IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF GREEN TEA EXTRACT AGAINST MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT BACTERIA

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of green tea (Camellia sinensis) against multidrug-resistant strains of the pathogenic bacteria: Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae, Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), and Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of commercial green tea against the 23 multidrug-resistant test strains was evaluated by the Agar well diffusion method, and the minimum inhibitory concentration of the extract for the test strains was determined by Agar plate dilution method. Results: Ethanolic extract of green tea was found to exhibit a remarkably significant antimicrobial activity against the ATCC (American type culture collection) control strains: E. coli ATCC 25922 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 with slightly higher activity against later as compared to the former. The extract exhibited a significant antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. The highest activity was shown against ESBL producing strains, followed by CRE strains and the least activity against MBL producers. Conclusion: This study strongly depicts that the ethanolic extract of green tea exhibits significant antibacterial activity even against multidrug-resistant strains. Hence, such plant extracts could be a potential source of bioactive lead compounds that could be utilized in developing herbal antimicrobials as an alternative strategy for tackling the problem of antimicrobial resistance

Women CEOs and financial performance of banks: An empirical research of Indian private sector banks

A woman in the workplace is not a new phenomenon, a woman who is a member of the board could be called a moderate phenomenon but a woman who is the CEO is undoubtedly a recent phenomenon, at least in India. At present, the top private sector bank, i.e. ICICI bank, is headed by a woman, Ms. Chanda Kochhar. In addition, the Axis bank, the 3rd largest private sector bank in India is also headed by a woman CEO, Mrs. Shikha Sharma. This paper focuses on women CEOs in the private banking sector and examines, by using financial statement analysis, the impact which women CEOs have had on banks. The performance of the two banks will be compared using the CAMEL ratings. The CAMEL is an acronym where: C stands for Capital, A for Asset quality, M for Management efficiency, E for Earnings and L for Liquidity. This rating system is used for assessing the bank’s performance on the basis of its financial, operating and managerial efficiencies

Neurodevelopmental disorders in children aged 2-9 years: Population-based burden estimates across five regions in India.

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) compromise the development and attainment of full social and economic potential at individual, family, community, and country levels. Paucity of data on NDDs slows down policy and programmatic action in most developing countries despite perceived high burden. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We assessed 3,964 children (with almost equal number of boys and girls distributed in 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories) identified from five geographically diverse populations in India using cluster sampling technique (probability proportionate to population size). These were from the North-Central, i.e., Palwal (N = 998; all rural, 16.4% non-Hindu, 25.3% from scheduled caste/tribe [SC-ST] [these are considered underserved communities who are eligible for affirmative action]); North, i.e., Kangra (N = 997; 91.6% rural, 3.7% non-Hindu, 25.3% SC-ST); East, i.e., Dhenkanal (N = 981; 89.8% rural, 1.2% non-Hindu, 38.0% SC-ST); South, i.e., Hyderabad (N = 495; all urban, 25.7% non-Hindu, 27.3% SC-ST) and West, i.e., North Goa (N = 493; 68.0% rural, 11.4% non-Hindu, 18.5% SC-ST). All children were assessed for vision impairment (VI), epilepsy (Epi), neuromotor impairments including cerebral palsy (NMI-CP), hearing impairment (HI), speech and language disorders, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and intellectual disability (ID). Furthermore, 6-9-year-old children were also assessed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders (LDs). We standardized sample characteristics as per Census of India 2011 to arrive at district level and all-sites-pooled estimates. Site-specific prevalence of any of seven NDDs in 2-<6 year olds ranged from 2.9% (95% CI 1.6-5.5) to 18.7% (95% CI 14.7-23.6), and for any of nine NDDs in the 6-9-year-old children, from 6.5% (95% CI 4.6-9.1) to 18.5% (95% CI 15.3-22.3). Two or more NDDs were present in 0.4% (95% CI 0.1-1.7) to 4.3% (95% CI 2.2-8.2) in the younger age category and 0.7% (95% CI 0.2-2.0) to 5.3% (95% CI 3.3-8.2) in the older age category. All-site-pooled estimates for NDDs were 9.2% (95% CI 7.5-11.2) and 13.6% (95% CI 11.3-16.2) in children of 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories, respectively, without significant difference according to gender, rural/urban residence, or religion; almost one-fifth of these children had more than one NDD. The pooled estimates for prevalence increased by up to three percentage points when these were adjusted for national rates of stunting or low birth weight (LBW). HI, ID, speech and language disorders, Epi, and LDs were the common NDDs across sites. Upon risk modelling, noninstitutional delivery, history of perinatal asphyxia, neonatal illness, postnatal neurological/brain infections, stunting, LBW/prematurity, and older age category (6-9 year) were significantly associated with NDDs. The study sample was underrepresentative of stunting and LBW and had a 15.6% refusal. These factors could be contributing to underestimation of the true NDD burden in our population. CONCLUSIONS: The study identifies NDDs in children aged 2-9 years as a significant public health burden for India. HI was higher than and ASD prevalence comparable to the published global literature. Most risk factors of NDDs were modifiable and amenable to public health interventions

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Neem Leave (Azadirachtaindica Linn) Against Clinical Isolates

Background: Emerging multidrug resistance amongst pathogens is making the choice of antibiotics for the management of infections extremely difficult and threatens the return of the pre-antibiotic era in healthcare settings. To tackle this menace, there is a growing need for exploring bioactive compounds derived from herbal extracts, which could be incorporated as alternative therapeutic agents in the antimicrobial therapy of such infections. Objectives: We evaluated the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of Neem leaves against standard ATCC strains and the pathogens isolated from clinical specimens. Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess in vitro antibacterial activity of different concentrations of ethanolic Neem extract against three ATCC (American-type culture collection) strains and 63 clinical isolates using the disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract against test isolates was determined by the Broth dilution method. Results: Neem extract exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity toward Escherichia coli ATCC-25922 followed by Staphylococcus aureus ATCC-25923 and Pseudomonas  aeruginosa ATCC-27853 strains. Amongst the Gram-positive isolates, the extract exhibited significantly high antibacterial activity against S. aureus and Enterococcus spp. Amongst the Gram-negative isolates, high antibacterial activity was seen against E. coli followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. In this study, the lowest MIC values were observed against E. coli followed by S.aureus, P. mirabilis, and K. pneumoniae. The highest MIC values of the extract were observed against non-fermenters, like P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. isolates. Conclusion: This study strongly depicts that the ethanolic extract of Neem leaves exhibits significant antibacterial activity not only against the standard ATCC strains but also against various clinical isolate

International Journal of Advance Research in Computer Science and Management Studies Marketing: Past, Present and Future Theoretical Framework

Abstract: Marketing is an age old concept. It is a concept of old wine in a new bottle. This concept has commonly believed to have progressed through 7 stages while reaching its present form. Marketing is the process of communicating the value of a product or service to customers, for the purpose of selling that product or service. From a societal point of view, marketing is the link between a society&apos;s material requirements and its economic patterns of response. Marketing satisfies these needs and wants through exchange processes and building long term relationships. This concept has changed its face in multiple dimensions and at present is moving fast ahead with demanding feasible strategies and formulae&apos;s to retain its customers. Success of every business is on the set of brand loyal customers. To identify the areas where a company should concentrate and research in turn to retain its customers an attempt has been made by the author through this paper. This paper tries to highlight the changing trends of marketing from age old concept to the 21st century modern marketing era

Effect of Sugar Replacement with Stevia-Based Tabletop Sweetener on Weight and Cardiometabolic Health among Indian Adults

Added sugars contribute to caloric intake in the diet, which may lead to conditions like obesity. Replacing added sugar with a natural sugar substitute like zero-calorie stevia may help in reducing sugar and caloric intake. Methods: An open-label, single-arm pilot study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a stevia-based tabletop sweetener among overweight subjects with normal blood sugar levels (n = 24) and overweight prediabetic subjects (n = 21). Subjects were instructed to replace added sugar in their daily diet with the test product over a study period of 90 days. Primary outcomes included change in body weight and waist circumference, while the secondary outcomes included change in blood glucose (PPBG), body mass index (BMI), and lipid parameters evaluated at baseline, 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was evaluated at baseline and 90 days. Results: When compared with the baseline, a significant reduction in weight (p p p p n = 35) weight loss and 4.78 cm (n = 32) reduction in waist circumference were observed at 90 days. No adverse outcomes were reported throughout the study period. The consumption of steviol glycosides was within the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Conclusions: Replacing added sugar in the daily diet with stevia-based tabletop sweetener, along with a physical activity regimen, promotes weight loss and reduction in waist circumference in overweight subjects with normal blood sugar levels and prediabetic subjects (CTRI/2019/12/022470)

An investigatory study of antibacterial activity of functionalized spirooxindoles

399-411Synthesis of functionalized spirooxindoles have been reviewed and it has been proposed that the unique core ring system that is common to this family of compounds arises by a biological Knoevengal-Michael-Domino cyclization along with the attachment of hydrophobic alkyl chain linkage. These newly synthesized compounds have been also tested for their in vitro antibacterial activities against some bacterial strains <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. </i