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Learning outcomes ▪ Identify and explain the factors that contribute to the success of a restaurant business. ▪ Analyse different sources of entrepreneurial finance. ▪ Identify and explain local entrepreneur’s expectations from a funding agency. ▪ Evaluate investment decision-making criteria for entrepreneurial funding agencies. Case overview/synopsis Kartikey Rajput, the promoter of a food park Urban Chowk, was waiting for the Covid regulations in the country to be relaxed. The entrepreneur in him found a business opportunity to provide hygienic food with a beautiful ambience and floated a food park (Urban Chowk) with the support of his wife Nikita Agrawal in 2017 and the second edition amidst Covid in 2020. The business model was well-appreciated by food vendors as well as customers. Rajput could see future growth potential in urban India. But his aggressive business plan to open five food parks in different cities in the next three years was disrupted due to the Covid pandemic. The expansion required huge investments, and post-pandemic challenges were plenty. The decision to go beyond Ahmedabad required the selection of cities besides the major challenge of the financing choice. The new cities might have huge footfall potential but finding the right location at the right price was a different challenge. Rajput was also concerned with the sources of getting the required finances. The entrepreneur was contemplating and evaluating the alternative sources of finance available to a start-up. Complexity academic level This case is appropriate for a graduate and post-graduate level programme in the courses like entrepreneurial finance, entrepreneurship and strategy. This case can also be used in an executive programme on management and Management Development Programmes (MDPs) on entrepreneurship or entrepreneurial finance. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject Code CSS 1: Accounting and Finance.

The objectives of paper are to highlight mainly the marketing analysis and demand as well as profit analysis of Badi making involving Women Badi workers in Keonjhar district of Odisha. The study is based on primary data collected from 200 Women Self Help Groups badi workers respondents of five selected areas. KEYWORDS: Badi, Marketing, Entrepreneurs, Women, Self Help Group. JEL Classification: - O

The objective of the paper is to analyse the impact of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) on Watermelon farmers in Deogarh district of Odisha. The study is based on both secondary data and primary data and has used bar diagrams, percentage, regression as techniques of analysis. Watermelon has come up as a major horticultural crop in Deogarh district of Odisha since many decades as it is contributing a lot to its agro-economy. Farmers of different categories have started adopting this crop in their cropping system and production as well as productivity in watermelon farming has also increased. with the help of National Horticulture Mission (NHM), watermelon farmer’s socio-economic impact has witnessed a change. Since the NPV is Rs.2.48 lakhs and positive, it is feasible and profitable to go for the water melon production. The Government and nongovernmental agencies should stimulate more participation in watermelon production in the sample villages of Barkote block in Deogarh district by providing trained agricultural extension staffs. KEYWORDS: Economy, Farmers, Horticulture, Income, Profit, Watermelon

Badi making is an important productive activity in Keonjhar district of Odisha for the self-help groups working in the business. It is a specialized activity of women badi workers attached to SHG in the district. Women Badi workers are major players in Keonjhar district of Odisha with respect to their major contribution to economic development in the district as well as in other states. The development of women badi workers is directly related to economic growth as well as revenue generation for the workers and also for the district. With the growing impact of women badi workers, they keep themselves self-employed. In order to reduce poverty and to increase their standard of living and wellbeing of their family, these women badi workers makes a strong contribution in upliftment of the badi making business. To uplift the badi making business, various promotional measures as well as incentives are provided by the district authority from time to time. Today the role of women badi workers do not seem to be confined only as a mother/ homemaker but the role of women badi workers is much more than what it was previously.

Land is not only a tangible asset but is the mainstay of most of the rural folks as they are dependent on agriculture and allied activities. The tribal economy is also primarily agro-based and they have emotional attachment to land. But, with the opening of the tribal areas, the tribal land is being alienated to the non-tribals. Consequently, a large number of tribal cultivators have been rendered landless labourers. Decrease in the number of cultivators and increase in the number of landless labourers indicates the disturbing trend of land alienation. Shifting cultivation as the earliest form of agriculture continues to be predominantly practiced by the tribals. Though it has its own merits and demerits, it has become a way of life with them. The Constitution of India provides certain provisions to protect the interests of the Scheduled Tribes, which will also be discussed in this unit. The present study reveals the overall scenario of tribal belt with mining affected areas in Keonjhar district of Odisha and its present livelihoods in the displacement process due to land alienation.

We study charge diffusion in relativistic resistive second-order dissipative magnetohydrodynamics. In this theory, charge diffusion is not simply given by the standard Navier-Stokes form of Ohm's law, but by an evolution equation which ensures causality and stability. This, in turn, leads to transient effects in the charge diffusion current, the nature of which depends on the particular values of the electrical conductivity and the charge-diffusion relaxation time. The ensuing equations of motion are of so-called stiff character, which requires special care when solving them numerically. To this end, we specifically develop an implicit-explicit Runge-Kutta method for solving relativistic resistive second-order dissipative magnetohydrodynamics and subject it to various tests. We then study the system's evolution in a simplified 1+1-dimensional scenario for a heavy-ion collision, where matter and electromagnetic fields are assumed to be transversely homogeneous, and investigate the cases of an initially non-expanding fluid and a fluid initially expanding according to a Bjorken scaling flow. In the latter case, the scale invariance is broken by the ensuing self-consistent dynamics of matter and electromagnetic fields. However, the breaking becomes quantitatively important only if the electromagnetic fields are sufficiently strong. The breaking of scale invariance is larger for smaller values of the conductivity. Aspects of entropy production from charge diffusion currents and stability are also discussed., 23 pages, 14 figures. Revised discussion on entropy production, and new comparison plot with Strang-Splitting method

Organotin(IV) complexes are gaining major attention as drug candidates, accordingly we have synthesized a cluster of novel diorganotin(IV) complexes R2SnClL (where R is Me, Et, n-Bu and Ph) of Schiff base ligands 2-{[4-(4-bromo-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylimino]-methyl}-phenol (HL1), 4-{[4-(4-bromo-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylimino]-methyl}-benzene-1,3-diol (HL2), 2-{[4-(4-bromo-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylimino]-methyl}-4-nitro-phenol (HL3) and 2,4-dibromo-6-{[4-(4-bromo-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylimino]-methyl}-phenol (HL4). The structural elucidation of the compounds was done by using different spectroscopic techniques (UV–Vis, FT-IR, 1H, 13C and 119Sn NMR), mass spectrometry, melting point and molar conductance measurement. The spectroscopic data recommend that Schiff bases are bidentate (NO) in nature and bind to tin metal via azomethine nitrogen, phenolic oxygen atom and have pentacoordinated environment around central tin metal. To check the biological utility, the synthesized compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against different bacterial and fungal strains using serial dilution method and inhibitory activity noted in terms of MIC values (μmol/mL) which displayed that the complexes were more efficient than corresponding Schiff bases and complex 20 (Ph2SnClL4) was most active antimicrobial agent. The compounds were also evaluated for cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines- A549 (Lung), PC-3 (Prostate), MDA-MB-231 (Breast), MIA PaCa-2 (pancreas) and human normal cell line fR2 by using MTT method. The results of cytotoxic activity showed that compounds 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 14 are active and compounds 10 and 11 having IC50 values ranging from 0.01 to 1.42 μM are almost equally potent to the standard drug doxorubicin against all examined cell lines and are even less toxic against normal cell line. Diorganotin(IV) complexes of 4-(4-bromophenyl)thiazol-2-amine and salicylaldehyde derivatives were synthesized. Complex 20 (Ph2SnClL4) is most active antimicrobial agent, and complex 11 (Bu2SnClL2) is most efficient cytotoxic agent against tested human cancerous cell lines.

Learning outcomes The students should be able to understand the potential and competitive advantage of community-based business model. The students should be able to familiarise themselves with the concept of entrepreneurship through acquisitions. The students should be able to decide when a firm should use acquisition as a key driver coupled with fewer efforts on organic growth or vice-versa. The student should be able to evaluate the success or failure acquisition as a growth strategy. The student should be able to evaluate the key metrics and other variables in the acquisition of target companies. The students should be able to wear the shoes of the protagonist and resolve the dilemma. Case overview/synopsis The teaching case looks at the dilemma of Sairee Chahal. Chahal is the founder of SHEROES, an online community for women. SHEROES started as an online career ecosystem for women. As time progressed Chahal witnessed conversations beyond career and moved towards women-centric themes. Chahal decided to pivot it into an online community for women. Her growth strategy for SHEROES has primarily been driven by serial acquisitions coupled with dispersed efforts on organic growth. In the meanwhile, Chahal had harboured an ambition to bring 100 million users to SHEROES by the year 2024. In a period spanning from 2016–2020, SHEROES acquired six niche women-centric companies. SHEROES grew to be a community of 1 million users to 20+million women users by 2020. On the other hand, the industry leader, Mogul used a diametrical approach to grow the platform into 30+million users by 2020. It had primarily used organic growth strategies such as content development, designing courses, referrals and many more. However, Chahal found herself in a dilemma when a reporter posed a question to Chahal. Chahal’s growth strategy depended on acquisitions, coupled with less effort in organic growth. Conversely, Mogul grew primarily via organic growth strategies. The reporter’s question forced her to question and revisit her growth strategies. She wondered if a target of 100 million users could be achieved with the acquisition as a major driver and less effort invested in organic growth or whether it might be better to make organic growth the key growth strategy while pushing acquisitions to the back seat. The uniqueness of the case lies in the female protagonist who is trying to build a larger-than-life community primarily via acquisitions with little effort on organic growth. Such a phenomenon has rarely been explored in teaching cases. The case is based on secondary data and the information is available in the public domain. Complexity academic level The case is designed for post-graduate students in the entrepreneurship curriculum. Within entrepreneurship, it is well-suited for use in specialised courses on “growth of an entrepreneurial venture” or “entrepreneurial strategies”. An instructor may take it up in the middle of the module as students would have familiarised themselves with various growth strategies. An instructor may use the case for a very niche course such as entrepreneurship through acquisition. An instructor may take it up as an introductory case in such a course. It can also be used in the executive programme aimed at “women entrepreneurship”, “community-based model” and “serial acquisitions” to teach how women or founders create and grow entrepreneurial ventures with acquisitions or communities as their focal tenet. The case has been tested in the authors’ post-graduate student’s entrepreneurship course. An instructor can use it when the instructor wants to discuss the various growth strategies available to an entrepreneurial firm. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes of this paper is as follows: to review the basic differences between the two evolving bonds, i.e. green vs masala bonds in the Indian capital market; to comprehend the factors that need to be considered in deciding the type of bond to be issued; to assess complexities, such as process, timing, risk and location in relation to the issue of the green bonds; and to understanding the rudiments of bond economics, such as pricing, all-in-cost and yield-to-maturity of bonds and make a comparison of all-in-cost of the Reg-S bond and green bond to Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC). Case overview/synopsis In September 2017, IRFC, a public sector undertaking registered as a Non-Banking Finance Company with Reserve Bank of India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Railways, was planning to raise US$500m 10-year green bonds from investors in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The green bond proceeds were proposed to be used for low carbon transport and in this way, contribute significantly to the green initiatives of the Indian Railways. Many companies in India had issued regular bonds without labeling them as green but had used the proceeds of the bond for climate-aligned assets. Therefore, a bigger challenge before the IRFC management was the economics of green bond for getting a nod from the Board of Governors to go ahead. Some preliminary estimates on cost of green bonds were received from few bankers but to see that the terms of green bonds are met eventually, the Director (Finance) developed his own estimate of the cost of the new bonds. The Managing Director and Director (Finance) of IRFC were trying to figure out the economic advantage of green bonds besides its social benefits. Complexity academic level MBA Programme Executive Training. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 1: Accounting and Finance.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the principal causes of death. Cardiac arrhythmia, a critical CVD, can be easily detected from an electrocardiogram (ECG) recording. Automated ECG analysis can help clinicians to identify arrhythmia and prevent untimely death. This paper presents a simple model to classify the ECG recordings into two classes: Normal and Abnormal based on morphological and heart rate variability (HRV) features. Before feature extraction, Signal quality analysis (SQA) is performed to abandon poor quality ECG signals. Several machine-learning classifiers such as Support Vector Machine (SVM), Adaboost (AB), Random Forest (RF), Extra-Tree Classifier (ET), Decision Tree (DT), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Logistic Regression (LR), Naïve Bayes (NB), and Gradient Boosting (GB) are explored on the extracted feature space. To enhance the study, few feature selection algorithms such as F test, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), and Minimal Redundancy Maximal Relevance (mRMR) algorithms are also applied and the outcomes of each algorithm along with the considered classifiers are analyzed and compared. The proposed algorithm is validated on 2648 Normal and 2518 Abnormal ECG recordings. The accuracy of our best classifier is found to be 95.25 %. It is anticipated that the proposed model will be helpful as a primary and mass screening tool kit in clinical settings.

We investigated the Granger causal relationship between the consumption of power both at the aggregate and sectoral level and economic growth in India using the frequency domain approach, which would help policy makers seek the efficient allocation of electricity via proper policy initiatives at different frequencies. We find that at the aggregate level, unidirectional causality runs from the total power consumption to economic growth, starting from the second up to the seventh quarter. In the sectoral context, the results are different. Since there is no causality between industrial power consumption and economic growth; therefore, an energy conservation policy can thus be implemented for the industrial sector. Moreover, since a bidirectional causality exists after 15 quarters for the commercial sector, a short-term policy but not an energy conservation policy could also be initiated for this sector. In the industrial and agricultural sectors, a promotional policy should be initiated because a unidirectional causality exists from sectoral power consumption to economic growth. Therefore, different and sector-specific policies would be more appropriate than a single policy for all power sectors in India in order to orient the efficient utilisation of power towards better economic development.

Blockchain technology is being looked at to solve numerous real-world problems that demand transparency by meeting sustainable goals. Do we ponder whether this technology is a boon or a bane for the environment? This paper analyses blockchain’s dominant consensus method, Proof-of-Work (PoW), which consumes more energy than Malaysia and Sweden and further deteriorates the environment through carbon emissions. This study is the first systematic evaluation of PoW consensus-based blockchain applications’ environmental consequences. We found 11 significant Theories, 6 Contexts, and 26 Methodologies (TCM) in 60 reviewed articles. We propose an Antecedents, Drivers, and Outcomes (ADO) model, which depicts that marginal profits drive high energy consumption and carbon emissions, with non-renewable energy proportionally responsible for carbon emissions. The article distinctively uses an integrated TCM-ADO framework for literature synthesis and the PESTLE framework for reporting future research areas. This is the first study to use the following four frameworks: PRISMA; TCM; ADO; and PESTLE for systematic literature review. Profit is identified as one of the most significant drivers of energy consumption and further carbon emissions. The article proposes 65 future research areas and makes theoretical contributions to the literature that may interest academicians, practitioners, and social stakeholders.

Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) is an approved immunotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer over-expressing HER2 antigen receptors. The aim of the present work is to standardize the formulation protocol of [177Lu]Lu-trastuzumab addressing various reaction parameters, evaluating the efficacy of the radiolabeled product by in vitro investigations, scaling-up the preparation for administration in patients and performing preliminary clinical studies in patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer. Trastuzumab was conjugated with a suitable bi-functional chelating agent namely, p-NCS-benzyl-DOTA. On average 6.15 ± 0.92 p-NCS-benzyl-DOTA molecules were observed to be attached to each trastuzumab moiety. [177Lu]Lu-trastuzumab could be prepared with >95% radiochemical purity (% RCP) employing the optimized radiolabeling procedure. In vitro studies revealed the affinity of [177Lu]Lu-trastuzumab towards HER2 +ve cancer cell lines as well as against HER2 protein (Kd = 13.61 nM and 11.36 nM, respectively). The value for percentage immunoreactive fraction (% IRF) for [177Lu]Lu-trastuzumab was observed to be 76.92 ± 2.80. Bio-distribution studies in Swiss mice revealed non-specific uptake in the blood, liver, lungs and heart followed by gradual clearance of activity predominantly through the hepatobiliary route. Preliminary clinical studies carried out in 8 cancer patients with immunohistochemically proven HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer revealed preferential localization of [177Lu]Lu-trastuzumab in breast cancer lesions, which was in concordance with [18F]FDG-PET scans recorded earlier in the same patient indicating the potential of the agent towards radioimmunotheranostic applications.

A YPO4:Er3+–Yb3+ nanophosphor has been synthesized by a facile coprecipitation method. The photon upconversion has been carried out at 980 nm continuous-wave laser diode excitation. Optical heating...

The Schrodinger-Newton equation has frequently been studied as a nonlinear modification of the Schrodinger equation incorporating gravitational self-interaction. However, there is no evidence yet as to whether nature actually behaves this way. This work investigates a possible way to experimentally test gravitational self-interaction. The effect of self-gravity on interference of massive particles is studied by numerically solving the Schrodinger-Newton equation for a particle passing through a double-slit. The results show that the presence of gravitational self-interaction has an effect on the fringe width of the interference that can be tested in matter-wave interferometry experiments. Notably, this approach can distinguish between gravitational self-interaction and environment induced decoherence, as the latter does not affect the fringe width. This result will also provide a way to test if gravity requires to be quantized on the scale of ordinary quantum mechanics., 8 pages, 6 figures, throughly revised and expanded

Background Radiolabeled RGD peptide can be used for noninvasive in vivo imaging of αvβ3 integrin receptors leading to early detection of tumor cells and hence improving the clinical outcomes. In the present study single vial kit based HYNIC RGD2 was radiolabeled with Tc-99m and evaluated in patients with breast carcinoma. Methods Radiolabeling was performed via bifunctional chelator method. Tc-99m 1110-2960 MBq (30-80 mCi) was added to the HYNIC-RGD2 vial. The reaction mixture was heated for 20 minutes at 100°C. After performing the quality checks, whole-body planar imaging was performed in 20 patients at 2-2.5 h post i.v. injection of 555-740 MBq (15-20 mCi) of the radiotracer. Results Radiolabeling yield of ≥98% was observed in all the formulations. Quality control tests indicated the suitability of radiopharmaceutical for intravenous administration. Physiological uptake of Tc-99m HYNIC-RGD2 was observed in the nasopharynx, salivary glands, liver, spleen, and intestine. Good uptake of radiotracer was observed in breast lesions of 18 patients. Two patients were observed to be negative. Increased uptake was also seen in metastatic sites in two patients and in lymph nodes in three patients. Scintigraphy findings were in corroboration with pathological observations. Conclusion The single vial cold kit based radiolabeling of Tc-99m HYNIC-RGD2 is facile leading to its easy availability. Tc-99m HYNIC-RGD2 is a promising radiopharmaceutical which can be used for the molecular imaging of angiogenesis in breast carcinoma patients.

Introduction: Acridine is a well-known DNA intercalator and thereby gets easily inserted within DNA. As uncontrolled rapid cell division is one of the primary characteristics of the tumors, it is expected that acridine or its suitable derivatives will have preferential accumulation in the tumorous lesions. Therefore, an attempt was made to radiolabel an acridine derivative with 68Ga and study the potential of the 68Ga-acridine complex as a PET agent for tumor imaging. Methods: 9-aminoacridine was coupled with p-NCS-benzyl-DOTA to render it suitable for labeling with 68Ga. The purified acridine-DOTA conjugate was radiolabeled with 68Ga, eluted from a 68Ge/68Ga radionuclide generator. Various radiolabeling parameters were optimized and the stability of the radiolabeled preparation was studied. The biological behavior of the 68Ga-acridine complex was studied both in vitro and in vivo using Raji cell line and fibrosarcoma tumor bearing Swiss mice, respectively. Results: 68Ga-acridine complex was obtained with ~100% radiochemical purity under the optimized reaction conditions involving incubation of 2mg/mL of ligand at 100°C for 30 minutes. The complex maintained a radiochemical purity of >95% in normal saline and >65% in human blood serum at 3h post-incubation. In vitro cellular study showed (3.2±0.1)% uptake of the radiotracer in the Raji cells. Biodistribution study revealed significant tumor accumulation [(11.41±0.41)% injected activity in per gram] of the radiotracer within 1h postadministration along with uptake in other non-target organs such as, blood, liver, GIT kidney etc. Conclusion: The present study indicates the potential of 68Ga-acridine as a PET agent for imaging of tumorous lesions. However, further detailed evaluation of the agent is warranted to explore its actual potential.

A facile method to prepare 141Ce based fiducial marker sources was developed to put forward an alternate to 99mTc markers routinely used during nuclear imaging procedures. Cerium oxide microspheres were prepared as source substrate by ‘internal gelation process’. ‘State-of- the art’ analyzing tools were used for characterizing the substrate. Neutron irradiation of microspheres in ‘Dhruva’ reactor was optimized. Post irradiation and quality evaluation, the sources were enclosed in an in-house developed portable device. 141Ce sources containing 37–59 MBq (1.0–1.6 mCi) of 141Ce were supplied to three nuclear imaging centres. Newly developed 141Ce fiducial markers could successfully supplement real time SPECT imaging procedures.

Galectin-3 (gal-3) plays a crucial role in various cellular events associated to tumor metastasis and progression. In this direction, gal-3 binding core-shell glyconanoparticles based on citrus pectin (CP) have been designed for targeted, trigger-responsive combination drug delivery. Depolymerization via periodate oxidation in heterogeneous medium yielded low-molecular weight dialdehyde oligomers (CPDA) of CP with a gal-3 binding property (Kd = 160.90 μM). CPDA-based core-shell nanoparticles prepared to enhance the gal-3 binding specificity via a multivalent ligand presentation have shown to reduce homotypic cellular aggregation, tumor cell binding with endothelial cells, and endothelial tube formation, the major steps involved in the progression of cancer. Immune-fluorescence and flow cytometric analysis confirmed significant reduction in gal-3 expression on MDA-MB 231 cancer cells upon incubation with nanoparticles. An on-demand tumor microenvironment-responsive release of drugs at low pH and high concentrations of glucose and glutathione prevailing in tumor milieu was achieved by introducing a cleavable Schiff's base, a boronate ester, and disulfide linkages within the shell of the nanoparticles. Nanoparticles with encapsulated sulindac in the core and doxorubicin (DOX) in the shell demonstrated target specificity and enhanced internalization with synergistic cytotoxic effects with a 30-fold reduction in IC50 in DOX-resistant, triple-negative MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells. Nanoparticles were radiolabeled with 131I radioisotopes with ≥80% efficiency while retaining its gal-3 binding property. Biodistribution studies of radiolabeled placebo nanoparticles and drug-loaded CPDA nanoparticles demonstrated proof of concept of gal-3 targeting seen as preferential accumulation in the gal-3-expressing tissues of the gastric tract. The CPDA core-shell nanoparticles are thus promising platforms for gal-3 targeting and inhibition of gal-3-mediated processes involved in cancer progression with a potential of radiolabeling for in vivo monitoring or delivering therapeutic doses of radiation and on-demand triggered, target-specific drug release.

Rhenium-186 [t½ = 3.7 d, 1.07 MeV β−-particles, 137 keV γ-ray] is an emerging radioisotope which holds tremendous potential in preparation of theranostic radiopharmaceuticals. This radioisotope was produced in a no-carrier-added form by irradiation of enriched 186W target via 186W(p, n) 186Re reaction in a pelletron. A facile radiochemical separation procedure based on selective solvent extraction in methylethyl ketone medium followed by column chromatography using mesoporous alumina sorbent has been developed to obtain 186Re in a form suitable for radiopharmaceutical preparation. This approach is expected to promote widespread utilization of this radioisotope for the benefit of cancer patients.

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is found to be amplified in ∼15%–20% of breast cancers. In this study, the authors report the synthesis and comparative in vitro therapeu...

This study describes the fabrication of 57Co point sources utilizing the metal sorption properties of amidoxime functionalized PAN-PVDF beads. PAN-PVDF beads were synthesized by phase inversion, functionalized and characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy. Uptake of 57Co on amidoxime-PAN-PVDF beads was investigated by optimizing the experimental parameters. The optimized procedure was employed for fabrication of 57Co point sources. Distribution pattern of 57Co on the source core was confirmed by autoradiography. SEM and EDS analyses of inactive Co loaded beads were performed. A simple procedure for stable loading of 57Co onto PAN-PVDF beads could be standardized. The method could be of potential utility for fabrication of 57Co point for calibration purposes after extensive quality control studies.

Radiolabeled macrocyclic bisphosphonate ligands have recently been demonstrated to be highly efficacious in treatment of patients with painful bone metastases. Herein, we report a robust protocol for formulation of therapeutically relevant doses of 177Lu-labeled bisphosphonate amide of DOTA (BPAMD) using moderate specific activity 177Lu produced by direct (n,γ) route and its preliminary investigation in human patients. Doses (2.8 ± 0.2 GBq) were formulated with high radiochemical purity (98.3 ± 0.4 %) using a protocol optimized after extensive radiochemical studies. In vitro binding studies with mineralized osteosarcoma cells demonstrated specific binding of the radiotracer. Biodistribution studies in healthy Wistar rats demonstrated rapid skeletal accumulation with fast clearance from the non-target organs. In a patient administered with 555 MBq dose of 177Lu-BPAMD, intense radiotracer uptake was observed in the metastatic skeletal lesions with insignificant uptake in any other major non-targeted organs. Preliminary clinical investigations carried out after administration of 2.6 GBq of 177Lu-BPAMD revealed significant reduction in pain after 1 week without any adverse effects. The developed protocol for formulation of 177Lu-BPAMD doses using moderate specific activity carrier added 177Lu has been found to be effective and warrants wider investigations in patients with painful skeletal metastases.

A new method for the O-arylation of carbohydrates under metal-free conditions using arynes as an aryl source has been developed. This approach works well with mono, di and trihydroxy compounds. Preferential O-arylation takes place at primary over secondary and equatorial over axial. Site-selective O-arylation was achieved with the substrate having trans vicinal diequatorial hydroxyls.