Effect of dehydration and pulsed light treatment on decontamination of minced onions: Microbial safety and physicochemical properties.

Microbial contamination of dehydrated onion products is a challenge to the industry. The study focused on opting for a suitable drying condition for minced onion and exploring the decontamination efficacy of pulsed light (PL) treatment conditions for the dehydrated product. The minced onions were hot air dried at 55-75°C for 280 min. The drying condition selected was 195 min at 75°C with a final water activity of 0.5 and moisture content of 7% (wet basis [w.b.]). The weight losses, browning indexes (BI), shrinkage volumes (%), and thiosulfinate content were considered. The dehydrated product was exposed to PL treatment corresponding to an effective fluence range of 0.007-0.731 J/cm2. A fluence of 0.444 J/cm2 (1.8 kV for 150 s) achieved 5.00, 3.14, 2.96, and 2.98 log reduction in total plate count, yeast and mold count, Bacillus cereus 10876, and Escherichia coli ATCC 43888, respectively. The PL-treated sample (0.444 J/cm2) produced a microbially safe product with no significant difference in the moisture contents (%w.b.) and water activity (aw) from the untreated dehydrated sample. Further, a 30.9% increase in the BI and a 4.25% depletion in thiosulfinate content were observed after PL treatment. An optimum drying combination (75°C for 195 min) of minced onion followed by decontamination using pulsed light treatment at 0.444 J/cm2 fluence satisfies the microbial safety and quality. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Dehydrated minced onion can be used for dishes requiring low water content and short cooking time. It is helpful during shortages, high price fluctuations, and famines.

Alkaliphiles for comprehensive utilization of red mud (bauxite residue)-an alkaline waste from the alumina refinery.

The mining industry has powered the human endeavor to make life more innovative, flexible, and comfortable. However, it has also led to concerns due to the increasing amount of mining and associated industrial waste. Special attention is highly desired for its proper management and safe disposal in the environment. The problem has only augmented with the increase in the mining costs because of the investments needed for ecological remediation after the mining operation. It is pertinent that the targeted technologies need to be developed to utilize mining and associated industrial waste as a secondary resource to ensure sustainable mining operations. Every perceived waste is a valuable resource that is needed to be utilized to create additional value. In this review, the case of alkaline bauxite residue (red mud)-alumina refinery waste has been discussed at length. The highlight of the proposed work is to understand the importance of alkaliphile-assisted biomining-a sustainable alternative to conventional metal recovery processes. Along with the recovery of metals, pH reduction of red mud is possible through biomining, which ultimately paves the way for its complete utilization. The unique adaptation strategies of alkaliphiles make them more suitable for biomining of red mud through bioleaching, biosorption, and bioaccumulation, which have been discussed here. Furthermore, we have focused on the potential of the indigenous microflora of red mud for metal recovery in addition to its neutralization. The study of indigenous alkaliphiles from red mud, including its isolation and propagation, is crucial for the industrial-scale application of alkaliphile-based technology and has been emphasized.

Vacuum-Processed Metal Halide Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes: Prospects and Challenges.

In less than a decade, organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have shown tremendous progress in the field of light-emitting applications. Perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have reached external quantum efficiencies (EQE) exceeding 20 % and they have been recognized as a potential contender of the commercial display technologies. However, perovskite thin films in PeLEDs are generally deposited via a spin-coating process, which is not favourable for large area device fabrication. Despite the great success of solution-processed PeLEDs, very few articles have been reported on vacuum processed PeLEDs and the improvements in their optoelctronic performances are also progressing slowly. On the other hand, vacuum processing techniques are mostly used in organic LED technology as they can guarantee (i) the absence of solvent during thin-film growth, (ii) process scalability over large area substrates, and (iii) precise thin-film thickness control. This thin-film growth process is suitable for application in the advancement of a large variety of display technologies. In this Review, we present an overview of current research advances in the field of perovskite thin films grown via vacuum techniques, a study of their photophysical properties, and integration in PeLEDs for the generation of different colors. We also highlight the current challenges and future prospects for the further development of vacuum processed PeLEDs.

Effects of different pretreatments and proteases on recovery, umami taste compound contents and antioxidant potentials of Labeo rohita head protein hydrolysates.

Effects of the pretreatments namely heating, microwave (MW), and ultrasound (US), followed by the enzymatic hydrolysis using different proteases (flavourzyme, neutrase, and protamex) on the protein recovery, umami taste compound content, and antioxidant activities of the Labeo rohita head (LRH) protein hydrolysate was investigated. US and MW pretreatments increased the protein recovery, MSG-like amino acid and flavour 5'-nucleotide contents, equivalent umami concentration (EUC) and antioxidant activities of LRH protein hydrolysates significantly (p < 0.05). The type of enzyme influenced the protein recovery and EUC significantly but did not influence the flavour 5'-nucleotide content of LRH protein hydrolysate (p > 0.05). The highest recovery yield of LRH protein hydrolysate (69.75%) was obtained with the MW pretreatment followed by the protamex hydrolysis, while the highest EUC (41.82 g monosodium glutamate (MSG)/kg) was yielded with the combination of the US pretreatment and the flavourzyme hydrolysis. These results indicate that US and MW pretreatments can help to enhance the recovery yield, umami taste compound content and antioxidant activities of the LRH protein hydrolysate.

Patient safety at a public hospital in southern India: A hospital administration perspective using a mixed methods approach.

Background: Patient safety cannot be considered in isolation when organizational factors, both active and latent, influence patient outcomes. Methods: We did a cross-sectional mixed methods study using a convergent parallel design at a tertiary care public sector hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana (i) to qualitatively investigate the nature and determinants of patient safety incidents occurring in the hospital; (ii) to quantify the perception of hospital staff regarding factors affecting patient safety from an organizational perspective; and (iii) to triangulate the results to highlight areas in need of improvement. Results: The most common factors affecting patient safety were situational factors, working conditions and latent organizational factors including communication systems. Despite the relatively poor knowledge of paramedical staff regarding patient safety incidents, they perceived innovation and flexibility, outward focus, reflexivity, quality, pressure to produce, performance feedback and effort to be significantly higher compared to the heads of departments and clinical faculty. The strength of the dimensions: integration, involvement, training, welfare, supervisory support in the hospital was weak as perceived by all categories of staff. Conclusion: There is a need to build team work, improve trust and communication between various departments, invest more in training, and provide supervisory support along with structural and process improvements in issues such as drug procurement and developing patient-friendly physical environment.

Smartly Engineered PEGylated Di-Block Nanopolymeric Micelles: Duo Delivery of Isoniazid and Rifampicin Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

In an attempt to deliver multiple drugs through a nanoparticulate platform, the present study was designed to deliver isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP) together through conjugation/encapsulation approaches using PEG-PLA (polyethylene glycol-poly-L-lactic acid) polymeric micelles. The objective of this study is to identify the preparation and evaluation of PEGylated polymeric micelles with dual drug delivery of INH and RMP for the effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Synthesized PEG-PLA di-block-copolymer was further conjugated to INH-forming PEG-PLA-INH (PPI) conjugate. Separately, these conjugates were loaded with RMP building the rifampicin-loaded PEG-PLA-INH polymeric micelles (PMC). The critical micelle concentration (CMC) for the PEG-PLA copolymer was found to be 8.9 ± 0.96 mg/L, and the size and zeta potential were observed to be 187.9 ± 2.68 nm and - 8.15 ± 1.24 mV (0.251 ± 0.042 pdi), respectively. Percent drug loading of PMC was 16.66 ± 1.52 and 23.07 ± 1.05 with entrapment efficiency of 72.30 ± 3.49 and 78.60 ± 2.67% for RMP and INH, respectively. RBC hemolysis capacity of PMC was significantly less than pure RMP and INH. Microplate Alamar blue assay (MABA) along with microscopy showed that the nanoconstructed PMC were more effective than the drugs, and approximately 8-fold reduction in overall minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was observed. The prepared duo drug-loaded nano-engineered polymeric micelles were highly effective against sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and found to be less hemolytic in nature. The micelles could be further explored (in the future) for in vivo anti-TB studies to establish further to achieve better treatment for TB.

Impact of ovarian transposition before pelvic irradiation on ovarian function among long-term survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma: A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: We reviewed the effect of ovarian transposition (OT) on ovarian function among long-term survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treated with pelvic radiotherapy. PROCEDURE: Female participants (age 18+ years) with HL in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE) were clinically evaluated for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) 10 or more years after pelvic radiotherapy. Reproductive history including age at menopause and pregnancy/live births was available on all patients. RESULTS: Of 127 eligible females with HL, 90 (80%) participated in SJLIFE, including 49 who underwent OT before pelvic radiotherapy. Median age at STLIFE evaluation was 38 years (range 25-60). In a multiple regression adjusted for age at diagnosis, pelvic radiotherapy doses > 1,500 cGy (hazard ratio [HR] = 25.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.1-207.3; P = 0.0027) and cumulative cyclophosphamide equivalent doses of alkylating agents > 12,000 mg/m2 (HR = 11.2, 95% CI = 3.4-36.8; P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with POI. There was no significant association between OT and occurrence of POI (HR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.2-1.9; P = 0.41). CONCLUSIONS: OT did not appear to modify risk of POI in this historic cohort of long-term survivors of HL treated with gonadotoxic therapy. Modern fertility preservation modalities, such as mature oocyte cryopreservation, should be offered to at-risk patients whenever feasible.

Turbo-extraction of glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana using a fractional factorial design

ABSTRACT Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni, Asteraceae, leaf extract has recently called the attention of food industry as a proposal for natural sweetener. The sweet flavor is attributed to the glycosides, in especial stevioside and rebaudioside A, which are the plant main chemical markers. The aim of the work reported here was to optimize the turbo-extraction of stevia leaves using water, ethanol 70% and 90% (w/w) as green solvents. A 25-2 factorial design was applied to study the linear effects of the drug size, solvent to drug ratio, temperature, time and also the turbolysis speed on the extraction of glycosides. The glycosides exhaustive extraction showed that ethanol 70% gave better results and was used for turbo-extraction. The stevioside and rebaudioside A contents were quantified by a validated method by high performance liquid chromatographic with photodiode array detector. The contents of stevioside and rebaudioside A in fluid extract increased with the drug size, but decreased at high shearing speeds and solvent to drug ratio, while their yields decreased at higher temperature and were not affected by turbo speed. An increase in solvent to drug ratio reduced significantly the glycosides percent in dried extract. Optimal solution for S. rebaudiana leaves turbo-extraction was determined by desirability functions. The optimal extraction condition corresponded to drug size of 780 µm, solvent to drug ratio of 10, extraction time of 18 min; temperature of 23 ºC and turbo speed of 20,000 rpm, resulting in yields of 4.98% and 2.70%, for stevioside and rebaudioside A, respectively. These yields are comparable to the ones recently published for dynamic maceration, but with the advantage of shorter extraction times. This work demonstrates that turbolysis is promising for S. rebaudiana glycosides extraction and stimulate new research on the purification of these extracts, which may become an interesting source of income for developing countries such as India and Brazil.

Associations between treatment, scoliosis, pulmonary function, and physical performance in long-term survivors of sarcoma.

PURPOSE: Longer survival for children with sarcoma has led to the recognition of chronic health conditions related to prior therapy. We sought to study the association of sarcoma therapy with the development of scoliosis. METHODS: We reviewed patient demographics, treatment exposures, and functional outcomes for patients surviving >10 years after treatment for sarcoma between 1964 and 2002 at our institution. The diagnosis of scoliosis was determined by imaging. Functional performance and standardized questionnaires were completed in a long-term follow-up clinic. RESULTS: We identified 367 patients, with median age at follow-up of 33.1 years. Scoliosis was identified in 100 (27.2%) patients. Chest radiation (relative risk (RR), 1.88 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.21-2.92), p < 0.005) and rib resection (RR, 2.64 (CI, 1.79-3.89), p < 0.0001) were associated with an increased incidence of scoliosis; thoracotomy without rib resection was not. Of 21 patients who underwent rib resection, 16 (80.8%) had the apex of scoliosis towards the surgical side. Scoliosis was associated with worse pulmonary function (RR, 1.74 (CI, 1.14-2.66), p < 0.01) and self-reported health outcomes, including functional impairment (RR, 1.60 (CI, 1.07-2.38), p < 0.05) and cancer-related pain (RR, 1.55 (CI, 1.11-2.16), p < 0.01). Interestingly, pulmonary function was not associated with performance on the 6-min walk test in this young population. CONCLUSIONS: Children with sarcoma are at risk of developing scoliosis when treatment regimens include chest radiation or rib resection. Identification of these risk factors may allow for early intervention designed to prevent adverse long-term outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Cancer survivors at risk of developing scoliosis may benefit from monitoring of pulmonary status and early physical therapy.

Conjugated and Entrapped HPMA-PLA Nano-Polymeric Micelles Based Dual Delivery of First Line Anti TB Drugs: Improved and Safe Drug Delivery against Sensitive and Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.

PURPOSE: First line antiTB drugs have several physical and toxic manifestations which limit their applications. RIF is a hydrophobic drug and has low water solubility and INH is hepatotoxic. The main objective of the study was to synthesize, characterize HPMA-PLA co-polymeric micelles for the effective dual delivery of INH and RIF. METHODS: HPMA-PLA co-polymer and HPMA-PLA-INH (HPI) conjugates were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Later on RIF loaded HPMA-PLA-INH co-polymeric micelles (PMRI) were formulated and characterized for size, zeta potential and surface morphology (SEM, TEM) as well as critical micellar concentration. The safety was assessed through RBC's interaction study. The prepared PMRI were evaluated through MABA assay against sensitive and resistant strains of M. Tuberculosis. RESULTS: Size, zeta and entrapment efficiency for RIF loaded HPMA-PLA-INH polymeric micelles (PMRI) was 87.64 ± 1.98 nm, -19 ± 1.93 mV and 97.2 ± 1.56%, respectively. In vitro release followed controlled and sustained delivery pattern. Sustained release was also supported by release kinetics. Haemolytic toxicity of HPI and PMRI was 8.57 and 7.05% (p < 0.01, INH Vs PMRI; p < 0.0001, RIF Vs PMRI), respectively. MABA assay (cytotoxicity) based MIC values of PMRI formulation was observed as ≥0.0625 and ≥0.50 µg/mL (for sensitive and resistant strain). The microscopic analysis further confirmed that the delivery approach was effective than pure drugs. CONCLUSIONS: RIF loaded and INH conjugated HPMA-PLA polymeric micelles (PMRI) were more effective against sensitive and resistant M tuberculosis. The developed approach can lead to improved patient compliance and reduced dosing in future, offering improved treatment of tuberculosis.

A phase II trial evaluating the feasibility of adding bevacizumab to standard osteosarcoma therapy.

Increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in osteosarcoma correlates with a poor outcome. We conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of combining bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against VEGF, with methotrexate, doxorubicin and cisplatin (MAP) in patients with localized osteosarcoma. Eligible patients received two courses of MAP chemotherapy before definitive surgery at week 10. Bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) was administered 3 days before starting chemotherapy then on day 1 of weeks 3 and 5 of chemotherapy. After surgery, patients received MAP for a total of 29 weeks; bevacizumab was added every 2 or 3 weeks on day 1 of chemotherapy at least 5 weeks after surgery. Group sequential monitoring rules were used to monitor for unacceptable bevacizumab-related targeted toxicity (grade 4 hypertension, proteinuria or bleeding, grade 3 or 4 thrombosis/embolism, and grade 2-4 major wound complications). Thirty-one patients (median age 12.8 years) with localized osteosarcoma were enrolled. No unacceptable targeted toxicities were observed except for wound complications (9 minor and 6 major), which occurred in 15 patients; none required removal of prosthetic hardware or amputation. The estimated 4-year event-free survival (EFS) rate and overall survival rate were 57.5 ± 10.0% and 83.4 ± 7.8%, respectively. Eight (28%) of 29 evaluable patients had good histologic response (<5% viable tumor) to preoperative chemotherapy. The addition of bevacizumab to MAP for localized osteosarcoma is feasible but frequent wound complications are encountered. The observed histologic response and EFS do not support further evaluation of bevacizumab in osteosarcoma.

Prospective study of neuropathic pain after definitive surgery for extremity osteosarcoma in a pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain (NP) after definitive surgery for extremity osteosarcoma (OS) has not been previously characterized. This study prospectively investigates the incidence, duration, and treatment of NP in limb sparing surgery and amputation groups. PROCEDURE: In patients treated for OS on a chemotherapy and definitive surgery (limb sparing vs. amputation) protocol (OS08), we prospectively collected the following data: (i) demographical data (age, sex, race); (ii) NP time of onset and duration; and (iii) dose (starting, maximum) and duration of gabapentin, amitriptyline, and methadone treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients underwent 38 definitive surgeries: limb sparing (26, 68.4%) or amputations (12, 31.6%). Localization included lower extremity (30, 81%), upper extremity (6, 16%), or pelvis (1, 3%). Thirty patients (81%) developed NP and 26 of them required NP-specific medications (87.7%). The mean [standard deviation (SD)] duration of NP was 6.5 weeks (7.2) (median 4.4, range 0.3-29.9). All 26 patients (27 surgeries) treated with NP medications received gabapentin, either as single therapy (65.4%) (17 patients, 18 surgeries), dual therapy with gabapentin and amitriptyline (five patients), or triple therapy with gabapentin, amitriptyline, and methadone (four patients). The mean starting (maximum) doses of gabapentin, amitriptyline, and methadone (mg/kg/day) were 20.2 (43.8), 0.5 (0.7), and 0.3 (0.3), respectively. The incidence and duration of NP, duration of treatment, and NP-specific dose regimens were similar in the limb sparing and the amputation groups. CONCLUSIONS: NP after definitive surgery for OS is frequently encountered, can persist for a significant time, and NP outcomes are similar in limb sparing and amputation groups.

Pulmonary Function after Treatment for Childhood Cancer. A Report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE).

RATIONALE: The relationship between treatment-related impairment of pulmonary function in adult survivors of childhood cancer and subsequent physical function has not been studied. OBJECTIVES: In this prospective evaluation of 606 adult survivors of childhood cancer, we sought to determine the risk factors for, as well as the functional impact of, clinically ascertained pulmonary function impairment. METHODS: We measured FEV1, FVC, total lung capacity (TLC), and single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide corrected for hemoglobin (DlCOcorr), expressing the results as percent predicted and lower limit of normal (LLN) values, and we also assessed functional exercise capacity (6-minute-walk distance). Lung radiation exposure was expressed as the estimated percentage of lung tissue that received at least 10 Gy (V10). Associations of clinical and treatment factors with pulmonary function measures were assessed using log-binomial regression to calculate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The participants' median age at evaluation was 34.2 years, and the median elapsed time from diagnosis was 21.9 years. Among the sample population, 50.7% had an FEV1 percent predicted less than 80%, 47.2% had an FVC percent predicted less than 80%, 31.2% had a TLC percent predicted less than 75%, and 44.6% had DlCOcorr percent predicted less than 75%. Also, 49.0% had FEV1 less than the LLN on the basis of the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) criteria, and 45.4% had FVC less than LLN. Obstructive lung defects (FEV1/FVC, <0.7) were found in 0.8%, but none had obstructive lung defects on the basis of the GLI criterion of FEV1/FVC less than the LLN. Restrictive lung defects (TLC, <75%) were found in 31.2% of participants. V10 and elapsed time since diagnosis were associated with abnormal FEV1 and FVC based on the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03 criteria, and with abnormal FEV1 using the GLI criterion. Age at diagnosis was an additional risk factor for abnormal FVC based on the GLI criteria. Age at diagnosis and V10 were associated with abnormal TLC. Increased body mass index, V10, and elapsed time since diagnosis were risk factors for abnormal DlCOcorr. Abnormal pulmonary function tests were associated with decreased 6-minute walk distance. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired pulmonary function in adult survivors of childhood cancer is associated with decreased physical function. These patients may benefit from interventions designed to preserve and/or improve pulmonary function.

Gastrostomy Complications in Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Single-Institution Review.

BACKGROUND: Complications in pediatric cancer patients after a gastrostomy (GT) placement have not been widely investigated. We aimed to evaluate the complication rate and nature of complications in this specific population. PROCEDURE: Medical records of pediatric cancer patients having a GT placed at our institution from 1998 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Variables analyzed included gender, age, diagnosis, surgical procedure, GT device, duration of GT usage, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) level at surgery, and complications. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-one patients (92 males, 79 females), median age of 6 years (range, 0.2-21), who underwent 181 procedures (110 open, 59 endoscopic, and 12 laparoscopic) were identified. Diagnosis included central nervous system tumor (n = 101), solid tumor (n = 45), and leukemia/lymphoma (n = 25). A GT tube was used in 139 procedures and a GT button in 42. Median ANC level at procedure was 3,300/mm(3) (range, 0-38,988). Median duration of GT usage was 8 months (range, 0.2-142). One hundred seventy-seven complications occurred in 106 patients (61.9%) and were categorized as perioperative (<1 month after surgery, 20.3%) and late (>1 month after surgery, 79.7%). Major complications included 42 (23.7%) GT site infections and four (2.2%) intrabdominal complications. The most common minor complication was granulation tissue (28.8%). Younger age at procedure was associated with complications (P = 0.048) and an open technique was associated with GT site infection (P = 0.003). No statistical significance was observed between complications and gender, diagnosis, GT device, duration of GT usage, and ANC at procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Younger patients were more likely to have complications, and GT site infections were more common after open GT procedures.

Initial diagnostic management of pediatric bone tumors.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma (OS) and the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) are the most common primary pediatric bone malignancies. We sought to assess the diagnostic accuracy of initial tumor biopsies in patients with OS or ESFT at a pediatric cancer center. METHODS: All biopsies performed at initial presentation of patients with OS or ESFT at our institution from 2003 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnostic accuracy and incidence of complications were correlated with study variables using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: One hundred forty-two biopsies were performed in 105 patients (median age 13.4years, range: 1.8-23.0), 104 (73.2%) OS and 38 (27.8%) ESFT. Thirty-one (21.8%) were performed on metastatic sites. Eighty-five (76.6%) of 111 primary site biopsies were open procedures, and 26 were percutaneous (23.4%). Primary site biopsies were successful in 94.1% of open and 73.1% of percutaneous procedures. Odds of obtaining a successful diagnostic specimen were 7.8 times higher with open approach (CI: 1.6-36.8). Metastatic site biopsies were successful in 66.7% of percutaneous and 100% of open and thoracoscopic procedures. CONCLUSION: Biopsy of metastatic sites was equal to primary site in obtaining diagnostic material with the added benefit of accurate staging, with few adverse events and high diagnostic yield.

Chemical and microbial properties of shidal, a traditional fermented fish of Northeast India.

Like Southeast Asian countries fermented fish is a well known strategy of food preservation in the Northeast region of India. Shidals are mostly preferred salt-free fermented fish product amongst all. Chemical and microbial composition, antioxidative potential, fatty acid profile and proteins profile in gel electrophoresis of shidals were studied. pH and total titratable acidity (TTA) have been found as 5.86 ± 0.11, 0.115 ± 0.01 and 6.62 ± 0.07, 0.092 ± 0.01 in punti and phasa shidal respectively. DPPH (·) radical scavenging activity of punti and phasa shidal was determined as 80.15 ± 5.67 and 68.30 ± 3.22 respectively. Presence of eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, arachidonic, linolenic and linoleic acid indicate the nutritional significance of shidal. However, the result showed that punti shidal was rich in omega-3 but poor in omega-6 fatty acid, whereas, reverse was observed in respect of phasa shidal. Poly acrylamide gel electrophoretic study of protein revealed disappearance of myosin head chain (MHC) in the dry puntius fish (raw material of shidal). Proteins or peptides with low molecular weight between 45 and 29 kDa and between 45 and 66 kDa were noticed in both the shidals and indicative of intensive protein degradation during fermentation. Therefore, fermented fish product, shidal could be used as a potential source of nutrients and natural antioxidants.

In-vitro antioxidant and antibacterial properties of fermentatively and enzymatically prepared chicken liver protein hydrolysates.

Protein hydrolysates were prepared from chicken liver using fermentation and enzymatic hydrolysis. The lactic acid bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici NCIM5368 was employed in the fermentation process and a commercial protease (Alcalase® 2.5) was used in enzymatic hydrolysis. Chicken liver hydrolysates prepared by fermentation (FCLH) and enzymatic hydrolysis (ECLH) revealed appreciable amounts of protein [55.85 and 61.34 %; on dry weight basis, respectively]. Fermentation and enzymatic hydrolysis resulted in 14.3 and 26.12 % of degree of hydrolysis. Total antioxidant activity, reducing power, scavenging of superoxide, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2-azino-bis-3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radicals were determined for both FCLH & ECLH. FCLH & ECLH showed total antioxidant activity of 0.99 and 1.13 µg AAE mg(-1) proteins, respectively; while, they scavenged 96.14 and 92.76 % of DPPH radicals respectively. FCLH showed higher ABTS radical scavenging activity (32.16 %) than ECLH (19.29 %). Superoxide anion scavenging activity of FCLH & ECLH were found to be 95.02 & 88.94 %, respectively. Residues obtained after both treatments also exhibited antioxidant activities. FCLH reported highest antagonistic activity against Listeria monocytogenes (30 mm); while, ECLH showed antibacterial activity only against Micrococcus luteus (12 mm). Both hydrolysates have the potential to be a protein rich ingredient for use in formulated foods and possible help in reduction of oxidative stress.

Current Management of Neonatal Soft-tissue Sarcomas and Benign Tumors with Local Aggressiveness.

Neonatal soft-tissue tumors are rare and comprise a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with substantial histological diversity. Treatment options include careful observation, primary surgical resection or medical therapy. Although histologically benign, some neoplasms do exhibit an aggressive local behavior. The most common soft-tissue sarcomas in this age group include rhabdomyosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, malignant rhabdoid tumor and hemangiopericytoma. Prenatal diagnosis on routine ultrasound or in the context of a known predisposition syndrome is increasingly becoming more common. Management of neonatal tumors requires a multidisciplinary team that includes obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatric oncologists, pediatric surgical specialists and psychological support for the family members. Treatment is particularly challenging due to the difficulty in appropriate dosing of chemotherapeutic agents or the limitations of the use of radiation therapy. Although surgical treatment is predominant in this age group, close observation may be appropriate, since spontaneous regression has been reported for certain histological subtypes.