Health & WellbeingLifestyle & Culture
Muscles like Schwarzenegger
Lauren Gross finds out what it takes to go from being a slug on the couch to a bodybuilder on the world stage.
For most students, the thought of living the lifestyle of a bodybuilder is almost unimaginable. Bodybuilders or fitness models train extensively and nourish their bodies with proteins to compete, muscle against muscle on stage. This couldn't be more different to the student diet of 2-minute noodles and alcohol (although walking up McMullin hill has to count as some high intensity exercise).
To most people, the bodybuilder lifestyle seems as familiar as a trip to outer space. How do people go from average/skinny/slightly flabby to being a super-toned and muscly machine?
2014 Asia Pacific Fitness and Sports Model Champion, Miss Model America Champion and Miss Bikini Universe Pro, Renee Brady says that she first got into bodybuilding because she was overweight during her childhood. She lost weight through cardio and then discovered weight training.
"A male friend of mine proposed I look into competing and I had a look at the females who competed and I was astounded by their amazing physiques. I could not stop thinking about it from that moment," Renee said.
Similarly, Brock McInerney initially got into the sport just to lose some weight. He started to like the look of bodybuilding and now he loves the lifestyle.
"I want to be a bodybuilder because I have grown a passion for the sport and lifestyle. [I have] the desire to be better than yesterday and increase my knowledge on diet and training in an effort to be better again tomorrow," Brock said.
Both Brock and Renee are incredibly disciplined with their diet and exercise year-round and these become even stricter prior to competitions.
Renee trains twice a day, six times a week and eats a high protein, low carb and high fats diet. She consumes six meals each day every two and a half hours.
"I eat a lot of chicken, green vegetables, nuts, rice, oats and protein shakes," she said.
Brock also trains twice a day and he tries to eat 'clean' by avoiding processed foods. Before a competition, Brock increases the intensity of his workouts to ensure the maximum amount of calories are being burnt. He then slowly decreases the amount of calories he consumes each week in an effort to lose body fat while maintaining muscle mass.
Big muscles come with a big price tag. Renee says each preparation session before a competition is usually around $3000! Brock agrees that it is expensive, however, he says that he probably saves a lot by not having alcohol-laden nights out at Kingas.
There is no doubt that the ability to train twice a day and resist things like potato bake, chocolate and pizza is really impressive but bodybuilders still face heavy criticism, especially online. Brock shrugs the negativity off and says it usually comes from people who have no idea about the sport.
"I just think that it wouldn't matter what I did, there would be negativity," he said.
Renee faces even more criticism because she is excelling at what has traditionally been a male-dominated sport. You only have to look on the Instagram accounts of female bodybuilders to see comments like 'eww' or 'you look like a man'.
Renee says she has seen these criticisms on social media but hasn't received too much of it herself. It's important to note that Renee describes herself as a 'body sculptor' rather than a 'bodybuilder', which has more of an emphasis on modelling.
"Personally, I don't let those comments affect me whatsoever because my training and bodybuilding is not purely superficial, it is about the hard work, dedication, endless hours of training and strict dieting that goes into presenting such a physique that entices me. Some physiques are a bit too much even for my liking, however, I have so much respect for the women and men that have sculpted their bodies to that extent," she said.
Image: Renee Brady
Tagsbodybuildersbodybuildingdietfitnesssportworkouts
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Election Quiz: What Was the Hot Reform Issue in 2018?
By hedrick
Orcas Island, WA – How about a quickie quiz on this year's elections? Question – What did states as politically dissimilar as Utah, Michigan, Colorado and Missouri have in common in the 2018 election?
Not House or Senate races. Not red or blue. No, the unique similarity is that in those four states, People Power has been on the warpath, pressing for systemic reform. Voters in Utah, Michigan, Colorado and Missouri were so fed up with politicians' rigging elections that they put gerrymander reform on the November ballot.
Each state let its voters decide whether to let elected politicians keep on drawing election district maps to keep themselves and their party in power, or whether to turn over election mapping to a politically balanced independent commission in order to create a more level playing field and give voters a realistic choice in future elections. And 1,2,3,4, the people in all four states leapt at the chance to adopt reform – a body blow to the age-old practice of politicians stacking the deck to keep themselves in office.
Action in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and North Carolina
It's amazing how partisan gerrymandering became a hot button issue in 2018. After all, stacking the deck in elections by manipulating district lines is nothing new. It's been going on since 18i2. But never before has it become such a contentious, front-burner issue at the grass roots, as it has this year. Not just in those four states, but in other pivotal states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and North Carolina.
Ohio voters voted for reform last spring. With a grass roots reform movement, they put so much heat on the state legislature that Ohio lawmakers produced a bipartisan gerrymander reform plan and the voters passed it in May by a hefty 75% majority. In Pennsylvania, the state supreme court shookn up this year's congressional elections not only by declaring the redistricting plan adopted by the Republican legislature in 2011 as unconstgitutional, but by redrawing congressional district maps, ind ways that shook up the final outcome and kprodkuced a 9-9 spli9t in the state's congressional delegation.
In Florida, a gerrymandering reform adopted by a supermajority of 62.9% of Florida voters in 2010 and then held up for several years by court battles, is now reshaping the political landscape in the Sunshine State. In 2016, it helped engineer the ouster of five incumbents. More changes came this year so that the Florida delegation to House of Representatives went from 17 Republicans and 1o0 democrat sin 2015, just before reform came into force, to 14 republicans and 13 Democrats today.
In North Carolina, an anti-gerrymander lawsuit brought by the League of Women Voters, NAACP and the Southern Coalition for Social Justice is back before a three-judge federal district court. In earlier decisions, the three-judge panel ruled in favor of the voters' challenge to the Republican gerrymander in that state. The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the case to be reviewed at the district level, and now that case seems back on a fast track toward the nation's highest court.
"The People of Michigan Have Been Locked Out"
(CC) Voters Not Politicians
What is striking about this year's citizen rebellions against gerrymandering is how quickly they were mobilized and mushroomed. In Michigan, a grass roots movement spread like wildfire from a single Facebook post by Katie Fahey a 28-year-old grad student, who was fed up with elections being rigged by politicians in the Wolverine State.
In 2011, Michigan's Republican-led legislature drew district maps that enabled Republicans running for Congress in 2012 to harvest almost two-thirds of the state's Congressional seats while winning less than half of the statewide popular vote. The numbers were a travesty. Republican candidates for Congress in 2012 won a little over 45% of the statewide popular voter but wound up with 64% of the House seats.
Lawmakers turned a deaf ear to calls for reform. "The people of Michigan have been locked out," protested Katie Fahey. "It's time for us to draw the line."
When crowds thronged to her Facebook post, Fahey formed two movements, Count MI Vote and Voters Not Politicians. They began circulating petitions calling for a popular vote on a plan to have Michigan's election maps drawn by an independent 13-member commission – 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans and 5 independents, none of them lawmakers or lobbyists.
Bingo! That idea resonated at the grass roots. In four short months, Voters Not Politicians collected 450,000 signatures, far more than enough to put gerrymander reform on the Michigan ballot."This is a campaign built for and by the people with our state," says Fahey, "and I've seen it grow from a group of strangers to a network of passionate citizens joined together to create something better for Michigan."
Missouri Idea: A $5 Lid on Lobbyists
Petition Drive for GerrymanderReform (CC) Clean Missouri
Much the same happened in Colorado, Missouri and Utah. In Colorado, two reform groups, Fair Districts Colorado and People Not Politicians, joined forces behind a proposal for a 12-member tri-partisan independent commission. One striking feature: Colorado's plan requires the commission to create politically competitive districts – not favoring either party. What's more, the final maps must win a two-thirds commission majority, ensuring that no party can dominate the process.
The Missouri plan has a few different wrinkles plus an extra attraction – a $5 maximum on campaign donations by lobbyists. Very quickly the Clean Missouri movement rolled up 350,000 signatures. Said one Missouri farmer. "We're not waiting on the politicians and lobbyists to fix themselves. We can all see how big money drives the agenda. And we've had enough."
"Better Boundaries" to Avert a Political Cold War
Better Boundaries' co-leaders Jeff Wright (l) and Ralph Becker (r) (CC) The Salt Lake Tribune Archive
Utah's reform movement – called Better Boundaries – has bipartisan roots and sponsorship. Its co-chairs are Ralph Becker, former Democratic mayor of Salt Lake City, and Jeff Wright, a former Republican state lawmaker and candidate for Congress. As in the other states, the Utah plan calls for an expert non-partisan commission to draw maps.
Wright concedes that in Utah gerrymandering helps his own Republican Party, but in other states, he points out, Democrats have the edge. In Cold War terms, evoking the nuclear standoff between the U.S. and Russia, Wright warns that the danger today is that partisan gerrymandering by both parties risks "mutual assured destruction" and fatal damage to American democracy. The answer, argues Wright, is to set up independent non-partisan redistricting commissions.
And that idea resonated with the voters in Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Colorado and Utah. So while partisan gerrymandering continues in 35 states, it is on the defensive. Nationwide, 15 states have already embraced some kind of reform, and the pressure will be on for other states to follow suit in the next election cycle. Citizen reform coalitions understand they must move quickly and get gerrymander reform adopted before the 2020 census triggers the next round of congressional redistricting in 2021.
Tags: 2018 election, Colorado, Florida, gerrymander reform, gerrymandering, Grass roots action, Independent commission, Katie Fahey, lobbyists, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, people power, Petition drives, Popular vote, Referendums, Rigged Elections, Supreme Court, Utah


Work starts at demo-hit UK Coal mine site in Shropshire
Protesters have built treehouses and dug tunnels
Operations have started at an opencast mine site in Shropshire where eco-protesters have assembled.
UK Coal has been setting up a secure area at New Works, near Lawley in Telford, with the help of police.
UK Coal said it had spoken to activists to explain they were not being moved on as an eviction order had not yet been obtained. Demonstrators moved on to the site in January.
West Mercia Police said officers were there as a precaution.
UK Coal said it was working on a part of the site where eco-protesters are not camped.
'Build defences'
Asked about the mood, one activist, Ben, said: "Determined, I'd say. If you don't try and fight, then you can't win."
Asked about what would happen next, he said: "We're going to build defences and obviously people will be coming along to help out and wait and see if they serve papers."
The protestors said they had already built tunnels 2ft wide (60cms) which expanded into larger underground living chambers, fitted with steel doors, from which to continue their protest.
Diggers have been brought in to prepare the ground for mining work to start.
Dave Bolton, from UK Coal said: "I am not concerned about where they [the protesters] are, they won't get in my way for quite a while, it's not a short-term issue for me."
Jobs promise
Campaigners are being warned not to trespass on the secured area of the site.
UK Coal was granted permission last year to extract 900,000 tonnes of coal from the site, near The Wrekin, over 32 months.
Residents opposed the original application by UK Coal and the project was referred to a planning inspector in 2008.
Plans were approved in October 2009 after a public inquiry in April last year.
The Wrekin is a tree-covered hill that stands about 400m (1,330ft) above sea level.
UK Coal has pledged to return the site to green fields within four years of starting mining operations.
The mine will provide 90 new jobs, the firm has said.
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Home 11-20 46th Road
Revealed: Warehouse-to-Office Conversion and Expansion at 11-20 46th Road, Long Island City
11-20 46th Road. rendering by C3D Architects
By: Rebecca Baird-Remba 4:30 pm on December 20, 2016
Long Island City is set to become a hub for office development in the outer boroughs. While some builders hope to put up massive commercial towers like One Court Square, others are creating office space in the neighborhood's warehouses and loft buildings. One developer, Caerus Group, decided to convert and expand a two-story industrial building at 11-20 46th Road, a few short blocks from Court Square.
The old warehouse would gain two stories and 19,000 square feet of commercial space. The revamped, four-story structure would reach 60 feet into the air and hold 32,000 square feet of offices.
The top two stories of the building will be set back, creating communal roof decks on the second and third floors. The dark orange and tan façade will be re-clad in gray brick and new, longer windows will be carved out of the exterior. Caerus has decided to preserve two large truck entrances to the building, which are currently closed with roll-down gates, by covering those entrances with glass and turning them into double-height lobby spaces.
C3D Architecture is responsible for the design.
Caerus had originally planned a residential conversion with 23 apartments for the warehouse, but now hopes to rent the offices to tech, advertising, and media tenants. Construction is expected to wrap at the end of 2017.
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Home / Feature Slider / Leo finally wins an Oscar – the winners and the upsets.
Leo finally wins an Oscar – the winners and the upsets.
Posted by: Andrea van Wyk in Feature Slider, NEWS & OPINION 29th February 2016	0 1,471 Views
Before I start with the breakdown of the Oscars winners, we have to look at Chris Rock's performance as host. Besides the bizarre 'joke' about Stacy Dash being a minority director, the comedian addressed #OscarsSoWhite head-on, infusing it with humour, without deflecting from the glaring lack of transformation at The Academy. Rock way trumped last year's really rather watered down hosting of Ellen Degeneres.
Explaining why he and some others didn't protest ahead of the awards, Rock said "We didn't protest because we had real things to protest at the time. We were too busy being raped and lynched to care about who won best cinematographer." Punch. And then, "Jada [Pinkett Smith] boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties. I wasn't invited." The Academy's president Cheryl Boone Isaacs delivered a short address, promising to do do more to promote diversity, and quoting Martin Luther King. We'll see what happens next year.
But on to the winners, and what I got right and wrong…
Best Picture: "Spotlight" (I got it wrong)
Okay, okay, I got it way wrong. I though that The Academy would go for the technical genius of the film. But I'm not the only one. Nevertheless, Spotlight, is certainly not undeserving. It's the true story about how good journalism can (almost) change the world. Goosebumps, nausea, and pure admiration for the tenacity of the Spotlight team at The Boston Globe, are what you're left with after watching Spotlight. Read my review.
Director: "The Revenant," Alejandro G. Iñárritu (I got it right)
No surprise here. Technically and visually perfect. Read my review.
Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Revenant" (I got it right)
FINALLY! If Leo didn't win for this superbly visceral role, the audience would probably have left. Very well deserved. Sixth time lucky.
Watch his acceptance speech:
Actress: Brie Larson, "Room" (I got it right)
She was the favourite to win for her phenomenal role as kidnap victim, "Ma", willing to make any sacrifice for her son. Read my review.
Supporting Actor: Mark Rylance, "Bridge of Spies" (Almost right – it was one of my "should" wins)
One of the big upsets. Sylvester Stallone looked almost certain to win for his reprisal as Rocky Balboa in Creed. By Mark Rylance played the most human, gentle Russian spy the big screen has seen. Read my review of Bridge of Spies.
Supporting Actress: Alicia Vikander, "The Danish Girl" (I got it right)
The Swedish actress is heart breaking as the wife of an artist, who decides to undergo gender affirming surgery, one of the first such attempts. Read my review.
Adapted Screenplay: "The Big Short," Charles Randolph and Adam McKay (I got it way wrong)
I'd voted for Room. That said, The Big Short made me understand the global financial crisis for the first time. It's not easy explaining the sub-prime debacle in an entertaining and understandable way. Read my review.
Original Screenplay: "Spotlight," Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy (I got it right)
Cinematography: "The Revenant," Emmanuel Lubezki (I got it right)
Mad Max: Fury Road almost cleaned up the technical awards, with six statues.
Production Design: "Mad Max: Fury Road," Colin Gibson and Lisa Thompson (set decoration) (I got it right)
My action film of 2015. Read my review.
Film Editing: "Mad Max: Fury Road," Margaret Sixel (I got it right)
Visual Effects: "Ex Machina," Andrew Whitehurst, Paul Norris, Mark Ardington and Sara Bennett (I got it wrong)
I'm rather happy about being wrong in this category, because the philosophical science fiction drama, Ex Machina, is really something special .
Costume Design: "Mad Max: Fury Road," Jenny Beavan (I got it right)
Makeup: "Mad Max: Fury Road," Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega and Damian Martin (I got it right)
Sound Editing: "Mad Max: Fury Road," Mark Mangini and David White (I got it right)
Sound Mixing: "Mad Max: Fury Road," Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudloff and Ben Osmo (I got it right)
Original Score: "The Hateful Eight," Ennio Morricone (I got it wrong)
I still think Carol should have won this.
Song: "Writing's on the Wall," from "Spectre," Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith
Foreign Language Film: "Son of Saul" (Hungary)
I'm really hoping that Cinema Nouveau might bring some of these to South Africa. None of them has screened here.
Animated Feature: "Inside Out" (I got it right)
The most delightful animated film in a very, very long time. This is how to make an animated feature that is intelligently mature in its ability to appeal equally to adults and children. Read my review.
Documentary Feature: "Amy"
Another category that cinemas here don't support.
Animated Short: "Bear Story"
Documentary Short: "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness"
Live Action Short: "Stutterer"
Academy Awards Oscars 2016	2016-02-29
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Solvent-based microwave-assisted extraction and identification of bioactive compounds from Sesamum indicum leaves using particle swarm optimization-integrated response surface methodology
Lopamudra Sarma, Sourav Chakraborty, Raj Kumar Duary
Department of Food Engineering and Technology, School of Engineering, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, India
Raj Kumar Duary
Department of Food Engineering and Technology, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur - 784 028, Assam
Background: Sesamum indicum is a widely cultivated crop with edible seeds which are well known for its rich antioxidant properties. The plant leaves have also been reported to have health functional attributes such as lowering cholesterol level in body, reducing cancer, and acting as antihypertensive resource. Objective: The aim of the study was to optimize the effects of solvent-based microwave-assisted extractions (SMAEs) of phenolic compounds from S. indicum (Sesame) leaves using combined approach of response surface methodology and particle swarm optimization (PSO). Materials and Methods: SMAEs along with response surface model development and its optimization by PSO were done. The optimization parameters such as microwave power (180–900 W), extraction time (1–30 min), solid-liquid ratio (1:10–40 g/mL), and solvent (methanol) concentration (50–70%) were employed to obtain extracts showing higher total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activities by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) value. Results: The maximum TPC and DPPH values were 206.14 ± 2.70 mg GAE/100 g and 96.04 ± 1.67% for extracts against 51.38% methanol concentration, 1:23 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, 900 W power level, and 16.95 min of extraction time, respectively. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry chromatographs showed the presence of various essential phytocomponents such as ascorbic acid, phytol, and flavonol as functional molecules at 26.79, 29.03, and 39.70 min retention time, respectively. The high-performance liquid chromatogram further confirmed the presence of quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and gallic acid at a concentration of 11.25, 4.28, and 1.61 ppm, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest application of PSO algorithms as an efficient approach to optimize the extraction of bioactive components from Sesame leaves which can be used as a potential source for functional and nutraceutical food development.
Abbreviations used: TPC: Total phenolic content; DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; RSM: Response surface methodology; BBD: Box–Behnken design; BSTFA: N, O-Bis (trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide); LDPE: Low-density polyethylene.
Keywords: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, microwave extraction, particle swarm optimization, Sesame, total phenolic content
Sarma L, Chakraborty S, Duary RK. Solvent-based microwave-assisted extraction and identification of bioactive compounds from Sesamum indicum leaves using particle swarm optimization-integrated response surface methodology. Phcog Mag 2018;14:275-83
Sarma L, Chakraborty S, Duary RK. Solvent-based microwave-assisted extraction and identification of bioactive compounds from Sesamum indicum leaves using particle swarm optimization-integrated response surface methodology. Phcog Mag [serial online] 2018 [cited 2022 Jan 22];14:275-83. Available from: http://www.phcog.com/text.asp?2018/14/57/275/240776
An effective Solvent Based Microwave-assisted Extractions (SMAE) based on response surface methodology using integrating particle swarm optimization (PSO) for various parameters like microwave power (180-900 W), extraction time (1-30 min), solid-liquid ratio (1:10-40 g/mL) and solvent (methanol) concentration (50-70%) were done for effective extraction of essential phytocomponents from Sesamum indicum Leaves.
The optimized parameters were based on Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and antioxidant activities by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) values whichwere 206.14 ± 2.70 mg GAE/100 g and 96.04 ± 1.67% for the power level of 900 W; extraction time of 16.95 min; solid-liquid ratio of 1:23 g/mL and methanol concentration of 51.38 % respectively.
The optimized extracts showed presence of various essential functional phytocomponents like ascorbic acid, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, phytol and flavonol which can be further explored in nutraceutical formulations.
Polyphenols are the secondary nonnutritive plant metabolites naturally occurring in various parts of plant such as roots, barks, stems, leaves, fruits, and flowers.[1],[2] These compounds consist of an aromatic ring with one or more hydroxyl groups which possesses simple to very complex structure.[3] Flavonoids and phenolic acids have various health benefits which include reduction of various lifestyle diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases,[4],[5] hepatotoxic, analgesic, diabetic, inflammatory, and allergic diseases, and osteoporosis.[6],[7],[8],[9] The molecular mechanism of various polyphenols with respect to their biological activities is well elaborated.[10] Sesame (Sesamum indicum), which belongs to the plant family Pedaliaceae, is an important oil-producing crop, leading to 60% of the total global yield, mostly cultivated in China, Burma, India, and Sudan.[11],[12] It is an evergreen annual flowering plant consisting of edible seeds with high antioxidant effect[13],[14],[15] and ability to lower cholesterol levels,[16] cancer incidents,[17] and hypertension in our body.[18] Thus, this can be a potent source to identify the presence of bioactive components and using effective extraction technique to give maximum yield without degrading the functional properties.
Different methods of extractions using solvents, enzymes, pulsed electric field, high voltage electrical, microwave, subcritical water, etc., have been explored to extract bioactive components from different sources.[19],[20],[21],[22],[23],[24] Microwave-based extraction method have advantages associated with it over traditional methods of extractions due to properly sealed extraction system, which allows the solvent's temperature to reach its boiling point and resulting in increased efficiency of extraction of phytochemicals with reduced time of incubation. Microwave-based extraction has been used for efficient extraction of tea phenols,[25] pectin from dried orange peel,[26] and essential oils from leaves of rosemary and peppermint.[27] Recently, curcuminoids, one of the essential compounds from Curcuma longa, has been optimally extracted using ionic liquid-based microwave method.[28]
Particle swarm optimization (PSO) has been proposed over steepest ascent or descent techniques for response surface methodology (RSM) as these methods are limited to find the local minima.[29] PSO is an advanced population-based search method with efficient statistical and hypothesis testing concepts inspired by the social behavior of bird flocking. These optimization techniques based on population can effectively and efficiently find solutions among the population through proper cooperation and competition. They have been popular in academia and industry due to the usage of less control parameters, easy to implement strategies, and ability to solve nonlinear optimization problems.[29]
The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of microwave on optimum extraction of polyphenols from Sesame leaves, which is an important medicinal plant. However, there have been minimal scientific reports documented on its properties that prove its true medicinal values. Therefore, RSM along with PSO was employed using different optimization parameters such as microwave power, time, solvent concentration, and solid-liquid ratio, respectively, to optimize the extraction process.
Leaves of S. indicum were collected from local areas of Nagaon, Assam, India, during June–July. The leaves were identified by a botanist from the Department of Botany, ADP College, Nagaon, Assam, India. The samples were carried in a sterile airtight container, washed, and stored in the freezer (4°C–8°C) until further use. The leaves were dried in a hot air oven at 35°C–40° °C for 72-80 h grounded to powder form with the help of a laboratory grinder (Make-Philips, Model-hl7600), sieved through 60-mesh sieve, and stored in airtight low-density polyethylene pouches for future use.
Sodium carbonate (Na2 CO3), Folin–Ciocalteu's phenol reagent, gallic acid, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), N, O-bis (trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), and trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) were procured from HiMedia, India. The high-performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC) standards were purchased from Sigma, India. All the solvents (methanol, ethanol) were of analytic grade and procured from Merck, India.
Optimization of solvent-based microwave-assisted extraction using Box–Behnken response surface design methodology
Microwave treatment for the extraction of phenolics from Sesame leaves powder was done using a laboratory scale microwave oven system (Microwave model-MJ3283BCG, Make-LG), which was featured with a digital control panel system for irradiation time and microwave power. One gram of leaf powder was used for solvent-based microwave-assisted extractions (SMAEs) in aqueous solutions of methanol at different concentrations. The variable microwave extraction parameters were power level (180–900 W), extraction time (1–30 min), solid-liquid ratio (1:10–40 g/mL), and methanol concentration (50–70%). The Box–Behnken experimental design using "Design Expert 6.1 (Stat-Ease, Inc. USA)" software was used for different combinations of extraction parameters. After microwave-assisted treatments, the extracts were filtered through a Whatman Filter Paper No-1 and stored at 4°C until further use. All the experiments were carried out in triplicate and compared with control (methanol-extracted sample). For control, 10 g of sample and 50 mL of solvent (70% methanol) were added. Further, it was incubated at 30 °C for 24 h with 200 rpm in a shaking incubator (Orbitek, Scigenics Biotech Private Limited India) and filtered through Whatman filter Paper No-1.
Determination of total phenolic content
Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using a modified version of the Folin–Ciocalteu's assay.[30] In brief, 20 μL of sample extract is mixed with 1.58 mL of distilled water and 100 μL of Folin–Ciocalteu's reagent and incubated for 8 min at room temperature followed by addition of 300 μL of 10% Na2 CO3 and further incubation at 40°C for 30 min in the dark. The absorbance was taken at 765 nm. Mixture with addition of distilled water instead of extracts served as blank. The standard curve for TPCs was calibrated using standard solution of gallic acid (0–100 mg/L). The results were expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g. The methanol extracted sample was used as control for the study.
Determination of antioxidant assay in the plant extract
The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the extracts was measured as described.[31] Briefly, 1.4 mL of DPPH radical methanol solution (10−4 M) was allowed to react with 100 μL of extracts. Absorbance at 517 nm was measured after incubation for 30 min at room temperature. The results were expressed in terms of radical scavenging activity using the following equation:
Radical scavenging activity (%) = [(A0 − As)/A0] × 100 (1)
Where A0 is the absorbance of control blank and As is the absorbance of sample extract. Methanol extracted sample served as control for the study.
Design Expert Software 6.1 (Stat-Ease, Inc. USA) was used to perform RSM which was used for the determination of optimal conditions for extraction of polyphenols. To explore the effects of four independent variables (solvent concentration, extraction time, solid-liquid ratio, microwave power) at three levels on two dependent variables (TPC, DPPH), a Box–Behnken design was used. The quadratic model for each response was as follows:
Where Y is the predicted response, β0 is a constant, βi is the linear coefficient, βii is the quadratic coefficient, βij is the interaction coefficient of variables i and j, and Xi and Xj are the independent variables.
To build response surfaces, this quadratic equation was used by the software. The adequacy of the model was determined by evaluating the coefficient of determination (R2), lack of fit, and the Fisher's test value (F value) obtained from the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance of the model and model parameters was determined at 5% probability level (a = 0.05), 1% probability level (b = 0.01), and 0.1% probability level (c = 0.001), respectively. Keeping one response variable at its optimum level and plotting against two factors (independent variables), three-dimensional response surface and contour plots were generated. The actual and the coded values used in the optimization studies are listed in [Table 1]. The complete experimental design consisted of 29 experiments, of which five experiments were at the central level [Table 2].
Table 1: The coded values and corresponding actual values of the optimization parameters used in the response surface analysis
Table 2: Experimental design matrix showing variable parameters and their responses
Optimization by particle swarm optimization algorithms
Optimization of the solvent-based microwave-assisted treatments of dried Sesame leaves were carried out using the standard PSO (SPSO) method programmed in MATLAB R2015a (Math works, USA).
Standard particle swarm optimization
SPSO is an advanced computational population-based evolutionary optimization method, inspired by the social behavior of bird flocking, and can effectively and efficiently find solutions among the population through proper cooperation and competition.[32] According to historical experience and that of other particles, each particle flies in a D-dimensional space "S" in the SPSO model. The velocity and location for the ith particle are represented as , respectively.
The search process of the particles is according to the following equations.
Where xid and vid are the dth dimension location and velocity for ith particle, acceleration constants are c1 and c2; the random values between 0 and 1 are rand(); the vector pi and pg gives the best position of the best fitness value of the particle i and in the population where the inertia weight for balance of global and local search ability is w.[33] In SPSO system, irrespective of the model employed, each particle converges to its local point "p" with coordinates p = (φ1pi + φ2pg)/(φ1 + φ2), where they converge to an exclusive global position at t→∞, where φ1 and φ2 are random numbers distributed uniformly on [0, 1].[34]
Reverse-phase high-performance chromatography analysis for identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in extracts
The reverse-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) analysis of the optimized plant extract was carried out in a RP-HPLC (Waters system) coupled with a 240 UV-vis detector. The extract was prepared by dissolving it in HPLC-grade methanol followed by filtration through a 0.22 μm nylon filter. Samples were separated in a C18 column of 4.6 mm × 250 mm where the mobile phase used was acidified ultrapure water (0.1% acetic acid, pH 3.2, mobile phase A) and methanol (mobile phase B). The gradient elution with a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min and the sample volume of 20 μL was as follows: 80% A (0–8 min), 65% A (9–12 min), 45% A (13–16 min), 30% A (17–20 min), 20% A (21–30 min), 10% of A (31–34 min) followed by column washing with 65% A (35–39 min), and finally with 80% A (40–45 min).[35] HPLC standards such as gallic acid, catechin, syringic acid, rutin hydrate, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, and apigenin were used for the identification and quantitative analysis. Absorbance was measured at 254 and 325 nm, respectively. The data were compared with methanol-extracted sample which was used as control in the study.
Identification of bioactive phenolic compounds in extracts using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry
The phenolic components retended in the optimally extracted solvent-based microwave-treated extracts were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GCMS) in Agilent GC System 7890A (USA) coupled with a 240 MS mass detector with capillary column of 30 m × 0.320 mm and 0.25 μm thick film. The samples were initially derivatized by addition of 50 μL of BSTFA with 1% TMCS to 500 μL of optimized extracts followed by heating in a water bath at 80°C for 45 min. An aliquot of 20 μL derivatized sample was injected into the gas chromatography system in a splitless mode at an injector temperature of 250°C using helium as carrier gas flowing at 1 mL/min. Initially, the oven temperature was set at 50°C for 2 min followed by heating to 230°C at a rate of 6°C/min maintained for 10 min. The electron impact ionization energy was 70 ev, and the mass spectra were scanned from 30 to 450 m/z. Detection and identification of the polyphenols were based on comparison of the mass spectrum and retention time (RT) of the extracts with the reference standards (NIST Database v 2.0).[36]
Microstructure analysis of treated samples
The dried powder of both control and SMAE-treated samples were analyzed for structural deformities using a scanning electron microscope (JEOL JSM 6390 LV, Singapore). The dried samples were sputter coated with platinum, and their surface and shape morphological analysis was done at different magnifications at an accelerating voltage of 20 kV.
Polyphenols, the major phytocompounds present in plants, play a significant role in maintaining good health. The existence of these phytocompounds in complex form with numerous proteins and sugars creates difficulties during extraction and purification process.[37] Thus, for effective extraction with high yield, different solvent-based microwave extraction parameters were done and discussed below.
Effect of different parameters based on total phenolic content assay
Effect of solvent concentration, extraction time, solid-liquid ratio, and microwave power on total phenolic content yield
For efficient extraction of analytes, solvent plays an important role. A good solvent should have good dielectric constant along with good capacity to absorb microwave energy. Initially, at 50% solvent concentration, the yield of TPC was 208.69 ± 1.04 mg GAE/100 g against 1:25 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, 900 W power, and 15.5 min extraction time, which gradually increased to 216.73 ± 2.67 mg GAE/100 g with increasing amounts of the solvent concentration in the extraction medium up to 60% [Table 2]. However, TPC yield began to decline with an increase in solvent concentration up to 70% in the extraction medium. The yield of TPC was initially low at lower solvent concentrations with a gradual increase at 60% followed by decreasing trend at the higher solvent concentrations, i.e., 70% [Figure 1]a, [Figure 1]c, and [Figure 1]d. This may be due to microwave heating for which there might be difference in dielectric properties of the solvent. As a result of this, extraction rate is hampered, and hence, low concentration of solvent gets easy access to cells whereas, at higher concentration, denaturation occurs. Our results are in agreement with the recently published data where the amount of phenolics increased to 173.49 mg GAE/g with increased solvent concentration up to 40%.[38]
Figure 1: Response surface for total phenolic content yield from Sesame leaves with microwave extraction with respect to solvent concentration, extraction time, solid-liquid ratio, microwave power. (a) Solvent concentration and time; (b) Solid-liquid ratio and time; (c) Solvent concentration and solid-liquid ratio; (d) Power and solvent concentration; (e) Power and time; (f) Power and solid-liquid ratio
The yield of analytes to recover depends on extraction time, though prolong exposure degrades its biological functionalities too. Hence, optimal exposure time is recommended for better yield of analytes. Recovery of phenolics was 205.73 ± 0.46 mg GAE/100 g at 60% solvent concentration, 1:25 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, 900 W microwave power, and 1 min extraction time, with a maximum amount of phenolics of 216.73 ± 2.67 mg GAE/100 g at 15.5 min further, followed declining trend [Table 2]. Initially, at lower extraction time, there was no significant release of polyphenols, while later on, with increase in time, TPC yield increased gradually [Figure 1]a, [Figure 1]b, and [Figure 1]e. This may be due to the fact that extended extraction time under constant microwave power influences higher polyphenol yield before reaching degradation stage. During MAE from Roselle seeds, increased extraction was observed with increased extraction time.[39] In another report, increased extraction yield with increase in extraction time with MAE studies of Bixa orellana (annatto) was observed.[40]
For efficient extraction of phytobiomolecules, solid-liquid ratio is an influential parameter. Low heating was observed for high solid-liquid ratio as most of the microwave energy was absorbed by the solvent.[41] Thereby, 10–30 mL solvent and 30-34% amount of sample in the solution along with a smaller vessel size were recommended for the use in microwave extraction process,[42] due to their ability to generate high internal pressure. Thus, average values were recommended for efficient extraction. TPC yield initially was 216.73 ± 2.67 mg GAE/100 g at 60% solvent concentration, 900 W microwave power, 1:10 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, and 15.5 min extraction time [Table 2]. However, TPC yield decreased to 208.69 ± 1.04 mg GAE/100 g with increase in solid-liquid ratio to 1:25 g/mL. However, higher recovery of phenolics was seen at 1:40 g/mL solid-liquid ratio. Response surfaces of the effects of solid-liquid ratio with time, solvent concentration, and power indicate increased extraction rate [Figure 1]b, [Figure 1]c, and [Figure 1]f. The higher yield of phenolics was observed at higher solid-liquid ratio which might be due to polarity of the solvent. The effective extraction involves important effect of solvent concentration-to-sample ratio which leads to release of phytobiomolecules. Similarly, maximized extraction of safflomin A from Flos carthami was reported with increase in solid-liquid ratio up to 1:20 g/mL.[43]
Microwave power also plays a significant role in deciding the maximum extraction of phenolic compounds. The yield of phenolics was 215.99 ± 1.67 mg GAE/100 g at 15.5 min extraction time, with 1:40 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, 180 W microwave power, and 60% solvent concentration [Table 2]. Later on, with increase in microwave power, recovery of phenolics significantly reduced to 164.12 ± 2.93 mg GAE/100 g. However, an increased release of phenolics was seen at 900 W microwave power treatment. [Figure 1]d, [Figure 1]e, and [Figure 1]f represents an increase in release of phenolics with an increase in microwave power up to 900 W. This might be due to the fact that higher microwave power generates microwave radiation which leads to increased heat and pressure on the plant cell in an extended manner until plant tissue was ruptured which leads to increase in interaction between the solvent and plant cell, thus resulting in improved TPC yield. Similar trend of result was also reported where an increased release of phenolics at 900 W was observed.[44]
Results from [Table 2] depicts that, at 900 W power, 15.5 min extraction time, 60% solvent concentration, 1:10 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, the maximum yield of phenolics was obtained. However, the yield of bioactive molecules was found to be 135.26 ± 0.58 mg GAE/100 g in the control sample.
Second-order polynomial equation for polyphenols yield was derived from multilinear regression analysis of the data as shown in [Table 3]. To determine the significant effect of process variables on polyphenols yield, ANOVA was performed. Model adequacy was tested by conducting lack of fit test and checking R2 value (coefficient of determination). From [Table 3], it can be observed that lack of fit is nonsignificant with an R2 value of 0.99, which signifies goodness of fit of the developed model.
Table 3: Analysis of variance for fitted model against total phenolic content and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl values for the extract
The final equation of TPC yield in terms of coded factor is given below:
Y1= 153.75 − 2.500 × 10−3 X1+ 2.55 X2+ 1.21 X3+ 4.08 X4− 1.68 X12 + 0.088 X22 + 6.24 X32 + 47.12 X42 − 3.88 X1X2− 1.73 X1X3− 3.75 X1X4+ 0.28 X2X3− 2.00 X2X4− 8.00 X3X4 (5)
Where Y1 is the TPC, X1 is the solvent concentration, X2 is the extraction time,X3 is the solid-liquid ratio, and X4 is the microwave power.
Effect of different parameters based on antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity
Effect of solvent concentration, extraction time, solid-liquid ratio, and microwave power on antioxidant activity
The extraction conditions of 15.5 min extraction time, 1:25 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, and 900 W microwave power with 50% solvent concentration showed 97.93% DPPH radical scavenging activity, while with 70% solvent concentration at same condition showed decreased DPPH radical scavenging activity of 89.35% [Table 2]. The yield of antioxidants was initially higher with lower solvent concentration followed by decreasing trend at higher level of solvent concentration [Figure 2]a, [Figure 2]c, and [Figure 2]d. Our results were based on reports claiming similar results where they reported the yield and amounts of antioxidants increased to 86.23% with solvent concentration of 65%.[45]
Figure 2: Response surface for antioxidants by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity from Sesame leaves with microwave extraction with respect to solvent concentration, extraction time, solid-liquid ratio, microwave power. (a) Solvent concentration and time; (b) Solid-liquid ratio and time; (c) Solvent concentration and solid-liquid ratio; (d) Power and solvent concentration; (e) Power and time; (f) Power and solid-liquid ratio
Higher value of DPPH radical scavenging activity of 94.58% was noticed initially at 60% solvent concentration with 1 min extraction time, 1:10 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, and 540 W microwave power [Table 2]. Later on, with increase in extraction time to 15.5 min, an increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity was seen up to 97.93%; however, at higher value of time factor to 30 min, sudden decrease in the antioxidants yield can be observed. Antioxidants yield by DPPH radical scavenging activity initially increased to 15.5 min followed by decreasing trend beyond it [Figure 2]a, [Figure 2]b, and [Figure 2]e. In a similar study on isolation of triterpenoid saponins from Ganoderma atrum, few researchers reported that triterpenoid yield increased till 20 min, after which there was gradual decrease.[46]
Quantity of analytes extracted also depends on solid-liquid ratio, which is a vital parameter. Initially, recovery of antioxidants of 96.1% was observed at 60% solvent concentration, 15.5 min extraction time, 1:10 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, and 900 W microwave power [Table 2], with gradual increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity at 1:25 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, which then rapidly decreased with increase in solid-liquid ratio to 40 g/mL. Solid-liquid ratio has a negative effect on DPPH radical scavenging activity as seen in [Figure 2]b, [Figure 2]c, and [Figure 2]f. At the lowest level up to 1:25 g/mL, release of DPPH radical scavenging activity increased rapidly; however, as the solid-liquid ratio increases, recovery of antioxidant decreases. Our results are in agreement with results as stated by other reports where they reported maximum extraction of flavonoids by dual extraction by 90% ethanol, 25 g/mL solvent-to-material ratio, and 110°C temperature for 25 min.[47],[48]
The quantity of antioxidants extracted initially was 68.64% against 180 W microwave power, 70% solvent concentration, 15.5 min extraction time, and 1:25 g/mL solid-liquid ratio [Table 2]. Further, with increased microwave power up to 540 W, recovery of antioxidants increased; however, significant reduction of antioxidants was seen with increased power level. Microwave power have significant positive effect on the radical scavenging activity of DPPH [Figure 2]d, [Figure 2]e, and [Figure 2]f. With the increase in microwave power, antioxidant extraction shows a rising trend. These findings were agreeing with the findings of previous report, where extraction efficiency from Buddleja officinalis Maxim was increased using microwave power of 900 W.[49]
The observations from [Table 2] displays the maximal extraction of antioxidants with DPPH solution at 50% solvent concentration, 15.5 min extraction time, 1:25 g/mL solid-liquid ratio, and 900 W power level, whereas the control sample showed 82 ± 1.62% DPPH radical scavenging activity. The results of antioxidant recovery with the help of DPPH radical scavenging activity are represented in second-order polynomial equation in terms of coded factors.
Y2= 92.55 + 0.17 X1− 2.78 X2− 2.84 X3+ 16.40 X4− 3.51 X12 − 18.34 X22 − 2.53 X32 − 11.35 X42 + 10.05 X1X2+ 2.18 X1X3− 5.79 X1X4+ 14.57 X2X3− 7.84 X2X4+ 0.68 × X3X4 (6)
Where Y2 is the DPPH radical scavenging activity, X1 is the solvent concentration, X2 is the extraction time,X3 is the solid-liquid ratio, and X4 is the microwave power.
ANOVA result as shown in [Table 3] demonstrates the model to be significant with acceptable F and P value. The R2 value was 0.96 which confirms good fitting of the model. The lack of fit was nonsignificant, whereas the P value of the developed model was significant. From the results, it was observed that solid-liquid ratio (X3) and microwave power (X4) had significant effect, whereas solvent concentration (X1) and time (X2) did not show any significant effect. From these results, it can be concluded that the developed model can predict antioxidant activity with higher accuracy.
The optimal pretreatment variables for polyphenols release
The developed model in RSM was used for the PSO. This was computed by applying SPSO algorithm. The parameters used in this study were as follows: initial population size was 40 particles, values of acceleration constants c1 and c2 were 0.5, weight value was 0.6 (which was kept constant with the generations), and the maximum number of generations was set to 500 for SPSO. The entire process finished after reaching the prespecified maximum number of generations (500).
Optimization using particle swarm optimization and model verification
The developed model in RSM was used for the optimization using PSO. By optimizing developed model for both the responses TPC and DPPH, the best condition of the extraction process was determined. The optimum conditions for maximum TPC and DPPH values, i.e., 206.14 ± 2.70 mg GAE/100 g and 96.04 ± 1.67%, were obtained using methanol at 51.38% concentration, extraction time of 16.95 min, solid-liquid ratio of 1:23 g/mL, and microwave power level of 900 W, respectively. The developed model was further verified based on mean variation and percent of variation between the predicted and actual values of TPC and free radical scavenging activity by DPPH radicals, as shown in [Table 4].
Table 4: Validation of optimized results
A number of phytobiomolecules were detected and quantified in the optimally extracted samples separated on a RP-HPLC system coupled with a UV-vis detector. All the peaks obtained were compared with the respective standard's RT. Three phenolic compounds were identified: quercetin (RT in min = 22.86, chlorogenic acid (RT = 17.09), and gallic acid (RT = 6.19) [Supplementary [Table 1] and Supplementary [Figure 1]. The concentration of quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and gallic acid in the optimized extract was 11.25, 4.28, and 1.61 ppm, respectively. However, in the methanol extract, quercetin and gallic acid concentrations were 7.08 and 1.01 ppm.
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis for identification of phenolic compounds
Different bioactive phytoconstituents were detected and identified using the GCMS system with their retention time in SMAE samples as shown in [Table 5] and Supplementary [Figure 2]. Majorly, ascorbic acid, phytol, and flavonol have been identified at 26.79, 29.03, and 39.70 min, which are essential components for showing various functional attributes. The presence of 0.0386% ascorbic acid in Sesame seed powder and quercetin of 0.40 mg quercetin equivalent g −1 (dry weight) in Sesame cake extracts has been reported.[50],[51] These results illustrate the importance of Sesame extracts, and its uses as a potent candidate for different functional properties.
Table 5: Tentatively identified compounds in Sesame plant leaves along with their retention time using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
The micrographs of microwave-treated and -untreated plant samples are represented in [Figure 3]a and [Figure 3]b. There was not complete destruction on the cell walls, and the tissues were intact without any significant changes for untreated plant samples [Figure 3]a. However, there was disintegration of the tissues, surface of the sample was damaged, and texture was deformed as depicted in [Figure 3]b. It may be due to high electromagnetic waves which tend to break the cells of the plant samples, resulting in rupture of the cells.[52] Similar results were also reported, where cell damage and complete rupture of cells were seen for myrtle leaves.[38] Therefore, it was seen that microwave-treated Sesame plant leaves allow more phytochemicals to be extracted than the normal traditional method.
Figure 3: Scanning electron microscopic images of Sesame samples. (a) Conventional extraction of leaves; (b) Microwave-assisted extraction of leaves. Arrow mark in 3a shows the intact surface morphology whereas in 3b shows severe fracture of the surface
Sesame leaves are rich source of phytochemical with potent antioxidant properties. For optimum extraction of these phytochemicals, MAE proved to be a convenient method for extraction. Mathematical models were used to optimize the process parameters to predict the optimum conditions. The total phenol extracted from Sesame plants with MAE was higher than the normal traditional methods. This present work established an important and optimized method for extraction of polyphenols from Sesame plant leaves using MAE.
We also gratefully acknowledge the Vice-Chancellor, Tezpur University (Central University, Tezpur, Assam, India) for providing facilities to carry out the study. Dr. Khirod Kumar Dash, Assistant Professor, Food Engineering and Technology Department, is also duly acknowledged.
We would like to acknowledge the financial support given by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (DST-SERB; Grant No: SB/YS/LS-30/2014).
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]
1 Non-Invasive Delivery of Nano-Emulsified Sesame Oil-Extract of Turmeric Attenuates Lung Inflammation
Sahibzada Tasleem Rasool, Rajasekhar Reddy Alavala, Umasankar Kulandaivelu, Nagaraja Sreeharsha
Pharmaceutics. 2020; 12(12): 1206
Sarma L
Chakraborty S
Duary RK
2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
microwave extraction
particle swarm optimization
total phenolic content
Results and Disc...


ISND
NeuroConnections
Founded in 2015, then as the Neurodegenerative Disease Society of Toronto, ISND has since put together a variety of events and initiatives, from fundraising receptions and charitable benefits to high school presentations and research seminars. Our flagship event every year, the ISND Annual Meeting, brings together internationally renowned researchers from a host of disciplines to discuss the current forefront of neurodegenerative disease research, from drug development to deep brain stimulation, from machine learning technologies to biochemical pathogenesis, from focused ultrasound to the arts and humanities.
Now, as we press ahead beyond Toronto in the face of new advancements and discoveries, and the new challenges that have simultaneously arisen, we double down on our mission of advocacy and community engagement across the globe. We bring with us a passionate group of leaders, which, as we look to expand our programs, have recently taken added shape in our Board of Directors, focused on navigating the complexities of international growth, and our Advisory Board, a team of experts with the experience to help illuminate them.
Founded by two former lab-mates, Kevin Liu and Maria Tereshchenko, the International Society for Neurodegenerative Diseases has been the culmination of work laid down by the Neurodegenerative Disease Society of Toronto, founded in 2015 by the aforementioned together with fellow lab-mates, Valentina Hucik and Christopher Lozano, and crucially supported by the efforts of Camilla Giovino and Lee Phan, who now help lead the organization as Co-Presidents, since the very beginning.
Help us to continue their work by supporting us today.
The International Society for Neurodegenerative Diseases, or ISND, is a Canadian international not-for-profit organization (Corporation #: 1156292-4) founded on goals of Education, Advocacy, and Support; and values of Inquiry, Innovation, and Impact. We work to galvanize the general public to action through educational, research, and fundraising initiatives, while serving and engaging with the neurodegenerative disease community. In doing so, we hope to amplify the work of experts, scientists, and medical professionals; and build a support network for those individuals and families most affected. Through these initiatives, and as we look to push the extent of our efforts and understanding of neurodegenerative diseases evermore, we hope to help see a day soon without them.
One Bloor, 1 Bloor Street East
CORPORATION Number : 1156292-4
© 2023 by International Society for Neurodegenerative Diseases. All rights reserved.


FOCUS ON QUALITY AND REGULATION PUTS ALIMETRY INTO THE FAST LANE
Alimetry is an exemplar of how focusing on diversity, innovation, quality control and regulatory requirements can help get a new medtech device to market within two years.
Led by surgeon Greg O'Grady, the Alimetry team is now working through the FDA approval process for their next-generation technology for diagnosing gastric disorders.
Alimetryᵀᴹ is deep tech – something novel that offers significant advances over current technology. This non-invasive device helps diagnose gastric dysfunction. It senses the underlying motility of the stomach to detect the contributing causes of common symptoms such as abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea and vomiting.
At present the diagnostic process for gastric symptoms is really inadequate. Patients often come out of a prolonged process with no clear answers, while clinicians end up having to do trial-and-error therapy. Alimetry's goal is to explain symptoms in a way that can directly inform personalised therapy. If successful, this will transform the diagnostic pathway for millions of patients worldwide suffering from diseases such as chronic indigestion and chronic nausea and vomiting.
The Gastric Alimetry system is made up of a reusable recording device manufactured at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, and a stretchable and disposable sensor array designed here but made in the US. The patient consumes a standardised meal and logs their symptoms on an app. Test data is sent to the cloud for analysis and the clinician receives a detailed and actionable report.
At just two years old, Alimetry is already well ahead of usual start-up timelines. Chief Operating Officer Hanie Yee cites the team's diversity as one of the key components to that success.
"Armen Gharibans is an unconventional engineer with a lot of clinical research experience. Yaara has joined us from Israel with a very strong start-up background to manage the regulatory side. Greg is a general and lower gastrointestinal (GI) surgeon and a bioengineering PhD with a track record in start-ups, and my background is commercialisation in MedTech, most recently at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare. The rest of the team have equally diverse backgrounds that fosters a creative environment for all of us to work within" says Chief Operating Officer Hanie Yee.
"The idea began with research conducted at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute over a decade ago. We've known about electrical activity in the stomach for 100 years, but the team at the ABI took what they knew about bioelectricity from cardiac work and applied it to the stomach," says co-founder Gharibans.
O'Grady says he was seeing too many patients go through laborious, invasive and expensive rounds of repeat diagnostic testing, only to end up with inconclusive results and confusion. "This experience helped to inspire a decade of scientific work led out of the ABI to map in unprecedented detail the electrical activity in the human gut, which was funded by the New Zealand Health Research Council.
Over in San Diego, Gharibans was looking at the same problem. He relocated to New Zealand in 2018 to join the team at the University of Auckland – a "dream come true".
Yarmut came on board to manage the regulatory side. "Alimetry's engineers are interested in quality and they wanted to get the best possible device to market. Focusing on quality and regulatory requirements early in the process would help speed that up."
Yee says a lot of start-ups try to fit regulatory and quality retrospectively once the product is ready. "We started with regulatory and quality simultaneously with product design. Greg and Yaara share the same vision and have created the framework which enables the team to achieve milestones in a short space of time. It's the do it once, do it right approach."
The focus on quality has paid off with Alimetry achieving the ISO 13485 international quality management system accreditation as well as CE mark within two years of the company being established.
Alimetry is now seeking FDA approval whilst clinical trials are being completed globally. "This will get us into the all-powerful US market, hopefully within 12 months. Our quality management will comply with FDA rules and we can then leverage that."
Alimetry has regulatory clearance in New Zealand and the EU with trials underway in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the EU. The team hope to start commercial research sites in New Zealand this year.
In the meantime, the high-energy team is waiting to see if their work earns them a 2021 NZ Hi-Tech Award, which recognises outstanding innovation, contribution and success in New Zealand's hi-tech sector. The awards will be announced at the end of May.


R&D Health
The Eagle Online
Buratai tasks officers on improvement on current successes
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has tasked officers and commanders of Nigerian Army units and formations to ensure improvement on current operational successes in 2020.
Buratai made the call at the closing of the 2019 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference on Friday in Kaduna.
The conference had the theme: "The Application of Cutting Edge of the Nigerian Army in Tackling Contemporary Security Challenges."
Buratai said the annual event was an opportunity to evaluate and appraise activities and effort of the Army towards better positioning to face the task ahead in 2020 and beyond.
According to him: "In the past five days, we have reviewed our training, operational and administrative activities as well as other security issues germane to the development of the Nigerian Army.
"In particular, the conference afforded us the opportunity to evaluate our ongoing operations in different parts of the country such as operations against the Boko Haram terrorists, armed banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping, vandalism, militancy and other criminalities.
"We have achieved undeniably so much in the area of security and these achievements are attributable to focus and exemplary leadership of the president to the security agencies of which army is the major beneficiary.
"It is therefore important that we all join hands to ensure that successes so far achieved are sustained and consolidated.
"I charge you all to maintain a positive disposition and attitude towards improving our current operational successes.
"This is important to providing an enabling environment for the socio-economic stability of our deer country."
Buratai also disclosed that strategic direction and guidance had been issues for the year 2020 to sustain professionalism and responsiveness of the Nigerian Army.
He also charged commanders and staff officers to strategise on how to craft operations, exercises and training activities towards ensuring sustainable peace and security across the country.
According to him, it is expected that the decisions arrived at in most of the deliberations will help to fashion out better ways of executing set objectives.
The Army chief stated that the current economic realities in the country had spurred the Nigerian army to leverage on its abundant human, material and natural resources to boost its research and development effort in 2019.
He added that the effort had yielded result with the production of the Ezugwu MRAPs as well as other equipment and platforms.
According to Buratai, the Nigerian Army has matched its word with action with the indigenous production of the various platforms, vehicles and weapon systems, which were displayed on the first day of the conference.
He also charged all commanders to be prudent and ensure judicious use of the resources under their charge.
He said: "I will not hesitate to hold you personally responsible for indiscipline and misconduct committed individually or collectively.
"We must all redouble our efforts and assiduously work to deliver our assigned tasks."
Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai
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