A low-energy-dense diet adding fruit reduces weight and energy intake in women.

This study evaluated the effect of adding fruit or oats to the diet of free-living women on energy consumption and body weight. Fruit and oat cookies had the same amount of fiber and total calories ( approximately 200 kcal), but differed in energy density. We analyzed data from a clinical trial conducted in a primary care unit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Forty-nine women, ages ranging from 30 to 50 years, with body mass index (BMI)>25 kg/m2, were randomly chosen to add three apples (0.63 kcal/g energy density) or three pears (0.64 kcal/g energy density) or three oat cookies (3.7 kcal/g energy density) to their usual diet for 10 weeks. Fiber composition was similar ( approximately 6g). Statistical analysis of the repeated measures of dietary composition and body weight were analyzed using mixed model procedures. Results showed a significant decrease in the energy density during the follow-up (-1.23 kcal/g, p<0.04, and -1.29 kcal/g, p<0.05) for apples and pears, respectively, compared to the oat group. The energy intake also decreased significantly (-25.05 and -19.66 kcal/day) for the apple and pear group, respectively, but showed a small increase (+0.93) for the oat group. Apples and pears were also associated (p<0.001) with weight reduction (-0.93 kg for the apple and -0.84 for the pear group), whereas weight was unchanged (+0.21; p=0.35) in the oat group. Results suggest that energy densities of fruits, independent of their fiber amount can reduce energy consumption and body weight over time.

High-resolution anoscopy in the diagnosis of anal cancer precursor lesions in renal graft recipients.

BACKGROUND: Renal graft recipients are one of the population groups known to be at high risk of developing anal cancer. This study investigated the presence of subclinical anal squamous intraepithelial lesions and the diagnostic ability of high-resolution anoscopy in detecting these lesions in renal graft recipients followed-up in Manaus. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 50 renal graft recipients were interviewed and submitted to high-resolution anoscopy with biopsies of acetowhite lesions or of the anal transition zone mucosa when acetowhitening was absent. Considering the histopathological reports of the examined anal specimens as the gold standard, the diagnostic validation and precision measures of high-resolution anoscopy were calculated as well as the prevalence of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions in the studied population. RESULTS: In 42 renal graft recipients with satisfactory histopathological readings, prevalence of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions or condyloma acuminatum (ASIL-ACU) was 23.81%. Sensitivity of high-resolution anoscopy was 100%; specificity, 65.63%; positive predictive value, 47.62%; negative predictive value, 100%; and kappa coefficient, 0.48. CONCLUSIONS: With a prevalence of 23.81% of subclinical ASIL-ACU lesions, the studied renal graft recipients had all these lesions detected by high-resolution anoscopy, notwithstanding most anal transition zone acetowhitened biopsied areas did not reveal histopathological aspects of anal cancer precursor lesions or condyloma acuminatum. Therefore, greater experience with the diagnostic tool was felt necessary to enhance its positive predictive value, specificity and diagnostic precision.