ABSTRACT
Students' perceptions and feedback have a significant impact on academic progress. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of medical students regarding the cumulative effects of the first year general histology course and the sophomore pathology introductory course, in addition to their perceptions regarding the curricular integration of histology and pathology. In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was given to second-year and third-year medical students in the middle of second semester. The questionnaire comprised several items on students' attitudes toward anatomic pathology, their feedback on the first year general histology and the sophomore pathology courses, and their perceptions regarding the integration of histology and pathology courses. A five-point Likert scale was used. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) v 20 software. Two hundreds and fourteen of the 236 questionnaires distributed were analyzed (response rate = 90.7 %). More than 51 % of the respondents reported that they couldn't identify the normal tissue counterpart of most practical pathology cases. Only 31.3 % thought their practical histology knowledge was beneficial for them in practical pathology. More than 87 % agreed or strongly agreed that pathology cases need to be copresented with normal tissue examples. A significant proportion of the respondents (60.7 %) were with merging histology and pathology in integrated courses. Pathology was of career choices for only 15.4 % of the participants. The curricular integration of histology and pathology in the first year needs to be tested, and much effort is needed to increase students' affinity for anatomic pathology.
Las percepciones y comentarios de los estudiantes tienen un impacto significativo en el progreso académico. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las percepciones de los estudiantes de medicina con respecto a los efectos acumulativos del curso de Histología general de primer año y del curso introductorio de Patología de segundo año, además de sus percepciones con respecto a la integración curricular de Histología y Patología. En este estudio transversal, se entregó un cuestionario a estudiantes de medicina de segundo y tercer año, a mediados del segundo semestre. Asimismo, el cuestionario comprendió varios aspectos referente a la actitud de los estudiantes hacia Patología Anatómica, sus comentarios sobre la Histología general en el primer año y los cursos de Patología de segundo año. Además se incorporaron las percepciones de los estudiantes con respecto a la integración de los cursos de Histología y Patología. Se utilizó una escala de Likert de cinco puntos. Los datos se analizaron utilizando el paquete Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) v 20. Se analizaron 214 de los 236 cuestionarios distribuidos (tasa de respuesta = 90,7 %). Más del 51 % de los encuestados indicaron estar de acuerdo o totalmente de acuerdo, en que no lograron identificar el tejido normal, en la mayoría de los casos de Patología práctica. Solo el 31,3 % observó que su conocimiento de Histología práctica era beneficioso para ellos durante la Patología práctica. Más del 87 % estuvo de acuerdo o muy de acuerdo en que los casos de Patología deben ser analizados con muestras de tejido normal. Un grupo importante de los encuestados (60,7 %) consideraba incorporar la Histología y la Patología en cursos integrados. Patología fue de elección en la carrera para el 15,4 % de los participantes. La integración curricular de Histología y Patología en el primer año, debe ser evaluada con el propósito de incrementar la afinidad de los estudiantes con la Patología Anatómica.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Young Adult , Pathology/education , Students, Medical/psychology , Curriculum , Histology/education , Perception , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Educational MeasurementABSTRACT
We explore through this study blood parameters changes after 7 days treatment with Orchis anatolica (O. anatolica) plant roots ethanol extract in Albino rats. An intra-peritoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was carried on to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of the extract on blood glucose and insulin titer using Albino rats fasting for 18 hours. Blood glucose and serum insulin levels where determined throughout one hour period prior to a single treatment dose of 400mg/kg/BW O. anatolica extract. Oral treatment with O. anatolica was then performed using another group of 10 Albin rats treated with 400mg/kg/BW/day for 7 days and where compared with a control group. Using UV/Visible spectrophotometer, glucose, cardiac and lever serum blood biochemical markers were investigated in addition to blood total protein urea. Significant reduction in cardiac markers namely serum cholesterol (LDL) and Creatinin Kinase (KC) titers were detected after the treatment. Alanine AminoTransferase (ALT), Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST and) ad, triglycerides representing hepatic markers were normal concomitant with normalized values of bilirubin, total protein and blood urea when compared with the control. Blood glucose levels were reduced to significant levels after 7 days treatment with the plant extract an observation that was further demonstrated by IPGTT. Concomitant, an increase in serum insulin level was observed also when IPGTT was performed. We can conclude that O. anatolica root extract induces hypoglycemia, insulin-releasing and cholesterol lowering effects in rats. Together, a normal biochemical marker indicates an organ protective ability of the plant.