A Comparative Study Of Cal _COMPUTER Assisted Learning_ Versus Conventional Method For Teaching Experimental Pharmacology

Title-Acomparative study of CAL (Computer Assisted Learning) versus conventional method for teaching experimental pharmacology.Introduction-CAL or computer assisted learning demonstrates all the steps of the experiment in the form of asimulation. The students performthe experiment virtually and observe the effect of different drugs by themselves in computer lab.Aims and objectives-To compare theeffectiveness of CALversus conventional method for teaching experimental pharmacology by assessing the students’understanding of the practicalexercise.Methodology–A comparative study was carried out on 102 2ndyear MBBS students who were randomized in two groups. One group was exposed to conventional method and anothergroup was taught using CAL. Both the groups underwent anMCQ test pertaining to the experiment. Thegroups were then crossed over for the next experiment. This was also followed by anMCQ test. A feedback regarding their perception about CAL v/s conventional teaching was taken from both students and faculty. Statistical test wasapplied to compare the results of the two groups. All required ethical permissions were taken.Results –There was a statistically significant difference (p value < 0.001)between the MCQ scores of the two groups. It clearly indicated that students could understand the experiment better when taught by CAL. The feedback given by both students and faculty favored the use of CAL.Conclusion –Results of the study showed that students learn better by using CAL so it shouldbe implemented as the teaching and learning methodin experimental pharmacology.Key words –simulation,teaching, experimental pharmacologyIntroductionPharmacology curriculumis incomplete without practical sessions.Practical sessions demonstrate the effect of drugs on isolated tissues or intact animals thus strengthening the theoretical concepts taught in lectures.Thuslaboratory based practical classes are an important aspect of both teaching and learning pharmacology (1,2)Previously, alarge number of animals were required and were sacrificed during each experiment for demonstrating the already established action of drugs.(3)There were representations from the organizations like PETA which opposed such cruel use of animals.In India, animals for experiments were being procured from unauthorised small vendors but modified CPCSEA guidelines ban the procurement of animals from unauthorized sources.(4).All this made the animal experiments..

Adverse Drug Reactions Monitoring In Pentavalent Vaccination Program At A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT Introduction:Four out of ten prescriptions in indoor-patient departments contains gastro-protective drugs. Study aimed to detect classes of gastro protective drugs prescribed with other therapies, to assess trend of co-prescription of gastro-protective with NSAIDs, Anticipated drug interactions with the prescribed gastro-protective and most commonly prescribed gastro-protective group of drug.Materials and Methods: It is Prospective, Observational study, approximately 133 prescription analyzed. Written informed consent was taken from the eligible patients included in the study. Drugs data collected by reviewing the prescriptions prescribed. Gastro-protective during study period. Rationality of drug use was assessed by referring to standard textbooks and guidelines.RESULTSOut of 200 prescriptions, 133 (66.5%) were found prescribing the gastro-protective drugs and more prescribed in the age group of 31-40 (39.84%). Gastro-protective drugs were co-prescribed with different classes of drugs of which NSAIDs (34.83%) were the most common. The Paracetamol (48.10%) were found to be the most commonly prescribedNSAIDs with gastro-protective drugs. The PPIs (66.66%) were found to be the most commonly prescribedgastro-protective. Drug interactions with co-prescribed drugs could be anticipated in 45 cases. Conclusion:The usage of gastro-protective is essential in drug therapy; however,over-use can increase adverse effects, drug interactions, and even wrong therapy.

Anti-microbial activity of turmeric natural dye against different bacterial strains.

Curcumin, a yellow pigment present in the Indian spice turmeric (associated with curry powder), has been linked with suppression of inflammation; angiogenesis; tumorigenesis; diabetes; diseases of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurological systems, of skin, and of liver; loss of bone and muscle; depression; chronic fatigue; and neuropathic pain. The utility of curcumin is limited by its color, lack of water solubility, and relatively low in vivo bioavailability. Because of the multiple therapeutic activities attributed to curcumin, there is an intense search for the ‘‘super curcumin’’. In the present study anti microbial activity of turmeric natural dye against different bacterial strains. In the present study in vitro, test confirmed the antimicrobial activity of turmeric extract against ten different bacterial strains. The antibacterial activity was measured by agar well diffusion method. The natural dye showed antibacterial activity against all the test bacterial isolates. Turmeric natural dye showed good inhibitory activity against E.coli and Vibrio cholera with a zone of inhibition 7mm to 15mm and 10mm to 15mm respectively. As turmeric powders are used to color natural fibers from which consumer products are manufactured. The incorporation of turmeric dye with natural fiber will help to produce value added handicrafts.

Antimicrobial and wound healing studies on the extracts of the medicinal plant cocculus hirsutus (linn).

The antimicrobial activity of methanol and aqueous extracts of the medicinal plant Cocculus hirsutus was studied using E.coli, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas fluorescence, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus ,Candida gillermontii,Tricophyton rubrum,Tricophyton tansuans,Aspergillus ochraceus,Candida albicans and Rodatrula sp as test micoorganisms.The methanol extract of the plant was found to be more effective against Vibrio cholera(18) and Staphylococcus aureus(17mm) and in the mean time the aqueous extract was found to be more effective against Vibrio cholera(13) and Klebsiella pneumonia (14mm).Both methanol and aqueous extract of this plant was found with no fungal activity against fungal pathogens. Phytochemical screening of the methanol extract of Cocculus hirsutus revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, tannins and saponins, which suggests may be responsible for antimicrobial activity. The wound healing potencial of this plant was found to be comparably better than that of the commercial antibiotic Neomycin.

Azadirachta indica - cow urine extract, a novel controlling agent towards Clinically significant Multi Drug Resistant Pathogens.

Azadirachta indica have been widely used in traditional systems of medicine for a variety of diseases. In the present study, Cow urine extract of Azadirachta indica was evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against MDR Clinical isolates. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated towards five MDR pathogenic strains of bacteria. The results indicated that Cow urine extract of A.indica more antibacterial activity in comparison of its organic fraction for MDR E.coli and, Klebseilla pneumonia . The phytochemical test suggests that constituents for all the 20 days were positive for flavonoids, alkaloids, quinine, coumarin, tannin, saponin and phenol. Antimicrobial activities were correlated with chemical compositions of both organic extracts and Cow urine extract of A. indica.

Treatment seeking behavior for urinary incontinence among north Indian women.

Background: Urinary incontinence is a common but neglected problem of women. Aims: To ascertain the treatment seeking behavior of north Indian women having urinary incontinence (UI). Setting: Two residential colonies of Chandigarh. DESIGN: Cross-sectional face-to-face interview based study. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by a trained nurse during April 2005-July 2005 among women aged 18 years and above. Women with UI were identified in a screening survey. They were interviewed individually regarding their treatment seeking behavior and socio-demographic data. Statistical Analysis Used: Percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square test. Results: Of the 220 enlisted incontinent women 20% (44) women consulted some health agency. Only 8.6% (19) women had heard about pelvic floor muscle exercises. Seventy-two percent (158) cases had UI for more than one year. The most common reason quoted for not seeking treatment was, 'UI was considered as 'normal', 'did not take it seriously' and 'shyness.' Many (153;70%) women reported that UI affected their daily routine as well as social activities like shopping and visiting friends. Conclusion: Urinary incontinence seriously affected the quality of life of women. Still, consultation rate for UI was low in the north Indian women.

Minor injuries in ninth class school children of Chandigarh and rural Haryana.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of minor injuries and to study the wound care practices of school children. DESIGN: A fortnightly follow up of urban (n = 112) and rural (n = 110) high school children was done in Chandigarh and rural Haryana between 1990-1992. Initial point prevalence survey was followed by fortnightly follow up survey involving interview for assessing incidence and wound care practices among students. SETTING: Government high schools of Chandigarh and rural Ambala in between 1990 to 1992. SUBJECTS: Ninth class school children from urban (n = 112) and rural (n = 110) areas. RESULTS: Average episodes of minor injuries per year were 2.9 in rural and 2.1 in urban area, point prevalence was higher in urban area. First-aid training of teachers or the students was lacking in both the areas. Many of the injuries (41-46%) occurred during the school time. Fingers/hand or feet were affected most. Main sources of injuries were farm implements, thorn, blade and stick in rural area and finger nails, kitchen appliances and furniture in urban area. Rural students were more tolerant to minor injuries. Lesser number of rural students had taken tetanus toxoid. Wound washing with water as the first action was reported by 20-22% students in both the areas. Application of urine or chewed grass was reported by rural students only, whereas use of ointment, tablet, bandage, injection as the first action was observed in urban students only. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of minor injuries was higher in rural area as compared to urban area. Training of students on elementary hygienic wound care is recommended.

Evaluation of cold chain system in rural areas of Haryana.

Evaluation of cold chain system was done in a time bound study during August and September months of 1992 in two districts of Haryana as there were frequent breakdowns of icelined refrigerators during the previous year. The study revealed that defective stabilizers and electricity plugs and sockets were the reason of breakdown in many cases. Temperature maintenance and functioning of deep freezers was satisfactory. Retrospective analysis showed that the polio vaccine samples picked up during 1990-92 were found to be satisfactory by CRI, Kasauli. Use of two ice-pick carrier and thermos flasks was associated with poor temperature maintenance. Seven vaccine carriers out of 25 examined had cracked wall lining. Lids of carriers were also not kept tight during vaccination sessions. Response lag of the health workers and medical officers in case of breakdowns was delayed. A one day refresher course exclusively on cold chain maintenance at community health centre level is recommended.

Knowledge & practices of urban and rural high school children regarding minor injuries.

High school students of urban (112) and rural area (110) were surveyed in 1990-91 to assess their knowledge and practices for regarding management of minor injuries. A variety of lacal application for wound were described. Burnol, Vaseline, talcum powered GV paint, mercurochrome were told only by urban students while irritating on wound was told only by rural students. Washing of wound with water, use of termeric, ointment, dettol, leaves spirit, sucking were told more by urban students while more of rural students told about use of mustard oil & mobile oil. Need of tetanus toxoid and immediate washing of would was told more by urban students. Need of relevant health education is emphasized.

An epidemiological study of congenital malformations in rural children.

Children between 0-6 years of age from six villages of Ambala District were screened for congenital malformations. Of 1371 children, malformations were observed in 30 (prevalence 22/1000). Twenty children had major malformations and six had multiple anomalies. Cardiovascular malformations were the commonest (37%) followed by musculoskeletal (30%), gastrointestinal (23%), central nervous system (13%) and genitourinary anomalies (6.6%). An etiological factor (maternal rubella infection or drug exposure during early pregnancy) could be ascertained in only 3 cases. Traditional birth attendents (TBA) and Anganwadi workers (AWW) were helpful in identifying 95% of the cases with externally visible malformations in rural areas. In majority of cases no remedial measures were taken by the parents.

Identification of infertile couples in a rural area of northern India.

An attempt was made to identify infertile couples in a rural area of India, utilizing the existing information structure. A three stage screening of the cases was done. Initial record based listing was done with the help of the health workers' records. Cases on initial list were screened on the basis of information obtained from key informants in villages. Verified cases were then individually contracted. Total catchment population (28839) in 40 villages of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) of north India was surveyed by a lady social worker. Of the total 4453 eligible couples in the PHC, 129 (2.9%) were infertile (46.5% primary and 53.5% secondary infertility). From the initial list of 298 cases, 161 (54%) were excluded during the survey. The yield from the health workers' record was 33 per cent whereas from key informants it was 93 per cent. The study revealed that the key informants and existing information structure can be utilized to identify conditions like infertility in rural areas, after proper verification of initial reports.

Attitude of Indian urban adults towards mental illnesses.

In an urban area of Jhansi 238 adults were interviewed to asses their views regarding mental illnesses. Mental illness was not perceived as a serious disease. Cancer was perceived as the most serious disease. Worries, faulty upbringing, overwork were perceived as a cause of mental illness by majority. Early identification sings of mental illness described by them were difficulty in sleeping, changes in facial expression and feeling of impending mental imbalance. Marital alliance with them was not favoured. However, a sympathetic attitude towards mental patients was favoured. Avoiding tension, adapting oneself to circumstances, a consulting elders were considered as preventive measures against mental illness by majority.