Evaluation of multiple active learning strategies in a pharmacology course.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to implement multiple active learning strategies in pharmacology and evaluate the most effective method to promote understanding. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: A structured, student-centered learning approach was launched. The implemented active learning strategies were Kahoot web-based interactive games, crossword puzzles, an instructional video, a music video, and fill-in-the-blank tables. For three consecutive years, several topics in pharmacology were taught by the same instructor. While traditional teaching was used for the class of 2016, the above-mentioned active learning strategies were utilized for the classes of 2017 and 2018. Student perceptions on traditional teaching vs. active learning and on the different active learning methods were determined by anonymous survey. The effectiveness of active learning on understanding pharmacology concepts was detected by extracting student performance data from ExamSoft item analysis. FINDINGS: Based on exam performance assessment, students in the classes of 2017 and 2018 performed significantly better when fill-in-the-blank activities and videos were utilized. However, students believed that web-based games helped them better understand concepts. Variables between the classes of 2016, 2017, and 2018 were minimized through comparison of the same lecture topics and having the same instructor write exam questions. SUMMARY: Although students perceived Kahoot web-based interactive gaming as the most valuable active learning strategy, fill-in-the-blank activities and videos were more effective in understanding the pharmacology concepts as measured by their exam performance.

Cigarette smoke adversely affects functions and cell membrane integrity in c-kit+ cardiac stem cells.

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for numerous diseases including cardiovascular diseases. Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) leads to increased cardiovascular risk, myocardial injury, and mortality. Stem cell therapy is one of the promising therapeutic options available to treat myocardial injuries. Understanding the impact of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on stem cell function would be valuable in determining the risk passed on during transplant. In this study, the impact of CSE on cardiac stem cell (CSC) functions was investigated using c-kit+ rat cardiac stem cells as the experimental model. Here, we hypothesized that CSE attenuates CSC membrane integrity, causes cytotoxicity, and affects many CSC functions via multiple mechanisms including modulation of extracellular stress-regulated kinase (ERK) (44/42) signaling and oxidative stress. The effects of CSE on CSCs were examined in vitro. Based on a published method, CSE was prepared. CSE-induced ERK signaling was detected by western blotting. CSE-induced modulation of catalase activity was also measured. Functional modulations due to CSE were examined via several methods including Apostain, BrdU, and LDH assays. In agreement with the CSE-induced activation of ERK, CSE-induced reduction in viability, migration, and increase in both cytotoxicity and para-cellular permeability were observed in CSCs. These results suggest that CSE impaired CSC responses that contribute to decreased ability of CSC to respond to stress or injury leading to exacerbation of the damage. Our findings will contribute to the understanding of the discipline and might contribute to the development of stem cell therapy approaches in the future.