Optimization of processing conditions for development of chicken meat incorporated whole wheat bread.

Present study was conducted to explore the incorporation of high level of chicken meat powder for developing protein enriched whole wheat bread. The aim was to optimise meat level and processing conditions for development of chicken meat bread. Box-Beheken design of response surface methodology was used for optimising the processing conditions of chicken meat incorporated whole wheat bread as processing conditions strongly influence the product characteristics. Meat level (30-35%), proofing time (60-120 min) and cooking time (10-12 min) were contemplated as constrains or variable factors for their effect on responses such as baking yield, moisture, protein, fat, ash, redness and yellowness value, flavour, porosity and overall acceptability which are essential for product acceptability and marketability, while the cooking temperature was kept constant at 220 °C. The responses were assessed by evaluating the physicochemical, proximate, colour units and sensory evaluation. A high coefficient of regression > 0.90 was obtained for all the responses indicating the fit of model. The desirability achieved for these responses was 0.841 for 31.497% meat level with proofing time 107.17 min and baking time of 12.74 min. The study concluded with development of chicken meat bread having high protein content with optimised processing conditions of proofing and cooking time.

Associations of activated coagulation factor VII and factor VIIa-antithrombin levels with genome-wide polymorphisms and cardiovascular disease risk.

ESSENTIALS: Essentials A fraction of coagulation factor VII circulates in blood as an activated protease (FVIIa). We evaluated FVIIa and FVIIa-antithrombin (FVIIa-AT) levels in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Polymorphisms in the F7 and PROCR loci were associated with FVIIa and FVIIa-AT levels. FVIIa may be an ischemic stroke risk factor in older adults and FVIIa-AT may assess mortality risk. SUMMARY: Background A fraction of coagulation factor (F) VII circulates as an active protease (FVIIa). FVIIa also circulates as an inactivated complex with antithrombin (FVIIa-AT). Objective Evaluate associations of FVIIa and FVIIa-AT with genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and incident coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke and mortality. Patients/Methods We measured FVIIa and FVIIa-AT in 3486 Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) participants. We performed a genome-wide association scan for FVIIa and FVIIa-AT in European-Americans (n = 2410) and examined associations of FVII phenotypes with incident cardiovascular disease. Results In European-Americans, the most significant SNP for FVIIa and FVIIa-AT was rs1755685 in the F7 promoter region on chromosome 13 (FVIIa, ß = -25.9 mU mL-1 per minor allele; FVIIa-AT, ß = -26.6 pm per minor allele). Phenotypes were also associated with rs867186 located in PROCR on chromosome 20 (FVIIa, ß = 7.8 mU mL-1 per minor allele; FVIIa-AT, ß = 9.9 per minor allele). Adjusted for risk factors, a one standard deviation higher FVIIa was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01, 1.23). Higher FVIIa-AT was associated with mortality from all causes (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03, 1.12). Among European-American CHS participants the rs1755685 minor allele was associated with lower ischemic stroke (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.54, 0.88), but this association was not replicated in a larger multi-cohort analysis. Conclusions The results support the importance of the F7 and PROCR loci in variation in circulating FVIIa and FVIIa-AT. The findings suggest FVIIa is a risk factor for ischemic stroke in older adults, whereas higher FVIIa-AT may reflect mortality risk.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase promotes stem cell phenotype in triple-negative breast cancer through upregulation of Notch1 via activation of c-Jun.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) plays a vital role in malignant transformation of different cancers, and JNK is highly activated in basal-like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the roles of JNK in regulating cancer stem-like cell (CSC) phenotype and tumorigenesis in TNBC are not well defined. JNK is known to mediate many cellular events via activating c-Jun. Here, we found that JNK regulated c-Jun activation in TNBC cells and that JNK activation correlated with c-Jun activation in TNBC tumors. Furthermore, the expression level of c-Jun was significantly higher in TNBC tumors than in non-TNBC tumors, and high c-Jun mRNA level was associated with shorter disease-free survival of patients with TNBC. Thus, we hypothesized that the JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway contributes to TNBC tumorigenesis. We found that knockdown of JNK1 or JNK2 or treatment with JNK-IN-8, an adenosine triphosphate-competitive irreversible pan-JNK inhibitor, significantly reduced cell proliferation, the ALDH1+ and CD44+/CD24- CSC subpopulations, and mammosphere formation, indicating that JNK promotes CSC self-renewal and maintenance in TNBC. We further demonstrated that both JNK1 and JNK2 regulated Notch1 transcription via activation of c-Jun and that the JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway promoted CSC phenotype through Notch1 signaling in TNBC. In a TNBC xenograft mouse model, JNK-IN-8 significantly suppressed tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner by inhibiting acquisition of the CSC phenotype. Taken together, our data demonstrate that JNK regulates TNBC tumorigenesis by promoting CSC phenotype through Notch1 signaling via activation of c-Jun and indicate that JNK/c-Jun/Notch1 signaling is a potential therapeutic target for TNBC.

Adenosine A1 receptor antagonist mitigates deleterious effects of sleep deprivation on adult neurogenesis and spatial reference memory in rats.

Sleep deprivation (SD) upsurges intracellular levels of adenosine, impairs adult neuronal cell proliferation (NCP) and cognition while caffeine, a non-selective adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) antagonist improves cognition and adult NCP during SD. We examined the selective antagonistic effects of adenosine A1R using 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethylxanthine (8-CPT) on impairment of spatial reference memory and adult NCP during 48h SD. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were sleep deprived for 48h, using an automatic cage vibrating stimulus based on animal activity. Spatial reference memory was tested as a measure of cognitive performance employing Morris Water Maze. Rats were given 8-CPT dissolved in 50% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), twice daily (10mg/kg, i.p.) along with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) (50mg/kg/day, i.p.). The rats treated with 8-CPT showed significantly short mean latency and path-length to reach the platform compared to the SD rats. Consistent with these findings, 8-CPT-treated group was found to have significantly increased the number of BrdU, Ki-67 and doublecortin (DCX) positive cells. However, no significant difference was seen in NeuN expression in the Dentate Gyrus (DG). Brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) expression in the DG and CA1 region was observed to decrease significantly after SD and be rescued by 8-CPT treatment. Furthermore, latency to reach platform showed a negative correlation with number of BrdU, DCX type-1 cells and BDNF expression in DG. Thus, it may be concluded that treatment with 8-CPT, an adenosine A1R antagonist during SD mitigates SD induced decline in spatial reference memory and adult NCP possibly via up regulation of BDNF levels in DG and CA1 regions.

Coagulation factor XII genetic variation, ex vivo thrombin generation, and stroke risk in the elderly: results from the Cardiovascular Health Study.

BACKGROUND: The relationships of thrombin generation (TG) with cardiovascular disease risk are underevaluated in population-based cohorts. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationships of TG influenced by the contact and tissue factor coagulation pathways ex vivo with common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and incident cardiovascular disease and stroke. PATIENTS/METHODS: We measured peak TG (pTG) in baseline plasma samples of Cardiovascular Health Study participants (n = 5411), both with and without inhibitory anti-factor XIa antibody (pTG/FXIa(-) ). We evaluated their associations with ~ 50 000 SNPs by using the IBCv2 genotyping array, and with incident cardiovascular disease and stroke events over a median follow-up of 13.2 years. RESULTS: The minor allele for an SNP in the FXII gene (F12), rs1801020, was associated with lower pTG in European-Americans (ß = - 34.2 ± 3.5 nm; P = 3.3 × 10(-22) ; minor allele frequency [MAF] = 0.23) and African-Americans (ß = - 31.1 ± 7.9 nm; P = 9.0 × 10(-5) ; MAF = 0.42). Lower FXIa-independent pTG (pTG/FXIa(-) ) was associated with the F12 rs1801020 minor allele, and higher pTG/FXIa(-) was associated with the ABO SNP rs657152 minor allele (ß = 16.3 nm; P = 4.3 × 10(-9) ; MAF = 0.37). The risk factor-adjusted ischemic stroke hazard ratios were 1.09 (95% confidence interval CI 1.01-1.17; P = 0.03) for pTG, 1.06 (95% CI 0.98-1.15; P = 0.17) for pTG/FXIa(-) , and 1.11 (95% CI 1.02-1.21; P = 0.02) for FXIa-dependent pTG (pTG/FXIa(+) ), per one standard deviation increment (n = 834 ischemic strokes). In a multicohort candidate gene analysis, rs1801020 was not associated with incident ischemic stroke (ß = - 0.02; standard error = 0.08; P = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the importance of contact activation pathway-dependent TG as a risk factor for ischemic stroke, and indicate the importance of F12 SNPs for TG ex vivo and in vivo.

Efficient method of starch functionalization to bis-quaternary structure unit.

This paper presents the synthesis of bis-quaternary starch by innocuous reagents. For this, starch was functionalized to di-aldehyde structure by periodate oxidation. Aldehyde is reactive and amenable to further derivatization to amine structure. It was functionalized to amine via the modified Leuckart-Wallach reaction. Then, the aminated starch was modified to the quaternary form by the exhaustive methylation. The structural characterization of synthesized compounds was performed using titrimetric analytical estimation, FTIR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and SEM-EDX. Analytical results showed 58.8% aldehyde content in di-aldehyde starch. The synthesized quaternary derivatives with gemini like structure showed high degree of quaternization 62%. In conclusion, the applied protocol is efficient and revealed high extent of modification with almost good uniformity from the characterization studies.

Silicone implants for muscular wasting of first web and the hypothenar muscles.

Medial nerve and Ulnar nerve palsy are still very common in spite of MDT. While most surgeons are concerned with the function of the hand, few have paid attention to the aesthetics of it. However 'white-collar' patients are concerned about the appearance of their hands -besides the function, therefore they would like us to do something for the muscular wasting which is so common. We propose here a new technique, used for the last 10 years, and demonstrate its results.

Claw-toes correction: personal technique.

Claw-toes deformity is quite common in leprosy because the Posterior Tibial nerve, the nerve supplying the intrinsics of the toes, is often affected. The authors present the details of technique standardized by them for correction of claw-toes of grade 1 and 2. This technique has been successfully used in 485 toes (144 patients).

Epidural labour analgesia using Bupivacaine and Clonidine.

BACKGROUND: To compare the effects of addition of Clonidine (60 µg) to Epidural Bupivacaine (0.125%) for labour analgesia, with regard to duration of analgesia, duration of labour, ambulation, incidence of instrumentation and caesarean section, foetal outcome, patient satisfaction and side effects. PATIENTS #ENTITYSTARTX00026; METHODS: On demand, epidural labour analgesia was given to 50 nulliparous healthy term parturients (cephalic presentation), divided in two groups randomly. Group I received bupivacaine (0.125%) alone, whereas Group II received bupivacaine (0.125%) along with Clonidine (60 µg). 10 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine was injected as first dose and further doses titrated with patient relief (Numerical Rating Scale <3). Top ups were given whenever Numerical Rating Scale went above 5. RESULTS: There was statistically significant prolongation of duration of analgesia in Group II, with no difference in duration of labour, ambulation, incidence of instrumentation and caesarean section or foetal outcome. Also clonidine gave dose sparing effect to bupivacaine and there was better patient satisfaction without any significant side effects in Group II. CONCLUSION: Clonidine is a useful adjunct to bupivacaine for epidural labour analgesia and can be considered as alternative to opioids.

Salvage surgery for severely deformed hands in leprosy.

Results of surgery of nine cases of severely deformed hands (considered "useless/hopeless") and the techniques used in each of them to achieve a 'functional hand' are described. The techniques used were: Pollicization of Prof G Brunelli, Cocked-hat technique of Gillies, JESS distractor of BB Joshi. All patients had good results after surgery. However, two patients developed some deformity because of insensitive hands'; This type of surgery is not done routinely but authors would like to encourage other surgeons to try these techniques as hands of a number of patients can be made 'functional' by any of these procedures.

Relative changes in tocopherols, isoflavones, total phenolic content, and antioxidative activity in soybean seeds at different reproductive stages.

Immature seeds of soybean are becoming increasingly popular as a snack/vegetable to harness the health benefits of soybean. They are shelled from the immature pods picked from the mother plant at different reproductive stages. Information concerning changes in antioxidant constituents and antioxidant capacity during reproductive phases of soybean seeds is scarce. The aim of the present study was to determine whether immature seeds picked at different reproductive stages differ in tocopherol, isoflavone, total phenolic contents, free radical scavenging activity, and total antioxidative capacity. Seeds shelled from the soybean pods picked at three reproductive stages (R5, R6, and R7) as well as at full maturity were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography analyses for tocopherol and isoflavone contents. Significantly higher values (P<0.05) were observed for tocopherols and isoflavones in immature seeds picked at late reproductive stages. At the first reproductive stage, that is, R5 stage, delta-tocopherol was the predominant form of tocopherol, whereas in subsequent reproductive stages as well as at complete maturity stage, the gamma-isomer contributed maximum proportion to the total tocopherol content. Genistein was, in general, the major form of isoflavone at all reproductive stages. Reduction in free radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content in late-picked seeds concomitant with increased concentration of tocopherol and isoflavone isomers was observed. The results show that bioactive constituents other than isoflavones and tocopherols may decline with the advancement of maturity.

Enzymatic synthesis of isopropyl myristate using immobilized lipase from Bacillus cereus MTCC 8372.

A purified alkaline thermo-tolerant bacterial lipase from Bacillus cereus MTCC 8372 was immobilized on a Poly (MAc-co-DMA-cl-MBAm) hydrogel. The hydrogel showed approximately 94% binding capacity for lipase. The immobilized lipase (2.36 IU) was used to achieve esterification ofmyristic acid and isopropanol in n-heptane at 65 degrees C under continuous shaking. The myristic acid and isopropanol when used at a concentration of 100 mM each in n-heptane resulted in formation of isopropyl myristate (66.0 +/- 0.3 mM) in 15 h. The reaction temperature below or higher than 65 degrees C markedly reduced the formation of isopropyl myristate. Addition of a molecular sieve (3 A x 1.5 mm) to the reaction mixture drastically reduced the ester formation. The hydrogel bound lipase when repetitively used to perform esterification under optimized conditions resulted in 38.0 +/- 0.2 mM isopropyl myristate after the 3rd cycle of esterification.

Identification of SSR markers associated with seed coat permeability and electrolyte leaching in soybean.

Seed coat permeability and electrolyte leaching are the important traits that have been negatively associated with seed longevity in soybean. The objective of this study was to use SSR markers to identify genomic regions significantly associated with QTLs controlling seed coat permeability and electrolyte leaching in a segregating F2 population derived from a cross of Birsa soya-1 x JS 71-05. Parental polymorphism survey using 145 SSR markers identified 21 polymorphic ones, which were used to genotype 153 F2 individuals. Four independent markers (Satt434, Satt538, Satt281 and Satt598) were significantly (P=0.05) associated with seed coat permeability. One of these markers (Satt 281) also showed significant association with electrolyte leaching that partly supported the observed positive correlation (r = 0.425) between the two traits. Markers for seed coat permeability individually explained 3.9% to 4.5% of the total phenotypic variation, while the marker linked with electrolyte leaching explained 5.6% of the total variation.

Identification of genetically diverse genotypes for photoperiod insensitivity in soybean using RAPD markers.

Most of the Indian soybean varieties were found to be highly sensitive to photoperiod, which limits their cultivation in only localized area. Identification of genetically diverse source of photoperiod insensitive would help to broaden the genetic base for this trait. Present study was undertaken with RAPD markers for genetic diversity estimation in 44 accessions of soybean differing in response to photoperiod sensitivity. The selected twenty-five RAPD primers produced a total of 199 amplicons, which generated 89.9 % polymorphism. The number of amplification products ranged from 2 to 13 for different primers. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.0 for monomorphic loci to 0.5 with an average of 0.289. Genetic diversity between pairs of genotypes was 37.7% with a range of 3.9 to 71.6%. UPGMA cluster analysis placed all the accessions of soybean into four major clusters. No discernable geographical patterns were observed in clustering however; the smaller groups corresponded well with pedigree. Mantel's test (r = 0.915) indicates very good fit for clustering pattern. Two genotypes, MACS 330 and 111/2/1939 made a very divergent group from other accessions of soybean and highly photoperiod insensitive that may be potential source for broadening the genetic base of soybean for this trait.

Enhancement of ethyl propionate synthesis by poly (AAc-co-HPMA-cl-MBAm)-immobilized Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC-4713, exposed to Hg2+ and NH4+ ions.

A purified alkaline thermo-tolerant bacterial lipase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC-4713 was immobilized on a poly (AAc-co-HPMA-cl-MBAm) hydrogel. The hydrogel-bound lipase achieved 93.6% esterification of ethanol and propionic acid (300 mM: 100 mM) into ethyl propionate at temperature 65 degrees C in 3 h in the presence of a molecular sieve (3 angstroms). In contrast, hydrogel-immobilized lipase pre-exposed to 5 mM of HgCl2 orNH4Cl resulted in approximately 97% conversion of reactants in 3 h into ethyl propionate under identical conditions. The salt-exposed hydrogel was relatively more efficient in repetitive esterification than the hydrogel-bound lipase not exposed to any of the cations. Moreover, bound lipase exposed Hg2+ or NH4+ ions showed altered specificity towards p-nitrophenyl esters and was more hydrolytic towards higher C-chain p-nitrophenyl esters (p-nitrophenyl laurate and p-nitrophenyl palmitate with C 12 and C 16 chain) than the immobilized lipase not exposed to any of the salts. The later showed greater specificity towards p-nitrophenyl caprylate (C 8).

The release dynamics of model drugs from the psyllium and N-hydroxymethylacrylamide based hydrogels.

In order to utilize the psyllium husk, a medicinally important natural polysaccharide, for developing the novel hydrogels for the controlled drug delivery device, we have prepared psyllium and N-hydroxymethylacrylamide based polymeric networks by using N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (N,N'-MBAAm) as crosslinker. The polymeric networks thus formed were characterized with scanning electron micrography (SEM), FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques to study various structural aspects of the networks and also with the swelling response of the polymeric networks as a function of time, temperature, pH and [NaCl]. Equilibrium swelling has been observed to depend on both structural aspects of the polymers and environmental factors. Maximum P(s) 748.3 was observed at 13.0 x 10(-3)mol/L of [N,N'-MBAAm] in 0.5M NaOH solution. The release dynamics of model drugs (salicylic acid and tetracycline hydrochloride) from hydrogels has also been discussed, for the evaluation of the release mechanism and diffusion coefficients. The effect of pH on the release pattern of tetracycline has been studied by varying the pH of the release medium. In release medium of pH 7.4 buffer the release pattern of tetracycline drastically changes to the extent that mechanism of drug diffusion shifted from non-Fickian diffusion to Fickian diffusion. It has been observed that diffusion exponent "n" have 0.71, 0.67 and 0.52 values and gel characteristic constant 'k' have 1.552 x 10(-2), 2.291 x 10(-2) and 5.309 x 10(-2) values in distilled water, pH 2.2 buffer and pH 7.4 buffer, respectively, for tetracycline release. In solution of pH 7.4 buffer, the rate of polymer chain relaxation was more as compare to the rate of drug diffusion from these hydrogels and it follows Fick's law of diffusion. The value of the initial diffusion coefficient for the release of tetracycline hydrochloride was higher than the value of late time diffusion coefficient in each release medium indicating that in the start, the diffusion of drug from the polymeric matrix was fast as compare to the latter stages.

Use of apple pomace as a source of dietary fiber in cakes.

Dried and powdered apple pomace was passed through 30, 50 and 60 mesh sieves to get pomace of varying particle size. Blends were prepared by mixing 5, 10 and 15 percent pomace from each of the three particle sizes with wheat flour. The blends were evaluated for cake. Batter viscosity increased with increasing pomace level and decreasing particle size. Specific gravity and pH of the batter decreased with increasing pomace levels. Cake weight, shrinkage and uniformity index increased with increasing pomace levels, whereas, cake volume and symmetry index showed a reverse trend.

Communication is the essence of nursing care. 1: Breaking bad news.

This is the first of two articles which support the assumption that effective communication is the foundation upon which nursing should stand. The articles are founded on an examination of an interaction analysis of a role play situation in the classroom where a group of 19 MSc nursing students presented a nursing scenario to their peers and feedback was later generated from the total group. At least seven minority ethnic groups, who were new to the country, were represented. The role play was later examined using theoretical frameworks to guide the analysis. This article provides analysis of the breaking of bad news, giving information through exploring, questioning and reassurance, touch, and, finally, empathy and humanism. The second article will explore and examine ethical issues, such as truth-telling and autonomy, that were also evidenced in the role play. Other themes were personal constraints such as family stress and counselling. This article begins by introducing readers to the role play situation. The number of communication concepts identified in this short 20-minute role play positively support the authors' argument that communication is the essence of nursing care.

Communication is the essence of nursing care. 2: Ethical foundations.

This is the second of two articles analysing the communication themes that emerged from a role play situation in the classroom where a group of MSc nursing students carried out a nursing role play. Feedback from the entire group of 19 students was obtained and discussed openly following the presentation of the scenario. The first article examined the following communication issues: breaking bad news; giving information through exploring, questioning, and reassurance; touch; and empathy and humanism (Vol 9(14): 931-8). Attempts were made to give examples of how these key issues could be applied to nursing practice. This second article involves the examination of the ethical issues of truth-telling and autonomy that emerged in the role play and again attempts to integrate the theoretical underpinnings with nursing practice in the knowledge that the arguments advanced are neither right nor wrong. This deduction is based on the fact that each human being is unique; therefore, each interaction that occurs between two people is also unique. Nursing can strive to provide better, more effective and more sensitive communication because ethical communication is, it is argued, the realm in which nurses toll.