Project description:Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are complex diseases whose etiology is associated with genetic and environmental risk factors, among which are diet and gut microbiota. To date, IBD is an incurable disease and the main goal of its treatment is to reduce symptoms, prevent complications, and improve nutritional status and the quality of life. Patients with IBD usually suffer from nutritional deficiency with imbalances of specific micronutrient levels that contribute to the further deterioration of the disease. Therefore, along with medications usually used for IBD treatment, therapeutic strategies also include the supplementation of micronutrients such as vitamin D, folic acid, iron, and zinc. Micronutrient supplementation tailored according to individual needs could help patients to maintain overall health, avoid the triggering of symptoms, and support remission. The identification of individuals' genotypes associated with the absorption, transport and metabolism of micronutrients can modify future clinical practice in IBD and enable individualized treatment. This review discusses the personalized approach with respect to genetics related to micronutrients commonly used in inflammatory bowel disease treatment.
Project description:A series of mercapto-oxo containing reagents [3-mercaptopropionic acid (H2-3MPA), 4-mercaptophenol (H2-4MP), 2-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide (H-2MPO)] was reacted with diethyl zinc (ZnEt2) in hexanes/pyridine (py) to yield {(μ4-3MPA)[Zn(Et)(py)]4}∞ (1), [(py)2(Et)Zn(μ3-4MP)Zn(Et)(py)]2 (2), and (2MPO)Zn(Et)py (3). For polymeric 1, each of the functional sites of the 3MPA was bound to four tetrahedral (Td) coordinated Zn(Et)(py) subunits. The sulfur of the 3MPA bridges two of the 'Zn(Et)(py)' subunits, which are also bridged by the two carboxylate oxygens of another 3MPA to propagate the chain. In contrast, 2 forms a discrete tetranuclear species consisting of two Zn(Et)(py) moieties bridged by the oxygens of two 4MP ligands with the thiolate sites of each terminated by Zn(Et)(py)2 moieties. Compound 3 adopts a monomeric species using a chelating 2MPO, a terminal Et, and a bound py to fill the Td coordination of the Zn metal center. Compounds 1 - 3 were then used to generate nanoparticles via solution precipitation and solvothermal routes to determine the effect these precursors have on the morphology and composition of the final materials produced. Compounds 1 - 3 were found to form zincite, zinc metal, or mixed zincite/wurtzite phases from solution precipitation or solvothermal routes; however, no routes yielded the mixed anion (i.e., ZnO x S y ) materials.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Hexaploid wheat is an important cereal crop that has been targeted to enhance grain micronutrient content including zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe). In this direction, modulating the expression of plant transporters involved in Fe and Zn homeostasis has proven to be one of the promising approaches. The present work was undertaken to identify wheat zinc-induced facilitator-like (ZIFL) family of transporters. The wheat ZIFL genes were characterized for their transcriptional expression response during micronutrient fluctuations and exposure to multiple heavy metals. RESULTS:The genome-wide analyses resulted in identification of fifteen putative TaZIFL-like genes, which were distributed only on Chromosome 3, 4 and 5. Wheat ZIFL proteins subjected to the phylogenetic analysis showed the uniform distribution along with rice, Arabidopsis and maize. In-silico analysis of the promoters of the wheat ZIFL genes demonstrated the presence of multiple metal binding sites including those which are involved in Fe and heavy metal homeostasis. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of wheat ZIFL genes suggested the differential regulation of the transcripts in both roots and shoots under Zn surplus and also during Fe deficiency. Specifically, in roots, TaZIFL2.3, TaZIFL4.1, TaZIFL4.2, TaZIFL5, TaZIFL6.1 and TaZIFL6.2 were significantly up-regulated by both Zn and Fe. This suggested that ZIFL could possibly be regulated by both the nutrient stress in a tissue specific manner. When exposed to heavy metals, TaZIFL4.2 and TaZIFL7.1 show significant up-regulation, whereas TaZIFL5 and TaZIFL6.2 remained almost unaffected. CONCLUSION:This is the first report for detailed analysis of wheat ZIFL genes. ZIFL genes also encode for transporter of mugineic acid (TOM) proteins, that are involved in the release of phytosiderophores to enhance Fe/Zn uptake. The detailed expression analysis suggests the varying expression patterns during development of wheat seedlings and also against abiotic/biotic stresses. Overall, this study will lay foundation to prioritize functional assessment of the candidate ZIFL as a putative TOM protein in wheat.
Project description:BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is an increasingly severe public health issue globally. Micronutrients are essential for maintaining normal physiological functions and metabolic balance; however, their relationship with OA is not fully understood.MethodsThis study aimed to evaluate the potential causal relationships between 15 key micronutrients and the risk of OA using both two-sample and multivariate Mendelian randomization approaches. We gathered data from a large prospective cohort of genome-wide association studies on these micronutrients and OA. Comprehensive Mendelian randomization analyses were conducted using inverse variance weighting, MR Egger, weighted median, weighted models, and simple models. Through multivariate analyses, factors such as BMI and strenuous exercise were controlled to assess the independent associations between zinc and OA risk.ResultsIn the two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis, zinc was positively associated with OA risk (OR = 1.045, 95% CI: 1.009 to 1.082, P = 0.015). This association remained significant even after controlling for other confounding factors in multivariate analyses, indicating an independent effect of zinc. Other micronutrients, such as calcium, iron, and vitamin D, did not show significant associations with OA risk in this study.ConclusionThis study provides new evidence of a positive association between the micronutrient zinc and the risk of OA, emphasizing the importance of considering micronutrients in osteoarthritis prevention and treatment strategies. Future research should further validate these findings and explore the specific biological mechanisms by which zinc influences the risk of osteoarthritis.
Project description:The quality of edible seeds for human and animal nutrition is crucially dependent on high zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) seed concentrations. The micronutrient bioavailability is strongly reduced by seed phytate that forms complexes with seed cations. Superior genotypes with increased seed Zn concentrations had been identified, but low micronutrient seed levels often prevail when the plants are grown in Zn-deficient soils, which are globally widespread and correlate with human Zn-deficiency. Here, seed Zn concentrations of Arabidopsis accessions grown in Zn-deficient and Zn-amended conditions were measured together with seed Fe and manganese (Mn), in a panel of 108 accessions. By applying genome-wide association, de novo candidate genes potentially involved in the seed micronutrient accumulation were identified. However, a candidate inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate 5/6-kinase 3 gene (ITPK3), located close to a significant nucleotide polymorphism associated with relative Zn seed concentrations, was dispensable for seed micronutrients accumulation in Col-0. Loss of this gene in itpk3-1 did neither affect phytate seed levels, nor seed Zn, Fe, and Mn. It is concluded that large natural variance of micronutrient seed levels is identified in the population and several accessions maintain high seed Zn despite growth in Zn-deficient conditions.
Project description:AimsTo examine the effect of the daily use of micronutrients (including zinc) or the same micronutrients plus heat inactivated lactic acid bacteria (LAB), on diarrhoea in children compared to placebo.MethodsA triple blind randomised clinical trial in an urban slum of Karachi, Pakistan. Micronutrients (including zinc), micronutrients (including zinc and LAB), or placebo, were provided daily for two months to 75 young children (aged 6-12 months) identified at high risk for diarrhoea related mortality on the basis of history of at least one episode of diarrhoea in the preceding two weeks. The longitudinal prevalence of diarrhoea was defined as the percentage of days a child had diarrhoea out of the days the child was observed.ResultsMean longitudinal prevalence of diarrhoea in the micronutrient-zinc group was 15% (SD = 10%) child-days compared to 26% (SD = 20%) child-days in the placebo group and 26% (SD = 19%) child-days in the micronutrient-zinc-LAB group. The difference between the micronutrient-zinc-LAB and placebo groups was not significant.ConclusionThe daily provision of micronutrients (including zinc) reduces the longitudinal prevalence of diarrhoea and thus may also reduce diarrhoea related mortality in young children; heat inactivated LAB has negative effects in these children.
Project description:Background and aimsUse of zinc (Zn) fertilisers may be cost-effective in increasing crop yields and in alleviating dietary Zn deficiency. However, Zn fertilisers are underutilised in many countries despite the widespread occurrence of Zn-deficient soils. Here, increased Zn fertiliser-use scenarios were simulated for wheat production in Punjab and Sindh Provinces, Pakistan. Inputs and outputs were valued in terms of both potential yield gains as well as health gains in the population.MethodsThe current dietary Zn deficiency risk of 23.9 % in Pakistan was based on food supply and wheat grain surveys. "Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost" are a common metric of disease burden; an estimated 245,000 DALYs y-1 are lost in Punjab and Sindh due to Zn deficiency. Baseline Zn fertiliser-use of 7.3 kt y-1 ZnSO4.H2O was obtained from published and industry sources. The wheat area currently receiving Zn fertilisers, and grain yield responses of 8 and 14 % in Punjab and Sindh, respectively, were based on a recent survey of >2500 farmers. Increased grain Zn concentrations under Zn fertilisation were estimated from literature data and converted to improved Zn intake in humans and ultimately a reduction in DALYs lost.ResultsApplication of Zn fertilisers to the area currently under wheat production in Punjab and Sindh, at current soil: foliar usage ratios, could increase dietary Zn supply from ~12.6 to 14.6 mg capita -1 d-1, and almost halve the prevalence of Zn deficiency, assuming no other changes to food consumption. Gross wheat yield could increase by 2.0 and 0.6 Mt. grain y-1 in Punjab and Sindh, respectively, representing an additional return of US$ >800 M and an annual increased grain supply of 19 kg capita -1.ConclusionsThere are potential market- and subsidy-based incentives to increase Zn fertiliser-use in Pakistan. Benefit-Cost Ratios (BCRs) for yield alone are 13.3 and 17.5 for Punjab and Sindh, respectively. If each DALY is monetised at one to three fold Gross National Income per capita on purchasing power parity (GNIPPP), full adoption of Zn fertiliser for wheat provides an additional annual return of 405-1216 M International Dollars (I$) in Punjab alone, at a cost per DALY saved of I$ 461-619.
Project description:Zinc-air battery has drawn increasing attention from the whole world owing to its large energy capacity, stable working voltage, environmentally friendship, and low price. A special porous Zn with three-dimensional (3D) network frame structure, whose multistage average pore sizes can be tuned from 300 to 8 um, is synthesized in this work. It is found that there is a competition between Zn2+ and NH4+ for their reduction on the supports. And the decrease of Zn2+ concentration and increase of NH4+ concentration can facilitate the decrease of pore size. Potential-dynamic polarization was tested with 3-electrodes cell, aiming to characterize the electrochemical activity and corrosion properties of porous Zn and commercial Zn foil electrodes. After optimization, the porous Zn prepared with the parameters of 3 M NaBr, 1 M C2H3O2NH4, and 0.01 M C4H6O4Zn shows the most negative corrosion potential of -1.45 V among all the samples, indicating the remarkable anti-corrosion property. Its discharge specific capacity is up to 812 mAh g-1. And discharge-charge test of the porous Zn shows an initial discharge platform of 1.33 V and an initial charge platform of 1.96 V, performing a small overpotential. What's more, the porous Zn exhibits a much longer cycle life than commercial Zn foil. Our work will not only shed light on the design and synthesis of other porous metal materials, but also further promote the development of Zn-based battery electrochemistry.
Project description:This study reports on the development of nanocomposites utilizing a mineral inhibitor and a micronutrient filler. The objective was to produce a slow release fertilizer, with zinc sulfate as the filler and halloysite nanotubes as the inhibitor. The study seeks to chemically activate the intercalation of zinc into the macro-, meso-, and micropores of the halloysite nanotubes to enhance their performance. As a result, we obtained three nanocomposites in zinc sulfate solution with concentrations of 2%, 20%, and 40%, respectively, which we named Hly-7Å-Zn2, Hly-7Å-Zn20, and Hly-7Å-Zn40. We investigated the encapsulation of zinc sulfate in halloysite nanotubes using X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive spectrometer. No significant changes were observed in the initial mineral parameters when exposed to a zinc solution with a concentration of 2 mol%. It was proven that zinc was weakly intercalated in the micropore space of the halloysite through the increase in its interlayer distance from 7.2 to 7.4. With an increase in the concentration of the reacted solution, the average diameter of the nanotubes increased from 96 nm to 129 nm, indicating that the macropore space of the nanotubes, also known as the "site", was filled. The activated nanocomposites exhibit a maximum fixed content of adsorbed zinc on the nanotube surface of 1.4 wt%. The TEM images reveal an opaque appearance in the middle section of the nanotubes. S SEM images revealed strong adhesion of halloysite nanotubes to plant tissues. This property guarantees prolonged retention of the fertilizer on the plant surface and its resistance to leaching through irrigation or rainwater. Surface spraying of halloysite nanotubes offers accurate delivery of zinc to plants and prevents soil and groundwater contamination, rendering this fertilizer ecologically sound. The suggested approach of activating halloysite with a zinc solution appears to be a possible route forward, with potential for the production of tailored fertilizers in the days ahead.
Project description:The copper(II) centre of the blue copper protein pseudoazurin from Alcaligenes faecalis has been substituted by zinc(II) via denaturing the protein, chelation and removal of copper and refolding the apoprotein, followed by the addition of an aqueous solution of ZnCl2. Vapour-diffusion experiments produced colourless hexagonal crystals (space group P65), which when cryocooled had unit-cell parameters a=b=49.01, c=98.08 Å. Diffraction data collected at 100 K using a copper sealed tube were phased by the weak anomalous signal of five S atoms and one Zn atom. The structure was fitted manually and refined to 1.6 Å resolution. The zinc-substituted protein exhibits similar overall geometry to the native structure with copper. Zn2+ binds more strongly to its four ligand atoms (His40 Nδ1, Cys78 Sγ, His81 Nδ1 and Met86 Sδ) and retains the tetrahedral arrangement, although the structure is less distorted than the native copper protein.