The protein nutritive value of anchovy, mackerel and canned sardine samples together with casein as a reference formulation were evaluated. Proximate composition, protein quality and protein digestibility were determined. Procedures for evaluation included Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) using the rat bioassay and in vivo Apparent Digestibility (AD). Rats fed with canned sardine diet had the highest mean body weight (154.8±12.28g) while rats fed with anchovy diet had the lowest mean body weight (145.27±15.89g) with significant differences between all the groups. Mean body weight of rats fed with selected fish diet was higher compared to rats fed with casein diet. For PER value, canned sardine has the highest value (2.48), followed by anchovy (2.46) and mackerel (2.34). PER value for all selected fish is lower than that for casein (3.14). Mackerel had the highest value of in vivo AD (96.99%), followed by casein (96.96%), canned sardine (96.88%) and anchovy (91.29%). In conclusion, among the types of fish compared, sardine had the highest protein quality while mackerel showed the highest digestibility.
Proteins ; Diet ; Caseins ; Protein measurement ; Rattus norvegicus

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to examine the effects of fluoridated, casein phosphopeptide.amorphous calcium phosphate complex (CPP-ACP)-containing, and functionalized beta-tricalcium phosphate (fTCP)-containing toothpastes on remineralization of white spot lesions (WSLs) by using Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF-D) Biluminator(TM) 2. METHODS: Forty-eight premolars, extracted for orthodontic reasons from 12 patients, with artificially induced WSLs were randomly and equally assigned to four treatment groups: fluoride (1,000 ppm), CPP-ACP, fTCP (with sodium fluoride), and control (deionized water) groups. Specimens were treated twice daily for 2 weeks and stored in saliva solution (1:1 mixture of artificial and human stimulated saliva) otherwise. QLF-D Biluminator(TM) 2 was used to measure changes in fluorescence, indicating alterations in the mineral contents of the WSLs, immediately before and after the 2 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Fluorescence greatly increased in the fTCP and CPP-ACP groups compared with the fluoride and control groups, which did not show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: fTCP- and CPP-ACP-containing toothpastes seem to be more effective in reducing WSLs than 1,000-ppm fluoride-containing toothpastes.
Bicuspid ; Calcium ; Caseins ; Dental Caries* ; Fluorescence ; Fluorides ; Humans ; Saliva ; Sodium ; Toothpastes*

PURPOSE: Cow's milk-specific IgE (CM-IgE) has been proposed as one of the valuable markers for diagnosis of clinical cow's milk (CM) allergy. In this study, we evaluated the additional usefulness of casein-specific IgE (casein-IgE) and IgG (casein-IgG) for the diagnosis of clinical CM allergy. METHODS: Fifty-eight subjects, aged from 3 months to 154 months, were enrolled. Thirty-four patients showed immediate-type of clinical CM allergy, and 24 patients were atopic controls. The serum levels of CM-IgE, casein-IgE, and casein-IgG were measured. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those aged under 12 months and those aged 12 months or over. The diagnostic values of each antibody were analyzed and compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: CM allergy had significantly higher levels of CM-IgE and casein-IgE, and lower levels of casein-IgG/IgE ratio when compared to atopic controls in both age groups (P<0.05). CM-IgE and casein-IgE were shown to be better predictive markers for immediate-type CM allergy in patients under 12 months, while casein-IgG/IgE ratio was a more useful marker in those aged 12 months or over. Considering 100% positive predictive values, cutoff points were 1.04 kU/L for CM-IgE, 0.11 kU/L for casein-IgE, 19.5 for casein-IgG/IgE ratio in patients aged under 12 months, and 7.1 kU/L for CM-IgE, 1.41 kU/L for casein-IgE, 12.51 for casein-IgG/IgE ratio in those aged 12 months or over. CONCLUSION: CM-IgE, casein-IgE, and casein-IgG/IgE ratio are useful markers for predicting immediate-type CM allergy. Further studies are needed on diagnostic decision points for CM allergy using combination of cutoff values of these 3 markers.
Anaphylaxis ; Antibodies* ; Caseins* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Immunoglobulin G* ; Milk ; Milk Hypersensitivity* ; ROC Curve

BACKGROUND: Immuno-PCR has been known as a highly sensitive and specific method, yet no standardized protocol is available. We analyzed each step of immuno-PCR to develop a reliable standardized method. METHODS: We made a protocol modified from several methods reported previously, and performed immuno-PCR, but false positive reactions were noted. To reduce the false positivity, we investigated the buffer reagents and biotin-labelled oligo-nucleotide probe. Using a finally determined protocol, we compared the detection-limits of the immuno-PCR and ELISA methods. RESULTS: Streptavidin was identified as a main reagent causing a non-specific binding, thus it was replaced by neutravidin. The employment of CAS block as a dilution buffer for the biotin-labelled oligo-nucleotide probe and Casein block as a buffer for the detection antibodies resulted in a dramatic reduction in the false positive reactions. The standardized immuno-PCR detected angiogenin antigen at a concentration as low as 5 fg/mL, while an ELISA method detected 5 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The immuno-PCR procedure newly described in this study was ultra-sensitive with no false positivity. This method can be utilized as an epochal tool for detection of a small amount of antigen which would not be discovered by ELISA method.
Antibodies ; Caseins ; Employment ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; False Positive Reactions ; Indicators and Reagents ; Limit of Detection ; Streptavidin

BACKGROUND: About 70-80% of children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) become outgrown clinically by the age of 3 years. Casein, one of the three major cow's milk proteins (casein, beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), alpha-lactoalbumin (ALA) ) has been reported to play an important role in the persistence of CMA. The aim of this study was to determine different effects of causative milk proteins on the persistence of CMA between two age groups. METHODS: A total of 65 patients with CMA were enrolled in this study. Their cow's milk-specific IgEs were positive ( 0.7 U/ml by Pharmacia CAP). After dividing 65 patients into two age groups, under the age of 3 years and over 3 years (persistent CMA), we compared the levels of casein-, BLG- and ALA-specific IgE antibodies between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 44 patients in the group of less than 3 years of age and 21 patients in the group of more than 3 years of age. The concentrations of the specific IgE antibodies to casein, BLG and ALA were not significantly different between the two groups. However, although statistically insignificant, those more than 3 years of age had higher mean values of casein-specific IgE antibodies and lower mean values of whey protein (BLG and ALA) - specific IgE antibodies compared with those less than 3 years of age. A single dominant allergenic milk protein was not identified within either of the two age groups, but the con centrations of the casein-specific IgE antibodies in children with more than 3 years of age tended to be higher than those of whey protein-specific IgE antibodies. CONCLUSION: Although statistically insignificant, the concentrations of the casein-specific IgE antibodies were higher in the group of more than 3 years of age than in the younger group. Moreover, the concentrations of the casein-specific IgE antibodies in children more than 3 years of age tended to be higher than those of whey proteins. These findings implicate that casein plays a certain role in the persistence of CMA.
Antibodies ; Caseins ; Child* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Lactoglobulins ; Milk Hypersensitivity* ; Milk Proteins ; Milk* ; Whey Proteins

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the remineralization effect of CPP-ACP, NaF, bamboo salt and NaF+bamboo salt solutions on bovine incipient artificial enamel caries by microcomputed tomography (micro CT). METHODS: Specimens were prepared from extracted bovine teeth and immersed in a demineralizing solution for 72 h. Specimens were divided into five groups of five specimens each by randomized blocks according to surface microhardness (VHN) and mineral density. The specimens were each treated by one of the following agents for 24 h: distilled water, 2% sodium fluoride solution (2% NaF group), 3% bamboo salt solution (3% BS group), and a solution of 2% sodium fluoride solution and 3% bamboo salt solution mixed together (2% NaF+3% BS group) and 1% CPP-ACP solution. After this, the specimens were immersed in artificial saliva for 15 and 30 days. After 15 days and 30 days treatment, VHN and mineral density values (g/cm3) were measured and analysed. Mineral density values were obtained using micro CT. RESULTS: Mineral density and VHN of the five groups according to the immersion period in artificial saliva showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In mineral density and VHN, the values of the 2% NaF+3% BS group were significantly higher than those of the other groups, and there were no significant differences among the 2% NaF, 3% BS, CPP-ACP groups after 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Bamboo salt showed a similar remineralization pattern to CPP-ACP on an incipient artificial enamel caries lesion. Thus, bamboo salt (like CPP-ACP) can act as a remineralization agent for subsurface lesions of incipient enamel caries.
Caseins ; Dental Enamel ; Immersion ; Saliva, Artificial ; Sodium ; Sodium Fluoride ; Tooth ; Water ; X-Ray Microtomography

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis(AD) and urticaria(UR) are common allergic diseases associated with various food allergens. We evaluated possible differences of sensitization rates to egg, milk, and soy bean according to the age in children with AD and UR. MATERIALS AND METHOD: One hundred and thirty-six patients(n=100 in AD, n=36 in UR) who had visited Samsung Medical Center from January 1998 to February 2000 were enrolled and divided into 3 groups by age: gruop I, children under 1year of age (45 in AD, 17 in UR); group II, between 1 and 3 years of age (32 in AD, 12 in UR); and group III, children over 3 years of age (23 in AD, 7 in UR). Total and specific IgE to cow milk, a-lactalbumin(a-LA), beta-lactoglobulin(beta-LG), casein, soy, egg white(EW) and egg yolk(EY) were measured by RAST or CAP system. RESULTS: Total IgE was highest in group III of AD patients(p<0.05), while there were no significant differences among the three groups of UR patients(p>0.05). The most common allergen among AD patients was EW(54%) for all age groups (51.1% in group I, 56.3% in group II, 56.5% in group III), while among UR patients, beta-LG(22.2%) was the most common food allergen, especially beta-LG(35.3%) in Group I, CM/casein(27.3%) in Group II, and CM/alpha-LA/casein/EW(12.5%) in Group III. Sensitization rate to EW, EY and soy bean were higher in AD than in UR(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Sensitization rate to egg was higher in patients with AD than in those with UR. Restriction of eggs maybe helpful in management of infants with a family history of AD.
Allergens ; Caseins ; Child* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eggs ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Infant ; Milk* ; Ovum* ; Soy Milk* ; Soybeans ; Urticaria*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the complex of casein phosphopeptide and amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) on the demineralization and remineralization of dental enamel in vitro.

METHODSPremolars extracted from patients receiving orthodontic treatment were cut into two slabs, which were embedded and polished. The slabs were randomly divided into non-acid etching group, acid etching group (immersed in 37.5% phosphoric acid for 2 minutes), experimental group A (immersed in 37.5% phosphoric acid for 2 minutes and wiped by CPP-ACP for 3 minutes, then immersed in distilled water for 7 days), experimental group B (immersed in 37.5% Phosphoric acid for 2 minutes and wiped by CPP-ACP for 3 minutes, then immersed in distilled water for 14 days), experimental group C (immersed in 37.5% phosphoric acid for 2 minutes and wiped by CPP-ACP for 3 minutes, then immersed in distilled water for 21 days), experimental group D (immersed in 37.5% phosphoric acid for 2 minutes and wiped by CPP-ACP for 3 minutes, then immersed in distilled water for 28 days), with 6 slabs in each group. The mineral content was determined by scanning electron microscope.

RESULTSThere was a large amount of mineral deposited on enamel surface in experimental group A, B, C, D. The calcium content of experimental group D was higher than those of other 3 experimental groups. The calcium content of experimental group A, B, C, D (66.53 ± 0.63, 67.00 ± 0.49, 67.07 ± 0.24, 67.18 ± 0.50) was higher than that of acid etching group (65.74 ± 0.68) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of the calcium content among experimental group A, B, C, D (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCPP-ACP can reduce enamel demineralization and promote remineralization in vitro.

Caseins ; pharmacology ; Dental Enamel ; drug effects ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Tooth Demineralization ; Tooth Remineralization

PURPOSE: The proper selection of suture is very important to minimize infection after gastrointestinal anastomosis and closure, which is one of the causes of postoperative complications such as leakage and stricture, etc, in the surgical field. Thus this study focuses on which suture can reduce bacterial infection after surgical operation by comparing in vitro microbial infiltration rates of three synthetic absorbable sutures and that of silk - a relatively absorbable material, using E. coli. METHODS: Four different, sterilized kinds of absorbable sutures were used for two experiments. In experiment 1, the cut-off suture was directly applied to the standard method agar plate and cultured for observation. In experiment 2, the cut-off suture was diluted with 1 ml of tryptic soy broth to be smeared and cultured in the standard method agar plate and counted using a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The first experiment revealed that bacterial growth was not observed in the monofilament and antibiotic-coated multifilament sutures, while the other sutures of multifilament structure were invaded by bacteria. In the second experiment, counting and averaging the colony from five plates of each test showed that the number of E. coli of monofilament suture, antibiotics-coated polyglactin, polyglactin and silk were 0+/-0, 39.3+/-14.4, 208.6+/-76.6, 59.4+/-26.7, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sutures of monofilament structure are believed to be a relatively safe material that can be used for gastrointestinal anastomosis and closure since it has lower bacterial infiltration rates than sutures of multifilament structure.
Agar ; Bacteria ; Bacterial Infections ; Caseins ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Polyglactin 910 ; Postoperative Complications ; Protein Hydrolysates ; Silk ; Sutures

BACKGROUNDEnamel decalcification in orthodontics is a concern for dentists and methods to remineralize these lesions are the focus of intense research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralizing effect of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) nanocomplexes on enamel decalcification in orthodontics.

METHODSTwenty orthodontic patients with decalcified enamel lesions during fixed orthodontic therapy were recruited to this study as test group and twenty orthodontic patients with the similar condition as control group. GC Tooth Mousse, the main component of which is CPP-ACP, was used by each patient of test group every night after tooth-brushing for six months. For control group, each patient was asked to brush teeth with toothpaste containing 1100 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride twice a day. Standardized intraoral images were taken for all patients and the extent of enamel decalcification was evaluated before and after treatment over this study period. Measurements were statistically compared by t test.

RESULTSAfter using CPP-ACP for six months, the enamel decalcification index (EDI) of all patients had decreased; the mean EDI before using CPP-ACP was 0.191 ± 0.025 and that after using CPP-ACP was 0.183 ± 0.023, the difference was significant (t = 5.169, P < 0.01). For control group, the mean EDI before treatment was 0.188 ± 0.037 and that after treatment was 0.187 ± 0.046, the difference was not significant (t = 1.711, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCPP-ACP can effectively improve the demineralized enamel lesions during orthodontic treatment, so it has some remineralization potential for enamel decalcification in orthodontics.

Adolescent ; Caseins ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Dental Enamel ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orthodontics ; methods