Children's hedonic response to berry products: Effect of chemical composition of berries and hTAS2R38 genotype on liking

The hedonic response of 104 healthy children, recruited from day-care centres and schools, to 12 different berry products with varying content of added sugar was studied. The berries used as ingredients were blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum), sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea). Another aim of the study was to study the effects of the chemical composition of berries as well as children’s hTAS2R38 taste receptor genotypes on liking. The most liked product was bilberry with yoghurt, followed by bilberry juice, dried bilberries, and lingonberry rye bread. The most disliked products were sea buckthorn juice, sea buckthorn berries with yoghurt, and oatmeal with blackcurrant powder and berry oil. High total organic acid concentration was strongly related with a poor average liking score of the berries/berry products. A total of four different alleles of hTAS2R38 gene were observed in the study. Of the genotyped children, 45% were bitter taste insensitive individuals of the genotype AVI/AVI, and 40% were of the genotype PAV/AVI. Children of the genotype PAV/AVI were reported using more vegetables, but not berries, than the AVI/AVI children. The results also show that the liking scores of the children of the AVI/AVI, PAV/AVI, and PAV/PAV genotypes differed from each other, and that the familiarity of a berry product is likely to be an important factor in liking.     

Reducing the sodium content in meat products: The effect of the formulation in low-sodium ground meat patties

This study investigated the effect of formulation on quality characteristics of low-sodium ground meat patties. The variation in sodium content was achieved by varying the NaCl content. The formulation variables studied were sodium and fat content and the use of phosphate. The patties were made using 50% or 60% meat in the formulations. Formulation affected the perceived saltiness of ground meat patties. Fat and lean meat content affected perceived saltiness, but their effects were opposite. When the fat content was increased the perceived saltiness increased, but when the meat content increased the perceived saltiness decreased. However, the effect of fat content on perceived saltiness was less than the effect of meat content. The use of phosphate effectively decreased cooking loss, particularly of high-fat-low-sodium patties. The same firmness could be reached with lower sodium content when phosphate was used.     

Positional distribution of decanoic acid: Effect on chylomicron and VLDL TAG structures and postprandial lipemia

Although medium-chain FA (MCFA) are mainly absorbed via the portal venous system, they are also incorporated into chylomicron TAG; therefore, the positional distribution of MCFA in TAG is likely to affect their metabolic fate. We studied chylomicron and VLDL TAG structures, as well as the magnitude of postprandial lipemia, after two oral fat loads containing decanoic acid (10∶0) predominantly at the sn-1(3),2 (MML) or at the sn-1,3 positions (MLM) of TAG in a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial with 10 healthy, normal-weight volunteers. An MS-MS method was used to analyze TAG regioisomers. The position of decanoic acid in chylomicron TAG reflected its position in the TAG ingested, and TAG with none, one, two, or three decanoic acid residues were detected after ingestion of both fats. More (P<0.05) 30∶0 and 38∶1 TAG (acyl carbons:double bonds) and fewer 46∶5, 54∶5 and 54∶4 TAG were found in chylomicrons after ingestion of MML than after MLM. The VLDL TAG composition did not differ between the fat loads but did change (P<0.05) 2 to 6 h after ingestion of both fats. No statistical differences were seen between the fat loads in areas under the plasma, chylomicron, or VLDL TAG response curves or in FFA concentrations. Thus, the positional distribution of MCFA in TAG affects their metabolic, fate, but the magnitude of postprandial lipemia does not seem to be dependent on the positional distribution of MCFA in the ingested fat.     

Average total dietary intakes of organochlorine compounds from the finnish diet

As a contribution to the FAO/WHO organochlorine monitoring programme, samples of milk, eggs, beef pork, chops, game, animal livers as well as fish-liver oils were analysed for PCB-, DDT- and toxaphene compounds, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), heptachlor and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH).From the annual consumption of the foodstuffs investigated average intakes of organochlorines were estimated and compared with the acceptable daily intakes (ADI) as set by FAO/WHO. Intakes from the sources studied were then compared with those from fish, butter and margarine. Total average dietary intakes were determined to be 14.4 g/day for PCB, 2.9 for DDT, 2,3 for -HCH, 1.7 for HCB, and 0.5 g/day for heptachlor representing 0.08% of the ADI for DDT, 0.3% for HCH, 4.2% for HCB and 1.4% of the ADI for heptachlor.

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Mittlere Gesamtaufnahme an Organochlor-Verbindungen in der finnischen Diät

Zusammenfassung Als Beitrag zur Organochlorkontrolle und der aufgenommenen Menge wurden Milch, Eier, Rindfleisch, Schweinekotlett, Wild, Tierleber sowie Lebertran auf PCB-, DDT- und Toxaphen-Verbindungen, Hexachlorbenzol (HCB), Heptachlor und Hexachlorocyclohexan (HCH) analysiert.Aus der jährlich eingenommenen Menge der analysierten Lebensmittel wurde die durchschnittlich aufgenommene Menge an Organochlor-Verbindungen berechnet und mit den von der FAO/WHO festgesetzten täglichen Mengen verglichen. Danach wurden diese Werte mit jenen von Fisch, Butter und Margarine verglichen. Die täglich aufgenommenen Mengen wurden daraus mit folgendem Ergebnis berechnet: PCB = 14,4 g/Tag; DDT =2,9 g/Tag; -HCH=2,3 g/Tag; HCB=1,7 g/Tag und Heptachlor =0,5 g/Tag.

     

Reversible surface binding of cadmium and lead by lactic acid and bifidobacteria

Extensive cadmium and lead contamination of water has been reported to occur locally as a result of human activities. Lactic acid bacteria have been reported to remove cadmium and lead from water. The aim of this work was to clarify the mechanisms of cadmium and lead removal from water. In addition, the effect of other metals, reversibility of binding and recyclability of the biomass was assessed. Based on our earlier data, the two most promising lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus fermentum ME3 and Bifidobacterium longum 46, were selected for these experiments. The results showed that the presence of other cationic metals and blocking of carboxyl and phosphoryl groups reduced cadmium and lead removal. These results suggest involvement of electrostatic interactions in cadmium and lead removal, and support our earlier findings. Transmission electron micrographs showed large deposits of lead on the bacterial surface suggesting formation of metallic lead precipitates. Both cadmium and lead removal were reversible processes established by full recovery of removed metal after desorption with dilute solutions of EDTA and HNO(3). Resorption capacity of both biomasses tested was reduced after regeneration with 10 mM EDTA and 15 mM HNO(3). Taken together, the results suggest involvement of several reversible mechanisms such as ion exchange and precipitation in cadmium and lead binding by lactic acid bacteria. The results show that specific lactic acid bacteria have the potential for removal of cadmium and lead from water although reduction in resorption capacity after regeneration of the biomass may form a problem. Since the studies so far have mainly focused on removal of single metals from pure water, metal removal in conditions of natural waters should be assessed in further experiments.     

The effects of past and anticipated future downsizing on survivor well-being: An Equity perspective.

Worker well-being was examined as a function of past downsizing and expectations concerning future downsizing. Data from 1,297 Finnish workers were analyzed using analysis of variance and structural modeling analysis. Having experienced downsizing in the past or anticipating downsizing in the future was associated with elevated levels of inequity, which in turn were associated with elevated levels of psychological strain, cynicism, and absence. There were also direct effects of past/anticipated future downsizing on strain, cynicism. and absence, meaning that inequity only partly mediated the relationship between downsizing and well-being. Moreover, well-being varied as a function of type of downsizing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-esteem and the occupational stress process: Testing two alternative models in a sample of blue-collar workers.

Blue-collar workers (4,506 men and 939 women) participated in a survey comparing 2 alternative models, one assuming the level of self-esteem (SE) to result to a significant extent from the strain induced by occupational stressors and the other stating that the level of SE is a determinant of stressor perception and experienced strain. The results of multiple regression analyses did not support the latter model, whereas the 1st model was partially supported: Monotony was associated with increased strain and decreased SE among younger (≤ 35 yrs) male participants and older (≥ 35 yrs) female participants. These observations were made in the context of psychological strain symptoms but not in the context of physiological strain symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

芬兰——在北欧你可靠的贸易伙伴

1　基本概况芬兰位于北纬 60 - 70°之间 ,是世界上最北的国家之一。 2 0 0多万年前发生的冰川作用 ,使境内星罗棋布地形成了 187888个湖泊 ,成为举世闻名的“千湖之国”。芬兰面积为 3380 0 0ｋｍ2 ,其中 10 %是水域。森林 -主要是松树和针枞树 -占国土面积的 68% ,耕种的土地占 6% ,大麦和燕麦是主要作物。芬兰共有 52 0万居民 ,平均人口密度每平方公里只有 17人 ,预期寿命 77岁 ,人口年增长率为0 . 2 %。 77%为城市居民 ,赫尔辛基及邻近的城市爱斯坡和梵泰有 90万人。其它主要的城市包括坦庇埃、土可、奥罗及拉第。人口统计的金字塔与绝…