Background: Exposure to training in research is essential in the medical curriculum. There have been previous studies which attempted to evaluate the knowledge regarding, and attitude towards medical research in undergraduate medical students in various countries. In this study we attempted to assess the research related knowledge and attitudes across three

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the commonest reasons for dermatological consultation. Over the last few years our understanding of the pathophysiology of AGA has improved and this has paved way for better diagnostic and therapeutic options. Recent research has dwelled on the role of stem cells in the pathophysiology of AGA and has also identified newer genetic basis for the condition. Dermoscopy/trichoscopy has emerged as a useful diagnostic tool for AGA. While the major treatment options continue to be topical minoxidil, systemic Finasteride and hair transplantations, newer modalities are under investigation. Specific diagnostic and treatment recommendations have also been developed on evidence based principles. This article reviews the recent concepts in relation to AGA. With regards to the pathophysiology we have tried to stress on recent knowledge of the molecular and genetic basis of AGA. We have emphasized on an evidence based approach for treatment and diagnosis.

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Background Subungual glomus tumor is a relatively uncommon entity with varied clinical presentations which may lead to diagnostic delays. Onychoscopy can be used as an evaluation tool in routine evaluation of glomus tumors. Objectives and methods With an aim to characterize the onychoscopic features of subungual glomus tumors, we analyzed 15 cases presenting over 3 years, in this observational study. The clinical, onychoscopic, radiological, and operative findings in these patients were evaluated and correlated depending on the location and extent of the lesions. Results All 15 patients (11 female and 4 male) had pain as the presenting symptom and fulfilled the classic triad of paroxysmal pain, cold sensitivity, and positive Love's pin test. Clinical nail plate findings included onycholysis, onychorrhexis with distal splitting, and onychoschizia, while nail bed and matrix findings included localized erythematous and bluish patches, longitudinal erythema, and altered lunula. Onychoscopy corroborated the clinical findings and revealed a more extensive area of involvement in five cases. Definitive onychoscopy findings included a localized structureless erythema interspersed with bluish and patchy whitish areas (five cases of nail bed and six nail matrix tumors) and a “candy‐cane appearance” (six cases, all large and lobulated nail matrix tumors). MRI reported the tumor in 13 cases, while two nail matrix tumors were missed. Transungual excision revealed tumors larger in size than predicted by MRI. The presence of candy‐cane appearance was consistent with lobulated matrix tumors. Conclusion Onychoscopy improves the intraoperative detection of location and extent of subungual glomus tumors. Nail bed and nail matrix glomus tumors can have distinctive onychoscopic features that may help in better surgical planning.

We evaluated the use of a 4G smart phone for mobile teledermatology. A dermatologist took pictures of skin images with a mobile phone (8 Mpixel camera resolution) and made a face-to-face diagnosis. The images were transmitted to a second dermatologist who viewed them on a similar mobile phone and made an independent diagnosis for comparison. Images were taken and transmitted only after receiving informed consent from the patients. A total of 166 consecutive patients were included in the study (97 male and 69 female). A questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction was administered to each patient. Most of the responders were highly satisfied with teledermatology. However, 23 patients (14%) refused photography of the skin lesions (21 female and 2 males). The main reasons for refusal to be photographed were stated as social or religious. The broad categorical diagnostic and management concordance (i.e. when considering at least one of the diagnoses to be similar) was 95%. Specific diagnostic concordance varied according to the disease. The average kappa coefficient was 0.66 for diagnostic concordance and 0.82 for management concordance. Refusal to be photographed--a problem not limited to teledermatology--needs to be considered when designing teledermatology protocols for larger scale implementation in areas like the Middle East.

A definite declining trend in the incidence of CL was observed in Al Hassa. Further studies are warranted to assess whether special public health measures are needed for better control of CL in expatriate populations in Saudi Arabia.

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The questionnaire analysis revealed that a majority of the students were comfortable using the module and felt that it encouraged them towards further in-depth self-learning on the concerned topics. The results from the post-test were compared between the test and control sections, using the Student's t-test, which gave a P-value of 0.084 (5% significance level) suggesting that the difference was not significant. Conclusion To conclude, we would like to suggest that the use of a 'play area' like concept coupled with an interactive information technology-based self-learning module might improve dermatology teaching.