Image analysis-based discoloration rate quantification and kinetic modeling for shelf-life prediction in herb-coated pear slices.

The present research study aimed to examine three different herb extract's effects on the discoloration rate of fresh-cut pear slices using an image analysis technique. Pear slices were sprayed and dip-coated with Ocimum basilicum, Origanum vulgare, and Camellia sinensis (0.1 g/ml) extract solution. During 15 days storage period with three days intervals, all sprayed/dip-coated pear slices were analyzed for the quality attribute (TA) and color parameters notably a*, b*, hue angle (H*), lightness (L*), and total color change (ΔE). Further, order kinetic models were used to observe the color changes and to predict the shelf-life. The results obtained showed that the applicability of image analysis helped to predict the discoloration rate, and it was better fitted to the first-order (FO) kinetic model (R2 ranging from 0.87 to 0.99). Based on the kinetic model, color features ΔE and L* was used to predict the shelf-life as they had high regression coefficient values. Thus, the findings obtained from the kinetic study demonstrated Camellia sinensis (assamica) extract spray-coated pear slices reported approximately 28.63- and 27.95-days shelf-stability without much discoloration compared with all other types of surface coating.

Arm Length-Does It Influence Late Response in a Nerve Conduction Study?

Introduction F wave response, a late response obtained from a motor nerve, can be influenced by various external factors like gender, temperature, height, weight, and limb length, and hence it causes variation in the measured parameters. Since very few studies have studied the impact of arm length on the F wave, this study was conducted to analyze the relation between the arm length on various parameters of F wave and hence to consider the importance of it during conduct of a nerve conduction study. Methods The study was conducted among 40 healthy individuals and 40 diabetics with neuropathy. The arm length was measured in the upper limbs in both the groups and F wave was recorded following a conventional procedure using a standardized instrument. Results This study showed that in the upper limbs of both the groups, there existed a positive correlation for certain parameters like minimum, maximum and mean latencies, persistence, FM latency and M latency, and a negative correlation for chronodispersion. Conclusion F wave parameters should be adjusted for arm length to improve the sensitivity and diagnostic ability of neurological testing.

An Investigation of Pepsin Hydrolysate of Short Antibacterial Peptides Derived from Limnospira Sp.

The antimicrobial peptides derived from microalgae have attracted a huge attention due to the insufficient availability of effective drugs from the natural resources. In this study, the enzymatic hydrolysate of protein derived from Limnospira maxima was prepared using pepsin under optimized conditions. The peptides with range of 10 kDa were isolated and purified using the Ultra membrane filtration, SDS-PAGE, and TLC. Furthermore, the peptide sequence was identified and characterized by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in which an algal peptide, KLENCNYAVELGK showed a strong signal at 466.68 m/z among seven peptides derived from the pepsin hydrolysate. The FT-IR spectroscopic study confirmed the presence of a characteristic functional group of amino acids in the sequence. The algal derived peptide showed antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (27 ± 0.5 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (14 mm ± 0.5). This study paves a way to explore the antibacterial peptide from a novel species, L. maxima (MZ26519) evident to utilize for the novel drug to overcome the conventional approach.

Factors affecting relationship issues among clients attending youth mental health promotion services in India.

BACKGROUND: India today is home for the largest youth population in the world. Youth is a formative phase transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Relationship is fundamental for a healthy and satisfactory life. Relationships assume importance and maturity during adolescence and youth. Relationships and mental health have a bidirectional effect. The effect of relationships on mental health is stronger than vice versa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-year case record analysis of 8595 beneficiaries aged 15-35 years attending youth guidance centers (Yuva Spandana Kendras) in Karnataka, India, was undertaken to understand factors affecting relationship issues among them. Multivariate logistic regression was performed with any beneficiary having a relationship issue as outcome. RESULTS: Being a student (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18-1.89), occupation (AORbusiness/salaried = 3.04; 95% CI = 2.10-4.40 and AORothers = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.22-2.44), marital status (AORmarried = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.06-1.90 and AORothers = 3.44; 95% CI = 1.45-8.15), having health and lifestyle issues (AOR = 3.61; 95% CI = 3.05-4.27), personality issues (AOR = 2.88; 95% CI = 2.43-3.41), safety issues (AOR = 6.28; 95% CI = 5.01-7.87), gender, sex, and sexuality issues (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI = 1.93-4.98), suicidality (AOR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.17-2.85), alcohol use (AOR = 5.43; 95% CI = 3.92-7.41), and different emotions experienced (AOR ranging from 0.37 to 3.50), had significant association with relationship issues. CONCLUSION: Investing in health promotion interventions focusing on these precursors of relationship issues among youth seems strategic. Our findings have implications for other states in India and other low-middle-income countries like India.

Anterior maxillary osteotomy: A technical note for superior repositioning: A bird wing segment.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a single piece bird wing osteotectomy segment during anterior maxillary osteotomy (AMO) markedly reduces the duration of the surgery by nearly one-half of the time during bone removal with the conventional method thereby reducing the kinking effect to the palatal pedicle and gives good perfusion to the anterior segment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted at Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Dental Sciences composing of 20 patients in which male: female ratio was 8:12, with a mean age of 25-30 years. This bird wing segment technique is performed following presurgical orthodontics under the guidance of clinical assessment of the gummy smile with an incisal show when the lip is at repose (vertical maxillary excess), especially for the calculated amount of superior repositioning. It is calculated by subtracting 2 mm from the total amount of an incisor show when the lip is at repose. The normal incisal show when the lip is at repose is 2 mm. After conventional primary AMO cut was performed, the precise calculated. RESULTS: All our cases were tested positive for pulp vitality, no relapse, and minimal edema and with no changes in the bite or dentoalveolar relation followed until 1 year postoperatively indicating a good perfusion to the anterior segment and all the patients were satisfied esthetically and free of complaints. CONCLUSION: This simple technique allows the precise amount of calculated bone removal in a single piece from the nasal floor markedly reduces the duration of the surgery by nearly one-half of the time during bone removal with the conventional method there by reducing the kinking effect to the palatal pedicle and maintains good perfusion.

A new atraumatic method of removing fractured palatal root using endodontic H-files luted with resin modified glass ionomercement: A pilot study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of using endodontic H-files luted with Resin modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) in removing fractured palatal root. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consists of 30 patients, of which 16 were males and 14 were females with a mean age of 36 years. In which, 19 were maxillary first molar and 11 were maxillary second molar. In that, 18 were fractured at the level of apical 1/3(rd) and 12 were at the level of apical 2/3(rd). All cases were first tried with endodontic H-files, within few attempts, it was wedged tightly in the remaining pulp chamber with one or two clockwise direction and using sudden jerk with a downward pull the remnant part was removed. The cases, which fail to deliver after several attempts were taken up for study. After sufficient isolation with a rubber dam and the socket was dried using sterile gauze, under good lighting and vision again the same file was introduced, which was now luted with RMGIC, after 5 min of setting time, the same attempt using sudden jerk with a downward pull was given. RESULTS: In those 30 cases, 20 cases were removed in the first few attempts using endodontic H-files. The 10 cases (7 cases were apical 2/3(rd) and 3 cases were of apical 1/3(rd)), which fails to come out were tried using endodontic H-files luted with RMGIC, in which 9 cases were successfully removed (90%) and 1 case of apical 1/3(rd) was again failed to come out. CONCLUSION: Even though, the number of cases were too small to come to a definitive conclusion, the encouraging result (90%) and technically easy, this is a novel method of removing fractured palatal root atraumatically and devoid of any complication.