Development of low calorie snack food based on intense sweeteners.

Intense sweeteners namely Aspartame, Acesulfame K and Sucralose were used in the preparation of sugar substitute sprinklers and these were used in snack food, replacing sugar. Study was conducted with an objective to develop low calorie snack food. The psychometric study showed that the threshold values for Acesulfame K, Aspartame and Sucralose were 0.012, 0.030 and 0.005 g respectively. The time intensity study revealed that among three sweeteners Aspartame had more lingering sweetness (at 60 s). The sensory evaluation of Shankarpoli prepared using refined wheat flour revealed that there was no significant difference in typical attributes of the snack; Aspartame and Acesulfame K had same sweetness intensity where as Sucralose had higher intensity of sweetness. Consumer acceptance study revealed that 53 % of the consumers liked the snack with Sucralose, which is highest compared to other two sweeteners namely Aspartame and Acesulfame K (47 %). Thus sweeteners can be used as sweetening agents in traditional food preparations.

Liver histology in patients on hemodialysis with chronic hepatitis C viral infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease in patients on hemodialysis. As no useful noninvasive predictors of disease activity and fibrosis have been found, liver biopsy is essential in these patients to accurately assess the severity of disease and thus the prognosis and plan management. The present study was undertaken to assess the degree of severity of necroinflammatory changes and fibrosis in liver biopsies of patients on hemodialysis with chronic HCV infection. Liver biopsies obtained from 45 patients on hemodialysis with serological evidence of chronic hepatitis C were studied. The grading of necroinflammatory activity and staging of fibrosis were histologically assessed. The majority of patients (30, i.e. 66.7%) had mild disease with mild inflammatory activity and stage 0, 1 or 2 fibrosis. There was no significant correlation between the degree of fibrosis and the age of the patients (rs = 0.015), the duration of hemodialysis (rs = 0.047) or the presence of steatosis (rs = 0.064). There was a positive correlation between the presence of bile ductular proliferation and the severity of fibrosis (rs = 0.612). It was concluded that chronic HCV infection in hemodialysis patients is relatively mild early in its course. However, serial follow-up liver biopsies are mandatory to plan appropriate intervention strategies.

Giant cell tumor of the temporal bone--a case report.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell tumor is a benign but locally aggressive bone neoplasm which uncommonly involves the skull. The petrous portion of the temporal bone forms a rare location for this tumor. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors report a case of a large giant cell tumor involving the petrous and squamous portions of the temporal bone in a 26 year old male patient. He presented with right side severe hearing loss and facial paresis. Radical excision of the tumor was achieved but facial palsy could not be avoided. CONCLUSION: Radical excision of skull base giant cell tumor may be hazardous but if achieved is the optimal treatment and may be curative.

Effect of tender cluster bean pods (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) on cholesterol levels in rats.

Tender cluster bean pod (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) is a vegetable commonly consumed in South India and contains 20% of guar gum on dry weight basis. Effects of incorporating this vegetable into a hypercholesterolemic diet of rats were studied. All test materials--cluster bean 0.5 and 2.5% levels, commercial guar gum (0.5%), cluster bean partially free from guar gum (1.6%), neutral detergent fiber of cluster bean (0.6%)--exerted a hypocholesterolemic effect and also lowered liver cholesterol concentration, but did not alter liver weights. Neutral detergent fiber of cluster bean and guar gum lowered cholesterol levels, but the effect did not appear to be additive when these components were present together in the whole cluster bean.

Effect of orally administered betel leaf (Piper betle Linn.) on digestive enzymes of pancreas and intestinal mucosa and on bile production in rats.

The influence of two varieties of betel leaf (Piper betle Linn.) namely, the pungent Mysore and non-pungent Ambadi, was examined on digestive enzymes of pancreas and intestinal mucosa and on bile secretion in experimental rats. The betel leaves were administered orally at two doses which were either comparable to human consumption level or 5 times this. The results indicated that while these betel leaves do not influence bile secretion and composition, they have a significant stimulatory influence on pancreatic lipase activity. Besides, the Ambadi variety of betel leaf has a positive stimulatory influence on intestinal digestive enzymes, especially lipase, amylase and disaccharidases. A slight lowering in the activity of these intestinal enzymes was seen when Mysore variety of betel leaf was administered, and this variety also had a negative effect on pancreatic amylase. Further, both the betel leaf varieties have shown decreasing influence on pancreatic trypsin and chymotrypsin activities.

Auramine staining in histopathology sections.

Auramine staining was done on 65 histopathological sections from different types of treated leprosy cases which were negative by Fite-Farraco stain. All the sections except one showed auramine positive organisms. The organisms were mostly coccoid except in BL/LL cases where beaded bacilli could be seen.

Hodgkins lymphoma of bone - a rare case report.

Primary Hodgkins lymphoma presenting as a lytic bone lesion is very rare. A 27-year-old male presented with deformity and pain in lower back region from past 1 year. X-ray and CT scan revealed T12 and L1 vertebral destruction and an osteolytic lesion with destruction of the Right Ilium. Clinically a diagnosis of giant cell tumour was made. However histopathology & Immunohistochemical evaluation helped in diagnosing the case as a classical Hodgkin's disease of the bone.

Maternal anthropometric measurements and other factors: relation with birth weight of neonates.

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of anthropometric measurements of pregnant women, gestational weight gain, fundal height, and maternal factors, namely age, education, family income, parity along with maternal hemoglobin, on birth weight of neonates. A cross sectional study was performed in Khoy City in north west of Iran. Four hundred and fifty healthy pregnant women in the age between 16-40 years were selected for this study from seven health urban centers and one referral hospital. Findings showed that the mean age, height, fundal height, maternal weight, and gestational weight gain during pregnancy were 26.1 years, 159.1 cm, 32.9 cm, 72.0 kg, 11.8 kg respectively. The mean birth weight of neonates was 3.2 kg and 11% of neonates showed low birth weight. Age, family income, maternal height, weight, gestational weight gain and fundal height were significantly associated with birth weight of neonates. Using binary logistic regression analysis, fundal height, maternal hemoglobin, family income and gestational weight gain of pregnant women could be considered as predictive factors of birth weight of neonates.

Impact of nutritional status on birth weight of neonates in Zahedan City, Iran.

The objective of this study was to measure anthropometric and haemoglobin level and nutrient intake of expecting women in the third trimester of pregnancy and to relate the birth weight of neonates as outcome of pregnancy. A cross sectional study was performed in Zahedan City. Two hospitals situated in the city were selected based on their approval and cooperation. Five hundred healthy pregnant women in the age group 16-40 years were selected for this study. Findings showed that the mean height, weight, fundal height, and haemoglobin of pregnant women were 156.4 cm, 62.6 kg, 34.2 cm, and 11.1g/dl respectively. Nutrient intake was computed based on 24 hour recall method. The results showed that, the mean intake of energy was 1802 Kcal/day. The intake of protein, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium were 70.7 g, 544.0 mg, 16.1 mg, 10.6 mg and 266.0 mg respectively. Percentage adequacy of nutrient intakes with reference to RDA recommendation showed 95% and 80% of subjects had sufficient RDA intakes, while energy, calcium, iron and zinc intake considered as insufficient. The mean birth weight of neonates was 3.0 kg and 13% of neonates showed low birth weight. Maternal height, weight, fundal height and haemoglobin level were significantly correlated with birth weight of neonates. Energy, protein and calcium intakes in the third trimester were significantly correlated with birth weight of neonates. Using the binary logistic regression analysis fundal height, haemoglobin level and energy intake of pregnant women were considered as predictor factors of birth weight of neonates.

Optimization of fruit punch using mixture design.

A highly acceptable dehydrated fruit punch was developed with selected fruits, namely lemon, orange, and mango, using a mixture design and optimization technique. The fruit juices were freeze dried, powdered, and used in the reconstitution studies. Fruit punches were prepared according to the experimental design combinations (total 10) based on a mixture design and then subjected to sensory evaluation for acceptability. Response surfaces of sensory attributes were also generated as a function of fruit juices. Analysis of data revealed that the fruit punch prepared using 66% of mango, 33% of orange, and 1% of lemon had highly desirable sensory scores for color (6.00), body (5.92), sweetness (5.68), and pleasantness (5.94). The aroma pattern of individual as well as combinations of fruit juices were also analyzed by electronic nose. The electronic nose could discriminate the aroma patterns of individual as well as fruit juice combinations by mixture design. The results provide information on the sensory quality of best fruit punch formulations liked by the consumer panel based on lemon, orange, and mango.

Intraventricular hydatid cyst in a child.

Hydatid disease is caused by the infestation of the larvae of tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus. The definitive hosts of Echinococcus are various carnivores, the common being the dog. All mammals (more often sheep and cattle) are intermediate hosts. Humans get infected through the feco-oral route by ingestion of food or milk contaminated by dog feces containing ova of the parasite or by direct contact with dogs. The most common sites of infestation are the liver (75%) and lungs (15%). Various authors state a frequency of hydatidosis of the brain ranging between only 0.2-4% of cases. [1],[2],[3] The prognosis following surgical intervention is good, especially in pediatric age. [2],[3] Hence early diagnosis of this condition is crucial. We report a rare case of a child with a large intraventricular hydatid cyst that had an excellent recovery following surgery.

Dietary adequacy of Indian rural preschool children--influencing factors.

The dietary adequacy (qualitative and quantitative) of preschool children residing in rural areas near Mysore (a district in south India) was assessed by the 'Food frequency method' and '24-h recall method'. Food intake assessed in three different seasons revealed that their diets were predominantly cereal based with negligible quantity of protective foods. The overall nutrient intake was found to be inadequate, irrespective of the seasons. The adequacy level of the nutrients (cereal dependence) was found to be comparatively better in monsoon and winter seasons because of better labour opportunities and availability. Food consumption pattern showed no gender differences. The nutrient adequacy also varied by the age of the children. The influence of 'food expenditure' on the nutrient adequacy was not statistically significant. Nutritional status was found to be a factor influencing nutrient intake. Apart from age, nutritional status and food availability, feeding practices may also influence the nutrient intake of the preschool children.

Digestive stimulant action of three Indian spice mixes in experimental rats.

The present study examined the favourable influence of three spice mixes derived from a few commonly consumed spices of known digestive stimulant action on digestive enzymes of pancreas and small intestine, and on bile secretion and composition in experimental rats. The common ingredients of these mixes were coriander, turmeric, red chilli, black pepper and cumin, while the spice mix II additionally had ginger, and spice mix III contained onion. All the three spice mixes favourably enhanced the activities of pancreatic lipase, chymotrypsin and amylase when consumed during the diet. In addition, these spice mixes brought about a pronounced stimulation of bile flow and of bile acid secretion. Among the three spice mixes examined, spice mix III which is customized so as to include spices that are desirable from the point of view of stimulation of digestion, had the highest stimulatory influence particularly on bile secretion, bile acid output and the activities of pancreatic enzymes. While activities of pancreatic lipase, amylase and chymotrypsin were elevated by 40, 16 and 77%, respectively, the bile volume as well as the bile acid secretion were almost doubled in spice mix III treatment. The higher secretion of bile especially with an elevated level of bile acids and a beneficial stimulation of pancreatic digestive enzymes, particularly of lipase could probably be the two mechanisms by which these combinations of spices aid in digestion.