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An ever-growing call to contain pollution has led to the search for alternate sources of sustainable industrial raw materials. Recently, biodegradable waste materials have been sought after as a potential alternative. The waste from packaging materials is of great concern as it is nondegradable. Synthetic plastics made with different kinds of polymers such as Expanded polystyrene (EPS), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET, are primarily used for packaging materials. These synthetic polymers being lightweight, strong, and economical, find use in equipment protection, civil construction, food packaging and other packages, etc. However, after use, these packaging materials are discarded. And since they are not completely degradable, they accumulate and contaminate the natural ecosystem. Therefore, it is imperative to seek eco-friendly options. Biodegradable materials developed using macrofungi have shown their ability to convert agricultural wastes into biodegradable packaging materials. Mushroom mycelia thus appear to be promising in creating new packaging materials, which are environmentally friendly and economical. Hence, this chapter attempts to compile some of the recent technological advances made in creating packaging materials using mushrooms for a sustainable future.

Microbial pigments are colored secondary metabolites produced by various kinds of microorganisms. These pigments vary in color from red, green, to yellow, etc. They typify the organism by giving it the color, help in photosynthesis, and play vital roles in pathogenicity. Some of the more important microbial pigments are carotenoids, flavonoids (anthocyanins), and some tetrapyrroles (chlorophylls, phycobiliproteins). They are majorly found in various species of bacteria and fungi. In the recent past, these pigments have been found to be useful beyond their inherent biological relevance. Due to the growing need for natural colorants and dyes in various industries, these microbial pigments are being extensively sought after; in particular, in the food industry as food colorants, in the textile industry as natural dyes, in the medical industry as anticancerous compounds and immunosuppressants, etc. Here, in this chapter, we have outlined what microbial pigments are, their types, their characteristic occurrences along with their multifaceted commercial application. Factors that improve the production of these pigments and the methods adopted for their extraction are also discussed in this chapter. The need for an eco-friendly, but sustainable industry demands that we substitute synthetic coloring agents with these biological pigments.

Almost all of Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) hits come from non-coding DNA elements. Data from chromatin interaction analyses suggest a long-range interaction with a putative enhancer upstream of TNFAIP3. Disrupting the enhancer may impair TNFAIP3 expression and enhance SLE risk. Two variants, rs10499197 and rs58905141 carried on the SLE risk haplotype are situated near this enhancer and could affect its function. Cloning the regulatory region surrounding rs10499197 into an expression plasmid containing a CRISPR-Cas9 backbone, and then performing a genome editing assay, we found that the variant is located near an enhancer. And any changes to the SNP region might impair enhancer and its ability to regulate TNFAIP3 expression.

Background Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) greatly affects cancer staging and resectability. Objective To compare the PC detection rate by using EUS and noninvasive imaging and to determine the impact on staging and resectability. Design Retrospective study. Setting Single tertiary-care referral center. Patients A prospectively maintained EUS database was reviewed to identify patients who underwent EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) of a peritoneal anomaly. Findings were compared with a strict criterion standard that incorporated cytohistologic, radiologic, and clinical data. Intervention EUS-FNA of a peritoneal anomaly. Main Outcome Measurements Safety and diagnostic yield. Results Of 106 patients, a criterion standard was available in 98 (39 female patients; median age, 65 years). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA versus CT/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was 91% versus 28%, 100% versus 85%, and 94% versus 47%, respectively. In newly diagnosed cancer patients, peritoneal FNA upstaged 17 patients (23.6%). Of 32 patients deemed resectable by pre-EUS CT/MRI, 15 (46.9%) were deemed unresectable based solely on peritoneal FNA. The odds of FNA changing the resectability status remained highly significant after adjustment for cancer type, time between CT/MRI and EUS-FNA, and the quality of CT/MRI. The malignant appearance of the peritoneal anomaly but not the presence of ascites on EUS predicted a positive FNA finding (odds ratio 2.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-5.4 and odds ratio 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-1.8, respectively). There were 3 adverse events among 4 patients. Two of the patients developed abdominal pain and one each hypertensive urgency and pancreatitis. Limitations Retrospective design, single-center, bias toward EUS as a diagnostic test. Conclusion Peritoneal EUS-FNA appears to safely detect radiographically occult PC and improve cancer staging and patient care.

New therapies are being developed for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These advances are based on understanding pathophysiology or the development of medications with greater selectivity in classes of agents with known efficacy. Prucalopride, the newest European Medicines Agency-approved 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 4 (5-HT(4)) agonist, is effective in the treatment of chronic constipation with improved cardiovascular safety relative to older 5-HT(4) drugs; similarly, ramosetron, the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3 (5-HT(3)) antagonist, appears efficacious in diarrhea-predominant IBS. Secretagogues with different mechanisms of action target apical domains in enterocytes that are involved in chloride secretion, such as chloride channels, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, and guanylate cyclase C. As a class, such secretagogues have high efficacy and safety for constipation. With more data obtained from phase 2 and 3 trials, we expect other classes of medications, including bile acid modulators, anti-inflammatory agents, visceral analgesics, and newer centrally acting agents to be efficacious and enter the armamentarium for the treatment of IBS in the future.

Mesenteric panniculitis (also known as sclerosing mesenteritis) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the mesenteric connective tissue. It is known to have a wide spectrum of clinical and radiological presentations. In general, biopsy is recommended for diagnosis; however, a recent study proposed that a negative positron emission tomography- computerized tomography (PET-CT) scan is accurate in differentiating benign and neoplastic mesenteric processes [Br J Radiol 2006;79:37-43]. The following case report questions the accuracy of PET-CT in this setting and confirms the requirement for biopsy to rule out the presence of mesenteric lymphoma.

Competency development of employees in large organizations has become very important in current times of extremely volatile business environment. In order to consistently provide its customers and clients the best business solutions, employees of an organization have to be the best in their competencies. A competent team of employees is the foundation of any successful organization. A company will disentangle and fail without employees who perform at high level every day. Hence, a focused approach is the need of the day for competency development of employees covering various aspects of technical, domain, process, project management and soft skills. All skill enablement programs require a structured courseware which may help the employees to learn a given competency in a focused and planned manner. In this paper, we discuss about the importance of courseware design and development during competency development of employees. A series of challenges are argued in this regard followed by a suggested DDQ framework for courseware design and development. Towards the end, we discuss benefits and advantages of this framework for various stake holders involved during the whole exercise.

The glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analog ROSE-010 reduced pain during acute exacerbations of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Our objective was to assess effects of ROSE-010 on several gastrointestinal (GI) motor and bowel functions in constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C). In a single-center, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response study, we evaluated safety, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics in female patients with IBS-C. ROSE-010 (30, 100, or 300 μg sc) or matching placebo was administered once daily for 3 consecutive days and on 1 day 2–10 days later. We measured GI and colonic transit by validated scintigraphy and gastric volumes by single-photon emission computed tomography. The primary end points were half time of gastric emptying of solids, colonic transit geometric center at 24 h, and gastric accommodation volume. Analysis included intent-to-treat principle, analysis of covariance (with body mass index as covariate), and Dunnett-Hsu test for multiple comparisons. Exposure to ROSE-010 was approximately dose-proportional across the dose range tested. Demographic data in four treatment groups of female IBS-C patients (total 46) were not different. Gastric emptying was significantly retarded by 100 and 300 μg of ROSE-010. There were no significant effects of ROSE-010 on gastric volumes, small bowel or colonic transit at 24 h, or bowel functions. The 30- and 100-μg doses accelerated colonic transit at 48 h. Adverse effects were nausea ( P < 0.001 vs. placebo) and vomiting ( P = 0.008 vs. placebo). Laboratory safety results were not clinically significant. In IBS-C, ROSE-010 delayed gastric emptying of solids but did not retard colonic transit or alter gastric accommodation; the accelerated colonic transit at 48 h with 30 and 100 μg of ROSE-010 suggests potential for relief of constipation in IBS-C.

Mucosal barrier dysfunction contributes to gastrointestinal diseases. Our aims were to validate urine sugar excretion as an in vivo test of small bowel (SB) and colonic permeability and to compare permeability in patients with irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea (IBS-D) to positive and negative controls. Oral lactulose (L) and mannitol (M) were administered with 99mTc-oral solution, 111In-oral delayed-release capsule, or directly into the ascending colon (only in healthy controls). We compared L and M excretion in urine collections at specific times in 12 patients with IBS-D, 12 healthy controls, and 10 patients with inactive or treated ulcerative or microscopic colitis (UC/MC). Sugars were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Primary endpoints were cumulative 0–2-h, 2–8-h, and 8–24-h urinary sugars. Radioisotopes in the colon at 2 h and 8 h were measured by scintigraphy. Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests were used to assess the overall and pairwise associations, respectively, between group and urinary sugars. The liquid in the colon at 2 h and 8 h was as follows: health, 62 ± 9% and 89 ± 3%; IBS-D, 56 ± 11% and 90 ± 3%; and UC/MC, 35 ± 8% and 78 ± 6%, respectively. Liquid formulation was associated with higher M excretion compared with capsule formulation at 0–2 h (health P = 0.049; IBS-D P < 0.001) but not during 8–24 h. UC/MC was associated with increased urine L and M excretion compared with health (but not to IBS-D) at 8–24 h, not at 0–2 h. There were significant differences between IBS-D and health in urine M excretion at 0–2 h and 2–8 h and L excretion at 8–24 h. Urine sugars at 0–2 h and 8–24 h reflect SB and colonic permeability, respectively. IBS-D is associated with increased SB and colonic mucosal permeability.

Background & Aims Bile acid (BA) malabsorption of moderate severity is reported in 32% of patients with chronic unexplained diarrhea, including diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). We hypothesized that variants of genes regulating hepatic BA synthesis play a role in IBS-D. Methods In 435 IBS and 279 healthy subjects, we tested individual associations of 15 common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 7 genes critical to BA homeostasis with symptom-based subgroups using dominant genetic models. In a subset of 238 participants, we tested association with colonic transit. SNP-SNP interactions were investigated based on known protein interactions in BA homeostasis. The function of SNP rs17618244 in Klothoβ ( KLB ) was evaluated using a protein stability assay in HEK293 cells. Results SNP rs17618244 (Arg728Gln in KLB) is associated with colonic transit at 24 hours. G allele (Arg728) compared with A allele (Gln728) is associated with accelerated colonic transit ( P = .0007) in the overall cohort; this association was restricted to IBS-D ( P = .0018). Interaction tests of KLB rs17618244 with 3 nonsynonymous SNPs of fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) revealed that rs1966265 (Val10Ile) and rs351855 (Gly388Arg) modulate rs1768244's association with colonic transit in IBS-D ( P = .0025 and P = .0023, respectively). KLB Arg728 significantly reduced protein stability compared with KLB Gln728, demonstrating KLB rs17618244's functional significance. No significant associations with symptom-based subgroups of IBS were detected. Conclusions A functional KLB gene variant mediating protein stability associates with colonic transit in IBS-D. This association is modulated by 2 genetic variants in FGFR4 . The FGF19-FGFR4-KLB pathway links regulation of BA synthesis to colonic transit in IBS-D.

Background & Aims Sodium chenodeoxycholate (CDC) accelerates colonic transit in health. Our aim was to examine pharmacodynamics (colonic transit, bowel function) and pharmacogenetics of CDC in constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). Methods In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, 36 female patients with IBS-C were randomized to treatment with delayed-release oral formulations of placebo, 500 mg CDC, or 1000 mg CDC for 4 days. We assessed gastrointestinal and colonic transit, stool characteristics, and associations of transit with fasting serum 7αC4 (surrogate of bile acid synthesis) and FGF19 (negative regulator of bile acid synthesis) levels. Candidate genetic polymorphisms involved in regulation of bile acid synthesis were analyzed in the 36 patients with IBS-C and 57 healthy volunteers to assess genetic influence on effects of CDC on transit. Results Overall colonic transit and ascending colon emptying (AC t ½ ) were significantly accelerated in the CDC group compared with placebo ( P = .005 and P = .028, respectively). Looser stool consistency ( P = .003), increased stool frequency ( P = .018), and greater ease of passage ( P = .024) were noted with CDC compared with placebo. The most common side effect was lower abdominal cramping/pain ( P = .01). Fasting serum 7αC4 (but not FGF19) was positively associated with colonic transit ( r s = 0.749, P = .003, placebo group). Genetic variation in FGFR4 was associated with AC t ½ in response to CDC (uncorrected P = .015); αKlothoβ variant showed a gene-by-treatment interaction based on patient subgroup (uncorrected P = .0088). Conclusions CDC accelerates colonic transit and improves bowel function in female patients with IBS-C. The rate of bile acid synthesis influences colonic transit. Genetic variation in negative feedback inhibition of bile acid synthesis may affect CDC-mediated acceleration of colonic transit.

evaluation) were assessed in patients who were judged as hypovascular in CECT. Results: All patients with SPNs and 11 patients with NENs were diagnosed as hypovascular based on the definition of weak contrast effect of tumors compared with surrounding parenchyma in arterial phase. When we diagnosed hypovascular in CECT as SPNs, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 100%, 69%, 77%, respectively. Seven of 11 patients with SPNs and 2 of 11 patients with NENs had a rapidly falling off appearance in echo intensity within one minute, and when we diagnosed a rapidly falling off appearance as SPNs, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 63%, 82%, 73%, respectively. All patients with SPNs depicted a focally colored-signal type and 7 of 11 patients with NENs were a diffusely colored-signal type, and when we diagnosed a focally colored-signal type as SPNs, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 100%, 64%, and 82%, respectively. The TIC-based quantitative analysis revealed an only echo intensity velocity ratio of elevation as a significantly different parameter between SPNs and NENs. When we diagnosed echo intensity velocity ratio of elevation!1.294 as SPNs, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 89%, 80%, 84%, respectively. Combination of these three findings of CE-EUS enabled sensitivity, specificity and accuracy to rise up to 100%, 82%, 90%, respectively. Conclusions: CEEUS was useful in the differential diagnosis between SPNs and NENs providing novel vascular information.

Field evaluation of several fungicides including new molecules was undertaken for the management of purple blotch disease of onion caused by Alternaria porri(Ellis) Cif. The experiments were conducted during kharif of 2012 and 2013 using susceptible variety Arka Nikethan. Cymoxanil 8% + Mancozeb 64% WP @ 2500 ppm and Mancozeb 70% WP @ 2500 ppm were effective in reducing the disease severity by 54.86 and 52.88% over untreated control. However, Mancozeb 70% WP and Cymoxanil 8% + Mancozeb 64% WP recorded the maximum yield of 39.71 and 37.06 t/ha and obtained benefit cost ratio of 33.85 and 20.67. Thus these two fungicides can be recommended for the effective and economical management of the disease.

A 39-year-old woman with a previous diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome presented with progressively worsening episodes of marked abdominal distension and difficulties with defecation. She had a long history of constipation and had tried a variety of laxatives with an unsatisfactory response. Recent colonoscopy was unremarkable. Physical exam revealed a protuberant abdomen with tympany and high-pitched bowel sounds. Inspection of the anus …

Background: A significant proportion of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suffer from psychological co-morbidities, i.e. depression. Recently, we identified 16 interferon (IFN)-responsive genes (ISGs) that were associated with IFN-α induced depression during therapy of chronic HCV infection as well as with severe endogenous depressive episodes. Based upon data that a large proportion of patients with chronic bowel disorders suffer from depressive disorders, we aimed to investigate, whether these “depression ISGs” may play a role in patients with IBS and IBD. Methods: 11 consecutive IBS (all constipation predominant) and 12 IBD patients (7 ulcerative colitis, 5 Crohn's disease) as well as 14 healthy controls were included. Basal expression of ISGs and the internal expression of IFN-α, -β, and -γ was analyzed in whole blood (PAXgene blood RNA tubes) using quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, PBMC were isolated from each patient by density gradient centrifugation and were stimulated In Vitro with IFN-α (0, 100, and 1000 IU/ mL for 16h). The upregulation of ISGs was analyzed by real-time PCR. HRQOL (SF-36, physical [PCS] and mental component score [MCS]) and affective disorders (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were also assessed. Results: We found highly significant differences in the basal expression of 11 out of 14 tested ISGs (p

Background: A3309 modulates the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids (BA) by inhibiting the intestinal bile acid transporter (IBAT). This will result in an increased concentration of BA in the colon. The synthesis of bile acids in the liver can be measured indirectly by plasma concentrations of the intermediate 7-α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4). Methods: In Vitro part: A3309 potency was tested in transfected HEK293 cells. The cells expressing the various BA transporters were grown in Cytostar 96 w Scintillation Proximity Assay plates and the effect of increasing concentrations of A3309 on accumulation of 30 μM of radiolabelled glycocholic acid was monitored. In Vivo part: In dogs, constipation was induced by shifting the standard diet to ground beef dosed once daily until the faeces weight was