Effect of Dietary Resistant Starch on Prevention and Treatment of Obesity-related Diseases and Its Possible Mechanisms

Overweight or obesity has become a serious public health problem in the world, scientists are concentrating their efforts on exploring novel ways to treat obesity. Nowadays, the availabilities of bariatric surgery and pharmacotherapy have enhanced obesity treatment, but it should has support from diet, physical exercise and lifestyle modification, especially the functional food. Resistant starch, an indigestible starch, has been studied for years for its beneficial effects on regulating blood glucose level and lipid metabolism. The aim of this review is to summarize the effect of resistant starch on weight loss and the possible mechanisms. According to numerous previous studies it could be concluded that resistant starch can reduce fat accumulation, enhance insulin sensitivity, regulate blood glucose level and lipid metabolism. Recent investigations have focused on the possible associations between resistant starch and incretins as well as gut microbiota. Resistant starch seems to be a promising dietary fiber for the prevention or treatment of obesity and its related diseases.

The Mechanism of Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag Preventing Alkali Aggregate Reaction

Three different methods were applied to study the alkali content of gelpores in cement. In the closed system, the concentration of K＋, Na＋ and OH - have not reduced with the increase of age. In the open system, the diffusion and transferring of K＋ and Na＋ towards free space leads to the de-crease of total alkali content. In the micro-analysis system, the contents of K＋ and Na＋ in the first hy- drated layer of ground granulated blastfurnace slag （GBFS） are very low, while the contents of calcium and magnesium are relatively high. This phenomenon shows that the mechanism of GBFS preventing alkali aggregate reaction （AAR） is： when GBFS is dissolved by alkali medium, SiO2 and Al2O3 are dissolved into the cement matrix, then around GBFS particles form reaction rings rich in Ca2＋ and Mg^2＋, and the C-S-H gel of positive charges formed in the area repulses K＋ and Na＋, which are forced to transfer to the mortar＇s matrix, pore or mortar sample surface. The transferred K ^＋ and Na^＋ form alkali gel products with other dissolved ions, then become evenly distributed in the mortar sample and react with Ca（OH）2 in pore solutions to form （Na,K）x-2z·zCa·（SiO2）y·（OH）x gel products; and thus changes the AAR gel products＇ structure. The gel products will not expand, and so they can delay expansion destruction.

Dimethylacetamide-induced Hepatic Injury in Vitro: Mechanism and Potential Preventive Strategy

N,N-Dimethylacetamide （DMAc） is a widely used organic solvent in modern chemical industry with low to moderate hepatotoxicity to occupational health of employees. But so far, there are fewer and less conclusive data concerning its pathogenic mechanism in detail. In current study, the toxicity of DMAc was firstly investigated on human normal hepatocytes （LO-2）, using a series of molecular biology measurements to ananlyze the effect and mechanism of DMAc-induced hepatic cell injury and explore effective prophylactic measures. We found that DMAc triggered LO-2 apoptosis in a obviously dose-dependent manner, caused by increased ROS generation and activation of Bcl-2 pathway. Significantly, glutathione （GSH） rather than vitamin C （Vit C） could partially inhibit DMAc-induced apoptosis thus showing potential as a effective precaution for workers.

The Implementation of the Global Minimum Tax(GloBE):The Need for an Effective Dispute Prevention and Resolution Mechanism

The successful implementation of the Global Anti-Base Erosion(GloBE)rules on a global scale cannot be achieved without an international effective dispute prevention and reso­lution mechanism.However,the development of a dispute prevention and resolution framework for the GloBE rules faces significant challenges.This article offers two possible options for an effective dispute prevention and resolution mechanism:a model based on reciprocal domestic legislations and the multilateral convention model.

In vitro Metabolomic Approaches to Investigating the Potential Biological Effects of Phenolic Compounds:An Update

Dietary phenolic compounds （PCs） have been receiving intercst lor their presumcd roles ill disease prevention. However, there is a lack of studies on the underlying molecular mechanisnls. In this regard, in vitro metabolomic approaches are suitable for the investigation o1 the molecular changes in response to PC exposure. Up to date, the biological effects of PCs have only been cxalnined for PCs from rosemary （Rosmarinus officinalis）, olive oil, and reSVCl-atrol using cell-based mctabolomic approach, although transcriptomic and/or proteomic studies have also been conducted in the same in vi[ro cell experiment in some cases. Our integral analysis of the reviewed studies suggest that PCs may be involved not only in basic cellular processes or macro-and micro-nutrient meta- bolism, but also in specific metabolic pathways that have been thoroughly investigated. These modulated pathways could have a clinical impact on neurodegenerativc diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. In conclusion, the in vitro metabolomic approaches provide additional information of the molecular mechanisms involved in disease risk reduction of dietary PCs. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of action of PCs, more metabolomic cell-based studies are nccdcd and testing the physiological conjugated forms of PCs in these cell systems could be of special interest.

Raising Tax Certainty in Singapore

Tax certainty is key for both businesses and governments to optimise investments and economic progress.This article shares the experience of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and the approaches taken to provide a more certain tax environment for taxpayers.