SNDT Women's University

About: SNDT Women's University is a education organization based out in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Routing protocol & Femtocell. The organization has 252 authors who have published 260 publications receiving 2609 citations. The organization is also known as: Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University.

Indigenous knowledge for development: Bringing research and practice together

Abstract: Information and knowledge are an increasingly important part of trade in today's knowledge society. The concept of access to this information and knowledge is at the heart of such a society. Basically, this access depends on two types of factors, technological and cultural. The technological factors determine the physical requirements for disseminating information including communications, transportation, printing, and the technology of organizing information. The cultural factors determine to what extent the people who possess the knowledge are willing to share it and place it in social domain. (Adapted from Mokyr, J. [(2002). The Knowledge society: Theoretical and historical underpinnings. Retrieved May 22, 2005, from http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan011602.pdf]).To make effective use of information/knowledge, it has to be shared and distributed, and its transmission through learning is essential. The world vision of a truly global knowledge partnership becomes possible only...

Nutrition in pregnancy and lactation.

Abstract: Nutrition at optimal levels is fundamental in the maintenance of positive health. Matemal nutrition is very important for the course and outcome of pregnancy. Lactation represents a stage wherein health and nutritional status of the infant are dependent on the mother. Successful pregnancy and lactation require adjustments in maternal body composition, metabolism and function of various physioogical systems. A diet that meets matemal nutritional needs is required for these adjustments, so that maternal well-being is safeguarded with birth of an healthy infant. Adequate nutrition supports the growth of both matemal and foetal tissues. Chronic undernutrition throughout pregnancy affects birth weights of newborns. Poor nutrition causes intra-uterine growth retardation. Specific nutrients like zinc, iodine and folate are also required for development of the foetus. Foetal iron deficiency exists in maternal iron deficiency anaemia. Maternal nutritional status, breast milk composition and volume are elaborated in the article. Proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins and their requirements are narrated in detail. Additional nutritional requirements during lactation have been tabulated in this article. Thus improving the nutrition and health of girls and younger women and of mothers during pregnancy and lactation will derive benefits in terms of improved health of their children throughout their lives.

Effect of leaves of Butea frondosa on stress, anxiety, and cognition in rats.

Abstract: The plant Butea frondosa has been indicated in the Indian system of medicine as a plant augmenting memory and as a rejuvenator. The effect of oral administration of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the leaves was assessed on stress, cognitive function, and anxiety in albino rats. The antistress activity was evaluated using cold restraint induced ulcers and leukocyte count after subcutaneous injection of milk. The aqueous extract provides protection against stress-induced gastric lesions while both the alcoholic as well as the aqueous extract normalizes the white blood cell count. Effect on cognitive function was evaluated using Cook and Weidley's pole apparatus. The results indicate that the aqueous extract and the alcoholic extract when administered at a dose of 300 mg/kg for a period of 7 days augment both the acquisition as well as the retention of memory of learned task. The absence of an increase in the occupancy of the open arm in the elevated plus maze and in the number of head dips in the hole-board paradigms indicates that both the extracts are devoid of anxiolytic activity. Nootropic activity was compared using piracetam (100 mg/kg po) as the standard, while for anxiolytic and antistress activity, diazepam (1.0 mg/kg ip) was employed as the standard drug. It is concluded that the aqueous and alcoholic extract of B. frondosa possesses antistress and weak nootropic activity.

Immunomodulatory activity of boswellic acids of Boswellia serrata Roxb.

Abstract: Extract of gum resin of B. serrata containing 60% acetyl 11-keto beta boswellic acid (AKBA) along with other constituents such as 11-keto beta-boswellic acid (KBA), acetyl beta-boswellic acid and beta-boswellic acid has been evaluated for antianaphylactic and mast cell stabilizing activity using passive paw anaphylaxis and compound 48/80 induced degranulation of mast cell methods. The extract inhibited the passive paw anaphylaxis reaction in rats in dose-dependant manner (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg, po). However, the standard dexamethasone (0.27 mg/kg, po) revealed maximum inhibition of edema as compared to the extract. A significant inhibition in the compound 48/80 induced degranulation of mast cells in dose-dependant manner (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg, po) was observed thus showing mast cell stabilizing activity. The standard disodium cromoglycate (50 mg/kg, ip) was found to demonstrate maximum per cent protection against degranulation as compared to the extract containing 60% AKBA. The results suggest promising antianaphylactic and mast cell stabilizing activity of the extract.