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Nutrients 2014, 6(3), 1164-1180; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6031164
Dietary Zinc Deficiency Affects Blood Linoleic Acid: Dihomo-γ-linolenic Acid (LA:DGLA) Ratio; a Sensitive Physiological Marker of Zinc Status in Vivo (Gallus gallus)
USDA-ARS, Robert Holley Center for Agriculture & Health, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Present address: Nestl
Received: 9 January 2014; in revised form: 1 March 2014 / Accepted: 5 March 2014 / Published: 20 March 2014
Zinc is a vital micronutrient used for over 300 enzymatic reactions and multiple biochemical and structural processes in the body. To date, sensitive and specific biological markers of zinc status are still needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate Gallus gallus as an in vivo model in the context of assessing the sensitivity of a previously unexplored potential zinc biomarker, the erythrocyte linoleic acid: dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (LA:DGLA) ratio. Diets identical in composition were formulated and two groups of birds (n = 12) were randomly separated upon hatching into two diets, Zn(+) (zinc adequate control, 42.3 μg/g zinc), and Zn(−) (zinc deficient, 2.5 μg/g zinc). Dietary zinc intake, body weight, serum zinc, and the erythrocyte fatty acid profile were measured weekly. At the conclusion of the study, tissues were collected for gene expression analysis. Body weight, feed consumption, zinc intake, and serum zinc were higher in the Zn(+) control versus Zn(−) group (p < 0.05). Hepatic TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 gene expression were higher in the Zn(+) control group (p < 0.05), and hepatic Δ6 desaturase was significantly higher in the Zn(+) group (p < 0.001). The LA:DGLA ratio was significantly elevated in the Zn(−) group compared to the Zn(+) group (22.6 ± 0.5 and 18.5 ± 0.5, % w/w, respectively, p < 0.001). This study suggests erythrocyte LA:DGLA is able to differentiate zinc status between zinc adequate and zinc deficient birds, and may be a sensitive biomarker to assess dietary zinc manipulation.
Keywords:zinc; zinc deficiency; zinc biomarker; broiler chicken; Δ6 desaturase; delta-6 desaturase; red blood cell fatty acids
1. Introduction
Zinc is one of the most abundant trace minerals in cells, and is essential for growth and development of nearly all organisms [1]. With 1.5–2.5 g of zinc present in the average adult [2], zinc is second only to iron in total body trace mineral content. It is found primarily in tissues such as the brain, kidneys, pancreas and liver with smaller concentrations in hair, skin and fingernails [3]. Zinc is vital for numerous physiological and metabolic processes, such as acting as an antioxidant and cofactor in over 300 zinc metalloenzymes [4,5]. Zinc functions in the regulation of an extensive variety of genes such as those involved in nucleic acid metabolism [6], cell signaling [7,8], and apoptosis [9]. Zinc also plays an integral role in immune system functioning [10,11,12,13]. Since there is no readily-accessible storage form of zinc, regulation is highly efficient [14,15,16]. In humans, tight regulation is accomplished by the control of zinc absorption and transport to and from the small intestine via two families of transmembrane proteins [17,18,19,20,21], solute carrier 30A (Slc30a, ZnT) and Slc39a members (ZIP). As was previously demonstrated, expression of several of these proteins is usually upregulated in zinc deficiency conditions [17].
However, despite an increasing understanding of zinc homeostasis, the paucity of sensitive zinc biomarkers, as well as a representative animal model in which to test them, has made assessment of zinc deficiency difficult to both quantify and categorize. Although whole blood, plasma, and urine zinc decrease in severe zinc deficiency, accurate assessment of zinc status, especially in mild to moderate deficiency, is difficult as studies with these biomarkers are often contradictory and inconsistent. In their recent meta-analysis on biological indicators of zinc status, Lowe et al. concluded plasma, serum, urinary, and hair zinc were the only effective biological indicators out of 32 potential biomarkers from 46 publications in humans [22]. Previous studies have shown plasma and serum zinc to be insensitive indicators of zinc status [23,24,25], although some studies demonstrate they respond to both depletion and repletion of zinc [26,27]. Erythrocyte zinc is often used to evaluate zinc status, although this biomarker has been shown to be both responsive [25] and non-responsive [26] to zinc depletion. Further, purported biomarkers such as hair [26], urinary [25], and fecal zinc [22] have shown mixed efficacy as sensitive biomarkers of zinc status during dietary intervention; these discrepancies may be independent of differences in experimental protocol. The need to develop additional robust indicators of zinc status and expound upon the already known clinical markers, for which limited data of reliability exists, is evident.
The broiler chicken (Gallus gallus) matures relatively quickly and is sensitive to dietary manipulation of various micronutrients such as zinc [28,29,30,31]. As was previously demonstrated [32,33,34,35], the broiler chicken is a responsive model in which to test dietary iron bioavailability. Further studies have shown the broiler chicken highly sensitive to dietary zinc manipulation [28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35]. Also, it was previously demonstrated that birds have a similar membrane fatty acid composition to mammals [36], which makes it a potentially-ideal animal model to study essential fatty acid (EFA) accumulation in relation to mineral nutrition.
Using this animal model, we identified and implemented a previously unexplored biomarker of zinc status pertaining to erythrocyte Δ6 desaturation. The physiology of membrane fatty acid accumulation in relation to zinc homeostasis has been the subject of little investigation in the literature, even though zinc plays a crucial role as a cofactor for the desaturase enzymes [37,38]. Initial studies proposed a role for zinc and EFAs in swine parakeratosis [39]. Bettger et al. later suggested a physiological connection between zinc and EFAs, as zinc deficiency increased proportions of arachidonic acid (20:4ω6) [40]. Horrobin et al. postulated that desaturase enzymes require zinc as a cofactor for proper functioning [38]. Desaturase enzymes have both a requirement for zinc and a relatively low binding constant [41,42], thus their activity is quite sensitive to early-stage zinc deficiency. What ensues is a disturbed ratio of their substrates and products, in this case linoleic acid (LA, 18:2ω6) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3ω6), respectively. The Δ6-catalyzed step required for conversion of 18:2ω6 to 20:3ω6 is usually the highest flux pathway [43], so an elevation in the 18:2ω6:20:3ω6 ratio may be a sensitive marker for zinc deficiency.
It is known [37] that, because of the zinc requirement of Δ6 desaturase, increasing dietary γ-linolenic acid (18:3ω6, a direct product of linoleic acid desaturation) may correct for the biological effects of zinc deficiency in terms of membrane EFA composition. Similarly, increasing dietary concentrations of LA may modify the LA:DGLA ratio independent of zinc status. Therefore, the knowledge of and/or controlling for dietary concentration of both fatty acids may be important in qualifying the specificity of the LA:DGLA biomarker. Thus, we investigated whether the ratio of 18:2ω6:20:3ω6 could be implemented as a sensitive biomarker of zinc status in vivo during the length of a controlled feeding trial. Also, hepatic mRNA gene expression for the Δ6 desaturase enzyme was measured. Figure 1 represents the role zinc plays in the rate-limiting desaturase step of the ω6 fatty acid pathway.
To provide context in determining the sensitivity of the LA:DGLA biomarker, we also assessed several relevant zinc-dependent factors, such as the expression of zinc transporter proteins (ZnT1, ZnT5, ZnT7, ZIP6, ZIP9, and DMT-1), immunomodulatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), a transcription factor (NF-κB), zinc-dependent digestive (AP and SI) and metabolically-relevant (Na+K+ATPase and SGLT-1) enzymes, a zinc binding protein (MT4), as well as physiological markers (body weight, feather, nail, and serum zinc).
We hypothesize that the LA:DGLA biomarker assessed in this study will respond to changing levels of dietary zinc. Such a biomarker could be used to rapidly screen zinc status in vivo. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the response of the LA:DGLA ratio, as well as other indices of zinc nutriture, to dietary zinc deficiency in the Gallus gallus model. This study reports on the initial findings of the development and implementation of the LA:DGLA biomarker.
Figure 1. A truncated schematic of the LA to DGLA fatty acid pathway within the erythrocyte membrane. Lack of dietary zinc (broken line), needed for Δ6 desaturase enzyme function, will impede conversion of reactant (LA) to product (DGLA) and will result in an increased ratio of LA to DGLA. This ratio may be a sensitive biomarker to identify endogenous zinc deficiency.
2. Experimental Section
2.1. Animals, Diets and Study Design
Forty-eight Cornish cross-fertile broiler eggs were obtained from a commercial hatchery (Moyer's Chicks, Quakertown, PA, USA). The eggs were incubated under optimal conditions at the Cornell University Animal Science Poultry Farm incubator. Upon hatching (hatchability rate was 94%), chicks were randomly allocated into two treatment groups on the basis of body weight and gender (aimed to ensure equal distribution between groups, n = 12): (1) Zinc adequate control diet (Zn(+), 42.29 μg/g zinc); and (2) Zinc deficient diet (Zn(−), 2.55 μg/g zinc). Experimental diets differed only on the basis of supplemental zinc (as zinc carbonate). Table 1 represents the two diets. Table 2 represents the fatty acid composition of the two diets. Chicks were housed in a total-confinement building (one chick per 0.5 m2 metal cage). Birds were under indoor controlled temperatures and were provided 16 h of light. All birds were given ad libitum access to purified water and food. Feed intakes were measured daily (as from day one), and body weight was measured weekly.
|Zn(+) Control Diet
|Zn(−) Diet
|g/kg (by Formulation)
|Egg whites
|Corn oil
|Salt mix (no Zn)
|Vitamin mix
|Biotin (1 mg/g)
|Choline bitartrate
|Zinc carbonate (5 mg/g)
|Total (g)
|Concentrations of Selected Components (means ± SEM, n = 5)
|Zinc concentration (ppm) **
|42.29 a ± 0.25
|2.55 b ± 0.02
|Iron concentration (ppm)
|98.75 ± 2.04
|102.19 ± 5.21
|Phytic acid ***
* Modified NRC [44] purified chicken diets were provided by Dyets Inc. (Bethlehem, PA, USA), (Zn(+), Zn adequate control diet: 135251, Zn(−), Zn deficient diet: 135252). ** Determination of zinc concentration is described in the materials and methods section. *** Determination of phytic acid in the diet is described in the Materials and Methods sections. Values are below the detection limit (dL). a,b Within a column, means without a common letter are significantly different (p < 0.05).
|Fatty Acid
|Zn(+) Control Diet (% w/w)
|Zn(−) Diet (% w/w)
|11.20 ± 0.11
|11.57 ± 0.34
|0.17 ± 0.01
|0.18 ± 0.02
|0.10 ± 0.01
|0.11 ± 0.04
|0.08 ± 0.03
|0.07 ± 0.01
|2.26 ± 0.04
|2.31 ± 0.05
|18:1 n-9
|28.31 ± 0.15
|28.42 ± 0.16
|18:2 n-6
|55.55 ± 0.22
|55.19 ± 0.18
|18:3 n-3
|1.25 ± 0.03
|1.28 ± 0.02
|20:3 n-6
|0.49 ± 0.06
|0.43 ± 0.01
|20:1 n-9
|0.41 ± 0.01
|0.42 ± 0.02
* Modified NRC [44] purified chicken diets were provided by Dyets Inc. (Bethlehem, PA, USA), (Zn(+), Zn adequate control diet: 135251, Zn(−), Zn deficient diet: 135252). ** Determination of dietary fatty acid composition is described in the Materials and Methods section.
Zinc intakes were calculated from feed intakes and zinc concentration in the diets. At the end of the study (day 28), birds were euthanized by carbon dioxide exposure. The digestive tracts (colon and small intestine) and liver were quickly removed from the carcass and separated into various sections for tissue analysis (~1–2 cm; ~2–3 g was taken from small intestine and liver, respectively). The samples were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen, and then stored in a −80 °C freezer until analysis. All animal protocols were approved by the Cornell University Institutional Animal Care and Use committee.
2.2. Determination of Serum, Nail and Feather Zinc Content
Blood samples were collected weekly from the wing vein (n = 12, ~100 μL) using micro-hematocrit heparinized capillary tubes (Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA, USA). Samples were collected in the morning following an 8 h overnight fast. Nail and feather samples were collected on day 28 of the experiment (n = 12, ~1–2 g). Serum, nail and feather zinc concentrations were determined by an inductively-coupled argon-plasma/atomic emission spectrophotometer (ICAP 61E Thermal Jarrell Ash Trace Analyzer, Jarrell Ash Co., Franklin, MA, USA) following wet ashing.
2.3. Isolation of Total RNA
Total RNA was extracted from 30 mg of duodenal (proximal duodenum, n = 9) and liver tissues (n = 9) using Qiagen RNeasy Mini Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA, USA) according to the manufacturer's protocol. All steps were carried out under RNase free conditions. RNA was quantified by absorbance at 260–280 nm. Integrity of the 28S and 18S rRNA was verified by 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis followed by ethidium bromide staining.
2.4. Gene Expression Analysis
As previously described [45,46,47,48], PCR was carried out with primers chosen from the fragments of chicken duodenal and hepatic tissues. Tissue-specific 18S rRNA was used to normalize the results. All PCR products were separated by electrophoresis on 2% agarose gels, stained with ethidium bromide, and quantified using the Quantity One 1-D analysis software (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). Table 3 represents the totality of genes assessed in this study.
2.5. Fatty Acid Analysis of Erythrocytes and Experimental Diets
Blood samples were centrifuged at ~2000 g for 10–15 min at room temperature to fractionate whole blood. Total lipids were then extracted from red blood cells and experimental diets according to a modified Bligh and Dyer method [49]. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were prepared using 14% boron trifluoride in methanol (Sigma Chemical, St. Louis, MO, USA). Butylated hydroxytoluene was added to methanol as an antioxidant. Heptadecanoic acid (Sigma Chemical, St Louis, MO, USA) in chloroform was used as an internal standard. FAME analyses were performed using a Hewlett Packard 5890 Gas Chromatograph (GC) (GMI Inc., Ramsey, MN, USA) with a flame ionization detector (FID) (GMI Inc., Ramsey, MN, USA). A BPX-70 column (25 m × 0.22 mm × 0.25 μm, SGE, Austin, TX, USA) was used for the analysis with H2 as the carrier gas. FAME identities were determined by a chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry (MS), using a Varian Star 3400 GC (Varian Inc., Walnut Creek, CA, USA) coupled to a Varian Saturn 2000 Ion Trap MS (Varian Inc., Walnut Creek, CA, USA). FAME identities were based on GC retention time of each substance and its CI mass spectra. An equal weight FAME mixture (68A; Nuchek Prep, Elysian, MN, USA) was used to calculate response factors. Fatty acid (FA) levels are expressed as weight % of total FA (% w/w).
|Forward Primer (5′→3′)
(Nucleotide Position)
|Reverse Primer (5′→3′)
(Nucleotide Position)
|GI Identifier
|(Base Pairs)
|Na + K + ATPase
|Δ6 desaturase
|18S rRNA
|Intestine, Liver
2.6. Determination of Phytic Acid Concentration in the Diet Samples
Dietary phytic acid (phytate)/total phosphorus was measured as phosphorus released by phytase and alkaline phosphatase, following the kit manufacturer's instructions (five replicates per diet). The total phosphate released is measured using a modified colorimetric method and given as grams phosphorus per 100 g of sample material (K-PHYT 12/12, Magazyme International, Bray, Ireland).
2.7. Statistical Analysis
Results were analyzed by ANOVA using the general linear models procedure of JMP software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Differences between treatments were compared by Tukey's test and values were considered statistically different at p < 0.05. Mixed effect model test between serum zinc (fixed effect) and bird group (random effect) was performed to elucidate a possible correlation between serum Zn and LA:DGLA ratio. The data are presented as least square means with their standard error of the mean.
3. Results
Diets were similar in all 16 to 20 carbon fatty acids (three replicates per diet, Table 2). Further, both the zinc adequeate and zinc deficient diets contained no detectable amounts of phytic acid (five replicates per diet, Table 1, kit detection limit 40 mg phytic acid/100 g sample).
Body weight, feed consumption, and zinc intake were consistently higher in the Zn(+) versus Zn(−) birds on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 (n = 12, p < 0.05, Table 4). Further, at each time point, serum zinc concentration for the Zn(+) control bird group was significantly higher than the Zn(−) bird group (n = 12, p < 0.05, Table 4).
Zinc concentration in both tissues (nail and feather) were increased in the Zn(+) group versus the Zn(−) group (day 28, n = 12, p < 0.05, Figure 2). Gene expression analysis of the intestinal tissue, with results reported relative to 18S rRNA, revealed a higher mean (AU) for TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the Zn(+) versus Zn(−) group (n = 9, p < 0.05). Analysis of hepatic tissue for Δ6 desaturase relative to hepatic 18S rRNA showed significant differences between groups (n = 9, p < 0.001), with a higher mean (AU) value for Zn(+) versus Zn(−) group. No other assessed parameter (zinc and metal transporters: ZnT1, ZnT5, ZnT7, ZIP6, ZIP9, DMT-1; transcription factor: NF-κB; brush border enzymes: aminopeptidase, sucrase-isomaltase, Na+K+ATPase, SGLT-1; binding protein: MT4) was significantly different between the Zn(+) and Zn(−) groups (n = 9, p > 0.05, Figure 3A shows gene expression, Figure 3B shows mean difference per treatment).
As for the LA:DGLA biomarker, the % w/w ratio was significantly elevated (n = 12, p < 0.05) in the Zn(−) group on days 7, 14, and 21 but not significantly different on day 28 (p = 0.0588) (Figure 4A). Overall, the biomarker was significantly different in reporting cumulative % w/w LA:DGLA ratio between the two groups, with the Zn(−) having a higher mean ratio (n = 12, p < 0.001, Figure 4B). The mixed effect model indicated a slight inverse trend between serum zinc and LA:DGLA (m = −0.18, t-ratio = −0.16 on 40.28 degrees of freedom, p = 0.1349).
Table 4. Body weight, feed consumption, zinc intake, and serum zinc concentrations in chickens fed a Zn(+) control and Zn(−) diets from day 0 to 28 *.
|Day 0
|Day 7
|Day 14
|Day 21
|Day 28
|Body weight (g)
|39.5 a ± 1.1
|83.3 a ± 2.7
|154.6 a ± 8.9
|293.1 a ± 24.9
|482.5 a ± 44.2
|38.8 a ± 1.2
|72.1 b ± 2.7
|106.9 b ± 5.3
|132.8 b ± 6.6
|147.7 b ± 14.4
|Feed consumption (kg/day) **
|0.152 a ± 0.007
|0.194 a ± 0.009
|0.253 a ± 0.013
|0.329 a ± 0.016
|0.131 b ± 0.007
|0.143 b ± 0.007
|0.130 b ± 0.007
|0.122 b ± 0.006
|Zinc intake (g) ***
|7.4 a ± 0.5
|19.1 a ± 0.95
|37.2 a ± 1.9
|64.6 a ± 3.2
|0.40 b ± 0.03
|0.84 b ± 0.04
|1.1 b ± 0.06
|1.4 b ± 0.07
|Serum zinc concentration (μg/g)
|3.42 a ± 0.19
|4.66 a ± 0.35
|4.73 a ± 0.25
|4.49 a ± 0.23
|2.87 b ± 0.17
|3.59 b ± 0.21
|3.45 b ± 0.11
|3.39 b ± 0.11
* Values are means ± SEM. ** Values are mean daily feed intakes for the seven days preceding the day designated in the column heading. *** Values are cumulative weekly from day 0. a,b Within a column and for each parameter, means without a common letter are significantly different (n = 12, p < 0.05).
Figure 2. Chicken feather and nail zinc concentrations (day 28). a,b Within each parameter, means without a common letter are statistically significant (means ± SEM, n = 12, p < 0.05).
Figure 3. Intestinal (duodenal) and hepatic mRNA expression of zinc-related genes (day 28); changes in mRNA expression are shown relative to expression of 18S rRNA in arbitrary units (AU, n = 9). (A) Effect of zinc deficiency on gene expression. Treatment groups are represented as Zn(+) control: birds 1–9, and Zn(−): birds 10–18. Treatment groups are represented on the y-axis, and zinc related genes on the x-axis. (B) Mean effect of zinc deficiency on gene expression (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.001).
4. Discussion
This study represents the initial steps in evaluating the LA:DGLA ratio as a biomarker of zinc status in vivo. Previously, the broiler chicken has been used for nutritional research and has been shown to be an accurate animal to use in iron bioavailability studies, as chicks respond quickly to malnutrition, and their micronutrient deficient phenotypes include poor iron status, growth stunting, and organ hypertrophy. Further this model agrees well with human in vitro cell line results [32,33,34,35]. In addition, the erythrocyte fatty acid composition is similar between birds and mammals [36].
Clearly, additional dietary intervention trials are needed to fully characterize the usefulness of this biomarker in relation to zinc status and zinc bioavailability over time. However, the initial results are promising as they demonstrate that dietary zinc concentration alone altered the LA:DGLA ratio, and that a significant and measurable difference for LA:DGLA was evident within the first week of zinc deprivation. Therefore, this ratio may be a sensitive and specific marker of zinc nutriture over an extended period of time.
Figure 4. Chicken LA:DGLA ratio of Zn(+) control and Zn(−) groups. The LA:DGLA ratio is expressed as mass percent (% w/w). (A) Weekly chicken LA:DGLA ratio of Zn(+) and Zn(−) treatment groups (n = 12). a,b Within a time point, means without a common letter are statistically significant (p < 0.05). (B) Cumulative differences in LA:DGLA ratio between Zn(+) control and Zn(−) and treatment groups (n = 12). a,b Means without a common letter are significantly different (p < 0.001).
In the present study, body weight, zinc intake, and serum zinc appear to be accurate markers of zinc deficiency, as they responded to zinc depletion in a dose-dependent fashion. Feather and nail zinc concentrations seem to be efficacious biomarkers of zinc status, as well. These results are in agreement with previous studies in humans which have found serum [50,51], hair and nail zinc concentration [22,52] reflective of dietary zinc intake.
In regard to serum zinc, Lowe et al. [22] have found that factors unrelated to zinc status or depletion, such as host infection, inflammation, time of measurement, sample handling, and many other parameters may disrupt the sensitivity of serum zinc, hence its sensitivity may be inconsistent.
The relative increase in gene expression of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the Zn(+) group is in agreement with previous in vitro and in vivo studies where expression of various cytokines, especially TNF-α and IL-6, was downregulated in zinc deficient birds due to the dependency of the immune system on zinc [53,54]. The increase in hepatic Δ6 desaturase expression in the Zn(+) group was also expected, since zinc is an essential cofactor for the Δ6 desaturase enzyme. As such, zinc deficiency would impede functioning and gene expression of hepatic Δ6 desaturase. This observation is in accordance with previous studies [55,56].
In relation to the other zinc-related genes that were measured, previous studies have documented that even mild zinc deficiency alters many of the parameters we assessed (e.g., brush border enzymes [19], inflammatory cytokines [57,58], transporters and binding proteins) [59,60,61]. These observations are usually seen in subjects under zinc deficiency conditions and over an extended period of time. Thus, there is no question that zinc deficiency induces pathophysiological and morphological changes within the host. Rather, we suggest the possiblity that these mRNA gene expression biomarkers may not be sensitive enough to reveal differences in zinc status of deficient birds in a relativeley short feeding trial. Further, compensatory mechanisms (adaptation) by the animals to the zinc deficient diet may help to explain the lack of observational differences between many of the zinc-dependent mRNA parameters; as was previously demonstrated in vivo with the expression of DMT1 and under dietary iron deficient conditions [47]. Additional studies are required to elucidate the involvement of dietary zinc in the mechanism of action of zinc-dependent proteins and enzymes, and whether they may be responsive to dietary zinc manipulation over longer periods of time.
The results of the LA:DGLA ratio indicate that it is sensitive to changes in supplemental zinc intake. Previously, estimates by Maret et al. suggest zinc deficiency affects more than 25% of the world's population, and poses a serious risk to public health [62]. A major cause of this deficiency is believed to be insufficient dietary zinc intake [62]. However, despite such a large number of people who are affected by the pathophysiological repercussions of inadequate zinc intake, development of reliable markers to assess such deficiency is still needed [63,64]. Although current indices of zinc status may be able to detect relatively large differences in zinc status, most are not sensitive enough to quantify changes in and between deficient states on the basis of dietary zinc intake [64,65]. The development of sensitive zinc biomarkers, thus, is key as suggested by World Health Organization reports [65]. In the current study, our results suggest the erythrocyte LA:DGLA ratio may be a sensitive tool to investigate the effects of in vivo dietary zinc manipulation under controlled dietary and environmental conditions. Further, an additional value of this biomarker is that it can be used to assess outcomes of changing levels of dietary zinc rapidly, as demonstrated in the current study where significant differences between groups occurred within seven days. Since mild to moderate zinc deficiency does not usually present with specific organ pathologies, clinical symptoms, if present, generally go undiagnosed [63]. Hence, this biomarker could possibly be used to detect early-stage zinc deficiency before the onset of symptoms and the progression to a more serious disease state. In addition, lack of consensus surrounding the reccomendation for zinc intake stems from the difficulties in obtaining a dependable indicator of zinc status [63].
Future feeding trials are now warranted to assess LA:DGLA sensitivity in a variety of new study parameters, such as amongst treatment groups with various levels of zinc deficiency and during an extended period of time, as well as elucidate Δ6 desaturase kinetics. In addition, future studies may also clarify any potential LA:DGLA limitations such as whether similar effects may be observed in mammals. We suggest that the continued development of this biomarker may aid in its application as a sensitive biological indicator of zinc status.
5. Conclusions
This study has explored the implementation of an easily measured, potential zinc biomarker pertaining to erythrocyte fatty acid composition, the LA:DGLA ratio. These data confirm the responsiveness of the erythrocyte LA:DGLA ratio to dietary zinc manipulation. Among a panel of purported zinc biomarkers, this ratio appears to be sensitive to dietary zinc depletion between bird groups over time. These data serve as a justification for further feeding trials which build on our results, especially those in which a diet more representative of the target zinc-deficient population is used.
The authors wish to recognize Haim Yehuda Bar for his assistance with data analysis, Shree K. Giri for his assistance with ICP analysis, and Jung-Ho Sohn for his graphic design contributions.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).


text: Okay, first of all.. Sarah is an INSANELY talented photographer - see here (...amazing, I know). So as you can imagine, photographing her and Ryan was a breeze. They made my job ridiculously easy. I had so much fun roaming around DC with these two chatting about coffee, life and everything in between. Enjoy! x

subset: commoncrawl


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Providing reliable productivity enhancing products since 1921
Air-Lec Industries has been a leader in producing professional-grade door operators for nearly a century. Our craftsmen combine old world wisdom with modern technology to produce trouble-free, cost-effective solutions, Made in America.
Inertia-type pneumatic door operators used in a variety of fire, traffic and cooler equipment
Piston-powered door operators adaptable to almost any type of swinging or folding door
Positive pneumatic air seals designed for refrigerator, freezer and other swing-type doors
Galvanized track and hardware parts for both box track and our Zephyr Track systems
David Lee, President - D.L. Lee and Sons, Inc.


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Golf Holidays in Jandia
Jandia, with its mountainous and rustic landscape, is located in the southernmost point of Fuerteventura.
The whole picturesque region of Jandia has been labelled as a nature reserve and features the tallest mountain in Fuerteventura, Pico de Jandia. Jandia is popular for its traditional Canarian style, panoramic views and is host to some of Fuerteventura's most beautiful and sandiest beaches. Located over an hour's drive from the airport, the destination is perfect for those who wish to escape the hustle of everyday life. The regions golf course, surrounded by exotic wildlife, captivates the sheer delight of the region.
Golf hotels in Jandia
There are a wide range of fantastic golf hotels in Jandia. Pick your favourite accommodation from the options below, or click on View More to see our full range of golf resorts in Jandia.
Golf courses in Jandia
Look through our range of the best golf courses in Jandia below that will be sure to satisfy even the most demanding of golfers.If you have any specific questions about the golf courses you can visit please do get in touch.
Golf in Jandia
White sandy beaches, Panoramic landscape, Nature reserve, Turquoise waters, Exotic wildlife, Superb golf course, Year round weather


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Welcome to Jillian Franklin Design on Country Weddings. Jillian Franklin Designs take pride in providing each Bride an exclusively personalised experience.
We have been involved in designing and creating couture gowns from the finest, exquisite fabrics and laces for many years.
Our attention to detail and expert craftsmanship all combine into the making of a unique, individually created gown, just for you.
We offer complete styling packages from Gowns through to veils, headpieces and accessories, with each piece carefully hand crafted for the most discerning Bride.
Our couture studio and our full attention will be exclusively yours, as we operate by appointment only.
Jillian Franklin is a passionate, creative and talented designer and dressmaker, who prides herself in creating specialty, hand crafted, unique couture gowns, designed exclusively for the modern day bride.
By appointment


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13 December 2010
CAST launched to oppose slavery
A handful of people felt strongly about the suffering of others who were entrapped in slavery. With 12 million people enslaved worldwide, the growing team now aims to oppose this violation of human rights through Christian Anti-Slavery Today (CAST). They are launching this initiative to raise awareness of contemporary slavery and effectively combat it within a Christian context.
"Many people do not understand the shocking reality of slavery today," explained spokeswoman Bisi Omiteru. "Therefore education remains a primary objective. CAST is providing free resources for different age groups to heighten awareness."
Facts reveal widespread suffering as people are enslaved on every continent. Many, including children, are forcibly being trafficked and abused in Britain today. CAST is equipping others by showing them ways to oppose slavery through both advocacy and action.
"Believing that every man, woman and child has value in the sight of God, CAST opposes the abuse of human rights," said Bisi. "We want to mobilise individuals to do simple things like ethical shopping or writing to policy makers. Also, we recognise the importance of working under the auspices of the local church."
Churches are starting focus groups to act together and plan events. Freedom Festivals will highlight contemporary slavery and celebrate how freedom is being gained. Such activities will be within the context of local churches acting together yet will engage with the wider community.
Individuals becoming involved range from British church leaders to a teenager in Eastern Europe. CAST team members are motivating others by putting their biblical basis into practice. They note that Romans 12 means all of us using our individual gifts to act together. Children and teenagers helped pilot resources, and elderly people have taken part in an interactive presentation of anti-slavery from a biblical perspective.
Because of being strongly committed to networking, projects will include supporting existing ministries through fundraising and other means. CAST is launching under the umbrella charity Siloam Christian Ministries. Initial projects include Siloam's work among young girls at risk and those rescued from trafficking in India.
Visit www.cast.eu.com for more information.


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Courtesy of David Hultstrom:
As the children get ready to go back to school, I thought I would take the opportunity to go back to basics in this newsletter. While focusing on highly technical (and sometimes complicated) areas of financial planning is important, some of the basic items are arguably even more important. Here are a few simple rules (in the interest of brevity I am leaving out a few exceptions that rarely apply, please see us or your financial professional for custom advice):
Never borrow money for a depreciating item. In other words, the expected value of the purchase in the future must be higher than the current purchase price plus interest and any other expenses. The only items I think pass this test are prudent outlays for a primary residence, an education, or a business (including real estate investing). In the "close but no cigar" category is borrowing for second homes for personal use (the appreciation will almost certainly not be high enough to overcome interest, taxes, insurance, maintenance expenses, etc.) and borrowing for majors at expensive colleges that are unlikely to have much-earning power. If you have cash for the second home or the low-earning, expensive major, you have my blessing, though – assuming you have the rest of this list covered as well.
Maximize tax-advantaged savings vehicles. Save the maximum allowed in your 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, etc. Most people dramatically undersave – a range of 10% minimum to 25% maximum (if starting early) is prudent. (Lower earners can be on the low end of the range because Social Security will replace more of their income, higher earners and those that are starting late should be on the higher end of the range.) Not only is this prudent from a tax perspective, but the creditor protection these types of savings provide is important as well. If you are retired your annual percentage spending from your portfolio should be (roughly) no more than your age minus 25 then divided by ten (so 4.0% at 65, 4.5% at 70, 5.0% at 75, etc.) of your initial portfolio value.
Don't change your investment strategy. All too often when returns have been high investors want to increase the risk they are taking and when returns have been abysmal they want to reduce their risk. Unless a life change (not market movement) has occurred that has materially changed your financial situation, leave your investment strategy intact.
Have the right property and casualty insurance coverage. For liability coverage, determine how much you could potentially lose in a lawsuit if you were found liable (retirement plans, and in some jurisdictions, a homestead, are exempt for example) and round up to the next million dollars (or two) to determine the amount of umbrella coverage you should carry. Also, depending on your occupation or volunteer work, purchase D&O (Directors and Officers – if you serve on a board), Malpractice (if you can hurt someone's body), or E&O (Errors and Omissions – if you can hurt someone's money) insurance.
Have the right type and amount of life insurance. If you are still working my general recommendation would be term insurance starting at twenty times your gross income and declining to zero at your expected retirement age (you do this by tiering several policies).
Carry adequate health insurance and disability insurance. Group plans are better if available, but if not individual plans should be purchased. Stay away from narrow plans (disease specific for example) and, of course, if you are retired, disability insurance is unnecessary.
Get your estate plans in order. Make sure you have an up-to-date will, durable powers of attorney (appointing someone to make decision – one for healthcare and one for everything else), living will (end of life care instructions), and letter(s) of instruction (documentation telling your heirs things they need to know). Also, make sure the property is titled correctly and that beneficiary designations on insurance policies and retirement plans are as you wish (and check this if it has been a few years – people frequently misremember what they did).


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Just the day after the Obama campaign released an ad attacking Bain Capital, the private equity firm Mitt Romney helmed for failing to save a Kansas based steel-mill, the Super-PAC aligned with Obama released another ad talking about the same exact thing.
The ad features Pat Wells, a former steel-worker. "If we lost, they made money. If we survived, they made money. It's as simple as that," he says.
Romney's response yesterday was simple: Romney wasn't even working for Bain when this steel mill was shut down, he was busy saving the Olympics from financial ruin. Further, not every company that Bain got involved in could be turned around.
Here's the ad:


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Congenital Videos
August 15, 2018
This video highlights the use of the Konno procedure to safely expose the root of the aorta in a patient with an aortic root abscess and a history of multiple cardiac surgeries.
August 6, 2018
This video presents a rare Gerbode defect secondary to aortic and tricuspid valve endocarditis, along with its surgical management using sliding tricuspid valve annuloplasty.
Konno Aortoventriculoplasty and Mitral Valve Replacement in a Child With Atrioventricular Septal Defect
July 19, 2018
The authors demonstrate a fourth-time redo sternotomy for an eight-year-old girl who had prior repair of an atrioventricular septal defect.
July 9, 2018
This video demonstrates a surgical repair of a right coronary artery to right ventricle fistula in a young child.
June 21, 2018
The authors demonstrate the successful repair of transposition of the great arteries with an associated aortopulmonary window in a neonate.
June 14, 2018
Filmed at the 2017 EACTS Annual Meeting in Vienna, Austria, Mara Antonoff of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston moderates a discussion on the role of research for academic career advancement.
June 7, 2018
The authors demonstrate the surgical treatment of cor triatriatum sinister, a pathology that may lead to pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular dilation, and eventually right heart failure.
June 5, 2018
This video demonstrates a technique of posterior aortopexy to manage airway compression.
May 15, 2018
The authors present a valve sparing aortic root replacement using a ministernotomy in a 35-year-old woman with Marfan syndrome.
April 16, 2018
This video demonstrates a VATS resection of a congenital lobar emphysema in a young woman with spontaneous pneumothorax, and the author discusses the presence of osseous metaplasia of the lung.


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The London Taxi Cab
This is a sweet Adults and Teens Speaking Activity!
Imagine the scene…you are an English teacher in a foreign country, and you take a taxi. There is a silence for a minute or so, and then the questions come...
And actually, these first few questions are usually pretty much the same and in the same order, just usual 'small talk', to keep the journey friendly.
"Where are you from?"
"How long have you been here?"
"Do you like Xi'an (or what ever city you are in)?"
"What is your job?"
Etc, etc.
And this got me thinking...I reckon that these opening questions would be pretty much the same in any taxi cab in the world, and that you could probably get a good speaking activity out of this with your adult English students...
What to do
Tell your class that you are totally new to their country and that you got in a taxi for the first time just yesterday. Tell your class that the driver was trying to speak to you, and that you understood some of it, but not all. Your journey was only five minutes, so he could only really ask a few questions before you got out.
Ask your class to guess the kind of questions the driver might have been asking you. Put your students into pairs and ask them to think of five possible questions he was asking you. Monitor your class when they are speaking during this activity.
Watch the class closely, and when you see them slowing down and starting to look up at you, then you'll know that they are pretty much done. Ask students to give you some of their ideas and write them on the board.
Now ask them to think of a few more questions had your journey been for 15 minutes. Again, get them into pairs and this time, circulate around and help with language. Once they are done, get more of their ideas written on the board.
Now, time to move on to the next stage...
Tell the class that they are on business or holiday in London and it is their first day. They are in a London cab going somewhere. The taxi driver doesn't know any of their language, but is friendly, and wants to know more about their new passenger.
Arrange four chairs in the middle of the class to make your 'taxi', and you the teacher, in the 'driver's seat. Ask one or two of your more confident students to 'hop in' and take them to the meeting!! Actually pretend to be a driver, moving your arms, and asking them the questions from the board! Your students now have to answer these questions as though they were actually in London!
Change passengers frequently and give everyone else a chance to ride in the cab. You can also change drivers and have a student be the driver to get them practicing the questions, too!
This is a good speaking activity for lower level students, with lots of really good speaking practice in a fun way.
by Stuart Allen


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Introduction to Clumsy Ninja game:
The Clumsy Ninja game is quite different in name as well as the game play. This is the first game with interactive mode which gives a realistic feel and is ever released in the gaming market. Each and every aspect of the gaming mode gives us fun as well as excitement. In this game, we have a character called Ninja, who plays the key role. Train him in a more skillful and efficient manner to find his missing friend, Kira. This is quite interesting right? Let's see more about this gameplay.
Compatibility of Clumsy Ninja game with Apple iOS devices:
This gaming application is optimized expressly for iPhone 5 and supports iPod touch, iPad and iPhone that posses 5.0 or higher versions of iOS installed on them.
Download and Install Clumsy Ninja game:
It's simple to get this gaming app on any compatible iOS device from App Store. Use a valid Apple ID to get this app installed on your device with a single hit on the Get button from app details modal.
How to play Clumsy Ninja game?
Launch the application to get started with the gameplay. On the way to find his missing friend, you need to train the Ninja to face the challenges in his way. Coming to the gameplay, the startup screens describes you the introduction of Ninja and his nature. Tap on the Ok button of the welcomes pop-ups to continue to the real gaming mode. Here you can only move to the next level if and only if you clear the current level. All the levels are locked and gets unlocked only if finishes each level. Actually, Ninja's are well trained and doesn't require any training but this Ninja is not trained. This Ninja is a quick learner and you need to train it all the necessary actions.
You can train him to fall down, pull his hands, jump and tie with balloons. It can sense, move, react and feel accordingly and is very interactive in nature. Train Ninja in learning new tricks and also special moves. There is a super trainer called Sensei, when you impress him by training the Ninja in an efficient way, you can earn new Ninja Belts. Along with your Ninja you can travel to new locations, meet new characters, and play new games, complete quests. It acts a living virtual friend who can think with real intelligence and also has lot of clumsiness. Enjoy each and every moment in training the Ninja and help him to find his friend.[review]
Originally posted 2015-04-30 08:21:46.


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Why we need environmental literacy
The other night I had dinner with a friend of mine from elementary school. When the topic moved to environmentalism I was given the opportunity to administer a simple test:
I posed to my friend a simple question — The kind of question a six-year old might ask his father:
Do you know why the wind blows?
In order to protect the environment, it helps if people have a basic understanding of how it all works. But her response was the same that many other friends give me when posed the same question: A blank stare. Fumbling for words. Mumbling something about blue and red lines on the weather report.
It's remarkable to me that such a basic component of life on this planet is completely unknown by otherwise well-educated people. Whereas most have a basic understanding of biology, chemistry, and physics, those outside of environmental studies or geography never receive a basic education on some of the basic ways that Planet Earth functions. You would imagine that it should be mandatory topic in high school.
Sure, we learn about volcanoes and plate techtonics. And perhaps we learn about animals and food chains in elementary school. But that's generally where the details end. When, at 21 years old, I learned that the oceans affect and regulate temperature, gases and even airborne pollution, I was amazed.
As a result we have particle physicists who have a basic understanding of cellular biology, but can't explain why the ocean is salty. We have neuroscientists who can explain chemical combustion, but struggle to explain the factors that cause rain. Perhaps this is why we have scientists that create genetically-modified crops, but fail to realize that their seeds can, and do, spread throughout an ecosystem.
This is an enormous problem. How are we supposed to solve climate change if people don't have a basic understanding about atmospheric currents? How can citizens make informed decisions on fracking when no one is ever taught basic hydrology?
As an environmentalist, 90% of my job is educating people on basic information they should already know. Items that, if there were an owner's manual for the planet, would be there the same way people learn about the electrical wiring and the plumbing in their house. People have no problem understanding the link between breathing and blood, but many have no idea how fossil fuels are actually used to generate electricity.
Perhaps one of the reasons why Earth sciences aren't mandatory is because they cross into the realms of biology, physics, and chemistry, and delineating which topic area goes into which scientific silo can be a convoluted process. Should glaciation be taught in Earth science, or should we place it in the realm of physics or, since animals inhabit these areas, into biology?
But if that were truly the problem, then why can I recall a few months during my high school years where I was learning quantum physics in chemistry class and organic chemistry during biology? Fitting these subjects awkwardly into a course description didn't seem to be a problem then.
If we're serious about a transformation to a sustainable society, we need to make basic Earth science education a mandatory subject. It's elementary.


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Preparatory drawing for linocut The Moonlit CupThe book Plants & Places is a beautiful collection of images showcasing Angie Lewin's work, the inspiration behind many of her prints and themes, and the making process behind the artworks.
Poster for Salthouse on the Scenic North Norfolk Coast and cutting the lino block for the poster above.
Angie Lewin's work mainly focuses on native plants, wild grasses and seedpods found along the English coastline, local woodlands, hedgerows and meadows, and the rivers and lochs of Scotland. Makes me quite homesick!
AlliumsEric Ravilious for Wedgwood.
Winter Persephone
The 1953 Coronation Mug (Design of mug by Eric Ravillious for Wedgwood)


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Child of God
Today is our younger son's birthday. At 4:44 this afternoon, J will turn 10. Steve and I were talking about this morning, and we're just not sure how that is possible. We're only 3 years older today than we were on the day he was born. Funny, that.
J is very interested in "where did I get…?" For instance, "Whose nose do I have? Where did I get my ability to catch a ball?" He likes to play that game. I am TERRIBLE at that game. To me, he just looks like J. Actually, even though our boys don't look like each other, I think they both look like Steve. G has my eyes, and that's about it.
The lectionary reading that I read this morning is James 1:17-27. There's a nice image in that passage of looking in a mirror. What do we see when we look in God's mirror?
- When we look in His mirror, I think that we see that we are made in God's image. He crafted us as a reflection of Himself. What does that mean? Does it mean we look like him? I don't know, but I think it does mean that we are created to BE like Him. What does God do? He loves, and he has crafted us for the same purpose, and He has told us what that purpose is – "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…Love your neighbor as yourself." It's not only the "greatest commandment," – it's why we were created in the first place.
- What else? When you (or I) look in God's mirror, I think you'll see God in your own eyes. He's not just holding the mirror, he's in us; he's with us. Therefore, not only are we crafted to love, we are also comforted by the fact that we don't have to do it alone. God is not only THERE – he's HERE.
But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God – the free life! – even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain, but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action. (James 1:25 – The Message)Knowing this – knowing our identity – we can look at the rest of the passage and understand it better, I think. If we look in the mirror and see that we are created by God to love him and each other, then the rest of the passage is just telling us to do that. I like how the Disciplines devotion that I read this morning divided those actions into three parts:
- Watch what we say to each other – Over my desk at work, I have a few pieces of scripture stuck to a tiny strip of bulletin board. One of the them is James 3:5-10. With it (the tongue) we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not be so. (James 3:9-10) We need to remember that what we say to people – what we communicate to people – is one of the ways we love them. It can also be one of the ways that we fail to love them.
- Help those in need – "To look after widows and orphans in their distress." Isn't this just pure "love your neighbor as yourself?" I think James is using an obvious example to help us to understand that love is action – helping those in need is loving them. Without the action, without the love, all we are doing is looking at them.
- Keep oneself from being polluted by the world – Isn't it interesting that this falls right on the heals – same verse – as looking after widows and orphans? This is very obviously NOT a call to be disconnected from the world. We are to be involved. We are to be fulfilling our purpose – loving people. At the same time, we are to make sure that our mirror is kept clean. We are to remember who we are – whose we are. We need to be aware enough of God that we don't walk away from the mirror and forget what we look like. It think it's just another way to say, "Love the Lord your God…"
Image: Happy Birthday, baby! (J with matching cotton candy at KI).
Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. (James 1:26-27; The Message)


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"Salt" and the F-word: Femininity/
I saw Salt last weekend. I thought it was awesome. And I kept thinking about it, until I wrote up this whole blog post about the way that femininity is turned on its head in Salt. (Spoilers necessary for analysis ahead!) As the movie begins, Angelina Jolie's character, Evelyn Salt, is imprisoned and tortured in North Korea. We see her stripped down to her lacy white underwear while she's being beaten. Salt is extremely vulnerable in this scene. She may not be giving answers to her interrogators, but she's practically naked, bloody, lying on the floor.
In this opening scene, Salt is woman-as-victim, completely rendered helpless while men, all in uniform, assault her. As I watched, I cringed, afraid that it was going to take another step into rape. Thankfully, it did not. Because her male love interest saved her. ((However, despite playing the hero in this scene, Salt's husband remained a sensitive intellectual type during the movie, because he saved her by being pushy with CIA administrators, not by shooting his way into the prison. And I actually found the relationship between Salt and her husband to be kind of quirky and even realistic.))
After this scene, we fast forward a couple of years to the present day, when Salt is celebrating her wedding anniversary (she married the guy who saved her, of course). She's wearing a grey skirt suit with a high slit on one side, along with 3-inch heels. She's at the office and trying to learn how to fold a napkin properly. There are jokes about how bad she is at this kind of domestic task.
When the action starts and Salt is forced to flee, the first thing she does is take off her heels so that she can run faster. I admit, this made me laugh with glee. I cannot count the number of times I've been flat-out annoyed by action movies in which the female heroine has to sprint in heels. I was very happy that Salt abandoned hers.
Next, in order to obscure a video surveillance camera, Salt pulls off her black lacy underwear and throws it over the camera lens. Not only is Salt removing yet another marker of femininity (those were not Hanes briefs), she uses that feminine accessory to help her escape. ((I realize that this scene might also have given a cheap thrill to those in the audience who liked to imagine Jolie running around without underwear, but since Salt's next move is building a chemical bomb out of cleaning products, I'll give that a pass.))
Remember, at this time Salt is also barefoot. The first thing she does after making it back to her apartment is grab some boots (boots, thank you!!) and put on some jeans (buh-bye, skirt). The rest of the movie is one long chase scene, during which Salt does some extraordinary things like leaping off highway overpasses onto moving trains, surviving car crashes that would have killed ordinary men (and women), and getting in fights with men twice her size yet still managing to defeat them.
She also has a number of costume changes, which I found very interesting. While she's playing the part of an assassin, she dyes her hair black and dresses all in black, but it's not sexualized at all. She's dressing for the job.
While she visits a Russian spy leader, she puts on a Russian fur hat and cloak, looking very Dr. Zhivago. This is the second most feminine moment in the movie for Salt, and appropriately, during this scene she runs into her husband again. Unfortunately for her husband, he dies in this scene, and after this, that's the end of femininity for Salt.
The last big sequence in the film has Salt dressed in drag. Yes: Salt dresses as a man (in uniform, no less! the roles from the first scene have been totally reversed here) to infiltrate the White House. Gone are any vestiges of femininity; instead Salt's hair is short, she's wearing a suit and men's shoes, and she speaks (though minimally) in a lower register. Salt does wears prosthetics to alter the shape of her face slightly, which makes her look a bit odd at first. But she peels that off soon after we (the audience) realize that Jolie is behind that mask, and then it's Salt (clearly) in menswear for the rest of the movie.
In an interview about the film, Jolie said that it was very important to her that Salt not be re-glamorized at the end of the movie. That she stay roughed up (and in pants and a button-down shirt!):
There was even talk for a long time about adding a scene in the end... because, I mean, if you've seen it, I don't end so pretty. And there was a discussion about, do you kind of catch up with her glamorous again because this is what people would want, this is what audiences would want, and we made a definitive decision of no, it's very, very important that we don't do that to her, so we always angled it back into... trying to make it just harder and more raw. (Cinematical)
Tossing aside those trappings of femininity one by one — the shoes, the underwear, the skirt — transformed Salt from the victim in the opening scene to the hardened agent who cuts a path through the rest of the movie. The fact that she becomes briefly feminine for the last scene with her husband was interesting to me because it also marked the end of her femininity. ((Does this imply that without a husband, a woman has no need for femininity? Maybe. I don't think that's true, but it is an interesting statement on the role of femininity.))
After that, she went full-on into masculinity, and without those trappings of femininity, I found Salt to be much more naked in these scenes. She was, ultimately, all coiled action and roiling emotion. She was definitely raw. She felt real — as real as an action movie hero can feel, I think. Watching her climb buildings barefoot and survive insane amounts of explosions was fun, but it wasn't realistic. Real was Salt at the end: bruised, defiant, hurt, desperate, and still going.
Feminine artifice can be truly fascinating. I think that women in real life have used femininity to their own advantage for centuries, but most Hollywood movies ignore (or obscure) the subversive nature of femininity, instead presenting a flat vision of femininity that disempowers women while it underscores heteronormativity.
Salt really turned that vision of femininity on its head. It was openly, gloriously celebratory of Salt's power — regardless of whether or not she was wearing heels and lingerie. I think that might be the most triumphant element of the movie overall.
I'm not saying that the movie is the best thing ever made for women. It's clear that a woman can't just be a woman ((Granted, part of me wants to delve into "what's just a woman, anyway?")) in this kind of movie, yet; she has to be more manly than the men. But I'll accept that, as a step toward evening the field for women in Hollywood.


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When I was fresh out of school after SPM, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life.
Admit it, a lot of us KNOW what we want... we just never know how to go about it. Thus making it unreachable but by imagination, thus making it improbable, thus... leaving us no option but to deal with a 'reality' that leaves us with something that wasn't in our list of 'wants'.
I wanted to be everything everyone else grew up wanting to be - fireman, doctor, lawyer, engineer...secret agent and rockstar. The usual stuff.
When I finished SPM - honestly I had no clue to what I wanted to be... I liked writing - hated the whole syllabus of mass comms I heard friends told about. My other love was music.
And a friend aroused my interest when he suggested we go for sound and audio engineering which I had no clue about.
Like everyone else (back then at least), we didn't know what the music making process was like. Nope. No Internet back then (starting to feel REALLY old). Didn't have a clue what a sound engineer did. The first time I stepped into studio at Ocean Institute of Audio Technology - my second ever (after dropping by SAE (Sound and Audio Engineering) college in PJ - I knew I wanted to make music or have something to do with the studios.
It was a magical feeling. I knew I was in love! With music!
So I enrolled, and also almost graduated (had to repeat two papers) for my Diploma.
When I started working, I zoomed through doing practical work as production crew and eventually various jobs to do with sound, but nothing that took me to the studio.
Somehow, after changing my minds several times, I went for my second love - journalism. With no right qualifications, I learnt my way from the bottom as a cadet journalist.
After some 16 years, I quit journalism to go full time into social media - and music... after dabbling in things since I started blogging that opened new avenues, added with the contacts I had made in the entertainment business (as well as the wealth of knowledge).
Now - it's come full circle.
I have finally made the decision...to open my own studio.
No, this is not a picture of it. Want it to look something like this though.
And my groundwork has already begun. Hopefully I'll be able to own my own little training center. Recording and performing studio, dance studio and much more in one, incorporating what I've learned through the years about social media.
I don't know how it'll go, but this is the happiest I've been for the longest time.
I feel like I'm home. I feel like I'm stepping into the studio again.. some 18 years ago.
Am praying this will be a success and I can contribute more the Malaysian music industry...
...especially since my studio will not only be open to the local music industry community - but also FREE for grooming and scouting new talents. Can't wait!


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The voting for Palestine state: Do the world need a new democratic system?
It is wrong to believe that the Palestine state born on 29 November 2012 after the UN voting. Palestine exist for thousands of years but it was extorted by the Zionists and converted into a state based on racial discrimination (Jewish state) after it was multiracial state as Palestine. In the 2nd November 1917 Arthur James Balfour the Foreign Minister of Britain sent a letter to the Leader of the British Jews (Walter Rothschild) who later became the leader of the Zionist Federation of Britain and Ireland, promising the Jewish of a homeland in Palestine. Arthur Balfour has no right to do so and in fact his statement had two racist issues namely his wish to expel the Jewish from Europe and his call to expel the Palestinians from their homeland. Following this declaration the UN in 1948 divided Palestine into two states one for the Jewish and the other for the Palestinians (Muslims and Christians). From that time mass exodus started from Europe toward Palestine to increase the number of Jewish. Not all the Jewish agreed to such changes but the orthodox Jewish who are more familiar about Judaism, the history and Torah such as the Neturei Karta completely rejected the formation of the Jewish state. Universally the RabbinicAuthorities have opposed the State of 'Israel' since the time of its inception.
It is therefore that the state of Israel does not represent the Judaism neither the Jewish but the Zionists. The Torah clearly forbids the formation of a State, for the Jewish people, in their time of exile. In fact the Torah forbids stealing land, subjugating and oppressing a people. This what many Rabbis around the world believe. Many orthodox Jewish feel that the root causes for the continual rise of worldwide anti-Semitism is Zionism and the State of "Israel".
The Jewish have been living in Arab and Muslim countries, including Palestine, in peace, brotherhood and harmony with Muslims and Christians Arabs, until the advent of Zionism and its continuing bloodshed in Palestine.
The orthodox Jewish always believe that the only working solution to a true and lasting peace is the total dismantling of the illegitimate State of "Israel" and the transformation to a Palestinian state. In fact the Torah forbids the formation of Israel and it state that any violation to the words of the Torah will not be successful at all. The Torah states "why are you violating the words of God, it will not be successful" (Numbers, 14: 41). The old scriptures and the history never mentioned any form of a state called Israel but Palestine in which the Jewish, the Christians and the Muslim Arabs lived side by side.
Orthodox Jewish protesting aganist Israel and supporting Palestine state for all
In conclusion the voting for Palestine is a good step forward but far from reaching the goal that the orthodox Jewish can tell you about. The most important outcome of this voting is the overwhelming isolation and the clear decline of America. In fact it is time to change the structures of the United Nation which is an old routing tool born after the WW-2 and it is time to change this into a more democratic association representing the whole population of the Earth and not only those who emerged victorious after the WW-2. The time now is different from the post-war period and the new world generations need to see an organization representing them freely and more democratically than the 5 veto-holding states in the UN which is nothing but a dictatorship organisation through its functional way. The people of the Erath need a new representing body in which all of them feels equally represented and democratically supported. It is time for change that everyone should call for.


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Top Secret Chocolate Cookies
By Paula Deen
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 10
- 2 1/2 sticks at room temperature unsalted butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup dutch process cocoa powder
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- gor garnish white sanding sugar
In a large bowl, add the butter and sugar and cream together with a hand mixer. Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and mix until combined. In a medium bowl, mix the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients and continue mixing until incorporated.
Roll the dough into 2 logs that are about 2-inches high and 1-foot long. Wrap them in waxed paper and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 °F.
Once thoroughly chilled, slice the cookies into 1/2-inch thick rounds and cover with sanding sugar. Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
Remove to a wire rack to cool.


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Apprenticeship: Marketing And Sales Apprentice with Roses Theatre
We are looking for a bright and intelligent person who has a desire to gain hands on experience in Arts Marketing and Sales. You will be committed and enthusiastic, with a keen eye for detail and passion for completing tasks. The successful candidate will demonstrate a very personable nature, with a clear drive for professionalism and a desire to commit to tasks thoroughly.
Purpose Of The Role
To support the marketing, press and sales team in achieving The Roses Theatre's business objectives, building and maintaining customer loyalty, developing audiences, maximising sales and increasing attendance
To gain a thorough grounding in arts marketing through first hand experience and on-the-job training in a busy theatre Marketing and Sales department.
Duties and Responsibilities
To act as a Marketing and Sales Assistant, sharing your time equally between the Sales Team and Marketing Team, both promoting future events at The Roses, and taking sales from customers
To operate as a Box Office assistant two days a week, working on the front line to maximise income for the organisation, whilst delivering excellent customer service
To assist with the creation and delivery of show marketing campaigns, through idea sharing, researching potential target audiences and planning specific activity
To assist in the delivery and execution of all marketing activity across all areas of The Roses programme. This will include copy writing, e-marketing, research, press, handling media enquiries, distribution, advertising, creating design briefs, attending promotional events and working in partnership with other organisations
To prepare content for The Roses Theatre's website in line with each season's brochure and to assist with website updates
To assist with The Roses digital marketing strategy with a specific responsibility of social networking via Facebook and Twitter
To use, update and develop The Roses press and media platform, exploring new opportunities and monitoring existing results.
To use The Roses Box Office system PatronBase to sell tickets, pull sales and marketing reports, and extract data for direct mail and email campaigns
To attend promotional events and special activities, actively promoting The Roses and its programme to new audiences
To coordinate in-house mailings
To proof read marketing material
To assist with print distribution
Working Week: 30 per week to fall within theatre operation hours
Weekly Wage: £ 81.90
Learning Provider: The West Midlands Creative Alliance Limited
Web Site: http://www.rosestheatre.org
Deadline for applications: 13/02/2015
Estimated start date: 23/02/2015
To apply for this position click the following link: Marketing And Sales Apprentice with Roses Theatre
(please note this link will only work if you are logged into the National Apprenticeship Service website)
This apprenticeship opportunity has been made available by the Creative Employment Fund through targeted funding for people aged 16-23. We would, therefore, welcome applications from candidates that match the above group, but please note that the position will be awarded on candidate merit.
Please note: Candidates who have achieved a degree level qualification will not be eligible for this apprenticeship position


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Today we practice gratitude- The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. It is a practice we do too rarely, something that should not be relegated to only one day each year. I do not disclude myself from this, instead I stand before you proclaiming I have been ungrateful. I have forgotten to show appreciation, thankfulness, gratitude, love, and affection.
On this Thanksgiving Day I will make amends and work to show my loved ones a small portion of the gratitude I feel towards them. Among the limitless list of other things I am thankful for: My freedom, and that I live in a world with an overwhelming capacity to love. Giving thanks is an award in and of itself.
With a grateful heart I say to you, Happy Thanksgiving. - b.


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It's our first morning in Newmarket, Ontario—just outside of Toronto. We flew in via Atlanta yesterday—two flights, one plane. And even though we were in the very back of the plane the whole time, it was a fairly comfortable flight.
I'd rather sit in the back of plane anyway. How many times have you seen an airplane back into a mountain? Hmm? Never? Defense rests.
This week is going to mostly be about Kara doing some training while I hit my daily words and then do a bit of exploring. I have some writerly friends who live nearby, so I'll try to meet with as many of them as possible. And the Kobo offices are in Toronto, so I was thinking of dropping in, making an introduction, seeing if I could get a tour. Generally being a nuisance.
The thing about trips like this is that they almost feel like "cheating."
Kara and I have this grand master plan to travel full time, and we plan to do that in an RV. And the idea there is to be in a space, to experience something new, and to entwine ourselves a bit in a different culture. We want to pull into a slip and make it HQ while we go out and find all the things worth knowing about wherever we happen to be. The goal is to have the biggest front yard on Earth.
Trips like this one—where we fly in, where one or other of us has an event or something work related to do, where the other one is kind of just tagging along—they aren't exactly what we were thinking when we said we wanted to travel more. So yeah, it kind of feels like cheating.
But turns out, it's not cheating after all.
As my writing career grows, I find myself going to all sorts of places, usually to speak at events or schools, or even to do book signings. Officially, those are "work events." I get to travel to a place on someone else's dime and spend a little time there, exploring what I can once the work obligations are done.
And Kara—she's still working for her company, and that company still needs her to travel from time to time. She has projects to oversee and training to attend, and the company puts her up in these places so she can do that work. When she wraps up her work day, she finds herself in a new place, with new things to explore.
So it's pretty much a given that some of our travel time is going to come with obligations and strings attached. We'll find ourselves some place new, but it isn't technically a "vacation." It's just part of the work. And it's always been like that.
What's new, for us anyway, is the ability for either of us to tag along with each other on these things. Having the money and time and flexibility to join each other as we move about on business is kind of cool. Maybe not the full-time travel idea we're working toward, but close enough for the two of us. We can enjoy the sights and local culture of new places along with enjoying each other's company. And it doesn't hurt that some of our travel expense get reduced. We can even write off some of the trips.
So it's not cheating. In fact, Kara and I will be working the whole time we travel in the RV anyway. So this is a bit of practice—a way for us to figure out how we work best when our routines and our habits are shifted or disrupted entirely. We can use trips like this one to get ourselves used to the idea that not every trip is a vacation—there's still work to be done.
Basically, we can use these trips to train ourselves to live between the lines. Our careers are always going to be a part of our lives, so it's best if we know how to squeeze experiences in between obligations.
We're here in Ontario for the next few days, and I plan to keep up my writing schedule and word targets the whole time. Kara will be hanging with co-workers during the day, and the two of us will go find the highlights of Toronto at night. And when it's over, we'll have a new stamp in our passport and a new part of the world in our heads. That's winning all around.