predictors of neonatal sepsis 24 hours after initiation of antibiotic therapy.

<p>Note: Binary logistic regression analysis.</p><p>C.I = Confidence interval; OR = Odds Ratio.</p

The mean and standard deviation of the various study parameters in the survivors and non-survivors of the infected group at different time intervals.

<p>Horizontal: ^ap<0.05, ^bp<0.001, ^cp<0.0001.</p><p>Vertical: * = p<0.05, ^$p<0.001, ^#p<0.0001.</p

Pathogens isolated in blood cultures from 50 patients with bacteremia.

<p>Pathogens isolated in blood cultures from 50 patients with bacteremia.</p