Dyschromatopsia and contrast sensitivity changes in COVID-19 patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the alterations in the psycho-physical tests, contrast sensitivity (CS) and hue discrimination (total estimation score, TES) in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was undertaken in 2021-22 to look at CS and TES among COVID-19 patients and RT-PCR negative normal subjects by a mobile app "smart optometry" and X-Rite's free online version of Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test. Strict visual acuity (minimum of 6/9 equivalent on Snellen) and other clinical parameters were used as exclusion criteria to filter potentially confounding pre-receptoral co-morbid conditions. The effect of mismatch in recruiting age and sex matched controls during the pandemic were analyzed by multivariate linear regression. RESULT: One-way ANOVA ruled out any influence of gender on CS and TES; however, there was significant difference in the TES on Mann Whitney U test (TES- 2.95 +/- 3.8 for cases; 0.30 +/- 1.1 for controls; p <0.001) and it persisted after accounting for age. Six controls with breakthrough infections had a significant deterioration in TES (Mean scores -3.0; 95% CI = -5.89 to -0.11; p = 0.04) on paired t test. Qualitative analysis showed that S-cone mediated deficiencies outnumber those affecting M-L cone mediated deficiencies. Among 53 subjects exhibiting three sensory features, anosmia, loss of taste and dyschromatopsia, nine (16.98%) had all features concurrently. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that COVID-19 infection leads to altered TES representing dyschromatopsia -an ocular counterpart of anosmia, with little difference on CS.

A study on the shelf life of cookies incorporated with sapota and beetroot leaf powders.

The addition of edible fiber could affect the shelf life of cookies, which can have a positive or negative impact depending on the source of fiber. This study is in continuation of two previously published papers to investigate the storage stability of cookies incorporated with 4.5% beetroot leaf powder (BLP), with 7% sapota fiber powder (SFP) and reference cookies during 15 months at ambient temperature by analyses of physicochemical, microbial and sensory properties on each specified month using international standard methods. It was found that with increasing storage period, there was an increment in moisture content, peroxide value, free fatty acids and microbial population including total aerobic bacteria and yeast and mold colonies of all cookies; the lowest values being for cookies with 7% SFP (5.70%, 4.12 mEqO2/1000 g cookie's fat, 1.47%, 2.73 and 2.36 log CFU/g dried cookie, respectively). In contrast, the reverse trend was found in pH value. At the end of storage, a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was observed between reference cookies and other cookies regarding moisture content, peroxide value, free fatty acids and overall sensory acceptability; the quality of cookies supplemented with 7% SFP being desirable, followed by cookies with 4.5% BLP, and then reference cookies.

Antimicrobial activity of different plants extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND: Microbial pathogens, mainly bacteria, are a major cause of food spoilage resulting in several foodborne diseases. Food spoilage can be prevented by the application of chemical preservatives in the food industry but such process has harmful effects on human health and causes the introduction of chemicals in several food chains, leading to toxicity and long-term complications. Due to such adverse effects, the need to find natural preservatives that are safer to use, effective and less complicated is increasing. OBJECTIVES: This study is based on plant extracts that play a major role in microbicidal action (the use of natural preservatives is preferred over chemical ones). Antimicrobial action of different plant extracts was assessed using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as experimental bacterial strains. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ethanolic extracts of different plants like Punica granatum, Acacia catechu and Phyllanthus emblica were highly effective against the both analyzed bacterial strains at a dosage of 10 mg/mL, while the extracts of Ocimum bacilicum and Quercus infectoria were effective only against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. RESULTS: Punica granatum and Phyllanthus emblica extracts were found to be the most effective and exhibited bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities against the highly infectious strains of pathogenic bacteria causing food spoilage, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2.5 mg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 5 mg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The plant extracts used in the study were highly effective in reducing bacterial contamination and can be used as an alternative to chemical preservatives to avoid and control foodborne diseases and for preservation of food with no health-related hazards caused by chemicals.

Development and quality evaluation of cookies supplemented with concentrated fiber powder from chiku (Manilkara zapota L.).

The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical, textural and organoleptic attributes of developed cookies containing concentrated chiku fiber powder (CChFP) (Manilkara zapota L.) at different levels (0, 4.5, 7, 9.5, 12%). The results revealed that the addition of CChFP led to a noticeable improvement in dietary fiber, crude fiber and antioxidant activity of cookies. However, the protein content and the hardness of cookies were decreased. The effect of added CChFP up to 7% in texture, taste and aroma of cookies was negligible. The cookie supplemented with 7% CChFP established a superior overall acceptability score among other cookies containing CChFP, with an improved crude fiber (3.41 ± 0.26%), total dietary fiber (14.03 ± 0.57%) and radical scavenging activity (6.20 ± 0.48%).

Increased Waitlist Mortality and Lower Rate for Liver Transplantation in Hispanic Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Data on the differences in ethnicity and race among patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) awaiting liver transplantation (LT) are limited. We evaluated liver transplant waitlist trends and outcomes based on ethnicity and race in patients with PBC in the United States. METHODS: Using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry, we collected data on patients with PBC on the liver transplant waitlist, and performed analysis with a focus on ethnicity and race-based variations clinical manifestations, waitlist mortality and LT rates from 2000 to 2014. Outcomes were adjusted for demographics, complications of portal hypertension, and Model for End-stage Liver Disease score at time of waitlist registration. RESULTS: Although the number of white PBC waitlist registrants and additions decreased from 2000 to 2014, there were no significant changes in the number of Hispanic PBC waitlist registrants and additions each year. The proportion of Hispanic patients with PBC on the liver transplant waitlist increased from 10.7% in 2000 to 19.3% in 2014. Hispanics had the highest percentage of waitlist deaths (20.8%) of any ethnicity or race evaluated. After adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, Hispanic patients with PBC had the lowest overall rate for undergoing LT (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% CI, 0. 60-0.83; P < .001) and a significantly higher risk of death while on the waitlist, compared to whites (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.15-1.74; P < .001). Furthermore, Hispanic patients with PBC had the highest proportion of waitlist removals due to clinical deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: In an analysis of data from UNOS registry focusing on outcomes, we observed differences in rates of LT and liver transplant waitlist mortality of Hispanic patients compared with white patients with PBC. Further studies are needed to improve our understanding of ethnicity and race-based differences in progression of PBC.

The Role of Neighborhood Environment in Promoting Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease among Young Adults: Data from Middle to High Income Population in an Asian Megacity.

BACKGROUND: Modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have their triggers in the neighborhood environments of communities. Studying the environmental triggers for CVD risk factors is important to understand the situation in a broader perspective. Young adults are influenced the most by the environment profile around them hence it is important to study this subset of the population. METHODS: This was a descriptive study conducted using the EPOCH research tool designed by the authors of the PURE study. The study population consisted of young adults aged 18-25 in two areas of Karachi. The study setting was busy shopping malls frequented by young adults in the particular community being studied. RESULTS: Our total sample size was 120 individuals, who consented to be interviewed by our interviewers. Less than 50% of the population recognized some form of restriction regarding smoking in their communities. The largest contributor to tobacco advertising was actors smoking in movies and TV shows with 89% responses from both communities. Only 11.9% of the individuals disapproved of smoking cigarettes among men with wide acceptance of 'sheesha' across all age groups. Advertising for smoking and junk food was more frequent as compared to smoking cessation, healthy diet and exercise in both the areas. Unhealthy food items were more easily available in contrast to healthier options. The cost of healthy snack food options including vegetables and fruits was higher than sugary drinks and foods. CONCLUSION: This assessment showed that both communities were exposed to environments that promote risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Intraoperative monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve using acoustic, free-run, and evoked electromyography.

The purpose of this study was to explore advantages and disadvantages of electrodes used for monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and to determine the postoperative outcome in 135 patients. A pilot study examined 11 patients to compare the clinical performance of two commercially available recording electrodes and three stimulation electrodes for RLN neuromonitoring. After determining the most reliable and consistent stimulating/recording electrode combination, 124 patients were then monitored. In a total of 135 patients there was no permanent iatrogenic nerve damage to the RLN, although 2 patients developed transient vocal hoarseness that resolved shortly postoperatively. An initial "searching" current for evoked electromyography (EMG) was delivered at 0.7 mA and then decreased to a value of 0.35 mA, which reliably elicited RLN stimulation with a minimal incidence of false-positive results. The combination of auditory feedback from the mechanically elicited EMG and a control channel involving EMG monitoring of an additional peripheral muscle improved the detection of artifact and improved the clinical efficacy of intraoperative electromyography. A video camera showed the surgical manipulation on the EMG screen, allowing the neurophysiologist to correlate dissection with RLN status and location. Auditory responses from the nerve helped to determine the type of distress the RLN was encountering.