Zero trans fats from soybean oil and fully hydrogenated soybean oil: Physico-chemical properties and food applications

Blends of soybean oil (50) and fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSBO), with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% FHSBO (w/w) content were interesterified under the following conditions: 0.4% sodium methoxide, 500 rpm stirring, 100 degrees C, 20 min. The original and interesterified blends were examined for triacylglycerol composition, melting point, solid fat content (SFC) and consistency. Interesterification caused considerable rearrangement of triacylglycerol species, reduction of trisaturated triacylglycerol content and increase in monounsaturated and diunsaturated triacylglycerols, resulting in lowering of respective melting points. The interesterified blends displayed reduced SFC at all temperatures and more linear melting profiles as compared with the original blends. Yield values showed increased plasticity in the blends after the reaction. Isosolid diagrams before and after the reaction showed no eutectic interactions. The 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40 interesterified SO:FHSBO blends displayed characteristics suited to application, respectively, as liquid shortening, table margarine, baking/confectionery fat and all-purpose shortenings/biscuit-filing base. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of inulin on growth and acidification performance of different probiotic bacteria in co-cultures and mixed culture with Streptococcus thermophilus

Inulin was used as a prebiotic to improve the quality and consistency of skim milk fermented by Lactobacillus acidophilus (La), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr), Lactobacillus bulgaricus (Lb) and Bifidobacterium lactis (BI) with Streptococcus thermophilus (St), either in binary co-cultures or in cocktail containing all microorganisms. We compared, either in the presence of 40 mg inulin g(-1) or not, the results of the maximum acidification rate (V(max)) and the times to reach it (t(max)), to reach pH 5.0 (t(PH5.0)) and to complete the fermentation (t(f)). Post-acidification, lactic acid formation and cell counts were also compared after either 1 day (D1) or 7 days of storage at 4 degrees C (N). In co-culture, inulin addition to the milk increased V(max), decreased t(max) and t(f), favored post-acidification and exerted a bifidogenic effect. S. thermophilus proved to stimulate the metabolism of the other lactic bacteria and enhanced the product features. After D7, a significant prebiotic effect of inulin was observed in all co-cultures. Either after D1 or D7, the enumerations of Lr and BI in mixed culture markedly decreased compared to their respective co-cultures because of greater competition for the same substrates. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bioavailability of dietary sodium copper chlorophyllin and its effect on antioxidant defence parameters of Wistar rats

BACKGROUND: There has been growing interest in sodium copper chlorophyllin (Cu-Chl) as a food colourant and supplement owing to its beneficial biological activities. Studies have revealed that this green pigment inhibits experimental carcinogenesis and interacts with proteins and genotoxic agents. Health-related activities have also been associated with the prevention of lipid peroxidation. However, intestinal absorption of this pigment has been considered insignificant, raising questions of whether eventual biological properties are related to pre- or post-absorptive actions. In this study, intestinal absorption of Cu-Chl and its appearance in serum and organs were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis in rat feeding experiments. The effect of ingested Cu-Chl on lipid peroxidation was analysed by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and antioxidant enzyme activities in hepatic and brain tissues of oxidative stress-induced rats. RESULTS: The two main components of commercial Cu-Chl, namely Cu-chlorin e(6) and Cu-chlorin e(4), showed different digestive behaviours, and only Cu-chlorin e4 was found in serum, liver and kidneys. Antioxidant activity in vivo could be observed in brain and seemed to be related to in situ protection but not to antioxidant enzyme modulation. CONCLUSION: As at least one of the major components of Cu-Chl is effectively absorbed, further pharmacolkinetic studies are encouraged to access absorption rates and the role of ingested copper chlorophyllins in mammals. (C) 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

Is your vision consistent? A method for checking, based on scenario concepts

Common sense tells us that the future is an essential element in any strategy. In addition, there is a good deal of literature on scenario planning, which is an important tool in considering the future in terms of strategy. However, in many organizations there is serious resistance to the development of scenarios, and they are not broadly implemented by companies. But even organizations that do not rely heavily on the development of scenarios do, in fact, construct visions to guide their strategies. But it might be asked, what happens when this vision is not consistent with the future? To address this problem, the present article proposes a method for checking the content and consistency of an organization`s vision of the future, no matter how it was conceived. The proposed method is grounded on theoretical concepts from the field of future studies, which are described in this article. This study was motivated by the search for developing new ways of improving and using scenario techniques as a method for making strategic decisions. The method was then tested on a company in the field of information technology in order to check its operational feasibility. The test showed that the proposed method is, in fact, operationally feasible and was capable of analyzing the vision of the company being studied, indicating both its shortcomings and points of inconsistency. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of ovariectomy and masticatory hypofunction on mandibular bone remodeling

Introduction: This study was designed to examine the effect of masticatory hypofunction and estrogen deficiency on mandible bone mass and compare this site with spine and femoral bone. Methods: Twenty-four rats were ovariectomized (OVX) or Sham-operated (Sham) and analyzed after feeding with hard diet (Hard) or soft diet (Soft). They were divided into four groups: (GI)Sham-Hard; (GII)OVX-Hard; (GIII)Sham-Soft and (GIV)OVX-Soft. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the spine and femur in the baseline and at the end of the study, and Delta BMD (final BMD - baseline BMD) was calculated. In mandible bone, BMD and histomorphometry were analyzed at the end of the experiment. Results: Sham rats showed higher spine (GI: 13.5%vs GII: 0.74%, P < 0.01; GIII: 10.67%vs GIV: -4.36%, P < 0.001) and femur Delta BMD (GI: 14.43%vs GII: 4.42%, P < 0.01; GIII: 10.58%vs GIV: 0.49%, P < 0.001) than OVX, but no difference was observed in mandible BMD among these groups (P > 0.05). Soft-diet groups showed decreased mandible BMD compared with hard-diet groups (GIV vs GII, P < 0.01; GIII vs GI, P < 0.01). Similarly, mandibular condyle histomorphometry showed that soft-diet groups presented a significant decrease in trabecular thickness and volume (GIV vs GII, P < 0.05; GIII vs GI, P < 0.01) compared with hard diet. Conclusion: Our results suggest that mandibular bone loss resulted from decreased of mechanical loading during mastication, and was not affect by estrogen depletion.

Portuguese version of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98: reliability and validity

Objective To assess the validity and the reliability of the Portuguese version of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98). Methods The scale was translated into Portuguese and back-translated into English. After assessing its face validity, five diagnostic groups (n = 64; delirium, depression, dementia, schizophrenia and others) were evaluated by two independent researchers blinded to the diagnosis. Diagnosis and severity of delirium as measured by the DRS-R-98 were compared to clinical diagnosis, Mini-Mental State Exam, Confusion Assessment Method, and Clinical Global Impressions scale (CGI). Results Mean and rnedian DRS-R-98 total scores significantly distinguished delirium from the other groups (p < 0.001). Inter-rater reliability (ICC between 0.9 and 1) and internal consistency (alpha = 0.91) were very high. DRS-R-98 severity scores correlated highly with the CGI. Mean DRS-R-98 severity scores during delirium differed significantly (p < 0.01) from the post-treatment values. The area under the curve established by ROC analysis was 0.99 and using the cut-off Value of 20 the scale showed sensitivity and specificity of 92.6% and 94.6%, respectively. Conclusion The Portuguese version of the DRS-R-98 is a valid and reliable measure of delirium that distinguishes delirium from other disorders and is sensitive to change in delirium severity, which may be of great value for longitudinal studies. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Validation of ASHA FACS-Functional Assessment of Communication Skills for Alzheimer Disease Population

This study vas aimed to validate the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Functional Assessment Of Communication Skills (ASHA FACS) for a Brazilian population. The scale was translated and adapted into Portuguese. Thirty-two patients with mild Alzheimer disease (AD). 25 patients with moderate AD. and 51 elderly without dementia were examined with Mini Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale. and Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). The ASHA FACS was answered by their relative/caregiver. The scale`s internal consistency. its inter-examiner and intra-examiner`s reproducibility. and scale`s criterion validity were researched by correlation with ADAS-cog,. The sensitivity and specificity Were also researched. Statistical analyses indicated that the ASHA FACS has excellent internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.955), test-retest reliability (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.995; P < 0.001). and inter-examiners (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.998: P < 0.001). It showed excellent criterion validity when correlated with ADAS-cog,. The ASHA FACS scale showed good sensitivity (75.0%) and specificity (82.4%) values once it is an ecologic and broad evaluation. The ASHA FACS Portuguese version is a valid and reliable instrument to verify communication alterations in AD patients and fills an important gap of efficiency indicators for speech language therapy in our country.

Applicability of the university of pennsylvania smell identification test (SIT) in brazilians: pilot study

The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (SIT) is the most cited olfactory test in the literature because it is easy to perform and there is high test-retest reliability. There were no standardized olfaction values in a normal Brazilian population. Aim: To measure the SIT score in a group of Brazilians, and to assess the level of difficulty when implementing the test. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: The SIT was applied in 25 Brazilian volunteers of various income levels who presented no olfactory complaints. Following the test, subjects answered a questionnaire with a visual analog scale (VAS) for the level of difficulty. Results: The mean in the sample of Brazilians was 32.5 (SD: 3.48) our of 40; this is below what is considered normal for US citizens. The level of difficulty was on average 26 mm (SD: 24.68) in the VAS, but it trended towards easy; 4(16%) participants did not recognize some of the odors under `alternatives`. Conclusion: In this pilot study, there was evidence of good test applicability; the score of the sample of Brazilians was just below normosmia. Further studies are needed to confirm the existence of differences between people of different income levels.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of a Quality of Life questionnaire: The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation questionnaire

Background:The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) instrument is a disease-specific questionnaire for assessing the outcome of an intervention in nasal obstruction in trials. This instrument is only available in the English language and cross-culturally valid questionnaires are very important for all research, including nasal obstruction. The aim of the current study was to reproduce the cross-cultural adaptation process for the NOSE questionnaire in the Portuguese language (NOSE-p). Methodology: Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the instrument were divided into two stages. Stage I involved four bilingual professionals, an expert committee and the author of the original instrument. In Stage 2, the NOSE-p was tested on 33 patients undergoing septoplasty for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity. discriminant validity, criterion validity, and response sensitivity. Results: The cross-cultural adaptation process was completed and the NOSE-p was demonstrated to be a valid instrument with satisfactory construct validity. It showed an adequate internal consistency reliability and adequate test-retest reliability. It could discriminate between patients with and without nasal obstruction and it has a high response sensitivity to change. Conclusions: The cross-cultural adaptation and validation process demonstrated to be valid and the NOSE-p proved to be applicable in Brazil.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of a Brazilian Portuguese version of the chronic pain grade

To verify the reliability and validity of a Brazilian Portuguese version of the chronic pain grade (CPG-Br). Cultural adaptation was made in accordance with established guidelines, with modifications aiming at improving this process. Adaptations were made based on interviews with 45 chronic pain patients from So Paulo city. Validation was studied by concurrent application of the short-form-36 health survey (SF-36) and other questionnaires to 283 participants with chronic pain from the general population. Temporal stability was verified by a second application to 131 individuals. Factor analysis resulted in a two-factor solution with factors named characteristic pain intensity and activity limitation due to pain. Alpha coefficients of 0.78 and 0.70 and intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.76 and 0.72 for each factor indicated good internal consistency and temporal stability. Significant correlations between CPG-Br and SF-36, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire and neck disability index scores were noted. A consistent linear trend was also observed between pain grades and SF-36 scores. Frequency of use of pain medications and of pain-related medical visits increased with pain grade. This Brazilian Portuguese version of the chronic pain grade, tested on a sample of the Brazilian population, demonstrated good reliability and validity.

Alterations in Cytokine Profile and Dendritic Cells Subsets in Peripheral Blood of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients before and after Biologic Therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic joint inflammation and continuous immune cell infiltration in the synovium. These changes are linked to inflammatory cytokine release, leading to eventual destruction of cartilage and bone. During the last decade new therapeutic modalities have improved the prognosis, with the introduction of novel biological response modifiers including anti-TNF alpha CTLA4Ig and, more recently, anti-IL6. In the present study we looked at the immunological effects of these three forms of therapy. Serum, obtained from patients with RA was analyzed for TNF alpha, IL6, IL10, IFN gamma, and VEGF, and in parallel, circulating plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cells (DC) were enumerated before and after three infusions of the respective biological treatments. After treatment with anti-IL6, we found a significant reduction of IL6 and TNF alpha levels and the percentage of both DC subsets decreased. Although the results did not reach statistical significance for anti-TNF alpha treatment, similar trends were observed. Meanwhile, CTLA4Ig therapy led to the reduction IFN gamma levels only. None of the treatments modified significantly VEGF or IL10 levels. These findings may explain why patients with RA improve more rapidly on IL-6 therapy than with the other two modalities.

A comparison of the symptomatic profile between two consecutive depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder type I

Objective: To compare the variability of patterns of depressive symptoms between two consecutive depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder type I. Methods: Review of prospectively collected data from 136 subjects of an out-patient bipolar unit from 1997 to 2007. Binomial statistics was used for the analysis of Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)-31 items of the first and second episodes, and the correlation of the HDRS-31 item scores of both episodes was determined using the Spearman coefficient. Results: Ten depressive symptoms showed a significant correlation between index and subsequent episodes: psychological anxiety, somatic anxiety, somatic symptoms, diurnal variation, paranoid symptoms, obsessive and compulsive symptoms, hypersomnia, loss of appetite and helplessness. Only four symptoms were stable in both statistical tests: paranoid symptoms, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, loss of appetite and hypersomnia. Conclusions: Paranoid and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, loss of appetite and hypersomnia tended to be found in successive episodes. However, the moderate correlations of the symptoms across two depressive recurrences suggested that clinical presentations in bipolar depression may not be predicted by symptom profiles presented in previous episodes.

Cross-cultural Adaptation, Reliability and Validity of the DAFS-R in a Sample of Brazilian Older Adults

The Direct Assessment of Functional Status-Revised (DAFS-R) is an instrument developed to objectively measure functional capacities required for independent living. The objective of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the DAFS-R for Brazilian Portuguese (DAFS-BR) and to evaluate its reliability and validity. The DAFS-BR was administered to 89 older patients classified previously as normal controls, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer`s disease (AD). The results indicated good internal consistency (Cronbach`s alpha = 0.78) in the total sample. The DAFS-BR showed high interobserver reliability (0.996; p < .001) as well as test-retest stability over 1-week interval (0.995; p < .001). Correlation between the DAFS-BR total score and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) was moderate and significant (r = -.65, p < .001) in the total sample, whereas it did not reach statistical significance within each diagnostic group. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses suggested that DAFS-BR has good sensitivity and specificity to identify MCI and AD. Results suggest that DAFS-BR can document degrees of severity of functional impairment among Brazilian older adults.

Tele-education on Leprosy: Evaluation of an Educational Strategy

The purpose of this research was to evaluate educational strategies applied to a tele-education leprosy course. The curriculum was for members of the Brazilian Family Health Team and was made available through the Sao Paulo Telehealth Portal. The course educational strategy was based on a constructivist learning model where interactivity was emphasized. Authors assessed motivational aspects of the course using the WebMAC Professional tool. Forty-eight healthcare professionals answered the evaluation questionnaire. Adequate internal consistency was achieved (Cronbach`s alpha = 0.79). More than 95% of queried items received good evaluations. Multidimensional analysis according to motivational groups of questions (STIMULATING, MEANINGFUL, ORGANIZED, EASY-TO-USE) showed high agreement. According to WebMAC`s criteria, it was considered an ""awesome course."" The tele-educational strategies implemented for leprosy disclosed high motivational scores.

Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Brazilian Version of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form Validity and Reproducibility

Background: The perception of improvement by a patient has assumed a central role in functional evaluation after a variety of knee problems. One of the instruments most used in clinical research is the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form because its psychometric properties are considered to be excellent. Nonetheless, this questionnaire was originally developed for use in the English language. Therefore, to use this questionnaire in the Brazilian population, it is essential to translate and validate it. Purpose: The aim of this study was to translate the IKDC Subjective Knee Form into a Brazilian version and to test its validity and reproducibility. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: The translation of the original IKDC Subjective Knee Form into a Brazilian version was accomplished in accordance with the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine guidelines and was tested in 32 patients with knee pathologic conditions to develop the first Brazilian version. To test validity and reproducibility, 117 patients with several knee complaints completed the Brazilian IKDC Subjective Knee Form, the Short Form 36 (SF-36), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Lysholm score. From these patients, 85 were retested within a week to achieve reproducibility. The validation was addressed by correlating the Brazilian IKDC Subjective Knee Form to the other outcome measures. The reproducibility was tested by measuring internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and agreement. Results: The Brazilian IKDC Subjective Knee Form was highly related to the physical component summary of the SF-36, the Lysholm score, and the WOMAC, and weakly related to the mental component summary of SF-36 (r=.79, .89, .85, and .51, respectively). The internal consistency was strong, with a Cronbach a value of .928 and .935 in the test and retest assessment, respectively. The test-retest reliability proved to be excellent, with a high value of the intraclass correlation coefficient (.988), as well as the agreement, demonstrated by the low differences between the means of the test and retest, and the short limit of agreement, observed in the Altman-Bland and survival-agreement plots. Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence that the Brazilian IKDC Subjective Knee Form has psychometric properties similar to the original version. In addition, it was a reliable evaluation instrument for patients with knee-related problems.