Discrepancy in efficiency scores due to sampling error in data envelopment analysis methodology: evidence from the banking sector.

Background: Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology is considered the most suitable approach for relative performance efficiency calculation for banks as it is believed to be superior to traditional ratio-based analysis and other conventional performance evaluations. This study provides statistical evidence on the sampling error that can creep into performance evaluation studies using the DEA methodology. Inferences are drawn based on samples, and various preventive measures must be taken to eliminate or avoid sampling errors and misleading results.

Evaluation of the Effect of Virgin Rice Bran Oil (VRBO) on DoxorubicinInduced Cardiotoxicity in Wistar Rats.

Objective: The usage of doxorubicin (DOX), an antineoplastic drug that is frequently used for the cure of cancer, is restricted to maximal doses due to its cardiac toxicity. Reactive oxygen species produced by DOX result in lipid peroxidation and organ failure, ultimately resulting in cardiomyopathy. Due to its high polyphenol content, virgin rice bran oil (VRBO) is a diet nutritional supplement with a strong antioxidant.

Dietary Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil Differentially Modulate Aspects of the Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis Following an Acute Lipopolysaccharide Challenge in Male C57Bl/6 Mice.

The microbiota gut-brain axis (mGBA) is an important contributor to mental health and neurological and mood disorders. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are endotoxins that are components of Gram-negative bacteria cell walls and have been widely shown to induce both systemic and neuro-inflammation. Flaxseed () is an oilseed rich in fibre, n3-poly-unsaturated fatty acid (alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)), and lignan, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, which all can induce beneficial effects across varying aspects of the mGBA.

Cucurbita pepo seeds improve peripheral neuropathy in diabetic rats by modulating the inflammation and oxidative stress in rats.

Background: Cucurbita pepo (C. pepo) is cultivated and used traditionally as vegetable as well as medicine in different parts of the world. The aim of current study was to investigate the potential of C.

Ameliorative effect of Cephalandra indica homeopathic preparation in STZ induced diabetic nephropathy rats.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the foremost cause of morbidity and has become the most recurrent cause of end-stage renal disease among diabetic patients. Thus, agents having antidiabetic effect along with safety potential in the kidneys would have a higher remedial value.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate possible protective effect of homeopathic preparation of Cephalandra indica Mother tincture, 6C and 30 C potencies on DN in Wistar rats.

L. attenuates diabetic nephropathy inhibition of advanced glycation end products accumulation in STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats.

The present study was aimed to evaluate advanced glycation end products (AGEs) inhibitory activity of alcohol and hydro-alcohol extract (DAE and DHE) of L. (Family: Dilleniaceae) and its potential in treatment of diabetic nephropathy by targeting markers of oxidative stress. .

Effect of Kaempferol isolated from seeds of Eruca sativa on changes of pain sensitivity in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy.

Generation of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and cellular apoptosis are implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. Present study was aimed to explore the effect of Eruca sativa and Kaempferol (KP) on hyperalgesia (thermal and mechanical); tactile allodynia, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and oxidative-nitrosative stress in streptozotocin (STZ) induced experimental diabetes. Neuropathy developed in diabetic rats was evident from a marked hyperalgesia and allodynia; reduced MNCV associated with excess formation of AGEs and ROS.

Nephroprotective effect of Paeonia emodi via inhibition of advanced glycation end products and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic nephropathy.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of alcohol (PA) and hydroalcohol (PHA) extract of Paeonia emodi Royale roots in treatment of streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Wistar rats by streptozotocin (65 mg/kg intraperitoneally) 15 minutes after nicotinamide (230 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) administration and diabetic nephropathy was assessed by measuring serum glucose, renal parameters (urea, uric acid, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen level) and lipid profile. The rats were treated with different doses of extracts (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg) for 45 days.

Chromane isolated from leaves of Dillenia indica improves the neuronal dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic neuropathy.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: According to the Indian traditional medicine, Dillenia indica L. has shown therapeutic efficacy in various diseases. Fruits and leaves of the plant possess anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Therapeutic effect of L. in STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic nephropathy via inhibition of AGE's and oxidative stress.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the potential of petroleum ether and hydro-alcoholic extract of (FPE and FHE) in STZ-nicotinamide induced diabetic nephropathy. GC-MS analysis of FPE revealed the presence of different fatty acids, heterocyclic compounds etc. Moreover, chromatography of FHE isolated Secoisolariciresinol diglycoside.

Distinct Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Diabetic Nephropathy.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the foremost causes of mortality in diabetic patients as a result of increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE) rate and compromised renal function.

Introduction: Determination of increased excretion of albumin in urine chiefly attribute to the onset and progression of DN. However, due to certain limitations of albuminuria, the search for more sensitive, specific and reliable renal biomarkers is required for early prediction of DN.

Renoprotective effect of Bacopa monnieri via inhibition of advanced glycation end products and oxidative stress in STZ-nicotinamide-induced diabetic nephropathy.

Hyperglycemia and oxidative stress are involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). This study was designed to evaluate the effect of alcohol and hydroalcohol extract of Bacopa monnieri and stigmasterol isolated from B. monnieri in the treatment of DN.

Efficacy of holmium laser urethrotomy and intralesional injection of Santosh PGI tetra-inject (Triamcinolone, Mitomycin C, Hyaluronidase and N-acetyl cysteine) on the outcome of urethral strictures.

Introduction: To study the efficacy of holmium laser urethrotomy with intralesional injection of Santosh PGI tetra-inject (Triamcinolone, Mitomycin C, Hyaluronidase and N-acetyl cysteine) in the treatment of urethral strictures.

Material And Methods: A total of 50 patients with symptomatic urethral stricture were evaluated by clinical history, physical examination, uroflowmetry and retrograde urethrogram preoperatively. All patients were treated with holmium laser urethrotomy, followed by injection of tetra-inject at the urethrotomy site.

Attenuating Diabetes: What Really Works?

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by loss of glucose homeostasis; altered metabolism of glucose, proteins and lipids. Although a number of effective allopathic medicines are currently available for treatment and management of diabetes, but prevalence of side effects and higher cost poses a big challenge to the goal of pharmacotherapy. Herbs are mine of medicinal agents that are found to be efficacious, cost effective and safe in preventing diabetes and a number of plants have been used in management or treatment of diabetes.

Review of the Oriental genus Neoclarkinella Rema and Narendran, 1996 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Microgastrinae) with the description of two new species from India.

The rarely collected Oriental genus Neoclarkinella Rema and Narendran, 1996 is reviewed. Four species, all from India, are recognized of which two are described as new, namely Neoclarkinella janakikkadensis sp. nov.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy: current perspective and future directions.

Diabetic neuropathy is a heterogeneous group of disorders with extremely complex pathophysiology and affects both somatic and autonomic components of the nervous system. Neuropathy is the most common chronic complication of diabetes mellitus. Metabolic disruptions in the peripheral nervous system, including altered protein kinase C activity, and increased polyol pathway activity in neurons and Schwann cells resulting from hyperglycemia plays a key role in the development of diabetic neuropathy.

Management of diabetic complications: a chemical constituents based approach.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Long term hyperglycemia leads to development of complications associated with diabetes. Diabetic complications are now a global health problem without effective therapeutic approach. Hyperglycemia and oxidative stress are important components for the development of diabetic complications.

A method for automatic detection and classification of stroke from brain CT images.

Computed tomographic (CT) images are widely used in the diagnosis of stroke. In this paper, we present an automated method to detect and classify an abnormality into acute infarct, chronic infarct and hemorrhage at the slice level of non-contrast CT images. The proposed method consists of three main steps: image enhancement, detection of mid-line symmetry and classification of abnormal slices.

Efficient post-macrocyclization functionalizations of oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidines.

Diversely functionalized oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidines have been synthesized starting from a bis(methylsulfanyl)-substituted oxacalix[4]arene by two efficient post-macrocyclization pathways. Functionalized aryl groups were introduced on the pyrimidine building block via Liebeskind-Srogl cross-coupling reactions, while a variety of O-, S-, N-, and C-nucleophiles were inserted on the calixarene skeleton by nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions on the bis(methylsulfonyl)oxacalix[4]arene analogue.

MR findings in cerebellar ataxia after enteric fever.

A patient with acute cerebellar ataxia after enteric fever is described. MRI showed multiple hypointense areas in the subcortical areas of the cerebellum on T1-weighted images, and T2-weighted images showed hyperintense lesions in the corresponding areas. Based on these findings, the possible mechanisms of ataxia are discussed.

Cerebral infarction after envenomation by viper.

A case of cerebral infarction after viper bite is described; the patient also had features of diffuse encephalopathy. Findings on MRI were suggestive of subacute hemorrhagic infarcts. Possible mechanisms for cerebral infarction in these circumstances were discussed.

Neurological complications of varicella inflection : a clinical, electrophysiological and MRI study.

Twenty three cases of neurological complications following varicella infection are reported. These include pre rash seizures (2), encephalomyelitis (12), Guillain-Barrel syndrome (GBS) (7) and cranial neuropathy (2). There were 3 cases of encephalitis form, 7 cases of cerebellar form and 2 cases of pure myelitic form of the 12 cases of encephalomyelitis.

Prospective study of cortical sinovenous thrombosis value of CT scan and imaging.

Forty two consecutive cases of cortical sino venous thrombosis (CSVT) diagnosed by computerised tomographic scan (CT scan) and or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) constituted the study material. Clinical features are similar despite of varied aetiology. Stroke like presentation was seen in 20 (48 percent) patients, features of raised intracranial pressure were seen in 14 (33 percent) patients and the remaining presented with diffuse encephalopathic features.

Extramedullary glioma of the cervicodorsal spinal cord--a case report.

Extramedullary gliomas are rare and usually have an intramedullary component. A case of extramedullary astrocytoma without intramedullary mass in an adolescent girl has been reported.