Valorization of citrus peel industrial wastes for facile extraction of extractives, pectin, and cellulose nanocrystals through ultrasonication: An in-depth investigation.

In this work we developed an eco-friendly valorisation of Citrus wastes (CWs), through a solvent-assisted ultrasonication extraction technique, thus having access to a wide range of bio-active compounds and polysaccharides, extremely useful in different industrial sectors (food, cosmetics, nutraceutical). Water-based low-amplitude ultrasonication was examined as a potential method for pectin extraction as well as polar and non-polar citrus extractives (CEs), among which hesperidin and triglycerides of 18 carbon fatty acids were found to be the most representative ones. In addition, citric acid:glycerol (1:4)-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) in combination with ultrasonic extraction was utilized to extract microcellulose (CMC), from which stable cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with glycerol-assisted high amplitude ultrasonication were obtained.

Development and Validation of a Micronutrients Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Questionnaire for Adolescents Using Psychometric Analysis.

Introduction The development of a questionnaire that measures knowledge, attitude, and practices towards micronutrients will help to develop nutrition intervention programs. The present study aimed to develop and assess the validity and reliability of a questionnaire on knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) on micronutrients in adolescents in India. Methods A total of 150 adolescent girls participated in the study.

Fabrication of double layer nanoparticle infused starch-based thermoplastic food packaging system for meat preservation.

The current work aims to produce nanoparticle-infused starch-based bioactive thermoplastic packaging films. The FeO and ZnO nanoparticles were examined to be potential active ingredients for the production of nanoparticle-infused bioactive thermoplastic packaging films. The bio-thermoplastic films infused with FeO and ZnO nanoparticles showed high oxygen scavenging and antimicrobial activity, respectively.

Heritable defects in telomere and mitotic function selectively predispose to sarcomas.

Cancer genetics has to date focused on epithelial malignancies, identifying multiple histotype-specific pathways underlying cancer susceptibility. Sarcomas are rare malignancies predominantly derived from embryonic mesoderm. To identify pathways specific to mesenchymal cancers, we performed whole-genome germline sequencing on 1644 sporadic cases and 3205 matched healthy elderly controls.

Vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein, free vitamin D and COVID-19 mortality in hospitalized patients.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with worse coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes, but circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is largely bound to vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) or albumin, both of which tend to fall in illness, making the 25(OH)D status hard to interpret. Because of this, measurements of unbound ("free") and albumin-bound ("bioavailable") 25(OH)D have been proposed.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the relationship between vitamin D status and mortality from COVID-19.

Molecular epidemiology of HBV among HIV infected individuals in Chennai, south India.

Hepatitis B is a major co-infection among people with HIV (PWHIV) worldwide. There is a paucity of data on HBV genetic diversity in India, which would be useful for targeted preventive and management interventions. To characterize the distribution of HBV genotypes and sub-genotypes, samples of 180 HIV-HBV co-infected individuals from a study previously conducted to estimate the prevalence of HBV co-infection were analyzed.

Diagnosing plantar fibromas - Beware of sarcomas.

Plantar fibromas are a common diagnosis in orthopaedic foot clinic consultation, diagnosis of plantar fibroma is usually from history and examination, and radiological investigation may be needed to confirm diagnosis. Misdiagnosis, however, of plantar fibroma have been known to happen. The management of five cases of plantar soft tissue swellings were reviewed; the clinical presentation and radiological investigation findings of these cases are discussed with the aim of improving knowledge and awareness.

Effect of in-vitro digestion on the bio active compounds and biological activities of fruit pomaces.

The effect of gastro intestinal digestion on total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), radical scavenging activity (RSA) and vitamin C levels of apple () pomace and a local variety of jujube () pomace was evaluated after drying at 110 °C for 3 h in a hot air oven. The physicochemical properties and functional properties of apple and jujube pomaces were also assessed. Prior to digestion, apple pomace displayed greater levels of TPC, RSA and vitamin C (17.

Profile of patients with pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease mimicking pulmonary tuberculosis.

Introduction: With the introduction of newer molecular diagnostic tools, an increasing number of Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) affecting the respiratory system and mimicking symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) are being identified. They may be misdiagnosed and treated as PTB, often categorized as treatment failures if they do not respond to treatment. This manuscript aims to characterize patients with pulmonary NTM disease.

Preparation of poly(lactic acid) from Prosopis juliflora and incorporation of chitosan for packaging applications.

The biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) materials, environmentally friendly alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics, and fermentative production of optically pure lactic acid from cheap raw materials have aroused interest among researchers in the recent years due to its high potential for packaging applications. In this study, we have experimented for the lactic acid production using Lactobacillus delbrueckii MTCC 911 with Prosopis juliflora as a substrate for fermentation. As a result, 38.

Unusual presentation of metastatic leiomyosarcoma-right forearm swelling.

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare smooth muscle connective tissue tumour accounting for around 11% of soft-tissue sarcomas (Ducimetiere F, Lurkin A, Ranchere-Vince D, Decouvelaere AV, Péoc'h M, Istier L . Incidence of sarcoma histotypes and molecular subtypes in a prospective epidemiological study with central pathology review and molecular testing. 2011;6:e20294).

Impact of centralization of services on outcomes in a rare tumour: Retroperitoneal sarcomas.

Background And Aim: The retroperitoneal tumor (RPT) service in the North West costal region of England was centralized in May 2011 by the merger of the Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire, Cumbria sarcoma networks. Our aim was to analyze the impact of centralization of services on patient outcomes.

Methods: An analysis from 01/12/2004 to 30/11/2017 was undertaken from prospectively maintained database and electronic patient records; follow-up was until 30/04/2018.

Leiomyosarcoma presenting as 'idiopathic' unilateral lower limb lymphoedema.

A 74-year-old woman presented with an 8-year history of unilateral swelling of her right lower limb, which was thought to be 'idiopathic' lymphoedema until she noticed a painless swelling in her right groin. Physical examination showed a painless, non-pulsatile, deep-seated mass in her right proximal thigh with significant lymphoedema distally. MRI scan showed a large mass at her right inguinal region, involving the common femoral vein.

Factors affecting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in HIV-infected patients on nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy.

Background & Objectives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and high triglycerides is common in the general population in India. As nevirapine (NVP)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) tends to increase HDL-C, gene polymorphisms associated with HDL-C metabolism in HIV-infected adults on stable NVP-based ART were studied.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2013 and July 2014 among adults receiving NVP-based ART for 12-15 months.

Giant schwannomas of the sciatic nerve.

We report a very rare case of giant schwannomas of the sciatic nerve in a 39-year-old woman who presented with increasing swelling and discomfort in the posterior aspect of her right thigh. We demonstrate that even with such large tumours, surgical excision could be successfully carried out to resolve all symptoms while causing no permanent nerve damage. It remains paramount that large soft tissue tumours get referred to a sarcoma centre and be managed by a specialist multidisciplinary team.

Profile and prevalence of HBV among HIV affected individuals attending the largest public HIV care center in India.

A large number of people living with HIV/AIDS residing in HBV endemic regions such as in India are highly susceptible to acquire co-infections like HBV but also transmit them to other due to their high risk behaviours. The present study aimed to estimate HBV prevalence and distribution of various HBV serological markers among HIV infected individuals. This cross sectional survey covered HIV infected individuals attending the largest HIV care center in India.

Partial fasciectomy is a useful treatment option for symptomatic plantar fibromatosis.

Plantar fibromatosis is a rare, benign fibroproliferative disorder of the plantar fascia. It is considered as a low-grade tumour and it can be locally aggressive. It can present as painful swelling with impairment of local function.

Endoprosthetic reconstruction for metastatic phaeochromocytoma in the distal femur: A case report.

Metastatic spread of malignant phaeochromocytoma is known to involve multiple organs including the axial skeleton. Its presentation as a solitary lesion in the long bones of the extremities is extremely rare. We report a unique case of solitary metastatic phaeochromocytoma presenting in the distal femur, 16 years after excision of primary abdominal tumor.

Salivary duct carcinoma in the mandibular anterior region: The role of immunohistochemical markers in its definitive diagnosis.

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a high-grade adenocarcinoma arising from the ductal epithelium of salivary glands which rarely involves the minor salivary glands. The varied histological presentation in the minor salivary gland tumors makes them the most heterogeneous group of neoplasms, making the diagnosis a challenge. This report highlights the importance of immunohistochemical markers in the definitive diagnosis of SDC.

Giant schwannoma of the medial plantar nerve.

In this article the authors present an exceptionally rare case of giant schwannoma of the foot in a 23 year old male. This article demonstrates the key principles of investigation and management of such cases as conducted by a regional sarcoma centre.