Optimization of vacuum impregnated nutmeg rind candy using RSM modeling: effect on functional and nutritional properties.

Vacuum impregnation (VI) stands as an innovative technique, used to create novel food formulations by impregnating vital nutritive compounds into natural food matrices. Process variables were syrup temperature ranging from (50 to 70 °C), syrup concentration (60° to 80° Brix), and VI duration (10 to 20 min). The optimal conditions emerged at 66.81 °C for syrup temperature, 71.58° Brix for syrup concentration, and a precise 11.59 min for the VI duration. At these paramount conditions, the candy exhibited striking attributes such as 50.0% water loss, 12.23% sugar gain, chewiness of 9 N, and lightness value of 22.17. The predicted values using the developed model were validated with experimental data and indicated the adequacy of the generated model. The functional characterization of the optimized nutmeg rind candy showcased a marked reduction in myristicin content, signifying an augmented level of safety for consumption. Furthermore in-vitro anti-bacterial assay, total phenolics, flavonoids and tannin content, anti-oxidant potential, proximate composition and microstructure of the optimized candy were analysed.

Effects on anti-inflammatory, DNA binding and molecular docking properties of 2-chloroquinolin-3-yl-methylene-pyridine/pyrazole derivatives and their palladium(II) complexes.

Two new sets of Schiff bases 2-chloroquinolin-3-yl-methylene-pyridin-2-amine (CMPA) and 2-chloroquinolin-3-yl-methylene-pyrazole-5-amine-3-thole (CMPT) and their respective palladium (II) complexes have been synthesised and characterized with the aid of elemental analysis, IR, 1H &13C NMR, UV-Vis., and electrochemical studies. The surface morphology of palladium complexes were examined by Scanning Electron Microscopic image. The binding affinities of complexes with CT-DNA were carried out by absorption spectra and cyclic voltammetric studies. The observed hypochromic (~20%) and bathochromic (~30%) shifts indicates that the complexes bind with Guanine base pair of CT-DNA via intercalation. The increasing cathodic peak potential from +0.968 eV to +1.104 eV in complexes confirm the presence of intercalation. Anti-inflammatory activities of both ligands and complexes have been studied using carrageenan induced hind paw edema in Wistar rats. The change in paw volume revealed that the maximum percentage of inhibition was observed in metal complex at 5th hour with a dose of 200 mg/kg. In order to evaluate the binding affinity of ligand and metal complex, molecular interaction analysis were performed by maestro implemented in Schrodinger.

Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumour Mimicking Lateral Periodontal Cyst: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

The Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor is a developmental cyst derived from the enamel organ or from the dental lamina. It is a benign, multicystic, intraosseous tumor of odontogenic origin, with a characteristic lining of parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium and has a potential for aggressive, infiltrative behavior and recurrence. Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumors have a predilection for males and occurs mainly in the second and third decade of life, most commonly in the mandible, mostly in the posterior body, the angle and the ascending ramus. It extends in the intramedullary space making it difficult to diagnose at an early stage. It is regarded as a distinctive entity because of its characteristic histology, proliferation kinetics and behavior. Main in 1970 described, collateral variant of Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor, which presents adjacent to the roots of the teeth usually in the mandibular premolar region and radiologically is indistinguishable from the lateral periodontal cyst and gingival cyst.

Cost-effective medium for the production of mosquito pupicidal lipopeptide from Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis (VCRC B471).

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: A cyclic lipopeptide (CLP), surfactin produced by a strain of Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis (VCRC B471) was found to exhibit mosquitocidal activity. The present study was carried out to enhance the surfactin level using low cost material in the production medium. METHODS: Two carbon sources, glucose and common sugar, and two nitrogen sources, ammonium nitrate and soya were used in the study. Different concentrations of 'C' and 'N' sources were used in the production medium to enhance the production of surfactin. RESULTS: A new medium (SS7) containing 2% sugar, 6% soya and 0.5% common salt with micronutrients was designed which was found to enhance the production of surfactin. The crude mosquitocidal metabolite (CMM) produced in this medium was 3 g/l which was two times higher than that obtained using synthetic medium NYSM. The LC50 dosage of the CMM to the pupal stages of An. stephensi (2.3 µg/ml) was comparable to that obtained with CMM from the conventional medium. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The newly designed cost-effective medium designated as sugar soya medium (SSM) enhanced the production of surfactin and the cost of production was estimated as [symbol: see text] 6 per litre, which is six times lesser than that of the conventional medium. Replacement of sodium chloride with cooking salt further reduced the cost of the medium.

Preparation of gallotannin loaded chitosan/zinc oxide nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of organic dye and antibacterial applications.

Chitosan functionalization is a growing field of interest to enhance the unique characteristics of metal oxide nanoparticles. In this study, a facile synthesis method has been used to develop a gallotannin loaded chitosan/zinc oxide (CS/ZnO) nanocomposite. Initially, white color formation confirmed the formation, and physico-chemical natures of the prepared nanocomposite were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Crystalline of CS amorphous phase and ZnO patterns were demonstrated by XRD. FTIR revealed the presence of CS and gallotannin bio-active groups in the formed nanocomposite. Electron microscopy study exhibited that the produced nanocomposite had an agglomerated sheets like morphology with an average size of 50-130 nm. Further, the produced nanocomposite was evaluated for methylene blue (MB) degradation activity from aqueous solution. After 30 min of irradiation, the efficiency of nanocomposite degradation was found to be 96.64 %. Moreover, prepared nanocomposite showed a potential and concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against S. aureus. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that prepared nanocomposite can be used as an excellent photocatalyst as well as a bactericidal agent in industrial and clinical sectors.

Enhanced production of mosquitocidal cyclic lipopeptide from Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: A cyclic lipopeptide, surfactin produced by a strain of Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis (VCRC B471) was found to exhibit activity against both the larval and pupal stages of mosquitoes. The present study was aimed at increasing the production of the mosquitocidal metabolite by modifying the conventional medium. METHODS: Enhancement of mosquitocidal metabolite production was attempted by replacing the existing micronutrients of the conventional NYSM and supplementing the medium with additional amounts of glucose. The LC50 value of culture supernatant (CS) against the larval and pupal stages of Anopheles stephensi was determined. Crude mosquitocidal metabolite (CMM) was separated from the CS, identified by MALDI-TOF analysis and its LC50 dosage requirement for the pupal stage of the above mosquito species determined. RESULTS: The medium containing a new composition of micronutrients and glucose up to 1 per cent resulted in increased metabolite production. The LC50 value of the CS obtained in the improved medium against larvae and pupae of An. stephensi was 5.57 and 0.71 µl/ml, respectively. The yield of CMM was doubled in the improved medium. MALDI-TOF analysis revealed that the CMM was surfactin. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The new improved medium enhanced the production of mosquitocidal metabolite as the dosage required for inciting 50 per cent mortality among the pupal stages of mosquitoes was only half of that required when the metabolite was produced in the conventional medium. The mosquitocidal metabolite was identified as surfactin, a cyclic lipopeptide and biosurfactant.

Prevalence and Correlates of Social Stigma Toward Diabetes: Results From a Nationwide- Survey in Singapore.

Aims: To examine the extent of social stigma toward diabetes among Singapore's multi-ethnic general population and determine whether this differs across socio-demographic sub-groups. Methods: Data for this study came from a nationwide cross-sectional study. A diabetes stigma questionnaire comprising Social Distance Scale and Negative Attitudes and Stereotyping Scale was administered to those respondents who had not been diagnosed with diabetes. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the dimensionality of the instruments and validated using confirmatory factor analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine associations between socio-demographic factors and measures of diabetes stigma. Results: In all, 2,895 participants were recruited from the general population giving a response rate of 66.2%. Factor analyses found that a one-factor model resulted in an acceptable fit for both stigma scales, which measured social distance and negative attitudes and stereotyping, respectively. Multiple linear regression analyses identified Indian ethnicity (vs. Chinese), higher personal income (≥SGD2000 vs. < SGD 2000) and having close friends or family members who had been diagnosed with diabetes to be significantly associated with lower social distance scores while those aged 50-64 years and those with secondary and vocational education (vs. degree and above) were significantly associated with higher social distance scores. Those with a personal income of SG$2,000-3,999 and SGD $6,000 and above, and those with close friends or family members diagnosed with diabetes were significantly associated with lower negative attitudes and stereotyping scores. In contrast those aged 35 years and above, those with primary education and below, and those of Malay ethnicity were significantly associated with higher negative attitudes and stereotyping scores. Conclusions: The study found a relatively low level of stigma toward diabetes in the general population of Singapore, although some stigmatizing beliefs emerged. While greater knowledge of diabetes could reduce stigma, anti-stigma messaging should be incorporated into the "War on Diabetes" programme in Singapore.

The effect of DTPA on calcium carbonate scale deposition on copper and aluminium surfaces.

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) scale inhibition by Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) on copper and aluminium metal surfaces was studied at 60 and 100 °C. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results revealed a novel pot like morphology for calcite which was resulted from the transformation of dumbbell morphology. The pot like morphology exposed the possibility of hollow structures for other polymorphs and is resulted from the breaking apart of the dumbbell structures at the middle, followed by fluffing of the separated parts.

Genetic Architecture and Anthocyanin Profiling of Aromatic Rice From Manipur Reveals Divergence of Chakhao Landraces.

Aromatic rice of Manipur popularly known as Chakhao is a speciality glutinous rice, for which protection under geographical indication in India has been granted recently. The agronomic and nutraceutical variability of the Chakhao rice germplasm is yet to be genetically characterized. To address this gap, characterization of ninety-three landraces for agro-morphological traits, grain pigmentation, antioxidant properties, and molecular genetic variation was carried out to unravel their population genetic structure. Two major groups were identified based on pericarp color, namely, purple and non-purple, which showed a significant variation for plant height, panicle length, and grain yield. Molecular marker analysis revealed three subpopulations that could be associated with pericarp pigmentation. Deep purple genotypes formed POP3, japonica genotypes adapted to hill environment formed POP1, while POP2 comprised of both indica and aus types. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis revealed two major anthocyanin compounds in pigmented rices, namely, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) and peonidin-3-O-glucoside (P3G). The total anthocyanin content among pigmented genotypes ranged from 29.8 to 275.8 mg.100g-1 DW. Total phenolics ranged from 66.5 to 700.3 mg GAE.100g-1 DW with radical scavenging activity (RSA) varying between 17.7 and 65.7%. Anthocyanins and phenolics showed a direct relationship with RSA implying the nutraceutical benefits of deep pigmented rice such as Manipur black rice. Aromatic rices from Manipur were found to be genetically diverse. Therefore, efforts need to be made for maintaining the geographic identity of these rice and utilization in breeding for region-specific cultivar improvement.

A study on the impact of fire crackers on airborne microflora during diwali.

Diwali is celebrated widely in Asian countries, with a custom of firing crackers. Crackers pollute the environment with noise, particulate matter and chemicals. There are reports on the variation of particulates during firing crackers but none on airborne microbes. The present study was conducted to know the impact of fire crackers on airborne microflora. The air samples were collected 3 days prior to Diwali, on Diwali and 3 days after Diwali during the year 2017 at 15 different areas in Chennai, India. Andersen N-6 viable particle air sampler was exposed with petridishes containing nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar for the isolation of bacteria and fungi respectively. An average of 1,904 ± 2.5 CFU/m3 of bacteria recorded prior Diwali was reduced by 53.23% on Diwali and increased by 27.37% after Diwali. This reduction on Diwali is attributed to the exposure of bacteria to chemicals emitted by the crackers. For fungi, an average of 235.57 ± 1.67 CFU/m3 was recorded prior Diwali, with an increase of 78.5% on Diwali. The increase in fungal count might be due to the release of spores by ground crackers. The study shows that bacteria are susceptible to the chemicals emitted by fire crackers when compared with fungi.

Effect of doping an organic molecule ligand on TGS single crystals.

Good quality single crystals of thiourea-doped triglycinesulphate (TuTGS) a new semiorganic nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal has been successfully grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation method. The solubilities under various solvents in different proportions have been studied. The structural characterization of the grown crystals was carried out by X-ray diffraction. The grown crystals were subjected to FTIR and Raman analyses for vibrational assignments. The optical absorption coefficient alpha was analysed and interpreted to be allowed in the direct transition. The values of allowed direct energy gap (Eg) for undoped and doped crystals were calculated. It was found that Eg values were decreased with organic molecule doping. The powder technique of Kurtz and Perry confirm the NLO property of the grown crystal.

Evaluating the efficacy of LaSota vaccination induced protection in chickens upon challenge with a genotype IV strain of Newcastle disease virus.

Newcastle disease (ND) is a major risk to the poultry industry which results in severe economic loss throughout the world even with vaccination. The vaccine viruses that are used in many countries include the LaSota and other live viruses that were isolated in the early and late 1950s. Reports from several laboratories including ours indicate a greater variance of the circulating strains and recent classification indicates the existence of XVIII different genotypes of NDV strains. The efficiency of the LaSota vaccination in inducing protective immunity to different heterologous strains has been a question and its efficacy upon exposure to a virulent genotype IV strain has not been reported after 1989 world-wide except for India. Serum antibody negative (SAN) chicks of either sex obtained by hatching specific-pathogen-free (SPF) eggs were vaccinated with increasing doses of the vaccine virus from 101 to 107 EID50 per bird delivered through occulo-nasal route and challenged 20 days later with NDV-2K3 (genotype IV) strain of virus isolated in the year 2000 from pigeon in India. The birds were monitored for serum antibody titers and following challenge for morbidity, mortality, viral load in the cloacal swab and different tissues. We could clearly show that a minimum vaccine titre of 104 EID50 could establish protective antibody levels and also prevent viral replication post challenge upon exposure to the virulent genotype IV strain. We conclude based on our results and previous observation that there do exist differences in the levels of the antibody that could limit viral replication and shedding upon exposure to different heterologous genotype of NDV. Developing a strain matched vaccine might less potential to result in better protection by limiting the viral shedding.

Ethics workshops-are they effective in improving the competencies of faculty and postgraduates?

INTRODUCTION: Responsible conduct of research requires a good knowledge about research ethics. With the recent changes in the clinical trial regulations and the proposed introduction of ethics in medical curriculum by the Medical Council of India, there is an urgent need to train the medical faculty and postgraduates in research ethics. METHODOLOGY: We wanted to measure the effectiveness of a one day program which was organized using didactic lectures and case scenarios on the knowledge, attitude and skills on ethics among faculty and postgraduates. This was done using a retropre questionnaire. We performed a Kolmogorov Smirnov test to measure the normality, Mann Whitney U-test to test the difference in scores between faculty and postgraduates and a Wilcoxin signed rank test to measure the prepost scores. RESULTS: The faculty showed better scores in knowledge and attitude (p<0.05) when compared to postgraduates both before and after the workshop. The overall scores for both faculty and postgraduates had increased after the workshop (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This re-emphasizes the need for introduction of ethics training during undergraduate course and also the fact that even a short training program in research ethics could be effective.

A Study on the Prevalence of Indoor Mycoflora in Air Conditioned Buses.

Aim: To study the presence of indoor mycoflora in A/c Buses to know the commuters risk of exposure to fungal spores. Place and Duration: Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT), Koyambedu, Chennai, India. Study was conducted from November 2011 to April 2012. Methodology: Airborne fungi from 50 A/c buses were studied using Reuter Centrifugal Sampler (Biotest, Germany), fungi from the surfaces of air vents through swab sample and bus seats by rubbing sterile petridishes on the seats. Sabourauds Dextrose Agar (SDA) was used for the isolation of fungi from different buses. The collected data were statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 38 species classified in 21 genera were recorded. Among which, Zygomycetes was represented by 4 species, Ascomycetes and Coelomycetes by single species each and the remaining belongs to Hyphomycetes. The genus, Aspergillus was represented by maximum number of species (11 species) followed by Penicillium (5 species). A total average of 713 CFU/m3 of air was recorded within the buses. Aspergillus niger was the first dominant fungi in the order of dominance followed by Chrysonilia sitophila, Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus flavus in that order. From the surface of bus seats, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Rhizopus stolonifer and A. japonicus were recorded as dominant. However, different mycofloral composition was recorded from air vents. Cladosporium chlorocephalum and Curvularia lunata dominated the surface of air vents. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the presence of potential fungal species which pose exposure risk to the immune compromised commuters.

Studies on Phytochemistry of 100 Plants in Chennai, India.

Aims: Knowledge on the plant phytochemistry provides a fundamental use of plants as a reservoir of chemical agents. Hence, the study on the presence of Phytochemicals in the aqueous extract of 100 different plant species belonging to 44 families collected from Chennai, India was detected. Place and Duration: Plants distributed in the Chennai district of Tamil Nadu state in India were studied. The study was conducted during the period of November 2012 to January 2013. Methods: Leaves of around 100 plant species belonging to different habit like trees, shrubs, herbs and creepers or climbers from Chennai and its surround districts of India were collected. The aqueous extract of air dried, pulverized leaf samples of collected plants were examined for the presence of Tannins, Phlobatannins, Saponins, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Cardiac glycosides and Steroids using the standard techniques proposed by Evans (1996). The presence of individual secondary metabolites was calculated in percentage and their prevalence in different plant habit was studied. Results: Around 29%, 20%, 23%, 48%, 22%, 30% and 44% of plants showed the presence of Tannins, Phlobatannins, Saponins, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Cardiac glycosides and Steroids in that order. Further, the presence of secondary metabolites according to the plant habit like, tree, shrub, herb and creeper or climber was detected. Conclusion: It was evident that the presence of Tannin, Phlobatannin, Flavonoids and Cardiac glycosides are found prevalent in trees, Steroids in herbs and Terpenoids in shrubs. However, further study on this aspect is recommended.

Enhanced production of mosquitocidal cyclic lipopeptide from Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis.

Background & objectives: A cyclic lipopeptide, surfactin produced by a strain of Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis (VCRC B471) was found to exhibit activity against both the larval and pupal stages of mosquitoes. The present study was aimed at increasing the production of the mosquitocidal metabolite by modifying the conventional medium. Methods: Enhancement of mosquitocidal metabolite production was attempted by replacing the existing micronutrients of the conventional NYSM and supplementing the medium with additional amounts of glucose. The LC50 value of culture supernatant (CS) against the larval and pupal stages of Anopheles stephensi was determined. Crude mosquitocidal metabolite (CMM) was separated from the CS, identified by MALDI-TOF analysis and its LC50 dosage requirement for the pupal stage of the above mosquito species determined. Results: The medium containing a new composition of micronutrients and glucose up to 1 per cent resulted in increased metabolite production. The LC50 value of the CS obtained in the improved medium against larvae and pupae of An. stephensi was 5.57 and 0.71 μl/ml, respectively. The yield of CMM was doubled in the improved medium. MALDI-TOF analysis revealed that the CMM was surfactin. Interpretation & conclusions: The new improved medium enhanced the production of mosquitocidal metabolite as the dosage required for inciting 50 per cent mortality among the pupal stages of mosquitoes was only half of that required when the metabolite was produced in the conventional medium. The mosquitocidal metabolite was identified as surfactin, a cyclic lipopeptide and biosurfactant.