100 research outputs found

    3-(Adamantan-1-yl)-4-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione

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    The title mol­ecule, C15H21N3S, exists as the thione tautomer in the solid state. The 1,2,4-triazole ring is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.004 Å) and the prop-2-en-1-yl chain is close to being perpendicular to this plane [C—N—C—C torsion angle = 77.1 (5)°]. In the crystal, centrosymmetric dimeric aggregates are formed by pairs of N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds as parts of eight-membered (⋯HNCS)2 synthons. These are connected into layers parallel to (101) via C—H⋯π inter­actions, where the π-system is the triazole ring. The investigated sample was a nonmerohedral twin; the refined domain ratio was 0.655 (4):0.345 (4)

    MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON TRYPANOSOMA EVANSI TYPE A AND TYPE B IN CAMELS (CAMELUS DROMEDARIES) FROM FIVE DIFFERENT REGIONS OF SAUDI ARABIA USING THE ITS1 RDNA AND ROTAT 1.2 VSG GENE

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    Trypanosoma evansi is the most widespread of the pathogenic salivarian trypanosomes and cause a serious disease called (surra) that is affect the domestic animals such camels and horses in Tropical and subtropical countries and often leads to reduced productivity and economic losses. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence rates of trypanosomiasis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) among camels from five different regions of Saudi Arabia and to sequence and characterized the T. evansi from these animals. In the current study, 832 camel blood samples collected from five different regions of Saudi Arabia for detecting T. evansi. A generic ITS1-PCR and RoTat 1.2 VSG gene were applied in this study to analyze camels’ blood samples. Molecular analysis was performed using ITS1-PCR which showed that the highest prevalence of trypanosomes was observed in Al-Qaseem province (50.1%) followed Riyadh province (49%), whereas in Hail and the Northern Borders, there were fewer infections with trypanosomes (28.4% &17.6%), respectively. PCR amplification was carried out targeting RoTat 1.2 VSG gene on TS1-positive samples and some of them were negative for RoTat1.2. The test negative in RoTat 1.2 PCR but ITS1 PCR positive could suggest T. evansi type B. Presence of T. evansi type B is interest to the international community, as this has a message to redesign the existing molecular and serological diagnostic markers. However, to our knowledge this the first study demonstrating T. evansi type B out of Africa. Keywords: Trypanosoma evansi, Camels, ITS1 rDNA , RoTat 1.2, PCR, Saudi Arabia

    Evaluation of a task-based community oriented teaching model in family medicine for undergraduate medical students in Iraq

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    BACKGROUND: The inclusion of family medicine in medical school curricula is essential for producing competent general practitioners. The aim of this study is to evaluate a task-based, community oriented teaching model of family medicine for undergraduate students in Iraqi medical schools. METHODS: An innovative training model in family medicine was developed based upon tasks regularly performed by family physicians providing health care services at the Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) in Mosul, Iraq. Participants were medical students enrolled in their final clinical year. Students were assigned to one of two groups. The implementation group (28 students) was exposed to the experimental model and the control group (56 students) received the standard teaching curriculum. The study took place at the Mosul College of Medicine and at the Al-Hadba PHCC in Mosul, Iraq, during the academic year 1999–2000. Pre- and post-exposure evaluations comparing the intervention group with the control group were conducted using a variety of assessment tools. RESULTS: The primary endpoints were improvement in knowledge of family medicine and development of essential performance skills. Results showed that the implementation group experienced a significant increase in knowledge and performance skills after exposure to the model and in comparison with the control group. Assessment of the model by participating students revealed a high degree of satisfaction with the planning, organization, and implementation of the intervention activities. Students also highly rated the relevancy of the intervention for future work. CONCLUSION: A model on PHCC training in family medicine is essential for all Iraqi medical schools. The model is to be implemented by various relevant departments until Departments of Family medicine are established

    Teaching tools in Evidence Based Practice: evaluation of reusable learning objects (RLOs) for learning about Meta-analysis

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>All healthcare students are taught the principles of evidence based practice on their courses. The ability to understand the procedures used in systematically reviewing evidence reported in studies, such as meta-analysis, are an important element of evidence based practice. Meta-analysis is a difficult statistical concept for healthcare students to understand yet it is an important technique used in systematic reviews to pool data from studies to look at combined effectiveness of treatments. In other areas of the healthcare curricula, by supplementing lectures, workbooks and workshops with pedagogically designed, multimedia learning objects (known as reusable learning objects or RLOs) we have shown an improvement in students' perceived understanding in subjects they found difficult. In this study we describe the development and evaluation of two RLOs on meta-analysis. The RLOs supplement associated lectures and aim to improve students' understanding of meta-analysis in healthcare students.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Following a quality controlled design process two RLOs were developed and delivered to two cohorts of students, a Master in Public Health course and Postgraduate diploma in nursing course. Students' understanding of five key concepts of Meta-analysis were measured before and after a lecture and again after RLO use. RLOs were also evaluated for their educational value, learning support, media attributes and usability using closed and open questions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Students rated their understanding of meta-analysis as improved after a lecture and further improved after completing the RLOs (Wilcoxon paired test, p < 0.01 in all cases) Whilst the media components of the RLOs such as animations helped most students (86%) understand concepts including for example Forest plots, 93% of students rated usability and control as important to their learning. A small number of students stated they needed the support of a lecturer alongside the RLOs (7% 'Agreed' and 21% 'Neutral').</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Meta-analysis RLOs that are openly accessible and unrestricted by usernames and passwords provide flexible support for students who find the process of meta-analysis difficult.</p

    The need for national medical licensing examination in Saudi Arabia

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Medical education in Saudi Arabia is facing multiple challenges, including the rapid increase in the number of medical schools over a short period of time, the influx of foreign medical graduates to work in Saudi Arabia, the award of scholarships to hundreds of students to study medicine in various countries, and the absence of published national guidelines for minimal acceptable competencies of a medical graduate.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>We are arguing for the need for a Saudi national medical licensing examination that consists of two parts: Part I (Written) which tests the basic science and clinical knowledge and Part II (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) which tests the clinical skills and attitudes. We propose this examination to be mandated as a licensure requirement for practicing medicine in Saudi Arabia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The driving and hindering forces as well as the strengths and weaknesses of implementing the licensing examination are discussed in details in this debate.</p

    Novel spectrophotometric method for determination of cinacalcet hydrochloride in its tablets via derivatization with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate

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    This study represents the first report on the development of a novel spectrophotometric method for determination of cinacalcet hydrochloride (CIN) in its tablet dosage forms. Studies were carried out to investigate the reaction between CIN and 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate (NQS) reagent. In alkaline medium (pH 8.5), an orange red-colored product exhibiting maximum absorption peak (λmax) at 490 nm was produced. The stoichiometry and kinetic of the reaction were investigated and the reaction mechanism was postulated. This color-developing reaction was employed in the development of a simple and rapid visible-spectrophotometric method for determination of CIN in its tablets. Under the optimized reaction conditions, Beer's law correlating the absorbance with CIN concentration was obeyed in the range of 3 - 100 μg/ml with good correlation coefficient (0.9993). The molar absorptivity (ε) was 4.2 × 105 l/mol/cm. The limits of detection and quantification were 1.9 and 5.7 μg/ml, respectively. The precision of the method was satisfactory; the values of relative standard deviations (RSD) did not exceed 2%. No interference was observed from the excipients that are present in the tablets. The proposed method was applied successfully for the determination of CIN in its pharmaceutical tablets with good accuracy and precisions; the label claim percentage was 100.80 - 102.23 ± 1.27 - 1.62%. The results were compared favorably with those of a reference pre-validated method. The method is practical and valuable in terms of its routine application in quality control laboratories
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