Nirmal Singh Livres

The present study investigates the possible mechanism of erythropoietin (EPO) mediated benefits in mouse model of streptozotocin (icv) induced dementia. Morris water maze test was employed to assess memory of the mice. Biochemical-estimations like brain acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity, brain nitrite/nitrate and total oxidative stress levels were also performed. Streptozotocin (STZ) produced a significant decrease in water maze performance of mice reflecting impairment of memory. STZ also produced a rise in brain AChE activity, nitrate/nitrite & oxidative stress levels. Treatment of EPO (i.p.) attenuated STZ-induced memory deficits & biochemical changes. Further, the noted beneficial effect of EPO on STZ- dementia was significantly abolished by pre-treatment of L- NAME a non selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), 7 NI a selective nNOS inhibitor, and L NIO a selective eNOS inhibitor. However, no such effect was seen with pre-treatment of aminoguanidine a selective iNOS inhibitor. It may be concluded that the beneficial effects of EPO in STZ dementia involve nitric oxide dependent pathway with eNOS and nNOS playing a crucial role while sparing the iNOS pathway.

This book is a compendium of drastic changes that occurred in the fortunes of nations in the last 500 years. Seventeenth century China and India held one half of the world's wealth. Europe was crazy for Chinese silks, porcelain, tea and India's artifacts, muslins, printed calicos and spices. Portugal's lucrative trade with the East enticed other maritime Europeans. It was the trading companies which laid foundations of colonialism. Britain exploited India until it was rendered a basket case. Europeans and the United States ganged up against China which blocked their clandestine opium trade and profited from post-war reparations. Spanish conquistadors smashed exquisite Aztec and Inca kingdoms to establish Spanish rule. Spain enriched from South America's gold and silver, began eyeing North America. An alarmed Britain established colonies on the east coast. These colonies prospered but Britain lost them due to her fiscal and patronizing policies. Unfortunately for her natives, Britain selected Australia to exile her convicts. African slaves were introduced to fully exploit the colonies. Colonials deployed draconian laws to suppress dissent to their despotic rule. Their inhuman treatment of natives of the colonies reveals a darker side of European civilization.