Serum lipids in hypothyroidism: Our experience

In order to determine whether the screening of lipid profile is justified in patients with hypothyroidism we estimated serum lipids in cases having different levels of serum TSH. 60 patients of hypothyroidism in the age group of 20 to 60 yrs were studied for thyroid profile over a period of one year. On the basis of serum TSH level the cases were divided into three groups: In the first group TSH concentration was 8.8±2.99 μlU/ml, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 8.8±1.07, whereas serum total cholesterol and LDL-chol levels were 196±37.22 and 126±29.17 mg/dl respectively. The statistical analysis of these two groups showed a significant correlation between raised TSH levels and serum total cholesterol and LDL-chol (P<0.05 & P<0.01) respectively. We conclude that hypothyrodism is associated with changes in lipid profile.     

Comparative Study of Two ELISA Kits for Estimation of Antibodies to Hepatitis B Virus in Human Normal Immunoglobulin and Specific Immunoglobulin Intended for Intravenous or Intramuscular Use

Current study is conducted to evaluate method verification of two locally available kits manufactured by DSI & BIORAD for quantitative estimation of Hepatitis B virus antibodies in human normal immunoglobulin by using International standard of National Institute of Biological Standards and Control. Four analyst perform five sets of test in duplicate analysing accuracy, precision, and limit of detection, sensitivity and specificity. Our results suggest that both DSI and BIORAD kits fulfil the validation criteria and are sensitive to detect up to 10 mIU concentration precisely and accurately. DSI kit is more precise at concentration 100 mIU and economically 4–5 times cheaper in local market; on the other hand, BIORAD kits provide larger detection range up to 1000 mIU.     

Copper and ceruloplasmin levels in relation to total thiols and GST in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Presence of oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is well proved. Current study was undertaken to know the relation between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and copper along with antioxidants like total thiols and ceruloplasmin, and antioxidant enzyme glutathione S transferase (GST). The study group consisted of a total of 201 subjects which included nondiabetic healthy control subjects (n = 78) and diabetic patients (n = 123). Plasma total thiols, GST, copper and ceruloplasmin levels were measured all the subjects using spectrophotometric methods and FPG levels were determined in clinical chemistry analyzer Hitachi 912. There was significant increase in FPG (P<0.001) and copper (P<0.001) and decrease in ceruloplasmin (P<0.001) and protein thiols (P<0.001) in type 2 DM cases compared to healthy controls. There was no significant change in GST between type 2 DM cases and controls. There was significant negative correlation of FPG with antioxidants like ceruloplasmin (r = −0.420, P<0.001) and total thiols (r = −0.565, P<0.001). Protein thiols correlated positively with ceruloplasmin (r = 0.364, P<0.001). Our study indicates possible increase in copper mediated generation of ROS leading to increased consumption of available antioxidants in the body.     

MMP 9 Gene Promoter Polymorphism in Gastric Cancer

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (gelatinase B) plays a key role in cancer invasion and metastasis by degrading the extracellular matrix and basement membrane barriers. A cytosine (C) > thymidine (T) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position −1562 in the MMP-9 promoter is reported to influence the expression of the gene. Genotyping of MMP-9 −1562 C→T promoter polymorphism in 140 gastric cancer patients and 132 healthy control subjects was carried out in order to evaluate its association with progression and development of gastric cancer. The SNP was genotyped by tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Statistical methods were adopted to test for the significance of the results. Risk factor profile of the patients revealed age above 50 years, smoking, alcoholism as the factors associated with the disease. The distribution of genotype frequencies in gastric cancer patients were 28.7 % of CC, 45.5 % of CT and 25.7 % of TT, whereas in control subjects 31.8 % of CC, 53.03 % of CT and 15.15 % of TT, respectively. The allelic frequencies were 51.51 % of C and 48.48 % of T in patient group and 58.33 % of C and 41.66 % of T in controls respectively. The present study shows the possible association of epidemiological risk factors with gastric cancer. There is an increased frequency of T allele in the disease compared to control subjects. However, there is no association of the MMP-9 −1562 C→T promoter polymorphism in the development of gastric cancer.     

Reading and writing skills in multilingual/multiliterate aphasics: Two case studies

Reading and writing deficits in twomultilingual speakers of Kannada, Hindi andEnglish are described. Disorders of the twopatients (Mr G and Ms S) had differentetiologies. Mr G had severe alexia withagraphia in English as well as in Kannada andHindi. Ms S exhibited dissociation across thelanguages, showing symptoms of surface dyslexiain English and mild dyslexia in Kannada. Bothpatients were tested on the Western AphasiaBattery and on tests developed by Coltheart.Their test performance is described anddiscussed in the context of orthographicdifferences between English and various Indianlanguages.     

Characteristics of research and development performing firms in Canadian manufacturing

The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the salient characteristics of R&D performing firms in Canadian manufacturing. The paper begins by presenting a brief overview of recent trends in R&D in the Canadian economy. The next section analyzes the main characteristics of those firms which undertake research and development activities in Canadian manufacturing industries. Various aspects are examined in this section including the R&D expenditure patterns of industries in the research-intensive and non-research-intensive sectors, R&D by size of firm and by size of program, levels of R&D intensity in terms of small, medium and large R&D performing firms. The importance of foreign ownership and its implication for the level of R&D activity is also considered. The paper concludes by summarizing the highlights of R&D performing firms and draws some implications for the structure of Canadian manufacturing based on the findings.     

Capping drugs: Development of prodrugs

It is clear from the foregoing, that the development of prodrugs promises to be a very effective method for treatment of diseases in the future. This approach has several advantages over conventional drug administration. Site specificity is central to the prodrug development strategy. Even though at present prodrugs are not prevalent in clinical use, in future there will be prodrugs for every known drug to make them effective in treatment. Drug discovery and prodrug development appear to be complementary for the generation of target specific medicines of future. At present the research in this area is at a nascent stage due to lack of information regarding all the enzymes or receptors most suitable for targeting purposes. As the unravelling of the microbiological details of the affected targets become clear, prodrug development will surely decrease side/toxic effects of drugs and also trigger development of more potent primary drugs.     

Cognitive preferences of secondary science teachers in India: The example of uttar pradesh

Earlier studies on cognitive preferences have concentrated on students, whereas the subjects here are teachers of science. The study seeks to compare how cognitive preferences differ in groups of secondary school teachers identified by type of curriculum taught (traditional vs. enquiry-oriented), gender, length of teaching experience, and educational qualification.The Combined Cognitive Preference Inventory compiled by Pinchas Tamir was applied to 103 subjects drawn by random cluster sampling from urban schools. Inferential statistical analysis was employed, with a matched group design. With few exceptions the overall pattern of cognitive preferences that emerged for all the groups is Recall-Principles-Application-Questioning. These results do not confirm anticipated differences, and bring home the fact that teachers' congnitive preferences remain constant. The implications for implementation of innovative curricula and teacher education are discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Frühere Studien über kognitive Präferenzen konzentrierten sich auf Studenten, während Thema dieses Artikels Lehrer im wissenschaftlichen Bereich sind. Die Studie will einen Vergleich anstellen, wie kognitive Präferenzen sich nach Gruppen von Sekundarschullehrern unterscheiden, die nach verschiedenen Kriterien wie Art des unterrichteten Curriculums (traditionell gegen Frageorientierte), Geschlecht, Länge der Berufserfahrung und Qualifikationen bestimmt wurden.Das von Pinchas Tamir aufgestellte zusammengefaßte Inventar der kognitiven Präferenzen wurde bei 103 Lehrern an städtischen Schulen durch Zufallsstichprobenerhebung angewandt. Eine zu Schlußfolgerungen führende statistische Analyse wurde erstellt, und zwar mit einem matched group design (parallelisiertes Gruppendesign). Das sich mit wenigen Ausnahmen für alle Gruppen ergebende Grundmuster der kognitiven Präferenzen ist Erinnerung-Grundsätze-Anwendung-Fragestellung. Diese Ergebnisse bestätigen die angenommenen Unterschiede nicht, und sie lassen erkennen, daß die kognitiven Präferenzen der Lehrer konstant bleiben. Die Auswirkungen auf die Einführung innovativer Curricula und auf die Lehrerausbildung werden diskutiert.

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Résumé Les études effectuées sur les préférences cognitives étaient focalisées au départ sur les apprenants, tandis que les questions étudiées ici portent sur les enseignants de science. La présente étude tente d'établir une comparaison entre les préférences cognitives des différents groupes d'enseignants du secondaire qui ont été identifiés d'après le type de programme enseigné (programme traditionnel contre programme orienté vers la recherche), le sexe, la longueur de l'expérience didactique et les qualifications pédagogiques.L'inventaire des préférences connitives combinées compilé par Pinchas Tamir a été appliqué à 103 matières sélectionnées au hasard à partir d'un échantillonnage d'écoles urbaines. On a employé l'analyse statistique déductive, avec un plan de groupe correspondant. Mises à part quelques exceptions, la structure générale des préférences cognitives qui s'est dégagée pour tous les groupes est la suivante: Rappel-Principes-Application-Interrogation. Ces résultats ne corroborent pas les différences anticipées et font comprendre le fait que les préférences cognitives des enseignants sont constantes. On examine les implications de ces résultats pour la mise en oeuvre de programmes d'étude novateurs et la formation des formateurs.

     

Using Big Data to Examine the Relationship Between Facebook Engagement and Local Newscast Ratings

ABSTRACT

Local TV news stations regularly post to social media, on Facebook in particular, in an effort to engage audiences, but little is known about the effect of this practice on newscast ratings. We examine the relationship between engagement on Facebook and newscast ratings using data from Shareablee and Nielsen respectively in regression analyses. We find that Facebook engagement does not cannibalize TV ratings, rather there is a clear positive relationship between the two. However, further analyses suggest that this relationship may be driven by interest in news events or other market-wide factors that result in both Facebook engagement and viewership increasing or decreasing simultaneously.     

Effect of Metformin on Hormonal and Biochemical Profile in PCOS Before and After Therapy

Insulin resistance and the resultant hyperinsulinemia exacerbate the reproductive abnormalities of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome by increasing ovarian androgen productions and decreasing serum sex hormone binding globulin. The present study was conducted to estimate serum insulin and testosterone level in 44 PCOS cases and 32 control patients. Simultaneously the role of metformin (an insulin sensitizing agent) in modulating insulin resistance and serum androgen level was also analyzed. A significant rise in serum insulin and testosterone (P < 0.001) was observed in cases in comparison to control. Fasting Plasma Glucose to insulin ratio, a marker of insulin resistance revealed a significant fall in PCOS group. Follow up of cases with metformin for 3 months revealed a significant fall in serum insulin (P < 0.05) with improvement in insulin resistance along with a nonsignificant fall in testosterone level. Serum insulin registered a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) with serum testosterone revealing its etiological association. Thus administration of drugs ameliorating insulin levels is expected to provide new therapeutic modality for PCOS.