Role of Plasma MMP 9 levels in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Pancreatitis

Pancreatic fibrosis is a key pathological feature in the etiology of chronic pancreatitis that leads to obliteration of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic tissues and its replacement by fibrous tissue resulting in clinical manifestations. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 is a member of the MMP family that is also known as gelatinase B, degrades type IV collagen of extracellular matrix and basal membrane. The present study is aimed at evaluating the clinical significance of plasma concentration of MMP-9 in chronic pancreatitis. The samples were obtained from 112 chronic pancreatitis patients and an equal number of age and sex matched healthy controls. MMP-9 levels were quantitatively measured by ELISA assay. Statistical analysis was applied to test the significance of results. The present study revealed a significant increase of plasma MMP 9 levels in chronic pancreatitis patients compared to control subjects. Elevated levels were also observed in all the patient groups compared to control subjects with regard to sex, age, addictions etc. MMP-9 degrades the type IV collagens in normal basement membrane, which in turn activates the pancreatic stellate cells which promote the development of pancreatitic fibrosis. Thus, elevated plasma levels of MMP-9 may act as a susceptibility factor for the development of chronic pancreatitis.     

Resistance to interference in complex negative patterning

Resistance to interference was examined in rats that received a complex negative patterning discrimination in which XA and XB were followed by food reinforcement and XAB was not. Retention of the discrimination was evident after separate reinforcement of both A and B (Experiment 3), but not after reinforcement of either AB (Experiments 1 and 3) or XAB (Experiments 2 and 3). These data suggest that complex negative patterning discriminations are acquired configurally and that the relative similarity of the original discrimination and subsequent interference trials dictates the final degree of retention observed.     

Transglutaminase as a target for novel anti-filarial agents

A rational approach for developing effective filaricides awaits greater knowledge on the biochemical pathways operating in filarial parasites. For example, metabolic pathways or key enzymes that are so pivotal to the parasite that their interruption or inhibition causes spontaneous death, could be exploited to develop effective chemotherapeutic agents. Similarly, developing a safe and nontoxic filaricidal will require precise understanding of whether or not the potential molecular target in the parasite is unique or at least different enough from the host system. Recently, we identified a novel transglutaminase enzyme (EC2.3.2.13; TGase) in filarial parasites that plays an important role during their normal growth and development. Based on these principles, TGase may serve as a new target for the development of effective chemotherapeutic agent and vaccine for controlling and preventing the infections caused by these parasites.     

Situation of Divorced Mothers in India: Implications for Counseling

In a culture where high premium is placed on marriage, a divorced mother faces many challenges. Striving for shelter and economic security is harder due to lack of social acceptance, support and inadequate services. For a counsellor the social realities are as important as the psychological ones.This article is based on the observations and experiences of the author who has been a marriage counsellor at the first Family Court in India.     

Coping efficacy and psychological problems of children of divorce

Three models of the relations of coping efficacy, coping, and psychological problems of children of divorce were investigated. A structural equation model using cross-sectional data of 356 nine- to twelve-year-old children of divorce yielded results that supported coping efficacy as a mediator of the relations between both active coping and avoiding coping and psychological problems. In a prospective longitudinal model with a subsample of 162 of these children, support was found for Time 2 coping efficacy as a mediator of the relations between Time 1 active coping and Time 2 internalizing of problems. Individual growth curve models over four waves also found support for coping efficacy as a mediator of the relations between active coping and psychological problems. No support was found for alternative models of coping as a mediator of the relations between efficacy and symptoms or for coping efficacy as a moderator of the relations between coping and symptoms.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Curcuma longa</Emphasis> freeze dried rhizome powder with milk in STZ induced diabetic rats

This study deals with the effects of freeze dried rhizome powder of Curcuma longa (C. longa) dissolved in milk on normal as well as diabetic models. Diabetes of type II and type I was within 3 days of a single administration of doses of 45 and 65 mg kg⁻¹ of streptozotocin respectively. Various parameters such as blood glucose levels, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, hemoglobin, urine protein and urine sugar in addition to body weight were taken in to consideration and were analyzed after administration of variable doses of rhizome powder. The dose of 200 mg kg⁻¹ was identified as the most effective dose as it increased HDL, Hb and bw (P<0.05) with significant decrease in the levels of blood glucose, lipid profile and hepatoprotective enzymes (P<0.001).     

Methods of Instruction and Learning Outcomes: A Theoretical Analysis of Two Approaches in an Introductory Information Technology Course*

In introductory information technology (IT) courses, communicating technical concepts so that they can be comprehended by all students, technical and nontechnical, has been a concern. Another challenge in such courses is to teach the real‐world applicability of technical concepts. In this conceptual article, we focus on a relatively unexplored issue in IT education—which instructional method is more effective in improving the learning outcomes of all students taking introductory IT courses. In doing so, we consider two instructional methods, lecture and multimedia case studies, and argue that either of these instructional methods, adopted singly, will be perceived by students as less effective in accomplishing learning outcomes than adopting a combination of the two instructional methods. Our arguments both augment existing knowledge about the differential influence of lecture and multimedia case studies on students’ learning outcomes and questions the wisdom of adopting either of these methods singly in introductory IT courses. We derive insights from the literature and anecdotal evidence, presented as four propositions, which illustrate the relationship between the two instructional methods and the specific learning outcomes students perceive they affect.     

Hypocalcemia Presenting as Life Threatening Torsades de Pointes with Prolongation of QTc Interval

Torsades de pointes with prolonged QTc interval is a form of ventricular tachycardia. Many predisposing factors have been identified and hypocalcemia is among the rare ones. Our case illustrates that though rare, hypocalcemia might manifest as torsades de pointes with prolongation of QTc interval. Early diagnosis and management of dyselectrolytemia can prevent these patients from catastrophic torsades de pointes.