Curative effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cynodon dactylon</Emphasis> against STZ induced hepatic injury in diabetic rats

The aim of the study was to ascertain the role of ethanolic extract of Cynodon dactylon against hepatic complications in streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic models. Effect of the pre identified most effective dose of 500 mg/kg body weight was studied on hepatic injury caused by chemically induced diabetes by 55 mg/kg body weight i.p. injection of STZ in male Wistar rats. The dose of 500mg/kg body weight given once daily for 14 days reduced the levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and urine sugar significantly (P<0.05) with increase in total protein, haemoglobin and body weight was increased. High LD₅₀ validates its high margin of safety.     

The Effects of Two Mindset Interventions on Low-Income Students’ Academic and Psychological Outcomes

Abstract

This study examined two widely available light-touch, writing-based mindset interventions: one that targeted students’ purpose for learning and one that aimed to increase students’ growth mindset. In order to examine the potential mechanisms underlying previously reported effects of mindset interventions, we analyzed these interventions’ effects on low-income, ethnic minority adolescents’ academic outcomes, task persistence, task-relevant anxiety, critical motivation, and sense of belonging. Results indicated that the purpose for learning intervention had a small negative impact on students’ self-reported grades the following year, and null results for the other outcomes. The growth mindset intervention was administered one year following the purpose for learning intervention and we found no evidence of treatment impacts on any outcomes. Analyses of treatment impact moderation suggested that certain student characteristics, such as student gender and race could play a role, but most of these tests also presented null results. The primarily null results of both interventions suggest that further study is needed to determine the effectiveness of one-time, self-administered mindset interventions across a variety of contexts and student populations.     

Enhancement of solubility and mass transfer coefficient of salicylic acid through hydrotropy

This study deals with the effect of hydrotropes on the solubility and mass transfer coefficient of salicylic acid. The solubility and mass transfer studies were performed using the hydrotropes, i.e., sodium acetate, sodium salicylate, citric acid, and urea at concentrations of 0-3.0 mol/L and system temperatures of 303-333 K. It was found that the solubility and mass transfer coefficient of salicylic acid increases with increase in hydrotrope concentration and also with system temperature. All hydrotropes used in this work showed an enhancement in solubility and mass transfer coefficient to different degrees. The maximum enhancement factor values were determined for all hydrotropes used in this study. The highest value was 28.08 for solubility studies and 10.42 for mass transfer studies. The performance of hydrotropes was measured in terms of the Setschenow constant （Ks）. The highest value observed was 0.696.     

Is mindfulness training useful for pre-service teachers? An exploratory investigation*

In this study, we investigated the effects of mindfulness training with 23 pre-service teachers. Subjects were assigned to either a six-week mindfulness training program or a control condition. Postintervention, mindfulness participants reported greater emotional clarity and improved regulation of negative emotions. In particular, the mindfulness group was shielded from an increase in negative emotions compared to the control group. In addition, within-group differences suggested that mindfulness training helps student-teachers control impulsive behavior and respond more flexibly to stressful emotions. These findings add to a growing body of research on the benefits of mindfulness. Pre-service teachers, it seems, gain the most benefit in the realm of emotional regulation.     

Cartap and carbofuran induced alterations in serum lipid profile of Wistar rats

Wistar rats of 6–8 weeks in age weighing between 120–150 g were exposed to the fixed doses of each of the carbamate pesticides such as cartap (50% LD₅₀) and carbofuran (50% LD₅₀) as well as a combination of these two with 25% LD₅₀ of each for one week. The effect of treatments was studied in terms of serum lipid parameters such as high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein and very low-density lipoprotein. Treatment with individual doses of carbofuran (50% LD₅₀) and cartap (50 % LD₅₀) caused significant alterations in the levels of serum lipid parameters. The pesticides treatment resulted in marked decrease in the level of serum high-density lipoprotein where as that of other lipids got significantly elevated. Further, the rats exhibited relatively higher impact of pesticides when treated with the compounds in combination (25 % LD₅₀ of each). The results indicated that these compounds when used together may exert enhanced effect on the levels of serum lipids in rat.     

Medicinal uses of inorganic compounds — 2

In the first part of this article, we described medicinal uses of inorganic compounds relating to cancer care, infection and diabetic control, neurological, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. This article contains further information on the medicinal uses of inorganic compounds as therapeutic and diagnostic in chelation therapy, as antihypertensive and anti-ulcer agents, metal Superoxide dismutase mimics, metal activation of organic drugs, radiopharmaceuticals, magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents and photodynamic therapy.