Extraction and Evaluation of Tamarind Kernel Mucilage powder for Hydrocolloidal Properties

Hydrocolloids are commonly used as dietary fibers, thickeners, gelling agents, emulsifiers, stabilizer, fat replacers, clarifying agents, flocculating agents, clouding agents and whipping agents. The development of applicable hydrocolloids from crops and food disposals allow the recovery, recycling and sustainability of high value-added ingredients in the food chain. Tamarind seeds are subjected to various methods (soaking, drying, parching) for removal of seed coat. Finally parching at 80c for 20min resulted in 72% seed coat removal. The kernels were then milled through 355µm mesh using hammer mill. TKM is isolated from powder by hydrating TKP and dried with spray dryer which yielded 40% of TKMP. Physical and bio chemical parameters are studied for the kernel powder and mucilage powder. Functional properties such as solubility, water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, swelling index, emulsifying ability and foaming capacity were analyzed. Solubility, WHC, OHC increased with increase in temperature, foaming and emulsifying capacity increased with increased weight to volume ratio of mucilage powder. The efficiency of using TKMP as coating agent was studied by dipping potato wedges in different aqueous 0.5% solutions of CMC, xanthan gum and TKMP. The percent coat pick up of TKMP was recorded as 6% which is higher than CMC. The percent frying yield of potato wedges dipped in TKMP solutions recorded 68.4% which is higher than the potato wedge dipped in CMC solution (60.97%). These results show that TKMP can be effectively used as coating material for increasing frying yield of the samples

IL-24 Promotes Apoptosis through cAMP-Dependent PKA Pathways in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Interleukin 24 (IL-24) is a tumor-suppressing protein, which inhibits angiogenesis and induces cancer cell-specific apoptosis. We have shown that IL-24 regulates apoptosis through phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α) during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in cancer. Although multiple stresses converge on eIF2α phosphorylation, the cellular outcome is not always the same. In particular, ER stress-induced apoptosis is primarily regulated through the extent of eIF2α phosphorylation and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) action. Our studies show for the first time that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activation is required for IL-24-induced cell death in a variety of breast cancer cell lines and this event increases ATF4 activity. We demonstrate an undocumented role for PKA in regulating IL-24-induced cell death, whereby PKA stimulates phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and upregulates extrinsic apoptotic factors of the Fas/FasL signaling pathway and death receptor 4 expression. We also demonstrate that phosphorylation and nuclear import of tumor suppressor TP53 occurs downstream of IL-24-mediated PKA activation. These discoveries provide the first mechanistic insights into the function of PKA as a key regulator of the extrinsic pathway, ER stress, and TP53 activation triggered by IL-24

Topical vitamin A treatment of recalcitrant common warts

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Common warts (<it>verruca vulgaris</it>) are benign epithelial proliferations associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Salicylic acid and cryotherapy are the most frequent treatments for common warts, but can be painful and cause scarring, and have high failure and recrudescence rates. Topical vitamin A has been shown to be a successful treatment of common warts in prior informal studies.</p> <p>Case</p> <p>The subject is a healthy, physically-active 30 old female with a 9 year history of common warts on the back of the right hand. The warts resisted treatment with salicylic acid, apple cider vinegar and an over-the-counter blend of essential oils marketed for the treatment of warts. Daily topical application of natural vitamin A derived from fish liver oil (25,000 IU) led to replacement of all the warts with normal skin. Most of the smaller warts had been replaced by 70 days. A large wart on the middle knuckle required 6 months of vitamin A treatment to resolve completely.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Retinoids should be further investigated in controlled studies to determine their effectiveness in treating common warts and the broad range of other benign and cancerous lesions induced by HPVs.</p

Mighty Sam McClain

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/bock_photo/2217/thumbnail.jp

Mighty Sam McClain

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/bock_photo/2215/thumbnail.jp

Mighty Sam McClain

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/bock_photo/2216/thumbnail.jp

The Elements to Enhance the Successful Start and Completion of Program and Policy Evaluations: The Injury & Violence Prevention (IVP) Program & Policy Evaluation Institute: The Injury & Violence Prevention (IVP) Program & Policy Evaluation Institute

Background: Public health practitioners, including injury and violence prevention (IVP) professionals, are responsible for implementing evaluations, but often lack formal evaluation training. Impacts of many practitioner-focused evaluation trainings—particularly their ability to help participants successfully start and complete evaluations—are unknown. Objectives: We assessed the impact of the Injury and Violence Prevention (IVP) Program &amp; Policy Evaluation Institute (“Evaluation Institute”), a team-based, multidisciplinary, and practitioner-focused evaluation training designed to teach state IVP practitioners and their cross-sector partners how to evaluate program and policy interventions. Design: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of 13 evaluation teams across eight states at least one year after training participation (24 participants in total). Document reviews were conducted to triangulate, supplement, and contextualize reported improvements to policies, programs, and practices. Intervention:&nbsp;Teams of practitioners applied for and participated in the Evaluation Institute, a five-month evaluation training initiative that included a set of online training modules, an in-person workshop, and technical support from evaluation consultants. Main Outcome Measure(s): The successful start and/or completion of a program or policy evaluation focused on an IVP intervention. Results: Of the 13 teams studied, a total of 12 teams (92%) reported starting or completing an evaluation. Four teams (31%) reported fully completing their evaluations; eight teams (61%) reported partially completing their evaluations. Teams identified common facilitators and barriers that impacted their ability to start and complete their evaluations. Nearly half of the 13 teams (46%) – whether or not they completed their evaluation – reported at least one common improvement made to a program or policy as a result of engaging in an evaluative process. Conclusion: Practitioner-focused evaluation trainings are essential to build critical evaluation skills among public health professionals and their multidisciplinary partners. The process of evaluating an intervention—even if the evaluation is not completed—has substantial value and can drive improvements to public health interventions. The Evaluation Institute can serve as a model for training public health practitioners and their partners to successfully plan, start, complete, and utilize evaluations to improve programs and policies. Keywords: Evaluation; injury; multidisciplinary partnerships; practitioner-focused evaluation training; professional development; program and policy evaluation; public health; technical assistance; violenc

The Elements to Enhance the Successful Start and Completion of Program and Policy Evaluations: The Injury & Violence Prevention (IVP) Program & Policy Evaluation Institute

Background: Public health practitioners, including injury and violence prevention (IVP) professionals, are responsible for implementing evaluations, but often lack formal evaluation training. Impacts of many practitioner-focused evaluation trainings—particularly their ability to help participants successfully start and complete evaluations—are unknown. Objectives: We assessed the impact of the Injury and Violence Prevention (IVP) Program & Policy Evaluation Institute (“Evaluation Institute”), a team-based, multidisciplinary, and practitioner-focused evaluation training designed to teach state IVP practitioners and their cross-sector partners how to evaluate program and policy interventions. Design: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of 13 evaluation teams across eight states at least one year after training participation (24 participants in total). Document reviews were conducted to triangulate, supplement, and contextualize reported improvements to policies, programs, and practices. Intervention: Teams of practitioners applied for and participated in the Evaluation Institute, a five-month evaluation training initiative that included a set of online training modules, an in-person workshop, and technical support from evaluation consultants. Main Outcome Measure(s): The successful start and/or completion of a program or policy evaluation focused on an IVP intervention. Results: Of the 13 teams studied, a total of 12 teams (92%) reported starting or completing an evaluation. Four teams (31%) reported fully completing their evaluations; eight teams (61%) reported partially completing their evaluations. Teams identified common facilitators and barriers that impacted their ability to start and complete their evaluations. Nearly half of the 13 teams (46%) – whether or not they completed their evaluation – reported at least one common improvement made to a program or policy as a result of engaging in an evaluative process. Conclusion: Practitioner-focused evaluation trainings are essential to build critical evaluation skills among public health professionals and their multidisciplinary partners. The process of evaluating an intervention—even if the evaluation is not completed—has substantial value and can drive improvements to public health interventions. The Evaluation Institute can serve as a model for training public health practitioners and their partners to successfully plan, start, complete, and utilize evaluations to improve programs and policies. Keywords: Evaluation; injury; multidisciplinary partnerships; practitioner-focused evaluation training; professional development; program and policy evaluation; public health; technical assistance; violenc

IL-24 Promotes Apoptosis through cAMP-Dependent PKA Pathways in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Interleukin 24 (IL-24) is a tumor-suppressing protein, which inhibits angiogenesis and induces cancer cell-specific apoptosis. We have shown that IL-24 regulates apoptosis through phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2&#945;) during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in cancer. Although multiple stresses converge on eIF2&#945; phosphorylation, the cellular outcome is not always the same. In particular, ER stress-induced apoptosis is primarily regulated through the extent of eIF2&#945; phosphorylation and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) action. Our studies show for the first time that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activation is required for IL-24-induced cell death in a variety of breast cancer cell lines and this event increases ATF4 activity. We demonstrate an undocumented role for PKA in regulating IL-24-induced cell death, whereby PKA stimulates phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and upregulates extrinsic apoptotic factors of the Fas/FasL signaling pathway and death receptor 4 expression. We also demonstrate that phosphorylation and nuclear import of tumor suppressor TP53 occurs downstream of IL-24-mediated PKA activation. These discoveries provide the first mechanistic insights into the function of PKA as a key regulator of the extrinsic pathway, ER stress, and TP53 activation triggered by IL-24

Sonography in blunt abdominal trauma: a preliminary progress report.

Evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma is clinically challenging. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) and computed tomographic (CT) scanning have become primary diagnostic modalities. We examined the efficacy and role of ultrasonographic (US) studies in the initial abdominal evaluation of blunt trauma patients. Over an 8-month period, patients whose abdominal work-up indicated the need for DPL or CT were evaluated sonographically within the first hour after admission by trauma fellows (PGY-6) with at least 1 hour of theoretical training and 1 hour of practical training. Sonograms considered positive were those showing free peritoneal fluid or organ disruption. Hard copies of the sonograms were evaluated by a staff radiologist without knowledge of the fellows\u27 interpretations or of DPL or CT results. Based on the fellows\u27 interpretation of the real-time sonograms, among the first 163 patients studied were 11 true-positive, 146 true-negative, one false-positive, and five false-negative results. Sixteen patients had intra-abdominal injury documented by DPL, CT, or laparotomy. Ultrasonography was 91% sensitive in detecting the presence of hemoperitoneum. Overall, ultrasonography was 69% sensitive, 99% specific, and 96% accurate in diagnosing abdominal injury. We conclude that emergency sonography on admission can serve as a valuable adjunct to the physical diagnosis of clinically significant hemoperitoneum. It is noninvasive, portable, and accurate in determining the need for further diagnostic/surgical intervention