The role of assignments in lab activity test results in Histology.

Background: In the first module of the newly adopted problem based approach where the hours for lab activity were greatly reduced showed that students were not serious about lab activity. Therefore, the test results for Histology lab activity were disappointing. We designed assignments for students to complete during the lab activity and tested whether the results could be improved. Objective: To determine whether assignments caused better test results Methods: This Quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Histology Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (FMUI). FMUI International class students enrolled in the module of Cell and Genetics in the years 2006 and 2007 were included. Intervention (year 2007 only): assignments that will be scored by instructors. Outcome measures were assignment and lab-activity test scores. T test was used to compare the means of lab-activity test scores of group 2006 and 2007, and the Pearson correlation between assignment and test scores of the group 2007 was examined. Results and conclusion: The lab-activity test results of group 2007 (mean: 93.72, SD: 16.67) were significantly higher (p= 0.000) compared those of group 2006 (mean: 54.83, SD: 29.79). However, there was only a weak correlation between assignment and test scores (R: 0.202. p= 0.189). Assignments may contribute slightly to the significantly higher test results of the group 2007. However, other factors such as the students’ external and intrinsic factors that were not assessed in this study may also play a significant role.

Comparison of various procedures in the processing of binucleated-lymphocytes on to glass slide to detect chromosomal breakage.

Binucleated lymphocytes can be screened for micronuclei to assess chromosomal damage. There are various procedures to get slides containing binucleated lymphocytes, that are different in harvesting, fixation, and slide preparation methods. Screening binucleated lymphocytes to find a micronucleus needs at least 800 cells with intact cytoplasm. This study aimed to analyze the various procedures and simplified procedures to know which procedure gave the most abundant binucleated lymphocytes with intact cytoplasm and best staining properties for the purpose of micronucleus scoring. Seven heparinized blood samples were obtained from the Dept. of Obstetrics and gynecology, Faculty of medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta. The 7 blood samples were subjected to 17 procedures different in harvesting (with or without washing), slide preparation (smear and spot method, and using a cytocentrifuge), and fixation methods (methanol for 1 minute, methanol brief, methanol/glacial acetic acid 3:1 or 9:1). Our results showed that fixatives containing glacial acetic acid are not suitable for micronucleus test. To generate binucleated lymphocytes with intact cytoplasm as much as possible, the procedure should be conducted without washing steps. Methanol fixation either briefly or 1 minute is preferable, and for the ease of screening cytocentrifuge preparation, followed by spot method is preferable.

Phytoestrogens' beneficial effects on cardiovascular system.

Several lines of evidence, including epidemiological, clinical trial and basic science, suggest the plausability of a causal, inverse relationship between phytoestrogens and cardiovascular disease. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant compounds that have 2-phenylnaphthalene-type chemical structures similar to those of estrogens. they are simply divided into three main classes, isoflavones, lignans, and coumestans. The majority of phytoestrogens found in typical human diets are the isoflavones and lignans. This review provides an overview of the potential sources and bio-availability of the phytoestrogens particularly isoflavones, and discusses their beneficial effects on cardiovascular system, i.e. on atherosclerosis, hypercholestrolemia, arterial compliance, and blood pressure.

Mechanism of normal menstruation and abnormality associated with menorrhagia.

Normal menstruation involves endometrial tissue breakdown and bleeding, followed by hemostasis and repair. Abnormality of this process at any stage may result in changes in the quantity of menstrual blood loss. When menstrual blood loss is greater than 80 ml, it is called menorrhagia. This review discuss the mechanism of normal menstruation, and factors associated with menorrhagia. Those factors are the endometrial bleeding associated factor (ebaf), the role of various cells (migratory leucocytes, macrophages, and mast cells), the role of various substances (lysosomal enzymes, prostaglandins, endothelins, growth factors and its receptors), impairment of fibrinolysis and hemostatic proces, and changes in endometrial blood flow.