Nesting ecology of colonial waterbirds at Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Orissa

Not availabl

VISCOUS FLOW AND HEAT TRANSFER IN A VERTICAL CHANNEL WITH DEFORMABLE POROUS LAYER MEDIUM

Steady flow of a viscous fluid in a vertical deformable porous layer bounded by.............

FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF NATEGLINIDE-LOADED ETHYL CELLULOSE NANOPARTICLES BY BOX-BEHNKEN DESIGN

Objective: Application of nanotechnology in drug delivery system has released leading new areas of research in sustained release of drugs. The objective of the present study is development and optimization of polymeric nanoparticles of Nateglinide (NTG).Methods: Nateglinide loaded ethyl cellulose (EC) nanoparticles were prepared by the solvent evaporation technique. Response surface methodology (RSM) using the Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the formulation of Nateglinide nanoparticles. The Box-Behnken design consisting of 14 runs, three-factor, three levels and two centre point was used in this study. The particle size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of Nateglinide nanoparticles were investigated with respect to three independent variables including stirring speed (X1), time (X2) and surfactant concentration (X3). The optimized nanoparticle is then subjected to characterization studies including morphology, particle size, zeta potential, % Drug Loading (DL) and % Entrapment Efficiency (EE).Results: Nateglinide nanoparticles under the optimized conditions gave rise to the DL of 14.30±0.27 %, EE of 72.19±0.24 %, mean diameter of 172 nm and zeta potential value of-15.6 mV.Conclusion: The optimized nanoparticles formulation with improved characteristic properties could be a promising delivery system for Nateglinide.Â

FABRICATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF NATEGLINIDE-LOADED ETHYL CELLULOSE NANOPARTICLES

Objective: The objective of the present study is to formulate freeze-dried oral sustained release polymeric nanoparticles of nateglinide (NTG) todecrease dosing frequency, increase bioavailability, and minimize side effects.Methods: NTG-loaded ethyl cellulose (EC) nanoparticles were prepared by solvent evaporation technique and subjected to various studies forcharacterization, such as particle size, zeta potential, drug loading (DL), entrapment efficiency (EE), scanning electron microscopy, and evaluated forin vitro drug release.Results: From this study, it was observed that the fabricated nanoparticles showed satisfactory results, i.e. particle size with 172 nm, 72.19% EE,−15.81 mV zeta potential, and 14.30% DL. The results of in vitro release show that sustained release of NTG from the nanoparticles over the periodof 12 hrs and comparable with the immediate release tablets. Furthermore, accelerated stability studies revealed that the formulation is stable as perInternational Conference on Harmonisation guidelines.Conclusion: Thus, the nanoparticles formulation could be a promising delivery system for NTG with improved anti-diabetic activity, stability, andbioavailability.Keywords: Drug delivery, Nanoparticles, Nateglinide, In vitro release, Solvent evaporation method

Factors influencing corporate social responsibility disclosures in Nepalese banks

Purpose This paper examines the relationship between selected firm-specific variables and the extent of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures made by Nepalese banks. Design/methodology/approach A content analysis approach of the banks\u27 annual reports is applied using a CSR disclosure index based on the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines. The factors identified in this study – bank size, bank age and bank profitability – are analyzed against the extent of CSR disclosures in the Nepalese banks using multiple regression. Findings The main finding from the content analysis indicates that the extent of CSR disclosures made by Nepalese banks in their annual reports is mostly descriptive, with charity and donation being the most disclosed items. The main findings from the correlation and regression analyses show that there are positive and significant relationships between both bank size and profitability and the extent of CSR disclosures in the Nepalese banks, while bank age is a partial determinant. Originality/value Banks have a significant role in the Nepalese economy. This study offers insights into the CSR disclosure practices of Nepalese banks, examines the potential factors affecting CSR disclosure and expands the pool of CSR knowledge in the developing country context, especially in the banking sector

Weight gain in patients with tuberculosis treated under directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS)

Set up: One Tuberculosis Unit (TU) in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, India where Tuberculosis (TB) patients treated under Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) programme. Objective: To identify the effects of weight gain among TB patients at the end of treatment on different factors such as socio-economic and demographic characteristics, smoking and drinking habits, treatment under supervision, the type of DOTS centres and problems in taking drugs. Methods: TB patients registered between May 1999 and December 2004 formed the study population. Multiple regression method was used for the analysis. Results: Among 1557 smear-positive TB patients registered under DOTS programme, the changes in weight ranged from a loss of 4 kgs to a gain of 20 kgs at the end of TB treatment; the average change in weight was 3.22 kgs. The gain in weight at the end of treatment was associated with age (<45 years), DOT at government centres, no problems in taking drugs as reported by patients and cure rate. Conclusion: The findings showed that there is an association between gain in weight with DOT at government centres and cure of patients

Survival of tuberculosis patients treated under DOTS in a rural tuberculosis unit (TU), south India.

Objective: To estimate survival probabilities and identify risk factors for death of tuberculosis (TB) patients during treatment period. Methods: TB patients registered during May 1999 to December 2004 from a rural TB unit (TU) with a population of 580 000 in Tiruvallur district, South India, formed study population. Life table and Cox’s regression methods were used. Results: Of the 3818 TB patients who were initiated on treatment, 96, 94 and 97% of category – I, II and III respectively, were surviving after completion of treatment. Higher death rates were independently associated with patient’s age (45 years), previous history of treatment, alcoholism and initial body weight (<35 kgs). Conclusion: The survival probability was found to be similar in all patients irrespective of categorization. Necessary actions need to be initiated in the programme to improve body weight and abstain from alcoholism

Pathya Apathya of Visha w.s.r. to Prayoga Samucchaya

Agadatantra deals with the study of poison and its treatment and is given utmost importance among the branches of Ayurveda owing to its need for emergency management. Pathya Apathya is very important in the management of Visha Roga to keep the Dhatus in normal state and will not let them vitiated more by the action of Visha Gunas. People are exposed to different toxins, bites and stings and it’s the need of hour to understand properly about the Pathya Apathya to be followed in such conditions. This articles highlights the relevance of Pathya and Apathya in Visha Chikitsa from the malayalam text Prayoga Samucchaya

Quality of symptom elicitation in an epidemiological survey on tuberculosis

The quality of symptom elicited by health workers in an epidemiological survey on tuberculosis was assessed by again subjecting a 10% random sample of the persons interviewed, by the supervisory staff, independently. Three thousand four hundred and forty nine persons were thus interviewed twice. The overall estimates for overdiagnosis and under-diagnosis in the elicitation of symptoms by health workers were to the extent of 16% and 8% respectively, with minimal yield of sputum positivity from the discordant groups of persons. The additional load of 16% for sputum examination can thus be considerably reduced if health workers are well trained in symptom-elicitationscreening of the population and their work is monitored through spot supervisory checks