Evaluation of the effectiveness of seminar as an educational tool among the medical post graduate students

Background: The departments of medical colleges have a greater responsibility in making the study methods of their subject innovative, interesting and participatory for the post graduate students. One such method adopted is organizing seminars for the post graduate students. The post graduate education depends on self-learning. Knowledge acquisition through seminars forms an essential part of their training programme.Methods: This study assesses the role of seminar as teaching-learning tool by recording the perception of post graduates on seminars through a questionnaire based survey.Results: The scores for most of the items of a twenty point questionnaire were above three indicating the learning from seminar is satisfactory. Seminar methods of teaching-learning, in contrast to the traditional didactic class room lecture method, is more effective way of  learning, which is relevant to self-development and is also interactive. This method provokes discussions and debates which help post graduate students to voice their opinion and clear their doubts.  Conclusions: Many of the post graduate students feel that this technique of seminar programme is useful amidst some suggestions to improve quality. Thus the post graduate seminar method is a teaching-learning method that covers the three major domains of teaching i.e., cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills and is thus effective and well -accepted among the post graduate students.

Static Analysis of Back Rear Axle Crown Wheel Of Tourus Model Tipper

Now a days entire world depends upon automobiles. In an automobile motion is transferred from engine to rear wheel through various mechanical links. But differential gear box plays a vital role in the automobile for transferring motion from engine to rear axle. Normally single differential gear box is used for light weight vehicles but heavy load vehicles two or more rear axles with differential gear boxes are used for transferring maximum amount of power from engine to rear axles. So here it is focused on the mechanical design and analysis of double axle differential gear box as it transmits the power. This work develops a view to get familiar with the technologies as well as application of theories into practical work done by industries. My research contains the design with the help of CATIA/HYPER MESH and material selection of the double axle differential gearbox. For better efficiency, improvement of power transmission rate is an important phenomenon. In the present work, it is proposed to find the effect of deformation, strength variations in the Back Rear crown wheel by static analysis of differential gear box of Ashok Leyland tipper (Taurus 2516/2 model) design on the predicted stress by using ANSYS/CATIA Software. By identifying the true design features, the extended service life and long term stability can be assured

Contribution to the knowledge of ornamental molluscs of Parangipettai, Southeast Coast of India

The ornamental shell industry in India in recent years is a multimillion dollar industry. India’s ornamental trade is currently worth US$ 278 million. The collection of molluscan shells is a popular activity in coastal areas. Ornamental molluscs are sold in the market exclusively for aquarium and ornamental purposes. Molluscan shells are used in studs like ear-rings, bangles, table lamps, spoons cups and saucers etc., and it is also used in Aquarium. A study was carried out on ornamental molluscan resources of Tamil nadu coast to identify, quantify and assess the shell resources potential for development of a small-scale shell industry and also a suitable collection techniques and methods of shell catalogue preparation during Oct 2007 to Sep 2008. Gastropods and bivalves have been collected for ornamental purpose by the fisher folks. During the survey gastropods and bivalve species belonging to 21families such as Turritellidae, Cypraeidae, Volutidae, Muricidae, Conidae, Trochidae, Olividae, Cassidae, Marginellidae, Bursidae, Strombidae, Buccinidae, Naticidae, Tonnidae, Melongenidae, Vassidae, Harpidae, Architectonidae Arcidae, Pectinidae, Veneridae, were collected. From the total molluscan diversity 85% were exclusively ornamental molluscs. The study revealed that the occurrence of gastropods and bivalves species here are most valuable shells and naturally rare and not easily available

Biochemical composition of different body parts of Gafrarium tumidum (Roding, 1798) from Mandapam, South East Coast of India

Due to its abundance in various areas along the Mandapam coast (latitude 9° 17”N; longitude 79° 11”E), Southeast coast of India, the commonly occurring intertidal bivalve Gafrarium tumidum was selected for this study to investigate its nutritive value. Tissues of different body parts such as mantle, viscera and foot were analyzed. Biochemical constituents like protein, carbohydrate and fat were estimated in different body parts and the percentage of protein was 61.74%, carbohydrate 32.64% and lipid 14.37%. The fatty acids of bivalve were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In the fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were found to be dominant, contributing 6.99% (2.34, 2.67 and 1.98% mantle, viscera and foot, respectively), whereas saturated fatty acids (SFA) contributed 5.19% (1.70, 1.94 and 1.55%) followed by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) which contributed 2.75% (0.92 0.93 0.90%). Stearic (0.81%) and palmitic acids (0.71%) were the dominant saturated fatty acid in viscera and oleic acid (0.93%) was the monounsaturated fatty acid found in the viscera. Linoleic (1.38%) and α- linolenic acids (1.07%) were the dominant polyunsaturated fatty acid in viscera. The total amino acid detected was found to be 42.97%, among them the essential amino acids (EAA) was 20.77% and the non essential amino acids (NEAA) present was found to be 22.2%. The results of this study revealed that phenylalanine (1.19%) and methionine (1.04%) in EAA and alanine (1.10%) and glutamic acid (1.10%) in NEAA were the major constituents. It could also be added that the composition of marine bivalves is a nutritional assurance to millions of malnourished people

Fatty acid and amino acid compositions of the gastropods, Tonna dolium (Linnaeus, 1758) and Phalium Glaucum (Linnaeus, 1758)from the Gulf of Mannar, Southeast Coast of India.

The amino acid and fatty acid contents of two gastropods viz. Tonna dolium and Phalium glaucum were determined from the Gulf of Mannar. The presences of 7 fatty acids were recorded in both species. The total fatty acid contents in T. dolium and P. glaucum were 7.63% and 6.34 % respectively. PUFA were the dominant fatty acid group, followed by SFA in both the species. For T. dolium, the most abundant fatty acids were, in decreasing order, C18:2ω-6, C18:0, C18:3ω-3, and C16:0 whereas in P. glaucum it were C18:2ω6, C18:3ω-3, C18:0 and C16:0. The total amino acid (TAA) contents of T. dolium and P. glaucum were 19.07% and 17.3% respectively. Among the TAA contents, the percentage of EAA and NEAA in T. dolium and P. glaucum were found to be 9.96%, 8.05% and 9.11%, 9.25% respectively. Methionine (1.40%), phenylalanine (1.31%), isoleucine (1.20%) and leucine (1.20%) in T. dolium and isoleucine (1.24%), methionine (1.12%) and phenylalanine (1.06%) in P. glaucum were determined as the most abundant EAA whereas alanine (1.40%) arginine (1.34%) and glycine (1.18%) in T. dolium and alanine (1.15%) arginine (1.15%) and glutamic acid (1.14%) in P. glaucum contributed as major non-essential amino acids

A Pharmacovigilance Study on Causality and Severity Assessment of Adverse Drug Reactions in a Teaching Hospital

Objectives: The main purpose of the study is to assess the causality, severity, preventability of ADRs and factors associated with ADRs in chronic disease patients of tertiary care teaching hospital. Study setting and Design: A Prospective observational longitudinal study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital at Hyderabad, India, for 3 years. Materials and Methods: Patients of age group > 18 years were included in the study. All the patients were distributed according to their gender, age, number medications used, disease condition, and socioeconomic state. The reported ADRs were analyzed by WHO-UMC causality, Hartwig’s Siegel’s scale and modified Shumock and Thornton criteria respectively. Statistical analysis used: Descriptive statistical analysis was used. Results: A total of 691 patients enrolled in the study, in that 391 patients reported with 510 ADRs. Of these 37.0% are in-patients and 62.9% are out-patients. Majority of the patients are female category (58.0%) and 45.8% of ADRs reported from adults (41-60 years). 65.8% patients are non-adherent to medication. Life style habits, economic status and education are found to be predictors for ADRs. WHO-UMC scale showed 42.9% of ADRs probable. Hartwig’s and Siegel’s severity scales shown 13.1 % ADRs are severe followed by 33.7% moderate ADRs and 40% of ADRs were preventable. Conclusion: Hence our study advises that there is a need of improvement in ADR reporting from health care professionals. This study also suggests further research in India for the improvement of possible intervention strategies to reduce burden and cost of ADR. Keywords: Prospective, ADR reporting, WHO-UMC, Hartwig’s Siegel’s scale, Shumock and Thornton

DEVELOPMENT AND IN VIVO EVALUATION OF GASTRORETENTIVE FLOATING TABLETS OF ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUG RISPERIDONE

Objective: The objective of this research work was to formulate and evaluate the floating drug delivery system containing Risperidone, to improve oral bioavailability by increasing gastric residence time.Methods: Total fifteen formulations of Risperidone floating tablets were prepared by direct compression method using different grades of HPMC polymers, Gelucire, Polyox and NaHCO3. In vivo radiographic studies were performed in human volunteers by incorporating barium sulphate.Results: The prepared tablets were characterized and found to exhibit satisfactory physicochemical characteristics. All the prepared batches showed good in vitro buoyancy with low floating lag time. It was observed that the tablets remained buoyant for more than 12h. Optimized formulation (F15) consisting of HPMC K100M, WSR 301, Gelucire 50/13 and NaHCO3, followed diffusion controlled zero-order kinetics and non-fickian transport of the drug. FTIR and DSC studies revealed the absence of any chemical interaction between drug and polymers used. The in vivo radiographic studies revealed that the tablets remained in the stomach for 6h in fasting human volunteers. In vivo bioavailability studies performed in healthy human volunteers and Tmax, Cmax, AUC was calculated and confirmed significant improvement in bioavailability when compared with marketed formulation Respidon 2.Conclusion: The data obtained thus suggests that floating delivery system of Risperidone can be successfully designed to give controlled drug delivery and improved oral bioavailability

PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF BUTEA MONOSPERMA (LAM.) FLOWER

Introduction: Butea monosperma, a deciduous tree belonging to the family Faboideae, is found growing in many parts of India. All the parts of plant are highly medicinal with its mention in different systems of medicine. Several review works have summarized the potential efficiency of this plant.Objective: The present work attempts to evaluate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the flowers of Butea monosperma Koen. Ex Roxb, family Fabaceae. The work is done for pharmacognostic standardization and authentication of flowers of Butea monosperma.Methods: The herbal standardization was carried out on the basis of organoleptic properties, physical characteristics, and physico-chemical properties. Physicochemical parameters including ash values, extractive values, loss on drying, foreign matter were evaluated.Results: Powder is yellowish brown, velvety in texture, bitter in taste and smells chocolaty. The Loss on Drying at 105 c, total ash and acid insoluble ash were found to be 5.39%, 7.82%, 1.07%, w/w respectively. Ethanol and water soluble extractive values (hot)were 14.21%, 22%w/w respectively. The extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and the results certified the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, triterpinoids, steroids, carbohydrates, proteins and saponins in alcohol and aqueous extracts of flower.Conclusion: These studies provided referential information for correct identification and standardization of this plant material