Physicochemical Properties of Irradiation Modified Starch Extrudates

Corn starch samples containing 0, 25, 50 and 70% amylose irradiated with -y -radiation dosages of 0 (native) , 5 , 10, 20 (containing 0, 2.5 or 5% potassium persulfate , hydrogen peroxide or eerie ammonium nitrate) or 30 kGy were extrusion cooked using a C. W. Brabender single-screw extruder at a barrel temperature of 140 °C, a screw speed of 140 rpm and 18% moisture content. Increasing irradiation dosages from 0 to 30 kGy gave consistently increased expansion ratios from 2.9 to 7.9 for 25% amylose starches and from 6.5 to 14.5 for 50% amylose starches, while the expansion ra tios consistently decreased from 6.0 to 2.1 for 0% amylose starches. The expansion ratios for 70% amylose starches remained more or less constant at 10 irrespective of irradiation dosage. Expansion ratios of all the 20 kGy irradiated starch samples treated with chemical agents, however, decreased to 5 or below. The patterns of bulk densities and expansion ratios of the products were generally similar. Increasing irradiation dosages caused darkening of the product color. The water solubility increased from \u3c l% for native starches to almost 100% for certain irradiated starches processed with chemical additives. Overall, increasing amylose contents of the starches appeared to be resistant to changes that otherwise occurred due to irradiation modifications and chemical treatments. Molecular weights and iodine binding capacities of starches were significantly reduced with irradiation dosages and chemical treatments

The International Collaboration for Research methods Development in Oncology (CReDO) workshops: shaping the future of global oncology research

Low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) have a disproportionately high burden of cancer and cancer mortality. The unique barriers to optimum cancer care in these regions necessitate context-specific research. The conduct of research in LMICs has several challenges, not least of which is a paucity of formal training in research methods. Building capacity by training early career researchers is essential to improve research output and cancer outcomes in LMICs. The International Collaboration for Research methods Development in Oncology (CReDO) workshop is an initiative by the Tata Memorial Centre and the National Cancer Grid of India to address gaps in research training and increase capacity in oncology research. Since 2015, there have been five CReDO workshops, which have trained more than 250 oncologists from India and other countries in clinical research methods and protocol development. Participants from all oncology and allied fields were represented at these workshops. Protocols developed included clinical trials, comparative effectiveness studies, health services research, and observational studies, and many of these protocols were particularly relevant to cancer management in LMICs. A follow-up of these participants in 2020 elicited an 88% response rate and showed that 42% of participants had made progress with their CReDO protocols, and 73% had initiated other research protocols and published papers. In this Policy Review, we describe the challenges to research in LMICs, as well as the evolution, structure, and impact of CReDO and other similar workshops on global oncology research

The International Collaboration for Research methods Development in Oncology (CReDO) workshops: shaping the future of global oncology research

Low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) have a disproportionately high burden of cancer and cancer mortality. The unique barriers to optimum cancer care in these regions necessitate context-specific research. The conduct of research in LMICs has several challenges, not least of which is a paucity of formal training in research methods. Building capacity by training early career researchers is essential to improve research output and cancer outcomes in LMICs. The International Collaboration for Research methods Development in Oncology (CReDO) workshop is an initiative by the Tata Memorial Centre and the National Cancer Grid of India to address gaps in research training and increase capacity in oncology research. Since 2015, there have been five CReDO workshops, which have trained more than 250 oncologists from India and other countries in clinical research methods and protocol development. Participants from all oncology and allied fields were represented at these workshops. Protocols developed included clinical trials, comparative effectiveness studies, health services research, and observational studies, and many of these protocols were particularly relevant to cancer management in LMICs. A follow-up of these participants in 2020 elicited an 88% response rate and showed that 42% of participants had made progress with their CReDO protocols, and 73% had initiated other research protocols and published papers. In this Policy Review, we describe the challenges to research in LMICs, as well as the evolution, structure, and impact of CReDO and other similar workshops on global oncology research