Effect of chronic cold stress on intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and inflammation in rats

The present study evaluated the effect of chronic cold stress on intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and inflammation. Male Wistar rats were subjected to cold exposure for three weeks. At the end of the cold exposure, intestinal cell proliferation, luminal nitrite and protein levels, intestinal myeloperoxidase activity and mast cell numbers were evaluated. Severely compromised proliferation rate of the crypt-base cells was observed under chronic stress conditions. Cells isolated from stressed rats showed a decreased DNA content in villus and lower villus cell fractions and an increased DNA content in the crypt cells, as compared to controls. Chronic cold stress resulted in increased luminal nitrite, luminal protein levels, and intestinal myeloperoxidase activity. The number of mast cells was significantly elevated under chronic stress conditions. Chronic cold stress resulted in a compromised intestinal epithelial cell proliferation rate and induced inflammation in the rat small intestine, through the combined action of nitric oxide, neutrophils and mast cells.     

Management of Writer’s Cramp

Writer's Cramp is a functional motor disorder classified as an occupational neurosis included under ICD-9 and under Other specified neurotic disorders of uncertain etiology in ICD-10. It is exhibited while writing in the form of spasms, in-coordination, pain, stiffness , and tension in muscles of fingers and hand of the writing arm; often spreading to lower and upper arm and subsequently to shoulder girdle. In India it has been reported to be 5.4 per thousand among office workers in urban settings. It has been treated differently by neurologists, psychiatrics and psychologists depending upon their views on its genesis. Psychological intervention tends to involve therapeutic packages ranging from 20 to 50 sessions with elements from relaxation, conditioning, reinforcement schedules and 'supinator' writing with abstinence from writing during the implementation of regime. The present paper discusses the successful treatment of writer's cramp with brief cognitive behavior management without any restrictions on writing     

Sikh identity and Dogra alteration: A study of Sikh influences on Jammu paintings of eighteenth–nineteenth centuries

This paper investigates and argues the modes of self-presentation established and kept by Guru Gobind Singh in the late seventeenth century not only defied Mughal convention and law, but also came to influence regional styles of dress and other aspects of courtly fashion in the Jammu court during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, closely attending the changes in the art historical record of both the Sikh and Dogra court during this two hundred year period, as well as the travelogues of several important Europeans who visited the area during Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In doing so, this study will seek to rethink how the conventions of Sikh culture, while initially ignored and censured by surrounding powers, spread and reshaped the styles of dress, and ultimately the art historical record of surrounding, Mughal strongholds.     

Parenting behaviors and learning of Singapore students: The mediational role of achievement goals

This study examined the mediational role of achievement goals between parental behaviors and learning outcomes. A sample of 1667 Singapore Secondary 3 students took the measures of parental involvement in learning, parental control, mastery approach and avoidance goals, performance approach and avoidance goals, as well as seven learning outcome variables in their math study. We conducted complex structural equation modeling analysis to take into account the hierarchical structure of the data and found a good fit for the hypothesized partial mediation model. More specifically, parental involvement in learning was associated with an adaptive learning profile (i.e., self-regulated engagement in learning activities, low anxiety, high perceived competence, and high achievement), partially or mainly through its positive relationship with mastery approach goals. Parental control predicted a maladaptive coping orientation (i.e., low persistence and high anxiety) and low achievement partially through its positive relationship with mastery and performance avoidance goals. The findings are discussed in the academic context of Singapore.