Effect of fructans-based fat replacer on chemical composition, starch digestibility and sensory acceptability of corn snacks

To develop a convenience healthy food snack the partially hydrogenated vegetable fat, used as the flavour fixative agent, was replaced by a non-fat-flavouring solution enriched with inulin and oligofructose. The effects of this replacement on chemical composition, in vitro rate of starch digestion and sensory acceptability were assessed. The new snack presented low-fat levels (0.1 per cent) and around a sevenfold increase in dietary fibre (15.3 per cent of dietary fibre, being 13.3 per cent of fructans) when compared with the traditional ones. The enrichment with fructans reduced the predicted Glycaemic Index by 25 per cent, thus indicating that this dietary fibre contributes effectively towards delaying the in vitro glycaemic response. Fructans-enriched snack presented overall acceptability score (6.6 ± 1.7) similar to the traditional one, flavoured with fatty fixative agent (7.4 ± 1.4). The healthy low-fat fibre-enriched snack produced presented the high sensory acceptability typical for this food product type

The relationship between birth weight and insulin resistance in childhood

Chronic diseases that are typical of adulthood may originate in intra-uterine life through inadequate fetal development. The present epidemiological cohort study of 506 healthy children aged 5\20138 years evaluated the relationship between birth weight and insulin resistance in an age group that has been assessed in few similar studies. Insulin concentration was determined by chemiluminescence and insulin resistance by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Blood glucose, total cholesterol and fractions (LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol) and TAG concentrations were determined by automated enzymatic methods. Linear regression analysis investigated the relationship between birth weight (assessed as a continuous variable and in three categories: small for gestational age, SGA; adequate for gestational age and large for gestational age) and the HOMA index, using backward stepwise selection and biological models to explain the causal pathway of the relationship. There were negativeassociations between birth weight (P < 0·001), SGA (P = 0·027) and the HOMA index, and a positive association between waist circumference (P < 0·001) and the HOMA index. Considering the significant associations between birth weight and waist circumference (P < 0·001) and waist circumference and insulin resistance (P < 0·001), we can probably suspect that lower birth weight is a common cause of higher waist circumference and insulin resistance. In summary, the results of the present study showed increased insulin resistance in apparently healthy, young children, who had lower weight at birth and higher measurements of waist circumference. There is a need to develop public health policies that adopt preventive measures to promote adequate maternal-fetal and child development and enable early diagnosis of metabolic abnormalities

Storage stability of snacks with reduced saturated and trans fatty acids contents

A gordura vegetal parcialmente hidrogenada tem sido utilizada na aromatização de snacks. Entretanto, o risco à saúde ocasionado pelo elevado consumo de ácidos graxos saturados e trans (AGT) vem estimulando o desenvolvimento de abordagens alternativas a essa gordura. Substituímos a gordura vegetal parcialmente hidrogenada (F) por óleo de canola (O) na aromatização de snacks. Snacks com diferentes níveis de O foram produzidos, embalados e armazenados em temperatura ambiente durante vinte semanas. Monitoramos o perfil de ácidos graxos, o teor de substâncias reativas ao TBA (TBARS), a força de cisalhamento e a aceitabilidade sensorial. A substituição total reduziu o teor de ácidos graxos saturados em 72,5 por cento, em comparação aos snacks comerciais. Os snacks eram inicialmente isentos de AGT, porém, após 8 semanas, esses compostos surgiram, havendo aumento gradual durante o período de armazenamento. Entretanto, estes níveis mantiveram-se inferiores aos observados em snacks comercializados. Também foram observados baixos teores de TBARS e estabilidade da força de cisalhamento. Snacks aromatizados com F ou O foram igualmente bem aceitos durante as vinte semanas de armazenamento. É possível desenvolver snacks com teores reduzidos de ácidos graxos saturados e trans, estáveis durante o armazenamento, mantendo a elevada aceitabilidade sensorial típica deste tipo de produto

Women's satisfaction with childbirth's experience in different models of care: a descriptive study

Com o objetivo de comparar a satisfação das mulheres com a experiência do parto em três modelos assistenciais, foi realizada pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem quantitativa, em dois hospitais públicos de São Paulo, um promovendo o modelo "Típico" e o outro com um centro de parto intra-hospitalar (modelo "CPNIH") e um peri-hospitalar (modelo "CPNPH"). A amostra foi constituída por 90 puérperas, 30 de cada modelo. A comparação entre os resultados referentes à satisfação das mulheres com o atendimento prestado pelos profissionais de saúde, com a qualidade da assistência e os motivos de satisfação e insatisfação, com a indicação ou recomendação dos serviços recebidos, com a sensação de segurança no processo e com as sugestões de melhorias, mostrou que o modelo CPHPH foi o melhor avaliado, vindo em seguida o CPNIH e por último o Típico. Conclui-se que o modelo peri-hospitalar de assistência ao parto deveria receber maior apoio do SUS, por se constituir em serviço em que as mulheres se mostram satisfeitas com a atenção recebida

Tendência de crescimento de filhos de mães adolescentes

OBJETIVO: comparar o crescimento de lactentes filhos de mães adolescentes com o de filhos de mães adultas nos primeiros dois anos de vida. MÉTODOS: estudo de coorte histórica realizado entre 1998 e 2000, comparando o crescimento de dois grupos de crianças do nascimento até completar dois anos de idade. Um dos grupos era constituído por filhos de mães adolescentes (n:127) e o outro por filhos de mães adultas (n:181). Ambos os grupos eram acompanhados regularmente nas duas Unidades Básicas de Saúde da Universidade de São Paulo, integradas ao sistema de público de saúde. Os dados de peso e comprimento, coletados sistematicamente, foram analisados sob a forma de escore Z (NCHS/OMS, 1978). Equações (curvas) de regressão descrevendo o crescimento individual de cada criança foram definidas a partir dos dados coletados. Posteriormente, os valores de escore Z de peso e comprimento em idades exatas (mensais) foram estimados por interpolação, utilizando-se as equações individuais obtidas. RESULTADOS: ao nascimento e aos 24 meses os dois grupos não apresentaram diferença nas médias dos escores Z de peso e comprimento que, contudo, eram inferiores às do referencial (p<0,001). Neste período, apresentaram desempenhos diferentes de crescimento, com uma tendência pior para os filhos de adolescentes, que se afastava da mediana do referencial de maneira significante, (p=0,0008). CONCLUSÃO: Os lactentes de mães adolescentes apresentaram um pior desempenho de crescimento até os dois anos de vida, quando comparados com o dos filhos de mães adultas

Gênero, saúde materna e o paradoxo perinatal

Nos últimos 20 anos, houve uma melhoria de praticamente todos os indicadores da saúde materna no Brasil, assim como grande ampliação do acesso aos serviços de saúde. Paradoxalmente, não há qualquer evidência de melhoria na mortalidade materna. Este texto tem como objetivo trazer elementos para a compreensão deste paradoxo, através do exame dos modelos típicos de assistência ao parto, no SUS e no setor privado. Analisaremos as propostas de mudança para uma assistência mais baseada em evidências sobre a segurança destes modelos, sua relação com os direitos das mulheres, e com os conflitos de interesse e resistências à mudança dos modelos. Examinamos os pressupostos de gênero que modulam a assistência e os vieses de gênero na pesquisa neste campo, expressos na superestimação dos benefícios da tecnologia, e na subestimação ou na negação dos desconfortos e efeitos adversos das intervenções. Crenças da cultura sexual não raro são tidas como explicações 'científicas' sobre o corpo, a parturição e a sexualidade, e se refletem na imposição de sofrimentos e riscos desnecessários, nas intervenções danosas à integridade genital, e na negação do direito a acompanhantes. Esta 'pessimização do parto' é instrumental para favorecer, por comparação, o modelo da cesárea de rotina. Por fim, discutimos como o uso da categoria gênero pode contribuir para promover direitos e mudanças institucionais, como no caso dos acompanhantes no parto

Clonal relationship among atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from different animal species and humans

Forty-nine typical and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains belonging to different serotypes and isolated from humans, pets (cats and dogs), farm animals (bovines, sheep, and rabbits), and wild animals (monkeys) were investigated for virulence markers and clonal similarity by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The virulence markers analyzed revealed that atypical EPEC strains isolated from animals have the potential to cause diarrhea in humans. A close clonal relationship between human and animal isolates was found by MLST and PFGE. These results indicate that these animals act as atypical EPEC reservoirs and may represent sources of infection for humans. Since humans also act as a reservoir of atypical EPEC strains, the cycle of mutual infection of atypical EPEC between animals and humans, mainly pets and their owners, cannot be ruled out since the transmission dynamics between the reservoirs are not yet clearly understood.

Description of the immatures of the ant, Myrmelachista catharinae

The Neotropical ant genus Myrmelachista Roger comprises 69 described species and subspecies, and still is a poorly studied group. Larvae play a paramount role in colony nutrition in social hymenopterans and bear considerable value in the reconstruction of group phylogenies, however, they are generally neglected. Larvae of different instars of Myrmelachista catharinae Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are herein described in detail by light and scanning electron microscopy. The number of larval instars was estimated as three based on the frequency distribution of maximum head capsule widths. The described larvae confirmed some traits typical of the genus: general shape of body and mandibles, general aspect and distribution of body hairs, and the number of sensilla on the palps and galea. Differently from other Myrmelachista larvae previously described, M. catharinae presented two distinct kinds of second instars, some additional types of body hairs, different number of antennal sensilla, and a distinct labrum shape. M. catharinae presented ten pairs of spiracles, which is the first record for this genus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE IMMATURES OF WORKERS OF THE ANT CAMPONOTUS VITTATUS (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

Camponotus vittatus Forel is a poorly studied Neotropical ant, which is very common in Brazil. Larval descriptions are useful to systematics, as larval characters aid with genus-level differentiation, and ant larvae lie at the basis of ant social organization. This study presents the first description of the immatures of C. vittatus with the aid of light and scanning electron microscopy. There are three instars based on the frequency distribution of larval head widths. The larvae had some characteristics typical of Camponotus, specifically, a 'pogono-myrmecoid' body shape, 10 pairs of spiracles, antennae with 3 sensilla, mature larvae with pronounced labial pseudopalps, and conspicuous 'chiloscleres' on the labrum. Unique characteristics found would include the greatest diversity of body hair types recorded in an ant larva and 'camponotoid' mandibles with 6 medial denticles over the blade. The number of antennal sensilla proved variable.

A inserção da regulamentação da profissão na área de Educação Física, dez anos depois: embates, debates e perspectivas

This text argues some questions controversies on the regulation of the profession. Our interest is to give a theoretical basement of a side, and to hear the citizens directly related on these controversies of another one. For this we first decide to clarify the initial aspects of the regulation of the professions, stops later making an analysis of the law and resolutions of the Advice presenting: (a) the meaning; (b) attributions and abilities; (c) the limit for the fiscalization and of the power of polices and (d) to point the typical activities of the professional. Concluded this part we will raise an controversial subject that appeared in these last five years: the subordination of the dance, yoga, martial arts to the Federal Advice of Physical Education.

Efficacy of sweet solutions for analgesia in infants between 1 and 12 months of age: a systematic review

Objective To compare the efficacy of oral sweet solutions to water or no treatment in infants aged 1-12 months during immunisation. Methods Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved through internet searches or manual searches of reference lists. Search terms included newborn, infant, pain, sucrose and alternative names for sweet solutions. Summary estimates with 95% CIs were calculated and included relative risk (RR), risk difference (RD) and number needed to treat to benefit (NNTB) for dichotomous outcomes, and weighted mean differences (WMD) for continuous outcomes. Where pooling of results was not possible, a narrative summary of study results is presented. Results Of the 695 studies identified, 14 RCTs with 1674 injections met the inclusion criteria. Sucrose or glucose, compared to water or no treatment decreased crying during or following immunisation in 13 of the 14 studies. Infants receiving 30% glucose (three trials, 243 infants) had a decreased RR in crying incidence following immunisation (typical RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.93; RD -0.17, 95% CI -0.29 to -0.05; NNTB 6, 95% CI 3 to 20). With sucrose or glucose, there was a 10% WMD reduction in proportion of crying time (95% CI - 18 to - 2) and a 12 s reduction in crying duration (95% CI - 23 to -0.7 s). An optimal dose of sucrose or glucose could not be ascertained due to the varied volumes and concentrations used. Conclusion Infants aged 1-12 months administered sucrose or glucose before immunisation had moderately reduced incidence and duration of crying. Healthcare professionals should consider using sucrose or glucose before and during immunisation.

Topochemical distribution of lignin and hydroxycinnamic acids in sugar-cane cell walls and its correlation with the enzymatic hydrolysis of polysaccharides

Background: Lignin and hemicelluloses are the major components limiting enzyme infiltration into cell walls. Determination of the topochemical distribution of lignin and aromatics in sugar cane might provide important data on the recalcitrance of specific cells. We used cellular ultraviolet (UV) microspectrophotometry (UMSP) to topochemically detect lignin and hydroxycinnamic acids in individual fiber, vessel and parenchyma cell walls of untreated and chlorite-treated sugar cane. Internodes, presenting typical vascular bundles and sucrose-storing parenchyma cells, were divided into rind and pith fractions. Results: Vascular bundles were more abundant in the rind, whereas parenchyma cells predominated in the pith region. UV measurements of untreated fiber cell walls gave absorbance spectra typical of grass lignin, with a band at 278 nm and a pronounced shoulder at 315 nm, assigned to the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids linked to lignin and/or to arabino-methylglucurono-xylans. The cell walls of vessels had the highest level of lignification, followed by those of fibers and parenchyma. Pith parenchyma cell walls were characterized by very low absorbance values at 278 nm; however, a distinct peak at 315 nm indicated that pith parenchyma cells are not extensively lignified, but contain significant amounts of hydroxycinnamic acids. Cellular UV image profiles scanned with an absorbance intensity maximum of 278 nm identified the pattern of lignin distribution in the individual cell walls, with the highest concentration occurring in the middle lamella and cell corners. Chlorite treatment caused a rapid removal of hydroxycinnamic acids from parenchyma cell walls, whereas the thicker fiber cell walls were delignified only after a long treatment duration (4 hours). Untreated pith samples were promptly hydrolyzed by cellulases, reaching 63% of cellulose conversion after 72 hours of hydrolysis, whereas untreated rind samples achieved only 20% hydrolyzation. Conclusion: The low recalcitrance of pith cells correlated with the low UV-absorbance values seen in parenchyma cells. Chlorite treatment of pith cells did not enhance cellulose conversion. By contrast, application of the same treatment to rind cells led to significant removal of hydroxycinnamic acids and lignin, resulting in marked enhancement of cellulose conversion by cellulases.

Risk optimization of a steel frame communications tower subject to tornado winds

The structural engineering community in Brazil faces new challenges with the recent occurrence of high intensity tornados. Satellite surveillance data shows that the area covering the south-east of Brazil, Uruguay and some of Argentina is one of the world most tornado-prone areas, second only to the infamous tornado alley in central United States. The design of structures subject to tornado winds is a typical example of decision making in the presence of uncertainty. Structural design involves finding a good balance between the competing goals of safety and economy. This paper presents a methodology to find the optimum balance between these goals in the presence of uncertainty. In this paper, reliability-based risk optimization is used to find the optimal safety coefficient that minimizes the total expected cost of a steel frame communications tower, subject to extreme storm and tornado wind loads. The technique is not new, but it is applied to a practical problem of increasing interest to Brazilian structural engineers. The problem is formulated in the partial safety factor format used in current design codes, with all additional partial factor introduced to serve as optimization variable. The expected cost of failure (or risk) is defined as the product of a. limit state exceedance probability by a limit state exceedance cost. These costs include costs of repairing, rebuilding, and paying compensation for injury and loss of life. The total expected failure cost is the sum of individual expected costs over all failure modes. The steel frame communications, tower subject of this study has become very common in Brazil due to increasing mobile phone coverage. The study shows that optimum reliability is strongly dependent on the cost (or consequences) of failure. Since failure consequences depend oil actual tower location, it turn,,; out that different optimum designs should be used in different locations. Failure consequences are also different for the different parties involved in the design, construction and operation of the tower. Hence, it is important that risk is well understood by the parties involved, so that proper contracts call be made. The investigation shows that when non-structural terms dominate design costs (e.g, in residential or office buildings) it is not too costly to over-design; this observation is in agreement with the observed practice for non-optimized structural systems. In this situation, is much easier to loose money by under-design. When by under-design. When structural material cost is a significant part of design cost (e.g. concrete dam or bridge), one is likely to lose significantmoney by over-design. In this situation, a cost-risk-benefit optimization analysis is highly recommended. Finally, the study also shows that under time-varying loads like tornados, the optimum reliability is strongly dependent on the selected design life.

Phase transformation and residual stress probed by Raman spectroscopy in diamond-turned single crystal silicon

Single-point diamond turning of monocrystalline semiconductors is an important field of research within brittle materials machining. Monocrystalline silicon samples with a (100) orientation have been diamond turned under different cutting conditions (feed rate and depth of cut). Micro-Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy have been used to assess structural alterations and surface finish of the samples diamond turned under ductile and brittle modes. It was found that silicon undergoes a phase transformation when machined in the ductile mode. This phase transformation is evidenced by the creation of an amorphous surface layer after machining which has been probed by Raman scattering. Compressive residual stresses are estimated for the machined surface and it is observed that they decrease with an increase in the feed rate and depth of cut. This behaviour has been attributed to the formation of subsurface cracks when the feed rate is higher than or equal to 2.5 mu m/rev. The surface roughness was observed to vary with the feed rate and the depth of cut. An increase in the surface roughness was influenced by microcrack formation when the feed rate reached 5.0 mu m/rev. Furthermore, a high-pressure phase transformation induced by the tool/material interaction and responsible for the ductile response of this typical brittle material is discussed based upon the presented Raman spectra. The application of this machining technology finds use for a wide range of high quality components, for example the creation of a micrometre-range channel for microfluidic devices as well as microlenses used in the infrared spectrum range.

Effects of Variations in Nonlinear Damping Coefficients on the Parametric Vibration of a Cantilever Beam with a Lumped Mass

Uncertainties in damping estimates can significantly affect the dynamic response of a given flexible structure. A common practice in linear structural dynamics is to consider a linear viscous damping model as the major energy dissipation mechanism. However, it is well known that different forms of energy dissipation can affect the structure's dynamic response. The major goal of this paper is to address the effects of the turbulent frictional damping force, also known as drag force on the dynamic behavior of a typical flexible structure composed of a slender cantilever beam carrying a lumped-mass on the tip. First, the system's analytical equation is obtained and solved by employing a perturbation technique. The solution process considers variations of the drag force coefficient and its effects on the system's response. Then, experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effects of the nonlinear quadratic damping due to the turbulent frictional force on the system's dynamic response. In particular, the effects of the quadratic damping on the frequency-response and amplitude-response curves are investigated. Numerically simulated as well as experimental results indicate that variations on the drag force coefficient significantly alter the dynamics of the structure under investigation. Copyright (c) 2008 D. G. Silva and P. S. Varoto.