Food grade zinc oxide bulk particle composite can replace the toxic zinc oxide nano composite towards the control of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria.

ZnO-Nanoparticle-Chitosan (ZnO-NP-CH) composite has potential biomedical and food applications due to its better antimicrobial activity. However, the presence of nano-metal-oxide in the composite makes the material unsuitable for any food applications. Moreover, the cost involved in the preparation of Zinc Oxide-Nano-Particle (ZnO-NP) is a major limitation for commercial food applications. Hence a suitable alternative for ZnO-NP is highly needed for food application. Since ZnO-Bulk Particles (ZnO-BP) are food grade and there is no study on the composite prepared from ZnO-Bulk Particle-Chitosan (ZnO-BP-CH), in the present study, antimicrobial activity was assessed for ZnO-BP-CH and compared with ZnO-NP-CH. Based on the study, it was observed that in the individual form of ZnO-NP possessed significantly higher antimicrobial activity than ZnO-BP. The composite form of ZnO-NP-CH and ZnO-BP-CH possessed higher antimicrobial activity than chitosan. However, no significant difference was observed between the composite forms. Hence, ZnO-BP-CH could be recommended as a suitable alternative to ZnO-NP-CH for future studies related to chitosan with ZnO composite to avoid costly nanomaterials preparation.

Effect of chitosan on shelf life of restructured fish products from pangasius (pangasianodon hypophthalmus) surimi during chilled storage.

In the present study, restructured products were prepared from pangasius surimi and their qualities were analysed under chilled storage. Pangasius surimi had 75.82 % moisture, 16.91 % protein, 2.76 % fat and 0.95 % ash. Restructured products were prepared in three different formulations by incorporating corn starch (10 %) and chitosan (0.75 %). Formulation containing only corn starch (10 %) was served as control. In all the formulations, mono unsaturated fatty acids were higher (45.14 %). The total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) showed an increasing trend and it was found to be higher in control (4.8 mg/100 g) on 10(th) day than the chitosan incorporated sample (3.5-4.2 mg/100 g) on 17(th) day during chill storage. Similarly, peroxide value (PV) was found to higher (8.85 milliequivalent of O2/kg) in control than the chitosan incorporated sample (4.5-6.8 milliequivalent of O2/kg) on 10(th) day. All the three formulations had an acceptable level of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value that ranged between 0.023-0.098 mg of malanoldehyde/kg during chilled storage. Based on the sensory and microbiological analysis, products prepared without chitosan had a shelf life of 10 day whereas, products incorporated with chitosan had an extended shelf life of 17 day.

Pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery. Surgical management of 3 cases.

Pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery is much less common than true aneurysm in this location. We report 3 cases of popliteal artery pseudoaneurysms, each of differing etiopathology, one presenting 3 months after trauma, one following aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation with suspected endocarditis, with no organism detected, and the 3rd of infective etiology. The clinical presentation and surgical management are discussed with a review of the literature.

Right ventricular myocardium in Fallot's tetralogy: a light microscopic, morphometric and ultrastructural study.

AIMS: To analyze peroperative biopsies of RV myocardium in Tetralogy of Fallot by light microscopy, morphometry and electron microscopy in order to determine the degree of hypertrophy and degenerative changes and to correlate these changes with clinical and haemodynamic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Right ventricular myocardium obtained peroperatively during surgical correction of Tetralogy of Fallot along with age-matched control samples were processed for routine light and electron microscopy using standard processing techniques. Mean cell diameter was analyzed using manual morphometric methods and ultrastructural study was carried out using a Philips transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The most consistent features of hypertrophy were the mitochondrial changes and increased nuclear convolutions. Majority of the patients had hypertrophy with mild to moderate degenerative changes. Severe degeneration was associated with irreversibility and was related to the severity and chronicity of the disease. There was a significant correlation of the morphological changes with clinical and haemodynamic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Peroperative histomorphometric and ultrastructural evaluation of the RV myocardium in Tetralogy of Fallot reflects the effect of haemodynamic stresses on the right ventricular muscle and correlates with clinical cardiac dysfunction. It may be a useful adjunct in determining the time for surgical intervention and in predicting clinical outcome.

False aneurysm following modified Blalock-Taussig shunt.

A 3 1/2-year-old female child presented with massive hemoptysis 5 months after a modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt for double-outlet right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis. Computerized tomographic scan and angiography showed a false aneurysm of the subclavian artery at the insertion of the shunt. Successful surgical management is discussed.

Surgical experience with congenital heart disease in Down's syndrome.

Children with Down's syndrome and congenital heart defects have multiple problems. The role of cardiac surgery in the management of these patients was investigated by reviewing the clinical data, hospital course and follow-up of 21 patients (9 males and 12 females, age range 1 month to 14 years) with Down's syndrome and congenital heart defects operated in our institute. Twelve (57%) of these were infants and nine (43%), older children. Five were in congestive cardiac failure, four were hypothyroid. The heart lesions ranked in incidence as follows: atrioventricular septal defect 7 (33.3%), tetralogy of Fallot 3 (14.3%), tetralogy of Fallot & atrioventricular septal defect both 2 (9.5%), double outlet right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis 1 (4.8%), patent ductus arteriosus 2 (9.5%), patent ductus arteriosus plus coarctation 1 (4.8%), ventricular septal defect 2 (9.5%), atrial septal defect plus ventricular septal defect 1 (4.8%), atrial septal defect plus patent ductus arteriosus plus right pulmonary artery stenosis 1 (4.8%) and transposition of great arteries with multiple ventricular septal defect 1 (4.8%). Four (19%) patients had palliative procedures while the rest (81%) underwent primary repair. All survived the operation. The post-operative period was complicated in 6 (28.5%), with respiratory infections in 3, pulmonary hypertensive crisis in 2 and complete heart block in 1. The early mortality was 0, while there were 2 (9.5%) late deaths. The number of hospitalisations was markedly reduced according to the parents. Follow-up showed near normal pulmonary artery pressure in 50 percent children with large shunts and a good developmental spurt was seen in 60 percent. From a purely surgical viewpoint, the prognosis for children with Down's syndrome and congenital heart disease is good.

Primary intracardiac yolk sac tumor.

A 2-year-old male child presented with fever, complete heart block, and congestive cardiac failure. Echocardiography showed a dumbbell-shaped mass in the right ventricle and right atrium. He was operated on with a provisional diagnosis of rhabdomyoma. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the resected tumor revealed a malignant germ cell tumor with predominant yolk sac differentiation.