A randomized trial to assess the potential of different beverages to affect hydration status: development of a beverage hydration index

BACKGROUND: The identification of beverages that promote longer-term fluid retention and maintenance of fluid balance is of real clinical and practical benefit in situations in which free access to fluids is limited or when frequent breaks for urination are not desirable. The postingestion diuretic response is likely to be influenced by several beverage characteristics, including the volume ingested, energy density, electrolyte content, and the presence of diuretic agents. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of 13 different commonly consumed drinks on urine output and fluid balance when ingested in a euhydrated state, with a view to establishing a beverage hydration index (BHI), i.e., the volume of urine produced after drinking expressed relative to a standard treatment (still water) for each beverage. DESIGN: Each subject (n = 72, euhydrated and fasted male subjects) ingested 1 L still water or 1 of 3 other commercially available beverages over a period of 30 min. Urine output was then collected for the subsequent 4 h. The BHI was corrected for the water content of drinks and was calculated as the amount of water retained at 2 h after ingestion relative to that observed after the ingestion of still water. RESULTS: Total urine masses (mean +/- SD) over 4 h were smaller than the still-water control (1337 +/- 330 g) after an oral rehydration solution (ORS) (1038 +/- 333 g, P < 0.001), full-fat milk (1052 +/- 267 g, P < 0.001), and skimmed milk (1049 +/- 334 g, P < 0.001). Cumulative urine output at 4 h after ingestion of cola, diet cola, hot tea, iced tea, coffee, lager, orange juice, sparkling water, and a sports drink were not different from the response to water ingestion. The mean BHI at 2 h was 1.54 +/- 0.74 for the ORS, 1.50 +/- 0.58 for full-fat milk, and 1.58 +/- 0.60 for skimmed milk. CONCLUSIONS: BHI may be a useful measure to identify the short-term hydration potential of different beverages when ingested in a euhydrated state. This trial was registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN13014105

ICAR: endoscopic skull‐base surgery

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Statistical optimization of rapid production of cellulases from Aspergillus niger MA1 and its application in bioethanol production from rice hulls

The aim of this study was the utilization of rice hulls (RH) as a clean, cost effective, renewable and abundant agro-waste in bioethanol production by simple and applicable methods; for this purpose Aspergillus niger MA1 was isolated from RH and selected from many other isolates. This isolate produced 15.0, 3.38 and 49.1 U/g RH for CMCase, FPase and β-glucosidase, respectively, by solid state fermentation of RH after 36 h. The cellulases of the fungus showed good thermal and pH stability with maximum activity at 50°C and pH 5. An increase in cellulases productivity by statistical optimization and multi-response of SSF medium was revealed. Addition of 0.25% brej 35 to tap water or saline is very effective in elution of A. niger MA1. Cellulase which was successfully used in saccharification of steam explosion pretreated RH, revealed 16.36 g/L reducing sugars and subsequently fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae which produced 9.42 g/L ethanol after 24 h.Keywords: Rice hulls, bioethanol, cellulases, solid state fermentation, Aspergillus niger MA1, statistical optimization, multi-responseAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(31) 3702-371

Efficacy of Citrus reticulata and Mirazid in treatment of Schistosoma mansoni

This work has been carried out to investigate the effect of Schistosoma mansoni infection on mice livers after treatment with the ethanolic extract of Citrus reticulata root or the oleo-resin extract from Myrrh of Commiphora molmol tree (Mirazid), as a new antishistosomal drug. Marker enzymes for different cell organelles were measured; succinate dehydrogenase (SDH); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its isoenzymes; glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase); acid phosphatase (AP) and 5'- nucleotidase. Liver function enzymes; aspartate aminotransferase (AST); alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also estimated. Parasitological studies through ova count and worm burden will also be taken into consideration. The results showed a marked reduction in SDH, LDH, AST, and ALT enzyme activities and a significant increase in G-6-Pase, AP, 5'- nucleotidase, and ALP after S. mansoni infection. A noticeable alteration in LDH subunits were also noticed. Treatment with C. reticulata or Mirazid improved all the previous enzyme activities with a noticeable reduction in ova count and worm burden

Opalescence in Australian-grown pecan kernels: Occurrence and causes

Opalescence is an unattractive browning of the interior of the pecan kernel compared to the white interior of normal kernels. The discoloration is due to the presence of free oil, resulting from decompartmentalization in the endosperm of opalescent,pecans. Using a subjective scoring system, approximately 70% of Australian-grown pecan kernels tested were found to exhibit opalescence to some degree. Evaluation of kernels for opalescence during the harvesting-processing chain showed that opalescence first becomes evident in kernels after mechanical cracking. Opalescent kernels were found to have lower levels of calcium and higher amounts of oil compared to nonoptalescent kernels. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that kernels do not freeze at -18 degreesC