Calibration of the dietary data obtained from the Brazilian center of the Natural History of HPV Infection in Men study: the HIM Study

The objective of this study was to estimate the regressions calibration for the dietary data that were measured using the quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) in the Natural History of HPV Infection in Men: the HIM Study in Brazil. A sample of 98 individuals from the HIM study answered one QFFQ and three 24-hour recalls (24HR) at interviews. The calibration was performed using linear regression analysis in which the 24HR was the dependent variable and the QFFQ was the independent variable. Age, body mass index, physical activity, income and schooling were used as adjustment variables in the models. The geometric means between the 24HR and the calibration-corrected QFFQ were statistically equal. The dispersion graphs between the instruments demonstrate increased correlation after making the correction, although there is greater dispersion of the points with worse explanatory power of the models. Identification of the regressions calibration for the dietary data of the HIM study will make it possible to estimate the effect of the diet on HPV infection, corrected for the measurement error of the QFFQ.

Assessing food dietary intakes in Japanese-Brazilians using factor analysis

We describe the use of factor analysis for assessing food habits in Japanese-Brazilians. Dietary data from 1,283 participants of a cross-sectional study were used. Besides statistical criteria, we also used the conceptual meaning of identified profiles to obtain scores for dietary patterns (Japanese or Western profile). Paired Student t test, linear regression and Poisson models were used to verify the existence of relationship between these scores and generation, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and presence of metabolic syndrome, respectively. First generation subjects had higher mean Japanese profile scores and lower Western profile scores than those of second generation. The Western dietary pattern was associated with BMI (p = 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.023) and metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05). We concluded that these scores were able to discriminate subjects who maintained their traditional Japanese lifestyle or otherwise, and that the incorporation of a Western lifestyle is associated to high values of BMI, waist circumference and presence of metabolic syndrome.

Dietary levels of lysine for male broilers from 23 to 36 days of age: performance and body composition

One thousand and fifty (1,050) Ross male broilers from 23 to 36 days of age were used to evaluate the dietary effects of levels of lysine. It was used a random block design with 5 levels of digestible lysine (0.95; 1.00; 1.05; 1.10 and 1.15%). Each level was applied to seven replicates and the experimental unit was composed of 30 birds. Diets were offered in seven replicates and the experimental unit was represented by 30 birds. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, carcass traits, cut yields, composition and deposition of body nutrients were evaluated. The concentration of 1.09% of digestible lysine optimized performance without significant effects on feed intake. Carcass traits and cut yields had no significant differences among levels of lysine. On the other hand, there was a quadratic effect on carcass weight, which was the best at the level of 1.07% of digestible lysine. On crude protein content of the empty body, the best response was observed at the level of 1.10% of dietary lysine. This same level corresponded to a quadratic response in the deposition of water from carcass and empty body. The level of digestible lysine for better performance, chemical composition and body nutrient deposition in broilers from 23 to 36 days of age is between 1.07 and 1.10%.

Dietary calcium intake and overweight: an epidemiologic view

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the relation between overweight and calcium intake in adults living in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population-based study on a sample of 1459 adults that was obtained by multistage cluster sampling. Dietary intake was measured by the 24-h recall method. Poisson's and linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relation between overweight and quartiles of calcium intake adjusted for energy. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was 43.1% and the average adjusted calcium intake was 448.6 mg. In the linear regression analyses, the regression coefficient for adjusted calcium was significant and negative (P = 0.019, beta(1) = -0.0001). Although evaluated by quartiles, the prevalence ratio for overweight in the first quartile of calcium intake was 1.24 (95% confidence interval 1.00-1.54) and that in the second quartile was 1.24 (95% confidence interval 1.03-1.49). CONCLUSION: In the present study, calcium intake showed a significant negative association with body mass index

Notificação imprecisa da ingestão energética na dieta de adolescentes

Objetivos: Examinar a prevalência da sub e supernotificação da ingestão energética em adolescentes e seus fatores associados. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 96 adolescentes na pós-puberdade (47 com peso normal e 49 obesos), com idade média de 16,6±1,3 anos. Peso e altura foram medidos e o índice de massa corporal foi calculado. A composição corporal foi avaliada através de absorciometria por raios X de dupla energia. A ingestão de alimentos foi avaliada por meio de um registro alimentar de 3 dias. Realizou-se uma avaliação bioquímica (níveis séricos de colesterol total, LDL, HDL, glicose plasmática e insulina). Os subnotificadores relataram uma ingestão energética < 1,35 x taxa metabólica basal (TMB), enquanto os supernotificadores relataram uma ingestão energética > 2,4 x TMB. Resultados: Notificação imprecisa (sub ou supernotificação) da ingestão energética foi identificada em 65,6 por cento dos adolescentes (64,6 e 1 por cento de sub e supernotificação, respectivamente). Os adolescentes obesos apresentaram 5.0 vezes mais chances de subnotificar a ingestão energética (IC95 por cento 2,0-12,7) do que os participantes com peso normal. Os subnotificadores apresentaram taxas mais altas de ingestão insuficiente de carboidratos (19,3 versus 12,1 por cento, p = 0,046) e de lipídios (11,3 versus 0 por cento, p < 0,001) do que os notificadores plausíveis. A ingestão de colesterol também foi mais baixa entre os subnotificadores (p = 0,017). Não houve diferenças significativas na composição corporal e nos parâmetros bioquímicos em relação à notificação imprecisa. Conclusões: Os resultados obtidos demonstraram alta porcentagem de notificação imprecisa da ingestão energética entre adolescentes, principalmente entre os obesos, o que sugere que os valores de consumo de nutrientes ajustado para o consumo de energia deveriam ser empregados na análise de risco da relação dieta-doença a fim de contribuir para a redução de erros associados à notificação imprecisa

Prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake in a group of adolescents using dietary reference intake- based methods

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de ingestão inadequada de nutrientes em um grupo de adolescentes de São Bernardo do Campo-SP. Dados de consumo de energia e nutrientes foram obtidos por meio de recordatórios de 24 horas aplicados em 89 adolescentes. A prevalência de inadequação foi calculada utilizando o método EAR como ponto de corte, após ajuste pela variabilidade intrapessoal, utilizando o procedimento desenvolvido pela Iowa State University. As Referências de Ingestão Dietética (IDR) foram os valores de referência para ingestão. Para os nutrientes que não possuem EAR estabelecida, a distribuição do consumo foi comparada com a AI. As maiores prevalências de inadequação em ambos sexos foram observadas para o magnésio (99,3 por cento para o sexo masculino e 81,8 por cento para o feminino), zinco (44,0 por cento para o sexo masculino e 23,5 por cento para o feminino), vitamina C (57,2 por cento para o sexo masculino e 59,9 por cento para o feminino) e folato (34,8 por cento para o sexo feminino). A proporção de indivíduos com ingestão superior à AI foi insignificante (menor que 2,0 por cento) em ambos os sexos

Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on oxidative stress in rats supplemented with different doses of fish oil

The diet and plasma lipid patterns associated with lipid oxidation susceptibility in rats fed different doses of polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) from fish oil were evaluated. Wistar rats were assigned into three groups and received diets containing 8% soybean oil (SOY), 4% soybean oil + 4% fish oil (SOY-FISH) and 8% fish oil (FISH) for 21 days. Linoleic, oleic and ?-linolenic acids in SOY diets were substituted by myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids in SOY-FISH and FISH diets reducing the n-6/n-3 ratio and increasing the peroxidability index (PI). Increased dietary EPA and DHA were observed in SOY-FISH and FISH plasma at the expense of linoleic and arachidonic acid levels. Saturated fatty acids, which were significantly different between the three diets (P < 0.01), were found at the same concentration in the plasma (P = 0.23). No changes were observed in oxidative stress as measured by the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) expressed in brain homogenates. However, TBARS concentration in the plasma of the SOY-FISH group was higher than the other two groups (P = 0.02). The major differences between these three groups were the n-3 PUFA content (0.4, 1.8 and 3.2 g/100 g diet) and the saturates/polyunsaturates ratio (0.3, 0.5 and 0.8) for SOY, SOY-FISH, and FISH groups, respectively. Thus, n-3 PUFA intake from fish oil only when followed by a decrease in saturated/polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio increased oxidative susceptibility in rats measured by plasma TBARS concentration

Metabolic syndrome and dietary components are associated with coronary artery disease risk score in free-living adults: a cross-sectional study

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is among the main causes of death in developed countries, and diet and lifestyle can influence CAD incidence. Objective: To evaluate the association of coronary artery disease risk score with dietary, anthropometric and biochemical components in adults clinically selected for a lifestyle modification program. Methods: 362 adults (96 men, 266 women, 53.9 +/- 9.4 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria by presenting all the required data. The Framingham score was calculated and the IV Brazilian Guideline on Dyslipidemia and Prevention of Atherosclerosis was adopted for classification of the CAD risks. Anthropometric assessments included waist circumference (WC), body fat and calculated BMI (kg/m(2)) and muscle-mass index (MMI kg/m(2)). Dietary intake was estimated through 24 h dietary recall. Fasting blood was used for biochemical analysis. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) was diagnosed using NCEP-ATPIII (2001) criteria. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds of CAD risks according to the altered components of MS, dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical components. Results: For a sample with a BMI 28.5 +/- 5.0 kg/m(2) the association with lower risk (<10% CAD) were lower age (<60 years old), and plasma values of uric acid. The presence of MS within low, intermediary, and high CAD risk categories was 30.8%, 55.5%, and 69.8%, respectively. The independent risk factors associated with CAD risk score was MS and uric acid, and the protective factors were recommended intake of saturated fat and fiber and muscle mass index. Conclusion: Recommended intake of saturated fat and dietary fiber, together with proper muscle mass, are inversely associated with CAD risk score. On the other hand, the presence of MS and high plasma uric acid are associated with CAD risk score.

Caste-specific cuticular lipids in the stingless bee Friesella schrottkyi

While a queen control pheromone complex that inhibits worker ovary development has been described for honey bees, no comparable control pheromones have been identified for their sister group, the stingless bees. The aim of the present work was to search for possible control pheromones in the stingless bee Friesella schrottkyi. No volatile substances were found in the heads of queens that might serve as queen control pheromones. On the other hand, distinct differences were found between the cuticular substances of queens and workers. The major hydrocarbons were different between the two castes, and while queens contained methyl-branched alkanes and no unsaturated hydrocarbons, workers contained alkenes and alka-dienes but no methyl branched hydrocarbons. Colonies deprived of a queen produced laying workers. Differences were observed in the cuticular patterns of laying workers and workers from a queen controlled colony.

Influences of sex and age on biological rhythms of serum lipids and lipoproteins

Background: Few studies have evaluated seasonal variations of biochemical parameters routinely analyzed in clinical laboratories. Rhythmic patterns for lipids and lipoproteins have been demonstrated and have been the object of research, mainly because of their demonstrated association with coronary artery disease. This study evaluated the occurrence of biological rhythms on serum lipids and lipoproteins and the effects of sex and age on the rhythms in a Brazilian hospital outpatient population. Methods: Retrospective laboratory study was carried out to evaluate the results of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG), from individuals registered at a university referral hospital over 8years. The studied population was composed of individuals of both sexes and all ages totaling 38,579 participants and 301,934 measurements. Statistical analyses were carried out using the SAS program and the temporal analysis used the Cosinor method. Results: TG rhythm was present only in females. All other parameters were equally rhythmic in both sexes. Regarding age, HDL-C presented rhythms in all age groups, but TC and LDL-C showed seasonality only for those > 13years, TG did not present rhythms in all age groups. Conclusion: Effects of sex and age on biological rhythms detected in TC, LDL-C and HDL-C should be considered a significant cause of pre-analytical variation in these laboratory tests. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phase Equilibrium and Optimization Tools: Application for Enhanced Structured Lipids for Foods

Solid-liquid phase equilibrium modeling of triacylglycerol mixtures is essential for lipids design. Considering the alpha polymorphism and liquid phase as ideal, the Margules 2-suffix excess Gibbs energy model with predictive binary parameter correlations describes the non ideal beta and beta` solid polymorphs. Solving by direct optimization of the Gibbs free energy enables one to predict from a bulk mixture composition the phases composition at a given temperature and thus the SFC curve, the melting profile and the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) curve that are related to end-user lipid properties. Phase diagram, SFC and DSC curve experimental data are qualitatively and quantitatively well predicted for the binary mixture 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol (POP) and 1,2,3-tripalmitoyl-sn-glycerol (PPP), the ternary mixture 1,3-dimyristoyl-2-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol (MPM), 1,2-distearoyl-3-oleoyl-sn-glycerol (SSO) and 1,2,3-trioleoyl-sn-glycerol (OOO), for palm oil and cocoa butter. Then, addition to palm oil of Medium-Long-Medium type structured lipids is evaluated, using caprylic acid as medium chain and long chain fatty acids (EPA-eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA-docosahexaenoic acid, gamma-linolenic-octadecatrienoic acid and AA-arachidonic acid), as sn-2 substitutes. EPA, DHA and AA increase the melting range on both the fusion and crystallization side. gamma-linolenic shifts the melting range upwards. This predictive tool is useful for the pre-screening of lipids matching desired properties set a priori.

Growth performance and body composition of pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg 1887) in response to dietary protein and energy levels

Improper dietary protein and energy levels and their ratio will lead to increased fish production cost. This work evaluated effects of dietary protein : energy ratio on growth and body composition of pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus. Fingerling pacu (15.5 +/- 0.4 g) were fed twice a day for 10 weeks until apparent satiation with diets containing 220, 260, 300, 340 or 380 g kg-1 crude protein (CP) and 10.9, 11.7, 12.6, 13.4 or 14.2 MJ kg-1 digestible energy (DE) in a totally randomized experimental design, 5 x 5 factorial scheme (n = 3). Weight gain, specific growth rate increased and feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when CP increased from 220 to 271, 268 and 281 g kg-1 respectively. Pacu was able to adjust feed consumption in a wide range of dietary DE concentration. Fish fed 260 CP diets showed best (P < 0.05) protein efficiency ratio and FCR with 11.7-12.6 MJ kg-1; but for the 380 CP-diets group, significant differences were observed only at 14.2 MJ kg-1 dietary energy level, suggesting that pacu favours protein as energy source. DE was the chief influence on whole body chemical composition. Minimum dietary protein requirement of pacu is 270 g kg-1, with an optimum CP : DE of 22.2 g MJ-1.

Effects of dietary supplementation of rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid to grazing cows in early lactation

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are potent anticarcinogens in animal and in vitro models as well as inhibitors of fatty acid synthesis in mammary gland, liver, and adipose tissue. Our objective was to evaluate long-term CLA supplementation of lactating dairy cows in tropical pasture on milk production and composition and residual effects posttreatment. Thirty crossbred cows grazing stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis) were blocked by parity and received 150 g/d of a dietary fat supplement of either Ca-salts of palm oil fatty acids (control) or a mixture of Ca-salts of CLA (CLA treatment). Supplements of fatty acids were mixed with 4 kg/d of concentrate. Grazing plus supplements were estimated to provide 115% of the estimated metabolizable protein requirements from 28 to 84 d in milk (treatment period). The CLA supplement provided 15 g/d of cis-9, trans-11 and 22 g of cis-10, trans-12. Residual effects were evaluated from 85 to 112 d in milk (residual period) when cows were fed an 18% crude protein concentrate without added fat. The CLA treatment increased milk production but reduced milk fat concentration from 2.90 to 2.14% and fat production from 437 to 348 g/d. Milk protein concentration increased by 11.5% (2.79 to 3.11%) and production by 19% (422 to 504 g/d) in the cows fed CLA. The CLA treatment decreased milk energy concentration and increased milk volume, resulting in unchanged energy output. Milk production and protein concentration and production were also greater during the residual period for the CLA-treated cows. The CLA treatment reduced production of fatty acids (FA) of all chain lengths, but the larger effect was on short-chain FA, causing a shift toward a greater content of longer chain FA. The CLA treatment increased total milk CLA content by 30% and content of the trans-10, cis-12 CLA isomer by 88%. The CLA treatment tended to decrease the number of days open, suggesting a possible effect on reproduction. Under tropical grazing conditions, in a nutritionally challenging environment, CLA-treated cows decreased milk fat content and secreted the same amount of milk energy by increasing milk volume and milk protein production.

Dietary Levamisole Influenced Hematological Parameters of Juvenile Pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg 1887)

Diseases outbreaks are a major concern in intensive fish farming because fish are exposed to stressors which may negatively affect their physiology. This study set out to determine effects of dietary levamisole (Levamisole HCl; SIGMA (R)) on performance and hematology of pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, juveniles. Fish (55.94 g) were stocked into 24 plastic aquaria (500 L; 15 fish per aquarium) and fed for 30 d with a commercial diet with 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg levamisole, and for an extra 15 d, with a control diet in a totally randomized design trial (n = 4). Biometrical and hematological data were collected. No significant differences in growth parameters were recorded for either control or supplemented diets. Hematological parameters, such as hemoglobin, plasma glucose, white blood count (WBC), and differential leukocyte count were influenced (P < 0.05) levamisole. WBC, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and special granulocytic cell numbers decreased significantly after 15 d. Dietary levamisole at 100 mg/kg diet for 15 d increased leukocyte production in juvenile pacu. However, levamisole administration for more than 15 d presented toxicity to lymphopoietic tissues. Information about long-period administration, mode of action in weight gain, effects on hematology of levamisole in freshwater fish nutrition are scarce and necessary for its safe use in aquaculture.

Dietary lysine requirement of juvenile pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1887)

Lysine is the reference essential amino acid in fish feeds and usually the most limiting amino acid in feedstuffs. The dietary lysine requirement of juvenile pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (4.3 g) was determined using five isonitrogenous (32% CP) test diets containing graded levels of lysine (0.9, 1.17, 1.44, 1.69 and 1.96% of dry diet) fed three times a day to four groups of 18 fish for 74 days. Growth, body composition, nutrient retention and hematological parameters of pacu were analyzed. Analysis of variance showed that all growth performance parameters were significantly affected by dietary treatments. The lysine requirements estimated using regression analysis for maximum weight gain and feed efficiency were 1.45 and 1.51% of dry diet, respectively. Nitrogen retention efficiency increased with increasing levels of dietary lysine up to 1.43% (p<0.05). Whole-body protein increased (p<0.05) and whole-body lipid decreased (p<0.05) with increasing dietary lysine level. Thus, the lysine requirement of juvenile pacu was estimated as being 1.4-1.5% of dry diet or 4.4-4.7% of dietary protein. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.