Likert Scale Development: Construction and Evaluation of Home Environment Scale

This paper is based on the construction and evaluation of home environment scale for senior secondary school students. In this paper an attempt was made to evaluate validity, reliability and to determine the appropriate standards to interpret the results of home environment scale. The scale includes 71 items to measure ten dimensions of home environment. Content validity was evaluated by more than 20 experts and validity was calculated by correlation between the score of each dimension and total score of the scale. To know the discrimination validity for each dimension of the test, ‘t’ test for two independent samples was used (high group and low group). The reliability of the scale was tested by calculating Alpha Coefficients. Overall it is concluded that the scale has good construct and discrimination validity. Moreover, all the values of reliability coefficient for each dimension are highly significant. Keywords: Construction. Evaluation, Home Environment, Likert Scale, Reliability, Validity

Bioactive profile, health benefits and safety evaluation of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): A review

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) contains a large number of versatile compounds with antioxidant and hence medical properties that have been reported from time to time. Intensive work on the medical properties of sea buckthorn has concluded incredible results like the effects on atherosclerosis, anti-visceral obesity, platelet aggregation, inflammation, adverse stressful situations, and that of liver injury. Only a few studies have been conducted on the safety evaluation of the plant extract but importantly no study has deemed it unsafe for animal or human consumption till date. Considering the fact that no significant changes have been observed in organ weight/body weight ratios, of any vital organ studied (except liver and kidney in 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg body weight doses, respectively) and biochemical and hematological parameters in different animal trials with an lethal dose for 50% reduction of population (LD50) of >10 g/kg when given orally, there is scope for further investigations regarding its safety in the daily diet as a protective medicine

Optimization of antioxidant activity and total polyphenols of dried apricot fruit extracts (Prunus armeniaca L.) using response surface methodology

Apricot is a natural source of polyphenols and other phytochemicals such as β-carotene and ascorbic acid that contribute to its antioxidant activity. Various organic solvents such as hexane, ether, methanol, and ethanol are used to obtain fruit extracts for different purposes. However, to extract the vital phytochemicals from a fruit, an efficient solvent along with certain other process parameters could reduce the process inputs thereby increasing the process efficiency. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the conditions for antioxidant potential and polyphenols from apricot powder (Prunus armeniaca L.) using four independent variables: methanol (20%, 35%, 50%, 65% and 80%), solvent/sample ratio (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30), temperature (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C) and time (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min). The results showed that antioxidant potential and total polyphenols in the experiments varied from 76.15% to 96.68% and 8.77 to 12.11 mg GAE/g, respectively. The F-values for antioxidant potential and total polyphenols were 0.99 and 4.44, respectively. The coefficients of determination (R2 values) for antioxidant potential and total polyphenols were found to be 0.4799 and 0.8057, respectively. Under the optimum conditions of 35% methanol, 15 solvent/sample ratio, 30 °C temperature and time 30 min, the values for antioxidant potential and total polyphenols were 91.165% and 10.702 mg GAE/g, respectively. The present process could be employed on a commercial scale for the extraction of antioxidants from apricot fruits for their nutraceutical and other applications

Physical characteristics, mineral analysis and antioxidant properties of some apricot varieties grown in North India PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Abstract: Eleven apricot varieties (Chinese, Rival, Tilton, Cuminis Haley, Harcot, Margulam, Narmu, Khante, Halman, Badam Chuli, and Cuban) were studied for their mineral analysis, physical characteristics, and antioxidant properties. The physical characteristics varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) among the apricot varieties. Cuban and Harcot showed a comparatively larger fruit size. However, Cuminis Haley and Harcot showed the highest edible bulk. Nine minerals (Zn, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Na, Mn, P, and K) were analyzed and were found to vary significantly (p ≤ 0.05) among the apricot varieties. Mn, Cu, and Zn elements were present in micro amounts, while K, Mg, Ca, P, and Fe levels were present in macro amounts. Halman and Margulam showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher amount of the minerals. All the varieties showed lower amounts of Cu as compared to the recommended daily intake, ranging from 0-0.82 ppm. All the varieties proved to be rich sources of polyphenols, with significant (p ≤ 0.05) varietal difference. Khante and Halman showed the significantly (p ≤ 0.05) highest methanolic 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) radical scavenging activity

Influence of processing on physicochemical and antioxidant properties of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L. variety Narmo)

Fresh apricot pulp and its processed products (bar, chutney, and leather) were analyzed for physicochemical (moisture content, titrable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid, and percent reducing sugars) and antioxidant properties (2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power, total phenolics, lipid peroxidation, ferric reducing antioxidant potential, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity). Reducing sugars, TA, and ascorbic acid content were found to be higher in the processed products than the fresh pulp. A significant difference in the antioxidant properties between the fresh apricot pulp and its processed products was observed. The difference in antioxidant properties between the fresh and the processed products may be attributed to the partial degradation of the bioactive compounds by the action of heat during processing. Among the processed products, apricot bar showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Therefore, production of apricot bar could a suitable option for processing of apricots

Dyeing of Wool with Sappan Wood Natural Dye Using Metal Salts for Enhancement in Color and Fastness Properties

In this study, we explore the dyeing properties of the extract of sappan wood natural dye for coloration of wool yarn to find the potential use of natural dyed wool yarn in the development of eco-friendly textiles. Different characterizations were used to know the chemistry of sappan wood dye and its interaction with metal salts and wool. Interestingly, we found that metal salts, which are called as mordants in reference to unmordanted dyed sample, play an important role in fixing the dye molecule on wool as well as in creating different shades with a variety of hues and tones. The typical color of fabric dyed with extracts of sappan wood without mordant varies from yellowish to red. Light yellowish shades were obtained in case of aluminum sulfate-mordanted samples, whereas yellowish shades were obtained in case of ferrous sulfate mordant. Light colorfastness of the premordanted dyed samples was relatively better than that of the unmordanted dyed samples. The wash fastness of all samples mordanted as well as unmordanted shows color change fairly good to good level, whereas the color staining on wool and cotton was found to be negligible

Association of mechanical bowel preparation with oral antibiotics and anastomotic leak following left sided colorectal resection: an international, multi-centre, prospective audit.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: , (2018), Association of mechanical bowel preparation with oral antibiotics and anastomotic leak following left sided colorectal resection: an international, multi‐centre, prospective audit. Colorectal Dis, 20: 15-32. doi:10.1111/codi.14362, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.14362. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived VersionsINTRODUCTION: The optimal bowel preparation strategy to minimise the risk of anastomotic leak is yet to be determined. This study aimed to determine whether oral antibiotics combined with mechanical bowel preparation (MBP+Abx) was associated with a reduced risk of anastomotic leak when compared to mechanical bowel preparation alone (MBP) or no bowel preparation (NBP). METHODS: A pre-planned analysis of the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) 2017 Left Sided Colorectal Resection audit was performed. Patients undergoing elective left sided colonic or rectal resection with primary anastomosis between 1 January 2017 and 15 March 2017 by any operative approach were included. The primary outcome measure was anastomotic leak. RESULTS: Of 3676 patients across 343 centres in 47 countries, 618 (16.8%) received MBP+ABx, 1945 MBP (52.9%) and 1099 patients NBP (29.9%). Patients undergoing MBP+ABx had the lowest overall rate of anastomotic leak (6.1%, 9.2%, 8.7% respectively) in unadjusted analysis. After case-mix adjustment using a mixed-effects multivariable regression model, MBP+Abx was associated with a lower risk of anastomotic leak (OR 0.52, 0.30-0.92, P = 0.02) but MBP was not (OR 0.92, 0.63-1.36, P = 0.69) compared to NBP. CONCLUSION: This non-randomised study adds 'real-world', contemporaneous, and prospective evidence of the beneficial effects of combined mechanical bowel preparation and oral antibiotics in the prevention of anastomotic leak following left sided colorectal resection across diverse settings. We have also demonstrated limited uptake of this strategy in current international colorectal practice

An international assessment of the adoption of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®) principles across colorectal units in 2019–2020

AimThe Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society guidelines aim to standardize perioperative care in colorectal surgery via 25 principles. We aimed to assess the variation in uptake of these principles across an international network of colorectal units.MethodAn online survey was circulated amongst European Society of Coloproctology members in 2019–2020. For each ERAS principle, respondents were asked to score how frequently the principle was implemented in their hospital, from 1 (‘rarely’) to 4 (‘always’). Respondents were also asked to recall whether practice had changed since 2017. Subgroup analyses based on hospital characteristics were conducted.ResultsOf hospitals approached, 58% responded to the survey (195/335), with 296 individual responses (multiple responses were received from some hospitals). The majority were European (163/195, 83.6%). Overall, respondents indicated they ‘most often’ or ‘always’ adhered to most individual ERAS principles (18/25, 72%). Variability in the uptake of principles was reported, with universal uptake of some principles (e.g., prophylactic antibiotics; early mobilization) and inconsistency from ‘rarely’ to ‘always’ in others (e.g., no nasogastric intubation; no preoperative fasting and carbohydrate drinks). In alignment with 2018 ERAS guideline updates, adherence to principles for prehabilitation, managing anaemia and postoperative nutrition appears to have increased since 2017.ConclusionsUptake of ERAS principles varied across hospitals, and not all 25 principles were equally adhered to. Whilst some principles exhibited a high level of acceptance, others had a wide variability in uptake indicative of controversy or barriers to uptake. Further research into specific principles is required to improve ERAS implementation.AimThe Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society guidelines aim to standardize perioperative care in colorectal surgery via 25 principles. We aimed to assess the variation in uptake of these principles across an international network of colorectal units.MethodAn online survey was circulated amongst European Society of Coloproctology members in 2019–2020. For each ERAS principle, respondents were asked to score how frequently the principle was implemented in their hospital, from 1 (‘rarely’) to 4 (‘always’). Respondents were also asked to recall whether practice had changed since 2017. Subgroup analyses based on hospital characteristics were conducted.ResultsOf hospitals approached, 58% responded to the survey (195/335), with 296 individual responses (multiple responses were received from some hospitals). The majority were European (163/195, 83.6%). Overall, respondents indicated they ‘most often’ or ‘always’ adhered to most individual ERAS principles (18/25, 72%). Variability in the uptake of principles was reported, with universal uptake of some principles (e.g., prophylactic antibiotics; early mobilization) and inconsistency from ‘rarely’ to ‘always’ in others (e.g., no nasogastric intubation; no preoperative fasting and carbohydrate drinks). In alignment with 2018 ERAS guideline updates, adherence to principles for prehabilitation, managing anaemia and postoperative nutrition appears to have increased since 2017.ConclusionsUptake of ERAS principles varied across hospitals, and not all 25 principles were equally adhered to. Whilst some principles exhibited a high level of acceptance, others had a wide variability in uptake indicative of controversy or barriers to uptake. Further research into specific principles is required to improve ERAS implementation.A