Relationship Understanding Between Emotional Stability,Self-Disclosure and Social Adjustment

This paper discusses a survey, carried out by the authors, of 211 employees’ employed in public and private manufacturing organizations in North India to determine if emotional stability acts as a mediator between self-disclosure and social adjustment. Capitalization theory has been used as theoretical framework to examine the proposed relationships. Results indicate that high self-disclosure has positive association with social adjustment. Results also suggest that emotional stability partially mediates self-disclosure and social adjustment relationship. Implications for future research include further examination through additional mediators and other dimensions of self-disclosure from capitalization theory in understudied non-U.S. cultures like India.     

Status and Interrelationship of Zinc,Copper, Iron,Calcium and Selenium in Prostate Cancer

Deficiency or excess of certain trace elements has been considered as risk factor for prostate cancer. This study was aimed to detect differential changes and mutual correlations of selected trace elements in prostate cancer tissue versus benign prostatic hyperplasia tissue. Zinc, copper, iron, calcium and selenium were analysed in histologically proven 15 prostate cancer tissues and 15 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Unpaired two tailed t test/Mann–Whitney U test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to compare the level of trace elements, elemental ratios and their interrelations. As compared to benign prostatic tissue, malignant prostatic tissue had significantly lower selenium (p = 0.038) and zinc (p = 0.043) concentrations, a lower zinc/iron ratio (p = 0.04) and positive correlation of selenium with zinc (r = 0.71, p = 0.02) and iron (r = 0.76, p = 0.009). Considerably divergent interrelationship of elements and elemental ratios in prostate cancer versus benign prostatic hyperplasia was noted. Understanding of differential elemental changes and their interdependence may be useful in defining the complex metabolic alterations in prostate carcinogenesis with potential for development of element based newer diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic strategies. Further studies may be needed to elucidate this complex relationship between trace elements and prostate carcinogenesis.     

The determinants of the scientific revolution

This article gives an indepth insight into the path leading to the Scientific Revolution which includes ancient theories of science and modern science and technology. This article is reproduced from the bookScience in the West and India: Some Historical Aspects, Editors B V Subbarayappa and N Mukunda, Published by Himalaya Publishing House, ’Ramdoot’, Dr Bhalerao Marg, Kelewadi, Girgaon, Mumbai 400 004, India.     

A simple experiment to study the statistical properties of a molecular assembly with two or three state dynamics

A dice throwing game is used to develop the key concepts in statistical thermodynamics of systems with two or three energy states. The experiment will demonstrate how, according to the second law of thermodynamics, an increasing number of molecules in an assembly produces a particular distribution of microstates. It will also lead to a statistical definition of temperature.     

An example of regional co-operation: APEID

Increasingly, as has been seen in other contributions to this ‘dossier’, developing countries are realizing that one way to increase the value of international aid and to improve their own selfsufficiency, is to co-operate among themselves. The United Nations system, in turn, has increasingly supported efforts on a regional level to exchange experience, information and know-how. At a recent meeting, ‘Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries’ (UNDP/ESCAP regional meeting, Bangkok, Thailand, March 1976), the Director of the Asia Programme for Educational Innovation for Development (the main thrust of the programme has previously been described inProspects, Vol. IV, No. 4, p. 535) made the following statement about the specifically Asian aspects of the question, as reflected through the activities of APEID.     

Assessment of glycemic potential of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa paradisiaca</Emphasis> stem juice

The present study reveals the effect of Musa paradisiaca stem juice on blood glucose level (BGL) of normal & diabetic rats. The dose of 500 mg/kg bodyweight produces a significant rise of 28.3% in blood glucose level after 6h of oral administration in normal rats. Whereas, in sub diabetic rats the same dose produces a rise of 16.4% in blood glucose levels within 1h during glucose tolerance test (GTT) and a rise of 16% after 4 h in fasting blood glucose levels of severe diabetic cases. These results were unexpected and important to report as other species of Musa like Musa sapientum has been reported for its hypoglycemic effect.     

Serum markers for early diagnosis of non-‘Q’ wave and ‘Q’ wave myocardial infarction

The present study conducted on twenty-five uncomplicated cases of acute myocardial infarction diagnosed by clinical and electrocardiographic findings indicated significantly increased level of cardiac Troponin-T and increased activities of the enzymes total creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, aspartate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase as compared to the twenty-five healthy control subjects. The level of cardiac Troponin-T and the activities of the enzymes total creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, aspartate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase was found to be higher in “Q” wave myocardial infarction patients as compared to the non-“Q” wave and the controls. Since cardiac Troponin-T has been shown to increase in unstable angina and renal failure without cardiac disease and creatine kinase-MB activity has been found to be normal in patients with unstable angina and increase very slightly in patients with renal failure, it was concluded that a combination of cardiac Troponin-T and creatine kinase-MB activity was sufficient for the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.     

Effect and feasibility of wearable physical activity trackers and pedometers for increasing physical activity and improving health outcomes in cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose:This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of wearable devices for improving physical activity and healthrelated outcomes in cancer survivors.Methods:CINAHL,Cochrane,Ebscohost,MEDLINE,Pubmed,ProQuest Health and Medical Complete,ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source,ScienceDirect,and SPORTDiscus databases were searched for randomized controlled trials published before September 1,2020,that evaluated interventions involving wearable devices in cancer survivors.Standardized mean differences(SMDs)were calculated to assess effects on physical activity and health-related outcomes.Subgroup analyses were conducted to assess whether the effects differed by interventions and cancer characteristics.Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.Results:Thirty-five trials were included(breast cancer,n=15,43%).Intervention durations ranged between 4 weeks and 1 year.Most trials(n=25,71%)involved pedometer-based physical activity interventions.Seven(20%)involved Fitbit-based interventions,and 3(9%)involved other wearable physical activity trackers(e.g.,Polar,Garmin).Compared to usual care,wearable devices had moderate-to-large effects(SMD range 0.54-0.87,p<0.001)on moderate-intensity physical activity,moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity,total physical activity,and daily steps.Compared to usual care,those in the intervention had higher quality of life,aerobic fitness,physical function,and reduced fatigue(SMD range=0.18-0.66,all p<0.05).Conclusion:Wearable physical activity trackers and pedometers are effective tools that increase physical activity and improve health-related outcomes in individuals with cancer.Identifying how these devices can be implemented for longer-term use with other intervention components remains an area for future research.     

Metabolic Bone Profile of Healthy Adult North Indian Population from Chandigarh Urban Bone Epidemiological Study (CUBES)

We aimed to estimate metabolic bone profile in a large cohort of healthy, adult Indian population to generate reference standards of serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25 (OH) Vitamin D and iPTH, and also to find out the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in healthy population. Apparently healthy people in the age group of 20–80 years, residing in the union territory of Chandigarh were chosen. Fasting samples for serum calcium, phosphate, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25 (OH) D and iPTH were collected and were processed on the same day. We recruited 930 healthy subjects from different subsectors of Chandigarh. Final analysis was done for 915 subjects. Out of this, 530 (58%) were women and 385 (42%) were men. The study participants were divided into two groups, less than and more than 50 years for the men and pre and post-menopausal for the women. The serum calcium, phosphate, ALP and iPTH were significantly higher in the post-menopausal women compared to the pre-menopausal women. The median plasma 25 (OH) D in men and women was 12.5 ng/mL and 14.3 ng/mL, respectively. 25 (OH) D deficiency was seen in 65.4% of individuals. 25 (OH) D levels co-related negatively with iPTH levels (r = − 0.4, p < 0.0001), and showed an increasing trend with age. We have thus presented metabolic bone profile of healthy, adult north Indian population. These reference values can be used for diagnosis and monitoring of various MBDs. Vitamin D deficiency is still rampant in our population in spite of increasing awareness.