A potent antibiotic-loaded bone-cement implant against staphylococcal bone infections.

New antibiotics should ideally exhibit activity against drug-resistant bacteria, delay the development of bacterial resistance to them and be suitable for local delivery at desired sites of infection. Here, we report the rational design, via molecular-docking simulations, of a library of 17 candidate antibiotics against bone infection by wild-type and mutated bacterial targets. We screened this library for activity against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates and identified an antibiotic that exhibits potent activity against resistant strains and the formation of biofilms, decreases the chances of bacterial resistance and is compatible with local delivery via a bone-cement matrix. The antibiotic-loaded bone cement exhibited greater efficacy than currently used antibiotic-loaded bone cements against staphylococcal bone infections in rats. Potent and locally delivered antibiotic-eluting polymers may help address antimicrobial resistance.

Bioactive compounds of Aegle marmelos L., medicinal values and its food applications: A critical review.

Aegle marmelos L. (bael) is a fruit tree of Rutaceae family, widely grown all over the world. This plant is gaining popularity because of its nutrient-rich fruits and immense traditional medicinal usage and pharmacological properties. The health promotive and protective effect of bael fruit is accounted by fibers, carotenoids, phenolics, terpenoids, coumarins, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The curative relevance of these compounds has been assessed by various in vivo and in vitro studies. Fruit shows numerous possible health benefits, namely, radio-protective effects, peroxidation, antibacterial, inhibition of lipid, antidiarrheal, gastroprotective, antiviral, antidiabetic, anti-ulcerative colitis, cardioprotective, free-radical scavenging (antioxidant) and hepatoprotective effects. The health benefits of bael are not only limited to edible portion (fruit), but it also extends to nonedible portion (root, trunk, bark, leaf, flower and seed) having comparable biologically active compounds. Increasing awareness about the role of diet among health-conscious consumers for human well-being has increased the interest in functional foods thereby exploration of the functional attributes of various underutilized plants is being reaffirmed and various sources are emerged out as suitable food material for processing industry. The various scientific reports collected from different bibliometric sources suggested that A. marmelos and its bioactive constituents could play a vital role in the prevention of several chronic and degenerative diseases associated with oxidation stress. This review emphasis on recent scientific evidences on nutrition and bioactive profile of A. marmelos, health benefits along with clinical and nonclinical trials of various phytoconstituents and A. marmelos potential in food processing industry for various food products. Our study suggests that this plant does indeed have pharmacological properties of interest, however, further extensive research is needed to establish a potential strategy that can balance the pharmacological and toxic effects of bael.

Bioactive compounds, nutritional benefits and food applications of colored wheat: a comprehensive review.

The consumers' demands have changed from energy providing diet to a diet with a balanced nutrient profile along with metabolic, physiological and functional health benefits. They are seeking colorants derived from natural sources to enhance the nutritional and antioxidant value of foods. Colored wheat (Triticum aestivum) contains many phytochemicals, responsible for numerous health benefits. Colored wheat (blue, black, purple and red) contains a good amount of anthocyanins and carotenoids that are primarily located in the outer aleurone layer. Food regulatory and safety authorities and food processing industries are trying to minimize the usage of synthetic food colorants and dyes. Colored wheat is imperative for food processing industries as high-value pigments present in the bran layer (milling industry co-product) can easily be extracted and utilized as functional foods and natural colorants. The extracted pigments such as anthocyanin can replace synthetic dyes currently used in food, drug and cosmetics. Additionally, natural additives improve the nutritional value, appearance, texture, flavor, and storage properties of food products. This review presents a brief knowledge of the nutritional composition of colored wheat including phytochemicals and bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolic compounds, their health benefits, methods and technologies used for processing and extraction as well as the effects of processing on these compounds.

Physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compounds and industrial applications of mango kernel and its products: A review.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a fruit plant of family Anacardiaceae, widely grown all over the world, and is a very popular fruit in the world market. Mango fruit is the second most traded tropical fruit and fifth in terms of production globally. Large quantities of mango processing coproducts are generated (peels and seeds), which usually are discarded as waste, yet are a potential source of fat, protein, carbohydrate, and certain bioactive compounds. Mango kernel is a remarkably rich source of macronutrients and micronutrients including calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, E, K, and C. Phytochemicals with a notable therapeutic potential such as tocopherols, phytosterols, carotenoids, polyphenols (gallotannins, flavonols, benzophenone derivatives, mangiferin, homomangiferin, isomangiferin, anthocyanins, kaempferol, and quercetin), and phenolic acids (4-caffeoylquinic acids, caffeic, coumaric, ellagic, gallic, and ferulic acid) are reported. The phytochemicals have high antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and, antiproliferation activities and could be used for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications. The nutritional composition of mango kernel constitutes 32.34% to 76.81% carbohydrate, 6% to 15.2% fat, 6.36% to 10.02% protein, 0.26% to 4.69% crude fiber, and 1.46% to 3.71% ash on a dry weight basis. The nutritional profile of the kernel suggests its usability as a food ingredient in the development of value-added products such as mango kernel oil, mango kernel butter, mango kernel flour, and biofilms among other diverse products. This comprehensive systematic review explores mango kernel as a potential and novel food ingredient to meet the needs of a health-conscious population. The review also provides a remedy to waste management and environmental pollution.

Novel oil extraction technologies: Process conditions, quality parameters, and optimization.

Conventional techniques of extracting oil using organic solvents pose health, safety, and environmental concerns. In modern extraction methods, green solvents such as water, ethanol, ethyl acetate, carbon dioxide, ionic liquids, and terpenes are currently gaining prominence. These green solvents present no signs of pollution and remain in liquid form over a temperature range of 0 to 140 °C. Other techniques covered in this review include microwave-assisted enzymatic extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid technology, high pressure-assisted extraction, and pulse electric field-assisted extraction. These techniques are considered environmentally friendly because they exhibit less hazardous chemical synthesis, use renewable feedstock, and reduce the chemical load and emissions generated by organic solvents. Aqueous enzymatic extraction is a novel technique that uses enzymes as the medium for extraction of oil. Selection of the enzymes solely depends on the structure of the oilseed and the composition of the cell wall. Studies reveal an enzyme to substrate ratio of 1% to 8%, the temperature of 40 to 55 °C, and a pH of 4 to 8 to be typical for enzymatic extraction of oil from different oilseeds. Microwave-assisted extraction has proven to impart significant effects on mass transfer and offers high throughput and extraction efficiency. A microwave power of 275 to 1,000 W and a temperature range of 30 to 60 °C are noticed in the different studies. The review presents a comprehensive account of the modern extraction techniques, the parameters responsible for yield and quality, and their industrial applications. Besides, the review highlights the optimized parameters for oil extraction from different oil-bearing materials.

Duplication of inferior vena cava and coagulation mutations with left-sided iliofemoral venous thrombosis.

Duplication of the inferior vena cava (IVC) with coagulation mutations in the form of factor V Leiden and MTHFR mutations represents an unusual subset of patients. We are reporting a case of a 43-year-old man who presented with left iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis diagnosed on duplex ultrasound scan. At the time of catheter-directed thrombolysis with prophylactic IVC filter placement, a duplicated IVC system was observed. After thrombolysis, a stenotic lesion in the left common iliac vein and IVC was stented. IVC filters were retrieved after 6 weeks. On thrombophilia profile testing at 3 months, he was also found to have factor V Leiden and MTHFR mutations. After 12 months of follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic with a patent iliocaval venous system and is receiving lifelong anticoagulation.

Case report: Upper neck pouch sign in the antenatal diagnosis of esophageal atresia.

Prenatal diagnosis of esophageal atresia remains a challenge for the imaging consultant. On antenatal USG, the finding of an absent or small stomach in the setting of polyhydramnios used to be considered suspicious of esophageal atresia. However, these findings have a low positive predictive value. The upper neck pouch sign is another sign that helps in the antenatal diagnosis of esophageal atresia. In this paper, I report a case of esophageal atresia that was diagnosed on USG at 27 weeks of gestation; the diagnosis was confirmed postnatally.

Case report: Antenatal diagnosis of congenital high airway obstruction syndrome - laryngeal atresia.

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is a near fatal condition of multifactorial inheritence, in which the fetus has a dilated trachea, enlarged echogenic lungs, an inverted or flattened diaphagram, and ascites. A case of CHAOS, diagnosed antenatally on USG at 28 weeks of gestation, is being reported here.