Influence of tryptophan supplementation of soy-based infant formulas on protein quality and on blood and brain tryptophan and brain serotonin in the rat model

A 2-wk feeding study with weanling rats was conducted to investigate theeffects of tryptophan supplementation of soy-based infant formulas on proteinquality and on the levels of blood and brain tryptophan and brain serotoninand 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid), a metabolite of serotonin. Thepowder and liquid concentrate forms of soy-based infant formulas obtainedfrom four manufacturers were tested. The tryptophan contents of the testsoy-based formulas (10.0–12.3 mg/g protein) were considerably lower comparedto those of human milk (17–19 mg/g protein). The infant formulas were fedas the sole source of protein in diets containing 8% protein, 20% fat, 5%cellulose and adequate amounts of minerals and vitamins. In general, supplementation of the diets containing test formulas with graded levels ofL-tryptophan (0.1 or 0.2%) had no effect on protein quality indices basedon rat growth such as PER (protein efficiency ratio), NPR (net protein ratio)and relative NPR (RNPR), but resulted in significant (p<;0.05) increases inthe concentrations of tryptophan in the plasma and brain, and serotonin and5-HIAA in brain of rats. The increased concentrations of brain tryptophan and5-hydroxyindoles (serotonin + 5-HIAA) in rats fed tryptophan-supplementedformulas compared to those fed unsupplemented formulas support the need forfurther research to investigate the influence of tryptophan supplementationof soy-based infant formulas on tryptophan metabolites and their potentialrelated effects on sleep latency and neurobehavioral developments in infants.     

Absence of a serum melatonin rhythm under acutely extended darkness in the horse

Background  

In contrast to studies showing gradual adaptation of melatonin (MT) rhythms to an advanced photoperiod in humans and rodents, we previously demonstrated that equine MT rhythms complete a 6-h light/dark (LD) phase advance on the first post-shift day. This suggested the possibility that melatonin secretion in the horse may be more strongly light-driven as opposed to endogenously rhythmic and light entrained. The present study investigates whether equine melatonin is endogenously rhythmic in extended darkness (DD).     

Statistical methods for detecting and comparing periodic data and their application to the nycthemeral rhythm of bodily harm: A population based study

Background  

Animals, including humans, exhibit a variety of biological rhythms. This article describes a method for the detection and simultaneous comparison of multiple nycthemeral rhythms.     

Effect of fiber and fabric constructional parameters on dynamic behavior of compression athletic wear

Compression athletic wear (CAW) is used in number of active sports like jumping, running and power lifting etc. to enhance the performance of an athlete. Compression efficiency is mainly determined by interface pressure exerted by it but pressure reduces with time due to prolonged stretching and deformation of fabric. In this study, compression behaviour was evaluated by measuring the interface pressure drop and recovery characteristics of CAW. Interface pressure over a long duration of time was measured using a dynamic leg segment prototype. Recovery characteristic was evaluated by measuring the residual shrinkage at different time interval using cyclic fatigue test. The effect of filament cross sectional shape, Lycra® linear density and fabric tightness on compression properties was found to be statistically significant by ANOVA. Fabric with high tightness factor, coarse Lycra® and profiled polyester was observed to have better recovery and compression efficiency as compared to other fabrics under study.     

Bioavailability of tryptophan in selected foods by rat growth assay

Tryptophan bioavailabilities were estimated in 16 protein sources using 10 day rat growth assays with casein as the reference protein. Growth responses of rats fed test food diets were compared to growth responses of rats fed basal diets with graded levels of tryptophan ranging from 50 to 100 mg of tryptophan/100 g diet. Estimates of tryptophan availabilities were 85–100% for all products except whole wheat cereal (73%) and pinto beans (59%). Results of a previous study on lysine availability indicated that poor response to pinto beans was due either to poor digestibility or to the presence of some unidentified growth inhibitor.     

The use ofStreptococcus zymogenes for estimating tryptophan and methionine bioavailability in 17 foods

As part of a cooperative study assessing amino acid bioavailability and/or protein quality, the provisional method of Boyneet al. (Brit J Nutr 21: 181–206) was used to assay 17 protein sources for methionine and tryptophan availability withS. zymogenes. Pronase was used as the predigesting enzyme. Product composition was found to affect reproducibility. The microbial assay results correlated positively with results from rat growth studies on the same foods (p=0.05), and were generally accurate in identifying products of lower protein quality. Defatting four high-fat products increased microbial values in the methionine assay, but only the chicken franks and the sausage values in the tryptophan assay. Heating non-fat milk increased methionine values slightly. Low values for rolled oats were further reduced by finer grinding.     

Apparatus for measuring change in the potato soil bed profile and relationship of change to soil density and air permeability

A profilometer was constructed to measure changes occurring in the potato soil bed profile during growth of a potato crop. Changes in bed cross sectional area were found to be closely related to changes in soil bulk density and air permeability. The instrument was helpful in rapid approximation of these parameters of the physical condition of a Hesperia sandy loam soil.     

Changes in phytate phosphorus and minerals during germination and cooking of horse gram and moth bean

The phytate phosphorus in horse gram and moth bean seeds accounted for 57% and 55%, respectively, of the total phosphorus. During germination, there was a continuous decrease in the proportion of phytate phosphorus. In 48 h germinated seeds, the phytate phosphorus accounted for only 20% and 26%, respectively of the total phosphorus. A significant amount of calcium was leached out during germination. Other minerals were not affected significantly. Cooking decreased phytate phosphorus in ungerminated and germinated seeds of both the legumes. Calcium content in ungerminated and 12 h germinated moth bean seeds decreased significantly during cooking. Such a decrease was noticed in ungerminated seeds of horse gram. No significant changes were noticed in magnesium, iron, manganese, and zinc contents of both the legumes due to cooking.     

Amino acid composition and nutritive quality of proteins in horse bean (Mucuna urens)

Crude protein, amino acid composition and protein quality of horse bean (Mucuna urens) were studied. Crude protein of the defatted bean was 20.2%. Essential amino acid composition was similar to that of isolated soya bean protein.When themucuna flour was given to rats as the sole source of protein, it did not support the growth of rats. The rats lost weight in 28 days and gave negative feed conversion efficiency ratio (FCE) and low apparent digestibility co-efficient.     

Relationship between nocturnal serotonin surge and melatonin onset in rodent pineal gland

Background  

We have recently reported dynamic circadian rhythms of serotonin (5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine) output in the pineal gland of rat, which precedes the onset of N-acetylserotonin (NAS) and melatonin secretion at night. The present study was aimed at investigating in detail the relationship between 5-HT onset (5HT-on) and melatonin onset (MT-on) in multiple strains of rats and comparing them with those of hamsters.     

Effects of germination and cooking on polyphenols and in vitro protein digestibility of horse gram and moth bean

Changes in polyphenols and in vitro protein digestibility due to germination and cooking were studied in horse gram and moth bean. Horse gram had higher amounts of polyphenols than moth bean. Polyphenol content in horse gram decreased from 1.6% to 1.1% at 48h germination, but in moth bean there was a reduction in polyphenol content from 1.3% to 1.0% at 24 h germination with a significant increase from 1.0% to 1.7% at 36 h germination. Seeds germinated for 48 h also exhibited higher amounts of polyphenols than in raw moth bean. The germination had no effect on total protein content, but a progressive increase in free amino acid content was observed in both legumes. In the ungerminated form, horse gram protein was more digestible than moth bean protein. The in vitro protein digestibility of both the legumes increased during germination. Cooking decreased the protein digestibility of horse gram either in ungerminated or germinated form, but such a decrease was noticed in moth bean at only 36 h germination. Moth bean either in raw form or germinated for 24 h did not exhibit a decrease in in vitro protein digestibility after cooking. Cooking decreased polyphenol content by 20%–50%. The apparent decrease in polyphenols in moth bean and horse gram due to cooking has been attributed to a decrease in assayable polyphenols.     

How to preserve horse chestnut trees from Cameraria ohridella in the urban environment

Control of Cameraria ohridella Deschka and Dimic (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), a pest on the horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) was tested using systemic injection in the 4-year period (2002–2005). Imidacloprid and abamectin were used with a single systemic tree injection treatment during May, immediately after blossom. A total of 77,760 leaves were sampled in the field to assess the effect on the number of mines caused by the horse chestnut leaf mining moth by comparing population levels in treated vs untreated trees. The mean number of mines per leaf ranged from 0 to 106.54.Both insecticides contained the pest, and their persistence was indicated by the level of effectives during the second year after treatment. The number of mines on the treated plants decreased significantly, and during the last year not more than three mines per leaf were observed, as against 64 mines on the control plants. Generally the infestation was reduced by up to 82%.Most of the holes in the bark of the treated plants were healed within 6–7 months from the treatment. Only in few trees extravasation of mucilaginous exudates or cracks on the trunk occurred.     

海南中部地区农业现状及农业发展的对策研究

海南中部地区得天独厚，具有良好的农业生产环境，但海南中部农业却不发达。为此，本文对海南中部地区的农业环境、农业发展现状及存在问题进行分析，提出海南中部地区农业发展的对策及建议。     

Daily rhythm of circulating fat soluble vitamin concentration (A,D, E and K) in the horse

Background  

Many physiological processes of mammalian species exhibit daily rhythmicity. An intrinsic relationship exists between fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) and several body functions. Few investigations on the rhythmic pattern of vitamins in domestic animals have been carried out. The present study evaluated the circadian rhythmicity of fat soluble vitamins in the horse.     

甘肃中、东部地区春小麦产量潜力研究

根据甘肃中部、东部的气象数据,利用APSIM模型模拟研究区的春小麦产量,分析春小麦产量潜力。结果表明:甘肃中部康乐、临洮等地和甘肃东部泾川、灵台、合水、秦安等地的小麦产量实测值和模拟值误差较小,春小麦产量差较小,产量可提升的空间小;康乐县小麦产量的模拟值与实测值非常接近,小麦生产力接近于极限;定西、渭源、通渭、华亭、环县等地小麦产量实测值和模拟值之间差值较大,有较高的生产潜力。     

Prediction of paddy field change based on climate change scenarios using the CLUE model

This study simulated land-cover change using the Conversion of Land Use and its Effects (CLUE) model and predicted future changes in paddy field area under climate change scenarios A1B, A2, B1, and B2 of the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES). The CLUE model is a dynamic spatial land-use simulation model considering competition among land-use types in relation to socioeconomic and biophysical driving factors. Yongin, Icheon, and Anseong, South Korea, were selected as study areas, and scenarios were developed for regional-level simulation of land-use change. Binary logistic regressions were also conducted to evaluate the relationships between land uses and its driving factors. Finally, the simulation results suggested future changes of paddy field area under the scenario conditions. In all the scenarios, demand for cropland, including paddy and upland, decreased continuously throughout the simulation period of 2000–2100. The decrease in cropland area was particularly steep in scenario A2 in 2050. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) values indicated that the spatial patterns of land-cover types based on the regressions were reasonably explained by the driving factors. According to the scenarios developed and location characteristics, in scenario A1B, paddy field areas were mainly transformed into built-up areas, while in the other scenarios paddy field areas were mainly transformed into forest. The approach used in this study is expected to enable exploration of future land-use changes under other development constraints and detailed scenarios.     

鄂中地区水稻配方施肥的农艺和生态效果研究

通过多点田间试验,研究了当前生产条件下施用配方肥对水稻产量、养分积累、肥料利用率和经济效益的影响。结果表明,与习惯施肥相比,尽管配方施肥处理增加了肥料投入(N、P2O5、K2O分别增加48、7.5、30 kg/hm2),但平均增产691 kg/hm2,N、P2O5、K2O积累量分别增加17.3%、15.1%、14.4%,肥料贡献率和农学效率增加7.8个百分点和1.0 kg/kg,纯收入增加1 257元/hm2。     

Biofortification of sweet corn hybrids for provitamin-A,lysine and tryptophan using molecular breeding

Traditional sweet corn is poor in provitamin-A, lysine and tryptophan, deficiency of which causes serious health problems. Here, parental lines of two shrunken2 (sh2) -based sweet corn hybrids viz., ASKH-1 and ASKH-2 were targeted for introgression of crtRB1 and opaque2 (o2) genes through marker-assisted backcross breeding. Gene-based markers; umc1066 (SSR) and 3′TE-InDel were utilized for foreground selection of o2 and crtRB1, respectively in BC₁F₁, BC₂F₁ and BC₂F₂ generations. Background selection employing 102–113 polymorphic SSRs led to >90% recovery of recurrent parent genome. Reconstituted hybrids recorded high mean provitamin-A (18.98 μg/g) with a maximum of 7.7-fold increase over original hybrids (3.12 μg/g). High mean lysine (0.39%) and tryptophan (0.10%) with an average enhancement of 1.71- and 1.79-fold, respectively was recorded among reconstituted hybrids over original versions (lysine: 0.23%, tryptophan: 0.06%). Improved hybrids exhibited high phenotypic resemblance with their original hybrids. The average cob yield (11.82 t/ha) and brix (17.66%) of improved hybrids was at par with their original versions (cob yield: 11.27 t/ha, brix: 17.04%). These biofortified sweet corn hybrids rich in provitamin-A, lysine and tryptophan hold immense significance as multinutrient-rich balanced food. This is the first report to stack sh2, crtRB1 and o2 genes to improve nutritional quality in sweet corn.     

Evaluation of elite athletes psycho-physiological responses to compression form-fitted athletic wear in intensive exercise based on 5Ps model

Compression form-fitted athletic wear (CFA) have been widely applied in special sports and various aerobic and fitness activities over recent years. Following the established 5Ps model in our previous study, an evaluation of basic psychophysiological measurements would assist in validating the practicality and effectiveness of these garments for athletic use. The present study was to examine the physiological property and wearing comfort of CFAs on athletes during intensive exercise. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), myocardial consumption (double product DP), blood oxygen levels (SpO₂), skin and garment temperature (T_sk, T_g) over the athlete’s body were investigated. This study indicated that the application of CFAs maintained the body in the normal SpO₂ range, and produced lower DP and HR compared to those in control condition. The application of CFAs resulted in a decrease on T_sk, which allowed the body quickly to cool down thus avoiding heat stress buildup during and after intensive exercise. The CFAs made by the performance knits with lightweight, gradient compression design and moisture-thermoregulation function presented lower T_g and brought the athletes satisfied wearing comfort perception. This study builds up an understanding on the potential physiological benefits induced by CFAs on athlete’s body in intensive exercise performance.