The Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Some Nutritional Values of Vegetable Amaranth Sold in Nairobi-Kenya

Twenty one major supermarkets and ten independent green grocers in the city of Nairobi were surveyed for types of vegetable amaranths sold and their post harvest handling. The nutrient composition of the vegetables was also analyzed. In addition, information on three other traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs) namely, Cleome gynandra, Solanum nigrum, and Vigna unguiculata was obtained. All the vegetables were sold in bundles of average weight 0.45 kg. The edible fraction per bundle averaged 38.9%. Chemical analyses showed that vegetable amaranth had a moisture content of 85.5%, therefore a dry matter content of 14.5%. Expressed on dry matter basis, the mean total ash content was 19.2%, crude protein content 26.1% and the crude fiber content 14.7%. The mean ascorbic acid content was 627 mg/100 g, zinc content 5.5m g/100 g and iron content 18 mg/100 g. The men nitrate content was 732.5 mg/100 g, total oxalates 5830 mg/100 g and soluble oxalates 3650 mg/100 g, while the lead content averaged 1.03 mg/100 g. The study concludes that vegetable amaranth has potential as popular vegetable in the diets of Kenyans to significantly contribute to provision of micronutrients, particularly iron and zinc.     

Biomolecule kinetics measurements in flow cell integrated porous silicon waveguides

A grating-coupled porous silicon (PSi) waveguide with an integrated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) flow cell is demonstrated as a platform for near real-time detection of chemical and biological molecules. This sensor platform not only allows for quantification of molecular binding events, but also provides a means to improve understanding of diffusion and binding mechanisms in constricted nanoscale geometries. Molecular binding events in the waveguide are monitored by angle-resolved reflectance measurements. Diffusion coefficients and adsorption and desorption rate constants of different sized chemical linkers and nucleic acid molecules are determined based on the rate of change of the measured resonance angle. Experimental results show that the diffusion coefficient in PSi is smaller than that in free solutions, and the PSi morphology slows the molecular adsorption rate constant by a factor of 10²–10⁴ compared to that of flat surface interactions. Calculations based on simplified mass balance equations and COMSOL simulations give good agreement with experimental data.OCIS codes: (130.6010) Sensors, (130.2790) Guided waves, (050.2770) Gratings     

Outcome after bevacizumab clinical trial therapy among recurrent grade III malignant glioma patients

Although outcome following bevacizumab among recurrent grade IV malignant glioma patients is documented as poor by several analyses, outcome for recurrent grade III patients following bevacizumab therapy has not been specifically evaluated. We performed a pooled analysis of 96 recurrent grade III malignant glioma patients enrolled on three consecutive phase II bevacizumab salvage trials to evaluate overall outcome following bevacizumab trial discontinuation. Outcome on the three bevacizumab trials, which included similar eligibility, treatment and assessment criteria, was comparable. Forty-nine patients who progressed on bevacizumab trial therapy and remained alive for at least 30 days elected to receive additional therapy. These patients achieved a median PFS-6 and OS of 30.6% (95% CI: 18.4, 43.6) and 10.3 months (95% CI: 5.2, 11.7), respectively. Among patients who continued bevacizumab therapy (n = 23) after study progression, PFS-6 and median OS were 39.1% (95% CI: 19.9, 58.0) and 9.2 months (95% CI: 5.2, 13.6), respectively, compared to 23.1% (95% CI: 9.4, 40.3; P = 0.51) and 10.3 months (95% CI: 2.5, 14.4; P = 0.91) for patients who initiated non-bevacizumab containing therapy (n = 26). Outcome after discontinuation of bevacizumab therapy for recurrent grade III malignant glioma patients is associated with improved outcome compared to historical data for recurrent grade IV malignant glioma patients. Salvage therapies following bevacizumab failure have modest activity for grade III malignant glioma patients that is independent of further bevacizumab continuation.     

Rapid Induction of Mild Cerebral Hypothermia by Cold Aortic Flush Achieves Normal Recovery in a Dog Outcome Model with 20-minute Exsanguination Cardiac Arrest

OBJECTIVES: Resuscitation attempts in trauma victims who suffer cardiac arrest (CA) from exsanguination almost always fail. The authors hypothesized that an aortic arch flush with cold normal saline solution (NSS) at the start of exsanguination CA can preserve cerebral viability during 20-minute no-flow. METHODS: Twelve dogs were exsanguinated over 5 minutes to CA of 20-minute no-flow, resuscitated by cardiopulmonary bypass, followed by post-CA mild hypothermia (34 degrees C) continued to 12 hours, controlled ventilation to 20 hours, and intensive care to 72 hours. At CA 2 minutes, the dogs received a 500-mL flush of NSS at either 24 degrees C (group 1, n = 6) or 4 degrees C (group 2, n = 6), using a balloon-tipped catheter inserted via the femoral artery into the descending thoracic aorta. RESULTS: The flush at 24 degrees C (group 1) decreased tympanic membrane temperature [mean (+/-SD)] from 37.5 degrees C (+/-0.1) to 35.7 degrees C (+/-0.2); the flush at 4 degrees C (group 2) to 34.0 degrees C (+/-1.1) (p = 0.005). In group 1, one dog achieved overall performance category (OPC) 2 (moderate disability), one OPC 3 (severe disability), and four OPC 4 (coma). In group 2, four dogs achieved OPC 1 (normal), one OPC 2, and one OPC 3 (p = 0.008). Neurologic deficit scores (0-10% normal, 100% brain death) [median (25th-75th percentile)] were 62% (40-66) in group 1 and 5% (0-19) in group 2 (p = 0.01). Total brain histologic damage scores were 130 (62-137) in group 1 and 24 (10-55) in group 2 (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic arch flush of 4 degrees C at the start of CA of 20 minutes rapidly induces mild cerebral hypothermia and can lead to normal functional recovery with minimal histologic brain damage. The same model with aortic arch flush of 24 degrees C results in survival with brain damage in all dogs, which makes it suitable for testing other (e.g., pharmacologic) preservation potentials.     

Risk factors for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma in patients with thyroid nodular disease.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate current accepted risk factors for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, and develop a predictive model to determine one's risk of malignancy given a thyroid nodule. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 600 patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with benign thyroid nodular disease and with well-differentiated thyroid cancer were randomly selected. Patient, clinical, and investigational data were compared by means of univariate and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: Age, regional lymphadenopathy, ipsilateral vocal cord palsy, solid and/or calcified nodules, and an aspiration biopsy being malignant or suspicious predicted for cancer (P < 0.05). Regional lymphadenopathy and vocal cord palsy are perfect predictors of malignancy. Multivariate analysis indicated age, solid and/or calcified nodules, and all fine-needle aspiration biopsy results to be significant in assessing risk (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Taking individual risk factors in isolation is not always reliable. Using a predictive model, one can anticipate a patient's risk of malignancy when the diagnosis is unclear.