Perceptions of the Use of Blueprinting in a Formative Theory Assessment in Pharmacology Education

Objectives: This study aimed to assess perceptions of the use of a blueprint in a pharmacology formative theory assessment. Methods: This study took place from October 2015 to February 2016 at a medical college in Gujurat, India. Faculty from the Department of Pharmacology used an internal syllabus to prepare an assessment blueprint. A total of 12 faculty members prepared learning objectives and categorised cognitive domain levels by consensus. Learning objectives were scored according to clinical importance and marks were distributed according to proportional weighting. A three-dimensional test specification table of syllabus content, assessment tools and cognitive domains was prepared. Based on this table, a theory paper was created and administered to 126 pharmacology students. Feedback was then collected from the faculty members and students using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: The majority of faculty members agreed that using a blueprint ensured proper weighting of marks for important topics (90.00%), aligned questions with learning objectives (80.00%), distributed questions according to clinical importance (100.00%) and minimised inter-examiner variations in selecting questions (90.00%). Few faculty members believed that use of the blueprint created too many easy questions (10.00%) or too many difficult questions (10.00%). Most students felt that the paper had a uniform distribution of questions from the syllabus (90.24%), that important topics were appropriately weighted (77.23%), was well organised (79.67%) and tested indepth subject knowledge (74.80%). Conclusion: These findings indicate that blueprinting should be an integral part of written assessments in pharmacology education

Comparison of Beers criteria and EU(7) potentially inappropriate medications list for the potentially inappropriate medications in Indian elderly inpatients

Background: Use of inappropriate medication is an important problem in present geriatric clinical practice. No specific potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) tools are available considering the availability of drugs in India. Aim and objective were to assess prevalence and pattern of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in elderly inpatients by updated Beers criteria 2015 and EU(7) PIM list 2015.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on medical records of elderly patients (≥65 yrs) admitted in the internal medicine wards and intensive care units (ICU) over a period of 6 weeks. The medications were evaluated for the PIM use as per Beers criteria and EU(7) PIM list.Results: A total of 225 patients (mean age- 71.48 yrs) were admitted in internal medicine wards and ICU during study period. Total 184 PIM belonged to 33 different medications were used during study period. The prevalence of PIM in internal medicine wards and ICUs were 51.96% and 57.14%, respectively. The prevalence of PIM was significantly higher with the EU(7) PIM list than Beers criteria (49.77% vs. 21.77%) [p<0.0001]. The commonly prescribed PIM were dextromethorphan (13.33%), ranitidine (11.11%) and glipizide (10.22%).Conclusions: Elderly patients frequently receive PIM. EU(7) PIM list identifies more PIM among elderly inpatients than Beers criteria

Monoazo reactive dyes: Synthesis and application on cotton, silk and wool fibers

Mono azo reactive dyes are mostly used in textiles industries. The current study was developed to synthesize and apply mono azo reactive dyes. The primary goal of this research article is to highlight synthesized dyes with outstanding fixing properties for the dyeing and printing sectors to invent in future. Diazotized o-anisidine was coupled with several 4-amino-4ʼ-hydroxy benzilidene acetophenone cyanurated coupling component including H-acid, Gamma acid, J-acid, N-methyl J-acid, N-phenyl J-acid, K- acid and peri acid, to create a variety of monoazo reactive dyes. IR and elemental analyses were used to describe them. Moreover, the dyeing capabilities of each of these dyes on silk, wool, and cotton have been evaluated. The wet fastness properties also evaluated. Synthesized mono azo reactive dyes have excellent fixation values as well as fastness properties.Os corantes reativos monoazo são usados principalmente nas indústrias têxteis. O presente estudo foi desenvolvido para sintetizar e aplicar corantes reativos mono azo. O objetivo principal deste artigo de pesquisa é destacar corantes sintetizados com excelentes propriedades de fixação para os setores de tingimento e estamparia investirem ainda mais. A o-anisidina diazotizada foi acoplada a vários componentes de acoplamento cianuratados de 4-amino-4'-hidroxi benzlideno acetofenona, incluindo ácido H, ácido gama, ácido J, ácido N metil J, ácido N-fenil J, ácido K e peri ácido, para criar uma variedade de corantes reativos monoazo. Análises elementares de IR e nitrogênio foram usadas para descrevê-los. Além disso, as capacidades de tingimento de cada um desses corantes em seda, lã e algodão foram avaliadas. As propriedades de resistência à umidade também foram avaliadas. Os corantes reativos monoazo sintetizados têm excelentes valores de fixação, bem como propriedades de solidez

Tendências na síntese e aplicação de alguns corantes reativos: Uma revisão

From last 25 years that many researchers have developed the novel reactive dyes with modification in structure of reactive dyes. In the present review paper concentrated development of reactive dyes. The review paper is focused on the highlight such dyes have having excellent dyeing properties and wet-fastness properties. This review paper express the monstrous impression of reactive dyes on the textiles coloration industry. Particularized details are given regarding evolution in the chemistry of reactive structure systems. It is additionally mentioned pointed out that advance research is mandatory to enhance dye fixation and wet-fastness properties. Reactive dyes have been used for the past hundred years for dyeing of cellulosic fabrics. A reactive dye has a chromophore, which is a group or an atom that is responsible for the dye’s colour. It has a component which reacts with the fabric or substrate. They have excellent fastness features due to the presence of covalent bonds that takes place during dyeing. The dyeing industry is dominated by the parties who can create dyes having excellent dyeing efficiency, stable, can be resistant to chemical actions and be affordable. In this review on development of synthesis reactive dyes has been provided. This review paper concentrated on research of reactive groups type.&nbsp;En los últimos veinticinco años, muchos investigadores han desarrollado nuevos colorantes reactivos con modificaciones en la estructura de los colorantes reactivos. En este artículo de revisión, nos enfocamos en el desarrollo de colorantes reactivos. El artículo de revisión se centra en resaltar tales tintes con excelentes propiedades de teñido y propiedades de solidez a la humedad. Este artículo de revisión expresa la monstruosa impresión de los colorantes reactivos en la industria del teñido textil. Se dan detalles particulares sobre la evolución en la química de los sistemas de estructura reactiva. Además, se menciona que se necesita investigación avanzada para mejorar las propiedades de fijación del tinte y resistencia a la humedad. Los colorantes reactivos se han utilizado durante los últimos cien años para teñir tejidos celulósicos. Un tinte reactivo tiene un cromóforo, que es un grupo o átomo responsable del color del tinte. Tiene un componente que reacciona con el tejido o sustrato. Tienen excelentes características de solidez debido a la presencia de enlaces covalentes que se producen durante el teñido. La industria del teñido está dominada por partes que pueden crear tintes con excelente eficiencia de teñido, estables, resistentes a los químicos y asequibles. En esta revisión, se proporcionó el desarrollo de colorantes de síntesis reactiva. Este artículo de revisión se centró en la investigación de tipo de grupo reactivo.Nos últimos vinte e cinco anos, muitos pesquisadores desenvolveram novos corantes reativos com modificações na estrutura dos corantes reativos. No presente artigo de revisão, concentrou-se o desenvolvimento de corantes reativos. O artigo de revisão está focado no destaque que tais corantes têm com excelentes propriedades de tingimento e propriedades de resistência à umidade. Este artigo de revisão expressa a impressão monstruosa de corantes reativos na indústria de coloração têxtil. Detalhes particulares são dados sobre a evolução na química de sistemas de estrutura reativa. Além disso, é mencionado que pesquisas avançadas são necessárias para melhorar a fixação do corante e as propriedades de resistência à umidade. Os corantes reativos têm sido usados nos últimos cem anos para tingir tecidos celulósicos. Um corante reativo tem um cromóforo, que é um grupo ou átomo responsável pela cor do corante. Tem um componente que reage com o tecido ou substrato. Possuem excelentes características de solidez devido à presença de ligações covalentes que ocorrem durante o tingimento. A indústria de tingimento é dominada pelas partes que podem criar corantes com excelente eficiência de tingimento, estáveis, resistentes a ações químicas e acessíveis. Nesta revisão, o desenvolvimento de corantes reativos de síntese foi fornecido. Este artigo de revisão concentrou-se na pesquisa do tipo grupos reativos

Development of Novel Dual Inhibitor of Chemokine Receptor 4 and Mcl-1 Against Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic plasma-cell disorder. This is characterized by clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone-marrow (BM) microenvironment, monoclonal protein in blood or urine, and associated organ dysfunction. The treatment options approved by FDA are immune-modulatory agents, proteasome inhibitors, and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Unfortunately, MM remains uniformly fatal owing to intrinsic or acquired drug resistance and the median survival time is 3 to 5 years. Thus, there is a great need for novel strategies to combat MM. The intimate relationship of myeloma cells to BM microenvironment is “hallmark of myeloma”. The homing of MM cells to the BM, mediated by the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) and its receptor CXCR4 has important functional sequelae. The BM microenvironment constituting cells secrete chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors such as interleukin 6 (IL6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), SDF-1α, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) etc. These growth factors either secreted by MM or BM microenvironment cells (e.g. stromal cells) contribute in activation of several signaling pathways including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB); phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt; Ras-Raf-MAPK kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK); and the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Activation of these pathways has been associated with increased expression of several anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, and XIAP. Collectively, these discoveries highlight that interaction of MM cells to BM microenvironment not only promote growth, survival and migration of MM cells, but also confer resistance to conventional chemotherapy. We hypothesized that an agent capable of inhibiting the migration of myeloma cells to bone marrow and suppressing the expression of survival protein Mcl-1 would be a better option for MM treatment.We have synthesized a novel dual inhibitor of CXCR4 and Mcl-1. Our data suggests that this molecule inhibits the expression of CXCR4 and Mcl-1 and survival of MM cells

The SCN8A encephalopathy mutation p.Ile1327Val displays elevated sensitivity to the anticonvulsant phenytoin

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134291/1/epi13461_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134291/2/epi13461.pd

Modulation of Xenopus oocyte-expressed phospholemman-induced ion currents by co-expression of protein kinases

AbstractPhospholemman (PLM), the major sarcolemmal substrate for phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent kinase (PKA) protein kinase C (PKC) and NIMA kinase in muscle, induces hyperpolarization-activated anion currents in Xenopus oocytes, most probably by enhancing endogenous oocyte currents. PLM peptides from the cytoplasmic tail are phosphorylated by PKA at S68, by NIMA kinase at S63, and by PKC at both S63 and S68. We have confirmed the phosphorylation sites in the intact protein, and we have investigated the role of phosphorylation in the regulatory activity of PLM using oocyte expression experiments. We found: (1) the cytoplasmic domain is not essential for inducing currents in oocytes; (2) co-expression of PKA increased the amplitude of oocyte currents and the amount of PLM in the oocyte membrane largely, but not exclusively, through phosphorylation of S68; (3) co-expression of PKA had no effect on a PLM mutant in which all putative phosphorylation sites had been inactivated by serine to alanine mutation (SSST 62, 63, 68, 69 AAAA); (4) co-expression of PKC had no effect in this system; (5) co-expression of NIMA kinase increased current amplitude and membrane protein level, but did not require PLM phosphorylation. These findings point to a role for phosphorylation in the function of PLM

Inhibitory humoral responses to the Plasmodium falciparum vaccine candidate EBA-175 are independent of the erythrocyte invasion pathway

Plasmodium falciparum utilizes multiple ligand-receptor interactions for invasion. The invasion ligand EBA-175 is being developed as a major blood-stage vaccine candidate. EBA-175 mediates parasite invasion of host erythrocytes in a sialic acid-dependent manner through its binding to the erythrocyte receptor glycophorin A. In this study, we addressed the ability of naturally acquired human antibodies against the EBA-175 RII erythrocyte-binding domain to inhibit parasite invasion of ex vivo isolates, in relationship to the sialic acid dependence of these parasites. We have determined the presence of antibodies to the EBA-175 RII domain by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in individuals from areas of Senegal where malaria is endemic with high and low transmission. Using affinity-purified human antibodies to the EBA-175 RII domain from pooled patient plasma, we have measured the invasion pathway as well as the invasion inhibition of clinical isolates from Senegalese patients in ex vivo assays. Our results suggest that naturally acquired anti-EBA-175 RII antibodies significantly inhibit invasion of Senegalese parasites and that these responses can be significantly enhanced through limiting other ligand-receptor interactions. However, the extent of this functional inhibition by EBA-175 antibodies is not associated with the sialic acid dependence of the parasite strain, suggesting that erythrocyte invasion pathway usage by parasite strains is not driven by antibodies targeting the EBA-175/glycophorin A interaction. This work has implications for vaccine design based on the RII domain of EBA-175 in the context of alternative invasion pathways