HIV/AIDS and the teaching and learning of anatomy

A research paper on the teaching of HIV/AIDS to medical students using "virtual, computer aided anatomy" instead of real cadavers at the Zimbabwe Medical Teaching Hospital.Anatomy, a word derived from the Greek words “ava” (across) and “tomin” (section), is the study of the composition of the body by cutting and separating its structures one from the other in order to examine their shapes, relations and connections to one another. Therefore, most lecturers involved in medical education will agree that dissection of human cadavers is the best method of teaching and learning anatomy. This method allows one to personally dissect the cadaver. During this process, one sees, touches and handles anatomical structures. This experience leads to a better understanding and long term remembrance of the subject. In addition to this, the observations made on several cadavers enable the student and the teacher to appreciate the presence of variations of the human structure; an experience which assists medical practitioners in physical diagnosis

Effect of dietary inclusion of Pleurotus tuber-regium on performance and intestinal morphology of growing rabbits

The Pleuroteus mushroom has immense growth and health promoting potentials. However, reports on its utilization in the diet of the rabbit is sparse. Therefore, a 56-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of Pleurotus tuber-regium sclerotium powder (PTRSP) in growing rabbits. Forty–eight crossbred rabbits aged between 7 and 9 weeks with average initial weight of 700±25 g were used for the study. The rabbits were allotted to 4 experimental diets containing 0.0, 25.0, 50.0 and 75.0 g/kg PTRSP, respectively. Each treatment had 4 replicates with three rabbits each in a completely randomised design. Growth performance, serum biochemistry and intestinal morphology were determined. The weight gain and feed conversion ratio were better (P<0.05) in rabbits fed diet containing 50.0g/kg PTRSP. Rabbits fed diet containing 75.0 g/kg PTRSP had lower (P<0.05) serum cholesterol, creatinine and alanine transaminase and higher (P<0.05) total glucose concentration compared to those receiving other experimental diets. Rabbits fed diet with 50.0g/kg PTRSP had higher (P<0.05) caecal apical width than those fed diet containing 0.0 g/kg. Inclusion of 50.0 g/kg of PTRSP in the diets of rabbits is beneficial for improved growth, cholesterol metabolism and intestinal morphology without any adverse effects