Risk factors for coronary heart disease in type II diabetes mellitus

Cardiovascular complications are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. An attempt has been made to evaluate the risk factors for coronary heart disease in type II diabetics. In the present study the levels of fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins, triglycerides were high and the levels of high density lipoproteins were low in the type II diabetics compared to controls. The markers of free radical induced injury i.e. malondialdehyde and nitrite/nitrate were high while total antioxidant status a marker for antioxidant protection against reactive oxygen species was low in diabetics compared to controls. The study therefore suggests the importance of assessing these markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity along with the other routine investigations in diabetic patients for initiating antioxidant therapy in addition to primary and secondary preventive measures to mitigate the devastating consequences of diabetes leading to coronary heart disease.     

On the Margins of the "Information Society": A Comparative Study of Mediation

While much has been written about marginalization as a structural phenomenon, there is little understanding of how the dynamics of marginalization unfold at the micro level in urban contexts. We seek to understand these micro-level marginalization processes via a comparative study of Bangalore, India, and Ronneby, Sweden. Our analysis highlights the important role that “mediators” such as governmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and international agencies play in ensuring the success of initiatives launched by national governments and international agencies for drawing disadvantaged groups into the information society.     

Oryza sativa L. (Rice) in the Ancient Earthen Plasters of Painted Fragments from Bezeklik,China

ABSTRACT

This research reports for the first time the inclusion of Oryza sativa straw, root, and husk as a vegetal additive in the fifth century CE decorative mud plaster of the Buddhist cave of Bezeklik. The investigation is based on the morphological, anatomical, and silica bodies study of the vegetal additives accomplished through a light microscope, stereomicroscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer, and scanning electron microscope from the isolated fragments of the painted plaster, transported to India in the nineteenth century and presently housed in National Museum, New Delhi. Studies indicate that loamy sand soil sourced locally for the earthen plaster was mixed with paddy straw in the proportion of 25–30% by volume for cohesion and strength. The excess of sand and absence of clay-size particles in plaster is, however, causing disaggregation of the grains due to lack of cohesion. As locally available materials are preferably used for any plaster works, this study also raises the question – was ancient Bezeklik, now a desert of Northwest China, once a rice-growing area in addition to the crops of Triticum aestivum (wheat), Setaria italica (Foxtail millet), and Hordeum vulgare (barley) reported by many researchers, based on hypothetical environment recreation. This study will help prepare a compatible plaster for the restoration of fragile-painted plaster fragments.     

Exploring Kid Space in the wild: a preliminary study of multimodal and immersive collaborative play-based learning experiences

Educational technology research and development - Parents recognize the potential benefits of technology for their young children but are wary of too much screen time and its potential deficits in...     

Information Technology and Social Transformation: GIS for Forestry Management in India

In this article, we examine an in-depth case of the introduction of geographical information systems (GIS) in the Indian forestry sector and associated social transformations. Our study is informed by Giddens's recent theoretical developments on globalizing influences at the institutional level and their interconnectedness to new trust systems and self-identity at the individual level. We examine how some elements of our case analysis are illuminated by Giddens's theoretical concepts, and also highlight some potential areas for further theoretical development. In particular, our case suggests that there are ongoing processes of stability as well as reflexivity, and we also develop the concept of trust systems to support interactions with new groups of people. Finally, our analysis notes some limitations of Giddens's ideas, especially the somewhat homogeneous form of his theory in suggesting the nature of social transformations in current times. Instead, the case emphasizes the need to examine more closely cultural and other sociocultural characteristics in particular contexts, and how they play out with global influences.     

Studies on a new antitubercular drug, trifluoperazine: Its effect in combination with conventional antitubercular drugs in tubercular lymphadenitis

After demonstrating that trifluoperazine (TFP) possesses invitro antitubercular activity against drug (single and multidrug) resistantMycobacterium tuberculosis, we initiated preliminary clinical studies in a few patients of tubercular lymphadenitis. Effect of TFP was assessed by testing the antitubercular activity of the serum of patients receiving TFP in addition to regular therapy. Patients were divided into two groups of 30 each. For ethical considerations, patients of both groups were treated initially for one month with antitubercular therapy (ATT) consisting of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide and TFP was tried for 15 days only. Patients of group1 were given a single dose of TFP (5mg/day) daily from days 31 to 45 in addition to ATT, while those in group 2 received ATT only. Assessment of the antitubercular activity of the serum (testedin vitro in Youmans and Karlson’s liquid medium) revealed that the serum of patients (collected on 45th day) of group1 (ATT+TFP treated) possessed much higher antitubercular activity than that of group 2 (ATT only treated) patients. Clinical examination indicated that overall improvement was seen much earlier in group1 (ATT+TFP) patients than in group 2 (ATT alone) patients. At the end of the follow up period of 6 months with ATT from 46th day onwards to both groups, there were no side effects due to TFP. Hematology and liver function tests were normal in both the groups. We suggest that TFP has good potential and therefore deserves further studies either in combination with other drugs of ATT or as one of the drugs of ATT, for the treatment of tuberculosis due to MDR strains to find a suitable effective dose without side effects.     

Antitubercular activity of garlic (allium sativum) extract on combination with conventional antitubercular drugs in tubercular lymphadenitis

Based on our demonstration earlier that ethanol extract, water extract and a compound purified from garlic possessedin vitro antitubercular activity against drug resistant and susceptibleMycobacterium tuberculosis, we tried the effect of garlic extract in 30 patients of tubercular lymphadenitis. For ethical considerations, two groups of patients, 30 each, were given antitubercular therapy (ATT) consisting of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for 30 days. For the next 15 days (31 to 45 days) group 1 patients received 3–6 garlic pearls per day in addition to ATT while group 2 patients received ATT only. From 46th day onwards both the groups received ATT only for 6–8 months. Antitubercular activity of the serum samples collected on 45th day was assessed by its effect on the growth ofM. tuberculois. The serum of group 1 patients showed significantly much higher antitubercular activity than that of group 2 patients. Further, there was relief of dyspeptic symptoms caused by ATT therapy in patients of group 1 with garlic plus ATT therapy but no change in group 2 patients with ATT only. Liver function and hematological tests were normal in both the groups after 6 months of therapy. Garlic extracts or compounds have a good potential as antitubercular(s) drug if given as a supplement to ATT.     

Skills for Life: insights from the new ‘professionals’

This article originates in a networking project that facilitated the coming together of a group of Skills for Life (SfL) teachers from different Further Education (FE) contexts across the West Midlands region of England. The original impetus was to explore and develop a model of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) that was shaped by the needs of SfL teachers. The project created a forum in which the participants were empowered to share their experiences outside their college settings. Through this discursive process a textured picture emerged of similar experiences and common concerns. The congruence of these experiences suggested that, in certain respects, there was a degree of commonality across the various FE institutions the participants were working in, at least in the way that SfL provision was taking place. Furthermore, the data yielded specific insights into the meaning of professionalism for SfL practitioners. Foremost amongst these findings was the sense that the participants felt marginalised and perceived their professional identity as situated on the bottom rung in a hierarchy of subject specialisms. Another important outcome that related to CPD was that through participation in the network project, these teachers reported feeling that despite the managerialised nature of their workplaces, their agency was re‐energised and their sense of themselves as teachers affirmed.