ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the perception of medical students on the usefulness of the interactive lectures, case-based lectures, and structured interactive sessions [SIS] in teaching and learning of Physiology
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to December 2012 at Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, which had qualitative and quantitative aspects, assessed by selfreported questionnaire and focused group discussion [FGD]. The questionnaire was distributed to 100 medical students after completion of first year of teaching of MBBS Physiology. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 15. Differences were considered significant at p-values <0.05 after application of Friedman test. Responses of FGD were analyzed
Results: All the teaching methodologies helped in understanding of precise learning objectives. The comprehension of structure and functions with understanding of difficult concepts was made best possible by SIS [p=0.04, p<0.01]. SIS enabled adult learning, self-directed learning, peer learning and critical reasoning more than the other teaching strategies [p< 0.01]
Conclusion: SIS involved students who used reasoning skills and power of discussion in a group to comprehend difficult concepts for better understanding of Physiology as compared to interactive and casebased lectures
ABSTRACT
Liver is the main site in the body for intense metabolism and excretion. A number of chemicals and drugs which are used routinely cause liver damage. The present study investigates the antihepatotoxic effect of Physalis peruviana whole ripe fruit, water and ethanol extracts of fruit in normal as well as in carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] intoxicated rats. The CCl[4] treated rats showed marked elevation in liver enzymes: alanine transaminse, aspratate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and other biochemical parameters: bilirubin, creatinine and urea, thus indicating liver injury. Whereas animal treated/fed with various preparations of Physalis peruviana showed significant lowering effect [p<0.05] in the elevated levels of serum markers like ALAT, ASAT, ALP, LDH, creatinine, urea and bilirubin indicating the protection against hepatic cell damage. The water extract of Physalis peruviana showed highest activity in both rat models while ripe fruit and ethanol extract showed moderate activity compared to standard drug.
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Carbon Tetrachloride/toxicity , Rats, Wistar , Liver/drug effects , Plant Extracts , Water , EthanolABSTRACT
Objective: To identify the occurrence of leg pain amongst computer users and assess its relation to age, sex, occupation and duration of computer use
Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted from January till December 2011. A self reported questionnaire tailored with Occupational Health and Safety Act of the Ministry of Labor, Ontario, Canada was used. Participants were randomly selected; responses analyzed by SPSS software version 15. Chi square test was applied to results and considered significant with p value <0.05
Results: A total of 416 participants responded with mean age of 34.87+/-8.78 years. There were 231[55.5 %] males. Out of 416, 123[29.5%] participants had work related leg symptoms [66[15.8%] male and 57 [13.7%] female]. Occurrence of leg pain within one to two hours of consecutive work was significantly more in 26-35 and 36-45 year age groups. Postural changes incorporated through frequent short breaks improved leg symptoms in between eight to nine out of ten participants [104/123]. The improvement was significantly more in 26-35 and 36-45 year age groups. Leg symptoms showed no relation with the length of computer usage or daily usage or between both sex and working groups
Conclusion: Leg pain/tingling/numbness is an early sign of repetitive injuries that can be timely addressed by ergonomic education and improving postural health through short breaks