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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Intravitreal triamcinolone injection for chronic diabetic macular oedema with severe hard exudates.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy and safety of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in chronic diabetic macular oedema with severe hard exudates. METHODS: This prospective, interventional consecutive case series study consisted of 33 eyes of 28 patients with chronic diabetic macular oedema and severe foveal hard exudates who received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg of TA. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of foveal hard exudates: group I, plaque-like (17 eyes) and group II, dot-like scattered hard exudates (16 eyes). The results of both groups, evaluated by colour fundus photography and fluorescein angiography, were compared and complications were recorded. RESULTS: All patients completed at least 6 months of follow-up. In all eyes, the hard exudates were completely resolved (24% in group I and 50% in group II) or decreased (76% in group I and 50% in group II). In group I, the mean diameter of the exudates plaques significantly decreased from 5.5+/-3.8 mm(2) in the pre-treatment period to 2.2+/-2.7 mm(2) at the end of the follow-up period. There was no recurrence of the hard exudates in either of the groups. The mean +/- SD visual acuity (VA) improved from 0.07+/-2.5 at the baseline to a maximum of 0.09+/-2.1 lines in group I (P<0.01) and from 0.13+/-3.9 to a maximum of 0.27+/-2.7 lines in group II (P<0.01). The mean VA improvement in group II was better than group I (3.2+/-2.5 vs. 1.4+/-1.0 lines, P<0.05). Intraocular pressure exceeded 21 mmHg in 10 eyes (30%), which was then controlled by topical medication. Three eyes (9%) exhibited signs of subcapsular cataract progression. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal TA appears to be a valuable treatment in chronic diabetic macular oedema with severe foveal hard exudates. In all eyes in this study the hard exudates were completely resolved or decreased, and the mean VA improved significantly in both groups. However, the VA improvement was significantly worse in eyes with plaque-like exudates suggesting the possible value of earlier treatment. Further studies would enable the assessment of the universal effectiveness of this treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Metal determinations in biological specimens of diseased and non-diseased hard metal workers.

Biological monitoring of Co, Ta and W, using mainly neutron activation analysis, was carried out on the urine, blood, pubic hair and toe nails of 251 subjects occupationally exposed to hard metal dusts (23 individuals were diagnosed as 'diseased subjects', affected by asthma and/or lung fibrosis). Airborne dust at hard metal workplaces were also analyzed for Co and W content. Cobalt and tungsten exposure at workplaces varied widely and frequently exceeded the TLV (0.05 mg Co/m3). Cobalt in urine (CoU), which is better than Co in blood (CoB), could represent a valuable indicator in discriminating between exposed groups, but is of little value as an indicator of exposure for single individuals. The high concentrations of cobalt in public hair (CoH) and toe nails (CoN) could also be valuable indicators of exposure although they are not useful, however, in establishing quantitatively the levels of cobalt accumulation. Tungsten and tantalum in pubic hair (WH and TaH) and toe nails (WN and TaN) also seem to be useful indicators in proving hard metal exposure qualitatively. The determination of these two elements, rather than cobalt, in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is very useful in complementing the diagnosis of hard metal disease proving hard metal exposure. The analysis of the BAL subfractions showed that W and Ta were firmly incorporated into the macrophage fraction while Co was distributed between cellular fraction and supernatant, which suggests a different mobility of hard metals in pulmonary tissue. The metal concentrations determined when submitted to statistical analysis indicated a positive correlation with P < 0.001 for the pairs (CoB-CoU), (Co-W) in urine, and (Co-W) in toe nails. Multielement analysis of biological specimens from diseased subjects suggests that hard metal disease does not relate to Co, W and Ta levels in the specimens considered. The disease does not depend on sex, age, working age and length of hard metal exposure. These findings support the theory on the possible haptenic properties of Co which may induce hypersensitivity and immuno-related toxic effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Calcium nephrolithiasis: effect of water hardness on urinary electrolytes.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the impact of water hardness from public water supplies on calcium stone incidence and 24-hour urine chemistries in patients with known calcium urinary stone formation. Patients are frequently concerned that their public water supply may contribute to urinary stone disease. Investigators have documented an inverse relationship between water hardness and calcium lithogenesis. Others have found no such association. METHODS: Patients who form calcium stones (n = 4833) were identified geographically by their zip code. Water hardness information from distinct geographic public water supplies was obtained, and patient 24-hour urine chemistries were evaluated. Drinking water hardness was divided into decile rankings on the basis of the public water supply information obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency. These data were compared with patient questionnaires and 24-hour urine chemistries. The calcium and magnesium levels in the drinking water were analyzed as independent variables. RESULTS: The number of total lifetime stone episodes was similar between patients residing in areas with soft public water and hard public water. Patients consuming the softest water decile formed 3.4 lifetime stones and those who consumed the hardest water developed 3.0 lifetime stones (P = 0.0017). The 24-hour urine calcium, magnesium, and citrate levels increased directly with drinking water hardness, and no significant change was found in urinary oxalate, uric acid, pH, or volume. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of water hardness on urinary stone formation remains unclear, despite a weak correlation between water hardness and urinary calcium, magnesium, and citrate excretion. Tap water, however, can change urinary electrolytes in patients who form calcium stones.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The relationships between skin hardness, pressure perception and two-point discrimination in the fingertip.

With the recent introduction of computer-assisted sensibility testing devices, it is possible to investigate the hypothesis that the neurological mechanisms responsible for perception of pressure and two-point discrimination are influenced by skin hardness. This study examined the relationships between the skin hardness of the human index and little finger pulp and the perception of pressure in 25 adults. Skin hardness was measured using the Derma-Durometer. Pressure perception was measured with the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device for both static and moving touch stimuli and for two-point discrimination. The mean hardness of the fingertip pulp was 12.5 +/- 0.6 gm/mm2. There was no statistically significant difference in hardness between the dominant and non-dominant, right and left, index and little, or male and female fingertips. Skin hardness was independent of age for this population. The highest correlation, which was r = 0.46, was found between the cutaneous pressure threshold for one-point static touch and skin hardness. While this degree of correlation is significant at the P < 0.02 level, the r2 = 21%, demonstrating that this degree of correlation leaves 79% of the variability unexplained. These results suggest a physical interaction between mechanoreceptors and dermis that is only partially explained by the hardness of the skin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Hard-food mastication suppresses complete Freund's adjuvant-induced nociception.

The effect of food hardness during mastication on nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord was studied by analyzing complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced nocifensive behavior and Fos expression. The behavioral study showed that the shortening of the withdrawal latency following CFA injection into the hind paw was depressed after a change in the given food hardness from soft to hard. The depression of nocifensive behavior in the rats with hard food was reversed after i.v. injection of naloxone. Fos protein-like immunoreactive cells (Fos protein-LI cells) were expressed in the superficial and deep laminae of the L4-6 spinal dorsal horn after s.c. injection of CFA into the hind paw during soft food mastication. The number of Fos protein-LI cells was decreased in the rats with hard food mastication followed by soft food. This reduction of Fos protein-LI cells following change in food hardness was reversed after i.v. application of naloxone. Furthermore, the depression of Fos protein-LI cells following hard food intake was significantly inhibited after bilateral inferior alveolar nerve transection or bilateral ablation of the somatosensory cortex. These findings suggest that the change in food hardness during mastication might drive an opioid descending system through the trigeminal sensory pathway and somatosensory cortex resulting in an antinociceptive effect on chronic pain. However, IAN transection and cortical ablation did not induce 100% reversal of Fos expression, suggesting other than trigeminal sensory system may be involved in this phenomena, such as the pathway through the brainstem reticular formation.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Cross-linking of hard gelatin carbamazepine capsules: effect of dissolution conditions on in vitro drug release.

The aim of this study was to determine if the use of both enzyme and surfactant in the dissolution medium changes the in vitro drug release from cross-linked hard gelatin capsules containing a water-insoluble drug. Hard gelatin capsules were cross-linked by a controlled exposure to formaldehyde resulting in different stressed capsules and carbamazepine (CBZ) was chosen as a drug model. In vitro dissolution studies were conducted using simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) with enzymes. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) was added in the dissolution medium at a concentration of 2% m/v both in SGF and SIF with pepsin and pancreatin, respectively. The percentage of CBZ dissolved was reduced by increasing the degree of gelatin cross-linking. For unstressed hard gelatin capsules, 36% of the CBZ was released after 1 h, lowering to 5% for highly stressed hard gelatin capsules in the SGF. A similar effect was observed with SIF. In the case of moderately stressed hard gelatin capsules, addition of enzyme in the dissolution medium enhanced the percentage of CBZ dissolved. The dissolution level increased from 12% to 39% in SGF with pepsin for hard gelatin capsules cross-linked with 1500 ppm formaldehyde. On the contrary, the use of enzyme in the dissolution medium did not increase the dissolution of CBZ from highly stressed hard gelatin capsules. Surprisingly, the addition of SLS in the medium did not allow the release of the CBZ both in SGF and in SIF. The results of this study demonstrate that the use of enzyme in the dissolution medium is justified for moderately cross-linked hard gelatin capsules. However, the action of a surfactant added in the medium containing enzyme remains unclear.

Capsules↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Puroindolines: the molecular genetic basis of wheat grain hardness.

The variation in grain hardness is the single most important trait that determines end-use quality of wheat. Grain texture classification is based primarily on either the resistance of kernels to crushing or the particle size distribution of ground grain or flour. Recently, the molecular genetic basis of grain hardness has become known, and it is the focus of this review. The puroindoline proteins a and b form the molecular basis of wheat grain hardness or texture. When both puroindolines are in their 'functional' wild state, grain texture is soft. When either one of the puroindolines is absent or altered by mutation, then the result is hard texture. In the case of durum wheat which lacks puroindolines, the texture is very hard. Puroindolines represent the molecular-genetic basis of the Hardness locus on chromosome 5DS and the soft (Ha) and hard (ha) alleles present in hexaploid bread wheat varieties. To date, seven discrete hardness alleles have been described for wheat. All involve puroindoline a or b and have been designated Pina-D1b and Pinb-D1b through Pinb-D1g. A direct role of a related protein, grain softness protein (as currently defined), in wheat grain texture has yet to be demonstrated.

Alleles↗
PubMed2004

The easy to hard effect and perceptual learning in flavor aversion conditioning.

In experiments on the easy to hard effect, pretraining on an easy discrimination results in better performance on a harder version of the discrimination than pretraining on the hard discrimination itself. In addition, some theories posit that unreinforccd preexposure to the easy discrimination should be as effective as differentially reinforced easy pretraining in producing the easy to hard effect. Two experiments on flavor aversion conditioning in rats demonstrated the basic easy to hard effect. However, in neither experiment was easy preexposure more effective than hard preexposure in enhancing learning of the hard discrimination. Indeed, in Experiment 2, rats preexposed to an easy discrimination learned the hard discrimination significantly more slowly than those preexposed to the hard discrimination itself.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

How to extend hard sphere density functional approximation to nonuniform nonhard sphere fluids: applicable to both subcritical and supercritical temperature regions.

A methodology for the formulation of density functional approximation (DFA) for nonuniform nonhard sphere fluids is proposed by following the spirit of a partitioned density functional approximation [Zhou, Phys. Rev. E 68, 061201 (2003)] and mapping the hard core part onto an effective hard sphere whose high order part of the functional perturbation expansion is treated by existing hard sphere DFAs. The resultant density functional theory (DFT) formalism only needs a second order direct correlation function and pressure of the corresponding coexistence bulk fluid as inputs and therefore can be applicable to both supercritical and subcritical temperature cases. As an example, an adjustable parameter-free version of a recently proposed Lagrangian theorem-based DFA is imported into the present methodology; the resultant DFA is applied to Lennard-Jones fluid under the influence of external fields due to a single hard wall, two hard walls separated by a small distance, a large hard sphere, and a spherical cavity with a hard wall. By comparing theoretical predictions with previous simulation data and those recently supplied for coexistence bulk fluid situated at "dangerous" regions, it was found that the present DFA can predict subtle structure change of the density profile and therefore is the most accurate among all existing DFT approaches. A detailed discussion is given as to why so excellent DFA for nonhard sphere fluids can be drawn forth from the present methodology and how the present methodology differs from previous ones. The methodology can be universal, i.e., it can be combined with any other hard sphere DFAs to construct DFA for other nonhard sphere fluids with a repulsive core.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Kin selection and parasite evolution: higher and lower virulence with hard and soft selection.

Conventional models predict that low genetic relatedness among parasites that coinfect the same host leads to the evolution of high parasite virulence. Such models assume adaptive responses to hard selection only. We show that if soft selection is allowed to operate, low relatedness leads instead to the evolution of low virulence. With both hard and soft selection, low relatedness increases the conflict among coinfecting parasites. Although parasites can only respond to hard selection by evolving higher virulence and overexploiting their host, they can respond to soft selection by evolving other adaptations, such as interference, that prevent overexploitation. Because interference can entail a cost, the host may actually be underexploited, and virulence will decrease as a result of soft selection. Our analysis also shows that responses to soft selection can have a much stronger effect than responses to hard selection. After hard selection has raised virulence to a level that is an evolutionarily stable strategy, the population, as expected, cannot be invaded by more virulent phenotypes that respond only to hard selection. The population remains susceptible to invasion by a less virulent phenotype that responds to soft selection, however. Thus, hard and soft selection are not just alternatives. Rather, soft selection is expected to prevail and often thwart the evolution of virulence in parasites. We review evidence from several parasite systems and find support for soft selection. Most of the examples involve interference mechanisms that indirectly prevent the evolution of higher virulence. We recognize that hard selection for virulence is more difficult to document, but we take our results to suggest that a kin selection model with soft selection may have general applicability.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1996

Decreased ventilatory function in hard metal workers.

OBJECTIVES: To study individual effects on pulmonary function of exposure to hard metal including cobalt. METHODS: All of the workers in a hard metal company (583 men and 120 women) were examined for smoking, respiratory symptoms, ventilatory function, occupational history of exposure to hard metal, and present exposure to airborne cobalt. The ventilatory function indices (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume in one second per cent (FEV1%), peak expiratory flow (PEF), mid-maximal flow (MMF), forced expiratory flow at 50% vital capacity (V50), forced expiratory flow at 25% vital capacity (V25)) were standardised for height and age and expressed as a percentage of predicted values. RESULTS: Two way analysis of variance of indices of ventilatory function showed that an interaction of hard metal exposure and smoking decreased %V50 for both men and women. Among the currently exposed men, those with asthmatic symptoms (defined as reversible dispnoea with wheeze) had significantly lower %FVC, %FEV1%, %PEF, %MMF, %V50, and %V25 than did workers without asthma. The ventilatory disfunction did not differ between exposed and non-exposed workers with asthmatic symptoms. Even among the men without asthmatic symptoms, %V50 was significantly lowered by the interaction of hard metal exposure and smoking. The multilinear regression analysis of indices of ventilatory function for all of the subjects on sex, smoking (Brinkman index), exposure to hard metal, and asthmatic symptoms showed that asthmatic symptoms and smoking had significant effects on all variables and that the decrease in %V25 was associated with hard metal exposure. In the currently exposed and non-exposed workers, multilinear regression analysis applying indices for cobalt exposure (mean cobalt concentration, duration of exposure, and cumulative dose) showed that not only asthmatic symptoms or smoking but also duration of exposure had significant decreasing effects on %FVC, %MMF, and %V25. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to hard metal probably causes impairment of ventilatory function in a dose dependent manner.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Lung cancer mortality in a site producing hard metals.

OBJECTIVES: To study the mortality from lung cancer from exposures to hard metal dust at an industrial site producing hard metals--pseudoalloys of cobalt and tungsten carbide--and other metallurgical products many of which contain cobalt. METHODS: A historical cohort was set up of all subjects who had worked for at least 3 months on the site since its opening date in the late 1940s. A full job history could be obtained for 95% of the subjects. The cohort was followed up from January 1968 to December 1992. The exposure was assessed by an industry specific job exposure matrix (JEM) characterising exposure to hard metal dust from 1 to 9 and other possibly carcinogenic exposures as present or absent. Smoking information was obtained by interview of former workers. Standard lifetable methods and Poisson regression were used for the statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS: Mortality from all causes was close to the expected (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 1.02, 399 deaths) whereas mortality from lung cancer was significantly increased among men (SMR 1.70; 46 deaths, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.24 to 2.26). By workshop, lung cancer mortality was significantly higher than expected in hard metal production before sintering (SMR 2.42; nine deaths; 95%CI 1.10 to 4.59) and among maintenance workers (SMR 2.56; 11 deaths; 95%CI 1.28 to 4.59), whereas after sintering the SMR was lower (SMR 1.28; five deaths; 95%CI 0.41 to 2.98). The SMR for all exposures to hard metal dust at a level >1 in the JEM was in significant excess (SMR 2.02; 26 deaths; 95%CI 1.32 to 2.96). The risks increased with exposure scores, duration of exposure, and cumulative dose reaching significance for duration of exposure to hard metal dust before sintering, after adjustment for smoking and known or suspected carcinogens. CONCLUSION: Excess mortality from lung cancer was found among hard metal production workers which cannot be attributed to smoking alone. This excess occurred mostly in subjects exposed to unsintered hard metal dust.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hard-to-reach providers: targeted HIV education by the national AIDS education and training centers.

A national system of AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs) has received federal funding since 1987 to provide education to health care personnel (HCP) about HIV infection. The purpose of this study is to describe how AETC program personnel define and recognize HCP who are hard to reach and educate about HIV and to clarify the issues that make providers hard to reach. Twenty-three semistructured telephone interviews were used to collect data from AETC faculty and staff. Respondents were asked to identify the types of HCP who are hard to reach and to discuss why they are hard to reach. Themes identified to establish which HCP are hard to reach include specific professional groups (especially physicians and dentists) as well as providers who treated less than 10 HIV-infected clients and some HIV-expert clinicians. Themes identified to establish why they are hard to reach include convenience, isolation, and attitudes. Analysis posits that hard-to-reach HCP fall into identifiable categories: "already know the information," "don't know they don't know the information," "don't think they need to know the information," or "don't want to know the information." Respondents also identified innovative ways to approach hard-to-reach providers.

Area Health Education Centers↗
PubMed1997

The thickness of masticatory mucosa in the human hard palate and tuberosity as potential donor sites for ridge augmentation procedures.

The aim of the present investigation was to clinically determine the thickness of masticatory mucosa in the hard palate and tuberosity as potential donor sites for ridge augmentation procedures. In 31 periodontally healthy, fully dentate subjects the masticatory mucosa thickness was assessed by bone sounding with a periodontal probe. Eighteen standard measurement points were defined in the hard palate, located on 3 lines which ran at different distances parallel to the gingival margin. Six positions were designated on each of these 3 lines between the level of the canine and the second molar. In the tuberosity, 6 standard measurement points were defined, located on 2 lines running parallel to the gingival margin at 2 different distances from the distal aspect of the second molar. Three positions were designated on each line. The hard palate and tuberosity were anesthetized by a spray followed by carticain injection with an epinephrine vasoconstrictor of 1:100,000. Data were analyzed to determine differences in gender, between different positions, and between lines, using an analysis of variance and Wilcoxon test. The mucosa of the tuberosity was significantly thicker than in the hard palate region. Gender did not influence the thickness of masticatory mucosa, either in the hard palate or the tuberosity with the exception of the most distant line in the palate. The mucosa was thickest at the mid-distal position of the tuberosity. In the hard palate, mucosa thickness increased with greater distances from the marginal gingiva. The mucosa over the palatal root of the maxillary first molar was significantly thinner than at all other positions in the hard palate. This represents an anatomical barrier in graft harvesting. It was concluded that two different regions may be defined for soft tissue graft harvesting from an anatomic point of view: 1) In the canine-premolar region rather wide and shallow grafts may be harvested. This region extends distally to the first palatal molar root with a significantly thinner mucosa. 2) The tuberosity revealed a significantly more soft tissue thickness in comparison to the hard palate. This region allows the harvesting of deeper grafts, but graft size is limited by the width of keratinized tissue.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effects of water hardness and dissolved organic material on bioavailability of selected organic chemicals.

The influence of water hardness and dissolved organic matter (DOM) on bioavailability of organic chemicals to Daphnia magna was studied by using benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), pyrene, atrazine, and 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) as model compounds. Two types of DOM were used, namely Lake Kontiolampi, Joensuu, Finland water (KL) and Nordic reference fulvic acid (NoFA) dissolved in artificial freshwater. Binding of the four contaminants by KL DOM decreased with increasing water hardness. Furthermore, increasing hardness reduced the binding of BaP and pyrene to NoFA. The binding of atrazine and TCB by NoFA was low and was not significantly affected by water hardness. In the DOM-free samples, the bioconcentration of the four contaminants in D. magna usually was not affected by water hardness. In the presence of DOM, the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were lower (except for atrazine) than in the DOM-free controls. In the presence of both types of DOM, increasing water hardness resulted in higher BCFs for BaP. The bioconcentration of pyrene and TCB increased with increasing water hardness in the presence of KL DOM. In conclusion, the effects of DOM and water hardness on bioavailability of hydrophobic chemicals depend on the type of chemical and on the properties of DOM.

Biological Availability↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Soft copy using image processing in place of hard copy for detection of subtle pulmonary lesions: is it actually cost-effective?

PURPOSE: To comparatively assess the interpretation performance of hard-copy versus soft-copy presentations for detecting subtle pulmonary lesions and to estimate soft-copy cost-effectiveness. METHODS: Computed radiography was used to obtain images with a 1,600x 1,200 matrix having 8 bits of gray-scale definition. The two separate image formats (hard and soft copy), which consisted of 60 chest radiograph combinations, were shown to five board-certified radiologists. The costs of hard copies, chemicals, waste disposal, and labor were calculated. RESULTS: The mean accuracies and Az values were 0.63 (hard) vs. 0.64 (soft) and 0.657 (hard) vs. 0.729 (soft), respectively. Reading one set of hard copies took on average 8.0 sec less than reading soft copies (30.3 vs. 38.3 sec). Estimated savings resulting from replacement of hard copy with soft were US$128,004 per year or US$6.20 per patient at our hospital. CONCLUSION: Conversion from hard copy to soft copy, using image processing, is feasible and cost-effective.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[How much does partially hydrolyzed guar gum affect the weight, moisture and hardness of feces?].

OBJECTIVE: The ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare recommends Japanese people to intake a certain amount of dietary fiber, believing that incorporating more dietary fiber into our diet can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. The present study aimed to demonstrate and confirm the theory's validity by applying it to reality-to what extent is the intake of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) useful in promoting bowel movements, and what problems are involved? We therefore investigated to what extent PHGG affects the weight, moisture and hardness of feces when healthy female students consumed PHGG as a supplement. METHOD: During two fourteen-day sessions in spring and autumn, 9 healthy female students took the same diets. During the first session, the students were provided a strict dietary formula, while during the second session, they were administered an amount of 12.5 g/day PHGG (purity 80%, equivalent to 10 g of dietary fiber) dissolved in adequate amount of water at the end of each meal. Feces of the subjects were collected and weighted just after defection. A moisture meter was used to measure fecal moisture and a rheometer was used to measure fecal hardness. Fecal conditions and intestinal motility were also examined. RESULTS: (1) Due to the PHGG intake, the fecal bulk increased in 4 subjects and decreased in 2 subjects, significantly, out of 9. (2) Due to the PHGG intake, the fecal condition softened in 3 subjects while significantly hardening in 4 subjects. (3) The PHGG intake induced an increased of fecal moisture in 5 subjects, while moisture decreased in 2 subjects. (4) Fecal hardness measured more than 150 g/cm when it is classified as "frozen hard". (5) A significant inverse correlation could be seen between fecal hardness and fecal bulk, and between fecal hardness and its moisture. When PHGG was administered a significant inverse correlation could be seen between fecal hardness and its moisture. CONCLUSION: The conclusion is that the PHGG intake resulted in increase of the fecal bulk for 4 subjects and fecal moisture for 5 out of 9 subjects, but decrease of fecal hardness in 3 subjects; the benefit of bowel movements provided by the PHGG intake, however, varied greatly among the subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Hardness of diet pellets and its influence on growth of pre-weaned and weaned mice.

The hardness of 3 commercial diet pellets for laboratory rats and mice was studied. Hardness was measured as the force (kp) required to crush a diet pellet. Between-batch variation, expressed as coefficient of variation, ranged between 12 and 70%. In one type of diet hardness of the pellets varied between 4 and 50 kp. Hardness did not change during storage for a period of 8 weeks. To investigate the effect of hardness on growth performance of young mice experimental diets were prepared with identical ingredient composition but with hardness of either 15 or 45 kp. Female mice provided with hard pellets (45 kp) were not able to raise their litters. Feeding the experimental diet as 15 kp pellets resulted in a slightly retarded growth when compared with the experimental diet in the form of meal. Weaned mice were fed with the experimental diet in 4 different forms: meal, 15 kp, 45-kp and ground 45-kp pellets. Male mice, unlike females, fed the 45-kp diet grew slower than their counterparts fed the other diet forms. It is concluded that batches of extremely hard pellets may be occasionally delivered, and that such diets have undesirable effects on performance of young mice.

Animal Feed↗