Immunoglobulin A levels in southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) milk during the suckling period

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in milk samples from southern elephant seals at King George Island, Antarctica are reported. IgA levels were determined throughout the suckling period (approximately 23 days). The IgA concentration in southern elephant seal milk was lower than in other mammals and, unlike most mammalian milk, was not high during early lactation. There was not a definite pattern in IgA levels, which fluctuated within narrow limits throughout the suckling period (mean +/- SD, 30.81 +/- 6.38 mg IgA/100 g milk). If IgG was present, its level was too low to be detected by the method used. This is the first evidence in Southern elephant seal of the possibility of transmission of passive immunity after birth involving secretion of IgA in the milk.     

Demonstration of Sustainable Development of Groundwater through Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)

Water Resources Management - Sustained pumping of groundwater can lead to declining water levels in wellfields and concerns regarding the sustainability of groundwater resources. Aquifer Storage...     

Noninvasive Raman spectroscopy of human tissue in vivo

We report the first transcutaneous Raman spectrum of human bone in vivo obtained at skin-safe laser illumination levels. The spectrum of thumb distal phalanx was obtained using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS), which provides chemically specific information on deep layers of human tissue, well beyond the reach of existing comparative approaches. The spectroscopy is based on collecting Raman spectra away from the point of laser illumination using concentric rings of optical fibers. As a generic analytical tool this approach paves the way for a range of uses including disease diagnosis, noninvasive probing of pharmaceutical products, biofilms, catalysts, paints, and in dermatological applications.     

Identification of extrinsic proteins in boneless cooked ham by SDS-PAGE: detection level in model systems

Protein extraction and separation in polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis with Laemmli system (SDS-PAGE) were used to establish the detection level of protein raw materials in mixtures with porcine meat in boneless cooked ham. Model systems of boneless cooked ham with soy protein isolates, caseinate, skim powdered milk, bovine plasma, porcine plasma and whey proteins were studied. The quantification level of this method was 0.5% for soy protein isolates, caseinate and bovine plasma and 1.0% for porcine plasma, milk powder and whey proteins in boneless cooked ham. The electrophoretic method proved to be useful to identify some proteinic raw materials in porcine meat products and verify compliance with Argentine legislation. It may be used as a control methodology.     

Effects of roasting and boiling of quinoa,kiwicha and kañiwa on composition and availability of minerals in vitro

BACKGOUND: Andean indigenous crops such as quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus) and kañiwa (Chenopodium pallidicaule) seeds are good sources of minerals (calcium and iron). Little is known, however, about mineral bioavailability in these grains. Thus the aim of the present study was to determine the iron, calcium and zinc potential availability in raw, roasted and boiled quinoa, kañiwa and kiwicha seeds. Potential availability was estimated by dialyzability. RESULTS: These seeds are good sources of phenolic compounds and kañiwa of dietary fiber. Their calcium, zinc and iron content is higher than in common cereals. In general, roasting did not significantly affect mineral dialyzability. Conversely, in boiled grains there was an increase in dialyzability of zinc and, in the case of kañiwa, also in iron and calcium dialyzability. CONCLUSION: Taking into account the high content of minerals in Andean grains, the potential contribution of these minerals would not differ considerably from that of wheat flour. Further studies are required to research the effect of extrusion on mineral availability in Andean grains. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Zinc levels in term and preterm milk

Zinc is an essential element, important for early growth and development, and immune competence, which deficiency might be especially critical in preterm infants. Since published data have shown that some preterm milks have abnormally low zinc values, we decided to measure zinc levels in term and preterm milk, in order to assess if they were within normal values and if there were differences between both groups. Samples from 24 preterm and 20 term mothers (mean gestational age, 30.9 + 0.5 and 39.5 + 0.2 weeks, respectively) were collected and kept at -20 degrees C until analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, prior wet ashing with nitric acid. Both term and preterm milk showed zinc values within normal levels. No significant differences were registered between them. A decreasing trend was observed along time, which was significant between colostrum and mature milk samples (ANOVA, p < 0.05). In the term group, zinc concentrations in colostrum and mature milk (microgram/mL) (mean +/- SEM) varied between 6.96 +/- 0.69 y 2.44 +/- 0.11, while in the preterm group the values were 6.20 +/- 0.89 y 2.28 +/- 0.54. According to our results, zinc values in human milk were comparable between preterm and term mothers.     

Wheat Flour Enriched with Calcium and Inulin: A Study of Hydration and Rheological Properties of Dough

The aim of this work was to study the effect of calcium (Ca) carbonate-inulin (In) systems on hydration and rheological properties of wheat flour dough. Wheat flour, Ca carbonate from 108 to 252 (mg Ca/100?g flour) content, and enriched In oligofructose at levels of 1% to 13% (flour basis), were used. Hydration dough properties were researched analyzing water absorption (W _abs), moisture content (M _cont), water activity (a _w), and relaxation time (??). W _abs and a _w decreased with increasing In levels independently of Ca content. Dough development time increased with the amount of Ca. In the presence of In, samples with the lowest content of Ca were those showing the highest development time values. Inulin was the main component that controled W _abs in dough. In the presence of CaCO₃, although water seemed to be in a free state according to the high a _w value measured (>0.975), the low value of relaxation time obtained suggests less molecular mobility. Rheological properties of dough were studied by texture, relaxation, and viscoelasticity assays. Dough hardness and consistency significantly increased with Ca and mainly with In content. At high In content, dough texture was enhanced by CaCO₃ due to the fact that this salt could behave as dough strengthener. Adhesiveness of dough was not modified by CaCO₃ at low In levels. However, Ca affected adhesiveness at intermediate In levels. Adhesiveness was significantly increased by In presence. Calcium and In both diminished dough cohesiveness. The In presence increased dough elasticity, independently of Ca content. A second-order polynomial model and response surface methodology were used for studying hydration dependence and rheological parameters (R ²?>?0.771) on Ca and In. Dough M _cont varied with In² and mainly inversely proportional to In. An inverse dependence of ?? on In was detected. Dynamic and relaxation elastic moduli (G?? and E ₃) showed a linear dependence on In.     

A two-part phase I trial of high-dose interleukin 2 in combination with soluble (Chinese hamster ovary) interleukin 1 receptor

Our purpose was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and toxicity associated with soluble Chinese hamster ovary [s(CHO)] recombinant human interleukin (IL) 1 receptor (IL-1R; Immunex, Seattle, WA) administration in humans and to determine the effective biological dose and/or maximum tolerated dose of the s(CHO) IL-1R in combination with high-dose IL-2 as determined by reduction in IL-2 toxicity and modulation of its biological effects. Twenty-seven patients with metastatic cancer were treated with escalating doses of s(CHO) IL-1R at 1, 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 55 mg/m2 i.v. on days -6 (except cohort 2), 1, and 15 and IL-2 at doses of 300,000 IU/kg (cohort 1) and 600,000 IU/kg (cohorts 2-7) i.v. every 8 h on days 1-5 and 15-19. No toxicity directly attributable to s(CHO) IL-1R was observed. The median number of IL-2 doses was 23. Hypotension and neurotoxicity were the major dose-limiting toxicities for the IL-2/s(CHO) IL-1R combination. Of the 24 patients treated with full-dose IL-2, there were six responses, three complete and three partial (response rate, 25%). Three patients developed thyroid dysfunction, and all 3 responding melanoma patients exhibited vitiligo. The t1/2 of s(CHO) IL-1R alone was 24-30 h and was not significantly altered by coadministration with IL-2. Whole-blood functional assays indicated that sufficient s(CHO) IL-1R was present in the circulation at top dose levels to inhibit the in vitro effects of IL-1beta on IL-8 induction; however, no effect on IL-2-induced IL-8 induction, or on the IL-1beta- or IL-2-induced tumor necrosis factor production, was observed. Suppression of IL-2-mediated tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-6 induction in vivo during the first 24 h after IL-2 administration was observed, and the neutrophil chemotactic defect normally seen with IL-2 was not observed. IL-1R antagonist induction far exceeded that seen previously with IL-2 alone. No inhibition of either serum C-reactive protein induction or enhanced urinary nitrate excretion and no consistent effect on IL-2-related changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell phenotype or endothelial adhesion molecule expression were seen. The coadministration of s(CHO) IL-1R produced no apparent reduction in IL-2 clinical toxicity manifested by either the ability to administer more IL-2 than anticipated or a reduction in the toxicity associated with a given amount of IL-2. Therefore, no effective biological dose could be identified for the s(CHO) IL-1R.     

Estimation of potentially available protein in infant starting formulas for term and preterm neonates

Sixteen milk-based starting formulas were analyzed with the aim of calculating their "true protein" content and assessing "in vitro" protein digestibility, in order to estimate levels of potentially available protein. Ten of them were designed for term infants: 7 had a casein:whey protein ratio 40:60 (adapted formulas) and 3 a ratio 80:20 (non-adapted); the 6 remaining formulas (all adapted) were for preterm infants. Nitrogen was determined by the Kjeldahl method. True protein was calculated as (total N--non-protein N) x 6.25. NPN was determined in the soluble fraction, after protein precipitation with 24% trichloroacetic acid and centrifugation. Digestibility was assessed by digestion with pepsin and pancreatin, and defined as the increase in non-protein N after enzymatic digestion. Values for true protein were from 1.3 to 2.3 g/dL and for non protein N, from 4.5 to 13.7%. Digestibility values varied between 59.0 and 92.5%; an inverse trend was observed between protein digestibility and protein content. Considering both the "true protein" levels and their digested proportions, all preterm and 60% of the term formulas would present potentially available amounts below those recommended. These observations constitute an alert, even though this method of assessing "in vitro" protein digestibility represents only an approximation to physiological processes; however, it could be useful in order to evaluate the intensity of the heat treatments to which these formulas were subjected. On the other hand, since NPN allows the estimation of the true protein provided by the formulas, either its percentage or the true protein content could be included on the label.     

Development and validation of an HPLC method for the quantification of vitamin A in human milk. Its application to a rural population in Argentina

A methodology for the quantification of vitamin A in human milk was developed and validated. Vitamin A levels were assessed in 223 samples corresponding to the 5th, 6th and 7th postpartum months, obtained in the province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. The samples (500 microL) were saponified with potassium hydroxide/ethanol, extracted with hexane, evaporated to dryness and reconstituted with methanol. A column RP-C18, a mobile phase methanol/water (91:9 v/v) and a fluorescence detector (lambda excitation 330 nm and lambda emition 470 nm) were used for the separation and quantification of vitamin A. The analytical parameters of linearity (r2: 0.9995), detection (0.010 microg/mL) and quantification (0.025 microg/mL) limits, precision of the method (relative standard deviation, RSD = 9.0% within a day and RSD = 8.9% among days) and accuracy (recovery = 83.8%) demonstrate that the developed method allows the quantification of vitamin A in an efficient way. The mean values + standard deviation (SD) obtained for the analyzed samples were 0.60 +/- 0.32; 0.65 +/- 0.33 and 0.61 +/- 0.26 microg/ mL for the 5th, 6th and 7th postpartum months, respectively. There were no significant differences among the three months studied and the values found were similar to those in the literature. Considering the whole population under study, 19.3% showed vitamin A levels less than 0.40 microg/mL, which represents a risk to the children in this group since at least 0.50 microg/mL are necessary to meet the infant daily needs.