The effects of amino acids on gut hormone release and appetite

Obesity is a major health concern and a public health burden. Current pharmacological treatments have limited efficacy and are associated with significant side effects. Diets and life style changes remain the most effective strategy for treatment of obesity, but are often difficult to adhere to. High protein diets are among the most satiating diets, associated with the greatest satiety and weight loss, and with better weight management. The exact mechanisms by which high protein diets exert their effects are unclear. However, evidence suggests that amino acids produced as a result of protein digestion may play a role in appetite regulation and satiety. Preliminary studies within our group demonstrated that specific amino acids can reduce food intake in rodents. The work carried out in this thesis examined the effect of the amino acids L-arginine and L-phenylalanine on appetite and explored the potential mechanisms by which these effects are mediated. In addition, the thesis investigated the effect of microencapsulation of these amino acids on their ability to suppress appetite. Oral gavage of L-arginine significantly reduced food intake in mice and rats. This effect was not associated with any abnormal behavioural side effects. L-arginine significantly stimulated GLP-1 and PYY release from a murine primary intestinal culture, and oral L-arginine also significantly elevated plasma GLP-1 and PYY in rats. However, the anorectic effect of L-arginine appears unlikely to be mediated by changes in these gut hormones. L-arginine significantly reduced food intake in GPRC6A knockout and wild-type mice, suggesting its anorectic effect is not mediated by GPRC6A. Oral gavage of L-phenylalanine significantly reduced food intake in mice and rats. Oral administration of L-phenylalanine also elevated circulating GLP-1 and PYY levels and suppressed plasma ghrelin levels in rats. Direct ileal administration of L-phenylalanine reduced food intake in rats, and this effect was blocked by a calcium sensing receptor antagonist. Chronic administration of L-phenylalanine also reduced food intake and body weight in diet-induced obese mice. Encapsulated L-arginine and L-phenylalanine reduced food intake in rats. Specific encapsulation processes appeared to delay the anorectic effect of these amino acids. However, there was no significant difference in the magnitude of response compared to the un-encapsulated forms. Encapsulation may be a viable approach to facilitate targeted delivery of the amino acids in the gastrointestinal tract, but further matrix optimization is required to improve the controlled release of the amino acids in the gut. These studies demonstrate the anorectic properties of L-arginine and L-phenylalanine, and contribute to the current understanding of amino acid sensing in the gut. Further studies are now required to determine the therapeutic potential of specific amino acids as novel treatments for obesity.Open Acces

Sejarah Pemikiran Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien dalam Syair Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei

Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa pertama, MSOAS diputrakan pada 3 Zulkaedah 1332 Hijrah bertepatan 23 September 1914 di Kampung Sultan Lama, Bandar Brunei. Baginda merupakan putra ketujuh daripada sepuluh orang adik beradik. Kehidupan baginda dari sejak kecil sebagai anak yatim dan baginda sendiri akui ‘tiada beribu bapa’. Dari semasa muda lagi baginda hidup sebagai rakyat biasa tanpa dibaluti dengan kemewahan materi. Tidak dinafikan, hal ini mempengaruhi keadaan hidup dan pemikiran baginda. Walaupun baginda pernah menjadi sultan yang memerintah Brunei, baginda pernah berkata ‘bukan seperti raja-raja yang lain’. Dengan arti kata lain baginda mengutamakan untuk menaik taraf hidup rakyat dan membangun negara dari kepentingan baginda sendiri. Kedua, kesultanan Brunei abad ke sembilan belas memiliki sistem politik dan struktur pentadbiran didasari oleh tiga institusi penting di peringkat kerajaan pusat yaitu institusi Perajaan, Wazir dan Menteri. Sementara di peringkat jajahan dikuasai oleh wakil-wakil kerajaan dan Menteri Darat yang dilantik. Ketiga, SPNB merupakan karya induk MSOAS yang menjadi asas bertolak dan pengisian perlembagaan yang digubal untuk Negara Brunei Darussalam. SPNB merupakan contoh nyata tentang keyakinan MSOAS untuk membawa pembaharuan, kemajuan dan pembangunan kepada masyarakat dan negara. Keempat, dalam jangka masa lima dekad sejak Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei 1959, Negara Brunei Darussalam telah banyak mencapai kemajuan dan mengecapi kehidupan berkualitas dalam arti taraf hidup yang tinggi. Kesedaran untuk mencapai kemerdekaan mula muncul sewaktu pemerintahaan MSOAS, dan bagindalah merupakan pelopor yang memperkenankan Rancangan Kemajuan Negara (RKN) lima tahun pada tahun 1955. Sejarah Pemikiran MSOAS dalam karyanya SPNB berimplikasi pada tujuan penyelenggaraan sesebuah negara hanya akan dapat benar-benar berdiri teguh tertakluk kepada wujudnya undang-undang dan perlembagaan yang menjadi tunggak kepada pentadbiran negara. Wujudnya Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei 1959 adalah salah satu langkah yang besar dalam menuju ke arah Kerajaan sendiri yang penuh merdeka. Undang-undang ini mestilah dihayati dan ditaati oleh semua golongan, jika itu tercapai maka negara akan maju ke hadapan dengan perancangan rancangan kemajuan. Syair ini bukan sahaja kaya dengan fakta-fakta sejarah sekitar pembentukan Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei bahkan sarat dengan nasehat dan pengajaran yang menyerlahkan akhlak dan perwatakan seorang Muslim, kaya dengan falsafah, kiasan dan ibarat yang patut direnungi dan menjadi contoh tauladan. Ia memperlihatkan bagaimana seorang Muslim perlu mencontohi pegangan teguh MSOAS selaku seorang muslim sejati dalam memimpin negara dan mengharungi pelbagai tantangan hidup. Sebagaimana, kata MSOAS, kejayaan akan selalu mengiringi orang yang beriman dan bertakwa

L-Arginine promotes gut hormone release and reduces food intake in rodents

Aims: To investigate the anorectic effect of L‐arginine (L‐Arg) in rodents. Methods: We investigated the effects of L‐Arg on food intake, and the role of the anorectic gut hormones glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) and peptide YY (PYY), the G‐protein‐coupled receptor family C group 6 member A (GPRC6A) and the vagus nerve in mediating these effects in rodents. Results: Oral gavage of L‐Arg reduced food intake in rodents, and chronically reduced cumulative food intake in diet‐induced obese mice. Lack of the GPRC6A in mice and subdiaphragmatic vagal deafferentation in rats did not influence these anorectic effects. L‐Arg stimulated GLP‐1 and PYY release in vitro and in vivo. Pharmacological blockade of GLP‐1 and PYY receptors did not influence the anorectic effect of L‐Arg. L‐Arg‐mediated PYY release modulated net ion transport across the gut mucosa. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of L‐Arg suppressed food intake in rats. Conclusions: L‐Arg reduced food intake and stimulated gut hormone release in rodents. The anorectic effect of L‐Arg is unlikely to be mediated by GLP‐1 and PYY, does not require GPRC6A signalling and is not mediated via the vagus. I.c.v. and i.p. administration of L‐Arg suppressed food intake in rats, suggesting that L‐Arg may act on the brain to influence food intake. Further work is required to determine the mechanisms by which L‐Arg suppresses food intake and its utility in the treatment of obesity

A Framework for Data Mining Visualization using Cluster Analysis: An Experimental Study on HIV-AIDS Datasets

With a need for rational selection of a highly needed bio-informatics-related data, a technique to select, process and visualize the data is crucial. Through visualization, certain hidden form of knowledge can be achieved. Visual data exploration is really useful when little is known about the data and the exploration goals are vague. In this paper we present the method to be developed and implemented in a system prototype that will be able to produce an interactive visualization. The objective of this paper is twofold. First, we would like to investigate which visual data mining technique is the most effective for conveying and understanding bioactivity-related data visualization. Second, to explore new techniques to present and visualize the data as well as to validate the techniques by creating prototype of visualization tools to display and analysis the data. We develop a new framework using clustering technique for visualization and model the data. The dataset that will be used in our study is a subset of a particular AIDS dataset. For this study, 1000 molecules will be tested and analyzed. This paper explains an ongoing project

Heuristic faculty course timetabling with student sectioning

This paper studies a real faculty course timetabling problem of Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).FCSIT offers 5 four-year programmes.Each programme has own set of courses but some courses are required by more than one programme.List of courses for each semester of all programmes are planned and suggested by faculty as in course plan but students are free to select their own course registration.FCSIT has to come out with course timetable with no clashes before semester starts.Current curriculum-based timetabling method causes clashes and requires few rounds of adjustment.The aim of this study is to come out with better method than the current curriculum-based timetabling practice.A two-stage heuristic with student sectioning consideration method is proposed to solve the problem by student-based approach.A simulator is developed and tested with real datasets from FCSIT. It generates clash-free timetables in shorter time as adjustment is unnecessary.Results shown that simulator solution performs better in utilise venue resources by reduced 13.1% unnecessary allocation.On top of that, the simulator is proved to be efficient in solving problem for different semesters with changed problem size, different offering courses and different resources given

The homeostatic dynamics of feeding behaviour identify novel mechanisms of anorectic agents.

Better understanding of feeding behaviour will be vital in reducing obesity and metabolic syndrome, but we lack a standard model that captures the complexity of feeding behaviour. We construct an accurate stochastic model of rodent feeding at the bout level in order to perform quantitative behavioural analysis. Analysing the different effects on feeding behaviour of peptide YY3-36 (PYY3-36), lithium chloride, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and leptin shows the precise behavioural changes caused by each anorectic agent. Our analysis demonstrates that the changes in feeding behaviour evoked by the anorectic agents investigated do not mimic the behaviour of well-fed animals and that the intermeal interval is influenced by fullness. We show how robust homeostatic control of feeding thwarts attempts to reduce food intake and how this might be overcome. In silico experiments suggest that introducing a minimum intermeal interval or modulating upper gut emptying can be as effective as anorectic drug administration

Branding and Commercialization of Heritage Products and Services Eco-system Framework

Heritage product or service which is a branch of the invention or tourism package oriented has been identified as significant revenue generation in economy sector in Malaysia. The disappearance of heritage products and traditional services has become increasingly obvious in the tourism industry. This is due to several factors including incapability of connecting and engaging with others lifestyle heritage, cultural and tourism activities, unwillingness of generation to continue intricate craft skills, lack of innovation, creativity and technical skills, lack of compliance in standards or international entry requirements and lack of financial support. Therefore, this paper suggested an ecosystem framework involving thirteen components which reflecting the entrepreneur needs, the government intervention and marketplace platform for sales and marketing. As part of framework development, qualitative and quantitative methods were conducted to examine the components of ecosystem.The collaboration between the academia, the government agencies, cottage entrepreneurs and the industry are essential which would be beneficial for all parties to bring the products and services into sustainable tourism industry

Go Travel (Borneo) / Amieza Alamshah... [et al.]

Nowadays, our country has been one of the most success countries in the world. As we know, our country has been stabilizing its economic structure after facing the world economy crisis in 1972. There are many factors that help Malaysia to keep on cope and overcome the economic problem; one of the factors is because Malaysia has become more popular in tourism sector. The tourism sector has been the second largest sector in the whole country. It is because Malaysia has many exciting and beautiful places to be explore. It is also because Malaysia has many types of celebration that can influence more tourists to come to our country. On top of that, it is also because many of the citizens of Malaysia have begun to realize about how much important an environment to their life and the government effort also to taking care and promote the Malaysian environment to the whole world. As for our business plan, we have come to an agreement to form a travel agent company. This is because, we realize that many tourist tend to come to Malaysia especially Sabah. So we decided to take that opportunity to serve the tourist that come to Sabah, and we will help to promote Sabah to be one of the most favorable places to be explored. We will also take the opportunity to gain profit from the service we provide as well as to satisfy our target market to gain their loyalty in terms of long term relationship. As we all agreed, we will use Go Travel (Borneo) to be the name of our company. It represents the effort of all of us to influence people to go travel focus in Borneo area. We will choose to open the company in center of Kata Kinabalu town area since there· are many tourists that come to Sabah will prefer to go to Kota Kinabalu town to seek an information and trip advisor as well as travel agent. Our company is a partnership company which consists of 5 partners. These 5 partners will provide capital for the business equally and they will share the profit, equally. Partnership is chosen because partnership is easy to be set up with few formalities; financial assistance from financial institutions is easier to be secured compared to sole proprietorship and the business risk can be reduced