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The present study was accomplished with the isolation of fenugreek seed protein. Effect of extraction parameters on the isolation of fenugreek seed protein from defatted fenugreek seed powder and characterization of the isolated protein was done. The pH (10, 11, 12, and 13), time (15 and 20 min), and rpm (7500 and 8000) were used to extract fenugreek protein from defatted fenugreek seed powder. The obtained protein was characterized for its functional, structural, morphological, and thermal properties. SEM, XRD, FTIR, and DSC revealed that the protein extracted at pH 12 had better functional, morphological, structural, and thermal properties. Color values indicated the dark color of fenugreek protein at alkaline pH. It was found that the protein extracted at pH 12, time 20 min, and rpm 8000 showed desirable functional, structural, morphological, and thermal properties as compared to others.

The overwhelming use of rat models in nerve regeneration studies is likely to induce skewness in treatment outcomes.To address the problem,this study was conducted in 8 adult guinea pigs of either sex to investigate the suitability of guinea pig as an alternative model for nerve regeneration studies.A crush injury was inflicted to the sciatic nerve of the left limb,which led to significant decrease in the pain perception and neurorecovery up to the 4th weak.Lengthening of foot print and shortening of toe spread were observed in the paw after nerve injury.A 3.49 ± 0.35 fold increase in expression of neuropilin 1（NRP1） gene and 2.09 ± 0.51 fold increase in neuropilin 2（NRP2） gene were recorded 1 week after nerve injury as compared to the normal nerve.Ratios of gastrocnemius muscle weight and volume of the experimental limb to control limb showed more than 50% decrease on the 30 th day.Histopathologically,vacuolated appearance of the nerve was observed with presence of degenerated myelin debris in digestion chambers.Gastrocnemius muscle also showed degenerative changes.Scanning electron microscopy revealed loose and rough arrangement of connective tissue fibrils and presence of large spherical globules in crushed sciatic nerve.The findings suggest that guinea pigs could be used as an alternative animal model for nerve regeneration studies and might be preferred over rats due to their cooperative nature while recording different parameters.

Extrudate snacks were prepared from base material (rice and corn) and optimized combination of ingredients were analyzed for effects of extrusion cooking on physical, functional, fatty acid profile, total dietary fiber, structural properties, and glycemic index. Physical and functional properties differ significantly (p ≤ 0.05). Increase in total dietary fiber content was observed by extrusion. Fatty acid profile did not show any significant variation. Snack prepared using base material had softer structure (10.02 N) than snack prepared using optimized combination (10.30 N). Total flavonoid content was reduced by extrusion cooking from 1003 to 802 μg(CE)/g). In pasting properties, higher value of cold viscosity was observed in extrudate snack (140 cP) than unextruded raw mixture (79 cP). In comparison to unextruded raw mixture the peak, final and setback viscosity of extrudate snacks was lower. These findings signify that extrusion is a cooking process. Glycemic index by in vitro analysis showed lower value of extrudate snacks made from optimized combination than extrudate snacks made from base material. Therefore, extrusion cooking and proper selection of ingredients can be successfully used for the production of extruded snacks with significant fatty acids retention, higher fiber content and low glycemic index.

Because of the limited technical properties of their native forms, oils and fats are frequently blended to achieve the desired textural and oxidative properties. In this study, canola and palm oil blends were prepared in nine different proportions: B1 (90 : 10), B2 (80 : 20), B3 (70 : 30), B4 (60 : 40), B5 (50 : 50), B6 (40 : 60), B7 (30 : 70), B8 (20 : 80), and B9 (10 : 90). Pure palm oil (PO) and canola oil (CO) were used as the controls. All blends were assessed for physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, heat treatment, and polymer content. The results indicated negative cold tests only for B1 and B2 blends with 10 and 20% PO, respectively. Iodine value decreased with increasing palm oil concentration and was lowest (62.03 ± 0.526) for blend B9, i.e., 90% PO. The fatty acid profile indicated more saturated fatty acids and a higher percentage of oleic acid in PO than in CO. The fatty acid profile values of blends B1–B9 were between those of the pure PO and CO. Linoleic and linolenic acids were more in blends B1–B9 than those in pure PO. The polymer content of PO (7.17%) was found to be lower than that of CO (10.32%) after 60 h of heating at 180°C. In addition, biologically active substances (BASs), which could be formed during the frying process, were tested by measuring the inhibition zone of E. coli growth. PO retarded BAS formation. The blended palm or canola oils resulted in better stability and increased organoleptic characteristics and hence can be suitable as economical and healthy alternatives to pure palm or canola oil.

Identification of suitable candidate reference genes is an important prerequisite for validating the gene expression data obtained from downstream analysis of RNA sequencing using quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). Though existence of a universal reference gene is myth, commonly used reference genes can be assessed for expression stability to confer their suitability to be used as candidate reference genes in gene expression studies. In this study, we evaluated the expression stability of ten most commonly used reference genes ( GAPDH , ACTB , HSP90 , HMBS , 18S rRNA , B2M , POLR2A , HPRT1 , ACAC , YWHAZ ) in fourteen different Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) infected tissues of goats and sheep. RefFinder and RankAggreg software were used to deduce comprehensive ranking of reference genes. Our results suggested HMBS and B2M in goats and HMBS and HPRT1 in sheep can be used as suitable endogenous controls in gene expression studies of PPRV infection irrespective of tissues and condition as a whole, thus eliminating the use of tissue specific/ condition specific endogenous controls. We report for the first time suitable reference genes for gene expression studies in PPRV infected tissues. The reference genes determined here can be useful for future studies on gene expression in sheep and goat infected with PPRV, thus saving extra efforts and time of repeating the reference gene determination and validation.

Mint (Mentha) is a medicinal herb, which possesses a lot of bioactive components. Globally, it has been used as a flavor enhancer in foods. Due to the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids, it is considered to have a greater number of antioxidants. Mint has been linked to physiological benefits to humans that include protection against microbes; anticancer and antiallergenic properties; positive effects in reducing blood sugar; analgesic property; cures loose motion, indigestion, gas, and irritation bowel syndrome; gives relief from respiratory problems; has wound healing activity;  and is good for breastfeeding. The present paper reviews the evidence-based research regarding the bioactive components and health benefits of the mint plant.

Spontaneously occurring canine mammary tumours (CMTs) are the most common neoplasms of unspayed female dogs leading to thrice higher mortality rates than human breast cancer. These are also attractive models for human breast cancer studies owing to clinical and molecular similarities. Thus, they are important candidates for biomarker studies and understanding cancer pathobiology. The study was designed to explore underlying molecular networks and pathways in CMTs for deciphering new prognostic factors and therapeutic targets. To gain an insight into various pathways and networks associated with the development and pathogenesis of CMTs, comparative cDNA microarray expression profiling was performed using CMT tissues and healthy mammary gland tissues. Upon analysis, 1700 and 1287 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, P ≤ 0.05) were identified in malignant and benign tissues, respectively. DEGs identified from microarray analysis were further annotated using the Ingenuity Systems Pathway Analysis (IPA) tool for detection of deregulated canonical pathways, upstream regulators, and networks associated with malignant, as well as, benign disease. Top scoring key networks in benign and malignant mammary tumours were having central nodes of VEGF and BUB1B, respectively. Cyclins & cell cycle regulation and TREM1 signalling were amongst the top activated canonical pathways in CMTs. Other cancer related significant pathways like apoptosis signalling, dendritic cell maturation, DNA recombination and repair, Wnt/β-catenin signalling, etc. were also found to be altered. Furthermore, seven proteins (ANXA2, APOCII, CDK6, GATC, GDI2, GNAQ and MYH9) highly up-regulated in malignant tissues were identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and MALDI-TOF PMF studies which were in concordance with microarray data. Thus, the study has uncovered ample number of candidate genes associated with CMTs which need to be further validated as therapeutic targets and prognostic markers.

The present study focuses on studying the influence of various edible biopolymer coatings at several concentrations on physicochemical, antioxidant and lipid peroxidation activity levels of biopolymer-coated fresh-cut kiwi slices stored at room temperature (relative humidity: 90%). Kiwi slices were coated by dipping in xanthan gum (0.1, 0.2, 0.3% w/v), alginate (1, 2, 3% w/v) and chitosan (0.25, 0.50, 0.75% w/v) solutions for 2 min. Kiwi fruit slices without any treatment were designated as the control. Compared to the control, all coated samples retained higher ascorbic acid, titratable acidity, total phenolic component and antioxidant capacity levels. However, xanthan-gum-coated slices retained significantly higher amounts of total phenolics in comparison to alginate- and chitosan-coated slices (p ≤ 0.05). HPLC analysis showed the presence of neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid and epicatechin. The results suggest that the xanthan gum can be utilized to enhance the shelf life of fresh-cut kiwi slices without compromising quality.

This study was carried out to conduct the geographical discrimination of various types of honey, and their utilization in development of novel functional foods where in honey could be substituted in place of white sugar. Honey based apple spread and marmalade products were developed and evaluated for quality analysis. The results showed higher water activity (a w ) and moisture content in Plectranthus rugosus (PR) honey based apple spread and marmalade while, TSS was highest ( p < 0.05) in Multifloral (MF) honey based apple spread and marmalade. Hydroxymethylfurfural was found to be in the ranged of 6.77–7.05 (mg/kg) for honey based apple spread products and 3.09–3.46 (mg/kg) for honey based apple marmalade products. The lightness (L * ) value was significantly highest in MF honey based apple spread and marmalades ( p < 0.05). Redness (a * ) and yellowness (b * ) values were significantly highest in PR honey based apple spreads and marmalades and lowest in Robinia pseudo acacia (RSA) honey based apple spread and marmalades. In general, all MF honey based apple spreads and marmalades has the highest score for overall acceptability in comparison to RSA and PR honey based apple spreads. The values of gel strength (Fe), rupture force (FR), energy of penetration ( E ) and adhesiveness (A) in the given spread products were in the range of 1.50–1.54 N, 1.70–1.73 N, 17.00–17.05 Ns and −1.11–−1.08 Ns, respectively. The values of gel strength (Fe), rupture force (FR), energy of penetration ( E ) and adhesiveness ( A ) in the investigated marmalade products were in the range of 1.65–1.69 N, 2.08–2.13 N, 16.05–16.10 Ns and −1.14–−1.10 Ns, respectively.

Background: Surgery continues to be the mainstay of treatment of hydatid cysts of the liver. Laparoscopy provides a lesser invasive tool for achieving results same as with the established open surgical techniques. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic management of hepatic hydatid disease in children. Patients and Methods: It was a prospective randomised study conducted over a period of 7 years. Children with Gharbi Type I, II, III cysts, ≤3 cysts and superficial accessible cysts were treated laparoscopically and their outcomes were compared with matched controls treated by open approach. Results: Sixty patients were included in the study with thirty patients in each matched group. Thirty paediatric patients (male 12:female 18) with 35 liver hydatid cysts underwent laparoscopic surgery. The mean cyst size was 8.8 ± 2.39 cm. Two patients needed conversion to open. No significant spillage of cyst contents was observed in any of the patients. Duration of hospital stay, time to removal of drains, duration of parenteral analgesia, severity of pain in postoperative period, time to ambulation and time to return to full orals were significantly lower in laparoscopic group compared to open group. Complication rates in both the groups were similar. Conclusion: With proper patient selection, laparoscopic management of hydatid cysts of the liver in children is feasible and safe option with low morbidity, low rates of conversion and minimal complications.