Ameliorating Effects of Ginger on Isoproterenol-Induced Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats and its Impact on Cardiac Nitric Oxide.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction is a major heart disease and is considered a significant reason for mortality and morbidity around the world. The model of Isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction provides a supported method for investigating the impacts of numerous possible cardioprotective bioactive substances. Nitric Oxide (NO) could react with reactive oxygen intermediates and free radicals to create harmful species. For several years, researchers have investigated the use of herbs and natural products as antioxidants to protect the body's organs against toxins and drug metabolites. However, studies on the antioxidant effects of ginger against cardiotoxicity induced by drugs and toxic agents remain insufficient, especially its effects on NO. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the possible antioxidant and protective role of ginger in ISO-induced acute myocardial infarction in experimental rats. Special emphasis was given to the impact of ginger on NO levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group I served as control and received a normal mouse diet. Group II received ginger extract orally, Group III received normal diet for eight weeks, followed by ISO administration subcutaneously to induce myocardial infarction, Group IV received ginger extracts, followed by ISO. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study illustrated ginger's protective role against ISO-induced acute myocardial infarction. This role is mainly due to ginger's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We assume that sufficient intake of ginger by individuals who are regularly exposed to ISO would be beneficial in overcoming the cardiotoxicity of ISO. The effects of ginger may take place through inhibition of NOS enzymes, which needs further immunohistochemical and biochemical studies to reveal the underlying different mechanisms of the effects of ginger at the molecular and structural levels.

Use of Short Videos for Faculty Development in Adaptation of Interactive Teaching Strategies for Virtual Classroom.

The threat associated with physical interaction in teaching and learning timed with the COVID-19 pandemic has rendered faculty in a situation that they were not entirely prepared for. This paper describes a case study where educational videos were used in short format to help faculty progress in their adaptation to virtual teaching. The initiative describes the adaptations done to the videos and making them ore accessible to faculty. The channel experienced a 300% increase in viewership. There is an inherent need for training on using virtual classroom tools and adapting teaching strategies to these virtual tools. Using 5-7 minute videos proved useful in this area.

Dental Panoramic Radiographic Indices as a Predictor of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Saudi Women.

BACKGROUND: Many oral presentations of osteoporosis-a bone metabolic disease-were recorded. Thus, we aimed to assess panoramic radiomorphometric indices with bone mineral density (BMD) values among Saudi postmenopausal women and its importance in the prediction of osteoporosis. METHODS: A total of 431 Saudi women were enrolled in this study. Panoramic radiographs were obtained at the time of BMD measurement. Subjects were fatherly classified into; normal BMD, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25[OH]D) and intact-parathyroid hormone were measured. Moreover, serum creatinine, calcium, and phosphate, together with serum osteocalcin (s-OC), procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (s-PINP) and cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (s-CTX) were measured. Receiver-operator curve (ROC) curve analysis for use of mandibular cortical width (MCW), panoramic mandibular index (PMI), and maxillary-mandibular ratio (M/M ratio) to differentiate women with osteoporosis or osteopenia from normal subjects was calculated. Cut off values of 4.6 at T score <-1 and 4.1 at T score ≤-2.5 were used. RESULTS: Body mass index is significantly low in the osteoporotic group. There is no significant difference in serum levels of LH, E2, calcium, phosphate, and 25(OH)D between the studied groups. Moreover, s-OC, C-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I, s-PINP, s-CTX, and urinary-CTX are significantly higher in osteoporosis than normal and osteopenia groups. ROC curve analysis revealed that MCW and PMI showed significant data while M/M ratio is non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that MCW as an important panoramic radiographic parameter can be used for prediction and diagnosis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal Saudi women with low BMD.

A six step approach for developing computer based assessment in medical education.

Assessment, which entails the systematic evaluation of student learning, is an integral part of any educational process. Computer-based assessment (CBA) techniques provide a valuable resource to students seeking to evaluate their academic progress through instantaneous, personalized feedback. CBA reduces examination, grading and reviewing workloads and facilitates training. This paper describes a six step approach for developing CBA in higher education and evaluates student perceptions of computer-based summative assessment at the College of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University. A set of questionnaires were distributed to 341 third year medical students (161 female and 180 male) immediately after examinations in order to assess the adequacy of the system for the exam program. The respondents expressed high satisfaction with the first Saudi experience of CBA for final examinations. However, about 50% of them preferred the use of a pilot CBA before its formal application; hence, many did not recommend its use for future examinations. Both male and female respondents reported that the range of advantages offered by CBA outweighed any disadvantages. Further studies are required to monitor the extended employment of CBA technology for larger classes and for a variety of subjects at universities.

Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine: a student-selected component at the Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based medicine (EBM) involves approaching a clinical problem using a four-step method: (1) formulate a clear clinical question from a patient's problem, (2) search the literature for relevant clinical articles, (3) evaluate (critically appraise) the evidence for its validity and usefulness, (4) implement useful findings into clinical practice. EBM has now been incorporated as an integral part of the medical curriculum in many faculties of medicine around the world. The Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, started its process of curriculum reform and introduction of the new curriculum 4 years ago. One of the most characteristic aspects of this curriculum is the introduction of special study modules and electives as a student-selected component in the fourth year of study; the Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine course was included as one of these special study modules. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the EBM skills of medical students after completing the course and their perceptions of the faculty member delivering the course and organization of the course. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The EBM course was held for the first time as a special study module for fourth-year medical students in the first semester of the academic year 2009-2010. Fifteen students were enrolled in this course. At the end of the course, students anonymously evaluated aspects of the course regarding their EBM skills and course organization using a five- point Likert scale in response to an online course evaluation questionnaire. In addition, students' achievement was evaluated with regard to the skills and competencies taught in the course. RESULTS: Medical students generally gave high scores to all aspects of the EBM course, including course organization, course delivery, methods of assessment, and overall. Scores were also high for students' self-evaluation of skill level and EBM experience. The results of a faculty member's evaluation of the students' achievement showed an average total percentage (92.2%) for all EBM steps. CONCLUSION: The EBM course at the Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, is useful for familiarizing medical students with the basic principles of EBM and to help them in answering routine questions of clinical interest in a systematic way. In light of the results obtained from implementing this course with a small number of students, and as a student-selected component, the author believes integrating EBM longitudinally throughout the curriculum would be beneficial for King Abdulaziz University medical students. It would provide a foundation of knowledge, offer easy access to resources, promote point-of-care and team learning, help students to develop applicable skills for lifelong learning, and help the faculty to achieve its goals of becoming more student-centered and encouraging students to employ more self-directed learning strategies.