A Food Recognition System for Diabetic Patients based on an Optimized Bag of Features Model

Computer vision-based food recognition could be used to estimate a meal's carbohydrate content for diabetic patients. This study proposes a methodology for automatic food recognition, based on the Bag of Features (BoF) model. An extensive technical investigation was conducted for the identification and optimization of the best performing components involved in the BoF architecture, as well as the estimation of the corresponding parameters. For the design and evaluation of the prototype system, a visual dataset with nearly 5,000 food images was created and organized into 11 classes. The optimized system computes dense local features, using the scale-invariant feature transform on the HSV color space, builds a visual dictionary of 10,000 visual words by using the hierarchical k-means clustering and finally classifies the food images with a linear support vector machine classifier. The system achieved classification accuracy of the order of 78%, thus proving the feasibility of the proposed approach in a very challenging image dataset.

GoCARB in the Context of an Artificial Pancreas

Background: In an artificial pancreas (AP), the meals are either manually announced or detected and their size estimated from the blood glucose level. Both methods have limitations, which result in suboptimal postprandial glucose control. The GoCARB system is designed to provide the carbohydrate content of meals and is presented within the AP framework. Method: The combined use of GoCARB with a control algorithm is assessed in a series of 12 computer simulations. The simulations are defined according to the type of the control (open or closed loop), the use or not-use of GoCARB and the diabetics’ skills in carbohydrate estimation. Results: For bad estimators without GoCARB, the percentage of the time spent in target range (70-180 mg/dl) during the postprandial period is 22.5% and 66.2% for open and closed loop, respectively. When the GoCARB is used, the corresponding percentages are 99.7% and 99.8%. In case of open loop, the time spent in severe hypoglycemic events (<50 mg/dl) is 33.6% without the GoCARB and is reduced to 0.0% when the GoCARB is used. In case of closed loop, the corresponding percentage is 1.4% without the GoCARB and is reduced to 0.0% with the GoCARB. Conclusion: The use of GoCARB improves the control of postprandial response and glucose profiles especially in the case of open loop. However, the most efficient regulation is achieved by the combined use of the control algorithm and the GoCARB.

GoCARB: Smartphone-App zur Kohlenhydratberechnung bei Typ-1-Diabetes

Smartphone-App zur Kohlenhydratberechnung Neue Technologien wie Blutzuckersensoren und moderne Insulinpumpen prägten die Therapie des Typ-1-Diabetes (T1D) in den letzten Jahren in wesentlichem Ausmaß. Smartphones sind aufgrund ihrer rasanten technischen Entwicklung eine weitere Plattform für Applikationen zur Therapieunterstützung bei T1D. GoCARB Hierbei handelt es sich um ein zur Kohlenhydratberechnung entwickeltes System für Personen mit T1D. Die Basis für Endanwender stellt ein Smartphone mit Kamera dar. Zur Berechnung werden 2 mit dem Smartphone aus verschiedenen Winkeln aufgenommene Fotografien einer auf einem Teller angerichteten Mahlzeit benötigt. Zusätzlich ist eine neben dem Teller platzierte Referenzkarte erforderlich. Die Grundlage für die Kohlenhydratberechnung ist ein Computer-Vision-gestütztes Programm, das die Mahlzeiten aufgrund ihrer Farbe und Textur erkennt. Das Volumen der Mahlzeit wird mit Hilfe eines dreidimensional errechneten Modells bestimmt. Durch das Erkennen der Art der Mahlzeiten sowie deren Volumen kann GoCARB den Kohlenhydratanteil unter Einbeziehung von Nährwerttabellen berechnen. Für die Entwicklung des Systems wurde eine Bilddatenbank von mehr als 5000 Mahlzeiten erstellt und genutzt. Resümee Das GoCARB-System befindet sich aktuell in klinischer Evaluierung und ist noch nicht für Patienten verfügbar.

Carbohydrates in particulate matter of the Northwest Pacific

Patterns of distribution and variations of group and monosaccharide compositions of carbohydrates in suspended matter of the Pacific Ocean were studied. It is shown that carbohydrate content of surface ocean waters depends on reproduction of organic matter by phytoplankton. Water-insoluble polysaccharides (average 77.9% of total) predominate in composition of carbohydrates in suspended matter. Water-soluble polysaccharides and oligosaccharides were detected in considerably smaller quantities (average 12.4 and 7.3% respectively). Free monosaccharides were not detected. The main sugars in all isolated groups of carbohydrates of suspended matter are hexoses, which account for 90.8% in oligosaccharides, 64.9% in water-soluble polysaccharides, and 69.8% in water-insoluble polysaccharides. Determination of monosaccharide composition of carbohydrates in suspension showed that apparently they basically consist of mixture of reserve and structural polysaccharides (or their residues) of phytoplankton organisms.

Acclimation of Photosynthesis to Elevated CO2 under Low-Nitrogen Nutrition Is Affected by the Capacity for Assimilate Utilization. Perennial Ryegrass under Free-Air CO2 Enrichment1

Acclimation of photosynthesis to elevated CO2 has previously been shown to be more pronounced when N supply is poor. Is this a direct effect of N or an indirect effect of N by limiting the development of sinks for photoassimilate? This question was tested by growing a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in the field under elevated (60 Pa) and current (36 Pa) partial pressures of CO2 (pCO2) at low and high levels of N fertilization. Cutting of this herbage crop at 4- to 8-week intervals removed about 80% of the canopy, therefore decreasing the ratio of photosynthetic area to sinks for photoassimilate. Leaf photosynthesis, in vivo carboxylation capacity, carbohydrate, N, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase, and chloroplastic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase levels were determined for mature lamina during two consecutive summers. Just before the cut, when the canopy was relatively large, growth at elevated pCO2 and low N resulted in significant decreases in carboxylation capacity and the amount of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase protein. In high N there were no significant decreases in carboxylation capacity or proteins, but chloroplastic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase protein levels increased significantly. Elevated pCO2 resulted in a marked and significant increase in leaf carbohydrate content at low N, but had no effect at high N. This acclimation at low N was absent after the harvest, when the canopy size was small. These results suggest that acclimation under low N is caused by limitation of sink development rather than being a direct effect of N supply on photosynthesis.

Drosophila melanogaster larvae make nutritional choices that minimize developmental time

Organisms from slime moulds to humans carefully regulate their macronutrient intake to optimize a wide range of life history characters including survival, stress resistance, and reproductive success. However, life history characters often differ in their response to nutrition, forcing organisms to make foraging decisions while balancing the trade-offs between these effects. To date, we have a limited understanding of how the nutritional environment shapes the relationship between life history characters and foraging decisions. To gain insight into the problem, we used a geometric framework for nutrition to assess how the protein and carbohydrate content of the larval diet affected key life history traits in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. In no-choice assays, survival from egg to pupae, female and male body size, and ovariole number - a proxy for female fecundity - were maximized at the highest protein to carbohydrate (P:C) ratio (1.5:1). In contrast, development time was minimized at intermediate P:C ratios, around 1:2. Next, we subjected larvae to two-choice tests to determine how they regulated their protein and carbohydrate intake in relation to these life history traits. Our results show that larvae targeted their consumption to P:C ratios that minimized development time. Finally, we examined whether adult females also chose to lay their eggs in the P:C ratios that minimized developmental time. Using a three-choice assay, we found that adult females preferentially laid their eggs in food P:C ratios that were suboptimal for all larval life history traits. Our results demonstrate that D. melanogaster larvae make foraging decisions that trade-off developmental time with body size, ovariole number, and survival. In addition, adult females make oviposition decisions that do not appear to benefit the larvae. We propose that these decisions may reflect the living nature of the larval nutritional environment in rotting fruit. These studies illustrate the interaction between the nutritional environment, life history traits, and foraging choices in D. melanogaster, and lend insight into the ecology of their foraging decisions.

Influence of iron on bacterial infections in leukaemia

The influence of iron metabolism, both on the invading bacterial pathogen and in the host is widespread and often appears to be crucial in determining the outcome of an infection. This study involved the investigation of leukaemia, a clinical disease where abnormal availability of iron may play a part in predisposing patients to bacterial infection. The iron status throughout a Gram-negative septicaemia and in 20 random, newly diagnosed leukaemic patients was assessed. The results revealed that the majority of the patients exhibited high serum iron levels and serum transferrin saturation often at 100%, with an inability to reduce the latter to within normal values during an infection episode. The antibody response to P.aeruginosa, E.coli and K.pneumoniae outer membrane protein (OMP) antigens were investigated by immunoblotting with sequential serum samples during infection in the leukaemic host. Antibodies to all the major OMPs, were observed, although recognition of iron-regulated membrane proteins (IRMPs) was in many cases weak. Results from the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated that in all patients antibody titre in response to infection was poor. Sub-MICs of mitomycin C significantly altered the surface characteristics of P.aeruginosa. The silver-stained SDS-PAGE gels of proteinase K digested whole cell lysates of strains PAO1, 6750, M7 and PAJ indicated that core LPS was affected in the presence of mitomycin C. In contrast, the rough strain AK1012 showed no observable differences. Results obtained using quantitative gas-liquid chromatographic analysis showed the amount of LPS fatty acids to be unaffected, however, the KDO and carbohydrate content in strains PAO1, 6750 and M7 under Fe+ and Fe- growth conditions were decreased by up to 4-fold in the presence of mitomycin C, indicating perturbed expression of LPS. The cell surface became significantly more hydrophobic in the P.aeruginosa strains, except AK1012 which was comparatively unaffected. The induction of protein G (OprG) in P.aeruginosa was found to be a sensitive indicator of media iron. The data indicated that expression of OprG can be modulated by growth rate/phase, availability of iron and by the presence of ciprofloxacin in the growth medium.

Free secretory component from cystic fibrosis sputa displays the cystic fibrosis glycosylation phenotype

Secretory IgA contributes to humoral defense mechanisms against pathogens targeting mucosal surfaces, and secretory component (SC) fulfills multiple roles in this defense. The aims of this study were to quantify total SC and to analyze the form of free SC in sputa from normal subjects, subjects with asthma, and subjects with cystic fibrosis (CF). Significantly higher levels of SC were detected in CF compared with both other groups. Gel filtration chromatography revealed that SC in CF was relatively degraded. Free SC normally binds interleukin (IL)-8 and inhibits its function. However, in CF sputa, IL-8 binding to intact SC was reduced. Analysis of the total carbohydrate content of free SC signified overglycosylation in CF compared with normal subjects and subjects with asthma. Monosaccharide composition analysis of free SC from CF subjects revealed overfucosylation and undersialylation, in agreement with the reported CF glycosylation phenotype. SC binding to IL-8 did not interfere with the binding of IL-8 to heparin, indicating distinct binding sites on IL-8 for negative regulation of function by SC and heparin. We suggest that defective structure and function of SC contribute to the characteristic sustained inflammatory response in the CF airways.

Immunomodulation by shark cartilage extracts

The immune system is composed of innate and adaptive mechanisms. Innate immune responses are significantly modulated by immunomodulatory factors that act through the induction of specific patterns of cytokine production in responding cells. Human leukocytes have been shown to respond to substance(s) present in acid extracts of commercial shark cartilage (SC). Shark cartilage is a food supplement taken by consumers as a prophylaxis and for the treatment of conditions ranging from arthritis to cancer. No reliable scientific evidence in the literature supports the alleged usefulness of shark cartilage supplements, but their use remains popular. Cartilage extracts exhibit immunomodulatory properties by inducing various inflammatory, Th1-type cytokines and potent chemokines in human peripheral blood leukocytes (HPBL) in vitro. The objectives of the study were to (1) to determine the nature of the active component(s), (2) to define the scope of cellular response to SC extract, and (3) to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying bioactivity. Results showed that there are at least two cytokine-inducing components which are acid stable. One anionic component has been identified as a small (14-21 kDa) glycoprotein with at least 40% carbohydrate content. Shark cartilage stimulated HPBL to produce cytokines resembling an inflammatory, Th1 polarized response. Leukocyte-specific responses consist of both initial cytokine responses to SC directly (i.e., TNF-α) and secondary responses such as the IFN-γ response by lymphocytes following initial SC stimulation. Response of RAW cells, a murine macrophage cell line, indicated that TNF-á could be induced in macrophages of another mammalian species in the absence of other cell types. The results suggest that the human monocyte/macrophage is most likely to be the initial responding cell to SC stimulation. Stimulation of cells appears to engage at least one ligand-receptor interaction with TLR 4, although the role of TLR 2 cannot be ruled out. Initial activation is likely followed by the activation of the JNK and p38 MAPK signal transduction pathways resulting in activation, release, and translocation of transcription factor nuclear factor κB (Nf-κB). This dissertation research study represents the first in-depth study into characterizing the bioactive component(s) of commercial shark cartilage responsible for its immunomodulating properties and defining cellular responses at the molecular level.

Caracterizaçäo bioquímica de microalgas produzidas industrialmente em aquacultura

Dissertação de mest. em Aquacultura, Unidade de Ciências e Tecnologias dos Recursos Aquáticos, Univ. do Algarve, 1997

A low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet increases the adipose lipid content without increasing the glycerol-3-phosphate or fatty acid content in growing rats

Le taux de triacylglycerol (TAG) qui s`accumule dans le tissu adipeux depend de 2 mecanismes opposes : la lipogenese et la lipolyse. Nous avons montre anterieurement que le poids des lipides du tissu adipeux de l`epididyme (EPI) de meme que leur taux augmentent chez les rats en croissance soumis a une diete hypoproteique hyperglucidique (HPHG) pendant 15 jours. La presente etude a eu pour but d`examiner les voies impliquees dans la lipogenese et la lipolyse qui regulent l`accumulation des lipides dans le tissu. On a evalue in vivo la synthese de novo des acides gras, qui s`est revelee similaire chez les rats soumis a la diete HPHG ou a une diete temoin; toutefois, chez les rats soumis a la diete HPHG, une diminution de l`activite de la lipoproteine lipase dans le tissus adipeux de l`EPI a ete observee, ce qui laisse croire a une diminution de la capture des acides gras des lipoproteines circulantes. La diete HPHG n`a eu aucun effet sur la synthese du glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) par la glycolyse ou la glyceroneogenese. L`activite de la glycerokinase, c.-a-d. la phosphorylation du glycerol issu de l`hydrolyse du TAG endogene pour former le GP3, n`a pas ete modifiee non plus par la diete HPHG. A l`oppose, les adipocytes des rats HPHG stimules par la norepinephrine ont eu une plus faible reponse lipolytique, meme si le taux lipolytique basal des adipocytes a ete similaire chez les 2 groupes. Ainsi, les resultats donnent a penser que la diminution de l`activite lipolytique stimulee par la norepinephrine joue un role essentiel dans l`augmentation du TAG observee dans le tissu adipeux de l`EPI des animaux HPHG, probablement en perturbant le processus d`activation de la lipolyse.

Effect of quarantine treatments on the carbohydrate and organic acid content of mangoes (cv. Tommy Atkins)

Brazil is one of the largest mango producers and the third largest mango exporter worldwide. Irradiation treatment and its commercial feasibility have been studied in our country to make it possible to develop new markets and, consequently, to compete with the major exporters of mangoes, Mexico and India. This work was designed to compare irradiation treatment with the hot water dip treatment in mangoes cv. Tommy Atkins for export and to verify that the main attributes for acceptance, color and texture, as well as carbohydrate and organic acid contents, were maintained. In this study, the fruit was divided into groups: control, hot water dip-treated (46 degrees C for 90 min), and irradiation-treated at doses of 0.4 kGy and 1.0 kGy. The fruit was stored at low temperature (11 degrees C +/- 2) for 14 days and then at room temperature (23 degrees C +/- 2) until the end of the study. The results indicated that the fruit given a dose of 1.0 kGy remained in a less advanced stage of ripening (stage 3) throughout the storage period, but experienced a greater loss of texture in the beginning of the experiment. It was noted that only the control group had higher levels of citric acid and succinic acid on the last day of the experiment. There were no significant differences in the total sugar content between any treatment groups. Gamma radiation can be used as a quarantine treatment and does not interfere negatively with the quality attributes of mangoes. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pigment, carbohydrate and protein content of microbial mats from northern Victoria Land lake sediments

The composition of algal pigments and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) was determined in microbial mats from two lakes in Victoria Land (Continental Antarctica) with different lithology and environmental features. The aim was to expand knowledge of benthic autotrophic communities in Antarctic lacustrine ecosystems, providing reference data for future assessment of possible changes in environmental conditions and freshwater communities. The results of chemical analyses were supported by microscopy observations. Pigment profiles showed that filamentous cyanobacteria are dominant in both lakes. Samples from the water body at Edmonson Point had greater biodiversity, fewer pigments and lower EPS ratios than those from the lake at Kar Plateau. Differences in mat composition and in pigment and EPS profile between the two lakes are discussed in terms of local environmental conditions such as lithology, ice-cover and UV radiation. The present study suggests that a chemical approach could be useful in the study of benthic communities in Antarctic lakes and their variations in space and time.

Fracionamento dos carboidratos pelas equações do Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System de três cultivares de girassol na presença ou não de irrigação

Objetivou-se quantificar as frações de carboidratos pelas equações do Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) de três cultivares de girassol (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivados na presença ou não de irrigação. A utilização de uma preparação fibrosa, denominada parede celular (PC), nas equações da CNCPS, em substituição à fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) não promoveu diferenças nas frações de carboidratos B1 e C, mas influenciou as frações A e B2. Como os valores da fração B1, obtidos pelo modelo CNCPS foram menores que os teores de amido e pectina determinados em laboratório, supõe-se que a pectina e outros oligossacarídeos da parede celular, solubilizados pela solução de detergente neutro (fibra solúvel), nunca fizeram parte da fração B1, e sim da fração A. Apesar de os carboidratos da fibra solúvel apresentarem elevadas taxas de degradação, não parece adequada a caracterização da fibra solúvel na fração A. Parece mais adequado que a fibra solúvel (que inclui a pectina) seja alocada a uma fração exclusivamente sua, que pode ser a fração B2, e que seja criada uma nova fração, a B3, para os carboidratos digeríveis da parede celular. Assim, a fração B1 seria composta apenas de amido. A equação da fração C, que estima os carboidratos indigeríveis da parede celular, pode ser simplificada, relacionando a fração indigerível ao teor de lignina na matéria seca, e não à FDN isenta de cinzas e proteína, como atualmente utilizado. Esta proposta tem implicações práticas, uma vez que a fração indigerível da parede celular tem sido expressa em relação à FDN, e não na MS, com base no fato de que os efeitos inibitórios da lignina ocorrem sobre os componentes fibrosos da parede celular vegetal, e não sobre o conteúdo celular.