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A study examined a paper-based method of testing in a clinical biochemistry course, part of a new modular, systems-oriented medical curriculum at the University of Otago (New Zealand). The method of assessment was found easy to administer, and students valued the quizzes as a stimulus to study and as feedback. (Author/MSE)

A study investigated a computer-based testing method in an anatomic pathology course within a new, modular, systems-oriented medical curriculum at the University of Otago (New Zealand). Students (n=193) completed five biweekly criterion-referenced, computer-based quizzes incorporating digitized photographs and varied question formats. Results confirm the feasibility of using regular, computer-based quizzes for large classes. (Author/MSE)

Background: This study administered selected scales from the Cognitive Behavior Survey Attitudes Toward Social Issues in Medicine survey, and the Learning Environment Questionnaire. Data were gathered from other medical schools to put results into context. Purpose: To present results on these scales front other medical schools and to compare the effects of type of curriculum on the results. Methods: Articles that had cited the articles that originally presented the scales used were searched for Results were organized by type of curriculum and effect sizes were calculated where possible. Results: Within the limits of small numbers of studies solar; problem-based learning (PBL) curricula appear to have much more positive effects on students' reported cognitive behaviors than do hybrid curricula. Both have substantial positive effects on students' perceptions of the learning environment (PBL medium to large; hybrid small to medium). Neither appears to have much effect on students' attitudes toward social issues in medicine. Conclusion: These data provide a starting point for further study of some of the effects of curricular interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to obtain through an alternative format some of the well-known benefits of problem-based learning (PBL) during multidisciplinary teaching in a new modular curriculum at a medical school that had previously rejected PBL. To integrate learning within and between systems-based modules, we developed a series of case studies, each lasting 1 or 2 weeks. Key components are small group, case-based tutorials employing non-expert tutors at the start and end of each case study, with discipline-based specialist sessions in-between. Unlike PBL, our programme features tight direction of students'activities, objectives prepared by teaching staff, and extensive feedback/answers provided for the students. The Systems Integration course is the most highly rated component of the new curriculum by the students. Teachers who previously rejected PBL have readily contributed to the case studies and volunteered to act as non-expert tutors. The format offers an attractive alternative for teachers at traditional medical schools that wish to obtain many of the benefits of PBL without adopting full PBL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low-Km cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase solubilised from rat liver membranes by mild proteolysis with chymotrypsin has been purified to apparent homogeneity. The purification included chromatography on cellulose phosphate, Ecteola-cellulose, hydroxyapatite, a theophylline affinity matrix and HPLC on a DEAE-substituted column. The purified enzyme has linear kinetic plots with a Km of 0.24 µM and a Vmat of 6.2 µmol mg-1 min-1 with cyclic AMP as a substrate. It also hydrolyses cyclic GMP with a Km of 0.17 µM and a Vmax which is about a third of that with cyclic AMP. Cyclic GMP is also a competitive inhibitor of cyclic AMP hydrolysis with a Ki of 0.18 µM. The proteolytically solubilised enzyme has a subunit molecular mass of 73 kDa by SDS gel electrophoresis and of 130 kDa by HPLC size-exclusion chromatography, suggesting that it exists as a dimer. A partially purified preparation of this enzyme was used to raise antiserum in a sheep. The antiserum immunoprecipitated activity from liver and adipose tissue of rat and mouse. It had little activity against phosphodiesterase from other rat tissues or other species. Insulin-activated phosphodiesterase from both adipocytes and hepatocytes was immunoprecipitated by the antiserum suggesting that the purified enzyme was an insulin-sensitive phosphodiesterase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which a fall in cellular cyclic AMP could account for the antilipolytic action in rat epididymal adipocytes incubated with adrenocorticotrophic hormone was studied. The antilipolytic effect, measured by suppression of glycerol release, was always associated with a decrease in cyclic AMP, but the magnitude of the fall was modified by several factors. For example, it was greater when the cAMP level was high, as when it is at its peak after hormone stimulation, or when cell concentrations are low. Glucose did not modify appreciably the insulin effect on the nucleotide level. The inhibitory effects of insulin on corticotrophin-stimulated lipolysis and cyclic AMP levels were detectable at the concentrations of 1 μU/ml and were biphasic, with maximal effects at 10-100 μU/ml. Protein kinase activity ratio was similarly affected. Activity of cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase conformed closely to the level of cyclic AMP. There was no indication that insulin modified the sensitivity of the kinase to cyclic AMP. Insulin did not alter the relationship of cellular cyclic AMP levels to glycerol when adipocytes were incubated with various concentrations of corticotrophin. This was true, irrespective of whether measurements were made when cyclic AMP was on the upward rise after hormone stimulation, or on the decline. The curves obtained with and without insulin were superimposable. It is concluded that the inhibitory action of insulin on lipolysis in fat cells can be fully accounted for by a decrease in cyclic AMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]