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Background: Many governments have introduced health insurance schemes for the poor sections of society to save them from catastrophic health expenditure. Private hospitals play a key role in India, as they are in significant number in secondary and tertiary care services. Private hospitals have to fund their infrastructure, staff salaries from the revenue of previous year. In this study, we compared money received by a private medical college hospital bed through government insurance scheme patient and private paying patient. Methods: Observational study, comparing money reimbursed for top ten procedures treated in private medical college hospitals by Ayushman Bharat (AB) fund and the price offered by a paying patient in similar bed. Results: On average 600 patients received medical care through the AB scheme per month at our tertiary care super-specialty hospital. Highest numbers were seen in specialties like cardiovascular, and cancer treatments and infectious diseases under general medicine specialty. The costs considered were surgeon's cost, medicines, devices, and hospitalization costs. The laparoscopic procedures were incurring a loss of 130%, knee replacements about 50%, coronary bypass grafting thankfully due to controlling of prices by central government is incurring a loss of 10%. The package amount offered accounts to 26–52% only of the costs incurred by the private hospitals. Conclusion: The private academic hospitals need 25% to 50% more than current prices offered, across various procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open sun drying is the predominant process used for food preservation by smallholder and subsistence farmers (SHSFs), and their families, globally constituting about 2 billion people on about 475 million farms. The major problems with this process are the slow, unreliable speed of completion, rain-caused loss of vital food sources, risks from mycotoxin accumulation, environmental contamination, and loss of nutritional quality. SHSFs represent the poorest and least educated human demographic, whose survival is largely ignored by Governments, untouched by international aid programs, and with limited access to basic utilities. Solar drying systems can greatly improve the preservation of safe and nutritious food, but current systems deployed put this technology beyond the reach of the demographic which needs it most. Here, our objective was to develop the technology for the simplest low-cost drying system, which would minimize all risk factors, particularly eliminate mycotoxin accumulation, and which could be practically deployed by SHSFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drying of onion shreds in solar conductive dryer (SCD) and corrugated electrical solar conductive dryer (CESCD) are explored in this study. An attempt to improve the sample loading volume of SCD and CESCD is made using a fixed bed dryer (FBD) for initial drying. The techno-economic analysis is carried out for different pattern loading on SCD and CESCD. The techno-economic aspects analyzed include efficiency of dryer, payback period, life cycle savings, and internal rate of returns (IRR). Drying characteristics—drying rate, moisture ratio, and temperature profile of both dryers were compared. CESCD showed higher drying rate and IRR than SCD. Data fitted best in Page model. In terms of energy requirement, the overall drying efficiency of SCD was better than CESCD. Patterns 1 and 3 retained the color better, but were not cost-effective and profitable. Flavor and bioactives were higher in SCD than CESCD dried onion shreds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small freshwater fishes are a sustainable source of nutrition that is often disregarded in the fishing industry. Even though dry fish sectors utilize these fishes, they often do not reach potential customers due to the time-consuming, weather-dependent traditional drying practices and the associated hygiene-related issues involved in open sun drying of small fishes. There is little to no information on the drying of small freshwater species, especially Vitamin A rich mola carplet. Therefore, the drying behavior and quality characteristics of dried molas were investigated using two available forms of solar conduction dryers – corrugated solar conduction dryer (CSCD) and corrugated electrical solar conduction dryer (CESCD) which were then compared with open sun drying (OSD). The salt and turmeric marinated fresh molas were dried to 1.12%, 4.03%, and 30.82% (d.b.) within 5 h of drying by using CESCD, CSCD, and OSD, respectively and the respective average moisture diffusivity were 12.5 × 10−9 m2/s, 9.3 × 10−9 m2/s, and 2.47 × 10−9 m2/s. The color change (ΔE) kinetics and Vitamin A degradation kinetics were also analyzed for samples dried by using both dryers. The ΔE kinetics showed the color change during drying of mola followed the zero-order kinetics model whereas, Vitamin A degradation followed first-order kinetics. The proximate analysis of key constituents such as proteins and fats showed better retention in CESCD and CSCD as compared to OSD. Economic analysis of both the dryers was used to indicate their commercial feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are often present in more than one polymorphic form. Most of the time one of these polymorphs has better properties than others and is the desired form. However, the undesired polymorph may be generated during the production of the solid dosage form from the API. One of the unit operations that may produce undesired polymorph is drying. Drying and solvent addition are frequently used for solid dosage manufacturing since they are required for granulation, a frequently used unit operation for many pharmaceutical production lines. In this article, we present a critical review of current open literature on this subject. The goal of this review is to produce a thorough account of past and current research and indicate the future directions which will benefit the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the shrinkage of onion cells, single and multi-layer onion section, and expansion of intercellular pathways during dehydration. For macro and bulk-level studies, moisture analyzer and hot air convective dryer were used, respectively. Shrinkage, size retention, and color changes due to dehydration and rehydration of onion shreds were compared. At micro-level, CaCl2 and water blanched samples dehydrated at 70 °C, citric acid blanched samples dehydrated at 60 and 80 °C showed less shrinkage compared to unblanched samples. On rehydration, single layer section showed comparable cell size and intercellular space retention. Multi-layer section of CaCl2 blanched samples dehydrated at 70 °C retained better structure. At macro-level dehydration, shrinkage of CaCl2 blanched samples was the least. At bulk-level, all blanched samples shrank by 82–90%. Bulk level rehydration at 50 °C achieved better size retention. Blanching resulted a porous structure of onion shreds with an improved rehydration characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piper betel, a well-known and widely used herb of tropical Asiatic countries, contain several bioactive constituents that possess therapeutic uses and health-promoting properties. The postharvest losses of 35% to 70% are reported due to biomass spoilage, fungal infections and dechlorophyllations. Controlled dehydration to retain the oils in the natural cellular matrix for further extraction is a potential solution for these avoidable postharvest losses. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to determine the impact of dehydration on microstructural changes, shrinkage and swelling of the cellular matrix, retention of oil reserves/glands, and implications for extraction yield. The betel leaf samples were dehydrated at 40, 50 and 60 °C using a hot-stage under a microscope to report microstructural changes. The moisture balance instrument was deployed to determine the drying rate at the macro level, and separately hot air drying was conducted to elucidate the drying of bulk betel leaves and its impact on oil retention. Visual inspection during dehydration gave an insight into the preservation of the oil cells/reserves. The result indicated that oil cells/reserves in the epidermal layer and traverse section of the petiole were protected and preserved during dehydration at 40 to 50 °C and were ruptured at 60 °C. The same was reflected through the yields and composition of the extracts obtained by Supercritical fluid extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccines are the most important life-saving prophylactic medicines administered in maintaining global health. In a pandemic situation, the manufacturing, formulation followed by preservation of vaccine are challenging areas of concern looking at the dire need of administering it to several billion people on the planet in a pandemic like situation. An important area of major concern is the potential loss of vaccine activity during storage and transportation. Scientists have developed several innovative ideas to store vaccines for a longer period of time. This article focuses on a critical overview of various methods of vaccine storage in dry powder form. Conventional vaccine drying processes, such as freeze drying under different conditions, spray drying along with the upcoming novel technologies such as spray freeze drying are described in detail for the application in vaccine drying. Some other emerging methods, such as, microwave freeze drying and atmospheric freeze drying techniques are also discussed; these could be the game changers in the future. Several drying techniques make use of protective agents during the process of drying and storage. This review also highlights a comparative study of various technological challenges in drying of vaccines in support of the current global health scenario affected by COVID19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomatoes are a valuable highly perishable agricultural product that are dried on a large scale for extending shelf life. The drying of both tomatoes and tomato processing waste can yield valuable products. The dried forms serve as raw material for different commercial products, as an ingredient for functional foods. It is also used all over the world for direct consumption. However, the production of dried forms with quality attributes equivalent to those of fresh tomatoes such as the nutrient content, appearance, flavor, texture, reconstitution properties etc. are major challenges. This paper provides an overview of the diverse drying techniques employed along with the effects of pretreatment to produce dried tomatoes, powders, and various by-products of tomato processing industries. A comparison is provided with regard to the quality of dried tomato products obtained by different drying techniques for lycopene content, ascorbic acid, β-carotene, total phenolic content, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, rehydration ratio, color change, texture, and flavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural convection and direct type (NCDT) solar dryers The various designs of natural convective and direct type (NCDT) of solar dryers are comprehensively reviewed by Chavan et al.[[10]] for the most intriguing state-of-the-art of practicing of solar drying technology for the benefit of one and all. 6 Patel, S. K.; Bade, M. H. Superheated Steam Drying and Its Applicability for Various Types of the Dryer: The State of Art. [Extracted from the article]

Salt fermented fish hydrolysate (SFFH) was prepared from freshwater fish Rohu (Labeo rohita), an Indian major carp, using salt at room temperature for 50 days. Total lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts of SFFH prepared using 20% and 30% NaCl (w/w) were found to be in the range of 5.83–7.25 log cfu/ml and 3.93–5.46 log cfu/ml, respectively, whereas the log cfu/ml values for the halotolerant LAB counts varied from 2.09 to 7.17 and 2.02 to 4.77, respectively. Out of 96 isolates from SFFH, 21 isolates were screened based on their pH reducing ability, total titratable acidity, and proteolytic properties. Morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization of four selected LAB strains were carried out. The isolates FSAP3-3 (Pediococcus pentosaceus), FSBP4-40 (Pediococcus pentosaceus), FSBP16-40 (Pediococcus pentosaceus), and FSBP28-50 (Pediococcus acidilactici) showed both halotolerant and proteolytic properties. The identified LAB isolates showed antagonistic properties against several human pathogens and exhibited sensitivity toward a broad spectrum of antibiotics. All the identified LAB isolates showed excellent proteolytic activity and phosphohydrolase activity. These halotolerant LAB isolates that had both proteolytic properties and acidifying ability have the potential for application in an acceleration of fermentation to produce salted fish products (i.e., fish sauce, fish paste, fish mince, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study aims to understand the influence of freeze-dried shrimp (Penaeus monodon) meat (SM) at different levels (2.5, 5, and 10%; w/w) in pasta processing. The rheological characteristics studies of SM-wheat flour blends indicated that dough stability increased with the increased addition of SM in the blends, whereas farinograph water absorption and amylograph peak viscosity decreased. Cooking loss increased with increasing levels of SM in the pasta (7.3% in 10% SM pasta; 6.7% in control pasta). However, all pasta samples were in the acceptable range. Color analysis of the pasta sample indicated that theLvalues increased with increasing levels of pasta. The instrumental texture of cooked pasta indicated that 10% SM pasta was significantly (p< 0.05) firmer (1.84 N) than that of the control (1.35 N). Microstructure studies revealed that incorporation of SM in the pasta had a better protein network. Pasta with 5% SM had the highest mean score for all sensory attributes, with increased levels of essential nutrients, fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, and amino acids such as lysine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of feeding fermentatively recovered fish oil (FFO) from fish processing waste (FPW), on the performance and carcass composition of broilers. A total of 60 one-d-old VenCobb® broiler chicks randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups were studied.The birds were randomly assigned to treatment groups and fed with a normal commercial diet (control, T1), a diet with 2% groundnut oil (positive control, T2), a diet with 1% FFO (T3), a diet with 1.5% FFO (T4) and a diet with 2% FFO (T5). Performance and growth parameters (feed intake and body weight) and fatty acid composition of serum, liver and meat were determined.The performance characteristics of broiler meat did not differ among treatments. Feeding FFO reduced total cholesterol concentration in serum, meat and liver of the FFO-fed groups (T3 to T5) as compared to both the controls (T1 and T2), but there was no significant difference in triglyceride concentration between treatments. Increased concentrations of EPA and DHA in serum, liver and meat of FFO-fed groups, as compared to both controls, were observed as the FFO concentration increased.The study clearly demonstrates the value of oil recovered from FPW in addition to addressing the environmental issues related to disposal of such biological waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermentation using native lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was evaluated for its effectiveness in recovering lipids and proteins simultaneously from freshwater fish visceral waste (FVW). Five different LAB isolated from fish processing waste were employed in a fermentation process that involved 10% (w/w) glucose, 2% (w/w) NaCl, and 10% (v/w) LAB. Cultures evaluated included four native isolates (Pediococcus acidilactici NCIM5368, Enterococcus faecalis NCIM5367, Pediococcus acidilactici FM37, and Pediococcus acidilactici MW2) from FVW with E. faecium NCIM5335 as the reference culture. Fermentation with native LAB resulted in recovery of > 90% oil present in the material as against no recovery in case of raw (unfermented) viscera and resulted in > 50% of degree of hydrolysis of proteins. The fatty acid profile of lipids was not affected by the fermentation process. The fermentation liquor, rich in hydrolyzed protein, exhibited antioxidant as well as antagonistic properties against several bacterial pathogens. The results clearly demonstrate the usefulness of fermentation using native isolates for simultaneous recovery of lipids and proteins from fish processing waste. It also asserts the value of fermentation as an eco-friendly method and aids in minimizing disposal/pollution problems associated with these solid wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of acid ensuing on the stability of different classes of proteases present in the visceral wastes of a major freshwater carp is presented. The changes in moisture, fat and ash content were not significant (P ≥ 0.05) during the storage period of 4 weeks at ambient temperature of 27 ± 2°C. Fresh visceral waste of the freshwater major carp Labeo rohita had considerable protease activity and buffer extractable proteins (2.7% w/w). There was a significant reduction in buffer extractable proteins (BEP) immediately after acidification (P ≤ 0.05), which later increased in the first two weeks before decreasing further during storage. Marked decreases (P ≤ 0.05) in specific activity (U mg-1 protein) of acidic. neutral and alkaline proteases were observed during storage. The stability of proteases was negatively affected by acid ensiling, even with the use of weak acids like propionic and formic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model of coupled heat and mass transfer was applied to batch fluidized-bed drying with microwave heating of a heat sensitive material—carrot. Four kinds of microwave heating with intermittent variation were examined. The numerical results show that different microwave heating patterns can affect the fluidized bed drying significantly. Changing the microwave input pattern from uniform to intermittent mode can prevent material from overheating under the same power density. Supplying more microwave energy at the beginning of drying can increase the utilization of microwave energy while keeping temperature low within the particle. For a particle diameter of 4mm, fluidization velocity of 2m/s, inlet airflow temperature of 70°C and the bed area factor of 80, the drying time are 750 and 1000s, respectively, for the two good operating conditions with on/off periods of 125/375s and 375/375s. The cumulative microwave energy absorbed by particles at the end of drying is 1415 and 2300 kJ/kg (dry basis), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clear cell sarcoma is a rare soft tissue neoplasm whose clinical behavior and outcome has not been previously characterized. This study reviewed the clinical characteristics and outcome of all children with clear cell sarcoma of the soft tissues who were treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital from March 1962 through August 1998. Of 225 children with nonrhabdomyosarcomatous soft tissue sarcomas, 5 (2.2%) were diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma. Median age at diagnosis was 15 years 3 months. Primary sites included the extremities (n = 3), chest wall (n = 1), and abdomen (n = 1). At diagnosis 3 patients had localized disease. Following surgical resection (n = 3), radiotherapy (n = 2), and chemotherapy (n = 1) all three survive disease-free 10, 11, and 90 months after diagnosis, respectively. The remaining two patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis died 21 days and 9 months after diagnosis. Clear cell sarcoma of the soft tissues is rare in pediatrics. Complete surgical resection with negative margins is the most effective treatment for this disease. Patients with metastatic disease are candidates for multiinstitutional chemotherapy trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three survivors of retinoblastoma, one with hereditary bilateral and two with nonhereditary (spontaneous) unilateral disease, developed multifocal osteosarcoma. For one patient, unilateral retinoblastoma was followed by primitive neuroepithelioma at age 13 years. Multifocal chondroblastic osteosarcoma represented the patient's third malignant neoplasm. The course of multifocal osteosarcoma in these three patients compares to that of multifocal osteosarcoma which presents de novo in other patients without prior retinoblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]