DESIGN AND IN VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF FLOATING TABLETS OF METRONIDAZOLE

Objective: The objective of the present study was to formulate the effervescent floating matrix tablet of metronidazole and to evaluate the effect of varying concentrations of hydrophilic polymers on drug release. Methods: Drug excipients interaction was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. The effervescent floating matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression technique using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMCK4) and xanthan gum alone and in combination as release retardants. Microcrystalline cellulose was used as diluent. Sodium bicarbonate was used as effervescent agent. The prepared matrix tablets were evaluated for their physicochemical parameters such as weight variation, hardness, friability, content uniformity, buoyancy time, and in vitro dissolution. Results: Micromeritic properties and post-compression parameters were evaluated and all the parameters were found within the acceptable limit. The drug release data were subjected to different models to evaluate release kinetics and mechanism of drug release. The matrix tablets prepared with xanthan gum and a mixture of xanthan gum and HPMCK4 were retarded the drug release up to 12 h. The release mechanism of metronidazole was evaluated on the basis of release exponent n value in Peppas model. The n value of the formulations ranged from 0.46 to 0.89 which indicated Case II transport and zero-order release. Conclusion: Floating matrix tablet is the simple, efficient, and economic method to sustain the release of metronidazole to eradicate Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease

Assessment of genetic diversity in quality protein maize (QPM) lines using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers

Maize is a primary source of energy supplement and can contribute up to 30% protein, 60% energy and 90% starch in an animal’s diet. In the present investigation, 48 microsatellite markers, spread across the maize genome were used for analyzing genetic diversity among the sixty three quality protein maize (QPM) lines, including lines developed in India and CIMMYT, Mexico. Polymorphic profiles for 37 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci aided in differentiating the QPM inbred lines. Using SSR procedures, the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to six, giving a total of 151 alleles for the 37 SSR loci. The genotypes were grouped into different clusters using NTSYSpc2.11 programme. The polymorphic information content (PIC) value was found to be highest for the primers bnlg1401, bnlg2136, bnlg1633 and umc 1357 (0.96) while the lowest value was for the primer umc 1656 (0.75) with the mean value of 0.48. From this study, the inbred line CML 142(w) is to give better combinations with CML 172, CM 161, CML 163, CLQRCYQ 281, CML 121, HQPM 5, HQPM 7, CML165 and CML 161 × CML 165 for the development of hybrids suitable for India.Key words: QPM, SSR, cluster analysis

MAJOR DETERMINANTS ON THE PROFITABILITY OF SRI LANKAN LOCAL COMMERCIAL BANKS

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between bank-specific factors and the profitability of local commercial banks in Sri Lanka. Thus, finding the main internal characteristics for achieving higher profitability. In this research, OLS regression analysis is used to examine the relationship between bank-specific characteristics and bank’s profitability for a sample of 11 major Sri Lankan local banks during 12 years period from 2006 to 2017. The findings reveal that assets base and size of branch network are the main determinants of bank’s profitability, by showing a significant relationship with all measures of profitability. Net profits of banks show a significant relationship with size of branch networks and total assets, but insignificant with deposit interest ratio. However, loan interest ratio and deposit interest ratio together have a significant effect on net interest margin thus leading an impact on banks’ profitability. This study is an extension and a country application to the research carried-out by Kassem N.M. & Sakr A (2018) on Commercial Banks in Egypt. JEL: G20; G21  Article visualizations

AN EXPLORATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS ON VARIABLES AFFECTING THE PROFITABILITY OF SRI LANKAN LOCAL COMMERCIAL BANKS

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between bank-specific factors and the profitability of local commercial banks in Sri Lanka. Thus, finding the main internal and external characteristics for achieving higher profitability. In this research, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) is used as an alternative approach to examine the relationships between bank-specific characteristics of bank’s profitability for a sample of 11 major Sri Lankan local banks during the 12 years period from 2006 to 2017. The findings reveal that assets base and size of branch network are the main determinants of banks’ profitability, by showing a significant relationship with all measures of profitability. Net profits of banks show a significant relationship with size of branch networks and total assets, but insignificant with deposit interest ratio. However, loan interest ratio and deposit interest ratio together have a significant effect on net interest margin thus leading an impact on banks’ profitability.  Article visualizations

Viable mass production method for cotton pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders)

AbstractCotton seed based artificial diet has been standardized for continuous rearing of pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) at the Central Institute for Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore. The ingredients of the diet are easily available and are cost effective. Basic ingredients of the diet are cotton seed flour (processed) and chick pea flour, Carbohydrate, Protein, Fat sources, multi vitamin, antimicrobial agents and agar as thickening agent are used as other ingredients. Micro centrifuge tubes with lid were used as rearing containers. Individual neonate larvae were released on each piece of the diet inside the micro centrifuge tube and the lids were closed. This prevented larval escape, retaining them inside the tubes and also prevented diet dehydration. The recovery of insect reared on diet was recorded as 95.56%. Egg hatchability and adult emergence were 100% while pupal malformation was nil. Eggs, larval and pupal periods were recorded as 4.8±0.632, 25.10±0.994 and 7.9±0.88days, respectively. Larval and pupal weights were recorded as 21.40mg±3.63, 18.00mg±2.73, respectively

Phonon-polaritonics: enabling powerful capabilities for infrared photonics

Here, we review the progress and most recent advances in phonon-polaritonics, an emerging and growing field that has brought about a range of powerful possibilities for mid- to far-infrared (IR) light. These extraordinary capabilities are enabled by the resonant coupling between the impinging light and the vibrations of the material lattice, known as phonon-polaritons (PhPs). These PhPs yield a characteristic optical response in certain materials, occurring within an IR spectral window known as the reststrahlen band. In particular, these materials transition in the reststrahlen band from a high-refractive-index behavior, to a near-perfect metal behavior, to a plasmonic behavior – typical of metals at optical frequencies. When anisotropic they may also possess unconventional photonic constitutive properties thought of as possible only with metamaterials. The recent surge in two-dimensional (2D) material research has also enabled PhP responses with atomically-thin materials. Such vast and extraordinary photonic responses can be utilized for a plethora of unusual effects for IR light. Examples include sub-diffraction surface wave guiding, artificial magnetism, exotic photonic dispersions, thermal emission enhancement, perfect absorption and enhanced near-field heat transfer. Finally, we discuss the tremendous potential impact of these IR functionalities for the advancement of IR sources and sensors, as well as for thermal management and THz-diagnostic imaging

Relative toxicity of insecticides against cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae) and its fortuous parasitod Aenasius bambawalei Hayat (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Nineteen insecticidal formulations from 10 groups of insecticides were evaluated for their relative toxicity against cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley and its fortuous parasitoid Aenasius bambawalei Hayat. Insects were exposed to cotton leaves dipped in insecticidal solutions and their mortality was recorded at 24-h intervals. Within 24 h of exposure, Quinalphos, Chlorpyriphos, Thiamethoxam and Profenophos have detrimental effect on both P. solenospis and A. bambawalei recorded more than 70% mortality. Thiodicarb was extremely toxic to P. solenopsis and least toxic to A. bambawalei where as Spinosad was less toxic to P. solenopsis and extremely toxic to A. bambawalei. Profenophos, Thiamethoxam and Chlorpyriphos results into > 90% mortality of P. solenospsis while 100% kill of A. bambawalei with Spinosad, Acephate and Chlorpyriphos up to 48 hours. More than 80% mortality of P. solenopsis with Chlorpyriphos, Profenophos, Monocrotophos, Thiamethoxam, Spinosad and of A. bambawalei with Profenophos, Monocrotophos, Flonicamid, Buprofezin, Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Chlorantraniliprole, Flonicamid and Indoxacarb recorded 72 hours after exposure. While at 96 hours, cent per cent mortality of P. solenopsis was recorded with Monocrotophos which was equivalent to Acephate and Spinosad. Least LT50 values were found with Thiodicarb, Quinalphos and Thiamethoxam for P. solenopsis and higher in case of Thiodicarb for A. bambawalei. Spinosad, Chlorpyriphos and Quinalphos were found to be extremely toxic to A. bambawalei. Among the tested insecticides Thiodicarb was found effective against P. solenopsis and relatively safer to A. bambawalei may be used judiciously to manage P. solenopsis that have least implications on the environment

Resource Management in Fog Networking of Cloud Computing using KNN Algorithm

It is necessary to deploy any application in Cloud environment to reduce the investment cost, maintenance cost and licence of hardware/software. Keeping these benefits, it is advised to go for cloud computing environment for any application deployment. The major challenge in this environment is fault tolerance of resources to support for continuous availability of resources to client for working. Especially in IoT applications, we use Fog networking connecting to cloud computing. In this scenario, it is advised to use KNN (K- Nearest Neighbour) resource identification and allocation algorithm to increase the throughput to user requirement. We are presenting an approach to allocate the required resources with optimal distance resource allocation, so as to improve the throughput of user requirement

EVALUATION OF ANTI-OXIDANT AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF COUROUPITA GUIANENSIS LEAVES

Abstract: The present study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Couroupita guianensis against CCL 4 induced liver damage in rats. Anti-oxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging. Ascorbic acid was used as the standard antioxidants for comparison. Healthy male Wistar albino rats of either sex (150-200g) were used for the in-vivo investigations. Liver damage was induced by administration of 30% CCl 4 suspended in olive oil (1ml/kg body weight). Activities of liver marker enzymes, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), asparate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) and total protein (TP) at doses of 150mg/kg and 300 mg/kg showed a significant hepatoprotective effect in comparison with the standard (silymarin). The present study demonstrates that the extract of Couroupita guianensis has hepatoprotective effect against CCl 4 induced hepatotoxicity

Development and validation of new analytical method for the estimation of fluoxetine in bulk and dosage form by UV spectrophotometry

A simple, rapid and precise method is developed for the quantitative determination of Fluoxetine in combined pharmaceutical-dosage forms. The method was based on UV Spectrophotometric determination of Fluoxetine drug using Beer-Lamberts Law. It involves absorbance measurement at 224 nm (λmax of Fluoxetine) in water. For UV Spectrophotometric method, linearity was obtained in concentration range of 5-30 mcg/ml with regression 0.999 for Fluoxetine respectively. Recovery was in the range of 98 -102%; the value of standard deviation and %R.S.D was found to be < 2 shows high precision of the method.