Bimodal Behavior of Ascorbic Acid in Musca domestica Larvae

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is an excellent water-soluble dietary antioxidant, well known to protect the biomolecules from oxidative stress-linked damages. It is reported to show a contrary behavior by inflicting pro-oxidant effects under varied, altered circumstances. The present work is an attempt to study the antioxidant and pro-oxidant behavior of ascorbic acid in Musca domestica larvae. Its pro-oxidant properties were tested by exposing the larvae to various concentrations of ascorbic acid. For confirming its oxidant scavenging properties, its effects on the antioxidant enzyme profiles were studied in both the normal and stress-induced M. domestica larvae. Oxidative stress was induced by adding D-Galactose (D-Gal) to the normal food supplement of the larvae. Outcomes of the study demonstrate that ascorbic acid acts as an efficient antioxidant when added in lower concentrations, but at high concentrations, it induces oxidative stress in the larvae, thus acting as a pro-oxidant. At the concentration of 10 mM, ascorbic acid significantly reduced the oxidative stress induced by D-Gal (p < 0.05) and maintained the percent pupal survival and percent eclosion. In conclusion, we suggest that ascorbic acid may function as an antioxidant and pro-oxidant in a concentration-dependent manner under normal physiological conditions.

Rethinking Interior Design Approach for Shop House Food and Beverage Retails to Embrace New Normal Protocol

The 2020 COVID-19 outbreak has deeply redefined our relationship to public spaces. Fear of transmission (both direct and indirect) has strucked all sectors and put down public facilities such as schools, restaurants, and offices. The implementation of restrictions on community activities in Jakarta alone has resulted in 1030 restaurants permanently closed and 400 restaurants to temporary closed from early 2020 to 2021. Public preference has shifted to outdoor area with open air space to reduce the possibility of transmision. Therefore, shop house food and beverage retails that operated in big cities may find a challenge to keep the costumers' comfort. Keywords: shop house, new normal, food and beverage, retails

Ameliorative influence of vildagliptin on genetic model of neurodegenerative diseases in Drosophila melanogaster

Background:Neurodegenerative disorders (ND) are characterized by progressive loss of selectively vulnerable populations of neurons, which contrasts with select static neuronal loss. Self-association of amyloid-beta(Aβ)orα-synucleinpeptidesintofibrilsand/orplaquelikeaggregatescauses neurotoxicity. Hence, identification of specific compounds that either inhibit the formation of Aβ or α-syn-fibrils makes an appealing therapeutic strategy in the development of drugs. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of vildagliptin (VDG) (oral hypoglycemic agent) on genetic models of ND in Drosophila melanogaster. Methods: The disease causing human Aβ42 peptide or α-syn was expressed pan-neuronally (elav-GAL4) or dopamine neurons (DDC-GAL4) using the UAS-GAL4 system. Flies were either grown in food media with or without vildagliptin (1, 5, or 10μM). This was followed by fecundity, larva motility and negative geotaxis assay (climbing) as a measure of neurodegeneration. Results:Elav-Gal4<Aβ flies showed significant decrease in larva contraction and motility indicative of neurodegeneration. However, flies grown on vildaglitptin (VDG) showed dose-dependent and significant increase in larva motility in comparison with flies grown on food media only. Interestingly, the treatments did not affect fecundity when compared with normal food control. Moreover, flies grown on VDG showed no significant change in lifespan. DDC-GAL4<α-syn flies showed significant decrease in larva motility and climbing activity which was ameliorated by supplementation of flies food media with VDG suggestive of neuroprotective activity. Conclusion: Findings from this study showed that vildagliptin is a potential neuroprotective agent in genetic or familial forms of neurodegeneration.

The Effect of Oral Nutritional Formula With Three Different Proteins on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in vivo

Oral nutritional (ON) products are an effective way to treat patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) whose gastrointestinal functions are normal. The influence of ON formula prepared with three different proteins on T2DM was studied. The hyperglycaemic mouse model using a high-fat diet (HFD) combined with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) was used to simulate T2DM. The study was done for 15 weeks using seven groups of mice: control group (CG, normal mice, and normal food), non-treated group (BG, diabetic mice, and normal food), positive control group (PG, diabetic mice, and HFD), soybean protein group (SPG, diabetic mice, and HFD), silkworm pupa protein group (SPPG, diabetic mice, and HFD), whey protein group (LPG, diabetic mice, and HFD), and whey protein combined with silkworm pupa protein group (LCSSPG, diabetic mice, and HFD). The plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were analyzed on weeks 2, 10, 12, 14, and 15. The concentration of total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) of the plasma was increased in SPG, SPPG, and PG comparing with BG (p &lt; 0.05). The TC, TG, and LDL-C levels were decreased, and HDL-C level was increased in SPG, PG, SPPG, PG comparing with BG (p &lt; 0.05). Blood glucose (BLG) levels were decreased 47, 34, 24, and 21% in SPG, LCSSPG, SPPG, and PG, respectively. While BLG was not significantly changed (p ≥ 0.05) in LG after 5 weeks of treatment. Overall, the data suggested that consumption of SP, SPP, LCSSPG Oral-formula may be beneficial for the treatment of T2DM.

An oesophageal benign stricture: Endoscopy treatment limitation and surgical management in a heifer

A 4-month-old female red Holstein Friesian heifer was referred with intermittent meteorism and regurgitation associated with poor weight gain. The subject showed a fair physical condition with an increased respiratory rate, normal food prehension, mastication, and swallowing activity. The blood gas analysis showed mild respiratory acidosis. An oral gastric tube introduction followed by an endoscopy confirmed the provisional diagnosis of benign oesophageal stenosis. An endoscopic balloon and bouginage did not result in any stricture release, probably due to the degree of fibrosis of the stenotic ring. A surgical approach with a mucosectomy was performed, which restored the normal oesophageal function. Based on the authors’ knowledge, this is the first description of a bovine oesophageal mucosectomy as a definitive surgical treatment for a stricture after the failure of both balloon dilation and a bougienage technique.

Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Is Resilient to Heat-Induced Conformational Change

TGF-beta1 is an essential signaling protein in numerous important biological pathways. Traditionally, TGF-beta1 is considered a sensitive protein so that this protein was handled with extreme care for production and storage. TGF-beta1 also exists in foods from animal sources, such as milk, and has been proven to be absorbed through ingestion. The food sourced TGF-beta1 was also not considered active after normal food processing, such as heating. Our research calls into question these concepts and encourages the research community to reconsider the activity of heated TGF-beta1 for both biomedical and nutrition applications.<br>

Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Is Resilient to Heat-Induced Conformational Change

TGF-beta1 is an essential signaling protein in numerous important biological pathways. Traditionally, TGF-beta1 is considered a sensitive protein so that this protein was handled with extreme care for production and storage. TGF-beta1 also exists in foods from animal sources, such as milk, and has been proven to be absorbed through ingestion. The food sourced TGF-beta1 was also not considered active after normal food processing, such as heating. Our research calls into question these concepts and encourages the research community to reconsider the activity of heated TGF-beta1 for both biomedical and nutrition applications.<br>

The consumer’s motivation towards online purchase intention of chicken meat during the Covid-19 pandemic

The extent of the Corona virus or Covid-19 in various countries, including in Indonesia, has impacted numerous sectors. The Covid-19 pandemic will have potentially caused changes to the normal food system for chicken meat commodities in Indonesia. Among them is a shift in consumer behaviour in getting access to chicken meat. Consumers’ online purchase intention is seen as an appropriate alternative during the pandemic, especially for consumers in the red zones. This study was conducted to analyse factors that impact online purchase intention on Chicken meat during the pandemic. This research uses data survey of 316 consumers in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok (Red zone areas). The analysis used is SEM using AMOS software. The results show that there are situation impact and hedonic influence towards online purchase intention of the chicken meat during the pandemic. We provide recommendation for companies on how to address consumers purchase motives.