Zakah for Asnaf Al-Gharimun in Brunei Darussalam: Concepts and Practices

This research paper discusses the concepts of debt in Islam in relation to the category of al-gharimun that entitle for receive zakah. The data from the authority department has shown an alarming increase in number of applicant for zakah under the category of asnaf Al-Gharimun. Why was the number increased and who are actually eligible to receive zakah under the category of Al-Gharimun? This paper tries to answer these questions. The concept of debt in al-Qur\u27an will be discussed and various discussions by Islamic scholars and researchers will be analysed. Data gathered from several officers of Islamic Religious Council of Brunei Darussalam through personal interviews. The phenomenon was due to misunderstanding and ignorant among the public with regards to what kind of debts that are eligible under the category of Al-Gharimun to receive zakahDOI: 10.15408/aiq.v9i2.509

Pengembangan Buku Suplemen Pendekatan Molekular Taksonomi Hewan Vertebrata

Textbook is a book that is used to achieve the learning objectives in the learning activities. One type textbook is the supplements book. The supplements book have characteristics not integrated with the learning objectives directly, but the goal is to reinforce the concepts on the learning objectives to be achieved. Supplement books developed using the book contains a molecular approach to subjects Vertebrate Animal Taxonomy with Borg and Gall development model. The book supplements validated by subject matter experts, development specialists, and tested individually at 12 students. Material validation results demonstrate the value of 90.53%, 87.63% validation of the development of the book, and test results readability 85.06%. Overall the book is developed in the category of valid and good.Buku ajar merupakan buku yang digunakan untuk mencapai tujuan pembelajaran dalam kegiatan pembelajaran. Salah satu jenis buku ajar adalah buku suplemen. Buku suplemen memiliki karakteristik tidak terintegrasi dengan tujuan pembelajaran secara langsung, namun memiliki tujuan untuk memperkuat konsep-konsep pada tujuan pembelajaran yang ingin dicapai. Buku suplemen yang dikembangkan menggunakan merupakan buku berisi pendekatan molekular untuk matakuliah Taksonomi Hewan Vertebrata dengan model pengembangan Borg and Gall. Buku suplemen divalidasi oleh ahli materi, ahli pengembangan, dan diuji coba perorangan pada 12 mahasiswa. Hasil validasi materi menunjukkan nilai 90,53%, validasi pengembangan buku 87,63%, dan hasil uji keterbacaan 85,06%. Secara keseluruhan buku yang dikembangkan dalam kategori valid dan baik

Bioavailable constituents/metabolites of pomegranate (Punica granatum L) preferentially inhibit COX2 activity ex vivo and IL-1beta-induced PGE2 production in human chondrocytes in vitro

Several recent studies have documented that supplementation with pomegranate fruit extract inhibits inflammatory symptoms in vivo. However, the molecular basis of the observed effects has not been fully revealed. Although previous studies have documented the inhibition of nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase (COX) activity in vitro by plant and fruit extracts added directly into the culture medium but whether concentrations of bioactive compounds sufficient enough to exert such inhibitory effects in vivo can be achieved through oral consumption has not been reported. In the present study we determined the effect of rabbit plasma obtained after ingestion of a polyphenol rich extract of pomegranate fruit (PFE) on COX enzyme activity ex vivo and the IL-1β-induced production of NO and PGE2 in chondrocytes in vitro. Plasma samples collected before and 2 hr after supplementation with PFE were tested. Plasma samples collected after oral ingestion of PFE were found to inhibit the IL-1β-induced PGE2 and NO production in chondrocytes. These same plasma samples also inhibited both COX-1 and COX-2 enzyme activity ex vivo but the effect was more pronounced on the enzyme activity of COX-2 enzyme. Taken together these results provide additional evidence of the bioavailability and bioactivity of compounds present in pomegranate fruit after oral ingestion. Furthermore, these studies suggest that PFE-derived bioavailable compounds may exert an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the inflammatory cytokine-induced production of PGE2 and NO in vivo

SPACA3gene variants in a New Zealand cohort of infertile and fertile couples

SPRASA (also referred to as SLLP1) is a protein identified in the acrosome of human sperm and encoded by the gene SPACA3. SPRASA is associated with sperm-oocyte recognition and binding, and may play a role in fertility. In order to determine whether variants in the SPACA3 gene are associated with human infertility, we undertook a genetic analysis of 102 infertile and 104 fertile couples. Three gene variants were identified using PCR-based DNA sequencing; 1) an insertion of TGC within a quadruple tri-nucleotide (TGC) repeat region in the 5’ untranslated region (UTR) (g.–22TGC(4_5), 2) a guanine to adenosine transition at position 239 (c.239G> A) resulting in a non-synonymous amino acid substitution from cysteine to tyrosine (p.C80Y) at position 80 in the putative transmembrane region, and 3) a novel nucleotide variant (c.691G> C) located in the 3’UTR. A functional effect of the g.–22TGC (4_5) was confirmed by a luciferase expression assay, while the effects of the variants c.239G> A and c.691G> C were predicted using in silico analysis. Although the frequencies of these variants were not significantly different between the infertile and fertile populations, we present evidence that the variants could affect the expression levels or function of SPRASA, thereby affecting a couple's fertility. Larger populations, especially individuals/couples with unexplained infertility, need to be screened for these variants to validate a relationship with fertility

Spontaneous focal activation of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in mouse liver and kidney

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells differ from other T cells by their hyperactive effector T-cell status, in addition to the expression of NK lineage receptors and semi-invariant T-cell receptors. It is generally agreed that the immune phenotype of iNKT cells is maintained by repeated activation in peripheral tissues although no explicit evidence for such iNKT cell activity <it>in vivo </it>has so far been reported.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We used an interferon (IFN)-γ-inducible cytoplasmic protein, Irga6, as a histological marker for local IFN-γ production. Irga6 was intensely expressed in small foci of liver parenchymal cells and kidney tubular epithelium. Focal Irga6 expression was unaffected by germ-free status or loss of TLR signalling and was totally dependent on IFN-γ secreted by T cells in the centres of expression foci. These were shown to be iNKT cells by diagnostic T cell receptor usage and their activity was lost in both CD1 d and Jα-deficient mice.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first report that supplies direct evidence for explicit activation events of NKT cells <it>in vivo </it>and raises issues about the triggering mechanism and consequences for immune functions in liver and kidney.</p

The chrondoprotective actions of a natural product are associated with the activation of IGF-1 production by human chondrocytes despite the presence of IL-1β

BACKGROUND: Cartilage loss is a hallmark of arthritis and follows activation of catabolic processes concomitant with a disruption of anabolic pathways like insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). We hypothesized that two natural products of South American origin, would limit cartilage degradation by respectively suppressing catabolism and activating local IGF-1 anabolic pathways. One extract, derived from cat's claw (Uncaria guianensis, vincaria(®)), is a well-described inhibitor of NF-κB. The other extract, derived from the vegetable Lepidium meyenii (RNI 249), possessed an uncertain mechanism of action but with defined ethnomedical applications for fertility and vitality. METHODS: Human cartilage samples were procured from surgical specimens with consent, and were evaluated either as explants or as primary chondrocytes prepared after enzymatic digestion of cartilage matrix. Assessments included IGF-1 gene expression, IGF-1 production (ELISA), cartilage matrix degradation and nitric oxide (NO) production, under basal conditions and in the presence of IL-1β. RESULTS: RNI 249 enhanced basal IGF-1 mRNA levels in human chondrocytes by 2.7 fold, an effect that was further enhanced to 3.8 fold by co-administration with vincaria. Enhanced basal IGF-1 production by RNI 249 alone and together with vincaria, was confirmed in both explants and in primary chondrocytes (P <0.05). As expected, IL-1β exposure completely silenced IGF-1 production by chondrocytes. However, in the presence of IL-1β both RNI 249 and vincaria protected IGF-1 production in an additive manner (P <0.01) with the combination restoring chondrocyte IGF-1 production to normal levels. Cartilage NO production was dramatically enhanced by IL-1β. Both vincaria and RNI 249 partially attenuated NO production in an additive manner (p < 0.05). IL-1β – induced degradation of cartilage matrix was quantified as glycosaminoglycan release. Individually RNI 249 or vincaria, prevented this catabolic action of IL-1β. CONCLUSION: The identification of agents that activate the autocrine production of IGF-1 in cartilage, even in the face of suppressive pro-inflammatory, catabolic cytokines like IL-1β, represents a novel therapeutic approach to cartilage biology. Chondroprotection associated with prevention of the catabolic events and the potential for sustained anabolic activity with this natural product suggests that it holds significant promise in the treatment of debilitating joint diseases

Effect of a Herbal-Leucine mix on the IL-1β-induced cartilage degradation and inflammatory gene expression in human chondrocytes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Conventional treatments for the articular diseases are often effective for symptom relief, but can also cause significant side effects and do not slow the progression of the disease. Several natural substances have been shown to be effective at relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), and preliminary evidence suggests that some of these compounds may exert a favorable influence on the course of the disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory/chondroprotective potential of a Herbal and amino acid mixture containing extract of the <it>Uncaria </it>tomentosa, <it>Boswellia spp</it>., <it>Lepidium meyenii and L-Leucine </it>on the IL-1β-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), glycosaminoglycan (GAG), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), aggrecan (ACAN) and type II collagen (COL2A1) in human OA chondrocytes and OA cartilage explants.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Primary OA chondrocytes or OA cartilage explants were pretreated with Herbal-<it>Leucine </it>mixture (HLM, 1-10 μg/ml) and then stimulated with IL-1β (5 ng/ml). Effect of HLM on IL-1β-induced gene expression of iNOS, MMP-9, MMP-13, ACAN and COL2A1 was verified by real time-PCR. Estimation of NO and GAG release in culture supernatant was done using commercially available kits.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HLM tested in these <it>in vitro </it>studies was found to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent, as evidenced by strong inhibition of iNOS, MMP-9 and MMP-13 expression and NO production in IL-1β-stimulated OA chondrocytes (p < 0.05). Supporting these gene expression results, IL-1β-induced cartilage matrix breakdown, as evidenced by GAG release from cartilage explants, was also significantly blocked (p < 0.05). Moreover, in the presence of herbal-<it>Leucine </it>mixture (HLM) up-regulation of ACAN and COL2A1 expression in IL-1β-stimulated OA chondrocytes was also noted (p < 0.05). The inhibitory effects of HLM were mediated by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kB in human OA chondrocytes in presence of IL-1β.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data suggests that HLM could be chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory agent in arthritis, switching chondrocyte gene expression from catabolic direction towards anabolic and regenerative, and consequently this approach may be potentially useful as a new adjunct therapeutic/preventive agent for OA or injury recovery.</p

Green tea extract inhibits chemokine production, but up-regulates chemokine receptor expression, in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts and rat adjuvant-induced arthritis

Objective. Evaluation of the efficacy of green tea extract (GTE) in regulating chemokine production and chemokine receptor expression in human RA synovial fibroblasts and rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). Methods. Fibroblasts isolated from human RA synovium were used in the study. Regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES)/CCL5, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1/CCL2, growth-regulated oncogene (GRO)a/CXCL1 and IL-8/CXCL8 production was measured by ELISA. Western blotting was used to study the phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC)d and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK). Chemokine and chemokine receptor expression was determined by quantitative RT–PCR. The benefit of GTE administration in rat AIA was determined. Results. GTE (2.5–40 mg/ml) inhibited IL-1b-induced MCP-1/CCL2 (10 ng/ml), RANTES/CCL5, GROa/CXCL1 and IL-8/CXCL8 production in human RA synovial fibroblasts (P<0.05). However, GTE inhibited MCP-1/CCL2 and GROa/CXCL1 mRNA synthesis in RA synovial fibroblasts. Furthermore, GTE also inhibited IL-1b-induced phosphorylation of PKCd, the signalling pathway mediating IL-1b-induced chemokine production. Interestingly, GTE preincubation enhanced constitutive and IL-1b-induced CCR1, CCR2b, CCR5, CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptor expression. GTE administration (200 mg/kg/day p.o.) modestly ameliorated rat AIA, which was accompanied by a decrease in MCP-1/CCL2 and GROa/CXCL1 levels and enhanced CCR-1, -2, -5 and CXCR1 receptor expression in the joints of GTE administered rats. Conclusions. Chemokine receptor overexpression with reduced chemokine production by GTE may be one potential mechanism to limit the overall inflammation and joint destruction in RA.NIHPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/77485/1/Marotte, et al. Green tea extract...Rheumatology 2010.pdf-