Prothrombin Antigen

This study investigated the influence of various form and sizes of microparticulated whey proteins (MWPs) in powder and liquid extruded microparticulated whey proteins (eMWPs) on the physicochemical and sensory properties of reduced-fat (<0.5 g/100 g), plain-type stirred yogurts (formulations F1, F2, F3, F5, and F6). The full-fat (3.5 g/100 g) yogurt formulation (F4) was used as a reference standard. Subjects included 36 individuals who took part in the sensory test. eMWPs showed significantly (p < 0.01) lower rates of syneresis and higher firmness compared to Simplesse and other market products, whereas the dry matter content and hydration process playing an important role. Viscosities were decreased by increasing the particle size of eMWPs within the range of 0.1-10 mu m, which showed a strong correlation with firmness and creaminess of reduced-fat yogurts. These outcomes indicated the strength of the yogurt gel and the possibilities of controlling the creaminess of reduced-fat yogurts by adjusting the size of the microparticles. Thus, for the sensory test of reduced-fat yogurt, F1 and F2 with eMWPs were highly ranked compared to reference yogurt.

Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in the gestational period damages the reproductive health of offspring; detailed evidence regarding BPA-induced damage in testicular germ cells of offspring is still limited. In this study, pregnant mice (F0) were gavaged with three BPA doses (50 mu g, 5 mg, and 50 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day; tolerable daily intake (TDI), no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL), and lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL), respectively) on embryonic days 7 to 14, followed by investigation of the transgenerational effects of such exposure in male offspring. We observed that the NOAEL- and LOAEL-exposed F1 offspring had abnormalities in anogenital distance, nipple retention, and pubertal onset (days), together with differences in seminiferous epithelial stages and testis morphology. These effects were eradicated in the next F2 and F3 generations. Moreover, there was an alteration in the ratio of germ cell population and the apoptosis rate in germ cells increased in F1 offspring at the LOAEL dose. However, the total number of spermatogonia remained unchanged. Finally, a reduction in the stemness properties of spermatogonial stem cells in F1 offspring was observed upon LOAEL exposure. Therefore, we provide evidence of BPA-induced disruption of physiology and functions in male germ cells during the gestational period. This may lead to several reproductive health issues and infertility in offspring.