From inactivity to encouragement: the contribution of Lord Elphinstone to the educational development of the Madras Presidency (1837–1842)

In light of the focus placed on English education by the colonial government, and the petition signed by 70,000 local inhabitants of the Madras Presidency, Lord John Elphinstone, the Governor, made efforts to disseminate English education during his governorship (1837–1842). Spurred on by the petition, Elphinstone wrote two fundamental educational minutes, in 1839 and 1841, and established Madras High School. Later, the School was transformed into Presidency College and became the first home of the University of Madras. Elphinstone’s planning led to the first systematic effort by the Madras government to impart English education. Subsequently, Elphinstone emphasised the dissemination of secular education and inclusion of native people in educational administration. Against this background, this paper discusses the contribution of Elphinstone to the educational development of Madras. It also questions the historiographical neglect of Elphinstone and challenges the established post-colonial discourse that the establishment of English institutions was a ‘colonialist’ imposition.     

Correlation between serum lipid profile and carotid intima-media thickness in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Abnormal lipid profile is often found in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. To assess the impact of abnormal lipid profile on atherosclerosis in young Polycystic Ovary Syndrome women, carotid intima-media thickness as judged by B-mode ultrasonography were done in 30 young (18–35 yrs) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome women and in similarly age-matched 30 apparently healthy controls. Compared to controls, young Polycystic Ovary Syndrome women had significantly elevated serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C levels and carotid intima-media thickness. HDL-C level did not differ significantly between two groups of women. In Polycystic Ovary Syndrome women carotid intima-media thickness was positively correlated with serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C and negatively correlated with serum HDL-C. Our study suggests that even young Polycystic Ovary Syndrome women are prone to atherosclerosis from early age.     

Predictors of learner satisfaction in an academic computer conference

This study tested the Adult Distance Study Through Computer Conferencing (ADSCC) model developed by Eastmond (1994), to determine if learner readiness, online features, and CMC‐related learning approaches are associated with learner satisfaction in an academic computer conference. All three variables were correlated with learner satisfaction and online features emerged as the best predictor of learner satisfaction. Results indicate interrelationships between the three variables. The ADSCC model was a good predictor of learner satisfaction. It provided a useful framework for understanding learner satisfaction by showing how to categorise the different components that influence satisfaction in an academic computer conference.     

Antagonistic effect of FePP on the ethanol mediated induction of hepatic, renal and splenic δ-amino levulinic acid synthase activityin vivo in rats

In the current study, we report perturbations in hepatic, renal and splenic heme synthesis at the level of the rate limiting enzyme, δ-amino levulinic acid synthase (ALA-S) on ethanol administration independently and in conjunction with iron-protoporphyrin (FePP) in male Wistar rats. Excessive ethanol administration (5 ml/kg bw) resulted in a significant induction of hepatic, splenic and renal ALA-S activity. Simultaneous administration of FePP (50 μmol/kg bw) reverted the observed induction response to a sharp decline. The features of the action of ethanol and FePP togetherin vivo, i.e. a substantial inhibition of ALA-S is suggestive of the beneficial effects of this formulation in acute attacks of porphyria.     

Social Presence and Implications for Designing Online Learning Communities

With the rapid global proliferation of the Internet and telecommunication networks , online education , one form of distance education is currently becoming the fastest growing trend of domestic and international education. A major challenge to designing online learning is the development of appropriate means to facilitate the social environment that is critical for higher order learning in many disciplines. In many online learning designs, the majority of resources are channeled to web interface design and technology, while little or no resources are devoted to facilitating the teaching and learning process, the negotiation of meaning and the validation of knowledge among peers and instructors that depends on a conducive socio-cultural environment and adequate learner support.     

Antihyperglycemic effect of water extract of dry fruits of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Terminalia chebula</Emphasis> in experimental diabetes mellitus

Water extract of dry fruits ofTerminalia chebula (Hindi-Harda, Telugu-Karakkaya) at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight improved the glucose tolerance as indicated by 44% of reduction in the peak blood glucose at 2^nd hour in glucose tolerance test in diabetic (streptozotocin induced) rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with an initial fasting blood glucose of 253±9.4 mg/dl daily once with the water extract (200 mg/kg) for two weeks brought down the fasting blood glucose to 123±8.4 mg/dl which is only slightly above the normal value. These results indicate that water extract of Terminalia chebula improves glucose tolerance and brings down fasting blood glucose in diabetic rats.     

Idiopathic Fetal Growth Restriction: Repercussion of Modulation in Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress has been proposed as one of the causes involved in idiopathic fetal growth restriction (IFGR). However, the exact relationship between oxidative stress and IFGR is not understood. This study aimed at understanding the role of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in IFGR materno-fetal dyads and matched controls. 75 materno-fetal dyads with IFGR were enrolled with equal number of normal low risk controls. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured as marker of oxidative stress, while paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of serum were measured as markers of antioxidant status. MDA levels were increased in both maternal and cord blood of IFGR neonates as compared to controls (p < 0.001). TAC of serum were found to be decreased in IFGR (both maternal and cord blood) as compared to controls (p < 0.001; p < 0.05, respectively). PON1 activity was found to be decreased in the IFGR mothers while it was found increased in IFGR cord blood (p < 0.01; p < 0.001)). IFGR is a state of increased oxidative stress. Decreased PON1 enzymatic activity in mothers is also associated with IFGR.