Enhancing content knowledge of in-service science teachers through model and modeling

The guiding question for this paper is; how does model and modeling enable student-teachers to develop a conceptual understanding of the cell as a structural and functional unit of living things? A teaching unit ‘The Cell’ was designed in view that models are a major teaching and learning tool for developing scientific thinking, whereas modeling means a process of forming representation. The teaching and learning strategies reported here encapsulated four modeling phases. Firstly, student-teachers modeled historical development of cell through a time line and role play and discussed the evolutionary and tentative nature of science. Secondly, the candy factory analogy provided a reference point to relate functional similarities between the units of a factory and cell organelles. Thirdly, students-teachers developed a 2D model to express their interpretation of the mental model. Fourthly, they critiqued their 2D model to develop a 3D model. Overall, a progression of conceptual understanding with distinct phases of enacting, building and rebuilding helped student teacher to conceptualize the structure and function of cell. Pre-post tests results show marked improvement in student-teachers’ content knowledge on various aspects of structure and function of cell. Furthermore, teachers appreciated the effectiveness of the modeling process in enhancing their content knowledge and helping them develop understanding of the nature of model and modeling. Teachers also acknowledged the model as an effective teaching tool, which they could use in their classroom

Anatomical transition of trilaminar cerebellar cortex between reptiles and Aves

Background: Motor coordination in vertebrates is primarily regulated by cerebellum. Divergence of aves from reptilian ancestors results in noticeable improvement in the motor coordination. This study aims to explore anatomical innovations in the cerebellar cortex during the course of evolution of reptiles and aves.Methods: Three representative species each from reptilian and avian lineages were selected to represent both vertebrate classes. Complete brain was dissected out from the cranial cavity of each specimen after radiological assessment of its extent. After gross examination, the brains were subjected to detailed histological investigation using conventional and special strains. Micrometry of layer and cellular architecture of cerebellar cortex were undertaken digitally using ImageJ and statistically compared using GraphPad Prism.Results: Grossly, significant increase (p<0.0001) in brain mass, brain volume and cerebellar volume was observed in aves compared to reptiles. Histo-morphometric analyses of granular and molecular layers of cerebellum showed statistically significant decrease (p<0.0001) in the thickness of avian representatives compared to reptilian counterparts. Similarly significant decrease (p<0.0001) in the interpurkinje neuronal distance was observed in aves compared to reptiles. Conversely, increase cellular and neuronal count (p=0.0332 to <0.0001) count was observed in all three layers of avian cerebellum in comparison to reptiles. This suggests increased cellular packaging and/or density in the avian cerebellum compared to reptiles. Conclusion: In summary, significant increase in the cellular density and differentiation in the cerebellum of avian representatives may provide anatomical basis of increased motor coordination in aves compared to reptiles.  Keywords: Cerebellum; Evolution; Granular Layer; Molecular Layer; Purkinje Laye

COMPARISON OF BODY WEIGHT, ABSOLUTE AND RELATIVE WEIGHT OF PITUITARY GLAND IN CARBIMAZOLE AND CARBIMAZOLE PLUS THYROXIN TREATED MALE ALBINO RATS

ABSTRACT: Overt hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism may be associated with weight gain and loss. The present study was designed to determine the effects of Carbimazole, an antithyroid drug (ATD) used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and Grave&apos;s disease, on body weight, weight of Pituitary gland and relative weight of male albino rats and compared it with the effect of Carbimazole plus Thyroxin on body weight, absolute and relativ

Studies on the role of goat heart galectin-1 as an erythrocyte membrane perturbing agent

AbstractGalectins are β-galactoside binding lectins with a potential hemolytic role on erythrocyte membrane integrity and permeability. In the present study, goat heart galectin-1 (GHG-1) was purified and investigated for its hemolytic actions on erythrocyte membrane. When exposed to various saccharides, lactose and sucrose provided maximum protection against hemolysis, while glucose and galactose provided lesser protection against hemolysis. GHG-1 agglutinated erythrocytes were found to be significantly hemolyzed in comparison with unagglutinated erythrocytes. A concentration dependent rise in the hemolysis of trypsinized rabbit erythrocytes was observed in the presence of GHG-1. Similarly, a temperature dependent gradual increase in percent hemolysis was observed in GHG-1 agglutinated erythrocytes as compared to negligible hemolysis in unagglutinated cells. The hemolysis of GHG-1 treated erythrocytes showed a sharp rise with the increasing pH up to 7.5 which became constant till pH 9.5. The extent of erythrocyte hemolysis increased with the increase in the incubation period, with maximum hemolysis after 5h of incubation. The results of this study establish the ability of galectins as a potential hemolytic agent of erythrocyte membrane, which in turn opens an interesting avenue in the field of proteomics and glycobiology

Prevalence, Symptomatology and Herbal Management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is multi-organ syndrome that affects 6–25% of females during reproductive age. It disrupts normal hormone levels of females and affects adrenal hormone and sex hormones along with pituitary hormones including adrenocorticotropic, growth hormone and gonadotropins hormones. It results in several secondary characteristics in females such as infertility, hormonal imbalance, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, obesity and hirsutism. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is associated with mental and reproductive disorder and almost 4–18% mature female students are affected by polycystic ovarian syndrome. Female affected by polycystic ovarian syndrome have increased risk of infertility, ovarian cancer, skin problems and psychological problems such as anxiety, depression and changes in sleep along with mood swings. This chapter discusses the Prevalence, Symptomatology and Management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. For the management of PCOS, the role of some medicinal plants including Asparagus racemosus, Tinospora cordifolia, Foeniculum vulgare, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Actaea racemosa, and Lepidium meyenii have also been discussed in addition to other treatment modalities. The literature data was searched out and compiled using relevant original research articles and reviews published and indexed in Google Scholar, Scientific Information Database, Elsevier, PubMed and Science Direct

Biogenic synthesis of date stones biochar-based zirconium oxide nanocomposite for the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution

Pollution of water has become the main problem around the world; chromium (Cr) has several industrial applications. However, Cr is considered very toxic pollutant, because of its carcinogenicity and high toxicity. The existing methods for the treatment of heavy metals are not economical, difficult to operate, and not eco-friendly. The biosorption process is easy to operate, cost effective as well as eco-friendly for the elimination of the toxic metal. In the present work, a zirconium oxide/date stones biochar bio-nanocomposite (ZrO2BNC) was utilized as low-cost biosorbent to remove the toxic Cr (VI). The modification of the activated bio-nanocomposite was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), UV–Vis and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Optimized condition of various parameters for removal of chromium ion by zirconium oxide bio-nanocomposite (ZrO2BNC) was observed at the pH = 5, contact time 120 min, initial concentration 100 ppm, while 0.1 g sorbent dose. The results showed that the sorption process optimally correlated with Langmuir and 1st kinetic models with R2 value of 0.999. The percentage removal of Cr (VI) ions was checked by atomic absorbance spectrophotometer subsequently before and after the process of adsorption. These findings demonstrated that produced ZrO2BNC can be a cost effective, potential, and novel adsorbent for removel of contaminated chromium metal ions from the aqueous environment

Dissecting sex-related cognition between Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes: from molecular mechanisms to potential therapeutic strategies

The brain is a sexually dimorphic organ that implies different functions and structures depending on sex. Current pharmacological approaches against different neurological diseases act distinctly in male and female brains. In all neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), sex-related outcomes regarding pathogenesis, prevalence, and response to treatments indicate that sex differences are important for precise diagnosis and therapeutic strategy. Pathogenesis of AD includes vascular dementia, and in most cases, this is accompanied by metabolic complications with similar features as those assembled in diabetes. This review discusses how AD-associated dementia and diabetes affect cognition in relation to sex difference, as both diseases share similar pathological mechanisms. We highlight potential protective strategies to mitigate amyloid-beta (Aβ) pathogenesis, emphasizing how these drugs act in the male and female brains