DOES BRAND EXTENSION IMPACT PARENT BRAND: A CASE OF JOHNSON, UK

Purpose of study: The main purpose of this study is to check the impact of brand extensions on brand image. For this purpose Johnson is selected as parent brand for current research. The targeted brand extensions are Johnson shampoo, Johnson’s isotonic drinks, Johnson’s sports wear and Johnson’s suntan lotion. Research Methodology: sample was selected from Bradford, UK. Sample consists of graduate students including males as well as female. Total sample size is 60 and data was collected through self administered questionnaires. For each brand 15 respondents were selected. Convenient sampling was selected as sampling technique. Results: Results show that Johnson’s have high brand awareness and perceived quality. While there is negative correlation results for brand fit on brand image for those product extensions which are not in same brand category i.e. Johnson’s sportswear and Johnson’s isotonic drinks. Conclusion: It is concluded from study results that launching new product in same parent brand category have high chance of success while in different category is risk.Brand Extension, Brand Fit, Johnson, Product extensions, marketing.

E-BANKING: A CASE STUDY OF ASKARI COMMERCIAL BANK PAKISTAN

This paper has covered the operational issues related to e-banking as well as customer’s perception on usage of e-banking a case study of Askari Bank, Pakistan. 40 staff members and four customers are selected as sample for this study. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used to present the results. Descriptive statistics is applied to describe the demographic variables while for operational problems correlation was used. Finally cross case analysis present customers’ perception about e-banking practices. Analysis shows that customer is not ready to adopt new technology that why their satisfaction level with e-banking is low. Internet speed and government policies are not supportive for e-banking in Pakistan. Due to lack of trust on technology and low computer literacy rate, customer hesitates to adopt new technology. : In order to promote IT culture in Pakistan, government has to reduce the internet rate. to promote the benefits of e-banking on media so that more user get facilitated from e-banking services.E-banking, Internet, ATM, Online transaction, E-readiness, Technology Acceptance Models

Modeling COVID-19 Pandemic using Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) Model for Karachi City

Numerical models can help identify the peak infection time of an epidemic. In Karachi, since the detection of patient zero on 26th February the infection has spread at an exponential rate. The epidemic may reach a point when rigorous measures should be implemented. In this study Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model is applied to predict the peak infection of COVID-19 in the population of Karachi City and compared with the number of reported cases by Sindh Population and Welfare Department’s database. The model was validated with the Lahore coronavirus cases correlation coefficient of modeled and observed data for Lahore City was observed to be 0.9736. According to the model prediction, Karachi would experience peak infection on 150th day that would be 25th July 2020 since the first case was reported on 26th February 2020. The correlation coefficient of modeled and observed data for historic period of 62 days is 0.9816. Measures like social distancing and strict operating procedure for essential community services should be adopted to control this spread otherwise the number of infected may result in collapse of the medical system

Ovarian Cyst in Crossbred Cattle of Temperate Region- A Retrospective Study of 54 Cases

The present study was conducted with an objective to extract all possible interrelated etiological factors of cystic ovary and to evaluate the best treatment protocol in dairy cattle under field condition of temperate region. A total of 54 cattle (47 cows and 7 heifers), suffering from ovarian cyst were retrospectively used to study prevalence and outcome of the disease over a period of 5 years. Highest prevalence was recorded in crossbred Jersey, in 2nd lactation and during summer. Major clinical signs showed by the animals with ovarian cysts (OC) were either repeat breeding or anestrus. In case of repeat breeding, irregular cycle (sometimes short and sometimes long in the same cow) in 23.33% (7/30), nymphomania in 13.33% (4/30), short cycle (10-15 days) in 23.33% (7/30) and long cycle (23-30 days) in 10% (3/30) cases were noticed. In remaining 30% cases (9/30) normal cycles were noticed. Right ovary affected more than left one and mean number of cysts recorded were 1.17 per animal. Follicular cysts could be treated with GnRH in 75% (9/12) cases, and, luteal cysts with cloprostenol in 83.33% (10/12) cases. However, in cases where cyst could not be differentiated by rectal palpation, administration of cloprostenol 9 days after HCG treatment was found 66.67% (8/12) effective in curing the disease. It is concluded that both follicular and luteal cysts can be treated successfully with GnRH/hCG and prostaglandin or its analogue, respectively.&nbsp

GENETIC DIVERSITY IN ACCESSIONS OF INDIAN TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA L.) USING RAPD MARKERS

Objective: The present investigation was undertaken for identification and assessment of eight accessions of Curcuma longa collected from all ecological zones in India by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers.Methods: DNA was isolated using modified cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed according to the method based on Williams et al. and data analysis was done using Alpha Imager EC software.Results: Eleven out of twenty primers screened were informative and produced 150 amplification products among which 132 products (88%) were found to be polymorphic. The percentage polymorphism of all 08 accessions ranged from 44.44% to 100%. A total of 150 amplification products were scored with an average frequency of 13.63 bands per primer. Most of the RAPD markers studied showed a different level of genetic polymorphism. The data of 150 RAPD bands were used to generate Jaccard's similarity coefficients and to construct a dendrogram by means of UPGMA.Conclusion: Results shows that C. longa undergoes genetic variation due to a wide range of ecological conditions within distribution area of its population in India. This investigation as an understanding of the level and partitioning of genetic variation within the accessions and would provide an important input into determining efficient management strategies and will help to breeders for turmeric improvement program

HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF PUNICA GRANATUM FRUIT AGAINST D-GALACTOSAMINE INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN RATS: IN VITRO AND IN VIVO STUDIES

Objective: Hepatoprotective activity of Punica granatum Linn. (Family: Punicaceae) was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo model. HepG2 cell lines were used for in vitro study and D-Galactosamine (D-GalN) induced hepatic damage model for in vivo evaluation.Methods: Hepatoprotective potential was assessed by measuring serum level of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and albumin. Enzymatic antioxidant parameters like TBARs (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), GSH (glutathione), SOD (superoxide dismutase) and CAT (catalase) also evaluated in this study. Results: Rats treated with D-GalN showed a significant increase in serum levels of SGOT (serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase), SGPT (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), bilirubin and TBARs, reflecting liver damage. The in vitro study indicates a beneficial effect of aqueous extract of P. granatum in comparison with methanolic extract, on D-GalN induced toxicity to HepG2 cells. On the basis of in vitro study, aqueous extract was selected for in vivo evaluation. The aqueous extract of P. granatum significantly reduced the elevated serum biomarkers, indicating the recovery of hepatocellular injury. It was also observed that D-GalN induced a significant decrease in GSH, SOD, CAT, protein, and albumin level were increased on the treatment of the rats with aqueous extract of P. granatum. The findings were also confirmed by histopathological studies. Periportal area and extensive hepatocyte damage and haemorrhage are seen in D-GalN treated group. The portal triad with less degree of inflammatory cell infiltration around the bile duct is seen in P. granatum (500 mg/kg)+(D-GalN) treated group.Conclusion: Results of this study revealed that P. granatum fruit could afford a significant protection for the alleviation of hepatic toxicity. Possible mechanism may involve its action against oxidative stress.Â

Comparative assessment of extraction methods and quantitative estimation of luteolin in the leaves of Vitex negundo Linn. by HPLC

AbstractObjectiveTo find out the ideal organic solvent and extraction technique for the isolation of luteolin from the leaves of Vitex negundo Linn. (V. negundo) by quantitative estimation of luteolin through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.MethodsThe leaves of V. negundo were identified by a botanist, cleaned, dried under shade and powdered. Maceration, reflux, Soxhlet and ultrasound assisted extraction techniques were used for the extraction of luteolin from the leaves by using four different solvents of varying polarity such as methanol, ethanol, chloroform, and dichloromethane. A simple HPLC method was used to determine the quantity of luteolin in each sample extract.ResultsThe calibration plot of standard luteolin showed a linear relationship in the concentration range of 100-500 μg/mL with a correlation coefficient, r2 of 0.998. The methanolic extract was found to contain highest amount of luteolin and among various techniques employed for extraction and isolation of luteolin, reflux technique was observed to be the most efficient.ConclusionBased on the HPLC results, it can be concluded that reflux technique using methanol is better than the other extraction techniques and should be preferred for the extraction and isolation of luteolin from V. negundo leaves extract in research labs or industries

Development of Quality Standards of Aegle marmelos L. Leaves

Aegle marmelos L (Rutaceae) is a moderately size deciduous tree, growing wild throughout the deciduous forest of India. It is commonly used in day to day life. In present investigation an attempt has been made for the pharmacognostical standardization and evaluation of Aegle marmelos leaves. The pharmacognostical evaluation comprises of detailed macroscopy, powdered microscopy, fluorescence analysis, quantitative microscopy and physical constants such as ash and extractive values. The leaves extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. The data obtained in present study will serve as valuable tool for identification, authentication and detection of adulterants, standardization and quality control of the drug. The developed technique will also be useful for the standardization of formulations containing A. marmelos.ÂÂ

Cross-sectional study of effect of adiposity and hypertensive states on airway dynamics

Background: Adiposity and hypertensive states are major burden for community. It causes many health-related issues, including problems related to respiratory system. It is proposed that pulmonary functions can be affected in obese hypertensive and obese normotensive adults compared to non-obese normotensive adults. The objective of the study was to find out the effect of adiposity and hypertensive states on the airway dynamics.Methods: About 30 male obese normotensives and 30 male obese hypertensive subjects were selected as study participants. 30 age-controlled non-obese, normotensive males were selected as controls. All participants were in the age group of 40 to 60 years. The pulmonary functions measured were FVC, FEV1, FEV1% and PEFR. All the participants performed 3 attempts of spirometry and maximum among the three recordings were used for analysis. ANOVA followed by Post hoc analysis to find out any significant differences between these groups. Spearman’s rank correlation was used.Results: There was a statistically significant differences in BMI between the group I and group II and III. There was a significant difference in SBP and DBP between obese normotensive (group II) and obese hypertensive (group III) subjects. There were significant decline in % predicted values of PFT parameters, on comparing obese normotensive and obese hypertensive when compared to non-obese normotensive participants. There were statistically significant negative correlations between age and FEV1 as well as BMI and PEFR.Conclusions: There was a significant decrease the pulmonary functions in obese normotensive and obese hypertensive adults in comparison to non-obese normotensive adults. It can be concluded that body weight and adiposity as well as high blood pressure creates deleterious effect on airway dynamics