Phase ambiguity of the threshold amplitude in pp -> pp\pi^0

Measurements of spin observables in pp -> {\vec p}{\vec p}\pi^0 are suggested to remove the phase ambiguity of the threshold amplitude. The suggested measurements complement the IUCF data on {\vec p}{\vec p} -> pp\pi^0 to completely determine all the twelve partial wave amplitudes, taken into consideration by Mayer et.al. [15] and Deepak, Haidenbauer and Hanhart [20].Comment: 4 pages, 1 table

Separability of a family of one parameter W and GHZ multiqubit states using Abe-Rajagopal q-conditional entropy approach

We employ conditional Tsallis q entropies to study the separability of symmetric one parameter W and GHZ multiqubit mixed states. The strongest limitation on separability is realized in the limit q-->infinity, and is found to be much superior to the condition obtained using the von Neumann conditional entropy (q=1 case). Except for the example of two qubit and three qubit symmetric states of GHZ family, the $q$-conditional entropy method leads to sufficient - but not necessary - conditions on separability.Comment: 7 pages, 5 ps figures, RevteX, Accepted for publication in Physical Review

Perception and preferences of teaching and learning methods among second year medical students: a cross sectional survey in a rural tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Imparting a large amount of knowledge within a limited time period in a way it is retained, remembered and effectively interpreted by a medical student is considered to be a challenge which has resulted in crucial changes in the medical educational field, with a shift from didactic teacher centered and subject based teaching to the use of interactive, problem based, student centered learning. Learning styles and approaches of each medical undergraduate vary considerably and their learning needs also differ individually. The objective of the study was to assess the perception of 2nd year medical students towards teaching and learning methods, to know their preferences among 3 commonly used audio visual teaching methods chalk and board (CB), power point teaching (PPT) and over-head projector (OHP), to explore the most influencing qualities of a teacher perceived by these medical undergraduates.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire-based study was conducted among 2nd year medical students of AIMS, B. G. Nagar, Karnataka, India. A pre-designed, pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data.Results: Total respondents were 184. Among them 116 were females (63.04%) and 68 were males (36.95%). All were within the age group of 19-21 years. Chalk and board (64%) was the most preferred teaching method. 76.63% students felt that chalk board facilitates interaction between students and teacher, 69.56% perceived that diagrams can be easily copied, 67.39% opined that clinical problems can be solved better. However to demonstrate the clinical conditions (70.65%) and covering more subject per lecture (59.23%)  students preferred ppt teaching. The preferred learning method in our study was small group discussion (29%) followed by tutorials (27%), self-study (23%) and lectures (16%). Approachability (54.89%) of a teacher towards students, good teaching skills (50.54%) and knowledge towards the subject (45.65%) are the most influencing qualities of a teacher perceived by these medical undergraduates.Conclusions: Chalk and board teaching remains the best preferred teaching aid which can be supplemented with PPT and OHP to improve medical teaching. Small group discussion is the most preferred learning method when compared with tutorial, student’s seminar and lectures indicating that students are more interested in active teaching and learning methods

Student’s perception towards learning medical sciences: problem based learning versus lecture based learning methods

Background: Problem-based learning (PBL) is one of the most commonly used educational methods in medical schools of different countries. By working through this method, students think critically, generate with ideas, and acquire the knowledge and skills required to become a doctor. The objectives were, this study aimed to compare problem-based learning with lecture-based learning in the education of medical students on different disciplines but addressing the 2nd year subjects as a whole & in particularly pharmacology.Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on medical students of Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar. All the students were enrolled in the study were given with pretested questions after obtaining the institutional ethical clearance and informed consent from the students. Fully completed questionnaires were collected and analysed.Results: Students preferred problem-based learning over lecture-based learning (LBL) because of motivation boost, a higher quality of education, knowledge retention, class attractiveness, and practical use. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Although PBL edged over LBL, but most of them preferred integrated teaching going side by side, i. e, PBL along with LBL.Conclusions: Students’ percieves that the knowledge & understanding could be very easily acquired by PBL over LBL. Students felt Pharmacology should be taught with both ways, initially LBL followed by PBL for better understanding the concepts for clinical application

ASSESSMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL CARE SERVICES ON HEALTH RELATED QOL IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS – A PROSPECTIVE INTERVENTIONAL STUDY

Background: In the last three decades role of pharmacist has changed dramatically. Patient counselling by pharmacist deals with providing information to the patients regarding the disease, Medications and lifestyle modifications. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a severe medical and social problem that affects patient's general wellbeing. Despite of the advances in understanding the disease and its management, the morbidity and mortality rate are in rise. Objective: To study the impact of pharmaceutical care services on quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus. To improve the knowledge, practice abd attitude, Quality of life of patients towards disease management. Methods: This is a prospective intervention study. It was carried out to determine the quality of life, based on which patients were counselled regarding disease, medication, nutrition, exercise, insulin, foot care, eye care, personal hygiene, self monitoring of glucose and self care. Out of 80 patients, who are having diabetes mellitus and given patient counseling again collected after 1st and 2nd month. The paired t-test in Graph Pad InStat was used for statistical calculation. Results: The overall KAP scores for diabetes patients between test of baseline and final follow up was statistically significant (P< 0.001). The test group has shown increased medication adherence than control which shows the importance of patient counseling. Conclusion: The study concluded that pharmacist mediated patient counseling and the disease, medications and lifestyle modifications will improve the knowledge, attitude and practice, Quality of life and Glycemic control

A prospective study of pattern of prescription for acne vulgaris in a tertiary care hospital: an observational study

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological disorder of the pilosebaceous unit affecting younger age groups but presenting usually at puberty and is of cosmetic concern. There are various treatment modalities available ranging from topical/oral anti-acne preparations to hormonal therapy depending on the severity of acne. Use of synthetic retinoid is highly regulated due to its potential for severe adverse events, primarily teratogenicity. There is a need for periodic prescription auditing. By providing feedback to the prescribers to formulate the guidelines enhances therapeutic efficacy by rational use, minimizes the adverse effects and cost of treatment. Objectives: to assess the prescription pattern for Acne vulgaris.Methods: A medication details and prescribers information are collected in pre-designed proforma along with the demographic details from 210 study subjects after personal briefing about the study. The data was analyzed using SPSS.Results: Out of 210 prescriptions of acne patients, majority were in between 21-40 years (48.09%), M:F ratio was1:1.41, female were 58.57% when compared to males 41.43%. Topical agents accounted for 54.13% and 36.36% of oral antibiotics (most common was azithromycin). Fixed dose combinations accounted for 4.39% and concomitantly administered drugs (antihistaminics, proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, emollients and skin protective agents) accounted for 53.82% of the prescribed drugs.Conclusions: Drug utilization study periodically can be an eye opener for the prescribers to prescribe the drugs in a rational way and it could reduce the prescription error and minimizing the untoward effects will subsequently reduce the cost of treatment

Knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotic usage among the medical undergraduates of a tertiary care teaching hospital: an observational cross-sectional study

Background: Social aspect of antibiotic management forms a significant way to overcome the rapidly intensifying problem of antibiotic resistance. Medical students should not only be made aware of the current emerging health issues but also be directed towards rational antibiotics prescribing behavior as future medical practitioners. Aims and objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) related to antibiotic usage in second year medical undergraduate students.Methods: The study design was cross sectional, questionnaire based survey. The questionnaire was distributed to a 3rd term and 4th term medical students in their second year of MBBS, to know the KAP regarding antibiotic usage and was assessed by a five point Likert scale and few questions were of true and false type. The data was analyzed by using SPSS.Results: Out of 162 students, 138 (85.19%) participated in the study; 63 (45.65%) were males and 75 (54.35%) were females. 84.06% of the participants known that irrational and indiscriminate antimicrobial use leads to the emergence of resistance. 96.38% agreed that Antibacterial resistance(ABR) was an important and a serious global public health issue and national problem. 71.01% of the respondents were aware that bacteria were not responsible for causing colds and flu. 86.23% said it can lead to more adverse drug reaction.Conclusions: The present survey on antibiotic usage gives useful information about the knowledge, attitudes and practices of second year medical undergraduates, which may be utilized to plan suitable educational interventions that aim at improving the antimicrobial prescribing and use to maximize their effective and efficient use and minimize the development of resistance

AN IN VITRO STUDY OF CINNAMOMUM ZEYLANICUM AS NATURAL INHIBITOR OF ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME (ACE) ON SHEEP (OVIS ARIES) TISSUES

Objective: The present study was aimed to find the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity using the methanolic extract ofCinnamomum zeylanicum (as a natural inhibitor) on sheep tissues as the enzyme source.Methods: Hippuryl-histidyl-leucine (HHL) as a substrate, tissue ACE activity was measured spectrophotometrically at 228 nm. For an incubationperiod of 30 minutes at 37°C, the linearity of ACE activity of kidney, lung, and testis enzyme was established. A known medicinal plant C. zeylanicumwas used as natural inhibitor of ACE. In this enzyme assay, inhibitory effect of methanolic extract of C. zeylanicum on kidney, lung and testicular ACEwas determined. ACE activity was confirmed by captopril, a standard inhibitor of ACE.Results: In the presence of a methanolic extract of C. zeylanicum (10:1), ACE activity was determined and this has inhibited ACE activity verysignificantly. C. zeylanicum leaves extract has reduced sheep kidney, lung, and testis ACE activity by 70.06%, 12.63%, and 20.23%, respectively.Conclusion: Significant inhibition was observed in the kidney ACE than in lung and testis ACE activity. This can propose that there may be a possiblerole in controlling blood pressure or reduction in cardiovascular diseases. Some plants with the great medicinal property may be considered aspromising sources of natural inhibitors of ACE for medicine and commercial uses. This comprehensive study may show numerous beneficial effects asa potential therapeutic agent for lowering blood pressure.Keywords: Angiotensin-converting enzyme, Natural angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, Kinetic assay, Hippuryl-histidyl-leucine, Cinnamomumzeylanicum, Cardiovascular diseases

Preparation of 2-aryl-6,7-dihydroxy-8-undecyl-4H-1,3,4-benzoxadiazines

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