Determinants of the omega-3 index in a Mediterranean population at increased risk for CHD.

The omega-3 index, defined as the sum of EPA and DHA in erythrocyte membranes expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids, has been proposed as both a risk marker and risk factor for CHD death. A major determinant of the omega-3 index is EPA þ DHA intake, but the impact of other dietary fatty acids has not been investigated. In a cross-sectional study on 198 subjects (102 men and 96 women, mean age 66 years) at high cardiovascular risk living in Spain, the country with low rates of cardiac death despite a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, dietary data were acquired from FFQ and blood cell membrane fatty acid composition was measured by GC. The average consumption of EPA þ DHA was 0·9 g/d and the mean omega-3 index was 7·1%. In multivariate models, EPA þ DHA intake was the main predictor of the omega-3 index but explained only 12% of its variability (P,0·001). No associations with other dietary fatty acids were observed. Although the single most influential determinant of the omega-3 index measured here was the intake of EPA þ DHA, it explained little of the former"s variability; hence, the effects of other factors (genetic, dietary and lifestyle) remain to be determined. Nevertheless, the high omega-3 index could at least partially explain the paradox of low rates of fatal CHD in Spain despite a high background prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors.

Determinação da composição mineral de subprodutos agroindustriais utilizados na alimentação animal, pela técnica de ativação neutrônica

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar alguns subprodutos agroindustriais utilizados na alimentação animal e identificar os principais minerais presentes. Amostras de farelos de algodão, arroz, canola, soja e trigo; farinhas de peixe, carne e penas + vísceras; cascas de algodão, arroz, laranja; bagaços de tomate e de laranja foram coletadas em diferentes locais de produção. O método analítico empregado foi a análise por ativação com nêutrons seguida de espectrometria gama. Os níveis de minerais encontrados em todas as amostras, inclusive aqueles considerados tóxicos, tais como As, Cd e Hg, não excederam os limites máximos permitidos em dietas para animais domésticos. Os valores obtidos foram comparados com os comumente encontrados em forragens.

Influência da relação cálcio:magnésio do corretivo na nodulação, produção e composição mineral da alfafa

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da relação Ca:Mg do corretivo da acidez do solo na produção de matéria seca, composição mineral da alfafa, e nodulação. O solo utilizado foi um Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro distrófico. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial com seis relações de Ca:Mg (1:0; 1:1; 2:1; 3:1; 4:1, na dosagem de 3,9 t ha-1 do corretivo e uma relação 3:1 na dosagem de 7,8 t ha-1) x seis épocas de corte, com quatro repetições. Mediram-se as produções de matéria seca (MS), teores de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S na parte aérea, e peso fresco e massa seca dos nódulos, determinados no último corte. As mudanças na relação Ca:Mg não afetaram a produção de MS da alfafa. O dobro da dosagem de calcário recomendada apresentou a maior produção de MS. O teor de Ca e Mg foi diretamente proporcional à sua disponibilidade no solo, ao passo que o K foi inversamente proporcional ao teor de Ca. Não houve influência dos tratamentos nos teores de P. As relações Ca:Mg afetaram os teores de S na matéria seca, os quais foram menores nos tratamentos com maior quantidade de Ca. O tratamento 4:1 apresentou maior teor de N, e as maiores concentração de Ca no solo aumentaram a fixação de N à planta.

Correlation of the IJK Roadmeter to the International Roughness Index, MLR-91-5, 1992

The Iowa Department of Transportation has been determining a present serviceability index (PSI) on the primary highway system since 1968. A CHLOE profilometer has been used as the standard for calibrating the Roadmeters that do the system survey. The current Roadmeter, an IJK Iowa DOT developed unit, is not considered an acceptable Roadmeter for determining the FHWA required International Roughness Index (IRI). Iowa purchased a commercial version of the South Dakota type profile (SD Unit) to obtain IRI. This study was undertaken to correlate the IRI to the IJK Roadmeter and retire the Roadmeter. One hundred forty-seven pavement management sections (IPMS) were tested in June and July 1991 with both units. Correlation coefficients and standard error of estimates were: r' Std. Error PCC pavements 0.81 0.15 Composite pavements 0.71 0.18 ACC pavements 0.77 0.17 The correlation equations developed from this work will allow use of the IRI to predict the IJK Roadmeter response with sufficient accuracy. Trend analysis should also not be affected.

Adubação mineral do angico-amarelo (Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub.)

Com o objetivo de se estudar as exigências nutricionais no desenvolvimento inicial de mudas de Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub., foi realizado um experimento em casa de vegetação. Usou-se como substrato um latossolo vermelho-amarelo com baixa disponibilidade de nutrientes, utilizando-se 10 tratamentos, sob a técnica do elemento faltante. Foram aplicados um tratamento completo (com N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B e Zn), outros com omissão de um nutriente por vez (-N, -P, -K, -Ca, -Mg, -S, -B e -Zn) e uma testemunha (solo natural). Foram avaliadas as seguintes características: altura, diâmetro, peso de matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes, e teor de nutrientes na matéria seca da parte aérea. Concluiu-se que as plantas do angico-amarelo apresentam elevada exigência nutricional; os nutrientes P, N, S e o Ca seguidos pelo Mg, K e pelo B são limitantes ao crescimento das plantas; as omissões de K, Ca e de Mg afetam a absorção de S pelas plantas.

Respostas de tangerineiras 'Montenegrina' à calagem e adubação orgânica e mineral

Esta pesquisa objetivou estudar a influência da calagem e de adubações minerais e orgânicas na produção de tangerineiras (Citrus deliciosa Tenore) cv. Montenegrina, enxertadas em Poncirus trifoliata Raf. O plantio foi realizado em julho de 1988, num solo Podzólico Vermelho-Escuro, de textura franco-argilosa. O delineamento experimental constou de blocos ao acaso, com nove tratamentos e quatro repetições, usando três plantas úteis por parcela. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: testemunha (sem adubação e sem calagem); solo corrigido a pH 6,5 antes do plantio; adubações com esterco de aviário + calagem anualmente; adubações com esterco bovino + calagem anualmente; adubações com N e K + calagem anualmente; adubações com N e K + calagem anualmente + correção com P antes do plantio; adubações com N, P na dose simples e K + calagem anualmente; adubações com N, P na dose dupla e K + calagem anualmente; adubações anuais com N, P na dose simples e K, sem calagem. A adubação corretiva com P, na instalação do pomar, foi suficiente para assegurar uma produção de frutos similar à obtida pelas adubações de reposição anual deste nutriente, até oito anos após o plantio. A elevação dos teores foliares de N foi positivamente relacionada com o aumento da produção de frutos e com a diminuição do peso médio dos mesmos. O uso de sulfato de amônio acidifica o solo e requer maior quantidade de calagem de manutenção.

Polydispersity index from linear viscoelastic data: Unimodal and bimodal linear polymer melts

This article describes a method for determining the polydispersity index Ip2=Mz/Mw of the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of linear polymeric materials from linear viscoelastic data. The method uses the Mellin transform of the relaxation modulus of a simple molecular rheological model. One of the main features of this technique is that it enables interesting MWD information to be obtained directly from dynamic shear experiments. It is not necessary to achieve the relaxation spectrum, so the ill-posed problem is avoided. Furthermore, a determinate shape of the continuous MWD does not have to be assumed in order to obtain the polydispersity index. The technique has been developed to deal with entangled linear polymers, whatever the form of the MWD is. The rheological information required to obtain the polydispersity index is the storage G′(ω) and loss G″(ω) moduli, extending from the terminal zone to the plateau region. The method provides a good agreement between the proposed theoretical approach and the experimental polydispersity indices of several linear polymers for a wide range of average molecular weights and polydispersity indices. It is also applicable to binary blends.

Suplementação mineral e mobilização de cálcio nos ossos de eqüinos em pastagem de Brachiaria humidicola

Durante 150 dias, 12 potras Quarto-de-Milha de 1 ano de idade permaneceram exclusivamente em pastagem de Brachiaria humidicola, num experimento inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos, nível 0 (recomendação do NRC, 1989); nível 50 (50% a mais do NRC); nível 100 (100% a mais do NRC), e quatro repetições. Como palatabilizante foram empregadas 270 g de açúcar. Realizaram-se biópsias na asa do osso do ílio de cada potra, no início e final do experimento, para avaliar a mobilização de Ca e a relação Ca:P. As amostras da gramínea, foram coletadas mensalmente para verificação do teor de oxalato e composição químico-bromatológica. Houve efeito de tempo na mobilização de Ca, P e da relação Ca:P (p<0,05), independentemente dos tratamentos. As médias dos três tratamentos, no início e final do período experimental foram, quanto aos teores de Ca, P e da relação Ca:P, respectivamente: 10,05, 5,22, 1,93:1 e 6,24, 4,06, 1,54:1. O teor do oxalato na gramínea variou de 1,18 a 2,00%. A utilização do nível de cálcio suplementar duas vezes superior ao recomendado pelo National Research Council não foi suficiente para impedir a mobilização deste mineral nos ossos de eqüinos pastejando Brachiaria humidicola por longos períodos.

3-year follow-up results of bone mineral content and density after a school-based physical activity randomized intervention trial.

BACKGROUND: As an important modifiable lifestyle factor in osteoporosis prevention, physical activity has been shown to positively influence bone mass accrual during growth. We have previously shown that a nine month general school based physical activity intervention increased bone mineral content (BMC) and density (aBMD) in primary school children. From a public health perspective, a major key issue is whether these effects persist during adolescence. We therefore measured BMC and aBMD three years after cessation of the intervention to investigate whether the beneficial short-term effects persisted. METHODS: All children from 28 randomly selected first and fifth grade classes (intervention group (INT): 16 classes, n=297; control group (CON): 12 classes, n=205) who had participated in KISS (Kinder-und Jugendsportstudie) were contacted three years after cessation of the intervention program. The intervention included daily physical education with daily impact loading activities over nine months. Measurements included anthropometry, vigorous physical activity (VPA) by accelerometers, and BMC/aBMD for total body, femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Sex- and age-adjusted Z-scores of BMC or aBMD at follow-up were regressed on intervention (1 vs. 0), the respective Z-score at baseline, gender, follow-up height and weight, pubertal stage at follow-up, previous and current VPA, adjusting for clustering within schools. RESULTS: 377 of 502 (75%) children participated in baseline DXA measurements and of those, 214 (57%) participated to follow-up. At follow-up INT showed significantly higher Z-scores of BMC at total body (adjusted group difference: 0.157 units (0.031-0.283); p=0.015), femoral neck (0.205 (0.007-0.402); p=0.042) and at total hip (0.195 (0.036 to 0.353); p=0.016) and higher Z-scores of aBMD for total body (0.167 (0.016 to 0.317); p=0.030) compared to CON, representing 6-8% higher values for children in the INT. No differences could be found for the remaining bone parameters. For the subpopulation with baseline VPA (n=163), effect sizes became stronger after baseline VPA adjustment. After adjustment for baseline and current VPA (n=101), intervention effects were no longer significant, while effect sizes remained the same as without adjustment for VPA. CONCLUSION: Beneficial effects on BMC of a nine month general physical activity intervention appeared to persist over three years. Part of the maintained effects may be explained by current physical activity.

Expansive Mineral Growth and Concrete Deterioration, HR-384, 1997

A significant question is: What role does newly-formed expansive mineral growth play in the premature deterioration of concrete? These minerals (ettringite and brucite) are formed in cement paste as a result of chemical reactions involving cement and coarse/fine aggregate. Petrographic observations and SEM/EDAX analysis were conducted in order to determine chemical and mineralogical changes in the aggregate and cement paste of samples taken from Iowa concrete highways that showed premature deterioration. Mechanisms involved in deterioration were investigated. A second objective was to investigate whether deicer solutions exacerbate the formation of expansive minerals and concrete deterioration. Magnesium in deicer solutions causes the most severe paste deterioration by forming non-cementitious magnesium silicate hydrate and brucite. Chloride in deicer solutions promotes decalcification of paste and alters ettringite to chloroaluminate. Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) and magnesium acetate (Mg-acetate) produce the most deleterious effects on concrete, with calcium acetate (Ca-acetate) being much less severe.

Diallel analysis for grain yield and mineral absorption rate of soybeans grown in acid brazilian savannah soil

High available aluminium and low levels of calcium below the ploughed zone of the soil are limiting factors for agricultural sustainability in the Brazilian Cerrados (Savannahs). The mineral stresses compound with dry spells effect by preventing deep root growth of cultivated plants and causes yield instability. The mode of inheritance for grain yield and mineral absorption ratio of a diallel cross in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] grown in high and low Al areas was identified. Differences among the genotypes for grain yield were more evident in the high Al, by grouping tolerant and non-tolerant genotypes for their respective arrays in the hybrids. A large proportion of genetic variance was additive for grain yield and mineral absorption ratio in both environments. High heritability values suggest that soybeans can be improved by crosses among Al-tolerant genotypes, using modified pedigree, early generation and recurrent selection schemes.

Sintomas visuais de deficiência de micronutrientes e composição mineral de folhas em mudas de goiabeira

Com o objetivo de verificar os sintomas visuais de deficiência nutricional de micronutrientes e avaliar a composição mineral das folhas, conduziu-se um experimento em solução nutritiva. Os tratamentos foram assim constituídos: (1) solução completa (testemunha); (2) menos B; (3) menos Cu; (4) menos Fe; (5) menos Mn; (6) menos Mo; e (7) menos Zn. As soluções foram renovadas a cada 20 dias. As deficiências de boro, cobre, ferro, manganês e zinco resultaram na manifestação de sintomas visíveis e característicos. Esse fato não foi verificado com relação ao Mo. As concentrações de cada nutriente no terceiro par de folhas dos tratamentos deficientes e completo, em mg kg-1, foram respectivamente: B (7 e 43); Cu (2 e 6); Fe (55 e 117); Mn (5 e 23) e Zn (9 e 14). Foram verificadas algumas interações, como, Cu x Fe, Cu x Mn, Fe x B, Fe x Zn, Mn x Zn, B x Ca e B x P. A quantidade de matéria seca produzida apresentou redução em todos os tratamentos em que a solução nutritiva era omissa em um micronutriente, exceto naquele em que o Mo estava ausente.

FTO genotype is associated with phenotypic variability of body mass index.

There is evidence across several species for genetic control of phenotypic variation of complex traits, such that the variance among phenotypes is genotype dependent. Understanding genetic control of variability is important in evolutionary biology, agricultural selection programmes and human medicine, yet for complex traits, no individual genetic variants associated with variance, as opposed to the mean, have been identified. Here we perform a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of phenotypic variation using ∼170,000 samples on height and body mass index (BMI) in human populations. We report evidence that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7202116 at the FTO gene locus, which is known to be associated with obesity (as measured by mean BMI for each rs7202116 genotype), is also associated with phenotypic variability. We show that the results are not due to scale effects or other artefacts, and find no other experiment-wise significant evidence for effects on variability, either at loci other than FTO for BMI or at any locus for height. The difference in variance for BMI among individuals with opposite homozygous genotypes at the FTO locus is approximately 7%, corresponding to a difference of ∼0.5 kilograms in the standard deviation of weight. Our results indicate that genetic variants can be discovered that are associated with variability, and that between-person variability in obesity can partly be explained by the genotype at the FTO locus. The results are consistent with reported FTO by environment interactions for BMI, possibly mediated by DNA methylation. Our BMI results for other SNPs and our height results for all SNPs suggest that most genetic variants, including those that influence mean height or mean BMI, are not associated with phenotypic variance, or that their effects on variability are too small to detect even with samples sizes greater than 100,000.

Fruit size, mineral composition and quality of trickle-irrigated tomatoes as affected by potassium rates

An experiment was conducted to determine the fruit size, mineral composition and quality of trickle-irrigated tomatoes as affected by potassium fertilizer rates. Six potassium (K) rates were applied as KCl, corresponding to 0, 48.4, 118.6, 188.8, 259.0 and 399.4 kg ha-1, with four replicates, following a randomized block design. Quadratic responses to K rates were observed for double extra large (diameter > 60 mm), extra large (56 to 60 mm) and large (52 to 56 mm) fruit yields. Maximum yields of these classes were achieved with K rates of 116, 190 and 233 kg ha-1, respectively. Fruit dry matter, phosphorus, sulfur and magnesium contents were not affected by K rates, but nitrate and K contents showed significant increments as K rates were increased. Vitamin C, total soluble solids, lycopene and beta-carotene contents in the fruits were not affected by K rates. Increments in the K rate lowered the fruit pH and increased total acids content.