Effect of intermittent frying on the stability of vitamins A and D in commercially fortified oils

Fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids are very sensitive to high temperature and oxidation. In this study, stability of vitamins A and D, and physiochemical changes were investigated in two types of oils, palm olein (PO) and a blend of PO and sunflower oil (OB). The intermittent frying was performed at two different temperatures 160 and 190 °C. Batches of French fries (500 g) were fried in a deep-fat fryer for 5 cycles, a cycle per day. In each cycle, food was fried every 15 min with a total frying time of 5 h per day. Oil samples were taken at the end of each heating cycle to measure vitamins A and D concentration, free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide value (PV) and color. In PO, vitamin A was reduced by 96.7% after 25 h of frying at 160 °C and it was completely depleted after 15 h at 190 °C. In OB, the vitamin was reduced by 72.2% after 25 h of frying at 160 °C; and it was completely depleted at 190 °C at the end of frying cycles. Vitamin D was less stable, its content in PO decreased by 67.0% and 80.0% at 160 °C and 190 °C, respectively, after 5 h of frying. In OB, it was reduced by 50.0% and 67.0% at 160 °C and 190 °C, respectively, after 5 h of frying. It was found that both types of oil and frying temperatures showed significant effect on vitamin A concentration, while they did not show any effect on vitamin D. Red color increased linearly with frying time in both oils, while fried at two frying temperatures. The change in color was significantly associated with the vitamin A depletion. A low, but significant, association was found between color changes and depletion of vitamin D. In conclusion, the stability of these vitamins depended on the types of oil and temperature of frying. These were more stable in OB compared to PO, and similar stability was observed in the cases of FFA and PV

Interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F and asthma in Saudi Arabia: mRNA transcript levels and gene polymorphisms

Asthma is a multifactorial disorder and both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development. The present study explored cytokines interleukin (IL)-17A and IL17F levels as usable parameters for the diagnosis of asthmatics Saudi patients. Blood samples were collected from 100 asthma patients and 100 matched controls. The transcript mRNA levels in whole blood were determined by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Expression studies showed that levels of IL17A and IL17F were significantly higher in asthma patients compared to controls [IL17A: 1.112 (2.088) vs 0.938 (1.363)]; IL17F: 0.707 (1.33) vs 0.667 (0.590). The mRNA transcripts of IL17A and IL17F were positively and significantly correlated in all subjects examined in this study: controls as well as asthma patients (r = 0.455, P < 0.01 for controls and r = 0.644, P < 0.01 for patients). These findings suggest that asthma is characterized by an elevation of cytokines IL17A and IL17F and the measurement of their expression can be a valuable parameter for the diagnosis of asthma.Keywords: Asthma, interleukin-17F (IL17F), interleukin-17A (IL17A), gene expression, real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Saudi Arabia.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(23), pp. 3615-362

Ternary nanocomposite system composing of graphene nanoplatelet, cellulose nanofiber and jatropha oil based waterborne polyurethane: characterizations, mechanical, thermal properties and conductivity

This work aims to evaluate the performance of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) as conductive filler with the presence of 0.5 wt.% cellulose nanofiber (CNF) on the physical, mechanical, conductivity and thermal properties of jatropha oil based waterborne polyurethane. Polyurethane was made from crude jatropha oil using an epoxidation and ring-opening process. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 wt.% GNP and 0.5 wt.% CNF were incorporated using casting method to enhance film performance. Mechanical properties were studied following standard method as stated in ASTM D638-03 Type V. Thermal stability of the nanocomposite system was studied using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Filler interaction and chemical crosslinking was monitored using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and film morphology were observed with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Water uptake analysis, water contact angle and conductivity tests are also carried out. The results showed that when the GNP was incorporated at fixed CNF content, it was found to enhance the nanocomposite film, its mechanical, thermal and water behavior properties as supported by morphology and water uptake. Nanocomposite film with 0.5 wt.% GNP shows the highest improvement in term of tensile strength, Young’s modulus, thermal degradation and water behavior. As the GNP loading increases, water uptake of the nanocomposite film was found relatively small (<1%). Contact angle test also indicates that the film is hydrophobic with addition of GNP. The conductivity properties of the nanocomposite film were not enhanced due to electrostatic repulsion force between GNP sheet and hard segment of WBPU. Overall, with addition of GNP, mechanical and thermal properties was greatly enhanced. However, conductivity value was not enhanced as expected due to electrostatic repulsion force. Therefore, ternary nanocomposite system is a suitable candidate for coating application

Effect of cellulose nanofibrils on the properties of Jatropha oil-based waterborne polyurethane nanocomposite film

The objective of this work was to study the influence of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of Jatropha oil-based waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) nanocomposite films. The polyol to produce polyurethane was synthesized from crude Jatropha oil through epoxidation and ring-opening method. The chain extender, 1,6-hexanediol, was used to improve film elasticity by 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 wt.% of CNF loading was incorporated to enhance film performance. Mechanical performance was studied using a universal test machine as specified in ASTM D638-03 Type V and was achieved by 0.18 MPa at 0.5 wt.% of CNF. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to measure the temperature of degradation and the chemical crosslinking and film morphology were studied using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The results showed that when the CNF was incorporated, it was found to enhance the nanocomposite film, in particular its mechanical and thermal properties supported by morphology. Nanocomposite film with 0.5 wt.% of CNF showed the highest improvement in terms of tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and thermal degradation. Although the contact angle decreases as the CNF content increases, the effect on the water absorption of the film was found to be relatively small (<3.5%). The difference between the neat WPBU and the highest CNF loading film was not more than 1%, even after 5 days of being immersed in water

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F and asthma in Saudi Arabia: mRNA transcript levels and gene polymorphisms

Asthma is a multifactorial disorder and both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development. The present study explored cytokines interleukin (IL)-17A and IL17F levels as usable parameters for the diagnosis of asthmatics Saudi patients. Blood samples were collected from 100 asthma patients and 100 matched controls. The transcript mRNA levels in whole blood were determined by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Expression studies showed that levels of IL17A and IL17F were significantly higher in asthma patients compared to controls [IL17A: 1.112 (2.088) vs 0.938 (1.363)]; IL17F: 0.707 (1.33) vs 0.667 (0.590). The mRNA transcripts of IL17A and IL17F were positively and significantly correlated in all subjects examined in this study: controls as well as asthma patients (r = 0.455, P &lt; 0.01 for controls and r = 0.644, P &lt; 0.01 for patients). These findings suggest that asthma is characterized by an elevation of cytokines IL17A and IL17F and the measurement of their expression can be a valuable parameter for the diagnosis of asthma.Keywords: Asthma, interleukin-17F (IL17F), interleukin-17A (IL17A), gene expression, real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Saudi Arabia.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(23), pp. 3615-362

Jatropha Oil as a Substituent for Palm Oil in Biobased Polyurethane

Polyurethanes (PUs) are unique polymers that can be tailored to suit certain applications and are increasingly used in many industrial fields. Petrochemicals are still used as the main compound to synthesize PUs. Today, environmental concerns arise in the research and technology innovations in developing PUs, especially from vegetable polyols which are having an upsurge. These are driven by the uncertainty and fluctuations of petroleum crude oil price and availability. Jatropha has become a promising substituent to palm oil so as to reduce the competition of food and nonfood in utilizing this natural resource. Apart from that, jatropha will solve the problem related to the European banning of palm oil. Herein, we review the literature on the synthesis of PUs using different vegetable oils and compare it with jatropha oil and its nanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals. Given the potential of vegetable oil PUs in many industrial applications, we expect that they will increase commercial interest and scientific research to bring these materials to the market soon

IMPLEMENTING BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (BIM) FOR CONTROLLING COST OVERRUN IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Hitherto, the construction industry has been the most important contributors to the socioeconomic development of a nation. Around 46.8 percent of public sector projects and an even more worrisome 37.2 percent of projects in private sector were completed on time and within budget. In the past, few studies have focused on the implementation of BIM as an effective cost control initiative undertaken by Malaysian contractors, particularly those whose operations were concentrated in the central region. Consequently, this study aims to address this gap with three distinct objectives: first, to investigate the issues of cost overrun in construction projects that BIM is capable of intercepting; second, to investigate current practises in addressing cost overrun; and third, to identify the use of BIM to control cost overrun issues in construction projects. In order to collect empirical evidence, questionnaires were distributed to 331 CIDB G7 contractors registered in the Kuala Lumpur region; 104 of these contractors responded, giving this study a respectable sampling response rate of 31 percent This study's findings provide evidence that there is broad consensus regarding the causes of cost overruns that BIM can prevent. In addition, this study has successfully uncovered the practises currently utilised by contractors to control construction project cost overruns. Lastly, it has been observed that the adoption and implementation of BIM technology has a significant impact on preventing project cost overruns

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Not AvailableChromium (Cr), a highly toxic redox-active metal cation in soil, seriously threatens global agriculture by affecting nutrient uptake and disturbing various physio-biochemical processes in plants, thereby reducing yields. Here, we examined the effects of different concentrations of Cr alone and in combination with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) application on the growth and physio-biochemical performance of two mungbeans (Vigna radiata L.) varieties, viz. Pusa Vishal (PV; Cr tolerant) and Pusa Ratna (PR; Cr sensitive), growing in a pot in hydroponics. Plants were grown in the pot experiment to examine their growth, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels, electrolyte balance, and plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase activity. Furthermore, root anatomy and cell death were analysed 15 days after sowing both varieties in hydroponic systems. The Cr-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species caused cell death and affected the root anatomy and growth of both varieties. However, the extent of alteration in anatomical features was less in PV than in PR. Exogenous application of H2S promoted plant growth, thereby improving plant antioxidant activities and reducing cell death by suppressing Cr accumulation and translocation. Seedlings of both cultivars treated with H2S exhibited enhanced photosynthesis, ion uptake, glutathione, and proline levels and reduced oxidative stress. Interestingly, H2S restricted the translocation of Cr to aerial parts of plants by improving the nutrient profile and viability of root cells, thereby relieving plants from oxidative bursts by activating the antioxidant machinery through triggering the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. Overall, H2S application improved the nutrient profile and ionic homeostasis of Cr-stressed mungbean plants. These results highlight the importance of H2S application in protecting crops against Cr toxicity. Our findings can be utilised to develop management strategies to improve heavy metal tolerance among crops.Not Availabl