ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the effects of lead acetate and Ficus carica on disruption of basement membrane in seminiferous tubules of adult rat testis. Study Design: An experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad, from March to November 2017
Methodology: Thirty male adult Sprague Dawley rats were selected and divided into three groups, each with ten animals. All treatments were given once daily for a period of eight weeks. Control was labelled as group A. Group B was administered lead acetate at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight. Group C was treated with lead acetate at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight and Ficus carica at a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight. Animals were dissected 24 hours after the last dose. Testis were treated, fixed and stained for histological study. Disruption of basement membrane in seminiferous tubules was scored morphometrically on a scale of 0 [normal] to 3 [>70% tubules showing disruption] and statistically analysed
Results: Significant number of seminiferous tubules showed disruption of basement membrane in group B [20%] as compared to group A [0%]. Less severe disruption of membrane was seen in group C as compared to group B, which was statistically not significant [p=0.082]
Conclusion: Lead acetate causes significant disruption of basement membrane in seminiferous tubules of testis of adult rats but subsequent administration of Ficus carica reduces the effects on short term
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the preventive effects of Punica granatum [pomegranate] juice and extract on weight and volume of steroid induced mice kidneys. Study Design: Lab based randomized control trial. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College [AMC] Rawalpindi, in cooperation with National Institute of Health [NIH] Islamabad, from Apr to May 2015
Material and Methods: Forty male and female healthy [BALB/c strain] mice with average weight of 25-30gms were divided into four groups, having ten animals each. Group A was a control group and groups B, C and D were experimental groups. Mice in experimental groups were injected Nandrolone decanoate [ND] at the dosage of 1 mg/100 gm of body weight, intramuscularly [I/M] in the hind limb once a week for 8 weeks. Mice in experimental group C were also given pomegranate juice [PJ] at the dosage of 3ml/kg of body weight through oral gavage tube for 8 weeks daily and mice in experimental group D were given pomegranate peel extract [PPE] at the dosage of 200mg/kg of body weight by oral gavage tube for 8 weeks daily. Intergroup comparison of results of experimental groups B, C and D with each other and with control group A was done
Results: The weight and volume of kidneys were significantly different in ND treated experimental group B and difference in both these parameters was seen in pomegranate administered experimental groups C and D
Conclusion: Pomegranate in both forms, as pomegranate juice and peels extract, equally prevent the weight and volume of steroid induced kidneys
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effects of anabolic androgenic steroid on histomorphology of the proximal and distal renal tubules in mice kidney and amelioration of these effects with Punica granatum [Pomegranate]. Study Design: It was laboratory based randomized control trial. Place and Duration of Study: Anatomy Department, Army Medical College Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad, from Apr to May 2015
Material and Method: Forty healthy male and female BALB/c mice weighing 25-30gms were equally divided into four groups. Group A served as a control group and groups B, C and D served as experimental groups. Mice in these three experimental groups were injected Nandrolone decanoate [ND] at the dose of 1 mg/100 gm body weight, as single intramuscular injection in the hind limb once a week for 8 weeks. Mice in experimental group C was also given pomegranate juice [PJ] at the dose of 3ml/kg body weight by oral gavage tube for 8 weeks daily and mice in experimental group D was given pomegranate peel extract [PPE] at the dose of 200mg/kg body weight by oral gavage tube for 8 weeks daily. The results of experimental groups B, C and D were compared with control group A and with each other
Results: In experimental group B, proximal and distal tubular and luminal diameters were significantly increased when compared with control group A, and these parameters were improved statistically when compared with pomegranate juice and pomegranate peel extract administered experimental groups C and D, respectively
Conclusion: Punica granatum in both forms, as Pomegranate juice and Pomegranate peel extract, has nearly equal ameliorative effects on steroid induced renal tubular damage
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of transabdominal ultrasonography [US] in staging of Wilms tumor, taking transabdominal contrast enhanced computed tomography [CT] of abdomen as gold standard. Study Design: Cross sectional/validation study. Place and Duration of Study: Radiology department, Children Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, from Apr 2006 to Mar 2007
Material and Methods: Thirty patients presenting with Wilms tumor underwent transabdominal ultrasound and CT abdomen with contrast for staging. All of them were evaluated for age, gender, presenting complaints, signs and symptoms. As patients were children so consent was taken from their parents. X-ray chest of all of the patients was done to exclude pulmonary metastasis
Results: For stage-I: Ultrasound correctly staged 10 out of 15 cases of stage-I [66.6%] and over staged 5 out of 15 cases of stage-I [33.3%]. For stage-II: Ultrasound correctly staged 2 out of 8 cases of stage-II [25%] and incorrectly staged 6 out of 8 cases of stage-II [75%]. For stage-III: Ultrasound correctly staged 4 out of 7 cases of stage-III [57%] and incorrectly staged 3 out of 7 cases of stage-III [43%]
Conclusion: In children, ultrasound abdomen plays a vital role in cases of renal tumors for differential diagnosis, staging, monitoring of therapy and surgical planning. Diagnostic information obtained from CT and ultrasound examinations are complementary in many instances, however, computed tomography [CT] has been shown to be superior to ultrasound [US] in this regard
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the effect of commercial green tea on ibuprofen-induced glomerular atrophy in kidney of adult rat by using transvertical glomerular diameter as the determining parameter
Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College Rawalpindi in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH] Islamabad from December 2016 to January 2017
Methodology: Thirty Sprague-dawley rats, males and females, were selected and divided into three groups. Each group comprised of 10 animals. Group A was used as control. Group B was given ibuprofen 120 mg/kg bodyweight/day. Group C received extract of Lipton green tea 1 ml/100 mg bodyweight/day in addition to ibuprofen 120 mg/kg. The dose was administered once daily for a period of 9 weeks. Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after administration of last dose. Kidney tissue was processed and stained with H and E. Routine histological study was performed. Change in transvertical glomerular diameter was taken as the defining parameter for determining glomerular atrophy. SPSS version 22 was the tool used for statistical analysis. P-value <0.05 was considered significant
Results: Transvertical glomerular diameter [TVGD] was significantly decreased in both experimental groups B [76.15 +/- 1.85 Mu m] and C [89.59 +/-1.87 Mu m] in comparison with control group A [94.27 +/- 1.82 Mu m]. However, the difference in TVGD between both experimental groups was also significant, asserting the ameliorative effect of green tea against glomerular damage
Conclusion: Ibuprofen caused glomerular atrophy but administration of green tea along with ibuprofen protected against significant reduction in glomerular diameter, thus preventing atrophy
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the effects of lead acetate and Ficus carica on disruption of basement membrane in seminiferous tubules of adult rat testis
Study Design: An experimental study
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad, from March to November 2017
Methodology: Thirty male adult Sprague Dawley rats were selected and divided into three groups, each with ten animals. All treatments were given once daily for a period of eight weeks. Control was labelled as group A. Group B was administered lead acetate at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight. Group C was treated with lead acetate at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight and Ficus carica at a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight. Animals were dissected 24 hours after the last dose. Testis were treated, fixed and stained for histological study. Disruption of basement membrane in seminiferous tubules was scored morphometrically on a scale of 0 [normal] to 3 [>70% tubules showing disruption] and statistically analysed
Results: Significant number of seminiferous tubules showed disruption of basement membrane in group B [20%] as compared to group A [0%]. Less severe disruption of membrane was seen in group C as compared to group B, which was statistically not significant [p=0.082]
Conclusion: Lead acetate causes significant disruption of basement membrane in seminiferous tubules of testis of adult rats but subsequent administration of Ficus carica reduces the effects on short term
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the effect of caffeine and vitamin D3 on the height of proliferative and hypertrophy zones of epiphyseal cartilage of developing femur of BALB/c mice
Study Design: Laboratory based randomized control trial
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at anatomy department, Army Medical College [AMC], Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad from Oct 2014 to Oct 2015
Material and Methods: A total of thirty [30] BALB/c mice [15 male, 15 female], three weeks old and weighing 12-14 g, were taken and divided in to three equal groups of 10 mice each [5 male, 5 female]. The control group G1 was given normal diet with water ad libitum. In addition to the same diet, animals in experimental group G2 were given 10 mg of caffeine per 100 g body weight once a day on alternate days through oral gav age for 60 days. All animals of group G3 for 60 days were given caffeine 10mg/100gm body weight on alternate day and vitamin D3 0.1?g per day by oral gav age. At completion of the experiment, effect of caffeine and vitamin D3 on the height of proliferative and hypertrophy zones of epiphyseal cartilage of mice's femur was analyzed
Results: The mean +/- SD of height of proliferative and hypertrophy zones of control group G1 animals was found to be 31.5 +/- 4.1?m and 43 +/- 2.6?m, respectively. The mean +/- SD of height of proliferative and hypertrophy zones of experimental group G2 animals was observed as 59 +/- 3.2?m and 72.5 +/- 7.2?m, respectively. The mean +/- SD of height of proliferative and hypertrophy zones of experimental group G3 animals was measured as 46 +/- 4.6?m and 54 +/- 4.6?m, respectively
Conclusion: Caffeine intake altered the height of proliferative and hypertrophy zones of the epiphyseal cartilage of developing femur; however treatment with vitamin D3 ameliorated this effect
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the association of total absenteeism and the CBL absenteeism among the undergraduate medical students
Study Design: A cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College and study was conducted in the month of June 2016
Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the month of June 2016 among the Second MBBS course at the Army Medical College. Two hundred second year M.B.B.S. students were informed and invited to participate in the study. We gathered the information from the students on total number of CBL attended in the whole academic year, reason for missing Anatomy CBL, causes for absenteeism, annual total attendance percentage of the second year class, number of pass CBL sessions in second year
Results: Out of 173 participants, there were 101 [58.4 percent] male and 72 [41.6 percent] female students with the mean age of 20.01 +/- 0.69 years. There were 84 [48.6 percent] medical cadets, 12 [6.9 percent] paying cadets, 21 [12.1 percent] additional selected cadets, 46 [26.6 percent] NUMS cadets and 10 [5.8 percent] NUMS foreign cadets. Mean CBL attendance was 13.09 +/- 1.87 with the range of 6-15. Mean attendance of classes other than CBL was 92.40 +/- 6.55. The difference of CBL attendance between various categories of cadets was insignificant [p-value=0.18]. Also, there was no effect of gender on the CBL attendance [p-value=0.10]
Conclusion: Frequency of students with attendance in CBL sessions below 75 percent is significantly different than the frequency of students with attendance above 75 percent
ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the spectrum and antimicrobial sensitivity of bacterial pathogens causing neonatal sepsis, in neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] of Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi
Study Design: Prospective cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: This was a prospective cross sectional study, conducted at NICU of Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from Jul 2017 to Dec 2017
Material and Methods: All neonates admitted to our department who underwent evaluation for sepsis, from Jul 2017 to Dec 2017
Results: Out of 2,480 admitted neonates, 733 were suspected with sepsis, making an incidence of suspected neonatal sepsis to be 29.5 percent. 421 [57.4 percent] babies were suspected with early onset sepsis [EOS] and 312 [42.6 percent] with late onset sepsis [LOS]. Majority of the babies [70.3 percent] were preterm. In 281 [11.3 percent] neonates, blood culture came out to be positive. 73/281 neonates with culture proven sepsis died making a mortality rate of 25.9 percent. Gram negative bacilli were most predominant among isolated bacteria. Most of the organisms showed resistance to the first line antibiotics
Conclusion: Sepsis has a high mortality rate in neonates admitted to our department. Gram negative organisms are the most common cause. Most of the isolated organisms are resistant to empirical antibiotics
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the effects of anastrozole use as hormonal treatment of breast cancer on the serum estrogen level in an animal model
Study Design: Laboratory based randomized controlled trial
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with National Institute of Health, Islamabad, 7 months from Jun 2012 to Nov 2012
Material and Methods: Thirty adult female rabbits [New Zealand] average weight 1.2 to 2 kg and age between 6 months to 2 years were selected. Ten were kept in control group A and 10 were kept in experimental groups B and C each. Group B was given anastrozole in the dose parallel to normal human dose and group C was given a dose 10 times higher than the normal dose for six months. After the completion of the study blood estrogen levels were taken to evaluate serum estrogen level of the groups. The results were compared among the groups for statistical significance by using SPSS version 21
Result: After maintaining a steady dose of anastrozole in both experimental groups for six months, blood samples were taken to calculate the mean serum level of estrogen in each group the normal level was 186.1 +/- 63.59 pmol/L in group A and 116.4 +/- 48.58 pmol/L and 108.2 +/- 20.40 pmol/L in experimental groups B and C respectively. The p-value was 0.008 which was statistically significant. The p-value between the control and experimental group C was 0.003 which is also highly significant. The comparison of the serum estrogen levels of both the experimental groups B and C was found to be statistically insignificant
Conclusion: Adminstration of normal dose of anastrazoledecreases serum estrogen levels. This decrease is significant statistically. Increasing the dose of anastrozole decreases the serum estrogen levels but this decrease is not significant statistically
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the learning approaches of medical students in their pre-clinical years in a case based learning curriculum
Study Design: Descriptive [Quantitative] study
Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan 2017 to Jul 2017
Materials and Methods: Two hundred students from 2nd year MBBS participated in the study by filling a 52 items questionnaire-Approach and study skills inventory for students. Students' scores were measured separately for surface, deep and strategic approaches. Gender difference regarding the preferred approach of students was also found out. Analysis was carried out by using student t-test on Microsoft Excel Sheet
Results: There is a significant difference [p-value <0.05] between the number of surface learners when compared with number of deep and strategic learners. A preference for the deep or strategic approaches has been noticed in both female and male students
Conclusion: The study provided evidence that even in very initial years of medical studies where case based learning has been introduced as a student-centered strategy, it is promoting a deep or strategic learning approach in medical students. These approaches have been considered helpful in making students lifelong learners. It also helps in identifying the surface learners at the same time. Their identification will help and guide teaching faculty and the curriculum planners about the scope of different teaching modalities to be used in the best interest of the students
ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the urgency patterns and the effect of time management
Study Design: A survey based descriptive study
Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from June to August 2015
Material and Methods: Through random sampling, sample size was limited to 50 respondents. Questionnaire was introduced after the informed consent to the management and faculty of the Army Medical College. It was divided into section of demographic data and and data regarding the awareness about time management and practices of effective time management in the organization. Second section composed of the urgency index questions and calculations of the total score. Third section was the Steve Covey Time Management Grid to categorize activities into four quadrants. The time management matrix technique [TMMT] was constructed by Steve Covey to focus on the control of personal actions rather than purely scheduling time
Results: Twenty eight [56%] males and 22 [44%] females participated in the study with mean age of 43.54 +/- 7.58. Four [8%] were single and 46 [92%] were married. Mean working experience of the participants was 17.55 +/- 7.36. Categories of the participants into low urgency and high urgency index after calculation of the scores reflected that most of the participants irrespective of the gender or length of the work experience were suffering from high urgency patterns of life style
Conclusion: Most of the participants were suffering from high urgency patterns of life style. Urgent tasks have short-term penalties while important tasks are those with objective-oriented consequences
ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the success of Foley catheter and prostaglandin E2 [PGE2] in females presenting with postdates pregnancy
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial
Place and Duration of Study: Department of obstetrics and gynecology, Combined Military Hospital [CMH], Quetta Jun 2015 to Oct 2015
Material and Methods: Through non-probability, consecutive sampling technique 150 cases were included in the study. Informed consent and demographic details were noted. All females were randomly divided in two equal groups by using lottery method. In group A, Foley catheters, were administered. Speculum examination was performed, and 16F standard latex Foley catheter was inserted, using aseptic technique, above the internal cervical os and inflated with 30 mL of sterile water. The catheter was taped to the inner thigh with slight traction, and spigot inserted to occlude the lumen. In group B, PGE2 gel was inserted into the posterior vaginal fornix. Initially 2 mg dose per vaginum for nulliparous and 1 mg per vaginum for multi parous women was used. A post-insertion cardiotocography [CTG] was performed for at least 30 minutes. The cervix was re-examined after six hours and, if required, the procedure repeated using a further 1 mg PGE2 [regardless of parity]. Success was labelled for those females who delivered vaginally within 24 hours. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. Both groups were compared for success in terms of vaginal delivery within 24 hrs by using chi-square test. A p-value
Results: The mean age of the patients was 28.33 +/- 5.79 years, the mean gestational age was 42.00 +/- 0.82 weeks. Success was achieved in 76 cases in which 26 were from group A and 50 were from group B. Statistically highly significant difference was found between the study groups and success of the patients i.e. p-value=0.000
Conclusion: PGE2 showed significantly greater success in terms of vaginal delivery within 24 hrs as compared to Foley catheter in females presenting with postdates pregnancy
ABSTRACT
Objective: To find out the effect of computer based animations on learning of Physiology
Study Design: Randomized control trial
Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College Rawalpindi, from Jan to Sep 2016
Material and Methods: Sixty students of first year MBBS class were selected through simple random sampling and then randomly assigned into two groups of 30 each; group I and II. A pre-test was given to both the groups to assess their basal knowledge about the systems to be taught. In 1st teaching session, experimental group was taught with and control without animations. In 2nd teaching session, control group became experimental and previously experimental group became control. After both the teaching sessions MCQ tests of C2, C3 and C4 level were given to the groups and marks obtained were compared
Results: There were 20 [33.3%] male and 40 [66.7%] female students with mean age of 18.92 +/- 0.56 years. Comparison of pre-test scores confirmed that basal level of knowledge was equal between the two groups [p-value=0.19]. Post-test score comparison showed that experimental group scored significantly higher marks as compared to the controls [p-value=0.001 for post-test I and 0.02 for post-test II]
Conclusion: Level of understanding of student increases if they are shown computer based animations during the physiology lectures. Hence, animations have positive effect on student's academic performance
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the effect of caffeine on the body weight of BALB/c mice
Study Design: Lab based randomized control trial
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Anatomy Department, Army Medical College [AMC], Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad, from Oct 2014 to Oct 2015
Material and Methods: Three weeks old BALB/c mice, twenty [20] in number [10 male, 10 female], weighing 12-14 g, were taken and divided into two groups with 10 mice [5 male, 5 female] in each group. The control group G1 was given standard diet with water ad libitum. In addition to the standard diet, the animals in experimental group G2 were given 10mg of caffeine per 100g body weight once a day on alternate days, three days in a week by oral gavage for 60 days. At the conclusion of the experiment, body weights of the mice in both the groups were measured to determine the influence of caffeine
Results: The mean final body weight of mice of control group G1 was observed as 31.2 +/- 1.932g while the mean final body weight of experimental group G2 was found to be 27.1 +/- 2.025g. As compared to control group G1, the final body weight of animals in experimental group G2 was found to be less
Conclusion: Ingestion of caffeine has negative effect on the accretion of body weight in mice
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effects of microwave oven exposed diet on spermatogenesis in the testis of mice and comparative effects of Mentha piperita and melatonin
Study Design: Laboratory based randomized controlled trial
Place and Duration of Study: Anatomy Department, Army Medical College Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad, from Apr 2015 to May 2015
Material and Method: Study comprised of 32 adult male mice [BALBc strain] weighing 25-30 gms. Selection criteria based on non-probability [purposive] simple random sampling. Mice were divided into four equal groups of 8 mice each. Group 1, taken as control, was given standard diet 5-10 gm/animal/day daily for four weeks. Group 2 was given 5-10 gm/animal/day of microwave oven exposed mice pellets for four weeks. Group 3 received Mentha piperita leaf extract [1g/kg b.wt./day] along with microwave oven exposed mice pellets [5-10 gm/animal/day] for 4 weeks and group 4 received oral dosage of melatonin 12mg/kg/day along with microwave oven exposed mice pellets [5-10gm/animal/day] for 4 weeks. After four weeks animals were dissected. The shape, color and any abnormal finding of the testis were observed. Testis were processed, embedded and stained for histological study. Spermatogenesis was assessed by the Johnsons scoring. SPSS 21 was used for statistical analysis. Chi square test was applied for intergroup comparison
Results: Spermatogenesis was suppressed and Johnsons score was decreased from normal spermatogenesis [10] to [6-8] in the experimental group 2 and was more improved in the Mentha piperita treated group as compare to the melatonin
Conclusion: Microwave oven exposed mice pellets suppressed spermatogenesis and Mentha piperita had better ameliorative effects than melatonin on the testis of mice
ABSTRACT
Objective: To identify the nature of workplace stressors and their influence on health of mid-career female doctors of a semi government hospital of Rawalpindi
Study Design: Qualitative study which employed collective case study approach
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in a semi government hospital of Pakistan, from Jan to Jun 2016
Material and Methods: A total of 12 midcareer female doctors having more than ten years of working experience in a semi government hospital of Rawalpindi were identified and approached. This study was a qualitative study and collective case study approach was used. All females were interviewed after the informed consent by using semi-structured questionnaire. They were inquired about the stress factors they come across at their workplace that affect their health. They were also inquired about the nature of health issues facing them due to these stress factors. Themes identified in the data were compared with themes already searched in literature
Results: One on one in depth interviews of mid-career female doctors revealed various themes associated with departmental and institutional stress factors. All female doctors believed that their job was very challenging and tough and they faced many problems like gender discrimination, long working hours, stressful working environment, low salaries and lack of rewards and remuneration policies of institutions, all of which had caused harm to their health
Conclusion: Work place stress factors influence the health and well-being of mid-career female doctors' by curbing their efficiency and having a negative impact on their overall quality of life by causing harm to their health
ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the level of Medical prescription adherence among gynecological patients of Pakistan
Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Punjab province and data were collected from June 2015 to April 2016
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in main cities of Punjab province of Pakistan; Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Sheikhupura. The survey data was collected from different location of cities. Patients visiting the gynecological and going to chemists for getting the prescribed medicine were selected through probability based random sampling for this study. The questionnaire consisted on the extent to which they adhere to time, dose, frequency and procedure prescribed from their doctors. The questions were asked in native language [Urdu]. The data analysis was performed by using SPSS software [Ver.21]
Results: Results of this study, based on sample from four big cities of Punjab province of Pakistan, showed that the level of medical prescription was associated with the age, qualification and background of the patients. Adherence level of patients reporting with rural background was observed higher than the adherence level of patients from urban areas
Conclusion: Over all the patient require counseling regarding adherence to medical prescription irrespective of the nature of the disease
ABSTRACT
The teaching and learning of medical students has always been a demanding perspective. The best teachers at times may strive in conveying medical knowledge and assessing yield of the effort. The traditional written and practical instruments of assessment have many limitations in their practicality and fair judgment. Since its introduction in the 70s, objective structured clinical examination [OSCE] has gained worldwide recognition and appreciation as a fair and standardized format to assess the clinical competencies of medical students and residents. It is an approach in which all the three aspects of clinical competence namely knowledge, skills, and attitude are evaluated in a comprehensive, consistent, and structured manner with close attention to the objectivity of the procedure. OSCE demands excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills. Not only the examiners but also the examinees have widely appreciated OSCE. Therefore, it should be recommended as a standard procedure for a student's evaluation. The aim of this paper was to review and recommend OSCE as a learning tool
ABSTRACT
Background: Athletes use anabolic androgenic steroids in excess of normal therapeutic levels to improve their stamina and performance, and this apparently describes the increase in their toxic side effects
Objective: To determine the ameliorative effects of Pomegranate Juice and Pomegranate Peel Extract on steroid induced inflammation in mice kidneys
Methodology: Study Design: Laboratory based Randomized control study
Duration and Place of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in cooperation with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad, from 1[st] May to 30[th] June 2015. Forty healthy male and female BALB/c mice with average weight of 25-30 gms were randomly distributed into four groups, each group with five male and five female mice. Group A worked as a control group and groups B, C and D worked as experimental groups. Mice in experimental groups B,C and D were given a single injection of [Nandrolone decanoate] ND intramuscularly, at the dose of 1 mg/100 gm body weight, in the hind limb once weekly for 8 weeks. Mice in experimental group C was also given pomegranate juice [PJ] at the dosage of 3ml/kg body weight via oral gavage tube daily for 8 weeks and mice in experimental group D was given pomegranate peel extract [PPE] at the dosage of 200mg/kg body weight via oral gavage tube daily for 8 weeks. The animals were sacrificed after the experimental period was over and kidney tissues were processed for sectioning and staining. The results of all the groups were compiled and compared by using SPSS 21. Comparison of qualitative variables between the groups was done by applying Chi square test
Results: Inflammatory infiltrate were significantly higher in steroid administered experimental group B and statistical improvement was seen when comparison of experimental group B was done with PJ and PPE administered experimental groups C and D, respectively [p=0.001and 0.000]. Comparison of experimental groups C and D showed no statistical significance [p=1.0]
Conclusion: It was concluded that both forms of Pomegranate has ameliorative effects on steroid induced inflammatory changes in mice kidneys