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Consumption of green kiwifruit is known to relieve constipation. Previous studies have also reported improvements in gastrointestinal (GI) comfort. We investigated the effect of consuming green kiwifruit on GI function and comfort.Participants included healthy controls (n = 63), patients with functional constipation (FC, n = 60), and patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C, n = 61) randomly assigned to consume 2 green kiwifruits or psyllium (7.5 g) per day for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout, and then the other treatment for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) per week. Secondary outcomes included GI comfort which was measured using the GI symptom rating scale, a validated instrument. Data (intent-to-treat) were analyzed as difference from baseline using repeated measures analysis of variance suitable for AB/BA crossover design.Consumption of green kiwifruit was associated with a clinically relevant increase of ≥ 1.5 CSBM per week (FC; 1.53, P0.0001, IBS-C; 1.73, P = 0.0003) and significantly improved measures of GI comfort (GI symptom rating scale total score) in constipated participants (FC, P0.0001; IBS-C, P0.0001). No significant adverse events were observed.This study provides original evidence that the consumption of a fresh whole fruit has demonstrated clinically relevant increases in CSBM and improved measures of GI comfort in constipated populations. Green kiwifruits are a suitable dietary treatment for relief of constipation and associated GI comfort.

In parts of the upper North Island, farmers frequently report perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pastures failing within 3 or 4 years post-sowing. This appears to be related to interactions between several factors: climatic (drier, hotter summers), biotic (insect pest), soil (texture, water-holding capacity) and grazing management factors that vary spatially and temporally. The efficacy of three management interventions for recovering ryegrass populations and production in runout pasture was assessed in an experiment initiated in 2018/19 in central Waikato. Treatments were a long-spring rotation (LSR), a longer grazing deferral during late spring and summer (pasture deferral, PD) and under-sowing with perennial ryegrass (US), each applied to pastures of four ryegrass cultivars. In the year after the treatments were implemented, the yield of ryegrass in PD was 2.4 t DM/ha greater than for the control (7-year-old pasture), and ryegrass tiller populations initially doubled but later declined. Yields in US and LSR were intermediate but not significantly different from the control. Ground score changes responded more positively to PD compared with the other treatments. Relative to the baseline prior to initiation of the study, tiller populations increased for PD and US but declined for control and LSR. There were no interactions between management treatment and cultivar for any of the variables measured. Pasture deferral shows promise as an intervention for recovering failing ryegrass pastures through natural reseeding. However, the longevity of the benefits observed here has yet to be determined.

Perennial ryegrass breeding is estimated to be delivering rates of genetic gain in dry matter (DM) yield of 50–60 kg DM/ha per year of breeding effort. These estimates are based on DM yield data from tightly managed small-plot trials which are not necessarily representative of typical farm management. To assess the possible realised (on-farm) DMY gains from breeding, seasonal DMY data were collected contemporaneously at two ‘scales’ of evaluation for eight perennial ryegrass cultivars over a total of 14 seasons (comprising 5 ‘seasons’ in each of three years excluding the first winter) in each of four regions. The scales were denoted ‘small plot’ (SP, 10 m2, perennial ryegrass monocultures only) and ‘large plot’ (LP, 65–90 m2, subject to more intensive dairy cattle grazing and including all combinations of two nitrogen fertiliser rates with or without white clover as treatments). Relationships between DMY measured in SP versus LP were statistically significant (P

Studies comparing livestock responses to diets containing plantain with traditional ryegrass/clover diets suggest differences in the nutritional composition between the species might explain some of the variation in results. To explore this theory, a meta-analysis was performed to compare the nutritional composition of plantain and perennial ryegrass pastures, and define key differences between the species. Standardised effect sizes (plantain vs ryegrass pastures), expressed as correlation coefficients (r) with values from -1 to +1, and treatment means from 34 studies were determined using a weighted random effects model. Pastures containing plantain had lesser herbage dry matter content than ryegrass pastures across all seasons (mean 13.4 vs. 19.4%, P0.70). There was no difference in total herbage nitrogen concentration (g/100 g DM; r

This study compared the effects of a high-calcium vitamin D fortified milk with added FOS-Inulin versus regular milk on serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D status, grip strength (GS), as well as bone density in Chinese premenopausal women over 52 weeks. Premenopausal women (n = 133), mean age 41 (±5.1) years were randomized into control (n = 66; regular milk at 500 mg calcium per day) or intervention (Int; n = 67; fortified milk at 1200 mg calcium, 15 μg vitamin D, and 4 g FOS-Inulin per day) groups. Assessments were at baseline, weeks 12, 24, 36, and 52 for changes in vitamin D status, levels of PTH, and GS. Bone mineral densities (BMDs) of the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), and whole body (WB) were assessed at baseline and week 52 using GE Lunar iDEXA (GE Healthcare, Madison, WI). At baseline, WB lean mass was positively associated with LS BMD (r = 0.30, p

Pasture persistence can be defined several ways, but a key outcome for farmers is that the yield advantage of a new pasture compared to the pasture it replaced persists for several years after sowing. The concept of persistence of the yield advantage can also be applied to genetic evaluation of cultivars in species such as perennial ryegrass to determine the true value of pasture renewal and cultivar selection. We analysed 8 years of yield and tiller density data from pastures sown to four perennial ryegrass cultivars representing different functional types at two locations, Waikato (non-irrigated) and Canterbury (irrigated). ‘Grasslands Nui’ SE (Nui) was designated as the baseline cultivar. A significant yield advantage over Nui was observed for two cultivars (Alto AR37 and Halo AR37). Peak yield advantage occurred 4 or 5 years post-sowing, then declined by approximately 50% and became nonsignificant by Year 8. The pattern was very similar at both locations. Tiller density data indicated a shift in sward structure over time consistent with size-density trade-offs in the diploid cultivar Alto AR37 but not in the tetraploid cultivar Halo AR37. The implications for economic evaluation systems such as the DairyNZ Forage Value Index are discussed.

Formalin-fixed lung tissue and paraffin blocks containing peripheral lung tissue obtained from subjects with an occupational asbestos exposure are both regarded to be suitable to determine asbestos load. Because sample preparation of paraffin blocks requires a more intense treatment than formalin-fixed tissue, we tested whether asbestos analysis of formalin-fixed lung tissue and paraffin blocks obtained from the same patients deliver comparable results.We determined numbers of asbestos bodies (AB) and amphibole asbestos fibers (AF) in formalin-fixed lung tissue and corresponding paraffin blocks from 36 patients. For AB counts, samples were digested in sodium hypochlorite. For AF analysis, tissue was freeze-dried and then ashed. Results were reported as numbers of AB and AF per gram dry lung tissue.Both AB counts as well as AF counts were lower in paraffin blocks than formalin-fixed lung tissue. Compared to formalin-fixed tissue, the limit of detection was higher for paraffin blocks, rendering more results from paraffin blocks not interpretable than from formalin-fixed tissue (8 samples versus 1 for AB and 15 samples versus 4 for AF).Asbestos analysis of paraffin blocks may lead to underestimation of asbestos exposure. This should be considered when assessing occupational asbestos exposure through lung dust analysis in medico-legal evaluation.

Combining several cultivars within species in seed mixtures is often advocated as a means for improving crop or pasture performance. Herbage accumulation (HA) of perennial ryegrass-white clover pastures sown with a single cultivar representing different functional types of perennial ryegrass was compared with the HA of cultivar mixtures over three years in two contrasting environments (Waikato, dryland; Canterbury, irrigated) under dairy cattle grazing. Functional types were: mid-season flowering diploid, late-season diploid, and late-season tetraploid. Mixture treatments (n = 4 at each site) included all binary combinations plus the three-way combination. Mixture HA and the mean HA of the constituent cultivars did not differ for any of the mixture combinations in either environment, apart from winter in Waikato where the mid-diploid plus tetraploid mix out-yielded the mean of the individual cultivars and tended to increase total annual HA. The total annual HA of the mixtures was between 1.0 and 2.3 t DM/ha/year less than the HA of the highest-yielding individual cultivar included in the mixture in six of the eight mixture-environment combinations. While some benefits of mixtures for controlling grazing outcomes were observed, sowing individual high-performing cultivars is a better overall strategy than mixing cultivars to cover a spectrum of traits.

Pleuroparenchymal fibro-elastosis (PPFE) is a rare idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Secondary forms of PPFE may occur in patients following lung- or bone marrow transplantation. Here we report a middle-aged woman who presented with dyspnea and cough. She had been working as a cleaning woman in an agriculture company and logistic firm. Chest HRCT was highly suggestive for PPFE. Histopathological examination of a surgical biopsy showed a pattern of PPFE with airway-centered fibro-elastosis, constrictive bronchiolitis and birefringent particles in the pathological areas only. Using transmission electron microscopy with X-ray diffraction (TEM/EDX) these particles were identified as quartz and silicates, both components generally found in soil. The present case illustrates that secondary PPFE may result from agricultural dust exposure and stresses the need for a careful workup of the occupational history.

To compare the effects of a high-calcium vitamin D-fortified milk with added FOS-inulin versus regular milk on serum parathyroid hormone, and bone turnover markers in premenopausal (Pre-M) and postmenopausal (PM) women over 12 weeks. Premenopausal women (n = 136, mean age 41 (±5) years) and postmenopausal women [n = 121, mean age 59 (±4) years] were recruited, and each age group randomised into two groups to take two glasses per day of control = regular milk (500 mg calcium per day) or intervention (Int) = fortified milk (1000 mg calcium for pre-M women and 1200 mg calcium for PM women, 96 mg magnesium, 2.4 mg zinc, 15 µg vitamin D, 4 g FOS-inulin per day). At baseline, week 4 and week 12 serum minerals and bone biochemical markers were measured and bone density was measured at baseline. Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) vitamin D3] levels among groups were between 49 and 65 nmol/L at baseline, and over the 12 weeks of supplementation, the fortified milk improved vitamin D status in both Int groups. CTx-1 and PINP reduced significantly in both Pre-M and PM groups over the 12 weeks, with the changes in CTx-1 being significantly different (P

Wir leben in einer Kultur der spektakularen Effekte. Die technischen Moglichkeiten zur Gestaltung von Licht und Klang, Zeit, Raum und Materialitaten ermoglichen heute ein scheinbar unbegrenztes Potenzial zur Erzeugung illusionarer Welten und multisensueller Spektaktel. Im Zentrum des Bandes steht die Spurensuche nach jener wundersamen asthetischen Figur, die heute vor allem als special effect aus dem Hollywood-Kino bekannt ist. Eine Archaologie der Spezialeffekte erschopft sich jedoch nicht in einer Vor- und Fruhgeschichte des Kinos. Vielmehr geht des dem Band auch darum, den Begriff des Spezialeffekts fur eine allgemeine Betrachtung von Effekten des Staunens in den Kunsten zu erweitern und damit fur interdisziplinare Fragestellungen anschlussfahig zu machen.

In Malaysia, hip fracture incidence is higher in Chinese women than other ethnic groups. This study compared the effects of a high-calcium vitamin D fortified milk with added FOS-inulin versus regular milk over 1 year on aspects of bone health in Chinese postmenopausal women in Malaysia. One-hundred and twenty-one women (mean age 59 (± 4) years) were randomized into two groups: control (n = 60; regular milk, 428 mg calcium per day) or intervention (n = 61; fortified milk at 1200 mg calcium, 96 mg magnesium, 2.4 mg zinc, 15 μg vitamin D and 4 g FOS-inulin per day). At baseline, weeks 12, 24, 36 and 52, parathyroid hormone (PTH), C-Telopeptide of Type I Collagen (CTx-1), Procollagen I Intact N-Terminal propeptide (PINP) and vitamin D levels were assessed. Bone density (BMD) was measured at baseline and week 52 using a GE Lunar iDXA. Body mass index, lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD did not differ between groups at baseline. Over 52 weeks, mean plasma 25 (OH) D3 levels increased to 74.8 nmol/L (intervention group) or remained at 63.1 nmol/L (control group) (p

Aim The composition of faecal microbiota of babies is known to be influenced by diet. Faecal calprotectin and α1-antitrypsin concentrations may be associated with mucosal permeability and inflammation. We aimed to assess whether there was any difference after consumption of a probiotic/prebiotic formula on faecal microbiota composition, calprotectin and α1-antitrypsin levels, and diarrhoea in comparison with breast milk-fed Indonesian infants. Methods One hundred sixty infants, 2 to 6 weeks old, were recruited to the study. They were either breastfed or formula fed (80 per group). Faecal samples were collected at recruitment and 3 months later. Bacterial groups characteristic of the human faecal microbiota were quantified in faeces by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Calprotectin and α1-antitrypsin concentrations were measured using commercial kits. Details of diarrhoeal morbidity were documented and rated for severity. Results The compositions of the faecal microbiota of formula-fed compared with breast milk-fed children were similar except that the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactisâ€...DR10 was more abundant after 3 months consumption of the formula. Alpha1-antitrypsin levels were higher in breastfed compared with formula-fed infants. The occurrence of diarrhoea did not differ between the groups of babies. Conclusion Feeding Indonesian babies with a probiotic/prebiotic formula did not produce marked differences in the composition of the faecal microbiota in comparison with breast milk. Detrimental effects of formula feeding on biomarkers of mucosal health were not observed.

Risk for developing osteoporosis increases in Asia. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of a high-calcium vitamin D fortified milk (HCM) intervention on parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, vitamin D status and markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal Chinese women.Sixty three women (55 years) were assigned to receive two servings of either a calcium/vitamin D fortified milk or a control drink for 12 weeks. PTH, serum 25 (OH)D levels, C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) levels and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) were measured at baseline, 2, 8 and 12 weeks of supplementation.Daily calcium intake at baseline ranged between 260 and 482 mg for the HCM, and 252 and 692 mg for the control group. HCM improved serum 25 (OH)D levels significantly (33.13-39.49 nmol/l), while remaining similar in the control group (29.27-28.21 nmol/l). The difference between the groups were significant at week 2, 8 and 12. The percentage change in PTH levels in the HCM group was significant from week 2 onwards compared to the control drink (P0.017, P0.05 and P0.001 at weeks 2, 8 and 12, respectively). Plasma CTX of the HCM group reduced by 25% between weeks 0 and 2, remaining significantly lower and at similar levels up to week 12. The difference between the HCM and control group for PINP reached significance at weeks 8 (P=0.011) and 12 (P=0.003).The HCM intervention significantly improved vitamin D status and reduced bone turnover over 12 weeks in postmenopausal Chinese women.

A number of studies have focused on bar hardening of protein bars. The instrumental texture analyzer measurement of peak force is known to measure bar hardness or firmness. However, to understand overall bar texture, another important texture dimension, crumbliness/cohesiveness, needs to be considered. This study was based on three functionally modified dairy proteins, including one whey protein concentrate and two milk protein concentrates. A mixture design was used to study the synergistic effects of these three proteins on bar texture. Instrumental texture parameters that correlated with sensory texture were developed. Peak force (Force 1) was correlated with firmness (being opposite of softness) dimension, and maximum negative force (Force 2) was correlated with cohesiveness (being opposite of crumbliness). Mathematical models with R2 > 90% were developed to optimize the texture over a 12-month storage period, with storage at 20C, for bars using one or more of the three proteins. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Protein bar manufacturers will be able to select the type of dairy protein and the level of the proteins in a blend required to achieve desired texture in bars based on the findings of this study. The whey protein concentrate, used in this study, proved to be important to minimize firmness over time. The milk protein concentrates in this study performed differently from each other in bars due to the different modifications made during the manufacture of these ingredients. This study has also shown the importance of the crumbliness/cohesiveness texture dimension and investigated a method to quantify this using instrumental texture analysis. The mixture design approach used in this study could be applied to a bar manufacturer's specific formulation to develop a predictive model that will help them adjust key ingredient levels to manipulate the texture in bars.

Partant de la relation entre peinture et theâtre, voire de leur parente si l'on considere leurs jeux respectifs avec la perspective et l'illusion, l'article analyse les portraits mis en scene dans trois pieces de Moliere et de Marivaux, portraits qui non seulement se revelent comme essentiels pour le developpement de l'action et l'illusion creee aupres des differents personnages, mais qui deviennent des centres de refl exion pour ce qui est de la production et de l'attribution du sens, du role de la perception individuelle et des signifi cations conventionnelles. Tandis que Sganarelle ou le Cocu imaginaire de Moliere met en scene le fait que chacun voit dans une image ce qu'il attend d'y voir et que ce qu'il y voit est en rapport etroit avec les signifi cations traditionnelles du portrait depuis sa naissance a l'epoque de la Renaissance, les pieces de Marivaux tirent la conclusion de ces signifi cations devenues par trop conventionnelles et mettent l'accent avant tout sur la possibilite qu'ont les personnages d'agir de facon strategique avec les portraits. Tout en minant le portrait en tant que l'un des »deux stratagemes classiques, ecules« (Deguy), La Surprise de l'amour donne a voir le pouvoir inconteste des images malgre leur mise en question par l'usage qu'en font les personnages. Les Fausses Confi dences, par contre, souligne surtout la possibilite de manipulation que conferent les images a celui qui sait les manier parce qu'il connait leur maniere d'agir sur les autres, et par la se transforme en une refl exion autant poetologique qu'anthropologique, une refl exion sur la perception et la signifi cation de l'image, qu'il s'agisse de portraits, de pieces de theâtre ou des images omnipresentes dans le monde qui nous entoure.

Objectives Previous laboratory studies have identified two dairy fractions, glycomacropeptide (GMP) and G600 milk fat extract (G600), with anti-inflammatory effects in models of acute gout. The aim of this proof-of-concept clinical trial was to test the hypothesis that daily intake of skim milk powder (SMP) enriched with GMP and G600 can prevent gout flares. Methods This was a 3-month randomised double-blind controlled trial of milk products for prevention of gout flares. One hundred and twenty patients with recurrent gout flares were randomised to one of three arms: lactose powder control, SMP control and SMP enriched with GMP and G600 (SMP/GMP/G600). The primary end point was change in the frequency of gout flares using a daily flare diary measured monthly for 3 months. Results The frequency of gout flares reduced in all three groups over the 3-month study period compared with baseline. Over the 3-month study period there was a significantly greater reduction in gout flares in the SMP/GMP/G600 group (analysis of covariance p group =0.031, Tukey post hoc test compared with lactose control, p=0.044). Following treatment with SMP/GMP/G600 over the 3-month period, greater improvements were also observed in pain and fractional excretion of uric acid, with trends to greater improvement in tender joint count. Similar adverse event rates and discontinuation rates were observed between the three groups. Conclusions This is the first reported controlled trial of dietary intervention in patients with gout, and suggests that SMP enriched with GMP and G600 may reduce the frequency of gout flares.

Milk fat is a natural product containing essential nutrients as well as fatty acids and other food factors with reported anti-cancer potential. Here bovine milk fat was tested for its ability to inhibit the growth of breast and colon cancers and their metastasis to the lung and liver; either alone or in combination with the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel. A diet containing 5% typical anhydrous milk fat (representing ~70% of the total dietary fat component) fed to Balb/c mice delayed the appearance of subcutaneous 4T1 breast and CT26 colon cancer tumours and inhibited their metastasis to the lung and liver, when compared to the control diet containing soybean oil as the only fat component. It augmented the inhibitory effects of paclitaxel on tumour growth and metastasis, and reduced the microvessel density of tumours. It displayed no apparent organ toxicity, but instead was beneficial for well-being of tumour-bearing mice by maintaining gastrocnemius muscle and epididymal adipose tissue that were otherwise depleted by cachexia. The milk fat diet ameliorated gut damage caused by paclitaxel in non-tumour-bearing mice, as evidenced by retention of jejunal morphology, villi length and intestinal γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, and inhibition of crypt apoptosis. It prevented loss of red and white blood cells due to both cancer-mediated immunosuppression and the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy. The present study warrants the use of milk fat as an adjuvant to inhibit tumour metastasis during cancer chemotherapy, and to spare patients from the debilitating side-effects of cytotoxic drugs.

Riassunto Partendo dal fatto paradossale che la Vita Nova possa essere definito un »Buch der Lieder« (Wehle) o »libro dei canti«, pur parlando della musica in senso stretto solo in due luoghi, il presente contributo intende esaminare il rapporto esistente fra il libro e la »musica» in un senso più ampio e proporre una lettura della Vita Nova che mette l’accento proprio sulla musicalità delle poesie dantesche e le sue implicazioni. Le poesie stesse, come Beatrice, »angiola giovanissima«, e come Amore, agiscono come angeli: sono caratterizzate anche loro da cortesia e gentilezza e soprattutto trasmettono dolcezza e beatitudine, confermando così la convinzione medievale secondo cui il linguaggio degli angeli non sarebbe altro che musica, mentre da parte sua la musica - in primo luogo, s’intende, quella liturgica - riuscirebbe a comunicare già sulla terra un’idea del canto degli angeli. Qui, non solo la canzone è ›angelo‹ nel senso etimologico del termine, essendo mandata dall’io a portare un messaggio ai destinatari; non solo porta metaforicamente l’io, la cui lingua parla »quasi come per se stessa mossa«, al cielo. Innanzitutto, come fa vedere la rilettura di alcune ›canzoni‹, il linguaggio poetico riesce a dire l’ineffabile grazie alle sue caratteristiche proprie, che lo distinguono dal linguaggio tanto prosastico quanto prosaico, caratteristiche che ne fanno una specie di linguaggio angelico: è la poesia che con la sua suavitas riesce a superare i limiti del linguaggio umano e a procurare la beatitudine, trasportando coloro che la sanno udire già in vita »oltre la spera«.