Anthropomorphizing or humanizing food is a common marketing practice that has gained significant scholarly attention in the past few years. The present systematic review analyzes articles that ...examined the effects of anthropomorphizing various food and food ingredients on consumers' behavior to synthesize the existing body of work into an integrative framework, provide managerial recommendations, and identify avenues for future research. Using the Prisma 2020 statement for systematic reviews, a systematic search of four databases (EBSCO, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science) for peer-reviewed, quantitative articles published in English till the March 10, 2023 was undertaken, resulting in a final number of 21 articles meeting our selection criteria. The identified articles studied anthropomorphism of one of the three categories of food – regular food, misshapen/irregularly-shaped food, and meat animal. Analysis based on an integrative framework suggests that, in general, anthropomorphizing misshapen produce and regular food has a positive effect on behavior towards the food (e.g., purchase intention) and the restaurant/brand (e.g., restaurant visit intention) among adult consumers through elicitation of cognitive and affective responses. However, anthropomorphizing meat animals reduces consumers’ intention to buy or eat meat by evoking negative emotions such as guilt. Similarly, anthropomorphizing regular food discourages consumption among children. The framework highlights several moderating variables of these effects. Based on the insights from this literature review, several recommendations for practitioners and researchers are suggested.
Although extant literature has studied consumers at the bottom of the pyramid (BoP) extensively, there seem to be some lacunae in terms of a deeper understanding of the cognitive peculiarities of ...low-income consumers owing to their resource-lean environments and childhood uncertainties. In this paper, we attempt to address this gap by focusing on poverty-induced idiosyncrasies in a set of vital cognitive processes called executive functions (EFs). Specifically, we exlore the possible impact of such anomalies in EFs on a BoP consumer's information processing abilities, decision-making processes, and consumption behaviors, through a series of propositions and a conceptual framework. The focus is on two core EFs, inhibition and working memory, which tend to make BoP consumers susceptible to persuasive messages, while lacking sufficient self-control, goal-directed behavior, analogy-processing and comparative evaluation abilities. We then present several managerial, policy and research implications of the study.
The delivery of plasmid DNA to the skin can target distinct subsets of dermal dendritic cells to confer a superior immune response. The needle-free immunization technology offers a reliable, safe and ...efficient means to administer intradermal (ID) injections. We report here that the ID injection of DNA vectors using an NF device (NF-ID) elicits a superior cell-mediated immune response, at much lesser DNA dosage, comparable in magnitude to the traditional intramuscular immunization. However, the humoral response is significantly impaired, possibly at the stage of B cell isotype switching. We found that the NF-ID administration deposits the DNA primarily on the epidermis resulting in a rapid loss of the DNA as well as the synthesized antigen due to the faster regeneration rate of the skin layers. Therefore, despite the immune-rich nature of the skin, the NF-ID immunization of DNA vectors may be limited by the impaired humoral response. Additional booster injections are required to augment the antibody response. As an alternative and a viable solution, we rescued the IgG response by coadministration of a Toll-like receptor 9 agonist, among other adjuvants examined. Our work has important implication for the optimization of the emerging needle-free technology for ID immunization.
Type 1-diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta (β)-cells. Genetic and environmental interactions play an important role in immune ...system malfunction by priming an aggressive adaptive immune response against β-cells. The microbes inhabiting the human intestine closely interact with the enteric mucosal immune system. Gut microbiota colonization and immune system maturation occur in parallel during early years of life; hence, perturbations in the gut microbiota can impair the functions of immune cells and vice-versa. Abnormal gut microbiota perturbations (dysbiosis) are often detected in T1D subjects, particularly those diagnosed as multiple-autoantibody-positive as a result of an aggressive and adverse immunoresponse. The pathogenesis of T1D involves activation of self-reactive T-cells, resulting in the destruction of β-cells by CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes. It is also becoming clear that gut microbes interact closely with T-cells. The amelioration of gut dysbiosis using specific probiotics and prebiotics has been found to be associated with decline in the autoimmune response (with diminished inflammation) and gut integrity (through increased expression of tight-junction proteins in the intestinal epithelium). This review discusses the potential interactions between gut microbiota and immune mechanisms that are involved in the progression of T1D and contemplates the potential effects and prospects of gut microbiota modulators, including probiotic and prebiotic interventions, in the amelioration of T1D pathology, in both human and animal models.
Background and Source: Laccase belongs to the blue multi-copper oxidases, which are widely distributed in fungi and higher plants. It is present in Ascomycetes, Deuteromycetes, and Basidiomycetes and ...found abundantly in white-rot fungi. Applications: Laccase enzymes because of their potential have acquired more importance and application in the area of textile, pulp and paper, and food industry. Recently, it is being used in developing biosensors for detection and removal of toxic pollutants, designing of biofuel cells and medical diagnostics tool. Laccase is also being used as a bioremediation agent as they have been found potent enough in cleaning up herbicides pesticides and certain explosives in soil. Because of having the ability to oxidize phenolic, non-phenolic lignin-related compounds and highly fractious environmental pollutants, laccases have drawn the attention of researchers in the last few decades. Commercially, laccases have been used to determine the difference between codeine and morphine, produce ethanol and are also being employed in de-lignify woody tissues. We have revised patents related to applicability of laccases. We have revised all the patents related to its wide applicability. Conclusion: For fulfillment of these wide applications, one of the major concerns is to develop a system for efficient production of these enzymes at a broad scale. Research in the field of laccases has been accelerated because of its wide diversity, utility, and enzymology. This paper deals with recent trends in implementation of the laccases in all practical possibilities with the help of optimizing various parameters and techniques which are responsible for mass production of the enzyme in industries.
Cellulose nanofibre (CNF) is a sustainable and nanostructured eco-friendly material. The high cost of CNF, on the other hand, limits its use in a variety of applications, which can be overcome by ...developing a suitable extraction technique and employing low-cost biomass. Therefore, the purpose of present study is to use Taguchi methodology to optimise various process parameters during bleaching process in order to get a higher crystallinity CNF from
I. cylindrica
. According to ANOVA, sodium chlorite had the greatest effect (48.08%) on CNF extraction, followed by temperature (24.53%), time (20.74%), and glacial acetic acid (6.65%). Between glacial acetic acid and time, the strongest interaction (SI 58.61%) was found. The sodium chlorite and time (SI 47.57%) had the second highest interaction, followed by sodium chlorite and temperature (SI 29.41%), sodium chlorite and glacial acetic acid (SI 21.66%), temperature and time (SI 19.1%), and glacial acetic acid and temperature (SI 16.15%). The S/N ratio of CNF was improved from 30.81 to 36.734. The Taguchi technique predicts the highest optimal yield using the sodium chlorite (10 g/mL), glacial acetic acid (20 mM), temperature (70 °C), and time (2 h) as parameters. The crystallinity index was evidently increased from 46.36 to 50.21 while raw biomass was pretreated. After additional alkali treatment, the crystallinity index was enhanced to 61.42. The crystallinity index of CNF was increased to 67.65 when bleaching conditions were optimised.
In recent years, production of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) from waste materials has achieved great interest owing to their renewable nature, biodegradability, high mechanical properties, economic ...value, and low density. Because Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a synthetic biopolymer with good water solubility and biocompatibility, the composite material formed of CNF and PVA, is a sustainable way of monetizing to address environmental and economic issues. In this work pure PVA, PVA/CNF0.5, PVA/CNF1.0, PVA/CNF1.5, and PVA/CNF2.0 nanocomposite films were produced using the solvent casting approach with the addition of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt% of CNF concentrations respectively. The strongest water absorption behaviour was found as 25.82% for pure PVA membrane, followed by PVA/CNF0.5 (20.71%), PVA/CNF1.0 (10.26%), PVA/CNF1.5 (9.63%), and PVA/CNF2.0 (4.35%). The water contact angle of 53.1°, 47.8°, 43.4°, 37.7°, and 32.3° was formed between water droplet and the solid-liquid interface of pure PVA, PVA/CNF0.5, PVA/CNF1.0, PVA/CNF1.5, PVA/CNF2.0 composite films respectively. The SEM image clearly shows that a network structure like a tree form at the PVA/CNF0.5 composite film, where the sizes and number of pores are apparent. XRD analysis suggested that unique peaks found at 2θ = 17.5°, 28.1°, 33.4°, and 38° for nanocomposites indicating new crystal plane generated upon cross-linking in presence of malic acid. The maximum loss rate temperature (Td,max) for PVA/CNF0.5, PVA/CNF1.0, PVA/CNF1.5 was determined by TG analysis to be around 273.4 °C. FTIR studies suggested that PVA/CNF0.5 composite film showed the highest peak at 1428 cm−1 as compared to other PVA/CNF composite films representing the presence of higher crystalline band in the composite film matrix. PVA/CNF0.5 composite film was found to have a surface porosity and mean pore size of 27.35% and 0.19 μm respectively, classifying it in the MF membrane category. The maximum tensile strength (TS) of 5.27 MPa was found for PVA/CNF0.5, followed by PVA/CNF1.0, PVA/CNF1.5, pure PVA, and PVA/CNF2.0. The maximum young's modulus (111 MPa) was found for PVA/CNF1.0, followed by PVA/CNF0.5, PVA/CNF2.0, PVA/CNF1.5, and pure PVA, which could be attributed to the cyclization of the molecular structures by cross-linking. PVA/CNF0.5 exhibits greater elongation at break (21.7) than the other polymers, indicating a material's ability to undergo significant deformation before failure. Performance evaluation of the PVA/CNF0.5 composite film showed that 46.3% and 92.8% yield were found in the retentate for 200 mg/L of BSA, and 5 × 107 CFU/mL respectively. However, more than 90% E. coli was retained by PVA/CNF0.5 composite film, therefore absolute rating of this membrane is 0.22 μm. The size of this composite film may be therefore considered in the range of MF.
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•Water absorption capacity of PVA/CNF0.5 was 20.71%.•Membrane has surface porosity of 27.35% and mean pore size of 0.19 μ.•46.3% of BSA and 92.8% E. coli found in the retentate in membrane.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, age-related neurodegenerative disorder that affects a large proportion of the older population. It currently lacks effective treatments, placing a heavy ...burden on patients, families, health care systems, and society. This is mainly due to our limited comprehension of the pathophysiology of AD progression, as well as the lack of effective drug targets and intervention timing to address the underlying pathology. AD is a multifactorial condition, and emerging evidence suggests that abnormalities in the gut microbiota play a significant role as environmental and multifaceted contributors to AD, although the exact mechanisms are yet to be fully explored. Changes in the composition of microbiota influence host neuronal health through their metabolites. These metabolites regulate intestinal epithelia, blood-brain barrier permeability, and neuroinflammation by affecting mitochondrial function. The decline in the proportion of beneficial microbes and their essential metabolites during aging and AD is directly linked to poor mitochondrial function, although the specific mechanisms remain unclear. In this review, we discuss recent developments in understanding the impact of the microbiome and its metabolites on various cell types, their influence on the integrity of the gut and blood-brain barriers, systemic and brain inflammation, and cell-specific effects in AD pathology. This information is expected to pave the way for a new understanding of the interactions between microbiota and mitochondria in AD, providing a foundation for the development of novel treatments for AD.
The current study aimed to assess and compare the bacteriological spectrum of acute and chronic dacryocystitis and the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance of the causative pathogens to commonly ...used antimicrobials. This was a prospective observational study. Cases of dacryocystitis were categorized as acute or chronic, based on clinical features. Specimens were obtained by sterile cotton swabs from the lower conjunctival fornix and from the puncta by applying pressure over the lacrimal sac area or by performing lacrimal syringing. Specimens were inoculated on appropriate culture media and incubated at 37ºC for 24-48 hours. Bacterial species were identified based on colony morphology and standard biochemical tests. Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing was assessed by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique using Mueller Hinton agar following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Out of 50 patients, 37 (74%) had chronic dacryocystitis and 13 (26%) had acute dacryocystitis. 35 bacterial species were recovered. Gram-positive organisms were the most isolated organisms i.e., 27 out of 35 (77.2%). In chronic dacryocystitis, the predominant bacterial species were Staphylococcus epidermidis (36%). In acute dacryocystitis, the predominant bacterial species were Staphylococcus aureus (40%). Against gram-positive organisms, Vancomycin and Linezolid were most effective (100%). Against gram-negative bacterial species, Amikacin was most effective (100%). High prevalence rate of antibiotic resistance was found, with 40% of the total bacterial species resistant to 5 or more antibiotics. The alarming rate of multi-drug resistance underscores the imperative need for tailored antibiotic strategies and continuous monitoring. Evidence based antibiotic therapy may also help to prevent failures of DCR, progression to chronicity and antibiotic resistance.
•Isolation, screening and characterization of a novel xylanase producing fungal strain.•Kinetic constants for extracellular xylanase.•Catalytic efficiency of extracellular xylanase.•Enzymatic ...hydrolysis of orange peel biomass.
In the present work, a potent xylanase producing fungal strain Aspergillus niger (KP874102.1) was isolated through cultural and morphological observations from soil sample of Baramura forest, Tripura west, India. 28S rDNA technique was applied for genomic identification of this fungal strain. The isolated strain was found to be phylogenetically closely related to Aspergillus niger. Kinetic constants such as Km and Vmax for extracellular xylanase were determined using various substrate such as beech wood xylan, oat spelt xylan and CM cellulose through Lineweaver–Burk plot. Km, Vmax and Kcat for beech wood xylan are found to be 2.89mg/ml, 2442U and 426178Umlmg−1 respectively. Crude enzyme did not show also CM cellulose activity. The relative efficiency of oat spelt xylan was found to be 0.819 with respect to beech wood xylan. After acid hydrolysis, enzyme was able to produce reducing sugar with 17.7, 35.5, 50.8 and 65% (w/w) from orange peel after 15, 30, 45 and 60min incubation with cellulase free xylanase and maximum reducing sugar formation rate was found to be 55.96μg/ml/min. Therefore, the Aspergillus niger (KP874102.1) is considered as a potential candidate for enzymatic hydrolysis of orange peel.
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