Effects of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme in the liver in fructose induced metabolic syndrome rat model

Excessive expression and activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme type 1 (11β-HSD1) enzyme in mature adipocyte leads to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Fructose in drinking water was proven to induce metabolic syndrome in male Wistar rat. Hence, the aim of the study was to assess the effects of expression and activity of 11β-HSD1 enzyme in the liver in an established metabolic syndrome rat model induced by fructose drinking water. Twelve male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: Control group, C (n=6) and Fructose drinking water 20%, F20 (n=6). The food and fluid intake were given as ad libitum for eight weeks. At the end of the experiment, the expression of 11β-HSD1 enzyme in the liver was measured by immunohistochemical staining method. The score was given according to the intensity of the staining of the granules in the hepatocyte cytoplasm which was measured using double-blinded method. Meanwhile, the activity of 11β-HSD1 enzyme in the liver was measured using ELISA technique. Following eight weeks of consumption of fructose drinking water, the F20 group showed an increased in both expression and activity of 11β-HSD1 in the liver. The obtained data clearly suggest that 11β-HSD1 enzymes in the liver may play a role in the development of metabolic syndrome and its complications in male Wistar rat

Pengaruh Ukuran Arang Aktif Ampas Tebu Sebagai Biomaterial Pretreatment Terhadap Karakteristik Biodiesel Minyak Jelantah

Biodiesel merupakan salah satu solusi untuk memenuhi kebutuhan energi yang saat ini semakin terbatas jumlahnya. Dibandingkan dengan bahan bakar fosil, biodiesel lebih ramah lingkungan, dapat diperbaharui karena berasal dari minyak nabati, serta memiliki titik nyala yang tinggi sehingga aman dari bahaya kebakaran. Proses pembuatan biodiesel dalam penelitian ini dilakukan secara transesterifikasi yakni dengan mencampurkan minyak jelantah dengan methanol serta KOH sebagai katalisnya. Untuk meningkatkan kualitas biodiesel, untuk menurunkan kandungan Free Fatty Acid (FFA) pada minyak jelantah dengan menambahkan arang aktif ampas tebu sebagai biomaterial yang mampu menyerap FFA pada minyak jelantah. Aktivasi arang aktif ampas tebu dilakukan secara kimia dengan aktivator H3PO4 12,5 % serta aktivasi fisika dengan pemanasan 800oC selama 2 jam. Variasi ukuran arang aktif yang digunakan adalah 100 mesh (149 µm), 200 mesh (74µm), 325 mesh (44µm), dan 400 mesh (37µm). Pretreatment tersebut telah menunjukkan bahwa terjadi penurunan FFA minyak jelantah. Hasil pengukuran FFA menunjukkan bahwa pretreatment dengan ukuran arang aktif 325 mesh cukup efektif menurunkan nilai FFA sebesar 0,03% dari FFA semula 0,1%. Densitas, titik nyala, titik kabut, dan titik tuang biodiesel yang dihasilkan telah memenuhi standar SNI yaitu 862-870 kg/m3 untuk densitas, titik nyala > 171oC, titik kabut 15 oC, dan titik tuang 10,7 oC, sedangkan viskositas yang diperoleh belum memenuhi standar dengan nilai di atas 7,665 cSt

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat melalui Pemanfaatan Produk Sampingan Biogas (Bio-slurry) di Dusun Somodaran Desa Purwomartani

Kondisi perekonomian Dusun Somodaran desa Purwomartani terbagi menjadi beberapa sektor dengan sektor utama adalah pertanian, perkebunan, perikanan, peternakan dan industri. Potensi peternakan dapat dilihat dari terdapatnya kandang sapi yang dikelola secara bersama dengan jumlah sapi berkisar 15-20 ekor. Dengan jumlah rata-rata kotoran 15-20 kilogram per sapi perhari, maka jumlah kotoran sapi dalam satu bulan dapat mencapai 9000 -12,000 kilogram atau 108 - 144 ton dalam satu tahun untuk satu kandang sapi bersama. Jumlah ini akan menjadi sumber pencemaran (bau, air) apabila tidak mampu memanfaatkan secara baik namun akan menjadi ladang emas apabila dapat termanfaatkan secara baik. Oleh karena itu, dibutuhkan penelitian yang berbasis pada permasalahan pemanfaatan hasil samping biogas. Dalam penelitian ini terdapat tiga tahapan yakni: identifikasi dan analisis asset.pelatihan pembuatan produk-produk bio slurry, survei untuk mengetahui pengaruh pendampingan terhadap pemahaman kemanfaatan bio-slurry berdasarkaan Analisis Cluster. Berdasarkan analisa cluster pemahaman masyarakat dusun Somodaran diperoleh tiga clusster masyarakat dengan lebih dari 50 % responden berada pada cluster 2 yakni cluster yang memiliki pemahaman secara detail dalam pelaksanaan pembuatan kemanfaatan biogas

Cannabis legalization and cannabis use, daily cannabis use and cannabis-related problems among adults in Ontario, Canada (2001-2019).

BACKGROUND: In the context of cannabis legalization in Canada, we examined the effects on cannabis patterns of consumption, including cannabis use, daily cannabis use and cannabis-related problems. In addition, we examined differential effects of cannabis legalization by age and sex. METHODS: A pre-post design was operationalized by combining 19 iterations of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Monitor Surveys (N = 52,260; 2001-2019): repeated, population-based, cross-sectional surveys of adults in Ontario. Participants provided self-reports of cannabis use (past 12 months), daily cannabis use (past 12 months) and cannabis-related problems though telephone interviews. The effects of cannabis legalization on cannabis patterns of consumption were examined using logistic regression analyses, with testing of two-way interactions to determine differential effects by age and sex. RESULTS: Cannabis use prevalence increased from 11 % to 26 % (p < 0.0001), daily cannabis use prevalence increased from 1 % to 6 % (p < 0.0001) and cannabis-related problems prevalence increased from 6 % to 14 % (p < 0.0001) between 2001 and 2019. Cannabis legalization was associated with an increased likelihood of cannabis use, daily cannabis use and cannabis-related problems. For cannabis-related problems, a significant two-way interaction was observed between cannabis legalization and age (p = 0.0001), suggesting differential effects among adults ≥55 years. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis legalization was associated with an increased likelihood of cannabis use, daily cannabis use and cannabis-related problems. Given increases in these cannabis patterns of consumption, broader dissemination and uptake of targeted prevention tools is indicated

Dairy and gluten in disease activity in multiple sclerosis

Background: Many diets promoted specifically for multiple sclerosis have been suggested to improve disease activity. Dairy and gluten are two components for which the recommendations vary between these diets. Existing research into the association between these dietary components and disease activity has been conflicting. Objective: To explore the relationship between dairy and gluten intake and disease activity in multiple sclerosis over a 2-year period, using no evidence of disease activity (NEDA) 3 status. Methods: 186 participants’ dairy and gluten intake was retrospectively estimated over 2 years using a dairy and gluten dietary screener. Estimated dairy and gluten intake was compared to disease activity, indicated by no evidence of disease activity 3 status, and quality of life, assessed by the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life (MusiQoL) questionnaire. Results: No significant association was found between mean estimated dairy or gluten intake and NEDA 3 status (p = 0.15 and 0.60, respectively). Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between dairy or gluten intake and MusiQoL) scores (p = 0.11 and 0.51, respectively). Conclusion: Whilst we cannot rule out modest benefits due to our small sample size, we found that neither dairy nor gluten intake was associated with disease activity or quality of life in this study.</p

3D-reconstructed retinal pigment epithelial cells provide insights into the anatomy of the outer retina

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is located between the neuroretina and the choroid, and plays a critical role in vision. RPE cells internalise outer segments (OS) from overlying photoreceptors in the daily photoreceptor renewal. Changes to RPE structure are linked with age and retinopathy, which has been described in the past by conventional 2D electron microscopy. We used serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) to reconstruct RPE cells from the central mouse retina. Three-dimensional-reconstructed OS revealed the RPE to support large numbers of photoreceptors (90–216 per RPE cell). Larger bi-nucleate RPE maintained more photoreceptors, although their cytoplasmic volume was comparable to smaller mono-nucleate RPE supporting fewer photoreceptors. Scrutiny of RPE microvilli and interdigitating OS revealed the angle and surface area of contact between RPE and photoreceptors. Bi-nucleate RPE contained more mitochondria compared to mono-nucleate RPE. Furthermore, bi-nucleate cells contained larger sub-RPE spaces, supporting a likely association with disease. Use of perfusion-fixed tissues ensured the highest possible standard of preservation, providing novel insights into the 3D RPE architecture and changes linked with retinopathy. This study serves as a benchmark for comparing retinal tissues from donor eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinopathies