PowerPoint presentation in learning physiology by undergraduates with different learning styles.

PowerPoint presentations (PPTs) have become routine in medical colleges because of their flexible and varied presentation capabilities. Research indicates that students prefer PPTs over the chalk-and-talk method, and there is a lot of debate over advantages and disadvantages of PPTs. However, there is no clear evidence that PPTs improve student learning/performance. Furthermore, there are a variety of learning styles with sex differences in classrooms. It is the responsibility of teacher/facilitator and student to be aware of learning style preferences to improve learning. The present study asked the following research question: do PPTs equally affect the learning of students with different learning styles in a mixed sex classroom? After we assessed students' predominant learning style according to the sensory modality that one most prefers to use when learning, a test was conducted before and after a PPT to assess student performance. The results were analyzed using Student's t-test and ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc test. A z-test showed no sex differences in preferred learning styles. There was significant increase in posttest performance compared with that of the pretest in all types of learners of both sexes. There was also a nonsignificant relationship among sex, learning style, and performance after the PPT. A PPT is equally effective for students with different learning style preferences and supports mixed sex classrooms.

Low dose adrenocorticotropic hormone test and adrenal insufficiency in critically ill acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients.

CONTEXT: Prevalence of adrenal insufficiency (AI) is not uncommon in HIV infected population. However, AI is rarely diagnosed in clinical practice because many patients have non-specific symptoms and signs. Critical illness in such patients further complicates the evaluation of adrenal function. A 1µgm ACTH test can be used for diagnosis, since it results in more physiological levels of ACTH. A serum cortisol of <18 µg/dL, 30 or 60-minutes after ACTH test has been accepted as indicative of AI, but many experts advocate the normal cortisol response should exceed 25 µg/dL, in critically ill patients. AIM: To determine the prevalence of AI in critically ill AIDS patients, by using 1 µg ACTH test and also, to compare the diagnostic criteria for adrenal insufficiency between cortisol response of <18 µg/dL and <25 µg/dL. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This prospective study was done in the Department of Medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After taking blood for basal plasma cortisol from AIDS affected fifty adult men and women aged over 18 yrs, 1 µg ACTH was given intravenously, and blood samples were again collected at 30 and 60 minutes for plasma cortisol estimation. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: It was done by Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Prevalence of AI was 74% (37 patients) and 92% (46 patients), when the peak stimulated cortisol level of <18 µg/dL and <25 µg/dL, respectively, was used. CONCLUSION: AI is more prevalent in critically ill AIDS patients. Hence, this test can be performed for early intervention and better management.

Effect of short-term pranayama and meditation on cardiovascular functions in healthy individuals.

CONTEXT: Asana, pranayama, and meditation are three main techniques of yoga practiced in India over thousands of years to attain functional harmony between the body and mind. Recent studies on long-term yogic practices have shown improvements in cardiovascular functions. AIM: The present study was conducted to ascertain if a short-term practice of pranayama and meditation had improvements in cardiovascular functions in healthy individuals with respect to age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This interventional study was conducted in the Department of physiology of S.N. Medical College, Bagalkot. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty healthy subjects (24 males and 26 females) of 20-60 years age group, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent two hours daily yoga program for 15 days taught by a certified yoga teacher. Pre and post yoga cardiovascular functions were assessed by recording pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean blood pressure. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The parameters were analyzed by Student's t test. RESULTS: There was significant reduction in resting pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure after practicing pranayama and meditation for 15 days. The response was similar in both the genders, both the age groups, <40 yrs and >40 yrs and both the groups with BMI, <25 kg/m(2) and >25 kg/m(2). CONCLUSION: This study showed beneficial effects of short term (15 days) regular pranayama and meditation practice on cardiovascular functions irrespective of age, gender, and BMI in normal healthy individuals.