Assessement of Blood Lead and Cadmium Levels in Occupationally Exposed Workers of Jodhpur,Rajasthan

In spite of the established knowledge regarding their toxicities, occupational exposure to heavy metals like lead and cadmium still continues because of their wide distribution in environment. Due to lack of awareness, most of the workers usually eat, smoke, drink at their workplace which may aggravate the metal exposure. The present study was planned to assess the blood levels of lead and cadmium in occupationally exposed workers of Jodhpur (India). A total of 110 individuals working in different industrial set ups (furniture, metal handicraft, welders) of Jodhpur district (exposed group), aged between 20 and 60 years and 97 apparently healthy people (controls) with no history of occupational heavy metal exposure aged between 25 and 60 were recruited. Details of personal habits and demographics were recorded by means of self-developed questionnaire. 5 ml of whole blood was drawn from every individual. Metal levels were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad Prism Software. Results showed that Blood Lead Level and Blood Cadmium Level (CdB) were significantly higher in the exposed group as compared to the non-exposed group. Significant age and gender-based differences were found in terms of blood cadmium levels but no such difference was observed in case of blood lead. The study also revealed that higher blood levels of these metals in workers are influenced by their occupational practices, lack of protection against workplace environment pollutants, thus increasing their susceptibility to metal toxicity.     

An Interesting Case of Polyuria in a Child

A 1 year old male child with increased frequency of urine associated with increased thirst was found to have some developmental delays. Laboratory investigations showed increased serum sodium level and serum osmolality with decreased urine osmolality. An empty sella turcica was seen in contrast brain MRI; however focal demyelinating lesion was not present. He was managed with intranasal desmopressin therapy. Developmental delays in such cases can be prevented by early referral to a tertiary health care center where laboratory and imaging facilities are available.     

A Case of Severe Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

Ovulation induction has been an important mode of treatment of infertility. Ovarian stimulation may result in a supraphysiologic response leading to an iatrogenic complication known as the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This syndrome is potentially a lethal condition, the pathophysiologic hallmark of which is the accumulation of massive extravascular exudate combined with profound intravascular volume depletion and hemoconcentration. We report a case of severe OHSS with very large ovaries in a 35 year old case of embryo transfer. The patient presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, massive ascites, respiratory distress and amenorrhea. The patient was managed symptomatically with no complications. Although ovarian hyperstimulation is a rare entity, it is important that the physician recognizes this condition. Prompt diagnosis and successful management is likely to avoid serious and rapid development of complications.     

Lactobacillus acidophilus Protected Organs in Experimental Arthritis by Regulating the Pro-inflammatory Cytokines

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of joints. Exact etiology of the disease is not understood yet; but histopathological examination of vital organs like liver, kidney, ovary and knee joint can anticipate immune mediated damage. In this study, Lactobacillus acidophilus was administered orally by both prophylactic and curative protocol in freund’s complete adjuvant induced arthritic rats. Indomethacin was used as standard anti-arthritic drug. Histopathology of liver, kidney, ovary and right hind knee joint were done. Cytokine concentrations were determined by using ELISA. Effects shown by L. acidophilus were comparable with indomethacin. Histopathological analysis of liver, kidney, ovaries and knee joints of L. acidophilus fed groups revealed significantly less damage as compared with other counterparts. Lactobacillus treatment has down-regulated pro-inflammatory level and up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokines level in serum samples. L. acidophilus managed organs damage associated with arthritis. It has significantly down regulated the pro-inflammatory cytokines.     

Predicting pre-service teachers’ preparedness for inclusive education: Bangladeshi pre-service teachers’ attitudes and perceived teaching-efficacy for inclusive education

This study reports on the second phase of a larger study, which investigated the preparedness of pre-service teachers to teach in inclusive classrooms in Bangladesh. Phase 1 employed two standardised scales that were used with 1623 pre-service teachers from 16 teacher education institutions to measure their attitudes and perceived teaching-efficacy for inclusive education. The findings of Phase 1 indicated that the level and length of training, along with gender, influenced both teacher attitudes and teaching-efficacy. In Phase 2, semi-structured interviews with six administrative heads of the pre-service teacher education institutions were conducted in order to better understand these findings. Outcomes of Phase 2 indicated that curriculum, teacher-related and a number of contextual variables may explain the differences in the findings of this study that were in sharp contrast to those from previous international research. Recommendations for policy and curriculum reform for pre-service teacher education are also made.     

A framework for building brand equity online for pure‐play B2C retailers and services

Abstract

Brand equity is an important asset that a B2C company can leverage to compete and prosper in its unique and intensely competitive environment. This paper provides a framework for building brand equity model. Based on this framework, some strategies are suggested to build brand equity online. Implications of the framework for research and practice are also discussed.     

Interactive Distance Education for In-service Teachers In India

English: This paper discusses the interactive television technologies that are under development and experimentation in India. India, has developed Satellite based analogue and digital transmission systems for training and development purposes. The National Council of Educational Research and Training and Indira Gandhi National Open University have successfully conducted several experiments in training of in-service teachers using one-way video and two-way audio system. Use of VSAT and ISDN delivery channels is under experimentation, which provide two-way audio and video interaction during the teaching-learning process. The success of these programmes in teacher training has far reaching implications for teacher education in India.

Français: Cet article décrit les technologies de télévision interactive qui sont développées et experimentées en Inde. L'Inde a mis au point des systèmes de transmission analogues et digitaux par satellite. Le Conceil National pour la Recherche et la Formation en Èducation et l'Université Ouverte Nationale Indira Ghandi ont conduit avec succès plusieurs expériences sur la formation continue des enseignants utilisant la vidéo et un système émetteur-récepteur. L'utilisation des systèmes de diffusion VSAT et ISDN est expérimentée, ce qui fournit un système audio emetteur-récepteur et une interaction vidéo durant le processus de formation. Le succès de ces programmes dans la formation des mâitres a des implications à longue échéance pour l'éducation en Inde.

Deutsch: In diesem beitrag werden die interaktiven fernsehtechnologien, die in Indien gegenwärtig entwickelt und erprobt werden, vorgestellt. Indien hat satelliten-basierte analoge und digitale Übertragungssysteme für Aus-und Weiterbildungsswecke gebaut. Der National Council of Educational Research and Training und die Indira Gandhi National Open University haben mehrere lehrerfortbildungsprojekte erfolgreich mit mono-direktionalem fernsehen und bi-direktionalem audiosystem durchgefuhrt. Der erfolg dieses programmes in der lehrerfortbildung wird weitreichende folgen für die lehrerausbildung in Indien haben.     

Attitudes and self‐efficacy of pre‐service teachers towards inclusion in Pakistan

This study sought to determine the attitudes and teaching self‐efficacy of pre‐service teachers towards the inclusion of students with disabilities into regular classrooms. A questionnaire was administered to 194 pre‐service Pakistani teachers (male 73, female 121) enrolled in a 1‐year teacher education programme at a government university in Pakistan. Overall, male pre‐service teachers expressed more positive attitudes than their female counterparts regarding the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular classrooms. Surprisingly, those pre‐service teachers majoring in special education did not express more positive attitudes towards inclusion than their counterparts who were preparing to teach in mainstream schools. However, participants with training in special education, knowledge of disability legislation, teaching experience and personal experience with a disability reported higher levels of self‐efficacy towards teaching within inclusive settings. The findings of the study are discussed with possible implications for policy‐makers and teacher educators in Pakistan and other countries in the South Asian region.