Lamb pregastric (PGE) and gastric extracts (GE) have been evaluated for their role in Italian cheese flavor production. Both have been shown to produce increases in free fatty acids and in non-protein-nitrogen during incubation with milk fat and casein substrates as well as in cheese substrates. Gastric lipase and cathepsins are considered to be the additional active agents in GE. Parmesan cheese manufactured with PGE and GE added to the curd was superior in flavor when both were employed, and either extract alone was better than the uninnoculated control. An assay for GE proteolytic activity has been proposed which involves the use of pH9.0 casein substrate thereby eliminating the effects of pepsin and rennin proteases. Differences among GE and rennin or pepsin preparations have also been established using starch gel electrophoresis and casein-agar gel diffusion techniques.

The incorporation of 3- C-,B-hydroxy-, B-methylglutaric acid (HMG) vii into carotenoids of excised etiolated maize shoots, crude cell free extracts and soluble extracts (20, 000 x g) of maize was investigated. HMG was effectively incorporated into carotenoids of excised shoots, crude extracts and soluble extracts. The excised shoots, crude extracts and soluble extracts incorporated 2- 14 C-mevalonic acid (MVA) into carotenoids as well. The results indicated the presence of HMG-CoA reductase in the plant as well as an HMG activating enzyme. The soluble extract showed a pH optimum of 7. 0 for incorporation of HMG into carotenoids. Endogenous metabolites such as MVA in the soluble enzyme preparation decreased the amount of 3- 14 C-HMG incorporated into carotenoids. The conversion of HMG to MVA may be a regulatory site in carotenoid biosynthesis in the plant. Telone (a mixture of cis-1, 3-dichloropropene, trans-I, 3-dichloropropene and other halogenated hydrocarbons), 3-chloroallyl alcohol, viii 3-chloropropionic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, 3-chloro-1-propanol and 14 malonic acid significantly reduced the amount of 3- C-HMG incorporated into carotenoids of maize. Activity of lipoxidase from tomato extracts was significantly inhibited by Telone, cis-1, 3-dichloropropene, trans-1, 3-dichloropropene, 3-chloroallyl alcohol, 3-chloropropionic acid, 3-hydroxy-propionic acid, 3-chloro-1-propanol and malonic acid.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) correlated to total homocysteine (tHcy) levels among Hispanics (25.6%) and non-Hispanic whites (74.4%) with type-2 diabetes. The charts of 39 subjects with type-2 diabetes were selected from one physician’s caseload for a convenience sample. This endocrinologist has been supplementing his patients with 1-3 mg of folic acid daily if their tHcy levels were > 13 pmol/L. We found a significant difference (p < .001) between tHcy levels at baseline, follow-up I and follow-up II with a mean total reduction of 4 pmol/L. The results indicated that tHcy levels could be reduced by 1-2 mg folic acid daily in 2-8 months in subjects with type-2 diabetes. The recommendation generated from this study’s findings is that a folic acid supplement be consumed as part of a long-term management regimen for type-2 diabetics.

This study was undertaken to determine Rastafarian infancy and childhood feeding practices and to analyze the effects of this vegan diet on the nutrient intake and growth of Rastafarian infants and children. The Rastafarian cult originated in Jamaica, West Indies. Rastafarians have special religious, dietary and social guidelines, including many dietary prohibitions. The daily spiritual ritual includes smoking marijuana. Forty children of immigrant Rastafarians living in Miami were assessed to analyze their vegan diet and its effects on their nutrient intake and growth. All children had been breast-fed for an average of two years in conjunction with the early addition of foods. Bush teas were preferred to soy formulas and were used medicinally. Excluding the three infants, the children were grouped according to age; one to three years old, n=ll; four to six years old, n=16; over six years, n=10. Among all groups, calories, calcium and B12 intakes were below 100% of the RDA. In the two older groups, B12 intake was less than 67% of the RDA and in the oldest group, calories were also less than 67% of the RDA. Z-scores were used to compare anthropometric data obtained at various ages. Although weights, lengths and weight of length were above the means, there was a negative correlation of weight for length with age. Growth percentile categories for weight, weight for length, and triceps skinfold decreased with age. The B12 intake and weight of one to three year olds were correlated (p=.01). Among four to six year olds, there was a correlation between B12 intake and both length (p=.01) and weight for length (p=.04). Among the oldest group, there are a negative correlation between B12 and weight (p=.O4); calories and length (p=.O3); and calories and weight for length (p=.006). Sub-optimal nutrient intakes of B12, calories and calcium in this population are similar to findings in other vegan groups.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a short-term nutrition education program could significantly improve the nutrition knowledge (as assessed by the .Nutrition Achievement Test (NAT)) and body composition (as measured by the weight-for-length index (WLI) and body mass index (BMI)) of female cheerleaders aged 7 to 13. Nutrition lessons were presented to the experimental group during a two month treatment period. Using a pre-test, post-test, control group design, and performing two-sample t tests on mean differences (post-test minus pre-test) in BMI, WLI and mean percent correct on the Nutrition Achievement Test (NAT), it was discovered that the experimental group (teams A,C; N=34) did not differ significantly from the control group (teams B,D; N=31) with respect to mean differences (post-test minus pre-test) in WLI (p=0.10), and BMI (p=0.49). However, the experimental and control groups differed significantly with respect to mean difference percent correct NAT scores (p=0.042), with the experimental group improving more than the control. Closer examination revealed the older experimental team (C) improved significantly (p=0.0017), while the younger experimental team (A), did not (p=0.64). Neither of the control groups improved significantly. ANCOVA was performed on the post-test percent correct on the NAT, using the pretest as a covariate, for the 15 experimental and 14 control subjects taking NAT Test 4. ANCOVA revealed that the experimental group’s adjusted post-test mean score was higher than the control's (p<.01). These results suggest that nutrition education may result in significant improvements in the nutrition knowledge of adolescent females enrolled in an extra-curricular cheerleading league and/or program.

The objective of this study was to determine if offering larger portions of fluids with medications, i.e., at “med pass,” would increase fluid intake in nursing home residents. In a Latin square design, thirty-four residents of a 180-bed nursing facility received 4 and 8 oz servings of water and juice during distribution of medication. Fluid remains were weighed after 90 minutes. Larger portions and juice offerings were both found to increase fluid intake. Average fluid intakes increased from 80 to 140 mL when 8 oz servings of fluid were served instead of 4 oz servings (ps <.01). When juice was served in place of water, average intakes increased from 90 to 130 mL (ps <.01). Evaluation of the interaction between portion size and fluid type revealed that juice potentiated the increased intakes seen with 8 oz portions of fluid (ps <.01). Providing larger servings of fluid and offering juice with medications can be effective strategies to increase fluid intake in nursing home residents.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and impaired or threatened nutritional status seem to be closely related. It is now known that AIDS results in many nutritional disorders including anorexia, vomiting, protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), nutrient deficiencies, and gastrointestinal, renal, and hepatic dysfunction (1-7, 8). Reversibly, nutritional status may also have an impact on the development of AIDS among HIV-infected people. Not all individuals who have tested antibody positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have developed AIDS or have even shown clinical symptoms (9, 10). A poor nutritional status, especially PEM, has a depressing effect on immunity which may predispose an individual to infection (11). It has been proposed that a qualitatively or quantitatively deficient diet could be among the factors precipitating the transition from HIV-positive to AIDS (12, 13). The interrelationship between nutrition and AIDS reveals the importance of having a multidisciplinary health care team approach to treatment (11), including having a registered dietitian on the medical team. With regards to alimentation, the main responsibility of a dietitian is to inform the public concerning sound nutritional practices and encourage healthy food habits (14). In individuals with inadequate nutritional behavior, a positive, long-term change has been seen when nutrition education tailored to specific physiological and emotional needs was provided along with psychological support through counseling (14). This has been the case for patients with various illnesses and may also be true in AIDS patients as well. Nutritional education specifically tailored for each AIDS patient could benefit the patient by improving the quality of life and preventing or minimizing weight loss and malnutrition (15-17). Also, it may influence the progression of the disease by delaying the onset of the most severe symptoms and increasing the efficacy of medical treatment (18, 19). Several studies have contributed to a dietary rationale for nutritional intervention in HIV-infected and AIDS patients (2, 4, 20-25). Prospective, randomized clinical research in AIDS patients have not yet been published to support this dietary rationale; however, isolated case reports show its suitability (3). Furthermore, only nutrition intervention as applied by a medical team in an institution or hospital has been evaluated. Research is lacking concerning the evaluation of nutritional education of either non-institutionalized or hospitalized groups of persons who are managing their own food choice and intake. This study compares nutrition knowledge and food intakes in HIV-infected individuals prior to and following nutrition education. It was anticipated that education would increase the knowledge of nutritional care of AIDS patients and lead to better implementation of nutrition education programs.

Information on nutrition and aging research in Brazil, Chile and Mexico was compiled. The questionnaire was adapted from one published by the United Nations Population Fund. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) provided the initial contact list. A search of online library databases was also done. Databases yielded a total of 149 journal articles, 21 books, 9 dissertations and 17 theses on nutrition and aging published between 1983 and 2000. The information showed that nutrition and aging is an area in the process of policy and program development and that aging is an important public health issue because of the current and projected growth of this population group. In line with the PAHO goal of improving the possibilities for healthy aging, this study may help strengthen the integration of multidisciplinary nutrition and aging research with public health policy.

Introduction/Background Research indicates nutrition and environment in the first year of a child's life are crucial in their development and growth and can contribute to lower chances of developing obesity and other health concerns. Key factors that can determine these outcomes include the bacteria and resulting short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) present in the gut. This composition may be affected by feeding modality (formula feeding vs breastfeeding), exposure to the mother’s microbiota, weight status of the child, and type of delivery. This research aims to identify the impact of infant feeding modality on toddlers' fecal fermentation profile, and if there are associations between weight status and microbiome, fecal fermentation profile. Methods/ Procedures Participants (n=40) were recruited during well-child pediatric appointments at ETSU’s Pediatric primary care clinic. Researchers explained the requirements of the study and participants were provided with a 90-question food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for children ages 2-7, including 90 questions and asks about a child's typical intake over the previous 6-month period. The food list was developed from NHANES III dietary recall data. The child’s history was obtained, including current age, birth length and weight, delivery type (C-section or vaginal), feeding method (breast, bottle fed, or both) and duration. The child’s weight and height were obtained, and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Participant-provided stool samples were freeze-dried and ground, and SCFAs were extracted using a procedure developed by Schwiertz et al. that was modified. One mL of the SCFA extraction solution, containing Oxalic acid (0.1 mol/L), Sodium Azide (40 mmol/L), and Caproic acid (0.1 mmol/L) (internal standard) was added to 80 mg of a freeze-dried stool sample in a 16 x 100 mm disposable culture tube, and analyzed using a Shimadzu GC2010 gas chromatograph with SigmaAldrich ZB-Wax Plus capillary column. Samples were run in duplicate, and values for each participant were averaged. Data analysis was generated using SAS software, Version 9.4 of the SAS System, Copyright © 2013 SAS Institute Inc. Results Initial findings showed no significant differences in the SCFA composition of obese vs non-obese toddlers in the sample. However, there were significant differences in the amount of specific SCFAs (isobutyrate, isovaleric acid, and octanoic acid) in toddlers who were formula fed as infants versus toddlers who were breastfed, and those fed a combination of breastmilk, and formula (p < 0.05). Further analysis will determine if these initial results may be contributed to overall dietary intake, and more specifically fiber intake.

Twenty-four young adults, ages 18 to 30, from Cache Valley were studied to determine the incidence of lactose malabsorption. Lactose malabsorption was determined by a two-hour oral lactose tolerance test. The criteria for a malabsorber was a flat glucose curve in which there was a rise in serum glucose less than 20 mg. per 100 ml. above the fasting level. Four of the subjects were found to be lactose malabsorbers. The incidence of lactose malabsorption was determined to be 16.67 per cent. A 95 per cent confidence interval for this study indicated that the actual percentage could be expected to be between 1.76 and 31.58 per cent with 75 per cent confidence. Two of the subjects determined to be lactose malabsorbers developed gastrointestinal symptoms associated with lactose intolerance: abdominal cramping, flatulence and/or diarrhea. The daily milk intake varied greatly among both lactose absorbers and malabsorbers subjects.