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Background: There is lack of knowledge regarding research amongst medical students as it is not included in the present curriculum of MBBS. Hence authors have selected ‘Medical Research’ as a topic to evaluate the efficacy of WhatsApp messenger application as a teaching-learning tool. There is very limited research on impact of technological modalities like WhatsApp on education. Authors undertook this study to evaluate its efficacy as a tool to supplement medical research education and assess the perception of students about e-learning via WhatsApp messenger application.Methods: A prospective analytical interventional study was conducted after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. A self-designed comprehensive questionnaire was used to test the knowledge of medical students. A series of modules were sent and discussed on the WhatsApp study groups followed by assessment in change of the level of knowledge amongst the participants post intervention.Results: Applying the paired t-test, the scores of the study participants showed a statistically significant increase in the post- intervention evaluation (Mean=10.13, Median=10, Range=0-21) as compared to the baseline knowledge regarding medical research as reflected in the pre intervention evaluation (Mean=6.76, Median=7, Range=0-16). Conclusions: Growing availability of economical and user friendly smart phones in every generation has promoted use of WhatsApp by teachers as well as students. WhatsApp has the potential to supplement academic learning and become a natural educational modality. Necessary precautions could be taken to minimize the drawbacks expressed by the students to make it a more enjoyable and acceptable tool for teaching and learning.
RESUMEN
Background: Dyslipidaemias are the major cause of increased atherogenesis. Lycopene is a pigment that imparts red colour to fruits and vegetables like tomatoes. Risk of cardiovascular diseases has been shown to decrease with dietary intake of tomatoes. Although the antioxidant and hypolipidaemic properties of tomatoes have been studied extensively, beneficial effect of pure lycopene supplement as hypolipidaemic is still debatable So, we aimed to evaluate the effect of pure lycopene powder on lipid profile, serum antioxidant enzymes and blood sugar level in hyperlipidaemic rabbits.Methods: Adult male New Zealand White rabbits (1.5-2.5kg) were divided into three groups of six each. Group I-High Fat Diet (HFD) (5ml/kg). Group II-HFD (5ml/kg) + lycopene (10mg/kg) orally. Group III-HFD (5ml/kg) + lycopene (20mg/kg) orally. Blood samples were taken from all rabbits for baseline estimations of serum lipids, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and blood sugar. Same tests were performed after six weeks.Results: There was significant decrease in the levels of serum TC, LDL-C, TG and VLDL and an increase in serum HDL-C and antioxidant SOD with lycopene administration. However, significant increase in HDL was not seen with lycopene 10mg. TG and VLDL levels were significantly less with 20mg lycopene compared to 10mg lycopene. There was however no change in blood sugar level with lycopene.Conclusions: Pure lycopene supplement showed significant hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activity. However, it did not show significant effect on blood glucose levels.