Impact of Edutainment Programme in Developing Life Skills with Specific Reference to Critical and Creative Thinking among Adolescent Students of Chattisgarh State

This study examined the influence of teaching methods, relevance, and effect of edutainment on the development of life skills. Using an Experimental research paradigm, the study compared the F values of Pre-test and Post-test of both Control and Experimental groups to know the influence of different variables on each other. The study was conducted in rural and urban areas of Bastar district, Chattisgarh demonstrated that the means of edutainment used such as brainstorming sessions, games, screening of Hindi movie „Siddharth‟, and group discussions to convey subject matters like Human Rights, especially Rights of Children, were successful in developing both positive and creative thinking in them. The level of achievement using edutainment was more among Government school students, both in rural and urban areas

Gynostemium morphology and floral biology of Thottea duchartrei Sivar., A.Babu & Balach. (Aristolochiaceae), an endemic species from Western Ghats, India

Gynostemium is a putative floral structure formed by the fusion of the male and female reproductive parts (stamens and carpels) through a process during its development called synorganization. Most of the Indian species of Thottea Rottb. have a prominent gynostemium in their floral architecture, with varying degrees of adnation and complexity. Even though the gynostemium is a significant taxonomic marker for the inter-specific systematics in Thottea, the scepticism and arguments on deciphering its morphology and functional parameters, including the existence of staminodes, makes it imperative to be examined in detail. The present study is the first attempt in this line which aims to explore the morphological characters of gynostemium and reproductive biology of Thottea duchartrei Sivar., A.Babu and Balach., an endemic species in the Western Ghats. Stereo zoom microscopy, SEM and reproductive biological studies were conducted providing special emphasis to the gynostemium. Detailed analysis revealed the structural and functional diversity of gynostemium with regard to its components. The study also helped to recognize the columnar outgrowths on the gynostemium as staminodes. In total, the present study helps to solve the confusions regarding the functional identity of the gynostemium T. duchartrei with regard to its morphology

Toxic Metals Enrichment in the Surficial Sediments of a Eutrophic Tropical Estuary (Cochin Backwaters, Southwest Coast of India)

Concentrations and distributions of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in surficial sediments of the Cochin backwaters were studied during both monsoon and pre-monsoon periods. Spatial variations were in accordance with textural charaterstics and organic matter content. A principal component analysis distinguished three zones with different metal accumulation capacity: (i) highest levels in north estuary, (ii) moderate levels in central zone, and (iii) lowest levels in southern part. Trace metal enrichments are mainly due to anthropogenic contribution of industrial, domestic, and agricultural effluents, whose effect is enhanced by settling of metals due to organic flocculation and inorganic precipitation associated with salinity changes. Enrichments factors using Fe as a normalizer showed that metal contamination was the product of anthropogenic activities. An assessment of degree of pollution-categorized sediments as moderately polluted with Cu and Pb, moderately-to-heavily polluted with Zn, and heavily-to-extremely polluted with Cd. Concentrations at many sites largely exceed NOAA ERL (e.g., Cu, Cr, and Pb) or ERM (e.g., Cd, Ni, and Zn). This means that adverse effects for benthic organisms are possible or even highly probable

The Influence Of Maternal Infections On Congenital Heart Defect

ABSTRACT Congenital heart defects (CHDs) contribute significantly to heightened infant mortality rates. This review explores the intricate link between maternal infections and CHDs, emphasizing diverse factors influencing fetal development, such as bacterial, fungal, protozoan and viral agents. These infections pose reproductive health risks, potentially leading to complications like prematurity, stillbirth and heart defect to the fetus. The TORCH acronym (Toxoplasma, Other infections, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex) identifies infectious teratogens related to congenital issues, emphasizing vertical transmission through the placenta or ascending from the vagina. Rubella and Cytomegalovirus play a significant role in heart defects, particularly when maternal infections amplify CHD risk during pregnancy. Specific scrutiny is placed on Rubella and Cytomegalovirus for their impact on pregnancy outcomes and potential links to congenital heart defects, with preventive strategies discussed, including vaccination and antiviral therapy. The timing and severity of these infections are pivotal in determining their impact on fetal heart development. Environmental exposures and maternal nutrition are critical factors influencing fetal development. Maternal undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries associates with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including congenital heart defects. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a nutritious maternal diet, rich in essential nutrients, is crucial for improved fetal health and successful pregnancy outcomes. This review offers insights into preventive measures and underscores the need for continued research to enhance prenatal care strategies

Metabolomic Profiling Reveals a Role for Androgen in Activating Amino Acid Metabolism and Methylation in Prostate Cancer Cells

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death in American men. Development and progression of clinically localized prostate cancer is highly dependent on androgen signaling. Metastatic tumors are initially responsive to anti-androgen therapy, however become resistant to this regimen upon progression. Genomic and proteomic studies have implicated a role for androgen in regulating metabolic processes in prostate cancer. However, there have been no metabolomic profiling studies conducted thus far that have examined androgen-regulated biochemical processes in prostate cancer. Here, we have used unbiased metabolomic profiling coupled with enrichment-based bioprocess mapping to obtain insights into the biochemical alterations mediated by androgen in prostate cancer cell lines. Our findings indicate that androgen exposure results in elevation of amino acid metabolism and alteration of methylation potential in prostate cancer cells. Further, metabolic phenotyping studies confirm higher flux through pathways associated with amino acid metabolism in prostate cancer cells treated with androgen. These findings provide insight into the potential biochemical processes regulated by androgen signaling in prostate cancer. Clinically, if validated, these pathways could be exploited to develop therapeutic strategies that supplement current androgen ablative treatments while the observed androgen-regulated metabolic signatures could be employed as biomarkers that presage the development of castrate-resistant prostate cancer

Metabolites of Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase (NP) in Serum Have the Potential to Delineate Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the fourth highest cause of cancer related deaths in the United States, has the most aggressive presentation resulting in a very short median survival time for the affected patients. Early detection of PDAC is confounded by lack of specific markers that has motivated the use of high throughput molecular approaches to delineate potential biomarkers. To pursue identification of a distinct marker, this study profiled the secretory proteome in 16 PDAC, 2 carcinoma in situ (CIS) and 7 benign patients using label-free mass spectrometry coupled to 1D-SDS-PAGE and Strong Cation-Exchange Chromatography (SCX). A total of 431 proteins were detected of which 56 were found to be significantly elevated in PDAC. Included in this differential set were Parkinson disease autosomal recessive, early onset 7 (PARK 7) and Alpha Synuclein (aSyn), both of which are known to be pathognomonic to Parkinson's disease as well as metabolic enzymes like Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase (NP) which has been exploited as therapeutic target in cancers. Tissue Microarray analysis confirmed higher expression of aSyn and NP in ductal epithelia of pancreatic tumors compared to benign ducts. Furthermore, extent of both aSyn and NP staining positively correlated with tumor stage and perineural invasion while their intensity of staining correlated with the existence of metastatic lesions in the PDAC tissues. From the biomarker perspective, NP protein levels were higher in PDAC sera and furthermore serum levels of its downstream metabolites guanosine and adenosine were able to distinguish PDAC from benign in an unsupervised hierarchical classification model. Overall, this study for the first time describes elevated levels of aSyn in PDAC as well as highlights the potential of evaluating NP protein expression and levels of its downstream metabolites to develop a multiplex panel for non-invasive detection of PDAC

Molecular, Crystalline, and Lamellar Length-Scale Changes in the Poly(l‑lactide) (PLLA) during Cyclopentanone (CPO) Desorption in PLLA/CPO Cocrystals

Polymer–solvent complexes, poly­(l-lactide) (PLLA) with cyclopentanone (CPO), were studied at multiple length scales using differential scanning calorimetry, small-angle neutron scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and temperature-dependent wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering. PLLA crystallizes in the ε form when organic solvents such as CPO are incorporated into the crystal lattice at subambient temperatures. The transformation of this structure into the α form during solvent desorption and the accompanying changes in the lamellar structure were followed by various measurements on PLLA/CPO cocrystals. SANS data suggest that CPO is present stoichiometrically in the crystal lattice and as clusters in the interlamellar amorphous regions in the nominally dried samples. DSC thermogram showed a sharp endotherm during this ε to α transition. X-ray fiber diagrams showed that the ε form transforms to the α form over a temperature range (40–55 °C) as the solvent molecules are expelled from the crystalline lattice, while maintaining chain orientation. Infrared spectra showed the splitting of the CH₃ symmetric deformation band at 1383 cm^–1 into a doublet (1382 and 1386 cm^–1) at ε to α transition, indicating the desorption of CPO molecules from the crystal lattice. Changes in the invariant in SAXS data are interpreted as due to the migration of the solvent from the crystalline phase to the amorphous phase during the ε to α transition followed by the evaporation of the solvent from the entire polymer. During this transition, lamellae that are tilted in the presence of CPO in the crystal lattice become perpendicular to the chain axis. In addition, there are changes in long period, lamellar thickness, and amorphous thickness. Continuing the desorption to dryness by further heating results in the removal of the solvent molecules in the amorphous phase of the α form. This is accompanied by increased crystallinity. These studies show that the solvent desorption results in a precise sequence of quantifiable structural changes at multiple length scales

Interobserver variation in rectal and bladder doses in orthogonal film-based treatment planning of cancer of the uterine cervix

Orthogonal film-based treatment planning is the most commonly adopted standard practice of treatment planning for cancer of the uterine cervix using high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR). This study aims at examining the variation in rectal and bladder doses when the same set of orthogonal films was given to different observers. Five physicists were given 35 pairs of orthogonal films obtained from patients who had undergone HDR brachytherapy. They were given the same instructions and asked to plan the case assuming the tumor was centrally placed, using the treatment-planning system, PLATO BPS V13.2. A statistically significant difference was observed in the average rectal (F = 3.407, <i> P</i> = 0.01) and bladder (F = 3.284, <i> P</i> = 0.013) doses and the volumes enclosed by the 100&#x0025; isodose curve (<i> P</i> &lt; 0.01) obtained by each observer. These variations may be attributed to the differences in the reconstruction of applicators, the selection of source positions in ovoids and the intrauterine (IU) tube, and the differences in the selection of points especially for the rectum, from lateral radiographs. These variations in planning seen within a department can be avoided if a particular source pattern is followed in the intrauterine tube, unless a specific situation demands a change. Variations in the selection of rectal points can be ruled out if the posterior vaginal surface is clearly seen

ToxicMetals Enrichment in the Surficial Sediments of a Eutrophic Tropical Estuary (Cochin Backwaters, Southwest Coast of India)

Concentrations and distributions of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in surficial sediments of the Cochin backwaters were studied during both monsoon and pre-monsoon periods. Spatial variations were in accordance with textural charaterstics and organic matter content. A principal component analysis distinguished three zones with different metal accumulation capacity: (i) highest levels in north estuary, (ii) moderate levels in central zone, and (iii) lowest levels in southern part. Trace metal enrichments are mainly due to anthropogenic contribution of industrial, domestic, and agricultural effluents, whose effect is enhanced by settling of metals due to organic flocculation and inorganic precipitation associated with salinity changes. Enrichments factors using Fe as a normalizer showed that metal contamination was the product of anthropogenic activities. An assessment of degree of pollution-categorized sediments as moderately polluted with Cu and Pb, moderately-to-heavily polluted with Zn, and heavily-to-extremely polluted with Cd. Concentrations at many sites largely exceed NOAA ERL (e.g., Cu, Cr, and Pb) or ERM (e.g., Cd, Ni, and Zn). This means that adverse effects for benthic organisms are possible or even highly probable.Cochin University of Science & TechnologyThe ScientificWorld Journal Volume 2012, Article ID 972839, 17 page

Nutrient environment of red tide-infested waters off south-west coast of India

The bloom-infested waters along the southwest coast of India were assessed to bring about the probable cause related to the excessive algal production. Low nitrate and silicate concentrations were concomitant with slightly higher levels of phosphate. The silicate depletion in the bloom area is possibly an indication of community succession (diatom to dinoflagellate), since it was completely utilized by the preceding diatom blooms. The dinoflagellates in this region could have been advected from the northern regions where it was noticed during the previous months