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: 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.

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: There is disclosed a body for a retortable plastic container having a sidewall and bottom wall integrally formed as a single piece. The bottom wall has a heel portion and a recessed center portion. The heel has a resting surface and an inside corner. The recessed center portion has an outside corner. The container has an outside surface. The container is made in accordance with equations relating to reforming pressure and low fill equilibrium pressure and may be fabricated utilizing a variety of manufacturing modes since the providing of acceptable container configurations is not based on relative wall thicknesses.

Abstract: A powdered nutritional product has an oil blend which contains soy oil and/or marine oil. In order to minimize oxidation of the product an antioxidant system of natural ingredients is incorporated therein. The antioxidant system is made up of ascorbyl palmitate, beta carotene and/or mixed tocopherols, and citrate.

Abstract: Dietetic formulations for oral use are described, made up of tablets formed from dense granules of mixtures of keto- or hydroxy-amino acid analogs, possibly coated by protective films, which are dissolved in the gastrointestinal juices. The process for obtaining dense granules includes a coordinated increase in pressure being maintained for a substantial period of time and subsequent tableting and possible coating by immersion or spraying of the granular material.

Abstract: A novel aqueous solution for use in electrochemical cleaning and disinfecting is disclosed. The aqueous solution comprises hydrogen peroxide, a blend of a first ionizable salt and second ionizable salt, and a buffer, with the first ionizable salt being sodium chloride and the second ionizable salt including a metal of Group IA or IIA of the Periodic Table. Preferably a surfactant is included which is a non-ionic surfactant. Also, the preferred buffer is a phosphate buffer system. The preferred second ionizable salt is disclosed as being sodium sulfate.

Abstract: A liquid nutritional product for enteral feeding contains a fat source which provides desirable effects when fed to pulmonary patients. The fat source having by weight a ratio of [n-(6) to n-(3)] fatty acids from the group consisting of Linoleic acid (18:2n6), Gamma-Linolenic acid (18:3n6), and Arachidonic acid (20:4n6) to fatty acids from the group consisting of Alpha-Linolenic acid (18:3n3), Stearidonic acid (18:4n3), Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3), Docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n3) and Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3) in the range of about 1.5 to about 3.0, a ratio of Linoleic acid (18:2n6) to Alpha-Linolenic acid (18:3n3) in the range of about 3.0 to about 10.0, and a ratio of the sum of Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3) and Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3) to Gamma-Linolenic acid (18:3n6) in the range of about 1.0 to about 10.0. In a preferred embodiment the nutritional product contains quantities of nutrients having anti-oxidant properties in vivo, such as beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium, and taurine.

Abstract: Selenium is provided in a nutritional product by incorporating selenate into a premix with an zinc and/or copper (II) salt which is water soluble and then combining the premix with a source of nutrition to form a nutritional product.

Abstract: A liquid nutritional product for trauma and surgery patients has a caloric density of about 1.2 to 1.5 Kcal/mL and a calorie to nitrogen ratio of about 112:1 to 145:1. A portion of the protein system comprises partially digested protein, and supplemental L-arginine provides about 1-3% of the total calories in the product. The lipid system has a ratio of linoleic acid to alpha linoleic acid in the range of about 3.5:1 to about 5.5:1.

Abstract: Retortable high panel strength plastic containers have a recessed circular center portion in the bottom wall of the container which facilitates the volumetric changes in the container during a sterilization process. Examples of containers having this feature are disclosed as well as the cross-sectional profile of the recessed circular center portions of the bottom walls of the containers.