Assessment of the quality of randomized controlled trials in surgery using Jadad score: Where do we stand?

Introduction: Quality assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is important to prevent clinical application of erroneous results. Materials and Methods: This was an assessment of published RCTs in surgical subspecialties during 2011-2018 based on MEDLINE and EMBASE search. The primary objective of the present study was to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the RCTs published from India based on year of publication, geographical distribution, and subspecialty using the modified Jadad score (high quality if score is ≥3; or ≥2 if blinded design was not feasible). Its secondary objective was to identify factors affecting the quality of RCTs. Results: Among 1304 trials identified, 162 were analyzed. Of these 96 (59%) had a score of ≥3; and 104 (64.2%) were of high quality (score ≥2). Year-wise there was no significant quantitative (P = 0.329) or qualitative (P = 0.255) variation. Geographic regions had similar quantity (P = 0.206) and quality (P = 0.068). The RCTs among subspecialties too were comparable in quantity and quality. Higher impact factor of journal (P = 0.013) and assessment by Institute Review Board (IRB) (P = 0.004) were significantly associated with a better study quality. Type of institution, number of authors, centricity, assistance by a statistician, and source of funding did not affect the quality of RCTs. Conclusions: : The quantity and quality of surgical RCTs were stable and comparable over the years and across geographical regions and subspecialties. Higher impact factor of journal and review by IRB were significantly associated with a better study quality.

Factors influencing meat emulsion properties and product texture: A review.

Emulsion-based meat products play an important role in modern meat industry. Though meat batters have been prepared traditionally since long back in the history, the scientific principles and the knowhow are significantly important in the case of commercial products. In India, the market for emulsion meat products is gaining importance in the recent years and the native producers are in critical need for the scientific basis of production of emulsion meat products with better yield, good sensory qualities and nutrition. Hence, this review will throw light on some of the important factors which influence the properties of meat emulsion such as stability, structure, etc. and the product texture and yield as the revealed by past researches which will be useful to the meat processors in their practical application in preparing meat emulsion products.

Synthesis and Characterization of Surface Modified, Fluorescent and Biocompatible ZnS Nanoparticles with a Hydrophobic Chitosan Derivative.

The introduction of a hydrophobic moiety on chitosan enhances the self-assembling properties, mucoadhesion, the permeability of the macromolecule and aids in target specific delivery. Our group synthesized a hydrophobic trans N-(6,6-Dimethyl-2-hepten-4-ynyl)chitosan derivative (CSD) and studied the surface modification of ZnS nanoparticles in a single pot reaction. X-ray diffraction studies and FESEM imaging confirms the nano size and morphology of the surface modified Zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS-CSD NPs). The proposed ZnS-CSD NPs showed excellent emission at 457 nm. Photostability studies indicate that the surface modified ZnS-CSD NPs possess better photostability than Rhodamine B and FITC. Cell viability tests confirmed the biocompatibility of the modified nanoparticles. All these features of ZnS- CSD NPs makes these candidates an excellent choice in a wide range of in vitro or in vivo studies as fluorescent biological labels.

Synthesis of Hexagonal ZnO-PQ7 Nano Disks Conjugated with Folic Acid to Image MCF - 7 Cancer Cells.

Surface modified ZnO nanomaterial is widely used in the field of bioimaging worldwide due to its optical properties, electronic characteristics and biocompatibility. Fluorescent enhanced, Polyquaternium-7(PQ7) capped, ZnO hexagonal nano disks (ZnO-PQ7) were synthesised by simple wet chemical method. The structural and optical properties of ZnO-PQ7 hexagonal nano disks were characterized using XRD, UV-Visible, Fluorescence, HRTEM, EDAX and FTIR studies. The size of synthesised ZnO-PQ7 were around 30-45 nm as confirmed by HRTEM studies. Fluorescence emission intensity increased with increase in PQ7 concentration. ZnO-PQ7 was further conjugated with folic acid (FA) to target human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) via EDC/NHS coupling chemistry. Conjugation of folic acid with ZnO-PQ7 was confirmed by FTIR studies. The cell viability study using Methyl thiazolyltetrazolium(MTT) assay has demonstrated that the ZnO-PQ7 conjugated FA composites (ZnO-PQ7-FA) exhibit low toxicity towards MCF-7 up to a concentration of 125 µg/mL. Confocal laser scanning microscopic images confirmed the uptake of ZnO-PQ7-FA nanoparticles by MCF-7 cells. This study reveals ZnO-PQ7-FA nano disks as a potential imaging agent for detection of cancer cells. The synthesis route reported in this article is simple and easy to follow for the synthesis of ZnO-PQ7-FA in bulk quantities with high purity.

Marker assisted selection of low phytic acid trait in maize (Zea mays L.).

Maize is the third important major food crop. Breeding for low phytate maize genotypes is an effective strategy for decreasing the content of kernel phytic acid (a chelator of cations such as Ca(2+) and Fe(3+) ) and thereby increasing the bioavailability of nutritive minerals in human diet and animal feed. Previous studies have established that a mutant plant with a lpa2-2 allele accumulates less phytic acid in seeds. Therefore, the marker assisted backcross breeding (MABB), which involves introgression of lpa2-2 recessive allele (which confer low phytate trait) from a lpa2-2 mutant line into a well-adapted line using backcrosses and selection of lines possessing lpa2-2 allele in each backcross population using molecular markers, is an effective strategy for developing low phytate maize. So far, no studies have developed any lpa2-2 allele specific molecular markers for this purpose. Here, using backcross and selfed progenies, obtained by crossing low phytate mutant line 'EC 659418' (i.e. donor of lpa2-2 allele) into agronomically superior line 'UMI395', we have validated that a SSR marker 'umc2230', located 0.4 cM downstream of lpa2-2, cosegregate, in a Mendelian fashion, with low phytic acid trait. Therefore umc2230 can be dependably used in MABB for the development of low phytate maize.

Biofortification of crops with nutrients by the application of nanofertilizers for effective agriculture.

The agricultural industry is rapidly accepting daily changes and updates, and expanding to meet the basic demands of humanity. The main objective of modern agricultural practices is high profits with minimal investment, without upsetting any other form of life or abiotic factors. According to this principle, nanofertilizers are recommended for use in agriculture and are classified in different ways based on their nutritive value, functional role in the environment, chemical composition, and form of application to ensure their persistent availability in the required quantities. These nanofertilizers meet the global crop nutrient requirement of 191.8 million metric tons along with multitudes of added value, and which are highly endorsed in the agricultural field compared to other chemical fertilizers, or their usage can be reduced to less than 50% by the use of nanofertilizers. In this review, we discuss different types of nanofertilizers, their effects on crop yield, stress tolerance, and their impact on the environment. Furthermore, the different types of nanofertilizer delivery, modes of action, and toxic impacts of nanofertilizers have been discussed. Although a large number of commercially successful effects of nanofertilizers have been demonstrated, the effects of biomagnification and cellular transformation are still disputed. The effect of the biomagnification of nanofertilizers remains unclear. A suitable strategy must be developed to easily recycle nanofertilizers. It is the need of the hour to accept the use of nanofertilizers in parallel to addressing this issue.

Interaction between microalgal species richness and environmental variables in Peringalkuthu Reservoir, Western Ghats, Kerala.

Microalgae are the most diverse group of aquatic organisms and are the primary food source for animals of higher trophic levels in the aquatic food web. Biomonitoring the fresh water habitats in terms of phycological evaluation provide useful information about the pollution status of the water body. The present investigation aimed to delineate the interaction between microalgal species richness and environmental variables in Peringalkuthu Reservoir of Western Ghats, Kerala. Samples were collected during 2009-2011 for the analysis of environmental variables and microalgal community. Ninety four species of microalgae belonged to 42 genera under the classes Chlorophyceae, Desmidiaceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophycea were recorded from the samples. The dominant groups were desmids followed by diatoms. Factor analysis and multivariate analysis were applied to evaluate the extent of interaction between the microalgal species richness and the environmental variables. Temperature, total alkalinity, BOD, phosphate, silicate and chloride showed positive relationship with the species richness of the microalgae. While pH, total hardness, nitrate, fluoride, calcium and magnesium hinder the microalgal species richness. Elucidation of the interactions between microalgae and various environmental parameters suggested a control over the anthropogenic interventions to the reservoir to check the conversion of the lake oligotrophic to eutrophic condition.

Colonization of probiotic bacteria and its impact on ornamental fish Puntius conchonius.

The present study was conducted to assess the establishment and effect of probiotic bacteria such as Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus mesentericus, and Bifidobacterium infantis in the gut of freshwater ornamental fish Puntius conchonius. Postlarvae of 60 days old Puntius conchonius divided in four experimental groups each with three replicates. T1, T2 and T3 groups were fed with Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus mesentericus and Bifidobacterium infantis enriched copepod Thermocyclops decipiens respectively. T0 was the control group (without probiotic treated T. decipiens). The experiment was conducted for 45 days. The initial gut analysis of fish showed significant level of pathogenic bacteria in the gut of fish (p < 0.05). Total plate count of initial gut analysis of fish larvae were enumerated as 1.2 x 10(4)CFU ml(-1). The bacteriological study indicated thatfinal gut microflora of post-larvae have decreased level of pathogens. Total plate count of T1, T2 T3 and T0 were reported to be as 1.0 8 x 10(4), 1.06 x 10(4), 1.27 x 10(4) and 2.1 x 10(5) CFU ml(-1), respectively. Three experimental groups (T1, T2 and T3) were significantly different from control group (T0) (p < 0.05). At the end of the experiment, establishment of probiotics were examined. One week after probiotics administration, gut analysis of fish larvae showed, poor spore formation of Bacillus coagulans (2.3 x 10(3) CFU mL(-1)), when compared to B. mesentericus (3.2 +/- 0.03 x10(3) CFU ml(-1)) and Bifidobacterium infantis(3.1 x 10(3) CFU ml(-1)). The results from the study suggest that the probiotic bacteria significantly established in gut of P. conchonius and significant effects on the pathogenic gut inhabitants of the fish.

Validation of ventral hernia risk score in predicting surgical site infections.

PURPOSE: Ventral hernia risk score (VHRS) is a risk assessment tool for predicting the development of surgical site infection (SSI) developed in the Veterans Affairs population by Berger et al. The score was externally validated by the same study group in a diverse population in another study. It was also shown to be better than the existing Centre for Diseases (CDC) wound class and Ventral Hernia Working Group (VHWG) models. Our study aims to test the performance of the score in an Asian-Indian population. METHODS: A prospective database of ventral hernia repairs done in a tertiary care centre between February 2019 and December 2020 was utilized for the study. All patients with a minimum follow-up of 1-month period were included in the study. The CDC definition of SSI was used. The VHRS, VHWG, and CDC class of each of the patients was determined. Receiver-Operating curves (ROC) of the scores and area under the curves (AUC) were used to compare the three scores. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were included. During the course of our study, a total of 33 patients developed SSI (27.5%). Important factors which seemed to predict SSI were median operating time, CDC incision class, concomitant hernia repair, and creating skin flaps. The AUC of the VHRS score was 0.76 which was higher than those of VHWG (0.61) and CDC (0.58). CONCLUSION: Our study externally validates the novel VHRS which outperforms both CDC incision class and VHWG in predicting SSI following open ventral hernia repair, especially in a group with lower BMI compared to the previous reports. Trial registration No CTRI/2020/07/026289 registered on 01/07/2020.

Two new species of the codling fish genus Physiculus from Lakshadweep, India (Gadiformes: Moridae).

The genus Physiculus is widespread in the Indo-Pacific with more than 32 valid species, and about 12 species were recorded only from the Indian Ocean. Two new species similar to each other are collected from the outer reef drop off of Kavaratti Island, Lakshadweep, India, Arabian Sea and described. Physiculus indicus sp. nov. is characterised by its light organ situated at about the middle of pelvic-fin base and anus, a small light organ, a rather forward situated anus, no scales on the gular region, dorsal-fin rays 89+5660, anal-fin rays 5560, and 52 vertebrae. This species differs from nearest congeners in lacking gular scales, anus situated closer to the light organ and slightly fewer total vertebrae. Physiculus lakshadeepa sp. nov. is characterised by a relatively high first dorsal fin (51.762.8% HL) and a light organ situated at the middle of the pelvic-fin base and anus. It has a small light organ, a rather forward situated anus, no scales on the gular region, dorsal-fin rays 89+5159, anal-fin rays 5359, and 49 vertebrae. Physiculus lakshadeepa differs from the nearest congeners in lacking gular scales, fewer anal-fin rays and fewer total vertebrae.

Effect of nisin and butylated hydroxy anisole on storage stability of buffalo meat sausage.

The water activity of buffalo meat sausage was adjusted to 0.88 using humectants and by heat treatment. Nisin and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) were added to study the shelf life of sausage. The treatments were nisin 100 ppm + BHA 100 ppm (T3); nisin 100 ppm (T2); BHA 100 ppm (T1) and control (T0) without nisin and BHA. The sausages were vacuum packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET-poly) pouch and stored for 7 days at ambient conditions (35 ± 2°C, 70-80% RH). The pH of sausage increased during storage whereas the moisture content was higher in treatment T1. Tyrosine value was lowest (18.1 mg%) in T3. There was no significant difference among T0 and T1. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) number of T1 and T3 were lower than that of T0 and T2. Nisin and BHA together exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on total viable count, staphylococcal, streptococcal and anaerobic counts. There was no significant difference in the yeast and mould counts among T1-T3. T3 had a better appearance, flavour, texture and overall acceptability scores up to 5 days. The product (T3) was acceptable up to 5(th) day of storage at 35 ± 2°C and 70-80% RH.

The Shallow-water Crinoid Fauna of Lakshadweep Atolls, North-western Indian Ocean.

A biodiversity survey carried out from 2016 to 2018 by the Department of Science and Technology in the Lakshadweep Atolls, India, recorded six species of shallow-water feather stars new to the archipelago (Comanthus wahlbergii, Comaster schlegelii, Himerometra robustipinna, Dichrometra palmata, Stephanometra indica, and Phanogenia typica). Himerometra sol A.H. Clark, 1912, previously known only from the Maldive Islands, is synonymized under Himerometra robustipinna (Carpenter, 1881). This study brings the total number of shallow-water crinoids recorded from Lakshadweep to ten species. Of the four species collected previously from the archipelago, only Comatella nigra was found in this survey. Of those not collected, Comatella stelligera and Oligometra serripinna are widespread in the Indo-western Pacific region, whereas Heterometra compta is known only from Lakshadweep, and its validity remains uncertain. The known shallow-water crinoid fauna of the archipelago is substantially less diverse than that of the adjacent and environmentally similar Maldive Islands, emphasizing the need for additional research in this island group, in particular, to determine whether the differences are actual or not, and whether they are based on natural conditions versus anthropogenic impacts.

Chitosan mediated gold nanoparticles against pathogenic bacteria, fungal strains and MCF-7 cancer cells.

In the present study, we report cytotoxic and antimicrobial potential of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) synthesized using chitosan derived from squilla shell wastes. Here we adopted ecofriendly approach for the synthesis of Au NPs and characterized them using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods. The UV-visible spectroscopic analysis revealed an absorption peak at 529 nm, which represents the Surface Plasmon Resonance of Au NPs. TEM analysis showed that the biosynthesized Au NPs were spherical in shape with an average size of 80 to 82 nm. Interestingly, the biosynthesized Au NPs showed antimicrobial activity against selected Gram-positive and negative bacterial isolates and also showed activity against fungal pathogens. Further, the cytotoxic effect of the synthesized Au NPs against MCF-7 cell lines was assessed by MTT assay with IC50 value of 250 µg mL-1. In addition, double staining of treated MCF-7 cells with acridine orange and ethidium bromide shows that the Au NPs exert apoptosis mediated cytotoxicity.

Impedance Spectroscopy-Based Reduced Graphene Oxide-Incorporated ZnO Composite Sensor for H2S Investigations.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been applied to measure the H2S gas response of the sensor fabricated on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-incorporated nano-zinc oxide (n-ZnO) composites. These nanocomposites were prepared by a facile one-step solution route at room temperature. The structural, surface morphological, and elemental analyses of the composite material have been investigated. EIS was carried out to study the H2S gas-sensing properties of fabricated sensors. The developed sensor showed an optimal H2S gas response to various concentrations ranging from 2 to 100 ppm at 90 °C. The H2S gas-sensing performances of pure n-ZnO and various concentrations of rGO-incorporated n-ZnO were evaluated. The H2S gas-sensing results showed that n-ZnO/rGO composites exhibited high response when compared to pure n-ZnO. The enhanced H2S response was speculated to be ascribed due to two factors. First, rGO creates reactive sites for H2S molecule adsorption. Second, rGO has great electrical conductivity compared to n-ZnO that enables the active transport of electrons from H2S gas on interaction with the sensing layer, resulting in enhanced gas response at 90 °C temperatures.

Hydrophobic structural modification of chitosan and its impact on nanoparticle synthesis - A physicochemical study.

Chitin is a naturally occurring fully N-acylated biopolymer which cannot be converted into nanomaterial easily due to its inherent rigidity and chemical inertness. These properties limit the utility of chitin in nanomaterial-based applications. Therefore, our aim in the present work was, to prepare chitin like fully N-acylated derivatives with a hydrophobic moiety and study the impact on nanoparticles synthesis. We report such a fully substituted derivative, N-(Thiophene-2-acetyl)chitosan, its characterization and physicochemical studies of the nanoparticles synthesized. The study confirms that the hydrophobic structural modification of chitosan improves the processability of the material and defines the nanoparticles synthesis. This kind of organic nanoparticles, stable under wide pH range due to amine group protection of chitosan, can be used as nano- reinforcement material to enhance the properties of various composites.

Hepatoprotective effect of extracts from Pergularia daemia Forsk.

Pergularia daemia (Asclepiadaceae) is a perennial herb growing widely along the road sides of India. It has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of liver disorders. The aim of this work is to study the hepatoprotective effect of crude ethanolic and aqueous extracts from the aerial parts of Pergularia daemia. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained from aerial parts of Pergularia daemia were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in rats by inducing liver damage by carbon tetrachloride. The ethanolic extract at an oral dose of 200 mg/kg exhibited a significant (P<0.05) protective effect by lowering serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and total cholesterol and increasing the levels of total protein and albumin levels as compared to silymarin used as a positive control. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. The activity may be a result of the presence of flavonoid compounds. Furthermore, the acute toxicity of the extracts showed no signs of toxicity up to a dose level of 2000 mg/kg. Thus it could be concluded that ethanolic extract of Pergularia daemia possesses significant hepatoprotective properties.

Components of small area variation in fertility rates among married women in south India.

OBJECTIVE: To adapt and develop a method for finding out what proportion of the variation among small areas in the number of births to married women is excess (systematic) variation over and above the chance (random) variation. METHODS: We adopted a two-stage sampling procedure to select 20 sub-centres in south India. We contacted all households and collected information on recent births and socioeconomic variables from all ever married women aged 15-49 years. Systematic and random components of variance were estimated using Poisson regression, adjusting for socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: Of the observed variance in fertility, 65% is explained by the estimated systematic variation. Though many important explanatory variables are considered, the systematic variance is significant mainly among illiterate women, those aged under 18 years at marriage, the marginalized population, and those with labourer husbands. CONCLUSIONS: Poisson regression can be adapted to estimate the random and systematic components of variation in fertility among small areas. The systematic component of variance can further be adjusted for socioeconomic factors. Identification of the significant predictors will help health planners develop necessary interventions at the small area level.

Synthesis and characterization of gold-chitosan nanocomposite and application of resultant nanocomposite in sensors.

Chitosan gold nanocomposite (CGNC) was synthesized in a single step process and the pH dependent properties of the composite were investigated. The structure of the polymer was pH dependent and gelation of the polymer observed at pH 4-5. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the distribution of gold nanoparticles within unit area varied with the gelation of the polymer, without affecting the size of the nanoparticles. The resulting CGNC system was explored for its use as a sensor for the detection of lead. It was found that lead could be detected at a concentration of 1 µM by absorption spectroscopy. The CGNC was electrodeposited on a gold electrode and the deposited film was used for the detection of lead using cyclic voltammetry. Lead could be detected with a detection limit of 10 µM. The fabrication reproducibility for four sensor electrodes showed a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.09% for the determination of 1 mM lead nitrate. The developed sensor system showed high reproducibility, stability and satisfactory selectivity.