Poor P50 suppression among schizophrenia patients and their first-degree biological relatives

A Western blotting method for the detection of whey milk proteins in commercial soymilks was applied to assess the food safety. Soy proteins and milk proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE in PhastSystem equipment. After the electrophoretic separation, immunodetection with anti-bovine alpha-lactalbumin and anti-bovine beta-lactoglobulin antisera was performed. Adulteration with bovine protein in percentages of 0.1% in soy protein can be detected. Western blotting of bovine alpha-lactalbumin and bovine beta-lactoglobulin was applied to detect adulteration by bovine milk proteins in different soymilks: powdered soymilk and soy infant formulas.     

A computational study of the resistance of HIV-1 aspartic protease to the inhibitors ABT-538 and VX-478 and design of new analogues

The long-term clinical effects of soy protein containing various amounts of isoflavones on lipoproteins, mononuclear cell LDL receptor messenger RNA concentrations, and other selected cardiovascular risk factors are not well known. Sixty-six hypercholesterolemic, free-living, postmenopausal women were investigated during a 6-mo parallel-group, double-blind trial with 3 interventions. After a control period of 14 d, all subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary groups (all with 40 g protein): a National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Step 1 diet with protein from casein and nonfat dry milk (control), an NCEP Step 1 diet with protein from isolated soy protein containing moderate amounts of isoflavones (ISP56), or an NCEP Step 1 diet with protein from isolated soy protein containing high amounts of isoflavones (ISP90). Non-HDL cholesterol in both the ISP56 and ISP90 groups was reduced compared with the control group (P < 0.05), whereas total cholesterol was not changed. HDL cholesterol increased in both the ISP56 and ISP90 groups (P < 0.05), whereas the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol decreased significantly in both groups compared with the control (P < 0.05). Mononuclear cell LDL receptor messenger RNA concentrations increased in subjects consuming ISP56 or ISP90 compared with the control (P < 0.05). These results indicate that soy protein, with different amounts of isoflavones, may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease via improved blood lipid profiles, and that the mechanism by which apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins were depressed may be via alterations in LDL receptor quantity or activity.     

Effect of two types of fish oil supplementation on plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids in formula-fed term infants

We studied the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation of infant formulas on fatty acid composition of blood phospholipids in term infants. Two fish oil supplemented formulas containing 0.45 wt% DHA and high (0.35%) or low (0.10%) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were fed for 42 days and compared with a standard formula and breast milk. Infants fed supplemented formulas and breast milk had similar time-dependent changes for DHA from birth to day 42, i.e., slight decreases in plasma phospholipids and erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine and no change in erythrocyte phosphatidylethanolamine. Low-EPA formula prevented EPA accumulation but did not limit the significant decrease in arachidonic acid (AA) noted in infants fed high-EPA formula. These results suggest that term infant formulas should be supplemented with DHA-rich EPA, low fish oil and AA to achieve a fatty acid status in formula-fed infants similar to that of breast-fed infants.     

Dietary modifications versus dicyclomine hydrochloride in the treatment of severe infantile colics

This study examined 120 infants, aged 3-12 weeks, with severe colics and compared the results of a specific hypoallergenic diet (group A) with those of pharmacological treatment (group B). Non-breast-fed group A infants received soy milk and if unresponsive, hydrolyzed milk formulas; mothers of breast-fed infants received a diet without cow's milk, eggs or fish. Breast-fed and non-breast-fed group B infants received dicyclomine hydrochloride 3 mg/kg/day. Results, based on quantitative measurements of crying, indicated that in breast-fed infants there was no significant improvement between group A (62.5%) and group B (66.6%) infants. Among formula-fed infants, comparison of positive results using soy milk (65.9%) with positive results using dicyclomine (53.3%) was not significant; positive results using soy milk and hydrolyzed milk formulas in non-responders to soy milk, provided an improvement in 95.4% of cases. Pharmacological treatment provided an improvement in 53.3% of cases. The difference was significant (p < 0.01).     

Evaluation of plaque pH changes following oral rinse with eight infant formulas

Inappropriate feeding habits have been identified as major factors associated with the development of baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries. An in vivo/in vitro combination technique was developed to investigated the plaque pH changes associated with rinsing with eight different infant formulas. These eight formulas represented four categories: 1) formulas with iron, 2) formulas with low iron, 3) soy formulas 4) and protein hydrolyzate formulas (from the manufacturers Mead Johnson Nutritionals and Ross Laboratories). All formulas had the ability to reduce the pH significantly below the pre-rinse plaque pH. Furthermore, the average minimum pH for formulas from the two manufacturers did not differ within each formula category except for the soy-based formulas, where, rinsing with Isomil produced a significantly lower plaque pH than ProSobee. These results suggest that infant formulas are acidogenic and therefore may play a significant role in the development of baby bottle tooth decay.     

Evaluation of single cell sources of docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid: a 4-week oral safety study in rats

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) are secreted in human milk and consumed by the nursing neonate but are not present in infant formulas currently available in the US. Supplementation of formulas with DHA and ARA may be particularly important for premature infants, who have less accretion of these fatty acids in utero than term infants. Some experts suggest that DHA and ARA should be added to infant formulas. Common sources of these fatty acids (e.g. fish oils, egg yolk lipids) are not optimal for infants in that they contain disproportionate amounts of other fatty acids. This 4-wk study examined the safety of a high-DHA algal oil and a high-ARA fungal oil, blended so that the DHA:ARA ratio approximates that in human milk. Rats were fed the blend at levels representing three, 11 and 22 times the anticipated infant exposure. Control animals were fed either a high-fat diet (13.1%, w/w; equivalent to the fat content of the treated groups) or a low-fat diet (5%, w/w). There were no treatment-related differences in body weight, food intake, organ weights, haematology or clinical chemistry. Thus, this study indicates that a blend of algal and fungal oils is a safe source of DHA and ARA as it produced no adverse effects in rats when administered for 4 wk at levels up to 22 times the expected infant exposure.     

Within- and between-person variations in portion sizes of foods consumed by the Japanese population

BACKGROUND: Addition of soy polysaccharide to infant formulas has previously been shown to reduce the duration of diarrhea in infants with acute gastroenteritis. Fiber is metabolized to short-chain fatty acids that have been shown to be beneficial in inducing adaptation in the small bowel. We therefore hypothesize that a soy-polysaccharide-supplemented infant formula may be potentially advantageous in the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome and could have a trophic effect on the remaining small intestine. METHODS: Male Spraque-Dawley rats weighing 250 g were divided into two groups. One group received Isomil, a standard infant soy formula. The second group received Isomil supplemented with fiber, Isomil DF. Half the animals in each dietary group were subjected to 80% jejunoileal resection and the reminder were sham operated. Animals were pair-fed one of two diets for 14 days. At the conclusion of the 14-day period, mucosal weight and sucrase and lactase levels in the remaining duodenum and ileum were determined. RESULTS: Resected animals fed fiber-supplemented formulas had significantly higher sucrase and lactase levels in the proximal bowel. Comparable results were not observed in the sham-operated animals. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of soy polysaccharide to infant formulas fed to children with short bowel syndrome might potentially improve small intestinal functional adaptation as well as positively affecting stool consistency.     

Supplementation of milk replacers containing soy protein with threonine, methionine, and lysine in the diets of calves

An attempt was made to improve the protein quality supplied in milk replacers containing soy protein by supplementing Thr, Met, and Lys to the milk replacers fed to calves. Six Holstein x indigenous male calves were fitted with single cannulas at the end of the ileum. Calves were fed milk replacers containing skim milk (86%) and whey (14%) proteins or skim (43%), whey (14%), and soy (43%) proteins either with or without amino acid (AA) supplementation according to a double 3 x 3 Latin square design. Average daily gain, N retention, and ileal digestibilities of dry matter, N, and AA were significantly higher for calves fed the milk replacer containing skim milk protein than for calves fed the milk replacer containing soy protein. Average daily gain, N retention, and ileal digestibilities of dry matter, N, and AA were significantly higher for calves fed the milk replacer containing soy protein plus AA supplementation than for calves fed the milk replacer containing the soy protein without AA supplementation. Therefore, supplementation of a milk replacer containing the soy protein without AA supplementation. Therefore, supplementation of a milk replacer containing soy protein with limiting AA that correspond to the AA found in milk protein can considerably improve the protein quality of that milk replacer for the preruminant calf.     

Copper, iron, and zinc contents of mature human milk

Daily, weekly, and within-day variations in copper, iron, and zinc contents of human milk were investigated in order to determine whether one sample from an individual is representative of these elements. Total solids, fat, and protein contents were also measured. Fifty women in their 6th to 12th week of lactation each provided seven milk samples consisting of five consecutive daily samples and two additional samples collected either within a single day or at weekly intervals. Fat varied the most of all constituents and total milk solids reflected this variability. Values ranged from 0.2 to 10.4 g/100 ml for fat and from 8.58 to 17.49 g/100 ml for total solids. Protein varied from 0.76 to 2.04 g/100 ml among individuals, with little variation within an individual. Copper content varied considerably among women and within the same woman. With a large proportion of low values, the range was 0.09 to 0.63 mug/ml. Iron content was also found to vary within women as well as among women. Values ranged from less than 0.1 to 1.6 mug/ml with a preponderance of low values. Zinc content was more evenly distributed over the range of 0.14 to 3.95 mug/ml,and within an individual it did not vary widely. A representative estimate of copper and iron contents would therefore require multiple samples, whereas only one sample may provide a representative estimate of zinc content. Comparison of morning, midday, and evening values showed that copper and zinc are higher in the morning and iron is lower at this time. Increased amounts of copper, iron, and zinc were found in multiparous women whether or not they had previously lactated. Milk from older women had lower iron and higher copper and zinc contents than that from younger women. No differences were found in milk of women receiving dietary mineral and vitamin supplements. Calculations indicated that fully breast fed infants under 3 months of age receive approximately 0.35 mg/kg per day of zinc and 0.05 mg/kg per day of both copper and iron.     

Antiinflammatory effects of human milk on chemically induced colitis in rats

We examined the effects of a human milk diet on rats with chemical colitis induced with a 4% acetic acid enema. Colonic myeloperoxidase activity was used as a surrogate marker for neutrophil infiltration. Control rats fed rat chow had little colonic myeloperoxidase activity; geometric mean, 0.27 U/g of tissue. Rats with colitis fed rat chow had significantly increased colonic myeloperoxidase activity (geometric mean, 6.76 U/g, p < 0.01 versus no colitis), as did rats with colitis fed infant formula or Pedialyte (geometric mean, 6.92 and 8.13 U/g, respectively, both p < 0.01 versus no colitis). Animals with colitis fed human milk had significantly lower colonic myeloperoxidase activity (geometric mean, 2.34 U/g) than did animals with colitis fed either chow or infant formula (p < 0.001). Similar effects were seen in rats with colitis fed infant formula supplemented with recombinant human IL-1 receptor antagonist (geometric mean, 1.95 U/g). These data show that orally administered human milk has an antiinflammatory effect on chemically induced colitis in rats, which may be mediated in part by IL-1 receptor antagonist contained in human 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.     

Effects of soy milk and bifidobacterium fermented soy milk on lipid metabolism in aged ovariectomized rats

The effects of soy milk and fermented soy milk on lipid metabolism were studied in aged ovariectomized rats. Twenty 8-mo-old Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: sham-operated + control diet (sham-C); ovariectomized (OVX) + control diet (OVX-C); OVX + soy milk diet (OVX-SM); and OVX + fermented soy milk diet (OVX-FSM). The rats were fed on these diets for 6 weeks. Ovariectomy induced an increase in the plasma cholesterol level by 40%. The plasma total cholesterol level of the OVX-FSM rats was decreased by 20% compared to that of the OVX-C rats. The plasma total cholesterol level of the OVX-SM group was not significantly different from that of the OVX-C and sham-C rats. The plasma triglyceride level of the OVX-FSM rats was lower than that of the sham-C rats. The liver cholesterol content in OVX-SM and OVX-FSM rats was lower than that of the OVX-C rats. The liver triglyceride contents of the sham-C, OVX-SM, and OVX-FSM groups were lower than that of the OVX-C group. Fecal steroid excretion did not differ among the groups. Ovariectomy decreased the uterus weight. The OVX-SM and OVX-FSM groups had the same uterus weights as those of the OVX-C group. Thus, the diet including fermented soy milk prevented the cholesterol elevation induced in rats by ovarian hormone deficiency.     

Effects of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) on Escherichia coli and bacteriophage systems

The aim of this work was twofold: to study the binding pattern of trace elements in formulas as compared with breast milk and the relationship between trace elements in breast milk and in maternal dietary intake. To investigate the binding form of trace elements in these nutritive fluids, methods for protein separation were combined with methods for trace element determination in the eluted fractions. HPLC and ICP-AES or ICP-MS were coupled on-line for the simultaneous speciation of elements of nutritional interest, viz., Ca, K, Mg, P, S, Co, Cu, Fe, I, Mn, Mo, Se and Zn, and also the heavy metals Cd and Pb in both human mild whey and formulas. In order to minimize interactions between the labile metal protein complexes and the column material, size-exclusion chromatography was used for protein separation. The binding pattern of trace elements in formulas is significantly different from that in breast milk and depends on its main component (cow's milk or soy), its processing (hydrolysis) and the chemical form (inorganic) of the added compounds. For example, compared with breast-fed infants the iron supply of formula-fed infants is much higher (up to 20-fold); in addition, the binding forms of Fe are very different in the two fluids. This has to be evaluated with respect to interactions with other elements during intestinal uptake. The investigation of breast milk samples from different regions of the world showed comparable shapes for teh elution profiles and for Mo and Se a dependence on the regional maternal dietary intake. Speciation studies carried out on breast milk samples as a function of the selenium content showed significant changes in the zinc-binding pattern. In particular, citrate (as a zinc-binding component) was found to decrease with increasing dietary selenium intake of the mother.     

On cyclins, oocytes, and eggs

We studied the preventive effect against allergies in infants who and whose mothers consumed hypoallergenic formulas until 6 months after birth. Mother and infant pairs were divided into three groups, and the infants were monitored for the development of allergies for the first 2 years. In the MD group (n = 102; n = number of infants), the mothers were given a hypoallergenic formula for mothers (MOM HA), which contained hydrolyzed whey protein as the only protein source, as a substitution for cow's milk during late pregnancy and lactation. In the CD group (n = 127), the mothers were given cow's milk during the corresponding period. All infants in the MD and CD groups were exclusively breast-fed or mixed-fed with breast milk and hypoallergenic infant formula (NAN HA), which contains the same hydrolyzed protein as MOM HA. In the AF group (n = 54), the mothers consumed MOM HA and their infants were mixed-fed with breast milk and a cow's milk-based adopted infant formula during the corresponding period. In the MD group, no infants were positive to cow's milk-specific immunoglobulin E (RAST) at 4 months of age, in contrast to 6% and 3% of infants in the CD and AF groups, respectively. The infants in the MD group showed low incidence of various allergies, especially of eczema, as compared to the CD and AF groups. These results suggest that consumption of cow's milk by mothers and cow's milk-based formula feeding to infants elevate the risk of allergies in infants, and that consumption of hypoallergenic formula for pregnant and lactating women and for infants could be helpful in preventing allergy development in infants.     

Retinal morphology and visual pigment levels in 6- and 12-month-old rhesus monkeys fed a taurine-free human infant formula

Rhesus monkey infants were raised from birth until 6 or 12 months of age on a taurine-free soy protein-based human infant formula or on the same formula supplemented with taurine. An additional group received taurine-free formula until 6 months and then the supplemented diet from 6 until 12 months. The densities of rod and cone visual pigments were measured by fundus reflectometry at 6 and 12 months, and retinal morphology was then examined by light and electron microscopy. The densities of rhodopsin, measured in the near periphery after a white bleach, and of cone pigment, measured in the macula after a red bleach, were significantly reduced in the taurine-deprived monkeys at 6 months but not at 12 months. The retinas of 6-month-old taurine-deprived infants showed degenerative morphological changes in photoreceptors, particularly in cones in the foveal region, which were somewhat less severe than those seen in a previous study at 3 months of age. The prevalence and degree of these abnormalities continued to decrease with age in taurine-deprived animals, but changes persisted in some animals at 12 months. Recovery was more complete in monkeys reversed to the supplemented diet from 6 to 12 months. Thus, monkey infants are dependent on dietary taurine to maintain normal retinal structure until at least 6 months of age; the effects of taurine deprivation regress spontaneously but incompletely by 12 months.     

The effects of dietary soybean versus skim milk protein on plasma and hepatic concentrations of zinc in veal calves

We assessed the zinc status of veal calves that were fed milk replacers containing either skim milk protein as the sole source of protein or a mixture of skim milk protein and soybean protein. After the milk replacers had been fed for 26 wk, mean body weight gain was 3 kg lower for calves fed the skim milk plus soybean proteins; this decrease was not significant. Inclusion of dietary protein from soybeans versus milk protein alone reduced plasma concentrations of zinc by 43% and reduced hepatic concentrations of zinc by 81%. The impairment of zinc status that was induced by the inclusion of soybean protein was probably caused by its phytate component. The effect of soybean protein on zinc status was rather specific because plasma and hepatic concentrations of copper were unaffected. Despite the high concentration of zinc (142 mg/kg of dry matter) in the milk replacer that contained milk plus soybean proteins, calves displayed a shortage of zinc because their plasma and hepatic concentrations of zinc were significantly reduced.     

Influence of pyridoxine supplementation on vitamin B-6 levels in milk of rats deficient in the vitamin

Levels of vitamin B-6 in milk from pyridoxine deficient dams were used as an indicator of the ability of pyridoxine to protect offspring against the effects of the deficiency. Sprague Dawley rats were fed a basal diet containing 30.0 (control) or 1.2 (deficient) mg pyridoxine-HC1/kg diet from weaning throughout growth, gestation and until 5 days postpartum. At this time, deficient dams were supplemented by a single intraperitoneal injection of 600 mug pyridoxine-HC1, or by adding 30 or 60 mg pyridoxine-HC1/kg to the diet. The vitamin B-6 content in milk form the group supplemented by injection exceeded the control level of 38.8 mug/100 ml milk 30 minutes after the injection, and reached a peak level of 110.7 mug/100 ml at 4 hours with a subsequent decline to 27mug/100 ml at 20 hours. In rats supplemented orally with 30 or 60 mg pyridoxine-HC1/kg diet, the vitamin B-6 level in the milk reached the control value in 24 and 6 hours, respectively. At 120 hours, orally supplemented dams had significantly higher levels of vitamin B-6 in the milk than control animals. Vitamin supplementation of dams by a single injection of pyridoxine-HC1 was sufficient to overcome the pyridoxine deficiency syndrome in the pups, but was not adequate for optimum growth.     

A simple method of adding land marks in scintigrams]

In a study of fifty-five human milk samples from eastern Pennsylvania, the total DDT derived products exceeded the DDT content of cows milk and canned infant formula. Total DDT in human milk exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's tolerance for total DDT in cows milk in 47% of the samples. Four factors were identified statistically as accounting for 54% of the variance on total DDT levels in human milk. These factors are: (1) number of children nursed; (2) number of cigarettes smoked per day; (3) use of non-persistent pesticides; and (4) diet in calories.     

Absorption of zinc from lupin (Lupinus angustifolius)-based foods

The absorption of Zn from a lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) milk fortified with Ca, a bread containing lupin flour (230 g/kg), a sauce containing lupin flour and a sauce containing a lupin-protein isolate was determined in humans by measuring the whole-body retention of radioisotope from meals labelled with 0.02 MBq 65Zn, allowing for endogenous excretion of Zn, after 14 d. The absorption of Zn from the Ca-enriched milk (16.2%) and the bread made with lupin flour (27.0%) was similar to literature figures for comparable soya-bean products. The absorption from composite meals made with lupin flour (28.2%) and protein isolate (32.7%) was significantly higher than that reported for comparable soya-bean products. In a second experiment the absorption of Zn from a lupin-milk base and a soya-bean-milk base was compared with that from Ca-supplemented bases. The absorption of Zn from the lupin-milk base (26.3%) was significantly higher than from the soya-bean-milk base (17.6%), and neither was significantly altered by the addition of Ca. Overall the absorption of Zn from lupin-protein foods was found to be higher than from comparable soya-bean products. Lupin milk could be an attractive alternative to soya-bean milk for infant formulas.     

A double-blind study of paroxetine, fluoxetine, and placebo in outpatients with major depression

Human milk has a higher concentration of nucleotides than bovine milk which is the source of most infant formulas. As the composition of human milk is considered the 'gold standard,' an increasing number of infant formulas are supplemented with nucleotides. This review summarises the biology of human milk nucleotides and evaluates the studies which investigated the clinical benefits of feeding infants with nucleotide-supplemented formulas. Although dietary nucleotides have been suggested to have beneficial gastrointestinal and immunological effects, nucleotide-supplemented formula feeding has not been shown to confer the same benefits as breast feeding, and randomised controlled trials have yet to prove that healthy term infants fed nucleotide-supplemented formulas compared to those fed nonsupplemented formulas, have accelerated physical growth and neurological development, better growth and development of their gastrointestinal tract resulting in improved digestive and absorptive functions, enhanced development of their immune system resulting in increased resistance to infection and lower bacterial and viral infection rates during infancy, and a more favourable intestinal microflora associated with a lower rate of infectious diarrhoea. However, a randomised controlled trial has reported that term infants with severe intrauterine growth retardation do have better catch-up growth with nucleotide supplementation. The hypothesis that nucleotides are semi-essential nutrients needs to be further studied, in particular in the presence of prematurity, fetal growth retardation, intestinal injury and limited nutrient intake. As no deleterious effects have been reported with the use of nucleotide-supplemented formulas, the first of which was introduced over 30 years ago, such products are considered safe when nucleotides are supplemented to an amount equivalent to the free nucleotide concentration of human milk. More basic and clinical research studies are awaited to further define the biology and role of human milk nucleotides, and to critically assess the potential benefits and appropriate level of nucleotide supplementation of infant formula.