Efficacy of different oils used for the extraction of annatto colour from the seeds of Bixa orellana L.

Annatto, a naturally obtained colour is a potential and valuable Non Wood Forest Product (NWFP). It is obtained from the seeds of plant species Bixa orellana L. The present experiment was carried out to find the efficacy of different oils used for annatto colour extraction. Experiment was started with the pretreatment of seeds of B. orellana with soaking in water at 0%, 50%, 100% and 150% (v/w) for 24 hrs at room temperature and colour extraction with castor oil at 100°C showed that maximum bixin (%) was found from the pretreated seeds with 50% (v/w) water soaking i.e., 0.46% bixin. Similarly for oil soluble annatto extraction method, the maximum extraction of bixin (0.99 %) was found with castor oil at 120°C for 1 hr and least bixin (0.03 %) was recorded with mustard oil at 60oC temperature for 1 hr. Sesame oil and ground nut oil were also showed better extractability. Out of different treatments, castor oil at 120°C for 1 hr gave better result with respect to bixin extraction as compared to others

Electrical enhancement period of solar photovoltaic using phase change material

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record.  Temperature management in photovoltaic (PV) is critical for the power output. Phase Change Material (PCM) usage enables one to remove heat from the system and achieve enhanced electrical output. This study aims at finding the period of PV electrical enhancement, the increase in power and increase in electrical efficiency achieved using PCM under different working circumstances. Results suggest that as the angle of approach of wind changes from 75° to 0° the electrical enhancement period elevates from 7.0 h to 8.6 h for 5 cm deep PCM box. But, the increase in power drops from 17.6 W/m 2 to 13.6 W/m 2 . As wind speed changes from 6 m/s to 0.2 m/s, the electrical enhancement period drops from 9.1 h to 6.4 h. But, the increase in power rises from 11.8 W/m 2 to 22.8 W/m 2 . The rise in ambient temperature 289 K to 299 K leads to decrement of electrical enhancement period from 12.6 h to 7.1 h. But the increase in power rises from 15.9 W/m 2 to 21.4 W/m 2 . Elevation in temperature for liquification from 291 K to 301 K leads to increment of electrical enhancement period from 6.5 h to 12.3 h.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)University of ExeterIndian Institute of Technolog

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is inversely associated with body mass index in cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The association between vitamin D deficiency and obesity in healthy populations and different disease states remains unsettled with studies reporting conflicting findings. Moreover, current dietary recommendations for vitamin D do not take into account a person's body mass index (BMI). We investigated the relationship between serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] and BMI in cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A consecutive case series of 738 cancer patients. Serum 25(OH)D was measured at presentation to the hospital. The cohort was divided into 4 BMI groups (underweight: <18.5, normal weight: 18.5-24.9, overweight: 25-29.9, and obese: >30.0 kg/m²). Mean 25(OH)D was compared across the 4 BMI groups using ANOVA. Linear regression was used to quantify the relationship between BMI and 25(OH)D.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>303 were males and 435 females. Mean age at diagnosis was 55.6 years. The mean BMI was 27.9 kg/m²and mean serum 25(OH)D was 21.9 ng/ml. Most common cancers were lung (134), breast (131), colorectal (97), pancreas (86) and prostate (45). Obese patients had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels (17.9 ng/ml) as compared to normal weight (24.6 ng/ml) and overweight (22.8 ng/ml) patients; p < 0.001. After adjusting for age, every 1 kg/m²increase in BMI was significantly associated with 0.42 ng/ml decline in serum 25(OH)D levels.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Obese cancer patients (BMI >= 30 kg/m²) had significantly lower levels of serum 25(OH)D as compared to non-obese patients (BMI <30 kg/m²). BMI should be taken into account when assessing a patient's vitamin D status and more aggressive vitamin D supplementation should be considered in obese cancer patients.</p

Renal Cell Carcinoma with Unusual Metastasis to the Small Intestine Manifesting as Extensive Polyposis: Successful Management with Intraoperative Therapeutic Endoscopy

We present here a rare clinical case of a 53-year-old gentleman with metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to the small intestine presenting with extensive polyposis and massive gastrointestinal bleeding which was successfully managed with intraoperative endoscopic polypectomy and segmental small bowel resection. The patient presented with melena 2 weeks after right nephrectomy for RCC. Capsule endoscopy found extensive polyposis throughout the small bowel, and the histological features confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic RCC. The patient eventually underwent laparotomy with intraoperative endoscopy of the entire small bowel. Most of the polyps were removed by snare polypectomy. Three segments of the small bowel with extensive transmural involvement had to be resected with primary anastomosis. In the 2 months following his surgery, the patient had no further evidence of gastrointestinal bleeding. The decision of meticulously removing close to 100 polyps by intraoperative endoscopy prevented the patient from requiring total small bowel resection and lifelong dependence on parenteral nutrition. In conclusion, gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with known RCC should always trigger full gastrointestinal work-up including capsule endoscopy and, if necessary, double balloon enteroscopy

Prevalence, sources, and predictors of soy consumption in breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A number of components in soy appear to have anticancer properties, including the isoflavones, genistein and daidzein. The use of soy by women with breast cancer is now being questioned because of the estrogen-like effects of isoflavones and possible interactions with tamoxifen. Clinicians providing nutrition counseling to these women are concerned because the availability of soy foods has increased dramatically in the past few years. The goal of this study was to quantify the intake of isoflavones in women with breast cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study of 100 women with breast cancer treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America^®between 09/03 and 02/04. Each patient completed a soy food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that was scored by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Demographic and clinical predictors of soy intake were evaluated using one-way non-parametric Mann Whitney test and non-parametric spearman's rank correlation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean age was 50.5 years (std. dev. = 9.4; range 31–70) and mean BMI was 27.3 kg/m²(std. dev. = 6.75; range 17–59). Genistein and Daidzein consumption was limited to 65 patients with a mean intake of 11.6 mg/day (std. dev. = 21.9; range 0–97.4) and 7.6 mg/day (std. dev. = 14.1; range 0–68.9) respectively. Soy milk (37%) and pills containing soy, isoflavones, or "natural" estrogen (24%) were the two biggest contributors to isoflavone intake.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study suggests that the isoflavone intake of breast cancer patients at our hospital was quite variable. Thirty-five patients reported no soy intake. The mean daily intake of 11.6 mg genistein and 7.4 mg daidzein, is the equivalent of less than 1/4 cup of tofu per day. This amount is higher than what has been previously reported in non-Asian American women.</p

Vitamin D and breast cancer: interpreting current evidence

Preclinical investigations and selected clinical observational studies support an association between higher vitamin D intake and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with lower breast cancer risk. However, the recently updated report from the Institute of Medicine concluded that, for cancer and vitamin D, the evidence was 'inconsistent and insufficient to inform nutritional requirements'. Against this background, reports examining vitamin D intake, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and breast cancer incidence and outcome were reviewed. Current evidence supports the pursuit of several research questions but not routine 25-hydroxyvitamin D monitoring and vitamin D supplementation to reduce breast cancer incidence or improve breast cancer outcome