Portfolio strategies of fund managers in the Indian capital market

AbstractThis paper examines whether Indian fund managers follow an active portfolio strategy. Interalia, the impact of asset size and market capitalisation on fund performance and the fund managers' ability to create value to the fund they manage is also addressed. The study finds that fund managers exhibit poor stock-selection skills and do not seem to exhibit any distinguishable ability in timing. It signals that they are unsuccessful in determining the right time to enter/exit the market

THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL AND IN VITRO ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF RIDGE GOURD FRUIT

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential and in vitro anthelmintic activity of ridge gourd fruit (Luffa acutangula) against Indian earthworms. Methods: For anthelmintic activity against Indian earthworms (Pheretima posthuma, Ascaridia galli, and Raillietina spiralis), various different extracts concentration of L. acutangula fruit have been taken. Five concentrations as 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/ml of various extracts were tested and results were expressed in terms of time for paralysis and time for the death of worms. Albendazole (20 mg/ml) was used as reference standard and water (0.5%) as a control group. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening of the different extracts of ridge gourd fruit was shown to produce anthelmintic activities. In the present study, it was observed that all the extracts of ridge gourd fruit have exhibited a positive response to a certain degree of anthelmintic activity. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited more potent activity at the lower concentration of 10 mg/mL against A. galli (Roundworm). The anthelmintic activity of L. acutangula fruit extract has, therefore, been demonstrated

The Efficacy of a Smectite-Based Mycotoxin Binder in Reducing Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity on Performance, Health and Histopathology of Broiler Chickens

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the efficacy of a smectite-based clay binder (Toxo-MX) in reducing the toxicological effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in commercial broiler chickens. A total of 450 one-day old male broiler chickens were randomly allocated into three treatment groups with ten replicates of 15 birds each in a 42-day feeding experiment. The dietary treatments included a negative control (NC, a basal diet with no AFB1 and binder), a positive control (PC, a basal diet contaminated with 500 ppb of AFB1) and a smectite-based mycotoxin binder(Toxo-MX, PC with smectite clay binder). AFB1 challenge resulted in 14 to 24% depression in growth performance, elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), organ enlargement and immuno-suppression.As compared to PC, feeding of Toxo-MX improved the final weight (15%; p < 0.0001), average daily gain (ADG) (15%; p < 0.001) and feed efficiency of broilers (13%; p < 0.0003) but did not have any effects on liver enzyme activities. Supplementation of smectite claysignificantly increased serum globulin levels and reduced the weight of the liver (p < 0.05) as compared to AFB1-fed broiler chickens. The severity of lesions (inflammatory and degenerative changes) observed in the liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, and lymphoid organs in PC birds was reduced by feeding smectite clay. The immuno-suppression caused by AFB1 was moderately ameliorated in Toxo-MX groupby stimulating the production of antibodies against IBD at day 42 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of a smectite-based mycotoxin binder to the diet containing AFB1 improved growth performance, reduced toxicological effects in liver and improved humoral immune response in broilers, suggesting its protective effect against aflatoxicosis

Synthesis, molecular docking, and apoptogenic efficacy of novel N-heterocycle analogs to target B-cell lymphoma 2/X-linked inhibitors of apoptosis proteins to regress melanoma

The novel series of piperidine conjugated benzophenone analogs with amide link 11a–l were synthesized in a multistep process. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by IR, 1H, 13C, NMR, and mass spectra and also by elemental analyses. The newly synthesized molecules were screened for selectivity against cancers of different origin through cell based assay system using B16F10, A375, A549, HepG2, ACHN, and MCF7 cells. The results postulated that compound 11f with two bromo groups at the para position in rings A and E and two methyl groups at ortho position in rings B and D evokes target specific action against melanoma highlighting the importance of substituted groups. Down the line studies further inferred compound 11f evokes the apoptotic cellular event leading to cell death. Investigation of eventual mechanism revealed that compound 11f turned out to be a dual inhibitor of B-cell lymphoma-2 and X-linked inhibitors of apoptosis causing the up regulation of Bax and Bad. Further, the antiproliferative effects were mimicked in murine melanoma with similar mechanisms. Molecular docking experiments further confirmed that compound 11f possessed a superior affinity for of B-cell lymphoma-2 and X-linked inhibitors of apoptosis through strong hydrogen bonds. The study implies the identification of compound 11f with selective target against melanoma by inducing apoptogenic effect, which could be the future hope for the treatment of skin cancer

Synthesis of 2-(2-aroylaryloxy)methyl-oxazolines as potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents

The synthetic strategies and characterization of some novel benzophenone derivatives carrying oxazoline ring are described using microwave irradiation technique. The compounds 2a-h, 3a-h and 4a-h were screened for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, ulcerogenic, cyclooxygenase activities and acute toxicity. The results revealed that halo compounds 4a (48.3%), 4c (45.4%) and 4f (40.2%) displayed significant anti-inflammatory activity with low ulcerogenic activity in comparison with that of the standard drugs, aspirin (35.3%) and phenyl butazone (35.5%

Antitumor hybrid BT009K modulates inflammation induced neovascuaralization in both tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic model system

Cancer being one of the most dreadful diseases and inflammation in cancer is one of the emerged Hallmarks of cancer. Discovering new drugs with minimal side effects plays a vital role in drug development process for the treatment of cancer. As an approach antitumor hybrid of “Benzophenone coupled with diamide analog “BT009K” or N-(2-{2-[4-(4-bromo-benzoyl)-2-methyl-phenoxy]-acetylamino}-phenyl)-2-[2-methyl-4-(2-methyl-benzoyl)-phenoxy] was screened against different cell lines. Cytotoxic effect was found to be effective against EAC with prolonged effect. The in-vivo antitumor effect was observed in EAC ascites tumor model system with reduced peritoneal neovascularisation. Further histological examination with endothelial marker CD31 confirmed the angioregressive effect of BT009K. The results were additionally confirmed in a non-tumorigenic model like CAM and rat corneal angiogenesis assay indicating reduced microvessel density count by BT009K. Further BT009K induces the anti-invasive effect in EAC cells in-vitro which could be further developed into therapeutic potential

Synthesis, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, ulcerogenic evaluation, and docking study of (benzoylphenoxy)-N-{5-2-methylphenyl-6-chlorobenzoxazole]} acetamides as COX/5-LOX inhibitor

The COX and 5-LOX inhibitors with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effectiveness and very less gastrointestinal toxicity have been recognized as constructive and sustainable agents for inflammatory treatment. In this approach, a series of titled compounds (10a-j) were developed, synthesized, and evaluated in terms of in-vitro COX and LOX enzyme inhibition followed by analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and the ulcerogenic activity. The anti-inflammatory evaluation was conducted on those compounds 10a-c, 10e, and 10g-10i that displayed potential analgesic activity and later, validated for the ulcerogenic effect of potent anti-inflammatory compounds. The compound 10b with ortho substitution of methyl and para substitution of chloro groups on the phenyl ring and meta substitution of chloro group on benzoyl ring of benzophenone appended to benzoxazole was observed to have good inhibitory potency. Furthermore, Autodock tools docking software was used to carry out the in silico studies. (c) 2022ElsevierB.V. Allrights reserved