Surfactant-modified Zn/Al-layered double hydroxides for efficient extraction of alkyl phenols from aqueous samples.

Zn/Al-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) modified by sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) were synthesized as a hydrophobic organic sorbent via urea hydrolysis. LDHs were applied as adsorbent for solid phase extraction (SPE) analysis to determine three alkylphenols (namely, p-tert-amylphenol (PTAP), p-cumylphenol (PCP), and p-n-octylphenol (POP)) in water samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The extraction efficiency was optimized by adjusting key variables of eluent volume, eluent type, sample flow rate, adsorbent amount, pH, and the effect of salt addition. Under the optimal conditions, APs showed excellent linearity (1-250 ng/mL: R2 > 0.99) and reproducibility (relative standard deviation: <5%). The detection limits for PTAP, PCP, and POP were 19, 16, and 33 pg/mL, respectively. LDHs based SPE method offered high recovery for aqueous samples (e.g., 83.2-99.46%) with enhanced reusability (e.g., up to 10 cycles). The feasibility of the developed method has thus been validated for quantitation of three alkyl phenols (i.e., PTAP, PCP, and POP) in aqueous environmental samples with high sensitivity and good stability.

Effect of wheat bran and dried carrot pomace addition on quality characteristics of chicken sausage.

OBJECTIVE: Effect of addition of wheat bran (WB) and dried carrot pomace (DCP) on sensory, textural, colour, physico-chemical and nutritional characteristics of chicken sausage were evaluated. METHODS: WB and DCP were used as a source of dietary fibre at 3%, 6%, and 9% level individually. Different quality attributes of sausages were estimated. One product from each source with very good sensory acceptability was selected to analyze dietary fibre content and shelf life under refrigerated storage. RESULTS: Sensory acceptability of 3% fibre enriched sausage was comparable with control and a further increase in fibre level resulted in a decrease in sensory acceptability. Fibre enriched sausages were significantly harder and less cohesive than control sausage. Significant increase in gumminess and chewiness was observed at 6% level in WB treated sausages and 9% level in DCP treated sausages. Moisture content decreased significantly in all treated sausages, protein content decreased significantly in DCP-2 and DCP-3 sausages while fat content decreased in all WB and DCP-3 treated sausages in comparison to control. The fibre enriched sausage had significantly higher dietary fibre and lower cholesterol content. Cooking yield and emulsion stability increased in treated sausages and a significant difference was noticed at 6% level in both types of sausages. pH of WB treated sausages was significantly higher and DCP treated sausage significantly lower in comparison to control. CONCLUSION: The results of present study indicate that fibre enriched chicken sausage with moderate acceptability can be developed by incorporating WB and DCP each up to 9% level. Chicken sausage with very good acceptability, higher dietary fibre content and storability up to 15 days at refrigerated temperature can be developed by incorporating WB and DCP at 6% level each.

Novel micro-extraction by packed sorbent procedure for the liquid chromatographic analysis of antiepileptic drugs in human plasma and urine.

A method for the simultaneous determination of the antiepileptic drugs, phenobarbital (PHB), phenytoin (PTN), carbamazepine (CBZ), primidone (PRM) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) in human plasma and urine samples by using micro-extraction in a packed syringe as the sample preparation method connected with LC/UV (MEPS/LC/UV) is described. Micro-extraction in a packed syringe (MEPS) is a new miniaturized, solid-phase extraction technique that can be connected online to gas or liquid chromatography without any modifications. In MEPS approximately 1 mg of the solid packing material is inserted into a syringe (100-250 µL) as a plug. Sample preparation takes place on the packed bed. The bed can be coated to provide selective and suitable sampling conditions. The new method is very promising, easy to use, fully automated, inexpensive and quick. The standard curves were obtained within the concentration range 1-500 ng/mL in both plasma and urine samples. The results showed high correlation coefficients (R(2) >0.988) for all of the analytes within the calibration range. The extraction recovery was found to be between 88.56 and 99.38%. The limit of quantification was found to be between 0.132 and 1.956 ng/mL. The precision (RSD) values of quality control samples (QC) had a maximum deviation of 4.9%. A comparison of the detection limits with similar methods indicates high sensitivity of the present method. The method is applied for the analysis of these drugs in real urine and plasma samples of epileptic patients.

The COVID-19 paradox: Impact on India and developed nations of the world.

The world has been suffering under the horrendous effects of COVID-19 both in terms of loss of human lives and numerous tangible as well as financial losses. There has been some contrast on the magnitude of its impact in various parts of the world. The most peculiar one is the impact of COVID-19 in India as compared to other developed nations. Having the second largest population along with poor health infrastructural facilities, India has fairly performed well in its initial fight against COVID-19 as compared to the far developed and equipped countries. This variance has aroused much discussion and deliberations among the academia and medical doctors to seek possible explanations. This report elaborates on factors such as dietary habits, vaccination (BCG), exposure to unsanitary surroundings, and climatic conditions, which could be the explanation for the contrasting impact of COVID-19 in India and other developed nations.

Solitary neurofibroma of the floor of the mouth.

We present a case of neurofibroma in the floor of the mouth. A 74-year-old female complained of painless swelling in the right side of the floor of the mouth for 3 months. Clinical examination and CT revealed a tumor involving the right side of the floor of the mouth. Histological features were characteristic of a neurofibroma. Such a tumor arising in the area of the mouth is very rare. We review the clinical and pathological features of a neurofibroma arising in the mouth.

The pathological expressions of Brunners gland hyperplasia into adenoma and hamartoma.

The terms Brunners gland adenoma and hamartoma are 2 pathological expressions of hyperplasia of these glands. We report 3 patients and review the recent literature to support our hypothesis of common pathology. Awareness of the existence and character of Brunners gland lesions will increase the possibility of their accurate diagnosis.

Pernicious anemia in a young Bahraini female.

Pernicious anemia (PA) is an autoimmune disorder associated with atrophic gastritis, presence of antibodies to gastric parietal cells and intrinsic factor (IF) and vitamin B2 malabsorption leading to megaloblastic anemia. It has a comparatively higher prevalence in people of North European origin, is uncommon in Arabs and usually affects the elderly. This report, the first from Bahrain, describes a rare case of PA in young female. The presenting symptoms, clinical and laboratory features were similar to those described in classical elderly Caucasian patients. No association with any other autoimmune disease was detected.