bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of bank profitability for the selected private commercial banks in Bangladesh: a panel data analysis
Authors: Ariful Islam Md. , Hasan Rana Rezwanul
Published: November 2017

This study aims to investigate the determinants of profitability of fifteen selected private commercial banks in Bangladesh over the period 2005‒2015. The study emphasizes on the internal factors that affect bank profitability. This research uses panel data to explore the impact of nonperforming loan, cost to income ratio, loan to deposit ratio, commission fees, cost of fund and operating expenses on the profitability indicators of banks like return on asset and return on equity. The experimental outcomes have found strong evidence that nonperforming loan (NPL) and operating expenses have a significant effect on the profitability. Moreover, the results have shown that higher NPL may lead to less profit due to provision of classified loans. Again, higher loan to deposit (LD) ratio and cost of fund contribute towards profitability, but their impacts are not significant in the private commercial banks of Bangladesh.
Trade credit and bank credit as alternative governance structures in South Africa: evidence from banking sector development
Authors: Mugova Shame
Published: November 2017

Financial sector development is an influential force that outlines the financing and governance of firms in emerging economies. Suppliers and bankers represent alternative governance structures to a firm because of their trade credit and loan requirements, respectively. The continuous monitoring of investment by banks and suppliers impacts on corporate disclosure and practices. The study compares a sample of Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) firms listed on the Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) index which measures corporate governance and those not listed on the index. A Generalized Least Squares (GLS) random effect regression of banking sector development and trade credit of firms listed on the JSE SRI and non-SRI listed firms was done to ascertain whether trade credit gives firms a preferred governance system and structure. The findings affirm that good corporate governance practices improve access to bank loans for working capital financing and good governance practices do not consequently result in more bank loan as a preferred governance structure for working capital financing compared to use of trade credit.
Determining the priority sources for attracting deposits in the formation of the financial potential of banks
Authors: Hubarieva Iryna , Lebid Olesіa , Zuieva Oleksandra
Published: November 2017

The attraction of deposits by the banks in Ukraine is the basis for the formation of their resource base, which is an essential component of the banking financial potential. A qualitative formation of the bank’s resource base is carried out through proper management of attracting deposits in terms of their selection and giving preferences to specific sources of resource allocation. That is why the determination of priorities in attracting resources by banks and the formation of appropriate tools is an important tactical task in ensuring the stability of the Ukrainian banking system. The problem of new approaches to the management of deposits was especially acute during the crisis and the reduction of confidence of the population of Ukraine in the banking system, which makes actual the topic of the article and determines the importance of solving the tasks set in it. The goal of the paper is to develop tools for determining priorities of the main sources of attracting deposits by banks taking into account the system of criteria as a prerequisite for optimizing deposit portfolios of banks and the basis for the formation of their financial potential. The article proposes a sequence of stages and the corresponding tools that ensure the determination of priorities of different sources for attracting deposit funds of banks taking into account the criteria of time, minimization of costs and risks, balanced state of terms and volumes, equilibrium of costs and risks, ensuring a qualitative formation and effective use of the financial potential of the bank, ensuring a certain level of development of the bank. The use of the proposed approach made it possible to obtain such estimates that reflect priorities according to the criteria of minimization and equilibrium of risks and costs, a balanced state of terms and volumes and ensuring a specified level of the bank’s development, making it possible to determine the priorities of the main sources of attraction of financial resources for five banks in Ukraine.
The impact of maintenance fees on students’ willingness to maintain bank accounts and establish credit profile
Authors: Lorraine Motlhabane Ketsia
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this article is two-fold: to investigate how recurring maintenance fees levied on students’ accounts impact on university students’ willingness to maintain bank accounts and therefore begin creating the necessary credit profiles. Credit profiles provide financial history that is useful for banks and other lenders to evaluate clients’ credit worthiness. Many students in South African universities are ignorant of this requirement and usually make choices detrimental to their accessing current and future financial products. The banks’ service quality and students’ expectations need to be harmonized at some point. The study was exploratory in nature, using expressive statements on banking costs to expose common causes of financial burden, the best and worst case scenarios of utilizing banking products including benefit accrual from their use. Pre-intervention data was collected using questionnaires N=60 conveniently sampled financial management students. The post-intervention data was collected from the same students N=55 using similar questionnaires where five students did not show up. The study also assessed financial management tutorial influence on students’ decision making after being exposed to banking market demands and their costs. SPSS was used to analyze data collected. Cheaper once-off cardless services were found to be popular with students receiving money, citing its reasonableness and depositor charger rather than recipient shoul¬dering transaction costs. Students confirmed their satisfaction with saving costly re¬curring bank account maintenance fees, earning 0% interest on credit balances. Bank account holders increased in post-intervention compared to pre-tutorial with better understanding of client’s profile value for accessing credit. Other students remained reluctant to maintain bank accounts despite future economic benefits. Bank account maintenance fees discourage students from maintaining bank accounts. Maintenance fees may aid banks user cost recovery but losing clients to competing cheap cardless products may be more costly. The study contributes to relationship management in banking sector. Research debate focused on bank selection criteria based on established key quality factors and service. Little scholarly investigation exists on reasons for annulling bank accounts, replaced with once-off cardless services that is gaining popularity with university students over maintaining bank accounts. Highlighting what is critical to students, the paper may influence banks policies and developers to design innovative products suitable for university students market. Affordability and incentives are key attraction points for clients, mainly university students operating with limited resources. Loyalty prospects can surpass immediate recovery derived from maintenance fees.
Regulation as a policy contest: the probability of conservation of a renewable resource
Authors: Steiner Brandt Urs
Published: November 2017

How do the levels of extreme positions of various interest groups influence the conservation policies in the context of a renewable resource conservation contest? To answer this question, a model is provided where conservation policy is determined as a contest between two opposing interest groups: one in favor of conservation and another in favor of non-conservation. The levels of extreme positions for the conservationalists are determined by their demands about the severity of the conservation strategy that needs to be implemented. For the non-conservation group, the level of extreme position is determined by how large the current harvest of the resource should be. The main driver of the model is that resource conservation is realized only if the conservation group wins the contest, which again depends on the relative gain the two contenders receive when winning the contest. The paper derives conditions where the more extreme positioned groups will have less likelihood of succeeding, e.g., a conservation group demanding larger conservation efforts will face a reduced probability that actual conservation policies will be implemented.
Innovation through the effects of solar water heating (SWH) in Africa
Authors: Ntodeni Sylvia , Innocents Edoun Emmanuel
Published: November 2017

Energy is a useful component that has a positive impact to Africa’s socio-economic development. Its effect on households can therefore not be overlooked. Past studies revealed that, the role of the Solar Water Heater is to utilize the energy generated by the sun to heat water. The heating of the water is achieved via the collector. The tubes are filled with water which is heated during the day light hours and this hot water is stored in the main tank. The hot water rises in the tube and is replaced by the cooler water, which is at the lower level of the main tank. This cycle is repeated continuously throughout the day thus heating the water in the main tank. As hot water is drawn from the system, cold water is subsequently supplied. This paper is based on the review of the related literature to show the effects of solar water heating and the usage of innovative technology in residential homes. In particular, the description of SWH product, demand side management potential of solar water heaters, and the innovation diffusion reasons. Then, the conceptual framework as it relates to the innovation diffusion theory will be presented. Lastly, the development of the research problem is outlined. Using a theoretical framework, the paper is able to present the advantages and disadvantages of SWH in Gauteng, South Africa.
Prohibition of pollution of marine environments: challenges and prospects
Authors: O. Odeku Kola , M. Paulos Bapela
Published: November 2017

This article examines how marine pollution can be effectively contained and curtailed using existing regulatory instruments. The harmful effect of marine pollution on marine ecosystems and species is a problem that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. It is against the backdrop of this concern that national and international legal frameworks have been put in place to regulate, reduce or stop marine pollution. Despite this, the problem of marine pollution is still rampant and impacting negatively on marine socio-economic goods and services. It is pertinent to point out that marine pollution only receives attention when it has catastrophic impacts. This article scrutinizes frameworks that have been put in place to curb marine pollution by assessing their functions. It submits that measures should be taken to ensure compliance of these regulations and that prevention of marine pollution should be prioritized in order to guard against the manifestation of destructive adverse effects of harmful substances.
Justification of Traditional Uses of Asparagus Racemosus (Shatavari) - A Miracle Herb
Authors: Karim Samira , Islam Md. Shariful , Tasnim Zarin , Laboni Farhina R. , Julie Azima S. , Labu Zubair K.
Published: November 2017

Objective:

The ethanolic plant extracts of Asparagus racemosus and their partitionates were assessed for thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in vitro.

Methods:

The collected plant was dried and grinded. The coarse powder was shocked in 2000 mL of 90% methanol for several days then filtrated. At 40°C the volume of crude ethanolic extract (CEE) was reduced by a vacuum rotary evaporator followed by concentrated aqueous ethanol extractive was fractionated into petroleum ether (PSF), carbon tetrachloride (CTSF), chloroform soluble fraction (CSF) and aqueous (AQSF) soluble fractions.

Results:

In thrombolytic assay among all the extractives, carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction (CTSF) showed the highest clot lysis (41.48 ± 0.43%) activity as compared with standard streptokinase (65.16 ± 0.16%). With respect to the membrane stabilizing activity, chloroform soluble fraction (CSF) profoundly inhibited the lysis of erythrocytes (80.86 ± 0.36%) induced by osmosis, whereas reference standard acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) resulted in (88.99 ± 0.39%) inhibition of lysis. On the other hand, CTSF showed slightly higher level of protection against heat-induced hemolysis (85.68 ± 0.75%) as same as with ASA, (85.68 ± 0.75%)). In antimicrobial investigation, crude ethanol extract (CEE) and their partitioning fractions exhibited moderate inhibition of growth of some examined bacteria. The total phenolic content was found maximum (930.94 mg of GAE/gm) in CEE of A. racemosus. The antioxidant potentials in term of DPPH free radical scavenging assay showed EC50 values 2.62 μg/mL by aqueous soluble fraction (AQSF) in comparison to ascorbic acid 2.48 μg/mL as a reference standard.

Conclusions:

This study was conducted to validate the A. racemosus plant as thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing agent, antimicrobial and antioxidant.
Brazilian Dental Students’ Attitudes About Provision of Care for Patients Living in Poverty
Authors: dos Santos Beatriz Ferraz , Madathil Sreenath , Zuanon Angela Cristina Cilense , Bedos Christophe , Nicolau Belinda
Published: November 2017

The aims of this study were to investigate dental students’ attitudes toward people living in poverty and the extent to which their perceptions were associated with their willingness to treat those patients in their future practice. All 910 dental students enrolled in three Brazilian public universities in 2010 were invited to take part in a cross‐sectional survey. A total of 766 students (83.7% response rate) completed the self‐administered questionnaire on their perceptions of and attitudes about poverty and their intention to provide dental care to poor people. The responding students showed slightly positive attitudes about people living in poverty; however, a high percentage (35%) reported thinking they were different from the rest of the population. Nevertheless, most of these students expressed willingness to provide care to underserved populations in their future practice; this willingness was found to be associated with their beliefs about poverty (OR 1.65; 95% CI=1.41–1.94). Overall, the study found that these dental students had altruistic views toward people living in poverty. However, they seemed to lack a deep understanding of poverty that may prevent them from acting on their good intentions.
RELEVANCE OF TEACHING METHODS IN VOGUE IN ANCIENT INDIA IN CURRENT EDUCATIONAL SCENARIO:PEDAGOGICAL REMINISCENCES APROPOS VEDIC AND BUDDHIST PERIOD
Authors: Kaushal Rajeev
Published: November 2017

The process of teaching and learning encompasses the Teacher and the Learners as its indispensable elements, in which the former imparts knowledge, attitudes, values, interests and skills to the latter by means of communication which is put to effect by way of what is known as Teaching method. The teacher by way of his or her own behavior (teaching) brings about desirable change (s) in the behavior of pupils (learning) according to some pre-determined objectives formulated as per the curriculum designed. Alternatively it can be said that this change is brought about by different methods of teaching. Suffice it to say, Teaching methods are the sine qua non of teaching-learning process. It is not that the teaching methods have been in use recently or since remote past but these have been in vogue since the dawn of education in this mundane world. However the methods kept gradually evolving over the period of time the manifestations of which are evident in the form of paradigm shifts in Pedagogy in the current scenario. Alternatively, the destination (modification of behavior) is the same but the journey has been made different. The present paper throws light on the different teaching methods prevalent in Ancient India besides highlighting the relevance of those very methods in the current educational scenario and giving valuable suggestions pertaining to the use of same in pre-service and in-service education programme.
EFFECT OF ALENDRONATE ON THE HEALING TIME OF DISTAL RADIAL FRACTURES TREATED CONSERVATIVELY: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Authors: Koshy Nidhin , Pinto Deepak , Sujir Premjit , Joe Varghese , Kamath K Ghanashyam
Published: November 2017

Objective: Although fragility fractures of the distal radius are common, osteoporosis treatment requires exploration as attempts to improve postfracture investigations have been only partially successful. Bisphosphonates may help minimize the risk of secondary fractures but being a potent antiresorptive agent; it raises concerns about adverse effects on the healing process. This observational study examines the effect of bisphosphonate (alendronate) on healing of acute fractures of distal radius through 66 patients aged >45 years admitted to two tertiary care hospitals in Mangalore from May 2014 to September 2016.Methods: The methodology consists of purposive sampling from two groups: Control having 33 patients not on alendronate therapy and cases comprising 33 who are on alendronate as part of prophylaxis for osteoporosis before fracture occurrence, with outpatient reviews at 2-week intervals starting from the 6th till fracture union seen. At each visit, plain radiographs of the involved wrist were taken to yield time to cortical bridging, with range of active movement of the affected wrist taken using a goniometer. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 17.0 for t values, p values and correlations and results were presented in the form of graphs and tables.Results: No significant differences were observed in the groups (as per p values) w.r.t. gender (0.804), age (0.835), time to healing (1.000), dorsiflexion (0.956), palmar flexion (0.670), ulnar deviation (0.441), radial deviation (1.000), supination (0.132), or pronation (0.302). Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score did not differ by >95% between the groups over the analysis period.Conclusion: It was observed that alendronate administration in distal radius fractures did not appear to delay fracture healing times radiologically or clinically.
OLANZAPINE COMBINED WITH STANDARD ANTIEMETIC REGIMENS FOR PREVENTION OF CHEMOTHERAPY THERAPY-INDUCED NAUSEA AND VOMITING: A SINGLE-CENTER EXPERIENCE FROM SOUTH INDIA
Authors: James Emmanuel , Pm Drisya , Jose Wesely M
Published: November 2017

Objectives: Olanzapine, an antipsychotic agent, exhibits significant antiemetic properties due to its inhibitory activity on neurotransmitters at multiple receptors involved in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). CINV can have an immensely negative impact on patient’s quality of life (QOL) and daily activities. Our objectives were to determine the effectiveness of adding olanzapine to standard antiemetic regimens for the prevention of CINV in cancer patients and to compare the QOL of such patients with those receiving standard antiemetic regimens.Methods: A prospective, observational, cohort study was done on patients receiving either highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC). The patients who received only the standard antiemetic regimens were considered as the control group and those who received 10 mg of olanzapine once daily on days 1-5 of chemotherapy in addition to the standard antiemetic regimens were considered to be the study group. The patients were assessed for grades of nausea and vomiting using National Cancer Institute common terminology criteria for adverse events and for QOL using European Organization in Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL questionnaire.Results: Patients were evaluated for a total of 168 cycles of chemotherapy. Compared to the control group, the study group patients showed significant improvement in response to acute nausea (p=0.02) but not in acute vomiting (p=0.09). However, response to delayed nausea and vomiting improved significantly (p=0.004 and p=0.05, respectively). The QOL of study group patients showed significant improvement in functional scales and symptom scales (p<0.02). Global health status also increased significantly (p=0.02) in the study group patients.Conclusion: Olanzapine containing pre-medication regimens can reduce acute and delayed nausea and delayed vomiting and improve the QOL of cancer patients receiving highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapeutic agents as compared to the standard pre-medication regimens.
IN VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ROOT EXTRACT OF CLITORIA TERNATEA
Authors: Rao Amita Shobha , Kl Shobha , Md’almeida Prathibha , Rai Kiranmai S
Published: November 2017

Objective: Infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria are important causes of morbidity and mortality. Extracts of plants and herbs such as Clitorea ternatea are used as diuretic. This work attempts to find out antimicrobial activity of aqueous and alcoholic extract of C. ternatea roots against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), clinical strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans.Methods: The agar well-diffusion method was done using Mueller Hinton agar and Sabouraud’s dextrose agar. The microorganism grown in peptone water was inoculated into culture medium. 4 mm diameter well punched into the agar was filled with 20 μl of aqueous and alcoholic root extracts C. ternatea extracts in various concentrations (100-25 μg/ml). The plates were incubated and antimicrobial activity was evaluated.Results: Aqueous root extract of C. ternatea with the concentration of 100 μg/ml showed zone of inhibition against E. coli (ATCC 25922) 18 mm, P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) 14 mm, multidrug resistant strain of K. pneumoniae 15 mm. Alcoholic extract of C. ternatea with the concentration of 100 μg/ml showed zone of inhibition of 35 mm against E. coli (ATCC 25922), P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) 22 mm, and multidrug resistant strain of K. pneumoniae 28 mm. C. albicanswas resistant to both extract of C. ternatea root. Conclusions: Alcoholic extract of C. ternatea is a better antibacterial agent against multidrug resistant Klebsiella species and other Gram-negative pathogens. Further, studies are required to identify active substances from the alcoholic extracts of C. ternatea for treating infections.
HEPATOPROTECTIVE ROLE OF CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS ON LEAD ACETATE-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN FEMALE WISTAR RATS
Authors: Jayan Neethu , Das Susmita , R Santhosh Kumar , Evan Prince Sabina , Devi Asha
Published: November 2017

Objectives: Several heavy metals like lead acetate can accumulate in the body due to exposure to the metal for a prolonged period. One of the possible mechanisms involved with lead toxicity is oxidative stress is for which liver is the target organ. The primary aim of this study was to examine the hepatoprotective role of methanolic stem extract from the herb Cissus quadrangularis on induced lead acetate liver injury in female Wistar rats.Methods: The course of the study was for 14 days. The animals were separated into 5 groups: two being control and negative and the other 3 groups based on the dosage of the methanolic extract of the plant was given. The dosage of the plant extract given was once daily for all days of course study. During the last 7 days, lead acetate was injected in the animals (25 mg/kg of body weight). The sacrifice was done 14 days later and the blood and liver samples were taken, which is then used for different antioxidant enzymatic assays.Results: Significant reduced (p < 0.05) antioxidant levels and increased lipid peroxidation levels were observed in lead acetate treated group which was ameliorated by the action of extract from Cissus quadrangularis fusiformis. Histopathological study also supported the finding.Conclusion: The results of the different antioxidant enzymatic assays supported the hepatoprotective role of methanolic stem extract of the plant Cissus quadrangularis over induced lead acetate injury in wistar female rats.
CHARACTERISATION OF TABLETS FOR DEFECT IDENTIFICATION USING IMAGE PROCESSING TECHNIQUES FOR QUALITY CONTROL IN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Authors: Karthik Durga , K Vijayarekha , K Surya
Published: November 2017

Objective: Our aim is to characterize the parameters for identifying defective tablets from the manufacturing line using image processing techniques.Methods: Manufactured tablets might have defects such as broken chips, missing tablet, and color variation. Images of tablets are captured using machine vision camera. The features are detected using feature extraction for a tablet without defects and are stored in a database. The stored details are used for identifying defective tablets during manufacturing.Results: The characteristics such as color, shape, number of pills, area, and perimeter of the normal tablets without defects were extracted.Conclusion: The defective tablets can be identified by comparing the characteristics stored in the database and can be removed effectively.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH MARINE SPONGE (HALICLONA AMBOINENSIS) VIA REDUCTING NO PRODUCTION AND INHIBITING CYCLOOXYGENASE-1, CYCLOOXYGENASE-2, AND SECRETORY PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 ACTIVITIES
Authors: Andriani Yosie , Marlina Leni , Mohamad Habsah , Amir Hermansyah , Radzi Siti Aisha M , Saidin Jasnizat
Published: November 2017

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extract and fractions of bacteria associated with sponge (Haliclona amboinensis) and to evaluate their effect in reducing NO production and inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxgenase-2 (COX-2) and secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) activity.Methods: All bacterial isolates were cultured and supernatants were collected for the extraction of secondary metabolites using diaion HP-20 to obtain methanol extracts. Evaluation of cytotoxicity property was carried out on macrophage cell lines (RAW264.7) by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl) 2,5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide assay. Anti-inflammatory screening was done by inducible nitric oxide assay on RAW264.7 cell lines with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Dianion HP-20 was used to remove salt content. A selected methanol extract was subjected to further fractionations by C-18 reverse phase and their anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated by COX-1 and COX-2, and sPLA2 enzymatic assay.Results: Seven methanol extracts showed no cytotoxic property against RAW 264.7 cell line (inhibitory concentration 50% > 30 μg/ml) and selected for anti-inflammatory screening assay. Result showed methanol extract HM 1.2 reduced NO production >80% and it has been selected for phytochemical screening, further fractionations and assay. Phytochemical screening showed alkaloids and terpenoids present in the HM 1.2. The HM 1.2 and its fractions (F1, F2, F1C1, F1C2, F1C3, and F1C4) were proven to inhibit COX-1, COX-2, and sPLA2 activity in the range of 60.516-116.886%, 20.554- 116.457%, and 70.2667-114.8148%, respectively.Conclusions: This study revealed that bacteria associated with H. amboinensis have produced anti-inflammatory activity via reducing NO production and inhibiting COX-1, COX-2, and sPLA2 activity.
THE IMPACT OF ANTITUBERCULOSIS DRUG-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY TO SUCCESFUL TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT IN INDONESIA
Authors: Maria Nisa , Radji Maksum , Burhan Erlina
Published: November 2017

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of antituberculosis (anti-TB) drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH) to outcome TB treatment.Methods: A cohort retrospective study conducted at a tertiary hospital in Jakarta - Indonesia, from the period of 2013-2016. A total of 76 samples of TB patient with and without anti-TB DIH were analyzed.Results: Successful outcome TB treatment for TB patient with anti-TB DIH is 47.4% compared to TB patient without anti-TB DIH is 78.9%. Relative risk (RR) analysis showed that risk of unsuccessful TB treatment for TB patient with anti-TB DIH is 2.50 fold higher (95% confidence interval: 1.259- 4.960) than TB patient without anti-TB DIH. Age, sex, and comorbidities are not statistically significant to outcome TB treatment. For TB patient with anti-TB DIH, onset anti-TB DIH and recurrence anti-TB DIH also not statistically significantly influence outcome TB. The mean duration of treatment for a successful outcome for TB patient with and without anti-TB DIH was statistically significant (p<0.05), respectively, 8.44±1.85 and 6.52±0.93 months.Conclusion: Anti-TB DIH increases the risk of unsuccessful and prolonged duration TB treatment.
ANALYTICAL METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF EMTRICITABINE AND TENOFOVIR BY REVERSED-PHASE HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY IN BULK AND TABLET DOSAGE FORMS
Authors: Ahmad Sufiyan , Mohammed Usman Mohammed Rageeb
Published: November 2017

Objective: A simple rapid, accurate, precise, and reproducible validated reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the determination of emtricitabine (EMB) and tenofovir (TEN) in bulk and tablet dosage forms.Methods: The quantification was carried out using symmetry Premsil C18 (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) Younglin (S.K.) gradient way using mobile phase comprising of methanol:water (70:30 v/v) pH 3 and a detection wavelength of 273 nm, and injection volume of 20 μL, with a flow rate of 1 ml/minutes.Results: In the developed method, the retention time of EMB and TEN were found to be 3.1667 minutes and 7.5000 minutes. The developed method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.Conclusion: The linearity, precision, range, robustness was within the limits as specified by the ICH guidelines. Hence, the method was found to be simple, accurate, precise, economic, and reproducible. Hence, it is worthwhile that the proposed methods can be successfully utilized for the routine quality control analysis EMB and TEN in bulk drug as well as in formulations.
SIMULTANEOUS SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF DICLOFENAC SODIUM, PARACETAMOL, AND CHLORZOXAZONE IN TERNARY MIXTURE USING CHEMOMETRIC AND ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS TECHNIQUES
Authors: El-bagary Ramzia I , El-kady Ehab F , Al-matari Ahmed A.
Published: November 2017

Objective: The aim of this study is to develop and validate simple, accurate, and precise spectrophotometric methods for the simultaneous determination of diclofenac sodium (DIC), paracetamol (PAR), and chlorzoxazone (CHZ) in ternary mixture using chemometric and artificial neural networks (ANN) techniques.Methods: Three chemometric techniques include classical least squares (CLS), principal component regression (PCR), and partial least squares (PLS) in addition to cascade-forward backpropagation ANN (CFBP-ANN) were prepared using the synthetic mixtures containing the three drugs in methanol. In CLS, PCR, and PLS, the absorbances of the synthetic mixtures in the range 267-295 nm with the intervals Δλ=0.2 nm in their zero-order spectra were selected. Then, calibration or regression was obtained using the absorbance data matrix and concentration data matrix for the prediction of the unknown concentrations of DIC, PAR, and CHZ in their mixtures. In CFBP-ANN, two layers, sigmoid layer with 10 neurons and linear layer were found appropriate for the simultaneous determination of the three drugs in their ternary mixture.Results: The four proposed methods were successfully applied to the analysis of the three drugs in laboratory prepared mixtures and tablets with good percentage recoveries in the range of 98-102%. Relative standard deviation for the precision study was found <1%.Conclusion: The four proposed methods showed simplicity, accuracy, precision, and rapidity making them suitable for quality control and routine analysis of the cited drugs in ternary mixtures and pharmaceutical formulation containing them.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLOOD PRESSURE AND PUPIL TO LIMBUS DIAMETER RATIO IN HYPERTENSIVE WOMEN: A PILOT STUDY
Authors: Rajagopalan Archana , Sailesh Kumar Sai , Bashetti Srilatha , Mishra Soumya
Published: November 2017

Objective: This study was undertaken to observe the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and pupil to limbus diameter (PLD) ratio in hypertensive working women.Methods: A total of 30 hypertensive working women were part of the study after obtaining written, voluntary, informed consent, and ensuring confidentiality. PLD ratio was measured by two-box method as described in the literature.Results: Positive correlation was observed between PLD ratio of the right eye (r=0.951) and left eye (r=0.927) and systolic BP. This correlation is statistically significant at 0.01 levels (two tailed). Positive correlation was observed between PLD ratio of the right eye (r=0.844) and left eye (r=0.828) and diastolic BP. This correlation is statistically significant at 0.01 levels (two tailed). Positive correlation was observed between PLD ratio of the right eye (r=0.416) and left eye (r=0.396) and pulse pressure. This correlation is statistically significant at 0.05 levels (two tailed). Positive correlation was observed between PLD ratio of the right eye (r=0.883) and left eye (r=0.844) and mean arterial BP. This correlation is statistically significant at 0.05 levels (two tailed). Positive correlation was observed between PLD ratio of the right eye (r=0.841) and left eye (r=0.819) and pulse rate. This correlation is statistically significant at 0.05 levels (two tailed).Conclusion: Positive correlation was observed between PLD ratio and autonomic parameters. We recommend further detailed studies to utilize the measurement of PLD ratio as an autonomic function test.
BACTERIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY PATTERN OF HOSPITALACQUIRED SEPTICEMIA IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTH EAST INDIA
Authors: Mohanty Aroop , Singh T Shantikumar , Kabi Ankita , Gupta Pratima , Gupta Priyanka , Kumar Pradeep
Published: November 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the bacterial agents responsible for hospital acquired septicaemia and to determine the antibiotic sensitivity profile of the bacterial isolates.Methods:  Three hundred fifty hospitalized clinically suspect septicaemia cases were included in this cross sectional observational study during a period of one year. Blood samples were collected with aseptic precautions for culture following universal precautions. Anti-microbial susceptibility test of the bacterial isolates was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, USA) guidelines.    Results: Over two-thirds of cultures showed gram positive organism. The most frequently identified Gram positive bacteria were coagulase negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus. Among gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp and Salmonella typhi were isolated. In our study, coagulase negative staphylococci showed maximum resistance to penicillin and erythromycin. Enterobactereciae had maximum sensitivity to carbapenems, tigecycline and aminoglycosides.Conclusion: Gram positive pathogens predominated in the blood stream infections. Résistance to fluoroquinolones, especially in Gram negative bacteria was significantly high. Therefore, rapid microbiological diagnosis and the determinants of antimicrobial susceptibility become relevant for early initiation of antimicrobial therapy.
EXPLOITATION OF HUB PROTEINS AS DRUG TARGETS FOR MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS H37RV
Authors: Jalil Asraaa Abdul
Published: November 2017

Objective: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), a causative agent of TB, increased the resistance to most drugs in use and coinfection with HIV. It needs the new drug(s), the latter should be special candidate targets.Methods: Hub proteins were studied (Rv2198c, Rv2507, and Rv3763) which had very high connected partners. These were modeled to be used for screening chemical databases.Results: The proteins were found to be with increased low-complexity regions especially at the amino ends, they exhibited primary level (layers) of interactions and involved in secondary and more levels of interactions.Conclusions: The proteins with high interacting partners would be good targets as their disruption will disturb the cellular functions. The chosen targets (Rv2198c, Rv2507, and Rv3763) have very high interactions at a different level (layers), they were modeled to be used in survey of chemical databases.
RECURRENT TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISLOCATIONS IN GERIATRIC PATIENT ON ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS AND ITS CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT
Authors: Pai Deepika , T Abhay Kamath , Menon Girish , Urala Arun , Kumar Saurabh , Nayak Sunil , Kudva Adarsh
Published: November 2017

Recurrent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation can cause difficulty in swallowing and speech hence can be distressing for the patient. A 79-year-old male patient reported with recurrent dislocation of TMJ since 2 months. He was on antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia which predisposes to recurrent TMJ dislocation due to oromandibular dystonia. Since the patient had undergone tracheostomy, his systemic condition was not suitable for surgical management. Thus a conservative option of chin cup was planned. The chin cup limits the movement of the mandible hence prevents dislaocation of the TMJ. The patient was successfully rehabilitated with no new episodes of TMJ dislocation for the last 4 months. It focuses on conservative management of recurrent TMJ dislocations induced by antipsychotic drugs.
A REVIEW ON PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF MILKWEED FAMILY HERBS (ASCLEPIADACEAE)
Authors: Karale Pushpa Anantrao , Karale Mahesh A
Published: November 2017

Calotropis procera and Gymnema sylvestre are a perennial shrub and woody climber, respectively, and belonging to the family Asclepiadaceae. They are commonly known as milkweed family herbs. The Calotropis commonly have two species, i.e., C. procera and C. gigantean. All parts of plant exude white milky latex when cut. It has been widely used in traditional medicine due to its pharmacological active compounds found in all parts of plants such as bark, roots, and leaves and especially its latex which exudes from damaged or broken stem and leaves. G. sylvestre an ayurvedic herb came to be known as “destroyer of sugar” because in ancient times Ayurveda physicians observed that chewing a few leaves of G. sylvestre suppressed the taste of sugar. It also reported to possess antidiabetic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory, antiulcer, and anticancer potential. The gymnemic acid is the main constituent which is responsible for number of pharmacological activities. The present review assembles the data on pharmacognostic and pharmacological potential of C. procera and G. sylvestre.
ANALYSIS OF THE INHIBITORY POTENTIAL OF STREPTOCOCCUS SALIVARIUS ISOLATED FROM ADULT SALIVA AND THE TONGUE DORSUM FOR THE GROWTH OF CANDIDA ALBICANS
Authors: Fairiska Nindy , Bachtiar Boy M , Gultom Ferry P
Published: November 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of Streptococcus salivarius and its protein for inhibiting the growth of Candidaalbicans.Methods: The analysis was conducted using polymerase chain reaction, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a Bradford test,deferred antagonism test, and well-diffusion agar.Result: S. salivarius, isolated from saliva and the tongue dorsum, and its protein do not inhibit the growth of C. albicans. The morphology of C. albicansdid not change after being exposed to protein produced by S. salivarius.Conclusions: S. salivarius and its protein do not inhibit the growth of C. albicans. However, the bacterium has the capacity to maintain fungusmorphology in the form of blastospora.
ANALYSIS OF THE POTENTIAL OF STREPTOCOCCUS SALIVARIUS ISOLATED FROM THE SALIVA AND TONGUE DORSUM TO INHIBIT THE GROWTH OF FUSOBACTERIUM NUCLEATUM
Authors: Nurfitri Azzara , Joenoes Hedijanti , Bachtiar Boy M
Published: November 2017

Objective: Analyzing the potential of S. salivarius isolated from the saliva and tongue dorsum of adults to inhibit the growth of Fusobacteriumnucleatum.Methods: Polymerase chain reaction, deferred antagonism test, and well-diffused agar test.Results: Inhibition of the growth F. nucleatum by S. salivarius isolated from the tongue dorsum (p>0.05). No inhibition to the growth of F. nucleatumby S. salivarius isolated from the saliva. No inhibition to the growth of F. nucleatum by the protein produced by S. salivarius.Conclusions: The growth of F. nucleatum was not inhibited by S. salivarius isolated from the saliva but by S. salivarius isolated from the dorsum of thetongue.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS ON THE USE OF PARENTERAL NUTRITION WITH D10-CA GLUCONATE AND D5 1/4NS IN NORMAL-WEIGHT NEONATES WITH RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME
Authors: Ningsih Fitria , Sauriasari Rani , Saptaningsih Agusdini Banun
Published: November 2017

Objectives: This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of using D10-CaGluconate and D5 1/4NS preparations in normalweightneonatal patients with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in Kambang General Hospital, Jambi, Indonesia.Methods: The research was conducted from September 2014 to June 2015. The study participants were divided into two groups; D10-CaGluconatewas administered to 40 patients and D5 1/4NS to 43 patients. Effectiveness was assessed based on the changes in the physical examination results,average weight gain (28.48 and 23.49 g/day), blood glucose levels (26.73 and 26.42 mg/dL), respiratory rate (−12.35 breaths/minute and −7.77breaths/minute), pulse frequency (−10.98 and −8.07 ±), and body temperature (0.013°C and 0.012°C) of the patients in the D10-CaGluconate andD5 1/4NS groups, respectively.Results: The average direct medical costs of using D10-CaGluconate and D5 1/4NS were 458,290 IDR and 408,347 IDR, respectively. The average costeffectivenessratio value of total direct medical costs for D10-CaGluconate preparation was 35,207,467 IDR while that for D5 1/4NS was 33,958,602IDR. The direct medical cost of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio mean value of the D5 1/4NS preparation that compared to the D10-CaGluconatepreparation was 10,017,210 IDR.Conclusions: The parenteral nutrition preparation of D10-CaGluconate is more cost-effective than that of D5 1/4NS.
PARENTERAL ANTIBIOTIC USAGE PATTERNS AND EFFECTS OF INTRAVENOUS TO ORAL SWITCHING ON THE LENGTH AND COST OF HOSPITALIZATION
Authors: Pranandari Rengganis , Supardi Sudibyo , Andrajati Retnosari
Published: November 2017

Objective: The prolonged use of intravenous antibiotics might increase the length and cost of hospitalization. The research objective, therefore, was toevaluate the effect of switching antibiotics on the length of hospital stay and hospitalization cost. The prospective cohort research design was adopted.The inclusion criteria were in patients who had received intravenous antibiotics.Methods: The sample comprised 39 patients who switched antibiotics as an exposed group and 39 patients who did not switch as an unexposedgroup. The data were collected using the patient medical records and the financial data from the hospital information system. The Mann–Whitney testand Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was applied in the analysis.Results: The results revealed that the antibiotics most commonly switched were intravenous ceftriaxone (83.3%) and oral cefixime (94.8%). From thefive switching patterns observed, the most common switch was from intravenous ceftriaxone to oral cefixime in patients with acute gastroenteritis.All antibiotics were administered in accordance with the National Formulary (NF) guidelines. Only metronidazole (5 mg/ml dose) was inconsistentwith NF. Switching antibiotics did not impact the length of hospital stay and hospitalization cost; however, comorbidities did have an influence here.Conclusions: Further, switching antibiotics impacted the duration over which intravenous antibiotics were administered and the cost of antibiotics.
PREDICTED BINDING MODE OF ANDROGRAPHOLIDE AND ITS DERIVATIVES BOUND TO PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM GERANYLGERANYL PYROPHOSPHATE SYNTHASE
Authors: Putra Andrianopsyah Mas Jaya , Chaidir Chaidir , Hanafi Muhammad , Yanuar Arry
Published: November 2017

Objective: Andrographolide is a major secondary metabolite in the Indonesian herb sambiloto (Andrographis paniculata). It displays a moderateantiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. This study aimed to investigate andrographolide inhibitionof geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS) by andrographolide molecular docking.Methods: A comparative modeling of P. falciparum GGPPS was conducted using one of the Plasmodium vivax GGPPS crystal structures as a template.The best model from this comparative modeling was then used in a molecular docking to investigate the binding mode of andrographolide in theP. falciparum GGPPS active site.Results: In the P. falciparum GGPPS active site, andrographolide is situated with its double rings pointing toward the hydrophobic pocket, while itslactone group is positioned between first aspartate-rich motif and second aspartate-rich motif of the catalytic pocket.Conclusions: In the active site, andrographolide is situated with its double rings pointing toward the hydrophobic pocket, while its lactone group ispositioned in the catalytic pocket.
OPTIMIZATION OF LUTEOLIN-LOADED TRANSFERSOME USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
Authors: Setyawati Damai Ria , Surini Silvia , Mardliyati Etik
Published: November 2017

Objective: This research was carried out to optimize luteolin-loaded transfersome formula with independent variables such as lipid–surfactant (totallipid) concentration and luteolin concentration.Methods: Luteolin-loaded transfersome was optimized by response surface methodology based on four parameters, namely, particle size (Z-average),polydispersity index, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. The transfersome formula was prepared using central composite design, and theselected independent variables were the total lipid (mixture of phospholipid and Tween 80) and luteolin concentrations. 14 formulas of luteolinloadedtransfersome were prepared by thin film hydration, followed by the sonication method.Results: The total lipid and luteolin concentration significantly affected the entrapment efficiency only. The other parameters were not affected by achange in these variables. The optimum formula of 4.88% total lipid and 0.5% luteolin with desirability value of 0.609 conformed with the predictionparameters. Vesicle imaging using transmission electron microscopy revealed spherical particles and the occurrence of particle aggregation. Theoptimum formula of luteolin-loaded transfersome possessed the following characteristics: Particle size of 286.03±8.46 nm, polydispersity indexof 0.480±0.013, zeta potential of -18.67±0.379 mV, and entrapment efficiency of 94.97±0.28 %. However, these values did not correspond to thepredicted values and were confirmed by the low adjusted and predicted R-squared values.Conclusion: This method can be applied to optimize the entrapment efficiency, and in the future, it can be used for further optimizing formula oftransfersome by including more variables.