Learning Odd Stuff

In the integrated curriculum of my university, the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) system is considered the leading engine that drives all other modes of learning. The emphasis in PBL is not in the intrigue of diagnosis, but in the opportunities to ask questions about related aspects of biomedical sciences.

What a big bunch of bull!

LOL... PBL is basically a 'mutated' form of tutorial classes, except that without having a lecturer tutoring us... the members of the PBL group (9-11 people) share/teach each other about respective topics or 'Learning Issues' relevant to the patient case and pathology.

Well, I guess some people might say it's a way for the university to save money (while suctioning a lot of fees from us) despite its claim that this will make us 'life-long learners', extremely applicable in the field of medicine, ahem!

Fine by me. I just wanna survive the next 7 semesters (long long time it is) and graduate and get my license and then (insert future plans!) I have been quite lucky to have pretty co-operative and enthusiastic group members, whom some I have never known existed in my batch before this. I cannot say the same about all the facilitators-cum-lecturers though. Good ones, are excruciatingly, hard to come by.

Anyways, it's common ground to have to include The Package while coming up with Learning Issues together (yes, we decide what we want to discuss!). What's the package, one wonders?

The Package usually includes:

1. Anatomy of the (affected) Organs/Systems/Regions
2. Physiology of the above
3. Biochemistry (if any)
4. Pathological aspects
5. Clinical presentations
6. Principles of Treatment and Management
7. Epidemiology and Public Health Aspects
8 (the much-dreaded) Social and Preventive Medicine side... or as we call it here, Behavioural Sciences and Community Medicine

Pretty normal for medical studies right?

Guess what I have to research on (one of them anyway!) for tomorrow's meeting session?

BIOCHEMISTRY OF FLATULENCE!!!

*faints and rolls on the floor like a spring roll*

And I shall leave you, lovable readers of mine, with some worthy quotes, relevant to the issue above!

• The noises commonly associated with flatulence are caused by the vibration of the analsphincter, and not by the buttocks.

• The sound varies depending on the tightness of the sphincter muscle and velocity of the gas being propelled, as well as other factors such as water and body fat.

• Humans are also known to flatulate during sleep, largely due to the relaxed state of body muscles, which results in the average person flatulating about 10-20 times through any given night.

• Nerve endings in the rectum usually enable individuals to distinguish between flatus and feces, although loose stool can confuse the individual, occasionally resulting in accidental defecation.

• In 1998, Chester "Buck" Weimer of Pueblo, Colorado, USA received a patent for the first undergarment that contained a replaceable charcoal filter. The undergarments are air-tight and provide a pocketed escape hole in which a charcoal filter can be inserted.

• Flatulence is often blamed as a significant source of greenhouse gases owing to the erroneous belief that the methane released by livestock is in the flatus.While livestock account for around 20% of global methane emissions, 90 to 95% of that is released by exhaling or burping. This means only 1–2% of global methane emissions come from livestock flatus.

Like, OMG!!!