Effect of soluble fiber on hypertriglyceridemia and immune profile in HIV-positive individuals undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy

The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), since 1996, represented a profound impact on the natural history of HIV-infection by promoting important and sustainable viral replication suppression and increasing survival and quality of life among seropositive patients. Nonetheless, antiretroviral therapy has been observed to be accompanied by metabolic alterations such as dyslipidemia, especially hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and lipodystrophy (body fat redistribution). Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a correlation between high triglyceride (TG) levels and higher incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Some investigators suggest dietary intervention as part of hyperlipidemia treatment, including an increase in soluble fiber intake (10-25g/day). Whereas some studies have demonstrated that both cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels decrease with the use of food fiber, others have shown just a serum triglyceride decrease, and others failed to observe any alteration in lipid metabolism. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of soluble fiber (R) (partially hydrolyzed guar gum) supplementation on hypertriglyceridemia and immune profile in HIVpositive individuals on HAART. Nineteen HIV-positive individuals with hypertriglyceridemia (serum levels >= 150 to < 500mg/dl) were studied. of these individuals, 63.16% were males and 36.84% females, with mean age of 43.52 +/- 9.22 years. These individuals had been on the same HAART regimen for at least six months, had no change in therapy during the study and received 20g/day of soluble fiber for four months at pre-established times. Clinical-nutritional, biochemical (total proteins, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, TG, TG/HDL-c and LDLc/HDL-c), hematimetric (hemoglobin, hematocrit and total lymphocytes), and immunologic (lymphocytes T CD4(+), T CD8(+); T CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio, viral load, TNF-alpha and IL-6) parameters were assessed in all patients at three time points (M0: pretreatment, M1: 30 days, and M2: four months after intervention). Significance level was set at 5% for all data statistically analyzed. Serum TG and TG/HDL-c ratio reduction was observed at all time points, but statistical significance was found just at M0 and M2. The remaining biochemical, hematimetric and immunologic parameters (lymphocytes T CD4(+), T CD8(+); T CD4(+)/ CD8(+) ratio, and viral load) showed no significant difference at all times. Regarding serum cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-6 significantly decreased between M0 and M2, and only IL-6 reduced between M1 and M2. The data collected show that dietary and anthropometric parameters remained unchanged excluding potential confounding factors related with the effect of fiber supplementation on serum TG, TNF-alpha and IL-6. Thus, soluble fiber (R) contributed to an important reduction in hypertriglyceridemia and in the serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 in HIV-seropositive individuals on HAART. In addition, soluble fiber (R) might have minimized the process of atherosclerosis in these individuals, given that elevated serum levels of TG, TNF-alpha and IL-6 have been associated with the development of these lesions.

Quality of the forage apparently consumed by beef calves in natural grassland under fertilization and oversown with cool season forage species

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Experimental Study on the Impact Behaviour of Metal-fiber Laminates

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Yb3+, Tm3+ and Ho3+ triply-doped tellurite core-cladding optical fiber for white light generation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Natural fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester composites - An approach on compression molding

This work has been performed at Tapetes Sao Carlos-Brazil with the cooperation of the DaimlerChrysler Research Center Team in Ulm - Germany. The objective of the present paper is to report the results obtained with natural fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) composites, concerning surface quality measurements. The fibers that have been chosen for this work were sisal and curaua. The samples were produced by compression molding technique and afterwards submitted to three different tests, namely: a) thermal aging; b) water absorption and c) artificial weathering. The surface parameters measured before and after the tests were gloss, haze, short and long-waviness. The results have shown that after the tests there is a high loss of gloss, a high increase in haze, and a high increase in short and long-waviness as well. Curaua reinforced composites had a slightly better behavior when compared with sisal reinforced composites. The effect of the presence of filler and the addition of thermoplastic polyester (TP) on the material behavior has not been evidently detected. This result shows that the conventional technology/methods applied to UP-Fiberglass systems cannot be transferred to natural fibers without any modification. The fiber-matrix interaction and its response to the presence of additives must be fully understood before a successful processing route can be developed for painted natural fibers reinforced UP. Copyright © 2001 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.

Characterization of the Genetic Variability of a Sugarcane Commercial Cross Through Yield Components and Quality Parameters

The phenotypic characterization as well as the knowledge of the correlation among traits, is the first step to quantify the potential of a cross for further QTL (quantitative trait loci) detection. The present work aimed to evaluate the yield components and quality parameters variability of a mapping population derived from a bi-parental cross between IACSP95-3018 and IACSP93-3046 at plant cane and ratoon cane as well as to estimate the heritabilities and pair-wise correlation among the traits evaluated. The progeny clones differed significantly for the traits measures indicating the existence of significant amount of variability among them as also as the presence of transgressive clones. Broad-sense heritabilities values were generally high for stalk diameter, stalk weight, stalk height, Brix and Pol%Cane in plant cane and ratoon cane. Tones of sugarcane per hectare (TCH) were significantly correlated with stalk weight and stalk number in both years. Regarding to all the yield components, stalk number together with stalk weight were the most important components in the determination of TCH. While fiber and Pol%Cane were negative correlated showing that they are inversely correlated traits. © 2012 Society for Sugar Research & Promotion.

Characterization and impact of the sugarcane borer on sugarcane yield and quality

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a key pest of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). While damage caused by this pest has increased in the past 20 yr, studies investigating the insect-plant interactions are still lacking. Moreover, there is no information about the consequences of borer damage on the parameters of sugar quality. Therefore, two field experiments were performed during the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons in Brazil to compare the raw material and sugar quality of SP80-3280 sugarcane plants with and without the sugarcane borer. Plants were protected within screen cages and infested weekly during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, using egg masses starting at the second and third internode stage. At harvest, 25.77 and 19.01% of the internodes were bored by larvae (infestation intensity, II) in the first and second seasons, respectively. There was no correlation between the borer gallery total volume and II. The fiber content significantly increased with increasing II. The stalk biometric parameters, such as length, diameter, and yield, were not correlated with II. The sucrose yield significantly decreased with increasing II. Consequently, sugar yield losses were estimated at 8.83 and 19.80% per 1% bored internode for the first and second seasons, respectively. The concentration of phenolic compounds increased, and unclarified juice color quality decreased, with increasing II. Significant differences were detected in the quality of the sugar. These results should be confirmed for other sugarcane cultivars and incorporated into an economic injury level to enhance decision-making strategies for borer management. © 2013 by the American Society of Agronomy, 5585 Guilford Road, Madison, WI 53711. All rights reserved.

Hybridization effect on the mechanical properties of curaua/glass fiber composites

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effect of hybridizing glass and curaua fibers on the mechanical properties of their composites. These composites were produced by hot compression molding, with distinct overall fiber volume fraction, being either pure curaua fiber, pure glass fiber or hybrid. The mechanical characterization was performed by tensile, flexural, short beam, Iosipescu and also nondestructive testing. From the obtained results, it was observed that the tensile strength and modulus increased with glass fiber incorporation and for higher overall fiber volume fraction (%Vf). The short beam strength increased up to %Vf of 30 vol.%, evidencing a maximum in terms of overall fiber/matrix interface and composite quality. Hybridization has been successfully applied to vegetable/synthetic fiber reinforced polyester composites in a way that the various properties responded satisfactorily to the incorporation of a third component. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dietary fiber inclusion as an alternative to Feed Fasting to induce molting in Commercial Layers

The objective of the present experiment was to compare the performance, egg quality and organ morphometrics of commercial layers submitted to alternative forced molting methods using dietary fibers. The experimental period included the phases of molting, rest, and second laying cycle (six periods of 28 days each). In the trial, 320 commercial Isa Brown layers with 72 weeks of age were distributed, according to a completely randomized experimental design into five treatments with eight replicates of eight birds each, totaling 40 experimental units. Molting was induced by feeding diets with the inclusion of alfalfa or soybean husks at 80% and 60% or feed fasting. Treatments were applied for 14 days. Performance and egg quality parameters were evaluated for the second laying cycle and organ morphometrics (liver, gizzard, proventriculus, reproductive apparatus) in two different slaughter dates. The obtained data were submitted to analysis of variance using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS statistical package (SAS Institute, 2002). Alternative molting methods promoted similar performance and egg quality results after molting were similar to those obtained by the conventional fasting method. Feeding fiber produced the expected effects in terms of organ weight regression and recovery and may be used to induce molting in commercial layers.

High-fiber diets with reduced crude protein for commercial layers

This study aimed at evaluating diets containing different fiber sources and two crude protein levels on the performance, egg quality, and nitrogen metabolism of commercial layers. In total, 392 48-wk-old Isa Brown layers were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design in a 3x2+1 (control) factorial arrangement, resulting in seven treatments with seven replicates of eight birds each. Treatments consisted of three fiber feedstuffs (cottonseed hulls, soybean hulls, and rice hulls) and two dietary crude protein levels (12% and 16%). Cottonseed hulls associated with the high crude protein level (16%) resulted in the worst feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs. Diets with 16% crude protein resulted in the highest feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg mass values, and improved feed conversion ratio (kg eggs/kg feed). The dietary inclusion of soybean hulls determined low yolk pigmentation, and of rice hulls, low egg specific gravity. The 16% crude protein diet with rice hulls promoted the best feed conversion ratio. Hens fed the reference diet presented higher egg mass and better feed conversion ratio per kg eggs and per dozen eggs. Hens fed the diets with low crude protein level (12%) had reduced nitrogen excretion, but presented worse egg production.

Effect of fructooligosaccharides on the physicochemical properties of sour cassava starch and baking quality of gluten-free cheese bread

The present research was undertaken to explore the influence of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on the functional and thermal properties of sour cassava starch and the quality characteristics of gluten-free (GF) cheese bread. Fructooligosaccharides were used to replace sour cassava starch at substitution level of 9% (SF1), 17% (SF2), and 29% (SF3). The functional and thermal properties of the starch-FOS mixtures were determined by the water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), pasting profile analysis, thermal transition temperatures and enthalpy of gelatinization. Moreover, the GF cheese breads with starch-FOS mixtures were analyzed for height, diameter, weight, specific volume and dough moisture content. The sample with the highest FOS content (SF3) presented the lowest WAI (1.44), peak (62.4 rapid visco units (RVU), breakdown (53.4 RVU), final (13.8 RVU), and setback (4.9 RVU) viscosities, dough moisture content (31.7%), and enthalpy of gelatinization (9.5 J/g) and the highest WSI (29.4%) and pasting temperature (69.1 degrees C). The height, diameter and specific volume of GF cheese bread samples made from sour cassava starch were 3.14 cm, 6.35 cm, and 1.49 cm(3)/g, respectively. The SF1 mixture samples resulted in a 3.01 cm height, 6.34 cm diameter, and 1.55 cm(3)/g specific volume. According to Brazilian food labeling regulations, the latter product cannot be categorized as a good source of fiber because the minimum level of fiber per portion was not reached.

Effect of gamma irradiation on the nutritional quality of Agaricus bisporus strains cultivated in different composts

The effect of irradiation doses (0, 125, 250 and 500 Gy) on the nutritional quality of A. bisporus mushrooms (strains ABI-07/06, ABI-05/03 and PB-1) cultivated in composts based on oat straw (Avena sativa) and brachiaria (Brachiaria sp.) was evaluated. The experimental design was 4 x 3 x 2 factorial scheme (irradiation doses x strains x composts), with 24 treatments, consisting of two repetitions each, totaling 48 experimental units (samples of mushrooms). The samples were irradiated in Cobalt-60 irradiator, model Gammacell 220 kGy, with dose rate of 0.740 kGy h(-1), according to the treatments proposed. Subsequently, the control (unirradiated) and the other treatments were maintained at 4 +/- 1 degrees C and 90% RH in a climatic chamber for carrying out the chemical analysis of the mushrooms on the 1st and 14th day of storage. It was found that all A. bisporus strains evaluated were food with excellent nutritional value, because they presented high protein and fiber contents and low ethereal extract content; the chemical characterization of the mushrooms was influenced by the compost type in which they were cultivated; gamma irradiation influenced the chemical composition of mushrooms.

Crude Glycerin associated with starch or fiber-based energy ingredients at two levels of concentrate for beef cattle

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Rehydration of corn grain with acid whey improves the silage quality

Our objective was to investigate the effects of rehydration with acid whey or water at three moisture levels, as well as the effects of bacterial inoculation, on the fermentation, chemical composition and aerobic stability of corn grain silages. The trial was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replicates in a factorial arrangement as follows: 3 (rehydration with three different moisture levels: 300,350 and 400 mL/kg of corn grain)x 2 (silage inoculated with bacteria or not inoculated (control))x 2 (liquid used in the rehydration: acid whey or water). Overall, corn grain silages rehydrated with acid whey produced more lactic acid than the silages rehydrated with water (13.8 vs. 12.6 g/kg of dry matter (DM), respectively). In addition, increases in the rehydration of corn grain silages promoted decreases (linear) in lactic acid concentration as well as in production of total acids. Although inoculated silages had higher pH as consequence of the rehydration using water at the three levels, these treatments presented high DM recovery. In general, neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) decreased if inoculant was applied in corn grain silages rehydrated with acid whey. After silos opening, silages rehydrated with 350 or 400 mL/kg (independent of the liquid) had lower aerobic stability than silages rehydrated with 300 mL/kg. Overall, we found that the inoculant did not promote significant changes in the composition of the corn grain silage. In contrast, the potential of the use of acid whey in ensiling corn grain is high, as its addition leads to improvements in the fermentation process and aerobic stability of the silages. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of the addition of wheat fiber and partial pork back fat on the chemical composition, texture and sensory property of low-fat bologna sausage containing inulin and oat fiber

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)