Policy into practice: an experience of Higher Education Link in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Aim: The main aim of the Child and Adolescent Overseas Working Party has been to support the development of services in low-income countries through enhancing their training capacity. This is congruent with the British Council’s policy of Higher Education. Link: The paper shares an experience of translating such a policy into practice. Method: The experience of implementing a British Council Higher Education Link in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry between the two Universities in Varanasi and Leicester is shared. Implication: In spite of various difficulties, all parties concerned learnt some valuable lessons and found it to be a worthwhile ventur

Biochemical assessment of nutritional status in Indian mustard

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the nutritional potential of five different Indian mustard genotypes. Fatty acid composition was determined in the oil, whereas seed meal was analyzed for limiting amino acids (tryptophan and methionine), protein content, glucosinolate content and antioxidant potential (DPPH free radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity and iron chelating activity). The monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were found to be maximum in RH 0749 (58.70 %) followed by RH (OE) 0801 (48.91 %), JM 6011 (47.03 %), EC 597328 and EC 597340 (45.77 %). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were observed maximum in EC 597340 (47.45 %).Glucosinolate content ranged from 42.80 (EC 597328) to 79.79 ?mole/g defatted seed meal (EC 597340). The methanolic seed meal extract exhibited a concentration dependent elimination of DPPH free radicals. All the five genotypes showed about 50 % inhibition in 3.0 mg of dry seed meal. The highest total antioxidant activity (20.41mg/g) and metal ion chelating activity (32.58 %) was observed in RH 0749. Protein content varied from 33.57 [RH (OE) 0801] to 38.01 % (RH 0749). Maximum methionine and tryptophan content were recorded in RH 0749 (0.99 and 1.01 g/100g protein, respectively). Thus, RH 0749 was observed as a potent variety in terms of total antioxidant activity, metal ion chelating activity, protein content, methionine and tryptophan content

Studies on intra-specific variations in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) under different geographical regions

Studies on intraspecific variations in insect pests are an important tool for preparation of management strategy in different geographical regions. In this paper we tried to establish that these variations are also found in the diamondback moth (P. xylostella) populations under north Indian conditions with respect to reproductive biology.The pest populations were collected from five different geographical regions viz. Hisar (800feet), Kangra (2200feet), Solan (4200 feet), Theog (7500feet) and Kinnaur (9000feet) and then reared under laboratory conditions at 25±1oC on cauliflower. The life table analysis revealed that the female from the Kangra population laid maximum eggs (332.16 eggs/female) whereas the number of eggs laid by the female from the Hisar, Solan, Theog and Kinnaur population was 189.53, 207, 252 and 270 eggs/female, respectively. The doubling time (DT) was observed to be the lowest for Kangra (3.12 days) and maximum for the Hisar (4.59 days) population, whereas weekly multiplication rate was minimum for the Solan (2.252) and maximum for the kangra (4.73) population. The true generation time was the lowest for the Kangra (18.54 days) and highest for the Hisar (24.38 days) population. The true intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was found to be maximum (0.222 female progeny/female/day) for the Kangra whereas for the Kinnaur, Theog, Solan and Hisar population it was 0.203, 0.202, 0.182 and 0.151 female progeny/female/day thereby indicating that the Kangra population is more prolific as compared to the population from other geographical regions. The results are indicative of geographical variations among different populations of P. xylostella

Excellent impact strength of ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer toughened polycarbonate

The intrinsic notch sensitivity of polycarbonate (PC) demands improvement in the notched impact strength for a variety of applications. Blends of PC/ethylene-methyl acrylate (EMA) copolymer of different compositions were prepared by melt blending using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The notched izod impact strength of PC/EMA blends showed a positive blending effect and increased 381% with incorporation of a very little amount of EMA (5%) with a marginal decrease in the tensile strength of PC. Tensile data was also analyzed by using predictive theories. Incorporation of EMA decreases the glass transition temperature of PC and facilitates its processing. Scanning electron micrographs of cryogenically fractured samples after etching were used to study the phase structure. A two phase morphology was seen with a fine dispersion of rubber granules in the PC matrix. On the other hand, the impact fractured surface of PC/EMA blends indicated debonding of EMA particles, leaving hemispherical bumps, indicating inadequate interfacial adhesion between PC and EMA

Bioactive flavanoids from Glycosmis arborea

BACKGROUND: Glycosmis is a genus of evergreen glabrous shrub and distributed all over India. It possesses various medicinal properties and is used in indigenous medicine for cough, rheumatism, anemia, and jaundice. Glycosmis arborea is a rich source of alkaloids, terpenoids, coumarins, as well as flavonoids. RESULTS: The chemical investigation of methanol fraction of the leaves of G. arborea led to the isolation of one new flavone C-glycoside along with three known flavanoids, named as 5,7-dihydroxy-2-[4-hydroxy-3-(methoxy methyl) phenyl]-6-C-β-d-glucopyranosyl flavone (4), 5,7,4(′)-trihydroxy-3(′)-methoxy flavone (1), 5,4(′)-dihydroxy-3(′)-methoxy-7-O-β-d-glucupyranosyl flavanone (2), and 5,4(′)-dihydroxy-3(′)-methoxy-7-O-(α-l-rhamnosyl-(1‴→6‴)-β-d-glucopyranosyl) flavanone (3), respectively. The structures of all compounds were elucidated with the help of nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Pure compounds and fractions were evaluated for pest antifeedant and antimicrobial activity. CONCLUSION: Four compounds were isolated from the leaves of G. arborea. Among them, compound 4 showed significant antimicrobial activity

Living with cystic fibrosis: Patients' experiences of diagnosis in adulthood

There is a paucity of research investigating what it is like to be diagnosed and to live with cystic fibrosis (CF) in adulthood. Understanding the experiences of these adults and the impact of the condition can provide information to help healthcare professionals deliver appropriate support for their patients. This research aimed to address this gap in the literature. In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with sixteen participants (ten females and six males) diagnosed with CF in adulthood. Using thematic analysis, four themes were identified “No, you can’t possibly have CF”, Emotions around diagnosis, “It did kind of take over my life” and “I no longer wish to argue with it”. These themes described participants’ frustrations with their contact with healthcare providers before diagnosis, their ambivalence around their diagnosis, the various impact and challenges faced with day-to-day living, work-life, finances, relationships, fertility, life plans, the future, treatment burden and their acceptance and adjustment to their CF. A key finding was the mismatch between patient need and healthcare provision. The main recommendations made included: 1) raising a greater awareness amongst non-CF specialist healthcare professionals and the general public of the possibility of receiving a CF diagnosis in adulthood, 2) ensuring CF healthcare professionals delivering the news of an adult CF diagnosis have the appropriate training and support and 3) ensuring CF healthcare professionals adequately assess individual’s information needs and provide appropriate and relevant information. The implications for health psychology practice include support for patients to help make sense of the diagnosis, develop adaptive coping strategies and adjust to living with a chronic condition. The role of the psychologist would involve working with specialist CF healthcare professionals through providing educative training, reflective practice and supervision