Effect of co-administration of voglibose and vildagliptin on diabetic albino rats

Background: The progressive nature of type 2 diabetes usually requires a combination of two or more oral agents in long term. Studies have been done to support its relevance. This study was made to observe the possible additive or supra-additive effect of the co-administration of voglibose and vildagliptin expecting it to be beneficial by enhancing the peptide GLP-1 activity which in turn increases insulin secretion while decreasing that of glucagon in response to rise in plasma glucose.Methods: Healthy male wistar rats weighing 150-250 grams were taken for this study. The animals were divided into five groups, six animals in each group. These groups were normal control, diabetic control, vildagliptin treated, voglibose treated and by vildagliptin and voglibose (co-administered) treated group diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by freshly prepared nicotinamide followed by streptozotocin intraperitoneal injection. The fasting blood samples were determined by glucose oxidase method. One way ANOVA test was used to compare the effect of drugs on different group.Results: Fasting blood glucose in normal control was found static. Diabetic rats fasting blood glucose level subsequently increased in different weeks. The animal treated by vildagliptin and voglibose orally has a better control of FBS in comparison to diabetic control group. The animal treated by co-administration of vildagliptin and voglibose had a better effect than vildagliptin treated group and voglibose treated animal.Conclusions: Vildagliptin and voglibose are effective in lowering blood glucose level in albino diabetic rats but their combination has potentiating effect

An Analysis of Economic Growth and Its Dynamics in Nepal

This study has aimed to analyze the economic growth and its dynamics in the contribution of three major sector such as agricultural, industrial and service sector of Nepal. Mainly, the GDP growth rate is deepening on the various sectors but this study analyzed relationship between Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and three main sectors. The Multiple Regression Analysis and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficients statistical tool is used for secondary data available from the Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal. This study covers time frame for the period of 2001/02 - 2015/16. And the study found that economic growth has positive relation with service sector and agriculture sector. But Industry sector has a negligible contribution to economic growth of Nepal. In this empirical analysis, economic growth parameters; GDP of Nepalese economy is taken in order to oversee into the relationship between sectoral growth rate and economic growth. The major economic contributors have high potentiality of inclusive, broad based and sustainable development of long term economic growth of Nepal. This study suggests all the stakeholders to bust up the national economy empowering the key economic parameters

Winter aerosol and trace gas characteristics over a high-altitude station in the Western Ghats, India

This paper presents spectral distribution of aerosol optical depth (and derived size distribution), water vapor and ozone in total atmospheric column; in conjunction with particulate mass concentration in the size range from 0.3 to 20 μm and black carbon mass concentration at the surface-level during four different campaigns, conducted in months of December-January-2006-2007 (Campaign I), February-2007 (Campaign II), January-2008 (Campaign III) and November-2008 (Campaign IV) at a high-altitude station, Sinhgad (18°22'N, 73°45'E, 1450 m AMSL) in the Western Ghats of Indian Peninsula. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) measured within the spectral range 440-1020 nm is found lower as compared to that measured over a nearby urban station, Pune; but relatively higher than that over other remote high-altitude stations in India. The columnar Angstrom exponent derived within the 440-870 nm spectral range showed maximum values close to 1 indicating relatively higher contribution from fine-mode particles to aerosol size spectrum. Interestingly, this parameter shows lower values when the total aerosol mass concentration exhibits higher values during afternoon hours. Both columnar water vapor (CWV) and ozone (TCO) exhibit lower values in the morning hours and higher in the afternoon hours. The mass concentration of black carbon shows an association with AOD during the study period over the station. The measured surface aerosol particle number concentrations are used to reconstruct AOD spectra using the Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds (OPAC) software package and compared with simultaneously available columnar AOD spectra

GIS-based Decision Support System (DSS) for Recommending Retail Outlet Locations

Many Information Technology (IT) tools play a vital role in the business world due to their wider applicability. Extremely competitive retail environment necessitates retailers to choose new store locations strategically. GIS with its capability to manage, display and analyze business information spatially, is emerging as one of the powerful location intelligence IT tool.  The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibility of strategic retail outlet location through online Decision Support System (DSS) in Hyderabad Metropolitan city, India. The procedure makes use of data, information and software from Web-based Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to generate online analysis, mapping and visualization systems. These procedures are integrated and synchronized with appropriate data layers (multi data layer system) to arrive at better decisions.  This DSS combines different data layers through spatial methodological analysis to arrive at possible solution for ideal retail store location. Keywords: Retail store site selection; spatial data layers; open source web GIS; DSS

Tobacco use among school children in Chennai city, India

AIMS: The present study was done to build a database on prevalence of tobacco use among students of grade 8 to 10 in Chennai city, for the purpose of advocacy of tobacco control and planning tobacco control interventions and evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A two-stage stratified probability sample of students in grades 8-10 corresponding to 13 to 15 years of age were selected from private/government aided private schools and purely government aided corporation schools. Data was collected by a pretested, closed-ended self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1255 students participated in this survey. Among them 64.4 boys and 35.6% were girls. Ever tobacco use was reported by 37.6% of the students (41.6 males and 30.2% females). Current users of tobacco (any products) were reported by 41.1% of the students. Prevalence was more among boy students (46.3%) when compared to that of girl students (31.6%). There existed no significant difference between current users of tobacco based on the zones of the school. Tobacco users prevalence was found more in corporation schools when compared to that of private schools. Parental and friends tobacco use was reported more often by tobacco users compared to never users. Purchasing tobacco products in a store was reported by 82.5% and almost no one was refused because of age. Almost everyone reported watching a lot of cigarette advertisements on TV, whereas about half reported watching advertisements on other medias like outdoor hoardings (45.7%), newspapers (65.3%) and social events (67.4%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that among the 13 to 15-year old school going children (corresponding to grades 8 to 10) in Chennai city, the current tobacco use is high

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system vs. usual medical treatment for menorrhagia: An economic evaluation alongside a randomised controlled trial

Objective: To undertake an economic evaluation alongside the largest randomised controlled trial comparing Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device ('LNG-IUS') and usual medical treatment for women with menorrhagia in primary care; and compare the cost-effectiveness findings using two alternative measures of quality of life. Methods: 571 women with menorrhagia from 63 UK centres were randomised between February 2005 and July 2009. Women were randomised to having a LNG-IUS fitted, or usual medical treatment, after discussing with their general practitioner their contraceptive needs or desire to avoid hormonal treatment. The treatment was specified prior to randomisation. For the economic evaluation we developed a state transition (Markov) model with a 24 month follow-up. The model structure was informed by the trial women's pathway and clinical experts. The economic evaluation adopted a UK National Health Service perspective and was based on an outcome of incremental cost per Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) estimated using both EQ-5D and SF-6D. Results: Using EQ-5D, LNG-IUS was the most cost-effective treatment for menorrhagia. LNG-IUS costs £100 more than usual medical treatment but generated 0.07 more QALYs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for LNG-IUS compared to usual medical treatment was £1600 per additional QALY. Using SF-6D, usual medical treatment was the most cost-effective treatment. Usual medical treatment was both less costly (£100) and generated 0.002 more QALYs. Conclusion: Impact on quality of life is the primary indicator of treatment success in menorrhagia. However, the most costeffective treatment differs depending on the quality of life measure used to estimate the QALY. Under UK guidelines LNG-IUS would be the recommended treatment for menorrhagia. This study demonstrates that the appropriate valuation of outcomes in menorrhagia is crucial. Copyright: © 2014 Sanghera et al

Factor Analysis for Technology Management and Its Effectiveness in Indian Opencast Coal Mining

Coal holds utmost significance as a natural energy source propelling a nation’s industrial sector growth. Besides refining coal quality through adept mine technology management, contemporary mining grapples with multifaceted challenges encompassing human resettlement, land reclamation, forest preservation, pollution abatement, and efficient logistics. The coal mining sector serves as a tangible example where technology management assumes real-world importance. Despite adopting state-of-the-art methodologies, open-pit coal mining trails global standards. India’s coal industry faces persistent struggles in accessing suitable domestic coal, relying on imports despite considerable technological strides. Beyond augmenting production capacity or product innovation, technology innovation concepts empower Indian enterprises to reshape their industries. Technology management research within mining remains in its infancy, necessitating a comprehensive grasp of its implications on internal operations and strategic alignment for global competitiveness and effective technology leadership. This study aims to dissect the integral facets imperative for proficient technology management within opencast coal mining domains

A lanthanum picrate complex of a 1,2-bisamide substituted calix[4]arene

The synthesis and structural characterization of a lanthanum picrate complex of the proximally-substituted calix[4]arene bisamide, 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26- bis(diethylcarbamoylmethoxy)-27,28-dihydroxycalix[4] arene (L), is reported. The complex is formulated as [La(L-H)(picrate)2]2.75CH2Cl2 and crystallises with two inequivalent metal complexes in the unit cell. The differing dispositions of the picrate anions in the two complexes suggest that intramolecular interactions between the aromatic rings of the picrate and calixarene are less significant than the forces involved in the crystal packing of the complexes

A model for reactive porous transport during re-wetting of hardened concrete

A mathematical model is developed that captures the transport of liquid water in hardened concrete, as well as the chemical reactions that occur between the imbibed water and the residual calcium silicate compounds residing in the porous concrete matrix. The main hypothesis in this model is that the reaction product -- calcium silicate hydrate gel -- clogs the pores within the concrete thereby hindering water transport. Numerical simulations are employed to determine the sensitivity of the model solution to changes in various physical parameters, and compare to experimental results available in the literature.Comment: 30 page