Biomedical subjects

A Karim Qayumi

Publications and source records attributed to A Karim Qayumi.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Academic performance and comparative effectiveness of computer- and textbook-based self-instruction.

We intended to clarify the influence of student academic ability on the effectiveness of CAI, using data of a study to assess the effectiveness of a new type of CAI software, cyberPatient (CP), at Kochi Medical School (KMS). A total of 59 third-year students were randomly assigned to four groups: Group-1 used a textbook for self-instruction, Group-2 used CP, Group-3 used both types of learning materials, and Group-4 did not learn. Learning performance was evaluated by multiple-choice examination and OSCE. In order to clarify the influence of students' academic ability on the effectiveness of CAI, statistical analyses were conducted, assigning students as either high or medium or low performance students. High performance students from Group-1, -2 and -3 did not differ significantly in test performance after self-instruction. However, low performance students in Group-1 scored significantly lower than those in Group-2 and -3. All students in Group-2 and -3 reported that CP stimulated willingness to learn and assisted understanding. The present analysis suggested that effectiveness of CAI might be associated with the academic ability of students.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗

PubMed2003

Role of platelet activating factor in cardiac dysfunction, apoptosis and nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression in the ischemic-reperfused rabbit heart.

BACKGROUND: The role of platelet activating factor (PAF) and nitric oxide in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MIR) injury and the interrelationship of the two mediators is poorly understood. The contribution of PAF to apoptosis during MIR has not been studied. OBJECTIVES: To determine the contribution of PAF to ex vivo cardiac dysfunction during the initial 5 h of postischemia reperfusion, to determine the contribution of PAF to inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and endothelial NOS mRNA expression during MIR, and to determine whether PAF contributes to apoptosis during MIR. METHODS: Isolated blood-perfused rabbit hearts underwent 30 min of global ischemia and 5 h reperfusion. Animals were divided into four groups, which received either PAF antagonist TCV-309 or vehicle before ischemia, or were sham operated (heart perfusion only), or were control (no heart perfusion). RESULTS: Administration of the PAF antagonist significantly improved myocardial contractility (614 mmHg/s versus 308 mmHg/s, positive dP/dt, P<0.0001) and coronary vascular flow rate (5.5 mL/min versus 3.9 mL/min, P<0.01) during reperfusion compared with untreated animals (values at 5 h reperfusion). Treatment with PAF antagonist significantly increased mRNA expression of endothelial NOS (2.8 versus 1.3 ratio, P<0.05) compared with the untreated group. PAF antagonist reduced procaspase-3 cleavage (66 versus 108 ratio, P<0.05) and DNA fragmentation (8.2 versus 11.0 positive cells per field) compared with untreated animals. CONCLUSIONS: PAF antagonism with TCV-309 protected against myocardial contractile depression and coronary vasoconstriction during the initial 5 h reperfusion. PAF may play a role in the regulation of endothelial NOS mRNA expression and contribute to apoptosis during ischemia-reperfusion in the heart.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Computer-assisted learning: cyberPatient--a step in the future of surgical education.

Computer-assisted learning is a hot topic and is evolving parallel with the rapidly growing computer technology. Today, modern computers with sophisticated software are able to create a new dimension in the application of many important pedagogical principles and philosophies. Modern computers with excellent multimedia applications are capable of simulating a realistic situation that enriches the educational environment, improves the learning process, and brings new challenges to the process of "learning by doing." The use of computers in medical industry and in medical education lags far behind other applications in the industrial world. Although a great many computer-assisted learning programs have been developed in the last decade and patient simulation has been attempted, there are no computer programs in the market that are capable of simulating the realism of the patient-doctor relationship. cyberActive Technology Ltd. has been able to complete this mission. The computer software cyberPatient developed by cyberActive Technology Ltd. is able to realize this long-term dream of medical students and educators. The discrepancy between theoretical and practical medical knowledge in the classical medical education was greater than in any other aspect of science. In classical medical education, diseases were taught beginning with etiology and pathogenesis to signs and symptoms. In practice, the patient comes to the doctor with complaints, and the doctor has to think backward to find out about the etiology and pathogenesis. This discrepancy created enormous difficulties for interns and young doctors with respect to the application of theoretical medicine to medical practice. This was one of the reasons why medical schools turned to a new problem-based learning curriculum. The new curriculum, however, has brought new challenges and problems of its own. Some of the problems include patient availability, increased demands for teachers, and, in turn, significant increases in the costs of medical education. Intensive use of computers may be a solution for problem-based learning. The aim of this article is to give an overview of computer-based learning and its place in the future of medical education.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗