International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Physiology

Implementation of Revised CBME Curriculum 2024: More of a Challenge than an Opportunity

Gopal Krushna Pal, Nivedita Nanda — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum for MBBS undergraduates was implemented in 2019 nearly after 21 years.[1] It speaks of 5 primary goals of Indian Medical Graduate (IMG) which is to become: Clinician, Leader & Member of the Health Care Team, Communicator, Lifelong Learner, and Professional. It emphasized upon the development of specific competencies among its learners, bridging the gap between theory and practice. The curriculum was designed to be imparted in three distinct phases: I, II and III. Phase I dealt with basic science; phase II focussed on paraclinical science and phase III emphasized on clinical science. Special highlights were inclusion of Early Clinical Exposure (ECE), Foundation course; a dedicated programme on AETCOM sessions etc to sensitize about the role of attitude ethics and communication; promotion of soft skills and Self-Directed Learning (SDL), and a shift towards both formative and summative assessment. Thus, the 2019 curriculum was designed to be an outcome-oriented learner centric approach with focus on clinical skills, professionalism and ethics. Throughout these phases the primary focus was on developing required skills, knowledge, and attitude revolving around multiple competencies spelt out in the curriculum. Nearly more than 2500 competencies were spelt out for easy understanding of teachers across the country for faster implementation. In order to enable teachers in being effective trainers the National Medical Council (NMC) of India strengthened the teachers’ training programme through RBCW (Revised basic course workshop) for all teachers across India and a special Curriculum Implementation Support Programme (CISP) for training the trainers who are part of the Medical Education Unit (MEU) of all colleges.

Association Between Serum Vitamin D Levels, Skin Color and Estimated Sunlight Exposure Time in Young Adults Residing in Yangon Region

May Yadana Khin, Sanda Kyaw, Ohnmar O — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background and Aim: People living in Myanmar are exposed to adequate sunlight throughout the year. Therefore, residents of Yangon, one of Myanmar's cities, are assumed to have sufficient vitamin D levels from sunlight. While many studies suggested that individuals with fair skin tend to produce more vitamin D than those with darker skin, some studies found lower vitamin D levels in fair-skinned individuals compared to their darker-skinned counterparts. Since young adults are more likely to engage in outdoor activities, they are expected to have more sunlight exposure and higher vitamin D levels. This raises an interesting question whether young adults of different skin colors exhibit varying serum vitamin D levels. Thus, the present study aimed to find out vitamin D status and its association with skin color and estimated sunlight exposure time in young adults. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in 143 young adults aged 21-39 years. Serum vitamin D level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and skin color by skin tone analyzer. Sunlight exposure time was estimated by questionnaires. Results: Among 143 subjects, 67.8% were vitamin D sufficient (≥32 ng/mL), 28.7% were vitamin D insufficient (20-31 ng/mL) and 3.5% were deficient (<20 ng/mL). Gender difference in serum 25(OH)D level was observed (p<0.001). Statistically significant association was observed between vitamin D status and estimated sunlight exposure time groups (p<0.001) and skin color groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: It can be assumed that both estimated sunlight exposure time and skin color are contributing factors for determining serum vitamin D levels.

A Pilot Study to Check Effects of Alternate Nostril Breathing on Heart Rate Variability in Indian Male Adults

Rutam Bhalendu Vaishnav, Hasmukh D Shah, Rajanikant Solanki — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background and Aim: Alternate Nostril Breathing (ANB) modulates autonomic functions, and different breath-holding patterns improve Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Voluntary regulation of breathing with pauses between inspiration and expiration makes respiration rhythmic by modulating the autonomic nervous system. Materials and Methods: We studied the effects of two ANB methods with different inspiration-end inspiratory pause-expiration patterns on HRV in 30 healthy, untrained male medical students (18-25 years). After obtaining written voluntary consent and ethical approval, participants performed ANB-1 (4-6-6 sec) and ANB-2 (4-8-8 sec) for 8 min each. HRV parameters were measured before and after both methods using standard precautions. Results: Parasympathetic activity markers like HF nu and HF% significantly improved after both ANB methods. Significant improvements were observed in Mean HR, HF Power (Lomb statistics), HF Power, and LF/HF ratio (FFT statistics) in both ANB-1 and ANB-2. However, ANB-2 (4-8-8 cycle) showed more significant changes in HF Power and LF/HF ratio (Lomb statistics) and LF Power (FFT statistics) compared to ANB-1. Total HRV power increased in both methods but was not statistically significant. Conclusion: ANB with a slower breathing rate, prolonged end-inspiratory breath-holding, and extended expiration enhances parasympathetic dominance in young, yoga-naïve male medical students.

Effect of the Combination of Tympanic Paracentesis and Intratympanic Hadocort-D Application on Otitis Media with Effusion in Adults

Hyon-A Song, Yong-Son Han, Hye-Sun Choe, Chol-Ung Sin, Chun-Mi Jon — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background and Aim: The prevalence of otitis media with effusion in adults (OME) is very low, however, if it became chronic otitis media with effusion, it may affect the quality of life due to hearing loss and aural fullness. Therefore, early and proper management is essential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the combination of tympanic paracentesis and intratympanic Hadocort-D application for otitis media with effusion in adult. Materials and Methods: In total, 40 patients with otitis media with effusion that last for less than 2 months and had more than 4 times of tympanic paracentesis were included. They were randomly divided into two groups; the study group and control group. In study group, 20 patients (25 ears) had intratympanic Hadocort-D (Neomycin 75 000IU, Dexamethason mg, Xylometazolin hydroclorid 7.5 mg, Vietnam) application after tympanic paracentesis, and in control group, 20 patients (23 ears) had only tympanic paracentesis. We used tympanometry to confirm the middle ear effusion and pure tone audiometry to determine hearing threshold. Results: The intratympanic Hadocort-D application after tympanic paracentesis group produced better outcomes (22 ears, 88.0%) than the simple paracentesis group (11 ears, 47.8%). The recurrent rate was 12% (3 ears) in the study group, which was significantly lower than 39.1% (9 ears) of control group. Conclusion: The intratympanic Hadocort-D application after tympanic paracentesis on otitis media with effusion can reduce the number of repetitive procedures of tympanic paracentesis and prevent insertion of the ventilation tube and its short-term and long-term complications. Thus, its use in management of OME is recommended.

Mandible Reconstruction Following Resection of Gingival Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Peroneal Artery Perforator Based Fibular Osteocutaneous Free Flap

Sang Bong Ri, Song Hyon Kim, Jun Song Ryu, Hyon Il So, Chang Gol Rim — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Reconstructing soft tissue defect resulting from resection of malignant tumor in face is crucial in esthetic and functional point of view. In order to solve this problem, several flaps such as free vascularized osteocutaneous flap. We reconstruct osseous and mucosal defect resulting from resection of lesion in a patient with gingival squamous cell carcinoma invading mandible and cervical lymph node with free fibular osteocutaneous flap.

News and Views

Visakamutharasi Murugiah — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Yoga as a Modulator of Hematological Health and Menstrual Physiology

Yoga has evolved from an ancient spiritual discipline into a modern adjunct therapy with increasing scientific validation. Recent studies highlight the beneficial role of yoga and related practices on autonomic functions and hematological parameters, shedding light on its relevance in both preventive and therapeutic domains. A study by Kanojia et al. examined the impact of yoga training on autonomic functions among healthy volunteers.[1] The findings demonstrated significant improvements in parasympathetic activity, as evidenced by reduced heart rate and blood pressure, alongside improved results in autonomic function tests including the deep breathing test and Valsalva ratio. This underscores yoga's potential in modulating autonomic tone and promoting cardiovascular resilience. Complementing this, another investigation explored the hematological effects of yoga practice. Results showed improved hemoglobin levels, total leukocyte count, and platelet count among participants who practiced yoga regularly. These findings support the hypothesis that yoga may enhance hematopoiesis and modulate immune function, likely through stress reduction and improved hormonal balance.[2]

Instructions to the Authors

G. K. Pal — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

About the Journal

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Physiology (IJCEP), a is a peer‑reviewed online and print journal with quarterly (March, June, September, December) publications on demand, compilation of issues published. The journal allows free access (Open Access) to its contents and permits authors to self‑archive final accepted version of the articles on any OAI‑compliant institutional / subject‑based repository. The journal does not charge for submission, processing or publication of manuscripts and even for color reproduction of photographs.