Effects of citric acid, cucumis powder and pressure cooking on quality attributes of goat meat curry.

In the present study, comparative effects of marination in citric acid (1 %), spray of cucumis powder (2 %) and pressure cooking (at 15 psi) were observed on quality attributes of goat meat curry. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in pH of citric acid treated samples compared to other samples. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in protein and soluble collagen content of meat curry treated with pressure as compared to other treated samples including control. Cooking yield was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in control samples. The significant difference was observed in chewiness and gumminess at (p < 0.05) level and hardness at (p < 0.01) level within and between the various treatment groups. However, overall values were higher in control samples. Similarly, shear force value was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for control compared to treated samples. The significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in various sensory attributes of goat meat curry and pressure treated cooked meat curry was highly preferred followed by cucumis powder, citric acid and control samples.

Two novel frameshift mutations in BRCA2 gene detected by next generation sequencing in a survey of Spanish patients of breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To analyze BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes using a cost-effective and rapid approach based on next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. METHODS: A population of Spanish cancer patients with a personal or familial history of breast and/or ovarian cancer was analyzed for germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The methodology relies on a 5 multiplex PCR assay coupled to NGS. RESULTS: Ten pathogenic mutations (four in BRCA1 and six in BRCA2 gene) were identified in a Spanish population. The deletion c.1792delA, in exon 10, and the duplication c.5869dupA, in exon 11 of BRCA2 gene were not previously reported and should be considered as pathogenic due to its frameshift nature. CONCLUSION: Two novel frameshift mutations in BRCA2 gene were detected using the multiplex PCR-based assay following by NGS.

Detection of novel genetic variation in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

We explored an approach to detect disease-causing sequence variants in 448 candidate genes from five index cases of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) by sequence DNA capture and next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS). Detection of sequence variants was carried out by sequence capture NimbleGen and NGS in a SOLiD platform. After filtering out variants previously reported in genomic databases, novel potential adRP-causing variants were validated by dideoxy capillary electrophoresis (Sanger) sequencing and co-segregation in the families. A total of 55 novel sequence variants in the coding or splicing regions of adRP candidate genes were detected, 49 of which were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Segregation of these variants in the corresponding adRP families showed three variants present in all the RP-affected members of the family. A novel mutation, p.L270R in IMPDH1, was found to be disease causing in one family. In another family a variant, p.M96T in the NRL gene was detected; this variant was previously reported as probably causing adRP. However, the previously reported p.A76V mutation in NRL as a cause of RP was excluded by co-segregation in the family. We discuss the benefits and limitations of our approach in the context of mutation detection in adRP patients.

Properties of raw meat and meat curry from spent goat in relation with post-mortem handling conditions.

The properties of raw meat and meat curry from spent goat meat in relation with post-mortem handling conditions were evaluated. The conditions evaluated were: cooking of meat within 1-2 h post-slaughter (condition 1); deboning meat storage at 25 ± 2 °C for 5-6 h and cooking (condition 2); post-slaughter storage of carcass at room temperature for 5-6 h, then deboning followed by storage of meat at refrigeration temperature for 5-6 h and cooking (condition 3); deboning and storage of meat at 25 ± 2 °C for 10-12 h and cooking (condition 4). Significant difference was observed in pH values in condition 1 (p < 0.01) and moisture content (p < 0.05) of raw meat as compared to the conditions 2, 3 and 4. However, the moisture content of cooked meat was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for conditions 1 and 2 as compared to the conditions 3 and 4. Significant differences were also observed in muscle fiber diameter values of different conditions, that is, the mean values were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for conditions 2 and 4 and significantly lower for condition 1. The mean water holding capacity and cooking yield values were highest in condition 1, followed by conditions 2, 3 and 4. The significant differences was also observed in shear force value of cooked meat chunks, that is, the mean value was significantly higher (p < 0.01) for condition 2 and significantly lower for condition 1. Sensory scores were significantly higher in condition 1 and significantly lower in condition 2. However, sensory scores for condition 4 were almost similar to the condition 1.

Chikungunya epidemic: global and Indian scenario.

Chikungunya is a disease of zoonotic importance affecting man with non-human primates as a main reservoir. Recently the world has seen its outbreaks in Asia and Africa affecting large population. The disease has re-emerged after 2 long decades. Other part of the world reported it as a disease which is introduced through travelers. The known vectors of Chikungunya are Aedes mosquitoes, notably Aedes aegypti and A. albopiticus. Although, the people of rural areas are among more risk groups, the disease spread very rapidly among urban population. The disease shows epidemic pattern with severe arthralgia and usually without any mortality but in the recent outbreak it has shown mortality also. Thus it is the major cause of public health concern. Understanding the public health significance of disease, there is a need of continuous monitoring and surveillance of the virus in both human and animal population.