Study of glycemic profile of Cajanus cajan leaves in experimental rats

The present study deals with the evaluation of glycemic profile of aqueous extract of Cajanus cajan leaves in streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats. Single oral administration of graded doses of aqueous extract of Cajanus cajan leaves showed significant increment of 14.3 % in fasting blood glucose levels of normal rats. The sub diabetic and mild diabetic models have also shown hyperglycemic effect from the same variable doses of the extract. The dose of 1000 mg/kg showed the maximum rise of 17.1, 71.2 and 50.7 % in Blood glucose levels of normal, sub and mild diabetic rats respectively during glucose tolerance test. The study of leaves was taken into consideration on the basis of earlier reported hypoglycemic activity of Cajanus cajan seeds. However the results observed were found just opposite and therefore it may be useful in controlling hypoglycemia, occasionally caused due to excess of insulin and other hypoglycemic drugs.     

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.     

Negotiating meanings of gender justice: Critical reflections on dialogs and debates in a non-governmental organization (NGO)

In this paper, we reflect upon how dialogs and debates in a non-governmental organization (NGO) – CARE India in the context of a girls’ education project shaped staff members’ understandings of gender justice. As CARE India staff shared their experiences in the field, in the organization, and in domestic spaces during gender training sessions and other forums, their different politics in these spaces shaped how they translated global discourses of gender justice to produce fluid, contested, and contextual understandings. While these dialogs included the voices of diverse social actors in identifying the capabilities needed for gender justice in education, they were often reframed by local NGO actors.     

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.     

Effect of water extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichosanthes dioica</Emphasis> fruits in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

In rats with streptozotocin induced severe diabetes mellitus, aqueous extract of Trichosanthes dioica fruits at a dose of 1000mg/kg body weight daily once for 28 days reduced the levels of fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose, asparate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, urine sugar and urine protein where as total protein and body weight was increased. No toxic effect was observed during LD50. Our study suggests that further detailed toxicity studies and mechanism of action of T. dioica would be useful for undertaking human trials.     

Tyrosinase activity in photosensitive individuals inin-vitro study

A reddish glow localized within the iris was observed in the photographs of some individuals in the dark using an electric-arc flash. On repeated exposure and reprints of the same individuals to photography under similar conditions, the red glow persisted. Studies were under taken to analyze thein vitro effect of cupric ions on the activity of serum tyrosinase. A significant increase in the activity of tyrosinase was observed in the affected individuals as compared to the controls when cupric ion was supplementedin vitro. Studies also confirmed the inhibitory effect of benzoic acid on serum tyrosinase activityin vitro. Our preliminary studies have shown a significant decrease (p<0.001) in tyrosinase activity in the serum of the photosensitive individuals compared to controls which is consistent with the observed red glow on the photographic prints and reprints.