Online assessments during COVID-19 pandemic - A paradigm shift in educational strategy

Objectives: Covid-19 pandemic has instigated changes in the teaching and assessment practices of institutions in many parts of the world, resulting not only in online teaching but also online assessments. The present study analyzes the perceptions of students regarding the first online assessments conducted at a medical college in Pakistan. Methodology: This Mixed method cross-sectional study was conducted in Wah Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi, Pakistan from July to November 2020. The questionnaire was developed after collaboration of the authors and review of the pertinent literature on online examinations. Universal sampling was done and all students of WMC were invited to participate in the study. Data collection was done by google forms and analysis was performed on SPSS. Results: Students from all five years of the MBBS program participated almost equally in the study. Students of 1st, 3rd and 4th year were not contented with their performance in online exams whereas students of 2nd and 5th year were satisfied. Most students considered technological issues as a basis of their poor performance and proposed technical training before online exams. They also provided suggestions related to improvement of examination formats and tools. Conclusion: Majority of the students found the online assessment more effective and helpful in improving their performance in exams. Student perceptions provided valuable insights for improving the online examinations system at Wah Medical College. Key words: Online Assessments, Medical education, e-assessments, student perceptions, Higher Education institute

Online assessments during COVID-19 pandemic - A paradigm shift in educational strategy

Objectives: Covid-19 pandemic has instigated changes in the teaching and assessment practices of institutions in many parts of the world, resulting not only in online teaching but also online assessments. The present study analyzes the perceptions of students regarding the first online assessments conducted at a medical college in Pakistan. Methodology: This Mixed method cross-sectional study was conducted in Wah Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi, Pakistan from July to November 2020. The questionnaire was developed after collaboration of the authors and review of the pertinent literature on online examinations. Universal sampling was done and all students of WMC were invited to participate in the study. Data collection was done by google forms and analysis was performed on SPSS. Results: Students from all five years of the MBBS program participated almost equally in the study. Students of 1st, 3rd and 4th year were not contented with their performance in online exams whereas students of 2nd and 5th year were satisfied. Most students considered technological issues as a basis of their poor performance and proposed technical training before online exams. They also provided suggestions related to improvement of examination formats and tools. Conclusion: Majority of the students found the online assessment more effective and helpful in improving their performance in exams. Student perceptions provided valuable insights for improving the online examinations system at Wah Medical College. Key words: Online Assessments, Medical education, e-assessments, student perceptions, Higher Education institute

Comparison of protective effects of carvedilol and α-tocopherol on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxocity

Background: Doxorubicin, an effective anticancer drug used to treat multiple solid tumours and childhood malignancies since many decades but its cardiac adverse effects limits its use in full therapeutic dose. The mechanism involved in cardiotoxicity is apoptosis of cardiomyocytes due to reactive oxidative stress. The study was conducted to compare the cardioprotective effects of carvedilol and α-Tocopherol and to detect myocardial injury at early stage.Methods: Cardiotoxicity was produced in a group of rabbits by single intravenous injection of doxorubicin; control group was treated with normal saline only. Third and fourth groups were pretreated with carvedilol 30 mg/kg bodyweight and α-Tocopherol 200 mg/kg bodyweight respectively for ten days before injection of doxorubicin.Results: Doxorubicin produced marked cardiotoxicity represented by raised levels of serum biomarkers (cTnI, LDH and CK-MB) and severe necrosis of cardiomyocytes on microscopic examination. Carvedilol and α-tocopherol pretreatment resulted in decreased serum levels of biomarkers and improved the histological picture of heart tissue.Conclusions: The outcome of doxorubicin chemotherapy can be made successful with the concurrent use of carvedilol or α-tocopherol. Although carvedilol has more pronounced cardioprotective effects perhaps due to its antioxidant activity in addition to antiapoptotic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore the quantitative cTnI estimation for detection of cardiotoxicity at early stage can lead to significant economic impact in management of cancer

A RESEARCH TO ASSESS THE DIET AND ITS ASSOCIATED DISORDERS: DA VINCI'S DINING DISCIPLINE

In scientific history, there is a lot of evidence regarding diet as the source of disorders. The diet of our forefather is always interesting. This research was carried out at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore (September 2017 to July 2018). Leonardo da Vinci, considered universally, was a “universal genius”. His basic rules of eating habit are explained in this research study. The excess habit of eating should be avoided. There should be tasted, good smelling and good-looking food along with “Dining discipline”. The food rich in water should be used and saturated fat, sugar and salt consumption should be less. Da Vinci eating habits include fibre-rich, fresh and vegetation food. Keywords: Diabetes, Hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome, Nutrition and Obesity

How do Companies Promote Luxury Brands in United Arab Emirates?

Luxury – a word most brands would want to be characterized as. Being a social marker, luxury brands play a key role in the creation of human identity – it influences how they dress and enables them to signify a certain lifestyle. In the past it was fairly easy to brand luxury, as competition was moderate and consumers were quite easy to define and the tendency of consumers to remain loyal and uncritical towards a single-brand.[1] Keeping the above in view, the study was designed to analyze the promotional strategies of three well known automotive brands present in United Arab Emirates. The study indicated that the companies used almost the same modes and mediums for promoting their respective brands. [1] Reference: Kapferer & Bastien, 2009, p. 18 & Okonkwo, 2007, p. 3, 6

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections in patients visiting to gestroenterology department Rehman Medical Institute Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Gastritis and peptic ulcer is common worldwide as well in Pakistan. H. pylori is causative agent and can survive in acidic medium like stomach. H. pylori is unique bacteria that capable to cause stomach cancer. The objective of present study was to report the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections in patients visiting to Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar. In the present descriptive cross-sectional study, a total number of 150 patients visiting to Gastroenterology Department Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar were gone through H. pylori screening test by Immunochromatography (BD ICT) method and test was performed to find out prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients visiting to Gastroenterology Department Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar. Data was recorded and analysed by SPSS-22 and shown here in the form of tables. Total number of patients was 150, out of them 44 (29.3%) patients were H. pylori positive and 106(70.7%) were H. pylori negative. The prevalence of H. pylori infection is higher in the patients visiting to gastroenterology department of Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar. It is more common in males as compared to female patients. We conclude here that patients of gastroenterology should be screened for H. pylori to cope with treatment & prevention from further complications

Comparison of hepatoprotective effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Berberis lycium Royale (Sumbloo) in isoniazid induced hepatotoxicity in male mice model

Background: The objective of the study was to compare the hepatoprotective effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle in isoniazid (INH) induced hepatotoxicity in mice model.Methods: This randomized controlled in-vivo study conducted in male mice model from 10th April 2014 till 10th May 2014 at National Institute of Health, Islamabad. Group (C) was given normal diet and water. Group (D) was given isoniazid (50 mg/kg BW) to produce hepatotoxicity. Group (LA) and (HA) were given isoniazid (INH) plus low and high dose of aqueous extract of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle respectively. Group (L.E) and (H.E) were given INH plus low and high dose of ethanolic extract of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle respectively.Results: Hepatotoxicity produced by INH was shown by raised serum liver function tests (LFT’s), marked hepatocytic ballooning, significant steatosis and inflammation. Mice receiving simultaneous treatment of INH, low and high dose of aqueous extract of Berberis lycium Royle showed decrease serum LFT’s and their liver sections showed improved histological picture but more significant reduction in hepatotoxic effects were observed in animals receiving low and high doses of ethanolic extract.Conclusions: Hepatotoxicity of INH can be more fully reversed by simultaneous use of INH with ethanolic extract as it has better hepatoprotective potential in dose dependent manner as compare to aqueous extract of stem bark of Berberis lycium Royle