Soaking Effects on Physical Characteristics of Basmati (Pusa Basmati 1121) Rice

PB1121 paddy was soaked in water at seven different temperatures (40-80oC) till it achieved desired moisture. Soaking showed significant effect on physical characteristics of PB1121 rice. Soaking altered the length, breadth, thickness volume, surface area, equivalent diameter and sphericity of of paddy grain. Un-soaked grains had bulk and true density as 508.60 and 1138.8 kg/m3, respectively whereas that of soaked grains varied from 511-527 and 1188-1238 kg/m3, respectively. HRY of un-soaked rice was 42.12% whereas that of soaked rice varied from 50.21-53.05%. Soaked grains were harder than the un-soaked grains. Un-soaked rice had lightness and redness values as 60.26 and 6.47, respectively but, with soaking temperature, lightness decreased (9.56-16.23%) whereas redness increased (9.58-25.50%). Soaking imparted reddish color to the grain, but not yellowness. Based on grain color, hardness and HRY, it was inferred that 65 to 70oC temperatures would be appropriate for soaking of PB1121 paddy

Optimal pricing and promotional effort control policies for a new product growth in segmented market

Market segmentation enables the marketers to understand and serve the customers more effectively thereby improving company’s competitive position. In this paper, we study the impact of price and promotion efforts on evolution of sales intensity in segmented market to obtain the optimal price and promotion effort policies. Evolution of sales rate for each segment is developed under the assumption that marketer may choose both differentiated as well as mass market promotion effort to influence the uncaptured market potential. An optimal control model is formulated and a solution method using Maximum Principle has been discussed. The model is extended to incorporate budget constraint. Model applicability is illustrated by a numerical example. Since the discrete time data is available, the formulated model is discretized. For solving the discrete model, differential evolution algorithm is used

Variations in host genes encoding adhesion molecules and susceptibility to falciparum malaria in India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Host adhesion molecules play a significant role in the pathogenesis of <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>malaria and changes in their structure or levels in individuals can influence the outcome of infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of SNPs of three adhesion molecule genes, <it>ICAM1</it>, <it>PECAM1 </it>and <it>CD36</it>, with severity of falciparum malaria in a malaria-endemic and a non-endemic region of India.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The frequency distribution of seven selected SNPs of <it>ICAM1</it>, <it>PECAM1 </it>and <it>CD36 </it>was determined in 552 individuals drawn from 24 populations across India. SNP-disease association was analysed in a case-control study format. Genotyping of the population panel was performed by Sequenom mass spectroscopy and patient/control samples were genotyped by SNaPshot method. Haplotypes and linkage disequilibrium (LD) plots were generated using PHASE and Haploview, respectively. Odds-ratio (OR) for risk assessment was estimated using EpiInfo™ version 3.4.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Association of the ICAM1 rs5498 (exon 6) G allele and the CD36 exon 1a A allele with increased risk of severe malaria was observed (severe versus control, OR = 1.91 and 2.66, P = 0.02 and 0.0012, respectively). The CD36 rs1334512 (-53) T allele as well as the TT genotype associated with protection from severe disease (severe versus control, TT versus GG, OR = 0.37, P = 0.004). Interestingly, a SNP of the <it>PECAM1 </it>gene (rs668, exon 3, C/G) with low minor allele frequency in populations of the endemic region compared to the non-endemic region exhibited differential association with disease in these regions; the G allele was a risk factor for malaria in the endemic region, but exhibited significant association with protection from disease in the non-endemic region.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The data highlights the significance of variations in the <it>ICAM1</it>, <it>PECAM1 </it>and <it>CD36 </it>genes in the manifestation of falciparum malaria in India. The <it>PECAM1 </it>exon 3 SNP exhibits altered association with disease in the endemic and non-endemic region.</p

Efficacy and Safety of Daprodustat for Treatment of Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease in Incident Dialysis Patients A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance: Daprodustat, a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, is being evaluated as an oral alternative to conventional erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy. Few studies of anemia treatment in an incident dialysis (ID) population have been reported. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of daprodustat vs darbepoetin alfa in treating anemia of chronic kidney disease in ID patients. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective, randomized, open-label clinical trial was conducted from May 11, 2017, through September 24, 2020, in 90 centers across 14 countries. Patients with advanced CKD were eligible if they planned to start dialysis within 6 weeks from screening or had started and received hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) within 90 days before randomization, had a screening hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of 8.0 to 10.5 g/dL (to convert to grams per liter, multiply by 10) and a randomization Hb of 8.0 to 11.0 g/dL, were ESA-naive or had received limited ESA treatment, and were iron-replete. Interventions: Randomized 1:1 to daprodustat or darbepoetin alfa. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary analysis in the intent-to-treat population evaluated the mean change in Hb concentration from baseline to evaluation period (weeks 28-52) to assess noninferiority of daprodustat vs darbepoetin alfa (noninferiority margin, -0.75 g/dL). The mean monthly intravenous (IV) iron dose from baseline to week 52 was the principal secondary end point. Rates of treatment-emergent and serious adverse events (AEs) were also compared between treatment groups to assess safety and tolerability. Results: A total of 312 patients (median [IQR] age, 55 [45-65] years; 194 [62%] male) were randomized to either daprodustat (157 patients; median [IQR] age, 52.0 [45-63] years; 96 [61%] male) or darbepoetin alfa (155 patients; median [IQR] age, 56.0 [45-67] years; 98 [63%] male); 306 patients (98%) completed the trial. The mean (SD) Hb concentration during the evaluation period was 10.5 (1.0) g/dL for the daprodustat and 10.6 (0.9) g/dL for the darbepoetin alfa group, with an adjusted mean treatment difference of -0.10 g/dL (95% CI, -0.34 to 0.14 g/dL), indicating noninferiority. There was a reduction in mean monthly IV iron use from baseline to week 52 in both treatment groups; however, daprodustat was not superior compared with darbepoetin alfa in reducing monthly IV iron use (adjusted mean treatment difference, 19.4 mg [95% CI, -11.0 to 49.9 mg]). Adverse event rates were 76% for daprodustat vs 72% for darbepoetin alfa. Conclusions and Relevance: This randomized clinical trial found that daprodustat was noninferior to darbepoetin alfa in treating anemia of CKD and may represent a potential oral alternative to a conventional ESA in the ID population. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03029208

Structure-function of the high affinity substrate binding site (S1) of human norepinephrine transporter

The human norepinephrine transporter (hNET) is a member of the neurotransmitter/sodium symporter family, which also includes the neuronal monoamine transporters for serotonin (SERT) and dopamine (DAT). Its involvement in chronic pain and many neurological disorders underlies its pharmaceutical importance. Using the X-ray crystal structures of the human serotonin transporter (hSERT) (PDB 5I6X) and Drosophila melanogaster dopamine transporter (dDAT) (PDB 4M48 and PDB 4XPA) as templates, we developed molecular models for norepinephrine (NE) bound to its high affinity binding site (S1) in the hNET. Our model suggests that the S1 site for NE is deeply buried between transmembrane helices (TMHs) 1, 3, 6, and 8 and overlaps the binding site for leucine in the bacterial leucine transporter (LeuT) and dopamine (DA) in dDAT. Mutational studies identified the functional binding pocket for NE comprised residues A73, A77, N78, V148, N153, I156, G320, F329, N350, S420, G423, and M424, which all influenced NE affinity and/or transport. These effects support a NE-hNET docking model where A73, A77, G320, S420, G423, and M424 form H-bond interactions with NE, V148, I156, and F329 form hydrophobic interactions with NE, whereas N78 affects NE transport and N350 affects NE affinity and transport via an influence on the octahedral co-ordination of the Na ion. Consistent with a conserved structure-function amongst sodium-dependent neurotransmitter transporters, S1 residues A73, A77 (G100 in hSERT), N78, V148 (I150 in hSERT), N153, G320, F329 (Y331 in d DAT), N350, and G423 are conserved in DAT and SERT, indicating they likely play conserved functional roles

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Not AvailableEffects of soaking and steaming steps, individually on selected starch characteristics and GI of Pusa Basmati 1121 rice was evaluated. Rough rice was soaked at seven different temperatures (40-80°C) and soaking effect on starch content, Am/Ap ratio, pasting properties, starch crystallinity, degree of gelatinization, grain transparency and GI of rice was determined. Similarly, rough rice was soaked at 65°C for 345 min and subsequently steamed at different steaming conditions to determine the steaming effect on these quality parameters. Starch content, Am/Ap ratio, crystallinity, DG and GI of raw rice was determined as 73.24%, 0.59, 28.49%, 5.59% and 58.41, respectively. Soaking reduced the crystallinity up 14.08% whereas steaming reduced it up to 5.72%. Similar trend was observed for other parameters also. Both soaking and steaming decreased the pasting viscosities, converted crystalline form of starch into amorphous one, imparted translucency to the grains, and decreased the GI. However, soaking step achieved partial gelatinization whereas steaming step achieved complete gelatinization of starch. Soaking step absorbed the moisture to swallow the starch granules whereas steaming step ruptured the crystalline polyhedral structure to yield compact, amorphous and translucent rice.Not Availabl

Optimal pricing and promotional effort control policies for a new product growth in segmented market

Market segmentation enables the marketers to understand and serve the customers more effectively thereby improving company’s competitive position. In this paper, we study the impact of price and promotion efforts on evolution of sales intensity in segmented market to obtain the optimal price and promotion effort policies. Evolution of sales rate for each segment is developed under the assumption that marketer may choose both differentiated as well as mass market promotion effort to influence the uncaptured market potential. An optimal control model is formulated and a solution method using Maximum Principle has been discussed. The model is extended to incorporate budget constraint. Model applicability is illustrated by a numerical example. P.C. Jha, P. Manik, K. Chaudhary, R. Cambini / Optimal Pricing and Promotional 2 Since the discrete time data is available, the formulated model is discretized. For solving the discrete model, differential evolution algorithm is used

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Not AvailablePusa Basmati 1121 (PB1121) rice (longest milled grain in the world), raw and parboiled, was dehusked and milled at 6 different degrees of milling (DOM) varied from 5-10 per cent. Head rice yield decreased up to 10% with increased DOM in both raw and parboiled rice. However, parboiling increased the yield of marketable rice by 18.68 per cent. DOM significantly (α=0.05) affected cooking and textural qualities of raw and parboiled rice. Mineral composition of raw and parboiled rice indicated that P, K, Mg and S constituted the major portion, about 97% of the mineral composition of PB1121 rice. DOM adversely affected the mineral content of rice, but this effect was less severe in parboiled rice. Principal component analysis (PCA) performed for selected quality characteristics of PB1121 rice indicated that optimum DOM (%) for raw and parboiled PB1121 rice would be 7% and 8%, respectively.Not Availabl

Determination of Optimum Degrees of Milling for Raw and Parboiled Basmati (PB1121) Rice Using Principal Component Analysis

Pusa Basmati 1121 (PB1121) rice (longest milled grain in the world), raw and parboiled, was dehusked and milled at 6 different degrees of milling (DOM) varied from 5-10 per cent. Head rice yield decreased up to 10% with increased DOM in both raw and parboiled rice. However, parboiling increased the yield of marketable rice by 18.68 per cent. DOM significantly (α=0.05) affected cooking and textural qualities of raw and parboiled rice. Mineral composition of raw and parboiled rice indicated that P, K, Mg and S constituted the major portion, about 97% of the mineral composition of PB1121 rice. DOM adversely affected the mineral content of rice, but this effect was less severe in parboiled rice. Principal component analysis (PCA) performed for selected quality characteristics of PB1121 rice indicated that optimum DOM (%) for raw and parboiled PB1121 rice would be 7% and 8%, respectively