Quality enhancement of frozen Nile tilapia fillets using rosemary and thyme oil / [Melhoria da qualidade de filetes de tilápia do Nilo congelados com óleo de alecrim e tomilho]

The food industry and the frozen fish sector in particular have benefitted greatly from advancements in food processing technologies. This study investigated the effect of adding natural antioxidants such as rosemary and thyme oil to frozen fillets of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in order to preserve their quality for consumers. Fillets were treated with rosemary and thyme at two concentrations (1% and 1.5%) and then were stored at 4°C. Samples were analyzed over 4 days for bacteriological (aerobic plate count, psychotropic count, and coliform count), chemical (determination of pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances-TBARS, and total volatile base nitrogen-TVB-N), and sensory quality examination (color, texture, and odor). Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed among different groups in terms of aerobic plate count, psychotropic count, and coliform count during the storage. Moreover, pH, TVB-N, and TBARS mean values in the treated groups were lower than those in the untreated group. The best sensory quality was obtained at the highest concentrations (1.5%) of thyme and rosemary oil.(AU)

A indústria de alimentos e o setor de peixes congelados, em particular, se beneficiaram dos avanços nas tecnologias de processamento de alimentos. Este estudo investigou o efeito da adição de antioxidantes naturais, como óleo de alecrim e tomilho, a filetes congelados de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus), a fim de preservar sua qualidade para os consumidores. Os filés foram tratados com alecrim e tomilho em duas concentrações (1% e 1,5%) e, em seguida, foram armazenados a 4°C. As amostras foram analisadas durante 4 dias para análises bacteriológicas (contagem de placas aeróbicas, psicotrópicas e coliformes), químicas (determinação do pH, substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico-TBARS e nitrogênio base volátil total-TVB-N) e exame da qualidade sensorial (cor, textura e odor). Diferenças significativas (P<0,05) foram observadas entre os diferentes grupos na contagem aeróbia de placas, contagem psicotrópica e contagem de coliformes durante o armazenamento. Além disso, os valores médios de pH, TVB-N e TBARS nos grupos tratados foram inferiores aos do grupo não tratado. A melhor qualidade sensorial foi obtida nas maiores concentrações (1,5%) de tomilho e óleo de alecrim.(AU)

Late-Life Leisure Constraints Among Malaysian Elderly: A Qualitative Approach

Leisure involvement is an essential element in the daily life of the elderly people. Little is known, however, about the perceived leisure constraints among them, especially among the increasing elderly population in Malaysia. This study aims to explore constraints perceived by the elderly that prevent them from actively involved in leisure. In depth interviews were conducted, involving a total of 20 elderly aged 60 years and above with stratification by background characteristics. Each interview was conducted for an average of 15 to 30 minutes and discontinued when a saturation point was achieved. They were purposively selected from two health clinics located in two different districts in the state of Selangor, representing an urban and a rural area. Elderly participation in leisure activities was constrained by many factors. These factors can be divided into individual, family and community factors such as increasing age and related physical deterioration , education level, health status and the existence of chronic illness, absence of family member or friends to perform the activity together and non-conducive environment. The constraints should be endorsed and acknowledged by the relevant agencies and authorities in order to facilitate effective implementation of related policies, strategies and programmes to improve the health of the elderly people. These include the provision of appropriate services and facilities to cater senior citizens from various health and demographic perspectives.

Carcinoma-rectum in an 11 years old boy.

Carcinoma rectum is a very uncommon malignancy in childhood. The incidence of colon cancer is found to be 1.3 cases per million children. An eleven years old boy with carcinoma rectum was admitted in the Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). The boy presented with irregular fever, altered bowel habit, poor appetite, gradual weight loss and abdominal pain. His abdomen was tender with no organomegaly. The rectal wall was tender and hard mass could be felt in the surrounding area on direct rectal examination. Diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy of the tissue from the growth. Surgical resection and anastomosis was done. After one month of surgery chemotherapy was started. Since carcinoma rectum in children has not been reported in Bangladesh we share the information with professionals.

Evaluation of objective structured practical examination and traditional practical examination.

To evaluate the competency of Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) as an assessment technique compared to Traditional Practical Examination (TDPE) in assessment of laboratory component of physiology, the results of Physiology practical examination of 400 students from 4 Medical Colleges, two Government and two non Government (Dhaka Medical College, Mymensingh Medical College, Bangladesh Medical College, Uttara Women's Medical College) under Dhaka University were studied. Students' performance in OSPE and TDPE was compared. Mean score obtained in OSPE was 77.72+/-0.66 and found significantly higher than that for TDPE (64.44+/-0.61). Again mean scores achieved in OSPE were compared among different Medical Colleges and significant difference was noted. In OSPE, male students achieved significantly higher score than that of female students, especially in responding question station. The outcome of the present study thus indicates that OSPE is a better choice as an assessment technique over the Traditional method measuring wide range of practical skill. It may be concluded that it is important for competency based performance discrimination and it also helps improving students performance quality in laboratory exercise.

Evaluation of hospitalized infants and young children with bronchiolitis - a multi centre study.

Four hundred and twenty nine young children with bronchiolitis admitted consecutively in different hospitals of Bangladesh were evaluated. Three hundred and forty eight children studied for their putative risk factors, clinical profile, management and the outcome. Both cases and controls were examined for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibody status. The diagnosis of bronchiolitis was made on the basis of first attack of wheeze in previously healthy children below two years of age. Detailed history including the possible risk factors, the management and daily follow-up on the ward and the outcome at discharge were documented through a structured questionnaire. Chest x-ray was done in each case to find out the radiological changes. Blood of 266 patients and 30 controls were studied for RSV IgM and IgG antibody by ELISA. There were 66% male and 34% female children. The median age of the children was 3.0 months and 82.7% were below 6 months of age. Most of the babies were born term (88%), with ABW (73%), by normal vaginal delivery (88%). Exclusive or predominant breast-feeding were given in 72% cases. The location of the patient was rural in 55% cases. Around half of the parents were illiterate or slightly educated (up to 5 years schooling) fathers 46.5% and mothers 56% and majority of the parents were poor (74%). In 52% cases the number of family members in one room were four or more. Half of the parents (52%) were smokes and there was atopy in 26.5% families. The clinical features of bronchiolitis were mostly cough (99%), respiratory distress (97%), feeding difficulty (93%) and fast breathing (96%) (median RR 68/min). Fever (1000F or more) was in only 33% cases, though parents complained in 90% cases. All children (100%) had wheeze and crackles in lungs in 96% cases. Liver could be palpable in 83% and spleen in 42% cases. Important radiological features were increased translucency (96%), increased interstitial markings (87%), hyperinflation (75%) and streaky densities (61%). In 69.6% cases TLC was 12,000 or less and only 15% with a neutrophil fraction greater than 60%. Children were positive for IgM antibody in 43.6% cases and both IgM and IgG in 5.3% cases. The main modalities of treatment were antibiotics (99%) (Ampicillin, 76%), oxygen therapy (83%), nebulised salbutamol (76%) and intravenous fluid (51%). The median duration of hospital stay was 4 days. Most of the children were discharged with improvement (96%) with 2% mortality. Not a single case was diagnosed as bronchiolitis in hospitals outside Dhaka. Cefrtiaxone (72.5%) and parenteral steroids (70.5%) were the mainstay of therapy there.

Growth hormone and insulin like growth factor-1 in patients with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of growth hormone [GH] and insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] in patients with heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy to find out if the development or progression of heart failure is associated with a derangement of GH and IGF-1. The study was conducted on 30 patients with congestive heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy and 7 normal healthy subjects as a control group. The results revealed a significant increase in the serum levels of GH and a significant low serum IGF-1 and albumin in the patients as compared with the control group. Then, the patients were classified according to the NYHA functional classes into four classes [I, II, III and IV]. Sixteen patients were found in functional class IV. There were no differences in the results of this class and the whole patients group, suggesting that class IV represented the whole patient group studied. The study concluded that the serum levels of GH were increased and the serum levels of IGF-1 were diminished in patients with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. These abnormalities in GH and IGF-1 may have many etiological factors. Abnormalities of GH/IGF-1 axis might have a role either in the development or the progression of heart failure in dilated cardiomyopathy

Kinetic analysis of drainage time and volume in patients on intermittent peritoneal dialysis

This study was done to examine features of drainage flow and to determine whether the drainage period could be safely reduced in intermittent peritoneal dialysis patients [IPD]. Eight patients were examined in an open nonrandomized prospective study. Drainage flow pattern was measured using 2-L dialysate. The drainage period was reduced from 30 minutes [mean] to 10 minutes throughout the dialysis sitting. Ultrafiltration volume, body weight and peritoneal clearance of urea, creatinine and phosphate as well as the protein loss were measured. A kinetic analysis of the drainage period and volume indicated a positive linear correlation with two different slopes: one for rapid drainage for the first 7 minutes and one for subsequent slow drainage. The effluent exceeded 90 percent in the first 10 minutes. Ultrafiltration volume and body weight showed no change due to the reduction. Most of the patients were satisfied with the reduction and desired its continuation. We can conclude that ten minutes is a sufficient drainage period for most IPD patients with a 2-L dialysate volume. This may possibly allow an increase in effective peritoneal membrane dialysate contact period

Effect of lead on anorexia and body weight in albino rats.

Rats exposed to lead (lead acetate) in doses of 0.2 and 0.5 mg/ml in drinking water for a period of 90 days showed mild to moderate changes in food consumption compared to control group. Drug interactions in lead exposed rats with metoclopramide, atropine sulphate, propranolol, cyproheptadine and mepyramine maleate when administered intraperitoneally caused -30 to +30 percentage variation in food intake indicating the influence of adrenergic, serotonergic and cholinergic neurotransmitters with no change in mean body weight of lead treated rats.