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

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

Pricing Efficiency of Nifty BeES in Bullish and Bearish Markets

This article examines the pricing efficiency of Nifty BeES in bullish and bearish market conditions using high frequency data for a period of seven years. It seeks to address three questions. First, does the portfolio manager of Nifty BeES follow its benchmark replication strategy across different market conditions? Second, whether the portfolio manager minimizes the portfolio return volatility relative to the benchmark volatility. Third, whether the magnitude of premiums/discounts varies in bullish and bearish market conditions. Our findings suggest a significant difference in alpha-generation abilities of fund manager between the two market conditions. Tracking error was found to be relatively high in bearish conditions. The average premium is higher in bearish markets characterized with highest volatility. On the other hand, the average discount is higher in bullish markets characterized with least volatility. The price divergence disappears within three days and the market price and the fund’s net asset value (NAV) get aligned due to arbitrage mechanism. </jats:p

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

What happened to the distribution of the blood pressure and random blood glucose of the Indian adult population between 2015 and 2021?

Objective: To describe the change in mean and shape of the distributions of blood pressure (BP) and random blood glucose (RBG) of adults aged 15–49 between two consecutive rounds of the National Family Health Survey in India. Study design and methods: We analyzed the data of adults aged 15–49 from the household datasets of NFHS 4 (2015–16) and 5 (2019–21). Both surveys used identical two-stage sampling and methodology. Three BP readings with 5-min intervals using a digital sphygmomanometer and FreeStyle Optium H (NFHS-4) or Accu-Chek Performa glucometer (NFHS-5) were used for RBG testing. Descriptive statistics and absolute change for BP and RBG were estimated, and mean-difference plots (m-d plots) were used to compare the distributions in the two surveys. Results: We analyzed data of 1,207,535 and 767,454 adults aged 15–49 years for blood pressure and 1,295,357 and 799,833 for the glucose distribution from NFHS 5 and NFHS 4, respectively. The mean increase between the two surveys in SBP, DBP and RBG was 4.23 mmHg (95 % C.I. 4.20–4.28), 1.95 mmHg (95 % C.I. 1.92–1.98), and 7.43 mg/dL (95 % C.I. 7.35–7.51), respectively. The m-d plots showed a rightward shift in the distribution of SBP, DBP, and RBG in NFHS 5 compared to NFHS 4. Conclusion: The increasing trend of mean blood pressure and blood glucose and the rightward shift of the blood pressure and blood glucose distributions calls for prioritizing the national and state-level strategies for preventing NCDs, with increased focus on implementing population-level interventions