Purification of O-specific polysaccharide from lipopolysaccharide produced by Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A

Kothari, Sudeep,Kim, Jeong-Ah,Kothari, Neha,Jones, Christopher,Choe, Woo Seok,Carbis, Rodney Elsevier 2014 Vaccine Vol.32 No.21

The O specific polysaccharide (OSP) of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A is a protective antigen and the target for vaccine development. LPS is the major constituent of the outer membrane of S. Paratyphi A with the OSP exposed on the surface, in addition to the cell associated LPS a large amount of free LPS was present in the fermentation broth. A purification method was developed to take advantage of both sources of LPS and to maximize recovery of OSP. After fermentation the bacterial cells were concentrated and washed, the permeate containing the free LPS was processed separately from the cells. The free LPS was concentrated and washed on a 100 kD ultrafiltration membrane to remove low molecular weight impurities. The LPS was then detoxified by separation of the lipid A from the OSP using acid hydrolysis at 100 degrees C, the precipitated lipid A was removed by 0.2 mu m membrane filtration. Contaminants were then removed by acid precipitation in the presence of sodium deoxycholate. The OSP was concentrated and washed with 1 M NaCl then water using a 10 kD ultrafiltration membrane then sterile filtered through a 0.2 mu m membrane filter. The cells were treated by acid hydrolysis at 100 degrees C, the remaining cells, cell debris and precipitate was removed by centrifugation. The filtrate was then treated in the same way as described above for the free LPS. The combined yield of purified OSP from free LPS plus the cells was greater than 880 mg/L of culture broth. The method developed yields large amounts of OSP, is scalable and compatible with cGMP so would be readily transferrable to developing country vaccine manufacturers for low cost production of vaccine against S. Paratyphi A. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of rapidly consolidated γ-TiAl

Kothari, Kunal,Radhakrishnan, Ramachandran,Sudarshan, Tirumalai S.,Wereley, Norman M. Techno-Press 2012 Advances in materials research Vol.1 No.1

A powder metallurgy-based rapid consolidation technique, Plasma Pressure Compaction ($P^2C^{(R)}$), was utilized to produce near-net shape parts of gamma titanium aluminides (${\gamma}$-TiAl). Micron-sized ${\gamma}$-TiAl powders, composed of Ti-50%Al and Ti-48%Al-2%Cr-2%Nb (at%), were rapidly consolidated to form near-net shape ${\gamma}$-TiAl parts in the form of 1.0" (25.4 mm) diameter discs, as well as $3"{\times}2.25"$ ($76.2mm{\times}57.2mm$) tiles, having a thickness of 0.25" (6.35 mm). The ${\gamma}$-TiAl parts were consolidated to near theoretical density. The microstructural morphology of the consolidated parts was found to vary with consolidation conditions. Mechanical properties exhibited a strong dependence on microstructural morphology and grain size. Because of the rapid consolidation process used here, grain growth during consolidation was minimal, which in turn led to enhanced mechanical properties. Consolidated ${\gamma}$-TiAl samples corresponding to Ti-48%Al-2%Cr-2%Nb composition with a duplex microstructure (with an average grain size of $5{\mu}m$) exhibited superior mechanical properties. Flexural strength, ductility, elastic modulus and fracture toughness for these samples were as high as 1238 MPa, 2.3%, 154.58 GPa and 17.95 MPa $m^{1/2}$, respectively. The high temperature mechanical properties of the consolidated ${\gamma}$-TiAl samples were characterized in air and vacuum and were found to retain flexural strength and elastic modulus for temperatures up to $700^{\circ}C$. At high temperatures, the flexural strength of ${\gamma}$-TiAl samples with Ti-50%Al composition deteriorated in air by 10% as compared to that in vacuum. ${\gamma}$-TiAl samples with Ti-48%Al-2%Nb-2%Cr composition exhibited better if not equal flexural strength in air than in vacuum at high temperatures.

Improved astaxanthin production by Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous SK984 with oak leaf extract and inorganic phosphate supplementation

KOTHARI DAMINI,이준형,천정환,서건호,김수기 한국식품과학회 2019 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.28 No.4

Astaxanthin is widely used in food, feed andnutraceutical industries. Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhousis one of the most promising natural sources of astaxanthin. However, the astaxanthin yield in the wild-type X. dendrorhousis considered low for industrial application. In thepresent study, X. dendrorhous ATCC 66272 was subjectedto two-staged mutagenesis: (i) UV light and (ii) N-methyl-N0-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine (NTG) toward attaininghigher astaxanthin yield. The UV-irradiation mutant, X. dendrorhous SK974 showed 1.7-fold (1.07 mg/g) higherastaxanthin production as compared with the wild-typestrain (0.65 mg/g). The UV mutant strain was then treatedwith NTG, designated as X. dendrorhous SK984, displayedfurther 1.4-fold (1.45 mg/g) higher astaxanthin production. Furthermore, the oak leaf extract (5%, v/v) and inorganicphosphate (KH2PO4, 3 mM) supplementation resultedabout 1.4-fold (1.98 mg/g) higher astaxanthin productionas compared with control (1.45 mg/g) in X. dendrorhousSK984. These findings serve as a platform suggesting thatintersecting approaches might be aimed toward systematicallyenhanced astaxanthin production.

Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery in Adulthood: Challenges and Outcomes

Jignesh Kothari,Ketav Lakhia,Parth Solanki,Divyakant Parmar,Hiren Boraniya,Sanjay Patel 대한흉부외과학회 2016 Journal of Chest Surgery (J Chest Surg) Vol.49 No.5

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is an extremely rare, potentially fatal, congenital anomaly with a high mortality rate in the first year of life. It occurs rarely in ad ulthood and may a ppear with m alignant v entricular a rrhythmia or s ud d e n d eath. W e report a c ase of a 49-year-old woman with ALCAPA who presented with dyspnea on exertion. Management was coronary artery bypass grafting to the left anterior descending artery and obtuse marginal arteries, closure of the left main coronary artery ostium, and reestablishment of the dual coronary artery system.

Effectiveness of thaumaturgic distraction in alleviation of anxiety in 4-6-year-old children during inferior alveolar nerve block administration: a randomized controlled trial

Payal Kothari,Aditi Mathur,Rashmi Singh Chauhan,Meenakshi Nankar,Sunnypriyatham Tirupathi,Ashrita Suvarna The Korean Dental Society of Anesthsiology 2023 Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Vol.23 No.3

Background: Dental anxiety is a matter of serious concern to pediatric dentists as it may impede the efficient delivery of dental care. If not adequately resolved, a persistent negative response pattern may emerge. Thaumaturgy, commonly known as magic trick, has become popular recently. It is a tool that distracts and relaxes the child by using magic trick while the dentist performs necessary treatment. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Thaumaturgic aid in alleviation of anxiety in 4-6 - year-old children during administration of local anesthesia using the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) technique. Methods: Thirty children aged between 4-6 years with dental anxiety requiring IANB were included in this study. Patients were divided equally into two groups: Group I, thaumaturgic aid group and Group II, conventional non-pharmacological group using randomization. Anxiety was measured before and after using the intervention with Raghavendra Madhuri Sujata-Pictorial scale (RMS-PS), Venham's anxiety rating scale, and pulse rate. All the data were tabulated and compared using statistical analysis. Results: Children in thaumaturgy group (Group- I) exhibited significantly lower anxiety during IANB in comparison with children in the conventional group (Group- II) and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Magic tricks are effective in reducing anxiety among young children during IANB; Moreover, it expands the arsenal of behavior guidance techniques for treatment of children with anxiety and plays an important role in shaping the behavior of a child in pediatric dentistry.

Short to Mid-Term Term Surgical Outcome Study with Posterior Only Approach on Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis in an Elderly Population

Manish Kothari,Kunal Shah,Agnivesh Tikoo,Abhay Nene 대한척추외과학회 2016 Asian Spine Journal Vol.10 No.2

Study Design: Retrospective study. Purpose: To study short to mid-term outcome of surgically managed elderly patients of tuberculous spondylodiscitis with posterior only approach in terms of decision making and challenges in treatment, choice of implants and outcomes. Overview of Literature: Tuberculous spondylodiscitis in the elderly is increasing due to longer survival rates. It presents with varied clinical manifestations needing surgical management. Management in tuberculous spondylodiscitis has been scarcely reported in the elderly, with a paucity of data on the choice of implants and approach. Methods: Sixteen patients (five males, 11 females) older than 70-years-of-age culture and/or histopathology proven tuberculous spondylodiscitis were included in the study. All patients were operated using a single posterior approach. Pedicle screw with rods (PS/ rods) or spinal loop with sublaminar wires (SL/SLW) were used for fixation. Clinical and surgical details were recorded. Sagittal correction achieved postoperatively and loss of correction at follow-up were noted. Results: The mean age was 73.6 years (range, 70 to 80 years). The mean follow up was 44.5 months (range, 24 to 84 months). The mean immediate postoperative correction of sagittal deformity was 11.3 degrees; this correction was lost by a mean of 3.1 degrees at last follow-up. All 10 patients with deficit showed neurological recovery and all but one of the seven non-walkers were capable of independent ambulation at follow-up. Patients with SL/SLW and PS/rods had similar radiological outcome at final follow up. Conclusions: Operative management gives satisfactory results in elderly patients with tuberculous spondylodiscitis. The posterior approach provides adequate exposure for decompression and rigid fixation, providing satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes. SSL/SLW and pedicle screw rod construct both give similar radiological results if used appropriately in patients.

Saffron ( Crocus sativus L.): gold of the spices—a comprehensive review

Deepak Kothari,Rajesh Thakur,Rakesh Kumar 한국원예학회 2021 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.62 No.5

Saffron ( Crocus sativus L.) is a monocotyledonous herbaceous triploid plant that produces the most expensive spice in theworld. Its main constituents, crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal, are responsible for color, taste, and aroma, respectively. Thesaff ron plant produces a red-colored spice that is important in pharmaceutics, cosmetics, perfumery, and textile dye-producingindustries. Iran produces almost 90% of the total world production. The saff ron market is expected to grow by 12.09% inthe forecast period 2020 to 2027. This paper reviews the current knowledge about the taxonomy, geographical distribution,reproductive biology, chemical composition, therapeutic and traditional uses, and agro-technology of the world’s mostexpensive spice crop, saff ron.

Modeling of the Manifold Configuration for Maximum Efficiency in a Hydraulic Machine

Kesar M Kothari,R.Udayakumar,Ram Karthikeyan,Vishweshwar S,Nikitha Raj 한국유체기계학회 2020 International journal of fluid machinery and syste Vol.13 No.1

Hydraulic manifolds are metal cuboids machined to realize the compact circuit layout within them. They are introduced in the hydraulic machines to fit the large and complex hydraulic system layouts in narrow spaces available in the machines. Therefore, designing of the manifold in fact is more oriented towards achieving minimum size and weight. But the use of manifold, may introduce high pressure losses in the system. Efficiency of the system decreases and temperature of the fluid increases with pressure drop. This present research work focuses on understanding the pressure losses in the most common channel connections used in the manifold to realize the hydraulic circuit and to understand the efficiency of the manifold at different flow values. To achieve these objectives, a real-time case study is considered, where a manifold for a cable pulling winch machine is modified to reduce the pressure drop and increase the efficiency of the machine. Simple channel models are considered and analyzed using semi empirical equations available in the literature and are compared with results obtained from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. Various geometric bend models are drafted in Solid Works and then exported to do the CFD software to obtain the pressure drop with different flows. The values obtained from CFD and the characteristic of the valves from the manufacturer’s catalogue are used to create the manifold in Matlab Simulink to predict the performance of the manifold at different flows. Therefore, with these results, the overall hydraulic efficiency of the winch is determined.

Surgical Management in Elderly Patients with Tuberculous Spondylodiscitis: Ten Year Mortality Audit Study

Manish Kundanmal Kothari,Kunal Chandrakant Shah,Agnivesh Tikoo,Abhay Madhusudan Nene 대한척추외과학회 2016 Asian Spine Journal Vol.10 No.5

Study Design: Retrospective study. Purpose: To evaluate the factors affecting immediate postoperative mortality in elderly patients with tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Overview of Literature: Treatment of spinal tuberculosis in the elderly involves consideration of age and co-morbidities, and often leads to an extended conservative management. Surgical intervention in these patients becomes a complex decision. There are no studies on risk factors of mortality in surgically treated elderly with tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Methods: Two hundred and seventy-six patients with spondylodiscitis were operated between 2005 and 2015. 20 consecutive patients over 70 years of age with and proven tuberculosis who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included. Demographic, clinical and radiological profile data with operative details of instrumentation, blood loss, surgical duration, and mortality were noted. There were 20 patients (6 males, 14 females) with a mean age of 73.5 years. The patients were divided into those with mortality (M) and those who survived (non-mortality, NM). Various variables were statistically tested for immediate postoperative medical complications and mortality. Results: There were four mortalities (20%). Age, sex, number of medical co-morbidities, American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade, Frankel grade C or worse, number of vertebrae involved, number of levels fused, blood loss and operative time did not have statistically significant impact on immediate postoperative mortality. Only preoperative immobility duration was statistically higher in the M group (p =0.016) than in the NM group. Conclusions: Preoperative immobility is associated with immediate postoperative mortality in elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis undergoing surgery. The findings identify preoperative immobility as a risk factor for mortality, which could contribute to a more detailed prognostic discussion between surgeon and patient before surgery.

The C2 Pedicle Width, Pars Length, and Laminar Thickness in Concurrent Ipsilateral Ponticulus Posticus and High-Riding Vertebral Artery: A Radiological Computed Tomography Scan-Based Study

Manish Kundanmal Kothari,Samir Surendranath Dalvie,Santosh Gupta,Agnivesh Tikoo,Deepak Kumar Singh 대한척추외과학회 2019 Asian Spine Journal Vol.13 No.2

Study Design: Retrospective radiological study. Purpose: We aimed to determine the prevalence of ponticulus posticus (PP) and high-riding vertebral artery (HRVA) occurring simultaneously on the same side (PP+HRVA) and in cases of PP+HRVA, to assess C2 radio-anatomical measurements for C2 pars length, pedicle width, and laminar thickness. Overview of Literature: PP and HRVA predispose individuals to vertebral artery injuries during atlantoaxial fixation. In cases of PP+HRVA, the construct options thus become limited. Methods: Consecutive computed tomography scans (n=210) were reviewed for PP and HRVA (defined as an internal height of <2 mm and an isthmus height of <5 mm). In scans with PP+HRVA, we measured the ipsilateral pedicle width, pars length, and laminar thickness and compared them with controls (those without PP or HRVA). Results: PP was present in 14.76% and HRVA in 20% of scans. Of the 420 sides in 210 scans, PP+HRVA was present on 13 sides (seven right and six left). In scans with PP+HRVA, the C2 pars length was shorter compared with controls (13.69 mm in PP+HRVA vs. 20.65 mm in controls, p<0.001). The mean C2 pedicle width was 2.53 mm in scans with PP+HRVA vs. 5.83 mm in controls (p<0.001). The mean laminar thickness was 4.92 and 5.48 mm in scans with PP+HRVA and controls, respectively (p=0.209). Conclusions: The prevalence of PP+HRVA was approximately 3% in the present study. Our data suggest that, in such situations, C2 pedicle width and pars length create important safety limitations for a proposed screw, whereas the translaminar thickness appears safe for a proposed screw.