Cyanide Toxicity of Freshly Prepared Smoothies and Juices Frequently Consumed

Aims: This study was conducted to detect the presence of cyanide in popular fruit and vegetable smoothies and juices marketed as raw and natural. Study Design: Eleven (11) popular varieties of drinks were analyzed for total cyanide (TCN). Drinks contained raw vegetables and fruits, flax seeds, whole apples with seeds, raw almond milk, and pasteurized almond milk as ingredients. Place and Study Duration: Samples were collected from health food eateries located within Las Vegas, Nevada (USA) during the summer of 2017. Methodology: Fifty milliliters (mL) of a homogenized smoothie and juice drink and 1 gram of flax seeds were subjected to the above-referenced methods for sample preparation per USEPA Methods 9012B (digestion) followed by USEPA method 9014 (colorimetry). Results: The highest TCN was detected in drinks containing raw flax seed followed by unpasteurized raw almond milk, then fresh whole apple juice. No TCN was observed in drinks that contained none of the above mentioned items (e.g. flax seed, raw almond milk) or those utilizing pasteurized ingredients. Conclusion: This study observed that TCN is present in smoothies and juices containing raw flax seeds, fresh whole apples, and/or unpasteurized almond milk. Concentrations were detected as high as 341 μg L-1 in commercially available smoothies containing vegetables, raw flax seeds, almond milk and fruits. Smoothies with vegetables, fruits, unpasteurized almond milk, and no flax seeds contained 41 ug L-1TCN, while similar smoothies with pasteurized almond milk contained negligible to 9.6 ug L-1 CN-. Unpasteurized almond milk and raw flax seeds were the major sources of TCN in drinks. With the increased demand for raw and natural foods, there is a potential sublethal exposure of TCN by consumers.

A case of ophthalmic neonatorum with disseminated gonococcal dermatitis and gonorrhoea.

Ophthalmia neonatorum with disseminated gonococcal dermatitis and gonorrhoea is a rare condition. A neonate of 22 days from a poor socioeconomic condition presented with purulent discharge from eye and vagina and eye for last 18 days and skin lesions for 5 days. The baby as born through vaginal delivery. Gram staining of eye and vaginal discharge revealed gram-negative intracellular diplococcices visualized microscopically inside polymorph nuclear cells. Neonate was diagnosed as a case of ophthalmia neonatorum with disseminated gonococcal dermatitis and gonorrhoea. Neonate was treated with inj. Ceftroaxone 250mg daily intravenously with antibacterial eye drop. On 2nd day, sign symptoms disappear and on 4th day patient was cured.

Tolerance and accumulation of lead in Vetiveria zizanioides and its effect on oil production.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate lead tolerance and accumulation in vetiver grass Vetiveria zizanioides (L.), grown in hydroponics and a pot study and to examine the effect of lead on vetiver oil production. Elevated concentrations of lead decreased the length of shoots and roots of plants. However, vetiver grown in highly contaminated soils showed no apparent phytotoxicity symptoms. Lead concentrations in the shoots and roots of vetiver plants grown in hydroponics were up to 144 and 19530 mg kg-1 and those grown in soil were 38 and 629 mg kg-1, respectively. Lead had an effect on vetiver oil production and composition by stimulating oil yield and the number of its constituents. Oil yield ranged from 0.4-1.3%; the highest yields were found in plants grown in nutrient solution with 100 mg Pb l-1 for 5 weeks (1.29%) and 7 weeks (1.22%). The number of total constituents of vetiver oil also varied between 47-143 compounds when lead was present in the growth medium. The highest number (143) was found in plants grown in soil spiked with 1000 mg Pb kg-1. The predominant compound was khusimol (10.7-18.1%) followed by (E)-isovalencenol (10.3-15.6%). Our results indicated that lead could increase the oil production of vetiver.

Transurethral resection of prostate: the standard surgical intervention for benign prostatic hyperplasia

To report our experience, surgical results and complications of transurethral resection of prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is a retrospective study of 162 patients who underwent transurethral resection of prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia between January 2007 and January 2008 at Prince Hussein Ben Abdullah Urology Center. The indications, surgical results and the occurrence of various complications were studied from the retrieved clinical records. Seventy-one patients [43.8%] underwent elective transurethral resection of prostate for significant lower urinary tract symptoms. Fifty patients [30.9%] had resection because of recurrent urine retention that had failed a trial without urinary catheter. The other patients had recurrent urinary tract infection [4.3%], recurrent hematuria of prostatic origin [6.8%], renal impairment [6.2%] or bladder stone [8.0%]. Seven patients [4.3%] developed urinary tract infection postoperatively. Secondary hemorrhage within four weeks postoperatively developed in three patients [1.8%]. Six patients developed urge incontinence. Urethral stricture occurred in two patients [1.2%] and one patient developed bladder neck contracture. One patient had bladder perforation. Only one patient [0.6%] suffered from transurethral resection syndrome in this study. Seven patients [4.3%] required blood transfusion during or after surgery. No episodes of immediate postoperative sepsis were encountered. There was no postoperative mortality. Transurethral resection of prostate is considered safe with low associated morbidity rate. Accordingly, transurethral resection of the prostate remains the 'gold standard' surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and its complications

Phase behaviours of amino-acid based anionic surfactants

The phase behaviours of three types of amino-acid based surfactants were explored. They are Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate [commercially known as Amisoft CS-11], Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate [commercially known as Amisoft LS-11] and Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate [commercially known as Amilite GCS-11]. The optical polarized microscope was used to observe the liquid crystalline phases and to capture images. The existence of liquid crystalline phases was further investigated by small angle X-ray scattering. The phase diagrams were investigated as a function of surfactant concentration and as a function of temperature as well. The rheological behaviours of liquid crystalline phase were also investigated. All surfactants were found to form two-phase region, micellar region at low concentration while liquid crystalline phases were found to form at high concentration

The structure of duplex DNA in the nucleosome core particle: An alternative model.

Many studies indirectly indicate that the conformation of in vivo duplex DNA is the double helix. The most direct view, from the X-ray analysis of the nucleosome core particle, has also been interpreted in terms of the double helix structure. However, an alternative possibility exists; that the duplex adopts a metastable side-by-side conformation which readily converts to the double helix on removal of protein. Evidence for the existence of this conformation has been obtained from a reanalysis of the electron density map for the nucleosome particle.

role of cephalexin in controlling infection during intramedullary nailing of the femur

Forty-two cases of fracture of the shaft of the femur were divided into two groups of 21 cases each and were treated by insertion of a Kuntscher intramedullary nail. One group was given cephalexin preoperatively, during operation and postoperatively; the other was not. samples of the tissue fluids from the intramedullary canal and the Redi-Vac were tested both by broth turbidity and by culture and sensitivity. The results were compared by both laboratory and clinical data and it was concluded that cephalexin is an effective drug for the prophylaxis of infection during orthopaedic operative procedures