Measuring Retailer Store Image: A Scale Development Study

Abstract This paper aims at developing a reliable and valid measure of retailer store image. Scientific scale development process has been followed. Survey methodology was used to collect data. The results are tested for reliability and validity using confirmatory factor analysis. The study conceptualizes a retailer's image as a reliable and valid multidimensional construct, explained in eight dimensions. The scale can be used to measure the perception of customers with regard to these eight factors and would provide directions to managers for retailing strategies

RESEARCH AND REVIEWS: JOURNAL OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES Assessment of Right and Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Their Co-Relation with the Severity of Disease

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate both right ventricle (RV) and left ventricular (LV) function in patients with COPD by echocardiography and its correlation with severity of disease. Sixty two patients with COPD and twenty healthy subjects were assessed by echocardiography and pulmonary function test. LV parameters were similar in both groups while RV parameters were significantly different in COPD patients as compared to control group. LV diastolic dysfunction was significantly higher in COPD patients. Mild, moderate, severe, and very severe COPD were seen in 30.7%, 40.3 %, 22.5%, and 6.5% patients, respectively. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was observed in 38.7% patients. Mild, moderate and severe PH were present in 45.8%, 41.7%, and 12.5% respectively cor pulmonale was observed in 41.9%, while RV and LV systolic dysfunction were present in 20.9% and 3.2% of all COPD patients respectively. There is high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale and right ventricular systolic dysfunction in COPD and severity increases with level of severity of COPD. Impairment of LV systolic function was rarely found, while LV diastolic function was very common

Pharmacodynamic evaluation of self micro-emulsifying formulation of standardized extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa for antidiabetic activity

Background: Lagerstroemia speciosa (SEL) leaves are a popular folk medicine for diabetes treatment due to presence of corosolic acid. It has low water solubility resulting poor absorption after oral administration. Self micro-emulsified drug delivery system is the way by which we can improve the oral absorption of drug. Objective: The objective of this study was to develop the self micro-emulsifying formulation of standardized extract of SEL leaves and evaluate its pharmacodynamic performance for antidiabetic activity. Materials and methods: The SME formulation was prepared by using sefsol-218 as oil, cremophor-EL as surfactant and transcutol-P as co-surfactant. The ratio of surfactant and co-surfactant was determined by pseudoternary phase diagram. SME formulations were characterized for dilution at different pH, self emulsification, optical clarity, globule size and thermodynamic stability. Pharmacodynamic evaluation of formulations was assessed in Wistar rats by using parameters viz. blood glucose level and serum lipid profile. Results: SEL loaded SME formulation was successfully developed by using sefsol-218, cremophor-EL and transcutol-P with a droplet size 23.53 nm. Pharmacodynamic results showed a higher reduction in blood glucose by SME formulation than SEL without SMES respectively at 50 mg/kg dose while reduction produced at dose of 100 mg/kg was found significant and better on 15th day of study. The percentage reduction produced by SME formulation on serum lipid profile was also significant and was more prominent than SEL. Conclusion: This study confirms that the formulation elevates the pharmacodynamic performance of SEL approximately two fold. Keywords: Self micro-emulsifying formulation, Lagerstroemia speciosa, antidiabetic activit

Self microemulsifying formulation of Lagerstroemia speciosa against chemically induced hepatotoxicity

Self microemulsifying formulation is an approach used for enhancing the bioavailability of poorly soluble molecules due to their lipidic nature and small particle size. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of poorly soluble hydroxy- and polyhydroxy-organic phytomolecules rich Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves extract in modern formulation i.e. “Self microemulsifying System”. Different doses of SME (Self microemulsifying) formulation of L. speciosa leaves extract were evaluated for the hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicity in rats. The parameters evaluated were (a) biochemical parameters like serum enzymes: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (b) liver antioxidant parameters as estimation of Lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH). Oral administration of SME formulation provided the significant protection in marker enzyme of treated group at 100 mg/kg, p.o. as AST (P < 0.001), ALT (P < 0.001), ALP (P < 0.001) and total bilirubin (P < 0.001) comparable to the group treated with silymarin. Treatment with SME formulation at the doses of 100 mg/kg, p.o. significantly prevented the rise in levels of LPO significantly (P < 0.001). The GSH, SOD and CAT contents had significantly (P < 0.001) increased in SME formulation treated groups whereas carbon tetrachloride intoxicated group had shown significant decrease in these parameters compared to control group. Formulation at the dose 100 mg/kg, p.o. has shown maximum protection which was almost comparable to those of the normal control and standard. The histological observations further uphold the results for hepatoprotective activity

Quantum-chemical approach to serine formation in the interstellar medium: A possible reaction pathway

Radical-radical and radical-neutral interaction schemes are very important for the formation of comparatively complex molecules in low-temperature chemistry. The formation of amino acids, such as serine, in the interstellar medium is quite difficult. We explored the possibility of serine formation in the interstellar medium through detected interstellar molecules such as CH, CO, and OH by radical-radical and radical-neutral interactions in the gaseous phase using rigorous quantum-chemical calculations. The reaction energies, the low potential barrier and the structures of all the geometries involved in the reaction path show that serine formation is possible in interstellar space via the reaction paths