Determination of Phytic Acid in Juices and Milks by Developing a Quick Complexometric-Titration Method

Food Analytical Methods - Phytic acid is a compound regularly found in plant-based food and beverages. Although it may provide some health benefits to human body, it is commonly defined as an...     

Demographic characteristics as predictors of recidivism and posthospital employment.

Analyzed the relationship between patient demographic characteristics and psychiatric outcome as measured by recidivism and posthospital employment. Ss were 78 former psychiatric patients. Results indicate that the overwhelming amount of variance in recidivism accounted for by demographic data can be attributed to the number of previous hospitalizations. Similarly, 1 demographic variable (employment history) accounted for the major amount of variance in posthospital employment. Implications for research investigations of psychiatric treatment outcome are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Group composition using interpersonal skills: An analogue study on the effects of members' interpersonal skills on peer ratings and group cohesiveness.

Analyzed characteristics of groups in which all members were rated previously as performing at either high or low levels of interpersonal skills during a behavioral assessment procedure. Ss were 138 undergraduates. Group members evaluated each other's interpersonal behavior and their group's cohesiveness after a 2-hr leaderless session. Members of highly skilled groups were seen as more empathically understanding, more honest and open, more accepting, and as discussing more personally meaningful topics. Highly skilled groups were seen as more cohesive. It is suggested that a behavioral approach to group composition has a powerful effect on group members' perceptions of each other and of their group experience. (15 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inhibition of Bacterial and Filamentous Fungal Growth in High Moisture,Nonsterile Corn with Intermittent Pumping of Trans‐2‐Hexenal Vapor

Trans‐2‐hexenal (T2H), a plant‐produced aldehyde, was intermittently pumped over a 7 d period into a small, bench top model of stored corn (nonsterile, moisture content about 23%). Naturally occurring bacteria and fungi, including added Aspergillus flavus, grew rapidly on corn not treated with T2H vapor. However, intermittently pumped T2H (30 min per 2 h or 30 min per 12 h) significantly reduced bacterial and fungal viable populations, with nearly 100% fungal viability loss observed after either (1) one day of pumping at the 30 min per 2 h rate or (2) pumping cycles of 30 min per 12 h period over the initial 48 to 72 h of incubation. Data suggest that short‐term intermittent fumigation of stored corn with T2H could prevent growth of bacteria and mycotoxigenic fungi such as A. flavus.     

Physiological adaptation of Escherichia coli after transfer onto refrigerated ground meat and other solid matrices: A molecular approach

Bacteria on meat are subjected to specific living conditions that differ drastically from typical laboratory procedures in synthetic media. This study was undertaken to determine the behavior of bacteria when transferred from a rich-liquid medium to solid matrices, as is the case during microbial process validation. Escherichia coli cultured in Brain-Heart Infusion (BHI) broth to different growth phases were inoculated in ground beef (GB) and stored at 5°C for 12 days or spread onto BHI agar and cooked meat medium (CMM), and incubated at 37°C for several hours. We monitored cell densities and the expression of σ factors and genes under their control over time. The initial growth phase of the inoculum influenced growth resumption after transfer onto BHI agar and CMM. Whatever the solid matrix, bacteria adapted to their new environment and did not perceive stress immediately after inoculation. During this period, the σ(E) and σ(H) regulons were not activated and rpoD mRNA levels adjusted quickly. The rpoS and gadA mRNA levels did not increase after inoculation on solid surfaces and displayed normal growth-dependent modifications. After transfer onto GB, dnaK and groEL gene expression was affected more by the low temperature than by the composition of a meat environment.     

Validation of genomic predictions for wellness traits in US Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of wellness trait genetic predictions in commercial herds of US Holstein cows from herds that do not contribute phenotypic information to the evaluation. Tissue samples for DNA extraction were collected from more than 3,400 randomly selected pregnant Holstein females in 11 herds and 2 age groups (69% nulliparous, 31% primiparous) approximately 30 to 60 d before their expected calving date. Lactation records from cows that calved between September 1, 2015, and December 31, 2015, were included in the analysis. Genomically enhanced predicted transmitting abilities for the wellness traits of retained placenta, metritis, ketosis, displaced abomasum, mastitis, and lameness were estimated by the Zoetis genetic evaluation and converted into standardized transmitting abilities. Mean reliabilities of the animals in the study ranged between 45 and 47% for each of the 6 traits. Animals were ranked by their standardized transmitting abilities within herd and age group then assigned to 1 of 4 groups of percentile-based genetic groups of equal size. Adverse health events, including retained placenta, metritis, ketosis, displaced abomasum, mastitis, and lameness, were collected from on-farm herd management software, and animal phenotype was coded as either healthy (0), diseased (1), or excluded for each of the 6 outcomes of interest. Statistical analysis was performed using a generalized linear mixed model with genetic group, age group, and lactation as fixed effects, whereas herd and animal nested within herd were set as random effects. Results of the analysis indicated that the wellness trait predictions were associated with differences in phenotypic disease incidence between the worst and best genetic groups. The difference between the worst and best genetic groups in recorded disease incidence was 2.9% for retained placenta, 10.8% for metritis, 1.1% for displaced abomasum, 1.7% for ketosis, 7.4% for mastitis, and 3.9% for lameness. Odds ratio estimates between the highest and lowest genetic groups ranged from 1.6 (lameness) to 17.1 (displaced abomasum) for the 6 traits analyzed. These results indicate that wellness trait information of young calves and heifers can be used to effectively predict meaningful differences in future health performance. Improving wellness traits through direct genetic selection presents a compelling opportunity for dairy producers to help reduce disease incidence and improve profitability when coupled with sound management practices.