Real-time full field laser Doppler imaging.

We present a full field laser Doppler imaging instrument, which enables real-time in vivo assessment of blood flow in dermal tissue and skin. This instrument monitors the blood perfusion in an area of about 50 cm(2) with 480 × 480 pixels per frame at a rate of 12-14 frames per second. Smaller frames can be monitored at much higher frame rates. We recorded the microcirculation in healthy skin before, during and after arterial occlusion. In initial clinical case studies, we imaged the microcirculation in burned skin and monitored the recovery of blood flow in a skin flap during reconstructive surgery indicating the high potential of LDI for clinical applications. Small animal imaging in mouse ears clearly revealed the network of blood vessels and the corresponding blood perfusion.

Limited agreement between body mass index, waist and body fat in diagnosing obesity in the Swiss population

Objective: to assess the agreement between different anthropometric markers in defining obesity and the effect on the prevalence of obese subjects. Methods: population-based cross-sectional study including 3213 women and 2912 men aged 35-75 years. Body fat percentage (%BF) was assessed using electric bioimpedance. Obesity was defined using established cut-points for body mass index (BMI) and waist, and three population-defined cut-points for %BF. Between-criteria agreement was assessed by the kappa statistic. Results: in men, agreement between the %BF cut-points was significantly higher (kappa values in the range 0.78 - 0.86) than with BMI or waist (0.47 - 0.62), whereas no such differences were found in women (0.41 - 0.69). In both genders, prevalence of obesity varied considerably according to the criteria used: 17% and 24% according to BMI and waist in men, and 14% and 31%, respectively, in women. For %BF, the prevalence varied between 14% and 17% in men and between 19% and 36% in women according to the cut-point used. In the older age groups, a fourfold difference in the prevalence of obesity was found when different criteria were used. Among subjects with at least one criteria for obesity (increased BMI, waist or %BF), only one third fulfilled all three criteria and one quarter two criteria. Less than half of women and 64% of men were jointly classified as obese by the three population-defined cut-points for %BF. Conclusions: the different anthropometric criteria to define obesity show a relatively poor agreement between them, leading to considerable differences in the prevalence of obesity in the general population.

Improving node number simulation in soybean

The objective of this study was to improve the simulation of node number in soybean cultivars with determinate stem habits. A nonlinear model considering two approaches to input daily air temperature data (daily mean temperature and daily minimum/maximum air temperatures) was used. The node number on the main stem data of ten soybean cultivars was collected in a three-year field experiment (from 2004/2005 to 2006/2007) at Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Node number was simulated using the Soydev model, which has a nonlinear temperature response function [f(T)]. The f(T) was calculated using two methods: using daily mean air temperature calculated as the arithmetic average among daily minimum and maximum air temperatures (Soydev tmean); and calculating an f(T) using minimum air temperature and other using maximum air temperature and then averaging the two f(T)s (Soydev tmm). Root mean square error (RMSE) and deviations (simulated minus observed) were used as statistics to evaluate the performance of the two versions of Soydev. Simulations of node number in soybean were better with the Soydev tmm version, with a 0.5 to 1.4 node RMSE. Node number can be simulated for several soybean cultivars using only one set of model coefficients, with a 0.8 to 2.4 node RMSE.

Chemical and physical composition of grain-type and food-type soybean for food processing

The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical and physical characteristics of grains of soybean (Glycine max) cultivars for food processing. The soybean cultivars evaluated were: grain-type - BRS 133 and BRS 258; food-type - BRS 213 (null lipoxygenases), BRS 267 (vegetable-type) and BRS 216 (small grain size). BRS 267 and BRS 216 cultivars showed higher protein content, indicating that they could promote superior nutritional value. BRS 213 cultivar showed the lowest lipoxygenase activity, and BRS 267, the lowest hexanal content. These characteristics can improve soyfood flavor. After cooking, BRS 267 cultivar grains presented a higher content of aglycones (more biologically active form of isoflavones) and oleic acid, which makes it proper for functional foods and with better stability for processing, and also showed high content of fructose, glutamic acid and alanine, compounds related to the soybean mild flavor. Because of its large grain size, BRS 267 is suitable for tofu and edamame, while small-grain-sized BRS 216 is good for natto and for soybean sprouts production. BRS 216 and BRS 213 cultivars presented shorter cooking time, which may be effective for reducing processing costs.

Sedentarism affects body fat mass index and fat-free mass index in adults aged 18 to 98 years.

OBJECTIVE: Body mass index does not discriminate body fat from fat-free mass or determine changes in these parameters with physical activity and aging. Body fat mass index (BFMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) permit comparisons of subjects with different heights. This study evaluated differences in body mass index, BFMI, and FFMI in physically active and sedentary subjects younger and older than 60 y and determined the association between physical activity, age, and body composition parameters in a healthy white population between ages 18 and 98 y. METHODS: Body fat and fat-free mass were determined in healthy white men (n = 3549) and women (n = 3184), between ages 18 and 98 y, by bioelectrical impedance analysis. BFMI and FFMI (kg/m2) were calculated. Physical activity was defined as at least 3 h/wk of endurance-type activity for at least 2 mo. RESULTS: Physically active as opposed to sedentary subjects were more likely to have a low BFMI (men: odds ratio [OR], 1.4; confidence interval [CI], 0.7-2.5; women: OR 1.9, CI 1.6-2.2) and less likely to have very high BFMI (men: OR, 0.2; CI, 0.1-0.2; women: OR, 0.1; CI, 0.02-0.2), low FFMI (men: OR, 0.5; CI, 0.3-0.9; women: OR, 0.7; CI, 0.6-0.9), or very high FFMI (men: OR, 0.6; CI, 0.4-0.8; women: OR, 0.7; CI, 0.5-1.0). Compared with subjects younger than 60 y, those older than 60 y were more like to have very high BFMI (men: OR, 6.5; CI, 4.5-9.3; women: OR, 14.0; CI, 9.6-20.5), and women 60 y and older were less likely to have a low BFMI (OR, 0.4; CI, 0.2-0.5). CONCLUSIONS: A clear association was found between low physical activity or age and height-normalized body composition parameters (BFMI and FFMI) derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis. Physically active subjects were more likely to have high or very high or low FFMI. Older subjects had higher body weights and BFMI.

Seed priming and sulfur effects on soybean cell membrane stability and yield in saline soil

The objective of this work was to determine the effects of seed priming and sulfur application on cell membrane characteristics, seedling emergence, chlorophyll content and grain yield of soybean (Glycine max) in saline soil. A complete-block design in 4x3 factorial arrangement with three replicates was used to test four types of seed priming (water, auxin, gibberellin and non-priming) and three levels of sulfate availability (0, 70 and 140 kg ha-1 K2SO4). The soil had a silty loam texture with an electrical conductivity of 3.61 ds m-1, a pH of 8.2 and a saturation percentage of about 46%. Seed priming had significant effects on mean emergence rate (MER), emergence percentage, relative water content (RWC) of leaves, relative chlorophyll content, time of maturity, shoot length and grain yield. The highest values for these variables were observed in the priming treatments, except for the time of maturity. Sulfur application had significant effects on MER, shoot length, RWC, membrane injury index and grain yield. Priming treatments provide greater emergence rates and grain yields and interact sinergicaly with sulfur rates.

Interference of genotypes x environments interaction in the genetic control of resistance to Asian rust soybean

The objectives of this work were to identify parents resistant to Asian soybean rust using diallel crosses, obtain information on the genetic control of soybean resistance to the pathogen and verify whether the combining ability estimates interact with the environment (year or time of assessment). The F1 generation was obtained in a greenhouse from crosses between five contrasting parents for the trait resistance to soybean rust, in a complete diallel without reciprocals. Two rust-severity assessments were carried out on individual soybean plants of 25 treatments (parents and F2 and F3 populations) in 2006/2007 and 2007/2008, in an experimental field at Embrapa Soja, Londrina, PR, Brazil. Additive effects predominated in the genetic control of soybean resistance to Asian rust, and the interaction of the segregant populations with the environment, although significant, did not alter the genetic parameter's general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability estimates, indicating that estimates obtained in one year and one assessment can be extrapolated to others. BR01-18437 inbred line is resistant to Asian rust and showed high GCA effects. This line should be used as parent if the objective is the resistance to Phakopsora pachyrhizi.

Solar radiation use efficiency by soybean under field conditions in the Amazon region

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of soybean (Glycine max) in intercepting and using solar radiation under natural field conditions, in the Amazon region, Brazil. The meteorological data and the values of soybean growth and leaf area were obtained from an agrometeorological experiment carried out in Paragominas, Pará state, during 2007 and 2008. The radiation use efficiency (RUE) was obtained from the ratio between the above-ground biomass production and the intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) accumulated to 99 and 95 days after sowing, in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Climatic conditions during the experiment were very distinct, with reduction in rainfall in 2007, which began during the soybean mid-cycle, due to the El Niño phenomenon. An important reduction in the leaf area index and biomass production was observed during 2007. Under natural field conditions in the Amazon region, the values of RUE were 1.46 and 1.99 g MJ-1 PAR in the 2007 and 2008 experiments, respectively. The probable reason for the differences found between these years might be associated to the water restriction in 2007 coupled with the higher air temperature and vapor pressure deficit, and also to the increase in the fraction of diffuse radiation that reached the land surface in 2008.

Environmental and genetic variation of isoflavone content of soybean seeds grown in Brazil

The objective of this work was to evaluate isoflavone concentrations in seeds of different Brazilian soybean cultivars grown in a range of locations and environmental conditions in Brazil. Seeds of 233 cultivars grown in Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil, during the 2001/2002 soybean season, and of 22 cultivars sown in different locations of Brazilian Northeast, Southeast on South regions were analyzed for total isoflavones, including daidzin, glycitin, genistin and acetylgenistin. The total isoflavones ranged from 12 mg 100 g-1 (cv. Embrapa 48) to 461 mg 100 g-1 (cv. CS 305) among the 233 cultivars grown in Ponta Grossa, and the differences among them are due to genetic effects since all cultivars were grown and collected at the same locatation and year. This is an indication of the possibility of breeding for isoflavone content. Differences in isoflavone content observed in the cultivars grown in different locations permit the selection of locations for optimum isoflavone content (low or high), depending on the uses of soybean. In the Northeast region (5-8°S), higher concentrations of total isoflavones were observed at São Raimundo das Mangabeiras (232 mg 100 g-1) and Tasso Fragoso (284 mg 100 g-1) municipalities, and in the South (23-30°S), isoflavones were higher in Guarapuava, Canoinhas, Vacaria and Campos Novos municipalities, ranging from 130 to 409 mg 100 g-1.

Selection strategies of segregant soybean populations for resistance to Asian rust

The objective of this work was to identify the best selection strategies for the more promising parental combinations to obtain lines with good resistance to soybean Asian rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi). Two experiments were carried out in the field during the 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 growing seasons, to determine the percentage of infected leaf area of individual plants of five parents and their segregant F2 and F3 populations. The data obtained indicates that additive genetic variance predominates in the control of soybean resistance to Asian rust, and that the year and time of assessment do not significantly influence the estimates of the genetic parameters obtained. The narrow-sense heritability (h²r) ranged from 23.12 to 55.83%, and indicates the possibility of successful selection of resistant individuals in the early generations of the breeding program. All the procedures used to select the most promising populations to generate superior inbred lines for resistance to P. pachyrhizi presented similar results and identified the BR01-18437 x BRS 232 population as the best for inbred line selection.

Sample size for full-sib family evaluation in sugarcane

The objective of this study was to determine the minimum number of plants per plot that must be sampled in experiments with sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) full-sib families in order to provide an effective estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters of yield-related traits. The data were collected in a randomized complete block design with 18 sugarcane full-sib families and 6 replicates, with 20 plants per plot. The sample size was determined using resampling techniques with replacement, followed by an estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters. Sample-size estimates varied according to the evaluated parameter and trait. The resampling method permits an efficient comparison of the sample-size effects on the estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters. A sample of 16 plants per plot, or 96 individuals per family, was sufficient to obtain good estimates for all traits considered of all the characters evaluated. However, for Brix, if sample separation by trait were possible, ten plants per plot would give an efficient estimate for most of the characters evaluated.

Effects of 2 different prior endurance exercises on whole-body fat oxidation kinetics: light vs. heavy exercise.

This study aimed to compare the effects of 2 different prior endurance exercises on subsequent whole-body fat oxidation kinetics. Fifteen men performed 2 identical submaximal incremental tests (Incr2) on a cycle ergometer after (i) a ∼40-min submaximal incremental test (Incr1) followed by a 90-min continuous exercise performed at 50% of maximal aerobic power-output and a 1-h rest period (Heavy); and (ii) Incr1 followed by a 2.5-h rest period (Light). Fat oxidation was measured using indirect calorimetry and plotted as a function of exercise intensity during Incr1 and Incr2. A sinusoidal equation, including 3 independent variables (dilatation, symmetry and translation), was used to characterize the fat oxidation kinetics and to determine the intensity (Fat(max)) that elicited the maximal fat oxidation (MFO) during Incr. After the Heavy and Light trials, Fat(max), MFO, and fat oxidation rates were significantly greater during Incr2 than Incr1 (p < 0.001). However, Δ (i.e., Incr2-Incr1) Fat(max), MFO, and fat oxidation rates were greater in the Heavy compared with the Light trial (p < 0.05). The fat oxidation kinetics during Incr2(Heavy) showed a greater dilatation and rightward asymmetry than Incr1(Heavy), whereas only a greater dilatation was observed in Incr2(Light) (p < 0.05). This study showed that although to a lesser extent in the Light trial, both prior exercise sessions led to an increase in Fat(max), MFO, and absolute fat oxidation rates during Incr2, inducing significant changes in the shape of the fat oxidation kinetics.

Estimating soybean crop areas using spectral-temporal surfaces derived from MODIS images in Mato Grosso, Brazil

The objective of this work was to evaluate the application of the spectral-temporal response surface (STRS) classification method on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS, 250 m) sensor images in order to estimate soybean areas in Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The classification was carried out using the maximum likelihood algorithm (MLA) adapted to the STRS method. Thirty segments of 30x30 km were chosen along the main agricultural regions of Mato Grosso state, using data from the summer season of 2005/2006 (from October to March), and were mapped based on fieldwork data, TM/Landsat-5 and CCD/CBERS-2 images. Five thematic classes were considered: Soybean, Forest, Cerrado, Pasture and Bare Soil. The classification by the STRS method was done over an area intersected with a subset of 30x30-km segments. In regions with soybean predominance, STRS classification overestimated in 21.31% of the reference values. In regions where soybean fields were less prevalent, the classifier overestimated 132.37% in the acreage of the reference. The overall classification accuracy was 80%. MODIS sensor images and the STRS algorithm showed to be promising for the classification of soybean areas in regions with the predominance of large farms. However, the results for fragmented areas and smaller farms were less efficient, overestimating soybean areas.

Comment diminuer son risque cardiovasculaire avec l'alimentation? Rôle des graisses consommées [Nutritional advice to help reduce the cardiovascular risk. Update of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health's recommendations on fat consumption].

The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health's (FOPH) updated its recommendations on fat consumption in 2013. The report recommends that maximum 10% of the daily caloric intake should come from saturated fatty acids, and the total fat intake should account for 20-35%. There is no limitation to dietary cholesterol consumption. Recent studies have shown that replacing consumption of saturated fatty acids by unsaturated fatty acids is more beneficial in terms of cardiovascular prevention than a low fat diet. The purpose of this article is to review the FOPH recommendations on dietary fat as well as the current evidence about their cardiovascular benefit, and to provide a translation of these scientific recommendations into clinical advice.

Large differences in the prevalence of normal weight obesity using various cut-offs for excess body fat

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Normal weight obesity (NWO) has been defined as an excessive body fat (BF) associated with a normal body mass index (BMI). Still, little is known regarding the effect of differing cut-offs for %BF on the prevalence of NWO. We thus conducted a study to assess the effect of modifying the cut-offs for excessive %BF on the prevalence of NWO. METHODS: We examined a convenience sample of 1523 Portuguese adults. BF was measured by validated hand-held bioimpedance. NWO was defined as a BMI < 25 kg/m2 and a %BF >30% or according to sex- and age-specific %BF cut-offs. RESULTS: Prevalence of NWO was 10.1% in women and 3.2% in men. In women, prevalence of NWO increased considerably with age, and virtually all women aged over 55 with a BMI < 25 kg/m2 were actually considered as NWO. Using sex-specific cut-offs for BF (men: 29.1%; women: 37.2%) led to moderately lower prevalence of NWO in women. Using sex and age-specific cut-offs for %BF considerably decreased the prevalence of NWO in women, i.e. 0.5e2.5% (depending on the criterion) but not in men, i.e. 1.9e3.4%. CONCLUSIONS: In women, the prevalence of NWO varies considerably according to the cut-off used to define excess BF, whereas a much smaller variation is found in men. While further studies are needed to describe the risk associated with NWO using various %BF cut-offs, this study suggests that sex- and age-specific cut-offs may be preferred.