Spices-Reservoir of Health Benefits

Spices contribute to the quality, nutritive value, and flavor of food. Since ancient times, they hold a great medicinal value. Their antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other numerous properties have made them a potent source of therapeutic agents. Phytochemical analysis revealed presence of active constituents such as eugenol, curcumin, carotenoids in clove, turmeric, saffron respectively that explains the efficacious nature of these spices. Owing to their easy availability and consumption, it is advised to make spices daily part of our diet though in balanced amount as sometimes excess usage bear few consequences. Evaluating multiple benefits offered by these as immunity boosters especially in times of pandemic and incorporating them in our routine diet would improve disease management strategies. This chapter discusses the reservoir of activities exhibited by few spices along with the components responsible for these activities. Here, we also discussed their negative effects if at all

Reversible hysteresis inversion in MoS₂ field effect transistors

MoS2 devices: variable temperature measurements unveil reversible hysteresis mechanisms Defects and traps in MoS2 van der Pauw devices give rise to a hysteresis inversion mechanism which is reversible with temperature. A team led by Saurabh Lodha at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay performed variable temperature hysteresis measurements on four- and two-terminal MoS2 devices, both suspended and supported on a SiO2 substrate. The onset of a clockwise hysteresis at room temperature was attributed to intrinsic MoS2 defects, whereas an additional mechanism resulting in an anticlockwise hysteresis was observed at higher temperature, and attributed to extrinsic charge trapping and de-trapping between the oxide and the silicon gate. By leveraging the temperature dependence of the hysteresis in MoS2, the authors developed a non-volatile memory and a temperature sensor

Edible Mushrooms: A Comprehensive Review on Bioactive Compounds with Health Benefits and Processing Aspects

Mushrooms are well-known functional foods due to the presence of a huge quantity of nutraceutical components. These are well recognized for their nutritional importance such as high protein, low fat, and low energy contents. These are rich in minerals such as iron, phosphorus, as well as in vitamins like riboflavin, thiamine, ergosterol, niacin, and ascorbic acid. They also contain bioactive constituents like secondary metabolites (terpenoids, acids, alkaloids, sesquiterpenes, polyphenolic compounds, lactones, sterols, nucleotide analogues, vitamins, and metal chelating agents) and polysaccharides chiefly β-glucans and glycoproteins. Due to the occurrence of biologically active substances, mushrooms can serve as hepatoprotective, immune-potentiating, anti-cancer, anti-viral, and hypocholesterolemic agents. They have great potential to prevent cardiovascular diseases due to their low fat and high fiber contents, as well as being foremost sources of natural antioxidants useful in reducing oxidative damages. However, mushrooms remained underutilized, despite their wide nutritional and bioactive potential. Novel green techniques are being explored for the extraction of bioactive components from edible mushrooms. The current review is intended to deliberate the nutraceutical potential of mushrooms, therapeutic properties, bioactive compounds, health benefits, and processing aspects of edible mushrooms for maintenance, and promotion of a healthy lifestyle.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bronchiectasis in India:results from the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) and Respiratory Research Network of India Registry

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is a common but neglected chronic lung disease. Most epidemiological data are limited to cohorts from Europe and the USA, with few data from low-income and middle-income countries. We therefore aimed to describe the characteristics, severity of disease, microbiology, and treatment of patients with bronchiectasis in India. METHODS: The Indian bronchiectasis registry is a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study. Adult patients ( 6518 years) with CT-confirmed bronchiectasis were enrolled from 31 centres across India. Patients with bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis or traction bronchiectasis associated with another respiratory disorder were excluded. Data were collected at baseline (recruitment) with follow-up visits taking place once per year. Comprehensive clinical data were collected through the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration registry platform. Underlying aetiology of bronchiectasis, as well as treatment and risk factors for bronchiectasis were analysed in the Indian bronchiectasis registry. Comparisons of demographics were made with published European and US registries, and quality of care was benchmarked against the 2017 European Respiratory Society guidelines. FINDINGS: From June 1, 2015, to Sept 1, 2017, 2195 patients were enrolled. Marked differences were observed between India, Europe, and the USA. Patients in India were younger (median age 56 years [IQR 41-66] vs the European and US registries; p<0\ub70001]) and more likely to be men (1249 [56\ub79%] of 2195). Previous tuberculosis (780 [35\ub75%] of 2195) was the most frequent underlying cause of bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common organism in sputum culture (301 [13\ub77%]) in India. Risk factors for exacerbations included being of the male sex (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1\ub717, 95% CI 1\ub703-1\ub732; p=0\ub7015), P aeruginosa infection (1\ub729, 1\ub710-1\ub750; p=0\ub7001), a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (1\ub720, 1\ub707-1\ub734; p=0\ub7002), modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea score (1\ub732, 1\ub725-1\ub739; p<0\ub70001), daily sputum production (1\ub716, 1\ub703-1\ub730; p=0\ub7013), and radiological severity of disease (1\ub703, 1\ub701-1\ub704; p<0\ub70001). Low adherence to guideline-recommended care was observed; only 388 patients were tested for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and 82 patients had been tested for immunoglobulins. INTERPRETATION: Patients with bronchiectasis in India have more severe disease and have distinct characteristics from those reported in other countries. This study provides a benchmark to improve quality of care for patients with bronchiectasis in India. FUNDING: EU/European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations Innovative Medicines Initiative inhaled Antibiotics in Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis Consortium, European Respiratory Society, and the British Lung Foundation

Anti-plasmodial action of <it>de novo</it>-designed, cationic, lysine-branched, amphipathic, helical peptides

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A lack of vaccine and rampant drug resistance demands new anti-malarials.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>In vitro</it> blood stage anti-plasmodial properties of several <it>de novo</it>-designed, chemically synthesized, cationic, amphipathic, helical, antibiotic peptides were examined against <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it> using SYBR Green assay. Mechanistic details of anti-plasmodial action were examined by optical/fluorescence microscopy and FACS analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Unlike the monomeric decapeptides {(Ac-GXRKXHKXWA-NH₂) (X = F,ΔF) (Fm_, ΔFm IC₅₀ >100 μM)}, the lysine-branched,dimeric versions showed far greater potency {IC₅₀ (μM) Fd 1.5 , ΔFd 1.39}. The more helical and proteolytically stable ΔFd was studied for mechanistic details. ΔFq, a K-K₂ dendrimer of ΔFm and (ΔFm)₂ a linear dimer of ΔFm showed IC₅₀ (μM) of 0.25 and 2.4 respectively. The healthy/infected red cell selectivity indices were >35 (ΔFd), >20 (ΔFm)₂ and 10 (ΔFq). FITC-ΔFd showed rapid and selective accumulation in parasitized red cells. Overlaying DAPI and FITC florescence suggested that ΔFd binds DNA. Trophozoites and schizonts incubated with ΔFd (2.5 μM) egressed anomalously and Band-3 immunostaining revealed them not to be associated with RBC membrane. Prematurely egressed merozoites from peptide-treated cultures were found to be invasion incompetent.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Good selectivity (>35), good resistance index (1.1) and low cytotoxicity indicate the promise of ΔFd against malaria.</p

Effect of reducing agents on wheat gluten and quality characteristics of flour and cookies

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of reducing agents (Lcystine, glutathione and proteases) on wheat gluten recovery and quality characteristics of dough and cookies. PBW-343 and RAJ-3765 wheat varieties were analysed for physico-chemical properties which indicated that wheat variety RAJ-3765 had superior quality characteristics in comparison to PBW-343. Wet gluten and dry gluten %yields were reduced with addition of reducing agents. As the concentration of reducing agents increased gluten, yield decreased further. The dough strength (resistance to extension) decreased, whereas extension of dough increased significantly with the addition of reducing agents. Upon addition of reducing agents, spread factor increased, whereas hardness decreased. Glutathione was found to be the most effective reducing agent out of the three reducing agents used in this study

An Optimized Bistable Metabolic Switch To Decouple Phenotypic States during Anaerobic Fermentation

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in ACS Synthetic Biology, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acssynbio.8b00284#.Metabolic engineers aim to genetically modify microorganisms to improve their ability to produce valuable compounds. Despite the prevalence of growth-coupled production processes, these strategies can significantly limit production rates. Instead, rates can be improved by decoupling and optimizing growth and production independently, and operating with a growth stage followed by a production stage. Here, we implement a bistable transcriptional controller to decouple and switch between these two states. We optimize the controller in anaerobic conditions, typical of industrial fermentations, to ensure stability and tight expression control, while improving switching dynamics. The stability of this controller can be maintained through a simulated seed train scale-up from 5 mL to 500 000 L, indicating industrial feasibility. Finally, we demonstrate a two-stage production process using our optimal construct to improve the instantaneous rate of lactate production by over 50%, motivating the use of these systems in broad metabolic engineering applications.Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovatio

An appraisal of congenital maxillary double lip with a case report

Double lip is a rare anomaly that may be congenital or acquired and affects upper lip more commonly than the lower lip. This deformity consists of an accessory fold of redundant mucous membrane inside the vermilion border. It affects esthetics and may also interfere with speech and mastication. Simple surgical excision produces good functional and cosmetic results. We describe a case of congenital maxillary double lip along with a brief review of the literature and discuss the differential diagnosis. This anomaly is of more relevance in dentistry as a general dental practitioner is usually, the first professional to recognize and establish the diagnosis