ABSTRACT: Objective: To assess the impact of interactive virtual pathology slides on students’ understanding of pathological disease processes. Materials & Methods: The study was conducted at Shifa College of medicine, Islamabad. Class of 3rd year MBBS, comprising of 111 students, was divided into two groups during two teaching modules. All students received online lectures prior to practical sessions. In the first module, one group was taught virtual slides through online interactive sessions, whereas the second group was taught same set of slides, using light microscopy and glass slides. Both groups were assessed at the end of the module by online test and their scores were compared. Similar exercise was repeated in the second module in which the control group became the test group to remove the selection bias. Questionnaire feedback was taken from students to get their perceptions. The results were compared by applying t-test and p-value was calculated. Results: The mean score of test group (group-1) in first module was 14.90 whereas mean score of control group (group-2) was 10.99. The t test was applied, and p-value calculated was significant (p=0.04). In the second module the groups were flipped. The mean score of test group (group-2) was 14.29 whereas control group (group-1) was 10.09. The p value was calculated which was again significant (p=0.04). The students gave their feedback through questionnaire. Conclusion: Overall, we believe that the use of virtual microscopy significantly improves student’s understanding of pathological lesions. Keywords: Education, medical, pathology, undergraduate, virtual microscopy.

Introduction: Evidence based medicine is an interplay of individual clinical acumen and best available evidence through scientific systematic research. With the advent of modern medicine in the last two centuries, medical education has seen and continues to experience its revolutionary effects. An important aspect in this regard is the integration of biomedical research. Objectives: To assess the research skills among undergraduate medical students exposed to the teaching of research longitudinally through all the five academic years. Methodology: A mixed method study was conducted in which third year MBBS students were assessed in a group through power point presentation regarding different concepts of research while critically appraising a research article. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated, as well as thematic analysis was done. Results: From a total of 102 participants, 58 were male and 42 were female. Majority of the participants (81.4%) achieved an average or a good score and only 18.6% achieved a poor score. Six themes were generated. General enthusiasm about the activity was noted among participants who considered it beneficial. However, only a few were in the favor of incorporating this activity as a mandatory component in undergraduate studies. Conclusion: Incorporating research in a mandatory longitudinal theme component as part of undergraduate medical studies seems a potential method of laying the foundation for future physician scientists.

Objective: Blood transfusion saves millions of lives but there is always a potential risk of transmission of blood borne infections from the donor to the recipient if the blood is not thoroughly screened. A high seroprevalence of transfusion transmitted infections (TTI) in donated blood remains the blood safety issue in Pakistan. This study was aimed to determine the frequency of TTIs (Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), syphilis and malaria) among blood donors. Methods: Data records of all registered blood donors (n=120,968) during 2008-2019, at blood transfusion center in the tertiary care hospital were assessed. Frequency of the seropositive donors for HIV, HCV, HBV, syphilis and malaria was analyzed. Results: Donors were predominately males (99%) with age groups ranging from 25-65 years. HCV, syphilis and malaria positive cases were mostly in the age range of 26-35 years. Most of the donors (81.1%) were residents of Islamabad. The most prevalent infection among the screened blood donors was HCV (1.52% with 95% CI 0.423-0.661) followed by syphilis (0.85% with 95% CI1.149-1.432). HCV and syphilis were most frequently observed in blood group B positive patients while HIV was common in O positive patients. The frequency of co-infection of syphilis with HCV and HIV was 0.02% and 0.01% respectively. Conclusion: Among males, the most prevalent TTI infection was HCV followed by HIV; the latter is on the rise. However, HCV and syphilis are the most frequent co-infections. So, TTIs days are not over.

Objective: To evaluate the postprandial glucose response of dates and white bread (25g) in diabetics and non-diabetics. Methodology: It was cross-over/cross observational study done at Shifa International Hospital in May-October 2016. The study subjects were adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) of age more than 30 years and the healthy controls. Each group was administered equally weighed (25 g) dates and white bread for two days with one week apart. Post prandial blood glucose measurements for dates and white bread was done in both groups and compared by applying student’s t-test. Results: Each group had twelve participants. The mean blood glucose response for both food groups was significantly higher in diabetics than controls. The peak response for dates in both groups was at 30 minutes and the peak response for bread was 60 and 30 minutes in diabetics and controls respectively. Response of dates and bread in diabetics was not statistically significant. The mean fasting glucose in diabetics and non -diabetics was 131.04 mg/dl and 90.12 mg/dl respectively. Conclusion: Dates are suitable for diabetics and their consumption bears no added risk or danger over white bread.