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Objective This study appraises the nutraceutical potential of uncooked and cooked Ceylon spinach, the wild leafy vegetable Talinum triangulare occurring in southwest India. Materials and Methods Proximal properties (moisture, crude protein, total lipids, crude fiber, ash, total carbohydrates, and calorific value), mineral contents, amino acid composition, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), protein digestibility–corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS), protein efficiency ratios (PERs), and fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were evaluated by following standard protocols. Results Total lipids, crude fiber, total carbohydrates, and calorific value were higher in cooked than in uncooked samples. Among nine minerals assessed, sodium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, manganese, and zinc were significantly higher in uncooked samples compared with cooked samples. Lysine, methionine, cystine, tyrosine, alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and serine were higher and histidine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, valine, glycine, and proline were lower in uncooked samples. Cooking improved IVPD, PDCAAS, and PER. Capric and linoleic acids were higher in uncooked samples, while palmitic, 1-pyrrolidinebutanoic, and ɑ-linolenic acid acids were higher in cooked samples. The total unsaturated fatty acids (TUFAs) were higher in cooked samples; however, the total saturated fatty acids (TSFAs) were lower in cooked samples. The ratio of TUFA to TSFA was higher in uncooked than in cooked samples. Conclusion The protein content of T. triangulare is comparable to those of legume seeds and consists of low fat, high fiber, and high carbohydrates along with increased calorific value. The Na/K (<1) and Ca/P (>1) ratios are favorable to combat blood pressure and prevention of calcium loss, respectively. The indispensable amino acids are comparable to or higher than soybean, wheat, and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (FAO-WHO) standards. Improved IVPD, PDCAAS, and PER in cooked samples of T. triangulare support its nutraceutical potential in human diet to tackle the protein-energy malnutrition and supplement of its flour strengthens the value of fortified foods. The nutraceutical potential has possible roles to combat lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancers, and cardiac ailments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the correlation of Apgar score with asphyxial hepatic injury and neonatal mortality in moderately and severely asphyxiated newborns. Material and methods: This is a secondary analysis of our prospective observational case-controlled study. Sixteen neonates with severe birth asphyxia (five-minute Apgar #3) were compared with either 54 moderate asphyxia neonates (five-minute Apgar .3) or 30 normal neonates. Liver function tests were measured on postnatal days 1, 3, and 10 in the study and control groups. Neonatal mortality was observed in the study and control population. Results: Correlation of Apgar score in severely asphyxiated neonates compared with normal Apgar score neonates and moderately asphyxiated neonates for deranged hepatic function showed significant correlation (odds ratio [OR] 4.88, 95% CI 3.26–5.84, P = 0.01 and OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.94–3.32, P = 0.02, respectively). There was a significant increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and total bilirubin on day 1 and serum LDH at age of 10th postnatal life in severely asphyxiated neonates when compared to moderately asphyxiated neonates, whereas there was a significant decrease in total bilirubin and serum albumin on day 3 in severely asphyxiated neonates. There was a significant increase in serum alanine transaminase, serum LDH, and total bilirubin on day 1, serum aspartate transaminase, serum LDH, and total bilirubin on day 3, and International Normalized Ratio on day 10 of postnatal life when severely asphyxiated neonates were compared with normal neonates. There was a significant reduction in total protein and serum albumin on day 1 and direct bilirubin on day 3 in severely asphyxiated neonates when compared with normal neonates. There was a significant increase in neonatal mortality in severely asphyxiated neonates when compared to the other two groups. Correlation of Apgar score in severely asphyxiated neonates compared with normal Apgar score neonates and moderately asphyxiated neonates for neonatal mortality showed significant correlation (odds ratio [OR] 2.23, 95% CI 1.42–3.04, P = 0.03 and OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.64–2.02, P = 0.04, respectively). Conclusion: The severity of hepatic dysfunction correlates well with increasing severity of asphyxia. The neonatal mortality also showed good correlation with Apgar score in our study, although we need a large multicentric trial to confirm our observations. Apgar score combined with hepatic dysfunction can be used as a prognostication marker for neonatal mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-one hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolates from the state of Haryana (North India) were studied for genotype, subgenotype, serotype distribution and precore mutations. Assays of alanine aminotransminase (ALT) and HBeAg were performed on all samples. Genotypes, subgenotypes and serotypes were determined by amplification of pre-S1/S2 regions followed by RFLP and also by phylogenetic analysis of amplified products. Mutations were studied by amplification and sequencing of the precore region. Twenty-four percent of the samples had high ALT levels and 90% were HBeAg negative. It was observed that 90% of the samples were HBV D genotype, (subgenotype D1, serotype ayw2), 5% HBV A genotype (subgenotype A1, serotype adw2), and the remaining 5% were HBV E genotype (serotype ayw4). The subgenotype A1 was quite similar to the South African isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the HBV isolates, based on the pre-S1/S2 gene sequences, confirmed genotype E. Amplification and sequencing of the precore region showed 1762A–T and 1764G–A mutations in 38 and 15% of the samples, respectively. 1809T was observed in 5% of the cases under study. This is the first report of the genotype E of hepatitis B virus in the Indian population. Efforts are underway to amplify and sequence the full length of this genotype E isolate. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Benzimidazole resistance was recorded from seven organized goat farms in north, south and central Kerala by faecal egg count reduction test. • Haemonchus contortus was the predominant gastrointestinal strongyle species in post-treatment faecal cultures. • Genotyping H. contortus larvae revealed E198A polymorphism in isotype 1 β-tubulin gene with an overall frequency of 0.516. • The frequency of E198A polymorphism ranged from 0.067 to 0.667 in the seven populations genotyped. • No polymorphism was identified at codons 167 and 198 in isotype 1 β-tubulin gene in H. contortus. The study was done to determine the benzimidazole resistance-associated polymorphisms in seven organized goat farms in northern, central and southern regions of Kerala in south India. Results of Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) indicated benzimidazole resistance in all the farms with per cent reduction in fecal egg counts ranging from 16 to 94 per cent. A total of 250 Haemonchus contortus larvae were genotyped at codons 167, 198 and 200 of isotype 1 β-tubulin gene by PCR-RFLP. A 451 bp region of isotype 1 β-tubulin gene amplified by semi-nested PCR was subsequently digested with restriction enzymes Eco 1051 (Sna BI), Hpy CH4V and Hpy CH4III for identification of SNPs at codons 167, 198 and 200, respectively. The results of genotyping revealed E198A polymorphism (GAA to GCA, glutamate to alanine at codon 198) with an overall frequency of 0.516 while no polymorphism was detected at codons 167 and 200. The high prevalence of E198A polymorphism and the absence of F200Y polymorphism in H. contortus populations in organized goat farms in Kerala might be attributed to the prolonged and intensive use of benzimidazoles resulting in high selection pressure for benzimidazole resistance mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Typhoid is a leading cause of fever in returning travelers, particularly those visiting friends and relatives in the Indian subcontinent. We reviewed a cohort of patients with enteric fever from our hospitals in North West London, which serves a large Indian resident population. Methods Retrospective analysis of electronic laboratory, microbiology and medical records of all patients with blood cultures positive for Salmonella enterica serotypes typhi (S. typhi) or paratyphi (S. paratyphi) A, B and C from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018 at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. Organisms were cultured on selective media and identified by API 20E (BioMerieux) or MALDI TOF MS (Bruker). Results 37 blood cultures positive for S. typhi were identified from 26 patients and 37 blood cultures positive for S. paratyphi were identified from 23 patients. The median age was 28 years (range 1–79 years). Infection was more common in males (27/49, 55%) compared with females (22/49, 45%) but this was not statistically significant. Most patients (31/49) had traveled to India. Travel history was not identified for 9 patients. Laboratory results at presentation were available for all patients. Lymphopenia (defined as <1.5 × 109/L) was found in 12/23 (52%) patients with S. paratyphi compared with 10/26 (38%) of those with S. typhi. Thrombocytopenia (defined as <150 × 109/L) was found equally in both groups (22% in S. paratyphi , 27% in S. typhi). Raised alanine transferase (ALT) (defined as >35 IU/L) was seen in 14/23 (61%) in S. paratyphi compared with 19/26 (73%) in S. typhi. Median platelet count was similar in both groups (199 × 109/L in S. paratyphi , 202 × 109/L in S. typhi). Absolute eosinopenia was seen in all patients, consistent with other observational studies. For 3 patients, antibiotic sensitivities were not available. Regarding S. paratyphi cases, 16/21 (76%) were resistant to ciprofloxacin compared with 20/25 (80%) in S. typhi. Azithromycin resistance was seen in 5/46 (11%). All isolates were susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins. Conclusion There is a high rate of ciprofloxacin resistance in this cohort of patients with enteric fever, confirming that the use of third-generation cephalosporins and macrolides in travelers to India is most appropriate for treatment. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between Pro12Ala and C161T polymorphisms in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) gene and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. We recruited 301 newly diagnosed CRC patients and 291 healthy control subjects at the Madras Cancer Institute in Chennai, India, from 1999 to 2001. Genotypes of the Pro12Ala and C161T polymorphisms were determined using the PCR-RFLP method. After adjustment for age, sex, smoking habit, family history and family income, an increased risk of CRC was observed for the C/T + T/T genotype compared to the C/C genotype of the C161T polymorphism (odds ratio = 1.61, 95% confidence interval: 1.10-2.36), whereas no significant association was found for Pro12Ala (odds ratio = 1.06, 95% confidence interval: 0.70-1.61). Analysis with estimated haplotypes showed a significant difference in haplotype frequencies between cases and controls (chi(2) = 11.62, P = 0.009, d.f. = 3). The relationship between the two polymorphisms and CRC risk was not significantly modified by dietary intake of fish. Although the biological mechanisms of the observed association remain to be elucidated, our findings suggest that the C161T polymorphism of the PPAR-gamma gene is related to risk of CRC. Further research is needed to investigate functional implications of polymorphisms of the PPAR-gamma gene in CRC development.

Variations in the coding regions of the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) gene have recently been suggested to contribute to the susceptibility of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the IRS-1 missense mutations at codons 972 (glycine to arginine) and 513 (alanine to proline) in two diverse populations from South India and Finland at high risk for NIDDM. DNA was amplified and digested with restriction enzymes BstN1 to detect the codon 972 mutation and Dra III to detect the codon 513 mutation. The codon 513 mutation was not found in the study subjects. The codon 972 mutation was present in 10.3% of 126 middle-aged NIDDM subjects and 5.3% of 95 matched control subjects in the South Indians (p = 0.17). In elderly Finnish subjects the frequency of the mutation was 7.5% in 40 NIDDM subjects and 7% in 42 matched control subjects. The frequency of codon 972 mutation in the South Indian NIDDM subjects was very similar to the two previously published studies in Danish and French subjects although each study individually fails to reach conventional levels of significance. The data from all four ethnic groups were analysed together after ascertaining that significant heterogeneity did not exist between the studies. Overall, the frequency of the codon 972 mutation is found in 10.7% NIDDM subjects and 5.8% control subjects (p = 0.02). These studies suggest that the codon 972 mutation of the IRS-1 gene might act as a susceptibility gene predisposing to NIDDM in certain ethnic groups.