Study on Worldwide Embodied Impacts of Construction: Analysis of WIOD Release 2016

Net-zero-energy buildings (ZEBs) that contribute to making annual energy consumption balances zero are effective measures for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the construction sector. As the application of ZEBs progresses, GHG emissions during the construction of buildings and the manufacturing of materials and products (called construction EG) account for a relatively large proportion of overall emissions. This study aimed to clarify construction EG as a means by which to formulate policies for the reduction of emissions in each country. The construction EGs of 43 countries from 2011 were analyzed. The 56-sector input/output table and CO2 emission data of the 2016 World Input/Output Database, published by the EU, were both used in this analysis. It was found that the construction sector accounted for the highest proportion of total CO2 emissions. Moreover, the fraction of construction EG tended to be higher in developing countries such as China and India, while developed countries tended to contribute a lower fraction of construction EG. Construction EGs were shown to be heavily influenced by the sectors that manufacture “cement”, “steel bars and steel frames”, and “energy sources”. Thus, it is very important to advance technological developments to reduce CO2 emissions within these sectors. The annual variation of construction EGs and CO2 emissions from 2000 to 2014 showed that the construction EGs and total CO2 emissions in developing countries were increasing, whereas emissions from developed countries have been decreasing slightly

Impact of oxidation on the cardioprotective properties of the bioactive dipeptide AW in dry-cured ham

Unbalanced oxidative reactions occurred during the dry-curing period of ham can trigger unpleasant taste. Additionally, salt might mediate in these reactions that cause the oxidation of some of the generated peptides acting as a pro-oxidant. The influence of the processing and oxidation on the release of peptides and bioactivity have been dimly investigated. In this study, the dipeptide AW, and its oxidized form AWox were quantitated in dry-cured ham. AW concentration reached 4.70 mg/g of dry-cured ham at 24 months of traditional dry-curing. The intact and the oxidized peptide forms accumulated to 5.12 and 6.80 µg/g dry-cured ham in 12-months low-salted hams, respectively, while they were undetectable in 12 months-traditionally elaborated hams. Moreover, oxidation affected the antioxidant properties depending on the in vitro assay and reduced the AW potential as antihypertensive. This study reports the potential role of the dry-cured ham-derived peptide AW on cardiovascular health and the relevance of post-oxidation on its bioactivity.Grant AGL2017-89381-R funded by MCIN/ AEI /https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 by “ERDF A way of making Europe” is acknowledged. Grant PRE2018-083367 (A.H.) funded by MCIN/AEI /https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 and “ESF Investing in your future” and grant RYC-2016–19635 (L.M.) funded by MCIN/AEI /https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 and “ESF Investing in your future” are also acknowledged. Prof. Arihara funding KAKENHI (21H02348) from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science is also acknowledged. The funding sources had only financial involvement.Peer reviewe

Antihypertensive potential of sweet Ala-Ala dipeptide and its quantitation in dry-cured ham at different processing conditions

Sweet dipeptide Ala-Ala (AA) could be one of the most abundant dipeptides naturally generated in meat products due to the high occurrence of its sequence all along endogenous proteins, which means it could play a key role in dry-cured ham flavour development and bioactivity. In this study, a mass spectrometry in tandem methodology was optimised to quantitate the dipeptide AA in dry-cured ham manufactured under different processing conditions. Dipeptide values reached 230 µg/g after 12-month of ripening, but statistically insignificant differences were observed with salt reduction. Regarding its antihypertensive activity, an IC50 value of 110.824 µM was determined from the in vitro inhibition of angiotensin-I converting (ACE-I) enzyme, and the oral administration of 1 mg of AA per kg of body weight showed a significant reduction of the systolic blood pressure (SBP) in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). This study elucidates the importance of AA dipeptide and its potential role in cardiovascular health after dry-cured ham consumption.Grant AGL2017-89381-R funded by MCIN/ AEI /https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 by “ERDF A way of making Europe” is acknowledged. Grant PRE2018-083367 (A.H.) funded by MCIN/AEI /https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 and “ESF Investing in your future” and grant RYC-2016–19635 (L.M.) funded by MCIN/AEI /https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033 and “ESF Investing in your future” are also acknowledged. Arihara funding KAKENHI (21H02348) from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science is also acknowledged.Peer reviewe

EFFECTS OF A MICRNUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT (VCRESC EQ \O\AC\(○,R)) ON VITAMIN AND HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN END STAGE RENAL DISEASE PATIENT: 12 MONTH FOLLOW UP

End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients may display the deficiency in vegetable-derived micronutrient, such as vitamins and minerals, due to the potassium-restricted diet. VCRESC, a drink type micronutrient supplement containing enough amounts of daily-required vitamins, is prescribed for patients with micronutrient deficiency in Japan. 58 years old woman under the chronic hemodialysis with non-diabetic ESRD. Before the initiation of VCRESC, her blood vitamins and Hcy levels were measured. She was introduced 125 ml/day of VCRESC oral intake over 12 months period. After first two weeks of VCRESC initiation, she was temporary advised to stop VCRESC for two weeks. Subsequently she was re-initiated VCRESC supplement until the end of the study. Her blood micronutrient levels were monitored at 2 and 4 weeks, 3 and 12 months after the initiation of study. Results: Some of her baseline blood vitamins (B6, B12, C) level exhibited lower when compared to Japanese standard value. After 2 weeks initiation of VCRESC, her vitamins (A, B1 B2, B6, B12, C and folate) levels elevated remarkably. After temporal termination of the VCRESC for 2 weeks, her vitamin B1, B2, C, E levels were suppressed, though vitamin A and B6 levels were not altered when compared to the levels observed at 2 weeks after the initiation of the study. At either 3 or 12 months after the initiation of study, vitamin B groups, E, C and folate was higher when compared to standard value; vitamin A levels remained in high standard range. Her Hcy level was higher than normal value in the beginning of study and reduced for 29% at the end of the study. Conclusion: Hcy level in dialysis patients has been shown to be an independent risk factor for vascular complications. VCRESC could be the potential nutritional intervention in the ESRD patient under chronic hemodialysis for the prevention of vascular complications