ABSTRACT
Vanadium is a hard, silver-grey transition metal found in at least 60 minerals and fossil fuel deposits. Its oxide and other vanadium salts are toxic to humans, but the toxic effects depend on the vanadium form, dose, exposure duration, and route of intoxication. Vanadium is used by some life forms as an active center in enzymes, such as the vanadium bromoperoxidase of ocean algae and nitrogenases of bacteria. The structure and biochemistry of vanadate resemble those of phosphate, hence vanadate can be regarded as a phosphate competitor in a variety of biochemical enzymes such as kinases and phosphatases. In this review, we describe the biochemical pathways regulated by vanadium compounds and their potential therapeutic benefits for a range of disorders including type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and microbial pathology.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To assess medical students' perception of online teaching to suggest transforming the future curriculum in low-economic countries. Study Design: Cross-sectional online interview study. Place and Duration of Study: A team of collaborators interviewed final year medical and dental students of Pakistan from 07/08/2020 till 17/09/2020. Methodology: A questionnaire was developed based on open and close-ended questions in Google forms;focusing on institutional preparedness, views on online education, the institute's closure and COVID-19, and long-term effects of closure of the institute. Independent fellow researchers systematically analyzed the unaltered transcripts of the responses, and themes were then identified and coded to conclude the results. SPSS version 23 used for analysis. As this study was based on final year students. Results: In response to an invitation email, 2442/2661 (91.77%) students voluntarily participate in this qualitative study. Most participants were females (1614, 66.10%). Closing down institutes was directly linked to a lack of motivation and feel of helplessness. As most showed dissatisfaction with online teaching compounded by psychological effects, students feared losing clinical skills and life during the pandemic. Conclusion: The psychological impact of the crisis led to resistance to accepting the change for a better outcome. Incorporating telemedicine, different interactive learning style to online teaching, and resilience training would result in fruitful outcomes. Developed countries may also guide build infrastructure in developing countries to develop a more robust online teaching methodology in the long-run.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has altered the expectations of team leaders by team members while they seek clear and efficient decisions. We aim to assess the perception of leadership by the surgical team members and their perception of the most important quality of leadership. We conducted an online national cross-sectional survey among the surgical doctors working in the National Health Service United Kingdom, between 15th July 2020 till 31st August 2020. The questionnaire, based on rating scale items, focused on effects of changes in work-pattern, support and communication at workplace, the status of leadership and understanding of different leadership attributes. Out of two hundred and thirteen participants, majority of respondents were middle-grade registrars (n= 92, 43.7%). Most of the doctors (147,81.7%) were never re-deployed to the high-risk areas. 85(39.9%) expressed that COVID-19 brought distress affecting their morale. 106(49.8%) thought that arrangement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the responsibility of the Head of Department. The majority, of those who fell ill, felt adequately supported by their seniors. Most participants identified departmental leadership as satisfactory (n=126, 59.2%). There was a mixed response to the importance of leadership attributes defined by the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management. Stress at the workplace with reduced morale, during a crisis like COVID-19 pandemic, can significantly compromise leadership perception among team members. Understanding of basics of leadership by the team members can improve departmental efficiency and as a result improve patient care.