Retroperitoneal ancient neurilemmoma: A nervous rarity.

Neurilemmomas are tumors of neural origin that comprise Schwann cell proliferation in a characteristic pattern. They are benign in nature. Ancient neurilemmomas are usually longstanding growths that exhibit degenerative features that could be mistaken for malignancy. We report a case of ancient neurilemmoma in a 70-year-old male patient in the retroperitoneal area. Retroperitoneal schwannomas are extremely uncommon along with ancient neurilemmoma features making it worth reportin

Synthesis of macromolecular systems via lipase catalyzed biocatalytic reactions: applications and future perspectives

Enzymes, being remarkable catalysts, are capable of accepting a wide range of complex molecules as substrates and catalyze a variety of reactions with a high degree of chemo-, stereo- and regioselectivity in most of the reactions. Biocatalysis can be used in both simple and complex chemical transformations without the need for tedious protection and deprotection chemistry that is very common in traditional organic synthesis. This current review highlights the applicability of one class of biocatalysts viz. ‘‘lipases’’ in synthetic transformations, the resolution of pharmaceutically important small molecules including polyphenols, amides, nucleosides and their precursors, the development of macromolecular systems (and their applications as drug/gene carriers), flame retardants, polymeric antioxidants and nanocrystalline solar cells, etc

Protocol of systematic reviews on implementation research on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and mental ailments in India [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Introduction The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a major public health concern across the world. Various initiatives have tried to address these with varying degrees of success. Objective The objective is to assess and collate existing evidence in implementation research done in India on three broad domains of NCDs namely, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and mental health (MH) in India. Materials and methods Three systematic review protocols have been drafted to explore and collate extant evidence of implementation research on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and mental health in India, in accordance with the PRISMA-P statement. Academic databases including PubMed, Embase and Science Direct will be searched. Search strategies will be formulated in iterative processes and in accordance with the formats that are specific to the databases that will be searched. In addition, grey literature and non-academic databases will also be explored. Data extracted from the selected studies will be analysed and a narrative summary of the selected articles, using the SWiM (Synthesis without meta-analysis) guidelines will be produced. Intended Outcomes The outputs of these systematic reviews could help in a better understanding of implementation research gaps and also how to address them. Apart from giving insights into how healthcare initiatives for CVDs, diabetes and mental health could be implemented in a better way, the study could also advocate the need to build and consolidate capacity for implementation research in the country

Purification and characterization of pectinase produced from Apple pomace and evaluation of its efficacy in fruit juice extraction and clarification

189-197Pectinase (Pectin methyl esterase) produced by Aspergillus niger in solid state fermentation of apple pomace using the optimized conditions was partially purified by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation (20-80% concentration). The purified enzyme was found to be stable up to 60 days. It remained heat stable up to 50ºC but completely inactivated at 90ºC. The partially purified enzyme showed highest activity at pH 3.5. It was also evaluated for juice extraction and clarification of plum, peach, pear and apricot juices. The juice recovery of enzymatically treated pulps increased significantly from 52 to 78% in plum, 38 to 63% in peach, 60 to 72% in pear and 50 to 80% in apricot. Addition of pectinase significantly increased the colour, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and total sugars in the enzymatically extracted juices. The pH, Brix acid ratio and relative viscosity of extracted juices were decreased. The ascorbic acid content remained unaffected with the increase in enzyme concentration. The overall sensory evaluation of extracted juices using hedonic test showed a significant improvement in their colour and clarity scores. The flavour of the extracted juice remained unaffected by the addition of enzyme at all concentrations. For extraction of juice, 2.5% enzyme concentration was found to be the best. However, for clarification of apple and pear juice 1.0 and 0.5% concentration, respectively gave optimum results. It is concluded that the pectin estrase enzyme produced from apple pomace had desirable activity and improved the quality of evaluated fruit juices

Pectin Esterase Production from Apple Pomace in Solid-State and Submerged Fermentations

Usporedena je proizvodnja pektin-metilesteraze površinskim i submerznim uzgojem plijesni Aspergillus niger na jabučnom tropu radi dobivanja što većeg prinosa. Za oba postupka uzgoja optimalne su vrijednosti bile pH=4,0, temperatura inkubacije od 25 °C i vrijeme inkubacije od 96 h, dok je optimalno razrjeđenje tropa za uzgoj na čvrstoj podlozi bilo 1:3, a za submerzni uzgoj 1:6. Najveći prinos metilesteraze dobiven je dodatkom 0,2 % amonijeva sulfata ili 0,5 % natrijeva klorida pri uzgoju na čvrstoj podlozi te 0,2 % diamonijeva hidrogenfosfata odnosno 2 % manganova sulfata pri submerznom uzgoju. U optimalnim uvjetima aktivnost pektin-metilesteraze dobivena uzgojem na čvrstoj podlozi bila je 2,3 puta veća od one dobivene submerznim uzgojem.Comparison of the production of pectin methylesterase (PME) by Aspergillus niger from apple pomace in solid-state (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF) was made for higher PME production. pH value of 4.0, incubation temperature of 25 °C and incubation period of 96 h were found optimum in both SSF and SmF, while optimum dilution levels were 1:3 and 1:6, respectively. Ammonium sulphate in SSF and diammonium hydrogen phosphate in SmF as nitrogen sources at the rate of 0.2 % gave the highest yield of PME. Sodium chloride at the rate of 0.5 % in SSF and manganese sulphate at the rate of 2 % in SmF as additives gave the highest yield of PME. Overall, the SSF gave 2.3 times higher PME activity than SmF, using optimized parameters of fermentation

Effect of Vasantic Vaman and other Panchakarma procedures on disorders of various systems

Kapha is dominant and vitiated in Vasant ritu as it is described in Ayurveda. Acharya Chakrapani has said in chapter six, that not only Vaman, but all the five biopurification methods of the Panchakarma should be practiced in Vasant ritu. Out of the two best seasons in a year for purification, Vasant is better one. This pilot research study was carried out to see the effect of this biopurification process on different disorders. The results were marvelous, as symptomatically 58% relief was achieved