Modulation of convulsive threshold of pentylene tetrazole by zinc

In the present study which was aimed to see the effect of zinc on pentylenetetrazole induced convulsive threshold in rats we found that zinc sulfate 100 μg intracerebroventricularly) and pentylenetetrazole (50 mg/kg intraperitoneally) produced dose related seizure activity; however, pretreatment with zinc decreased the threshold, increased the severity, incidence of multiple seizures and total duration of pentylenetetrazole induced seizures. Diazepam (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally) pretreatment increased the threshold and lowered the incidence of convulsions in zinc induced seizures which further confirms that the convulsive effect of zinc is through inhibition of gamma aimino butyric acid.     

Hyperlipidemia in guinea pigs induced by chronic vitamin C deficiency

Sixteen weeks of chronic vitamin C deficiency, induced in guinea pigs by restricted vitamin C intake, resulted in a marked increase in the serum total LDL- and VLDL- cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids. HDL-cholesterol decreased resulting in a highly significant increase in LDL/HDL ratio. The results reconfirm that vitamin C deficiency causes changes in blood lipid profile which could promote atherogenesis.     

Assessment of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in age related cataract in a rural population

Oxidative stress was assesed by estimating lipid peroxidation product (LPO) in the form of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), enzymatic antioxidants in the form of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and nonenzymatic antioxidant vitamins e.g. vitamin C, β carotene and vitamin E in either serum or plasma or erythrocytes in 190 cases of age related cataract in the age group of 50–80 years. 190 cases were grouped into three morphological types namely, 73 cases of cortical, 77 cases of posterior subcapsular and 40 cases of nuclear cataract and values of LPO and antioxidants were compared with 78 cases of age matched healthy control groups. Plasma TBARS levels were cataract cases when compared with control groups. There were no significant differences in the erythrocyte levels of catalase and plasma levels of Vit E between cataract cases and control groups. No significant changes of parameters were seen among three different morphological types of age related cataract. The present study shows that the oxidative stress may play an important role in the age related cataract.     

Exploratory Analysis to Identify Concepts,Skills, Knowledge,and Tools to Educate Business Analytics Practitioners

Recent technological advancements in data storage and processing have changed how companies conduct their business. An increasing number of firms have started putting their efforts in extracting information from their databases to improve profitability and reduce costs using quantitative approaches. Thus, the job market has been experiencing a rapidly growing demand for business analytics (BA) practitioners, and universities across the globe are increasingly responding to this newly emerged field by offering both undergraduate and graduate level degrees as well as certificate programs. Thus, this research aims to provide a framework for academic institutions to develop a state‐of‐the‐art master's in business analytics (MSBA) curriculum by identifying concepts, skills, knowledge, and tools (CSKT) that industry seeks in BA practitioners. Our data‐driven methodology utilizes peer institution analysis, indeed.com web scraping, and focus group analysis with mid‐ and senior‐level analytics leaders from major companies. Our contribution to the literature and recommendations to institutions developing MSBA programs are offered at the end.     

An extended chemical analysis of gallstone

Chemical composition of gall stones is essential for aetiopathogensis of gallstone disease. We have reported quantitative chemical analysis of total cholesterol bilirubin, calcium, iron and inorganic phosphate in 120 gallstones from haryana. To extend this chemical analysis of gall stones by studying more cases and by analyzing more chemical constituents. A quantitative chemical analysis of total cholesterol, total bilirubin, fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, bile acids, soluble proteins, sodium potassium, magnesium, copper, oxalate and chlorides of biliary calculi (52 cholesterol, 76 mixed and 72 pigment) retrieved from surgical operation of 200 patients from Haryana state was carried out. Total cholesterol as the major component and total bilirubin, phospholipids, triglycerides, bile acids, fatty acids (esterified), soluble protein, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, sodium, potassium, inorganic phosphate, oxalate and chloride as minor components were found in all types of calculi. The cholesterol stones had higher content of total cholesterol, phospholipids, fatty acids (esterified), inorganic phosphate and copper compared to mixed and pigment stones. The mixed stones had higher content of iron and triglycerides than to cholesterol and pigment stones. The pigment stones were richer in total bilirubin, bile acids, calcium, oxalate, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and soluble protein compared to cholesterol and mixed stones. Although total cholesterol was a major component of cholesterol, mixed and pigment gall stone in Haryana, the content of most of the other lipids, cations and anions was different in different gall stones indicating their different mechanism of formation.     

Lotka's law and institutional productivity

The present study aims at determining the applicability of Lotka's law, negative binomial distribution and lognormal distribution for institutional productivity, in the same way as it is to authors and their productivity in the field of engineering sciences and the patents filed by industrial firms in laser S&T. The study indicates that non of the three distributions are applicable for institutional productivity in engineering sciences. However, Lotka's law holds good for full as well as truncated set of data for the patents filed by industrial firms.     

Changes in serum copper levels in patients with malignant diseases undergoing radiotherapy

Present study repots changes in serum copper levels (SCL) in various neoplastic diseases undergoing radiotherapy. We estimated SCLs in 140 individuals comprising of 90 previously untreated patients with various malignancies and 50 healthy controls. Patients received radiation in doses of 40–70 Gy in 4–7 weeks. SCLs were again estimated in patients following irradiation. The mean SCL was significantly higher (P<0.001) in cancer patients as compared to healthy controls. It declined significantly (P<0.001) following irradiation. However, it remained significantly higher as compared to healthy controls (P<0.01). Highest fall in SCL was seen in complete clinical responders and least in non-responders to radiation treatment. Serial estimation of SCLs may be useful in the treatment monitoring of the neoplasms undergoing radiation treatment.     

hs-CRP and oxidative stress in young CAD patients: A pilot study

Premature coronary artery disease (CAD) is common in India. We, therefore, studied oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in young CAD patients. Present study consisted of male CAD patients below 40 years and age and sex matched healthy controls (n=30 each). Fasting blood samples were analyzed for serum lipid profile, malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzymes and hs-CRP levels. Dyslipidemia was observed in 90% of the young CAD patients, of which 72.2% showed increased serum triglycerides and decreased HDL-cholesterol. LDL-cholesterol levels were high in 77.8%. Serum malondialdehyde and hs-CRP levels were increased significantly (p<0.0001) as compared to controls. hs-CRP levels were in high risk range in all the young patients. However, glutathione peroxidase activity was reduced significantly (p<0.05). Our data suggests that elevated hs-CRP levels along with dyslipidemia and oxidative stress adds to the predictive value of premature CAD in young Indians.