Category: Bad Food
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UNITED STATES v. RUTHERFORD, 442 U.S. 544 (1979)
The question presented in this case is whether the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act precludes terminally ill cancer patients from obtaining Laetrile, a drug not recognized as “safe and effective” within the meaning of § 201(p)(1) of the Act, 52 Stat. 1041, as amended, 21 U.S.C. § 321 (p)(1). Terminally ill cancer patients and their…
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Glycoside
In chemistry, a glycoside is a molecule in which a sugar is bound to another functional group via a glycosidic bond. Glycosides play numerous important roles in living organisms. Many plants store chemicals in the form of inactive glycosides. These can be activated by enzyme hydrolysis, which causes the sugar part to be broken off, making the chemical available for use. Many such plant glycosides are used as medications.…
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Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells
Neuroendocrine cells are cells that receive neuronal input (through neurotransmitters released by nerve cells or neurosecretory cells) and, as a consequence of this input, release messenger molecules (hormones) into the blood. In this way they bring about an integration between the nervous system and the endocrine system, a process known as neuroendocrine integration. An example of a neuroendocrine cell is a cell…
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Catecholamine (CA)
A catecholamine (abbreviated CA) is a monoamine neurotransmitter, an organic compound that has a catechol (benzene with two hydroxyl side groups next to each other) and a side-chain amine. Fitzgerald, P. A. (2011). “Chapter 11. Adrenal Medulla and Paraganglia”. In Gardner, D. G.; Shoback, D. (eds.). Greenspan’s Basic & Clinical Endocrinology (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved October 26, 2011. Catechol, not to be confused with Catechin which is also sometimes called catechol, can be either…
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Latent tetany and anxiety, marginal magnesium deficit, and normocalcemia (1975)
The identification of marginal magnesium deficit, such as we have detected in a patient with anxiety, depression, and psychomatic complaints, is a difficult diagnostic problem. Electromyography of a limb, rendered acutely ischemic either just before or after hyperventilation, can elicit latent tetany in this condition, as well as in calcium deficiency. We have demonstrated iterative…
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Hypomagnesemic tetany of ruminants (1988)
Hypomagnesemic tetany of ruminants is a noninfectious metabolic disorder that occurs in a wide range of nutritional and management conditions. This article considers its etiology and pathogenesis, clinical signs, clinical pathology and lesions, diagnosis, clinical management, prevention, and control. Smith RA, Edwards WC. Hypomagnesemic tetany of ruminants. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 1988…
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The magnesium-deficiency tetany syndrome in man (1960)
Magnesium is second only to potassium in abundance as an intracellular cation. The whole body of a human adult contains nearly 25 gm. The numerous important biochemical reactions dependent upon the presence of this metal have been discussed elsewhere. Magnesium is an essential nutrient for animals and plants, suggesting that a dietary inadequacy of this ion might…
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Studies on the nutritional basis of abnormal behavior in albino rats; the effect of pyridoxine deficiency upon sound-induced magnesium tetany (1945)
After a magnesium deficient diet for 5 to 8 days, young rats showed vasodilatation, hyperirritability, and latent tetany. Brief exposures to the sound of a resonated buzzer elicited severe tonic-clonic convulsions. When such a diet was continued for 10 to 23 days, sensitivity increased with death resulting from spontaneous or induced seizures. In a similar…
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Sonication
Sonication is the act of applying sound energy to agitate particles in a sample, for various purposes such as the extraction of multiple compounds from plants, microalgae and seaweeds. Ultrasonic frequencies (> 20 kHz) are usually used, leading to the process also being known as ultrasonication or ultra-sonication. In the laboratory, it is usually applied using an ultrasonic bath or an ultrasonic probe, colloquially known…
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Ceres, Roman goddess
In ancient Roman religion, Ceres was a goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships. She was originally the central deity in Rome’s so-called plebeian or Aventine Triad, then was paired with her daughter Proserpina in what Romans described as “the Greek rites of Ceres”. Her seven-day April festival of Cerealia included the popular Ludi Ceriales (Ceres’ games). She was also honoured in the May lustration (lustratio) of the fields at the Ambarvalia festival: at…
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Intrinsic factor (IF) and haptocorrin (transcobalamin I) are necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12
Intrinsic factor (IF), cobalamin binding intrinsic factor, also known as gastric intrinsic factor (GIF), is a glycoprotein produced by the parietal cells (in humans) or chief cells (in rodents) of the stomach. It is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 later on in the distal ileum of the small intestine. In humans, the gastric intrinsic factor protein is encoded by the CBLIFgene. Haptocorrin (transcobalamin I) is another glycoprotein secreted by the salivary glands which binds…
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United States v. Forty Barrels and Twenty Kegs of Coca-Cola, 241 U.S. 265 (1916)
United States v. Forty Barrels and Twenty Kegs of Coca-Cola, 241 U.S. 265 (1916), was a federal suit under which the government unsuccessfully attempted to force The Coca-Cola Company to remove caffeine from its product. Context In 1906, Harvey Washington Wiley was the head of the United States Department of Agriculture Bureau of Chemistry when Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act. The…
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Cryptanaerobacter phenolicus transforms phenol into benzoate via 4-hydroxybenzoate
Benzoic acid occurs naturally in many plants and serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of many secondary metabolites. Salts of benzoic acid are used as food preservatives. Benzoic acid is an important precursor for the industrial synthesis of many other organic substances. The salts and esters of benzoic acid are known as benzoates. Benzoic acid occurs naturally as do its esters in many plant…
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Farnesol and Farnesene
Farnesol is a natural 15-carbon organic compound which is an acyclic sesquiterpene alcohol. Under standard conditions, it is a colorless liquid. It is hydrophobic, and thus insoluble in water, but miscible with oils. Farnesol is produced from 5-carbon isoprene compounds in both plants and animals. Phosphate-activated derivatives of farnesol are the building blocks of possibly all acyclic sesquiterpenoids. These compounds are doubled to…
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Castoreum
Castoreum is a yellowish exudate from the castor sacs of mature beavers. Beavers use castoreum in combination with urine to scent mark their territory. Both beaver sexes have a pair of castor sacs and a pair of anal glands, located in two cavities under the skin between the pelvis and the base of the tail. The castor sacs are not true glands (endocrine or exocrine)…
