Quest International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences

Surging Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) cases: Do we need to be worried?

2025-01-31T12:41:55+00:00

No abstract available.

From bedside to classroom teaching - students’ perceptions regarding peer-assisted learning for integration of clinical subjects during pre-clinical years

2025-01-31T12:47:30+00:00

Introduction:

Peer-assisted clinical integration learning is a teaching method where students at a similar level of training actively learn from each other by discussing and analysing clinical cases. This paper discusses a piloting initiative to introduce peer-assisted learning (PAL) to illustrate clinical integration in the pre-clinical phase of an MBBS programme in a private university in Malaysia. The aim was to gauge the acceptability of PAL and integrating clinical sciences in addressing the perceived gap between basic and clinical sciences, which often beleaguers undergraduate medical students.

Methods:

All year two MBBS students attended a Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) session on hydatidiform mole, presented by both final-year and year two medical students. Student satisfaction with this teaching method was measured with a questionnaire. Retention of knowledge was measured in year three with a post-test.

Results:

141 students participated in this pilot. Satisfaction was measured on a 5-point Lickert Scale, with a score of one indicating strong disagreement and five indicating strong agreement. All mean scores indicated a generally favourable response to this method of teaching and learning.

Conclusion:

PAL and integrated clinical sessions are valuable teaching tools that can help bridge the gaps between basic and clinical sciences.

Alzheimer’s disease and the recent advances in tissue engineering for it’s treatment: A mini-review

2025-01-31T12:47:54+00:00

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia among elderly individuals and accounts for 60 to 70% of patients affected by all forms of dementia globally. AD is a significant public health concern, as it shows an increased prevalence and incidence rates. Based on the current trends, the global population above 65 is estimated to almost double, and the number of individuals over 85 will increase to more than thrice by the year 2050. Pathophysiological processes and genetic factors leading to the accumulation of beta-amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles are being studied. Various tissue engineering methods have shown promise in identifying the disease process early and delaying the pathophysiological and genetic processes leading to cognitive decline.

There are various innovative tissue engineering methods showing promises in the diagnosis and treatment of AD, such as 3D bioengineered neural tissue models derived from ‘human induced pluripotent stem cells, nanocarrier-mediated small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery methods, carbon-based nanomaterials, and scaffold innovations that help to create realistic models of neuronal tissues and to use advanced drug delivery systems using nanoparticles in patients with AD.