Student Seminars in Basic Medical Sciences: Perception of First Year Dental Students

Medical education is changing drastically from teacher centered learning to active learning. Seminars promote active learning as it involves the student actively to go through various study materials to prepare to deliver the seminar effectively. A total of 70 male and female participants were part of the study after obtaining the written informed consent. Seminars were included as a weekly activity in the Department of Physiology. Thrust areas were identified in each system and topics were allotted to the students. 5 students were given opportunity to present the seminar in a week according to their role numbers. They were given 8 minutes to present the topic and 2 minutes for discussion. After the presentation the questions which are not answered were noted down and they were explained by the facilitator in the tutorials where all the 70 students were present. The same day, students were requested to provide the feedback about their perceptions on Likert four point scale. Majority of the students had given positive response to the seminars. The study recommends the inclusion of weekly seminars in the dental curriculum.


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Antioxidant Activity of Biofield Energy Healing (The Trivedi Effect®) Based Formulation in Sprague Dawley Rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of Consciousness Energy Healing (The Trivedi Effect®) based novel proprietary formulation in male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The formulation was divided into two parts. One part received the Biofield Energy Healing Treatment by renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, defined as the Biofield Energy Treated sample. Another part did not receive any treatment and referred as a control. Additionally, three groups of animals were also received Biofield Energy Healing Treatment at day -15 per se. The tissue lipid peroxidation data exhibited that the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced by 22.75% and 19.57% in the Biofield Energy Treated test formulation (G5) and Biofield Energy Treatment per se plus Biofield Energy Treated test formulation from the day -15 (G8), respectively compared to the disease control group (G2). Antioxidant enzyme like superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly increased by 35.35% and 37.53% in the G7 and G8 groups, respectively as compared to the G2 group. Additionally, the level of catalase was significantly (p≤0.05) increased by 85.29%, 78.84%, 135.87%, 130.08%, 102.15%, and 66.45% in the G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9 groups, respectively compared to the G2 group. Further, hematology data showed that the platelet count was significantly increased by 17.09% and 9.42% in the G6 and G8 groups, respectively as compared to the G2 group. Biochemical results showed that the level of blood urea was reduced by 26.26%, 28.51%, 26.88%, 17.19%, and 18.05% in the G3, G4, G6, G7, and G9, groups respectively compared to the G2 group. The level of uric acid level was significantly reduced by 31.25% in the G6 group, while phosphorus was significantly increased by 20.57% and 33.03% in the G7 and G8 groups, respectively compared to the G2 group. Further, the change in body weight and feed consumption did not suggest any statistical difference, which depicts that the Biofield Energy Treated test formulation was found to be safe. Thus, the Biofield Treated test formulation has shown sigificant antioxidant activity and can be used for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, stress management and prevention, and act as anti-aging therapy for the improvement of overall health.

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Adverse Effects of Cadmium on the Biochemical and Histopathological Profiles of Chicken Liver

Background: Cadmium is one of the heavy metals which have toxic effects on the various organs and systems of the body. Estimates demonstrate the increased prevalence of cadmium, particularly in industrial regions. In this study, we examined its harmful effects on the liver of chicken.
Method: Forty chickens were purchased and were randomly divided into four groups. After collecting liver samples, the microscopic slides were prepared in laboratory. Also, the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured.
Results: The normal structure of liver was observed at control group, but hemorrhage and irregularity in the shape and distribution of hepatocytes in treatment groups were observed. The activities of CAT and SOD decreased significantly at treatment groups compared to the control group. Also, the level of MDA increased significantly at treatment groups compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The results showed the adverse effects of cadmium on the liver that consequently affects the overall function of body. Due to the growing use of cadmium, particularly in industrial regions, this study shows the impacts of cadmium on the birds of industrial regions and provides a warning for preventing its more outbreaks.

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Assessment of the Phytonutrient Content, Mineral and Proximate Compositions of Selected Yam Landraces (Dioscorea Rotundata Poir)

The phytochemical screening, assessment of mineral and proximate compositions of eleven selected yam landraces were carried out using standard laboratory protocols with the view to gain insight to its nutritional and health potentials. Phytonutrient composition (mg/100g) analyses were carried out using different extraction solvents namely diethyl ether, ethanol, methanol, acetone and methanol. The results revealed that the eleven samples studied had alkaloid between the range of (0.22 – 0.40), flavonoid (2.96 - 3.51), saponin (2.89 - 1.89), tannin (0.03 – 0.05), phytate (0.001 – 0.02) and oxalate (0.04 – 0.06). All observed phytonutrients were below toxic level and thus essential for good health and vitality. Mineral elements (mg/100g) – calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc and copper were assessed. The eleven selected yam landraces had relatively high contents (within the WHO recommendations) of the assessed mineral elements such as calcium (16.47 – 91.32), magnesium (38.16 – 76.90), phosphorus (157.97 – 269.33), etc. The results of the proximate compositions showed that crude fibre was highest in Ogoja (2.36). Okpani had the highest content of crude protein (5.33) while Adaka had the highest content of crude fat (0.82). The caloric values (Cal/100g) ranged from 150.32 – 193.57 respectively.

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High Yield Purification of Mytilidae PP2A: An Enzyme for the Sensitive Detection of Phycotoxins

Diarrheic Shellfish Poison (DSP) toxins such as Okadaic Acid (OA), Dinophisis toxin 1 and Dinophisis toxin 2, and Microcystins such as Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) are widely spread biotoxins whose molecular mechanism of action is based on the specific inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) with costly negative effects on public health, even at lower quantities than those established by international safe limits worldwide, due to their tumor-promoting action and hepatotoxicity. Considering these, a zero tolerance on the human consumption of these phycotoxins should be advocated. The high affinity of these phycotoxins for PP2A allows using the same enzyme as a very sensitive biosensor. Until now, PP2A has been purified following the classic protocol to produce this enzyme that is based on mammalian tissue as the source material. However, it is characterized by its low PP2A content, resulting in low yields per gram of tissue. In this study PP2A was purified from an invertebrate, a native Chilean shellfish classified as Aulacomia atra. This Mytilidae is a common endemic shellfish that evolved together with the dinoflagellate DSP phycotoxin producers in the Chilean littoral. When the tissue of these shellfish is tested for PP2A, the data show an unusually high amount of this enzyme per gram of shellfish, using these shellfish, the yield post-purification was forty times greater than those reported for other mammalian PP2A purifications. This Mytilidae PP2A is characterized by a Vmax of 7.60 pmol min-1 μg protein-1 and a Km of 32.09 mM for p-NPP. The inhibition assay resulted in an IC50 for OA and MC-LR of 0.86 ng mL-1 and 0.437 ng mL-1 , respectively. The enzymatic stability over time was evaluated, showing that the enzyme is best kept at 4°C suspended in 10% of glycerol and as such retained 80% of its enzymatic activity after 2 weeks and 60% after more than 4 weeks. Taken together, these results indicate that PP2A purified from this bivalve filter-feeder mollusk is a good candidate biosensor for the detection and quantification of DSP toxins and MC-LR-like toxins, especially considering the sensibility, this method is at least 360 times lower than international detection limits.

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A Mechanistic Review of Nicotine Toxicity with Recent Updates

There are concerns about the spread of cigarette smoking and nicotine is the most harmful agent in cigarette smoke. The statics show the growing use of cigarette smoking. Nicotine is an alkaloid and is present in the leaves of tobacco where it acts as a botanical insecticide. It represents 90% of total alkaloid in cigarette smoke. Osteoporosis, lung and kidney injuries, diseases of respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and increased risk of malignancy are just a few of toxic effects of nicotine on the body. Nicotine exerts its harmful effects via oxidative stress pathway, so that it enhances the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and then negatively affects different organs and systems of body. This review provides a comprehensive review of detrimental effects of nicotine on the body and then describes its mechanism of toxicity.


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Effect of Selected Vestibular Exercises on Postural Stability in Elderly Women with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: The present study aimed to observe the effectiveness of vestibular exercises on postural stability in elderly women with type 2 diabetes.
Materials and methods: 30 elderly women with type-2 diabetes were recruited for the study after written informed consent by convenient sampling. Participants acted as self-controls. Vestibular exercises comprises of 45 minutes one session. Two sessions per week was administered to the participants for a period of one month. Postural stability was assed using Berg balance scale. which is a standard questionnaire to assess the postural stability.
Results: There was significant increase in the Breg Balance Scale score followed by the vestibular exercises (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The present study provides further evidence for the beneficial effect of practicing the selected vestibular exercises in the management of postural stability in the elderly women with type 2 diabetes. The study also recommends further detailed studies in this area to recommend implementation of vestibular exercises in the management of postural stability in type 2 diabetic patients in general.

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Effectiveness of Linear Vestibular Stimulation in Limiting Stress Induced Changes on Sleep Quality and Eating Behavior

Sleep is a state of decreased alertness, which is regulated by circadian rhythm. Sleep is essential for our survival as we spend one-third of our life in sleep. Sleep maintains physical and mental health and contributes to well-being. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of vestibular stimulation on selected behavioral parameters in young adults. A total of 300 (130 males and 170 females) young adults were screened. 240 (120 males and 120 females) participants satisfying both inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. A detailed medical history was obtained from all participants and standard physical examination was conducted. Written informed consent was obtained from all the participants included in the study. The present study results support beneficial effects of vestibular stimulation in limiting stress induced changes on sleep quality and eating behavior. The study recommends adoption of vestibular stimulation in everyday life style for better quality of life.

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Changes in Doppler Waveform of Hepatic Vein in Liver Cirrhosis

Background: Cirrhosis is a common problem in Nepalese population and is a leading cause of chronic liver disease. Hepatic venous Doppler can be a tool for diagnosis of cirrhosis and to see correlation between waveform changes and severity of cirrhosis.
Objective: We aimed to see hepatic waveform and velocity changes with the severity of cirrhosis. Methods: 69 consecutive patients of liver cirrhosis were enrolled in the study. Doppler waveforms were obtained from right hepatic vein in all the cases and classified as triphasic, biphasic or flat. Waveform comparisons were made among patients with differing grades of cirrhosis; Child Pugh score was used to assess severity of cirrhosis.
Result: Study involved 69 cirrhotic patients with age ranging from 25 to 74 years; 47(68.1%) were male. There were 27 patients in Child-Pugh grade A, 18 patients in grade B and 24 patients in grade C. We observed that the hepatic venous waveform progressively changed from triphasic to biphasic to flat with advancing grade of cirrhosis.
Conclusion: Both maximum forward velocity and mean velocity were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients and this velocity was observed to increase with increasing severity of cirrhosis. Thus alteration in hepatic venous blood flow pattern and velocity can be a useful noninvasive tool for diagnosing patients with cirrhosis.

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Effect of selected plants on Haematological parameters of DMBA-induced breast cancer of albino rats

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of selected plants on haematological parameters of DMBA induced breast cancer of albino rats. Sixty-three female albino rats were used for the study and they were grouped into nine groups of seven animals each. Group I (control) was fed with normal feed. Groups II to IX, were orally administered 20mg DMBA/kg to induce tumour. Group II was untreated; Group III was treated with tamoxifen(6.6mg/kg). Groups IV- IX were treated with 500mg/kg Sorghum vulgare, 1000mg/kg Sorghum vulgare, 500mg/kg Eremomastax polysperma; 1000mg/kg Eremomastax polysperma, 500mg/kg Brillantaisia owariensis and 1000mg/kg Brillantaisia owariensis respectively. Treatment with the different aqueous concentrate demonstrated significant increase (p≤ 0.05) of haemoglobin, and packed cell volume levels of the treated groups when compared to the DMBA group. There was a decrease in Neutrophil, N/L, P/L and platelets level in the treated groups when compared to the DMBA group (though not significant, p≤ 0.05). The present study reveals that the plants might be able to reduce anaemia posed as a result of breast cancer.

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Effect of Aqueous Extract of Selected Plants on Liver, Bone and Kidney Markers of 7,12-Dimethylbenz(A)Anthracene (DMBA) Treated Albino-Rats

Breast cancer is an abnormal cell growth of the breast tissue and upon metastasis affects other organs of the body such as the liver, bones and lungs. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Sorghum vulgare leafsheath, Eremomastax polysperma and Brillantaisia owariensis leaves on the liver, bone and kidney markers of 7,12- dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) treated albino-rats. Sixty-three female albino rats weighing 120-250g, were used for the study for a period of 15 weeks. The animals were grouped into nine groups of seven animals each. Group I (control) was fed with normal feed. Groups II to IX, were orally administered 20mg DMBA/kg to induce breast cancer. Group II was untreated; Group III was treated with tamoxifen (6.6mg/kg). Groups IV- IX were treated with 500mg/kg Sorghum vulgare, 1000mg/kg Sorghum vulgare, 500mg/kg Eremomastax polysperma; 1000mg/kg Eremomastax polysperma, 500mg/kg Brillantaisia owariensis and 1000mg/kg Brillantaisia owariensis respectively. Treatment with the various extract showed significant decrease (p≤ 0.05) of total bilirubin, calcium and urea concentration, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities when compared to DMBA-untreated group. Albumin concentration of the treated groups was significantly higher (p≤0.05) than the DMBA-untreated animals. Gamma glutamyl transferase and acid phosphatase activities, uric acid, electrolytes and total protein concentration showed no significant difference (p≤0.05) between the treated groups and the DMBA-induced animals. The present study demonstrates that the extract of the plants was able to reduce any burden posed on the liver by DMBA-induced breast cancer.

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Comparative Assessment of Some Biochemical Indices in Catfish from Rivers, Swamp and Commercial Fish Ponds in Oil and Non-Oil Polluted Areas in Rivers and Anambra States

This study was carried out to comparatively assess some biochemical indices in eighteen catfish harvested from rivers, swamp and commercial fish ponds in oil polluted and non-oil polluted areas. Three fishes were collected from each of the following sites; Akaraolu swamps in Ahoada East LGA (AR), a commercial fish pond within the area (AP), The New Calabar River in Ikwerre LGA (BR), a fish pond within the area (BP), Omambala River, Anambra East LGA (CR), a fish pond in Awka, Anambra state (CP), six groups in all. Analysis was done following standard procedures for the biochemical assays carried out. On analysis, the ALP and ALT activities (33.93±2.37 and 44.33±2.96 respectively) from AR were significantly (p<0.05) different from BR (17.00±0.58 and 35.00±5.69 respectively) and CR (22.00±2.31 and 30.67±2.60 respectively). The AST activity from AR (68.67±0.88) was not significantly different from that of BR (69.00±1.73) but was significantly different from that of CR (70.33±4.33).Also, site AP (65.53±0.37, 73.00±2.08 and 50.00±1.15 respectively) were significantly higher than CP (42.00±2.89, 64.67±4.33 and 44.67±5.46 respectively) and BP (26.00±1.15 and 50.20±1.15 respectively). However, the AST activity of catfish from AP (73.00±2.08) was not significantly different from that in BP (73.67±1.86). The creatinine, urea, Na+ and K+ concentrations observed from AR and AP were significantly higher in comparison to other sites. There was a significantly increased GSH, Catalase, and MDA, and a lower SOD concentration for AR and AP in comparison to other sites. The results show a variation in biochemical indices in fishes from oil polluted sites when compared to non-oil polluted sites.

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About Artificial Intelligence: Robots and Philosophy

Without a doubt, there is a lot of literature on the subject. That much progress has been made in terms of Artificial Intelligence in just a couple of years... as well. If we add numbers, we would say that more progress has been made than in the 50 previous years. Let us propose a name. The first one that comes to mind is mathematician Alan Turing who while philosophizing about a problem that seemed to go nowhere, ended up composed writings that would be the cornerstone of modern computer technology.

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