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Infrastructure is one of the most crucial pillars of productivity in any economy. Pushing infrastructure development and particularly organizing funds for infrastructure projects have been the biggest challenge in developing nations. The present study was taken up to review the infrastructure development and its financing in India. The study intended to (1) study the infrastructure development in India in the 11th and 12th Five Year Plan, (2) examine the sources used for infrastructure financing in India, (3) assess the actions taken by government to facilitate infrastructure financing and (4) propose measures to augment infrastructure financing to overcome infrastructure deficit in the country. It was found that though Government of India and Reserve Bank of India have taken several initiatives to facilitate infrastructure financing, there still exists a vast gap between supply side and the demand side. Some of the recommendations given in the paper include the need to evolve innovative business models and mitigate administrative glitches to ensure larger private participation; exploit the untapped potential of diaspora; revisit the statutory liquidity ratio norms for banks; evolve the municipal bond market; boost regional integration and improved connectivity through creation of corridors between sub-continental regions, which would not only bridge the finance gap but also the knowledge gap, etc.

A series of deoxycholic acid-chalcone amides were synthesised and tested against the human lung cancer cell line, A549 and the cervical cancer cell line, SiHa. Among the synthesised deoxycholic acid-chalcone conjugates, some conjugates showed encouraging results as anticancer agents with good in vitro activity. More precisely, deoxycholic acid-chalcone conjugates 4b (IC50: 0.51 μM) and 4e (IC50: 0.84 μM) having 2‑nitrophenyl and 3,4,5‑trimethoxyphenyl groups exhibited a good activity against human cancer cell-line SiHa and while 4d (IC50: 0.25 μM) and 4b (IC50: 1.71 μM) showed better activity against A549 lung cancer cell line with respect to deoxycholic acid and chalcones. The anticancer activity of the bile acid conjugated chalcones was more than the activity of chalcone and deoxycholic acid alone. The results indicate that a bile acid conjugate strategy may be beneficial in improving the biological activity of chalcone derivatives. The enhanced activity of certain compounds may be due to their increased bioavailability.

Cellular communication mediated by cytokines is an important mechanism dictating immune responses, their cross talk and final immune output. Cytokines play a major role in dictating the immune outcome to cancer by regulating the events of development, differentiation and activation of innate immune cells. Cytokines are pleiotropic in nature, hence understanding their role individually or as member of network cytokines is critical to delineate their role in tumour immunity. Tumour systemically manipulates the immune system to evade and escape immune recognition for their uncontrollable growth and metastasis. The developing tumour comprise a large and diverse set of myeloid cells which are vulnerable to manipulation by the tumour-microenvironment. The innate immune cells of the monocytic lineage skew the fate of the adaptive immune cells and thus dictating cancer elimination or progression. Targeting cells at tumour cite is preposterous owing to their tight network, poor reach and abundance of immunosuppressive mechanisms. Monocytic lineage-derived cytokines (monokines) play crucial role in tumour regression or progression by either directly killing the tumour cells with TNFα or promoting its growth by TGFβ. In addition, the monokines like IL-12, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TGFβ direct the adaptive immune cells to secrete anti-tumour cytokines, TNFα, IFNγ, perforin and granzyme or pro-tumour cytokines, IL-10 and TGFβ. In this review, we elucidate the roles of monokines in dictating the fate of tumour by regulating responses at various stages of generation, differentiation and activation of immune cells along with the extensive cross talk. We have attempted to delineate the synergy and antagonism of major monokines among themselves or with tumour-derived or adaptive immune cytokines. The review provides an update on the possibilities of placing monokines to potential practical use as cytokine therapy against cancer.

During Aspergillus fumigatus mediated lung inflammation, NLRP3 inflammasome is rapidly activated that aggravates IL-1β production contributing to lung inflammation. Previously, we have shown the protective role of SYK-1 inhibition in inhibiting inflammasome activation during lung inflammation. In the current manuscript, we explored the protective role of direct caspase-1 inhibition during β-glucan-induced lung inflammation. We have mimicked the lung inflammation by administering intranasal β-glucan in mice model. YVAD was used for caspase-1 inhibition. We have shown that caspase-1 inhibition by YVAD did not alter inflammasome independent inflammatory cytokines, while it significantly reduced inflammasome activation and IL-1β secretion. Caspase-1 inhibited bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), co-cultured with T cells showed decreased T-cell proliferation and direct them to secrete high TGF-β and IL-10 compared to the T cells co-cultured with β-glucan primed dendritic cells. Caspase-1 inhibition in BMDCs also induced IL-22 secretion from CD4+T cells. Caspase-1 inhibition in intranasal β-glucan administered mice showed decreased tissue damage, immune cell infiltration and IgA secretion compared to control mice. Further, splenocytes challenged with β-glucan show high IL-10 secretion and increased FOXp3 and Ahr indicating an increase in regulatory T cells on caspase-1 inhibition. Caspase-1 inhibition can thus be an attractive target to prevent inflammation mediated tissue damage during Aspergillus fumigatus mouse model and can be explored as an attractive therapeutic strategy.HIGHLIGHTSCaspase-1 inhibition protects lung damage from inflammation during β-glucan exposureCaspase-1 inhibition in dendritic cells decreases IL-1β production resulting in decreased pathogenic Th17Caspase-1 inhibition promotes regulatory T cells thereby inhibiting lung inflammation Caspase-1 inhibition protects lung damage from inflammation during β-glucan exposure Caspase-1 inhibition in dendritic cells decreases IL-1β production resulting in decreased pathogenic Th17 Caspase-1 inhibition promotes regulatory T cells thereby inhibiting lung inflammation

Berberine is a plant-derived alkaloid with potent anti-cancer activities. Berberine may redirect the tumor-promoting immunosuppressive M2 macrophages, to tumoricidal activated M1 macrophages. But such an anti-tumor function remains to be demonstrated.Polarization of macrophages to an immunosuppressive phenotype within the tumor microenvironment promotes tumor growth and contributes to resistance to chemotherapy. We examined if berberine would target macrophage polarization to reinstate anti-tumor immune response.Using a B16F10 mouse melanoma model, we assessed berberine-induced re-polarization of immunosuppressive M2 macrophages to anti-tumor M1 macrophages and subsequent T-cell activation within the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.The B16F10 culture supernatant along with tumor antigen was used as tumor mimicking conditioned medium (CM). The bone marrow-derived macrophages were cultured in CM for 5 days. The CM-induced skewing of macrophages to M2-like phenotype was confirmed by flow cytometry and ELISA. The T-cells were co-cultured with macrophages to decipher the effect of berberine on T-cell differentiation. In vivo efficacy of berberine was analyzed using melanoma model of solid tumor.Berberine inhibited rIL-6-induced STAT-3 phosphorylation and IL-10 release from B16F10 cells. It enhanced tumor antigen-induced IL-1β, IL-12 and TNFα, but suppressed IL-6 and TGF-β release. Berberine significantly prevented the tumor antigen-mediated IL-10-enhanced IL-6 and TGF-β expression. The CM skewed the bone marrow-derived macrophages to CD206-high but MHC-II-low M2-like tumor-associated macrophages. Berberine partially prevented the generation of these macrophages and was associated with reduced C/EBPβ and Egr2 mRNA expression and lowered IL-10 and TGF-β production. Berberine significantly reduced Arginase-1 expression in CM-treated M1 and M2-like macrophages. Berberine increased MHC-II and CD40 expression on the macrophages augmenting the CTL activity and the number of IFNγ-producing CD4These data indicate that berberine interferes with pro-tumor macrophage polarization and IL-10 and TGF-β release but restores Tcell anti-tumor cytotoxicity in the tumor microenvironment.

Development is an irreversible process of differentiating the undifferentiated cells to functional cells. Brain development involves generation of cells with varied phenotype and functions, which is limited during adulthood, stress, damage/degeneration. Cellular reprogramming makes differentiation reversible process with reprogramming somatic/stem cells to alternative fate with/without stem cells. Exogenously expressed transcription factors or small molecule inhibitors have driven reprogramming of stem/somatic cells to neurons providing alternative approach for pre-clinical/clinical testing and therapeutics. Here in, we report a novel approach of microRNA (miR)-induced trans-differentiation of macrophages (CD11b high) to induced neuronal cells (iNCs) (neuronal markers high-Nestin, Nurr1, Map2, NSE, Tubb3 and Mash1) without exogenous use of transcription factors. miR 9, 124, 155 and 224 successfully transdifferentiated macrophages to neurons with transient stem cell-like phenotype. We report trans differentiation efficacy 18% and 21% with miR 124 and miR 155. in silico (String 10.0, miR gator, mESAdb, TargetScan 7.0) and experimental analysis indicate that the reprogramming involves alteration of pluripotency genes like Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, Nanog and pluripotency miR, miR 302. iNCs also shifted to G0 phase indicating manipulation of cell cycle by these miRs. Further, CD133+ intermediate cells obtained during current protocol could be differentiated to iNCs using miRs. The syanpsin+ neurons were functionally active and displayed intracellular Ca+2 evoke on activation. miRs could also transdifferentiate bone marrow-derived macrophages and peripheral blood mononuclear cells to neuronal cells. The current protocol could be employed for direct in vivo reprogramming of macrophages to neurons without teratoma formation for transplantation and clinical studies.HighlightsmiR 9, miR 124 and miR155 could reprogramme macrophages to mature neurons.miR-induced neuronal reprogramming involves stem cell like intermediate phenotype.Graphical AbstractMacrophages transfected with miR 9, 124, 155 and 224 alter pluripotency genes and neuronal differentiation genes via various mechanisms as elucidated. NIM components may also manipulate driving neuronal differentiation gene expression inducing formation of neuronal cells.

It is well acknowledged fact thatentrepreneurship is an engine of economic growth and social development. Women entrepreneurship though has been growing around the world, but the evidences suggest that women entrepreneurscontinue to be adversely affected by the numerous socio-economic issues in the male dominated business societies, which hugely undermine the morale of women entrepreneurs.The current study was taken up to investigate the working of twenty sevenwomen entrepreneurs working on micro and small levels, in different areas of Uttar Pradesh (India), who have created employment opportunities for thousands of people living at grass root level and also created new prospects for the rural artisans in theirregion. The study aims to explore the various the obstacles faced by the women entrepreneurs working in different areas of Uttar Pradesh (India),analyze the impact of the prevailing constraints and challenges on the progress of these women entrepreneurs, and recommend the aspects that he to be looked into by the policy makers, to address the issues and challenges. It is also anticipated that the findings will bring to light valuable insights, which might be used by the policymakers, organization and institutions who intend to assist more and more entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, to venture into businesses. The study revealed multifarious constraints and challenges faced by the women during their entrepreneurial journey. In the current study we have tried to classify these constraints into four broad categories: Socio-Cultural Issues; Economic Issues; Psychological Issues and Managerial Issues.

The present study was taken up to review the initiatives taken by the present government to further consolidate the efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth in India and to sustain the existing growth. The intent of the study was to explore the measures taken by the government to enhance: (a) infrastructure development, (b) financial inclusion, (c) growth in agriculture and rural sector, (d) social inclusion, (e) good governance and policy reforms and (f) expertise development and job creation in the country. The aim was also to evaluate the impact of these initiatives on the economy, find the gaps, if any, and suggest measures to complement the on-going efforts.

Development is an irreversible process of differentiating the undifferentiated cells to functional cells. Brain development involves generation of cells with varied phenotype and functions, which is limited during adulthood, stress, damage/degeneration. Cellular reprogramming makes differentiation reversible process with reprogramming somatic/stem cells to alternative fate with/without stem cells. Exogenously expressed transcription factors or small molecule inhibitors have driven reprogramming of stem/somatic cells to neurons providing alternative approach for pre-clinical/clinical testing and therapeutics. Here in, we report a novel approach of microRNA (miR)- induced trans-differentiation of macrophages (CD11b high) to induced neuronal cells (iNCs) (neuronal markershigh- Nestin, Nurr1, Map2, NSE, Tubb3 and Mash1) without exogenous use of transcription factors. miR 9, 124, 155 and 224 successfully transdifferentiated macrophages to neurons with transient stem cell-like phenotype. We report trans differentiation efficacy 18% and 21% with miR 124 and miR 155. in silico(String 10.0, miR gator, mESAdb, TargetScan 7.0) and experimental analysis indicate that the reprogramming involves alteration of pluripotencygenes like Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, Nanog and pluripotency miR, miR 302. iNCs also shifted to G0 phase indicating manipulation of cell cycle by these miRs. Further, CD133+ intermediate cells obtained during current protocol could be differentiated to iNCs using miRs. The syanpsin+ neurons were functionally active and displayed intracellular Ca+2 evoke on activation. miRs could also transdifferentiate bone marrow-derived macrophages and peripheral blood mononuclear cells to neuronal cells. The current protocol could be employed for direct in vivo reprogramming of macrophages to neurons without teratoma formation for transplantation and clinical studies.

Background Berberine, a plant alkaloid, has been used since many years for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. It also shows promising medicinal use against metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer; however its efficacy in neuroblastoma (NB) is poorly explored. Hypothesis EMT is important in cancer stemness and metastasis resulting in failure to differentiate; thus targeting EMT and related pathways can have clinical benefits. Study design Potential of berberine was investigated for (i) neuronal differentiation and cancer stemness inhibition, (ii) underlying molecular mechanisms regulating cancer-stemness and (iii) EMT reversal. Methods Using neuro2a (N2a) neuroblastoma cells (NB); we investigated effect of berberine on neuronal differentiation, cancer-stemness, EMT and underlying signalling by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, Western blot. High glucose-induced TGF- β mediated EMT model was used to test EMT reversal potential by Western blot and RT-PCR. STRING analysis was done to determine and validate functional protein-interaction networks. Results We demonstrate berberine induces neuronal differentiation accompanying increased neuronal differentiation markers like MAP2, β-III tubulin and NCAM; generated neurons were viable. Berberine attenuated cancer stemness markers CD133, β- catenin , n-myc, sox2, notch2 and nestin. Berberine potentiated G0/G1 cell cycle arrest by inhibiting proliferation, cyclin dependent kinases and cyclins resulting in apoptosis through increased bax/bcl-2 ratio. Restoration of tumor suppressor proteins, p27 and p53, indicate promising anti-cancer property. The induction of NCAM and reduction in its polysialylation indicates anti-migratory potential which is supported by down regulation of MMP-2/9. It increased epithelial marker laminin and smad and increased Hsp70 levels also suggest its protective role. Molecular insights revealed that berberine regulates EMT via downregulation of PI3/Akt and Ras-Raf-ERK signalling and subsequent upregulation of p38-MAPK. TGF- β secretion from N2a cells was potentiated by high glucose and negatively regulated by berberine through modulation of TGF- β receptors II and III. Berberine reverted mesenchymal markers, vimentin and fibronectin, with restoration of epithelial marker E-cadherin, highlighting the role of berberine in reversal of EMT. Conclusion Collectively, the study demonstrates prospective use of berberine against neuroblastoma as elucidated through inhibition of fundamental characteristics of cancer stem cells: tumorigenicity and failure to differentiation and instigates reversal in the EMT.

The term democracy is the Hindi version of English democracy, for which the words democracy, democracy, democracy etc. are also used, which means - a mechanism or system in which the people have sovereignty. It is an undeniable truth that economic inequality is the root of all difficulties. Due to this, the world is deranged and frustrated and for this reason, since ancient times in India, mystics dreamed to remove the economic disparity between humans. Democracy is one such vision in which workers, peasants and helpless victims come together to play the role of their true partner. जनवाद शब्द अंग्रेजी के डेमोक्रेसी का हिंदी प्रतिरूप है, जिसके लिए जनतंत्र, लोकतंत्र, लोकशाही आदि शब्दों का भी प्रयोग किया जाता है, जिसका अर्थ है - एक ऐसा तंत्र या व्यवस्था जिसमें जनता की संप्रभुता हो।यह निर्विवाद सत्य है कि आर्थिक विषमता सभी कठिनाइयों की जड़ हैं। इसके कारण संसार विश्रृंखलित एवं कंुठित होता है और इसी कारण भारत में प्राचीन काल से ही मनीषियों ने मानव-मानव के मध्य आर्थिक विषमता को दूर करने का स्वप्न देखा। जनवाद एक ऐसी ही दृष्टि है जिसमें मजदूरों, किसानों, असहाय पीड़ितों को एक जुट कर उनके सच्चे साथी की भूमिका निभाती है।

We report for the very first time self-assembly of Cysteine and Methionine to discrenible strucutres under neutral condition. To get insights into the structure formation, thioflavin T and Congo red binding assays were done which revealed that aggregates may not have amyloid like characteristics. The nature of interactions which lead to such self-assemblies was purported by coincubating assemblies in urea and mercaptoethanol. Further interaction of aggregates with short amyloidogenic dipeptide diphenylalanine (FF) was assessed. While cysteine aggregates completely disrupted FF fibres, methionine albeit triggered fibrillation. The cytotoxicity assays of cysteine and methionine structures were performed on Human Neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells which suggested that aggregates are not cytotoxic in nature and thus, may not have amyloid like etiology. The results presented in the manuscript are striking, since to the best of our knowledge,this is the first report which demonstrates that even non-aromatic amino acids (cysteine and methionine) can undergo spontaneous self-assembly to form ordered aggregates.

The part that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play, both in developed and developing countries, cannot be over emphasized and therefore their existence and survival is a matter of concern not only for the policy makers but also for the researchers. Large number of MSMEs die the same year that they are established. The current research was taken up to understand how MSMEs manage their risk and whether enterprise risk management is essential for survival and sustainable development of MSMEs. The objective of the research was to (1) understand the peculiar nature of the MSMEs which make them vulnerable, (2) explore the various risks confronted by MSMEs, (3) understand how the MSMEs manage their risk, (4) understand 'Enterprise Risk Management' and its components and (5) explore the relevance of 'Enterprise Risk Management' for the survival and sustainable development of MSMEs. The results show that MSMEs by virtue of their size, inadequate resources and restricted know-how generally confront wide-ranging risks. In MSMEs the management of risk is concentrated in the hands of the owner-managers and there are no systemic linkages between the planning and risk management. Therefore, this study stresses the need for integrating an effective enterprise risk management system with planning and administration within the MSMEs, to avoid fatal consequences.

This case study showcases the initiative and hard work of a women entrepreneur from India, who had a passion to guide and counsel the young graduates towards their professional education. This case study discusses in detail the education acquired by the entrepreneur, her vision, initiative, development and operation of her venture, major impediments that came her way, measures adopted by her to overcome them and her plans for future expansion and growth. It also showcases how the women entrepreneur was successful in creating several new jobs in the society, besides assisting the youth to take up their desired career path.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Iridoid glycosides have been associated with decreased risks of cancer, such as hepatocarcinoma. Although Picrorrhiza kurroa has shown activity against hepatocarcinogenesis, its mechanism of action is poorly understood, further the anticancer activity of iridoid glycosides present in this plant has not been tested so far. Aim of the study Here, MCF-7 cell lines (Human breast cancer) were used to test whether P. kurroa extract (PE) and its isolated iridoid glycosides Picroside I (PS), Kutkoside (KS), and Kutkin (KT) exerts the anti-invasion activity via down-regulation of the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs play an important role in solid tumor invasion and migration. Materials and methods The activity and expression of gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and collagenases (MMP-1 and MMP-13), protein, and mRNA were detected by gelatin zymography, and RT-PCR. The migratory and invasive capacities of MCF-7 cell lines were measured by the wound scratch migration assay. The preliminary cytotoxicity testing was done by MTT assay and propidium iodide staining. Further the inhibition of inflammatory mediators was also done by quantification of nitrite inflammatory mediators. Results The study showed that PE and its isolated iridoids glycosides PS, KS, and KT exhibited considerable cytotoxic potential in a dose-dependent manner. Further PE, PS, KS, and KT inhibited MCF-7 cell invasion and migration, and decreased MMP-2, 9 and MMP-1, 13 activities. Furthermore, PS, KS, and KT reduced MMPs expression at protein and mRNA levels, and suppression of the inflammatory mediators was also exhibited. Conclusions Our results suggest that PS, KS, and KT may be the valuable anti-invasive drug candidates for cancer therapy by suppressing Collagenases and Gelatinases. PS, KS, and KT showed good results in comparison with PE. PS and KS exhibit almost comparable down regulation while KT exhibited maximum suppression of invasion, migration, and expression of MMPs.

INTRODUCTION: The cervical vertebrae are seven in number. They are the smallest of the vertebrae and can be identified by the presence of a foramen in each transverse process. The dorsal and ventral roots terminate laterally as dorsal and ventral tubercles. The roots are connected lateral to the foramen by an intertubercular lamella. The vertebral artery which arises from the superoposterior aspect of the first part of the subclavian artery, passes through the foramina in the transverse processes of all of the cervical vertebrae except the seventh. It then curves medially behind the lateral mass of the atlas and enters the cranium through the foramen magnum 1 . The vertebral vein begins in suboccipital venous plexus and descends in foramen transversarium (FT). At the lower end the plexus unites into a single vein, which lies in front of the vertebral artery and terminates into the posterior surface of the first part of Brachiocephalic vein, or lower end of internal jugular vein2. Thus FT transmits the second part of vertebral artery with its accompanying veins and a sympathetic plexus from the lower cervical ganglion. The seventh foramen transmits a vein and a grey ramus from the lower ganglion running up to join the seventh nerve. The ganglion is situated beside the vertebral artery below the level of the seventh costal process, so that its filament to the eighth nerve reaches it directly, but that for the seventh must ascend through the foramen3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During inspection of 72 cervical vertebrae housed in the Department of Anatomy, Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute, divided foramen transversarium was noticed in four vertebrae, which were photographed. The length of bony bars and the diameters of the foramina were measured by digital vernier caliper.

Establishment of host-protective memory T cells against tumors is the objective of an antitumor immunoprophylactic strategy such as reinforcing T cell costimulation via CD40-CD40L interaction. Previous CD40-targeted strategies assumed that T cell costimulation is an all-or-none phenomenon. It was unknown whether different levels of CD40L expression induce quantitatively and qualitatively different effector T cell responses. Using mice expressing different levels of CD40L, we demonstrated that the greater the T cell CD40L expression the less tumor growth occurred; the antitumor T cell response was host-protective. Lower levels of CD40L expression on T cells induced IL-10-mediated suppression of tumor-regressing effector CD8+ T cells and higher productions of IL-4 and IL-10. Using mice expressing different levels of CD40 or by administering different doses of anti-CD40 Ab, similar observations were recorded implying that the induction of protumor or antitumor T cell responses was a function of the extent of CD40 cross-linking. IL-10 neutralization during priming with tumor Ags resulted in a stronger tumor-regressing effector T cell response. Using IL-10−/− DC for priming of mice expressing different levels of CD40L and subsequent transfer of the T cells from the primed mice to nu/nu mice, we demonstrated the protumor role of IL-10 in the induction of tumor-promoting T cells. Our results demonstrate that a dose-dependent cross-linking of a costimulatory molecule dictates the functional phenotype of the elicited effector T cell response. The T cell costimulation is a continuum of a function that induces not only graded T cell responses but also two counteracting responses at two extremes.

Activation of T cells requires signals through Ag-specific TCR and costimulatory molecules such as CD40L. Although the use of defined tumor Ags for the induction of protective T cells met with limited success, the CD40-CD40L interaction that was proposed to induce antitumor T cells did not prevent tumor growth completely. Using a model for prostate tumor, a leading cause of tumor-induced mortality in men, we show that the failure is due to a novel functional dichotomy of CD40 whereby it self-limits its antitumor functions by inducing IL-10. IL-10 prevents the CD40-induced CTL and TNF-α and IL-12 production, Th1 skewing, and tumor regression. Priming mice with tumor lysate-pulsed IL-10-deficient dendritic cells (DCs) or wild-type DC plus anti-IL-10 Ab establishes antitumor memory T cells that can transfer the protection into syngenic nude mice. Infusion of Ag-pulsed IL-10-deficient but not wild-type DCs back into syngenic mice results in successful therapeutic autovaccination. Thus, we demonstrate the IL-10-sensitive antitumor T cell memory formulating a novel prophylactic and therapeutic principle.

This paper studied the perception and mindset of the children belonging to family businesses. The aim was to explore their intention to join their existing family business and also examine the major factors that influence their decision. The paper analyzes the potential impact of a set of demographic variables such as age, gender, and other background factors, including level of education. The study was conducted on respondents from the northern part of India. The major findings imply that factors such as career interest, pressure from parents, selfesteem, independent attitude, attitude towardwork, attitude toward risk, leadership qualities, and team spirit all influence the offspring’s intent to join the family enterprise or not. Further, the findings also demonstrated that demographic variables such as level of education and gender have an impact. Keywords: family business; attitude; potential successor; potential entrepreneur; intention (Published: 7 October 2010) Citation: Annals of Innovation & Entrepreneurship 2010, 1: 5603 - DOI: 10.3402/aie.v1i1.5603