[The Changing Value of Mother's Milk. Feeding Premature and Sick Newborns Since the Late 19th Century]. / Wie wertvoll ist Muttermilch? Die Ernährung Früh- und Neugeborener seit dem ausgehenden 19. Jahrhundert.

In the 1960s/early 70s there was a widespread conviction in West Germany that mother's milk was no longer essential even for premature infants given the availability of improved industrial milk products. But today the superiority of human milk is again undisputed, and progress in neonatology has created a growing target group of extremely premature infants who show clear benefits from being fed with human milk, particularly regarding improved outcomes. Currently there is a revival of donor milk banks (FMB). Globally there are around 500, 15 in Germany. Until the 1960s, mother's milk was the preferred means of German pediatricians to counter infant mortality. During the German Empire and the Weimar Republic doctors widely recommended nursing and engaged wet nurses to meet the demand for human milk and the first donor milk banks were set up; during the Nazi regime there were dozens. The GDR continued using donor milk, while FRG milk banks were shut down in the 70s. The history of milk banks has been shaped not only by science, but also by culture, politics and economics. In the German Empire and the Weimar Republic, social, national and eugenic considerations became intertwined in the struggle against infant mortality. In Nazi Germany human milk was used to strengthen the "German Volksgemeinschaft" ("community of the German people"), particularly individuals who were considered as "erbgesund" ("hereditarily healthy"). Massive advertising of the baby food industry in the West and public debate about pollutants and HIV/AIDS increased doubts about the advantages of natural feeding. In East Germany the planned economy, state health system and censored media significantly contributed to the survival of milk banks.

Effect of slow and fast pranayama training on handgrip strength and endurance in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Pranayama has been assigned very important role in yogic system of exercises and is said to be much more important than yogasanas for keeping sound health. Also different pranayamas produce divergent physiological effects. AIM: To study the effect of 12 weeks training of slow and fast pranayama on handgrip strength and endurance in young, healthy volunteers of JIPMER population. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Present study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, JIPMER in 2011-12 (1.06.11 to 1.04.12). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total of 91 volunteer subjects were randomised into slow pranayama (SPG) (n=29), fast pranayama (FPG) (n=32) and control groups (CG) (n=30). Supervised pranayama training (SPG - Nadisodhana, Pranav pranayama and Savitri pranayama; FPG - Kapalabhati, Bhastrika and Kukkuriya pranayama) was given for 30 minutes thrice a week for 12 weeks to both slow and fast pranayama groups by certified yoga trainer. Hand grip strength (HGS) and endurance (HGE) parameters were recorded using handgrip dynamometer (Rolex, India) at baseline and after 12 weeks of pranayama training. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Longitudinal changes in each group were compared by using Student's paired t-test. Delta changes in each group were analysed by ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc analysis. RESULTS: In SPG significant improvement occurred only in HGE parameter from 83.95±45.06 to 101.62±53.87 (seconds) (p<0.001) whereas in FPG, significant improvement was observed in HGS from 33.31±9.83 to 37.9±9.41 (Kilograms) (p=0.01) as well as in HGE from 92.78±41.37 to 116.56±58.54 (seconds) (p=0.004). Using Students unpaired t-test difference between the groups in HGS is found to be 1.17±5.485 in SPG and in FPG is 4.59±7.26 (p=0.39); HGE difference in SPG is 1.77±21.17 and in FPG is 2.38±43.27 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Pranayama training decreases sympathetic activity, resulting in mental relaxation and decreased autonomic arousal thereby, decreasing force fluctuations during isometric contraction. This is reflected as improvement in HGS and HGE.

Antinociceptive and antitumor activity of novel synthetic mononuclear Ruthenium (II) compounds.

BACKGROUND: From the thousands of years, metal compounds have been used in medicine for treatment of various diseases including various types of cancers. Ruthenium was seen as a promising metal due to its similar kinetics to platinum and its lower toxicity. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the newer mononuclear ruthenium (II) compounds for antinociceptive and antitumor activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ruthenium (II) compounds were evaluated for antinociceptive and antitumor activity using the various in vitro and in vivo models. The compounds were injected to mice at concentrations of 1 and 2 mg kg(-1) intraperitoneally and were screened for antinociceptive activity, and the antiproliferative effect was evaluated against murine leukemia cells (L1210), human T-lymphocyte cells (CEM) and human cervix carcinoma cells (HeLa) using MTT assay. RESULTS: The results for antitumor activity clearly indicated that compound R1 was potent cytotoxic agent than R2 with IC50 values ranging from 4-6 µM for R1, whereas IC50 values for compound R2 ranging from 65-103 µM. The compounds have shown a significant anti-inflammatory effect in carrageenan and dextran models but do not having the central analgesic activity, this indicating that the antinociceptive activity is related to the peripheral nervous system. The results for 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) activity showed that both R1 and R2 compounds were found to be significant 5-LOX inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 14.35 µg ml(-1) and 29.24 µg ml(-1) respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings concluded that the new ruthenium compounds might be the promising antiproliferative agents as these compounds showing significant 5-LOX inhibitory activity and potential agents in the management of pain related disorders.

Quality indicators in a mycobacteriology laboratory supporting clinical trials for pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Documentation of structured quality indicators for mycobacteriology laboratories supporting exclusively controlled clinical trials in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To document laboratory indicators for a solid (Lowenstein-Jensen medium) culture system in a mycobacteriology laboratory for a period of 4years (2007-2010). METHODS: The sputum samples, collected from PTB suspects/patients enrolled in clinical trials, were subjected to fluorescence microscopy, culture and drug sensitivity testing (DST). Data was retrospectively collected from TB laboratory registers and computed using pre-formulated Microsoft Office Excel. Laboratory indicators were calculated and analyzed. RESULTS: The number of samples processed in a calendar year varied from 6261 to 10,710. Of the samples processed in a calendar year, specimen contamination (4.8-6.9%), culture positives (78.4-85.1%) among smear positives, smear positives (71.8-79.0%) among culture positive samples, smear negatives among culture negative samples (95.2-96.7%), and average time to report DST results (76-97days) varied as shown in parentheses. CONCLUSION: Values of quality indicators in mycobacteriology laboratories supporting exclusively clinical trials of PTB have to be defined and used for meaningful monitoring of laboratories.

Performance indicators of fluorescence microscopy for sputum samples in pulmonary tuberculosis.

To get insight into the sensitivity of fluorescence microscopy for diagnostic and follow-up sputum samples from pulmonary tuberculosis patients in clinical trials, the yield of smear positivity - among culture positive sputum samples - encountered in diagnostic and follow-up samples was retrospectively analyzed from the data available in a mycobacteriology laboratory in India. The sensitivity of fluorescence microscopy for diagnostic and follow-up samples respectively was found to be 94.3% and 60.7%. With these values as guidelines, the performance of fluorescence microscopy in the treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis under DOTS plus program remains to be monitored and studied.

A review of metallothionein isoforms and their role in pathophysiology.

The Metallothionein (MT) is a protein which has several interesting biological effects and has been demonstrated increase focus on the role of MT in various biological systems in the past three decades. The studies on the role of MT were limited with few areas like apoptosis and antioxidants in selected organs even fifty years after its discovery. Now acknowledge the exploration of various isoforms of MT such as MT-I, MT-II, MT-III and MT-IV and other isoforms in various biological systems.Strong evidence exists that MT modulates complex diseases and the immune system in the body but the primary function of MT still remains unknown. This review's main objective is to explore the capability to specifically manipulate MT levels in cells and in animals to provide answers regarding how MT could impact those complex disease scenarios.The experimental result mentioned in this review related among MT, zinc, cadmium, diabetic, heart disease, bone retardation, neuro toxicity, kidney dysfunction, cancer, and brain suggest novel method for exploration and contribute significantly to the growing scientist to research further in this field.

Performance and nutrient utilization of laying hens fed low-phosphorus corn-soybean and wheat-soybean diets supplemented with microbial phytase.

Two experiments were conducted with laying hens (Lohmann Brown) in an individual cage system and with single feeding conditions. Experiment 1 (n = 24) was a performance trial (22 to 61 wk) to evaluate phytase effects on performance and nutrient utilization in corn-soybean meal (CSM1) and wheat-soybean meal (WSM1) basal diets (0.12% NPP; 3.1% Ca) supplemented (300 U/kg) with an experimental microbial phytase (CSM2 and WSM2) or 1.5 g/kg inorganic P (CSM3 and WSM3). Experiment 2 (n = 16) was also conducted as a performance trial (22 to 61 wk) only using CSM diets with dietary treatments similar to those in experiment 1. In addition, parallel N and P balance experiments in 2 age periods (26 and 33 wk, respectively) were conducted. In experiment 1, no significant (P < 0.05) differences in mortality, feed intake, egg production, egg weight, or body weight were observed. Tibia bone mineral composition was significantly affected by microbial phytase. Microbial phytase in the low-P CSM diet significantly (P < 0.05) improved the feed conversion ratio. In experiment 2, only feed conversion ratio was significantly improved by microbial phytase. The phytase supplementation had no significant effect on P excretion, P balance, P utilization, N balance, N utilization, or AMEn in the balance experiments.

Physico-chemical characteristics of oil-in-water emulsions based on whey protein-phospholipid mixtures.

Emulsions prepared with whey proteins, phospholipids and 10% of vegetable oil were used for a model typifying dressings, coffee whitener and balanced diets. For the present study, two whey proteins (partial heat-denatured whey protein concentrate (WPC) and undenatured whey protein isolate (WPI)) in combination with different phospholipids (hydrolysed and unmodified deoiled lecithin) were chosen to investigate the interactions between proteins, phospholipids and salt (sodium chloride) in such emulsion systems. Oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions (10 wt.% sunflower oil) containing various concentrations of commercial whey proteins (1-2%), phospholipids (0.39-0.78%) and salt (0.5-1.5%) were prepared using a laboratory high pressure homogeniser under various preparation conditions. Each emulsion was characterised by droplet size, creaming rate, flow behaviour and protein load. The dynamic surface activity of the whey proteins and lecithins at the oil-water interface was determined using the drop volume method. The properties of emulsions were significantly influenced by the content of whey protein. Higher protein levels improved the emulsion behaviour (smaller oil droplets and increased stability) independent of the protein or lecithin samples used. An increase of the protein content resulted in a lower tendency for oil droplet aggregation of emulsions with WPC to occur and emulsions tending towards a Newtonian flow behaviour. The emulsification temperature was especially important using the partial heat-denatured WPC in combination with the deoiled lecithin. A higher emulsification temperature (60 degrees C) promoted oil droplet aggregation, as well as an increased emulsion consistency. Emulsions with the WPC were significantly influenced by the NaCl content, as well as the protein-salt ratio. Increasing the NaCl content led to an increase of the droplet size, higher oil droplet aggregation, as well as to a higher creaming rate of the emulsions. An increase of the lecithin content from 0.39 to 0.78% in the emulsion system resulted in a small reduction of the single droplet size. This effect was more pronounced when using the hydrolysed lecithins.

Influence of high vitamin E dosages on retinol and carotinoid concentration in body tissues and eggs of laying hens.

The aim of the study was to contribute to the discussion of overdosing vitamin E in laying hens. A total of 45 laying hens, divided into 5 groups were fed diets supplemented with either 0; 100; 1000; 10,000 or 20,000 mg dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg diet over a period of 10 weeks. Concentrations of vitamins A and E were measured in plasma, various tissues and egg yolk. Furthermore egg yolk colour and some carotinoids were measured in egg yolks. None of the vitamin E doses significantly influenced performance of the hens. As expected, vitamin E concentration in plasma, all tissue samples and egg yolk was significantly increased with increasing tocopherol content in the diet. The egg yolk showed the highest vitamin E concentration, followed by liver and muscles. Feeding 1000 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate per kg diet resulted in an increase of vitamin A concentration in the liver. Very high doses (10,000 and 20,000 mg/kg diet) significantly decreased retinol concentration in the liver and egg yolk, as well as carotinoid concentration in the egg yolk. The lower carotinoid concentration in egg yolk resulted in a decreased intensity of egg yolk colour. A prooxidative and/or competitive effect of very high doses of vitamin E with other fat soluble substances has been discussed.

Controlling the growth of polymer trees: concepts and perspectives for hyperbranched polymers.

This article summarizes basic principles and recent progress in the field of cascade-branched polymers. Methods for the preparation of macromolecules with hyperbranched structures are presented and compared concerning the extent of control over molecular weights and polydispersity. Step-growth and recently developed chain-growth strategies as well as enzyme and transition metal catalyzed polymerizations are discussed with respect to mechanism and future potential.

Hyperbranched Polyether Polyols with Liquid Crystalline Properties.

The attachment of mesogens as end groups to hyperbranched polyglycerol (degree of polymerization 22-45; see schematic representation, the rigid mesogens are shown as rods and the flexible alkyl chains as lines) leads to liquid crystalline polymers with narrow polydispersity, whose liquid crystalline behavior is induced by the mesogenic end groups only.

Molecular Nanocapsules Based on Amphiphilic Hyperbranched Polyglycerols.

Polar dyes can be solubilized in apolar media-molecular nanocapsules with hydrophilic interiors have been prepared (see schematic representation) using polyglycerols with narrow polydispersity and simple esterification with fatty acids. These unimolecular micelles offer attractive potential for a variety of applications ranging from controlled drug release to the design of microreactors and catalysts.

Vitamin E hypervitaminosis in laying hens.

The aim of this investigation was to contribute to the problem of overdosing vitamin E. A total of 80 laying hens, divided into 5 groups, were fed diets supplemented with 0, 100, 1000, 10,000 and 20,000 mg/kg vitamin E over a period of 20 weeks within two brooding tests. Laying performance and hatching parameters were registered. All vitamin E doses did not significantly influence health and performances of hens. Vitamin E content of eggs increased from 1 to 4, 21, 46 and 51 mg per egg with vitamin E supplementation. High doses decreased oxidative stability of abdominal fat, vitamin A concentration of liver and egg yolk colour. In both tests vitamin E supplements of 10,000 and 20,000 mg/kg feed resulted in a decrease of living hatched chicken, which demonstrated an adverse effect. Further studies seem to be necessary to explain the effect.