FORMULATION AND STORAGE STABILITY OF COCONUT FLOUR AND DIETARY FIBRE ISOLATE

Objective: The general objective of the study is to formulate high percentage dietary fibre isolate from coconut flakes, as a functional food, and the specific objectives are as follows: (a) to formulate coconut flour from coconut flakes (b) to determine the proximate composition and microbial analysis of coconut flakes, coconut flour and dietary fibre isolate (c) to analyse the storage stability of coconut flour and dietary fibre isolate.Methods: The coconut fibre isolate was prepared by hydrolysis with CaOH2 as per the established protocol.Results: The dietary fibre content of dietary fibre isolation was 72.25% and further it was found to be 42% and 48% in coconut flakes and coconut flour respectively. With respect CaOH2 to hydrolysis, 0.3M and 0.4M concentrations were found to be very ideal in suppressing the dominant coconut taste. With water holding, retention and swelling capacities, isolate was found to be the best (8.27, 7.42, 21.33 ml water/g samples,). According to BIS (Bureau of Indian Standard), the microbial load and peroxide value were within safe limits in isolate (up to 10 months).Conclusion: Results from the above study can be a basis in the development of dietary fibre isolate as a, functional food.Â

Collagen fibre implant for tendon and ligament biological augmentation. In vivo study in an ovine model.

PURPOSE: Although most in vitro studies indicate that collagen is a suitable biomaterial for tendon and ligament tissue engineering, in vivo studies of implanted collagen for regeneration of these tissues are still lacking. The objectives of this study were the following: (1) to investigate the regeneration of the central third of the ovine patellar tendon using implants made of an open array of collagen fibres (reconstituted, extruded bovine collagen); and (2) to compare two collagen crosslinking chemistries: carbodiimide and carbodiimide associated with ethyleneglycoldiglycidylether. METHODS: Forty-eight Welsh Mountain sheep were operated on their right hind leg. The central third of patellar tendon was removed and substituted with carbodiimide (n = 16) and carbodiimide-ethyleneglycoldiglycidylether-crosslinked implants (n = 16). In the control group the defect was left empty (n = 16). The central third of contralateral unoperated tendons was used as positive controls. Half of the sheep in each group were killed at 3- and 6-month time points. After proper dissection, tendon sub-units (medial, central and lateral) were tested to failure (n = 6 for each group), whilst 2 non-dissected samples were used for histology. RESULTS: Both the implants had significantly lower stress to failure and modulus with respect to native tendon at both 3- and at 6-month time points. The implants did not statistically differ in stress to failure, whilst carbodiimide-crosslinked implants had significantly higher modulus than carbodiimide-ethyleneglycoldiglycidylether-crosslinked implants both at 3 and at 6 months. Histology showed carbodiimide-crosslinked implants to have a better integration with the native tendon than carbodiimide-ethyleneglycoldiglycidylether-crosslinked implants. Carbodiimide-crosslinked implants appeared partially resorbed and showed increased tissue ingrowth with respect to carbodiimide-ethyleneglycoldiglycidylether-crosslinked implants. CONCLUSIONS: To deliver collagen implants as an open array of fibres allows optimal tendon-implant integration and good ingrowth of regenerated tissue. In the present study the resorption rate of both the examined implants was too low due to the high level of crosslinking. This led to only minor substitution of the implant with regenerated tissue, which in turn produced a low-strength implanted region. Further studies are needed to find the right balance between strength and resorption rate of collagen fibres

The effect of particle size on the in vivo degradation of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)/α-tricalcium phosphate micro- and nanocomposites.

UNLABELLED: This paper reports the effect of particle size within a resorbable composite on the in vivo degradation rate and host response. Resorbable composites based on poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) reinforced with tricalcium phosphate (TCP) have shown suitable degradation, biological and mechanical properties for bone repair. Composites with nano-sized TCP particles degrade more homogenously in vitro than equivalent composites with micro-sized particles. In this study, PLGA and PLGA/TCP composites containing micro- or nano-sized α-TCP particles were implanted into an ovine distal femoral condyle defect and harvested at 6, 12, 18 and 24weeks. An intimate interface was observed between the new bone tissue and degrading implants. Visual scoring of histological images and semi-automated segmentation of X-ray images were used to quantify implant degradation and the growth of new bone tissue in the implant site. Bone growth into the implant site occurred at a similar rate for both composites and the PLGA control. However, the in vivo degradation rate of the nanocomposite was slower than that of the microcomposite and consequently more closely matched the rate of bone growth. For the first 6weeks, the rate of in vivo degradation matched that of in vitro degradation, but lagged significantly at longer time points. These results point to the potential use of ceramic particle size in controlling composite degradation whilst maintaining good bone formation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This paper concerns degradable composites for orthopaedic application. The effect of particle size on implant degradation in vivo is not yet well characterised and these results give the first opportunity to directly compare in vitro and in vivo degradation rates for composites with micro- and nano-sized particles. This type of data is vital for the validation of models of composite degradation behaviour, which will lead to the design and manufacture of composites with a tailored, predictable degradation profile. The trainable segmentation tool can be used for future studies where X-rays of partially degraded implants (which have complicated greyscales and morphologies) need to be quantified without bias.The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from EPSRC grant: DT/E005233/1 (TP/5/REG/6/I/HO106A/DT/E006469/1). S M Bennett is grateful for sponsorship from Lucideon Ltd. and an EPSRC Doctoral Training Account grant. SW is grateful to Ms. Charlotte Fay von Karsa, for funding his Ph.D. studies. XCZ gratefully acknowledges funding from a Royal Society Industrial Fellowship. Dr RA Brooks gratefully acknowledges funding from the National Institute of Health Research.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Elsevier at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2016.08.046

Large-scale production of megakaryocytes from human pluripotent stem cells by chemically defined forward programming.

The production of megakaryocytes (MKs)--the precursors of blood platelets--from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offers exciting clinical opportunities for transfusion medicine. Here we describe an original approach for the large-scale generation of MKs in chemically defined conditions using a forward programming strategy relying on the concurrent exogenous expression of three transcription factors: GATA1, FLI1 and TAL1. The forward programmed MKs proliferate and differentiate in culture for several months with MK purity over 90% reaching up to 2 × 10(5) mature MKs per input hPSC. Functional platelets are generated throughout the culture allowing the prospective collection of several transfusion units from as few as 1 million starting hPSCs. The high cell purity and yield achieved by MK forward programming, combined with efficient cryopreservation and good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compatible culture, make this approach eminently suitable to both in vitro production of platelets for transfusion and basic research in MK and platelet biology.This work was supported by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society grant, the UK Medical Research Council (Roger Pedersen), the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR; RP-PG-0310-1002; Willem Ouwehand and Cedric Ghevaert) and a core support grant from the Wellcome Trust and MRC to the Wellcome Trust – Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. Cedric Ghevaert is supported by the British Heart Foundation (FS/09/039); Marloes Tijssen is supported by the European Hematology Association (Research fellowship) and the British Heart Foundation (PG/13/77/30375). Catherine Hobbs was supported by the National Health Service Blood and Transplant. Matthew Trotter was supported by a Medical Research Council Centre grant (MRC Centre for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine); since participation in the work described, Matthew Trotter has become an employee of Celgene Research SLU, part of Celgene Corporation. Nicole Soranzo's research and Sanger Institute affiliates are supported by the Wellcome Trust (WT098051 and WT091310), the EU FP7 (Epigenesys 257082 and Blueprint HEAL TH-F5-2011-282510). The Cambridge Biomedical Centre (BRC) hIPSCs core facility is funded by the NIHR.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Nature Publishing Group via https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1120

FORMULATION AND STORAGE STABILITY OF BETA CAROTENE ENRICHED VITAMIN D3 AND OMEGA 3 FORTIFIED COLD PRESSED VIRGIN COCONUT OIL

Objective: The general objective of this study is to formulate beta carotene enriched, vitaminD3 and omega 3 fortified Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil (CPVCO) and to analyze proximate composition and shelf life of beta carotene, vitaminD3 and omega 3 enriched CPVCO. Methods: The CPVCO was prepared out of fresh full fat coconut flakes by cold pressed method. Vitamin D3, beta carotene, Cold Pressed Flax Seed Oil (CPFSO) and orange oil were added to CPVCO and carefully homogenized for 15 to 30 minutes. Formulated oil was packed in High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) bottles and stored at room temperature. The shelf life study of this oil was carried out for a period of 10 months. Results: The proximate compositions of formulated CPVCO with Vitamin D3, β- carotene and CPFSO with regard to the proportion of fatty acids caprylic acid, myristic acid, steric acid, palmitic acid were all within the recommended standard limits in accordance APCC standard for formulated CPVCO. Whereas, lauric acid and capric acid were found to be slightly differ from APCC standard. However, the comparison of oil was concerned, the original CPVCO was amounting to 88.5% and the remaining were 10% of CPFSO and 1.5% orange oil. In accordance with APCC (Asian and Pacific Coconut Committee), the microbial load and peroxide value of CPVCO were within safe limits up to 10 months. Conclusion: In the present study, it was demonstrated that CPVCO was a suitable medium for producing value added functional oil. Apart from being healthy oil, CPVCO may also be used as a nutraceutical product

Comparison of antimicrobial efficacy of green tea extract and Triphala as root canal irrigants against Fusobacterium nucleatum using real-time polymerase chain reaction – An in vitro study

Aim: Fusobacterium nucleatum has gained attention in the endodontic literature as it is a predominant microorganism in primary, secondary, and persistent root canal infections. Current irrigants have lot of drawbacks and are unlikely to predictably achieve a bacteria-free root canal system, which can lead to these failures. Herbal alternatives are now gaining popularity in the field of endodontics, paving a new way in the disinfection of root canals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of green tea extract and Triphala as root canal irrigants against F. nucleatum using real-time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: Extracted teeth were taken and inoculated with F. nucleatum, which was grown in a Mueller–Hinton agar plate under anaerobic conditions. The samples were cleaned and shaped and irrigated with green tea extract, Triphala extract, and dimethyl sulfoxide, which were compared to the widely used irrigant, sodium hypochlorite. Cycle threshold value was used to calculate the efficacy of the irrigant against F. nucleatum after which the samples were subjected to reverse transcriptase PCR. The data were analyzed and the data between the group were compared using the one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc Tukey's test. Results: Triphala extract demonstrated high antimicrobial activity against F. nucleatum. It revealed statistically significant differences between Triphala extract and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCL) (P = 0.001). Green tea extract also displayed antimicrobial activity. Both the Triphala and green tea extracts showed a significant difference (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Triphala extract showed better antibacterial efficacy when compared to 3% NaOCl and green tea extract against F. nucleatum

Research data supporting 'Structurally graduated collagen scaffolds applied to the ex vivo generation of platelets from human pluripotent stem cell-derived megakaryocytes: enhancing production and purity'

Platelet transfusions are a key treatment option for a range of life threatening conditions including cancer, chemotherapy and surgery. Efficient ex vivo systems to generate donor independent platelets in clinically relevant numbers could provide a useful substitute. Large quantities of megakaryocytes (MKs) can be produced from human pluripotent stem cells, but in 2D culture the ratio of platelets harvested from MK cells has been limited and restricts production rate. The development of biomaterial cell supports that replicate vital hematopoietic micro-environment cues are one strategy that may increase in vitro platelet production rates from iPS derived Megakaryocyte cells. In this paper, we present the results obtained generating, simulating and using a novel structurally-graded collagen scaffold within a flow bioreactor system seeded with programmed stem cells. Theoretical analysis of porosity using micro-computed tomography analysis and synthetic micro-particle filtration provided a predictive tool to tailor cell distribution throughout the material. When used with MK programmed stem cells the graded scaffolds influenced cell location while maintaining the ability to continuously release metabolically active CD41+ CD42+ functional platelets. This scaffold design and novel fabrication technique offers a significant advance in understanding the influence of scaffold architectures on cell seeding, retention and platelet production

Structurally graduated collagen scaffolds applied to the ex vivo generation of platelets from human pluripotent stem cell-derived megakaryocytes: Enhancing production and purity.

Platelet transfusions are a key treatment option for a range of life threatening conditions including cancer, chemotherapy and surgery. Efficient ex vivo systems to generate donor independent platelets in clinically relevant numbers could provide a useful substitute. Large quantities of megakaryocytes (MKs) can be produced from human pluripotent stem cells, but in 2D culture the ratio of platelets harvested from MK cells has been limited and restricts production rate. The development of biomaterial cell supports that replicate vital hematopoietic micro-environment cues are one strategy that may increase in vitro platelet production rates from iPS derived Megakaryocyte cells. In this paper, we present the results obtained generating, simulating and using a novel structurally-graded collagen scaffold within a flow bioreactor system seeded with programmed stem cells. Theoretical analysis of porosity using micro-computed tomography analysis and synthetic micro-particle filtration provided a predictive tool to tailor cell distribution throughout the material. When used with MK programmed stem cells the graded scaffolds influenced cell location while maintaining the ability to continuously release metabolically active CD41 + CD42 + functional platelets. This scaffold design and novel fabrication technique offers a significant advance in understanding the influence of scaffold architectures on cell seeding, retention and platelet production.This work was supported by the European Research Council [ERC Advanced Grant 320598 3D-E], EPSRC grant EP/N019938/1 and grants from the NHS Blood and Transplant, the Medical Research Council (MR/L022982/1) and the European Union (SilkFusion: AMD-767309-3)

Abstracts of the International Conference on Business, Accounting and Finance 2023: Embracing New Business Paradigm Shifts

This book presents the abstracts of the selected contributions to the second International Academic Conference 2023, held on 25-26 February 2023 by the International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. IAC 2023 is the coming together of researchers and industry. It’s a place to gather and share groundbreaking ideas, discoveries, and experiences on a variety of thought leadership topics covered under this year’s conference theme, “Embracing New Business Paradigm Shifts". Conference Title: International Academic Conference 2023Conference Acronym: IAC 2023Conference Theme: Embracing New Business Paradigm ShiftsConference Date: 25-26 February 2023Conference Venue: IUMW, MalaysiaConference Organizer: International University of Malaya-Wales, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysi