ABSTRACT
Aim: The objective of the study was to develop and characterize the properties of sago (sabudana) from cassava based reconstituted dry starch with addition of pre-gelatinized starch and wet starch as binders.Methodology: The dry starch was soaked for 12 hrs at 30 % concentration and then sago was prepared at 40% moisture content with addition of pre-gelatinized starch and wet starch as binders in different treatment combinations. Results: The sago developed from the combination of reconstituted dry starch (75%) and wet starch (25%) had an optimal commercial size (3.36 mm) and shape (sphericity value, 76 %). The swelling power (5.98%) was high in reconstituted dry starch sago and solubility (13.42 %) was high in wet starch sago without the addition of any binders. The increase in cooking time (10.37%) and decrease in cooking loss (1.73%) were observed for sago developed with pre-gelatinized starch as binder. The lowest oil absorption index (0.45 g g-1) was noticed for sago prepared with wet starch as a binder. The storage modulus was comparatively lower for sago paste prepared using wet starch and thus the sago gel behaved like a dilute solution with increase in storage modulus and phase angle. Interpretation: The physico-functional properties of the cassava -based reconstituted dry starch sago can be improved by adding wet starch as a binder due to less retrogradation rate. Further, the addition of pre-gelatinized starch as a binder with reconstituted cassava dry starch can reduce the cooking loss in sago.
ABSTRACT
We present five cases of paediatric Scrub typhus from Community Health Centre, Namchi, South Sikkim emphasize timely diagnosis of scrub typhus for appropriate management. Response to doxycycline was good, with fever subsiding within 48-72 hrs of starting the treatment. Four out of five cases completely recovered once appropriate medication was given.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of acute gastroenteritis among infants and young children. The spread of rotavirus infection in pediatric wards can cause acute diarrhoea during hospitalization, and in turn, prolong hospitalization or need, rehospitalization. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of nosocomial infection due to rotavirus and other causal organisms among children less than 5 years of age. Methodology: A cross-sectional study between November 2009 and May 2010 was conducted among 96 pediatric patients in children hospital, Nepal. Stool samples were collected during hospitalization and up to 3 days after discharge from the hospital. Rotavirus antigens were detected by EIA and standard microbiological procedure were applied for other enteric pathogens. Results: The prevalence of nosocomial infection due to rotavirus was 30.2% (29/96). Of them, 16 (55.17%) of the 29 children with nosocomial infection during hospitalization and/or up to 72 hours after discharge developed diarrhoea. The prevalence of symptomatic cases of nosocomial infection was 55.17% (16/29), which involved 16.7% (16/96) of the study subjects, showing a prevalence of 44.82% (13/29) for asymptomatic nosocomial infection consisted of 13.54% (13/96) of the total subjects. Eleven of the 16 symptomatic subjects of nosocomial infection were affected by diarrhoea during hospitalization and five subjects after discharge. Bacteria (8.3%) and protozoa (5.2%) agents were also causing nosocomial infection in children. Conclusions: Children attending hospital may asymptomatically carry enteric pathogens and potentially act as source of nosocomial infection. Due to the relatively high frequency of nosocomial infection in the Children Hospital of Nepal, it is necessary to follow strictly hygienic rules such as isolation of patients with diarrhoea and hand-washing before and after the examination of each patient and cleaning the examination instruments after use in each patient.