Social distancing to curb the COVID-19 pandemic has caused suspension of classroom teaching in all educational institutions. We implemented a novel online classroom platform at our institute to continue medical education. The program attracted encouraging feedback from the students. It may serve as a model for uninterrupted teaching and training during times of crisis.

ObjectivesTo ascertain the feasibility of endoscopic (4 mm) stapedotomy, and compare intra- and post-operative variations with microscopic stapedotomies.MethodsForty otosclerosis patients were scheduled for microscopic or endoscopic stapedotomy. Intra-operative variables compared were: incision, canalplasty, canal wall curettage for ossicular assessment, chorda tympani manipulation, ability to perform stapes footplate perforation before its supra-structure removal, and operative time. Post-operative variables compared were ear pain and hearing improvement.ResultsOf the 20 microscopy patients, 4 required endaural incision and canalplasty because of canal overhangs, and 7 required canal wall curettage for ossicular assessment. None of the 20 endoscopy patients required these procedures. Chorda tympani was manipulated in 13 and 6 patients in the microscopy and endoscopy groups respectively, while the stapes footplate could be perforated in 5 and 11 patients respectively. Mean operative time was 50.25 and 76.05 minutes in the microscopy and endoscopy groups respectively. In the endoscopy group, mean air–bone gap was 37.12 and 10.73 dB pre- and post-operation respectively; in the microscopy group, these values were 35.95 and 13.81 dB.ConclusionEndoscopic stapedotomy has comparable hearing outcomes. Sinonasal endoscope serves as a better tool for: minimal incision, canalplasty avoidance, less chorda tympani mobilisation, and stapes footplate perforation ability.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Vulvar complaints are usually an uncomfortable discussion not only for the patient but also for the health care provider. Vulva remains one of the most covered regions of the body and seems truly to be a forgotten pelvic organ.  Any genital lesion or related symptoms are erroneously considered to be sexually transmitted. Hence this study was conducted to emphasize on the fact that all genital lesions are not sexually transmitted.  Objective of the study was to determine the clinical pattern and relative frequency of non-venereal benign dermatoses of vulva in sexually active women at a tertiary health care centre.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> It was a prospective, observational study. All sexually active women attending the outpatient department of Dermatology and Gynecology, who presented either with vulvar complaints or with vulvar dermatoses on routine clinical examination were included in the study. Women with six classical venereal diseases or with vulvar malignancies were excluded from the study. After detailed history &amp; examination, results were tabulated and analysed by SPSS software.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 70 sexually active women were observed. Majority of women were from rural background (54.28%), were housewives (81.42%) and were illiterate (42.85%). The commonest presenting feature was itching. Labia majora was the most common site of involvement and Tinea cruris was the most common dermatoses involved.</p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> All vulvar dermatoses are not sexually transmitted.

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Background E-learning is the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to provide online education and learning. E- Learning has now been integrated into the traditional teaching as the concept of ‘blended learning’ that combines digital learning with the existing traditional teaching methods to address the various challenges in the field of medical education. Structured e-learning activities were started in Melaka Manipal Medical College in 2009 via e-learning platform (MOODLE-Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment).Objectives The objective of the present study is to investigate the faculty opinions toward the existing e-learning activities, and to analyse the extent of adopting and integration of e-learning into their traditional teaching methods.Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among faculties of Medicine and Dentistry using pre-tested questionnaires. The data was analyzed by using the statistical package for social science, SPSS, version 16.0.Results The result of our survey indicates that majority of our faculty (65.4%) held positive opinion towards e-learning. Among the few, who demonstrated reservations, it is attributed to their average level of skills and aptitude in the use of computers that was statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusion Our study brings to light the need for formal training as perquisite to support e-learning that enables smooth transition of the faculty from their traditional teaching methods into blended approach. Our results are anticipated to strengthen the existing e-learning activities of our college and other universities and convincingly adopt e-learning as a viable teaching and learning strategy.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.13(1) 2015; 12-18

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate racial differences in the burden of aortic dissection. </p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Retrospective analysis of a comprehensive state-wide inpatient database. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Acute care hospitals in the state of Maryland, 2009 – 2014. </p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>All hospitalized adults with aortic dissection (AD), stratified by race. </p><p><strong>Main Outcome Measures: </strong>Statewide and county-level population adjusted hospitalization rates, access to specialty aortic care, and mortality. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 3,719,412 admissions to Maryland hospitals during the study period, 3,190 had AD (.09%; 1665 White, 1525 non- White). Non-White race was more common in patients with AD than without (48% vs. 41%, P&lt;.0001). Adjusted for statewide demographics, admission for AD was 1.4 times more common among non-Whites (11 vs. 8 per 100,000, P&lt;.0001). Non-White race was an independent risk factor for AD admission (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4 – 1.7). Among patients with AD, non-Whites were younger and more often female, but had similar or lower rates of cardiovascular comorbidities. Non-White race was not associated with decreased access to care or increased mortality. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Hospitalization for AD is more common among non-Whites, who develop AD at younger ages despite fewer comorbidities. While clinical correlates are limited from this dataset, this may reflect more severe pathophysiology related to clinical or socioeconomic factors among non-Whites. Further study is warranted to better define this disparity and identify high-risk subgroups who may benefit from aggressive primary prevention. <em>Ethn Dis. </em>2016;26(3):363-368; doi:10.18865/ed.26.3.363 </p>

The Special Interest Group (SIG) on leprosy thought it to be prudent to revisit its previous practice recommendations through this update. During this period, the pandemic course shifted to a 'second wave' riding on the 'delta variant'. While the number of cases increased manifold, so did the research on all aspects of the disease. Introduction of vaccination and data from various drug trials have an impact on current best practices on management of diseases including leprosy. The beneficial results of using steroids in management of COVID-19, gives elbow room regarding its usage in conditions like lepra reactions. On the other hand, the increase in cases of Mucormycosis again underlines applying due caution while recommending immunosuppressants to a patient already suffering from COVID-19. This recommendation update from SIG leprosy reflects current understanding about managing leprosy while the dynamic pandemic continues with its ebbs and flows.

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