The effect of light, temperature, ph on stability of anthocyanin pigments in Musa acuminata bract

The anthocyanin pigment was extracted from Musa acuminata bract using the acidified methanol. The extracted anthocyanin pigments then were exposed to number of environmental conditions, which could destabilize the anthocyanin molecules. These environmental conditions were included fourteen different pHs, various temperatures and presence or absence of light. The temperature stability of the anthocyanin extract was calculated by reaction velocity constants (k) as well as the half-life time (t1/2). The results of the study showed that increasing in pH, temperature or exposure to light is able to spoil the anthocyanin molecule. Copigmentation of anthocyanin resulting in increase in both hypochromic effects and bathochromic shifts. Musa acuminata bract anthocyanin extract was more stable at pH 5.1 and 6.0, temperature at 20° C and 30° C both in the presence and absence of light. This characteristic differs from other anthocyanins. This property could facilitate its application as a natural food colorant

Bopyrid isopods parasitizing on the cultured fresh water prawn, macrobrachium malcolmsonii in South India

The bopyrid isopods are common in wild Macrobrachium spp. but not common in aquaculture condition. This is the first study that reports the parasitizing of bopyrid isopods on the cultured M. malcolmsonii. Bopyrid isopod (Probopyrus buitendijki) was identified in the branchial cavities of the freshwater prawn, M.malcolmsonii fromgrow-out culture pond at Kuriyamangalam, India. Macrobrachium malcolmsonii is a new host for P. buitendijki. A total of 1323 M. malcolmsonii were checked for this study. The overall prevalence of the parasitic infestation was reached 46.2 %. The parasitic infection was higher in female (83 %) than in male (3.4 %). Highest prevalence of infestation was found in the median size group (7–8 cm) (58.7 %). Infected females were not berried unlike uninfected prawns. The parasites cause infertility and does not found any organ deformities due to the infestation. The parasite was inversely attached in the gill chamber with no lesion on the gill but the infected branchial chamber became bulged

Examining the association between health status and subjective life expectancy among older Indian adults based on the mindsponge approach

AbstractGender and socioeconomic differences in subjective life expectancy (SLE) are an unexplored arena in the geriatric literature concerning low-resource settings. Information on several health outcomes that might influence the SLE could guide targeted interventions, particularly in countries with rapidly ageing populations like India. This study aimed to explore SLE and the associations of SLE with the objective and subjective health status of older Indian adults, based on the mindsponge mechanism that links the contextual factors with individuals' evaluation of health. Data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India were used and the final sample included 5969 older adults aged 60 years and above. Independent t-tests were used to assess the gender difference in SLE according to various health-related factors. Additionally, we used generalized linear regression models (GLMs) with a logit link and a binomial family to fulfil the study objectives. The proportion of older adults who reported a 100% probability of survival for a 1-year period was nearly 38%, compared with 12% and 6% of the respondents who reported the same for 5 and 10 years survival periods, respectively. Older men reported a greater average probability of own survival than older women for all the time periods. Older men who reported poor self-rated health had a significantly lower SLE for a 1-year period (β = −0.232, SD = 0.107) and a 5-year period (β = −0.226, SD = 0.077) than those who reported good self-rated health. On the other hand, older women with poor self-rated health had a significantly lower SLE for a 10 years time horizon than women with good self-rated health. Underweight men had significantly lower SLE for a 1-year period than men with normal BMI (β = −0.213, SD = 0.097). Further, cognitively impaired women reported significantly lower SLE for a 1-year period (β = −0.399, SD = 0.108) and 5 years period (β = −0.160, SD = 0.077). Depressed older men reported significantly lower SLE for 1-year period (β = −0.309, SD = 0.101), 5-year period (β = −0.194, SD = 0.084), and 10-year period (β = −0.129, SD = 0.071). The current findings, supporting the mindsponge mechanism, indicate that older adults base their estimation of longevity on health factors that they are aware of or not. This finding has significant implications for health professionals and public policy in planning targeted interventions that can benefit at-risk population cohorts.</jats:p

Cardiovascular disease risk prediction in older people: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Despite cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction equations becoming more widely available for people aged ≥75 years, views of older people on CVD risk assessment are unknown. AIM: To explore older people's views on CVD risk prediction and its assessment. DESIGN AND SETTING: Qualitative study of community-dwelling older people in New Zealand. METHOD: A diverse group of older people was purposively recruited. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine participants (mean age 74 years) of Māori, Pacific, South Asian, and European ethnicities participated in one of 26 interviews or one of three focus groups. Three key themes emerged: poor knowledge and understanding of CVD and its risk assessment; acceptability and perceived benefit of knowing and receiving advice on managing personal CVD risk; and distinguishing between CVD outcomes - stroke and heart attack are not the same. Most participants did not understand CVD terms, but were familiar with the terms 'heart attack' and 'stroke', and understood lifestyle risk factors for these events. Participants valued CVD outcomes differently, fearing stroke and disability - which might adversely affect independence and quality of life - but were less concerned about a heart attack, which was perceived as causing less disability or swifter death. These findings and preferences were similar across ethnic groups. All but two participants wanted to know their CVD risk, how to manage it, and distinguish between CVD outcomes. Those who did not wish to know perceived this as something only their God could decide. CONCLUSION: To inform clinical decision making for older people, consideration of an individual's wish to know their risk is important, and risk prediction tools should provide separate event types rather than just composite outcomes

Synthesis and characterization of cellulosic fiber from red banana peduncle as reinforcement for potential applications

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NRPCs) are replacing many synthetic fibers because of their cheap availability and their hygienic, ecological, biodegradable, and sustainable properties. This work involved extraction of new cellulosic fibers from red banana peduncle (RBP) plant and investigated its chemical composition, physical, structural, thermal, and tensile properties. RBP fibers (RBPFs) have high specific strength and good binding properties due to their light weight andpresence of high cellulose (72.9 wt%), low lignin (10.01 wt%), and wax (0.32 wt%). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) determined that RBPFs are rich in cellulose content with a crystallinity index (CI) of 72.3%. The density and diameter of the fibers were found to be about 0.896 g/cm3 and 15–250 μm, respectively. The fiber was thermally stable up to 230°C. Based on the results of this work, it seems that the properties of the fiber are a suitable candidate as a natural reinforcing material for the development of the biocomposite for potential applications

Spatial and temporal variation of salinity stratification in a tropical estuary

997-1008Longitudinal and vertical distribution of salinity field in the Vellar River Estuary (VRE) was investigated across the lower, mid and upper estuarine zone, monthly from January to December 2011. The hydrological survey of VRE revealed shallow bathymetry with a complex topography and a mean tidal amplitude of around 0.9 to 1 m. The depth-averaged tidal velocity had a magnitude that was observed with a maximum value of 0.56 m/s at the estuarine mouth and was indirectly proportional to the increasing distance from the mouth. The wind speed fluctuated from 1 to 4.1 km h-1 with a mean of 2.5±0.82 km h-1. The temperature ranged from 25.32 °C to 32.93 °C with a mean of 28.89±2.26 °C while salinity varied between 0 to 34 psu with a mean of 13±12.77 psu and negatively correlated with rainfall (r = -0.69; p = 0.04). A higher stratification number, i.e. ns ~ 1 at the lower estuarine zone indicated the formation of the salt wedge in the monsoon while during the rest of the year the estuarine water column was observed to be homogeneous. Wave height, tide and currents were estimated through 2D hydrodynamic models and they were significantly correlated with in-situ data. Recorded seasonal variation in salinity stratification of VRE from the present work reflected on shaping the primary governing factors on estuarine circulation at spatial and temporal scales

Spatial and temporal variation of salinity stratification in a tropical estuary

Longitudinal and vertical distribution of salinity field in the Vellar River Estuary (VRE) was investigated across the lower, mid and upper estuarine zone, monthly from January to December 2011. The hydrological survey of VRE revealed shallow bathymetry with a complex topography and a mean tidal amplitude of around 0.9 to 1 m. The depth-averaged tidal velocity had a magnitude that was observed with a maximum value of 0.56 m/s at the estuarine mouth and was indirectly proportional to the increasing distance from the mouth. The wind speed fluctuated from 1 to 4.1 km h-1 with a mean of 2.5±0.82 km h-1. The temperature ranged from 25.32 °C to 32.93 °C with a mean of 28.89±2.26 °C while salinity varied between 0 to 34 psu with a mean of 13±12.77 psu and negatively correlated with rainfall (r = -0.69; p = 0.04). A higher stratification number, i.e. ns ~ 1 at the lower estuarine zone indicated the formation of the salt wedge in the monsoon while during the rest of the year the estuarine water column was observed to be homogeneous. Wave height, tide and currents were estimated through 2D hydrodynamic models and they were significantly correlated with in-situ data. Recorded seasonal variation in salinity stratification of VRE from the present work reflected on shaping the primary governing factors on estuarine circulation at spatial and temporal scales

ST6GalNAc-I Promotes Lung Cancer Metastasis by Altering MUC5AC Sialylation

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with the development of metastasis is poorly understood. Understanding the biology of LC metastasis is critical to unveil the molecular mechanisms for designing targeted therapies. We developed two genetically engineered LC mouse models- KrasG12D ;Trp53R172H/+ ;Ad-Cre (KPA) and KrasG12D ; Ad-Cre (KA). Survival analysis showed significantly (P=0.0049) shorter survival in KPA tumor-bearing mice as compared to KA, suggesting the aggressiveness of the model. Our transcriptomic data showed high expression of St6galnac-I in KPA compared to KA tumors. ST6GalNAc-I is an O-glycosyltransferase, which catalyzes the addition of sialic acid (SA) to the initiating GalNAc residues forming sialyl Tn (STn) on glycoproteins, such as mucins. Ectopic expression of species-specific p53 mutants in the syngeneic mouse and human LC cells led to increased cell migration and high expression of ST6GalNAc-I, STn, and MUC5AC. Immunoprecipitation of MUC5AC in the ectopically expressing p53R175H cells exhibited higher affinity towards STn. In addition, ST6GalNAc-I knockout (KO) cells also showed decreased migration, possibly due to reduced glycosylation of MUC5AC as observed by low STn on the glycoprotein. Interestingly, ST6GalNAc-I KO cells injected mice developed less liver metastasis (P=0.01) compared to controls, while co-localization of MUC5AC and STn was observed in the liver metastatic tissues of control mice. Collectively, our findings support the hypothesis that mutant p53R175H mediates ST6GalNAc-I expression, leading to the sialyation of MUC5AC, and thus contribute to LC liver metastasis