Relationship Between Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene Patients and Using Vasopressors in the Intensive Care Unit.

Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) is a rare yet severe condition characterized by peripheral ischemic lesions without significant vascular occlusion. Its clinical presentation includes peripheral cyanosis, mottling, and symmetrical ischemia of distal limbs, often progressing to gangrene. Recent years have seen a rise in SPG cases, with mortality rates ranging from 40% to 90%. The condition is associated with systemic diseases, such as sepsis, vasculitis, and coagulopathy. DIC frequently complicates SPG, reflecting a disturbed procoagulant-anticoagulant balance and depletion of natural anticoagulants. While vasopressor therapy, particularly high-dose administration, has been implicated in SPG pathogenesis due to sustained vasoconstriction or idiosyncratic responses, recent evidence suggests it may not be the underlying cause. Studies indicate a low incidence of ischemic limb necrosis associated with high-dose vasopressors, with DIC and shock liver potentially explaining limb ischemia instead. The characteristic temporal interval between the onset of shock liver and limb ischemic necrosis suggests a more complex pathophysiology. The role of infectious agents, such as bacteria and viruses, in SPG pathogenesis is under investigation, with both direct vascular invasion and immune-mediated mechanisms proposed. Diagnosis involves ruling out other causes of acral gangrene through clinical examination, laboratory tests, imaging studies, and biopsy. Treatment strategies aim to halt disease progression, eliminate causative factors, and prevent complications. While anticoagulants, vasodilators, and adjunctive therapies like hyperbaric oxygen show promise, the efficacy of interventions varies, emphasizing the need for individualized management. Notably, hemoadsorption has emerged as a promising treatment, demonstrating significant improvement in SPG cases. Amputation remains a last resort option in irreversible cases. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management are crucial for improving outcomes. Further research is needed to better understand SPG's etiology and develop effective treatments through collaborative efforts.

Isolation, preparation and investigation of leaf extracts of Aloe barbadensis for its remedial effects on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL-6) by in vivo and in silico approaches in experimental rats.

Aloe barbadensis is a stemless plant with a length of 60-100 cm with juicy leaves which is used for its remedial and healing properties in different suburbs of various countries. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of A. barbadensis leaf extract (aqueous and ethanolic) in yeast induced pyrexia and acetic acid induced writhing in rat model to evaluate the antipyretic biomarkers and its phytochemical screening with computational analysis. For analgesic activity model 60 Albino rats (160-200 kg) were divided into four groups. Of the 4 groups, control consisted of 6 rats (Group I) treated with normal saline, standard comprised of 6 rats treated with drug diclofenac (Group I). Experimental groups consisted of 48 rats, treated with A. barbadensis ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts at doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg (Group III. IV). For antipyretic activity group division was same as in analgesic activity. All groups were treated the same as in the analgesic activity except for the second group which was treated with paracetamol. In both antipyretic and analgesic activity at the dose of 400 mg/kg, group III showed significant inhibition. TNF-α and IL-6 showed significant antipyretic activity at a dose of 400 mg/kg. For molecular docking aloe emodin and cholestanol were used as ligand molecules to target proteins Tnf-α and IL-6. Acute oral toxicity study was performed. There was no mortality even at the dose of 2000 mg/kg. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening was performed for the detection of various phytochemicals. Hence, A. barbadensis leaf extracts can be used in the form of medicine for the treatment of pain and fever.

Salt Stress-Related Mechanisms in Leaves of the Wild Barley Hordeum spontaneum Generated from RNA-Seq Datasets.

This study aims to detect salt stress-related genes and mechanisms of the wild barley Hordeum spontaneum. Among the generated RNA-Seq datasets, several regulated transcripts are influenced by levels of cellular carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. Some of the regulated genes act on photorespiration and ubiquitination processes, as well as promoting plant growth and development under salt stress. One of the genes, encoding alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT), participates in signaling transduction and proline biosynthesis, while the gene encoding asparagine synthetase (ASN) influences nitrogen storage and transport in plants under stress. Meanwhile, the gene encoding glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) promotes shoot and root biomass production as well as nitrate assimilation. The upregulated genes encoding alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde synthase (AASAS) and small auxin-up RNA 40 (SAUR40) participate in the production of proline and signaling compounds, respectively, while the gene encoding E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase regulates the carbon/nitrogen-nutrient response and pathogen resistance, in addition to some physiological processes under biotic and abiotic stresses via signal transduction. The gene encoding the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)-domain suppressor of STIMPY (TSS) negatively regulates the carbon level in the cell. In conclusion, this study sheds light on possible molecular mechanisms underlying salt stress tolerance in wild barley that can be utilized further in genomics-based breeding programs of cultivated species.

Impact of Social Media on Choosing Skin Care and Cosmetic Products Among Females in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Social media is a network that allows information to be shared globally with millions of users. It is becoming evident that social media plays quite a prominent role these days in skincare. Social media surely has come to benefit millions of its users around the globe, but the downside of social media is that it has the potential to put users at risk while they follow popular trends. AIM: This study aims to assess the impact of social media on choosing skincare and cosmetic products in Saudi Arabia with the most used social media platforms. METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted targeting adult female residents across Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from the participants who met our criteria via electronic data collection Google forms did not show any nominative information that was distributed through social media platforms. The questionnaire covered participants' demographic data, social media use, source of information, and degree of trust with the influence of social media on using cosmetics. The eligible females were asked to fill out the study questionnaire received till no more new answers were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 1,174 females fulfilling the inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to more than 40 years with a mean age of 22.5 %C2%B1 13.9 years old. Exact of 655 (55.8%) were single, and 463 (39.4%) were married. The most used social media platforms included Snapchat (39.4%), TikTok (26.7%), and Instagram (19.6%). A total of 881 (75%) of the study females reported they use social media for more than an hour a day. Exact 51% of the study females became familiar with skin care products from social media platforms. Also, 91.3% of the study female's confidence in information related to cosmetic and skin care products was affected by visual presentation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the study showed that most of the study participants used social media for many hours daily mainly Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. Also, social media was the main source of information regarding skin care products mainly dermatologists on social media.

Abundant antibiotic resistance genes in rhizobiome of the human edible Moringa oleifera medicinal plant.

Moringa oleifera (or the miracle tree) is a wild plant species widely grown for its seed pods and leaves, and is used in traditional herbal medicine. The metagenomic whole genome shotgun sequencing (mWGS) approach was used to characterize antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) of the rhizobiomes of this wild plant and surrounding bulk soil microbiomes and to figure out the chance and consequences for highly abundant ARGs, e.g., mtrA, golS, soxR, oleC, novA, kdpE, vanRO, parY, and rbpA, to horizontally transfer to human gut pathogens via mobile genetic elements (MGEs). The results indicated that abundance of these ARGs, except for golS, was higher in rhizosphere of M. oleifera than that in bulk soil microbiome with no signs of emerging new soil ARGs in either soil type. The most highly abundant metabolic processes of the most abundant ARGs were previously detected in members of phyla Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Firmicutes. These processes refer to three resistance mechanisms namely antibiotic efflux pump, antibiotic target alteration and antibiotic target protection. Antibiotic efflux mechanism included resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND), ATP-binding cassette (ABC), and major facilitator superfamily (MFS) antibiotics pumps as well as the two-component regulatory kdpDE system. Antibiotic target alteration included glycopeptide resistance gene cluster (vanRO), aminocoumarin resistance parY, and aminocoumarin self-resistance parY. While, antibiotic target protection mechanism included RbpA bacterial RNA polymerase (rpoB)-binding protein. The study supports the claim of the possible horizontal transfer of these ARGs to human gut and emergence of new multidrug resistant clinical isolates. Thus, careful agricultural practices are required especially for plants used in circles of human nutrition industry or in traditional medicine.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity of New Spirooxindoles Engrafted Furan Structural Motif as a Potential Anticancer Agent.

A new series of spirooxindoles based on ethylene derivatives having furan aryl moiety are reported. The new hybrids were achieved via [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction as an economic one-step efficient approach. The final constructed spirooxindoles have four contiguous asymmetric carbon centers. The structure of 3a is exclusively confirmed using X-ray single crystal diffraction. The supramolecular structure of 3a is controlled by O···H, H···H, and C···C intermolecular contacts. It includes layered molecules interconnected weak C-H···O (2.675 Å), H···H (2.269 Å), and relatively short Cl···Br interhalogen interactions [3.4500(11)Å]. Using Hirshfeld analysis, the percentages of these intermolecular contacts are 10.6, 25.7, 6.4, and 6.2%, respectively. The spirooxindoles along with ethylene derivatives having furan aryl moiety were assessed against breast (MCF7) and liver (HepG2) cancer cell lines. The results indicated that the new chalcone 3b showed excellent activity in both cell lines (MCF7 and HepG2) with IC50 = 4.1 ± 0.10 µM/mL (MCF7) and 3.5 ± 0.07 µM/mL (HepG2) compared to staurosporine with 4.3 and 2.92 folds. Spirooxindoles 6d (IC50 = 4.3 ± 0.18 µM/mL), 6f (IC50 = 10.3 ± 0.40 µM/mL), 6i (IC50 = 10.7 ± 0.38 µM/mL), and 6j (IC50 = 4.7 ± 0.18 µM/mL) exhibited potential activity against breast adenocarcinoma, while compounds 6d (IC50 = 6.9 ± 0.23 µM/mL) and 6f (IC50 = 3.5 ± 0.11 µM/mL) were the most active hybrids against human liver cancer cell line (HepG2) compared to staurosporine [IC50 = 17.8 ± 0.50 µM/mL (MCF7) and 10.3 ± 0.23 µM/mL (HepG2)]. Molecular docking study exhibited the virtual mechanism of binding of compound 3b as a dual inhibitor of EGFR/CDK-2 proteins, and this may highlight the molecular targets for its cytotoxic activity.

Synthesis and Structure Elucidation of Novel Spirooxindole Linked to Ferrocene and Triazole Systems via [3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction.

In the present work, a novel heterocyclic hybrid of a spirooxindole system was synthesized via the attachment of ferrocene and triazole motifs into an azomethine ylide by [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction protocol. The X-ray structure of the heterocyclic hybrid (1″R,2″S,3R)-2″-(1-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonyl)-5-methyl-1″-(ferrocin-2-yl)-1″,2″,5″,6″,7″,7a″-hexahydrospiro[indoline-3,3″-pyrrolizin]-2-one revealed very well the expected structure, by using different analytical tools (FTIR and NMR spectroscopy). It crystallized in the triclinic-crystal system and the P-1-space group. The unit cell parameters are a = 9.1442(2) Å, b = 12.0872(3) Å, c = 14.1223(4) Å, α = 102.1700(10)°, ß = 97.4190(10)°, γ = 99.1600(10)°, and V = 1484.81(7) Å3. There are two molecules per unit cell and one formula unit per asymmetric unit. Hirshfeld analysis was used to study the molecular packing of the heterocyclic hybrid. H···H (50.8%), H···C (14.2%), Cl···H (8.9%), O···H (7.3%), and N···H (5.1%) are the most dominant intermolecular contacts in the crystal structure. O···H, N···H, H···C, F···H, F···C, and O···O are the only contacts that have the characteristic features of short and significant interactions. AIM study indicated predominant covalent characters for the Fe-C interactions. Also, the electron density (ρ(r)) at the bond critical point correlated inversely with the Fe-C distances.

Phytochemical and Potential Properties of Seaweeds and Their Recent Applications: A Review.

Since ancient times, seaweeds have been employed as source of highly bioactive secondary metabolites that could act as key medicinal components. Furthermore, research into the biological activity of certain seaweed compounds has progressed significantly, with an emphasis on their composition and application for human and animal nutrition. Seaweeds have many uses: they are consumed as fodder, and have been used in medicines, cosmetics, energy, fertilizers, and industrial agar and alginate biosynthesis. The beneficial effects of seaweed are mostly due to the presence of minerals, vitamins, phenols, polysaccharides, and sterols, as well as several other bioactive compounds. These compounds seem to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic activities. Recent advances and limitations for seaweed bioactive as a nutraceutical in terms of bioavailability are explored in order to better comprehend their therapeutic development. To further understand the mechanism of action of seaweed chemicals, more research is needed as is an investigation into their potential usage in pharmaceutical companies and other applications, with the ultimate objective of developing sustainable and healthier products. The objective of this review is to collect information about the role of seaweeds on nutritional, pharmacological, industrial, and biochemical applications, as well as their impact on human health.

CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful tool for precise genome editing of legume crops: a review.

Legumes are an imperative source of food and proteins across the globe. They also improve soil fertility through symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF). Genome editing (GE) is now a novel way of developing desirable traits in legume crops. Genome editing tools like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system permits a defined genome alteration to improve crop performance. This genome editing tool is reliable, cost-effective, and versatile, and it has to deepen in terms of use compared to other tools. Recently, many novel variations have drawn the attention of plant geneticists, and efforts are being made to develop trans-gene-free cultivars for ensuring biosafety measures. This review critically elaborates on the recent development in genome editing of major legumes crops. We hope this updated review will provide essential informations for the researchers working on legumes genome editing. In general, the CRISPR/Cas9 novel GE technique can be integrated with other techniques like omics approaches and next-generation tools to broaden the range of gene editing and develop any desired legumes traits. Regulatory ethics of CRISPR/Cas9 are also discussed.

Alkaline nucleoplasm facilitates contractile gene expression in the mammalian heart.

Cardiac contractile strength is recognised as being highly pH-sensitive, but less is known about the influence of pH on cardiac gene expression, which may become relevant in response to changes in myocardial metabolism or vascularization during development or disease. We sought evidence for pH-responsive cardiac genes, and a physiological context for this form of transcriptional regulation. pHLIP, a peptide-based reporter of acidity, revealed a non-uniform pH landscape in early-postnatal myocardium, dissipating in later life. pH-responsive differentially expressed genes (pH-DEGs) were identified by transcriptomics of neonatal cardiomyocytes cultured over a range of pH. Enrichment analysis indicated "striated muscle contraction" as a pH-responsive biological process. Label-free proteomics verified fifty-four pH-responsive gene-products, including contractile elements and the adaptor protein CRIP2. Using transcriptional assays, acidity was found to reduce p300/CBP acetylase activity and, its a functional readout, inhibit myocardin, a co-activator of cardiac gene expression. In cultured myocytes, acid-inhibition of p300/CBP reduced H3K27 acetylation, as demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. H3K27ac levels were more strongly reduced at promoters of acid-downregulated DEGs, implicating an epigenetic mechanism of pH-sensitive gene expression. By tandem cytoplasmic/nuclear pH imaging, the cardiac nucleus was found to exercise a degree of control over its pH through Na+/H+ exchangers at the nuclear envelope. Thus, we describe how extracellular pH signals gain access to the nucleus and regulate the expression of a subset of cardiac genes, notably those coding for contractile proteins and CRIP2. Acting as a proxy of a well-perfused myocardium, alkaline conditions are permissive for expressing genes related to the contractile apparatus.

Acidic environments trigger intracellular H+-sensing FAK proteins to re-balance sarcolemmal acid-base transporters and auto-regulate cardiomyocyte pH.

AIMS: In cardiomyocytes, acute disturbances to intracellular pH (pHi) are promptly corrected by a system of finely tuned sarcolemmal acid-base transporters. However, these fluxes become thermodynamically re-balanced in acidic environments, which inadvertently causes their set-point pHi to fall outside the physiological range. It is unclear whether an adaptive mechanism exists to correct this thermodynamic challenge, and return pHi to normal. METHODS AND RESULTS: Following left ventricle cryo-damage, a diffuse pattern of low extracellular pH (pHe) was detected by acid-sensing pHLIP. Despite this, pHi measured in the beating heart (13C NMR) was normal. Myocytes had adapted to their acidic environment by reducing Cl-/HCO3- exchange (CBE)-dependent acid-loading and increasing Na+/H+ exchange (NHE1)-dependent acid-extrusion, as measured by fluorescence (cSNARF1). The outcome of this adaptation on pHi is revealed as a cytoplasmic alkalinization when cells are superfused at physiological pHe. Conversely, mice given oral bicarbonate (to improve systemic buffering) had reduced myocardial NHE1 expression, consistent with a needs-dependent expression of pHi-regulatory transporters. The response to sustained acidity could be replicated in vitro using neonatal ventricular myocytes incubated at low pHe for 48 h. The adaptive increase in NHE1 and decrease in CBE activities was linked to Slc9a1 (NHE1) up-regulation and Slc4a2 (AE2) down-regulation. This response was triggered by intracellular H+ ions because it persisted in the absence of CO2/HCO3- and became ablated when acidic incubation media had lower chloride, a solution manoeuvre that reduces the extent of pHi-decrease. Pharmacological inhibition of FAK-family non-receptor kinases, previously characterized as pH-sensors, ablated this pHi autoregulation. In support of a pHi-sensing role, FAK protein Pyk2 (auto)phosphorylation was reduced within minutes of exposure to acidity, ahead of adaptive changes to pHi control. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiomyocytes fine-tune the expression of pHi-regulators so that pHi is at least 7.0. This autoregulatory feedback mechanism defines physiological pHi and protects it during pHe vulnerabilities.

Nitric oxide modulates cardiomyocyte pH control through a biphasic effect on sodium/hydrogen exchanger-1.

AIMS: When activated, Na+/H+ exchanger-1 (NHE1) produces some of the largest ionic fluxes in the heart. NHE1-dependent H+ extrusion and Na+ entry strongly modulate cardiac physiology through the direct effects of pH on proteins and by influencing intracellular Ca2+ handling. To attain an appropriate level of activation, cardiac NHE1 must respond to myocyte-derived cues. Among physiologically important cues is nitric oxide (NO), which regulates a myriad of cardiac functions, but its actions on NHE1 are unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: NHE1 activity was measured using pH-sensitive cSNARF1 fluorescence after acid-loading adult ventricular myocytes by an ammonium prepulse solution manoeuvre. NO signalling was manipulated by knockout of its major constitutive synthase nNOS, adenoviral nNOS gene delivery, nNOS inhibition, and application of NO-donors. NHE1 flux was found to be activated by low [NO], but inhibited at high [NO]. These responses involved cGMP-dependent signalling, rather than S-nitros(yl)ation. Stronger cGMP signals, that can inhibit phosphodiesterase enzymes, allowed [cAMP] to rise, as demonstrated by a FRET-based sensor. Inferring from the actions of membrane-permeant analogues, cGMP was determined to activate NHE1, whereas cAMP was inhibitory, which explains the biphasic regulation by NO. Activation of NHE1-dependent Na+ influx by low [NO] also increased the frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ waves, whereas high [NO] suppressed these aberrant forms of Ca2+ signalling. CONCLUSIONS: Physiological levels of NO stimulation increase NHE1 activity, which boosts pH control during acid-disturbances and results in Na+-driven cellular Ca2+ loading. These responses are positively inotropic but also increase the likelihood of aberrant Ca2+ signals, and hence arrhythmia. Stronger NO signals inhibit NHE1, leading to a reversal of the aforementioned effects, ostensibly as a potential cardioprotective intervention to curtail NHE1 overdrive.

p38γ MAPK contributes to left ventricular remodeling after pathologic stress and disinhibits calpain through phosphorylation of calpastatin.

Despite the high and preferential expression of p38γ MAPK in the myocardium, little is known about its function in the heart. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the physiologic and biochemical roles of p38γ in the heart. Expression and subcellular localization of p38 isoforms was determined in mouse hearts. Comparisons of the cardiac function and structure of wild-type and p38γ knockout (KO) mice at baseline and after abdominal aortic banding demonstrated that KO mice developed less ventricular hypertrophy and that contractile function is better preserved. To identify potential substrates of p38γ, we generated an analog-sensitive mutant to affinity tag endogenous myocardial proteins. Among other proteins, this technique identified calpastatin as a direct p38γ substrate. Moreover, phosphorylation of calpastatin by p38γ impaired its ability to inhibit the protease, calpain. We have identified p38γ as an important determinant of the progression of pathologic cardiac hypertrophy after aortic banding in mice. In addition, we have identified calpastatin, among other substrates, as a novel direct target of p38γ that may contribute to the protection observed in p38γKO mice.-Loonat, A. A., Martin, E. D., Sarafraz-Shekary, N., Tilgner, K., Hertz, N. T., Levin, R., Shokat, K. M., Burlingame, A. L., Arabacilar, P., Uddin, S., Thomas, M., Marber, M. S., Clark, J. E. p38γ MAPK contributes to left ventricular remodeling after pathologic stress and disinhibits calpain through phosphorylation of calpastatin.

A high-throughput ratiometric method for imaging hypertrophic growth in cultured primary cardiac myocytes.

Maladaptive hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes increases the risk of heart failure. The underlying signaling can be triggered and interrogated in cultured neonatal ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) using sophisticated pharmacological and genetic techniques. However, the methods for quantifying cell growth are, by comparison, inadequate. The lack of quantitative, calibratable and computationally-inexpensive high-throughput technology has limited the scope for using cultured myocytes in large-scale analyses. We present a ratiometric method for quantifying the hypertrophic growth of cultured myocytes, compatible with high-throughput imaging platforms. Protein biomass was assayed from sulforhodamine B (SRB) fluorescence, and image analysis calculated the quotient of signal from extra-nuclear and nuclear regions. The former readout relates to hypertrophic growth, whereas the latter is a reference for correcting protein-independent (e.g. equipment-related) variables. This ratiometric measure, when normalized to the number of cells, provides a robust quantification of cellular hypertrophy. The method was tested by comparing the efficacy of various chemical agonists to evoke hypertrophy, and verified using independent assays (myocyte area, transcripts of markers). The method's high resolving power and wide dynamic range were confirmed by the ability to generate concentration-response curves, track the time-course of hypertrophic responses with fine temporal resolution, describe drug/agonist interactions, and screen for novel anti-hypertrophic agents. The method can be implemented as an end-point in protocols investigating hypertrophy, and is compatible with automated plate-reader platforms for generating high-throughput data, thereby reducing investigator-bias. Finally, the computationally-minimal workflow required for obtaining measurements makes the method simple to implement in most laboratories.

Iron-deficiency anemia reduces cardiac contraction by downregulating RyR2 channels and suppressing SERCA pump activity.

Iron deficiency is present in ~50% of heart failure (HF) patients. Large multicenter trials have shown that treatment of iron deficiency with i.v. iron benefits HF patients, but the underlying mechanisms are not known. To investigate the actions of iron deficiency on the heart, mice were fed an iron-depleted diet, and some received i.v. ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), an iron supplementation used clinically. Iron-deficient animals became anemic and had reduced ventricular ejection fraction measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Ca2+ signaling, a pathway linked to the contractile deficit in failing hearts, was also significantly affected. Ventricular myocytes isolated from iron-deficient animals produced smaller Ca2+ transients from an elevated diastolic baseline but had unchanged sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ load, trigger L-type Ca2+ current, or cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffering. Reduced fractional release from the SR was due to downregulated RyR2 channels, detected at protein and message levels. The constancy of diastolic SR Ca2+ load is explained by reduced RyR2 permeability in combination with right-shifted SERCA activity due to dephosphorylation of its regulator phospholamban. Supplementing iron levels with FCM restored normal Ca2+ signaling and ejection fraction. Thus, 2 Ca2+-handling proteins previously implicated in HF become functionally impaired in iron-deficiency anemia, but their activity is rescued by i.v. iron supplementation.

Antibiotic resistance and molecular typing among cockle (Anadara granosa) strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based analysis.

Genomic DNA of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were characterized by antibiotic resistance, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) analysis. These isolates originated from 3 distantly locations of Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka (East coastal areas), Malaysia. A total of 44 (n = 44) of tentatively V. parahaemolyticus were also examined for the presence of toxR, tdh and trh gene. Of 44 isolates, 37 were positive towards toxR gene; while, none were positive to tdh and trh gene. Antibiotic resistance analysis showed the V. parahaemolyticus isolates were highly resistant to bacitracin (92%, 34/37) and penicillin (89%, 33/37) followed by resistance towards ampicillin (68%, 25/37), cefuroxime (38%, 14/37), amikacin (6%, 2/37) and ceftazidime (14%, 5/37). None of the V. parahaemolyticus isolates were resistant towards chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, streptomycin and vancomycin. Antibiogram patterns exhibited, 9 patterns and phenotypically less heterogenous when compared to PCR-based techniques using ERIC- and RAPD-PCR. The results of the ERIC- and RAPD-PCR were analyzed using GelCompare software. ERIC-PCR with primers ERIC1R and ERIC2 discriminated the V. parahaemolyticus isolates into 6 clusters and 21 single isolates at a similarity level of 80%. While, RAPD-PCR with primer Gen8 discriminated the V. parahaemolyticus isolates into 11 clusters and 10 single isolates and Gen9 into 8 clusters and 16 single isolates at the same similarity level examined. Results in the presence study demonstrated combination of phenotypically and genotypically methods show a wide heterogeneity among cockle isolates of V. parahaemolyticus.

Sensory analysis of lipstick.

Sensory analysis of lipstick product by trained panellists started with recruiting female panels who are lipstick users, in good health condition and willing to be a part of sensory members. This group of people was further scrutinized with duo-trio method using commercial lipstick samples that are commonly used among them. About 40% of the 15 panels recruited were unable to differentiate the lipstick samples they usually use better than chance. The balance of nine panels that were corrected at least with 65% across all trials in panels screening process was formed a working group to develop sensory languages as a means of describing product similarities and differences and a scoring system. Five sessions with each session took about 90 min were carried out using 10 types of lipsticks with different waxes mixture ratio in the formulation together with six commercial lipsticks that are the most common to the panels. First session was focus on listing out the panels' perception towards the characteristic of the lipstick samples after normal application on their lips. Second session was focus on the refining and categorizing the responses gathered from the first session and translated into sensory attributes with its definition. Third session was focus on the scoring system. Fourth and fifth sessions were repetition of the third session to ensure consistency. In a collective effort of the panels, sensory attributes developed for lipstick were Spreadability, Off flavour, Hardness, Smoothness, Moist, Not messy, Glossy and Greasy. Analysis of variance was able to provide ample evidence on gauging the panel performance. A proper panels selecting and training was able to produce a reliable and sensitive trained panel for evaluating the product based on the procedures being trained.

Effect of retorting and oven cooking on the nutritional properties of beef frankfurters blended with palm oils.

The effect of retorting and oven cooking on the nutritional properties of beef frankfurters blended with palm oil (PO), red PO35 and red PO48 were compared against the control beef fat treatment. Red PO oven-cooked beef frankfurters resulted in a significant loss of vitamin E from 538.5 to 287.5 microg after 6 months. Oven cooked sausages stored at -18 degrees C and retorted sausages stored for the 6 months of shelf studies resulted in more than 90% loss of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene in red PO beef frankfurters. Cholesterol was reduced at the range of 29.0-32.2 mg/100 g when beef fat was substituted with palm-based oils, in beef frankfurters. Differences of heat treatments did not significantly change THE cholesterol content, within all treatments. This study showed the potential of utilizing red palm oils as animal fat analogues in improving vitamin E, reducing cholesterol but not carotenes in beef frankfurters.

Optimizing palm oil and palm stearin utilization for sensory and textural properties of chicken frankfurters.

This study was designed to explore the potential of refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm oil (PO) and palm stearin (POs) utilization in chicken frankfurters. A 10 points augmented simplex-centroid design was used to study the effect of chicken fat (CF), PO and POs as well as the interaction of these fats on the emulsion, textural and sensory properties of chicken frankfurters. All frankfurters were formulated to contain approx 25% fat, 52% moisture and 10% protein. No significant difference was found in end chopping temperatures of all meat batters even though the temperature of PO and POs upon incorporation into meat batters was 50°C higher than CF. Strong emulsions were formed as no fluid losses were observed in all the meat batters tested after heating. Texture profiles of the frankfurters containing PO and/or CF were quite similar, but increment of POs raised hardness, chewiness, and shear hardness of the frankfurters. Acceptability of the frankfurters was evaluated using hedonic test. Panelists found no difference in hardness preference between frankfurters made from totally CF and PO, while frankfurters made from POs were rated as hard and brittle. CF was important in determining acceptability of the frankfurters, as reduction of CF in formulation resulted in lower scores in chicken flavor, juiciness, oiliness and overall acceptance of the frankfurters. Frankfurters with sensory acceptability comparable to a commercial one were found to comprise of more than 17% CF, and less than 67% PO and 17% POs of the fat blend.

Physical characteristics of modified milkfat in high-melting fat preparation.

Anhydrous milkfat (AMF) was fractionated to obtain a series of high-melting milkfat fractions (HMF). Solid fat content (SFC) of HMF as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was in the range 37.6-43.6% and 21.2-27.5% measured at 20 and 30 degrees C, respectively. The HMF have a higher melting characteristic compared to AMF as analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with melting enthalpies of 92.2-105.0 J/g and melting peak temperatures of 39.3-41.5 degrees C. The AMF was also blended with soft palm stearin (SPOs and/or hard palm stearin (HPOs)) according to a three conventional component mixture design which providing suitable formulations for HMF. This represented three selected blends of AMF:SPOs:HPOs at three different proportions (70:15:15, 60:30:10 and 50:45:5), having SFC and DSC melting characteristics of HMF. The study revealed that higher-melting characteristics of AMF could be achieved equally well by using both fractionation and blending techniques.