Self or simulacra of online reviews : an empirical perspective

Online user-generated content (UGC) includes various forms of computer-mediated online reviews, ratings, and feedback. The impact of online consumer reviews has been widely studied particularly in e-commerce, online marketing, and consumer behavior domains using text-mining and sentiment analysis. Such studies often assume that consumer-submitted online reviews truly represent consumer experiences, but multiple studies on online social networks suggest otherwise. Drawing from the social network literature, this paper investigates the impact of peers on consumer willingness to write and submit online reviews. An empirical study using data from “Yelp,” a globally used online restaurant review website, shows that the number of friends and fans positively impacts the number of online consumer reviews written. Implications for research and practice are discussed

Study of Teratogenic Effects of Chitrak (Plumbago-zeylanica) an Ayurvedic Drug on Developing Mice Embryo

In classical Ayurvedic literature, the root preparation of plant Chitrak (Plumbago-zeylanica) is well documented to be having anti-cancer properties. Away from its use as anti-neoplastic drug, it is also a very common ingredient in so many Ayurvedic formulations which are used as herbal digestive and carminative. Many times they can be prescribed to a pregnant woman also, so the present study is designed to assess the teratogenic effect in mice embryos induced by Chitrak as Ayurvedic medicine. After evaluation of 24 fetuses who have received Chitrakroot powder during their anti-natal life period, it can be said that Chitrak is relatively safe for them; however, only a few fetuses have shown subcutaneous hemorrhages in their necks

Characterization of nutraceuticals in bael powder prepared from fruits harvested at different developmental stages

724-730Bael [Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa], is well known in Indian traditional medical system for its multipurpose use in treatment of various diseases. Fresh ripe fruits are used in various types of shakes and sharbats but bael fruits are mainly used into its processed form like nectar or squash, jelly, candy and murabba. Bael powder is another form of product which has very high pharmaceutical value, long storability and is the pure concentrated form of fruit pulp. The aim of this study is to measure the nutraceutical values in bael powder (dry weight basis) prepared from fruit of CISH B-1 harvested at various stages of growth and development [180–335 days after fruit set (DAFS)] by using a simple HPLC technique and atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The antioxidants value (in terms of FRAP) ranges from 13.45 mmol/g at 180 DAFS (month of November) to 22.6 mmol/g at 335 DAFS (month of April). Maximum polyphenols content (5.99%) was observed at 305 and 335 DAFS (months of March and April). The antioxidants and polyphenols were enhanced significantly with the maturity of the fruits. Marmelosin and psoralen concentrations were highest at 215 DAFS and were found as 737 and 511 µg/g, respectively. Thereafter, both compounds declined significantly in mature fruit powder. Mineral contents in powder also varied with maturity stages. From this study, it may be concluded that powder prepared from immature fruits collected at early stages of development (November-January; 180–245 DAFS), possessed significantly higher amount of potassium, iron, marmelosin, psoralen and tannic acid, whereas, mature fruit powder (harvested during March-April; 305-335 DAFS) contains significantly higher content of zinc, copper, polyphenols and antioxidants

Papain-like proteases: Applications of their inhibitors

Proteases are one of the most important classes of enzyme and expressed throughout the animal and plant kingdoms as well as in viruses and bacteria. The protease family has drawn special attention fordrug target for cure of several diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis and cancer. Many proteases from various sources are being studied extensively with respect to activity, inhibition and structure. Inthis review, we hope to bring together the information available about the proteases with particular emphasis on papain-like plant cysteine proteases. Besides, protease inhibitors and their potential utilities are also discussed

REVIEW ON MALNUTRITION HEALTH HAZARDS IN PEDIATRIC POPULATION AND ITS AYURVEDA MANAGEMENT

Objectives: The study was designed with the objectives: To study the role of Brimhana therapy in Karshya and to review the clinical research works on Karshya (malnutrition) in the Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (IPGT and RA), Jamnagar, and reach a final conclusion.Methods: This study was done by compiling the classical Ayurvedic literature, pediatric magazines, and research journals as well as PubMed and MedLine database for the search of the relevant literature. The review has been done from previous years of clinical research work in IPGT and RA, Jamnagar.Discussion: Brumhana and Vrushya Yoga have resulted in obtaining the phenomena of ideal anabolism. Brumhana Yoga has Kapikachhu, Shweta musli, and Shatavari are Brumhana and Vrushya both properties in it, that's why it shows a better result. Basti is better in Vatahara Guna and fruitful in microcirculation that is why it produces a better result.Conclusion: In the present study, it has been concluded that Brumhana is the line of treatment in Karshya (malnutrition) and gives a fruitful result. Ayurvedic medication and procedures are very efficacious to overcome this malnutrition named, a great burden on society. Assimilation has also a very big role for the absorption of Brumhana Yoga, and for this, regulation of Agni is very important. Basti procedure is more efficacious than drug administration. Overall Ayurveda is very efficacious in Karshya

DESIGN, SYNTHESIS, MOLECULAR DOCKING, AND EVALUATION OF CHROMONE BASED TETRAZOLE DERIVATIVES

Objectives: The objective of this research work was to design, synthesize, study the molecular docking, and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of some novel substituted 2-(Phenylamino)-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives (12a-h). Methods: In the present work, 3-Formylchromones were transformed into pharmacologically active substituted 2-(Phenylamino)-3-(1H-tetrazol-5- yl)-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives (12a-h) through a multistep reaction. Initially, synthesis of the substituted 4-Oxo-2-(phenylamino)-4H-chromone-3- carbaldehydes (9a-h) was carried out using substituted acetophenones (6a-h) as starting material and by employing an earlier reported method (1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction). Then, these synthesized compounds were converted into respective oximes (10a-h).The obtained oximes (10a-h) were further converted into nitriles (11a-h) which were finally subjected to concerted cycloaddition through stepwise addition of neutral or anionic azide species to furnish final substituted 2-(Phenylamino)-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives (12a-h). All the newly synthesized compounds (12a-h) and a reference compound (ciprofloxacin) were docked into the active site of TyrRS (PDB: 1JIK) by means of the BioPredicta module of VLife MDS. The synthesized compounds (12a-h) were also evaluated in vitro for their antibacterial (against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli bacterial stains) and antifungal activities (against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans fungal strains) using Zone of Inhibition method. Results: The formation of substituted 2-(Phenylamino)-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives (12a-h) was confirmed through their spectral analysis, that is, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and Mass spectroscopy. During docking study, the recorded molecular binding interactions revealed that all the newly synthesized compounds (12a-h) interacted well with binding site of the enzyme. The synthesized compounds were also evaluated in vitro for their antibacterial (against S. aureus, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli bacterial stains) and antifungal activities (against A. niger and C. albicans fungal strains). All the synthesized compounds exhibited moderate-to-potent antimicrobial activities. Conclusions: All the synthesized compounds exhibited moderate-to-potent antimicrobial activity

K- absorption in nuclei by two and three nucleons

It will be shown that the peaks in the (Lambda p) and (Lambda d) invariant mass distributions, observed in recent FINUDA experiments and claimed to be signals of deeply bound kaonic states, are naturally explained in terms of K- absorption by two or three nucleons leaving the rest of the original nuclei as spectator. For reactions on heavy nuclei, the subsequent interactions of the particles produced in the primary absorption process with the residual nucleus play an important role. Our analyses leads to the conclusion that at present there is no experimental evidence of deeply bound K- state in nuclei. Although the FINUDA experiments have been done for reasons which are not supported a posteriori, some new physics can be extracted from the data.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. Talk presented at the International Conference on Exotic Atoms "EXA 2008", Vienna, Austria, September 15-18, 200

Evaluation and utilization of Aegilops germplasm for biofortification of wheat for high grain iron and zinc content

Contains fulltext : 135415.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)24 p

PREVALENCE OF VARIOUS BETA LACTAMASES AMONG GRAM NEGATIVE BACILLI IN URINARY ISOLATES FROM PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF NORTHERN INDIA

Objective: Urinary tract infections are considered among the most common infections, occurring either in the community or health-care setting. We are left with very few options for the treatment due to rapid development of antibiotic resistance among the organisms. To find out the prevalence of various types of β-lactamases among urinary isolates.Methods: Seven antibiotic discs (HiMedia) were placed in combinations and approximation in a particular sequence on a 90 mm diameter MuellerHintonagar plate.Results: Out of a total 165 urinary isolates, 66 (40%) isolates were positive for extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production, AmpC β-lactamases(AmpC) activity was present in 31 (18.78%) isolates, co-production of both ESBL and AmpC was seen in 16 (9.69%) isolates, 3 (1.81%) isolatesproduced metallo β-lactamase (MBL), 2 (1.21%) isolates produced both MBL, and ESBL and 1 (0.60%) isolates were positive for inducible third generation cephalosporin resistance.Conclusion: With the presence of such high prevalence of various β-lactamases in clinical isolates of gram-negative bacilli and also other types ofantibiotic resistance, antibiotic policy should be made, and strict adherence should be followed.Keywords: Extended spectrum β-lactamase, AmpC β-lactamase, Metallo β-lactamase