Isolation, Identification and Screening of the Yeast Flora from Indian Cashew Apple for Sugar and Ethanol Tolerance

Cashew apple juice is rich in fermentable sugars, minerals and vitamins, which makes it a suitable substrate for production of alcoholic beverages. In the present research work, indigenous flora of cashew apple (Indian variety) was studied. Seven morphologically different strains of Candida spp. were identified and checked for their sugar and ethanol tolerance. All seven isolates were able to tolerate sugar concentrations up to 25% but varied in their ethanol tolerance. Based on the above results it can be concluded that a high sugar and ethanol tolerant Candida spp. could be used as starter culture for commercial production of alcoholic beverages from cashew apple

Nanotechnology and nanomaterial toxicity

34-42Nanotechnology, a field of research and innovation concerned with building 'things' - generally, materials and devices - on the scale of atoms and molecules. Nanotechnology is hailed as having the potential to increase the efficiency of energy consumption, help clean the environment, and solve major health problems. It is said to be able to massively increase manufacturing production at significantly reduced cost. The new and unique applications offered by nanotechnology in diverse areas have made it so popular that it is being applied today in almost all aspects of daily life. Although the small size and subsequent larger surface area of nanoparticles endow them with some highly useful and specific properties, it also renders them more active leading to unexpected and unanticipated consequences on interaction with biological systems. The biokinetics of nanoparticles are different from larger particles. When inhaled, they are efficiently deposited in all regions of the respiratory tract; they evade specific defence mechanisms; and they can translocate out of the respiratory tract via different pathways and mechanisms (endocytosis and transcytosis). Some of these nanoparticles not only possess inflammatory and pro-oxidant potential for biological systems, but also have antioxidant activity, which can explain early findings showing mixed results in terms of toxicity of nanoparticles to environmentally relevant species. Manufactured nanomaterials are likely to enter the environment for several reasons. Some are and others will be produced in tons, and any material produced in such mass quantities is likely to reach the environment from manufacturing effluent or from spillage during shipping and handling. They are being used in personal-care products such as cosmetics and sunscreens and can therefore enter the environment on a continual basis from washing off of consumer products. They are being used in electronics, tires, fuel cells, and many other products and it is still unknown whether some of these materials may leak out or be worn off over the period of use. They are also being used in disposable materials such as filters and electronics and may therefore reach the environment through landfills and other methods of disposal. The fate of nanomaterials in aqueous environment is controlled by many biotic/abiotic processes such as solubility, interactions between the nanomaterials and natural/anthropogenic chemicals in the ecosystem. Although humans have been exposed to airborne nanosized particles throughout their evolutionary stages but such exposure has increased dramatically over the last century due to anthropogenic sources. The rapidly developing field of nanotechnology is likely to become yet another source of toxicity through inhalation, ingestion, skin uptake, and injection of engineered nano-materials. Information about ecological risk, safety and potential hazards is urgently needed. Additional considerations for assessing safety of engineered nanoparticles include careful selections of appropriate and relevant doses/concentrations, the likelihood of increased effects in a compromised organism, and also the benefits of possible desirable effects. Before unknowingly dumping a huge amount of dangerous nanomaterials into the environment, we need to investigate the solubility and degradability of engineered NPs in soils and waters, to establish baseline information on their safety

Fetal hemoglobin, blood transfusion, and retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants: An observational, prospective study

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify the association between fetal hemoglobin (HbF) concentration, blood transfusion, and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. Methods: This was an observational, prospective study. A total of 410 preterm infants born with <36 weeks gestational age and <2.0 kg birth weight in a tertiary care center of central India for a period of 1 year were included in this study. Clinical data were obtained from case notes. HbF of infants was measured in the blood sample using high-performance liquid chromatography at the first visit and after 1 month follow-up and was analyzed statistically. Dilated fundus examination was done as per ROP screening guidelines, and ROP was classified as per the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ICROP), 2021. The study subjects were divided into two groups based on the status of ROP. The relationship among HbF, blood transfusion, and ROP was evaluated in both the groups. The relationship between other clinical characteristics and various neonatal risk factors was also studied between the groups. Results: A total of 410 preterm infants were included in this study, of which 110 infants had ROP (26.8%). Blood transfusion was found to be significantly associated with the development of ROP. Higher fraction of HbF (%) was associated with a lower prevalence of ROP. HbF was also inversely related with the severity of ROP. Conclusion: Replacing HbF by adult hemoglobin during blood transfusion may promote the development of ROP. Conversely, maintaining a higher percentage of HbF may be a protective factor against ROP

What Else to Pay Attention in Terms of Bone Health Other than Osteoarthritis among Candidates Undergoing Total Knee Replacement: Observations in a Subset of Indian Population

Background Earlier it was thought that osteoarthritis and osteoporosis were mutually exclusive but many studies now prove that these diseases coexist. This study was undertaken to assess the bone health in terms of mineral density and other markers among patients undergoing total knee replacement due to osteoarthritis. Methods A total of 100 patients with advanced osteoarthritis undergoing total knee replacement and satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. Detailed social, medical, personal, and family history was recorded. All participants underwent for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan (spine and both hips), X-rays (both knees and pelvis), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) scoring, and serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and Parathyroid hormone (PTH). Data collected and analyzed. Results In total, 87% of total participants were females. Mean values for age, height, weight, serum vitamin D3, serum PTH, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, serum alkaline phosphatase, WOMAC score, and bone mineral density (BMD) score (T-score) were 65.35 years, 160.15 cm, 69.37 kg, 26.91 ng/mL, 48.02 pg/mL, 9.01 mg/mL, 3.40 ng/mL, 57.91 IU/L, 56.32, and −1.16, respectively. Conclusion Osteopenia and osteoporosis seem prevalent in the Indian population with advanced knee osteoarthritis. Our findings do not support the hypothesis of inverse relation between osteoarthritis and lower BMD. The study reflected poorer bone health and lesser average age for Indian patients undergoing total knee replacement

Epidemiology, clinical profile and factors, predicting final visual outcome of pediatric ocular trauma in a tertiary eye care center of Central India

Purpose: Ocular trauma constitutes an important cause of preventable visual morbidity worldwide. This study was done to study the incidence, sociodemographic pattern, and clinical profile of ocular trauma in pediatric age group. Also to evaluate the factors influencing final visual outcome in these patients. Methods: This was a prospective interventional study concerning ocular trauma in pediatric patients up to 16 years of age of either sex. Various variables having an impact on final visual outcome were studied, and results were analyzed using statistical indices – relative risk, Chi-square test, P value, and linear regression analysis. Results: A total of 220 cases of trauma were evaluated with the mean age being 8.74 ± 3.93 years, males were predominantly affected and open globe injuries outnumbered blunt injuries. Penetrating injuries accounted for 67.79% cases of open globe injury, rupture being the least (2.54%). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis executed, showed the best predictors in the descending order for final visual outcome were presenting visual acuity, size of corneal tear, type of injury, zone of injury, time period between injury and treatment with a variance of 35.9%, 6.3%, 5.3%, 3.7%, and 2.7%, respectively. All above variables were also found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) on Chi-square test. Conclusion: We report the first study on the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of pediatric ocular trauma in central India. Poor initial Visual Acuity and posterior segment involvement adversely affect the visual outcome. Early medical treatment and globe-salvaging repair should be done in all eyes suffering from trauma

Meningitis and intracranial bleed in a child with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

Meningitis and associated intracranial bleeding have been rarely reported in patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. We present such a case with raised intracranial tension in a 13-year-old child and discuss the management issues. Prompt recognition and appropriate treatment of these complications can be life saving in a child with nephrotic syndrome