Objectives:To explore the effect of vitamin D supplementation in prevention of respiratory tract infections on the basis of published clinical trials.Materials and Methods:Clinical trials were searched from various electronic databases. Five clinical trials were suitable for inclusion. Outcome was events of respiratory tract infections in vitamin D group and placebo group. Data was reported as odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Both random and fixed model was used for analysis. Analysis was done with the help of Comprehensive meta-analysis software 2.Results:Events of respiratory tract infections were significantly lower in vitamin D group as compared to control group [Odds ratio = 0.582 (0.417 – 0.812) P = 0.001] according to random model. Results were similar in fixed model. On separate analysis of clinical trials dealing with groups of children and adults, beneficial effect of vitamin D was observed in both, according to fixed model [Odds ratio = 0.579 (0.416 – 0.805), P = 0.001 and Odd ratio = 0.653 (0.472 – 0.9040, P = 0.010 respectively]. On using random model beneficial effect persisted in children's group but became nonsignificant in adults group [Odds ratio = 0.579 (0.416 – 0.805), P = 0.001 and Odd ratio = 0.544 (0.278 – 1.063) P = 0.075 respectively].Conclusion:Vitamin D supplementation decreases the events related to respiratory tract infections. There is need of more well conducted clinical trials to reach to a certain conclusion.

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The rapid bedside test for phIGFBP-1 was more reliable in the prediction of preterm delivery than was the equivalent test for fFN.

Background: To study maternal and fetal outcome in antenatal patients with heart failure. Methods: The present study was conducted on pregnant female with heart failure admitted to hospital UISEMH, Kanpur from January 2012 to August, 2013. We attended 6800 pregnant female admitted to hospital out of which 48 pregnant female had heart failure during pregnancy or in labour. This was descriptive observational study. Results: Percentage of pregnant female with heart failure in our study was 0.7%. The mean of age distribution in pregnant patients with heart failure is 22.66 ± 2.82 years. Primigravida and primipara contributed to major group with 77.09% (37/48). Delivery was conducted in 33.3%, while 60.4% were expired. 4% of cases lost follow-up. None of patient belonged to AHA class A or B of heart failure. 37.5% were in AHA class C while 62.5% were in class D. Early diagnosis was made in only 16.58% of cases. 75% of early diagnosed case survived in comparison to 32% of late diagnosis. 31.25% cases delivered term healthy babies, 37.5% were dead born and pre-term and small for gestation babies are 12.5% and 18.75% respectively. Of dead born 66.6% were macerated and 33.3% were fresh stillbirths. Among survivals 57% had ventilator support. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and prompt management improves outcome. Maternal and fetal outcome is dependent on time of diagnosis, severity of heart failure and ventilator support.

Context:Over the years with advancement of science and technology, each subject has become highly specialized. Teaching of medical students has still remained separate in various departments with no scope of integration in majority of medical institutes in India. Study was planned to have an experience of integration in institute and sensitize faculty for integrated teaching–learning (TL) method.Aims:To prepare and test effectiveness of integrated teaching module for 2nd year MBBS student in pharmacology and to sensitize and motivate faculties toward advantages of implementing integrated module.Settings and Design:Education intervention project implemented 2nd year MBBS students of Government Medical College and New Civil Hospital, Surat.Subjects and Methods:Students of second MBBS were divided into two groups. One group was exposed to integrated teaching sessions and another to traditional method. Both the groups were assessed by pre- and post-test questionnaire, feedback and focus group discussions were conducted to know their experience about process.Results:A total of 165 students of the 2nd year MBBS were exposed to the integrated teaching module for two topics in two groups. One group was taught by traditional teaching, and another group was exposed to the integrated TL session. Both the groups have shown a significant improvement in posttest scores but increase in mean score was more in integrated group. During analysis of feedback forms, it was noted that students preferred integrated TL methods since they help in better understanding. Faculty feedback shows consensus over the adaptation of integrated TL methods.Conclusions:Integrated TL sessions were well-appreciated by students and faculties. To improve the critical reasoning skills and self-directed learning of students, integrated TL is highly recommended for must know areas of curriculum.

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INTRODUCTIONNationally unplanned pregnancy rate is 21% of all pregnancies.1 In India 65% of women in the first year postpartum have an unmet need for family planning, out of which only 26% of woman are using any method of contraception. Hence, contraceptive counselling has become an integral part of antenatal and postpartum programme as pregnant and postpartum women are generally highly motivated towards controlling the fertility, either in spacing out there children or stopping their fertility altogether. Postpartum period is one of the sensitive time of woman's life when she is in contact with health care facility known as crisis oriented and when both mother and newborn need a special care. Postpartum contraceptive options are limited. Barrier contraceptives and progesterone only pills, both are user and compliance dependent methods and therefore have high failure rates. Traditionally, Cu T insertion was limited to interval period. But now, recent studies on postpartum contraceptive methods have suggested the use of Cu T in postpartum period which can provide long term and effective contraception with failure rate of <1%.Percentage of institutional deliveries in India is 41%.2 As the number of institutional deliveries is increasing, postpartum Cu T insertion can provide a unique opportunity to increase the contraceptive prevalence ABSTRACT Background: The use of Cu T in postpartum period can provide long term and effective contraception and this study compares PPIUCD versus interval IUCD. Methods: 300 women enrolled in the study were divided into two groups. Postpartum group-150; Postplacental or within 10 minutes/intracaesarean/within 48 hrs of delivery. Interval Group 150; after 6 weeks of delivery / postmenstrual. Cu T 380A was used in the study. Contraindication for PPIUCD were between 48 hrs and 6 wks postpartum, chorioaminionitis, PROM >18 hrs, unresolved PPH and puerperal sepsis. All were followed up for 6 months. Results:The continuation rate at 6 months was 81.81% in interval group and 88.23% in postpartum group. Complications occurred in 15.33% cases after PPIUCD and in 19.33% cases after interval IUCD. Expulsion rate was significantly higher in PPIUCD as compared to interval insertions (6.96% v/s 2.2%; p value <0.05). Removal rate of IUCD was almost similar in both the groups (4% in PPIUCD v/s 6.0% in interval). Conclusions: PPIUCD is an effective, safe, convenient, low cost and long term method of postpartum contraception irrespective of the mode of delivery.

Context:It is observed in studies done for western medical journals that insufficient information related to drug is usually provided in the drug advertisements published in them.Aims:As data for advertisements published in Indian Medical Journals were lacking, this study was designed with the aim of evaluating drug advertisements published in Indian Medical Journals for adequacy of information on drug and references given to support the claim made in the advertisements.Settings and Design:Cross-sectional survey.Methods and Materials:All medical journals related to clinical practice subscribed by the Central Library of Government Medical College, Surat, (Indian Journal of Pediatrics [IJP], Indian Pediatrics [IP], Journal of the Association of Physicians of India [JAPI], Journal of Indian Medical Association [JIMA], Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine [IJCCM], Indian Journal of Medical and Pediatric Oncology [IJMPO], Indian Journal of Gastroenterology [IJG], Indian Journal of Ophthalmology [IJO], and Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India [JOGI] were evaluated for adequacy of reporting of various parameters in drug advertisements published in these journals on the basis of “World Heath Organization (WHO)” criteria. References mentioned to support claims were also evaluated.Statistical Analysis Used:Descriptive statistics was used to describe data as frequencies, percentages, and 95% confidence interval around the percentage.Results:Generic name was mentioned in 90% advertisements. Indications were mentioned in 84% advertisements. Dose, precautions, and contraindications were mentioned in 24%, 17%, and 16% advertisements, respectively. Adverse effects and postal address of pharmaceutical company was mentioned in 19% and 74% advertisements, respectively. Price was mentioned in only 5% advertisements. Only 28% claims were supported by references. Most common references were Journal articles (75%).Conclusion:Drug advertisements published in Indian Medical Journals are poor in reporting various parameters according to WHO criteria.