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Background The effects of dietary macronutrients on orexigenic and anorexigenic hormones in children are poorly understood. Objective To explore effects of varying dietary macronutrients on appetite-regulating hormones [acyl ghrelin (AG) and desacyl ghrelin (DAG), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) and insulin] in children with PWS and healthy children (HC). Design Randomized, cross-over experiments compared two test diets [high protein-low carbohydrate (HP-LC) and high protein-low fat (HP-LF)] to a STANDARD meal (55% carbohydrate, 30% fat, 15% protein). Experiment 1 included ten children with PWS (median age 6.63 years; BMI z 1.05); experiment 2 had seven HC (median age 12.54 years; BMI z 0.95). Blood samples were collected at baseline and at 60-minute intervals for 4 hours. Independent linear mixed models were adjusted for age, sex and BMI z-score. Results Fasting and post-prandial AG and DAG concentrations are elevated in PWS children; the ratio of AG/DAG is normal. Food consumption reduced AG and DAG concentrations in both PWS and HC. GLP-1 levels were higher in PWS after the HP-LC and HP-LF meals than the STANDARD meal (P = .02-0.04). The fasting proinsulin to insulin ratio (0.08 vs 0.05) was higher in children with PWS (P = .05) than in HC. Average appetite scores in HC declined after all three meals (P = .02) but were lower after the HP-LC and HP-LF meals than the STANDARD meal. Conclusion Altered processing of proinsulin and increased GLP-1 secretion in children with PWS after a high protein meal intake might enhance satiety and reduce energy intake.

The objectives of this study were to assess graded inclusions of sunflower protein meal (SPM; crude protein: 54%, crude fat: 11%, crude fiber: 4%) and dried yeast (DY; crude protein: 50%, crude fat: 3%, crude fiber: 2%) on nutrient digestibility, stool quality, and palatability in adult cats. Both SPM and DY were included at 5% and 10% in replacement of pea protein in a high-protein, chicken-based feline diet to maintain equal macronutrient concentrations across all test diets (formulated to 41% crude protein, 18% crude fat, 3% crude fiber). The study was approved and followed by the facility’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. A standard 2-bowl palatability test over a 2-day period was executed with adult cats (n = 30 each) to determine intake ratios between test diets (5% and 10% SPM or 5% and 10% DY), and test diets vs. control. Total tract nutrient digestibility was evaluated (n = 8 per diet) with 5 days of diet acclimation followed by 5 days of total fecal collection. Stool quality was evaluated on a 1–5 scale, where 1 = hard/formed and 5 = non-formed/diarrhea. All data were analyzed by ANOVA (SAS v9.4) and T-tests post-hoc (Minitab 18). Palatability and stool quality were similar (P > 0.05) between all diets. Protein digestibility was lower for DY-containing diets, compared with control (5% DY at P = 0.0083 and 10% DY at P = 0.0336), but not significantly different for SPM diets (P > 0.05). However, average protein digestibility was >88% across all diets. The alternative protein sources tested showed merit for inclusion to diversify ingredient sources while maintaining palatability in cat diets.

Background: Whether improvements in cardiometabolic health following weight loss (WL) are associated with changes in regional body fat distribution (gluteal vs. ­android) is not well documented. Methods: Older (age: 70 ± 4 years; mean ± SD) adults with obesity were randomized to a 6-month WL program (WL; n = 47), accomplished using a hypocaloric, nutritionally complete, higher protein ­(targeting ≥1.0 g/kg/day) meal plan, or a weight stability (WS; n = 49) program. Android, gynoid, visceral, and subcutaneous abdominal fat masses (via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry ) and fasting glucose and lipid profiles were assessed at baseline and 6 months. Results: The WL group lost more body weight (WL: –8.6% vs. WS: –1.7%, p < 0.01), resulting in a reduction in fat mass at each region only following WL (all p < 0.05). The decline in the ratio of android/gynoid fat mass also was significant only following WL, resulting in greater declines than WS (mean [95% CI]; WL: –0.026 [–0.040 to –0.011] vs. WS: 0.003 [–0.012 to 0.019] g, p < 0.01). The change in the ratio of visceral/subcutaneous abdominal fat mass was not significant in either group and did not differ between groups (WL: 0.65 [–0.38 to 1.68] vs. WS: 0.05 [–1.00 to 1.10] g, p = 0.42). In general, the improvements in glucose and lipid profiles were associated with declines in fat mass at the gynoid and android regions (r’s = 0.20–0.42, all p < 0.05), particularly the visceral depot but not the ratios. Conclusion: WL achieved via a hypocaloric, nutritionally complete, higher protein meal plan is effective in reducing body fat in the android, gynoid, and visceral depots, which relate to cardiometabolic improvements.

Dysphagia that involves difficulty swallowing food and liquids is a symptom of different diseases. In some cases, patients who experience this symptom should be fed with modified consistency foods. Dysphagia is often accompanied by malnutrition and dehydration and an interesting approach to dealing with these conditions is to provide patients with nutrient-rich foods. In this study, two new food formulations for dysphagia patients are proposed: a cereal-based protein meal and a vegetable cream. The nutritional and rheological characteristics of the two innovative preparations were assessed and compared with those of commercial products. The proposed protein meal formulations meet the criteria for the “high protein” claim and the vegetable cream meets those of the “source of fiber” claim. The rheological investigation revealed that the flow properties of the innovative formulations were comparable to those of the commercial ones. Based on these preliminary outcomes, this investigation represents an interesting perspective potentially valuable to enlarge the offer of possibilities for people suffering from swallowing disorders.

Macronutrient composition modulates plasma amino acids that are precursors of neurotransmitters and can impact brain function and decisions. Neurotransmitter serotonin has been shown to regulate not only food intake, but also economic decisions. We investigated whether an acute nutrition-manipulation inducing plasma tryptophan fluctuation affects brain function, thereby affecting risky decisions. Breakfasts differing in carbohydrate/protein ratios were offered to test changes in risky decision making while metabolic and neural dynamics were tracked. We identified that a high-carbohydrate/protein meal increased plasma tryptophan which mapped to individual risk propensity changes. Moreover, the meal-driven fluctuation in tryptophan and risk propensity changes were modulated by individual difference in body fat mass. Using fMRI, we further identified activation in the parietal lobule during risk-processing, of which activities 1) were correlated with the risk propensity changes in decision making, 2) were sensitive to the tryptophan fluctuation, and 3) were modulated by individual’s body fat mass. Furthermore, the activity in the parietal lobule positively mediated the tryptophan-fluctuation to risk-propensity-changes relationship. Our results provide evidence for a personalized nutrition-driven modulation on human risky decisions and its metabolic and neural mechanisms.

The aim of this study was to compare the acute effect of a high-protein/moderate carbohydrate (HP-MCHO) versus low-protein/high-carbohydrate (LP-HCHO) meal served at night on the postprandial metabolic response of male night workers the following breakfast. A randomized crossover study was performed with 14 male night workers (40.9 &plusmn, 8.9 years old, 29.1 &plusmn, 5.3 kg/m2). Participants underwent two different isocaloric dietary conditions at 1:00 h of the night shift: HP-MCHO (45 en% carbohydrate, 35 en% protein and 20 en% fat) and LP-HCHO (65 en% carbohydrate, 15 en% protein and 20 en% fat). Postprandial capillary glucose levels were determined immediately before the intake of the test meal and 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after the end of the meal. At the end of the work shift (6:30 h), participants received a standard breakfast and postprandial levels of glucose, insulin and triglycerides were determined immediately before and then every 30 min for 2 h (30, 60, 90 and 120 min). Higher values of capillary glucose were found after the LP-HCHO condition compared to the HP-MCHO condition (area under the curve (AUC) = 119.46 &plusmn, 1.49 mg/dL &times, min and 102.95 &plusmn, 1.28 mg/dL &times, min, respectively, p &lt, 0.001). For the metabolic response to standard breakfast as the following meal, no significant differences in glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and HOMA-IR levels were found between interventions. A night meal with a higher percentage of protein and a lower percentage of carbohydrate led to minor postprandial glucose levels during the night shift but exerted no effect on the metabolic response of the following meal. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03456219.

In light of its recent classification by the Department of Trade and Industry as an industry in distress, this paper undertakes a comprehensive evaluation of the competitiveness of South African broiler production in the global context. A qualitative review of industry structure revealed a great deal of similarity to market leaders globally. Price formation within broiler production contracts in South Africa utilizes the same tournament pricing used successfully in the USA, resulting in high levels of technical efficiency, however economic efficiency is lacking. Univariate time series analysis confirmed that the domestic price of chicken is more elastic to changes in the import parity price than changes in feed costs. Feed remains crucial to economic efficiency and while declining protein meal prices in the future is plausible given recent investment into the industry, marketing strategies that optimize the returns from an entire carcass could aid effective competition with imported products.

High- protein diets have become increasingly popular with various touted benefits. However, the extent to which protein quantity and source affects cognitive functioning through altering postprandial amino acid profiles has not been investigated. Further, whether all protein sources are similarly anorexigenic is uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of protein level and source on Barnes maze performance, satiety and plasma amino acid levels in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Rats were entrained to a meal-feeding schedule consisting of a 30 minutes meal, equivalent to 20% of average daily intake, one hour into the dark phase then ad libitum access to food for 5 h. On test days, rats received one of three isocaloric diets as their first meal, hereafter referred to as Egg White (EW), Wheat Gluten (WG), or Basal, and then were measured for cognitive performance, feeding behavior, or plasma amino acid levels via jugular catheter. Percentage energy from protein was 35% for both EW and WG and 20% for Basal with equal amounts provided by EW and WG proteins.Rats provided EW performed similarly to Basal on the Barnes maze, whereas WG performed worse. EW increased satiety, whereas WG reduced satiety relative to Basal. Both EW and WG increased postprandial concentrations of large neutral and branched chain amino acids relative to Basal, but in EW, concentrations were slower to peak, and peaked to a higher level than WG.Results demonstrate the importance of protein source for cognition and satiety enhancing effects of a high-protein meal.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess whether there are sex differences in postprandial amino acid (AA) responses to different quantities and sources of dietary protein. METHODS: In a randomized, crossover design, 12 participants [6 males, age: 29 ± 3 y; BMI: 27.1 ± 5.1 kg/m(2); mean ± SEM, and 6 females, age: 30 ± 6 y; BMI: 25.0 ± 1.8 kg/m(2)] completed three 5-h acute feeding trials. They consumed breakfasts containing 10 g of protein from foods (10-PRO), 30 g of protein from foods (30-PRO), and 10 g of protein from foods with an additional 20 g of whey protein isolate (WPI) consumed 120 minutes later (10/20-PRO). Blood samples were collected at times -30, 0, 30, 60, 120, 150, 180, 240, and 300 min relative to breakfast intake. RESULTS: For each trial, protein intakes were quantitatively the same for females and males, which resulted in greater protein intakes for females when expressed per kg body mass and liter of plasma volume (Table 1). Plasma AA concentrations did not increase for either sex after 10-PRO (300 min time period) or the first 120 min of 10/20-PRO (before WPI consumed). Plasma total free amino acid (TAA), essential amino acid (EAA), and leucine concentrations (µg/mL) peaked at 240 min for males and at 150, 180, and 240 min respectively, for females, after 30-PRO. TAA, EAA, and leucine concentrations peaked 60 min after consuming 20 g WPI (180 min after breakfast) for 10/20-PRO for both sexes. No differences in composite iAUCpos over 300 min were observed between sexes for 30-PRO. Composite iAUCpos (µg/mL) over 300 min for TAA, EAA, and leucine were greater for females compared to males, by 41, 57, and 40% respectively, for 10/20-PRO. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma AA responses to consuming a high-protein breakfast are not different between females and males, but are greater for females after consuming a whey protein supplement. This greater increase in AA concentrations for females may be due to greater rates of absorption and/or a greater quantity of protein intake relative to body mass and plasma volume. Males may require more whey protein than females to achieve comparable plasma AA responses. FUNDING SOURCES: Purdue University, Ingestive Behavioral Research Center and Lynn Fellowship to JLH Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

There is a great interest in integrating insects into livestock nutrition as a replacement for soybean, but research about the feeding value of insect protein meal and fat of larvae grown on different substrates is rare. In the present study, 5×10 laying hens were fed defatted black soldier fly (BSF) meal and larval fat from two contrasting substrates (preconsumer food waste and feed grade material). Feed intake, body weight and laying performance did not differ during 26 days of treatment feeding. Egg weight and egg mass were most favorable with larvae grown on feed grade material and soybean oil. These results show that the larval fat can be considered as a valuable feed ingredient as well and that larval protein seems to have a high protein value.

Long-term dexamethasone (DEX) administration causes insulin resistance and interferes with protein synthesis in equine skeletal muscle. Twelve thoroughbred mares were used to determine the effects of short-term DEX treatment on plasma glucose, insulin, and amino acid dynamics, and muscle signaling pathways following consumption of a high protein meal. Treatments (n= 6/treatment) consisted of control and 7 days of oral DEX administration (0.04 mg/kg BW/day). Blood and gluteal muscle samples were collected on days 1 (prior to DEX), 7, and 14 (7 days after cessation of DEX) both before and 90 min after feeding 4g/kg BW of a high protein feed. Plasma glucose, insulin, amino acid, and urea concentrations were determined, and muscle samples were analyzed by Western immunoblot procedures. Data were analyzed using mixed procedures in SAS with block, treatment, day and their interactions as the fixed effects, and horse nested within block as the random subject. Feeding increased (P < 0.05) plasma glucose, insulin, and amino acid concentrations, relative muscle activation of Akt, rpS6, 4E-BP1, and mTOR, and total abundance of IRS-1 and ULK1-P. Seven days of DEX treatment increased basal concentrations of circulating glucose (P < 0.05), insulin (P < 0.05) and amino acids (P < 0.05), and tended to lower PUN (P < 0.1). DEX treatment increased (P < 0.05) insulin responses and decreased (P < 0.05) plasma amino acid responses to a high protein meal. Basal activation of mTOR tended to be lower (P = 0.06), and FoxO3 activation was greater (P = 0.05) in DEX horses. In response to feeding, activation of rpS6 and abundance of ULK1-P tended (P < 0.1) to be higher in DEX treated horses on day 7. This study shows that short-term DEX administration results in transient insulin dysregulation, and interferes with muscle protein signaling pathways in mature horses.

Rapeseed is one of the most important sources of edible oil, raw material for industry, as well as feed. The yield and quality of rapeseed have significantly been improved in recent decades as a result of intensive breeding and optimized production technology. The application of Mendel's rules in introducing monogenic traits has also contributed to success in rapeseed breeding. Rule 1, which refers to the uniformity of F1 generation, is now the basis of widespread development of rapeseed hybrids. Rule 2, dealing with genetic segregation in the F2 generation, is the basis for understanding the process of breeding lines. Rule 3, regarding the independent segregation of genes and traits, while exempting linked traits, is the basis of combining different desirable properties by selection. In the last few decades, the systematic use of Mendel's rules has contributed to the improvement of many properties of rapeseed, including tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress, yield and seed quality. Particular progress has been made in breeding for resistance to diseases, including the identification of molecular markers for marker-assisted selection. The next objective of rapeseed breeding is to create varieties with improved tolerance to environmental stress (e.g. frost, heat, and drought). Based on Mendel's rules, classical breeding methods and the latest developments in the field of molecular genetics and breeding, future progress is expected in the field of rapeseed breeding with an emphasis on polygenic, quantitative traits such as biomass, seed, and oil yield.

MCPDEs and GE esters have raised much attention in recent years, due to their widespread occurrence in refined vegetable fats and oils at amounts that may possibly indicate health concerns. These undesired process byproducts are formed mainly during the oil deodorization process at temperatures in the typical range of 230–270 °C. The measures identified so far to mitigate MCPDEs and GEs span across the value chain and are summarized in part by the EU Vegetable Oil and Protein Meal Industry (FEDIOL) in their ‘review of mitigation measures’, as well as several scientific publications. This review also highlights the main challenges in the analysis and mitigation of MCPDEs and GEs, and the future research needed to ensure that levels in refined vegetable fats and oils are ‘as low as practically achievable’.

In this research the mineral elements and the oil and protein contents of thirteen sunflower hybrids grown in Brazil, were studied. In addition, the possibility of jointly obtaining products with high productivity and high oil and protein contents was evaluated. The research showed high achene productivity, exceeding the national average, mainly by the hybrids BRS G44, SYN 045 and M 734. It should be taken into account that some hybrids, such as NTC 90, despite their high productivity, are not suitable for production when the purpose is to obtain oil and protein meal. The hybrid BRS G46 presented high oil and protein contents. On the other hand, SYN 065 was the least productive (808.10 kg ha-1) and, despite the fact that this hybrid showed an above average oil content, it showed the lowest protein content of the grains analysed. In general, the samples analysed had higher concentrations of K, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ni and Cu, whereas the mineral contents of Mo, Co and Se were present at lower levels. The hybrid BRS G45 indicated the presence of larger amounts of elements at higher concentrations, such as: Mg, S, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn, followed by BRS G44, which showed higher contents of Mg, Cr, Mn, Fe and Ni. The characterization of the Brazilian hybrids in this study allowed for their differentiation for specific purposes and the possibility of oil production combinations, producing oils with characteristics that make them apt for alternative uses of their by-products (such as the hybrid BRS G46), this being a great opportunity to increase the farm income. Resumo No presente trabalho, foram determinados os elementos minerais, os teores de óleo e proteína de 13 híbridos de girassol. Além disso, foi avaliada a possibilidade de se obterem, conjuntamente, produtos com alta produtividade e altos teores de óleo e proteína. A pesquisa mostrou alta produtividade de aquênios, excedendo a média nacional, principalmente para os híbridos BRS G44, SYN 045 e M 734. Deve-se levar em conta que alguns híbridos, como o NTC 90, apesar de apresentar alta produtividade, não são adequados para a produção quando o objetivo é a obtenção de óleo e farinha proteica. O híbrido BRS G46 apresentou alto teor de óleo e proteína. Por outro lado, SYN 065 foi o menos produtivo (808,10 kg ha-1) e, apesar de este híbrido mostrar teor de óleo acima da média, apresentou o menor teor de proteína entre os grãos analisados. De uma forma geral, as amostras analisadas apresentaram concentrações mais elevadas de K, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ni e Cu, enquanto que o conteúdo mineral de Mo, Co e Se estava presente em níveis mais baixos. O híbrido BRS G45 indicou a presença de grandes quantidades de elementos a altas concentrações, como Mg, S, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu e Zn, seguido pelo BRS G44, que mostrou maiores concentrações de Mg, Cr, Mn, Fe e Ni. A caracterização dos híbridos brasileiros, neste estudo, permitiu a sua diferenciação para uma finalidade específica e a possibilidade da combinação de produção de óleo, com características que os tornam aptos para usos alternativos de seus subprodutos (como o híbrido BRS G46), constituindo, assim, uma boa oportunidade para aumentar a renda agrícola.

A biological experiment of 160 day old chicks for six weeks was undertaken with completely randomized design (CRD) divided into five treatments, each consisting of 4 replicates and 8 chicks in each replicate. Five experimental diets as per ICAR (2013) were prepared by incorporating rice distillers dried grains with solubles (rDDGS) at inclusion level of (0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0%). Chemical analysis revealed that rice DDGS on as such basis is high in both crude protein 44.68% and gross energy 4232 kcal/kg. In vitro pepsin-pancreatin digestibility (IVPPD) of rDDGS was found 79.81%. At the inclusion level of 7.5, 10 and 12.5 %, growth performance and nutrient utilization did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference as compared to control but at 15% rDDGS inclusion level, growth performance (body weight gain, feed intake and FCR) and nutrient utilization (dry matter and energy metabolizability, nitrogen retention %) were significantly (Pless than0.01) lower in 15% rDDGS (T5) group as compared to control (T1) and other dietary treatments. Carcass traits did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference between control and other dietary treatments. Cost of production per kg live weight and meat yield were significantly (Pless than 0.01) lower in 7.5 % and above rDDGS levels. Thus, it is concluded that rDDGS can be safely incorporated in broiler chickens diets up to the inclusion level of 12.5% as alternate protein meal for economic broiler production.

Meat is a high protein meal that is used in the preparation of jerky, a popular food snack, where preservation and safety are important. To assure food safety and to extend the shelf life of meat and meat products, the use of either synthetic or natural preservatives have been applied to control and eliminate foodborne bacteria. A growing interest in the application of natural food additives for meat has increased. Microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli, contaminate meat and meat products, causing foodborne illnesses. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the meat conservation process. However, the use of essential oils when the meat is being dried has not been deeply studied. In this regard, there is an opportunity to increase the value of dried meat and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses by applying essential oils during the drying process. In this protocol, we present a novel method of applying thyme essential oil (TEO) during meat drying, specifically in vapor form directly in a drying chamber. For evaluation, we use Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) to detect the number of harmful bacteria in the treated samples compared to raw samples. The preliminary results show that this method is a viable and alternative option to synthetic preservatives and that it significantly reduces microbial load in dried meat.

Protein and fiber have strong satiety-inducing potential. Beef is a high quality, protein-rich food. Beans contain moderate levels of protein as well as fiber. To determine the effects of a high protein meal (beef) compared to a moderate protein, high fiber meal (beans) on subjective appetite and energy intake at a subsequent meal twenty-eight adults, 14 men (ages 24 ± 5 y, BMI 23 ± 2 kg/m(2) ) and 14 women (ages 25 ± 5 y, BMI 22 ± 2 kg/m(2) ) consumed 2 test lunches containing a "meatloaf" made from either beef or beans. The beef meal provided 26 g of protein and 3 g of fiber while the bean meal provided 17 g of protein and 12 g of fiber. An ad libitum snack was given 3 h after the test meal. Visual analogue scales were used to assess hunger, satiety, fullness, and prospective food intake. Gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance was assessed over 24 h. No difference between the beef and bean was observed for appetite ratings over 3 h, food intake at the subsequent meal (632 ± 75 kcal compared with 611 ± 75 kcal, respectively), or sum of GI score (2.2 ± 0.5 compared with 2.9 ± 0.5, respectively). Gas and bloating were reported more often after the bean meal than the beef meal (2.0 ± 0.4 compared with 1.3 ± 0.4, P value 0.057). A beef-based meal with high protein and a bean-based meal with moderate protein and high fiber produced similar satiety, while the bean-based meal resulting in higher, yet moderate, gas and bloating.

The physicochemical and emulsification characteristics of flaxseed albumin and globulin protein fractions were determined in this study. Flaxseed protein meal was extracted with 0.5 M NaCl, and the extract dialyzed against water followed by centrifugation to obtain the globulin as a water-insoluble precipitate and albumin as the water-soluble albumin. Gel electrophoresis data indicate that the globulin is composed of several polypeptides in the 10-50 kDa range while albumin consisted mainly of the 10 kDa polypeptide accompanied by a minor content of 40 kDa. Amino acid analysis showed significantly (p 0.05) higher levels of hydrophobic amino acids in the globulin, which was consistent with higher surface hydrophobicity when compared to the albumin. All the emulsions had monomodal oil droplet size distribution and wider ranges were directly related to bigger sizes, especially at low (10 mg/mL) protein concentration when compared to the 50 mg/mL.

Background The mosquito Aedes aegypti is the primary vector for medically important arthropod-borne viruses, including chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Following oral acquisition, an arbovirus has to persistently infect several organs in the mosquito before becoming transmissible to another vertebrate host. A major obstacle an arbovirus has to overcome during its infection cycle inside the mosquito is the midgut escape barrier, representing the exit mechanism arboviruses utilize when disseminating from the midgut. To understand the transcriptomic basis of midgut escape and to reveal genes involved in the process, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis of midgut samples from mosquitoes which had received a saline meal (SM) or a protein meal (PM) (not) containing CHIKV. Results CHIKV which was orally acquired by a mosquito along with a SM or PM productively infected the midgut epithelium and disseminated to secondary tissues. A total of 27 RNA-Seq libraries from midguts of mosquitoes that had received PM or SM (not) containing CHIKV at 1 and 2 days post-feeding were generated and sequenced. Fewer than 80 genes responded differentially to the presence of CHIKV in midguts of mosquitoes that had acquired the virus along with SM or PM. SM feeding induced differential expression (DE) of 479 genes at day 1 and 314 genes at day 2 when compared to midguts of sugarfed mosquitoes. By comparison, PM feeding induced 6029 DE genes at day 1 and 7368 genes at day 2. Twenty-three DE genes encoding trypsins, metalloproteinases, and serine-type endopeptidases were significantly upregulated in midguts of mosquitoes at day 1 following SM or PM ingestion. Two of these genes were Ae. aegypti late trypsin (AeLT) and serine collagenase 1 precursor (AeSP1). In vitro, recombinant AeLT showed strong matrix metalloproteinase activity whereas recombinant AeSP1 did not. Conclusions By substituting a bloodmeal for SM, we identified midgut-expressed genes not involved in blood or protein digestion. These included genes coding for trypsins, metalloproteinases, and serine-type endopeptidases, which could be involved in facilitating midgut escape for arboviruses in Ae. aegypti. The presence of CHIKV in any of the ingested meals had relatively minor effects on the overall gene expression profiles in midguts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-3775-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

This paper presents an overview of the main challenges in the production of biodiesel. Whereas the cost of biodiesel is determined for about 85 % by the cost of the raw material and that the most employed feedstock are oils used also for nutrition, it seems obvious that it is necessary to search for nonedible feedstock with low cost for the production of biodiesel. The choice of feedstock is based on variables such as the oil yield, local availability, cost, and government support. Feedstocks with higher oil yields are more preferable in the biodiesel industry because they can reduce the production cost. In Brazil, approximately 80 % of the biodiesel produced is made from soybean despite of its low oil content (18–21 %). The leadership of soybeans as feedstock for biodiesel production is explained by the increasing demand for more protein meal. Coconut and babassu with more oil yield respectively with 62 and 60 % of oil content are likely substitutes for soybean. Castor bean, despite of its high oil content (50 %) and advantages, such as low production cost and its resistance to hydric stress, has some difficulties to meet the ANP regulations, mainly due to its high viscosity. However, castor bean biodiesel-diesel blends of up to 40 % are within specifications. Yield per hectare is another factor that should be considered in the choice of raw material for the production of biodiesel. Among the various oilseeds, oil palm deserves to be highlighted as the most productive.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a common clinical condition characterized by a variety of metabolic abnormalities. This endocrine disease is associated with an abnormal insulin response to a glycemic challenge, but there is a paucity of data addressing the influence of dietary protein load on insulin dynamics in horses with EMS. Accordingly, our objective was to evaluate postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses to a high protein meal in healthy and EMS horses. Twelve mature, age-matched horses of mixed breeds and genders were used, six classified as EMS, and six non-EMS controls. Following an overnight fast, horses were fed 2g/kg BW of a high protein pellet (31% CP) at time 0 and 30 minutes. Blood samples collected throughout a 4-hour period were analyzed for plasma glucose, insulin, amino acid, and urea concentrations. Glucose concentrations were elevated over baseline levels in all horses after feeding (P = 0.0002), but were not different between groups (P = 0.2). Horses with EMS had a 9-fold greater insulinemic response to the consumption of a high protein meal compared with controls (P = 0.049). Most plasma amino acid concentrations were elevated over baseline levels in all horses, but postprandial levels of histidine, citrulline, tyrosine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, and ornithine were higher in EMS horses (P < 0.05). Conversely, baseline plasma glutamate, asparagine, and urea nitrogen concentrations tended to be lower in horses with EMS (0.05 < P < 0.1). With the knowledge that certain amino acids act as insulin secretagogues, these findings provide evidence that dietary protein content should be taken into consideration to avoid exacerbation of the condition. This study demonstrates that intake of a high protein meal causes a hyperinsulinemic response, and affects amino acid metabolism in horses with EMS.

Summary The goal of this research was to produce a high-protein meal by treating defatted soybean meal, a by-product of soybean oil production, with dilute acid. Treatments were a mild hydrolysis at 80 °C with sulphuric acid at concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 2.0% (w/v) and times varying from 1 to 16 h that were arranged according to a central composite rotatable experimental design. The end products were an enhanced-protein meal and a carbohydrate concentrate of fermentable and nonfermentable sugars. The highest protein content rise, from 48% to 58%, was for treatments with concentrations of acid ranging between 1.2% and 1.7% and times between 1.0 and 2.6 h. The maximum yield of fermentable sugar was 21.0% d.b. at 2.0% H2SO4 and treatments of at least 6 h. The conditions that provide a highest protein and sugar contents were the treatments with concentrations of sulphuric acid ranging from 0.9 to 1.9% H2SO4 for 1–4 h.

The nutritional status of elite soccer players across match, postmatch, training and rest days has not been defined. Recent evidence suggests the pattern of dietary protein intake impacts the daytime turnover of muscle proteins and, as such, influences muscle recovery. We assessed the nutritional status and daytime pattern of protein intake in senior professional and elite youth soccer players and compared findings against published recommendations. Fourteen senior professional (SP) and 15 youth elite (YP) soccer players from the Dutch premier division completed nutritional assessments using a 24-hr web-based recall method. Recall days consisted of a match, postmatch, rest, and training day. Daily energy intake over the 4-day period was similar between SP (2988 ± 583 kcal/day) and YP (2938 ± 465 kcal/day; p = .800). Carbohydrate intake over the combined 4-day period was lower in SP (4.7 ± 0.7 g·kg-1 BM·day-1) vs. YP (6.0 ± 1.5 g·kg-1 BM·day-1, p = .006) and SP failed to meet recommended carbohydrate intakes on match and training days. Conversely, recommended protein intakes were met for SP (1.9 ± 0.3 g·kg-1 BM·day-1) and YP (1.7 ± 0.4 g·kg-1 BM·day-1), with no differences between groups (p = .286). Accordingly, both groups met or exceeded recommended daily protein intakes on individual match, postmatch, rest and training days. A similar “balanced” daytime pattern of protein intake was observed in SP and YP. To conclude, SP increased protein intake on match and training days to a greater extent than YP, however at the expense of carbohydrate intake. The daytime distribution of protein intake for YP and SP aligned with current recommendations of a balanced protein meal pattern.