Technological advancements in jaggery-making processes and emission reduction potential via clean combustion for sustainable jaggery production: An overview.

Jaggery is a kind of unrefined non-centrifugal sugar (NCS) used mainly in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Traditionally, jaggery is produced by concentrating sugarcane juice in open pans with the help of bagasse combustion. However, due to thermal energy loss with flue gases and an unscientific approach in plant construction, jaggery plants have a poor thermal efficiency of less than 25%, poor emission characteristics, and a high bagasse consumption rate. Advanced jaggery-making techniques use solar energy and heat pumps for jaggery production. However, these techniques are in the early stage of development, and the literature indicates that these techniques should be used in conjuction with traditional ones to improve the performance of jaggery making plants. This literature review describes advances in jaggery-making methods, critically analyzed them, and provides a qualitative comparison of these methods. Further, gaps in the existing literature are identified and reported for future research direction. In addition, efforts have been made to quantify and estimate the emissions reduction and bagasse consumption potentials from the traditional jaggery industry to make this rural industry a sustainable and profitable business for rural entrepreneurs. The comparison with the recently developed clean combustion device exhibits that the harmful emissions from the jaggery industry could be reduced drastically viz. 95%-98% of PM2.5; 92%-95% of CO, and 52-60% of CO2, while saving more than 35% of bagasse consumption. Implemented at a national scale, it may reduce nearly 3% of all harmful emissions in the country, which is equally applicable elsewhere.

Plant-based milk alternatives an emerging segment of functional beverages: a review.

Plant-based or non-dairy milk alternative is the fast growing segment in newer food product development category of functional and specialty beverage across the globe. Nowadays, cow milk allergy, lactose intolerance, calorie concern and prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, more preference to vegan diets has influenced consumers towards choosing cow milk alternatives. Plant-based milk alternatives are a rising trend, which can serve as an inexpensive alternate to poor economic group of developing countries and in places, where cow's milk supply is insufficient. Though numerous types of innovative food beverages from plant sources are being exploited for cow milk alternative, many of these faces some/any type of technological issues; either related to processing or preservation. Majority of these milk alternatives lack nutritional balance when compared to bovine milk, however they contain functionally active components with health promoting properties which attracts health conscious consumers. In case of legume based milk alternatives, sensory acceptability is a major limiting factor for its wide popularity. New and advanced non-thermal processing technologies such as ultra high temperature treatment, ultra high pressure homogenization, pulsed electric field processing are being researched for tackling the problems related to increase of shelf life, emulsion stability, nutritional completeness and sensory acceptability of the final product. Concerted research efforts are required in coming years in functional beverages segment to prepare tailor-made newer products which are palatable as well as nutritionally adequate.

Optimization of food materials for development of nutritious pasta utilizing groundnut meal and beetroot.

Present study was undertaken to optimize the level of food materials viz. groundnut meal, beetroot juice and refined wheat flour for development of nutritious pasta using response surface methodology. Box-benken design of experiments was used to design different experimental combinations considering 10 to 20 g groundnut meal, 6 to 18 mL beetroot juice and 80 to 90 g refined wheat flour. Quality attributes such as protein content, antioxidant activity, colour, cooking quality (solid loss, rehydration ratio and cooking time) and sensory acceptability of pasta samples were the dependent variables for the study. The results revealed that pasta samples with higher levels of groundnut meal and beetroot juice were high in antioxidant activity and overall sensory acceptability. The samples with higher content of groundnut meal indicated higher protein contents in them. On the other hand, the samples with higher beetroot juice content were high in rehydration ratio and lesser cooking time along with low solid loss in cooking water. The different level of studied food materials significantly affected the colour quality of pasta samples. Optimized combination for development of nutritious pasta consisted of 20 g groundnut meal, 18 mL beetroot juice and 83.49 g refined wheat flour with overall desirability as 0.905. This pasta sample required 5.5 min to cook and showed 1.37 % solid loss and rehydration ratio as 6.28. Pasta sample prepared following optimized formulation provided 19.56 % protein content, 23.95 % antioxidant activity and 125.89 mg/100 g total phenols with overall sensory acceptability scores 8.71.

Cardiological Society of India: Document on acute MI care during COVID-19.

The unprecedented and rapidly spreading Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged public health care systems globally. Based on worldwide experience, India has initiated a nationwide lockdown to prevent the exponential surge of cases. During COVID-19, management of cardiovascular emergencies like acute Myocardial Infarction (MI) may be compromised. Cardiological Society of India (CSI) has ventured in this moment of crisis to evolve a consensus document for care of acute MI. However, this care should be individualized, based on local expertise and governmental advisories.

Portopulmonary hypertension in a patient of autoimmune hepatitis.

A 35-year-old women presented with breathlessness and features suggestive of pulmonary hypertension. Further investigations revealed that she had autoimmune hepatitis and both portal and pulmonary hypertension. Pertinent literature is reviewed.

In vitro biomechanical testing of different configurations of acrylic external skeletal fixator constructs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in vitro biomechanical properties of four different configurations of acrylic external skeletal fixator constructs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Simulated bone constructs were prepared using two segments of 20 mm ultra-high-density polyethylene rods with a gap of 5 mm. The full pins (1.5 mm) were passed through the proximal and distal segments of ultra-high-density polyethylene rods, in the same plane, parallel to each other in configuration U, and were crossed in the M1, M2 and C configurations at a 90° angle to each other. Configuration U was a single bilateral uniplanar construct, M1 was a double orthogonal bilateral construct, M2 was a double orthogonal bilateral construct with proximal and distal connecting articulations, and C was a double orthogonal bilateral construct with proximal and distal circumferential articulations. Temporary scaffolds of different external skeletal fixator configurations were constructed using commercially available polyvinyl chloride pipes (20 mm) connected and secured to the fixation pins at a fixed distance from the rods. Acrylic powder (polymer) mixed with liquid (monomer) was poured into the pipes and allowed to solidify to form the side bars and rings. The external skeletal fixator constructs were then subjected to axial compression, cranio-caudal three-point bending and torsion (n = 4 each) using a universal testing machine. Mechanical parameters, namely stress, strain, modulus of elasticity, stiffness and bending moment of fixator constructs, were determined from load-displacement curves. RESULTS: Configuration U was the weakest and configuration C was the strongest under all the testing modes. Under compression, the M1, M2 and C configurations were similar. Under bending, a significant difference was observed among the uniplanar, multiplanar and circular configurations with no difference between M1 and M2. However, under torsion, all the external skeletal fixator configurations differed significantly. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The freeform external skeletal fixator using acrylic as a replacement for a metallic bar may be useful to treat bone fractures and luxations in small animals, as it is mechanically strong, lightweight, economical, and pins can be passed from any direction depending upon the clinical situation.

Novel gene delivery to liver cells using engineered virosomes.

We have demonstrated for the first time that the reconstituted Sendai viral envelopes containing only the fusion protein (F-virosomes) are efficient vehicles for the delivery of foreign genes specifically into human hepatoblastoma cells (HepG2) in culture. The membrane fusion-mediated entry of CAT (chloramphenicol acetyl transferase) gene into the cells was confirmed and the amount delivered to various subcellular fractions was quantitated. The dose dependence and kinetics of expression of biologically active CAT protein in HepG2 cells was measured. The CAT expression level in F-virosome-mediated delivery was significantly higher than that of Lipofectin or liganded proteo-liposome-mediated gene transfer. This kind of targeted delivery by means of membrane fusion induced by viral envelope glycoprotein may have wide applications to various gene transfer strategies both in vitro and in vivo.

Haematological and biochemical characteristics of Heteropneustes fossilis under the stress of Congo Red (diphenyl disazo binaphthionic acid).

The effects of the sublethal concentration (0.012%) of Congo Red on Heteropneustes fossilis were studied after 30 days exposure. The RBC count haemoglobin (Hb)% and PCV decreased significantly. The total WBC count, MCV, MCH, and MCHC showed a significant increase. Serum calcium, serum cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly elevated, whereas serum phosphorus was significantly reduced. The activities of serum alkaline phosphatase (AlPase), acid phosphatase (AcPase). RNase, GOT, GPT and amylase were also significantly elevated. The possible reasons for these changes are discussed.

Evidence for activation of cellular immune responses in patients with acute hepatitis E.

INTRODUCTION: Although acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is known to induce IgM and IgG humoral host immune responses, little is known about occurrence of cellular responses in this infection. We looked for evidence of lymphocyte sensitization to HEV peptides in patients with acute HEV infection. METHODS: peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained from patients with acute hepatitis E and healthy controls. Proliferation of these lymphocytes in the presence of each of seven peptides with amino acid sequences corresponding to open reading frames 2 and 3 proteins of HEV (3 and 4 peptides, respectively) were studied; no peptide was added to control wells. Proliferative responses with stimulation indices exceeding 3.0 were taken as positive. RESULTS: More patients showed reactivity to two or more HEV peptides than did controls (11/21 vs 5/22, p<0.05). Reactivity to one peptide corresponding to open reading frame 2 of HEV was more frequent in patients than in controls (7/21 vs 1/22, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results show that lymphocytes of patients with acute hepatitis E show sensitization to HEV peptides. This may have significance in understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of liver injury in this infection.

A study of hepatopulmonary syndrome among patients of cirrhosis of liver and portal hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: Hepatopulmonary syndrome consists of a triad of hepatic dysfunction and/or portal hypertension, intrapulmonary vascular dilatations and hypoxemia. A study of hepatopulmonary syndrome among patients of cirrhosis of liver and portal hypertension was undertaken. METHODS: Thirty patients participated in this study. The diagnosis of cirrhosis of liver was confirmed by liver biopsy. Arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests, two-dimensional transthoracic air contrast echocardiography were undertaken in all the patients. Those patients in whom contrast echocardiogram showed intrapulmonary vascular dilatations were classified as the positive group while others were labelled as the negative group. RESULTS: Ten patients (33.33%) had a positive contrast echocardiogram; five (16.67%) of them were found to have PaO2<70 mmHg and were qualified for the diagnosis of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS); and other five (16.67%) with PaO2>70 mmHg were diagnosed as intrapulmonary dilatations syndrome (IPVDS). Five patients of HPS revealed significant P(A-a)O2 gradient and intrapulmonary shunts of moderate severity computed by a/A ratio. Cyanosis (p=0.001), clubbing (p=0.009) and orthodeoxia (p=0.0024) were significantly commoner in the five patients of hepatopulmonary syndrome. Presence of spider naevi was significantly related with the presence of intrapulmonary vascular dilatations. CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed presence of hepatopulmonary syndrome and intrapulmonary vascular dilatation syndrome among patients of portal hypertension. The presence of cyanosis, clubbing and orthodeoxia were found to be suggestive indicators of hepatopulmonary syndrome. Even though not very specific, spider naevi were found to be a useful clinical indicator for the presence of intrapulmonary vascular dilatations.

Transcranial Doppler evaluation of blood flow velocity changes in basal cerebral arteries in cerebral AVMs following embolisation and surgery.

Blood flow velocities in the basal cerebral arteries were evaluated in 41 patients with supratentorial arteriovenous malformation (AVM), using a transcranial doppler 64-B instrument. The AVM was surgically excised in 20 patients and embolised in 21 patients. Blood flow velocities in feeding basal cerebral arteries were found markedly decreased in both the groups, at 24 hours after intervention. On follow up study at 3 months, blood flow velocity in feeding cerebral artery was found to be increased in 47 percent of patients who were embolised, but remained normal in all the patients who underwent surgery.

Heart rate variability assessment to stratify risk of autonomic imbalance during subarachnoid block: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Hypotension after subarachnoid block is a common adverse event which can be predicted by simple, safe and indirect measure of autonomic activity. CONTEXT: Heart rate variability has been accepted as an indirect measure of autonomic activity. AIM: It was to evaluate preoperatively risk of hypotension after subarachnoid block. SETTING AND DESIGN: This is controlled, randomized blind prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred adult patients of either sex in the age group of 25 to 60 years belonging to ASA physical status of I to III, scheduled for elective infra-umbilical surgery, were enrolled for this randomized prospective study. During preanesthetic check their HRV was analyzed for time domain and frequency domain parameters. They were classified into two groups of 50 patients each depending on their low to high frequency ratios (LF/HF). Group I included patients with LF/HF <2.5 and Group II included patients with LF/HF >2.5. Sensitivity of LF/HF for prediction of hypotension greater than 20% of baseline was tested. RESULT: The present study showed significant differences of systolic blood pressure (SBP) after subarachnoid block, depending on baseline LF/HF. Patients with low LF/HF showed lowest SBP of 106.08 ± 3.19 (15.22% fall of base line SBP) as compared to high LF/HF which showed 87.62 ± 8.71 (30.26% fall of base line SBP). Baseline LF/HF parameter correlated significantly with proportionate decrease in SBP after subarachnoid blocks. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Hemodynamic parameter was analyzed by using student t test on statgraphic version 5.1. CONCLUSION: Analysis of low and high frequency ratio, reflect autonomic control and may be used as an indirect measure for risk stratification of hypotension after subarachnoid block with high sensitivity.

Smile Train project: a blessing for population of lower socio-economic status.

The Smile Train Project is an international charity dedicated to poor children with cleft lip and cleft palate abnormalities with an aim to restore normal or near normal anatomy, function, satisfactory facial appearance and speech. A review was done among 241 patients of cleft lip and palate anomaly, admitted at Subharti Medical College, Meerut, for cheiloplasty and palatoplasty between May 2006 and December 2008 in collaboration with the department of maxillofacial surgery and its incidence in relation to age and sex distribution. Ideally infants with cleft lip alone should be repaired within the first six months of age and cleft palate should be repaired before development of speech ie, at the age of 2 years. But in this study only 25% of patients who underwent corrective surgery were up to 2 years of age and more than 47% cases were operated between the ages of 2 and 10 years. Sixty-six cases (27%) were operated between ages of 10 and 35 years. It may be due to ignorance, poverty or unawareness about the fact that cleft anomaly can be corrected by surgery. Without repair, these children would have suffered from facial disfigurement, feeding problems, social isolation and abnormal speech. Smile Train Project along with motivation of health workers of this institute has made their smiles more socially acceptable.

Anesthetic management for Smile Train a blessing for population of low socioeconomic status: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The Smile Train is an international charity with an aim to restore satisfactory facial appearance and speech for poor children with cleft abnormalities who would not otherwise be helped. A total of 241 children of cleft lip and palate anomaly, scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia, were studied. Cleft abnormality requires early surgery. Ideally cleft lip in infants should be repaired within the first 6 months of age; and cleft palate, before development of speech, i.e., at the age of 2 years. But in our study, only 27% of children underwent corrective surgery by ideal age of 2 years, which may be due to ignorance, poverty or unawareness about the fact that cleft anomaly can be corrected by surgery. CONTEXT: Smile Train provides care for poor children with clefts in developing countries. The guidelines were designed to promote safe general anesthesia for cheiloplasty and palatoplasty. AIMS: Smile Train promotes free surgery for cleft abnormalities to restore satisfactory facial appearance and speech. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a randomized prospective cohort observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 241 consenting patients of American Society of Anesthesiologt (ASA) I and II aged 6 months to 20 years of either sex, scheduled for elective cheiloplasty and palatoplasty, were studied. Children suffering from anemia, fever, upper respiratory tract infections or any associated congenital anomalies were excluded. Approved guidelines of the Smile Train Medical Advisory Board were observed for general anesthesia and surgery. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The Student t test was used. RESULTS: The infants were anemic and undernourished, and two thirds of the children were male. Only 27% of the children presented for surgery by the ideal age of 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric anesthesia carries a high risk due to congenital anomaly and shared airway, venous access and resuscitation; however, cleft abnormality requires surgery at an early age to make the smiles of affected children more socially acceptable.