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.     

The institute of Ethiopian studies library and its documentation services

During the last few decades research activities have grown rapidly in Ethiopia. Introduction of higher education and foreign assistance for this purpose have led the Ethiopian Government to set up several research institutes in the country. The Institute of Ethiopian Studies is one of them, set up to enable research activities in various areas of Ethiopian culture as well as to provide a documentation centre for them. Information and documentation are considered to be the infrastructure of research work. The present state of information and documentation services of the Institute is briefly described along with its history, activities and sections. The importance of introducing some new devices, such as compiling bibliographies, cumulative indexes, book lists and starting a newsletter to keep the researchers abreast of new developments at the Institute.     

Evaluation of hypoglycemic and antioxidant effect of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ocimum sanctum</Emphasis>

Ocimum sanctum leaves have been traditionally used in treatment of diabetes mellitus. Dietary supplementation of fresh tulsi leaves in a dose of 2 gm/kg BW for 30 days led to significant lowering of blood glucose levels in test group. Intake ofOcimum sanctum also led to significant increase in levels of superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and total thiols, but marked reduction in peroxiodised lipid levels as compared to untreated control group. The leaves were found to possess both superoxide and hydroxyl free radical scavenging action. The present observations establish the efficacy ofOcimum sanctum leaves in lowering blood glucose levels and antioxidant property appears to be predominantly responsible for hypoglycemic effect.     

A survey towards an integration of big data analytics to big insights for value-creation

Big Data Analytics (BDA) is increasingly becoming a trending practice that generates an enormous amount of data and provides a new opportunity that is helpful in relevant decision-making. The developments in Big Data Analytics provide a new paradigm and solutions for big data sources, storage, and advanced analytics. The BDA provide a nuanced view of big data development, and insights on how it can truly create value for firm and customer. This article presents a comprehensive, well-informed examination, and realistic analysis of deploying big data analytics successfully in companies. It provides an overview of the architecture of BDA including six components, namely: (i) data generation, (ii) data acquisition, (iii) data storage, (iv) advanced data analytics, (v) data visualization, and (vi) decision-making for value-creation. In this paper, seven V's characteristics of BDA namely Volume, Velocity, Variety, Valence, Veracity, Variability, and Value are explored. The various big data analytics tools, techniques and technologies have been described. Furthermore, it presents a methodical analysis for the usage of Big Data Analytics in various applications such as agriculture, healthcare, cyber security, and smart city. This paper also highlights the previous research, challenges, current status, and future directions of big data analytics for various application platforms. This overview highlights three issues, namely (i) concepts, characteristics and processing paradigms of Big Data Analytics; (ii) the state-of-the-art framework for decision-making in BDA for companies to insight value-creation; and (iii) the current challenges of Big Data Analytics as well as possible future directions.     

Hypoglycemic, lipid lowering and antioxidant activities in root extract of Anthocephalus indicus in alloxan induced diabetic rats

The present study was carried out to evaluate the hypoglycemic, lipid lowering and antioxidant activities in root extract of Anthocephalus indicus (A indicus) in alloxan inducd diabetic rats. Oral administration of ethanol extract of root (500mg/ kg body weight) for 21 days resulted in significant decrease in the levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, phospholipid and free fatty acids. Furthermore, the root extract (100–400μg) inhibited the generation of superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, in both enzymic and non-enzymic systems, in vitro. The result of the present study demonstrated hypoglycemic, lipid lowering and antioxidant activities in root extract of A indicus, which could help in prevention of diabetic dyslipidemia and related diseases.     

Correlation of Red Blood Cell Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme Activity with Various RBC Indices

Cholinesterases belongs to class hydrolases. There are two types acetylcholinesterase and butyryl cholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase present in nerve endings and also in the RBC membrane. It helps to maintain the shape and size of RBCs. Any change in shape and size of RBCs may affect the activity of Acetylcholinesterase. Thus this study aimed to estimate RBCs Acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity in various types of anemias and correlate the RBCs Acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity with various hematological indices such as Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Red cell Distribution Width (RDW) etc. After obtaining ethical approval from Institutional ethics committee total of 100 samples were collected from Clinical Biochemistry laboratory, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal University. 25 were having normal RBC indices, 12 with hemolytic anemia, 26 with microcytic anemia and 26 with macrocytic anemia based on peripheral smear report and RBC indices. Acetylcholinesterase were measured using Ellman’s method. RBC acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly increased in microcytic anemia (58.13 ± 5.4) and macrocytic anemia (76.87 ± 6.7) than normal group (37.62 ± 2.71). Also increased RBC acetylcholinesterase was seen in hemolytic anemia (48.11 ± 5.18) but the increase is not statistically significant. RBC acetylcholinesterase correlated negatively with hemoglobin (r = ?0.356, p = 0.001) and positively with RDW (r = 0.31, p = 0.003). To conclude RBC acetylcholinesterase activity can be used as one of the potential marker for various types of anemia.