Simple physical treatment as an effective tool to improve the functional properties or rapeseed (Brassica campestris var. toria) and sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) meals

Dry and 24 h imbibed rapeseeds and sesame seeds were defatted with hexane and the resulting freeze-dried powder was analysed for the functional properties of the meals. Water absorption capacity (WAC) of imbibed rapeseed meal and fat absorption capacity (FAC) of both the imbeded meals were higher than those for dry meals. Protein solubility of rapeseed meals was improved by imbibition and both the imbibed meals exhibited maximum protein solubility at pH 12. Rapeseed meal possessed better foaming properties and viscosity than sesame seed meal. Imbibition considerably enhanced the foaming properties of rapeseed meal while the emulsification properties and viscosity did not change appreciably. Emulsification properties of sesame meal were higher than rapeseed meal.     

Improved survival in resected biliary malignancies

BACKGROUND: For many years the prognosis for patients with biliary malignancies has been poor. However, recent advances in radiology and laparoscopy have improved staging, and active biliary stent management may improve outcome in these patients. In the past the goal with surgery was to excise all gross tumor. Now, the surgical goal is to achieve negative microscopic margins even if a major hepatic resection is required. Similarly, chemotherapy or radiation was frequently given in isolation, but chemoradiation has become the standard. Therefore, the aim of this analysis was to determine whether survival has improved with better staging, active stent management, more aggressive surgery, and chemoradiation. METHODS: From 1990 through 2001, 140 patients with biliary malignancies were treated at the Medical College of Wisconsin. One hundred eleven malignancies were cholangiocarcinomas (intrahepatic, 22%; perihilar, 65%; and distal, 13%), and 29 were gallbladder (GB) cancers. Eighty-six of the 140 patients (61%) underwent exploration (intrahepatic, 58%; perihilar, 57%; distal, 67%, and GB, 72%). Forty-four of these 86 patients (51%) underwent resection (intrahepatic, 64%; perihilar, 41%; distal, 70%; and GB, 52%). Chemoradiation with confocal radiation, 5-fluorouracil, and gemcitabine was used more frequently in the patients resected since 1998. RESULTS: Thirty-day operative mortality was 4%. In the resected patients (n = 44) the 5-year actuarial survival was 31% and the median survival was 27.8 months. Patients resected between 1998 and 2001 (n = 25) had a median survival longer than 44 months with a 3-year actuarial survival of 70% as compared to patients resected between 1990 and 1997 (n = 19), who had a median survival of 13 months and a 3-year actuarial survival of 21% (P <.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that (1) approximately one third of patients with biliary malignancies have resectable disease and (2) surgery in carefully selected patients with adjuvant chemoradiation has improved survival in resected patients. We suspect that a combination of improved staging, active biliary stenting, safe but extensive surgery to obtain negative margins, and newer techniques for chemoradiation have resulted in improved outcomes for patients with biliary malignancies.     

Effects of pH and Dose on Nasal Absorption of Scopolamine Hydrobromide in Human Subjects

Purpose. The present study was conducted to evaluate theeffects of formulation pH and dose on nasal absorption of scopolaminehydrobromide, the single most effective drug available for the prevention ofnausea and vomiting induced by motion sickness. Methods. Human subjects received scopolamine nasally at adose of 0.2 mg/0.05 mL or 0.4 mg/0.10 mL, blood samples were collected atdifferent time points, and plasma scopolamine concentrations were determinedby LC-MS/MS. Results. Following administration of a 0.2 mg dose, theaverage C_max values were found to be 262 ± 118, 419± 161, and 488 ± 331 pg/mL for pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0formulations, respectively. At the 0.4 mg dose the average C_maxvalues were found to be 503 ± 199, 933 ± 449, and 1,308± 473 pg/mL for pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0 formulations, respectively. At a0.2 mg dose, the AUC values were found to be 23,208 ± 6,824, 29,145± 9,225, and 25,721 ± 5,294 pg.min/mL for formulation pH 4.0,7.0, and 9.0, respectively. At a 0.4 mg dose, the average AUC value wasfound to be high for pH 9.0 formulation (70,740 ± 29,381 pg.min/mL)as compared to those of pH 4.0 (59,573 ± 13,700 pg.min/mL) and pH 7.0(55,298 ± 17,305 pg.min/mL) formulations. Both the C_maxand AUC values were almost doubled with doubling the dose. On the otherhand, the average T_max values decreased linearly with a decreasein formulation pH at both doses. For example, at a 0.4 mg dose, the averageT_max values were 26.7 ± 5.8, 15.0 ± 10.0, and 8.8± 2.5 minutes at formulation pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0, respectively. Conclusions. Nasal absorption of scopolamine hydrobromidein human subjects increased substantially with increases in formulation pHand dose.     

Effect of pharyngeal stimulation on the motor function of the esophagus and its sphincters

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Sensory impulses from the pharynx induce contraction of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and inhibition of peristalsis. To determine 1) the magnitude of UES contractile response to threshold volume of fluid that induces LES relaxation and 2) the effect of rapid pharyngeal air stimulation on LES resting pressure and its concurrent influence on the UES and progression of esophageal peristalsis. METHODS: Eleven healthy volunteers (age, 31 +/- 2 y) were studied by concurrent UES, esophagealbody, and LES manometry. RESULTS: At a threshold volume of 0.3 +/- 0.05 mL, injections of water into the pharynx directed posteriorly, resulted in complete LES relaxation. Duration of these relaxations averaged 19 +/- 1 seconds. In 10 of 11 subjects, these relaxations were accompanied by a simultaneous increase in UES resting tone that averaged 142% +/- 27% above preinjection values. Pharyngeal stimulation by rapid air injection resulted in complete LES relaxation in 8 of the 11 subjects (threshold volume, 14 +/- 6 mL). Five of 8 developed a concurrent mild increase in resting UES pressure (17% +/- 6% above preinjection values) (P < .05). Pharyngeal water injection inhibited the progression of the peristaltic pressure wave at all tested sites and in all subjects, but pharyngeal air injection in only 2 of the 11 studied subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibitory effect of pharyngeal water injection on LES resting pressure is accompanied by a substantial contractile effect on the UES. Although stimulation of the pharynx by rapid air injection may induce LES relaxation, its inhibitory effect on esophageal peristalsis and stimulatory effect on UES pressure are negligible compared with that of water injection.     

Maternal estimates of mental age in developmental assessment

Objective: To examine the accuracy and clinical utility of maternal estimates of mental age in young children referred for developmental assessment.Methods : Mothers of 100 children aged 16 to 60 months referred for developmental evaluation to psychology services of Department of Pediatrics of a tertiary care teaching hospital were asked to estimate the mental age of their child. Maternal estimates were converted to intelligence quotient (IQ) and were compared to results from developmental tests of cognitive and adaptive behavior functioning which were administered to all children.Results : Maternal estimate IQ was highly correlated with IQ calculated from Developmental Profile II (r=.83, p&lt;.001) and social quotient (SQ) calculated from Vineland Social Maturity Scale (r=.81, p&lt;.001). Maternal estimate IQ was 82% sensitive to cognitive delay and 81% specific in identifying children likely to have normal development. Twenty seven percent of the maternal estimates were within ±5 IQ points of actual IQ. Mothers were more likely to overestimate their child’s functioning. Maternal IQ (Mean=62.1, S.D. =25.8) was significantly higher (t=2.93, p&lt;.004) than the actual IQ (Mean=57.9, S.D.=21.9). Step-wise multiple regression analysis revealed that the child’s IQ and SQ explained 10% of the variance (F=6.40, p&lt;.001) in maternal accuracy. The lower the SQ and IQ of the child, more accurate the estimates.Conclusion : Maternal estimates of mental age provide an accurate measure of developmental functioning in young children and may be used as a screening technique to identify a subset of children who need more detailed evaluation.     

Dysmorphology diagnosis

A patient with multiple malformations poses a diagnostic dilemma to the pediatrician. There are thousands of malformation syndromes described and diagnosis of a syndrome appears a daunting task. An approach to diagnosis of a malformation syndrome is presented. Relevant details in the history and examination, important investigations, the process of differential diagnosis, and search engines used to aid in diagnosis of a malformation syndrome are described     

Anti-malarial activity of some xanthones isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata

Four xanthones were isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata using a combination of column and thin-layer chromatographic methods. They were characterized as (i) 1,8-di-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-xanthone, (ii) 4,8-dihydroxy-2,7-dimethoxy-xanthone, (iii) 1,2-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-xanthone and (iv) 3,7,8-trimethoxy-1-hydroxy xanthone by IR, MS and NMR spectroscopic methods. In vitro study revealed that compound 1,2-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-xanthone possessed substantial anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum with its IC(50) value of 4 microg ml(-1). Xanthones bearing hydroxyl group at 2 position demonstrated most potent activity while xanthones with hydroxyl group at 1,4 or 8 position possessed very low activity. In vivo anti-malarial sensitivity test of this compound on Swiss Albino mice with Plasmodium berghei infection using Peters' 4-day test gave substantial reduction (62%) in parasitaemia after treating the mice with 30 mg kg(-1) dose. In vitro cytotoxicity against mammalian cells revealed that 1,2-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-xanthone is non-cytotoxic with its IC(50) > 32 microg ml(-1).