3-Dimensional model making as an innovative tool for enhanced learning through student engagement among early professional medical graduates

Background: Various innovative teaching-learning methods have been introduced in the medical curriculum for a better understanding of the difficult topics. We introduced the 3-dimensional (3D) model-making as an innovative tool for enhanced learning through student engagement among early professional medical graduates. Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry of a Private Medical College. The phase I medical undergraduate students were divided into 20 groups with 10 students in each group. The topics taught by didactic lectures were allotted to each group by lottery method and were informed that the best model will be suitably rewarded after evaluation. Feedback was collected from the students on a five-point Likert scale after the submission and evaluation of the models. Results: About 92% of the students expressed that 3D model-making was an innovative method of learning in the medical profession, and 96.3% agreed that the topics allotted were relevant to the syllabus and helped in better understanding of the subject when compared to didactic lectures. The students also agreed that the 3D model-making activity enhanced their creativity and application of knowledge to learn biochemistry, developed a positive attitude, helped to coordinate with their peers, and improved communication skills. They suggested that this activity should be continued with the inclusion of more topics. Discussion: The 3D model-making activity helped the students to enjoy learning, think differently, understand better, expand their knowledge and recall information more comprehensively

In silico examination of peptides containing selenium and ebselen Backbone To Assess Their Tumoricidal Potential

Introduction: Cancer has been one of the highest causes of morbidity and mortality in the world for decades. Owing to improved therapeutics along with detection, breast cancer mortality has been slowly reducing. The incidence of breast cancer, on the other hand, has increased gradually. More than 100 types of cancer have been identified with a wide range of treatment protocols comprising of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, etc. In an attempt to curb the serious deleterious effects caused by the chemotherapeutic drugs, numerous peptide molecules are currently popular as alternatives to the standard chemotherapeutic drugs. Methods: In this study, we have carried out in silico investigations to ascertain the anti-proliferative potential of novel peptides based on selenium and ebselen, i.e. Eb-Trp-Asp, 13, Eb-Trp-Glu, 14, and Eb-Trp-Lys, 15. Analysis of protein-ligand interactions, resulting in protein-ligand complex formation, has been carried out using the AutoDockVina in PyRx aided molecular docking technique, which may be an essential indication of druggability of the test peptides. Results: The molecular docking results revealed that the screened ligands had extraordinarily strong binding interactions and affinity for the target. Conclusion: Findings suggested that novel peptide molecule Eb-Trp-Glu, 14 may be a potent anticancer agent

Phytochemical fractions from Annona muricata seeds and fruit pulp inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells through cell cycle arrest at G(0)/G(1) phase

Introduction: Annona muricata (L.) (AM), commonly known as Soursop and Lakshmanaphala/Hanumaphala in India, has been extensively used in ethnomedicine for treating tuberculosis, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cancers. The fruit is a rich source of antioxidants and antitumor agents. Methods: In this study, we have extracted phytochemicals that exhibited anti-cancer property from the (a) fruit pulp using methanol (AMPM) and water (AMPW); and (b) seeds using methanol (AMSM). Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, terpenoids, carbohydrates and proteins in AMPM and AMPW. All three extracts were first checked for in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and then tested for efficacy against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Results: Among these three extracts, AMSM showed the highest antioxidant power as well as similar to 80% inhibition at 320 mu g/ml concentration in both cell lines upon treatment for 24h. However, only about 40% inhibition was observed with 320 mu g/ml AMPM treatment, despite its highest anti-inflammatory potential. Water extract AMPW exhibited about 80% growth inhibition at 50% dilution. Since fruit pulp is the one consumed, the extracts AMPM and AMPW were further tested for apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest. Analysis of the data showed increased apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest upon exposure to AMPM and AMPW