Especializações glandulares, musculares e dentárias dos dipsadíneos goo-eaters (Serpentes: Dipsadinae) associadas à ingestão de suas presas

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) - IBRC

Oral glands in dipsadine ""goo-eater"" snakes: Morphology and histochemistry of the infralabial glands in Atractus reticulatus, Dipsas indica, and Sibynomorphus mikanii

Although snake infralabial glands are generally constituted of mucous cells, among dipsadines, they are much more developed and predominantly serous in nature, possibly due to the peculiar feeding habits of some species of this group, the ""goo-eaters"", which feed on soft and viscous invertebrates. We compared the morphology and histochemistry of the infralabial glands of three goo-eater species of Southeast Brazil, Atractus reticulatus, Dipsas indica and Sibynomorphus mikanii. In A. reticulatus the glands are formed by mixed acini composed of mucous and seromucous cells and in D. indica, they are composed of mucous tubules and seromucous acini. In S. mikanii the glands are organized in seromucous acini; mucous cells are restricted to the gland anterior region and to the duct lining epithelium. Ultrastructurally, secretory granule electron density varies from low to moderate, depending on their mucous or seromucous nature. The results indicate a large morphological and histochemical variation in the infralabial glands, probably reflecting differences in the secretion chemical composition and in feeding specialization among the three species. The protein content in the secretory cells can be related with the presence of toxins that can be used in chemical prey immobilization or detaching of snails from their shells. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Unusual labial glands in snakes of the genus Geophis Wagler, 1830 ( Serpentes: Dipsadinae)

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

Consuming viscous prey: a novel protein-secreting delivery system in neotropical snail-eating snakes

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

The control dilemma in eating behavior : Influence of temptation cues in restrained versus unrestrained eaters

Resumen tomado de la publicaci??n

Imipramine and diet counseling with psychological support in the treatment of obese binge eaters: a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study

This study with 31 obese binge eaters (body mass index [BMI] 39.5+/-8.6 kg/m(2) [SD]) was designed to assess whether diet counseling with psychological support and imipramine or placebo has an effect on the frequency of binge eating, body weight, and depression during an 8-week treatment phase. This was followed by an open medication-free phase of 6 months of continuous diet counseling with psychological support.

The art of dieting: Exposure to thin sculptures effortlessly reduces the intake of unhealthy food in motivated eaters

Thin, human-like sculptures by the artist Alberto Giacometti, applied as environmental cues, have been found to facilitate dieting by reducing chocolate intake and promoting healthy snack choices. However, the processes underlying this “Giacometti effect” have been left unexplored so far. The present study therefore first examines the effortlessness of the effect. More specifically, it aims to determine whether the sculptures reduce unhealthy food intake when only few cognitive resources for their influence are available. For this purpose, the participants in a chip tasting were given the cognitive load task of memorizing either 10 or two digits during the tasting. The results indicate that the sculptures reduced participants’ chip intake independent of the cognitive load. Thus, they influenced participants’ eating behavior even when only few cognitive resources were available. The results also indicate that the sculptures reduced chip intake only when the participants liked the chips. The sculptures could thus exert their influence when individuals were motivated to eat and the dieting cues were useful. The finding that the Giacometti sculptures, applied as environmental dieting or health cues, influenced individuals when only few cognitive resources were available, could indicate a crucial advantage for the application of these cues in complex, real-world settings.

Nonpurging binge eaters versus nonbinge eaters and treatment retention for adult obesity

Dropout from obesity treatment has been a major factor associated with weight control failure, with few reliable predictors of dropouts or completers. Previous studies have tended to treat obese people as a homogeneous group with standard behavior modification-based interventions. Current research indicates there may be subgroups within the obese population, binge eaters and nonbinge eaters, who have different dropout rates. Current studies also recommend focusing on the subset of this subgroup that does not engage in purging (vomiting, laxative abuse, or excessive exercise) to compensate for binge eating. This research uses a secondary dataset (N = 156) from a prospective study in which participants were randomized to a Food Dependency (FD) and a Behavioral Self-Management (BSM) group for weight reduction. Criteria for subjects in the original study included (1) scoring higher on the existing Binge Eating Scale (BES) in order to ensure enrollment of more binge eaters and (2) no compensatory purging behavior for binge eating. Subjects were then reclassified in this study as binge eaters or nonbinge eaters using the more stringent proposed 1994 DSM-IV criteria for Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Subjects were followed for dropout. Variables studied were binge status, age at obesity onset, age at study baseline, class instructor, number of previous weight loss attempts, race, marital status, body mass index (BMI kg/m$\sp2$), type of intervention, work status, educational level, and social support. Stepwise backward regression Cox survival analysis indicated binge status had a consistent, statistically significant protective effect on dropout in which binge eaters were half as likely to dropout versus nonbinge eaters (p = 0.04). Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated no statistical difference in dropout by type of intervention (FD, p = 0.13; BSM, p = 0.80) when controlling for binge status. All other variables did not reach significance, which is consistent with the literature. Implications of these findings suggest that (1) the proposed 1994 DSM-IV criteria for BED is a more useful classification that the existing DSM-III-R criteria, and (2) the identification of subgroups among obese subjects is an important step in dropout and weight loss intervention research. Future research can confirm this finding. ^

The man-eaters and other odd people : a popular description of singular races of man /

Mode of access: Internet.

Gene expression down-regulation in CD90(+) prostate tumor-associated stromal cells involves potential organ-specific genes

Background: The prostate stroma is a key mediator of epithelial differentiation and development, and potentially plays a role in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. The tumor-associated stroma is marked by increased expression of CD90/THYI. Isolation and characterization of these stromal cells could provide valuable insight into the biology of the tumor microenvironment. Methods: Prostate CD90(+) stromal fibromuscular cells from tumor specimens were isolated by cell-sorting and analyzed by DNA microarray. Dataset analysis was used to compare gene expression between histologically normal and tumor-associated stromal cells. For comparison, stromal cells were also isolated and analyzed from the urinary bladder. Results: The tumor-associated stromal cells were found to have decreased expression of genes involved in smooth muscle differentiation, and those detected in prostate but not bladder. Other differential expression between the stromal cell types included that of the CXC-chemokine genes. Conclusion: CD90(+) prostate tumor-associated stromal cells differed from their normal counterpart in expression of multiple genes, some of which are potentially involved in organ development.

Exercise augments the effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of binge eating

To evaluate the effects of adding exercise and maintenance to cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for binge eating disorder (BED) in obese women. One hundred fourteen obese female binge eaters were randomized into four groups: CBT with exercise and maintenance, CBT with exercise, CBT with maintenance, and CBT only. Eighty-four women completed the 16-month study. Subjects who received CBT with exercise experienced significant reductions in binge eating frequency compared with subjects who received CBT only. The CBT with exercise and maintenance group had a 58% abstinence rate at the end of the study period and an average reduction of 2.2 body mass index (BMI) units (approximately 14 lb). BMI was significantly reduced in the subjects in both the exercise and maintenance conditions. The results suggest that adding exercise to CBT, and extending the duration of treatment, enhances outcome and contributes to reductions in binge eating and BMI.

Binge eating symptoms, diet composition and metabolic characteristics of obese children and adolescents

This study aimed to determine the occurrence of symptoms of binge eating (BE) among children and adolescents seeking treatment for their obesity, as well as to evaluate their diet composition and metabolic characteristics. The Binge Eating scale (BES) was answered by 128 children and adolescents (10.77 +/- 2.04 years, BMI 29.15 +/- 4.98 kg/m(2), BMI Z score 2.28 +/- 0.46, 53.91% pubescent), who were classified into two subgroups-binge eaters (score greater than or equal to IS points) and non-binge eaters (score lower than 18 points). Anthropometric data, body composition and Tanner stages were collected and dietary evaluation conducted. Blood pressure was determined, and glucose, lipid profile and insulin assays were performed. insulin resistance was determined using HOMA-IR. BE symptoms were present in 39.06% of patients. Carbohydrate intake in diet composition was significantly higher among binge eaters. Children with BE did not demonstrate significant dissimilar metabolic characteristics when compared to their counterparts without BE. Therefore, BE seems to be a prevalent problem among children and adolescents seeking help for their obesity. When associated with obesity, this eating behaviour can influence macronutrient consumption through increased carbohydrate intake. Further research would be valuable to verify the reproducibility of these findings. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The aversiveness of specific emotional states associated with binge-eating in obese subjects

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that non-purge-related binge-eating in obesity is maintained by a 'trade-off' in which a highly aversive emotional state is exchanged for a less aversive state. Method: Ninety-eight obese binge-eaters meeting the DSM-IV criteria for binge-eating disorder [1] were contrasted with 65 non-binge-eating controls on their perceived distress associated with negative mood states usually experienced before and after binges. Results: Binge-eaters reported significantly greater distress and lower tolerance of negative mood compared to controls. Furthermore, when compared with controls, binge-eaters reported that emotions typically reported before binges (e.g. anger) were more aversive than those reported after (e.g. guilt). Conclusions: These results were interpreted as supporting the 'trade-off' theory and have implications for the treatment of binge-eating disorder.

Lot-fed goats - the advantages of using an enriched environment

By reducing the stress associated with high stocking density in a feedlot it is likely that goats will utilise their feed more efficiently and suffer fewer health problems. One possible method of reducing stress is to enrich the feedlot environment. In a feedlot of 160 castrated goats (average weight 24.6 +/- 2.6 kg), 2 types of feedlot structures were compared; a typical feedlot and an 'environmentally enriched' feedlot, and goats stocked at 2 densities; a high stocking density (1667 goats/ha) and a relatively low stocking density (897 goats/ha). Over a 42-day period, environmental enrichment (old car/truck tyres and wooden railway sleepers to climb on and PVC piping to mouth and butt) increased weight gain by 83% (P = 0.04) and reduced the occurrence of inanition by 36%. Aggressive behaviour at the feed trough was reduced by 30% (P = 0.03) in pens of lower density when compared with pens of higher density. We conclude that lot feeding goats in environmentally enriched surroundings will increase feed conversion and reduce the number of non-eaters when compared with typically bare pen structures. Doubling in liveweight gain of goats within enriched feedlot surroundings when compared with typical structures shows promise as a cost effective, animal-welfare-orientated practice.