Revisiting the empirical existence of the Phillips Curve for India

This paper revisits the empirical existence of the Phillips curve in the Indian context. To estimate the Phillips curve we need two variables – inflation and the output gap. In the case of India, incorrect measurement of both variables causes much difficulty in estimating the Phillipscurve. We use a non-linear Kalman filter approach to estimate the output gap and find that the Kalman filter estimate captures all the dynamics of the economy. Our results show that after taking supply shocks into consideration, there is clear evidence as to the existence of the Phillips curve in India for recent years.Kalman Filter; Output Gap; Inflation

Revisiting the empirical existence of the Phillips Curve for India

This paper revisits the empirical existence of the Phillips curve in the Indian context. To estimate the Phillips curve we need two variables – inflation and the output gap. In the case of India, incorrect measurement of both variables causes much difficulty in estimating the Phillipscurve. We use a non-linear Kalman filter approach to estimate the output gap and find that the Kalman filter estimate captures all the dynamics of the economy. Our results show that after taking supply shocks into consideration, there is clear evidence as to the existence of the Phillips curve in India for recent years

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THE PATTERN OF USE OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS IN SURGICAL PROPHYLAXIS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Objective: To evaluate the most common class of antimicrobial agents used in surgical prophylaxis. To evaluate the timing, dosage, route and duration of use of antimicrobial agents in surgical prophylaxis.Methods: The study subjects were 214 patients who underwent general surgical procedures at Vinayaka Missions Kirupananda Variyar Medical College from July 2013 to June 2014. The use of antimicrobial agents was noted from the first dose of antibiotic given before the induction of anaesthesia. After surgery was completed the duration of antibiotic in the post-operative ward was noted. Results: Majority of the patients were males of age group 50-60 y and the most common surgical procedure was hernioplasty. Combination therapy with two antimicrobial agents was more preferred regimen 126 (58.9%). Among the antimicrobial agent's cefotaxime 114 (24.8%) was the most commonly prescribed drug and it was followed by metronidazole 121 (21.9%). ceftriaxone 60 (13.1%) was the third most commonly prescribed antimicrobial agent. The mean duration of prescription of antimicrobial agents in the present study was 4.78 d and the mean cost of drug treatment was 787.54 rupees. The cost-effective regimen was that of aminoglycosides and imidazole.Conclusion: The choice of antimicrobial agent was based on the local prevalence pattern of microorganisms. The intravenous administration of antibiotic prophylaxis immediately before or after the induction of anaesthesia is the most reliable method for ensuring effective serum concentration at the time of surgery. The antimicrobial agent chosen must cover all the most likely contaminating organisms

Statin Therapy in Metabolic Syndrome and Hypertension Post-JUPITER: What is the Value of CRP?

Much evidence supports a pivotal role for inflammation in atherosclerosis. C-reactive protein (CRP), the prototypic marker of inflammation in humans, is a cardiovascular risk marker and may also promote atherogenesis. CRP levels are increased in metabolic syndrome and hypertension and confer increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients in these subgroups. Statins have been shown to lower low-density lipoproteins and CRP independently, and reduce cardiovascular events in subjects with and without metabolic syndrome and hypertension. In this review, we focus on the results from the primary prevention statin trial, Justification for the Use of statins in Primary prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER), which showed reductions in LDL, CRP, and cardiovascular events. Post-JUPITER, the new guidelines will now need to consider recommending high-sensitivity CRP testing to intermediate-risk metabolic syndrome patients and those with hypertension and intermediate risk so that we can better identify candidates at greater risk and reduce cardiovascular burden in these subjects with statin therapy

The antimalarial MMV688533 provides potential for single-dose cures with a high barrier to

The emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to first-line antimalarials creates an imperative to identify and develop potent preclinical candidates with distinct modes of action. Here, we report the identification of MMV688533, an acylguanidine that was developed following a whole-cell screen with compounds known to hit high-value targets in human cells. MMV688533 displays fast parasite clearance in vitro and is not cross-resistant with known antimalarials. In a P. falciparum NSG mouse model, MMV688533 displays a long-lasting pharmacokinetic profile and excellent safety. Selection studies reveal a low propensity for resistance, with modest loss of potency mediated by point mutations in PfACG1 and PfEHD. These proteins are implicated in intracellular trafficking, lipid utilization, and endocytosis, suggesting interference with these pathways as a potential mode of action. This preclinical candidate may offer the potential for a single low-dose cure for malaria

The antimalarial MMV688533 provides potential for single-dose cures with a high barrier to

The emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to first-line antimalarials creates an imperative to identify and develop potent preclinical candidates with distinct modes of action. Here, we report the identification of MMV688533, an acylguanidine that was developed following a whole-cell screen with compounds known to hit high-value targets in human cells. MMV688533 displays fast parasite clearance in vitro and is not cross-resistant with known antimalarials. In a P. falciparum NSG mouse model, MMV688533 displays a long-lasting pharmacokinetic profile and excellent safety. Selection studies reveal a low propensity for resistance, with modest loss of potency mediated by point mutations in PfACG1 and PfEHD. These proteins are implicated in intracellular trafficking, lipid utilization, and endocytosis, suggesting interference with these pathways as a potential mode of action. This preclinical candidate may offer the potential for a single low-dose cure for malaria

Bacteria-inducing legume nodules involved in the improvement of plant growth, health and nutrition

Bacteria-inducing legume nodules are known as rhizobia and belong to the class Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria. They promote the growth and nutrition of their respective legume hosts through atmospheric nitrogen fixation which takes place in the nodules induced in their roots or stems. In addition, rhizobia have other plant growth-promoting mechanisms, mainly solubilization of phosphate and production of indoleacetic acid, ACC deaminase and siderophores. Some of these mechanisms have been reported for strains of rhizobia which are also able to promote the growth of several nonlegumes, such as cereals, oilseeds and vegetables. Less studied are the mechanisms that have the rhizobia to promote the plant health; however, these bacteria are able to exert biocontrol of some phytopathogens and to induce the plant resistance. In this chapter, we revised the available data about the ability of the legume nodule-inducing bacteria for improving the plant growth, health and nutrition of both legumes and nonlegumes. These data showed that rhizobia meet all the requirements of sustainable agriculture to be used as bio-inoculants allowing the total or partial replacement of chemicals used for fertilization or protection of crops

Revisiting the empirical existence of the Phillips curve for India

This paper revisits the empirical existence of the Phillips curve in the Indian context. To estimate the Phillips curve we need two variables: inflation and the output gap. In the case of India, incorrect measurement of both variables causes much difficulty in estimating the Phillips curve. We use a non-linear Kalman filter approach to estimate the output gap and find that the Kalman filter estimate captures all the dynamics of the economy. Our results show that after taking supply shocks into consideration, there is clear evidence as to the existence of the Phillips curve in India for recent years.Kalman filter Output gap Inflation

Napin from Brassica juncea: Thermodynamic and structural analysis of stability

The napin from Brassica juncea, oriental mustard, is highly thermostable, proteolysis resistant and allergenic in nature. It consists of two subunits – one small (29 amino acid residues) and one large (86 amino acids residues) – held together by disulfide bonds. The thermal unfolding of napin has been followed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and circular dichroism (CD) measurements. The thermal unfolding is characterized by a three state transition with $T_{M1}$ and $T_{M2}$ at 323.5 K and 335.8 K, respectively; $\Delta C_{P1}$ and $\Delta C_{P2}$ are $2.05 kcal mol^{-1} K^{-1}$ and $1.40 kcal mol^{−1} K^{−1}$, respectively. In the temperature range 310–318 K, the molecule undergoes dimerisation. Isothermal equilibrium unfolding by guanidinium hydrochloride also follows a three state transition, N⇆I⇆U with $\Delta G_{1H2O}$ and $\Delta G_{2H2O}$ values of $5.2 kcal mol^{−1}$ and $5.1 kcal mol^{−1}$ at 300 K, respectively. Excess heat capacity values obtained, are similar to those obtained from DSC measurements. There is an increase in hydrodynamic radius from $20 \AA$ to $35.0 \AA$ due to unfolding by guanidinium hydrochloride. In silico alignment of sequences of napin has revealed that the internal repeats (40%) spanning residues 31 to 60 and 73 to 109 are conserved in all Brassica species. The internal repeats may contribute to the greater stability of napin. A thorough understanding of the structure and stability of these proteins is essential before they can be exploited for genetic improvements for nutrition