Development of a hybrid undergraduate portfolio for the AETCOM module.

Background: A structured Attitude Ethics and Communication (AETCOM) module for undergraduates exists. For ensuring that the module achieves what it is intended to achieve, there was a felt need to develop a learning portfolio with an emphasis on reflections and with a scope for assessment. Methods: The AETCOM module by NMC has laid out objectives, lesson plans, and case-based scenarios. Hybrid portfolio development was necessary to align the sessions to the objectives and lesson plans and to help students capture their learning process with self-reflection, and at the same time, ensure the scope of assessment of these activities. Hence, writing reflections was considered the most important step. Measures were taken to train students in writing reflections, and faculty development workshops were also conducted. An evaluation was done using Kirkpatrick model level I-III using student's feedback form, scores of rubric matrix for assessment of reflections and one-on-one interaction with students by trained faculty. Faculty perspectives on portfolio development were collected. Results: A significant improvement in students' self-assessment scores on AETCOM module was seen (p <0.05). An assessment of reflections using a rubric matrix showed that all the students reached at least grade B by the end of three months. More than 90% of faculty members felt that the faculty is vital for assessing AETCOM. Conclusion: The development of a hybrid portfolio for AETCOM requires faculty development and special sessions for students on writing reflections. The hybrid portfolio provides the learner to self reflect, and a rubric matrix can be used to assess reflections.

Amitriptyline and Sertraline in Diabetic Neuropathy: a Comparative View

Purpose: To investigate the effect of amitriptyline (Ami) and sertraline (Sert) in diabetes neuropathy. Methods: Diabetes was induced in 3 groups of rats (n=6) with streptozotocin (STZ; 55mg/kg; i.p.). Two of the groups of diabetic rats received amitriptyline (15 mg/kg; p.o) and sertraline (30 mg/kg; p.o.) while another 2 groups (n=6) received the same drug treatment without prior administration of STZ. A normal group (n=6) of rats and STZ-induced group (n=6) of diabetic rats served as controls.The blood glucose; glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb); pain sensitivity and neuromuscular strength in all the rats were determined. Results: Ami (15mg/kg; p.o.) produced severe hyperglycemia (p 0.01) whereas Sert (30mg/kg; p.o.) produced significant hypoglycaemia in the diabetic rats. Ami significantly increased the GHblevel while Sert had no significant effect. Both Ami and Sert raised the grip strength that was significantly reduced by STZ. When administered for 3 weeks; Ami and Sert increased the STZ induced reduction of the grip strength in the diabetic rats (p 0.01). STZ (55mg/kg; i.p) increased the pain sensitivity. Pain sensitivity was significantly reduced by Ami (15 mg/kg; p.o; administered for 3 weeks) in the diabetic rats but marginally reduced in the normal group. However 3-week administration of Sert (30 mg/kg; p.o.) significantly reduced the pain sensitivity in both the diabetic and normal rats (p 0.01) when compared with STZ treated group. Conclusion: Sertraline could offer a good choice in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy particularly in patients with depression being treated with amitriptyline

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 2-[substituted acetyl]-amino-5-alkyl-1,3,4-thiadiazoles [corrected].

Sixteen novel 2-substituted acetyl amino-5-alkyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole were synthesized and screened for their pharmacological activities. A few of the compounds namely 11, 12 and 16 showed anti-inflammatory activities comparable to phenylbutazone. Compound 12 also showed significant non-specific spasmolytic activity. Diuretic activity of compound 15 at a dose level of 90 mg/kg p.o. was two fold higher compared to 50 mg/kg p.o. of furosemide. Comparable diuresis was also produced by compounds 9, 10 and 16.

Anti-inflammatory and diuretic activity of a new class of compounds--Schiff bases of 3-amino-2-methylquinazolin 4(3H)-ones.

Eighteen Schiff Bases of 3-amino-2-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-ones were synthesised and screened for anti-inflammatory and diuretic activity. Anti-inflammatory activity was identified in PNG-1, PNG-13, PNG-14, PNG-15 and PNG-17.

Pharmacological screening of few new 2-(substituted acetyl) amino-5-alkyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles.

Nine new 2-(substituted acetyl) amino-5-alkyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles were synthesised and confirmed on the basis of IR and nitrogen analysis. These were screened for spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory and their effects on blood pressure after determining ALD50. Compounds GK-4 i.e. 2-(diethylaminoacetyl)- amino-5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole and GK-8 i.e. 2-(din-propylamino acetyl)-amino-5-ethyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole were found to be spasmolytic. Compound GK-6 i.e. 2-(diethylaminoacetyl)-amino-5-n-propyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole was found to be a potent hypotensive agent with the effect lasting for more than two hours.