TO STUDY THE ULCEROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF LEAVES OF MORINGA OLEIFERA ON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE ON ANIMAL MODELS

Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate the ulceroprotective effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of Moringa oleifera (EEMO) on experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on Albino (Wistar strain) rats. Methods: The rats were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group A and Group B received gum acacia per orally (P.O.), Group C received EEMO in dose of 500 mg/kg/day P.O., and Group D received 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) in the dose of 100 mg/kg/day P.O. All the animals were pre-treated with respective drugs (volume of drugs was kept constant at 10 ml/kg) for 5 days, along with the normal diet. On 5th day, animals were kept fasting for 12 h (overnight), and IBD was induced next morning in Groups B, C, and D by the administration of 1 ml of 4% acetic acid solution transrectally (TR). Group A (normal control) received 0.9% normal saline TR instead. Results: The results have been shown that EEMO has significant activity against experimentally induced IBD when compared to the experimental control, with near normalization of colon architecture both macroscopically as well as microscopically. Tissue oxidative stress was reduced with significant improvement in tissue levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, significant improvement in levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was observed. Conclusion: It is concluded that EEMO has got potent activity against experimentally induced IBD due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

STUDY OF THE ANXIOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ROOT OF ACORUS CALAMUS IN ALBINO MICE

Objective: Anxiety is classified as a form of sub-acute or chronic fear. Root of Acorus calamus has been traditionally used as an anxiolytic. The aim of the study is to assess the anxiolytic activity of ethanolic extract of A. calamus (EEAC) by elevated plus-maze test on Albino mice. Methods: Albino mice of either sex were taken and divided into five groups, each consisting of 5 mice. One group was used as control, one as standard (diazepam), and three as test groups treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of EEAC. The drugs, that is, 10 ml/kg of normal saline for control, diazepam 2 mg/kg (standard), and 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg EEAC (test groups) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.), 30 min before placing them in the center of the maze. The preferences of the animal to open/enclosed arm, average time spent in open arm, and numbers of entries in open arm were compared in each group. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by multiple Dunnett’s test. Results: The number of entries in open arm and the average time spent in the open arm by the mice is increased by EEAC in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: EEAC has anxiolytic activity

A framework for adoption decision process for blockchain technology - an institutional and actor-network theory perspective

Blockchain has been the most promising technology of the recent times. Originated from bitcoin, a blockchain technology use case has now been explored across almost every industry. It provides several novel technological features like transparency, disintermediation, immutability, trust among stakeholders and decentralisation. Despite so many advantages, the overview of challenges around blockchain adoption has revealed that there is a scarcity of understanding about the process of blockchain adoption decisions. Several organisations have failed to take advantage of blockchain's potential due to uneven adoption across industries and regions. Whether to use blockchain in their business is a difficult decision for many organisations. To fill this gap, this study examined the adoption decision process of blockchain in organisations. Firstly, there is a need of framework that details the steps in the blockchain adoption decision process, including tasks involved and the rationales for the actions taken. This understanding will help the potential adopters to make a successful decision to adopt blockchain technology for their organisation. Secondly, very few studies have examined the factors that influence the stakeholders’ interactions and dynamics while making technology adoption decisions, especially in blockchain based applications. When systems are designed to protect privacy or obscure actors intentionally, such as blockchain platforms, it can be challenging to identify them and understand their roles. Blockchain being an inter-organisational technology, primarily depends on the involvement of internal and external stakeholders. Thus, this study explored the actors involved in the adoption decision process and their roles while aligning other actors towards blockchain adoption. Thirdly, as these actors act as stakeholders while making decision, they act as rational individuals. Therefore, this study also explored their rationales while they are involved in technology adoption decisions to have an effective outcome of the decision-making process. To achieve these objectives, this study utilises Innovation Translation approach derived from Actor-Network Theory and Institutional Theory for technology adoption. The study has utilised a three- round qualitative Delphi method through semi structured interviews to gather views from a panel of experts from organisations who have experienced the blockchain adoption decision process for their business. The targeted experts for this study were categorized as Adopters, Non-Adopters (dropped the idea) and Consultants using selective purposive sampling. The first two rounds were exploratory in nature, and to extend the validity of the responses gathered, the final round was a confirmatory round of interviews. For this study, the saturation was seen with ten experts in the panel for round 2 and round 3. For the pilot study eight participants agreed to be part of the panel. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis in the NVivo tool. The analysis confirmed the use of Innovation Translation approach in literature for understanding the actors and their roles, by giving a rich interpretation of the results in understanding the crucial interactions among the actors and drawing useful findings. The interpretation also provided an insight into the institutionalisation of blockchain by exploring the institutional pressures. The study has confirmed the existence of many pressures that existed for other technologies, remain for blockchain adoption too like hype, curiosity, competitiveness, business value, cost and time but has explored new institutional pressures with blockchain adoption decision process like understanding among consultants and adopting organisations, and process participations needs. Utilising Institutional Theory for blockchain technology has also revealed a fourth pressure that is exerted by the technology itself like maturity, consensus, network dominancy and technological features that are primarily seen as blockchain being an inter-organisational and a new technology that has not been accepted widely in organisations. Achieving the objectives of this study, the study has proposed a consolidated framework for the blockchain adoption decision process from an exploratory view. The first of its kind in literature, that elaborates on the stages involved in blockchain adoption decision process, identify the actors and explains their role at each stage and how those roles evolve and also provides an insight into the institutionalisation of blockchain by exploring the pressures. These gaps, objectives, method, analysis, and contributions are further discussed in this thesis comprehensively.Doctor of Philosoph

STUDY OF THE ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ROOT OF ACORUS CALAMUS IN ALBINO RATS

Objective: Root of Acorus calamus has been traditionally used as an anticonvulsant. The aim of the study is to assess the anticonvulsant activity of ethanolic extract of A. calamus (EEAC) by maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure models on albino (Wistar strain) rats.Methods: Albino rats were taken and divided into five groups, each consisting of five rats both for MES and PTZ model. One group was used as control (normal saline 10 ml/kg), one as standard (phenytoin in MES model/diazepam in PTZ model), and three groups for the test drug (EEAC in the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). In MES model, maximal electrical shock of 150 mA was passed for 0.2 s through earlobe electrodes after 30 min of giving the drugs and normal saline. Different stages of convulsions were noted down along with time spent by the animal in each phase of convulsions. In PTZ model, PTZ was injected 30 min after giving the drugs and normal saline, and onset of action and severity of convulsions were noted. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by multiple Dunnett's test.Results: EEAC dose dependently reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extension in MES model, and there was increase in latency and occurrence of convulsions in PTZ model.Conclusion: EEAC has anticonvulsant activity

STUDY OF THE ANTICONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SEEDS OF BENINCASA HISPIDA LINN. IN ALBINO RATS.

 Objective: Seeds of Benincasa hispida has been traditionally used as anticonvulsant. The aim of the study is to assess the anticonvulsant activity of Ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida (EEBH) by Maximal Electroshock seizure (MES) and Pentylenetetrazol induced seizure models on Albino (Wistar strain) rats.Methods: Albino rats were taken and divided into five groups, each consisting of five rats both for MES and PTZ model. One group was used as control (normal saline 10 ml/kg), one as standard (phenytoin in MES model/Diazepam in PTZ model), and three groups for the test drug (EEBH in the doses of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg) treatment. In MES model Maximal electrical shock of 150 mA was passed for 0.2 seconds through ear lobe electrodes after 30 minutes of giving the drugs and normal saline. Different stages of convulsions were noted down along with time spent by the animal in each phase of convulsions. In PTZ model, Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) was injected 30 minutes after giving the drugs and normal saline, and onset of action and severity of convulsions were noted.Results: Data were statistically analysed by One way ANOVA followed by multiple Dunnett's test. EEBH dose dependently reduced the duration of tonic hind limb extension in MES model and there was increase in latency and occurrence of convulsions in PTZ model.Conclusion: EEBH has anticonvulsant activity.Key words- Anticonvulsant, Maximal Electroshock, Pentylenetetrazol, Benincasa hispid

Effect of ethanolic extract of Vitex negundo leaves on experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in albino rats

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) are collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Pathophysiology of IBD is not known with certainty. Immunological processes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been proposed to contribute considerably to development of tissue injury. Some of the intestinal and/or colonic injury and dysfunction observed in IBD is due to elaboration of these reactive species. Commonly used drugs, in particular sulfasalazine and its active moiety 5-aminosalicylic acid, are potent ROS scavengers. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Vitex negundo (EEVN) leaves on experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in albino rats.Methods: The rats were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group A and group B received gum acacia per orally, group C received EEVN in dose of 500 mg/kg/day per orally, and group D received 5-amino salicylic acid (5-ASA) in the dose of 100 mg/kg/day per orally. All the animals were pre-treated with respective drugs (volume of drugs was kept constant at 10 ml/kg) for five days, along with the normal diet. On fifth day animals were kept fasting for 12 hours (overnight) and IBD was induced next morning in Groups B, C and D by administration of one ml of 4% acetic acid solution transrectally (TR). Group A (normal control) received 0.9% normal saline transrectally (TR) instead.Results: The results have been shown that EEVN has significant activity against experimentally induced IBD when compared to the experimental control, with near normalization of colon architecture both macroscopically as well as microscopically. Tissue oxidative stress was reduced with significant improvement in tissue levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Also, significant improvement in levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was observed.Conclusions: It is concluded that ethanolic extract of leaves of Vitex negundo has got potent activity against experimentally induced IBD due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties

ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF PUNICA GRANATUM L. ON EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL MODELS

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanolic extract of Punica granatum L. (EEPG) on experimental animal models. Methods: Tail-flick method was used to test the central analgesic activity, using Pethidine as standard drug. The tail flick latencies or the basal reaction time of the animals were assessed using an analgesiometer. Glacial acetic acid induced writhing response was used to test the peripheral analgesic activity, using Aspirin as standard drug. Number of writhing responses was counted for 20 min in each group and the percentage protection was calculated. And Carrageenan induced rat paw edema method was used to test anti-inflammatory activity of EEPG against acute inflammation, using Aspirin as standard drug. The inhibition of rat paw edema was calculated in percentage. Results: In central analgesic activity, the extract and pethidine showed significant increase in the reaction time. In peripheral analgesic activity, the extract and aspirin significantly reduced the number of writhes induced by acetic acid. And in anti-inflammatory activity, the extract produced significant reduction of the carrageenan induced paw edema. Conclusion: The EEPG has demonstrated significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity

Temperature-dependent transformation of the magnetic excitation spectrum on approaching superconductivity in Fe1-x (Ni/Cu)x Te0.5 Se0.5

Spin excitations are one of the top candidates for mediating electron pairing in unconventional superconductors. Their coupling to superconductivity is evident in a large number of systems, by the observation of an abrupt redistribution of magnetic spectral weight at the superconducting transition temperature, Tc, for energies comparable to the superconducting gap. Here we report inelastic neutron scattering measurements on Fe-based superconductors, Fe1-x (Ni/Cu)x Te0.5 Se0.5, that emphasize an additional signature. The overall shape of the low energy magnetic dispersion changes from two incommensurate vertical columns at T >> Tc to a distinctly different U-shaped dispersion at low temperature. Importantly, this spectral reconstruction is apparent for temperature up to ~3Tc. If the magnetic excitations are involved in the pairing mechanism, their surprising modification on the approach to Tc demonstrates that strong interactions are involved

A study of occurrence of antibiotic resistance reported against Staphylococcus aureus in the department of Microbiology in a tertiary care hospital in Hapur.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the occurrence of antibiotic resistance reported against staphylococcus aureus in the department of microbiology in a tertiary care hospital in Hapur.   Methods: Urine, pus, blood, throat swab and sputum samples of 15-60 years old patient was collected and cultured. 100 samples were selected where Staph. aureus had grown. Bacteria was identified and the antimicrobial sensitivity testing was carried out.   Results: The strain of resistant bacteria originates from an environment where several antibiotics are used. The bacteria were seen to be resistant frequently to 2-5 antibiotics. This indicates earlier exposure of the isolate bacteria to these drugs.   Conclusion: The high multiple antibiotic resistance is identified in this study and it is necessary to make changes to National antibiotic policy.   Key words: Antibiotics, Resistance, Staphylococcus aureu

STUDY OF THE ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF THE LEAVES OF MORINGA OLEIFERA L.(EEMO) ON ALBINO MICE.

Objective: The aim of the study is to study of the antidepressant activity of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of moringa oleifera l. (EEMO) on albino mice.   Methods: The anti-depressant activity was evaluated using Forced swimming test and Tail suspension test. Healthy albino mice were individually forced to swim inside a vertical glass cylinder. Climbing, swimming and immobility were tested and recorded. In tail suspension test mice were suspended on a string held by a metal stand, and immobility time was recorded.   Results: In both forced swimming test and tail suspension test, it was seen that immobility time decreased with increase in the dose of EEMO.   Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera possess anti-depressant activity in a dose dependant manner