Establishing the tolerability to broiler chickens and laying hens of nonanoic acid at practical levels of use as a feed flavouring.

1. The following experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of nonanoic acid (NA) in broilers and laying hens, at practical levels as a flavouring in complete feed.2. In the first experiment, 1100, one-day-old Ross 308 chicks, half male and female, were randomly assigned to 50 floor pens containing 22 chicks each. Chicks were fed one of five treatment diets containing either 0 (control), 100, 300, 500 or 1,000 mg NA/kg complete feed for 42 days.3. The NA treatment had no effect on ADFI, but there was a linear relationship with ADG and FCR. No differences were observed in blood parameters or tissue pathology among treatment groups.4. In a second study, 150 Hyline hens aged 24 weeks old were randomly assigned to 50 pens containing three birds each. Laying hens were fed one of five treatment diets containing 0 (control), 100, 300, 500 or 1,000 mg NA/kg complete feed for 56 days.5. Treatment with NA has no effect on live weight, ADFI or egg production in laying hens, and there were no observed changes in tissue pathology.6. The results supported the toleration of NA in broilers or layers at dietary levels of up to 1,000 mg/kg.

Theory of Planned Behavior and Perceived Role Model as Predictors of Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviors Among College Students in Health-Related Disciplines.

Physical activity (PA) and nutrition behaviors among college students in health-related disciplines are understudied. We used theory of planned behavior (TPB) and role model beliefs (RMB) to predict PA and eating behaviors of college students in health-related programs (nurses, physical education, exercise science, and athletic training). A 26-item survey was administered among the participants. Independent variables included TPB constructs and RMB measured on a 5-point scale. PA was measured by multiplicative scores of students' number of days by the amount of time spent exercising per week. Nutrition behavior was measured using fruits (2½ c-eq/day), vegetables (2½ c-eq/day), dairy (2 c-eq/day), grains (6 oz-eq/day), and proteins (5½ oz-eq/day). Multiple regression analyses were used to predict PA and nutrition behaviors. A total of 271 college health majors (mean age 22.5 ± 4.6 years) participated in the study. The majority (56.8%) of students did not meet the weekly PA guidelines and 43.2% did not meet the recommended dietary guidelines for daily servings of food groups combined. Regression analyses showed that outcome evaluation, behavioral belief, and RMB, were significantly related with student's PA behavior and they accounted for 34%, 8%, and 1% of the variance, respectively (total R2 = 44.7). Outcome evaluation and behavioral beliefs were significantly related with nutritional behavior and they accounted for 13.3%, and 5.3% of the variance respectively (total R2 = 18.6). TPB (outcome evaluation, behavioral belief) and RMB could be used to guide programs in promoting PA and nutrition behavior among college health majors.

Effects of oral salt supplementation on physical performance during a half-ironman: A randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of oral salt supplementation to improve exercise performance during a half-ironman triathlon. Twenty-six experienced triathletes were matched for age, anthropometric data, and training status, and randomly placed into the salt group (113 mmol Na(+) and 112 mmol Cl(-)) or the control group (cellulose). The experimental treatments were ingested before and during a real half-ironman triathlon competition. Pre- and post-race body mass, maximal force during a whole-body isometric strength test, maximal height during a countermovement jump, were measured, and blood samples were obtained. Sweat samples were obtained during the running section. Total race time was lower in the salt group than in the control group (P = 0.04). After the race, whole-body isometric strength (P = 0.17) and jump height (P = 0.49) were similarly reduced in both groups. Sweat loss (P = 0.98) and sweat Na(+) concentration (P = 0.72) were similar between groups. However, body mass tended to be less reduced in the salt group than in the control group (P = 0.09) while post-race serum Na(+) (P = 0.03) and Cl(-) (P = 0.03) concentrations were higher in the salt group than in the control group. Oral salt supplementation was effective to lessen body mass loss and increase serum electrolyte concentration during a real half-ironman.

Efficacy of feed additives against Campylobacter in live broilers during the entire rearing period: Part B.

A total of 636 day-of-hatch Ross 308 broilers chicks were used in 4 independent trials carried out to screen the effect of 12 feed additives on reducing cecal colonization of Campylobacterin broilers. The tested additives were probiotics based on B. subtilis and S. cerevisae, a garlic extract, a blend of herbal substances and essential oils, two different combinations of essential oils and organic acids (OA), two mixtures of flavoring compounds, medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), monoglycerides (MG) of MCFA and MG-MCFA+OA. At 14 days of age, all the birds were orally infected with 0.1 mL of a bacterial suspension of C. jejuni ST-45 diluted at 10(5) cfu/mL in tryptone salt broth. In each trial, there was a positive control group and 2 (Trials 1 and 2) or 4 (Trials 3 and 4) additional treatment groups supplemented with additives, which were added to feed or water only to the finisher (21 to 42 d) diet (Trials 1 and 2) or to the starter (0 to 21 d) and finisher diets (Trials 3 and 4). Feed and water were available ad libitum. On days 35 and 42 of age in Trials 1 and 2, and on days 21, 35 and 42 of age in Trials 3 and 4, 10 (Trials 1 and 2) or 12 birds (Trials 3 and 4) per group were euthanized for cecal sampling. In Trial 1, birds fed with MCFA and MG-MCFA had a significant (P<0.05) reduction in cecal Campylobacter colonization compared to control at 35 d, but only the group treated with MG-MCFA maintained the reduction at 42 d. In Trials 2 to 4, no significant differences (P>0.05) in cecal Campylobacter counts were found between the treated and control animals. In conclusion, although none of the treatments were able to completely prevent the colonization of chickens with C. jejuni, MCFA and MG-MCFAs could reduce the pathogen counts when supplemented from 21 days onwards.

Obliquity-paced Pliocene West Antarctic ice sheet oscillations.

Thirty years after oxygen isotope records from microfossils deposited in ocean sediments confirmed the hypothesis that variations in the Earth's orbital geometry control the ice ages, fundamental questions remain over the response of the Antarctic ice sheets to orbital cycles. Furthermore, an understanding of the behaviour of the marine-based West Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS) during the 'warmer-than-present' early-Pliocene epoch ( approximately 5-3 Myr ago) is needed to better constrain the possible range of ice-sheet behaviour in the context of future global warming. Here we present a marine glacial record from the upper 600 m of the AND-1B sediment core recovered from beneath the northwest part of the Ross ice shelf by the ANDRILL programme and demonstrate well-dated, approximately 40-kyr cyclic variations in ice-sheet extent linked to cycles in insolation influenced by changes in the Earth's axial tilt (obliquity) during the Pliocene. Our data provide direct evidence for orbitally induced oscillations in the WAIS, which periodically collapsed, resulting in a switch from grounded ice, or ice shelves, to open waters in the Ross embayment when planetary temperatures were up to approximately 3 degrees C warmer than today and atmospheric CO(2) concentration was as high as approximately 400 p.p.m.v. (refs 5, 6). The evidence is consistent with a new ice-sheet/ice-shelf model that simulates fluctuations in Antarctic ice volume of up to +7 m in equivalent sea level associated with the loss of the WAIS and up to +3 m in equivalent sea level from the East Antarctic ice sheet, in response to ocean-induced melting paced by obliquity. During interglacial times, diatomaceous sediments indicate high surface-water productivity, minimal summer sea ice and air temperatures above freezing, suggesting an additional influence of surface melt under conditions of elevated CO(2).

[Transumbilical cholecystectomy using hybrid technique: a new promising approach]. / Colecistectomia transumbilical mediante técnica híbrida: un nuevo abordaje prometedor.

OBJECTIVES: The use of magnets in transumbilical cholecystectomy improves triangulation and achieves optimal critical view. However, the attraction between magnets can cause collisions and their management complicates the procedure, and this will become more important in children. In order to simplify the technique, we have developed a hybrid model with a single magnet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of cholecystectomies performed in our department between June 2011 and July 2012. The technique combines the use of a magnet and a curved grasper. Through transumbilical incision, a 12 mm trocar and another flexible 5 mm are placed. Laparoscope with working channel uses the 12 mm trocar. The magnet is introduced to the abdominal cavity using the working channel to provide cephalad retraction of gallbladder fundus. Curved grasper is run by the assistant to mobilize the infundibulum across flexible trocar. The surgeon operates through the working channel of the laparoscope. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were operated on with this technique. Mean age was 14 years (4-17) and weight 50 kg (18-90). 65% were girls. The mean operative time was 62 minutes (50-70) and the critical view of safety was achieved in all cases. Instrumental collision or hands crossing were not seen. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The hospital stay was 1.4 +/- 0.6 days and the median follow-up 201 days (42-429). CONCLUSIONS: The hybrid technique, combining magnet and a curved grasper, simplifies transumbilical surgery. It seems a feasible and safe for transumbilical cholecystectomy and potentially reproducible.

Assessment of university policies for service animals and emotional support animals.

OBJECTIVE: Assess administrative responsibilities and experiential effects of emotional support animal (ESA) and service animal (SA) policies on college campuses. PARTICIPANTS: Students at two four-year universities participated in an emotional support animals and service animals survey. Selected students and professional personnel participated in interviews and focus groups. METHODS: This mixed-methods study included quantitative survey data from 1,363 students, qualitative individual interviews (3) and a focus group (1) regarding emotional support animal (ESA) and service animal (SA). RESULTS: Seventy-one students reported having ESAs, 18 had SAs. Barriers for ESAs on campus included no ESAs outside of dorms, while SA-owners reported fewer barriers. University administrators followed federal guidelines for SAs but lacked clear guidelines for ESAs. Qualitative themes included lack of awareness, education, support for SA, and ESA accommodations. CONCLUSIONS: ESA and SA accommodations continue to rise, on university campuses. Clear guidelines and implementation processes are imperative for future improvements.

A ten-year monitoring of essential and non-essential elements in the dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus from the southern Gulf of California.

The concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were measured in muscle tissue of Coryphaena hippurus captured in the southern Gulf of California to determine inter-annual variations and their relation with environmental parameters for the period 2006-2015; additionally, health risk to consumers was assessed according to levels of studied elements and rate of fish consumption in northwest Mexico. During 2014 and 2015 the levels of As, Cd, Cu, and Zn were significantly lower than the rest of the years; in the case of As, it was also significantly lower in 2010. Oceanic Niño Index was negatively correlated with Zn concentrations in fish, while sea surface temperature was negatively correlated with Zn, Pb and Cd concentrations in dolphinfish. The simultaneous occurrence of the analyzed elements in muscle of dolphinfish indicated that health effects on consumers are not likely to occur; nevertheless, fishermen with elevated fish consumption might be at risk.

Effect of an abdominal hypopressive technique programme on pelvic floor muscle tone and urinary incontinence in women: a randomised crossover trial.

OBJECTIVES: To test the effect of a structured abdominal hypopressive technique (AHT) programme on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) tone and urinary incontinence (UI) in women. DESIGN: Crossover trial with random assignment of women to one of two groups: Group 1 (AHT followed by rest) and Group 2 (rest followed by AHT). SETTING: Two cultural centres in Madrid, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Women aged 20-65 years. INTERVENTIONS: Two months of supervised AHT exercises compared with 2 months of rest. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Variation in PFM tone and score on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF)]. RESULTS: Forty-two women were randomised to two groups (both n=21). No sequence or period effect was noted. The mean difference in PFM tone after the 2-month AHT programme was 59g/cm² [95% confidence interval (CI) 37 to 82]; the between-group difference was 83g/cm² (95% CI 50 to 116; P<0.001). After 2 months, the between-group difference in the ICIQ-SF score was 3.3 points (P<0.001). The majority of participants reported improved body image and sense of well-being. CONCLUSIONS: A structured 2-month AHT programme for women showed short-term benefits in PFM tone and UI. In addition, study participants reported improved body image and sense of well-being, and programme satisfaction, as demonstrated by questionnaire at the end of the intervention period. Further research is needed to test the long-term effects and effectiveness of AHT compared with other PFM exercises. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT0221241.

[Efficacy of recombinant activated factor VII for massive bleeding after cardiac surgery: experience with 32 patients]. / Eficacia del factor VII recombinante activado en el tratamiento de la hemorragia masiva en el postoperatorio de cirugía cardiaca: experiencia en 32 pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) to treat massive bleeding refractory to conventional treatment following cardiac surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 32 adults who underwent cardiac surgery and received rFVIIa to treat life-threatening postoperative bleeding after conventional means of correcting coagulopathy had failed. RESULTS: After administration of rFVIIa (90 microg x kg(-1), coagulation parameters soon became normal and blood loss decreased, with drainage going from a mean (SD) of 463 (321) mL in the hour when rFVIIa was infused to 155 (101) mL in the next hour (P < .001). Blood loss decreased by between 22% and 90% (mean, 66%), and the reduction was over 75% in 45% of the patients. Decreases in the transfusion of packed red blood cells (from 7A.4 [4.1] units to 2.7 [ 2.9] units; P < .001), plasma (from 4.7 [2.9] units to 1.6 [2.0] units; P < .001), and platelets were also noted. Mortality was 25%, although only 1 patient died from hemorrhagic shock. One patient developed thromboembolic complications (ischemic stroke). CONCLUSION: rFVIIa was effective in treating refractory bleeding after cardiac surgery, reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements and restoring blood parameters to normal.

Activation of kinin B1 receptors induces chemotaxis of human neutrophils.

Kinins are biologically active peptides that are powerful mediators of cellular inflammation. They mimic the cardinal signs of inflammation by inducing vasodilatation and by increasing vascular permeability and pain. Neutrophils are chemoattracted to sites of inflammation by several stimuli. However, the evidence concerning the chemotactic effect of kinin peptides has been contradictory. We analyzed the chemotactic effect of kinin B(1) receptor agonists on neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood of human healthy subjects. Chemotaxis was performed using the migration under agarose technique. To test the effect of B(1) receptor agonists, each assay was carried out overnight at 37 degrees C in 5% CO(2)-95% air on neutrophils primed with 1 ng/ml interleukin-1beta. Simultaneous experiments were performed using unprimed cells or cells challenged with formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP). A clear chemotactic activity was observed when primed neutrophils were challenged with Lys-des[Arg(9)]-bradykinin (LDBK) or des[Arg(9)]-bradykinin at 10(-10) M but not when unprimed cells were used. A reduction in the chemotactic response was observed after priming of cells in the presence of 0.5 mM cycloheximide and 10 mug/ml brefeldin A, suggesting that some protein biosynthesis is required. Techniques such as reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization confirmed the expression of the B(1) receptor mRNA, and immunocytochemistry and autoradiography demonstrated the expression of the B(1) receptor protein. In contrast to other chemoattractants such as fMLP, cytosolic intracellular calcium did not increase in response to the B(1) receptor agonist LDBK. A generation of kinin B(1) receptor agonists during the early phase of acute inflammation may favor the recruitment of neutrophils to the inflammatory site.

The effect of performance feedback on wound infection rate in abdominal hysterectomy.

BACKGROUND: In many hospitals, infection of the surgical wound is the most common nosocomial infection. Its presence implies patient morbidity, a mortality risk, and an increase in procedure costs because of prolonged hospitalization. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to ascertain the effect of an infection control program, using performance feedback, on wound infection (WI) rate in abdominal hysterectomy. METHODS: All patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy in our center (Hospital A. Marcide, Ferrol, Spain) between 1999 and 2004 were prospectively followed up to determine the WI rate. A complete set of parameters, including age, underlying illnesses, cancer, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppressive therapy, albumin, American Society of Anesthesiologists preoperative assessment score (ASA) risk, days in hospital presurgery, date of surgery, hygiene and perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis, type of surgical operation, duration of surgery, surgeon, and WI, were collected in each case. After data collection for 1999 concluded, we communicated surgical WI rates to surgeons every year. A logistic regression analysis was performed to compare WI rates with those observed in 1999. RESULTS: A total of 980 females was enrolled in the prospective surveillance: mean age, 50.7 +/- 10.7 years. Cases included 25.8% cancer, 4.9% diabetes, 0.5% immunosuppressive therapy, 26.6% ASA 1, 58.4% ASA 2, 13.9% ASA 3. In 9 patients, emergency surgery was performed and, in 971 patients, surgery was scheduled: Total abdominal hysterectomy, 878; subtotal abdominal hysterectomy, 65; Wertheim-Meigs, 37. The factors associated with WI were albumin (OR, 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-0.99) and antimicrobial prophylaxis (OR, 0.08; 95% CI: 0.02-0.32). The mean values for albumin and the number of patients with antimicrobial prophylaxis fluctuated from year to year. The WI rate improved from 10.7% (95% CI: 5.8-15.6) in 1999 to 6% (-43.9%) in 2004. CONCLUSION: Performance feedback of surgical wound infection rates to individual surgeons reduces these rates.

Relationship between ethanol tolerance, H+ -ATPase activity and the lipid composition of the plasma membrane in different wine yeast strains.

Ethanol tolerance, ATPase activity and the lipid composition of the plasma membrane to study potential relationship among them were examined in five different wine yeast strains. Yeast cells were subjected to ethanol stress (4% v/v). Principal component analysis of the results revealed that the wine yeasts studied can be distinguished in terms of ATPase activity and oleic acid (C18:1), and palmitoleic acid (C16:1), in plasma membrane. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify a potential influence of some components of the plasma membrane on ethanol tolerance and ATPase activity. Based on the results, the ergosterol, oleic acid and palmitoleic acid are highly correlated with ATPase activity and ethanol tolerance. Ethanol tolerance and the ATPase activity of the plasma membrane were correlated at the 96.64% level with the oleic acid and ergosterol in plasma membrane. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. capensis flor yeast strain, which exhibited the highest ergosterol concentration in plasma membrane when grown in the presence of 4% v/v ethanol, was found to be the most ethanol-tolerant.

Reduced work/academic performance and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis and impact of allergen immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterised by burdensome nasal and/or ocular symptoms. This inflammatory disease can be debilitating and thus result in considerable health-related and economic consequences. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, adult subjects with AR (N = 683) completed three allergy-specific questionnaires that assessed the impact of AR on the work/academic performance, daily activities, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and satisfaction with allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Regression analyses were used to examine the associations between several clinical variables and the patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: Total loss of productivity was 21.0 and 21.2 % for employed and student patients, respectively, whereas the impairment of daily activities was 22.0 %. The mean overall HRQOL score was 1.94 ± 1.29 (on the scale of 0-6 points). Global score for satisfaction with AIT was 65.5 ± 24.8 (on a 0-100 scale). Simple regression analysis found statistically significant associations between loss of work and academic productivity, impairment of daily activities and the type and severity of AR. AIT was a protective factor. The persistent and more severe types of AR and lack of AIT contributed to the worsening of HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS: AR (the persistent and more severe form of the disease) has an impact on functional characteristics of adult patients in Spain. AIT might reduce the effect of this disease on the work/academic performance and HRQOL. Trial registration Retrospectively registered.

The floor plate cells from bovines express the mRNA encoding for SCO-spondin and its translation products.

The floor plate (FP) is a transient structure of the embryonic central nervous system (CNS) which plays a key role in development driving cell differentiation and patterning in the ventral neural tube. The fact that antisera raised against subcommissural organ (SCO) secretion immunostain FP cells and react with high-molecular-mass proteins in FP extracts, prompted us to investigate the expression of a SCO-related polypeptide in FP cells. RNA from bovine FP was analyzed by means of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using primers derived from the 3' end of SCO-spondin which revealed products of 233, 237, 519 and 783 bp. Sequence analysis of the 233 bp PCR fragment confirmed the identity between this FP product and SCO-spondin. FP-translation of the SCO-spondin encoded polypeptide(s) was demonstrated by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry, using antisera raised against (i) the glycoproteins secreted by the bovine SCO, and (ii) a peptide derived from the open reading frame of the major SCO secretory protein, SCO-spondin, respectively. Additional evidence pointing to active transcription and translation of a SCO-spondin related gene was obtained in long term FP organ cultures. On the basis of partial sequence homologies of SCO-spondin with protein domains implicated in cell-cell contacts, cell-matrix interactions and neurite outgrowth it is possible to suggest that the SCO-spondin secreted by the FP is involved in CNS development.

CpG ODN can re-direct the Th bias of established Th2 immune responses in adult and young mice.

Induction of an appropriate immune response is essential for successful immunization. For example, Th1 type immune responses are necessary for the control of intracellular infections whereas Th2 type responses are more useful for the control of extracellular infections. Immunostimulatory CpG ODN (oligonucleotides containing unmethylated cytosine and guanine dinucleotides in specific base contexts) act as potent adjuvants and have been shown to induce Th1 type immune responses with a number of different antigens. This study investigates the effect of CpG ODN on the Th bias of immune responses generated against the hepatitis B major surface antigen (HBsAg) in adult (6-8 weeks old) and young (<1 week old) BALB/c mice. It also investigates the potential of CpG DNA to reverse a pre-established Th2 response generated as an adult or as a neonate, following re-exposure to HBsAg in adult life. Both adult and young mice immunized with HBsAg/CpG ODN had a Th1 biased immune response (strong cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) induction, IgG2a>>IgG1). In contrast, mice immunized with HBsAg/alum had a Th2 type immune response (poor CTL, IgG1>>IgG2a). More importantly, when animals were immunized with HBsAg/alum and boosted with HBsAg/CpG ODN, the CpG ODN were able to re-direct the Th2 response pre-established by alum, whereas the animals receiving the primary immunization with HBsAg/CpG ODN and later boosted with HBsAg/alum maintained their Th1 bias, even after the boost with alum. These data suggest that CpG ODN have the ability to augment both humoral and cell mediated immune responses and override the Th2 bias created by alum, even in very young animals, which are known to have a Th2 biased immune system.

Priming of immune responses to hepatitis B surface antigen in young mice immunized in the presence of maternally derived antibodies.

Early vaccination is necessary to protect infants from various infectious diseases. However, this is often unsuccessful largely due to the immaturity of the neonatal immune system. Furthermore, maternally derived antibodies can interfere with active immunization. We have previously shown in young mice that immune responses against several different antigens can be improved by the addition of oligodeoxynucleotides containing immunostimulatory CpG motifs (CpG ODN). In this study we have evaluated immunization of newborn (1-7-day-old) BALB/c mice against hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), with alum and/or CpG ODN, in the presence of high levels of maternal antibody against HBsAg (anti-HBs). Seroconversion rates and anti-HBs titers were compared to those induced by a HBsAg-expressing plasmid, since other studies had suggested DNA vaccines to be superior to protein vaccines in young mice with maternal antibody. HBsAg/alum/CpG ODN was superior to DNA vaccine in inducing HBsAg-specific CTL responses in young mice in the presence of maternally transferred anti-HBs antibodies. However, B cell responses to both HBsAg/alum/CpG ODN and DNA vaccines remained weak in the presence of maternally transferred anti-HBs antibodies.

DNA-Based Immunization of Neonatal Mice.

Immunization of neonates carries three inherent questions: (i) Is the neonatal immune system mature enough to elicit an immune response, and if not, how early can immunization be carried out? (ii) If an immune response is not elicited, will tolerance be induced? (iii) Can offspring of immune mothers be immunized against an antigen despite high levels of passively transferred maternal antibodies to that antigen?

Changes in nitrogen compounds in must and wine during fermentation and biological aging by flor yeasts.

Urea, ammonium, and free amino acid contents were quantified in a must from Vitis vinifera cv. Pedro Ximenez grapes and in fermented wine and after a short aging of this wine by Saccharomyces cerevisiae race capensis yeast under variable oxygen availability conditions. The previous compounds were also determined in a wine in which the nitrogen source was depleted by the same race of flor yeast (old wine) and also following the addition of ammonium ion, L-glutamic acid, and L-proline. Under specific conditions such as low oxygen level and the absence of some nutrients, the yeasts release some amino acids including L-threonine, L-tryptophan, L-cysteine, and L-methionine to the medium. These amino acids must originate primarily in a de novo synthesis from ethanol that regenerates NAD(P)+. On the basis of these results, the yeasts may be able to use amino acids not only as nitrogen sources but also as redox agents to balance the oxidation-reduction potential under conditions of restricted oxygen, when electron transport along the respiratory chain may be hindered or limited.