28 research outputs found

    Evaluation of sensory and biochemical changes in freshwater catfish stored under vacuum and different modified atmospheres.

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    The present study was carried out to compare the influence of six different packaging atmospheres (air, vacuum and MAPs including 5% O2 + 40% CO2 + 55% N2, 5% O2 + 60% CO2 + 35% N2, 5% O2 + 80% CO2 + 15% N2 and 100% CO2) on the biochemical and sensory attributes of freshwater catfish fillets stored at 4 °C. Fillets were monitored for biochemical parameters (pH, total volatile bases nitrogen (TVBN), lipid oxidation) and sensory attributes for 21 days. Proximate and fatty acid composition were also determined in fresh fillets. The sensory quality of all fillets was acceptable during the first 13 ± 1 days of storage in air, 16 ± 1 days of storage in vacuum and MAP1, 18 ± 1 days of storage in MAP2 and 20 ± 1 days of storage in MAP3. The overall sensory scores for fillets which were packed under 100% CO2 were higher than the acceptable limit at the end of storage. It was found that fillets consisted of 5.71 g lipid per 100 g which is susceptible to oxidation due to the high amount of unsaturated fatty acids (63.86%) versus saturated fatty acids (31.14%). Vacuum packed and 100% CO2 fillets showed the lowest TBARS values while air-stored samples showed the highest TBA values. TVBN increased negligibly during storage in all treatments and never exceeded the acceptability limit (35 mg N per 100 g). It can be concluded that 100% CO2 was the best evaluated atmosphere for storage of catfish fillets at 4 °C with superior biochemical and sensory attributes

    Effects of antibiotic resistance, drug target attainment, bacterial pathogenicity and virulence, and antibiotic access and affordability on outcomes in neonatal sepsis: an international microbiology and drug evaluation prospective substudy (BARNARDS)

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    Background Sepsis is a major contributor to neonatal mortality, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). WHO advocates ampicillin–gentamicin as first-line therapy for the management of neonatal sepsis. In the BARNARDS observational cohort study of neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial resistance in LMICs, common sepsis pathogens were characterised via whole genome sequencing (WGS) and antimicrobial resistance profiles. In this substudy of BARNARDS, we aimed to assess the use and efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapies commonly used in LMICs for neonatal sepsis. Methods In BARNARDS, consenting mother–neonates aged 0–60 days dyads were enrolled on delivery or neonatal presentation with suspected sepsis at 12 BARNARDS clinical sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Stillborn babies were excluded from the study. Blood samples were collected from neonates presenting with clinical signs of sepsis, and WGS and minimum inhibitory concentrations for antibiotic treatment were determined for bacterial isolates from culture-confirmed sepsis. Neonatal outcome data were collected following enrolment until 60 days of life. Antibiotic usage and neonatal outcome data were assessed. Survival analyses were adjusted to take into account potential clinical confounding variables related to the birth and pathogen. Additionally, resistance profiles, pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic probability of target attainment, and frequency of resistance (ie, resistance defined by in-vitro growth of isolates when challenged by antibiotics) were assessed. Questionnaires on health structures and antibiotic costs evaluated accessibility and affordability. Findings Between Nov 12, 2015, and Feb 1, 2018, 36 285 neonates were enrolled into the main BARNARDS study, of whom 9874 had clinically diagnosed sepsis and 5749 had available antibiotic data. The four most commonly prescribed antibiotic combinations given to 4451 neonates (77·42%) of 5749 were ampicillin–gentamicin, ceftazidime–amikacin, piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin, and amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin. This dataset assessed 476 prescriptions for 442 neonates treated with one of these antibiotic combinations with WGS data (all BARNARDS countries were represented in this subset except India). Multiple pathogens were isolated, totalling 457 isolates. Reported mortality was lower for neonates treated with ceftazidime–amikacin than for neonates treated with ampicillin–gentamicin (hazard ratio [adjusted for clinical variables considered potential confounders to outcomes] 0·32, 95% CI 0·14–0·72; p=0·0060). Of 390 Gram-negative isolates, 379 (97·2%) were resistant to ampicillin and 274 (70·3%) were resistant to gentamicin. Susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates to at least one antibiotic in a treatment combination was noted in 111 (28·5%) to ampicillin–gentamicin; 286 (73·3%) to amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 301 (77·2%) to ceftazidime–amikacin; and 312 (80·0%) to piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. A probability of target attainment of 80% or more was noted in 26 neonates (33·7% [SD 0·59]) of 78 with ampicillin–gentamicin; 15 (68·0% [3·84]) of 27 with amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 93 (92·7% [0·24]) of 109 with ceftazidime–amikacin; and 70 (85·3% [0·47]) of 76 with piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. However, antibiotic and country effects could not be distinguished. Frequency of resistance was recorded most frequently with fosfomycin (in 78 isolates [68·4%] of 114), followed by colistin (55 isolates [57·3%] of 96), and gentamicin (62 isolates [53·0%] of 117). Sites in six of the seven countries (excluding South Africa) stated that the cost of antibiotics would influence treatment of neonatal sepsis

    In vitro evaluation of anti-dengue activity of selected synthetic schiff bases and traditional chinese medicinal plants extracts

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    During the last few decades, dengue virus (DENV) has emerged as the major virus spread by mosquito that can cause life threatening disease. Recently, it has spread to more than a hundred countries around the globe and still lacks a specific treatable medication. Hospitals provide only supportive and symptomatic treatment hence the development of a safe and effective antiviral is an urgent need. To identify new antivirals against DENV, realms of both synthetic compounds and ethnomedicine were explored. A library of eighty-five dithiocarbazate (DTC)-derived Schiff bases and their metal complexes including twelve plant extracts were analyzed in a primary antiviral evaluation. Hits displaying 50% or more anti-dengue activity were selected and evaluated through foci forming unit reduction assay, serotype based analysis and real time quantitative RT-PCR based time-of-addition analysis. During antiviral evaluation of synthetic compounds, ten anti-dengue compounds were identified with promising antiviral activity. Secondary evaluation presented two lead Ni complexes with SI values 86.3 and 80.4. Ni complexes were the strongest contestants and inhibited all DENV serotypes equally. Lead compounds inhibited against all stages of virus replication cycle but the activity was strongest during early stages. It was demonstrated in silico that Ni complexes were binding at domain III of DENV E-glycoprotein involved during early stages of replication. In conclusion, Schiff bases and their metal complexes are a whole new horizon for anti- dengue development and can be tudied further to develop safe, effective, stable, and affordable anti-dengue in future. Discovery and development of modern medicine relies on long and rigorous clinical trials until they are available for public use. Meanwhile, new classes of chemical compounds are being explored for innovative anti-dengue options, Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) plants are frequently being used by dengue endemic populations as Contemporary and Alternate Medicine (CAM). These traditional herbs will continue to be an alternative for dengue treatment as disease burden is rapidly increasing every year. Present study also evaluated the anti-dengue potential of twelve TCM plant extracts designated as cool herbs used for the diseases with high fever. During antiviral evaluation of TCM plants, four anti-dengue plants were identified. Secondary evaluation proved two lead plants extract Dryopteris crassirhizoma (DC) and Morus alba (MA) with SI = 4.21 and 4.62 respectively, which inhibited DENV serotypes equally. In general, the plants were not equally inhibiting against all stages of viral replication cycle. DC was identified as potential anti-dengue plant which was active at late stages of virus replication. MA was also inhibiting but the dose was high, however its safety profile was better than DC and the plant was active at early stages of viral replication. Our research elucidated and identified the anti-dengue activity of the TCM plants in practice that have been time-tested to reduce the illness. Similar research can be planned for other traditional anti-dengue practices. The present times of integrated treatments brings together conventional medicine with safe and effective complementary medicine. Combined research approaches from different healthcare disciplines may lead to identification of new therapeutic options

    Comparative analysis, potential benefits, and safety of milk from five commercially milk-producing mammals

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    Milk production is a key feature of the Mammalia class. This study summarizes the characteristics of milk produced by the main dairy industry mammals: cows, buffalo, goats, sheep, and camels. The study compares their physical and chemical constituents, therapeutic benefits, and allergenicity and safety. The optimal milk for different situations can be identified using nutritional, medicinal, and safety studies.Cow milk is the most widely produced globally, accounting for more than eighty percent of the milk produced. Buffalo and sheep milk contain significantly more lactose than cow and goat milk. Bovine and bison milk have the highest cholesterol concentration. Goat milk has a higher fat content, while camel milk has fewer adverse effects.Consumption of cow or buffalo milk may induce minor allergic reactions; however, milk can also ease certain allergy problems. Sheep milk can benefit those with eczema and asthma. This research can help achieve a balanced utilization of varied milk varieties. The study aids consumers in choosing the right milk by investigating and comparing their commercial viability to cellular milk and other types of commercially accessible milk.In conclusion, the study highlights the advantages and disadvantages of different types of milk produced by the main dairy industry mammals. The choice of milk can depend on various factors such as nutritional content, allergenicity, and safety concerns. This research can help consumers make an informed choice regarding the optimal milk for different situations, which can aid in achieving a balanced utilization of varied milk varieties

    An Efficient DA-Net Architecture for Lung Nodule Segmentation

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    A typical growth of cells inside tissue is normally known as a nodular entity. Lung nodule segmentation from computed tomography (CT) images becomes crucial for early lung cancer diagnosis. An issue that pertains to the segmentation of lung nodules is homogenous modular variants. The resemblance among nodules as well as among neighboring regions is very challenging to deal with. Here, we propose an end-to-end U-Net-based segmentation framework named DA-Net for efficient lung nodule segmentation. This method extracts rich features by integrating compactly and densely linked rich convolutional blocks merged with Atrous convolutions blocks to broaden the view of filters without dropping loss and coverage data. We first extract the lung’s ROI images from the whole CT scan slices using standard image processing operations and k-means clustering. This reduces the search space of the model to only lungs where the nodules are present instead of the whole CT scan slice. The evaluation of the suggested model was performed through utilizing the LIDC-IDRI dataset. According to the results, we found that DA-Net showed good performance, achieving an 81% Dice score value and 71.6% IOU score

    Synthesis and Characterization of Pure and Nano-Ag Impregnated Chitosan Beads and Determination of Catalytic Activities of Nano-Ag

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    The synthesis of nano-Ag impregnated porous Chitosan beads, in crosslinked and uncrosslinked forms, was aimed to investigate their catalytic potential in reducing nitro group into amino by NaBH4. The material was found unique concerning the synthesis of well-defined Ag NPs and subsequently adsorbing them on its surface. The crosslinked and uncrosslinked chitosan beads were separately analyzed for the loading of Ag and its effect over the microstructures of the substrate. BET was used to explore the porous nature and pore size distributions of beads. At each stage, SEM coupled with EDX, FT-IR, and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) were employed to characterize the material. The catalytic activities of nano-Ag in crosslinked and uncrosslinked beads were determined by the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) into 4-aminophenol (4-AP) by NaBH4; which is least effective for such reduction. The catalytic activities were monitored by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results demonstrated the nano-Ag as a reliable and active catalyst which made NaBH4 quite capable for the nitro reduction. Moreover, the catalytic activities of crosslinked chitosan substrate were found more reproducible as compared to the uncrosslinked substrate. Copyright © 2017 BCREC GROUP. All rights reserved Received: 7th December 2016; Revised: 19th December 2016; Accepted: 21st December 2016 How to Cite: Ahmad, Z., Maqsood, M., Mehmood, M., Ahmad, M.J., Choudhary, M.A. (2017). Synthesis and Characterization of Pure and Nano-Ag Impregnated Chitosan Beads and Determination of Catalytic Activities of Nano-Ag. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 12 (1): 127-135 (doi:10.9767/bcrec.12.1.860.127-135) Permalink/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.12.1.860.127-13

    Synthesis and Characterization of Pure and Nano-Ag Impregnated Chitosan Beads and Determination of Catalytic Activities of Nano-Ag

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    The synthesis of nano-Ag impregnated porous Chitosan beads, in crosslinked and uncrosslinked forms, was aimed to investigate their catalytic potential in reducing nitro group into amino by NaBH4. The material was found unique concerning the synthesis of well-defined Ag NPs and subsequently adsorbing them on its surface. The crosslinked and uncrosslinked chitosan beads were separately analyzed for the loading of Ag and its effect over the microstructures of the substrate. BET was used to explore the porous nature and pore size distributions of beads. At each stage, SEM coupled with EDX, FT-IR, and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) were employed to characterize the material. The catalytic activities of nano-Ag in crosslinked and uncrosslinked beads were determined by the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) into 4-aminophenol (4-AP) by NaBH4; which is least effective for such reduction. The catalytic activities were monitored by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results demonstrated the nano-Ag as a reliable and active catalyst which made NaBH4 quite capable for the nitro reduction. Moreover, the catalytic activities of crosslinked chitosan substrate were found more reproducible as compared to the uncrosslinked substrate. Copyright © 2017 BCREC GROUP. All rights reserved Received: 7th December 2016; Revised: 19th December 2016; Accepted: 21st December 2016 How to Cite: Ahmad, Z., Maqsood, M., Mehmood, M., Ahmad, M.J., Choudhary, M.A. (2017). Synthesis and Characterization of Pure and Nano-Ag Impregnated Chitosan Beads and Determination of Catalytic Activities of Nano-Ag. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 12 (1): 127-135 (doi:10.9767/bcrec.12.1.860.127-135) Permalink/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.12.1.860.127-13

    Recent advancements in surface modifications of dental implants: systematic review

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    Implantology is one of the most investigated topic in modern dentistry, This review is aimed to systematically summarize all the industrial, mass production and experimental trends in dental implant manufacture relative primarily to their surface modification over the last year. Research was conducted in Army Medical college, NUMS, Rawalpindi, Armed forces institute of dentistry, CMH, Rawalpindi, Foundation University college of Dentistry, FFH, DHA, Islamabad and the HEC Library, HEC, Islamabad. Literature was searched on PubMed, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Cochrane and Science direct. The key words employed were “dental Implants”, “surface modification”, “surface morphology”, “surface treatment” and “surface augmentation”. A total of 38 articles were short listed and reviewed in detail. There is abundant evidence suggesting the importance of these surface modification on improving the implant success. Several strategies have been suggested to modify the implant surface topography as well as surface chemistry in order to achieve a micro-porous structure with nano scale architecture, with increased bio activity; hydrophilicity and anti-bacterial properties. There is commendable success with many of these strategies in the lab. However, following the lab success in ex vivo studies, very few of these surface modalities have found their way to clinical set-ups. Key Words: Dental Implants, surface modification, surface morphology, Continuous..
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