@article {113, title = {Cost, Benefit and Risks Associated with in-Campus and off-Campus Accommodations of Medical Students: A cross-Sectional Study}, journal = {International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences}, volume = {4}, year = {2015}, month = {Sept 2015}, pages = {58-62}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {58}, abstract = {

Background: Students{\textquoteright} accommodation might influence their growth, behaviour and study performance. There is no clarity yet about safety issues, trends in substance abuse and on effect of type of accommodations on students{\textquoteright} academic performance. Objectives: To compare students{\textquoteright} perceptions regarding in campus and off campus accommodations with respect to cost, benefit and risks associated with them and also to investigate whether type of accommodation affect medical students{\textquoteright} academic performance. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, the data was collected using newly designed validated questionnaires from students who had stayed in campus accommodation (n=100) and students who had stayed in off campus accommodation (n=100). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. The group wise comparison was made using Mann-Whitney test. A p value of \< 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The difference in the direct cost related to in campus and off campus accommodation was INR 43, 800/month with in-campus accommodation exceeding over off campus accommodation. Off-campus accommodation was perceived as more comfortable than in-campus accommodation, promoting collaborative learning and alcohol and substance abuse (p\<0.05) compared to in-campus accommodation. In addition, students who stayed in the campus performed significantly better academically than those who stayed outside the campus. Conclusion: The outside hostel accommodation is favorable to students in terms of direct cost and benefits. However, risks, including alcohol and substance abuse must be considered and appropriate precautions should be taken and counseling must be provided to students to avoid these risks.

}, keywords = {Academic Performance, Accommodation, Benefits, Cost, Medical Students}, doi = {10.5530/ijpcs.4.3.5}, author = {Vasudha Devi and Sabrina Najiha Binti Mohamad Ashari and Syahirah Binti Abd Rashid and Muhammad Azim Bin NurAdlan and Mohamed Mazlan Bin Mohamed Musadiq} } @article {120, title = {Effect of Notchi kudineer (Vitex negundo Aqueous Extract) on Surgically Induced Endometriosis in Sprague Dawley Rats}, journal = {International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences |}, volume = {4}, year = {2015}, month = {Sept 2015}, pages = {35-43}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {35}, abstract = {

Background: Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue in ectopic places outside the uterus. Siddha physicians claim that Vitex negundo leaf decoction reduces the symptoms of endometriosis in clinical practice. Objective: To evaluate the effect of Vitex negundo aqueous extract on surgically induced endometriosis in Sprague Dawley rats. Materials and Methods: Endometriosis was surgically induced in nulliparous female Sprague Dawley rats with regular estrus cycle by autografting endometrium tissue on posterior abdominal wall. After 30 days of implantation, rats were allocated into two groups (n=6). Control group did not receive any drug, whereas test group received an oral dose of Vitex negundo aqueous extract (300 mg/kg) for 30 days. After 30 days of treatment, the endometriosis cyst size and adhesion were measured and blood was collected for hematology. Malondialdehyde (MDA, an oxidant) and thiol (antioxidant) levels were estimated in blood as well as in cyst. Endometriosis cyst was studied for histopathological grading. Statistical analysis was done using independent t test by keeping p\<0.05. Results: Test drug reduced the adhesion and cyst size compared to control, but the difference was not statistically significant. Histological grade was reduced from 3 to 0 in test group. The test drug significantly increased thiol in blood (p=0.016), and also reduced the blood MDA level (p=0.001) compared to control. Test drug increased the red blood cell distribution width (RDW_CV: p=0.009 and RDW_SD: p=0.003), platelet (p=0.03) and plateletcrit (p=0.026) compared to control group. Conclusion: Our study has created the scientific evidence for the siddha physician{\textquoteright}s claim on Vitex negundo by demonstrating reduction in endometriosis cyst size, adhesion, histological grading and oxidant levels as well as elevation in antioxidant level.

}, keywords = {Antioxidants, Endometriosis, Sprague Dawley Rats, Vitex Negundo}, doi = {10.5530/ijpcs.4.3.1}, author = {Arul Amuthan and Shabari Anandh and Syed Musharraf and Nupur Agarwal and Vasudha Devi and Revathi P Shenoy and Bhavna Nayal} } @article {206, title = {Learning Habits of Undergraduate Medical Students in Pharmacology}, journal = {International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences}, volume = {4}, year = {2015}, month = {September 2015}, pages = {63-67}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {63}, abstract = {

Background: Learning pharmacology may be challenging to medical students as drug information is expanding and students are required to adopt suitable study habits to remember pharmacological aspects to develop higher cognitive skills for better academic performance. Objective: To compare the learning habits of students of various levels of academic performances in pharmacology. Methods and Material: Study was cross sectional in which students{\textquoteright} learning habits and examination scores in pharmacology were collected in a questionnaire. The questionnaire had Likert type items (1: never{\textendash}5: every time) related to learning habits of students that could influence academic performance in pharmacology. It was distributed to 2nd year MBBS students (n=243) after the two assessments in pharmacology. Based on the \% of marks obtained in previous assessments, students were categoriesed into 5 groups (1=\<50, 2=50-59, 3=60-69, 4=70-79, 5=80-100). Statistical analysis used: The categorical variables were described as median and interquartile range. Learning habits of students of various level of academic performances were compared using non parametric tests. A p value of \<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Group 1 less frequently revised the topics more than two times compared to the group 2 (p=0.015) and 5 (p=0.002). Compared to groups 1, 2 and 3, group 5 had started the preparation \>3 days before the scheduled pharmacology class test (p\<0.05). Compared to failed students, students who passed had revised topics more than 2 times and had set the target score of \>60\% and did not momorise the topics by mere byhearting. Conclusion: Reinforcement in the form of revisions, goal setting and developing deeper understanding of concepts have emerged as major determinants of students{\textquoteright} performance in examination in pharmacology. Hence, students should be made aware of these aspects to improve the quality of studies.

}, keywords = {Academic Performance, Learning Habits, Medical, Pharmacology, Students}, doi = {10.5530/ijpcs.4.3.6}, author = {Vasudha Devi and Zulhashime bin Zulkifli and Abdul Hadi bin Abd Rahman and Nurul Wahida Amalin binti Razali and Nur Atiqah binti Md Salehuddin} } @article {135, title = {International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences (IJPCS): The Journey}, journal = {International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences}, volume = {3}, year = {2014}, month = {December 2014}, pages = {73-74}, type = {Editorial}, chapter = {73}, abstract = {

IJPCS, which began 3 years ago in the year 2012, with the intention of widely dissem-inating authentic scientific knowledge through open access and double blind peer review pro-cess, has published 55 articles till date free of charge to authors. All the articles are available for free download in the journal{\textquoteright}s website www.ijpcs.net. Since its inception in April, 2012 to Dec, 2014, IJPCS has received 148 articles from various fields of traditional and modern medicine including, pharmacology, surgery, anesthesiology, ethnopharmacology, medical education etc. In 2014, among articles submitted, 18\% were of authors from outside India. 28.8\% of articles submitted were published with a re-jection rate of 33.3\%. The review process could identify 6.6\% of articles as redundant submis-sions. Read more...

}, keywords = {Nill}, author = {Vasudha Devi} } @article {150, title = {Teaching P-drug Selection: Experiences from a Medical School in India}, journal = {International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences}, volume = {1}, year = {2012}, month = {April 2012}, pages = {9-14}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {9}, abstract = {

Background: Incorporation of Personal drug (P-drug) selection exercise into medical undergraduate curriculum was recommended to reduce irrational prescribing during future practice. At Melaka Manipal Medical College (MMMC), India, P-drug selection exercise was included in pharmacology curriculum in 2010 for 2nd year MBBS students. Objective: The study was conducted to develop a module to teach P-drug selection and to investigate students{\textquoteright} perceptions regarding P-drug selection teaching and assessment. Materials and method: Module was developed to teach P-drug selection for an acute attack of angina and dry cough based on a manual called as {\textquoteleft}Guide to Good Prescribing{\textquoteright} developed by the WHO Action Program on Essential Drugs. Power point slides, handouts with drug costs and current guidelines were used during teaching learning activities. Later students were assessed on P-drug selection by asking them to derive a P-drug for an acute attack of angina. Students{\textquoteright} answers were assessed using a checklist. Later students{\textquoteright} perceptions regarding P-drug selection teaching and assessment were collected using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16. Students{\textquoteright} responses were expressed as median and inter quartile range. Responses to open ended questions were tabulated in the decreasing order of frequency of appearance. \% of students who scored >=4 (= pass) marks was noted. Result: 90\% (95/106) of students responded in the questionnaire. Most of the items in the questionnaire related to teaching and assessment had a median score of >=3. 94.3\% of students had scored >=4 in P-drug selection exercise. 84\% of students felt that P-drug selection teaching helped them to understand pharmacology better. They wanted more such exercises and more explanation to understand P-drug concept better. Conclusion: Study led to development of P-drug selection teaching module acceptable to students. Furthermore it also provided scope for the refinement of newly developed module based on students{\textquoteright} perceptions.

}, keywords = {Medical, P-drug, Perceptions, Pharmacology, Questionnaire, Student, Teaching, Undergraduate}, author = {Vasudha Devi} }