''Eco-friendly extraction using solids'' - A novel application of mixed solvency concept

As per the mixed solvency concept (proposed by Dr.  R.K.  Maheshwari), each and every substance present on the earth has got solubilizing property i.e. all the liquids, gases and solids possess solubilizing power. In the mixed solvency concept, each substance is a solubilizer. We know that all the liquids (matter in liquid state at room temperature) are known as solvents. No solvent is universal solvent. We can say that all the solvents are good solvents for some solutes and bad solvents for other solutes. Similarly, all gases and solids have good solubilizing power for some solutes and bad solubilizing power for other solutes. Organic solvents have innumerous adverse effects. Such organic solvents should be replaced by other eco-friendly alternative sources. The main objective of this research work is to provide a novel idea to the researchers that solids can also be employed for extraction of active constituents from powders of roots, leaves, seeds, fruits, bark of plants etc. In the present investigation, sesame oil has been extracted  from powdered seeds of sesame using solubilizing powers of two solids, thymol and menthol using different methods. Melted thymol (temperature about 50°C), melted menthol (temperature  about  45°C) were observed to have very good solubility for sesame oil. Therefore, they were used for extraction of sesame oil. Ethanol was found to be bad solvent for sesame oil. Thymol and menthol improved the solubility of sesame oil in ethanol and helped in extraction. Thymol and menthol are easily removed at  about 80°C. Organic solvents are removed from extracts by suitable methods like heating, vacuum distillation etc. These solids (menthol and thymol) are also removable. Also, they can be recollected using suitable methods for recycling purposes. Keywords:  Extraction, mixed solvency concept, sesame oil, menthol, thymol, eutectic liquid, solubilize

Multicenter Evaluation of Diagnostic Circulating Biomarkers to Detect Sight-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy

Importance: It is a global challenge to provide regular retinal screening for all people with diabetes to detect sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR). Objective: To determine if circulating biomarkers could be used to prioritize people with type 2 diabetes for retinal screening to detect STDR. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study collected data from October 22, 2018, to December 31, 2021. All laboratory staff were masked to the clinical diagnosis, assigned a study cohort, and provided with the database containing the clinical data. This was a multicenter study conducted in parallel in 3 outpatient ophthalmology clinics in the UK and 2 centers in India. Adults 40 years and older were categorized into 4 groups: (1) no history of diabetes, (2) type 2 diabetes of at least 5 years' duration with no evidence of DR, (3) nonproliferative DR with diabetic macular edema (DME), or (4) proliferative DR. STDR comprised groups 3 and 4. Exposures: Thirteen previously verified biomarkers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Main Outcomes and Measures: Severity of DR and presence of DME were diagnosed using fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography. Weighted logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (ROC) were performed to identify biomarkers that discriminate STDR from no DR beyond the standard clinical parameters of age, disease duration, ethnicity (in the UK) and hemoglobin A1c. Results: A total of 538 participants (mean [SD] age, 60.8 [9.8] years; 319 men [59.3%]) were recruited into the study. A total of 264 participants (49.1%) were from India (group 1, 54 [20.5%]; group 2, 53 [20.1%]; group 3, 52 [19.7%]; group 4, 105 [39.8%]), and 274 participants (50.9%) were from the UK (group 1, 50 [18.2%]; group 2, 70 [25.5%]; group 3, 55 [20.1%]; group 4, 99 [36.1%]). ROC analysis (no DR vs STDR) showed that in addition to age, disease duration, ethnicity (in the UK) and hemoglobin A1c, inclusion of cystatin C had near-acceptable discrimination power in both countries (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.779; 95% CI, 0.700-0.857 in 215 patients in the UK with complete data; AUC, 0.696; 95% CI, 0.602-0.791 in 208 patients in India with complete data). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that serum cystatin C had good discrimination power in the UK and India. Circulating cystatin-C levels may be considered as a test to identify those who require prioritization for retinal screening for STDR

Exopolysaccharide and lactic acid bacteria: Perception, functionality and prospects

Lactic acid bacteria exhibit the most effective potential to divert significant amount of fermentable sugars towards the biosynthesis of functional exopolysaccharide. Exopolysaccharides from lactic acid bacteria are receiving a renewed interest due to the claims of human health benefits. This review provides an update on multiple uses and production of exopolysaccharides with major emphasis on their chemical properties, characterization, and some other molecular strategies adopted for their genetics and biological tailoring to better understand the process of exopolysaccharide production along with their antiviral efficacy with multiple modes of action. Additionally, microbiological, biochemical, nutritional and biotechnological aspects of exopolysaccharide production have also been discussed. Moreover, appro-priate suggestions have been made on lactic acid bacteria improvements, leading to enhanced production with advanced modification and production process that may contribute to the economic soundness of applications in food and pharmacological industries with this promising group of biomolecules.

Personality Prediction through Curriculam Vitae Analysis involving Password Encryption and Prediction Analysis

A recruitment process requires an eligibility check, an aptitude evaluation and a psychometric analysis of prospective candidates. The work puts forward an application where the system allows employers to post new job offerings and registered candidates can apply. The application estimates applicant’s emotional aptitude through a psychometric analysis based on a test whereas the professional standard is verified via a technical aptitude test. OCEAN Model is used to assess emotional quotient and predict the personality traits. Machine learning techniques such as Logistic Regression are used for modelling the personality predictor. The details of the candidates are kept secure by using a password encryption algorithm. The passwords are only known to the required individuals. The system outputs whether the candidate has been selected for the interview process via a dashboard and SMS alerts. A list of candidates is generated for the employer in order to keep track of the shortlisted candidates along with their scores

Personality Prediction through Curriculam Vitae Analysis involving Password Encryption and Prediction Analysis

A recruitment process requires an eligibility check, an aptitude evaluation and a psychometric analysis of prospective candidates. The work puts forward an application where the system allows employers to post new job offerings and registered candidates can apply. The application estimates applicant’s emotional aptitude through a psychometric analysis based on a test whereas the professional standard is verified via a technical aptitude test. OCEAN Model is used to assess emotional quotient and predict the personality traits. Machine learning techniques such as Logistic Regression are used for modelling the personality predictor. The details of the candidates are kept secure by using a password encryption algorithm. The passwords are only known to the required individuals. The system outputs whether the candidate has been selected for the interview process via a dashboard and SMS alerts. A list of candidates is generated for the employer in order to keep track of the shortlisted candidates along with their scores

A NOVEL METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF ACECLOFENAC IN BULK DRUG AND TABLETS USING SODIUM SALICYLATE AS A HYDROTROPIC SOLUBILIZING AGENT

In titrimetric analysis costlier organic solvents are more often employed to solubilize the poorly water-soluble drugs. Volatility and pollution are drawbacks of such solvents. Various techniques are employed to enhance the aqueous solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. Hydrotropic solubilization phenomenon has been widely used to enhance the aqueous solubility of large number of poorly water-soluble drugs. Aqueous solubility of aceclofenac bulk drug [a poorly water-soluble NSAID] was enhanced to a great extent i.e., 400 folds with 2.5 M sodium salicylate. The primary objective of the present investigation was to employ this hydrotropic solution to extract the drug from its dosage forms, precluding the use of costlier organic solvents. The proposed method of analysis is new, simple, accurate, environmentally friendly and reproducible. Statistical data proved the accuracy, reproducibility and the precision of the proposed method. The results of titrimetric analysis by use of hydrotropy compared very well with the results of Pharmacopoeial method

Bibliometric Survey on Supply Chain in Healthcare using Artificial Intelligence

With the increasing demand for the supply chain in the service sector, new techniques have become essential. With the latest emerging technologies, it has become crucial to have a bibliometric analysis of supply chain management (SCM) in the healthcare sector. The paper represents the analysis of research supply chain in the service sector using artificial intelligence techniques. The main aim of the analysis is to accomplish the technology in healthcare supply chain management using SCOPUS, Google Scholar, Research Gate, etc. and the various softwares like Gephi, GSP Visualizer, etc. The bibliometric analysis shows that India has ranked 4th in publishing documents on healthcare supply chain and artificial intelligence after the US, China and the UK. The prominent keywords used are supply chain management and the healthcare sector. Artificial Intelligence is another vital keyword for this study, which applies to all domains

Rhinosporidiosis: Intraoperative Cytological Diagnosis in an Unsuspected Lesion

Rhinosporidiosis is a disease endemic to South India, Sri Lanka and some areas of the African continent. The nasal lesions can sometimes be confused with nasopharyngeal malignancy. We report here a clinically unsuspected case of rhinosporidiosis, diagnosed correctly by intraoperative FNAC, and later confirmed by histopathological examination