Streamlining learning process through introduction of learner's log for medical students of pre-clerkship years

To follow students' daily learning activities, ensure active participation in learning process and provide immediate feedback to students, facilitators and course directors on daily performance. This study was conducted at Shifa College of Medicine in an ongoing module of first year medical students for a period of two weeks. Learner's log was developed and piloted in three study groups [n = 35] of first year medical students and facilitators [n = 9] of multidisciplinary modular team of Shifa College of Medicine [SCM], Pakistan. The learner's log focused on developing the learner as a Scholar, Communicator, Collaborator, Manager, Health Advocate and Professional [Adapted from Can MEDS Physic-ians Competency Framework]. Students' and faciIitators' questionnaires, comprising of a series of statements and an option for open comments/suggestions, were designed and distributed at the end of study. Analysis showed an appreciating attitude of students and mixed response of facilitators towards learner's log. Sixty percent students and eighty five percent facilitators agreed that this type of learning strategy could be a good tool for self assessment and to keep track of their progress. Fifty seven percent facilitators and fifty three percent students considered it helpful to maintain fair attendance record. A total of 70% students found it helpful in maintaining the log of daily activities whereas 57% facilitators considered it cumbersome and disagreed with its effectiveness as a timely feedback instrument for students. The results support that effective utilization of learner's log could reflect students' performance on daily basis and provide a motivational drive to do better by reviewing their progress and giving them appropriate feedback on their performance. The apprehensions of the facilitators and students about learner's log could be minimized by training of facilitators and sensitization of students to learner's log in pre-clerkship years

Role of beta carotene on histomorphology of rat kidneys in subacute Apap induced renal damage

This study was conducted to evaluate the role of beta carotene on histomorphology of rat kidneys in subacute Acetaminophen [APAP]-induced renal damage. Lab based randomized control trial. The study was carried out in the department of Anatomy Army Medical College, I Rawalpindi; in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad for one week in June 2009. Sixty young adult [4-6 weeks old] Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes weighing 180-240 g were randomized into three groups. Experimental group A was treated with 700 mg/kg body weight subacute APAP orally once daily for 7'consecutive days. Experimental group B was administered beta carotene 30 mg/kg body weight once daily one hour before 700 mg/kg body weight subacute APAP once daily for 7 consecutive days. Control group C animals were fed NIH laboratory diet. Kidney specimens were collected 24 hours after the last dose. Five micron thick sections of kidney were stained with H and E for histomorphological study. Frequencies and percentages were calculated to describe the variables p values less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Microscopic examination in experimental group A demonstrated tubular necrosis of level 2 [35% animals] and level 3 [65% animals]. Mild vacuolar degeneration was also observed in 90% of the experimental group A animals. In experimental group B, there was statistically significant difference p-value < 0.001 in levels of renal tubular necrosis [15% animals] and grades of vacuolar degeneration [5% animals] as compared to experimental group A. Findings in experimental group B were not significantly different from that of control group C. Beta carotene has protective role on histomorphology of kidneys in subacute APAP-induced renal damage in rats

Role of beta carotene on histomorphology of liver in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

To study the protective role of beta carotene against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Laboratory based randomized control trial. Department of Anatomy Army Medical College, Rawalpindi; in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad. The study duration was one year from Feb, 2009 to Jan, 2010. Sixty young adult [4-6 weeks old] Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180-240 g were randomized into three groups. Control group C was given NIH laboratory diet, experimental group A was given toxic dose of acetaminophen 700 mg/kg body weight once daily and experimental group B was given beta carotene 30 mg/kg body weight once daily along with 700 mg/kg body weight acetaminophen once daily for one week. Liver specimens were collected 24 hours after the last dose. Five micron thick sections of liver were stained with H and E for histomorphological study. Microscopic examination demonstrated various grades of periportal and spotty necrosis in experimental group A as compared to control group C. In experimental group B, there was significant attenuation [P-value < 0.001] in periportal and spotty necrosis. It was concluded that beta carotene has hepatoprotective role on histomorphology of liver in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats