Determination of nutritional and energy value of Viburnum mullaha Buch.-Ham. Ex D. Don (Indian cranberry)

Nutritional and energy value of an underutilized wild edible Viburnum mullaha was determined. Vitamin analysis confirmed that the fruit contains high amounts of vitamin C (122.27 mg/100 g), vitamin B2 (0.14 mg/g), and vitamin E (13.47 mg/g). Macronutrient profile revealed that Viburnum mullaha is a rich source of carbohydrates (18.4 g/100 g), proteins (11.3 g/100 g), and lipids (18.4 g/100 g). It was calculated that 100 g of fruit berries can provide an average of 284.4 kcal (1185.7 kJ) energy. Analysis of magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, and manganese estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer confirmed that fruit berries of Viburnum mullaha can be utilized for developing various edible products. This is the first study ever on the biochemical analysis and nutritional value of this species; hence, it will provide nutritional statistics that scientific societies and the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries can use for their expanding investigations of the ultrasonically assisted technique described here in food and medicine.     

Characterization of a novel,papain‐inducible murine model of eosinophilic rhinosinusitis

Background

Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is a disease characterized by eosinophilic inflammatory infiltrate and a local type 2 cytokine milieu. Current animal models fail to recapitulate many of the innate and adaptive immunologic hallmarks of the disease, thus hindering the development of effective therapeutics. In the present study, mice were exposed intranasally to the cysteine protease papain, which shares functional similarities with parasitic proteases and aeroallergens, to generate a rapidly inducible murine model of eosinophilic rhinosinusitis.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were intranasally instilled with 20 μg papain or heat‐inactivated papain (HP) on days 0–2 and days 7–10, and then euthanized on day 11. Nasal lavage fluid (NALF) was analyzed to quantify eosinophils and inflammatory cytokine secretion. Sinonasal tissue was sectioned and stained for goblet cells or homogenized to analyze cytokine levels. Serum samples were assayed for immunoglobulin E (IgE) by enzyme‐linked immunoassay. Sinonasal mucosal tissue was dissociated and analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

Compared with HP treatment, papain induced significant eosinophilia in NALF, goblet cell hyperplasia, innate and adaptive immune cell infiltration, type 2 cytokine production, and IgE responses. Flow cytometric analysis of sinonasal tissues revealed significant inflammatory cell infiltration and interleukin‐13–producing cell populations.

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrated that the cysteine protease papain induces allergic sinonasal eosinophilic rhinosinusitis and resembles T‐helper 2 cell inflammation and innate immune characteristics of ECRS. This model permits further study into the molecular mechanisms underlying ECRS pathology and provides a model system for the evaluation of potential pharmacologic interventions.

     

Colon perforation during percutaneous renal surgery: a 10-year experience in a single endourology centre

The use of percutaneous renal surgery has been recently revolutionised with novel endourological instruments and techniques. However, the incidence, prevention and management of severe complications such as colon perforation still lack consensus. By presenting our 10-year experience, we would like to highlight the diagnosis and management of the rare complication of colon perforation.     

Periodontal disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus: Associations with glycemic control and complications: An Indian perspective

AimTo evaluate the frequency of periodontal disease in a group of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and its relationship with diabetic metabolic control, duration and complications.Materials and methodsA comparison was made of periodontal parameters (plaque index, bleeding index, pocket depth and attachment loss) in a group of diabetic patients versus a group of non-diabetics (n = 20). Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between periodontal parameters and degree of metabolic control, the duration of the disease and the appearance of complications.ResultsDiabetics had greater bleeding index (p < 0.001), probing pocket depth (p < 0.001) and clinical attachment level (p = 0.001). Patients diagnosed for diabetes for shorter duration of time (4–7 years) showed bleeding index-disease severity correlation to be 1.760 ± 0.434.ConclusionPatients with type 1 diabetes have increased periodontal disease susceptibility. Periodontal inflammation is greatly increased in subjects with longer disease course, poor metabolic control and diabetic complications.     

Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis by Brahma Rasayana (BR)

The current therapy for prostate cancer includes radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy and hormonal ablation. Chemotherapy also provides beneficial results for some patients with advanced prostate cancer but with several harmful side effects. Hence there is a need to identify and develop alternate therapies, which can reduce the disease progression with minimal or few side effects. Earlier studies from our laboratory have shown that a Polyherbal mixture, Brahma Rasayna (BR) rich in anti-oxidant principles has a potential to be an anti-tumor agent. BR treatment of MAT-LyLu cell inoculated Copenhagen rats resulted in a decrease of palpable tumor incidence, delay in tumor occurrence and lower mean tumor volumes. Also, a significant reduction in tumor weight and lung metastasis was observed in BR treated animals in comparison to untreated controls. In the present study, we focused to examine the effect of BR on angiogenesis and regulation of molecular markers involved in angiogenesis using in-vivo and in-vitro models. BR treatment showed a significant reduction in Factor VIII expression compared to control indicating reduced angiogenesis. BR treated tumor specimens showed a decrease in the pro-angiogenic factors like VEGF, MMP-9 and MMP-2. Methanolic extract of BR was found to inhibit the proliferation, tube formation, cell migration and attachment of HUVEC on matrigel in a dose dependant manner. These findings suggest the possible mechanism(s) of action of BR in the reduction of tumor growth and metastatic spread.