Effects of nanopowdered eggshell on postmenopausal osteoporosis: a rat study

The preventive effects of nanopowdered eggshell (NPES) on postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats was studied. Rats fed NPES and powdered eggshell (PES) exhibited 6.6 and 2.2% greater bone mineral densities (BMD) than ovariectomized (OVX) rats. NPES administration resulted in greater bone stiffness than PES. Investigation of the trabecular bone in NPES fed rats revealed a 12.4% higher bone volume (BV/TV), 7.5% higher trabecular number (Tb.N.), and 14.5% lower trabecular separation (Tb.Sp.), compared with OVX rats. Serum analysis demonstrated that NPES fed rats showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher (22.4%) osteocalcin level than OVX rats. Urine analyses in NPES fed rats revealed 43.7% lower deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and 87% lower Nteleopeptide levels of type I collagen (NTX) than in OVX rats. NPES attenuated the bone loss induced by ovariectomy in rats.     

乳清碱性蛋白对青年女性骨密度及体成分的影响

目的:观察乳清碱性蛋白对健康青年女性全身各部位骨密度及体成分的影响。方法:将84名志愿者分成对照组、纯牛奶组和MBP组,除了对照组外分别用纯牛奶和含40mgMBP牛奶连续干预8个月,试验结束后用DEXA骨密度仪检测全身各部位骨密度和体成分,采集静脉血检测血清总蛋白、胆固醇和血糖等8项血液生化指标。结果:3组受试对象试验后全身BMD均显著高于试验前,牛奶组和MBP牛奶组全身BMD增长百分比高于对照组,但3组比较未见统计学差异,血液生化指标、体脂成分及骨矿含量均未见显著影响。结论:在该试验条件下,未观察到乳清碱性蛋白作用对青年女性骨密度和体成分的影响,同时牛奶对体成分无明显作用。     

The bone-strengthening activity of milk basic protein is not dependent on lactoferrin

Milk contains components important for bone health. We have previously reported that milk basic protein (MBP) enhances bone formation and suppresses bone resorption. Lactoferrin (LF), a basic iron-binding protein in milk, also improves bone metabolism. However, the contribution of LF to the bone-strengthening activity of MBP is unclear. Here we compared the effects of MBP and LF on bone cells in vitro and bone strength in vivo. MBP showed greater stimulatory effects than did LF on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. MBP was also more effective than LF in terms of inhibiting bone resorption by osteoclasts. The force required to break bones in ovariectomised rats was significantly greater in rats fed 0.1% MBP than in rats fed 0.1% LF. These results suggest that the effects of MBP on bone metabolism are not solely due to LF; rather, multiple components in MBP may act together to improve bone metabolism.     

Effects of antioxidants on peanut oil stability

Several antioxidants including phospholipids (PL), ascorbyl palmitate (AP), rosemary (ROS), tocopherol (TOC) and catechin (CAT) were chosen to study the effects on peanut oil stability. Among these antioxidants, catechin alone and composites of catechin with other antioxidants showed significant increases in oil stability as compared to control oil. A response surface design was used to study the effects of three antioxidant composites on the peanut oil stability. Results showed the OSI (Oxidation Stability Index) values are significantly influenced by CAT (p<0.0001), followed by ROS (p<0.05) and PL (p<0.5). TOC was the least significant (p>0.5) in the increase of OSI value. By considering cost, handling and minimum usage of antioxidants, the OSI value of peanut oil would reach 15–16 h by the addition of 1500 ppm of CAT and a maximum level of either 400 ppm of ROS or PL.     

Deep-sea water supplementation and swimming exercise improves bone metabolism in growing rats fed a high-fat diet

This study was examined the effects of deepsea water (DSW) supplementation and swimming exercise on bone metabolism in growing male rats. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley male rats, 6 weeks of age, were randomly divided into high-fat diet sedentary (HS, n=8) or exercised group (HE, n=8) and DSW supplemented sedentary (DS, n=8) or exercised group (DE, n=8), given a high fat diet to all groups for 8 weeks. In the results, serum osteocalcin level of the DS was significantly lower than that of the HS (p<0.01). In addition, femoral bone mineral density (BMD), tibial bone mineral content (BMC), and breaking force of the DS were significantly higher than that of the HS (p<0.05). Furthermore, femoral BMD and tibial weight of DE were significantly higher than that of the HE (p<0.05). These results suggest that drinking deep-sea water and exercise has a crucial role for prevent osteoporosis and increase peak bone mass in growing male rats.     

Antioxidants from a Chinese medicinal herb – Psoralea corylifolia L

The powder and extracts of Psoralea corylifolia L. were tested in lard at 100 °C by using the oxidative stability instrument (OSI) and were found to have strong antioxidant effects. Six compounds, bakuchiol, psoralen, isopsoralen, corylifolin, corylin and psoralidin were isolated from the herb and identified by UV, IR, Mass, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra and melting point. Their antioxidant activities were investigated individually and compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and α-tocopherol by the OSI at 100 °C. The results showed that bakuchiol, corylifolin, corylin and psoralidin had strong antioxidant activities, and especially psoralidin (stronger antioxidant property than BHT), but psoralen and isopsoralen had no antioxidant activities at 0.02% and 0.04% levels. The antioxidant activities of the compounds decrease in the following order: Psoralidin > BHT > α-tocopherol > bakuchiol > corylifolin > corylin > isopsoralen ∼ psoralen.     

APPLICATION OF THE OXIDATIVE STABILITY INDEX FOR ASSESSING THE ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF FLAVONOIDS1

The antioxidant activities of representative flavonoid classes (flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones and flavanols) relative to dl‐α‐tocopherol were evaluated using the Oxidative Stability Index (OSI) value. At 5 mM concentrations in tocopherol stripped corn oil (TSCO), antioxidant activity was determined as follows: (+) catechin > quercetin > (+,?) taxifolin > dl‐α‐tocopherol > THI (3′, 4′, 7‐trihydroxyisoflavone) > luteolin. Intra‐assay and inter‐assay coefficients of variation were 1.43% and 2.73%. Peroxide Induction (PI) values were utilizéd as a comparison method using compounds and conditions identical to those in OSI experiments. Relative values for OSI and PI of the flavonoids tested showed a 0.98 correlation. This method also revealed differences in antioxidant activity of catechins due to stereochemistry. The OSI offers a simple, reproducible method for the evaluation of flavonoid antioxidant activities in a lipid environment.     

Physical Properties of Climbing Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) and Alligator Pepper (Aframomum melanguata) as Affected by Dehydration

This study was conducted to determine effect of drying temperature and duration on selected physical properties of climbing black pepper (Piper nigrum) and alligator pepper (Aframomum melanguata) using response surface approach. Drying temperature (55.86, 60, 70, 80, 84.14 °C) and duration (2.59, 3, 4, 5, 5.414 hours) were variables while size (length, breadth, thickness), mass, sphericity, aspect ratio, moisture content, moisture loss, colour and bulk density were responses. Mass, density and moisture loss of climbing pepper were significantly affected by drying temperature and duration at 5% level of significance. Other climbing pepper physical properties under study were not influenced significantly. All alligator pepper properties considered were not significant (p > 0.05). Climbing pepper mass, density and moisture loss varied between 1.55 to 6.37 g, 0.17 to 0.59 g/ml and 31.1 to 84.0% respectively.     

Biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption around parturition and during lactation in dairy cows with high and low standard milk yields

Substantial changes occur in skeletal metabolism during lactation. These dynamic changes are monitored with biochemical bone markers. The goal of the present study was to follow these changes in lactating cows and to investigate whether cows with a higher milk yield have a higher mobilization rate of calcium from bone. Hydroxyproline, deoxypyridinoline, pyridinoline, and the carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) were chosen as markers for bone resorption, whereas osteocalcin was used as a bone formation marker. Urine and blood samples were collected from cows with a mean standard milk yield of 4900 and 6500 kg, respectively, 14 d before, and 14 d, 1 mo, 1.5 mo, and monthly after parturition. Urinary hydroxyproline, deoxypyridinoline, and pyridinoline concentrations increased with time, but no differences between the two groups were evident. Concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D and ICTP of the two groups showed an increase 14 d after parturition. Furthermore, using multivariate regression models with age and milk yield as covariates, ICTP concentrations were higher in the group with a higher milk yield. In contrast, osteocalcin concentrations decreased 14 d after parturition and returned to prepartum values 1 mo after parturition. The increase of ICTP concentrations in both groups indicates that bone was substantially resorbed. At the same time, probably less Ca was embedded in bone, as indicated by the decrease of the osteocalcin concentrations. In conclusion, cows showed increased bone resorption around parturition, and cows with higher milk yield mobilize calcium more actively from bone than cows with lower milk yield.     

Carryover effects of potassium supplementation on calcium homeostasis in dairy cows at parturition

The purpose of this study was to test whether supplementation with K improves bone mineral density (BMD) in older cows so that by parturition their bone is better able to mobilize Ca. Twenty-four Holstein Friesian cows (6 mo pregnant, lactating, and in their third or later lactation) were allocated to 2 equal groups and individually fed twice daily a total diet comprising low K oaten hay plus a pelleted concentrate fortified with or without K₂CO₃ to achieve 3.12% K/kg of DM in the total diet of the K-supplemented (KS) cows compared with 1.50% K/kg of DM for the control cows. The cows were fed their respective diets from the beginning of their sixth month of pregnancy until 2 wk before the expected date of parturition. The strategy was to use K to stimulate a mild increase in extracellular pH to potentially improve BMD well before parturition, when high K contents in the diet are considered safe, but cease supplementing in the few weeks prepartum, when high intakes of K are known to be problematic. The expectation was that the effect of the denser bone would carry through to benefit the cow's plasma Ca, P, and Mg status at parturition. Prior to the period of K supplementation, the cows were part of a commercial pasture-based herd, to which they were returned at the end of the supplementation period and treated as 1 group from at least 11 d prepartum until the end of the study at d 42 of the next lactation. Supplementation with K successfully induced a sustained increase of urinary pH throughout late lactation and into the dry period, as expected. The KS cows consistently averaged a urine pH 0.25 ± 0.10 U higher than the controls. However, there was no significant effect of K supplementation on BMD, bone mineral concentrations, plasma osteocalcin, urinary deoxypyridinoline:creatinine plasma Ca, or plasma P concentrations during or immediately after the cessation of supplementation, nor where there any carryover effects during parturition or by d 42 of lactation. Instead, there was an unexpected decrease in the concentration of Mg in plasma of the KS cows compared with the control cows that extended from 0.5 to 2.5 d postpartum. The timing of the decline in plasma Mg was paralleled by declines in plasma concentrations of 1,25 dihydroxy-vitamin D₃ and urinary excretion of Ca and Mg, whereas urinary excretion of P increased; all changes were consistent with a hypomagnesemia that could increase the risk of hypocalcemia. These data suggest that, in addition to the well-documented negative effects of K when fed immediately at parturition, the effects of high dietary K diets can carry over for at least 11 d to trigger a mild hypomagnesemia at parturition. Because K supplementation did not improve BMD prepartum, it was not possible to conclude for or against an ability of denser bone to reduce the risk of hypocalcemia in older cows at parturition.     

Optimisation of sunflower oil deodorising: balance between oil stability and other quality attributes

The effect of deodorising on basic quality attributes of sunflower oil (free fatty acids, colour, oil stability, total tocopherols) was investigated. The results revealed that the levels of all these quality attributes decreased significantly during the deodorising step. The processing parameters of sunflower oil deodorisation were optimised using response surface methodology. The results revealed the effects of process parameters (temperature, time) on free fatty acids (FFA), colour (LCY and LCR), oil stability index (OSI) and total tocopherols (VE). These new models can be used as a tool to identify optimum deodorisation conditions within chosen constraints. Based on the optimisation of high oil stability with minimum retained FFA and colour, deodorisation parameters can be defined. At a constant vacuum, 3 mmHg vacuum, a temperature range of 200–250 °C and deodorisation time of 30–90 min were defined. An optimum temperature and time appear to be 218–224 °C and 59–64 min, respectively.     

Developing a potential prebiotic of yogurt: growth of Bifidobacterium and yogurt cultures with addition of glycomacropeptide hydrolysate

This study is aimed at investigating the feasibility of casein glycomacropeptide (GMP) hydrolysates as potential prebiotics in yogurt. The growth performance of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (Bb12) was determined in the presence of GMP hydrolysates produced by the action of proteolytic enzymes (trypsin and papain) with various degrees of hydrolysis. The growth‐promoting effect of GHP on Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcu thermophilus were also evaluated. Results showed that the optimum hydrolysis time of GMP with trypsin or papain for Bb12 growth promotion was 2 and 0.5 h, respectively. Compared with GMP and its trypsin hydrolysate, the GMP hydrolysate produced with papain (GHP) was the best for Bb12 growth, which obtained the highest viable count (9.3 log cfu mL^?1) and the lowest pH of 4.69. The obtained GHP significantly improved the growth of S. thermophilus (P < 0.05), while it had little effect on the growth of L. bulgaricus (P > 0.05)., The viable count of Bb12 of the yogurt obtained with the addition of 1.5% GHP was about four times higher than that of the control without GHP addition. The growth‐promoting effect of GHP might be related to its high content of Glu, Leu and Ala while had no direct relationship with sialic acid content.     

Improved contact lens fitting after corneal cross-linking in eyes with progressive keratoconus

ObjectivesThe study aimed to assess the possible effects of corneal cross-linking (CXL) on contact lens (CL) fitting in patients with progressive keratoconus who initially had CL intolerance.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of the medical records of patients who had stopped CL wear due to discomfort prior to CXL and who were fitted with CLs after CXL. All eyes were evaluated pre- and 1, 6, 12, 24 months postoperatively. Data collected included pre- and post-CXL refraction, corneal topographic data, uncorrected visual acuity, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). CL comfort was evaluated using the Likert scale post-CXL.ResultsA total of 20 eyes from 14 patients were included in the study. Preoperative Kmax values significantly decreased by 2.8 D at 6 months and by 4.1 D at 12 months after CXL (p < 0.001 for both). CLs were prescribed on average 12 ± 2.5 months after CXL. The mean duration of successful CL wear was 10.4 ± 2.8 months during the follow-up period. Subjective CL comfort scores were satisfactory post-CXL.ConclusionCXL not only halts the progression of keratoconus but may also improve CL tolerance by providing a more regular shaped cornea in these patients. Ongoing corneal topographic changes in the late postoperative period after CXL may have a positive effect on CL fitting.     

HMW-GSs 1Dx3+1Dy12 contribute to a suitable wheat gluten strength that confers superior Chinese steamed bread quality

The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of the high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) 1Dx3+1Dy12 (3+12) and 1Dx4+1Dy12 (4+12) at the Glu-D1 locus on gluten and Chinese steamed bread (CSB) quality. The grain protein content and composition, gluten content and gluten index, farinograph properties, and CSB quality were investigated using four wheat near-isogenic lines (NILs) carrying HMW-GSs 1Dx2+1Dy12 (2+12), 3+12, 4+12 and 1Dx5+1Dy10 (5+10), respectively. The unextractable polymeric protein (UPP) and glutenin macropolymer (GMP) content, gluten index, dough development time, stability time, and farinograph quality number of four NILs all ranked as 5+10 > 3+12 > 2+12/4+12, such as the gluten index ranked as 5+10(44.88%) > 3+12(40.07%) > 2+12(37.46%)/4+12(35.85%); however, their contributions to the quality of CSB were ranked as 3+12 > 5+10 > 2+12/4+12, such as the specific volume ranked as 3+12(2.64 mL/g) > 5+10(2.49 mL/g) > 2+12(2.36 mL/g)/4+12(2.35 mL/g), which indicated that a suitable gluten strength (3+12) was crucial to making high-quality CSB. In addition, subunits 4+12 had a similar quality performance to low-quality subunits 2+12. All these findings suggested that, except for the acknowledged high-quality subunits 5+10, the introduction of 3+12 at the Glu-D1 locus is an efficient way for quality improvement of gluten as well as CSB.     

Effects of a Lactobacillus casei 393 fermented milk product on bone metabolism in ovariectomised rats

The effects of a Lactobacillus casei 393 fermented milk product (FMP) on bone metabolism were examined. FMP (>0.1 mg mL^?1) supplementation significantly increased osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells proliferation whereas skim milk powder supplementation did not show any positive effect up to 1 mg mL^?1. The FMP (1%) supplemented ovariectomised rats had increased bone weight, bone mineral density, and bone breaking force compared with control ovariectomised rat. In addition, the activity of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase, a biomarker of osteoclasts, was significantly reduced in the FMP group. Based on the results, the L. casei 393 FMP had a preventative effect on bone loss in ovariectomised rats.     

Long-term changes in the ocular surface during orthokeratology lens wear and their correlations with ocular discomfort symptoms

PurposeTo evaluate the changes in ocular surface parameters during orthokeratology lens wear and determine their correlations with ocular discomfort symptoms.MethodsFifty individuals were enrolled in this prospective pilot study. Clinical evaluation of the ocular surface included the ocular surface disease index, slit-lamp examination, Keratograph 5M, optical quality analysis system, and corneal staining. After baseline examinations, clinical tests were performed at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after orthokeratology lens wear. Correlations between ocular discomfort symptoms and signs of ocular discomfort were evaluated.ResultsOverall ocular surface disease index score and two subscale scores (ocular symptoms and vision-related function) significantly increased at the 3-month visit (P < 0.05), and decreased to levels close to baseline at the12-month visit (P > 0.05). The basic objective scatter index and the mean tear film objective scatter index increased, peaking at 3-month visit (P < 0.05) and gradually decreased thereafter. The modulation transfer function cut-off significantly decreased at the 3-month visit (P < 0.05). During the 12-month study period, the overall ocular surface disease index score and vision-related function score were significantly and positively correlated with the basic objective scatter index and mean tear film objective scatter index (P < 0.05). After 1 week of lens wear, Grade 1 corneal staining increased to 16.4 %, mostly involving the central and inferior cornea.ConclusionsOrthokeratology lens wear increased ocular discomfort symptoms and decreased the function of tear film, mainly within 3 months of lens wear. Tear-related visual function parameters were correlated with ocular discomfort. A new parameter, tear film objective scatter index, measured with the optical quality analysis system, was more sensitive in detecting the quality and stability of tear film than traditional indicators.     

MILK BASIC PROTEIN ENHANCES THE BONE STRENGTH IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS

We studied the effects of milk basic protein (MBP) on bone metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Five‐week‐old female Sprague‐Dawley rats were ovariectomized and fed a low‐calcium diet (0.009% Ca) for 5 weeks. The OVX rats were divided into three experimental groups: Control group (20% casein), MBP‐L group (19.9% casein, 0.1% MBP), and MBP‐H (19% casein, 1% MBP) of six animals. The rats were fed each experimental diet for 3 weeks. The bone breaking strength and energy of femur in the MBP‐H group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The bone breaking energy of femur in the MBP‐L group was also significantly higher than those in the control group. There were no differences in the amount of femoral calcium and phosphorus among the three groups, however, the amounts of femoral proline, hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine (typical amino acids of collagen) in the MBP groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. These data indicate that MBP in the whey protein increases the amount of the bone collagen and enhances the bone strength.     

Correlation between standard plate count and somatic cell count milk quality results for Wisconsin dairy producers

The objective of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between standard plate count (SPC) and somatic cell count (SCC) monthly reported results for Wisconsin dairy producers. Such a correlation may indicate that Wisconsin producers effectively controlling sanitation and milk temperature (reflected in low SPC) also have implemented good herd health management practices (reflected in low SCC). The SPC and SCC results for all grade A and B dairy producers who submitted results to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, in each month of 2012 were analyzed. Grade A producer SPC results were less dispersed than grade B producer SPC results. Regression analysis showed a highly significant correlation between SPC and SCC, but the R² value was very small (0.02–0.03), suggesting that many other factors, besides SCC, influence SPC. Average SCC (across 12 mo) for grade A and B producers decreased with an increase in the number of monthly SPC results (out of 12) that were ≤25,000 cfu/mL. A chi-squared test of independence showed that the proportion of monthly SCC results >250,000 cells/mL varied significantly depending on whether the corresponding SPC result was ≤25,000 or >25,000 cfu/mL. This significant difference occurred in all months of 2012 for grade A and B producers. The results suggest that a generally consistent level of skill exists across dairy production practices affecting SPC and SCC.     

The relationship between myopia progression and axial elongation in children wearing orthokeratology contact lenses

PurposeTo investigate the relationship between myopia progression and axial length (AL) elongation in orthokeratology (ortho-k) patients.MethodsThis study investigated 184 patients (baseline age 9.0 ± 1.6 years), who underwent overnight ortho-k treatment for 12 to 72 months, and stopped lens wear for 1 to 2 months. Refractive sphere and cylinder after cycloplegia, corneal curvatures along both meridians, and AL were compared before the commencement and after discontinuation of ortho-k treatment. The effects of AL change, baseline AL, corneal curvature change, baseline age, and duration of ortho-k treatment on the change in spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) were analysed.ResultsMyopia significantly progressed and AL increased following 32.8 ± 13.0 months of ortho-k lens wear and 1 to 2 months washout period, as compared to baseline (all P < 0.001). Corneal curvature along the flat meridian (FK) became significantly flatter (P < 0.001) and corneal curvature along the steep meridian (SK) became steeper (P = 0.036). In the first stepwise multiple linear regression model (R² = 0.696), the change in SER over time (ΔSER) is significantly correlated to the change in AL (ΔAL, P < 0.001), baseline AL (P < 0.001), baseline age (P = 0.028), change in SK (P = 0.002), and the duration of ortho-k lens treatment before discontinuation (P = 0.010). In a more simplified model (R² = 0.628), the regression equation using ΔAL to predict ΔSER is: ΔSER = -0.094–1.608*ΔAL.ConclusionsThe change in SER was significantly correlated to the change in AL, change in SK, baseline AL, baseline age, and the duration of treatment among children undergoing ortho-k therapy. The ratio of axial elongation to myopia progression was approximately 1:1.6 between the ages of 6 to 14 years. A simplified equation was derived for clinical use to estimate myopia progression from repeated AL measurement in ortho-k patients.     

Effect of calcium and vitamin D2 fortification on quality characteristics of dahi

Two levels (500 and 600 ppm) of calcium (calcium phosphate and calcium citrate) along with vitamin D₂ (600 IU/L) were fortified in milk for dahi preparation. pH, water‐holding capacity and syneresis of fortified dahi were not affected significantly (P > 0.05). However, acetaldehyde content decreased and setting time increased upon fortification. Microbial count significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in calcium phosphate‐fortified dahi, whereas no difference was observed in calcium citrate‐fortified dahi. Firmness and viscosity decreased in calcium phosphate‐fortified dahi, whereas it increased in calcium citrate‐fortified dahi as compared to control. All dahi samples showed good sensory acceptability.