16 research outputs found
Does coenzyme-Q have a protective effect against atorvastatin induced myopathy? A histopathological and immunohistochemical study in albino rats
Introduction. In addition to their lipidlowering effect, statins have pleiotropic effects that may
extend their use to the treatment and prevention of
various other diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis,
multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes,
and Alzheimer’s disease. Consequently, the number of
patients taking statins is expected to increase. A side
effect of statins, statin-induced myopathy, which may
result from reduced muscular coenzyme Q10 levels,
limits their use. The current study investigates if
supplementing with CoQ10 could ameliorate statin
induced myopathy. Materials and Methods. Forty adult
male albino rats were randomized into 4 groups, with 10
rats per group. The following was administered to the
rats using oral gavage for 4 weeks: Group 1: 2 ml of 0.5%
carboxymethyl cellulose once daily. Group 2: 100
mg/kg/ day coenzyme Q10 dissolved in 2 ml of cotton
seed oil. Group 3: 10 mg/kg once daily atorvastatin
dissolved in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose. Group 4:
concomitantly received CoQ10 and atorvastatin similar
to groups 2 and 3 respectively. Plasma creatine kinase
levels were measured by using spectrophotometer. The
right extensor digitorum longus muscle sections were
stained for histological (Haematoxylin & Eosin, Masson
trichrome and Phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin) and
immunohistochemical (cytochrome C and Bax)
examinations. Quantitative measures of cytochrome C
and Bax were carried out using image analyzer.
Results. Atorvastatin induced increased total creatine
kinase, skeletal muscle variations in the sizes and
shapes, necrosis, disorganization, nuclear pyknosis,
karyorrhexis, karyolysis, dismantled plasma membrane,
excess collagen fibers and lipid deposition in addition to
loss of cross striation. Atorvastatin increased the
intensity of the immune-positive reactions of
cytochrome C and Bax. These changes were ameliorated by concomitantly giving coenzyme Q10.
Conclusion: CoQ10 may ameliorate atorvastatin induced
skeletal muscle injury
Faculty development program assists the new faculty in constructing high-quality short answer questions; a quasi-experimental study.
Faculty development programs (FD) prepare the faculty for their educational role and career tasks. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of FDP in advancing the quality of short-answer questions (SAQs). This was a quasi-experimental study, comprising 37 new faculty. The SAQs were examined on psychometric analysis and Bloom's cognitive levels for the two educational blocks of 1st medical year (i.e. Musculoskeletal (MSK) and Renal blocks). We found substantial improvement in the discrimination index values of SAQs prepared after the workshop (p = 0.04). A higher number of SAQs with moderate difficulty and higher discrimination were also observed. Flaws within the post-workshop questions were reduced (3.0%) when compared with pre-workshop (12.5%). The major incline was also reported within Bloom's cognitive levels when pre-workshop K2 questions (30%) were compared with post-workshop (45.5%) with a p-value = 0.05. The SAQs constructed by the faculty member without participating in FDP are generally of unsatisfactory quality. After the FDP the assessment items of two blocks improved for various parameters of student assessment. The current study advocates that newly joined faculty shall be provided with the FDP to be guided, trained and supported for improving the quality of assessment through SAQs items writing
Effectiveness of longitudinal faculty development programs on MCQs items writing skills: A follow-up study
<div><p>This study examines the long-term impact of the faculty development programs on the multiple choice question (MCQ) items’ quality leading to study its effect on the students’ overall competency level during their yearly academic assessment. A series of longitudinal highly constructed faculty development workshops were conducted to improve the quality of the MCQs items writing skills. A total of 2207 MCQs were constructed by 58 participants for the assessment of 882 students’ cognitive competency level during the academic years 2012–2015. The MCQs were analyzed for the difficulty index (P-value), discriminating index (DI), presence/absence of item writing flaws (IWFs), and non-functioning distractors (NFDs), Bloom’s taxonomy cognitive levels, test reliability, and the rate of students’ scoring. Significant improvement in the difficulty index and DI were noticed during each successive academic year. Easy and poor discriminating questions, NFDs and IWFs were decreased significantly, whereas distractor efficiency (DE) mean score and high cognitive level (K2) questions were increased substantially during the each successive academic year. Improved MCQs’ quality leaded to increased competency level of the borderline students. Overall, the longitudinal faculty development workshops help in improving the quality of the MCQs items writing skills of the faculty that leads to students’ high competency levels.</p></div
Effect of distractors on difficulty and discrimination indices and item writing flaws.
<p>Effect of distractors on difficulty and discrimination indices and item writing flaws.</p
Different factors associated with the students scoring rate.
<p>Different factors associated with the students scoring rate.</p
Self-reported cheating among medical students: An alarming finding in a cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia
<div><p>Academic misconduct/dishonesty has become widespread behavior among many university students across the globe, and medical education is not an exception. Until recently, few efforts have been made to study the dishonest behavior in Middle-Eastern universities. This study examined the prevalence and predisposing factors of cheating among medical students in Saudi Arabia and suggests suitable preventive measures. A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted at a government medical college during the 2014–2015 academic year. The response rate was 58.5% (421/720). The overall cheating behavior practiced by the participants was 29%, predominantly by male students. High GPA scoring students were the least likely to cheat. The participants living with their families were more likely to cheat compared to those who were living apart from their families. The reasons participants gave to justify their cheating behavior included getting better grades, passing the course, and lacking preparation while still recognizing that cheating is a ‘mistake.’ Overall, significant academic misconduct concerning cheating was found among the Saudi medical students; this misconduct is alarming in a reputable government institution. The implementation of strict punishments, requiring ethical courses and creating ethical awareness by exploiting the potential of Islamic religious belief might help to control this problem.</p></div