ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the role of new approaches and methods in the development of understanding and learning capabilities of undergraduate medical students in the module of respiratory physiology. METHODS: A comparative cross sectional study was conducted in Bahria Univiersity Medical & Dental College using a sample size of 198 students from February till May 2010. Difficulties in understanding the concepts of respiratory physiology was analyzed in groups A (Batch 2008-2013) and assessed through test performance. In group B (Batch 2009-2014) "integrated learner-and teacher-centered" approach was implemented by introduction of problem based learning, case based sessions, students seminar, quizzes and structured assignments. Response of group B students was evaluated in terms of concepts and performance by identical feedback form and assessment test. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.0 and applying the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The mean age of Karachi students of Groups A and B was 20 +/- 2 years. Statistically significant improvement in conceptual understanding of Group B (84%) was noticed compared to Group A (42%). Conceptual understanding of Group B (84%) was observed, as compared to Group A (42%) CONCLUSION: Supplementation of teaching methodologies with augmented interaction improved significant learning, performance and satisfaction among group B students.
Subject(s)
Education, Medical, Undergraduate/methods , Learning , Students, Medical/psychology , Teaching/methods , Adolescent , Comprehension , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Pakistan , Respiratory Physiological Phenomena , Schools, Medical , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the possible synergistic interaction of collagen-adenosine diphosphate and collagen-epinephrine in aggregation of human platelets. METHODS: An experimental study was carried out at Armed Forces Instiute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from June 2001 to December 2002. The platelet aggregation was determined by means of turbidometric method, which measures changes in optical density of platelet suspension. After determining the sub-threshold values of each agonist with the help of dose-response curve, these agonists were added in pairs to determine the synergism between them. RESULTS: The differences between means of threshold and sub-threshold concentrations of agonists were significant (Collagen: P<0.001, ADP: P<0.001, Epinephrine: P<0.002). The responses of Collagen and Epinephrine in sub-threshold concentrations were synergistic in causing platelet aggregation, whereas there were no potentiating effects in response to that of Collagen and Adenosine diphosphate. CONCLUSION: The study reveals the synergistic potentiation of some of the agonists in circulation that might be responsible for the activated state of platelets and associated atherosclerotic complications.
Subject(s)
Adenosine Diphosphate/pharmacology , Collagen/drug effects , Epinephrine/pharmacology , Platelet Aggregation/drug effects , Adult , Blood Platelets/drug effects , Collagen/pharmacology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Synergism , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Platelet CountABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Efficient hemostasis in human body depends on a complicated series of events which actively involve blood platelets. Platelets exhibit diverse responses in a variety of agonists. In vivo, most of the agonists act in synergism, causing aggregation of platelets. METHODS: In this study, the synergism between ADP-Epinephrine and Epinephrine-Collagen has been determined by means of turbidometric method, which measures changes in optical density of platelet suspension. The study was carried out at the department of Hematology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi. The subthreshold concentrations of each of the agonists were established with the help of dose response curve. By adding these agonists in subthreshold concentrations, the synergism between ADP-Epinephrine and Epinephrine-Collagen was determined. RESULTS: The combinations of these agonists in subthreshold levels showed the synergistic responses in causing platelet aggregation. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the optimal platelet aggregation does occur between the above mentioned pairs of agonists even when each of the agonist is added to the other in subthreshold doses.
