ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Many factors are associated with the increase in total and central body adiposity in children, especially eating habits. This has led to an increasing number of studies analysing food patterns, which consider the synergistic effect of food and nutrient intake on the nutritional status. The objective of this study was to identify the dietary patterns of children aged 4-7 years and associate these with different indicators of total and central body adiposity. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study METHODS: The study consisted of 403 children from a retrospective cohort in Minas Geraes, Brazil. Four indicators of body adiposity were evaluated: body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and percentages of total and central body fat (assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). The dietary habits of the children were evaluated by identifying the dietary patterns using principal component analysis. The adjustment predictor variables were related to the socio-economic characteristics, lifestyle and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Food patterns were identified by factor analysis. Linear regression was used to estimate the regression coefficient and the confidence interval, considering statistical significance of α = 5%. RESULTS: Five dietary patterns were identified, which explained 42.3% of the data variance: 'Traditional', 'Unhealthy', 'Milk and chocolate', 'Snack' and 'Healthy'. The multiple linear regression model showed that a greater adherence to the 'Traditional' and 'Unhealthy' patterns was related to higher BMI, WHtR, and total and central body adiposity. CONCLUSION: Children with a higher intake of food from the 'Traditional' and 'Unhealthy' patterns showed an increase in total and central body adiposity.
Subject(s)
Adiposity , Feeding Behavior , Pediatric Obesity/epidemiology , Body Mass Index , Brazil/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Obesity, Abdominal/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Waist-Height RatioABSTRACT
The chemical composition of red seaweed Gracilaria cervicornis and brown seaweed Sargassum vulgare from Brazil was investigated. In this study, the relationship between the nutritive components of each species and the environment was established. Protein content varied from 23.05+/-3.04% to 15.97+/-3.04%. The highest value was found in G. cervicornis. The protein levels were positively correlated with nitrogen content and negatively with water temperature and salinity. Carbohydrate contents of both species varied significantly (p<0.01) and the values observed were superior to others chemical constituents. Contrary to carbohydrates, the lipid concentrations were the lowest recorded chemical component and varied slightly between the two species. Ash content was greater in S. vulgare (14.20+/-3.86) than in G. cervicornis (7.74+/-1.15). In general the variation in chemical composition was related to environment.
Subject(s)
Gracilaria/chemistry , Sargassum/chemistry , Seasons , Nutritive Value , Tropical ClimateABSTRACT
Gap junctions are intercellular channels which connect adjacent cells and allow direct exchange of molecules of low molecular weight between them. Such a communication has been described as fundamental in many systems due to its importance in coordination, proliferation and differentiation. Recently, it has been shown that gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) can be modulated by several extracellular soluble factors such as classical hormones, neurotransmitters, interleukins, growth factors and some paracrine substances. Herein, we discuss some aspects of the general modulation of GJIC by extracellular messenger molecules and more particularly the regulation of such communication in the thymus gland. Additionally, we discuss recent data concerning the study of different neuropeptides and hormones in the modulation of GJIC in thymic epithelial cells. We also suggest that the thymus may be viewed as a model to study the modulation of gap junction communication by different extracellular messengers involved in non-classical circuits, since this organ is under bidirectional neuroimmunoendocrine control.
Subject(s)
Cell Communication/physiology , Connexins/physiology , Gap Junctions/physiology , Immune System/physiology , Bone Marrow Cells/cytology , Humans , Immune System/cytology , Immunity, Cellular/physiology , Stromal Cells/physiologyABSTRACT
Gap junctions are intercellular channels which connect adjacent cells and allow direct exchange of molecules of low molecular weight between them. Such a communication has been described as fundamental in many systems due to its importance in coordination, proliferation and differentiation. Recently, it has been shown that gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) can be modulated by several extracellular soluble factors such as classical hormones, neurotransmitters, interleukins, growth factors and some paracrine substances. Herein, we discuss some aspects of the general modulation of GJIC by extracellular messenger molecules and more particularly the regulation of such communication in the thymus gland. Additionally, we discuss recent data concerning the study of different neuropeptides and hormones in the modulation of GJIC in thymic epithelial cells. We also suggest that the thymus may be viewed as a model to study the modulation of gap junction communication by different extracellular messengers involved in non-classical circuits, since this organ is under bidirectional neuroimmunoendocrine control
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Mice , Cell Communication/physiology , Gap Junctions/physiology , Thymus Gland/cytology , Connexin 43/physiology , Cytokines/pharmacology , Epithelial Cells , Extracellular Matrix , Gap Junctions/drug effects , Hormones/pharmacology , Neurotransmitter Agents/pharmacology , RNA, Messenger , Thymus Gland/physiologyABSTRACT
Five healthy females were submited to parenteral nutrition with aminoacids and glucose solution and the acidity and volume of gastric juice were studied. We could find no difference in the obtained values at the various phases, even after the administration of betazole. From this we can conclude that the infusion of aminoacids and glucose does not alter the pattern of gastric secretion.
Subject(s)
Amino Acids/administration & dosage , Gastric Juice/metabolism , Gastric Mucosa/metabolism , Glucose/administration & dosage , Parenteral Nutrition , Amino Acids/metabolism , Betazole/pharmacology , Female , Gastric Mucosa/drug effects , Glucose/metabolism , Humans , Secretory Rate/drug effects , Stimulation, ChemicalABSTRACT
Five healthy females were submited to parenteral nutrition with aminoacids and glucose solution and the acidity and volume of gastric juice were studied. We could find no difference in the obtained values at the various phases, even after the administration of betazole. From this we can conclude that the infusion of aminoacids and glucose does not alter the pattern of gastric secretion.
ABSTRACT
Five healthy females were submited to parenteral nutrition with aminoacids and glucose solution and the acidity and volume of gastric juice were studied. We could find no difference in the obtained values at the various phases, even after the administration of betazole. From this we can conclude that the infusion of aminoacids and glucose does not alter the pattern of gastric secretion.
