Presence Of Supplements Research Articles

Influence of number of ingredients, use of supplement and vegetarian or vegan preparation on the composition of homemade diets for dogs and cats

BackgroundHomemade diets are a worldwide trend, and many recipes are currently available on websites but may not be considered balanced. This study aimed to evaluate if the number of ingredients, supplement, or vegetarian/vegan-only ingredients included in a recipe influence the nutrient content of homemade diets for dogs and cats. Chemical analyses were performed on 75 diets for dogs and 25 for cats prepared according to websites’ recipes, and minerals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).ResultsCanine diets that met fat requirements had more ingredients than those below recommendations. None of the cat diets met iron requirements, and feline diets that met requirements of manganese had fewer ingredients and those that supplied requirements of protein and sodium had more ingredients than the diets below recommendations (p < 0.05). Non-supplemented canine and feline diets had calcium and calcium:phosphorus ratio below recommendations (p < 0.05). Non-supplemented feline diets had lower sodium and iron, and zinc levels were below recommendation in diets for both species. Diets with animal products for dogs had higher levels of protein and zinc, although zinc was deficient in both groups, and there were higher amounts of crude fiber, magnesium, and manganese in vegetarian/vegan diets (p < 0.05). Diets with animal products for cats had higher levels of protein (p = 0.003), but there was a higher amount of crude fiber (p = 0.014) in vegetarian/vegan diets.ConclusionThe number of ingredients and vegetarian/vegan preparation did not guarantee nutritional adequacy of diets, and the presence of supplement did not ensure a balanced diet.

Mucosa-adherent Pediococcus Pentosaceus I44 isolated from healthy human and effect of oleic acid on its probiotic properties.

With the aim of selectively isolating and understanding the cultivable lactic acid bacteria that are autochthonous to human gut, biopsy samples were collected from the terminal ileum and caecum of healthy volunteers who underwent routine colonoscopy procedure. The use of tissue samples (over stool samples) provides for a better expression of the autochthonous bacterial population of the human gut. The strains that were stable after many rounds of sub-culture were identified and studied further. One such ileal isolate, a Gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci was identified to be Pediococcus pentosaceus I44. It was studied for its gastric tolerance, bile tolerance and surface properties, and reported here. The effect of tween-80, oleic acid, extra virgin olive oil and sesame oil on the aforementioned properties of P. pentosaceus I44 was also analysed. The isolate was able to survive well in simulated gastric fluid of pH 3.0 followed by treatment in simulated intestinal fluid with a survival percentage of around 70%. It was, however, unable to withstand pH 2.0 even in the presence of supplements. It showed good tolerance to bile stress (1% w/v), and its cell surface was found to be hydrophilic. P. pentosaceus I44 showed good aggregation of 87% after 24h, with oleic acid having a significant effect on the isolate's aggregation potential. P. pentosaceus I44 is one of the few mucosa-bound cultivable bacteria that are adapted for survival in human colon. Studying and analysing such isolates might provide useful insights into their role in metabolism and health.

Unraveling optimum culture composition for hydrogen and 5-aminolevulinic acid production by Rhodobacter sphaeroides O.U.001

The objective of this work was to reveal optimum culture composition for hydrogen and 5-aminolevulinic acid productions by Rhodobacter sphaeroides O.U.001 regarding substrate concentration and supplementations of elements and vitamins. Acetate was chosen as carbon source and five distinct concentrations (20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 mM) were tested in two experimental setups. While, elements (FeSO4, 2 g L-1 and Na2MoO4.2H2O, 0.2 g L-1) and vitamins (Biotin, 0.015 g L-1, Niacin, 0.5 g L-1 and Thiamine, 0.5 g L-1) were added into the media in the first setup, they were omitted in the latter for comparison. As a result, the highest hydrogen production (0.33 L H2 L-1 culture) was attained in the presence of supplements using 20 mM acetate. Similarly, the maximum amount of 5-ALA generation (16.54 mM) was achieved in 20 mM acetate containing medium under the same conditions. On the other hand, the greatest bacterial growth (OD660: 4.412, 2.162 g cdw L-1) was achieved in the absence of supplements using 40 mM acetate. To conclude, while element and vitamin supplementations promoted hydrogen and 5-ALA productions, absence of these had a positive effect on cell biomass. Specifically, the medium containing 20 mM acetate together with elements and vitamins could be suggested as the optimum growth culture for the highest hydrogen and 5-ALA productions.

Performance and ingestive behavior of steers on integrated system using legume and/or energy supplementation.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a mixture of temperate and legume grasses with or without energy supplementation on the performance and feeding behavior of finishing beef steers. Eighteen Nellore-Zebu steers, average 23months old and body weight (BW) of 380kg, were used in a continuous grazing system, in a randomized block experimental design. Treatments were ORS: oat (Avena strigosa Schreb) + annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) + supplementation with corn bran; ORVS: oat + ryegrass + vetch (Vicia sativa L.) + supplementation with corn bran; and ORV: oat + ryegrass + vetch. Evaluations were conducted on pasture (forage mass, sward height, herbage accumulation, botanical composition, and chemical composition) and animal (performance and ingestive behavior). Stocking rate and forage mass were greater in treatments with energy supplementation (ORVS and ORS), thus presenting greater sward heights compared to the treatment without supplementation. There was greater participation of oats and ryegrass when vetch was absent (ORS). The presence of supplement (ORS and ORVS) increased the presence of oat stem. The presence of the supplement caused the contribution of the vetch to be lower, likely because of the higher animal load of these treatments. The higher presence of vetch increased crude protein content in the ORV treatment. The ORS exhibited greater gain per area compared to the ORV. Supplemented animals had lower grazing and greater idle time. The ORS treatment animals spent more time in other activities and consumed supplementation and less time grazing than the other treatments. The absence of supplement (ORV) caused the animals to spend more time grazing. Animals not supplemented showed a higher duration of daily chewing, number of chews per minute, number of daily chews, daily number of bites, and station numbers.

Alternative supplements for Agaricus bisporus production and the response on lignocellulolytic enzymes

Four experimental supplements were prepared for the production of Agaricus bisporus comprising compost with corn bran (CCB), a mixture of corn bran with corn gluten (CCBCG), corn bran with vegetal oil (CCBVO), and corn bran with corn gluten and vegetal oil (CCBCGVO). The mixtures were designed to obtain the final composition of a cracked soybean (CS) supplement consisting of 25% protein and 18% oil. The supplements were added at 3.3% (w/w) to compost at spawning. We used two control groups: compost without supplement (UC) and compost with CS. Production was measured in three flushes; the CS supplements in the CCBCGVO mixture reached a cumulative production above 34kg/m2 (P<0.05). Samples were taken in the compost at spawning (Day 0), primordia formation (25 d), and at the end of the first, second, and third breaks (39, 48, and 60 d, respectively); enzymatic activities (cellulase, xylanase, and laccase) were also determined. For cellulase and xylanse activities, a positive correlation was found between production values and the increase in these enzymes, in presence of supplements. The maximum value in laccase activity was at 25 d (beginning of primordia formation), activity decreased in the production stages, and it increased again at day 60 (end of the third stage). In this study, a novel supplement was formulated based on corn bran, gluten, and vegetal oil, achieving mushroom yields similar to those obtained with a CS.

Identification and determination of synthetic pharmaceuticals as adulterants in eight common herbal weight loss supplements.

Background:Adulterated herbal weight loss products with containing undeclared synthetic drugs are common and responsible for many serious health damages.Objectives:The purpose of the study was to determine five synthetic adulterants in eight common herbal weight loss supplements, which are currently sold in Iran markets, to verify their presence in supplements, without mentioning on the labels.Materials and Methods:Eight common herbal weight loss samples were obtained from the Iran pharmaceutical market after advertising in the Persian language on satellite channels and internet. Five pharmacological classes of drugs used for weight loss, namely sibutramine, phenolphthalein, phenytoin, bumetanide and rimonabant, were investigated and quantified by GC-MS for the first three and LC-MS for the last two medications.Results:The most undeclared ingredients, which were illegally added include sibutramine, phenolphthalein, bumetanide, and phenytoin in the original super slim, herbaceous essence, super slim green lean, and fat loss, supplements, respectively. Rimonabant was not found. Caffeine, pseudoephedrine, theobromine and amfepramone were also found in the supplements using GC-MS assay.Conclusions:Adulterated synthetic substances were detected in the herbal weight loss products. Health care professionals should make people aware of the risks of taking herbal weight-loss supplements.

NeonatalGranulicatella elegansBacteremia, London, UK

Neonatal<i>Granulicatella elegans</i>Bacteremia, London, UK

Effect of air drying on bacterial viability: A multiparameter viability assessment

The effect of desiccation on the viability of microorganisms is a question of great interest for a variety of public health questions and industrial applications. Although viability is traditionally assessed by plate counts, cultivation-independent methods are increasingly applied with the aim to gain more insight into why cells might not form colonies and to optimize production processes. To evaluate their usefulness, we applied in this study a multiparameter viability assay to selected bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus hirae, and Staphylococcus aureus) subjected to air-drying in the absence or presence of supplements. Tests included growth on solid culture medium and the measurement of membrane integrity, membrane potential, esterase and respiratory activities using fluorescent dyes. All measured parameters were responsive to desiccation stress. Results suggested that extending plate count analysis with cultivation-independent methods can greatly enhance resolution especially for moderate stress conditions, which do not get reflected in plate counts due to cellular recovery. Whereas plate counts reflect the final effect on viability, immediate measurement of cellular functions provides a snapshot picture of the fitness status at a specific point in time. Special emphasis was given to MgCl2 which in concentrations≥50mM dramatically increased the bacterial susceptibility to desiccation in the case of the gram-negative bacteria and to a lesser extent also for the gram-positive bacteria. The study in addition confirmed a good agreement of results obtained with the recently developed real-time viability (RTV) assay and the BacLight LIVE/DEAD method in combination with a fluorescence plate reader.

Induction of low-nutritious food intake by subsequent nutrient supplementation in sheep (Ovis aries)

Acceptance of and preference for a particular food depends not only on its intrinsic (e.g. nutritional) properties but also on expected or recent food experiences. An instance of this type of phenomenon has been called induction effect, which consists of an increased intake of a type of food when it precedes a hedonically preferred food in a sequence familiar to the animal, relative to controls that have access only to the less-preferred food. The purpose of our study was to assess intake induction of a low-nutritious food when followed by different high-nutritious supplements in sheep (Ovis aries). In this experiment, we ran a supplemented phase where animals fed oat hay (a low-nutritious food) in the first part of the daily feeding sessions followed by a supplement with either a high (soya bean meal; group GS) or a low (ground corn; group GC) protein–energy ratio in the second part ate more oat hay than controls that were fed oat hay in both parts of sessions (group GH). In addition, supplemented animals presented a stronger preference for oat hay over alfalfa hay than controls in a subsequent choice. When all animals received no food in the second part of the sessions (Non-supplemented phase), intake of oat hay converged to the control's intake level in all the groups, suggesting that the presence of supplements after access to oat hay was responsible for intake induction. Lastly, we repeated the supplemented phase with a different control group where animals received oat hay in the first part of the sessions and no food in the second part (group NF), thus equalizing groups in terms of the time of access to oat hay in a session. Groups GS and GC still developed higher intake of oat hay than group NF. In both supplemented phases of the experiment, we estimated animals’ daily metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) intake. CP intake was higher in group GS than in groups GC, GH and NF, but there was no difference between group GC and the controls. In turn, groups did not differ in ME intake in the First supplemented phase, and only group GS presented higher ME intake than the rest of the groups in the Second supplemented phase. Therefore, a nutritional account of the present induction effect seems insufficient. We propose that a learned association between oat hay and the post-ingestive feedback from the subsequent high-nutritious supplements underlay sheep's intake induction and increased preference for oat hay.

High levels of glucosamine–chondroitin sulfate can alter the cyclic preload and acute overload responses of chondral explants

A recent study by our laboratory showed that 14 days of low intensity, intermittent cyclic preloading of chondral explants elevated the concentration of proteoglycans (PGs) to cause a mechanical stiffening of the explants prior to an acute overload and limit the extent of tissue damage. Longer term loading to 21 days resulted in tissue degradation prior to the acute traumatic event and excessive damage from an acute overload. Previous studies by others showed that bathing chondral explants in a supplement of glucosamine-chondroitin sulfate (glcN-CS) upregulated the synthesis of tissue PGs, particularly in stressed tissue, and the supplement served as an anti-inflammatory agent. Our current hypothesis was that the supplementation of culture media with a high concentration of glcN-CS would upregulate the production of tissue PG and limit or mitigate long-term degradation of chondral explants under cyclic preloading and limit tissue damage in an acute overload. We showed that, in the presence of supplement, cyclic preloading significantly increased tissue PG content and matrix modulus by about 65 and 300%, respectively, at 21 days, resulting in a reduction of matrix damage and cell death following an acute overload. These data show a biological action of high concentrations of this supplement and its effect on the mechanical properties in this in vitro model.

Construction of a severely attenuated mutant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for reducing risk to laboratory workers

The ability to construct defined deletions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has allowed many genes involved in virulence to be identified. Deletion of nutritional genes leads to varying levels of attenuation, presumably reflecting the need for a particular molecule, and the availability (or lack) of that molecule in vivo. We have previously shown that M. tuberculosis mutants lacking either the trpD or ino1 gene are highly attenuated in mouse models of infection, but can grow when supplemented with tryptophan or inositol, respectively. In this paper we have constructed a double Delta trpDDelta ino1 mutant, and show that this is severely attenuated in SCID mouse and guinea pig models. As the strain will grow in the presence of supplements, we propose that this strain could be used for research and antigen preparative purposes, with reduced risks to laboratory workers.

Oriented immobilization of galactose oxidase to bead and magnetic bead cellulose and poly(HEMA-co-EDMA) and magnetic poly(HEMA-co-EDMA) microspheres

In order to obtain an active and stable oxidation reactor for daily use in biochemical laboratory we decided to immobilize galactose oxidase orientedly through a carbohydrate chain to the magnetic carriers. We used hydrazide derivatives of non-magnetic and magnetic bead cellulose and of magnetic and non-magnetic poly(HEMA-co-EDMA) microspheres. Activation of the enzyme molecules was done by sodium periodate in the presence of supplements (fucose, CuSO 4, catalase). Orientedly immobilized galactose oxidase presents high storage stability and lower susceptibility to inappropriate microenvironmental conditions. Reactor reactivated by three pulses of d-galactose retained practically 100% of its native activity after 6 months. The positive properties of both magnetic carriers were entirely confirmed.

NikR Mediates Nickel-Responsive Transcriptional Induction of Urease Expression inHelicobacter pylori

The important human pathogen Helicobacter pylori requires the abundant expression and activity of its urease enzyme for colonization of the gastric mucosa. The transcription, expression, and activity of H. pylori urease were previously demonstrated to be induced by nickel supplementation of growth media. Here it is demonstrated that the HP1338 protein, an ortholog of the Escherichia coli nickel regulatory protein NikR, mediates nickel-responsive induction of urease expression in H. pylori. Mutation of the HP1338 gene (nikR) of H. pylori strain 26695 resulted in significant growth inhibition of the nikR mutant in the presence of supplementation with NiCl(2) at > or =100 microM, whereas the wild-type strain tolerated more than 10-fold-higher levels of NiCl(2). Mutation of nikR did not affect urease subunit expression or urease enzyme activity in unsupplemented growth media. However, the nickel-induced increase in urease subunit expression and urease enzyme activity observed in wild-type H. pylori was absent in the H. pylori nikR mutant. A similar lack of nickel responsiveness was observed upon removal of a 19-bp palindromic sequence in the ureA promoter, as demonstrated by using a genomic ureA::lacZ reporter gene fusion. In conclusion, the H. pylori NikR protein and a 19-bp operator sequence in the ureA promoter are both essential for nickel-responsive induction of urease expression in H. pylori.

Effect of proteolipid onZymomonas fermentation of 25% glucose media

Zymomonas mobilis produces more than three times as many colony-forming units when grown in the presence of a combination of protein and lipid medium supplements than in unsupplemented cultures. The specific ethanol production rate is twice as fast, and the percent yield is higher (92% vs 82%), in supplemented than in unsupplemented broth. In addition, there is a change in the phospholipid composition of cells grown in the presence of supplements. Both materials are required for enhancement of fermentation and growth.

Microbiological aspects in the hydroxylation of estrogens by Fusarium moniliforme.

A strain of Fusarium moniliforme (IH4), isolated from soil, showed outstanding enzymatic abilities to hydroxylate a number of estrogens. Estrone and estradiol were transformed into the 15alpha-hydroxy derivatives, and estradiol 3-methyl ether was transformed into the corresponding 6beta-hydroxy derivative. Delta(6)-Estrone was not hydroxylated. The accumulation of 15alpha-hydroxyestrone was influenced by the nutritional conditions of the fungus. Maximal yield was obtained when the organism grew in Czapek solution supplemented with yeast extract, although good conversion was also found in a peptone-corn molasses medium. Substitution of NO(3)-N in Czapek medium with NH(4)-N, lactalbumin hydrolysate, Casitone, or Casamino Acids resulted in limited hydroxylation of estrone. A remarkable strain specificity was demonstrated in this conversion. Of 13 strains of F. moniliforme and Gibberella fujikuroi under investigation, only 2 strains (IH4 and ATCC 9851) accumulated substantial amounts of the 15alpha-hydroxylated product. However, marked quantitative variations were observed which are attributable to a different ability of the organisms to degrade the steroid nucleus. Biochemical instabilities were also found through the appearance of spontaneous variants lacking steroid-hydroxylating activity. Replacement culture studies revealed that 15alpha-hydroxylation of estrone was dependent on the supply of external phosphate; exogenous nitrogen or energy sources were not required. Most of the enzymatic activity was confined to the mycelia. Microconidia showed a very limited hydroxylating activity, even in the presence of supplements or energy sources.

Microbiological Aspects in the Hydroxylation of Estrogens by Fusarium moniliforme1

A strain of Fusarium moniliforme (IH4), isolated from soil, showed outstanding enzymatic abilities to hydroxylate a number of estrogens. Estrone and estradiol were transformed into the 15alpha-hydroxy derivatives, and estradiol 3-methyl ether was transformed into the corresponding 6beta-hydroxy derivative. Delta(6)-Estrone was not hydroxylated. The accumulation of 15alpha-hydroxyestrone was influenced by the nutritional conditions of the fungus. Maximal yield was obtained when the organism grew in Czapek solution supplemented with yeast extract, although good conversion was also found in a peptone-corn molasses medium. Substitution of NO(3)-N in Czapek medium with NH(4)-N, lactalbumin hydrolysate, Casitone, or Casamino Acids resulted in limited hydroxylation of estrone. A remarkable strain specificity was demonstrated in this conversion. Of 13 strains of F. moniliforme and Gibberella fujikuroi under investigation, only 2 strains (IH4 and ATCC 9851) accumulated substantial amounts of the 15alpha-hydroxylated product. However, marked quantitative variations were observed which are attributable to a different ability of the organisms to degrade the steroid nucleus. Biochemical instabilities were also found through the appearance of spontaneous variants lacking steroid-hydroxylating activity. Replacement culture studies revealed that 15alpha-hydroxylation of estrone was dependent on the supply of external phosphate; exogenous nitrogen or energy sources were not required. Most of the enzymatic activity was confined to the mycelia. Microconidia showed a very limited hydroxylating activity, even in the presence of supplements or energy sources.

REVERSION RATE IN CONTINUOUS CULTURES OF AN ESCHERICHIA COLI AUXOTROPH EXPOSED TO GAMMA RAYS.

Summary: Continuous cultures of the tryptophan-requiring strain of Escherichia coli known as wp2 were continuously exposed to gamma radiation for periods of several generation times. The frequency of prototrophic revertants increased steadily during irradiation at a rate which was proportional to the radiation dose rate. The change of revertant frequency per unit dose (rad) was equal to the induced reversion rate per mutable unit. This mutation rate (ρ) was independent of population density but slightly dependent upon the presence of supplements, such as nutrient broth, to the normal minimal medium with tryptophan. There was a marked dependence of ρ upon culture temperature, the values at 16°, 22° and 37° being 1·2 × 10−11, 2·4 × 10−11 and 3·9 × 10−11 per mutable unit per rad. It is probable that only a fraction of radiation-induced changes in the genetic material which could give rise to phenotypic reversions are actually expressed, this fraction being dependent on the post-irradiation temperature. The proportion of the population inactivated by radiation was intentionally kept at 10 % or less in order to avoid difficulties in the interpretation of results. Other possible sources of error in ρ have been reviewed.