Effects of different cooking methods on the proximate composition and physical properties of Brown shrimp (Metapenaeus dobsonii) during cooking and freezing cycle.

Present study aimed to evaluate the changes in proximate composition and physical attributes in brown shrimp (Metapenaeus dobsonii) exposed to different methods of cooking followed by freezing. For this, three different grades (100/200, 200/300, and 300/500 numbers per kg) of brown shrimp were cooked at 90°C till the core temperature of the product reaches 85°C using hot water, steam, and microwave (400W) techniques. The changes in yield, cooking loss, proximate composition, textural, and colour profile were assessed for cooked shrimps. The cooking loss was higher for larger grades of shrimp, whereas shrimp cooked using hot water exhibited the highest cooking loss. Lowest cooking loss was observed for microwave-cooked shrimp. Moisture content decreased after cooking whereas protein, fat, ash, and calorie content increased. After cooking, different grades of shrimp showed an increase in their lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) values. The smaller grade shrimp exhibited lower value for cohesiveness, hardness, chewiness, and gumminess. Different cooking techniques yielded cooked shrimp of varying hardness values.

Vanillic acid potentiates insulin secretion and prevents pancreatic ß-cells cytotoxicity under H2O2-induced oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is known to impair cellular functions and, therefore, plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of various diseases, including diabetes. The persistently elevated glucose levels may cause enhanced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation, which in turn can damage the pancreatic ß-cells. In this study, we have investigated the effect of vanillic acid on preventing H2O2-induced ß-cells death and retaining its insulin secretion potentiating effect in the presence of H2O2. METHODS: The insulin secretion from the BRIN-BD11 cells was quantified using ELISA-based assays. The viability of the cells was assessed by estimated by the [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) colorimetric assay and DAPI staining. The expression levels of apoptotic and antioxidant proteins were estimated by western blot experiments. RESULTS: Vanillic acid protected pancreatic ß-cells viability and function under the H2O2 oxidative stress condition. The Erk1/2 activation appears to play an important role in vanillic acid potentiated insulin secretion and protection of the ß-cells in the presence of H2O2. Vanillic acid pretreated cells exhibited enhanced expression of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and SOD-2 and reduced the expression of proapoptotic markers such as BAX and BAD. In addition, it also enhanced the expression of oxidative stress-sensitive transcription factor Nrf-2 and cell survival protein Akt. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that vanillic acid potentiates insulin secretion and protects pancreatic ß-cells from H2O2-induced oxidative stress.

Functional and structural characteristics of chocolate flavoured cake incorporated with surimi powder from Nemipterus species.

Surimi is the concentrated myofibrillar protein extracted from fish. In this study, surimi prepared from Nemipterus species of fish was dried by two methods such as freeze drying and oven drying and was pulverized and sieved. The maida to bake chocolate flavoured cakes was replaced at 10% with freeze dried surimi powder (FDS) and oven dried surimi (ODS) powder separately. The aim of the study was to analyse the functional and structural characteristics of chocolate flavoured cake incorporated with surimi powder from Nemipterus Species. The functional characteristics of the ingredients and cakes were analysed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and assignments of the peaks were assigned. The presence of shifts of peak around 1550 cm-1 in cakes as compared to the ingredients suggested a change in protein structure. FTIR spectra of ingredients and cake indicated the changes in protein structure in the cakes, probably due to the exposure of cakes to higher temperature during baking. Scanning electron microscopic images of control cake, cake incorporated with 10% FDS powder and cake incorporated with 10% ODS powder revealed the presence of large number of pores in all the cakes. FDS cakes had higher number of micro-pores than control and ODS cakes. Evenness in structure was higher in control cake than FDS and ODS cakes.

Mechanism of rutin mediated inhibition of insulin amyloid formation and protection of Neuro-2a cells from fibril-induced apoptosis.

Many metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases are associated with protein misfolding and aggregation. Insulin a key hormone, under certain conditions aggregates and forms pathological amyloid fibrils. Several polyphenols have been studied extensively to elucidate their inhibitory effect on amyloid formation. In the present study, we used insulin as an amyloid model to test the mechanism and efficacy of rutin as an anti-amyloidogenic molecule. By using electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and circular dichroism spectroscopy, we show that rutin inhibits the insulin aggregate and fibril formation. Further, rutin interacts with insulin directly and inhibits fibril formation in a dose-dependent manner as demonstrated by micro scale thermophoresis experiments. The molecular docking study predicted the potential binding pocket of rutin at the interface of chain A and chain B of insulin thereby preventing it from forming the aggregates. Since, rutin is a natural anti-oxidant, we studied its role in diminishing amyloid fibril induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Rutin, decreases the insulin amyloid fibrils-induced Neuro-2a cytotoxicity by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels which in turn downregulates Bax and upregulates Bcl-2 and pBad proteins. These findings suggest the potential action of rutin in preventing protein misfolding, cell death, and serves as a lead structure to design novel anti-amyloidosis compounds.

The down regulation of PTP1B expression and attenuation of disturbed glucose and lipid metabolism using Borassus flabellifer (L) fruit methanol extract in high fat diet and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Borassus flabellifer L. is a tall palm traditionally used for its stimulating, diuretic and anti-inflammatory activities; it is rich in fibers and various pharmacologically important secondary metabolites. This study was undertaken to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of Borassus flabellifer fruit methanol extract (BF-M) on diabetic rats induced with High Fat Diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ). When BF-M (100 or 200 mg/kg) was administered for 21 days orally it led to a sharp decline in triglycerides, total cholesterol, free unsaturated fat, glucose-6-phosphate, fasting blood glucose and fructose 1,6 bisphosphatase in contrast to diabetic control. BF-M also downregulated Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B. In vitro study showed the IC50 value to be 23.98 µg/mL. BF-M significantly increased serum insulin, glycogen content, and body weight. Western blot analysis exhibited significant inhibition of PTP1B in pancreatic tissue which was confirmed by histology and immunohistological studies. GC-MS analysis revelaled that the presence of major compounds such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (47.56%), Guanosine (21.01%) and n-hecxadeconoic acid (25.14%) in BF-M. In short, BF-M exerted antidiabetic property by down regulating PTP1B expression, and eventually enhancing glucose stimulated insulin release; it also exhibited favorable effects in diabetes and its secondary complications.

Evaluation of a polymorphism in MYBPC3 in patients with anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity.

Cardiotoxicity is the most serious side effect of anthracyclines (doxorubicin, daunorubicin or epirubicin). The incidence of anthracycline induced late cardiac toxicity (AIC) that is overt clinically is 3-5% in the Indian population. Polymorphism in intron 32 (deletion of 25bp) of MYBPC3 has been shown to be present exclusively in Asians and more so in South India (3-8%). The frequency of the polymorphism is significantly higher (13%) in patients with cardiomyopathy in India. Fifteen patients were identified to have cardiac dysfunction following treatment for malignant lymphoma with doxorubicin containing regimens. Peripheral blood DNA from control, amplified by polymerase chain reaction yielded a 467bp fragment while in the presence of the 25bp deletion only a 442bp fragment was detected. To confirm the presence or absence of the polymorphism, amplified DNA was restricted using Bgl1 in all samples. Bgl1 restricted amplified DNA only if the 25bp deletion was absent. A 467 base pair band was observed in all the 15 samples, which suggested the absence of polymorphism in MYBPC3. In a sample of DNA from a patient with a deletion in exon 33 (confirmed by sequencing) a 442bp fragment was detected. Amplified DNA from this patient was not restricted with Bgl1. Wild type MYBPC3 when amplified gave a distinct restriction banding pattern consisting of two bands of 401bp and 66bp. Amplified DNA from all peripheral blood samples restricted with Bgl1 suggesting the absence of the polymorphism. In this preliminary report, MYBPC3 does not seem to play a role in anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity.

ß-carotene at physiologically attainable concentration induces apoptosis and down-regulates cell survival and antioxidant markers in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells.

Although ß-carotene is known for its anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant properties, a few recent epidemiological and experimental evidence show that at higher concentration it acts as pro-oxidant and induces cancer. Since the global burden of breast cancer exceeds all other types of cancer, and its incidence rates is also in increasing trend, the present study attempted to evaluate the anti-cancer molecular mechanism of ß-carotene (at 1 µM concentration) isolated from Spinacia oleracea in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. The carotenoid was purified by open column chromatography and identified by LC-MS. The anti-proliferative effect of ß-carotene at different concentrations was evaluated by WST-1 assay and the changes in cell morphology were examined by microscopic observation. The induction of apoptosis by ß-carotene was observed by DAPI staining and colorimetric caspase-3 assay. The expression of cell survival, apoptotic, and antioxidant marker proteins was measured by western blot analysis. Purified ß-carotene inhibited the viability of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was well correlated with changes in cell morphology. Increased apoptotic cells were observed in ß-carotene (1 µM)-treated cells. This apoptosis induction was associated with increased caspase-3 activity. The protein expression studies showed that ß-carotene at 1 µM concentration effectively decreases the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2 and PARP, and survival protein, NF-kB. It also inhibited the activation of intracellular growth signaling proteins, Akt and ERK1/2. The inhibition of Akt activation by ß-carotene results in decreased phosphorylation of Bad. Further, it down-regulated antioxidant enzyme, SOD-2, and its transactivation factor (Nrf-2), and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker, XBP-1, at protein levels. These findings exhibit the key role of ß-carotene even at a low physiological concentration in MCF-7 cells which further explains its predominant anti-cancer activity.

Long-term outcome of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Impact of biosimilar rituximab and radiation.

INTRODUCTION: Rituximab (R)-CHOP improves survival over CHOP in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The availability of biosimilar rituximab in India has increased access of this drug. We report on the impact of treatment on outcomes with special emphasis on the impact of biosimilar rituximab and radiation. METHODS: Outcomes of adults (age 15-60 years) treated with CHOP+/- Rituximab radiation were analyzed retrospectively to look at baseline features, treatment, and event-free and overall survival (EFS and OS). RESULTS: In the period 2000-2013, 444 patients (median age 47 years: 15-60; males: 288 [65%]; Stage III/IV: 224 [50%]; age-adjusted international prognostic index [aaIPI] Score 2 or 3 in 50%) received either CHOP (n = 325 [73%]) or RCHOP (n = 119 [27%]) therapy. Biosimilar rituximab and the original were used in 95 (80%) and 24 (20%) patients, respectively. Radiation was given in 134 (30%) patients (Stages I and II, 100/220 [45%] and Stages III and IV, 34/224 [15%]). After a median follow-up of 46 (0.2-126) months, the 5-year EFS and OS were 59% and 68%, respectively. The factors predicting inferior EFS and OS were age> 40 years, performance status 2-4, Stage III/IV, hemoglobin <12 g/dL, the aaIPI Score 2 or 3, and nonuse of rituximab and radiation. Radiation used in early stage disease benefitted all subgroups regardless of bulky disease, use of rituximab, or the number of cycles of chemotherapy. Addition of rituximab improved survival across all categories of aaIPI. CONCLUSION: Availability of biosimilar rituximab has increased access and survival of patients with DLBCL in India. Radiotherapy improved outcomes in early stages.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in small ruminants in Chennai using PCR and modified direct agglutination test.

A total of 193 sera samples, along with tissues (lung, heart, and brain) collected from 136 sheep and 57 goats from the Corporation slaughter house, Madras Veterinary College teaching hospital, and private mutton shops from Chennai were tested for Toxoplasma gondii. All the sera samples were tested using modified direct agglutination test. Of the 193 sera samples, 57 (29.5 %) had a minimum titre of 1:20, with 30.14 % (41/136) of sheep and 28.07 % (16/57) of goats being seropositive. Tissue samples from all 193 animals, when subjected to B1 based PCR to detect T. gondii DNA, showed 3.67 and 3.50 % to be positive in sheep and goats, respectively. In the present investigation B1 based PCR detected T. gondii in low numbers, possibly due to limitation of the sample size. The presence of T. gondii in tissues of sheep and goats slaughtered for human consumption in Chennai indicates the role of these food animals as potential sources of infection to human.

Occurrence of Bluetongue in ruminants in Tamil Nadu, South India.

Tamil Nadu is located in the South-Eastern part of Indian peninsula, between 8.087° and 13.09°N and 76.50° and 80.27°E. Bluetongue (BT) was first reported in this region in sheep during 1982 with regular occurrence thereafter. In 1989-1990, 1997-1998 and 2005-2006, there was wide spread occurrence of BT resulting in huge mortality of sheep. The present study had the goal of isolating the BTV from outbreaks in sheep occurred in Tamil Naadu between 2003-2011 and comparing the VP2 gene sequences of the BTV isolates involved in such outbreaks. Serotypes 1, 2, 16, and 23 of the Bluetongue virus (BTV) have been isolated from sheep during BT outbreaks. BTV-16 has also been isolated in goats and cattle in the region; BTV-2 isolated in Tamil Nadu has homology with BTV-2 isolated in Africa; whereas the BTV-23 isolated in this area has homology with BTV-23 from South East Asia, indicating that both Eastern and Western topotypes of BTV are circulating in ruminant population in Tamil Nadu.

Full-Genome Sequence Analysis of a Reassortant Strain of Bluetongue virus Serotype 16 from Southern India.

The complete genome sequence of a reassortant field strain (IND2014/01) of Bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 16, isolated from sheep from southern India in 2014, was sequenced. The total genome size was 19,186 bp. Sequence comparisons of all genome segments, except segment 5 (Seg-5), showed that IND2014/01 belonged to the major eastern topotype of BTV.

Larvicidal and Pupicidal Activities of Alizarin Isolated from Roots of Rubia cordifolia Against Culex quinquefasciatus Say and Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae).

The mosquitocidal activities of different fractions and a compound alizarin from the methanol extract of Rubia cordifolia roots were evaluated on larvae and pupae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say and Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). Larvae and pupae were exposed to concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 ppm for fractions and 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 ppm for compound. After 24 h, the mortality was assessed and the LC50 and LC90 values were estimated for larvae and pupae. Among the 23 fractions screened, fraction 2 from the methanol extract of R. cordifolia showed good mosquitocidal activity against C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti. LC50 and LC90 values of fraction 2 were 3.53 and 7.26 ppm for C. quinquefasciatus and 3.86 and 8.28 ppm for A. aegypti larvae, and 3.76 and 7.50 ppm for C. quinquefasciatus and 3.92 and 8.05 ppm for A. aegypti pupae, respectively. Further, the isolated compound alizarin presented good larvicidal and pupicidal activities. LC50 and LC90 values of alizarin for larvae were 0.81 and 3.86 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus and 1.31 and 6.04 ppm for A. aegypti larvae, respectively. Similarly, the LC50 and LC90 values of alizarin for pupae were 1.97 and 4.79 ppm for C. quinquefasciatus and 2.05 and 5.59 ppm for A. aegypti pupae, respectively. The structure of the isolated compound was identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and compared with reported spectral data. The results indicated that alizarin could be used as a potential larvicide and pupicide.

Toxicological and hematological effect of Terminalia arjuna bark extract on a freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis.

Increasing demand for eco-friendly botanical piscicides and pesticides as replacements for harmful synthetic chemicals has led to investigation of new sources of plant materials. Stem bark of Terminalia arjuna, which has been used as a popular folk medicine since ancient time, was examined for its piscicidal activity. This study aims to determine toxicity of ethanol extract of T. arjuna bark on fresh water stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis), along with evaluation of changes in hematological parameters of the fishes exposed to a lethal concentration. The percent mortality of fishes varied significantly in response to concentrations of the extract and exposure times (between exposure time F = 36.57, p < 0.001; between concentrations F = 39.93, p < 0.001). The lethal concentrations (LC50) of ethanol extract were found to be 12.7, 8.94, 5.63 and 4.71 mg/l for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, respectively. During acute toxicity test, blood samples of treatment fishes showed significant decreases in the red blood cells count, hematocrit content, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and plasma protein level when compared to those of the control group, while there were significant increases in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, white blood cells count and plasma glucose concentration. These results suggest that T. arjuna bark extract could be considered as a potent piscicide due to its toxic effect on fish, particularly fish hematology.

Pediatric nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Experience from a tertiary cancer center in India.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) are rare tumors. There is paucity of data on outcomes in pediatric NPC from developing countries. AIM: The present study was conducted to ascertain the outcomes of children with NPC at our center. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of case records of pediatric NPC patients treated at our hospital was performed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the outcomes of 37 consecutive patients <18 years of age with pediatric NPC treated between 2000 and 2015. Patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CTRT) with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or CTRT with cisplatin, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-FU. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method, and log rank test was used to compare variables. RESULTS: The median duration of follow-up was 36.6 months. The median age of the patients was 15 years, and 22/37 (59%) patients were male. The most common presenting complaint was neck mass (70%), followed by nasal bleeding (16%). The distribution of Stage I, II, III, and IV patients was 1/37 (3%), 2/37 (6%), 13/37 (35%), and 21/37 (57%), respectively. Distant metastasis at presentation was seen in 3/37 patients. Complete response was seen in 32/37 (86%) patients. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) for the entire cohort of patients was 60.1%. No significant difference in EFS was observed with age, gender, stage, use of 5-FU with CTRT, and nutritional status. CONCLUSION: Majority of patients with pediatric NPC present with advanced stage disease at our center. No difference in outcomes was seen with the two schedules of CTRT. Local control could be achieved in majority of patients; however, distant metastasis was the most common reason for relapse.

Mass Production of Carbon Nanofibers Using Microwave Technology.

Carbon nanotubes (CNFs) were produced by gas phase single stage microwave assisted chemical vapour deposition (MA-CVD) using ferrocene as a catalyst and acetylene (C2H2) and hydrogen (H2) as precursor gases. The effect of the process parameters such as microwave power, radiation time, and gas ratio of C2H2/H2 was investigated. The CNFs were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results reveal that the optimized conditions for CNF production were 1000 W reaction power, 35 min radiation time, and 0.8 gas ratio of C2H2/H2. TEM analyses revealed that the uniformly dispersed CNFs diameters ranging from 115-131 nm. The TGA analysis showed that the purity of CNF produced was 93%.

Phase II study of interim PET-CT-guided response-adapted therapy in advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Combination chemotherapy ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarabazine) cures ∼70% of patients with advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma (aHL, stages IIB, III and IV) while more toxic escalated BEACOPP (EB, combination of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisolone) increases cure rates to 85%. Patients with a positive interim positron emission tomography-computerized tomography (PET-CT) scan after two cycles (PET-2) of ABVD have very poor outcomes with continued ABVD. Intensifying therapy with EB in PET-2-positive patients ('response-adapted therapy') may improve cure rates, whereas the negative patients can continue ABVD alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients with newly diagnosed aHL received two cycles of ABVD and underwent PET-2 (scored with semi-quantitative 5-point visual criteria, 'Deauville score'). PET-2-negative patients continued four additional cycles of ABVD, whereas PET-2-positive patients received four cycles of EB. A phase II sample size of 50 was estimated keeping the lower and higher proportion of rejection of the event-free survival (EFS) as 70% and 85%, respectively. RESULTS: Fifty patients [median age 28 (12-60) years; male : female: 39 : 11; stages: IIB-3 (6%), III-29 (58%) and IV-18 (36%); International Prognostic Score (IPS): 0-3: 34 (68%); 4-7: 16 (32%)] were enrolled; 49 underwent PET-2. Eight (16%) were PET-2-positive, whereas 41 (84%) were negative. Forty-seven were evaluable for EFS and all 50 for overall survival (OS). The 2-year EFS was 76% (95% CI: 68-83) and OS was 88% (95% CI: 82-94). PET-2 was strongly prognostic-2-year EFS, negative versus positive: 82% versus 50%; P = 0.013. CONCLUSION: PET-2 response-adapted strategy could not achieve EFS of 85% in aHL. However, escalated therapy improved outcomes in PET-2-positive patients compared with historical data. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2012/06/002741 (http://www.ctri.nic.in) and NCT01304849 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Nutritional profile of pediatric cancer patients at Cancer Institute, Chennai.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is widely prevalent in the pediatric population in India. There is paucity of data on the prevalence of malnutrition in pediatric cancer patients and the impact of cancer treatment on nutritional status of Indian children. AIMS: The study was conducted to look at the prevalence of malnutrition and assess the impact of treatment on nutritional status of pediatric cancer patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on the weight of pediatric cancer patients <16 years of age treated at Cancer Institute, Chennai, from January 2013 to May 2014 were analyzed at systematic time points in therapy. Patients' weight were plotted on the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) growth charts. Patients were defined to be undernourished if their weight for age was ≤3rd centile in CDC growth charts and obese if their weight for age was ≥97th centile on CDC growth charts. RESULTS: A total of 295 patient case records were analyzed. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the most common malignancy. At diagnosis, under-nutrition was seen in 44% patients, this increased to 46% midway during treatment (end of induction in acute leukemia and completion of 50% of planned treatment in solid tumors) and decreased to 27% at the end of treatment (beginning of maintenance in acute leukemia and completion of planned treatment in solid tumors) (P = 0.0005). There was no significant difference in nutritional status between patients with hematological malignancies and solid tumors (P = 0.8). CONCLUSION: Under-nutrition is present in close to half of the pediatric cancer patients presenting to our institute. Active nutritional intervention and education were able to significantly reduce the prevalence of under-nutrition in patients at the end of treatment.