Effect of moisture content on engineering properties of oats (Avena sativa L.)

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of moisture content on engineering properties of OL-09 variety of oat grains. Different engineering properties such as length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, volume, surface area, sphericity, bulk density, true density, porosity, angle of repose and angle of internal and external friction were determined in a moisture range of 8%-14% (wet basis, w.b) using standard methods. The physical properties such as length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, volume, surface area and sphericity significantly (P <0.05) increased from 15.01 to 16.19 mm, 3.06 to 3.60 mm, 2.78 to 3.11 mm, 5.03 to 5.65 mm, 37.00 to 52.98 mm3, 76.03 to 94.80 mm2 and 33.58% to 35.01%, respectively as the moisture content increased from 8% to 14%.In the same moisture range, bulk density decreased from 474.32 to 408.19 kg/m3, while true density, porosity and thousand grain weight increased from 1017.54 to 1132.90 kg/m3, 53.35% to 63.94% and 41.45 to 44.84 g, respectively. Frictional properties like angle of repose, coefficient of internal friction and coefficient of external friction for wooden surface and galvanized iron sheet increased from 21.26 to 25.46˚, 0.67 to 0.76, 0.55 to 0.70 and 0.49 to 0.63 with increase in moisture content in same range, respectively. The coefficient of determination, obtained R2 for the considered various engineering properties showed a close correlation with increase in moisture content

Phytochemical properties, antioxidant potential and fatty acids profiling of three dragon fruit species grown under sub-tropical climate

The physical, biochemical and antioxidant properties of one white pulped (Hylocereus undatus; DG-I) and two red pulped dragon fruit species (H. polyrhizus, DG-II; H. costaricencis, DG-III) grown under sub-tropical conditions of north-west India were determined. Fruit size, fruit weight, pulp weight and pulp: peel ratio was significantly higher in DG-III, though the fruit numbers and yield per pillar was significantly less than other species. The pH, TSS, acidity, total sugar, reducing sugars and moisture content in all the species varied between 4.78-5.72, 8.63-9.31 oBrix, 0.30-0.56%, 6.64-6.91%, 4.60-4.76% and 83.44-85.82%, respectively. Total phenols and flavanols content in DG-I was 24.04 mg GAE 100 g−1 and 14.54 mg RE 100 g−1, whereas in red pulped it was significantly higher; varying between 49.12-56.40 mg GAE 100 g−1 and 30.41-31.10 mg RE 100 g−1 fruit pulp, respectively. β-carotene values in red pulped species DG-II and DG-III were 47.48 and 43.82 µg 100 g−1, respectively compared to corresponding values of 1.96 µg 100 g−1 in DG-I, a white pulped dragon fruit. Similarly, DPPH-RSC, FRAP, CUPRAC and ABTS values for red pulped dragon fruit ranged between 238.98-262.04 µmol 100 g−1, 358.8-386.40 µmol TE 100 g−1, 830.40-917.0 µmol TE 100 g−1 and 571.4-589.60 µmol 100 g−1, respectively in DG-II and DG-III in comparison to respective values of 108.75 µmol 100 g−1, 192.6 µmol TE 100 g−1, 525.6 µmol TE 100 g−1 and 400.2 µmol 100 g−1 in DG-I. The β-lain, responsible for imparting red colour in DG-II and DG-III was absent in white pulped DG-I. Seed oil content in both groups of dragon fruit varied between 31.90-33.5% with highest proportion of an essential fatty acid, linoleic acid (46.32-47.96%). In conclusion, red pulped dragon fruit has a considerably higher antioxidative potential than white one and these species may play a vital role in ensuring nutritional security for millions of people in developing nations

Carbepenam resistance prevalence in north India: A retrospective analysis

Background: We investigated the clinical consequences of healthcare-associated bacteremia in light of rising antimicrobial resistance and limited therapy choices for carbapenem-resistant bacteremia. Methods: Between March 2020 and March 2022, a retrospective observational study of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteremia was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in North India. Results: Patients in our study spent an average of 11.76 days in the intensive care unit (ICU), with a mean time to bacteremia of 6.4 days following admission. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most prevalent pathogen (44 percent). Patients receiving combination treatment had a reduced death rate (44.8%) than those receiving colistin monotherapy (66.6%) (P = 0.35). Conclusion: Carbapenem resistant bacteremia is a late-onset illness that affects patients who have been exposed to antibiotics in the ICU and has a 60 percent mortality rate after 30 days

Comparative study of sevoflurane versus propofol for laryngeal mask airway insertion in adults

Background: Propofol is a preferred induction agent for laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion due to its propensity of suppressing oropharyngeal and cough reflexes. Sevoflurane is a nonpungent inhalation anesthetic agent which can be used as an induction agent. The aim of the present study was to compare Sevoflurane versus Propofol for laryngeal mask airway insertion in adults. Material and methods: The present study was carried out in 300 patients to compare Sevoflurane versus Propofol for laryngeal mask airway insertion in adults. In Group-A: induction with propofol and in Group-B: induction was done with inhalational sevoflurane 8. Various vital parameters and other clinical parameters were recorded and compared in both the groups. The statistical analysis was done. Results:Propofol  needed leser time to loss of eyelash reflex, Time to jaw relaxation, Time to completion of successful insertion of Laryngeal Mask Airway. The percentage of patients who had successful LMA insertion at first attempt was larger with propofol. The duration of apnea was longer in group propofol. Excitatory movement was more in group propofol. Cough, laryngospasm was absent in propofol. Hiccups was absent in both groups. During insertion of LMA, coughing, gagging was absent in group sevoflurane and laryngospasm was absent in propofol.&nbsp

Carbepenam Resistance Prevalence in North India: A Retrospective Analysis

Background: We investigated the clinical consequences of healthcare-associated bacteremia in light of rising antimicrobial resistance and limited therapy choices for carbapenem-resistant bacteremia. Methods: Between March 2020 and March 2022, a retrospective observational study of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteremia was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in North India. Results: Patients in our study spent an average of 11.76 days in the intensive care unit (ICU), with a mean time to bacteremia of 6.4 days following admission. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most prevalent pathogen (44 percent). Patients receiving combination treatment had a reduced death rate (44.8%) than those receiving colistin monotherapy (66.6%) (P = 0.35). Conclusion: Carbapenem resistant bacteremia is a late-onset illness that affects patients who have been exposed to antibiotics in the ICU and has a 60 percent mortality rate after 30 days

A mentored hands-on training model for scaling up implementation and intervention research in India: “connecting the dots”

Abstract Despite the high burden of mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), less than 25% of those in need have access to appropriate services, in part due to a scarcity of locally relevant, evidence-based interventions and models of care. To address this gap, researchers from India and the United States and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) collaboratively developed a “Grantathon” model to provide mentored research training to 24 new principal investigators (PIs). This included a week-long didactic training, a customized web-based data entry/analysis system and a National Coordination Unit (NCU) to support PIs and track process objectives. Outcome objectives were assessed via scholarly output including publications, awards received and subsequent grants that were leveraged. Multiple mentorship strategies including collaborative problem-solving approaches were used to foster single-centre and multicentre research. Flexible, approachable and engaged support from mentors helped PIs overcome research barriers, and the NCU addressed local policy and day-to-day challenges through informal monthly review meetings. Bi-annual formal review presentations by all PIs continued through the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling interim results reporting and scientific review, also serving to reinforce accountability. To date, more than 33 publications, 47 scientific presentations, 12 awards, two measurement tools, five intervention manuals and eight research grants have been generated in an open-access environment. The Grantathon is a successful model for building research capacity and improving mental health research in India that could be adopted for use in other LMICs