Production of buns, the bakery-based snack food, with reduced refined wheat flour content: Recent developments

Buns are very soft puffed bakery snack items, popular in many countries, especially low- and middle-income nations. Buns are either eaten directly or used in the preparation of culinary items. Buns are mainly prepared using refined wheat flour rich in gluten protein and devoid of husk. Consuming gluten-containing foods is leading to several health complications among consumers worldwide. Hence, several researchers have tried to reduce the gluten content in the dough by incorporating cereals flours, protein-rich sources like soy, cheese whey, etc., hydrocolloids, millets, pomace, and seed flour of vegetables and fruits, etc. These additives not only reduce gluten content in the buns to a certain extent but also enhance the fibre content and nutritional profile of the buns. This mini-review summarizes the recent developments in the production of buns using these additives to improve their nutritional quality.

Plant-based stearidonic acid as sustainable source of omega-3 fatty acid with functional outcomes on human health

Dietary omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) are known to be potent biological regulators with therapeutic and preventive effects on human health. Many global health organizations have recommended consuming marine based omega-3 sources for neonatal brain development and reducing the risk of various chronic diseases. However, due to concerns regarding the origin, sustainable supply and safety of the marine sources, alternative n-3 PUFA sources are being explored. Recently, plant-based omega-3 sources are gaining much importance because of their sustainable supply and dietary acceptance. α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) rich seed oils are the major omega-3 fatty acid source available for human consumption. But, efficiency of conversion of ALA to n-3 LC-PUFAs in humans is limited due to a rate-limiting step in the n-3 pathway catalyzed by Δ6-desaturase. Botanical stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4n-3) rich oils are emerging as a sustainable omega-3 source with efficient conversion rate to n-3 LC-PUFA especially to EPA, as it bypasses the Δ6-desaturase rate limiting step. Several recent studies have identified the major plant sources of SDA and explored its potential health benefits and preventive roles in inflammation, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. This systematic review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the sources, nutraceutical roles, food-based applications and the future perspectives of botanical SDA.

Unravelling a stearidonic acid-rich triacylglycerol biosynthetic pathway in the developing seeds of Buglossoides arvensis: A transcriptomic landscape

Buglossoides arvensis is an emerging oilseed crop that is rich in stearidonic acid (SDA) and has several potential applications in human health and nutrition. The molecular basis of SDA biosynthesis in this plant remains unknown due to lack of genomic information. To unravel key genes involved in SDA-rich triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis, we performed transcriptome sequencing of pooled mRNA from five different developmental stages of B. arvensis seeds using Illumina NextSeq platform. De novo transcriptome assembly generated 102,888 clustered transcripts from 39.83 million high-quality reads. Of these, 62.1% and 55.54% of transcripts were functionally annotated using Uniprot-Viridiplantae and KOG databases, respectively. A total of 10,021 SSR-containing sequences were identified using the MISA tool. Deep mining of transcriptome assembly using in silico tools led to the identification of genes involved in fatty acid and TAG biosynthesis. Expression profiling of 17 key transcripts involved in fatty acid desaturation and TAG biosynthesis showed expression patterns specific to the development stage that positively correlated with polyunsaturated fatty acid accumulation in the developing seeds. This first comprehensive transcriptome analysis provides the basis for future research on understanding molecular mechanisms of SDA-rich TAG accumulation in B. arvensis and aids in biotechnological production of SDA in other oilseed crops.

Curcumin ameliorates streptozotocin-induced liver damage through modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis in diabetic rats

We investigated the effect of curcumin on liver injury in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) through modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and unfolded protein response (UPR). Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg), and curcumin was given at 100 mg/kg by gavage for 56 days. We observed that curcumin improved the morphological and histopathological changes, significantly decreased hepatic ERS marker protein: glucose-regulated protein 78, and improved liver function in diabetic rats. Moreover, treatment with curcumin markedly decreased the sub-arm of the UPR signaling protein such as phospho-double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase-like ER kinase, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2, and inositol-requiring enzyme1α; and inhibited tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 in liver tissues of diabetic rats. Apoptotic and anti-apoptotic signaling proteins, such as cleaved caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma 2, were significantly increased and decreased, respectively in diabetic rats; curcumin treatment prevented all of these alterations. In summary, our results indicate that curcumin has the potential to protect the diabetic liver by modulating hepatic ERS-mediated apoptosis, and provides a novel therapeutic strategy for the diabetic liver damage.

Comparative study of some physico-chemical characteristics of osteoporotic and normal human femur heads

OBJECTIVE

To compare some of the physico-chemical properties of osteoporotic and normal femur heads -- a sample study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The organic and inorganic parts of human normal (healthy) (N), osteoporotic (OP) femur heads and were separated using conventional methods and their physico-chemical characteristics were compared using infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

RESULTS

The data revealed that the extra crosslinking had taken place between the intramolecular alpha chains of collagen of OP bone. This was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and TGA studies. XRD data of the inorganic part of N have shown well-resolved peaks compared to OP revealing the decreased crystallinity in the osteoporotic bone.

CONCLUSIONS

The extra intramolecular crosslinking of OP bone collagen molecules increases its fragility. The crystallinity of inorganic phase is less in OP and this may be the reason for its brittleness.

Prognostic role of VEGF, EGFR, COX-2, cERB-b2 and ER-alpha in stage 1 non-small cell lung cancers

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Introduction: Five-year survival rates for pathologic stage one NSCLC are between 57–67%. We looked at VEGF, EGFR, COX-2, cERB-b2 and ER-a in relationship to predicting recurrence. Methods: Tumors from 65 consecutive patients with stage I NSCLC were included. After marking representative areas on the slides, tissue microarrays were prepared and stained immunohistochemically using commercially available antibodies. The scoring was done by the pathologist and the principal investigator and is calculated as the product of staining intensity, the percentage of positively stained tumor cells and extent of membrane involvement. Results: 27 (42%) males/38 (58%) females. 75% stage IA/25% stage IB. Median smoking history was 40 pack-years (range 0–160pyr). 77% adenocarcinomas/23% squamous cell carcinomas. 19 (29%) patients had a recurrence of which 14 (74%) recurred locally and 5 (26.%) recurred at distant sites. The most common site of recurrence was the lung. Median time to recurrence was 30 months (range 4–97 mos). Scores for the molecular markers are reported in table 1 . Logistic regression of all the variables on multivariate analysis showed that VEGF scores predicted recurrence (p=0.021, Odds Ratio of 1.021). Scores of >200 for VEGF were even more discriminatory. (p =0.034, Odds Ratio of 7.22). The rate of recurrence in this subgroup of patients was 39.5% as opposed to a rate of 14.8% among those with scores of less than 200. EGFR, COX-2, cERB-B2 and ER alpha were not found to be significant predictors of recurrence. Table 1 . Univariate analysis: Conclusion: VEGF scores predict risk of recurrence in stage I Non Small Cell Lung Cancers. We propose the use of high scores of VEGF, in Stage I Non Small Cell Carcinoma using immunohistochemistry to select those patients who are likely to recur.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Table: see text]

Specific pretreatments reduce curing period of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) beans

With the aiming of reducing the curing period, effects of pretreatments on flavor formation in vanilla beans during accelerated curing at 38 degrees C for 40 days were studied. Moisture loss, change in texture, levels of flavoring compounds, and activities of relevant enzymes were compared among various pretreatments as well as the commercial sample. Use of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA; 5 mg/L) or Ethrel (1%) with blanching pretreatment resulted in 3-fold higher vanillin on the 10th day. Other flavoring compounds-vanillic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde-fluctuated greatly, showing no correlation with the pretreatments. Scarification of beans resulted in nearly 4- and 3.6-fold higher vanillin formations on the 10th day in NAA- and Ethrel-treated beans, respectively, as compared to control with a significant change in texture. When activities of major relevant enzymes were followed, addition of NAA or Ethrel helped to retain higher levels of cellulase throughout the curing period and higher levels of beta-glucosidase on the 20th day that correlated with higher vanillin content during curing and subsequent periods. Peroxidase, being highest throughout, did not correlate with the change in levels of major flavoring compounds. The pretreatment methods of the present study may find importance for realizing higher flavor formation in a shorter period because the major quality parameters were found to be comparable to those of a commercial sample.

Nutraceutical Applications of Garlic and the Intervention of Biotechnology

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an important and widely cultivated plant with both culinary and medicinal uses stemming from its biological activities, which include antibiotic, anticancer, anti-thrombotic, and lipid-lowering cardiovascular effects. Though such medicinal use of garlic existed for centuries, there was little scientific support for its therapeutic and pharmacological properties. However, there has been a recent upsurge of research on garlic aiming to understand its exact mechanism of action in each case so that garlic and its products may have more judicious future applications. Since garlic is vegetatively propagated, its improvement for desired traits through conventional means is difficult. The intervention of biotechnological methods such as tissue culture and gene transfer protocols developed recently hold great promise for improving this crop. Due to new innovations in instrumentation and processing technologies coupled with more judicious experimental models, better products are foreseen in the market. The objective of this article was to review the recent developments made towards understanding the mechanism by which garlic imparts different therapeutic effects as well as to review what biotechnology can offer to improve this crop and its products.

Delayed thrombosis of left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein: complication related to drainage of left superior vena cava

OBJECTIVES

To present a complication which occurred in relation to drainage of left superior vena cava.

METHODS

A 25-year-old patient underwent intracardiac repair for Tetralogy of Fallot. Left superior vena cava was present. It was drained by insertion of a left ventricular sump vent catheter via coronary sinus. The immediate postoperative period was uneventful. The patient presented on the 18th postoperative day with painful swelling on the left side of the neck, shoulder and upper arm. The patient was subjected to post-contrast CT scan and Duplex scan of neck vessels. He received anticoagulants for 3 months after the detection of thrombus in the left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein.

RESULTS

Post-contrast CT scan and Duplex scan of neck vessels revealed organized thrombus in proximal portions of the left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein, while the distal portions were free of thrombus and collateralized.

CONCLUSIONS

The left internal jugular vein and left subclavian vein may get thrombosed due to drainage of left superior vena cava by a left ventricular sump vent catheter. Anticoagulants give immediate relief from symptoms and also prevent major thromboembolic complications.

Effect of nutritional status on the circulatory gonadotrophin levels in girls before puberty

Circulating luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were investigated in prepubertal girls (aged 6 to 10 years) showing evidence of varying degrees of either stunting and wasting or both, due to protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Both serum LH and FSH levels in all the subjects with either grade 1 or 2 type of stunting and no wasting, or grade 1 type of wasting and no stunting, showed no noticeable variations from the corresponding hormonal levels of the normals. However, a low serum FSH level was observed in one subject with grade 3 type of stunting. Amongst the subjects with both stunting and wasting, those with a combination of grade 1 type of stunting and wasting, serum hormonal levels were comparable to the normals. On the other hand, those with more severe degrees of wasting and stunting had low levels of serum LH and FSH, particularly of FSH. It is suggested that the low levels of these gonadotrophins may be responsible for the delay in the onset of menarche commonly encountered in cases of PEM.

Circulating gonadotropin profile in severe cases of protein calorie malnutrition

The circulating levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin (PRL) were studied in children of both sexes between 2 and 14 years of age who were suffering from severe protein calorie malnutrition (PCM), namely, kwashiorkor, marasmic kwashiorkor, and marasmus. LH and FSH levels in all the age groups and in all forms of PCM were found to be significantly lowered, thereby explaining the possible delay in the onset of puberty in these children. Circulating PRL levels, on the other hand, were significantly raised in all patients with PCM studied, with values in children with kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor higher than in children with marasmus, possibly accounting for the presence of edema in the former cases. The present work, therefore, proposes a possible correlation between gonadotropin levels and PCM in children.