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Variables associated with DDS varied seasonally during land preparation, higher DDS was associated with higher household durable asset-based wealth; during growing months, with greater diversity of vegetables planted and lower FIS; during harvest, with older caregivers, caregivers working less in agriculture, more diverse crops and receiving food from demonstration gardens.

The intervention improved food production, food security and diets. Sustained demonstration gardens were important for continued use of new agricultural techniques and improved diets.

The intervention improved food production, food security and diets. Sustained demonstration gardens were important for continued use of new agricultural techniques and improved diets.

This article explores the relationship between childhood obesity and educational outcomes in Mexico, a country where excess weight is predominant.

Using complementary multivariate estimators, we empirically investigate the association between childhood excess weight, measured in 2002, and schooling attainment measured 10 years later. Non-linear specifications are tested, and heterogeneous effects according to gender, living area and economic backgrounds are investigated.

To fill the literature gap, this study focuses on the understudied context of emerging countries such as Mexico.

Panel data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (2002-2012) are used. We restricted the sample to adolescent individuals who had between 9 and 15 years old in 2002 (attended primary or secondary school in 2002). The survey provides an accurate follow-up information on weight, height and waist circumference for each individual.

Controlling for a comprehensive set of covariates, we find that the relationship is non-linear in have important implications for public policy, namely about awareness anti-obesity programmes.Nanotechnology is one of the emerging fields in drug delivery for targeting the drug to the site of action. The polymeric nanoparticles as drug delivery systems have gained importance for the last few decades. They offer advantages over liposomes, dendrimers, emulsions etc. Surface engineering of polymeric nanoparticles is widely utilized to effectively target the cells in various diseases such as cancer, HIV infection. Surface modified nanoparticles offer various advantages such as targeted drug delivery, reduction in side effects, dose reduction and improved therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, they can aid in improving physical and biochemical properties, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the drug. Surface modified polymeric nanoparticles can provide targeted delivery of drugs into specific cells, especially when targets are intracellularly localized. This approach of surface modification would be more advantageous for the delivery of various anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV drugs for more effective therapy. This review focuses on the techniques used for the fabrication of polymeric nanoparticles, the material used for surface modification and their applications.The traditional oral dosage forms (tablets, capsules, syrups, and elixirs) suffer from various disadvantages. They are pretty challenging to administer to patients with dysphagia, mucositis, and vomiting tendency. Therefore, gaining patient compliance using conventional dosage forms is highly cumbersome. One of the most transformative and innovative approaches to overcome such challenges is Orodispersible Films, a Novel Drug Delivery System. They are easy to consume, no need to chew or swallow and they do not even require water for consumption. Therefore, several drugs have been converted into orodispersible films to gain patient compliance. With the advent of these film formulations, new innovations are erupting and accordingly, companies in India are actively protecting them by filing ordinary patent applications in India and internationally under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. Patenting in India poses unique patentability challenges when compared with rest of the world. Nonetheless, meeting all the challenges and obtaining a valid patent not only help in recouping the cost involved in developing new drugs and its novel drug delivery systems but also helps in taking legal action against alleged infringers. This review article identifies key active Indian players in the domain of ODF based on their patent filings in India (and abroad) and also identifies the challenges they face to obtain a grant.

Snakebite envenomation is a global priority ranked top among other neglected tropical diseases. There is a folkloric claim that Uvaria chamae is beneficial for the management of snakebite and wounds in African ethnobotanical surveys. Besides, there are many registered patents asserting the health benefits of U. chamae.

This study aimed to investigate U. chamae’s potentials and identify candidates for the development of tools for the treatment and management of N. nigricollis envenomation.

Freshly collected U. chamae leaves were air-dried, powdered, and extracted in methanol. The median lethal dose of the extract was determined and further fractionated with n-hexane, n-butanol and ethyl acetate. Each fraction was tested for neutralizing effect against venom-induced haemolytic, fibrinolytic, hemorrhagic, and cytotoxic activities.

U. chamae fractions significantly (p<0.05) neutralized the haemolytic activity of N. nigricollis venom in n-butanol; 31.40%, n-hexane; 33%, aqueous residue; 39.60% and ethyl acetate; 40.70% at the concentration of 100mg/ml of each fraction against 10mg/ml of the snake venom when compared to the positive control. The fibrinolytic activity of N. nigricollis venom was significantly (p<0.05) neutralized in n-hexane at 73.88%, n-butanol; 72.22% and aqueous residue; 72.22% by the fractions of U. chamae. In addition, haemorrhagic activity of N. nigricollis venom was significantly (p<0.05) neutralized by U. chamae fractions at the concentrations of 100mg/ml, 200mg/ml and 400mg/ml except for n-butanol and aqueous residues at 400 mg/ml.

U. chamae leaves fractions possess a high level of protection against N. nigricollis venoms-induced lethality and thus validate the pharmacological rationale for its usage in the management of N. Senexin B in vivo nigricollis envenomation.

U. chamae leaves fractions possess a high level of protection against N. nigricollis venoms-induced lethality and thus validate the pharmacological rationale for its usage in the management of N. nigricollis envenomation.