Evaluation of novel protease enzymes on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of poultry: enzyme dose response.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate 3 novel proteases in broilers. In experiment 1, 600 male, Cobb 500 broilers were allocated to 1 of 12 experimental diets (5 birds/pen and 10 replicates/diet). A control (C) diet was formulated to be adequate in all nutrients.

Perceived burden among spouse, adult child, and parent caregivers.

Aims: To identify what factors are associated with the caregiver burden of spouse caregivers, adult child caregivers, and parent caregivers.

Background: Caregivers often feel stressed and perceive caregiving as a burden. The caregiver burden has been little studied from the perspective of the personal relationship between caregiver and care recipient.

Evaluation of novel protease enzymes on growth performance and apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in poultry: enzyme screening.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate eight neutral and six acid proteases on growth performance and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility (AID) of poults (Experiment 1) or chicks (Experiments 2 and 3). Two basal diets were formulated: a nutrient adequate positive control (PC), which met or exceeded the nutrient requirements for poults (Experiment 1) or chicks (Experiments 2 and 3) and a negative control (NC) formulated to achieve 85% (Experiments 1 and 2) or 80% (Experiments 3) of the requirement for protein and amino acids. Phytase was included in all diets to provide 500 phytase units (FTU)/kg and xylanase was included in all diets to provide 10,000 (Experiments 1 and 2) or 16,000 (Experiments 3) xylanase units (BXU)/kg.

Phylogenetic Variation of Chelonid Alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) in Populations of Green Turtles Chelonia mydas along the Queensland Coast, Australia.

Sea turtle fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a disease marked by the proliferation of benign but debilitating cutaneous and occasional visceral tumors, likely to be caused by chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5). This study presents a phylogeny of ChHV5 strains found on the east coast of Queensland, Australia, and a validation for previously unused primers. Two different primer sets (gB-1534 and gB-813) were designed to target a region including part of the UL27 glycoprotein B (gB) gene and part of UL28 of ChHV5.

Reliability and validity of the COPE Index among caregivers of disabled people.

Aim: To study the reliability and validity of the Carers of Older People in Europe (COPE) Index among caregivers of disabled people of different ages.

Methods: A cross-sectional design of Finnish caregivers (n=1117). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed separately on samples of three different age groups, and the internal consistencies of the subscales were investigated.

A New Subtilase-Like Protease Deriving from Fusarium equiseti with High Potential for Industrial Applications.

A gene encoding a novel extracellular subtilisin-like protease was cloned from the ascomycete Fusarium equiseti and expressed in Trichoderma reesei. The F. equiseti protease (Fe protease) showed excellent performance in stain removal and good compatibility with several commercial laundry detergent formulations, suggesting that it has high potential for use in various industrial applications.

UPLC-QTOF/MS metabolic profiling unveils urinary changes in humans after a whole grain rye versus refined wheat bread intervention.

Scope: Non-targeted urine metabolite profiling has not been previously exploited in the field of whole grain (WG) products. WG products, particularly rye, are important elements in a healthy Nordic diet. The aim of this study was to identify novel urinary biomarkers of WG rye bread (RB) intake in a randomised crossover study with RB versus refined wheat bread (WB).

Metabolomics reveals the metabolic shifts following an intervention with rye bread in postmenopausal women--a randomized control trial.

Background: Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that whole grain (WG) cereals can protect against the development of chronic diseases, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Among WG products, WG rye is considered even more potent because of its unique discrepancy in postprandial insulin and glucose responses known as the rye factor. In this study, an NMR-based metabolomics approach was applied to study the metabolic effects of WG rye as a tool to determine the beneficial effects of WG rye on human health.

Metabolomic analysis of plasma metabolites that may mediate effects of rye bread on satiety and weight maintenance in postmenopausal women.

The evidence of the beneficial health effects of dietary fiber and whole grain consumption is strong, but the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Here, we investigate how the consumption of high-fiber rye bread (RB) or white-wheat bread (WB) modifies the plasma metabolomic profiles in postmenopausal women. The study was a randomized crossover trial consisting of 8-wk intervention periods and an 8-wk washout period.

Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus disease (white tail disease) in Australia.

The index case of white tail disease (WTD) is presented in adult broodstock prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii from the Flinders River in western Queensland, Australia, in mid-2007. Histological examination revealed extensive myonecrosis with massive infiltration of myonuclei and some haemocytes. Juveniles from the same broodstock but not from 3 other families displayed white muscle lesions.

Long-term repeatability of measures of early insulin secretion derived from an intravenous glucose tolerance test and conversion from impaired glucose tolerance to diabetes.

Aim: We assessed the long-term repeatability of the acute insulin response (AIR) and sensitivity index (S(I)) derived from the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT).

Methods: An FSIGT was performed in 20 women who participated in a 6.5-month rye- and wheat-bread intervention trial, 70 men and women with impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) who participated in the Genobin study, and 81 men and women with IGT who participated in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS).

Plasma ghrelin levels after two high-carbohydrate meals producing different insulin responses in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide produced in the stomach and its plasma levels are decreased acutely in response to ingested nutrients. To further clarify the role of insulin on ghrelin secretion, the present study was designed to investigate whether circulating ghrelin is affected differently by two mixtures of whole-grain breads known to produce low or high insulin responses in obese non-diabetic subjects with metabolic syndrome. After an overnight fast eight obese subjects with the metabolic syndrome (3 men and 5 women; BMI 33.

Dietary carbohydrate modification enhances insulin secretion in persons with the metabolic syndrome.

Background: The metabolic syndrome markedly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but the influence of dietary modification on insulin and glucose metabolism independent of weight loss is still poorly understood.

Objective: Our aim was to test whether carbohydrate dietary modifications improve insulin sensitivity and secretion and glucose tolerance in overweight or obese persons with the metabolic syndrome, even in the absence of weight loss.

Design: We assessed the effect of carbohydrate modification on insulin and glucose metabolism in 72 overweight or obese men and women with the metabolic syndrome, as determined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria.

Whole-grain rye bread consumption by women correlates with plasma alkylresorcinols and increases their concentration compared with low-fiber wheat bread.

Whole-grain rye and wheat products are rich in lignans, the precursors of enterolactone (ENL) and alkylresorcinols (ARs), which are phenolic lipids. In this crossover trial, we examined the effect of whole-grain rye bread compared with low-fiber wheat bread on plasma AR levels. Women (n = 39) aged 59 +/- 0.

Nuclear ordering in lithium and an upper limit on its ambient pressure superconducting transition temperature.

We have discovered spontaneous ordering of nuclear spins in lithium metal by NMR measurements at very low temperatures. In low magnetic fields, B<0.2 mT, the NMR spectra show a pronounced low-frequency anomaly.

Outcome after a high number (4-10) of repeated caesarean sections.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes in caesarean sections repeated several times.

Population: Sixty-four women had had four or more (up to 10) caesarean sections.

Methods: The outcomes of these operations N= 149, study group) were compared with other caesarean sections.

Effect of epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs on male reproductive health.

Background: Men with epilepsy have reduced fertility, and antiepileptic drugs may affect semen quality. Moreover, animal studies suggest that valproate (VPA) may be associated with testicular atrophy.

Objective: To evaluate reproductive function in men with epilepsy.

Structural differences between rye and wheat breads but not total fiber content may explain the lower postprandial insulin response to rye bread.

Background: Rye bread has a beneficial effect on the postprandial insulin response in healthy subjects. The role of rye fiber in insulin and glucose metabolism is not known.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the content of rye fiber in rye breads on postprandial insulin and glucose responses.

Work environment and occupational health of Finnish veterinarians.

Background: Health and work environment of Finnish veterinarians was evaluated by The Finnish Veterinary Association and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in a questionnaire survey.

Methods: The questionnaire was mailed in the spring of 2000 to all veterinarians under 65 years of age and working in Finland (n = 1169); 785 (67%) responded.

Results: A veterinarian's work was physically demanding, and often involved an elevated risk of accident.

New insight into butyrate metabolism.

Butyrate is a C4 acid produced by microbial fermentation of carbohydrates and protein in the large intestine of all animal species. The factor of prime importance for the production rate of butyrate in the lower gut is type and levels of non-digestible carbohydrates entering the large intestine. It was previously believed that 85-90 % of the butyrate produced in the gut was cleared when passing the gut epithelium, but recent studies with catheterised pigs have shown that the concentration of butyrate in the portal vein is strongly influenced by the production rate in the large intestine.

High-fiber rye bread and insulin secretion and sensitivity in healthy postmenopausal women.

Background: Fiber and whole-cereal intakes may protect against hyperinsulinemia and the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Objective: The aim was to study whether the long-term use of high-fiber rye bread and white-wheat bread modifies glucose and insulin metabolism in healthy postmenopausal women.

Design: The study was a randomized crossover trial consisting of 8-wk test and 8-wk washout periods.

Postprandial glucose, insulin, and incretin responses to grain products in healthy subjects.

Background: Various botanical and structural characteristics of starchy food modify the postprandial glucose and insulin responses in humans.

Objective: We investigated what factors in grain products affect human glucose and insulin responses and elucidated the mediating mechanisms.

Design: Ten men and 10 women [mean age: 28 +/- 1 y; mean body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 22.

Pregnancies after oocyte donation in women with ovarian failure caused by an inactivating mutation in the follicle stimulating hormone receptor.

Background: An inactivating point mutation (Ala189Val) in the FSH receptor (FSHR) causes primary ovarian failure. It has not been known if FSH action is necessary during pregnancy and childbirth.

Methods: In 1991-2001, donated oocytes were used to treat the infertility of 12 women with ovarian failure due to this mutation.

Functional and structural characterization of the insertion region in the ligand binding domain of the vitamin D nuclear receptor.

Vitamin D nuclear receptor mediates the genomic actions of the active form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3. This hormone is involved in calcium and phosphate metabolism and cell differentiation. Compared to other nuclear receptors, VDR presents a large insertion region at the N-terminal part of the ligand binding domain between helices H1 and H3, encoded by an additional exon.

Consumption of wholemeal rye bread increases serum concentrations and urinary excretion of enterolactone compared with consumption of white wheat bread in healthy Finnish men and women.

Rye is an important source of plant lignans in Finland. In the present crossover trial we wanted to study the effect of rye bread as part of the usual diet on serum and urine enterolactone (ENL) concentrations in healthy volunteers. Eighteen men aged 43 (sem 2.