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The prevailing global market demands locally produced, sustainable oils for biomedical applications. This study focused on evaluating the quality of cricket-derived oils and meals from Scapsipedus icipe Hugel, Tanga, and Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer common delicacy in Africa, following standard methods for physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, and phytochemicals (oxalates, phytates, tannins, and polyphenols). The cricket oils physicochemical properties aligned with Codex Alimentarius standards for edible oils, including low solidification temperature (< 2 °C), a high refractive index (1.46), and a specific gravity of 0.88. Notably, peroxide values (1.9 to 2.5 mg mEq O2/kg), acid values (1.1 to 2.2 mg KOH/g), and saponification values (234–246 mg KOH/g) all are indicative of lightness and unsaturated fatty acids. Nutritionally, cricket powder was rich in protein (56.8–56.9% -) and fat (31.7–33.5% -of dry matter), with significant amounts of essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Predominant saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were palmitic (23.9–31.2 mg/100 g-) and oleic acids (10.9–11.4 mg/100 g- of oil), respectively. Antioxidant values (48.0 to 65.0 mg/100 g), inferred from total polyphenols, suggests a stable oil with long shelf-life. These results highlight the promising and sustainable potential of cricket-derived oils for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Inhalation of tropospheric ozone increases the risk of respiratory diseases and the metabolic syndrome (MS). On the other hand, medical ozone therapy is used in the management of many chronic diseases including components of MS. However, medical ozone has not gained universal acceptance because the mechanisms involved therein are not fully understood. Ozone has also been reported to be endogenously formed in cells and organisms. Like medical ozone, endogenous ozone has not been fully embraced, due to limited understanding of the mechanisms of its formation. This review seeks to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of endogenous ozone formation by outlining previously proposed mechanisms, and suggesting new pathways based on reactions that have been reported to be involved in tropospheric ozone formation and electrochemical ozone production from water. New perspectives on the mechanisms of the harms of ozone inhalation and the benefits of medical ozone are discussed. It is hypothesized that endogenous ozone is involved in the harmful effects of particulate matter and ozone inhalation, as well as the benefits of medical ozone, nutraceuticals and physical activity. Thus, endogenous ozone should be regarded as a mainstream reactive oxygen species in redox biology.

Abstract To most indigenous communities, livestock plays important socio-cultural roles in addition to sustenance. Like many other communities in the world, the Borana people regard livestock and livestock products not only as nourishment but as an integral part of their cultural identity and social construct. The Borana are Cushitic-speaking people who reside in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia and practise pastoralism as the primary way of livelihood. Livestock is reared by Borana people to obtain meat, milk and other by-products further to socio-cultural roles that were important for communal prosperity and resilience. The aim of this paper was therefore, to describe the various role of cattle and its significance to Borana people. For data collection, qualitative methods such as key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed. The results showed that cattle and particularly bulls were slaughtered for meat consumption, rituals and high-value ceremonial purposes. Moreover, as a desired form of wealth, cattle provide numerous resources to the owners and the prestige associated with herd of cattle accelerates social status and identity among the Borana community. Thus, according to participants’ discussions and views, cattle are highly symbolic and have cultural meaning not only as the primary source of food but also in shaping social–cultural values embedded in their social structure. The various role of cattle and its products had significant implications on food security; the traditional practice of livestock wealth sharing shielded the Borana community in times of need and the practice of commensality led to greater social bonds. However, the changing socio-cultural environment caused by recurrent droughts has affected the traditional coping mechanism and led to alternative forms of livelihood.

Background: Hepatic insulin signaling suppresses gluconeogenesis but promotes de novo lipid synthesis. Paradoxically, hepatic insulin resistance (HIR) enhances both gluconeogenesis and de novo lipid synthesis. Elucidation of the etiology of this paradox, which participates in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease, the metabolic syndrome and hepatocellular carcinoma, has not been fully achieved. Scope of review: This article briefly outlines the previously proposed hypotheses on the etiology of the HIR paradox. It then discusses literature consistent with an alternative hypothesis that excessive gluconeogenesis, the direct effect of HIR, is responsible for the aberrant lipogenesis. The mechanisms involved therein are explained, involving de novo synthesis of fructose and uric acid, promotion of glutamine anaplerosis, and induction of glucagon resistance. Thus, gluconeogenesis via lipogenesis promotes hepatic steatosis, a component of NAFLD, and dyslipidemia. Gluconeogenesis-centred mechanisms for the progression of NAFLD from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis are suggested. That NAFLD often precedes and predicts type 2 diabetes is explained by the ability of lipogenesis to cushion against blood glucose dysregulation in the earlier stages of NAFLD. Major conclusions: HIR-induced excessive gluconeogenesis is a major cause of the HIR paradox and its sequelae. Such involvement of gluconeogenesis in lipid synthesis rationalizes the fact that several types of antidiabetic drugs ameliorate NAFLD. Thus, dietary, lifestyle and pharmacological targeting of HIR and hepatic gluconeogenesis may be a most viable approach for the prevention and management of the HIR-associated network of diseases.

Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), is a life-threatening condition of global public health concern. It worsens in the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a complex disorder characterized by co-occurrence of at least three of such factors as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. However, lifestyle interventions reduce the risk of both MetS and T2D, and nutrition education can empower individuals on the appropriate, lifestyle changes. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of a nutrition education programme, with and without inclusion of peer to peer support, on MetS in T2D patients. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial with two intervention groups and one control. One of the intervention groups involved a nutrition education programme with peer-to-peer support (NEP); the other involved only the education program, while the control received standard care. Each group had 51 participants. The nutrition education programme was conducted for 2 h per week for 8 weeks. In addition, the NEP had weekly peer-to-peer interactions for 8 weeks. All groups had follow-up sessions for 6 months. Data on MetS risk factors as well as food intake patterns and physical activity levels were taken at baseline and at different time points during the study. Analysis of Co-variance and regression were used in the analysis. Results The MetS prevalence improved in the NEP (90 to 52%) and NE (86 to 69%), while it worsened in C (88 to 91%). There was improvement in the mean values of the anthropometric parameters in the NEP and NE which worsened in the control group. There was a general improvement in mean values of blood lipids, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c in all the groups, with NEP showing the greatest improvements, followed by NE, except for triglycerides and HDL where the control group had better improvement than the NE. Changes in the anthropometric and metabolic indicators mirrored the changes in food intake patterns and physical activity, where the greatest improvements occurred in the NEP. Conclusions Nutrition education with inclusion of peer to peer support was of clinical benefit in improving metabolic outcomes and reducing MetS in T2DM patients. Trial registration The study has been registered retrospectively by Pan African Clinical Trial Registry; Registration No: PACTR201910518676391 .

Globally, there is growing interest to integrate cricket-based ingredients (flour) into food products to combat food and nutrition insecurity. However, there is lack of information on in-depth nutrient profile of the two cricket species (Scapsipedus icipe and Gryllus bimaculatus), which are the most widely consumed in Africa. Here we determined the nutrient composition of two cricket species and compared them with published records of key animal and plant sources. Our results revealed that the crude protein contents of S. icipe and G. bimaculatus were similar (56.8 and 56.9%, respectively) and comparable to those of animal protein sources. Both cricket species had balanced amino acid profiles that are superior to that of animal and plant sources, except for histidine and cysteine. The protein digestibility of S. icipe and G. bimaculatus ranged between 80 and 88%, which is comparable to that of common plant foods but slightly lower than that of animal proteins. The iron, Zinc, and potassium contents were considerably higher in both cricket species compared to that of plant and animal sources. The calcium contents of both crickets (S. icipe and G. bimaculatus) was superior to that of plant and animal origin except for kidney beans and eggs, respectively. Riboflavin, thiamine, and folic acid concentrations of S. icipe and G. bimaculatus were superior to that of the conventional sources. Vitamin A levels were significantly higher in S. icipe compared to G. bimaculatus. This implies that S. icipe and G. bimaculatus can adequately contribute to our daily required nutrient intake. Thus, integrating cricket flours into ready-to-eat food products would address some of the most pressing nutritional deficiency challenges that many developing countries have to grapple with, particularly high risk to serious health problems such as anemia, poor pregnancy outcomes, hypertension, increased risk of morbidity and mortality, stunted growth and impaired physical and cognitive development. We conclude that edible crickets present unique opportunities for improving food and nutritional insecurity status of both resource-poor and Western populations.

During the oxidation of lipids in food or in vivo, fatty acids are initially converted to hydroperoxides, which undergo decomposition to various secondary decomposition products, including aldehydes and alkyl-furans. Aldehydes and alkyl-furans reduce the sensory quality of food by contributing to rancidity, and aldehydes reduce nutritional value by reacting with some essential nutrients such as lysine and thiamine. In vivo, reactions of aldehyde with proteins and DNA contribute to the pathogenesis of physiological disorders. Conversion of fatty acid hydroperoxides to aldehydes is generally believed to involve free radical reactions. However, it was recently hypothesized that lysine can catalyze the non-radical conversion of hydroperoxides to aldehydes. Thus the aim of the present study was to determine such lysine-catalysed conversion of linoleic acid hydroperoxides to aldehydic products. Linoleic acid hydroperoxides were prepared by the photosensitized oxidation of linoleic acid. The mixture of hydroperoxides was reacted with lysine, in the presence of a radical scavenger, and the organic fraction analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Hexanal was detected as a major aldehydic product. The alkylfuran, 2-pentylfuran was also surprisingly detected under these conditions, and a pathway for its lysine-catalysed formation via the highly cytotoxic aldehyde, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal proposed. The results of this study imply that, in the prevention of lipid oxidation-associated food deterioration and development of physiological disorders, more attention should be paid to pathways not involving free radical reactions, and which cannot be prevented by radical scavenging antioxidants.

The mechanisms underlying the protective effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) are not presently clear. Recent studies in experimental models suggest the involvement of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in cardioprotection. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in ANS in healthy young volunteers divided into RIPC (n = 22) or SHAM (n = 18) groups. RIPC was induced by 1 cycle of 4 min inflation/5 min deflation followed by 2 cycles of 5 min inflation/5 min deflation of a cuff placed on the upper left limb. The study included analysis of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), heart rate variability (HRV), measurements of microcirculation and porphyrin fluorescence in the limb before and after the RIPC. RIPC caused reactive hyperemia in the limb and reduced blood porphyrin level. A mental load (serial sevens test) and mild motor stress (hyperventilation) were performed on all subjects before and after RIPC or corresponding rest in the SHAM group. Reduction of HR occurred during the experiments in both RIPC and SHAM groups reflecting RIPC-independent adaptation of the subjects to the experimental procedure. However, in contrast to the SHAM group, RIPC altered several of the spectral indices of HRV during the serial sevens test and hyperventilation. This was expressed predominantly as an increase in power of the very low-frequency band of the spectrum, increased values of detrended fluctuation analysis and weakening of correlation between the HRV parameters and HR. In conclusion, RIPC induces changes in the activity of ANS that are linked to stress resistance. Keywords: Remote ischemic preconditioning, Heart rhythm variability, Autonomic nervous system

Antibodies or some amino acids, namely, cysteine, methionine, histidine, and tryptophan, were previously reported to catalyse the conversion of singlet oxygen (1O2) to ozone (O3). The originally proposed mechanism for such biological ozone formation was that antibodies or amino acids catalyse the oxidation of water molecules by singlet oxygen to yield dihydrogen trioxide (HOOOH) as a precursor of ozone and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). However, because HOOOH readily decomposes to form water and singlet oxygen rather than ozone and hydrogen peroxide, an alternative hypothesis has been proposed; ozone is formed due to the reaction of singlet oxygen with amino acids to form polyoxidic amino acid derivatives as ozone precursors. Evidence in support of the latter hypothesis is presented in this article, in that in the presence of singlet oxygen, methionine sulfoxide (RS(O)CH3), an oxidation product of methionine (RSCH3), was found to promote reactions that can best be attributed to the trioxidic anionic derivative RS+(OOO−)CH3 or ozone.

Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) bearing various kinds of aldehydic acyl chains at the sn-2 position have been detected in atherosclerotic tissues. However, 1-acyl-2-(13'-oxo-9',11'-tridecadienoyl)- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and other alpha;beta;&gama;σ-unsaturated aldehyde PCs have not. To determine whether this might be due to their high chemical reactivity with biomolecules, we investigated the reactions of 1-stearoyl-2-(13'-oxo-9',11'-tridecadienoyl)- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (OTDA-PC, where OTDA refers to the oxo-tridecadienoyl moiety) with nucleophilic amino acids and peptides by means of electrospray mass spectroscopy. OTDA-PC formed Michael adducts with lysine, arginine, histidine, hippuryl lysine and hippuryl arginine, but was surprisingly unreactive with cysteine or glutathione. When 1-stearoyl-2-(13'-hydroperoxy-9'Z,11'E,15'Z-octadecatrienoyl)- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PC-LNA-OOH, where LNA-OOH denotes the linolenic acid hydroperoxide moiety) was decomposed in the presence of the reactive lysine, OTDA-PC was still detected as a major product. However, OTDA-PC could not be detected when 1-stearoyl-2-(13'-hydroperoxy-9'Z,11'E-octadecadienoyl)- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PC-LA-OOH, where LA-OOH refers to linoleic acid hydroperoxide) was decomposed in the presence or absence of lysine. Since linoleic acid is the major polyunsaturated fatty acid in atherosclerotic tissues, these results indicate that formation of OTDA-PC in only minor amounts in such tissues may explain its not having been detected in them. Surprisingly, 1-stearoyl-2-(9'-oxononanoyl)- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine was the major aldehydic product of the decomposition of PC-LA-OOH under anaerobic conditions.

Introduction: Individuals carrying pathogenic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a high lifetime risk of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are involved in DNA double-strand break repair, DNA alterations that can be caused by exposure to reactive oxygen species, a main source of which are mitochondria. Mitochondrial genome variations affect electron transport chain efficiency and reactive oxygen species production. Individuals with different mitochondrial haplogroups differ in their metabolism and sensitivity to oxidative stress. Variability in mitochondrial genetic background can alter reactive oxygen species production, leading to cancer risk. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial haplogroups modify breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Methods: We genotyped 22,214 (11,421 affected, 10,793 unaffected) mutation carriers belonging to the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 for 129 mitochondrial polymorphisms using the iCOGS array. Haplogroup inference and association detection were performed using a phylogenetic approach. ALTree was applied to explore the reference mitochondrial evolutionary tree and detect subclades enriched in affected or unaffected individuals. Results: We discovered that subclade T1a1 was depleted in affected BRCA2 mutation carriers compared with the rest of clade T (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34 to 0.88; P = 0.01). Compared with the most frequent haplogroup in the general population (that is, H and T clades), the T1a1 haplogroup has a HR of 0.62 (95% CI, 0.40 to 0.95; P = 0.03). We also identified three potential susceptibility loci, including G13708A/rs28359178, which has demonstrated an inverse association with familial breast cancer risk. Conclusions: This study illustrates how original approaches such as the phylogeny-based method we used can empower classical molecular epidemiological studies aimed at identifying association or risk modification effects.

This study examines the impact of adding plain-woven sisal fibres on the mechanical characteristics of sisal reinforced concrete composites. Analysis of the mechanical strength was done in relation to their density, compressive strength, and flexural strength. The sisal fabric composite matrix contained up to four layers of sisal fabric, which was either NaOH treated or untreated. The properties of sisal fabric reinforced concrete were compared to those of steel reinforced concrete. With addition of layers of sisal fabric, the flexural strength of both NaOH-treated and untreated concrete composites increased to a maximum of 18.2 MPa, which was less than steel reinforced at 20.59 MPa. As the number of fabric layers increased, both NaOH-treated and untreated composites' compressive strength decreased. Although the compressive strength for treated sisal fabric composites decreased by 14.6%, it remained above the desired level of 30 MPa. For untreated sisal fabric composites compressive strength decreased by 18.0% and decreased below the target compressive strength of 30 MPa for up to four layers of fabric added. In comparison to control concrete, the density of concrete with treated sisal fabric decreased to up to 6.05% while for concrete with NaOH treated fabric decreased by 4.90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]