Biomonitoring of mercury and selenium in commercially important shellfish: Distribution pattern, health benefit assessment and consumption advisories

This study aims to explore the concentrations of Se and Hg in shellfish along the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) coast (Southeast India) and to estimate related risks and risk-based consumption limits for children, pregnant women, and adults. Se concentrations in shrimp, crab, and cephalopods ranged from 0.256 to 0.275 mg kg-1, 0.182 to 0.553 mg kg-1, and 0.176 to 0.255 mg kg-1, respectively, whereas Hg concentrations differed from 0.009 to 0.014 mg kg-1, 0.022 to 0.042 mg kg-1 and 0.011 to 0.024 mg kg-1, respectively. Se and Hg content in bamboo shark (C. griseum) was 0.242 mg kg-1 and 0.082 mg kg-1, respectively. The lowest and highest Se concentrations were found in C. indicus (0.176 mg kg-1) and C. natator (0.553 mg kg-1), while Hg was found high in C. griseum (0.082 mg kg-1) and low in P. vannamei (0.009 mg kg-1). Se shellfishes were found in the following order: crabs > shrimp > shark > cephalopods, while that of Hg were shark > crabs > cephalopods > shrimp. Se in shellfish was negatively correlated with trophic level (TL) and size (length and weight), whereas Hg was positively correlated with TL and size. Hg concentrations in shellfish were below the maximum residual limits (MRL) of 0.5 mg kg-1 for crustaceans and cephalopods set by FSSAI, 0.5 mg kg-1 for crustaceans and 1.0 mg kg-1 for cephalopods and sharks prescribed by the European Commission (EC/1881/2006). Se risk-benefit analysis, the AI (actual intake):RDI (recommended daily intake) ratio was > 100%, and the AI:UL (upper limit) ratio was < 100%, indicating that all shellfish have sufficient level of Se to meet daily requirements without exceeding the upper limit (UL). The target hazard quotient (THQ < 1) and hazard index (HI < 1) imply that the consumption of shellfish has no non-carcinogenic health impacts for all age groups. However, despite variations among the examined shellfish, it was consistently observed that they all exhibited a Se:Hg molar ratio > 1. This finding implies that the consumption of shellfish is generally safe in terms of Hg content. The health benefit indexes, Se-HBV and HBVse, consistently showed high positive values across all shellfish, further supporting the protective influence of Se against Hg toxicity and reinforcing the overall safety of shellfish consumption. Enhancing comprehension of food safety analysis, it is crucial to recognize that the elevated Se:Hg ratio in shellfish may be attributed to regular selenoprotein synthesis and the mitigation of Hg toxicity by substituting Se bound to Hg.

Spectral selective infrared heating of food components based on optical characteristics and penetration depth: a critical review

Infrared (IR) radiation has been used in food processing applications for its unique high heating efficiency. There is a great need to address the radiation absorption and heating effect during the application of IR in the processing of foods. The radiation wavelength determines the nature of the processing, and it is mainly affected by the type of emitter, operating temperature, and the power supplied. The penetration depth of the IR on food material plays a critical role in the heating level along with the optical characteristics of the IR and food product. The IR radiations cause a significant change in the food components like starch, protein, fats and enzymes. The facility to generate wavelength-specific radiation output can hold the potential of momentously increasing the efficiency of IR heating operations. IR heating is gaining importance in 3D and 4D printing systems, and the application of artificial intelligence in IR processing is being explored. This state-of-art review gives a detailed view of the different emitters of IR and mainly emphasizes the behavior and changes of major food components during IR treatment. The penetration depth of IR, optical characteristics and selective spectral heating based on the target product are discussed.

MAPP Compatibilized Recycled Woodchips Reinforced Polypropylene Composites with Exceptionally High Strength and Stability

Wood chips were used in their original form without any physical or chemical treatment as reinforcement for polypropylene to develop composites as potential replacement for medium density fiber (MDF) boards, gypsum based false ceiling and other building materials. Wood chips are generated as byproducts and have limited and low value applications. Composites with up to 90% wood chips were developed through compression molding and the mechanical, acoustic and thermal properties were studied. Further, maleated polypropylene (MAPP) was used (1-5% w/w based on woodchips used) as compatibilizer and changes in properties were recorded. Up to 300% increase in tensile properties were observed when 5% compatibilizer was present. Tensile properties of the composites containing MAPP were higher than that of commercially available medium density plywood boards and also gypsum based ceiling tiles. Addition of MAPP did not change thermal conductivity but decreased sound absorption. Wood chips reinforced PP composites containing MAPP show exceedingly high properties and could replace particle, fiber boards and other building materials in current use. Utilizing the wood waste also results in environmentally friendly, sustainable and low cost building materials.

Graphical Abstract

Development of effluent-free dry-peeling method for shallots (Allium cepa L. aggregatum): Spectral characterization of mid and long infrared peak wavelengths for maximizing the peeling performance

Different wavelength emitting infrared (IR) lamps (transparent quartz tungsten (TQT), ruby-coated quartz tungsten (RCQT), and ceramic) were used for dry peeling and evaluating the spectral characteristics of emitted radiations. The maximum temperatures for ceramic, RCQT, and TQT were 560, 662, and 861°C, respectively. The peak wavelength determined by Wien's law was between 3.37 and 21.47 µm. Comparatively, longer wavelength was emitted by ceramic lamp. The spectral emissive power determined by Stefan Boltzmann's law was 1.14-37.49 kW m^-2 using the IR emitters at different power levels. The radiant efficiency was higher for the ceramic lamp. The peak wavelength and emissive power had a major influence on the peeling performance and quality during IR peeling. The optimized parameters for IR dry peeling of shallots are 60 mm distance between lamp and product, 59.74% IR power level, 15 min of heating time using the ceramic (peak wavelength 8.16 µm) lamp. Practical Application: Infrared dry peeling of shallots is a sustainable alternative to traditional peeling methods that leaves adverse environmental footprints. Spectral characteristics of the infrared lamp can be used to determine the suitable emitter for the dry-peeling operation. It is necessary to check the wavelength emitted by the source for designing the IR system based on the food product and application. This study will be helpful in food processing industries to use an effective infrared lamp that can efficiently peel the agricultural product and sustainably maintain quality.

Prevalence And Predictors Of Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use Among Elderly Patients Using Updated Beers Criteria 2019: A Single Centered Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Inappropriate medication use poses a sizable health safety hazard in the elderly owing to aging-associated physiological and anatomic changes. Inappropriate drug prescribing and polypharmacy in this population elevates the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADR). To assess the prevalence and predictors of Potentially Inappropriate Medication (PIM) use in elderly patients according to updated Beers Criteria 2019.

METHOD

Medical Records of 402 patients aged ≥65 years admitted a tertiary care hospital from June 2018 to May 2019 were analyzed. The patients who experienced at least one PIM based on the 2019 Updated Beers Criteria were considered as cases and others as control. Data were presented as descriptive statistics and logistic regression was performed to assess the factors affecting the outcomes.

RESULT

The mean age was found to be 73.7 ±6.4 years in the test and 70.5±5.5 years in the control group. The prevalence of PIMs to be used with caution was found to be 54%. Whereas the prevalence of PIMs to be avoided and to be used with reduced dose was found to be 45% and 1% respectively. The most prescribed PIMs were aspirin, diuretics, long-acting sulfonylureas, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Increasing age, polypharmacy, and the number of drugs in medication history were significantly (P<0.05) correlated with a substantial risk of PIM use. The risk of developing serious and moderate drug-drug interactions (DDIs) was significantly high in the test group (P<0.05) when compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of PIMs was observed in this study. Age, polypharmacy and ≥3 drugs in medication history were identified as risk factors for PIM use and were at a higher risk of developing DDIs. Continuous medication review by clinical pharmacists can aid in reducing the occurrence of PIMs amongst geriatrics.

Autonomic dysfunction: A comparative study of patients with Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia - A pilot study

Introduction:

In frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), central autonomic structures get affected early. An insight into autonomic functions in these patients is likely to be of diagnostic importance and thus help in prognosticating and also probably explain unexplained sudden death in some of these patients.

Objectives:

The objective of this study is to identify autonomic dysfunction prevailing in patients. Then, if there is dysfunction, is the pattern same or different in these two conditions. And if different it will serve as an additional biomarker for specific diagnosis.

Patients and Methods:

There were 25 patients and 25 controls and six patients and three controls in AD and FTD groups, respectively. The participants who were recruited were assessed for heart rate variability and conventional cardiac autonomic function testing. The parameters were analyzed using LabChart version 7 software and compared with control population using appropriate statistical methods using SPSS version 22 software.

Results:

The mean overall total power was low in the FTD group (P < 0.001), and there was significant reduction in the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals and root mean square of successive differences (P < 0.001) with elevated sympathovagal balance in the FTD group (P = 0.04). Patients with AD also showed sympathetic dominance, but there was in addition parasympathetic suppression unlike in the FTD group.

Conclusion:

This study reveals autonomic dysfunction in patients with FTD and AD. Both conditions show sympathetic dominance, probably consecutive to the involvement of central autonomic regulatory structures as a shared domain. It remains to be confirmed if these findings are the cause or effect of neurodegeneration and might open up newer territories of research based on the causal role of neurotransmitters in these regions and thus lead to novel therapeutic options such as yoga. The presence of parasympathetic suppression in AD in addition helps differentiate these two conditions.

Management of Frontal Sinus Injuries

Purpose:

The purpose of the present study is to report an overview of fracture patterns and surgical approaches for 15 patients who were treated in our Indhira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Pondicherry, India from 2010 to 2015.

Method and Material:

Fifteen people were included in the study, which were diagnosed with anterior table fracture of the frontal sinus and were randomly admitted in our institution. All patients were evaluated preoperatively with axial and coronal computed tomography scans before operating. The parameters used to classify the patients were age, mode of injury, associated injury, and details of fracture, surgical approaches, fixation, and conservative management.

Results:

Analysis of 15 patients based on parameters showed that the ages of patients varied between 22 and 36 years due to road traffic accident as the common etiology. There were associated fractures in the maxillofacial region seen in 11 patients and the rest were isolated frontal sinus fractures. Conservative management was opted in six patients and for others, surgical approach to the fracture site was done through existing laceration and by bicoronal approach. Three of the cases showed comminuted fracture of anterior and posterior table. The overall contour of the frontal bone was good in all the patients. None of the patients required any immediate reoperation or developed any delayed abscess or mucocele formation.

Conclusion:

Decision-making regarding the best time to treat, the surgical approach and the technique depends on the severity and the extent of the fracture and associated complications. Our protocol was to follow up and observe the undisplaced fractures and operate anterior wall defects. If there was a fracture involvement of posterior frontal wall, treatment can be planned along with neurosurgical consultation and then operate depending on the associated complications.

Quality of life and psychological problems in patients undergoing neurological rehabilitation

Aim:

To assess the quality of life (QoL) and prevalence of psychological problems (PP) in patients with neurological illness, and their correlation with functional abilities.

Materials and Methods:

Prospective cross-sectional study conducted in the neurological rehabilitation unit of tertiary research hospital in 30 consecutive hospitalized patients (21 men), age 16-55 years (34.63±11.87).

Outcome Measure:

WHOQoL-BREF was used to assess QoL. The prevalence of PP was recorded using Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). QoL and HADS scores were correlated with functional abilities using mean Barthel Index (BI) Score.

Results:

The duration of illness was three to 30 months (10.63±7.83) and their primary diagnoses were stroke 12, traumatic spinal cord injury seven and non-traumatic spinal cord lesion 11. Twenty-two patients qualified for GHQ-12 caseness, with 15 patients having distress (score ≥15) and seven having severe problem and psychological distress (score≥20). Twenty five patients had abnormal anxiety and 17 had abnormal depression on HADS (abnormal = 8-21), with moderate to severe anxiety and depression (scores≥11) in nine and three patients respectively. The mean WHOQoL-BREF transformed scores (on WHOQoL 0-100 scale) were (38.83±8.02), (50.76±9.79), (48.53±18.46) and (49.13±10.63) in physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains respectively. The social domain of QoL had significant correlation (P<.05) with functional abilities.

Conclusion:

Patients with neurological disorders requiring inpatient rehabilitation have impaired QoL that affects all domains of life. There is high prevalence of psychological problems, including anxiety and depression. The social domain of QoL adversely affected functional abilities, but the correlation between PP and functional abilities was insignificant.