Anatomy & Surgery: A love hate relationship

Introduction: Anatomy is still taught in medical schools as a basis for studying pathophysiology and surgery. Lack of integration of basic and clinical disciplines reduced teaching hours, and poor teaching methodologies have a significant effect on anatomical knowledge and medical education standards. Objectives: To evaluate the perspectives of undergraduate students of MBBS, fresh MBBS graduates, teaching faculty of anatomy, and consultants on the importance and reconstruction of the anatomy curriculum. Materials & Methods: A total of 600 subjects participated in this cross-sectional study. A feedback form was used to collect data regarding time allocation, clinical relevance, integration, and clear viewpoints in basic histology, embryology, and gross anatomy. The form included free text, binomial, and 5-point Likert scale replies. Results: Analysis of the results revealed that all stakeholders universally preferred integrated anatomy teaching throughout the academic years of medical school instead of demanding block during the early two years. According to the study, students experienced inadequacies in their anatomical knowledge when they started their clinical training. Conclusion: This study contributes further to the ongoing discussions in anatomical sciences education by revealing that new doctors believe that anatomical instruction should be prioritized regardless of their career goals.

Optimizing Nitrogen in Maize Zea Mays L. Through Poultry Manure under Drought Conditions

Water and nitrogen (N) are important limiting inputs of maize (Zea mays L.) production in semi-arid environment. Application of poultry manure in agriculture fields is potentially beneficial to agro-ecosystems, but challenging due to its excessive moisture, bad odor, transportation, inconsistent nutrient contents and phytotoxic substances, which may adversely affect the health of those who handle it. Composting as one of the agricultural best management practices (BMP) could overcome the above issues. To study the effects of nitrogen availability from poultry manure under different irrigation regimes in semiarid environment, two experiments were conducted in 2009 at the Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan in glass house. In first experiment maize hybrid were screened against their drought tolerance potential. In second experiment, composted and non-composted poultry manures were compared for N-availability to maize hybrids under different moisture regimes. Field experiment was carried out in 2010 and repeated in 2011 at the Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. One drought tolerant and one sensitive maize hybrid (H 1 = Monsanto-919 and H 2 = FH-810, respectively) were sown with three composted poultry manure (CPM) levels (L 1 = control with recommended NPK, L 2 = 8, L 3 = 10 and L 4 = 12 t ha -1 CPM) under three irrigation regimes (I 1 = 300, I 2 = 450 and I 3 = 600 mm). Statistical analysis of results revealed that H 1 showed maximum grain yield during both years (7.69 and 7.98 t ha -1 during 2010 and 2011, respectively) at I 3 with the application of recommended NPK. While the grain yield of H 1 during both years was greater with CPM than H 2 with the application of recommended NPK under I 2 . Grain oil and protein contents were almost statistically at par in both maize hybrids fertilized with L 1 and L 4 under I 1 condition. The nitrogen uptake was similar in both hybrids under controlled condition. Moreover, water use efficiency (WUE) was significantly enhanced with the application of CPM among different levels of CPM. The highest net benefit ($1788 ha -1 ) was achieved by recommended NPK treatment contrary highest marginal rate of return (35 %) was obtained by application of 600 mm irrigation water with 12 t CPM ha -1 .