Modulation of PPAR-γ, SREBP-1c and inflammatory mediators by luteolin ameliorates β-cell dysfunction and renal damage in a rat model of type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Natural products have been recommended as a complementary therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to constraints of safety and tolerability of existing anti-diabetic agents. Luteolin exhibits anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Hence, the impact of luteolin on glucose homoeostasis and organ damage was investigated in high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced T2DM in rats.

Luteolin Mitigates Diabetic Dyslipidemia in Rats by Modulating ACAT-2, PPARα, SREBP-2 Proteins, and Oxidative Stress.

Diabetic dyslipidemia is a crucial link between type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). Natural biologically active substances have been advocated as complementary remedies for ASCVD and T2DM. Luteolin, a flavonoid, exhibits antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and antiatherogenic effects.

Effect of direct monitoring by family members and counseling by health professionals on iron-folic acid supplementation: A cross-sectional study among pregnant women in Puducherry, India.

Background: The prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in pregnant Indian women is reportedly quite high. Despite the sustained efforts of the current national control program and undisputed efficacy of iron-folic acid supplementation (IFAS), the onslaught of anemia has not been curtailed, probably as a result of noncompliance to IFAS. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of direct monitoring of pregnant women by family members, counseling by health professionals, and other variables on adherence to IFAS in Puducherry, India.

Use of mobile phone applications (apps) in preventing drug-drug interactions: A cross-sectional evaluation in a clinical setting in South India.

Objectives: With the advancement in technology, many mobile phone applications (apps) are available for preventing drug-drug interactions (DDIs). As no information is available about usage of these apps, we aimed to investigate the awareness of clinicians of Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India, about DDI mobile apps, to assess utilization and perceptions of the apps, and to ascertain perceptions of DDIs.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted to collect data from 115 clinicians through Google Forms.

A Five Year Longitudinal Study of the Educational Environment in a Newly Integrated Medical Curriculum.

Objectives: The College of Medicine at Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, United Arab Emirates, was subjected to a curricular reform, which shifted the institution from a traditional curriculum to a hybrid, student-centred, integrated curriculum. There are no previous studies analysing the consequences of such a curricular modification on the educational environment (EE). Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the EE of a pioneer cohort of the innovative curriculum over their five-year course of study.

Knowledge of warning signs, presenting symptoms and risk factors of coronary heart disease among the population of Dubai and Northern Emirates in UAE: a cross-sectional study.

Background: To evaluate the level of knowledge regarding warning signs, presenting symptoms and risk factors associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) among population of Dubai and Northern Emirates in UAE.

Materials And Methods: A cross sectional survey of 1367 residents of Dubai and Northern Emirates was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire.

Results: Respondents were classified into two groups: Young Adult Population (YAP; 18-24 years of age) and General Population (GP; 25 years and older).

What do faculty feel about teaching in this school? assessment of medical education environment by teachers.

Background: Faculty members are major stakeholders in curriculum delivery, and positive student learning outcomes can only be expected in an educational environment (EE) conducive to learning. EE experienced by teachers includes all conditions affecting teaching and learning activities. As the EE of teachers indirectly influences the EE of students, assessment of teachers' perceptions of EE can highlight issues affecting student learning.

Is More Nutrition Education Needed in the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum?: Perceptions of graduates from a medical university in the United Arab Emirates.

Objectives: The rise in lifestyle diseases has resulted in primary physicians advising more patients on the benefits of nutritional modifications. However, nutrition education has remained more or less unchanged in the undergraduate medical curriculum. This study aimed to assess the perceptions of medical graduates regarding nutrition education in their undergraduate curriculum.

A systematic review of self-medication practices among adolescents.

The purpose was to systematically review the global trends and factors influencing self-medication (SM) among adolescents. Databases (Medline/Pubmed, Ingenta, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, Proquest, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were searched for peer-reviewed research published between January 2000 and December 2013 on SM among adolescents aged 13-18 years. Articles were scrutinized for country of origin, sample size, recall period, prevalence rates and associations, influencing factors, medicines used, self-medicated health complaints, sources of drug information, recommendation and procurement, knowledge about medicines, and adverse drug reactions.

Development and validation of the AMEET inventory: An instrument measuring medical faculty members' perceptions of their educational environment.

We developed, through a three-round modified Delphi technique, an inventory [Assessment of Medical Education Environment by Teachers (AMEET)] to assess viewpoints of medical faculty on educational environment experienced by teachers. In Round 1, 16 members from international settings graded (0-3) and modified an initial list of statements, or suggested new statements for inclusion. In Round 2, the new statements were graded and previous responses reconsidered.

Does curricular change improve faculty perceptions of student experiences with the educational environment? A preliminary study in an institution undergoing curricular change.

Purpose: College of Medicine, Gulf Medical University, United Arab Emirates, underwent a major curriculum change from a discipline-based to an organ system-based integrated curriculum. However, it was not known how the faculty perceived the changes in the educational environment as experienced by the students. In this context, we aimed to compare the faculty perceptions of the student experiences in the discipline-based curriculum with those in the organ system-based integrated curriculum.

Self-medication and related health complaints among expatriate high school students in the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Self-medication, often without adult guidance, has been reported to be a common practice during adolescence. Similar to other preventable health-risk behaviors initiated in early adolescence, it has become a cause for concern universally.

Objective: This study examines the prevalence of self-medication with both prescribed and non-prescribed (OTC) medications, related health complaints, sources of drugs, and sources of drug recommendation, and gender differences related to self-medication among expatriate high school students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Drug knowledge of expatriate adolescents in the United Arab Emirates and their attitudes towards self-medication.

Background: Adolescents have limited knowledge about medicines and their potential adverse effects. In this context, we aimed to investigate the basic knowledge of medicines, any differences in knowledge related to practice of self-medication (SM), attitudes towards SM and sources of information about medicines among expatriate adolescents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 324 students from four schools in the UAE using a self-administered questionnaire.

Do faculty in Southern Indian medical colleges support animal use in postgraduate education more than in undergraduate education?

In India, animal experiments play an integral role in both undergraduate medical education (UGME) and postgraduate medical education (PGME) in the discipline of Pharmacology. Therefore, we aimed to compare the perceptions of pharmacology faculty members in southern India with regard to the use of animal experiments and alternatives in UGME and in PGME. We also determined the association between these perceptions and the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants.

Diabetes Mellitus-Related Knowledge among University Students in Ajman, United Arab Emirates.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess diabetes mellitus (DM)-related knowledge and practices among university students enrolled in non-health care related professional courses in the United Arab Emirates.

Methods: A pre-tested questionnaire assessing the knowledge of DM was administered to the above-mentioned students. Data collected were transferred to PASW Statistics (Chicago, IL, USA, Version 18) and analysed.

Faculty and students' perceptions of student experiences in a medical school undergoing curricular transition in the United arab emirates.

Objectives: In 2008, the Gulf Medical College in the United Arab Emirates underwent a curricular change from a discipline-based to an organ-system-based integrated curriculum. In this context, this study aimed to compare the faculty and students' perceptions of the student experiences with the new curriculum.

Methods: Data were collected from faculty and second-year students in the integrated curriculum using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM).

Willingness to spare animals in undergraduate medical education in Southern India: a preliminary questionnaire-based investigation.

Animal experiments continue to play an integral role in Indian undergraduate medical education, even though alternatives are becoming increasingly available. In this context, this study aimed to assess the perceptions of pharmacology faculty members from medical colleges in southern India regarding the use of animals and alternatives in experimental pharmacology, and to determine the association between these perceptions and the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Data were collected from 59 faculty members of 15 medical colleges in southern India.

Students' perceptions of educational environment in a medical school experiencing curricular transition in United Arab Emirates.

Background: Gulf Medical College, UAE, underwent a major curriculum change from a discipline-based to an organ-based integrated curriculum.

Aim: To compare students' perception of the educational environment in the discipline-based curriculum with that in the integrated curriculum.

Methods: Data was collected from second-year students (Group 1) in the discipline-based curriculum and in the subsequent year from second year students in the integrated curriculum (Group 2).