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PubMed1996

Hypoglycemic effect and protein nutritive quality of soy and methionine-supplemented whole durum pasta products.

New low cost, high-protein and high-fiber pasta products processed from whole durum meal (WD) solely, WD supplemented with 7% or 12% defatted soy flour (SF), or 12% SF plus 0.3% methionine were evaluated in comparison with the regular pasta made of pure durum semolina (DS). Their protein nutritive quality was biologically evaluated by rat growth studies using diets containing 9% protein, through the parameters: food efficiency ratio (FER), protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein utilization (NPU), digestibility coefficient (DC) and biological value (BV). The original products were administered to diabetic hypercholesterolemic albino rats, (injected with alloxane) to study their effects on the levels of blood glucose and plasma lipid fractions. The results indicate that diets based on pasta made of WD supplemented with SE or SF plus methionine had superior protein quality and succeeded in supporting normal growth of rats in contrast to the diets based on pasta made of unsupplemented WD or DS. These assays demonstrated that the values of FER, PER, NPU and BV of WD-pasta increased with increasing SF supplementation. However, high-fiber pasta made of unrefined WD solely or with SF had lower DC values compared to that of the regular DS-pasta. DC values decreased as the added SF increased. Adding methionine evidently affected FER, PER, BV and NPU values. Administration of high-protein and high-fiber pasta samples made of WD solely, supplemented with SF or SF plus methionine significantly reduced the elevated blood glucose as well as plasma cholesterol and plasma lipid fractions in hypercholesterolemic diabetic rats. Overall, considering nutritional evaluation, protein cost as well as hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effects the pasta composed of 12% SF-WD and supplemented with 0.3% methionine represented the best high-fiber; high-protein and high-quality product.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparisons of contact lens, foil, fiber and skin electrodes for patterns electroretinograms.

Pattern electroretinograms are small physiologic signals that require good patient cooperation and long recording times, particularly when conditions are not optimal. Six electrodes were compared to evaluate their efficacy. Pattern electroretinograms were recorded in eight healthy volunteers to high-contrast, pattern-reversal checks (40' width) with Burian-Allen, DTL fiber, C-glide, gold foil, HK loop and skin electrodes. Raw data for 320 reversals were analyzed off-line to evaluate signal amplitude, quality, P50 and N95 peak times, artifact rate and electrical noise. Insertion time, impedance and subjective comfort were also assessed. The Burian-Allen contact lens electrode gave the largest signal and lowest impedance but was the least comfortable and had the highest artifact rate (p < 0.01). A skin electrode on the lower eyelid produced the smallest pattern electroretinogram with the poorest quality (p < 0.05). The four other electrodes were foil or fiber electrodes in contact with the tear film, conjunctiva and/or the inferior cornea. The signal from these showed only minor differences. When electrodes are compared for pattern electroretinograms recording, the foil and fiber electrodes do not differ substantially but contact lens and skin electrodes show substantial disadvantages.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Relationship between muscle growth and poultry meat quality.

For a number of years, poultry selection has concentrated on growth velocity in meat lines, producing improvements in growth that have not been without consequence for muscle structure, metabolism, and meat quality. Higher growth rates may induce morphological abnormalities, induce larger fiber diameters and a higher proportion of glycolytic fibers, and a lower proteolytic potential in the muscles. After death, the faster development of rigor mortis increases the likelihood of paler color and reduced water holding capacity and poorer quality of further processed products. Reduced proteolytic potential is likely to increase toughness of poultry meats.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Speckle contrast reduction in a large-core fiber delivering Q-switched pulses for fluid flow measurements.

Due to their capability for supporting high-peak powers, large-core hollow optical fibers may be used to deliver high-peak-power nanosecond pulses for the fluid flow measurement technique of particle image velocimetry [Meas. Sci. Technol. 16, 1119 (2005)]. One drawback of using such fibers for fluid flow measurements is that the output suffers from a speckled interference pattern due to the fiber's multimode nature, which can lead to a loss of spatial information and reduced data quality. Presented here is a technique to reduce the speckle contrast from these fibers when delivering nanosecond pulses. Significant smoothing of the output intensity distribution is demonstrated, giving an improved source of illumination for fluid flow measurements and other imaging techniques requiring pulsed laser illumination.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of information about the quality of apparel in three retail formats.

Multiple options are available for selection and purchase of apparel including in-store, catalogue, and Internet. The present purpose was to compare information about quality available to consumers in three retail formats. Students studying quality of apparel selected a product which could be purchased in each of the three formats, completed an evaluation from both a consumer's and preprofessional perspective, and made recommendations for improving information on quality. A total of 413 recommendations were categorized and tested for independence. Students had similar expectations for cues of quality across Internet, catalogue, and in-store formats including fiber content, country of origin, 3-dimensional information about fit, color accuracy, size charts, and strong customer service. Students expected a uniform array of information on quality regardless of the shopping format. Merchandisers must be aware of the total image across formats and be prepared to explore methods for improving communication of information on quality in each.

Adult↗
PubMed1961

The formation of fibrils from collagen solutions. IV. Effect of mucopolysaccharides and nucleic acids: an electron microscope study.

The kinetics of collagen reprecipitation from solutions of salt-extracted calf dermis in the presence of small amounts of mucopolysaccharide and nucleic acids (0.005 per cent in the final reaction mixture) has been reported by Wood (1960). The present paper is a parallel study using the same materials, and describes the electron microscopic (EM) morphology of the collagen precipitates replicated after 24 hours at room temperature. Satisfactory, uncontaminated EM preparations were obtained which showed that all the deposits were fibrous and bore the 640 A cross-banding characteristic of collagen except some narrow, background fibrils 200 to 1000 A wide precipitated in the presence of heparin. These exhibited fine striations about 220 A apart. Chondroitin sulfate greatly increased the rate of precipitation to give a deposit of low optical density consisting of narrow, rigid, discrete fibrils resembling fresh dermis. In contrast, heparin prevented macroscopic gelation, delayed precipitation, and only produced a scanty deposit of abnormal, short, wide, striated tactoids and compound fibers of varying length. The control preparations and the deposits formed in the presence of hyaluronic acid were intermediate between these two extremes. Delayed precipitation was associated with a coarser deposit and aggregation of the fibrils. A duplicate series of deposits precipitated in the presence of RNA and DNA, together with their controls, were examined after (1/2), 1, 1(1/2), 3, 9, and 24 hours. One set employed an acetic extract of whole calf dermis and the other salt-extracted dermis. The presence of 0.005 per cent DNA in the reaction mixture markedly delayed collagen precipitation with the slow formation of abnormal, short, wide tactoids and compound fibers. RNA also interfered with the quantity and quality of the deposits which contained far less collagen resembling unfixed, normal, adult human dermis, than the controls at the corresponding time intervals. Comparison of the experiments employing whole calf dermis with those employing the salt-extracted material demonstrated that at every time interval in all the experiments the deposits were retarded when salt-extracted dermis was used. This suggests that the salt-soluble components of the dermis play a part in fiber formation.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Strength training improves muscle quality and insulin sensitivity in Hispanic older adults with type 2 diabetes.

Hispanics are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to their high prevalence of diabetes and poor glycemic control. Strength training is the most effective lifestyle intervention to increase muscle mass but limited data is available in older adults with diabetes. We determined the influence of strength training on muscle quality (strength per unit of muscle mass), skeletal muscle fiber hypertrophy, and metabolic control including insulin resistance (Homeostasis Model Assessment -HOMA-IR), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), adiponectin and Free Fatty Acid (FFA) levels in Hispanic older adults. Sixty-two community-dwelling Hispanics (>55 y) with type 2 diabetes were randomized to 16 weeks of strength training plus standard care (ST group) or standard care alone (CON group). Skeletal muscle biopsies and biochemical measures were taken at baseline and 16 weeks. The ST group show improved muscle quality (mean+/-SE: 28+/-3) vs CON (-4+/-2, p<0.001) and increased type I (860+/-252 microm(2)) and type II fiber cross-sectional area (720+/-285 microm(2)) compared to CON (type I: -164+/-290 microm(2), p=0.04; and type II: -130+/-336 microm(2), p=0.04). This was accompanied by reduced insulin resistance [ST: median (interquartile range) -0.7(3.6) vs CON: 0.8(3.8), p=0.05]; FFA (ST: -84+/-30 micromol/L vs CON: 149+/-48 micromol/L, p=0.02); and CRP [ST: -1.3(2.9) mg/L vs CON: 0.4(2.3) mg/L, p=0.05]. Serum adiponectin increased with ST [1.0(1.8) microg/mL] compared to CON [-1.2(2.2) microg/mL, p<0.001]. Strength training improved muscle quality and whole-body insulin sensitivity. Decreased inflammation and increased adiponectin levels were related with improved metabolic control. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms associated with these findings. However, these data show that strength training is an exercise modality to consider as an adjunct of standard of care in high risk populations with type 2 diabetes.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Endogenous nitrogen excretion by red kangaroos (Macropus rufus): effects of animal age and forage quality.

Red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) are large (>20 kg) herbivorous marsupials common to arid and semiarid Australia. The population dynamics of red kangaroos are linked with environmental factors, operating largely through juvenile survival. A crucial period is the young-at-foot (YAF) stage, when juveniles have permanently left the mother's pouch but still take milk from a teat in the pouch. Forage quantity and quality have been implicated in drought-related mortalities of juvenile kangaroos. Here we compared how forage quality affected nitrogen (N) intake and excretion by YAF, weaned, and mature, nonlactating female red kangaroos. On high-quality forage (chopped lucerne hay, Medicago sativa) low in neutral-detergent fiber (43%+/-1%) and high in N (2.9%+/-0.1%), YAF and weaned kangaroos had ideal growth rates and retained 460-570 mg dietary N kg(-0.75) d(-1). But on poor-quality forage (chopped oaten hay, Avena sativa) high in neutral-detergent fiber (64%+/-1%) and low in N (0.9%+/-0.1%), YAF and weaned kangaroos could not sustain growth and were in negative N balance at -103+/-26 mg and -57+/-31 mg N kg(-0.75) d(-1), respectively. Notably, the YAF kangaroos excreted 64% of their truly digestible N intake from forage as nondietary fecal N (NDFN). By weaning age, the situation had improved, but the juveniles still lost 40% of their truly digestible N intake as NDFN compared with only 30% by the mature females. Our findings support field observations that forage quality, and not just quantity, is a major factor affecting the mortality of juvenile red kangaroos during drought.

Aging↗
PubMed2002

Cardiovascular risk reduction and dietary compliance with a home-delivered diet and lifestyle modification program.

Lack of adherence to diet contributes to ineffective dietary responsiveness and elevated cardiovascular risk factors in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. Our purpose was to determine if home-delivered, heart-healthy meals and snacks, combined with telephone diet education, would be efficacious in improving dietary compliance, quality of life, and cardiovascular risk factors (primarily low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol and body weight) in CHD patients. Participants were 35 free-living subjects (21 men, 14 postmenopausal women) with a mean age of 62 (ranging from 40 to 79 years) in an 8-week diet intervention. A registered dietitian provided diet education over the telephone and weekly menus averaging 67% carbohydrate, 16% protein, 17% fat, 4% saturated fat, 5% monounsaturated fat, 128 mg cholesterol, and 25 g fiber. Lipid profiles, anthropometric measures, food records, and quality of diet, and life questionnaires were obtained at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Mean compliance-defined as percentage of prepared food energy consumed divided by percentage of prepared food energy provided-was 91% at 4 weeks and 88% at 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, significant reductions in weight (-3.7 kg), waist circumference (-2.0 in), hip circumference (-1.3 in), body mass index (-1.21 kg/m2), total cholesterol (-0.17 mmol/dL, -7.0 mg/dL), and LDL cholesterol (-0.19 mmol/dL, -7.5 mg/dL) (P<.05) were achieved without significant changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (0.00 mmol/dL, 0.0 mg/dL) or triglycerides (+0.06 mmol/dL, +2.5 mg/dL). Significant improvements in quality of life and quality of diet (P < .05) were also demonstrated. This program could be a useful additive component to traditional medical nutrition therapy to improve dietary adherence.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Effect of Dairy Compost Application and Plant Maturity on Forage Kenaf Cultivar Fiber Concentration and In Sacco Disappearance.

The forage potential of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) grown for silage has not been fully realized, in part, because of lack of understanding of its quality dynamics. This study was conducted for 2 yr to compare fiber components and in sacco dry matter (DM) disappearance (ISD) differences among cultivars, dairy manure compost application rates, and plant maturity. The application of compost increased (P = 0.05) neutral detergent fiber (NDF) values only. Fiber components were affected by cultivar x plant maturity x year interactions [P < 0.05 for NDF, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL)] with cultivar EV41, late-season rainfall, and low maturity combining for the lowest values. Cultivar India, however, had as high or higher ISD values compared with the other two cultivars at any given plant maturity both years (cultivar x plant maturity x year ISD interaction, P < 0.05). Cultivar ISD residue fiber concentrations differed (P < 0.05) independently of year or plant maturity; ISD residue ADL and P concentrations also changed (P < 0.05) with plant maturity independently of year and cultivar. Changes in ISD residue NDF and ADF depended on both plant maturity and yearly rainfall patterns (NDF and ADF plant maturity x year interaction, P < 0.05). The proportion of N and P that disappeared in sacco was over 90% for all cultivars, maturities, and years. The proportions of NDF, ADF and ADL that disappeared in sacco, however, decreased with plant maturity and were generally higher for India. In this study, kenaf showed promise as a forage silage in semiarid regions. Differences in fiber concentrations and ISD among cultivars and plant maturity can be manipulated to increase kenaf's feed value to herbivores.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Behavior of steers grazing monocultures and binary mixtures of alfalfa and tall fescue.

Spectral analysis was used to relate dietary quality and herbage species to the behavior of grazing steers. Four .3-ha paddocks were established with either 'AU-Triumph' tall fescue (F; Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), 'Apollo' alfalfa (A; Medicago sativa L.), 1/3 fescue and 2/3 alfalfa (2/3A), or 2/3 fescue and 1/3 alfalfa (1/3A). Each paddock was stocked with 10 to 16 steers and defoliated in 5 d. Three steers on each paddock carried vibracorders to monitor grazing time. Daily forage samples were taken in 10-cm layers and weighed. Esophageal extrusa were collected from fistulated steers to measure diet quality. Daily grazing time did not differ (P = .37) among treatments; however, steers grazing mixtures grazed numerically longer (1.4 h/d) than steers on monocultures. Spectral analysis revealed that steers grazing A and 2/3A had many daily meals of short duration, but steers grazing 1/3A and F consumed three meals daily at 8-h intervals. Throughout the 4.67-d grazing period, quality of the diet linearly declined in crude protein and herbage digestibility, linearly increased in neutral detergent fiber and cellulose, and exhibited quadratic changes in lignin and ash. For most quality values, the tall fescue monoculture differed from the others (P < .05). Steers selected diets with similar quality for the A, 2/3A, and 1/3A treatments. This study illustrates how differences in forage diets alter grazing behavior of steers.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Telehealth: voice therapy using telecommunications technology.

Telehealth offers the potential to meet the needs of underserved populations in remote regions. The purpose of this study was a proof-of-concept to determine whether voice therapy can be delivered effectively remotely. Treatment outcomes were evaluated for a vocal rehabilitation protocol delivered under 2 conditions: with the patient and clinician interacting within the same room (conventional group) and with the patient and clinician in separate rooms, interacting in real time via a hard-wired video camera and monitor (video teleconference group). Seventy-two patients with voice disorders served as participants. Based on evaluation by otolaryngologists, 31 participants were diagnosed with vocal nodules, 29 were diagnosed with edema, 9 were diagnosed with unilateral vocal fold paralysis, and 3 presented with vocal hyperfunction with no laryngeal pathology. Fifty-one participants (71%) completed the vocal rehabilitation protocol. Outcome measures included perceptual judgments of voice quality, acoustic analyses of voice, patient satisfaction ratings, and fiber-optic laryngoscopy. There were no differences in outcome measures between the conventional group and the remote video teleconference group. Participants in both groups showed positive changes on all outcome measures after completing the vocal rehabilitation protocol. Reasons for participants discontinuing therapy prematurely provided support for the telehealth model of service delivery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Differential therapy of constipation--a review.

Constipation is a common condition occurring with increasing frequency in advanced age. As a symptom, it is not always dealt with directly by the physician, but is often left to the care of nurses. Many patients rely on self-medication. Constipation not only interferes with the quality of life, but often has the rank of a syndrome requiring competent medical intervention. This is of clinical importance, because a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of constipation enables the clinician to identify the potential causes and, if necessary, initiate a differentiated therapy with the aid of only simple additional investigations. This review outlines a clinical approach including medical history, spectrum of causes, radiopaque pellets method to differentiate between slow transit constipation and defecation disturbances for the differential diagnosis of constipation. The mechanisms of action of laxatives (anti-absorptive, secretagogue, osmotic, filling and swelling agents) are further components and important for the individual therapy. Based on this fundamental information, a differentiated therapy is possible in each specific case such as coprostasis. Chronic symptomatic constipation reduces the quality of life and should be evaluated by physicians. If situations such as drug-induced constipation or hypothyroidism which have to be treated causally can be ruled out, laxative treatment according to the clinical picture, mode of action of drug used and side effects of the laxative can be initiated. Laxative abuse due to chronic constipation is rare and almost always associated with psychosomatic-psychiatric disorders.

Cathartics↗
PubMed1990

[The effect of procyanidolic oligomers on mesenchymal cells in culture. II--Attachment of elastic fibers to the cells].

Tissues are composed of cells and extracellular matrix (EM). Adhesion of cells to extracellular matrix is mediated by membrane-bound glycoproteins such as fibronectin, laminin and others. Elastonectin was shown recently to be involved in the mediation of interactions between elastic fibers and cells such as human skin fibroblasts (FB) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) from the media of the aorta. A strong interaction between fibers and cells is important for the maintenance of the quality of the vascular wall. We studied the action of procyanidolic oligomers (PCO) on the attachment of fibroblasts from human skin and smooth muscle cells from porcin aorta to elastic fibers. A dose-dependent increase of cell-fiber interaction could be demonstrated with both cell-types. Elastonectin is located on the cell membrane as well as an elastolytic serine-protease exhibiting an age- and pathology-dependent increase in activity. This will result in a degradation of elastic lamellae, the detachment of cells from elastic fibers and a weakening of the vascular wall. The activity of procyanidolic oligomers increasing the resistance of elastic fibers to degradation by elastases and enhancing the interaction between fibers and cells can be considered as favouring the maintenance of the normal functional state of the vascular wall.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Effect of dietary fiber on morphine-induced constipation in rats.

Morphine is used to alleviate chronic cancer pain. However, constipation is a major adverse effect that often detracts from the patient's quality of life. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of dietary fiber on morphine-induced constipation. Rats were fed on a normal diet or one containing either 10% or 20% apple fiber for two weeks before morphine was administered. In the control diet group, the fecal number and dry weight were decreased by treating with morphine in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the motility of the small and large intestines was reduced. The fecal number and weight were increased and the colon motility was promoted by dietary fiber, regardless of whether morphine was being administered. The dietary fiber increased the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecum. These results suggest that dietary fiber has a preventative effect on morphine-induced constipation by increasing SCFAs in the cecum, and thereby promoting colon motility in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Variation in cell wall composition among forage maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines and its impact on digestibility: analysis of neutral detergent fiber composition by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Cell wall digestibility is an important determinant of forage quality, but the relationship between cell wall composition and digestibility is poorly understood. We analyzed the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) fraction of nine maize inbred lines and one brown midrib3 mutant with pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS). Among 29 pyrolysis fragments that were quantified, two carbohydrate-derived and six lignin-derived fragments showed statistically significant genetic variation. The pyrolysis products 4-vinyl phenol and 2,6-dimethoxy-4-vinyl phenol were negatively correlated with digestibility, whereas furfural and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxopropanal showed a positive correlation with digestibility. Linear discriminant analysis of the pyrolysis data resulted in the resolution of groups of inbred lines with different digestibility properties based on their chemical composition. These analyses reveal that digestibility is governed by complex interactions between different cell wall compounds, but that several pyrolysis fragments can be used as markers to distinguish between maize lines with different digestibility.

Breeding↗
PubMed2003

Exercise capacity and muscle structure in kidney recipient and twin donor.

Exercise capacity and muscle function are known to be abnormal in patients with renal disease. We present a case study in which we studied a kidney transplant recipient who received a kidney from his identical twin. Testing included maximal exercise testing with measurement of oxygen uptake (VO2max), isokinetic muscle function testing, body composition analysis using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) imaging and quality of life using The Medical Outcomes Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire. Muscle biopsies were also analysed for fibre composition and size and ultrastructure. We found that the twin recipient had lower values for VO2max, muscle strength, muscle mass and quality of life scales (physical domains) compared with the twin donor. Muscle fibre composition was identical in the twins, however, muscle fibres size was reduced in the twin donor in Type I, and Type IIA fibre types. The twin recipient also showed lower fibre density (volume percentage) and greater intrafibrillar space than the donor. The twins were both sedentary, thus we conclude that the low exercise capacity and abnormalities observed in the recipient are characteristics of renal failure, and not the result of physical deconditioning, nor was it related to prednisone therapy, which may negatively affect muscle function.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1991

On the taste of umami in chimpanzee.

Whole and single fiber chorda tympani nerve recordings were obtained in 5 chimpanzees to stimulation with MSG (monosodium phosphate) and GMP (guanosine 5'-monophosphate, disodium salt) alone and in combination. The overall chorda tympani nerve activity was recorded to 5 concentrations of MSG, ranging from 1 to 100 mM with and without 0.3 mM GMP, and to 5 concentrations of GMP, ranging from 0.1 to 10 mM, with and without 30 mM MSG. A synergistic effect was recorded between MSG and GMP in 3 out of 4 animals. The effect of stimulation with MSG and GMP alone and mixed was studied in approximately 25 single fiber recordings against a background of the stimulating effects of 11 different sweeteners, 3 acids, 3 bitter compounds and 3 different salts. The fibers showed a high taste specificity and fell into groups which corroborated with the human concepts of the taste qualities. The umami compounds elicited moderate responses which were largest in the sweet fibers. In the 6 sweet fibers that responded to the umami compounds. 0.3 mM GMP was a more effective stimulus than 10 mM MSG. In 3 of these fibers a synergistic effect was recorded to the mixture of GMP and MSG. It is interesting that the response to GMP and MSG was unaffected by gymnemic acid, although it blocked the response to the sweet compounds. Three out of 10 salt fibers responded to MSG and GMP but no synergistic effect was recorded. No specific umami fibers were recorded. However, more data must be collected before the final conclusion on the presence or absence of specific umami fibers can be drawn.

Animals↗