Effect of addition of methionine and histidine on physicochemical and rheological characteristics of water chestnut starch as revealed by molecular dynamic simulations

The effect of addition of amino acids including methionine (Met) and histidine (His) at selected concentrations (2, 6, 10, and 15%) on the physicochemical, pasting, and rheological properties of water chestnut starch (WS) was evaluated. A higher quantity of amino acids considerably (p < 0.05) inhibited the ability of starch-amino acid blends to expand their solubility index and swelling capacity. The addition of amino acids also significantly decreased peak viscosity (952.33-540.67 cP), hot paste viscosity (917-528 cP), cold paste viscosity (1209.67-659 cP), and setback (277.67-131 cP) of WS. Addition of amino acids enhanced the stability ratio (SR) of WS. All the studied samples displayed storage moduli (G') values higher than loss moduli (G'') but rheologically weak gel characteristics. Molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed that interactions between amino acids and water greatly reduced the number of starch-water hydrogen bonds while preserving a higher number of starch-starch intramolecular interactions. This study could provide important insights for better understanding of modification of water chestnut starch functionality under the influence of amino acid residues.

Cross-linking, carboxymethylation and hydroxypropylation treatment to sorghum dietary fiber: Effect on physicochemical, micro structural and thermal properties

The effect of cross-linking (CL), carboxymethylation (CM), and hydroxypropylation (HP) on the physicochemical, micro-structural, and thermal properties of sorghum dietary fiber (SODF) was studied. Results reflected that all three modifications significantly (p < 0.05) increased the water absorption capacity, swelling capacity, oil absorption capacity, and soluble dietary fiber content of SODF with CM being the most effective treatment. The CM significantly (p < 0.05) improved the solubility (9.9 %), whereas CL (4.65 %) and HP (2.79 %) significantly reduced the solubility of native SODF. The color analysis reflected the decrease in L* value after all modifications, indicating an increase in brown color of SODF. XRD analysis reflected an increase in crystallinity value (14.47 to 17.94 %) of SODF after modifications, resulting in increased thermal stability of modified SODF. The DSC results revealed the increased decomposition temperature of cross-linked and hydroxypropylated dietary fiber showing improved thermal stability of these types of modified fibers. The changes in thermal, physicochemical, and microstructural properties of SODF after modification could be ascribed to the changes in structure and chemical composition as reflected from SEM, XRD, and FTIR analysis.

Morphological and thermo-mechanical characterization of sweet potato starch based nanocomposites reinforced with barley starch nanoparticles

The aim of present study was to develop and characterize the biodegradable sweet potato starch-based nanocomposite films reinforced with barley starch nanoparticles (SNP). Sweet potato starch-based films with varying concentrations of barley SNP (5-25% w/w) were manufactured by adopting solution casting method using glycerol as a plasticizer. The morphology, thickness, transparency, water solubility, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), tensile strength, elongation at break and thermal stability properties of nanocomposite films were evaluated. The results showed that the incorporation of barley SNP led to a significant increase in tensile strength from 2.63 (control film) to 8.98 MPa (nanocomposite with 15% (w/w) SNP). Compared with the native starch film, the surface of the nanocomposite films became more rough and uneven with the increasing concentration of nanofillers. High concentration of SNP (upto 25%, w/w) significantly decreased the transparency and WVTR, and water solubility (upto 20%, w/w) of nanocomposite films. The WVTR decreased from 3294.53 to 349.06 g/m2/24 h. In addition, the thermal stability of nanocomposites got improved after incorporation of SNP into starch-film matrix.

Effect of nano-conversion on morphological, rheological and thermal properties of barley starch

The aim of the present study was to synthesize biodegradable starch nanoparticles (SNP's) from a renewable source like barley starch and to characterize for morphological, crystalline, thermal, and rheological properties. Acid hydrolysis transformed A+V-type round or disc-shaped native starch (NS) granules with an average width of 10 µm and the average length of 22 µm into round or irregular shaped A-type SNP's with an average size of 64 nm with the crystallinity enhanced from 41.75 to 48.08%. The zeta potential of NS and SNP's was - 17.7 and - 21.4 nm, respectively, with the higher stability of SNP's. The gelatinization temperature increased while melting decreased after nano conversion of barley starch. The storage and loss moduli of 12 and 15% suspension of SNP's remained unchanged with a change in angular frequency (0.1-10 rad-s), which indicated a greater tendency to recover after deformation, while 20% SNP's suspension behaved like a viscous fluid. The flow behavior test demonstrated a shear-thinning behavior of SNP's suspension.

Characterization of acid hydrolysates from barley β-glucan concentrate for their physico-chemical and rheological properties

The present study was aimed at assessing the influence of acid hydrolysis on the physicochemical and rheological properties of β-glucan concentrate. Barley β-glucan concentrate was subjected to acid hydrolysis for 30 and 60 min. The molecular weight and viscosity were observed to be a function of hydrolysis time and decreased in a duration-based approach. Significant reduction in water binding capacity and swelling power was observed after acid hydrolysis. Acid hydrolysis dramatically altered the flow properties and a Newtonian behavior was observed for HBG₆₀. The oscillatory measurements revealed enhanced visco-elasticity for HBG₃₀ solutions in comparison to its native counterpart and were greatly reliant on molecular weight and concentration. DSC measurements showed reduced thermal stability of acid hydrolysates in comparison to native β-glucan concentrate. Overall, this study provides useful information on the hydration, thermal and rheological behavior of β-glucan concentrates and could be helpful in optimizing the concentration of β-glucan concentrates in food formulations.

Effect of prophylactic granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on acute hematological toxicity in medulloblastoma patients during craniospinal irradiation (CSI)

OBJECTIVES

Haematological toxicity and treatment breaks are common during cranio-spinal irradiation (CSI) due to irradiation of large volume of bone marrow. We conducted this study to see the effect of prophylactic granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) in reducing treatment breaks.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study was conducted over a period of 15 months from August 2017 to November 2018. Histopathologically proven Medulloblastoma patients received prophylactic GCSF during CSI. Acute hematological toxicities and treatment breaks were noted and effect of age and pretreatment blood counts were analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 23.

RESULTS

A total of 28 patients were included in the study. During CSI, hematological toxicity leading to treatment breaks was observed in 11 (39.3 %) patients, of which grade 3 and 2 toxicities were seen in ten and one patients respectively. Younger age (<10 years) at diagnosis was significantly associated with the development of hematological toxicity (p = 0.028, Chi-Square). No correlation was found with pre-treatment blood counts.

CONCLUSION

Prophylactic use of GCSF may be effective in preventing radiation induced hematological toxicity and treatment breaks.

Pasting, rheological, and dough mixing behavior of rice flour as affected by the addition of native and partially hydrolyzed β-glucan concentrate

This study was aimed at evaluating the potential of barley β-glucan concentrates (native and partially hydrolyzed) in modifying the techno-functionality of rice flour dough. β-Glucan concentrate was partially hydrolyzed to obtain a low molecular weight polymer and their influence on the pasting, rheological, and thermal properties of rice dough were assessed. Hydration, thermal, and pasting properties were significantly modified with the added β-glucans. The rice dough supplemented with β-glucan concentrates showed improved viscoelastic and creep behavior and the effectiveness of β-glucans in imparting strength to rice dough depended on its molecular weight. Hydrolyzed β-glucan concentrates having low molecular weight increased dough elasticity to the greater extent in comparison to native β-glucan concentrates. The micrographs of supplemented dough showed a strong and dense network indicating improved structure and strength.

Characterization of partial acid hydrolysates of citrus pectin for their pasting, rheological and thermal properties

Pectin was subjected to acid hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid for 30 and 60 min to prepare partial hydrolysates (PH30 and PH 60). The influence of acid hydrolysis on the physico-chemical and functional properties were assessed for their potential applications in foods. Acid hydrolysis significantly reduced the molecular weight and viscosity of pectin in a time dependent manner. Steady shear properties revealed a shear-thinning behavior for NP and PH 30 while Newtonian behavior was observed for PH 60. Oscillatory measurements revealed a viscoelastic behavior for NP while a viscous liquid like behavior was observed for PH30. DSC measurements also revealed reduced thermal stability of pectin hydrolysates in comparison to native pectin. The results of the present study suggested that pectin hydrolysates with improved solubility can be used in various food products as a source of dietary fiber without modifying the texture and palatability of food products.

Effect of surface modification and laser repetition rate on growth, structural, electronic and optical properties of GaN nanorods on flexible Ti metal foil

The effect of flexible Ti metal foil surface modification and laser repetition rate in laser molecular beam epitaxy growth process on the evolution of GaN nanorods and their structural, electronic and optical properties has been investigated. The GaN nanostructures were grown on bare- and pre-nitridated Ti foil substrates at 700 °C for different laser repetition rates (10–30 Hz). It is found that the low repetition rate (10 Hz) promotes sparse growth of three-dimensional inverted-cone like GaN nanostructures on pre-nitridated Ti surface whereas the entire Ti foil substrate is nearly covered with film-like GaN consisting of large-sized grains for 30 Hz growth. In case of the GaN growth at 20 Hz, uniformly-aligned, dense (∼8 × 10⁹ cm⁻²) GaN nanorods are successfully grown on pre-nitridated Ti foil whereas sparse vertical GaN nanorods have been obtained on bare Ti foil under similar growth conditions for both 20 and 30 Hz. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) has been utilized to elucidate the electronic structure of GaN nanorods grown under various experimental conditions on Ti foil. It confirms Ga–N bonding in the grown structures, and the calculated chemical composition turns out to be Ga rich for the GaN nanorods grown on pre-nitridated Ti foil. For bare Ti substrates, a preferred reaction between Ti and N is noticed as compared to Ga and N leading to sparse growth of GaN nanorods. Hence, the nitridation of Ti foil is a prerequisite to achieve the growth of dense and aligned GaN nanorod arrays. The X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman studies revealed the c-axis growth of wurtzite GaN nanorods on Ti metal foil with good crystallinity and structural quality. The photoluminescence spectroscopy showed that the dense GaN nanorod possesses a near band edge emission at 3.42 eV with a full width at half maximum of 98 meV at room temperature. The density-controlled growth of GaN nanorods on a flexible substrate with high structural and optical quality holds promise for potential applications in futuristic flexible GaN based optoelectronics and sensor devices.

The effect of flexible Ti metal foil surface modification and laser repetition rate in laser molecular beam epitaxy growth process on the evolution of GaN nanorods and their structural, electronic and optical properties has been investigated.

P14.06 Phase II randomized trial of short course hypofractionated radiotherapy with or without temozolomide in elderly patients with Glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor. Although treatment advances and introduction of temozolomide has improved the outcome in young patients, it is still a concern in elderly patients. Elderly population is often excluded from the trials, thus established treatment guidelines are not available. Trials have shown that short course hypofractionated radiotherapy (HRT) is equally effective in terms of overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) as compared to standard RT in elderly population. While the benefit of adding Temozolomide (TMZ) to standard dose radiotherapy is well established, there is lack of evidence that addition of TMZ to HRT improves survival in elderly patients.We conducted this study to see if addition of temozolomide to HRT improves OS, PFS and quality of life (QOL) in elderly GBM patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted over a period of 21 months from January 2017 to September 2018. Histologically proven 70 newly diagnosed Glioblastoma patients (age>60 years) were enrolled and randomized into two arms (Arm I- HRT alone, Arm II- HRT and TMZ) using computer generated randomization table (1:1 ratio). The radiotherapy dose in both arms was same and consisted of a dose of 25Gy in 5 daily fractions over 1 week. In addition, arm II patients received daily concurrent TMZ 75mg/m2 1 hour prior to RT followed by adjuvant TMZ 175mg/m2 from Day1-5 for 6 cycles (q 4weeks), started after a month of RT completion. Quality of life score and global health status was assessed in both arms at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 9 months after the treatment using QOL questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C 30 and QLQ-BN20. Data entry was done in Microsoft Excel 2016 and analysis was done in SPSS version 18. Kaplan Meier survival analysis was done for OS and PFS. To see the trend of time related observations at different point of time repeated ANOVA was used. A p value of <0.05 was taken significant.

RESULTS

The median OS in arm I and II was 121 (range 40–360 days) and 146 (range 40–450 days) days respectively (P=0.146). The median PFS in arm 1 and arm 2 were 77 (range 30–300 days) and 109.50 (range 30–300) days respectively (p-0.028). On further analysis, the prognostic factors were type of surgery (Median PFS 159 days in gross total excision and 129 days in subtotal excision or biopsy, p-0.03) and KPS (0.04). QOL score for symptom and functional domain was comparable in both arms. However score of nausea and vomiting was higher during concurrent chemoradiotherapy. A non significant improvement in QLQ BN 20 score was observed at 9 months in arm I.

CONCLUSION

Addition of Temozolomide to HRT is a compelling option in elderly Glioblastoma patients as it significantly improves the PFS and a non significant improvement in OS without compromising quality of life.

Influence of Processing Treatments on Nutritional and Physicochemical Characteristics of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)

Background:

Buckwheat is now becoming increasingly popular due to its health benefits. The most attractive feature of its seeds are gluten-free with high-quality protein and presence of bioactive compounds with health-promoting effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of processing treatments on nutritional and physicochemical properties of buckwheat which would further be utilized for the production of a varied range of novel products.

Methods:

The different processing treatments such as cooking, fermentation, and germination were given to buckwheat seeds. The native and processed buckwheat were then analyzed for their nutritional properties such as moisture, ash, fat, crude fiber, protein, total phenol, tannin and phytate content using standard methods. The physicochemical properties were also determined using standard methods.

Results:

Processing treatments significantly (p≤0.05) reduces the tannin and phytate content and significantly (p≤0.05) increases the total phenol content. Also, processing had a varied effect on Water Absorption Capacity (WAC), Oil Absorption Capacity (OAC), least gelation concentration and bulk density. The WAC and OAC of buckwheat flours were significantly (p≤0.05) varied from 2.15 to 3.89 g/g and 1.96 to 2.32 g/g, respectively.

Conclusion:

The changes observed in physicochemical properties of buckwheat flour after processing treatments provided a crucial basis for its potential applications on an industrial scale.

Abstract P3-12-13: Comparison of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) with whole breast irradiation (WBI) using 3D conformal external beam radiation therapy (3D CRT)

Purpose:

To compare accelerated partial breast irradiation with whole breast irradiation in post breast conservation surgery (BCS) women with breast cancer.

Material and methods:

Women &gt;35 years of age with invasive or noninvasive breast cancer ≤4 cm treated by BCS were randomized to 3D CRT APBI (34 Gy in 10 fractions given twice daily) or WBI (40 Gy in 16 fractions given once daily ± boost irradiation).The primary outcome was ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence and important secondary outcomes were adverse cosmetic outcome (fair or poor on a HARVARD/NSABP/RTOG breast cosmesis grading scale) and toxicity using the RTOG scores and LENT SOMA scale. Radiation toxicities and cosmesis was assessed directly by radiation oncologist during radiotherapy and in follow up.Patient and tumour characteristics, locoregional recurrence and distant metastases rates were compared using Fisher's exact tests.All statistical tests were two sided p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

Between June 2011 and December 2015, 133 women were randomized to 3D CRT APBI or WBI. Patient characteristics were balanced between two arms. There was an increased rate of acute grade 2 dermatitis in WBI arm(p=0.33). Median follow up was 60 months(range 9-84 months). Grades 1 and 2 late radiation toxicities were higher in the WBI arm compared to the APBI arm; pigmentation, fibrosis and breast shrinkage were significantly more in the WBI arm. Grades 3 and 4 late toxicity was not seen in any of the treatment arms. Adverse cosmesis at last follow up was significantly higher in patients treated with WBI, 32% as compared to 6% with APBI (p=&lt;0.001). Local recurrence with APBI was 3% as compared to 1.5% with WBI and distant metastasis rate was high in WBI arm as compared with APBI, 5.9% vs 3% respectively; both not statisticaly significant.

Table 1.Patient and tumor characteristicsCharacteristicsAPBI(n=65)WBI(n=68)p-valueMean age(range)50(36-75)(36-75)50(37-67)(37-67)0.13T- Stage   T134(52)37(54) T228(43)28(41)0.96T33(5)3(4) N stage   N057(88)59(87) N17(11)28(41)1.00N21(1)1(1) Grade   114(22)12(18) 237(56)40(59)0.5314(22)16(23) Surgical margins   Negative60(92)61(90)0.79Positive5(8)7(10) LVI   No56(86)55(81)0.49Yes9(14)13(19) ER   Positive42(65)45(66) Negative19(29)21(31)1.00Unknown5(6)2(3) PR   Positive38(58)39(57) Negative23(35)25(37)1.0Unknown4(7)4(6) Her2-neu   Positive7(11)6(9)0.78Chemotherapy   Yes35(54)52(76)0.78No30(46)16(24) Hormone therapy   Yes49(75)49(72)0.78No16(25)19(28) Trastuzumab   Yes3(43)3(50)1.00No4(57)3(50) 

Conclusion:

In women with BCS, APBI was associated with better cosmetic outcome and late radiation toxicities compared to WBI. Local recurrence and distant metastasis was comparable in both the arms.

Citation Format: Yadav BS, L S, Sharma SC, Singh R, Dahiya D. Comparison of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) with whole breast irradiation (WBI) using 3D conformal external beam radiation therapy (3D CRT) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-13.

Non-invasive Qualitative Urinary Metabolomic Profiling Discriminates Gut Microbiota Derived Metabolites in the Moderate and Chronic Alcoholic Cohorts

BACKGROUND

Excessive alcohol consumption damages the intestine and liver cells directly as well as through unbalancing the gut microbiota.

OBJECTIVE

The current study was undertaken to correlate the alcohol consumption and change in urinary metabolites profile linked with gut microbiota.

METHOD

Non-alcoholic (control) healthy (n=22) and moderate alcoholic (n=26) males with an average age of 39.3±1.83 years subjected to alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) were considered for study. First pass urine and blood samples were collected in the morning.

RESULTS

Liver function test showed the increased levels of γGT, AST and ALT to 40.3 ± 2.3, 53.3 ± 0.7, and 38.9 ± 0.5 U/L, respectively. Urine samples were processed and subjected to HPLC-Q-TOFMS analysis in positive and negative ion polarity modes. Mass data were processed to align and filter out insignificant entities and subjected to One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni multiple testing corrections analysis. The analysis provided list of 211gut microbes specific metabolites with p>0.05 and fold change >1.5. All metabolites were identified using standards and referring to METALIN library of standard metabolites. Further analyses showed that alcohol intake disturbed more than ten metabolic pathways. Tryptophan, tyrosine, branched chain amino acids and short-chain fatty acids metabolism were the significantly disturbed pathways in alcoholics.

CONCLUSION

Correlation of various metabolites with gut microbiota showed that chronic and moderate dose intake of alcohol decreased the level of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium spp. and increased the levels of Proteobacteria, Alcaligenes and Clostridium.

Antioxidant activity of various extracts of selected gourd vegetables

Study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidative activity of methanolic (ME), ethanolic (EE) and butanolic extracts (BE) of selected gourd vegetables. The antioxidant activity was investigated using different assays namely ferric thiocyanate test (FTC), thiobarbituric acid test (TBA), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and DPPH free radicals scavenging test. A densitometric HPTLC analysis was performed for the analysis of phenolic acids and flavonoids. Different extracts of the selected gourd vegetables revealed different antioxidant activity. Different extracts of Lagenaria siceraria, Momordica charantia and Luffa cylindrica revealed significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of total phenols, flavonids, tannins and carotenoids content and also the antioxidant activity in comparison to remaining vegetable extracts. Correlation studies indicated that FRAP test best described the antioxidant activity of phenols, flavonoids and carotenoids (r = 0.854, 0.692 and 0.915 respectively). HPTLC profiles revealed the presence of maximum number of phenolic acids and flavonoids in L. siceraria and M. charantia.

Outcome following radical cystectomy and bladder-preservation therapy in patients with invasive carcinoma of urinary bladder

Background:

Invasive bladder cancer is a lethal disease with a 50% cancer-related mortality even in the best healthcare systems. Optimum combination of surgery, external beam radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy has yet to be determined.

Purpose:

To audit the outcome of multi-modality treatment and compare this with the existing literature in order to set future priorities and re-audit in patients with invasive carcinoma of urinary bladder.

Materials and Methods:

Between January 2001 and December 2004, 97 patients with invasive carcinoma of urinary bladder were analyzed. Radical surgery was done in 18(18%) patients and adjuvant radiation was given to 20(21%) patients. Radical radiation alone, (≥50 Gy) was given to 26(27%) and chemoradiation to 33(34%) patients respectively. Patients in the chemoradiation arm were given the same dose of radiation with weekly concomitant cisplatin at 40 mg/ m² one hour before radiation during the first phase only. At a median follow-up of 32 months the outcome studied included locoregional failure, distant failure, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) using univariate and multivariate analyses. The OS and DFS were calculated according to Kaplan-Meier. Log rank test was used for statistical significance.

Results:

Median age of the patients was 58 years. Males comprised 93% of the total patients. Most (93%) of the patients had transitional cell histology. In patients treated with radiation alone overall response rate was 60%, with a complete response (CR) rate of 42%. The CR in patients treated with chemoradiation was 51%. Bladder was preserved in 61% of patients who received chemoradiation as compared to 42% in patients treated with radical radiation. With radical radiation local recurrence rate was 19% as compared to 22% with surgery and 6% with chemoradiation, respectively. Local recurrence rate was only 5% in patients treated with adjuvant radiation. Distant metastasis rate was least with chemoradiation (9%) as compared to 11.5% in radical radiation: curable dose of radiation and 33% with surgery alone, respectively. Patients with adjuvant radiation had a distant metastases rate of 15%. Median OS was 36 months. Factors affecting OS were histology (P = 0.023) and nodal involvement (P = 0.034). Median DFS was 26 months. Significant factors affecting DFS on univariate analysis were histology (P = 0.046) and nodal involvement (P = 0.004). On multivariate analysis the only factor affecting DFS and OS was nodal involvement (P = 0.01; Hazard Ratio, 0.085-0.719).

Conclusion:

In patients with invasive bladder cancer, combined modality in the form of radical cystectomy followed by radiation give best local control. Radiation alone is not effective to control muscle-invasive local disease; however, Chemoradiation is an effective alternative to radical cystectomy to preserve bladder function.

Effect of incorporation of plantain and chickpea flours on the quality characteristics of biscuits

Blends of plantain and chickpea flours each with concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% along with of refined wheat flour were used for development of biscuits. The flours were evaluated for their chemical and functional properties. Plantain flour had highest crude fiber (3.6%) and carbohydrate content (80.8%), whereas chickpea flour had highest protein content (19.3%) and fat content (4.4%). Plantain flour showed highest water absorption (167.7%) whereas lowest oil absorption capacity (144.6). The chickpea flour showed highest foaming capacity and stability. The thickness and diameter of biscuits did not differ significantly (p < 0.05). The spread ratio and percent spread decreased with the addition of plantain and chickpea flours each up to a concentration of 30%. The fracture strength of biscuits increased significantly (p < 0.05) with addition of plantain and chickpea flours and was highest at 40% concentration (21.1 N). The protein and crude fiber content of biscuits increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 7.1 to 9.2% and 1.1 to 3.6%, respectively with increasing extent of chickpea flour and plantain flours in the blends. The sensory properties of biscuits prepared by replacing refined wheat flour up to 20% each with plantain and chickpea flour were more or less similar to those of control biscuits.

Studies on effect of multiple heating/cooling cycles on the resistant starch formation in cereals, legumes and tubers

'Resistant starch' (RS) is defined as starch and starch degradation products that resist the action of amylolytic enzymes. The effect of multiple heating/cooling treatments on the RS content of legumes, cereals and tubers was studied. The mean RS contents of the freshly cooked legumes, cereals and tubers (4.18%, 1.86% and 1.51% dry matter basis, respectively) increased to 8.16%, 3.25% and 2.51%, respectively, after three heating/cooling cycles (P< or =0.05) with a maximum increase of 114.8% in pea and a minimum of 62.1% in sweet potato (P< or =0.05). Significant positive correlations were observed between the RS content and amylose (y=0.443x-5.993, r=0.829, P< or =0.05, n=9) as well as between the percentage increase in RS and insoluble dietary fiber content (y=2.149x-24.787, r=0.962, P< or =0.05, n=9). A differential scanning calorimeter study showed an increase in the T(0), T(p), T(c) and DeltaH values of the repeatedly autoclaved/cooled starches. The intact granular structure was also observed disappear, as studied using scanning electron microscopy.

Resistant starch content of conventionally boiled and pressure-cooked cereals, legumes and tubers

Resistant starch (RS) content was determined in the conventionally boiled (H1) and pressure-cooked (H2) cereals, legumes and tubers using enzymatic method. Both H1 and H2 legumes contained higher amount of RS as compared to cereals and tubers. H1 and H2 lentils showed highest RS content of 5.0 and 4.9% (dwb), respectively. Higher RS content in legumes can be attributed to the presence of intact tissue/cell structures enclosing starch granules and high level of amylose (26-33%) and high content of viscous soluble dietary fiber components. The decrease in RS content of H2 foods in comparison to H1 counterparts (maximum decrease of 15% in pea) might have occurred due to changes in cell wall integrity of H2 foods and this could result in increased accessibility of starch to amylolytic enzymes.

Fluoride, boron and nitrate toxicity in ground water of northwest Rajasthan, India

The study was carried out to access the fluoride, boron, and nitrate concentrations in ground water samples of different villages in Indira Gandhi, Bhakra, and Gang canal catchment area of northwest Rajasthan, India. Rural population, in the study site, is using groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes, without any quality test of water. All water samples (including canal water) were contaminated with fluoride. Fluoride, boron, and nitrate were observed in the ranges of 0.50-8.50, 0.0-7.73, and 0.0-278.68 mg/l, respectively. Most of the water samples were in the categories of fluoride 1.50 mg/l, of boron 2.0-4.0 mg/l, and of nitrate < 45 mg/l. There was no industrial pollution in the study site; hence, availability of these compounds in groundwater was due to natural reasons and by the use of chemical fertilizers.

Fungating scrotal mass: A rare clinical presentation of testicular tumor

A 20-year-old male patient presented with fungating scrotal mass. Investigations revealed yolk sac tumor with lung metastasis. The patient was treated with systemic chemotherapy. There was complete disappearance of the scrotal mass as well as metastatic disease from the lung. Fungating scrotal mass is a rare presentation of testicular tumor. This rare presentation is reported here. This is second such case in the English literature.

Orbital lymphoma: role of radiation

The purpose of this article is to review the literature for clinical presentation, treatment, outcome and complications of using radiotherapy for the treatment of orbital lymphoma. For this, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched through January 2007 for published data on primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the orbit. The search was conducted in all document types, using the following terms "Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, MALT (mucosa associated lymphoid tissue) and orbit". Data extracted were based on age, sex, therapeutic methods and outcome of treatment. When full articles were not available, abstracts were used as a source of information. Only those articles whose abstracts or full text were available in English were included in table. The review of reports of NHL of the orbit, in general, served as a source of information about its clinical behavior, treatment and overall prognosis. Fifty-six publications were identified, including six in languages other than English. There was no randomized trial. All the studies were retrospective. The studies were heterogeneous in patient number (3 to 112), histology, disease stage (IE to IV), radiotherapy doses used (4 to 53.8Gy), local control rates (65 to 100%), distant relapse rates (0 to 67%, from low grade to high grade) and five-year survival rates (33 to 100%). Three of the studies with a good number of patients also demonstrated clinical benefit with radiotherapy in terms of superior efficacy or less toxicity. Available data support the acceptance of radiotherapy as a standard therapeutic option in patients with low to intermediate grade orbital lymphoma. Toxicity of radiotherapy is mild if delivered precisely.

Results of letrozole in postmenopausal women after tamoxifen treatment for advanced breast cancer

AIM

To analyze overall and progression-free survival after letrozole in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer who failed after tamoxifen therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of 95 patients with breast cancer who were postmenopausal and had failed after tamoxifen therapy. Dose of letrozole was 2.5 mg daily until disease progressed. Patients had estrogen receptor- and/or progesterone receptor-positive tumors or both receptors were unknown. One complete course of (6 cycles) chemotherapy for metastatic disease was allowed. The primary end point was time to progression (TTP). Secondary end points included overall objective response rate (ORR), its duration, time to treatment failure (TTF), overall survival and tolerability.

RESULTS

Median TTP was 10 months. ORR was 21% with complete response rate of 9%. Nine patients died of disease during treatment. Median overall survival was 36 months. Median time to response was three months and median duration of response was 13 months. Time to chemotherapy was 13.5 months and TTF was 9.3 months. Treatment failure was seen in 76% of patients. Disease progression was the main cause for treatment failure. Treatment was well-tolerated by all patients.

CONCLUSION

This retrospective analysis shows that letrozole is quite effective as second line therapy in postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer who had failed after tamoxifen therapy.

Cardiovascular changes in thyroid disorder

Thyroid hormones have a profound effect on the metabolism. The cardiovascular system is particularly sensitive to this metabolic alteration. Therefore it is not surprising that thyroid dysfunction can produce dramatic cardiovascular effects, often mimicking primary cardiac disease. Both hypothyroidsm and hyperthyroidsm produce a clinical syndrome causing a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma to the endocrinologist and cardiologist. Furthermore, cardiac disease and amiodarone therapy can also produce thyroid abnormality.

A study of psychiatric comorbidity in alcohol dependence

The diagnosis of comorbid psychiatric conditions have important clinical ramifications as the outcome is poorer with multiple disorders. Various studies have shown that alcohol abuse has severe adverse effects on the course of metal illness and vice versa. Only a little data on the subject are available from our country. We interviewed 30 patients suffering from alcohol dependence using SCID - I & SCID - II. Seventy six percent of the sample had axis - I comorbid diagnosis and 40% had an axis -II diagnoses. Depressive disorder and cluster B personality disorders were the most common comorbid diagnosis.