HPLC microfractionation of flavones and antioxidant (radical scavenging) activity of Saccharum officinarum L.

The antioxidant activity of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) juice towards DPPH reagent was determined (EC50) and the main compounds with radical scavenging activity in juice and leaves extracts were identified by HPLC-UV/PAD analysis combined with HPLC microfractionation monitored by TLC using β-carotene and DPPH as the detection reagents. In sugarcane leaves, luteolin-8-C-(rhamnosylglucoside) (1) was the most important compound with radical scavenging activity; in sugarcane juice, the flavones diosmetin-8-C-glucoside (2), vitexin (3) schaftoside (9), isoschaftoside (10) and 4',5'-dimethyl-luteolin-8-C-glucoside (11) were the most relevant compounds. The content of juice flavonoids (0.241 �� 0.001 mg total flavonoids/mL juice), comparable to other food sources of flavonoids, suggest the potential of sugarcane as a dietary source of natural antioxidants. However, the low antioxidant ability of sugarcane juice (EC50 = 100.2 �� 2.6 g L-1) also points to the need for further studies about the dietary intake of sugarcane flavonoids and its effects on human health.

An��lise de pesticidas organoclorados em ��leos vegetais por cromatografia gasosa de alta resolu����o (HRGC)

Os ��leos vegetais comest��veis foram introduzidos na dieta humana em substitui����o as gorduras animais nas ��ltimas d��cadas sendo amplamente consumidos em todo o mundo. O presente artigo descreve o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia para an��lise de aldrin, dieldrin, endrin e endosulfan em ��leos vegetais por cromatografia gasosa de alta resolu����o (HRGC) utilizando-se extra����o em fase s��lida (SPE). As m��dias de recupera����o dos pesticidas estiveram entre 70 e 110%[1].

Social inequalities in health among the elderly

The aim of the present study was to assess social inequalities in health status, health behavior and the use of health services based on education level. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out involving 1,518 elderly residents of Campinas, S��o Paulo State, Brazil. Significant demographic and social differences were found between schooling strata. Elderly individuals with a higher degree of schooling are in greater proportion alcohol drinkers, physically active, have healthier diets and a lower prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dizziness, headaches, back pain, visual impairment and denture use, and better self-rated health. But, there were no differences in the use of health services in the previous two weeks, in hospitalizations or surgeries in the previous year, nor in medicine intake over the previous three days. Among elderly people with hypertension and diabetes, there were no differences in the regular use of health services and medication. The results demonstrate social inequalities in different health indicators, along with equity in access to some health service components.

Impacto da adequa����o da oferta energ��tica sobre a mortalidade em pacientes de UTI recebendo nutri����o enteral

OBJETIVO: Investigar a rela����o entre adequa����o da oferta energ��tica e mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva em pacientes sob terapia nutricional enteral exclusiva. M��TODOS: Estudo observacional prospectivo conduzido em uma unidade de terapia intensiva em 2008 e 2009. Foram inclu��dos pacientes >18 anos que receberam terapia nutricional enteral por >72h. A adequa����o da oferta de energia foi estimada pela raz��o administrado/prescrito. Para a investiga����o da rela����o entre vari��veis preditoras (adequa����o da oferta energ��tica, escore APACHE II, sexo, idade e tempo de perman��ncia na unidade de terapia intensiva e o desfecho mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva, utilizou-se o modelo de regress��o log��stica n��o condicional. RESULTADOS: Foram inclu��dos 63 pacientes (m��dia 58 anos, mortalidade 27%), 47,6% dos quais receberam mais de 90% da energia prescrita (adequa����o m��dia 88,2%). O balan��o energ��tico m��dio foi de -190 kcal/dia. Observou-se associa����o significativa entre ocorr��ncia de ��bito e as vari��veis idade e tempo de perman��ncia na unidade de terapia intensiva, ap��s a retirada das vari��veis adequa����o da oferta energ��tica, APACHE II e sexo durante o processo de modelagem. CONCLUS��O: A adequa����o da oferta energ��tica n��o influenciou a taxa de mortalidade na unidade de terapia intensiva. Protocolos de infus��o de nutri����o enteral seguidos criteriosamente, com adequa����o administrado/prescrito acima de 70%, parecem ser suficientes para n��o interferirem na mortalidade. Dessa forma, pode-se questionar a obrigatoriedade de atingir ��ndices pr��ximos a 100%, considerando a elevada frequ��ncia com que ocorrem interrup����es no fornecimento de dieta enteral devido a intoler��ncia gastrointestinal e jejuns para exames e procedimentos. Pesquisas futuras poder��o identificar a meta ideal de adequa����o da oferta energ��tica que resulte em redu����o significativa de complica����es, mortalidade e custos.

Concentra����es de vitamina A no leite humano e caracter��sticas socioecon��micas e nutricionais maternas: resultados de estudos brasileiros

OBJETIVOS: agregar e discutir os resultados de estudos realizados no Brasil que avaliaram a concentra����o de vitamina A no leite materno. FONTES DOS DADOS: foram pesquisadas as bases LILACS, Banco de Teses da Capes, SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library), e Plataforma Lattes -se����o de produ����o cient��fica. As palavras-chaves utilizadas foram: gestantes, lactante, concentra����o de vitamina A no leite humano, Brasil. As buscas foram realizadas em 2006 e atualizadas em mar��o de 2008. Foram inclu��dos todos os estudos localizados. S��NTESE DOS DADOS: foram localizados 14 estudos, publicados entre 1988 e 2008, heterog��neos quanto ao tamanho da amostra, fase do leite, per��odo do dia da coleta e m��todo de determina����o das concentra����es de vitamina A. Foram descritas concentra����es m��dias de vitamina A no leite humano entre 0,62 e 4,50 ��mol/L. CONCLUS��ES: n��o houve consenso sobre a rela����o entre concentra����o de vitamina A no leite humano e vitamina A diet��tica, estado nutricional materno, caracter��sticas obst��tricas e demogr��ficas e dura����o da gesta����o. Sugere-se que estudos futuros utilizem, amostras de leite maduro, coletadas aleatoriamente ao longo dos diferentes per��odos do dia, e a utiliza����o do high performance liquid chromatography - HPLC - como m��todo de determina����o de vitamina A.

Association between osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis in women: a cross-sectional study

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: Osteoporosis has frequently been observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The present study was undertaken in order to evaluate factors associated with osteoporosis among women with rheumatoid arthritis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study, carried out in a public hospital in S��o Paulo. METHODS: The participants were 83 women with rheumatoid arthritis (53.7 �� 10.0 years old). Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The patients were divided into three groups according to BMD: group 1, normal BMD (n = 24); group 2, osteopenia (n = 38); and group 3, osteoporosis (n = 21). Tests were performed to compare differences in means and correlations, with adjustments for age, duration of disease and cumulative corticosteroid. The relationships between clinical factors, physical activity score, dietary intake, body composition and biochemical parameters were analyzed using linear regression models. RESULTS: Mean calcium, vitamin D and omega-6 intakes were lower than the recommendations. Associations were found between BMD and age, disease duration, parathyroid hormone concentration and fat intake. The linear regression model showed that being older, with more years of disease and lower weight were negatively correlated with BMD [Total femur = 0.552 + 0.06 (weight) + 0.019 (total physical activity) - 0.05 (age) - 0.003 (disease duration); R�� = 48.1; P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that nutritional factors and body composition are associated with bone mass in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Diet quality index adjusted for energy requirements in adults

This study aimed to develop a diet quality index (DQI-a) adjusted for energy requirement. Dietary intake of adults was assessed using 24-hour food recall. The DQI was developed for scores evenly distributed across ten items characterizing different aspects of diet: food groups, nutrients, and variety. The components categorized under the food groups from the Dietary Guide for Brazilians were adjusted according to the estimated energy requirements of the population studied. Index consistency and correlation with nutrients of the diet was analyzed by Cronbach's alpha. A total of 737 individuals were assessed and energy requirements ranged from 1,800 to 2,500kcal among women and 2,500 to 3,400kcal in men. The food group with greatest variation in total portions was cereals and tubers. Cronbach's alpha of the DQI-a was 0.643 and the index correlated with most of the nutrients. The DQI-a can be considered a valuable instrument for assessing diet quality of the Brazilian population.

A new classification of foods based on the extent and purpose of their processing

This paper describes a new food classification which assigns foodstuffs according to the extent and purpose of the industrial processing applied to them. Three main groups are defined: unprocessed or minimally processed foods (group 1), processed culinary and food industry ingredients (group 2), and ultra-processed food products (group 3). The use of this classification is illustrated by applying it to data collected in the Brazilian Household Budget Survey which was conducted in 2002/2003 through a probabilistic sample of 48,470 Brazilian households. The average daily food availability was 1,792 kcal/person being 42.5% from group 1 (mostly rice and beans and meat and milk), 37.5% from group 2 (mostly vegetable oils, sugar, and flours), and 20% from group 3 (mostly breads, biscuits, sweets, soft drinks, and sausages). The share of group 3 foods increased with income, and represented almost one third of all calories in higher income households. The impact of the replacement of group 1 foods and group 2 ingredients by group 3 products on the overall quality of the diet, eating patterns and health is discussed.

Recommendations for folate intake in women: implications for public health strategies

Folate deficiency has been associated with anemia and other adverse outcomes in pregnancy such as neural tube defects. The current recommendations for prevention of such outcomes are difficult to achieve through diet only, and folic acid supplementation and food fortification are feasible public health strategies. However, it is necessary to determine the usual diet and supplement use among women of reproductive age, including an accurate assessment of other dietary micronutrients. In addition to the beneficial effects observed in randomized clinical trials, health risks to the population have also been widely evaluated and discussed in the scientific community: for a minority to benefit from fortification programs, many are exposed to high folic acid intake levels.

Aquisi����o de a����car e perfil de macronutrientes na cesta de alimentos adquirida pelas fam��lias brasileiras (2002-2003)

Avaliou-se a influ��ncia exercida pela aquisi����o de calorias de a����car sobre a participa����o cal��rica dos demais macronutrientes da dieta. As estimativas deste estudo s��o baseadas em dados da Pesquisa de Or��amentos Familiares realizada no Brasil pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estat��stica entre julho de 2002 e junho de 2003. Modelos de regress��o linear m��ltiplos foram utilizados para estudar a influ��ncia das calorias de a����car sobre a participa����o cal��rica de cada um dos macronutrientes na aquisi����o domiciliar de alimentos com o controle do valor cal��rico total da aquisi����o de alimentos e vari��veis s��cio-demogr��ficas. Cada caloria adquirida de a����car eleva em 0,3 caloria a participa����o de gorduras na aquisi����o domiciliar de alimentos e diminui em 0,07 a participa����o de prote��nas. Cada caloria de a����car procedente de alimentos processados aumenta em 1,6 caloria a participa����o de gorduras e em 0,4 caloria de ��cidos graxos saturados e diminui em 0,8 caloria a participa����o de outros carboidratos que n��o o a����car. Os resultados encontrados trazem novas evid��ncias sobre o papel prejudicial do a����car �� sa��de humana.

Risk factors for recurrent falls among Brazilian women and men: the Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS)

The objective of the study was to estimate the frequency of recurrent falls and identify the main associated risk factors. The BRAZOS is the first epidemiological study performed on a representative sample of the Brazilian population. Anthropometric data, living habits, previous fractures, falls, dietary intake, physical activity and quality of life were evaluated in 2,420 individuals aged 40 and older. Recurrent falls were reported by 15.5% of men and 25.6% of women. Among women, the risk factors significantly associated to recurrent falls were age, previous fracture, sedentary lifestyle, poor quality of life, diabetes mellitus and current use of benzodiazepine. In men, the risk factors were age, poor quality of life, intake of alcoholic beverages, diabetes mellitus, previous fracture and use of benzodiazepine. A greater intake of vitamin D had a protector effect on the risk of recurrent falls. These findings demonstrated the high prevalence of recurrent falls and emphasize that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to minimize recurrent falls and their consequences, including osteoporotic fractures.

A alimenta����o saud��vel na ��tica dos adolescentes: percep����es e barreiras �� sua implementa����o e caracter��sticas esperadas em materiais educativos

Este estudo visou avaliar percep����es, barreiras e caracter��sticas de materiais educativos de promo����o de alimenta����o saud��vel descritas por adolescentes. Realizaram-se quatro grupos focais com 25 adolescentes com perguntas sobre: percep����o e motiva����o para modificar a dieta; conceito de alimenta����o saud��vel e barreiras para sua ado����o; e caracter��sticas de impressos para a promo����o de pr��ticas alimentares saud��veis. Observou-se uma freq��ente indecis��o quanto a classificar a dieta como saud��vel. Os adolescentes referiram n��o se sentir confiantes para modificar a dieta, mas relataram conceitos adequados sobre alimenta����o saud��vel. As principais barreiras citadas foram focadas em aspectos pessoais e sociais, como: a tenta����o, o sabor dos alimentos, a influ��ncia dos pais e a falta de tempo e de op����es de lanches saud��veis na escola. Para os jovens, materiais educativos de promo����o de alimenta����o saud��vel devem refor��ar seus benef��cios imediatos e destacar mensagens alarmantes sobre os riscos �� sa��de advindos de uma alimenta����o inadequada.

Aumento do ��ndice de massa corporal ap��s os 20 anos de idade e associa����o com indicadores de risco ou de prote����o para doen��as cr��nicas n��o transmiss��veis

OBJETIVO: Investigar fatores sociodemogr��ficos, de risco ou de prote����o para doen��as cr��nicas n��o transmiss��veis (DCNT) que se associem ao aumento do ��ndice de massa corporal (IMC) ap��s os 20 anos de idade. M��TODOS: Estudo transversal com 769 mulheres e 572 homens do Sistema Municipal de Monitoramento de Fatores de Risco para DCNT, 2005, Florian��polis, SC. O aumento do IMC foi definido em percentagem, pela diferen��a entre o IMC em 2005 e aos 20 anos. RESULTADOS: Desde os 20 anos, o aumento do IMC foi superior a 10% para a maioria dos indiv��duos. Nas an��lises m��ltiplas, o aumento do IMC foi associado a aumento da idade, baixo n��vel educacional (mulheres), ser casado (homens), n��o trabalhar, baixo n��vel de percep����o de sa��de, press��o alta, colesterol/triglicer��deos elevados (homens), realiza����o de dieta, sedentarismo e ex-tabagismo (mulheres). CONCLUS��ES: Estrat��gias de sa��de para prevenir o ganho de peso em n��vel populacional devem considerar principalmente os fatores sociodemogr��ficos.

Consumo alimentar e doen��a macrovascular em nipo-brasileiros: um estudo transversal

OBJETIVO: Descrever o h��bito alimentar de nipo-brasileiros com e sem doen��a macrovascular (DMV). M��TODOS: Definiu-se DMV, para 1.165 nipo-brasileiros, a partir de escores atribu��dos ao hist��rico de sa��de, eletrocardiograma e valores do ��ndice tornozelo-braquial. Determinou-se o consumo alimentar habitual por meio de Question��rio de Frequ��ncia do Consumo de Alimentos. RESULTADOS: A porcentagem de casos confirmados com DMV foi de 3,2%, sendo semelhante entre os sexos. Observou-se, de forma estatisticamente significante, maior frequ��ncia de indiv��duos com DMV (confirmados ou suspeitos) entre aqueles de primeira gera����o, com idade > 60 anos, tabagistas, com hipertens��o arterial, hipertrigliceridemia e diabetes. Nipo-brasileiros com DMV (confirmados ou suspeitos) apresentaram menor per��metro do quadril e maior idade, press��o arterial sist��lica, triglic��rides, glicemia, consumo de alimentos fonte de ferro e menor fonte de fibras de gr��os. Encontrou-se diferen��a estatisticamente significante apenas para o consumo de gordura saturada (an��lise bruta: segundo ter��o versus primeiro ter��o). CONCLUS��ES: programas de educa����o nutricional devem ser incentivados neste grupo com alta preval��ncia de doen��as cr��nicas n��o transmiss��veis.

Milk intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and prostate cancer

Milk intake is widely recommended for a healthy diet. Recent evidences suggest that milk/dairy products are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. On the other hand, high calcium intake has been associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer. The calcium and vitamin D content in dairy foods could have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and renin/angiotensin system as well regulates body weight. The association between high dairy/calcium consumption and prostate cancer risk are related to the presence of estrogens and insulin like growth factor (IGF-I) in milk. Based on the current evidence, it is possible that milk/dairy products, when consumed in adequate amounts and mainly with reduced fat content, has a beneficial effect on the prevention of hypertension and diabetes. Its potential role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer is not well supported and requires additional study.