GENDER DIFFERENCE IN FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY AMONG PATIENT WITH NON-SPECIFIC CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN

Background of the Study: LBP is a common condition that can be specific or non-specific. Non-specific LBP, which has no known cause, is responsible for 90% of cases and causes pain in the back from the 12th rib to the inferior gluteal folds. Methodology: The study utilized a cross-sectional design in which both males and females completed the Oswestry low back questionnaire. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: 85 patients participated in the study with a mean age of 38±9.603. Pain levels varied among patients, with 23 reporting no pain, 29 with light pain, 23 with moderate pain, and 10 with pretty severe pain. Patients had varying degrees of self-care ability with 13 able to care for themselves without triggering pain and 4 requiring daily assistance. Most patients (75 out of 85) had minor disabilities, while 10 had moderate disabilities. The relationship between the ODI score and the question was found to be similar. Conclusion: The data suggest that individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain have only a limited impairment, and only a few suffer from moderate sickness that affects their social lives. Non-specific persistent low back pain is not connected with gender differences in functional impairment.

Biochemical, Functional and End-Use Perspectives of Modified Cereal Brans

Bran, an integral component of wholegrain has got importance for its multifarious functionalities in food. Bran is detached from cereals during roller-milling operations and considered as a byproduct of milling. This milling byproduct is mainly utilized for animal feed purposes but also gaining popularity for human foods. The major technical problems associated with use of bran in food applications is lack in malleability and pliability of the finished product. Modification is therefore offered as a corrective route to overcome these problems. The technical snags and quality related issues of the processed products have been abated to an extent by the use of modified brans in food processing. In the current ambiance of consumer awareness and health consciousness, the bran holds significant importance for food applications. In the present project, four cereals were under study i.e. wheat, barley, millet and sorghum. Bran was separated from cereal grains and was subjected to size reduction and enzymatic modification. By size reduction two sizes fine (1mm) and coarse (2mm) were produced. Enzymatic modification involved xylanases (E1) and cellulase (E2) @ 1U/ml in 10% bran suspension. The native and modified cereal brans were evaluated for the chemical and mineral profiles. BBN demonstrated highest ash (6.88%), E2BB highest fiber (9.87%) and CWB highest protein (20.50%). The minerals assessed in different cereal brans included Mg, Cu, Zn, Co, Mn and K. The highest values in mg/100g for minerals in different brans were observed as: Mg (239.25 in E1SB), Cu (1.41 in MBN), Zn (2.41 in FSB), Co (1.30 in FMB), Mn (2.90 in MBN) and K (1184.67 in E1WB). CMB demonstrated highest total dietary fiber (52.36%) and insoluble dietary fiber (46.75%), whereas E1BB showed highest soluble dietary fiber (13.83%). Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC) and total anthocyanins content (TAC) were determined spectrophotometrically and phenolic acids through HPLC. Total phenolic content was recorded highest in E1MB (0.304 mg GAE/g), TFC in CMB (210.86 μg/g). Total anthocyanins content was highest in E1SB (133.11 mg/Kg). Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH and FRAP assays. Antioxidant activities specified by DPPH and FRAP assay were found to be highest in CMB (89.51 % inhibition) and SBN (722.52 μMFeSO4/g) respectively. Anti-nutritional factors like condensed tannins and phytic acid were evaluated spectrophotometrically. Condensed tannins and phytic acid were observed in highest quantities in CSB (179.77 mg/100g) and E1BB (5.80 g/100g) respectively. The effect of modified bran incorporation in breads and cookies was evaluated through assessment of sensorial and textural attributes. E2WB, E1BB, E2MB and E2SB had good scores for overall acceptability of breads. Bread with FMB had good fiber and ash content and E1MB bread showed higher protein contents out of all types of breads. In the case of cookies, E1SB had highest overall acceptability. The monosaccharide composition of cereal brans, breads and cookies was assessed through UHPLC-QqQ-MS in DMRM mode. Total 14 monosaccharides were assessed in different bran samples. The monosaccharides principally detected in brans, breads and cookies included glucose, xylose and arabinose. Galactose and fructose were detected in minute quantities in some of the samples. Data from analyses were taken in triplicates and reported as means ± standard errors. Level of significance was assessed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) under completely randomized design (CRD) using two factor factorial.