Targeted Drug Delivery To Leukocytes with ICAM-1 Derived Peptides

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) derived cyclic peptide cIBR [cyclo(1,12)PenPRGGSVLVTGC] showed high affinity for leukocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) receptor and was internalized into the MOLT-3 T-cells. Therefore, the objective of the dissertation was to explore the possibility of selectively delivering drugs to leukocytes using ICAM-1 derived peptides. Fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated cIBR (FITC-cIBR) and doxorubicin conjugated cIBR (DOX-cIBR) entered the HL-60 cells by receptor mediated endocytosis and passive diffusion, respectively. High hydrophobicity of DOX-cIBR was proposed to be responsible for its energy-independent entry (chapter 2). To check the effect of hydrophobicity on internalization, two relatively more hydrophilic cIBR-derived peptides were conjugated to DOX. However, both the DOX-peptide conjugates were internalized passively (chapter 3). Degradation mechanism of methotrexate conjugate of cIBR (MTX-cIBR) was studied and suitable formulation conditions were developed. Stability of MTX-cIBR was assessed with in vitro biological matrices to determine optimum dosing regimen for in vivo studies (chapter 4)

Performance in the US telecommunication services industry : An analysis of the impact of deregulation

The impact of deregulation on the performance of firms in the US telecommunication services industry is examined, using extant ideas to suggest that deregulation has differing impacts on different dimensions of firms' performance. The performance of the top 39 local exchange companies is measured over the period 1981-1987 using a multi-period, multi-output ratio analysis model which enables disaggregation of gross performance measures into several detailed components. The findings indicate that deregulation has a significant impact on different dimensions of firms' performance in general, and it is also found that individual firms display different patterns of response in each of these dimensions of performance.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/30080/1/0000451.pd

Market liberalization and the psychology of firm performance

In this paper we study whether the progressive liberalization of the U.S. telecommunications industry has altered the psychology of firms' behavior and led to performance changes. A detailed theoretical framework is developed, based on extension of the postulates of x-efficiency theory. Such an extension of x-efficiency theory enables us to make predictions regarding the direction of performance changes and whether among the various measures of performance there are likely to be cross-sectional differences, even as these different measures change over time. Two performance measures are computed. The first measures the ability of firms to maximize revenues, given their resources; the second measures their ability to reduce costs given the level of outputs generated. We find that market liberalization has significantly impacted the internal psychology within firms, in encouraging both entrepreneurially-oriented and productivity-oriented behavior. However, over time as the market gets more and more liberalized it is the entrepreneurially-oriented behavior that is dominant. We also examine whether ownership differences cause divergences among the firms studied in behavior and performance. We find that erstwhile AT&T-owned firms are always superior to independents in revenue-maximizing skills, but in an era of monopoly were not cost minimizers. In a liberalized environment their cost minimization skills are also superior to the independent firms.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/31370/1/0000282.pd

The Impact of Size and Age on Firm-Level Performance: Some Evidence from India

Using contemporary data for an extensive sample of 1020 Indian firms, this paper investigates the impacts that size and age of firms have on firm-level productivity and profitability. In India older firms are found to be more productive and less profitable, whereas the larger firms are, conversely, found to be more profitable and less productive. These performance differences are explained as arising from the market-restricting industrial policies that have been followed in India over the past three decades.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43576/1/11151_2004_Article_108931.pd

Assessing comparative efficiency of the state-owned mixed and private sectors in Indian industry

This paper evaluates performance differences between government owned, mixed sector and private sector enterprises in India for the period 1973–1974 to 1988–1989. The results establish that enterprises owned by the central government and state governments are less efficient than mixed or private sector enterprises, while mixed sector enterprises are less efficient than those in the private sector. The results contradict extant evidence finding no performance differences between government-owned and private firms in India. There have, however, been inter-temporal efficiency gains for the sector as a whole, perhaps resulting from reforms undertaken towards improving government-owned enterprises' performance.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45522/1/11127_2004_Article_106981.pd

Effect of illicit direct to consumer advertising on use of etanercept, mometasone, and tegaserod in Canada: controlled longitudinal study

Objective To assess the impact of direct to consumer advertising of prescription drugs in the United States on Canadian prescribing rates for three heavily marketed drugs—etanercept, mometasone, and tegaserod

An Assessment of the Performance of Indian State-Owned Enterprises

We examine the determinants of performance of 68 Indian state-owned enterprises in the manufacturing sector for a five-year period: 1987 to 1991. Relative performance is determined using data envelopment analysis, with variations in performance patterns subsequently explained using regression analysis. We note that the performance of firms in the Indian state-owned sector is characterized by both, low performance, as well as significant and systematic variations in the performance parameters. Size is positively associated and age negatively associated with efficiency. Further, economic liberalization and reforms aimed at improving the performance of state-owned firms induces efficiency gains over time. This heterogeneity within the state-owned sector has policy implications, which we discuss. In countries which have privatized large numbers of their state-owned firms, it is often the larger establishments which have been sold to the public. The state-owned firms in the manufacturing sector that can be candidates for privatization are the smaller and older manufacturing firms. These firms may also be easier to dispose of to private investors. This finding reinforces our central thesis that firm-level analysis within the state-owned sector is useful and important for generating pragmatic policy guidelines.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47575/1/11123_2004_Article_154532.pd

Mean platelet volume as a marker of Kawasaki disease in children

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a clinical diagnosis, with common confusion among other causes of febrile illnesses. There are no confirmatory laboratory parameters for diagnosing KD. Objective: To investigate whether low mean platelet volume (MPV) is associated more with fever due to KD than due to the other common causes. Methods: This retrospective case-control study was done on febrile children between 6 months and 6 years of age admitted from January 2015 to January 2017. The MPV values of 28 KD and 50 non-KD febrile children admitted to our hospital were obtained from the hospital records. The diagnosis of KD was accepted only when (1) two pediatricians had agreed upon the diagnosis independently based on the American Heart Association guidelines 2004, (2) no other cause of fever coexisted with KD in a particular patient, and (3) prompt clinical response within 48 h of administration of intravenous immunoglobulin. Using suitable statistical software, the range of MPV in KD fever and non-KD fevers was compared. Results: MPV was lower in the KD group (9.75±0.98 femtoliter) than in the non-KD fever group (11.14±1.53 femtoliter). From the receiver operating characteristic curve, it was found that at MPV ≤10.0 fl, KD can be diagnosed with 75% sensitivity and 80% specificity. This means that lower the value of MPV, lower is the probability that a non-KD patientwill be wrongly diagnosed as KD. Conclusion: Our study shows that low MPV is associated with KD. Hence, a low MPV can raise the index of suspicion for KD in febrile children, especially in cases of incomplete KD. Further, prospective studies involving larger sample size are needed to ascertain its diagnostic utility