Reading and writing in semi-syllabic scripts: An introduction

Reading and Writing -     

Redistribution of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in response to cerebral ischemia in rat brain

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), a cytoplasmic enzyme, plays a protective role during oxidative stress in eucaryotic cells, since they provide coenzymes and substrates to the primary antioxidant enzymes. The redistribution of G6PD in the hippocampus was studied post-ischemia (PI). There was a characteristic localisation of G6PD in pyramidal cell layers of the rat hippocampus. In hippocampus CA1 cells were stained weakly whereas CA3 cells showed strong histochemical staining. Ischemia induced up-regulation of G6PD in the hippocampus was in a specific manner. First, the activity increased in the whole hippocampus (at 4 hours PI) which persisted 6 hrs PI in CA1 area. However G6PD activity decreased in the CA3 area & dentate gyrus. At 10 & 24 hrs PI, activity decreased in CA1 area but normalised in CA3 area & dentate gyrus compared to controls. This suggests that the sensitive CA1 neurons are transiently capable of generating an anti-oxidative arsenal to cope with the oxidative stress in the first few hours PI. We can conclude that the brain contains inducible endogenous mechanisms that are capable of enhancing the ability of neurons to withstand lethal ischemic challenge. (Presently working in Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi)     

Synthesis of Schiff bases of naphtha[1,2-d]thiazol-2-amine and metal complexes of 2-（2＇-hydroxy）benzylideneaminonaphthothiazole as potential antimicrobial agents

Objective： A series of 2-benzylideneaminonaphthothiazoles were designed and synthesized incorporating the lipophilic naphthalene ring to render them more capable of penetrating various biomembranes. Methods： Schiff bases were synthesized by the reaction of naphtha[1,2-d]thiazol-2-amine with various substituted aromatic aldehydes. 2-（2＇-Hydroxy）ben- zylideneaminonaphthothiazole was converted to its Co（Ⅱ）, Ni（Ⅱ） and Cu（Ⅱ） metal complexes upon treatment with metal salts in ethanol. All the compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities by paper disc diffusion method with Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and Gram negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of all the Schiff bases and metal complexes were determined by agar streak dilution method. Results： All the compounds moderately inhibited the growth of Cram positive and Gram negative bacteria. In the present study among all Schiff bases 2-（2＇-hydroxy）benzylideneaminonaphthothiazole showed maximum inhibitory activity and among metal complexes Cu（Ⅱ） metal complex was found to be most potent. Conclusion： The results obtained validate the hypothesis that Schiff bases having substitution with halogens, hydroxyl group and nitro group at phenyl ring are required for the antibacterial activity while methoxy group at different positions in the aromatic ring has minimal role in the inhibitory activity. The results also indicated that the metal complexes are better antibacterial agents as compared to the Schiff bases.     

Use the Correlation Coefficient to Summarize Regression Performance?

The correlation coefficient is commonly used to indicate the quality of fit in regression. This practice is questionable.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Promoting higher order thinking skills using inquiry-based learning

Active learning pedagogies play an important role in enhancing higher order cognitive skills among the student community. In this work, a laboratory course for first year engineering chemistry is designed and executed using an inquiry-based learning pedagogical approach. The goal of this module is to promote higher order thinking skills in chemistry. Laboratory exercises are designed based on Bloom's taxonomy and a just-in-time facilitation approach is used. A pre-laboratory discussion outlining the theory of the experiment and its relevance is carried out to enable the students to analyse real-life problems. The performance of the students is assessed based on their ability to perform the experiment, design new experiments and correlate practical utility of the course module with real life. The novelty of the present approach lies in the fact that the learning outcomes of the existing experiments are achieved through establishing a relationship with real-world problems.     

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.     

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.