Evaluating the antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of 5- benzyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol

Purpose: To evaluate 5-Benzyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol (OXPA) for antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. Methods: Antidiabetic activity was evaluated using three in vitro models, glucose uptake by yeast cells, alpha amylase inhibition assay and hemoglobin glycosylation inhibition assays. Antioxidant potential was determined by DPPH radical scavenging, reducing power and lipid peroxidation assays. Results: OXPA showed antidiabetic activity in all the three models. The activity of the compound was comparable with that of metronidazole in glucose uptake by yeast cells, but the alpha amylase inhibition activity of the compound was slightly lower than that of acarbose, whereas the hemoglobin glycosylation inhibition activity of the compound was higher than that of vitamin E. DPPH free radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity of the compound was comparable with that of vitamin C. In reducing power assay, the activity of the compound was lower than that of vitamin C (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of antidiabetic and antioxidant activity indicate that OXPA may be a drugcandidate for treating both diabetes and its associated oxidative stress

Bryophyllum pinnatum: BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION, VERNACULAR NAMES, PARTS USED, TRADITIONAL USES, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHRMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Bryophyllum pinnatum (Family: Crassulaceae) is a traditional herb that has widely been used for removal of kidney stones and is found to possess a number of pharmacological activities such as antiviral, antipyretic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, diuretic, antiulcer, styptic, antidiabetic, astringent, antiseptic, antilithic, cough suppressant, anticancer, antihypertensive, fungitoxic and uterine relaxant. The plant contains flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, glycosides, alkaloids, phenols, bufadienolides, saponins, coumarins, carotenoids, sitosterols, quinines, tocopherol and lectins. The flavonoids rutin, quercetin, luteolin and luteolin 7-O-β-d-glucoside detected in the plant might be a responsible factor for the anti-inflammatory effect. Diuretic and antioxidant activity of the plant could be responsible for its wide use against urolithiasis. Anthocyanidines could be responsible for the antimicrobial activity of the plant. Kaempferol 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl (1→2) α-l-rhamnopyranoside) and two other polar flavonoids (quercetin 3-O-α-l- arabinopyranosyl (1→2) α-l-rhamnopyranoside and 4′, 5-dihydroxy-3′, 8-dimethoxyflavone 7-O-β-d- glucopyranoside) are responsible for the antileshmanial activity. Bufodienolides are found to have cytotoxic property and hence might be responsible for the anticancer effect. The present study is undertaken to update and ease the researchers to get a comprehensive summary of the plant regarding its botanical description, common name, parts used, traditional uses, phytochemical evaluation and pharmacological activities

Effectiveness of unani regimen in protecting high risk population from COVID -19: A pilot study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally. COVID-19 presents varied clinical features. The present study focuses on number of patients turning COVID-19 positive, change in Immune Status Questionnaire (ISQ) and WHO quality of life- Bref (WHO Qol – BREF) scales after taking intervention. This open labelled, double arm, controlled, interventional, clinical trial was conducted on high-risk individuals i.e., those residing with a COVID-19 positive member in the identified quarantine area. This twin armed study was conducted on asymptomatic individuals exposed to COVID -19. The test group were prescribed Unani poly-herbal decoction together with Unani formulations Khamira Marwareed and Tiryaq e Arba whereas the control group was not on any intervention. The duration of intervention was 20 days; follow ups were planned on day 10 and day 20. Of the 81 participants enrolled, none of the patients turned COVID-19 positive. However, 13.58% (n=11) developed COVID like symptoms and 70 patients completed the study. The mean age of the participants was 41.42±16.9 years; however, majority of the participants were 18-28 years male with Damvi (Sanguine) temperament. The quality of life of the intervention group improved significantly however, the immune status in both the groups increased with P <0.001. The Unani prophylactic regimen provides a 62% (relative risk reduction) protection against COVID -19. This pilot study paves for a study on a larger population. No adverse effects were observed during the study. Absence of biochemical investigations were limitations to the study

Promoting discussion in a lower secondary science classroom

With the advancing world, it is the need of the day to shift from the transmission mode of teaching towards conceptual understanding, where children can build their understanding by playing a central role. Discussion is one such process that can be used to help students construct their own understanding, and communication and thinking skills. Discussion can be incorporated in any of the teaching strategies. However, it is hardly practiced in the classroom. Recitation remains the predominant form of interactive talk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to promote discussion in the lower secondary class of a private school. The action research methodology based on Kemmis, Mc Taggart and Retallick\u27s (2004) cyclic model was used. Different phases of the model are; identifying the general idea, reconnaissance, plan, act, observe, reflect, and then enter into the next cycle by re-planning. Data were collected through interview and classroom observation. Analysis was carried out in two steps; on-going analysis throughout the data collection and overall analysis at the completion of field work. Various teaching strategies (e.g. poster, Predict-Observe- Explain, discrepant event, etc.) and classroom organizations (e.g. whole class, group work, etc.) were used to promote discussion. Findings revealed that the use of various teaching strategies, especially POE and discrepant events encouraged the children to participate in discussion, Furthermore, children showed more interest when they were involved in discussion by linking science with daily life. A gradual shift in the level of difficulty of activities supported promoting discussion in the classroom\u27 The study also highlighted facilitating factors (e.g daily life objects, proper planning, setting rules, etc) and challenges (e.g time, completion of syllabus, etc.) faced in promoting discussion. The study has implications for Science teachers as well as for teacher educators in their teaching of Science and in conducting professional training programmes respectively

Action research a tool to build capacity of teacher educators

Action research under the domain of practitioner research is gaining popularity in the arena of research for improvement. Koshy (2005) has claimed that learning through action leads to personal and professional development. Identifying the importance of action research as a tool for improvement, Aga Khan University-Institute for Educational Development offered Action research course to two groups of teacher educators under Strengthening Teacher Education in Pakistan (STEP) project. These teacher educators belong to teacher education institutes of Sindh and Balochistan. The course was offered in two alternative groups. Cohort one, (i) face to face only, and cohort two (ii) face to face with support in the field. This paper reports the efficacy of the course in improving knowledge and understanding of the course participants about action research. The analysis also explored their experience and skills to implement action research in their institutes. Two assessment tools were administered as pre-post design to gauge participants’ knowledge and understanding and experience of using action research. The result shows significant increase (p \u3c 0.01) in mean knowledge test scores as well as confidence in implementing action research in both the cohorts. However, the magnitude of this difference was comparatively bigger for participants of cohort face to face (f2f) with field support as compared to the participants of cohort receiving only face to face without any field support. In other words, field support seemed to have contributed positively in participant knowledge and reported skills of implementing action research

Diversity and Genetic Structure of Theileria annulata in Pakistan and Other Endemic Sites

Background: Theileria annulata is a tick-borne protozoan parasite responsible for bovine theileriosis, a disease that impacts cattle population in many developing countries. Development and deployment of effective control strategies, based on vaccine or therapy, should consider the extent of diversity of the parasite and its population structure in different endemic areas. In this study, we examined T. annulata in Pakistan and carried out a comparative analysis with similar data garneted in other areas, to provide further information on the level of parasite diversity and parasite genetic structure in different endemic areas. Methods: The present study examined a set of 10 microsatellites/minisatellites and analyzed the genetic structure of T. annulata in cattle breeds from Pakistan (Indian sub-continent) and compared these with those in Oman (Middle East), Tunisia (Africa), and Turkey (Europe). Result: A high level of genetic diversity was observed among T. annulata detected in cattle from Pakistan, comparable to that in Oman, Tunisia, and Turkey. The genotypes of T. annulata in these four countries form genetically distinct groups that are geographically sub-structured. The T. annulata population in Oman overlapped with that in the Indian Subcontinent (Pakistan) and that in Africa (Tunisia). Conclusions: The T. annulata parasite in Pakistan is highly diverse, and genetically differentiated. This pattern accords well and complements that seen among T. annulata representing the global endemic site. The parasite population in the Arabian Peninsula overlapped with that in the Indian-Subcontinent (India) and that in Africa (Tunisia), which shared some genotypes with that in the Near East and Europe (Turkey). This suggests some level of parasite gene flow, indicative of limited movement between neighboring countries

Effectiveness of unani regimen in protecting high risk population from COVID -19: A pilot study

248-254The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV- 2) has spread globally. COVID-19 presents varied clinical features. The present study focuses on number of patients turning COVID-19 positive, change in Immune Status Questionnaire (ISQ) and WHO quality of life- Bref (WHO Qol – BREF) scales after taking intervention. This open labelled, double arm, controlled, interventional, clinical trial was conducted on highrisk individuals i.e., those residing with a COVID-19 positive member in the identified quarantine area. This twin armed study was conducted on asymptomatic individuals exposed to COVID - 19. The test group were prescribed Unani poly-herbal decoction together with Unani formulations Khamira Marwareed and Tiryaq e Arba whereas the control group was not on any intervention. The duration of intervention was 20 days; follow ups were planned on day 10 and day 20. Of the 81 participants enrolled, none of the patients turned COVID-19 positive. However, 13.58% (n=11) developed COVID like symptoms and 70 patients completed the study. The mean age of the participants was 41.42±16.9 years; however, majority of the participants were 18-28 years male with Damvi (Sanguine) temperament. The quality of life of the intervention group improved significantly however, the immune status in both the groups increased with P <0.001. The Unani prophylactic regimen provides a 62% (relative risk reduction) protection against COVID -19. This pilot study paves for a study on a larger population. No adverse effects were observed during the study. Absence of biochemical investigations were limitations to the study