Development and validation of an instrument to measure the Micro-Learning Environment of Students (MLEM).

BACKGROUND: There are multiple instruments to measure different learning environments but no valid and reliable instrument is present for measuring the micro-learning environment. This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to measure the micro-learning environment of students. Measuring the micro-learning environment can give insight into the real-life experiences of students and enlighten us about the disparity between taught, delivered, and learned curricula. METHODS: Multi-institutional Mixed methods study design with consecutive qualitative and, quantitative components was used based on information processing theory. Literature review, results of semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussion were combined to develop a questionnaire. Content and response process validity were established followed by pilot testing, reliability calculation, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: A forty-nine-item preliminary draft instrument was reduced to a total of twenty-four items final instrument having five themes regarding teaching practices, learners support, competence in teaching, progressive faculty, and teaching environment. The values of SCVI/Ave and S-CVI/UA were calculated to be 0.92 and 0.62 respectively. Reliability was calculated to be 0.94. Fit indices values were within the normal range. CONCLUSION: The instrument for measuring the micro-learning environment has excellent content, construct, response process validity, and reliability.

"Smartphone as an educational tool" the perception of dental faculty members of all the dental colleges of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing advancement in the field of information technology, it's about time we realize that our future will be shaped by this field. With more and more people using smartphones, we need to adapt them to the medical field. Already many advancements in medical field are done thanks to the advancement of computer science. But we need to implement this into our teaching and learning as well. Almost all students and faculty members use smartphones in one way or another if we can utilize the smartphone to enhance the learning opportunities for our medical students, it would greatly benefit them. But before the implementation, we need to find out if our faculty is willing to adopt this technology. The objective of this study is to find out what are the perceptions of dental faculty members about using a smartphone as a teaching tool. METHODOLOGY: A validated questionnaire was distributed among the faculty members of all the dental colleges of KPK. The questionnaire had 2 sections. First one contains information regarding the demographics. The second one had questions related to the faculty members' perception regarding using a smartphone as a teaching tool. RESULTS: The results of our study showed that the faculty (Mean 2.08) had positive perceptions regarding using a smartphone as a teaching tool. CONCLUSION: Most of the Dental Faculty members of KPK agree that smartphone can be used as a teaching tool, and it can have better outcomes if proper applications and teaching strategies are used.

Chemical profiling, HPLC characterization and in-vitro antioxidant potential of Pakistani propolis collected from peripheral region of Faisalabad.

Propolis is a highly adhesive and resinous product of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) which is produced from the exudations of plants. Bee propolis being a source of bioactive compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids imparts numerous biological properties including, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Present study was designed to elucidate the composition and antioxidant status of locally available propolis using in-vitro conditions. Propolis collected from locally found apiaries and its hydroalcoholic extract of propolis was prepared using different concentrations of ethanol and methanol. The results regarding proximate composition of propolis showed a higher proportion of ether extract (85.59±0.87%) and lowest contents of crude fiber (0.31±0.08%). Among the mineral's sodium, potassium and calcium was found in a concentration of 11.33±0.91, 52.10±2.9 and 10.53±0.83.59±0.23mg/Kg respectively whilst zinc was noticed as 3.59±0.23mg/Kg. HPLC characterization indicates a highest concentration of Chlorogenic acid 31.80±2.56mg/Kg whereas gallic acid (0.21±0.01mg/Kg) was found in lowest concentration among the polyphenols. Ethanol extract represents more phenolic contents, DPPH activity and antioxidant status as 327.30±14.89mg/gGAE, 73.18±4.43% and 60.59±4.38% accordingly in comparison to methanol and water extract. Bee propolis found an effective source of natural antioxidants which retards the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species thus help to cope oxidative stress.

Rapid and Promising Technique to Treat Gummy Smile - Lip Repositioning.

Beautiful smile is a booster to person's confidence. Gummy smile is a term used for excessive gingival display (EGD). Its etiology is multifactorial. Bone vertical maxillary excess (VME) is one of the cause of EGD. In this case series, lip repositioning was performed to treat mild to moderate degree of gingival display ( 2 to 8 mm) due to VME. Lip repositioning is simple, promising, meticulous and comparatively cheap alternative technique for treating gummy smile.

Critical Analysis of Piezoelectric Surgery with Oscillating Saw in Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the piezosurgery with conventional saw for osteotomy in orthognathic bimaxillary surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January 2012 to July 2015. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-four patients, regardless of gender, were selected for bimaxillary surgery. Each underwent osteotomy with conventional saw and piezosurgery equipment. Intraoperative and postoperative parameters, like blood loss during operation, time required for surgery, postoperative swelling, nerve function, incision and surgical precisons, were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of total 96 osteotomies, 48 (50%) maxillary and 48 (50%) mandibular osteotomies were performed. Time required for piezosurgery was more (63 minutes) as compared to saw (p=0.003). Other parameters, like intraoperative blood loss (p=0.091), postoperative swelling (p=0.041), and nerve damage (p=0.009), were far less frequent with piezosurgery than frequent with saw procedures. CONCLUSION: Piezosurgery is a favourable alternative technique as compared to saw technique in bimaxillary orthognathic surgeries.