Postprandial leucine and insulin responses and toxicological effects of a novel whey protein hydrolysate-based supplement in rats

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was: aim 1) compare insulin and leucine serum responses after feeding a novel hydrolyzed whey protein (WPH)-based supplement versus a whey protein isolate (WPI) in rats during the post-absorptive state, and aim 2) to perform a thorough toxicological analysis on rats that consume different doses of the novel WPH-based supplement over a 30-day period. In male Wistar rats (~250 g, n?=?40), serum insulin and leucine concentrations were quantified up to 120 min after one human equivalent dose of a WPI or the WPH-based supplement. In a second cohort of rats (~250 g, n?=?20), we examined serum/blood and liver/kidney histopathological markers after 30 days of feeding low (1human equivalent dose), medium (3 doses) and high (6 doses) amounts of the WPH-based supplement. In aim 1, higher leucine levels existed at 15 min after WPH vs. WPI ingestion (p?=?0.04) followed by higher insulin concentrations at 60 min (p?=?0.002). In aim 2, liver and kidney histopathology/toxicology markers were not different 30 days after feeding with low, medium, high dose WPH-based supplementation or water only. There were no between-condition differences in body fat or lean mass or circulating clinical chemistry markers following the 30-day feeding intervention in aim 2. In comparison to WPI, acute ingestion of a novel WPH-based supplement resulted in a higher transient leucine response with a sequential increase in insulin. Furthermore, chronic ingestion of the tested whey protein hydrolysate supplement appears safe.     

用低温圆片键合实现传感器和微电子机械系统器件的集成和封装

集成化是传感器和微电子机械系统(MEMS)的发展方向,即将传感功能、逻辑电路和驱动功能集成在一块单芯片上。未来的系统芯片将能通过集成的传感器和逻辑电路收集并分析外界数据,将这些数据传输到中央处理器并产生必要的动作或反应。讨论了这种系统集成芯片对于封装和集成的要求,并提出一种能够满足这种要求的低温键合技术。同时这种低温键合技术还具有气密性封装、保留透明窗口等优点。     

The relationship of parental warm responsiveness and negativity to emerging behavior problems following traumatic brain injury in young children.

Parenting behaviors play a critical role in the child's behavioral development, particularly for children with neurological deficits. This study examined the relationship of parental warm responsiveness and negativity to changes in behavior following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in young children relative to an age-matched cohort of children with orthopedic injuries (OI). It was hypothesized that responsive parenting would buffer the adverse effects of TBI on child behavior, whereas parental negativity would exacerbate these effects. Children, ages 3–7 years, hospitalized for TBI (n = 80) or OI (n = 113), were seen acutely and again 6 months later. Parent–child dyads were videotaped during free play. Parents completed behavior ratings (Child Behavior Checklist; T. M. Achenbach & L. A. Rescorla, 2001) at both visits, with baseline ratings reflecting preinjury behavior. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression, with preinjury behavior ratings, race, income, child IQ, family functioning, and acute parental distress serving as covariates. Parental responsiveness and negativity had stronger associations with emerging externalizing behaviors and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms among children with severe TBI. Findings suggest that parenting quality may facilitate or impede behavioral recovery following early TBI. Interventions that increase positive parenting may partially ameliorate emerging behavior problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Executive functions and social competence in young children 6 months following traumatic brain injury.

Objective: This study examined the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in young children on executive functions and social competence, and particularly on the role of executive functions as a predictor of social competence. Method: Data were drawn from a prospective, longitudinal study. Participants were children between the ages of 3 years 0 months and 6 years 11 months at time of injury. The initial sample included 23 with severe TBI, 64 with moderate TBI, and 119 with orthopedic injuries (OI). All participants were assessed at 3 and 6 months postinjury. Executive functions were assessed using neuropsychological tests (Delayed Alternation task and Shape School) and parent ratings on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function and Child Behavior Questionnaire. Parents rated children's social competence on the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales, and Home and Community Social Behavior Scales. Results: Children with severe TBI displayed more negative outcomes than children with OI on neuropsychological tests, ratings of executive functions, and ratings of social competence (η2 ranged from .03 to .11). Neuropsychological tests of executive functions had significant but weak relationships with behavioral ratings of executive functions (ΔR2 ranged from .06 to .08). Behavioral ratings of executive functions were strongly related to social competence (ΔR2 ranged from .32 to .42), although shared rater and method variance likely contributed to these associations. Conclusions: Severe TBI in young children negatively impacts executive functions and social competence. Executive functions may be an important determinant of social competence following TBI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Quantifying home medication regimen changes and quality of life in patients receiving nocturnal home hemodialysis

Medication regimen simplification may improve adherence in end-stage kidney disease. The effect of nocturnal home hemodialysis (NHHD) on medication burden is unknown. A retrospective pilot study of NHHD patients was conducted. Medication information was collected at baseline, NHHD start, and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. SF-36 scores were collected at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months. The number of medications, pill burden, and number of administrations per day were determined. Medication Regimen Complexity Index was used at each time point as a comparator. Medications for anemia, mineral and bone disorders (MBD), cardiovascular (CV) disease, infection, and vitamins were analyzed for number of medications and pill burden. Thirty-five patients were included. Patients used 10.5 ± 4.4 medications at baseline and 11.8 ± 4.7 at the end of the study (P=NS). Regarding the number of medications, anemia medications, anti-infectives, and vitamins increased; MBD and CV medications decreased by the end of the study. Total pill burden did not change over 24 months, nor did anemia pill burden. Mineral bone disorder and CV pill burden decreased, and vitamins and anti-infective pill burden increased. Daily medication administration times decreased significantly from 5.0 ± 1.5 to 3.6 ± 1.5 by 24 months. Switching to NHHD was associated with a significant increase in Medication Regimen Complexity Index at 24 months (P<0.05). SF-36 scores increased significantly once patients began on NHHD. No measure of medication regimen complexity was correlated with the SF-36 score. Medication burden changes over time after starting NHHD. It is unknown what effect NHHD has on adherence or medication costs, and warrants further study in a prospective comparative investigation.     

Can a Web-based family problem-solving intervention work for children with traumatic brain injury?

Objective: To examine the feasibility and efficacy of a Web-based intervention for children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants: 6 families comprising 8 parents, 5 siblings, and 6 children with TBI (mean age=10.5 years). Intervention: Families received computers, Web cameras, and Internet access. Participants completed 7-11 online sessions and accompanying weekly videoconferences with the therapist. Main Outcome Measures: Outcomes included child behavior problems, social competence, executive function skills, and parent-child conflict. Results: Children with TBI rated Web site content as very to extremely helpful and reported high overall satisfaction. There was a trend for children with TBI to rate the videoconferences as less helpful than did other family members and relative to a face-to-face visit. Parents reported improvements in antisocial behaviors, and children with TBI reported reductions in conflict with parents regarding school. Conclusions: Web-based interventions hold promise for improving child outcomes following pediatric TBI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hostility and Distraction Have Differential Influences on Cardiovascular Recovery From Anger Recall in Women.

This study investigated the relation of dispositional hostility to cardiovascular reactivity during an anger-recall task and of hostility and distraction to posttask recovery in 80 healthy women (ages 18-30). Half were randomly assigned to distraction during recovery. Hostility predicted slower systolic blood pressure and preejection period during recovery. Distraction was related to faster cardiac recovery, higher high-frequency (HF) power, lower low-frequency (LF) power and LF:HF ratios, and lower state anger and rumination during recovery. These results indicate deleterious influences of hostility on cardiovascular recovery but not during anger recall. The findings also show beneficial effects of distraction in expediting cardiovascular recovery, possibly through reducing rumination and anger. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Useful Cybersecurity Metrics

Measuring cybersecurity is difficult, but other disciplines can offer important lessons and techniques for building a system that can help test hypotheses about system security.     

Guest Editors' Introduction: Managing Organizational Security

In this special issue, we focus on the challenges of managing organizational security, examining some of the nontechnical aspects of security that assure that the technology is chosen, implemented, and used appropriately and well.     

The relations between temperament and empathy in 2-year-olds.

The role of infant and toddler temperament in the prediction of empathy in 2-year-old children was examined. Assessments of temperament included reactivity and affect observed at 4 months of age, as well as inhibition at Age 2. Empathy was measured in 2-year-old children's responses to simulations of distress performed by their mothers and by an unfamiliar person. Children showed relatively more concern for the mother's distress, but they were also responsive to unfamiliar victims. Infants who were unreactive and showed little affect also showed less empathy toward the unfamiliar adult almost 2 years later. Inhibition toward an unfamiliar adult (but not toward the mother) at 2 years of age was negatively related to empathy. Inhibited temperament may thus have a major impact on young children's empathy in unfamiliar contexts. Findings also highlight the need to consider early underarousal as another dimension of temperament that may dampen expressions of empathic concern. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)