Problem-based learning as a tool in Anesthesia PG teaching – A cross sectional study.

Background: The teaching curriculum in anesthesia usually involves lecture-based traditional teaching and manikin simulations. Case based discussions are one are the extensively practiced PBL methods of postgraduate teaching in anesthesia. To this reason, we evaluated the effectiveness of problem-based learning methodology in anesthesia postgraduate teaching in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was done to all postgraduate students in the department of anesthesia. The survey contains six questions, particularly intended to obtain the PG students view on the effectiveness of PBL in CBD, which was adopted from the Melveetil S et al study and Barrow’s rating of meeting the educational objectives. All the students were given the questionnaire, and response was recorded in the form of yes/no. The questionnaire was collected anonymously and entered into Microsoft Excel software for calculating descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation (SD) and percentages. Results: A total of 32 anaesthesia PG students participated in this study. The results of the survey were based on student’s opinion of effectiveness of PBL with CBD suggested modifications. 28% accepted that they never formulate the learning objectives before the case discussions. 68% agreed that the teaching materials/references or/resources were never shared among the students before the case discussion. 70% of the students agreed that content of the cased based discussion was distributed but it never contained the direction of PBL. 87.5% participants accepted the fact that in their CBD only real patients were incorporated. Seshaiah S, Jagadish V. Problem-based learning as a tool in Anesthesia PG teaching - A cross sectional study. IAIM, 2016; 3(4): 136-139. Page 137 Conclusion: The majority of the students, in spite of their poor knowledge in understanding PBL such as the formulation of objectives, facilitation skills, and communication on the direction of PBL. Students expressed interest to learn case based discussions.

Potential interaction of green tea extract with hydrochlorothiazide against doxorubicin‑induced myocardial damage.

Background: Treatment of ischemic hypertensive patients with hydrochlorothiazide can precipitate cardiac arrhythmias. Green tea, by virtue of its antioxidant potential, is responsible for cardio‑protective activity. Objective: The present study was under taken to evaluate the pharmacodynamic interaction of green tea extract with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) against doxorubicin (DOX)‑induced myocardial toxicity. Materials and Methods: Rats were treated with high (500 mg/kg, p.o.) and low (100 mg/kg, p.o.) dose of green tea extract in alone and interactive groups for 28 days. Standard, high and low dose of interactive groups received hydrochlorothiazide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) for the last 7 days. Apart from normal controls, all other groups were subjected to DOX (3 mg/kg, i.p.) toxicity on Days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28, and the effect of different treatments was evaluated by changes in electrocardiographic parameters, serum biomarkers and tissue antioxidant levels. Apart from that, lipid profile and histological studies were also carried out. Results: Compared with the DOX control group, both high and low dose of green tea exhibited a significant decrease in serum biomarkers and increase in tissue antioxidant levels. Green tea treatment was also responsible for significant improvement in ECG parameter, lipid profile and histological score. Incorporation of high and low dose of green tea with HCTZ exhibited significant protection compared with the HCTZ alone treated group. Conclusion: The present findings clearly suggest that the green tea extract dose‑dependently reduces DOX‑induced myocardial toxicity. Green tea when combined with HCTZ can reduce the associated side‑effects and exhibits myocardial protection.

Evaluation of tectona gransis leaves for wound healing activity

The frontal leaves of Tectona grandis [Verabinaceae] are widely used in the folklore for the treatment of various kinds of wounds, especially burn wound. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of hydrochloric extract of Tectona grandis on experimentally induced wounds in rats and compare the effects observed with a known wound healing agent, Aloe vera. The models selected were excision wound, incision wound, burn wound and dead space wound. A suitable gel formulation was selected for the application using cellophane membrane penetration. In the excision wound and burn wound models, animals treated with Tectona grandis leaf extract showed significant reduction in period of epithelisation and wound contraction 50%. In the incision wound model, a significant increase in the breaking strength was observed. Tectona grandis leaf extract treatment orally produced a significant increase in the breaking strength, dry weight and hydroxyproline content of the granulation tissue in dead space wound. It was concluded that Tectona grandis leaf extract applied topically [5% and 10% gel formulation] or administered orally [250 mg and 500 mg/kg body weight] possesses wound healing activity

Hepatoprotective activity of Psidium guajava Linn. leaf extract.

The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of P. guajava in acute experimental liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, paracetamol or thioacetamide and chronic liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride. The effects observed were compared with a known hepatoprotective agent, silymarin. In the acute liver damage induced by different hepatotoxins, P. guajava leaf extracts (250 and 500mg/kg, po) significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. The higher dose of the extract (500 mg/kg, po) prevented the increase in liver weight when compared to hepatoxin treated control, while the lower dose was ineffective except in the paracetamol induced liver damage. In the chronic liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, the higher dose (500 mg/kg, po) of P. guajava leaf extract was found to be more effective than the lower dose (250 mg/kg, po). Histological examination of the liver tissues supported the hepatoprotection. It is concluded that the aqueous extract of leaves of guava plant possesses good hepatoprotective activity.

Effect of hexane extract of boswellia serrata oleo-gum resin on chemically induced liver damage

The hexane extract of oleo-gum-resin of Boswellia serrata [BSHE] was evaluated for its effect on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, paracetamol or thioacetamide. The BSHE was given in two different doses [87.5 mg/kg p.o. and 175mg/kg p.o.]. Silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent was used as standard. The lower dose of BSHE [87.5mg/kg p.o.] significantly reduced the elevated levels of serum marker enzymes and prevented the increase in liver weight in all three models of liver injury, while the higher dose showed mild hepatoprotective activity. The hepatoprotective effect of lower dose of BSHE was supported by changes in histopathology. It was concluded that hexane extract of oleo-gum-resin of Boswellia serrata plant in lower doses possess hepatoprotective activity