Dietary Zinc and the brain.

Zinc (Zn), after iron, is the second most abundant essential element in different organs of the human body. The amount of Zn to be absorbed and hence utilized or metabolized in different tissues depends on the total Zn content of the diet and its bioavailability, specially its solubility in the intestinal lumen. In the brain, additional control on the absorption, distribution, and homeostasis of Zn is maintained by the blood brain barrier system which generally is not easily disrupted by dietary Zn. In the brain, [Zn] is highest in the hippocampus but this can be decreased significantly in dietary Zn deficiency. Zinc homeostasis in the brain is maintained through the regulated expression of proteins for Zn import, export, and storage. Among them, Zn2+ transporters, Zn2+ importing proteins, and Zn2+ buffering proteins, such as the metallothioneins, bind cytosolic free Zn2+ and mediate the complex intraneuronal cytosolic Zn2+ homeostasis. In addition to its important roles as catalytic, co-catalytic, and structural component of many proteins, Zn is also important as an intracellular signaling factor in the regulation of cell proliferation. As an extracellular signaling factor, Zn is involved in synaptic neurotransmission. In neuronal cells, Zn deficiency induces oxidative stress, which consequently can induce decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis through activation and inactivation of several Zn finger transcription factors. Acute human dietary deficiency of Zn is associated with symptoms such as anorexia, smell and taste dysfunction, emotional and cognitive disturbances, and loss of coordination and other brain functions, including learning and memory defects. The intracellular Zn2+ availability is associated with decline in brain functions and impaired cognitive performances in old age. This chapter will elaborate on the physiological importance of dietary Zn in the brain with special reference to the mechanism of Zn homeostasis, the role of dietary Zn in brain development, and the consequences of an Zn excess and/or Zn deficient condition in brain pathology

Metallothionein isogene transcription in red blood cell precursors from human cord blood

The in vitro transcription patterns for 10 functional metallothionein (MT) isogenes have been investigated in red blood cell (RBC) precursors from human cord blood. Active transcription status of the isogenes, MT-0, MT-1A, MT-1B, MT-1E, MT-1G, MT-1X, and MT-2A, was detected in both ex vivo expanded RBC precursors (burst-forming unit-erythroid) and glycophorin A1 and CD711 cells separated by magnetic cell sorting. Transcription patterns of these isogenes were analyzed at different times of incubation with the addition of Zn supplement. In neither the ex vivo expanded precursors nor glycophorin A1 and CD711 cells could MT-1F and MT-3 be detected. Transcripts of MT-4 were detected in glycophorin A1 and CD711 cells. Erythropoietin-responsive constitutive transcriptionof MT-1X and possible interleukin-3-responsive downregulation of MT-2A in ex vivo expanded precursors reveal their effect on MT biosynthesis. Biosynthesis and induction of MT at the protein level in the RBC precursors was also demonstrated by immunoblotting. Keywords: erythropoietin; glycophorin A; interleukin-3; metallothionein; zinc status

Metallothionein Biosynthesis in Human RBC Precursors

The in vitro biosynthesis of metallothionein (MT) has been investigated in RBC precursors from human cord blood in order to support the hypothesis for the nucleated precursor origin of MT in human red blood cells (RBC). Human RBC precursors are obtained by (i) separating glycophorin A+ (gly A+) cells using a magnetic cell sorting (MACS) technique and by (ii) ex vivo expansion of precursors BFU-E (burst forming unit-erythroid) on methylcellulose semi-solid culture media from mononuclear cells of cord blood. Biosynthesis of MT is detected at the protein level, by immuno-histochemical staining using a mouse monoclonal antibody (E9) in ex vivo expanded RBC precursors obtained from BFU-E. Expression of MT is also detected at the mRNA level by MT specific reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) both in ex vivo expanded precursors from BFU-E and in MACS separated gly A+ cells. In addition, the expression of the fetal form of MT, MT-0 (also known as MT-1H) at the mRNA level in glycophorin A+ cells, is also confirmed by cDNA sequencing. With these observations, to our knowledge, MT biosynthesis in human erythroid precursors is reported for the first time. Moreover, the current findings of MT-0 expression at the mRNA level in gly A+ RBC precursors of hCB has added one more member in the list of cells/organs like fetal liver, human monocytes, non-neoplastic tissues of adenocarcinoma etc., in which the expression of the human fetal form of MT, i.e. MT-0, has also been reported

Differences in composition of nutrients in unripe and ripe carica papaya

A study on composition of nutrients in unripe and ripe carica papaya in various countries of the world

Critical control points and critical limits for industrial scale Halal poultry meat production

Government and non-government organizations in different countries are involved in certification of the halal (Arabic: lawful) status of products. Criteria to label a product as halal may vary depending on the predominant schools of thought of a country or nation. For instance, while water bath stunning before slaughtering is considered permissible in some countries for halal poultry meat production, others reject pre-slaughtering stunning. At the same time, to meet high demand of halal meat market, halal poultry meat production required adoption of automation and mechanical devices at different steps during slaughtering. The halal status of the food depends on the fundamental guidelines derived from the Qur’an and Hadith (the saying and living examples of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). However, variations in the interpretation of these guidelines exist, making it difficult to have one universal halal standard which is acceptable for all Muslims all over the world. Despite the variations, it is possible to outline a systematic approach highlighting the critical points that need to be monitored and controlled for halal poultry meat production. We have proposed Halal Critical Control Point (HCCP) to ensure systematic production and evaluation of the halal poultry meat, from farm to table. Critical control points (CCP) are defined as the events or steps during the processing, compromise of which may render the end product as haram or shubhah. Based on the Qur’an, the Hadith, field survey and interviews with several officers of the religious councils, seven CCP were proposed. Critical limits (CL) are proposed for each CCP, either based on the field survey, experiments or existing empirical evidence. The CL for CCP1 (rearing) focus on HCCP compliant poultry feed ingredients and the genetic makeup of the chickens to be slaughtered. The CL for CCP2 (lairage) emphasises on minimum stress after transportation and before slaughtering process begins. The CL for CCP3 (immobilization) includes a gap of at least 5 sec to hang chickens onto the shackles and shackling time of less than a minute for every chicken before they are slaughtered. In countries which permit the use of water bath electrical stunning in poultry processing for halal meat production, the current to be applied for stunning must be defined according to the bodyweight and breed of the chickens and it must be shown that it does not cause the death of any of the chickens. As a part of the CL for CCP4 (tasmiyah and neck cutting), invocation of the name of Allah must be pronounced for every chicken or for each group of chickens being slaughtered. In CCP4 also, the recommended minimum time between neck cutting and scalding is 9 min. For CCP5 (scalding), counter-current water flow system must be used for scalding and the CL for the temperature is 50 to 60C. The CL for CCP6 (evisceration) is suggested as the rate of flowing water for washing eviscerated carcasses. Finally, the CL for CCP7 (deboning and packaging) emphasises zero adulteration of meat from other species, as well as maintenance of hygiene for the end products. As a conclusive remark, authors wish to declare that the proposed CCP and respective CL are not to be used as the global standard rather can be used as an example to derive required CCP and CL for a respective nation according to their Sharia law. Acknowledgement:This research was supported by International Islamic University Malaysia grant EDW B10-0392

Critical limits for the control points for halal poultry slaughter

This study proposes critical limits (CL) for control points for halal slaughter (CPHS). Previously, 6 control points (CP) were determined, and CL for these 6 CPHS are suggested based on: 1) a literature survey for the CL for CP 1 (poultry breeding, rearing, and poultry feed) and CP 2 (welfare of poultry during transportation and lairage); 2) a field survey of slaughter plants in Kuantan (Malaysia) for CP 3 (immobilization), CP 4 (slaughter), CP 5 (time for full bleed-out), and CP 6 (washing and packaging); and 3) controlled experiments to refine the CL for CP 3, 4, and 5. The CL for CP 1 focused on stress reduction during rearing and use of substances that could compromise poultry meat wholesomeness. The CL for CP 2 emphasizes humane best-practices for handling poultry during lairage. The CL for CP 3 suggests a gap of 5 s between 2 shackles if only one shackler is employed and shackling times of <1 min for live chickens. In countries permitting water-bath electrical stunning of halal poultry, the stunning current needed to induce unconsciousness must be defined for the breed and bird size but not cause any chicken deaths. The CL for CP 4 mandates the recitation of the tasmiyah (the invocation), which if done for every chicken, will require ≥5 s between stunning and neck cutting. The CL for CP 4 also includes information about the slaughter knife. In CP 5 the recommended minimum time between neck cutting and scalding is 9.5 min. Finally, the CL for CP 6 emphasizes good supply chain hygiene and zero adulteration from haram species and substances

Hypoxic Culture Conditions as a Solution for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Based Regenerative Therapy

Cell-based regenerative therapies, based on in vitro propagation of stem cells, offer tremendous hope to many individuals suffering from degenerative diseases that were previously deemed untreatable. Due to the self-renewal capacity, multilineage potential, and immunosuppressive property, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered as an attractive source of stem cells for regenerative therapies. However, poor growth kinetics, early senescence, and genetic instability during in vitro expansion and poor engraftment after transplantation are considered to be among the major disadvantages of MSC-based regenerative therapies. A number of complex inter- and intracellular interactive signaling systems control growth, multiplication, and differentiation of MSCs in their niche. Common laboratory conditions for stem cell culture involve ambient O2 concentration (20%) in contrast to their niche where they usually reside in 2–9% O2. Notably, O2 plays an important role in maintaining stem cell fate in terms of proliferation and differentiation, by regulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) mediated expression of different genes. This paper aims to describe and compare the role of normoxia (20% O2) and hypoxia (2–9% O2) on the biology of MSCs. Finally it is concluded that a hypoxic environment can greatly improve growth kinetics, genetic stability, and expression of chemokine receptors during in vitro expansion and eventually can increase efficiency of MSC-based regenerative therapies

Evaluation of various leakage current paths with different switching conditions

The Photovoltaic (PV) panel is the arrangement of solar cells that becoming famous in the world for commercial electric power market via transformer-less topology. However, non-existing galvanic isolation is the biggest problem occurred in the whole system and is known as leakage issue. In this paper, different paths of leakage current were analyzed with various wave shapes and ranges. Furthermore, it was also verified using DC decoupling and AC decoupling with full bridge rectifier. Moreover, the EMC filter and high range load were used to evaluate the performance. Moreover, here also shown the transfer function of EMC filter with its simulated figure

A comparative study of natural gas and biogas combustion in a swirling flow gas turbine combustor

In this study, non-premixed combustion of traditional fuel-natural gas, and an alternative fuel-biogas, is simulated in a swirling flow industrial gas turbine combustor geometry which includes the combustor liner and the outside casing in order to replicate the flow and combustion in a real gas turbine combustor. The 3D combustion simulations are validated and the results for combustion of both gases are analyzed to compare and evaluate the viability of biogas as an alternative fuel for use in industrial gas turbine combustors. The combustion performance is evaluated based on multiple combustion performance optimization parameters, namely, the combustion efficiency, pattern factor, and pollutant emissions (CO and NO). The effects of two design parameters: swirl number and fuel injector diameter on the combustion performance optimization parameters is examined. The results have been analyzed to identify the best case for each combustion performance optimization parameter and a suitable trade-off case for both gases is proposed. Additionally, the comparison of the combustion performances of both gases revealed that despite possessing much lower methane and hence lower heating value (LHV), a combination of swirl number and fuel injector diameter for biogas of a specific composition results in a combustion performance comparable to natural gas along with lower NO emission, although at the expense of higher CO emission. Therefore, biogas can potentially be utilized as an alternative fuel in industrial gas turbine combustors, and methods for reducing CO emission can be devise