Effects of graded levels of dietary pomegranate peel on methane and nitrogen losses, and metabolic and health indicators in dairy cows.

This study aimed to quantify the effects of dietary inclusion of tannin-rich pomegranate peel (PP) on intake, methane and nitrogen (N) losses, and metabolic and health indicators in dairy cows. Four multiparous, late-lactating Brown Swiss dairy cows (796 kg body weight; 29 kg/d of energy corrected milk yield) were randomly allocated to 3 treatments in a randomized cyclic change-over design with 3 periods, each comprising 14 d of adaptation, 7 d of milk, urine, and feces collection, and 2 d of methane measurements. Treatments were formulated using PP that replaced on a dry matter (DM) basis 0% (control), 5%, and 10% of the basal mixed ration (BMR) consisting of corn and grass silage, alfalfa, and concentrate. Gaseous exchange of the cows was determined in open-circuit respiration chambers. Blood samples were collected on d 15 of each period. Individual feed intake as well as feces and urine excretion were quantified, and representative samples were collected for analyses of nutrients and phenol composition. Milk was analyzed for concentrations of fat, protein, lactose, milk urea N, and fatty acids. Total phenols and antioxidant capacity in milk and plasma were determined. In serum, the concentrations of urea and bilirubin as well as the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and γ-glutamyl transferase were measured. The data were subjected to ANOVA with the Mixed procedure of SAS, with treatment and period as fixed and animal as random effects. The PP and BMR contained 218 and 3.5 g of total extractable tannins per kg DM, respectively, and thereof 203 and 3.3 g of hydrolyzable tannins. Total DM intake, energy corrected milk, and methane emission (total, yield, and intensity) were not affected by PP supplementation. The proportions of C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 in milk increased linearly as the amount of PP was increased in the diet. Milk urea N, blood urea N, and urinary N excretion decreased linearly with the increase in dietary PP content. Total phenols and antioxidant capacity in milk and plasma were not affected by the inclusion of PP. The activity of ALT increased in a linear manner with the inclusion of PP. In conclusion, replacing up to 10% of BMR with PP improved milk fatty acid composition and alleviated metabolic and environmental N load. However, the elevated serum ALT activity indicates an onset of liver stress even at 5% PP, requiring the development of adaptation protocols for safe inclusion of PP in ruminant diets.

Nutrient profiling and food label claims: evaluation of dairy products in three major European countries.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study reviews commercially available dairy products with nutrition or health-related on-pack communication against selected nutrient profiling models. It aims to provide guidance on the model characteristics required to appropriately categorise products into those that are suitable for carrying claims, versus those whose overall nutritional composition does not support such product communication. SUBJECTS/METHODS: More than 300 dairy products carrying claims were identified in Germany, France and the UK and evaluated against six existing nutrient profiling models. All models were assessed regarding their underlying principles, generated results and inter-model agreement levels. RESULTS: In most cases, products failed the criteria of a given model because of too high levels of total fat, saturated fatty acids, sugars and/ or sodium. The Swedish Keyhole and the Smart Choices Program were the most restrictive models and showed the highest level of agreement. In general, the application of nutrient profiles helped to select products with significantly lower average levels of nutrients that are linked to chronic diseases when consumed in excess. However, calcium levels were also highly impacted in some cases. CONCLUSIONS: A nutrient profiling model that targets saturated fatty acids, sugars and sodium can meaningfully and comprehensively identify dairy products with a favourable nutritional composition. However, thresholds have to be set carefully to not reduce the average calcium contribution of the category. The use of separate criteria for cheeses and other dairy products seems necessary to take into account intrinsic compositional differences.

Modification of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids via complementary food enhances n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis in healthy infants: a double blinded randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of modified polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profiles of complementary food on long-chain (LC) PUFA composition in healthy infants. DESIGN: Double blinded, randomised, controlled intervention trial. SETTING: Dortmund, Germany. PATIENTS: Free-living sample of healthy term infants. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned within the first 2 months of life. During the intervention period from 4 to 10 months, the control group (n = 53) received commercial complementary meals with corn oil (3.4 g/meal) rich in n-6 linoleic acid (LA), the intervention group (n = 49) received the same meals with rapeseed oil (1.6 g/meal) rich in n-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Fatty acid intake was assessed from dietary records throughout the intervention period. Fatty acid proportions (% of total fatty acid) in total plasma were analysed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Plasma fatty acid profiles did not differ between the intervention and control groups before the intervention. During the intervention, the only difference in fatty acid intake between the intervention and control groups was a higher intake of ALA in the intervention group, 21% deriving from study food and a lower ratio of LA/ALA (10.7 vs 14.8). At the end of the intervention, the plasma proportions of total n-3 fatty acids and of n-3 LC-PUFA, but not of ALA, were higher and the ratios of n-6/n-3 fatty acids were lower in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Feasible dietary modifications of the precursor fatty acid profile via n-3 PUFA-rich vegetable oil favoured n-3 LC-PUFA synthesis in the complementary feeding period when LC-PUFA intake from breast milk and formula is decreasing.

S-fimbriae from Escherichia coli bind to soluble glycoproteins from human milk.

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains, expressing S-fimbriae, belong to the most common gram-negative pathogens that cause sepsis and meningitis in neonates. The attachment of S-fimbriae to the cell surface is mediated by membrane glycoconjugates, which often carry N-acetylneuraminic acid. METHODS: Binding studies were performed with glycoproteins from the whey fraction of human milk to investigate whether they exert a potential inhibitory effect on bacterial adhesion. Whey glycoproteins were separated according to their molecular weight by fast protein liquid chromatography gel filtration. After sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes and incubated with isolated S-fimbriae from recombinant E. coli strain HB 101 (pANN 801-4). RESULTS: S-fimbriae recognized four whey proteins with a molecular mass of more than 200 kDa, 170 to 150 kDa, and 80 kDa. Their glycosylation pattern was investigated using the lectins Sambucus nigra, Maackia amurensis, Galanthus nivalis, and Arachis hypogaea. Thus the presence of N- and O-glycans in these proteins was confirmed. The preferential binding to N-acetylneuraminic acid containing glycoproteins was demonstrated by a complete abolishment of these reactions by incubation with acidic lactose-derived oligosaccharides. However, the cleavage of N-acetylneuraminic acid from glycoproteins by mild acid hydrolysis revealed a second binding site for S-fimbriae on milk proteins of a similar molecular weight range. Terminal galactose in human milk glycoconjugates were thought to react with S-fimbriae as well. CONCLUSION: These data further support the opinion that glycoproteins from human milk are potential receptor analogues for certain bacteria that may prevent microbial adhesion to the epithelial cell surface.

[EMLA for anesthesia of puncture sites for large lumen indwelling venous catheters for autologous plasma and erythrocyte concentrate donation]. / EMLA zur Anästhesie der Punktionsstellen für gosslumige Venenverweilkanülen zur autologen Plasma - und Erythrozytenkonzentratspende.

OBJECTIVE: The analgetic effect of EMLA-Creme (Lidocaine-Prilocaine-Cream) was studied in 52 patients undergoing preoperative autologous blood and/or plasma donation. METHOD: 95 venous punctures were performed with a 18 G or 16 G cannula. Puncture pain was estimated by the patients using a visual analog painscore (VAS 0-100). The data were evaluated regarding reaction time, puncture spot and cannula diameter. RESULTS: Within 15 minutes we find a clear reduction of puncture pain. The diameter of the cannula does not correlate with the painscore. Puncture of hand-back veins seems to be more painful than cubital vein puncture. CONCLUSION: The application of EMLA-Creme results in an effective analgesia for venous puncture. 37% of our patients were punctured without any pain and 67% felt a tolerable pain (VAS: 0-10).

Radon and thoron emanation from uranium-glazed tableware.

Radon and thoron gas emanation from tableware with ceramic glazes containing elevated uranium levels was determined using alpha-scintillation cells. Though gamma spectroscopy noted significant uranium concentrations in the glazed, no radioactive gas emanation was observed, contradicting a previous report.

Increased renal net acid excretion in prematures below 1,600 g body weight compared with prematures and small-for-date newborns above 2,100 g on alimentation with a commercial preterm formula.

In 76 low birth weight infants with an actual body weight ranging from 1,210 to 2,540 g and fed a commercial preterm formula, urine samples were collected and blood acid base status was measured on day 38 (+/- 17, mean +/- SD) of life. Infants with an actual body weight below 1,600 g demonstrated a higher daily weight gain (22 +/- 3 vs. 14 +/- 5 g/kg/day), lower blood pCO2 (35.4 +/- 5.0 vs. 38.9 +/- 3.8 mm Hg), lower urine pH (5.8 +/- 0.5 vs. 6.5 +/- 0.3), higher renal net acid (1.86 +/- 0.38 vs. 1.28 +/- 0.55 mmol/kg/day) and higher phosphorus excretion (0.67 vs. 0.52 mmol/kg/day) than infants with an actual body weight above 2,100 g. Urinary ionogram data of these 2 groups of infants show that the increased renal net acid excretion of the smaller prematures is the result of a lower urinary excretion of sodium, potassium and chloride, due to a higher daily weight gain, probably a higher retention of these minerals, and a higher urinary phosphorus excretion probably due to an age-specific lower intestinal calcium absorption, and therefore a lower rate of calcium and phosphorus retention. Considering the low renal capacity for hydrogen ion excretion, very low birth weight infants still run a considerable risk for disturbances of acid base metabolism due to the high mean level of net acid excretion in nutrition with preterm formulas and an additional age-specific augmentation of renal acid load.

Protein composition of rhesus monkey milk: comparison to human milk.

1. Proteins in human milk and Rhesus monkey milk have been compared by FPLC gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography, SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, nitrogen and protein determination. 2. Mature Rhesus milk is higher in protein concentration (15-20 mg/ml) than human milk (8-9 mg/ml). 3. Non-Protein nitrogen is 6-13% in Rhesus milk but 25-30% in human milk. 4. Secretory IgA, lactoferrin, serum albumin, alpha-lactalbumin and lysozyme are present in Rhesus milk, but at a lower concentration than in human milk. 5. The casein subunit pattern is more complex in Rhesus milk compared to human milk. 6. The ratio of whey proteins to casein is similar in both milks (approximately 60/40). 7. A protein with a M(r) of 21,600 is a major component in monkey whey but is not found in human milk.

Low renal net acid excretion, high calciuria and biochemical signs of sodium deficiency in low-birth-weight infants fed a new low-phosphorus formula.

In 11 infants (birth weight greater than 1800 g) fed a new type of humanized formula with a low phosphorus (P) content (calcium (Ca) 11 mmol/l, P 7.2 mmol/l, sodium (Na) 8.3 mmol/l) biochemical parameters of blood, serum and urine were determined. In nine boys Ca and P balances were evaluated also. Renal net acid excretion was low (0.85 mmol/kg/day). Mean concentrations of P and Ca in urine were 0.34 mmol/kg/day (10.5 mg/kg/day) and 0.1 mmol/kg/day (4 mg/kg/day), respectively. In four infants, Ca concentration in urine was, however, greater than 0.15 mmol/kg/day) (6 mg/kg/day). In infants with birth weights greater than 1800 g fed the new, low-P formula, the low renal net acid excretion, the normal P and the high Ca concentrations in urine were comparable to term infants fed human milk. The high calciuria in several infants may be normal physiologic values. However, it remains to be established that the urinary solubility product of infants fed the new, low-P formula is in the same range as those for infants fed human milk. Unexpectedly, low urinary Na excretion (0.26 mmol/kg/day) and increased urinary excretion of aldosterone-18-glucuronide indicated biochemical evidence of Na deficiency secondary to low Na intake and a high weight gain. If the new, low-P formula is to be fed to infants with a birth weight as low as 1800 g. Na content should be higher than in mature human milk because of the often relatively higher weight gain.

Casein and casein subunits in preterm milk, colostrum, and mature human milk.

Human milk proteins have both nutritional and physiological roles for the breast-fed infant. While the biochemistry and developmental patterns for many whey proteins are well known, our knowledge of human casein and its subunits is still limited. We have recently developed a method to isolate casein from whey proteins in human milk and to separate the casein subunits by fast protein liquid chromatography. In this study we have applied this methodology to study the casein subunit pattern in preterm milk, colostrum, and mature milk. Casein concentration increased with lactation time, largely due to an increase in glycosylated forms of casein (kappa-caseins). Thus, the relative proportion of beta-casein to kappa-casein decreased during the lactation period. The patterns of phosphorylated and glycosylated casein subunits were found to vary during lactation, showing that both synthesis and posttranslational modification of beta- and kappa-casein are regulated by different mechanisms.

Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D in cow's milk, infant formulas and breast milk during different stages of lactation.

Vitamin D and its metabolites were determined in cow's milk, infant formulas, and colostrum, transitional and mature breast milk by specific protein-binding assays following HPLC (high-pressure liquid chromatography). Cow's milk contains (mean +/- SEM) 50.4 +/- 4.1 pg/ml vitamin D (n = 10), 499 +/- 47 pg/ml 25-OH D (n = 10) and 9.7 +/- 1.0 pg/ml 1,25 (OH)2D (n = 3). 86.6% of the added vitamin D3 was recovered from infant formulas. The mean content (mean +/- SEM) of 25-OH D and 1,25(OH)2D of infant formulas are 299 +/- 35 pg/ml and 5.4 +/- 0.9 pg/ml (n = 9), respectively. Vitamin D concentration of colostrum and mature breast milk is 122 +/- 3.4 pg/ml (n = 7, mean +/- SEM) and 38 +/- 3.3 pg/ml (n = 9) respectively; the 25-OH D content increases from 294 +/- 50.6 pg/ml (n = 10) to 845 +/- 190 pg/ml (n = 14) during lactation. The increase of 1,25-(OH)2D from early to mature breast milk (3.2 +/- 0.6 pg/ml, n = 8 versus 5.3 +/- 0.7 pg/ml, n = 20) is still statistically significant.