Energy balance and metabolic rate in preterm infants fed with standard and high-energy formulas

1. Energy balances were performed on sixteen low birth weight preterm infants over 7-10 d periods on a standard low-solute infant formula (2600 kJ/l), and on four high-energy formulas, providing different energy densities up to 3760 kJ/l. In two of the high-energy formulas the additional fat energy was provided by peanut oil, and the other two by medium chain triglycerides (MCT). Anthropometric measurements and metabolic rate (MR) determinations were made during the balance periods. 2. Mean energy retention on the standard formula was 66% of the intake and declined to below 50% on the two feeds providing the highest energy. Extensive energy balance data on the standard formula are available for reference. 3. Net absorption of dietary energy increased on all the high-energy formulas, rising from 362 kJ/kg per d on the standard formula to 453 kJ/kg per d on the highest energy-formula (P < 0.001). There was no advantage in using MCT. 4. Net absorption of dietary energy improved with advancing maturity, irrespective of the formula. 5. In spite of the increased dietary energy retention, there was no increase in growth rate during periods of feeding with the high-energy formulas. 6. Fasting and postprandial MR increased by 10.4 and 12.8% respectively on the highest energy feeds. 7. It is concluded that, at least in the short term, this type of high-energy feeding increases MR at the expense of growth and thus is probably of no advantage to the infant.     

Protein variant separations by cation-exchange chromatography on tentacle-type polymeric stationary phases

A method previously developed for the analysis of organohalogenated compounds in dairy products is now validated for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) determination in soybean infant formulas. The results of this study are consistent with those found for PCBs in powdered full-fat milk. The methodology is based on a solid-liquid extraction step enabling a semi-selective extraction of the apolar lipids of the matrix without affecting the efficiency for the recovery of PCBs. Mean recoveries for the spiked coplanar congeners studied were in the 88-114% range, with relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) lower than 9.8%. The R.S.D.s related to the determination of endogenous PCBs were in the 1.5-10.0% range. The validated methodology was applied to the PCB analysis in different trademarks of soybean infant formulas commercialised in Spain. Toxic tetraequivalents of tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and daily intake corresponding to each one were calculated and compared with values previously published and with those found in literature for human breast milk in different countries.     

Cross-cultural generalizability of personality dimensions: relating indigenous and imported dimensions in two cultures

The cross-cultural generalizability of personality dimensions was investigated by (a) identifying indigenous Philippine dimensions, (b) testing the cross-cultural replicability of the NEO 5-factor model (P. T. Costa & R.R. McCrae, 1992), and (c) relating Philippine and Western dimensions in Philippine and U.S. samples of college students. Filipino self-ratings (N = 536) on indigenous items were factor analyzed, and 6 Philippine dimensions were obtained. Conclusions about the replicability of the 5-factor model in the Philippines (N = 432) depended on whether exploratory, Procrustes, or confirmatory factor methods were used. In regression and joint factor analyses, moderate to strong associations were found between the Philippine dimensions and (a) dimensions from the 5-factor model in both Philippine (N = 387) and U.S. (N = 610) samples, and (b) the Tellegen model (A. Tellegen, 1985; A. Tellegen & N.G. Waller, in press) in a U.S. sample (N = 603).     

The effect of non-protein food constituents on the nutritive value of radiation-sterilized casein

The effect of radiation sterilization on casein alone and in the presence of glucose or starch was assessed by means of nitrogen balance studies in growing rats and compared to the effect of heat sterilization. No decrease in protein digestibility and utilization was noticed in the irradiated samples nor did the presence of glucose or starch during processing cause and changes of these parameters. Following heat sterilization of casein in the presence of glucose there was a significant reduction in protein digestibility and Net Protein Utilization (NPU). These changes were accompanied by a drastic decline of available lysine. The inclusion of 3% agar-agar (aqueous solution) in the diet induced a drastic rise in endogenous faecal nitrogen losses and a corresponding decrease in apparent protein digestibility and NPU.     

Effects of rumen-undegradable protein and feed intake on purine derivative and urea nitrogen: comparison with predictions from the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System

Six multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square to investigate the ability of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System to predict accurately rumen microbial yield, plasma urea N, and milk urea N. Estimations for microbial protein yield were compared with the measured excretion of purine derivative N in urine. A 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was adopted. Three concentrations of a rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) supplement (4.5, 14.9, and 29.1% of dry matter intake) and two levels of feed restriction (90 and 80% of ad libitum intake) were the corresponding factors. No effect of concentration of RUP supplement or feed restriction was detected on the excretion of purine derivative N in urine (mean, 18.5 g/d). Conversely, the Cornell system predicted a linear decrease in metabolizable protein from bacteria as the concentration of the RUP supplement increased. The Cornell system also predicted a significant reduction in metabolizable protein of microbial origin as feed restriction was increased. Measured values and values derived from the Cornell system for plasma and milk urea N increased linearly as the concentration of the RUP supplement increased. The Cornell system overpredicted milk urea N for cows consuming the highest RUP concentration. Predictions by the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System were of limited value because the empirical nature of the model is insufficiently rigorous to yield accurate predictions under the conditions described herein.     

Internal recording of the early receptor potential in turtle cones

1. Early receptor potentials (E.R.P.s) were recorded with internal electrodes in turtle cones by applying brief flashes from a xenon tube with a maximum photon density equivalent to 2-3 x 10(8) photons micronm-2 at the optimum wave-length. 2. The E.R.P. was separated from the late receptor potential (L.R.P.) by superposing in flash on a step of light which was strong enough to saturate the L.R.P. 3. In red-sensitive cones the E.R.P. consisted of a brief depolarizing phase (R1) followed by a hyperpolarizing phase (R2) of maximum amplitude 10 mV and duration 30-40 msec. R1 was small or absent in green-sensitive cones. 4. With flashes of increasing intensity the E.R.P. approached its maximum exponentially with an exponential constant Q of about 10(8) photons micronm-2 which is of the same order as the reciprocal of the photosensitivity of porphyropsin; the implication of this result, which is considered in the theoretical section, is the the E.R.P. is proportional to the number of photoisomerizations. 5. When tested with a constant xenon flash at varying times after the beginning of a bleaching light the E.R.P. declined exponentially with a similar value of Q. 6. After prolonged bleaches the E.R.P. recovered with a time constant of about 100 sec but much quicker recoveries were observed after relatively brief bleaches. 7. The form and size of the E.R.P. are consistent with the accepted view that it arises from a redistribution of charge in the cone pigment molecule. 8. The effect of a single photoisomerization in an isolated cone was estimated as about 10(-10) V or one electronic charge through about 10% of the membrane.     

Protein, amino acid contents and protein efficiency ratio of Egyptian buffalo meat under different biological conditions

The effect of age, sex, season and cut variations on the protein, amino acids contents and protein efficiency ratio (P.E.R.) of Egyptian Buffalo meat was studied in 128 samples. Statistical analysis for the data obtained showed significant difference at 0.01 level for protein in relation to cut (abdomen and thigh, respectively), male in relation to season and dry season in relation to sex. There is also significant difference at 0.05 level in case of green season in relation to sex. Protein shows a significant difference at 0.1 level due to sex variation. There is a difference in the amino acids content of young and old animals during dry season in both cuts. Young animals show higher values than old ones in most of the amino acids investigated. There is also an obvious difference in the amino acids during green season between male and female animals, and also between both cuts. P.E.R. of Egyptian Buffalo meat as 10% protein level ranges between 3.02 and 2.35 according to seasonal, cut and age variations.     

Imaging of polypoid endoluminal growing bile duct tumors

We reviewed the radiological documents and protocols of 196 cases of bile duct tumors examined over a period of 12 years: 20 of them (10.2%) presented with a polypoid endoluminal growth. The aim of this study was to provide a better knowledge about the radiological features of this less frequent kind of tumor. In these 20 cases, the correct diagnosis of bile duct lesion was provided in 100% by E.R.C.P., P.T.C., U.S. as well as C.T., and in 42% by arteriography. The correct diagnosis of tumor was made by E.R.C.P. in 86%, by P.T.C. in 88%, by U.S. in 61%, by C.T. in 63%, and by arteriography in 25%. A correct diagnosis of tumor could be reached in all cases by combination of several examination techniques. The anatomopathological diagnosis was: bile duct adenocarcinoma (7 cases), adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (4), villous adenoma of Vater's ampulla (2), cystadenoma (1), cystadenocarcinoma (1), hepatocellular carcinoma (1), apudoma (1), and metastases (3).     

The relationship of attributions to marital distress: A comparison of mainland Chinese and U.S. Couples.

Research on attribution theory has focused on a number of different social contexts. Close personal relationships and marriage in particular have been investigated widely. Cross-cultural differences in attribution patterns have also been explored, although mostly in relation to academic achievement or employment. This article focused on cross-cultural variations in marital attributions. Thirty-six couples from the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) and 32 couples from the United States (U.S.) were included. Marital attributions were correlated with marital distress for both groups. However, the P.R.C. spouses tended to report more relationship-enhancing causal attributions than did U.S. spouses. There were also some differences in attributions of responsibility and blame across cultures. These findings are discussed in relationship to current marital attribution theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Plasma levels of fractionated estrogens and pituitary hormones in endometrial carcinoma

Plasma levels of estrone (E1), estradiol-17beta (E2), and estriol (E3), as well as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin were measured in 30 control subjects and in 20 postmenopausal patients with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. Within the sensitivity of the assay (5 to 10 pg.), no E3 was found. Mean levels of E1 and E2 in the patients with carcinoma (42.64+/-3.8 (S.E.M.) and 17.3+/-1.7 (S.E.M.) pg. per mililiter) were significantly higher than those measured in the control subjects (E1=26.97+/-2.4 (S.E.M.) pg. per mililiter, p less than 0.001; E2=12.08+/-1.2 (S.E.M.) pg. per milliliter, p less than 0.02). Effects of age, diabetic status, and obesity were taken into consideration. Significant differences in FSH and marginally significant differences in prolactin levels were observed between the two groups. Mean levels of FSH, LH, and prolactin in the control group and the group with adenocarcinoma, respectively, were as follows: FSH=152.3+/-7.0 (S.E.M.) versus 98.1+/-8.9 (S.E.M.) mI.U. per milliliter, p less than 0.001; LH=64.7+/-3.1 (S.E.M.) versus 66.5+/-5.2 mI.U. per milliliter, difference not significant; and prolactin=14.3+/-0.9 (S.E.M.) versus 17.8+/1.7 (S.E.M.) ng. per milliliter, p less than 0.06. These results, as well as previously reported alterations in human growth hormone secretion, suggest aberrations in hypothalamic function in endometrial carcinoma.     

Influence of acetylcholine, isoproterenol, quinidine and ouabain on effective refractory periods of atrial and ventricular myocardium in the dog

Acetylcholine-, isoproterenol-, quinidine- and ouabain-induced variations of the effective refractory periods (E.R.P.) of the non-specialized atrial and ventricular tissue have been explored in the dog by the extra-stimulus method during total cardiopulmonary by-pass. Acetylcholine significantly shortens the E.R.P. of atrial fibers, but does not provoke any change in the ventricular tissue, whereas a parallel decrease of atrial and ventricular E.R.P. is noted with isoproterenol. Quinidine induces a larger increase of the E.R.P. in the atrium than in the ventricle. The ouabain-induced shortening of the E.R.P. in the atrium is more marked than in the ventricle but is followed by a secondary increase which depends on both time after injection and dose. Hypotheses about the mechanisms of these effects, their importance in fibrillation and their relation to clinical uses are discussed.     

Effect of feeding methods in infants on serum lipid profile

Mothers very often do not start to breast feed their children, or stop very quickly and introduce various formulas based either on modified or unmodified cow's milk. These infant formulas differ from human milk in their chemical composition. Breast milk is the most suitable source of all nutrients required for the development of a newborn or infant. The serum levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids were determined. The influence of the type of feeding on the levels of the above-mentioned lipids was analyzed. Higher serum levels of triglycerides in babies fed formulas based on modified cow's milk than in those fed formulas based on unmodified milk were found. Higher serum levels of phospholipids were found in breast-fed babies than in those fed formulas based on unmodified cow's milk.     

Estimation of the caries-related risk associated with infant formulas

PURPOSE: Baby bottle tooth decay (BBTD) affects 6% of children under three years of age and is associated with inappropriate bottle use. The objective of this study was to estimate the caries-related risk associated with 26 infant formulas and whole milk. METHODS: First, the plaque pH of adult volunteers was monitored before and after an oral rinse with infant formula to determine the minimum pH obtained in response to each formula. Second, Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 was cultured in each infant formula, and the increase in the number of colony forming units was measured. Third, each infant formula was incubated with powdered enamel and the solubility of enamel mineral was calculated in the absence of bacteria. Fourth, each formula was mixed with standardized concentrations of acid to determine the buffering capabilities. Finally, enamel windows were created on extracted permanent molars and exfoliated primary incisor crowns that were then colonized with mutans streptococci and incubated with infant formula. Caries was assessed visually and radiographically for 18 weeks. The length of time required for the development of enamel caries, dentinal caries and pulpal involvement was recorded. RESULTS: One-way or two-way ANOVA of these five assays demonstrated that 1. Plaque pH varied in response to oral rinsing with infant formula and most formulas did have the ability to reduce the pH significantly below the pH obtained after rinsing with water 2. Some infant formulas supported significant bacterial growth 3. Enamel mineral was dissolved by incubation with certain infant formula 4. The buffer capacity varied among the infant formulas tested 5. The length of time required for caries to reach dentin or pulp differed for the formulas, with some formulas causing dentinal caries by 3.4 weeks and pulpal involvement by 7.2 weeks.     

Association between mother-infant salivary contacts and caries resistance in children: a cohort study

We selected 327 7-month-old infants and divided them into two groups based on the frequency of salivary close contacts between mother and infant. Five to seven years later, all first-born children (N = 55) whose dental development had been followed regularly, were examined for dental caries and prevalence of salivary mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli. The children with frequent maternal close contacts (F group, N = 21) had significantly less MS in saliva than the children with rare close contacts (R group, N = 34, P = 0.02). Only 19% of the children in F group compared with 56% in R group had experienced caries in their primary molars and/or canines (P < 0.01). A significantly greater proportion of the children in F group (57%) than in R group (27%, P < 0.05) had a high intake of sugar-containing foods and drinks in a 2-day dietary history. The F and R groups did not differ significantly with respect to other children's caries risk factors, or in age, sex, stage of dental development, dental treatment, or the social aspects studied. There were no significant differences between F and R groups in maternal caries experience, salivary MS or lactobacillus counts, or in maternal background factors (age, breast feeding, or education). Frequent transfer of maternal saliva to the mouth of the baby before tooth eruption was negatively associated with oral infection by MS and to caries in the primary dentition, possibly due to protective immune mechanisms.     

Mountain chinchilla (Lagostomus maximus maximus Blainv) meat. Biological value

In order to establish the vizcacha meat quality as food, the percentual chemical composition, cholesterol content and values of some fatty acids were determined. Assays were performed using Wistar rats for estimation of Net Protein Utilization (UPN), True Digestibility (TD) and Biological Value (BV). The results obtained were: protein, 23.87 g/100 g; total lipids, 3.74g/100g and a low content of cholesterol of 50 mg/100g. From the analysis of the fatty acids composition it is noticed a remarkable high proportion of insatured C18 fatty acids. The nitrogen availability calculated from UPN studies gave a value of 60.50 +/- 9.7, a TD of 85.00 +/- 13.20 and a BV of 70.60. Considering on the whole the results here obtained and the optimal approval of this product by man, it is inferred that vizcacha meat constitutes a good base for the production of foods suitable to be manufactured as can products. An adequate promotion of this product will be needed for its introduction in new markets.     

The apolipoprotein B R3531C mutation. Characteristics of 24 subjects from 9 kindreds

Familial ligand-defective apolipoprotein B (apoB) is a group of disorders caused by mutations in the apoB gene. In this report the R3531C mutation is characterized further using a monoclonal antibody MB19/dynamic laser light scattering technique to measure ratios of Cys(3531) to normal low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. All six subjects studied showed a preferential accumulation of particles carrying the defective apoB allotype. We determined binding properties of LDL from R3531C heterozygotes by measurement of high-affinity binding to LDL receptors on fibroblasts and its ability promote growth of U937 cells. LDL from R3531C heterozygotes, compared to normal LDL, had 49.3% of the binding affinity and was 74% as effective in a U937 cell proliferation assay. To identify new probands, we screened 2570 subjects for the R3531C mutation. Nine probands were found with 15 affected relatives. Of the seven haplotypes we uncovered, two were novel, while five were identical to one initially reported as associated with Cys3531. Three silent mutations were detected also: T3540T, N3542N and T3552T. Analysis of lipid profiles of R3531C families showed, as with the R3500Q mutation, variable expression of the phenotype, modulated by environmental and other genetic factors. Both mutations tend to produce lower plasma levels of LDL in affected subjects than do defects of the LDL receptor (familial hypercholesterolemia, FH). This study shows that the Cys(3531) LDL particles are not only defective at binding to the LDL receptor, as determined by two separate methods, but that in all cases they accumulate preferentially compared to the normal allotype.-Pullinger, C. R., D. Gaffney, M. M. Gutierrez, M. J. Malloy, V. N. Schumaker, C. J. Packard, and J. P. Kane. Apolipoprotein B R3531C mutation: characteristics of 24 subjects from 9 kindreds. .     

Plasma and erythrocyte alpha-tocopherol and plasma retinol concentrations in term infants fed formula enriched with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA)- and vitamin E-supplemented formula feeding on erythrocyte and plasma alpha-tocopherol (VE), and plasma retinol (VA) concentrations in neonates and to compare these values with those found in infants feeding on infant formula without LCPUFA or breast milk SETTING: University Hospital of Granada, Spain. SUBJECTS: 49 full-term infants. DESIGN AND INTERVENTION: Subjects who chose not to breast feed were fed either (i) unsupplemented infant formula (F) or (ii) infant formula supplemented with LCPUFA and vitamin E (FL). Alpha-tocopherol and retinol were measured at 7 days, 1 month and 3 months. RESULTS: Plasma and erythrocyte VE concentrations and plasma VE/total lipids ratio increased significantly in all groups at 1 month of life (P < 0.05), but did not change significantly between 1 month and 3 months in any group (P > 0.05). Erythrocyte VE and VA retinol concentrations were higher in infants fed an infant formula than in breast milk-fed infants at 1 month of life (P < 0.05). Finally, there were no significant differences in plasma or erythrocyte VE levels, plasma VA or plasma VE/total lipid ratio between any groups at 3 months of life (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Infants fed on LCPUFA- and vitamin E-supplemented infant formula for 3 months have similar vitamin E and A status to infants fed on breast milk or infant formula without LCPUFA supplementation.     

Adult judgments and fine-grained analysis of infant facial expressions: Testing the validity of a priori coding formulas.

Three studies tested whether infant facial expressions selected to fit Max formulas (C. E. Izard, 1983) for discrete emotions are recognizable signals of those emotions. Forced-choice emotion judgments (Study 1) and emotion ratings (Study 2) by naive Ss fit Max predictions for slides of infant joy, interest, surprise, and distress, but Max fear, anger, sadness, and disgust expressions in infants were judged as distress or as emotion blends in both studies. Ratings of adult facial expressions (Study 2 only) fit a priori classifications. In Study 3, the facial muscle components of faces shown in Studies 1 and 2 were coded with the Facial Action Coding System (FACS; P. Ekman and W. V. Friesen, 1978) and Baby FACS (H. Oster and D. Rosenstein, in press). Only 3 of 19 Max-specified expressions of discrete negative emotions in infants fit adult prototypes. Results indicate that negative affect expressions are not fully differentiated in infants and that empirical studies of infant facial expressions are needed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The taxonicity of schizotypy: A replication.

P. E. Meehl's model (1962, 1990) of schizotypy and the development of schizophrenia implies that the structure of liability for schizophrenia is dichotomous, hypothesizing that a "schizogene" determines one's membership in a latent class (or taxon; P. E. Meehl & R. R. Golden, 1982). The present study sought to replicate earlier findings concerning the taxonic latent structure and general population base rate of schizotypy (M. F. Lenzenweger & L. Korfine, 1992). P. E. Meehl's (1973; P. E. Meehl & R. R. Golden, 1982) MAXCOV-HITMAX taxometric analytic procedures were applied to a subset of items from the Perceptual Aberration Scale (PAS; L. J. Chapman, J. P. Chapman, & M. L. Raulin, 1978), a prominent psychometric index of schizotypy, derived from a new randomly ascertained nonclinical university sample (N?=?1,646). Consistent with the authors' previous results as well as Meehl's conjectures, the data strongly suggest that schizotypy, as assessed by the PAS, is taxonic at the latent level with a low general population taxon base rate (i.e.,