Abstract: An enteral nutritional product for a person having a neurological injury is very low in carbohydrate, but high in fat. The fat is supplied by a lipid blend having a ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids in the range of 1 to 6. Preferably the nutritional product contains nutrients having antioxidant properties, for example beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, taurine, molybdenum and selenium.

Abstract: A T-fastener installation kit includes a packaging device for loading the T-fastener into a slotted needle without requiring the hands of the surgeon to touch the sharp end of the needle. T-fasteners may be commonly used, for example, in surgical procedures in which the T-fasteners are used to secure a patient's stomach or bowel in apposition to the abdominal wall. The packaging device includes a housing having a cylindrical recess into which the "T" head of the T-fastener is loaded. The surgeon can slide the open end of the slotted needle into the cylindrical recess and over the "T" head of the T-fastener, thereby effectively loading the T-fastener into the slotted needle without requiring the surgeon to touch the sharp point of the needle.

Abstract: A method for separating phytate and manganese from protein and dietary fiber involves treatment of an aqueous slurry of phytatecontaining material at a low pH with insoluble alumina. In a batch treatment process the pH of the solution is increased, leaving phytate units attached to the alumina while freeing the protein and dietary fiber. In a column treatment process, the column containing alumina is rinsed, after the low pH treatment, with dilute acid and water to recover the protein and/or dietary fiber. This method may be employed either during the manufacture of protein and fiber isolates from flour or flakes, or for removing phytate from commercially available protein and fiber commodities. The spent alumina may be readily regenerated and reused. A method of separating manganese from rice protein using this same technology is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses that certain fragments of a pulmonary surfactant protein exhibit unexpected surface activity. These protein fragments are useful in preparing formulations for the treatment of respiratory disease.

Abstract: A novel anti-dandruff conditioning shampoo contains at least one suspending agent, and a buffer system, with the shampoo formulation having an active detergent content of at least 18%. Preferably the buffer system contains sodium citrate and citric acid. Preferably the shampoo contains two detergents with the two detergents being ammonium lauryl ether sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate. Preferably the shampoo contains two suspending agents with the two suspending agents being di(hydrogenated) tallow phthalic acid amide and a suspending agent selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and magnesium aluminum silicate.

Abstract: An air heater is used to supply sterile air to an aseptic system for packaging food products. The air heater has an electrical heating element disposed within a tube, and the rate of air flow through the tube is adjustable. The air heater eliminates sources of contamination which are present in prior art air heaters.

Abstract: Capped bottles filled with a composition are loaded into pack carriers therefor in apparatus in which the bottles are conveyed in a continuous series in two spaced apart lines to respective metering starwheels, each with an associated application starwheel, and each starwheel with an associated retentive curved guide means along an arc thereof, at a loading zone while a continuous series of the pack carriers or clips are advanced on a conveyor between the bottle lines to the loading zone. At the loading zone the respective metering starwheels each move the bottles consecutively past the guide means to the associated application starwheel and the application starwheels are mutually spaced sufficiently close on either side of each pack carrier passing in between them to force successive bottles simultaneously from each line into the respective back to back pockets.

Abstract: A method for administering pyruvate is disclosed which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pyruvate precursor to a mammal in the form of pyruvamide or a pyruvyl-amino acid. The pyruvyl-amino acid is preferably selected from the group comprising pyruvyl-glycine, pyruvyl-alanine, pyruvyl-leucine, pyruvyl-valine, pyruvyl-isoleucine, pyruvylphenyl al anine, pyruvyl-proline and pyruvyl-sarcosine, and their amides and esters as well as their salts. Associated with the administration of a pyruvate precursor to a mammal in accordance with this invention are improved insulin resistance, lower fasting insulin levels, and reduced fat gain. Novel methods of synthesizing several pyruvate precursors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high quality soy protein isolate with a significant reduction in phytate and aluminum is prepared via ultrafiltration. Defatted soy flour slurry is prepared and adjusted to a pH such that the protein becomes solubilized. The solubilized protein can pass through the ultrafiltration membrane. The ultrafiltration system rejects phytate and aluminum. Once the soluble protein passes through the ultrafiltration system the soy protein isolate is then precipitated from the clear permeate stream by adjusting the pH within the isoelectric range of soy proteins.

Abstract: A retortable plastic container has a bottom wall having resting surface which surrounds a primary recessed portion. The primary recessed portion surrounds a secondary recessed portion. When the bottom wall of the container is viewed head-on the primary recessed portion has an outline which is circular, while the secondary recessed portion has an outline which is non-circular. The secondary recessed portion has major and minor axes which are mutually perpendicular and intersect one another on a longitudinal axis of the container. The distance across the secondary recessed portion along the major axis divided by the distance across the secondary recessed portion along the minor axis is greater than 1 but not greater than 3.

Abstract: A non-destructive spoilage detection method of detecting spoilage of a nutritional product having a water activity of at least 0.9 has the steps of: subjecting a nutritional product in a non-metallic sealed container to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy followed by recording the peak free induction decay value associated with an initial nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the nutritional product. Subsequently the nutritional product is subjected to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and at least one other peak free induction decay value associated with the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the nutritional product is recorded. Over time, at least two of the peak free induction decay values are compared from which a determination is made whether spoilage of the nutritional product is indicated. Preferably subjection of the nutritional product to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy occurs on a regular basis and at approximately the same temperature of the nutritional.

Abstract: An external retaining device may be used for securing an enteral feeding tube in a desired location with respect to a person's skin. The feeding tube passes through a first hole in the retaining device, then is guided through a 90.degree., bend following a radius of curvature such that the feeding tube is not kinked, and then passes through a second hole in the retaining device, with the longitudinal axes of the holes in the retaining device being coplanar and oriented perpendicular to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus may be employed for determining the relaxation rate of a muscle which has been caused to contract in response to an electrical stimulus. The relaxation rate may be used in evaluating a person's nutritional status. The apparatus has support for supporting the forearm and wrist of a person in a palm-up position with the wrist extended. An electrical stimulus is applied to the person's ulnar nerve, and the force exerted upon a load cell by the person's thumb is measured. A computer is employed for receiving, storing, plotting and analyzing the force data collected by a transducer.

Abstract: This invention describes a product obtained from the isolation and concentration of specific immunoglobulins (antibodies) derived from the mammary secretions of cows immunized with Helicobacter pylori. The product is useful in preparing formulations for the treatment and/or prevention of gastric diseases.

Abstract: This invention describes a product obtained from the isolation and concentration of specific immunoglobulins (antibodies) derived from the mammary secretions of cows immunized with Helicobacter pylori. The product is useful in preparing formulations for the treatment and/or prevention of gastric diseases.

Abstract: A method for administering pyruvate is disclosed which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pyruvate precursor to a mammal in the form of pyruvamide or a pyruvyl-amino acid. The pyruvyl-amino acid is preferably selected from the group comprising pyruvyl-glycine, pyruvyl-alanine, pyruvyl-leucine, pyruvyl-valine, pyruvyl-isoleucine, pyruvyl-phenylalanine, pyruvyl-proline and pyruvyl-sarcosine, and their amides and esters as well as their salts. Associated with the administration of a pyruvate precursor to a mammal in accordance with this invention are improved insulin resistance, lower fasting insulin levels, and reduced fat gain. Novel methods of synthesizing several pyruvate precursors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for separating phytate and manganese from protein and dietary fiber involves treatment of an aqueous slurry of phytate-containing material at a low pH with insoluble alumina. In a batch treatment process the pH of the solution is increased, leaving phytate units attached to the alumina while freeing the protein and dietary fiber. In a column treatment process, the column containing alumina is rinsed, after the low pH treatment, with dilute acid and water to recover the protein and/or dietary fiber. This method may be employed either during the manufacture of protein and fiber isolates from flour or flakes, or for removing phytate from commercially available protein and fiber commodities. The spent alumina may be readily regenerated and reused. A method of separating manganese from rice protein using this same technology is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel process for the removal of phytate from protein using ion exchange has been developed. The process involves the upflow passage of a protein slurry at an elevated temperature through a strong base anion exchanger in the chloride form. The weak base anion sites inherent to the resin have been converted to the free base form. The anion exchange material can easily be regenerated. The process can be used on-line, yields phytate removal of greater than 90%, has high (greater than 90%) protein recovery, is cost-effective, and is environmentally friendly.