FATORES DE RISCO PARA DOENÇAS CRÔNICAS NÃO TRANSMISSÍVEIS E VARIÁVEIS SOCIODEMOGRÁFICAS DE SERVIDORES PÚBLICOS

Objetivo: Associar fatores de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNT) com variáveis sociodemográficas de servidores de uma instituição pública de ensino superior. Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado no período de 2012 a 2013. Utilizou-se um questionário com variáveis sociodemográficas, fatores de risco para DCNT e aferição de peso e estatura. Classificou-se o estado nutricional de acordo com o índice de massa corporal. Analisaram-se os dados pelos programas Epi-Info 3.2.1 e Bioestat 5.0. As associações foram verificadas pelos testes qui-quadrado de Yates, de tendência e exato de Fisher (p≤0,05). Resultados: Participaram 225 servidores, maioria de mulheres (64,4%), na faixa etária entre 45-54 anos (37,3%) e escolaridade superior a 12 anos de estudo (85,8%). O sexo associou-se ao excesso de peso (p=0,034), consumo diário de leite integral (p=0,023), consumo insuficiente de frutas, legumes e verduras - FLV (p=0,020) e consumo insuficiente de feijão (p=0,000), sendo mais frequentes entre mulheres. Entre os homens, foi mais frequente o consumo excessivo de bebida alcoólica (p=0,000). O excesso de peso associou-se à faixa etária (p=0,008). O hábito de fumar (p=0,004) e o consumo diário de leite integral (p=0,016) apresentaram associação com a escolaridade. Conclusão: Encontrou-se elevada prevalência de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis na amostra estudada, com associação para sexo, faixa etária e escolaridade. O excesso de peso apresentou maior ocorrência nas mulheres e nas idades acima de 45 anos, hábitos alimentares inadequados no sexo feminino, maior ingestão de bebida alcoólica no masculino e hábito de fumar nos indivíduos com maior escolaridade.

Obtenção de extratos de agaricus bisporus com ergosterol para incorporação em iogurtes e procedimentos de microencapsulação

Além de ser o cogumelo mais consumido no mundo, Agaricus bisporus é um dos cogumelos mais ricos em ergosterol, representando esta molécula quase 90% da sua fração de esteróis. Vários estudos têm atribuído ao ergosterol diferentes bioatividades, incluindo efeitos hipocolesterolémicos semelhantes aos exibidos pelos fitoesteróis. Isto torna o ergosterol uma molécula interessante para ser estudada como composto nutracêutico. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial de utilização dos extratos de A. bisporus ricos em ergosterol na produção de bebidas lácteas funcionais. Para o efeito, foram realizados testes de incorporação do extrato e do ergosterol puro em iogurtes que se compararam com bebidas lácteas funcionais comerciais (aditivadas com fitoesteróis). As amostras de A. bisporus foram submetidas a uma extração assistida por ultrassons e os extratos obtidos (IEXT), bem como a molécula de ergosterol em diferentes concentrações (IERG1 e IERG2), foram incorporados em iogurtes, e comparadas com amostras controlo (amostras de iogurte sem aditivos) (ICN) e iogurtes comerciais contendo fitoesteróis (ICP). Todas as amostras foram analisadas imediatamente após a incorporação (T0), e após sete dias de armazenagem a 4°C (T1), em relação aos parâmetros nutricionais, atividade antioxidante e propriedades citotóxicas em linhas celulares tumorais humanas e numa cultura primária de células de fígado de porco (não tumoral) para avaliação da toxicidade. O teor de ergosterol incorporado na forma pura, ou presente nos extratos, foi monitorizado por HPLC-UV. Adicionalmente, foi realizado um estudo de microencapsulação utilizando a técnica de coacervação, tendo o quitosano e o isolado proteico de soro como materiais encapsulantes. Num ensaio preliminar determinou-se o pH conducente a um maior rendimento de encapsulação e, seguidamente, verificou-se a influência da razão proteína:quitosano (P/Q) e da temperatura utilizada, no rendimento de encapsulação (Y1), na eficiência de encapsulação (Y2) e na carga (teor de ergosterol nas microesferas) (Y3). Posteriormente, o estudo foi realizado baseando-se nas melhores condições para encapsular ergosterol, sendo também avaliadas as respostas Y1, Y2 e Y3. Além de ser o cogumelo mais consumido no mundo, Agaricus bisporus é um dos cogumelos mais ricos em ergosterol, representando esta molécula quase 90% da sua fração de esteróis. Vários estudos têm atribuído ao ergosterol diferentes bioatividades, incluindo efeitos hipocolesterolémicos semelhantes aos exibidos pelos fitoesteróis. Isto torna o ergosterol uma molécula interessante para ser estudada como composto nutracêutico. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial de utilização dos extratos de A. bisporus ricos em ergosterol na produção de bebidas lácteas funcionais. Para o efeito, foram realizados testes de incorporação do extrato e do ergosterol puro em iogurtes que se compararam com bebidas lácteas funcionais comerciais (aditivadas com fitoesteróis). As amostras de A. bisporus foram submetidas a uma extração assistida por ultrassons e os extratos obtidos (IEXT), bem como a molécula de ergosterol em diferentes concentrações (IERG1 e IERG2), foram incorporados em iogurtes, e comparadas com amostras controlo (amostras de iogurte sem aditivos) (ICN) e iogurtes comerciais contendo fitoesteróis (ICP). Todas as amostras foram analisadas imediatamente após a incorporação (T0), e após sete dias de armazenagem a 4°C (T1), em relação aos parâmetros nutricionais, atividade antioxidante e propriedades citotóxicas em linhas celulares tumorais humanas e numa cultura primária de células de fígado de porco (não tumoral) para avaliação da toxicidade. O teor de ergosterol incorporado na forma pura, ou presente nos extratos, foi monitorizado por HPLC-UV. Adicionalmente, foi realizado um estudo de microencapsulação utilizando a técnica de coacervação, tendo o quitosano e o isolado proteico de soro como materiais encapsulantes. Num ensaio preliminar determinou-se o pH conducente a um maior rendimento de encapsulação e, seguidamente, verificou-se a influência da razão proteína:quitosano (P/Q) e da temperatura utilizada, no rendimento de encapsulação (Y1), na eficiência de encapsulação (Y2) e na carga (teor de ergosterol nas microesferas) (Y3). Posteriormente, o estudo foi realizado baseando-se nas melhores condições para encapsular ergosterol, sendo também avaliadas as respostas Y1, Y2 e Y3. As bebidas funcionalizadas com o extrato (IEXT) e com ergosterol na mesma concentração existente no extrato (IERG1) revelaram uma atividade antioxidante similar às bebidas comerciais com fitoesteróis. No entanto, as bebidas com ergosterol na mesma concentração do extrato de A. bisporus e de fitoesteróis (IERG2) revelaram uma atividade antioxidante superior. Além disso, apenas IEXT, IERG1 e IERG2 apresentaram um aumento na atividade antioxidante de T0 para T1, com destaque para a atividade exibida por IERG2, significando que o ergosterol e os extratos foram capazes de proteger a bebida láctea da oxidação, aumentando a vida de prateleira do produto. IERG2 foi a amostra que revelou a maior citotoxicidade para as linhas celulares tumorais, enquanto as bebidas com fitoesteróis mostraram a menor atividade, sem diferenças significativas entre T0 e T1. Os estudos de microencapsulação revelaram ainda que a técnica de coacervação permite obter cápsulas de distintos tamanhos e que as condições ótimas do processo ocorrem a pH 5,5, com temperatura de 55ºC e razão P/Q de 0,5, com um menor rendimento de encapsulação, mas com uma maior carga em ergosterol. Este trabalho contribuiu para o estudo do potencial da utilização de extratos de A. bisporus com ergosterol no desenvolvimento de novas bebidas funcionais. Constituiu um primeiro passo que necessita de estudos subsequentes relacionados com a avaliação da viabilidade da sua utilização ao nível industrial e demonstração clara da sua bioatividade in vivo.

Tobacco and alcohol use in adolescents with unplanned pregnancies: relation with family structure, tobacco and alcohol use at home and by friends.

Background: Recent publications show that smoking and alcohol use among adolescents with unplanned pregnancy is increasing and the causes need to be further studied. Objective: To determine the association between living in a non-intact family household and the presence of smokers and consumers of alcoholic beverages in the adolescents’ environment with smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages in adolescents with unplanned pregnancies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 785 pregnant adolescents, aged 13-19 years. Data was collected by trained interviewers using a self-administered questionnaire. The association was determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: In adolescents with unplanned pregnancies, the prevalence of active smoking was 21.2% and of alcohol consumption, 41.5%. The percentage of smoking at home was 57.4% and alcohol consumption, 77.5%. Approximately, 80.3% of adolescents with unplanned pregnancies had friends who smoked and 90.6% consumed alcoholic beverages. Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that having friends who smoke or who consume alcoholic beverages is the most important risk factor for substance use in adolescents with unplanned pregnancies. Smoking and alcohol consumption at home are not associated with smoking in adolescents with unplanned pregnancies. Conclusion: Socializing with friends who smoke and/or consume alcoholic beverages constitutes the most important risk factor for substance use among adolescents with unplanned pregnancies.

Desenvolvimento e caracterização de compósitos poli(tereftalato de etileno) reciclado (PET reciclado) com flocos de vidro.

The growing concern with the solid residues management, observed in the last decade, due to its huge amount and impact, has motivated the search for recycling processes, where these residues can be reprocessed to generate new products, enlarging the cycle of materials and energy which are present. Among the polymeric residues, there is poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET). PET is used in food packaging, preferably in the bottling of carbonated beverages. The reintegration of post-consumer PET in half can be considered a productive action mitigation of environmental impacts caused by these wastes and it is done through the preparation of several different products at the origin, i.e. food packaging, with recycling rates increasing to each year. This work focused on the development and characterization mechanical, thermal, thermo-mechanical, dynamic mechanical thermal and morphology of the pure recycled PET and recycled PET composites with glass flakes in the weight fraction of 5%, 10% and 20% processed in a single screw extruder, using the following analytical techniques: thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile, Izod impact, Rockwell hardness, Vicat softening temperature, melt flow rate, burn rate, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of thermal analysis and mechanical properties leading to a positive evaluation, because in the thermograms the addition of glass flakes showed increasing behavior in the initial temperatures of thermal decomposition and melting crystalline, Furthermore was observed growing behavior in the mechanical performance of polymer composites, whose morphological structure was observed by SEM, verifying a good distribution of glass flakes, showing difference orientation in the center and in the surface layer of test body of composites with 10 and 20% of glass flakes. The results of DMTA Tg values of the composites obtained from the peak of tan ä showed little reductions due to poor interfacial adhesion between PET and recycled glass flakes.

Desenvolvimento de método para discriminação entre marcas de uísque e identificação de adulteração por espectroscopia UV-Vis e PLS-DA

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Química, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, 2015.

Impacto da utilização de ácido gálhico, ácido ferúlico e eugenol em modo contínuo na suscetibilidade de Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Dissertação de Mestrado, Biologia Molecular e Microbiana, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2016

Production and characterization of an alcoholic fermented beverage from grape must and beer wort

Mestrado Vinifera Euromaster - Instituto Superior de Agronomia - UL

A alimentação no Exército : Das diferentes necessidades operacionais à gestão integrada dos recursos

O Trabalho de Investigação Aplicada é subordinado ao tema “A alimentação no Exército: Das diferentes necessidades operacionais à gestão integrada dos recursos”. Esta investigação está enquadrada no domínio do Ministério da Defesa, onde o Exército se encontra inserido, sendo do interesse deste Ramo das Forças Armadas, dotado de autonomia administrativa que tem como missão participar de forma integrada, na defesa militar da República. Este trabalho de investigação aplicada tem como objetivo explicar a influência que a aplicação do Sistema Integrado de Gestão pode ter na gestão da alimentação do Exército, identificando alterações que o controlo proporcionado pode trazer, influência que a informação fornecida pode ter, de que forma a gestão da alimentação pode melhorar, vantagens da aplicação do software e existência de necessidade de formação aos utilizadores. Desta forma foi possível responder à questão de partida “Qual a influência da aplicação do Sistema Integrado de Gestão do Ministério da Defesa no planeamento e gestão da alimentação do Exército?” Assim, procurou-se saber no que consiste a gestão de alimentação e bebidas, como pode um sistema de informação e gestão contribuir para uma gestão de alimentação eficaz, no que consiste o Sistema Integrado de Gestão, como é efetuado o planeamento e gestão de alimentação nos três Ramos das Forças Armadas e como pode ser efetuada a gestão da alimentação no submódulo de alimentação. A metodologia utilizada nesta investigação tem por base três fases distintas, nomeadamente a fase exploratória, analítica e conclusiva. Os dados foram obtidos através da realização de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, bem como, através da aplicação de inquéritos e entrevistas. Concluiu-se que a aplicação do Sistema Integrado de Gestão irá permitir mais flexibilidade no planeamento e gestão das ementas e dos pedidos de refeição, contribuindo para a redução do desperdício e o controlo que proporciona permitirá controlar os custos e quantidades em armazém, permitindo em tempo real o acesso a toda a informação necessária.

Food consumption and risk of malnutrition in community-dwelling very old Spanish adults (≥ 80 years)

Introduction: There are few studies assessing overall diet and food patterns of the oldest population. Objectives: To examine food groups consumption (grams and servings) and their compliance with the dietary guidelines in community-dwelling very old Spanish adults. The relationship with the risk of malnutrition was also studied. Methods: Within the cross-sectional health study of elderly people of Villanueva de la Cañada (Madrid, Spain), in 98 non-institutionalized elders aged ≥ 80 years (66% women) food consumption was calculated from a 24-hour dietary recall and nutritional risk was assessed by Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Statistical significance was evaluated at 95% confidence level (p < 0.05). Results: Men consumed significantly higher amounts of snacks/pickles and alcoholic beverages. The consumption of cereals/grain products (2 servings/day), vegetables (1.5 servings/day) and meat, fish, eggs (1.4 servings/day), was below desirable levels. As nutritional status got worse, fruit consumption was significantly smaller (p = 0.039). Relatively weak but highly significant correlations were found between MNA and oils/fats, fruits and alcoholic beverages. After adjustment for energy intake, oils and fats and fruits associations disappeared whereas a negative association between milk/dairy products and MNA was found. Conclusions: Dietary patterns of the elderly population of Villanueva are departing from the traditional Mediterranean diet and though adequate consumption of fruits, milk/dairy products, oils/fats and sugar/confectionery has been achieved, cereals/grain products, vegetables and the meat,fish,eggs group consumption was below the desirable levels. Deterioration of the nutritional status coincided with a reduction in the consumption of all food groups except for ready meals and milk/dairy products whose consumption increased. Further research on the influence of fruit, milk/dairy products, wine and olive oil consumption on nutritional status is required.

The mediating role of dietary factors and leisure time physical activity on socioeconomic inequalities in body mass index among Australian adults

BACKGROUND: The relationship between socioeconomic position and obesity has been clearly established, however, the extent to which specific behavioural factors mediate this relationship is less clear. This study aimed to ascertain the contribution of specific dietary elements and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) to variations in obesity with education in the baseline (1990-1994) Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS).

METHODS: 18, 489 women and 12, 141 men were included in this cross-sectional analysis. A series of linear regression models were used in accordance with the products of coefficients method to examine the mediating role of alcohol, soft drink (regular and diet), snacks (healthy and sweet), savoury items (healthy and unhealthy), meeting fruit and vegetable guidelines and LTPA on the relationship between education and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS: Compared to those with lowest educational attainment, those with the highest educational attainment had a 1 kg/m2 lower BMI. Among men and women, 27% and 48%, respectively, of this disparity was attributable to differences in LTPA and diet. Unhealthy savoury item consumption and LTPA contributed most to the mediated effects for men and women. Alcohol and diet soft drink were additionally important mediators for women.

CONCLUSIONS: Diet and LTPA are potentially modifiable behavioural risk factors for the development of obesity that contribute substantially to inequalities in BMI. Our findings highlight the importance of specific behaviours which may be useful to the implementation of effective, targeted public policy to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in obesity.

Participant characteristics associated with greater reductions in waist circumference during a four-month, pedometer-based, workplace health program

BACKGROUND: Workplace health programs have demonstrated improvements in a number of risk factors for chronic disease. However, there has been little investigation of participant characteristics that may be associated with change in risk factors during such programs. The aim of this paper is to identify participant characteristics associated with improved waist circumference (WC) following participation in a four-month, pedometer-based, physical activity, workplace health program.

METHODS: 762 adults employed in primarily sedentary occupations and voluntarily enrolled in a four-month workplace program aimed at increasing physical activity were recruited from ten Australian worksites in 2008. Seventy-nine percent returned at the end of the health program. Data included demographic, behavioural, anthropometric and biomedical measurements. WC change (before versus after) was assessed by multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses. Seven groupings of potential associated variables from baseline were sequentially added to build progressively larger regression models.

RESULTS: Greater improvement in WC during the program was associated with having completed tertiary education, consuming two or less standard alcoholic beverages in one occasion in the twelve months prior to baseline, undertaking less baseline weekend sitting time and lower baseline total cholesterol. A greater WC at baseline was strongly associated with a greater improvement in WC. A sub-analysis in participants with a 'high-risk' baseline WC revealed that younger age, enrolling for reasons other than appearance, undertaking less weekend sitting time at baseline, eating two or more pieces of fruit per day at baseline, higher baseline physical functioning and lower baseline body mass index were associated with greater odds of moving to 'low risk' WC at the end of the program.

CONCLUSIONS: While employees with 'high-risk' WC at baseline experienced the greatest improvements in WC, the other variables associated with greater WC improvement were generally indicators of better baseline health. These results indicate that employees who started with better health, potentially due to lifestyle or recent behavioural changes, were more likely to respond positively to the program. Future health program initiators should think innovatively to encourage all enrolees along the health spectrum to achieve a successful outcome.

A mobile phone based method to assess energy and food intake in young children: a validation study against the doubly labelled water method and 24 h dietary recalls

Mobile phones are becoming important instruments for assessing diet and energy intake. We developed the Tool for Energy Balance in Children (TECH), which uses a mobile phone to assess energy and food intake in pre-school children. The aims of this study were: (a) to compare energy intake (EI) using TECH with total energy expenditure (TEE) measured via doubly labelled water (DLW); and (b) to compare intakes of fruits, vegetables, fruit juice, sweetened beverages, candy, ice cream, and bakery products using TECH with intakes acquired by 24 h dietary recalls. Participants were 39 healthy, Swedish children (5.5 ± 0.5 years) within the ongoing Mobile-based Intervention Intended to Stop Obesity in Preschoolers (MINISTOP) obesity prevention trial. Energy and food intakes were assessed during four days using TECH and 24 h telephone dietary recalls. Mean EI (TECH) was not statistically different from TEE (DLW) (5820 ± 820 kJ/24 h and 6040 ± 680 kJ/24 h, respectively). No significant differences in the average food intakes using TECH and 24 h dietary recalls were found. All food intakes were correlated between TECH and the 24 h dietary recalls (ρ = 0.665-0.896, p < 0.001). In conclusion, TECH accurately estimated the average intakes of energy and selected foods and thus has the potential to be a useful tool for dietary studies in pre-school children, for example obesity prevention trials.

The effect of double - blind carbohydrate ingestion during 60 km of self-paced exercise in warm ambient conditions

This study evaluated double blind ingestions of placebo (PLA) versus 6% carbohydrate (CHO) either as capsules (c) or beverage (b) during 60 km self-paced cycling in the heat (32°C and 50% relative humidity). Ten well-trained males (mean ± SD: 26±3 years; 64.5±7.7 kg and 70.7±8.8 ml.kg-1.min-1 maximal oxygen consumption) completed four separate 60 km time trials (TT) punctuated by 1 km sprints (14, 29, 44, 59 km) whilst ingesting either PLAb or PLAc or CHOb or CHOc. The TT was not different among treatments (PLAb 130.26 11.2 min, CHOb 140.5±18.1 min, PLAc 143.1±29.2 min, CHOc 137.3±20.1 min; P>0.05). Effect size (Cohen's d) for time was only moderate when comparing CHOb - PLAb (d = 0.68) and PLAb - PLA c (d = 0.57) whereas all other ES were 'trivial' to 'small'. Mean speed throughout the trial was significantly higher for PLAb only (P<0.05). Power output was only different (P<0.05) between the sprints and low intensity efforts within and across conditions. Core and mean skin temperatures were similar among trials. We conclude that CHO ingestion is of little or no benefit as a beverage compared with placebo during 60 km TT in the heat.

Dietary associations of fathers and their children between the ages of 20 months and 5 years

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between dietary intakes of fathers and their children at child age 20 months, 3·5 years and 5 years, and to determine if fathers' intake predicts change in children's intake between 20 months and 3·5 and 5 years of age.

DESIGN: The diets of fathers and their first-born children participating in the longitudinal Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program were assessed using FFQ and three 24 h recalls, respectively.

SETTING: Sixty-two pre-existing first-time parent groups were selected from fourteen local government areas within a 60 km radius of Deakin University Burwood, Victoria, Australia.

SUBJECTS: Fathers and their first-born children at 20 months (n 317), 3·5 years (n 214) and 5 years of age (n 208).

RESULTS: Positive associations were found between fathers' and children's intakes of fruit and sweet snacks at 20 months (P=0·001) and 5 years of age (P=0·012). Fathers' intake at child age 20 months was associated with change in children's intake for fruit, sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages between child age 20 months and 3·5 years, and for sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages between child age 20 months and 5 years (all P<0·05). After adjustment for maternal intake, fathers' intake of sweet snacks remained a predictor of change in children's sweet snack intake between 20 months and 3·5 years of age (P=0·03).

CONCLUSIONS: Associations between the dietary intakes of fathers and their children commence at a young age and continue through early childhood. Fathers should be included in future interventions aimed at improving children's diets.

Immune-microbiota interactions: dysbiosis as a global health issue

Throughout evolution, microbial genes and metabolites have become integral to virtually all aspects of host physiology, metabolism and even behaviour. New technologies are revealing sophisticated ways in which microbial communities interface with the immune system, and how modern environmental changes may be contributing to the rapid rise of inflammatory noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) through declining biodiversity. The implications of the microbiome extend to virtually every branch of medicine, biopsychosocial and environmental sciences. Similarly, the impact of changes at the immune-microbiota interface are directly relevant to broader discussions concerning rapid urbanization, antibiotics, agricultural practices, environmental pollutants, highly processed foods/beverages and socioeconomic disparities--all implicated in the NCD pandemic. Here, we make the argument that dysbiosis (life in distress) is ongoing at a micro- and macro-scale and that as a central conduit of health and disease, the immune system and its interface with microbiota is a critical target in overcoming the health challenges of the twenty-first century.