Advanced process analytical tools for identification of adulterants in edible oils - A review.

This review summarizes the use of spectroscopic processes-based analytical tools coupled with chemometric techniques for the identification of adulterants in edible oil. Investigational approaches of process analytical tools such asspectroscopy techniques, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), hyperspectral imaging (HSI), e-tongue and e-nose combined with chemometrics were used to monitor quality of edible oils. Owing to the variety and intricacy of edible oil properties along with the alterations in attributes of the PAT tools, the reliability of the tool used and the operating factors are the crucial components which require attention to enhance the efficiency in identification of adulterants. The combination of process analytical tools with chemometrics offers a robust technique with immense chemotaxonomic potential. These involves identification of adulterants, quality control, geographical origin evaluation, process evaluation, and product categorization.

Evidence of altered DNA integrity in the brain regions of suicidal victims of Bipolar Depression.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity plays a significant role in cell function. There are limited studies with regard to the role of DNA damage in bipolar affective disorder (BP). In the present study, we have assessed DNA integrity, conformation, and stability in the brain region of bipolar depression (BD) patients (n=10) compared to age-matched controls (n=8). Genomic DNA was isolated from 10 postmortem BD patients' brain regions (frontal cortex, Pons, medulla, thalamus, cerebellum, hypothalamus, Parietal, temporal, occipital lobe, and hippocampus) and from the age-matched control subjects. DNA from the frontal cortex, pons, medulla, and thalamus showed significantly higher number of strand breaks in BD (P<0.01) compared to the age-matched controls. However, DNA from the hippocampus region was intact and did not show any strand breaks. The stability studies also indicated that the melting temperature and ethidium bromide binding pattern were altered in the DNA of BD patients' brain regions, except in the hippocampus. The conformation studies showed B-A or secondary B-DNA conformation (instead of the normal B-DNA) in BD patients' brain regions, with the exception of the hippocampus. The levels of redox metals such as Copper (Cu) and Iron (Fe) were significantly elevated in the brain regions of the sufferers of BD, while the Zinc (Zn) level was decreased. In the hippocampus, there was no change in the Fe or Cu levels, whereas, the Zn level was elevated. There was a clear correlation between Cu and Fe levels versus strand breaks in the brain regions of the BD. To date, as far as we are aware, this is a new comprehensive database on stability and conformations of DNA in different brain regions of patients affected with BD. The biological significance of these findings is discussed here.

New evidence on iron, copper accumulation and zinc depletion and its correlation with DNA integrity in aging human brain regions.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) conformation and stability play an important role in brain function. Earlier studies reported alterations in DNA integrity in the brain regions of neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. However, there are only limited studies on DNA stability in an aging brain and the factors responsible for genomic instability are still not clear. In this study, we assess the levels of Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) in three age groups (Group I: below 40 years), Group II: between 41-60 years) and Group III: above 61 years) in hippocampus and frontal cortex regions of normal brains. The number of samples in each group was eight. Genomic DNA was isolated and DNA integrity was studied by nick translation studies and presented as single and double strand breaks. The number of single strand breaks correspondingly increased with aging compared to double strand breaks. The strand breaks were more in frontal cortex compared to hippocampus. We observed that the levels of Cu and Fe are significantly elevated while Zn is significantly depleted as one progresses from Group I to Group III, indicating changes with aging in frontal cortex and hippocampus. But the elevation of metals was more in frontal cortical region compared to hippocampal region. There was a clear correlation between Cu and Fe levels versus strand breaks in aging brain regions. This indicates that genomic instability is progressive with aging and this will alter the gene expressions. To our knowledge, this is a new comprehensive database to date, looking at the levels of redox metals and corresponding strand breaks in DNA in two brain regions of the aging brain. The biological significance of these findings with relevance to mental health will be discussed.

Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: primary prevention is the cost effective option.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the economic output/input ratios for the various options of prevention of rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease (RF/RHD) and check the viability of primary prevention vis-à-vis secondary and tertiary preventions. METHODS: Cost accounting of the various prevention options was calculated for each variable as available in literature. Actual data as obtainable for the financial year ending March 2006 were computed for the Pondicherry population. Both direct and indirect costs (including community/social costs) were worked out using mostly primary data and wherever necessary, secondary data. Certain scientific assumptions were used where exact data was not available. RESULTS: Primary prevention is the definite viable economic option (1:1.56) compared to secondary (1: 1.07) and tertiary (1: 0.12) preventions. In fact, the current stress on only secondary and tertiary preventions is found to be economically unviable. CONCLUSION: It is postulated that primary prevention as a practical policy in tackling RF and RHD can be recommended.

Studies on genomic DNA topology and stability in brain regions of Parkinson's disease.

DNA damage has been postulated as a mechanism of neuronal death in Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study, genomic DNA was isolated from eight brain regions (frontal, temporal, and occipital cortex, hippocampus, caudate/putamen, thalamus, cerebellum, and midbrain) from five neuropathologically confirmed cases of Parkinson's disease and six control brains and analyzed for the presence of single and double strand breaks, melting temperature, EtBr intercalation, DNAse digestion pattern, and DNA conformations. The results showed that DNA from midbrain in PD accumulated significantly higher number of strand breaks than age-matched controls. Caudate nucleus/putamen, thalamus, and hippocampus also showed more DNA fragmentation compared to control brains. Circular dichroism studies showed that DNA conformation was altered with imprecise base stacking in midbrain, caudate nucleus/putamen, thalamus, and hippocampus in PD. However, DNA from frontal, temporal, and occipital cortex, and cerebellum was not affected significantly in PD group as compared to controls. This study provides a comprehensive database on stability, damage, and conformations of DNA in different regions in brains of PD patients.

Analysis of age dependent changes of Topoisomerase II alpha and beta in rat brain.

Eukaryotic Topoisomerase II (Topo II) is present in two isoforms alpha and beta. The alpha isoform is predominantly localized in proliferative tissue, while beta isoform is present in all tissues. In the present study we report the activity and protein levels of Topoisomerase II alpha and beta in rat brains of different age groups viz.: E11 (Embryo day 11), E18 (Embryo day 18), post-natal day 1, young (<10 days), adult (<6 months) and old (>2 years). Topoisomerase II beta isoform is found to be the predominant form in brain tissue but Topoisomerase II alpha is found in embryos up to post-natal day 1. The studies to examine the regional distribution of Topoisomerase II beta in brain showed highest activity in cerebellar region and that too only neuronal cell fraction. There was a significant age-dependent decline in this activity. Hence, Topoisomerase II beta may have some unknown function in cerebellum and the low levels of Topoisomerase II beta activity in ageing cerebellum may contribute to the genomic instability in cerebellar region of ageing brain.

A novel route for the synthesis of piperazine from N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine over composite photocatalysts.

Semiconductor loaded zeolite composite catalysts (5 wt% TiO2/Hbeta) have been used to photocatalytically synthesize piperazine from N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine with yields up to 59.0 mol%.

Photocatalytic transformation of dyes and by-products in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

The efficiency of the photocatalytic degradation of dyes and dyeing industry pollutants on immobilized photocatalysts can be improved by addition of hydrogen peroxide, due to its photocatalytic decomposition on TiO2. Experiments were carried out with two azodyes, Acid Orange-7 (AO-7) and Tartrazine (Tart), with 3-nitrobenzenesulfonic add (3-NBSA) which is a chemical intermediate in the dye industry and with real industrial wastewaters, using a thin-film fixed bed reactor. The effect of hydrogen peroxide is only significant for concentrations higher than 5 x 10(-3) M (170 mg l(-1)).

Chitra heart valve: results of a multicenter clinical study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The Chitra tilting disc valve was developed in India to meet the need for a low-cost cardiac valve. The valve has an integrally machined cobalt-based alloy cage, an ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene disc, and a polyester suture ring. An important feature of this valve is its soft closing sound, by virtue of a plastic occluder. METHODS: Between December 1990 and January 1995, 306 patients underwent isolated aortic (AVR, n = 101) or mitral valve replacement (MVR, n = 205) at six institutions in India. The early mortality rate was 6.9% (seven after AVR; 14 after MVR). A total of 285 survivors was followed up until September 1998; total follow up was 1212 patient-years (pt-yr) (AVR, 445 pt-yr; MVR, 767 pt-yr). RESULTS: There were 52 late deaths (4.3%/pt-yr; AVR 2.2%/pt-yr; MVR 5.5%/pt-yr). Thirty-five deaths were valve-related (23 were due to unknown causes). One AVR patient (0.2%/pt-yr) and 12 MVR patients (1.6%/pt-yr) developed valve thrombosis, and embolic episodes occurred in 25 patients (seven after AVR, 1.6%/pt-yr; 18 after MVR, 2.4%/pt-yr). Bleeding events and infectious endocarditis occurred infrequently (AVR 0.9 and 0.7%/pt-yr; MVR 0.4 and 0.5%/pt-yr, respectively). There was no incidence of paravalvular leak or structural dysfunction of the valve. Actuarial survival rates at seven years were 82.4+/-4.0% for AVR and 65.2+/-5.0% for MVR. During the same interval, thrombus-free and embolism-free survival after AVR and MVR occurred in 98.9+/-1.1% and 94.1+/-1.9%, and 92.3+/-2.8% and 82.1+/-5.7% of patients, respectively. Freedom from all valve-related mortality and morbidity at seven years was 81.5+/-4.1% after AVR, and 64.2+/-5.1% after MVR. CONCLUSION: The Chitra valve appears to be safe and to have performance comparable with that of other currently used tilting disc valves. This valve costs substantially less than other valves, and is therefore within reach of a larger subset of Indian patients.

Island pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for pharyngo-oesophageal strictures prior to oesphagocoloplasty.

Pharyngo-oesophageal strictures are not uncommon in corrosive injuries either alone or in association with dense strictures further down the oesophagus. Strictures at the pharyngo-oesophageal junction require preliminary correction prior to oesophageal bypass since surgical bypass to the pharynx above the cricopharyngeal junction is associated with risk of aspiration. A one stage island pectoralis major myocutaneous flap has been used in four patients who had a non-dilatable dense cricopharyngeal stricture leading to a segment of near normal oesophagus followed by dense stricturing of the thoracic oesophagus. This procedure was followed by oesphagocolic bypass at a second stage from the cervical oesophagus to the stomach. The preliminary pectoralis major flap correction avoids problems such as aspiration or choking associated with pharyngo-colic anastomosis for oesophageal bypass. All four patients had uncomplicated healing. Post-operative endoscopy showed easy passage through the cricopharynx with a dilated cervical oesophagus partly lined by skin. Normal swallowing was restored by a second stage oesphago-colic bypass 6 weeks after the pectoralis major flap repair in two patients while the other two are awaiting the second stage. Island pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is simple, has a dependable vascularity and offers one stage correction for isolated cricopharyngeal corrosive stricture. It can also be used prior to oesophagocolic bypass in patients who have further strictures in the thoracic oesophagus.

External beam radiotherapy and intraluminal brachytherapy in advanced inoperable esophageal cancer: JIPMER experience.

From January 1994 to September 1998, all inoperable cases of cancer of the esophagus at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India were given external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) 36 Gy/18 times by anteroposterior pair. After EBRT, those patients who could be intubated with 16 F Levine's tube either directly or after endoscopic dilatation were given intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) 36 Gy in 48 hours at 1 cm. Others were treated by EBRT by posterior oblique fields 24 Gy/12 times. Fifty-eight patients who received EBRT and ILBT formed the study group. Fifty percent had middle one third growth and except for three, all were squamous cell carcinoma (95%). Fifty-nine percent required postradiation endoscopic dilatation. The overall survival rate was 24% at the end of 1 year. In one patient, tracheoesophageal fistula developed 4 months after treatment. Mild-to-moderate acute esophagitis developed in 10% of the patients, and 2% had slight hemoptysis, but these were not significant enough to interrupt treatment. There was no treatment-related mortality. Thirty-four patients (59%) were followed up for 6 months to 5 years (mean, 9.6 months). Three patients had follow-up of more than 3 years with no evidence of disease. EBRT with ILBT, with intermittent esophageal dilatations as required, offers very good palliation in advanced inoperable cancer of the esophagus.

Fidelity of DNA polymerase-beta in neurons from young and very aged mice.

Neurons do not divide during adult life and thus they provide a unique system to study the effects of age-accumulated damage to DNA in the absence of DNA replication. We have analyzed DNA polymerase activity in neurons isolated from young adult and very aged mice. The predominant catalytic activity is DNA polymerase-beta and it is present in similar amounts in neurons from young and old mice. This polymerase is highly error-prone in copying phi X174 DNA, the error frequency being about 1/7,000 and not significantly different when obtained from young and old animals. This high infidelity is considered with respect to DNA repair and the protein synthesis error catastrophe theory of aging.

Increased DNA polymerase beta-activity in different regions of aging rat brain.

The DNA polymerase activity in white matter, grey matter, and cerebellar regions of developing and aging rat brains was studied. The enzyme exhibited its highest activity during the early developmental stages with a decline to a low adult value by 225 days of age. However, the activity once again increased between 225 and 540 days, thus showing a second peak in the latter part of the life span. Studies with specific inhibitors like Aphidicolin and 2',3' dideoxy thymidine-5' triphosphate on the enzyme activity have revealed that this rise in the DNA polymerase activity in various regions studied was mainly due to an increase in the polymerase beta type. These results may explain the enhanced DNA content in aging rat brain observed earlier in this laboratory.

Age-dependent conformational changes in acid deoxyribonuclease of chick brain.

Acid deoxyribonuclease (EC 3.1.4.6) (DNase) from young (16 days of incubation) and old (1.5 years) chick cerebral hemispheres was purified to apparent homogeneity. Throughout the purification schedule, the behavior of "young" and "old" enzymes was similar. However, the specific activity of the purified enzyme from old brain was only one-tenth that of young enzyme. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified acid DNase gave a single band. Antisera against both "young" and "old" enzyme were raised and double immunodiffusion experiments revealed cross-reaction of young antigen with old antiserum and vice versa, although precipitin bands with young antigen against young antiserum and old antigen against old antiserum were more sharp. Both young and old acid DNase preparations showed an apparent molecular weight of 62,000 and many other properties like heat stability, effect of various exogenous compounds like Hg2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, etc., were also similar. The old enzyme showed slightly higher Km and decreased Vmax compared with the young enzyme. Dansylation of N-terminal amino acids and their analysis following tryptic digestion of both "young" and "old" acid DNase revealed a similar pattern. Immunotitration experiments showed that the old enzyme requires more antiserum prepared against "young" enzyme to achieve 50% inactivation, thus pointing out the presence of completely or partially inactive molecules in "old" acid DNase preparation. Circular dichroism spectra of the enzyme preparations indicated that the "old" acid DNase molecules are more rigid and have more alpha-helical structure, compared with the "young" enzyme. From these data, it is suggested that the reduction in the specific activity of old acid DNase may be, apart from other possibilities, due to conformational changes in the enzyme molecules.

Differential effects of early undernutrition in white and grey matter regions of rat brain.

The effect of early postnatal undernutrition and subsequent rehabilitation on wet weight, DNA, RNA, protein, and the activities of acid and alkaline DNases in white and grey matter region of rat brain was studied. In respect to the various parameters studied, white matter was found to be markedly vulnerable to undernutrition, but the grey matter region was unaffected. It has also been observed that the earlier the initiation of nutritional rehabilitation (10th postnatal day) the better was the recovery of the white matter to a normal condition, and in some cases early nutritional rehabilitation resulted in better than normal biochemical composition of the region. The specific activity of acid DNase was unaffected by weaning undernutrition in both white and grey matter. The total activity of this enzyme, which was significantly reduced in white matter of undernourished animals, exhibited a remarkable recovery following rehabilitation, to more than normal levels at 150 days of age. Total activity of alkaline DNase was reduced only in 15-day-old white matter of deprived animals, and here also rehabilitation brought back this enzyme to significantly more than normal levels. It is concluded that the two DNases, whatever their actual physiological role might be, are synthesized in a preferential manner during the rehabilitation.