What do they do all day? Comprehensive evaluation of a full-day kindergarten

A comprehensive evaluation of a newly-implemented full-day kindergarten program was carried out over a 2-year period. The evaluation included documentation of program processes and outcomes, viewed from multiple perspectives, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. When compared with children in half-day kindergarten classrooms, children in full-day classrooms spent more time (in absolute and relative terms) engaged in child-initiated activities (especially learning centers), more time in teacher-directed individual work, and relatively less time in teacher-directed large groups. Parents of full-day children expressed higher levels of satisfaction with program schedule and curriculum, citing benefits similar to those expressed by teachers: more flexibility; more time for child-initiated, in-depth, and creative activities; and less stress and frustration. Kindergarten report card progress and readiness for first grade were rated significantly higher for full-day children. This study illustrates the converging validity and richness of evaluation results which are possible when a comprehensive, ecological approach is used.     

Hyperammonemia and hepatic status during valproate therapy

The present study was conducted to assess correlation of ammonia levels with valproate levels in epileptic patients presenting with valproate toxicity and also whether liver enzymes and ammonia levels could serve as biochemical marker of valproate toxicity. 100 patients with epilepsy who had received valproate therapy for more than 12 months and had presented with valproate toxicity and 100 controls were included in the study. The serum valproate, ammonia and liver enzymes were measured in these subjects. In patients with valproate toxicity, the mean level of serum valproate was 110.91 ± 28.68 mg/dL (therapeutic range 50–100 mg/dL). Serum ammonia was higher (86.37 ± 39.90 μg/dL) in patients with valproate toxicity compared to controls (68.73 ± 30.07 μg/dL). Out of 100 patients, only 37 patients had serum valproate level > 120 mg/dL and 22 patients had raised levels of valproate as well as ammonia. Age < 30 years and serum ammonia > 69 μg/dL is risk factors for valproate toxicity. Serum ammonia, liver enzymes should be regularly investigated in patients on valproate therapy for early diagnosis of valproate toxicity.     

Effects of feeding Pyrus malus (Apple) on serum lipid profile with special reference to high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in normal albino rabbits

The effects of regular feeding ofPyrus malus whole fruit and its juice on total serum cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids have been studied in normal albino rabbits. It was observed that the whole fruit as well as juice caused significant and progressive decrease in total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides within a period of 30 days. On the other hand, serum phospholipids and HDL cholesterol showed progressive and significant increase. Apparently, whole fruit appeared to bring about more per cent lowering in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and more increase in HDL cholesterol as compared to juice. Whole apple fruit also caused increase in body weight of rabbits on 30th day (p<0.05) while oral administration of juice showed insignificant change in body weight even on 30th day (p>0.05).