Nutrient analysis of the Beef Alternative Merchandising cuts.

The objective of this study was to generate raw and cooked nutrient composition data to identify Quality Grade differences in proximate values for eight Beef Alternative Merchandising (BAM) cuts. The data generated will be used to update the nutrient data in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). Beef Rib, Oven-Prepared, Beef Loin, Strip Loin, and Beef Loin, Top Sirloin Butt subprimals were collected from a total of 24 carcasses from four packing plants. The carcasses were a combination of USDA Yield Grades 2 (n=12) and 3 (n=12), USDA Quality Grades upper two-thirds Choice (n=8), low Choice (n=8), and Select (n=8), and two genders, steer (n=16) and heifer (n=8). After aging, subprimals were fabricated into the BAM cuts, dissected, and nutrient analysis was performed. Sample homogenates from each animal were homogenized and composited for analysis of the following: proximate analysis, long chain and trans-fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, total cholesterol, vitamin B-12, and selenium. This study identified seven BAM cuts from all three Quality Grades that qualify for USDA Lean; seven Select cuts that qualify for USDA Extra Lean; and three Select cuts that qualify for the American Heart Association's Heart Healthy Check.

Vitamin A and zinc supplementation of preschool children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether supplementation of vitamin A and/or zinc (Zn) improved serum levels of these nutrients and/or height and weight gains in preschool children, 22 to 66 months, living in Belize, Central America. METHODS: Subjects received either Zn, vitamin A, Zn and vitamin A or a placebo, (70 mg Zn and/or 3030 RE vitamin A, once per week) for 6 months in a 2x2 factorial design. Forty-three children, from a population of 104 prescreened, completed the study; they were selected, prior to treatment, for low/marginal serum concentrations of these micronutrients. RESULTS: Serum Zn levels were greater (16%, p<0.001) for those who received Zn. In contrast, after vitamin A treatment there were no differences in serum vitamin A among groups. Although increases in height (+4.4 cm, p<0.001) and weight (+0.79 kg, p<0.001), compared with baseline values, were numerically greatest for children who received both supplements, only the vitamin A supplementation effect was significant, resulting in increased height (+1.4 cm, p<0.002) and greater weight gain (+0.15 kg, p<0.03) compared to those receiving no vitamin A. Vitamin A supplementation alone significantly increased (p<0.001) hemoglobin concentration. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the preschool children in this study, prescreened for low/marginal serum concentrations from a larger population prior to treatment, were enduring inadequate vitamin A and, to a lesser degree, Zn nutriture. Height and weight gain were significantly increased in the subjects who received a single weekly supplement 3030 RE of vitamin A.

Corticosterone modulation of dietary selection patterns.

Effects of corticosterone (CORT) supplementation on ad lib macronutrient selection and selection following food deprivation were examined in male adrenalectomized (ADX) Sprague-Dawley rats. The ADX rats self-administered CORT from drinking solutions of 0 microgram/ml, 20 micrograms/ml, or 40 micrograms/ml. Adrenalectomy attenuated weight gain, which CORT failed to completely restore. After 6 days, rats were deprived for 0 or 24 h. Adrenalectomy attenuated weight loss during deprivation; CORT failed to restore weight loss. Adrenalectomy reduced ad lib protein intake, which CORT failed to restore. Carbohydrate and fat intakes were not affected by ADX; CORT (40 micrograms/ml) increased fat intake. During the first hour of refeeding, ADX attenuated protein intake; CORT failed to restore intake. Corticosterone-supplemented rats consumed more fat than unsupplemented ADX rats. Over 24 h, unsupplemented, deprived ADX rats consumed less fat and calories than all other deprived groups. These results suggest that CORT affects weight gain in lean rats and modulates macronutrient selection both ad lib and following food deprivation.

Increased vitamin E intake restores fish-oil-induced suppressed blastogenesis of mitogen-stimulated T lymphocytes.

We sought to determine whether fish-oil supplementation would suppress blastogenesis in vitro of concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and, if so, whether it could be reversed with increased intake of vitamin E. Healthy males ate a controlled basal diet providing a total of 40% of energy from fat when fed in conjunction with 15 g/d of either placebo oil (PO) or fish-oil concentrate (FOC) fortified with 15 mg alpha-tocopherol/d for three periods. The subjects were supplemented with PO for 10 wk (PO), with FOC for 10 wk (FOC), and with FOC plus an additional 200 mg alpha-tocopherol/d for 8 wk (FOC+E). During FOC supplementation mitogenic responsiveness of PBMCs to ConA was suppressed, but this effect was reversed by concurrent supplementation with all-rac-alpha-tocopherol (FOC+E). There was a significant positive relationship (P less than 0.001) between plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations and responsiveness of T lymphocytes to ConA.

The isolation of salmonellae from poultry environmental samples by several enrichment procedures using plating media with and without novobiocin.

A two-part study was conducted to examine the efficacy of several enrichment-broth techniques and of plating media for detecting salmonellae from poultry environmental samples. The data are reported on pooled samples collected from five poultry houses. The samples were cultured for salmonellae, using up to four different enrichment procedures and employing plating media with and without novobiocin. The primary enrichment-broth procedures were: 1) buffered peptone water preenrichment to Hajna's tetrathionate (TT) broth; and 2) direct inoculation in TT broth. The delayed secondary-enrichment procedure involved prolonged incubation at room temperature and transfer of the primary broths. The plating media consisted of: 1) xylose lysine desoxycholate agar (XLD); 2) xylose lysine desoxycholate agar containing 15 or 20 micrograms per mL of novobiocin (XLDN); 3) brilliant green sulfapyridine agar (BGSP); and 4) brillant green agar containing 20 micrograms per mL of novobiocin (BGN). Of the 94 Salmonella-positive recoveries from the enrichment broths in which complete comparisons could be made, an average of 75% were recovered from the primary enrichment broths and an average of 86% were recovered from the delayed secondary-enrichment broths. Of the 254 Salmonella-positive isolations in which complete comparisons could be made, an average of 65% were isolated on the plating media without novobiocin and an average of 97% were isolated on the plating media containing novobiocin. Overall, the delayed secondary enrichment and enteric plates supplemented with novobiocin significantly improved Salmonella detection from the farm environmental samples.

Coffee and cola beverage consumption as heart disease risk factors in men.

The relationship of coffee drinking and cola beverage consumption to recognized heart disease risk factors was studied in 365 adult men. Cola beverage consumption was not positively related to any risk factor. Heavy coffee drinking seemed to reflect a life style characterized by infrequent eating, which was significantly correlated to all the heart disease risk factors studied.