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Background: Preeclampsia may cause maternal and child morbidity and mortality. Evidence suggests that oxidative stress may be involved in the development of preeclampsia; however, the role of dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) on preeclampsia risk has not yet been elucidated. Thus, this study aims to assess the relationship between DTAC and odds of preeclampsia. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 240 pregnant women (preeclampsia, n=60; controls, n=180) in Qazvin, Iran. Controls were 3:1 ratio matched with cases in terms of participants’ age and gestational age. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire evaluating the preceding year. DTAC was measured by two methods: ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Multivariable logistic regression was employed to evaluate the association between preeclampsia and DTAC and also selected antioxidants. Results: After controlling for potential confounders, a significant inverse relationship was found between ORAC and preeclampsia; individuals in the highest tertile of ORAC were 67% less likely to have preeclampsia than those in the lowest tertile of ORAC (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.11-0.97; P-trend

Tingxu Yang,1 Ce Cao2 1Department of Digestive, Shanghai first People′s Hospital Jiuquan Hospital, Jiuquan, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ce Cao, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, People’s Republic of China, Email caoce2007@126.comBackground: The associations of metabolic conditions, chronic organ dysfunctions and acidic food consumption with the risk of gastrointestinal cancer are unknown among individuals with primary hypertension. We sought to identify risk factors for gastrointestinal cancer in this population.Methods: We conducted a case-control study among individuals who had primary hypertension and were later diagnosed with a type of gastrointestinal cancer, and those who had primary hypertension and were not diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer at a local hospital from January 2020 to January 2024. We compared sociodemographic, lifestyle, dietary, and medical characteristics between the groups using data extracted from electronic medical records. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to find associations with risk factors.Results: We identified 125 cases of gastrointestinal cancer and 544 controls who were cancer-free. There were significant associations between overall gastrointestinal cancer and hyperlipidemia (OR, 3.37; 95% CI, 1.98– 5.72), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.64– 4.07), chronic renal failure (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.43– 4.20), alcohol consumption (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.49– 3.70), heart failure (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.36– 3.33), and higher-grade hypertension (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.41– 2.74).Conclusion: In this retrospective study of patients who had primary hypertension, we identified several comorbid conditions as indicators for gastrointestinal cancer, including hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, alcohol consumption, heart failure, and higher-grade hypertension.Keywords: gastrointestinal cancer, hypertension, risk factors, metabolic conditions, organ failures, diet

Urinary tract stones are a common condition that significantly reduces quality of life. A proper diet is an important factor in the prevention and treatment of lithiasis and, for this reason, dietary interventions have become an essential part of treatment. In our review of the literature, we analysed the individual components of diet in terms of the risk of developing urinary tract stones. A number of dietary guidelines have been developed to reduce lithogenic factors in the urine, such as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate and uric acid. Current guidelines recommend increasing the intake of fluids, increasing the intake of fruit and vegetables, using a balanced calcium supplementation and limiting the supply of sodium and especially animal protein. Based on these recommendations, a vegetarian diet containing dairy products combined with calcium supplementation appears to have the lowest risk of developing urinary stones. However, there are still many uncertainties in this area, and research needs to continue and be expanded to include the influence of diet type on the risk of lithiasis. This will allow us to gain a better understanding of the factors influencing the disease process and to create clear guidelines in the field of urolithiasis in the future.

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a prevalence of six to ten percent in women of childbearing age. As long as the aetiology of endometriosis is not fully understood and the disease has no definitive treatment, an examination of the environmental factors or interventions that could modify or cure endometriosis would greatly benefit women suffering from this chronic condition. This literature review utilized the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE until February 2021. Studies indicate that fish oil may have a positive effect on reducing endometriosis-related pain due to the effects of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins derived from omega-3 fatty acids. The same effect was seen with the introduction of antioxidant vitamins C, D, and E. There is clinical viability of a low fermentable oligo-, di-, and mono-saccharides and polyols diet to successfully reduce the symptoms of patients who suffer from both endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome. Despite the low level of evidence, there are frequent associations between endometriosis and gastrointestinal conditions in addition to the influence of various nutritional factors on the disease. The management of endometriosis requires a holistic approach focused on reducing overall inflammation, increasing detoxification, and attenuating troublesome symptoms. A dietician may provide great benefit in the management of these patients, especially at younger ages and in early stages. High-level evidence and well-designed randomized studies are lacking when it comes to studying the effect of lifestyle and dietary intake on endometriosis. Inarguably, further research with a more extensive focus is needed.

This study aimed to know the daily variation of Astyanax lacustris (Lütken 1875) feeding in a lotic environment. Fish were caught with a net for three days every three hours in the summer to capture ten individuals per hour in a stretch of the Ijuí River, Middle Uruguay River, Brazil. The captured specimens had their stomachs removed and the content analyzed and separated into seven food categories with the aid of stereomicroscope. For the analysis of food items were used the frequency of occurrence methods, volumetric method and applied the Alimentary Index (IAi). Two hundred stomachs were analyzed, of which 95% had food content. The most abundant items were algae and autochthonous insects. Astyanax lacustris feeds throughout the day especially early in the morning (9 hours) and reduces its feeding at night (24 hours and 3 hours). It was also verified variation of AI of different food items throughout the day. It is concluded that A. lacustris feeds throughout the day, especially in the daytime and that throughout the 24 hours it varies its diet due to photoperiod and food availability.

Objective: understanding the repercussions of cow’s milk allergy from the perspective of mothers. Methods: qualitative study, carried out with nine mothers who were found in Facebook groups. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and submitted to content analysis. Results: three categories emerged: living with the unpreparedness of health services and professionals to diagnose and treat allergies to cow’s milk protein; social isolation: the result of fear and misunderstanding; and the mother as the central figure of care. Conclusion: the rigorous alimentary restriction that results from allergies to the protein in cow’s milk significantly reverberates in the lives of children and families, especially mothers, leading to the social isolation of the family and to insecurity in the use of health and education services, due to the lack of knowledge and preparation of the professionals.

Admission: Reflex disease is one of the most common diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. In the conservative treatment, non-pharmacological primary role proper nutrition and diet compliance. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the impact diet has on reflux disease. Material and methods:The study has been given to people with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The study was conducted in Bydgoszcz and Wloclawek. The study used a survey of their own design on socio-demographic data and questions about dietary treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS statistical program. Results:The highest percentage of women-study group accounted for 58.1%, while men accounted for more than 41.9% of the study population. The study was dominated by two age groups. People aged 45-59 years - 34.9%, and 60-74 years - 30.2%. Respondents most frequently observed symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease after eating high-fat products - 34.9%. 7 persons adversely affected by the sharp spices, for 6 people - chocolate, for more than 10% of soda. For nearly half of the study population (44.2%) diet was too cumbersome to be able to be used. 10 people (23.3%) is not made trouble, 18.6% of respondents are aware that some products hurt them, but they can not give them up, and 14% of respondents often forgot about the use of supplements. Conclusions: 1. The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in subjects most often occur after eating high fat products. 2. The incidence of GERD increases with age. 3. For almost half of the population studied diet is too cumbersome to be able to use it. 4. Addictions such as alcohol and smoking have an impact on the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Urolithiasis is one of the most common diseases of the genitourinary system. The conditions associated with the development of urolithiasis show a wide variety, among which dietary behaviour is of great importance and is nowadays becoming increasingly important in the development of kidney stones. The aim of this study was to review the literature about the impact of chemical compounds contained in a diet on the development and prevention of urolithiasis. Factors impeding the proper absorption of calcium include phosphates, fatty acids, sulphates, citrates, oxalates, while the factor that stimulates the absorption of calcium in the intestines is the active form of vitamin D3 . In this regard, one should consider the amount of calcium, sodium, potassium, animal protein and simple carbohydrates consumed in a diet, as well as dietary habits regarding caffeine and alcohol. Also significant is the fact that a poorly balanced diet may condition hypercalciuria. In the case of excessive consumption of other compounds, such as simple carbohydrates and ethyl alcohol, increased urinary calcium excretion is observed, caused by disturbances in the tubular reabsorption of calcium and magnesium in nephrons. Nowadays, prophylaxis is gaining importance in the light of the growing number of cases of urolithiasis worldwide. A well-designed diet is a crucial element, affecting both the formation of deposits and treatment, hence sound knowledge of the principles of proper nutrition can significantly reduce the risk of the recurrence of renal colic. The most common cause of urolithiasis are nutritional errors, and the onset of treatment is associated with a change in dietary habits. The general nutritional recommendations for urolithiasis should be adapted to the type of urinary stones deposit and an individual patient’s comorbidities. A tailored approach to combating the disease is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) and examine associated etiological factors related to the severity of DH in dental clinic patients treated at the School of Dentistry at Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Pasto, Colombia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed in which three hundred and thirty three patients aged 15 to 44 years old were assessed for the presence and severity of DH. The dentine hypersensitivity diagnosis was based on self-reported sensitivity and a clinical examination. The questionnaire included socio-demographic information, data about oral health habits and acidic dietary intake. A descriptive analysis was performed and the association between DH severity and risk factors was determined using an ordinal logistic regression model. Results: Dentine hypersensitivity was detected in 88 out of 333 (26.4%) subjects (95% CI: 21.83-31.56). The pH of natural juices (OR=6.013; 95% CI: 0.995-36.319, p=0.051) and pH of alcohol beverages (OR= 7.800; 95% CI: 2.282-26.658, p=0.001) were significantly associated with the severity of dentine hypersensitivity. Conclusions: The results indicated that the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity in these patients was consistent with previous reports. Furthermore, the severity of DH was influenced by acidic diet. These results suggest that dental counseling should be provided to all patients as well as to those with dentine hypersensitivity to prevent the occurrence of this oral health problem and the severity of symptoms.

Sexual dysfunction is a common but underestimated disorder of diabetic patients of both genders, entailing specific and complex pathogenesis and severely affecting reproductive health and quality of life. Hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, aging, and psychological factors underlie its pathogenesis. A large body of evidence indicates that advanced glycation end products and oxidative stress have a distinct impact on the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications, including hypogonadism, which is closely related to sexual dysfunction. Advanced glycation end products seem to affect sexual function either directly by accumulation in various regions of the reproductive system and/or correlation or indirectly through oxidative stress induction via several mechanisms. They are also involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, which are related to sexual dysfunction. Herein, we review the issue of sexual dysfunction in diabetic males and females, with special emphasis on the impact of advanced glycation end products in the pathogenesis of sexual dysfunction, the relationship of advanced glycation end products with low testosterone levels in diabetic subjects, which account for the proportion of disorder and the available therapeutic interventions., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

In Australia, the spectacled flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) (SFF), is listed as 'Vulnerable'. Many juvenile SFFs come into care at the Tolga Bat Hospital, a privately funded community organisation. The aims of this study were (1) to estimate postnatal growth rates for length of forearm and body mass; (2) to describe the association between body mass and length of forearm; and (3) to develop a milk feeding chart for infant SFFs. Cross-sectional data were collected for 2680 SFFs from the 2006–07 to the 2016–17 seasons. Forearm length increased by 0.55 mm and body mass increased by 1.5 g per day. Longitudinal data were collected during the 2016–17 season for 128 SFFs. According to these data, forearm length increased by 0.71 mm and body mass increased by 3.4 g per day. Both analyses indicated exponential associations between forearm length and body mass (P < 0.001). Reasons for the differences between the cross-sectional and longitudinal results might include the negative impact of tick paralysis in the cross-sectional study and the positive effect of human care in the longitudinal study. The proposed feeding chart is based on length of forearm. This study was established in a wildlife-care facility providing a model for similar work with other wildlife species. This study was based in a wildlife care facility and was designed to estimate post-natal growth rates in, and develop a milk feeding chart for, infant spectacled flying-foxes, a species regarded as vulnerable. Forearm length increased by 0.55 mm and body mass by 1.5 g per day; growth rates varied by year. The study highlights that data collected by wildlife carers can be a source of otherwise hard-to-obtain information. Photo by Tolga Bat Rescue and Research Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to study the changes in the diet of Astyanax altiparanae in the early developmental stages, in the presence of Eichhornia crassipes (EC) and Lemna sp. (LM), larvae of Astyanax altiparanae were stocked in eight tanks of 900 L (500 ind. tank-1), four with EC and four with LM covering 50% surface. Tanks were inoculated with plankton and received 3.0 g inorganic fertilizer (NPK-7:14:8) and 1.5 g every week. At every three days, three larvae were taken from each tank, fixed in 4% formaldehyde and grouped into four age classes (I: 6 to 12 days, II:15 to 21 days, III:24 to 30 days; IV:33 to 39 days). The analysis of dominance and frequency of occurrence (FO) of food items indicated that, at this stage, A. altiparanae is generalist. In class I, there was a greater dominance and FO of Lecane bulla and Alona sp. in digestive tracts in the presence of both EC and LM, respectively; and larvae started to consume larger organisms, such as Chironomidae, in other age classes with EC. In the presence of LM, Alona sp. was dominant in class II; Chironomidae, in class III and Centropyxis sp., in class IV. Diatoms have greater FO both in EC and in LM. In class III, with EC, Chironomidae had higher FO, as well as Arcella sp. and Scenedesmus spp. with LM. The highest FO in class IV was found for L. bulla and Scenedesmus spp., with EC and LM, respectively. It can be concluded that EC and LM influenced the diet of Astyanax altiparanae, with alterations according to the availability of organisms and increase in age.

Blood and urine laboratory tests are necessary to diagnose the state of the patient. These tests are also helpful in the assessment of diet and nutritional status of the organism. It is recommended that both blood and urine for laboratory tests be collected in the morning, from fasting patients after an overnight rest. These conditions are defined as the standard conditions for collection of material for laboratory testing. Before testing, patients should follow their natural diet and avoid physical exertion, night work, long-distance travel, as well as consumption of alcohol and drugs. They should also reduce the consumption of synthetic vitamins and herbal remedies and other dietary supplements. Medications should be limited to those that are absolutely necessary. All of these factors can affect the results of laboratory tests.

Background and Objectives: Some studies have shown that body fat distribution pattern, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), which differentiate between gynoid (hip) and android (abdominal) obesity, have a more important role in identification of diseases’ risk compared to body mass index (BMI). This study was conducted aiming at determining the association between type of obesity and level of changes in obesity indices following weight-loss diet.Methods: This study was performed on 301 women with overweight (BMI>25) and obesity (BMI>30), and according to WHR criteria for measuring abdominal obesity, the subjects were divided into three groups: 1) 102 subjects with WHR0.85, women with severe abdominal obesity (android). Then, the effect of one month diet with a fixed ratio of macronutrients was assessed on the changes of obesity indices, including weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC). To investigate obesity indices in the three groups, one-way analysis of variance test was used. The level of significance was considered 0.05.Results: By following this diet, significant decreases were seen in weight (p

We investigated the responses of the assemblage of Oligochaeta and Aeolosomatidae to organic pollution; comparing taxonomic richness, diversity, abundance, and diet of the individuals inhabiting two lowland streams with different degrees of anthropic impact (the Rodríguez and the Carnaval) belonging to the Río de la Plata basin, Argentina. The physicochemical parameters in the Rodríguez Stream indicated a strong deterioration of the water quality compared to that of the Carnaval. A canonical-correlation analysis indicated that the Tubificinae, Megadrili, Enchytraeidae, and Rhyacodrilinae were more closely associated with the Rodríguez Stream; whereas the Naidinae, Pristininae, and Opystocystidae were more highly represented in the Carnaval. The diversity and taxonomic richness in the Rodríguez Stream exhibited significant differences from those of the Carnaval (P

Objective: The risk for cognitive decline and for developing Alzheimer's disease increases with age. The aetiology is assumed to be of multi-factorial origin, and treatment opportunities are lacking. Despite the multi-factorial origin, many intervention studies focused on single factors to influence cognitive health with inconsistent findings. In this view, more and more intervention studies aim to intervene on multiple factors simultaneously to affect or slow down cognitive decline. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of these multidomain intervention trials. Methods: We conducted a non-systematic literature search in Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and clinical trials databases up to October 2011 to review multidomain interventions that investigated effects of combined lifestyle-related factors on cognitive decline and the progression of dementia. Results: Interest in multidomain interventions increased over the past years. We identified six completed and published trials and eight ongoing or not yet published studies that investigated effects on cognitive outcomes. First completed trials yielded promising results for the combination of exercise and mental training and diet and behavioural weight management. Results of ongoing multidomain trials are awaited. Conclusions: Some evidence suggests that strategies which target multiple factors simultaneously may prove more effective than those focusing on a single mechanism or domain. Larger high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to systematically investigate the cognitive effect of programs comprising physical and mental activity as well as nutritional aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total lipid, total fatty acids and fatty acid composition of Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) larvae and pupae fed by hazelnut, peanut, walnut, almond, and polen were investigated. Food type-related differences in the ratio of total lipid and fatty acids were observed in larvae. The ratios of total fatty acids to total lipids also differed in larvae fed with polen , almond, hazelnut, walnut and peanut and were found as 17.39, 13.65, 13.94, 20.31 and 13.48%, respectively. However, there were no differences in the ratios of total fatty acids to total lipids in pupae. Gas chromatographic investigation of the fatty acid composition of food types revealed that the highest ratios in the foods were oleic acid (C18:1) in almond and hazelnut (67.42 and 80.11%, linoleic acid (C 18:2) for walnut and peanut (61.16 and 49.78%), linolenic acid (C18:3n-3) in polen (38.19%). Larvae fed by walnut and hazelnut exhibied the highest ratio of linoleic acid whereas the ratio of oleic acid was the highest for larvae fed by almond, polen and peanut. In the case of pupae oleic acid had highest ratio when pupae were fed by polen, almond and hazelnut. However the ratio of linoleic acid exceeded others when pupae were fed by walnut and peanut. There were also differences in other fatty acid ratios related to food type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To study alcohol consumption patterns and dietary patterns among Thai people living in provinces with high risk of cardiovascular disease. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was applied using a face-to-face interview. A total of 1698 respondents aged 15–59 years participated. Four provinces from northern, central, eastern and southern Thailand as well as Bangkok were selected. Results: A total of 724 (42.6%) men and 974 (57.4%) women participated in the study. There were more unhealthy habits associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in the regular alcohol drinker group than in the occasional drinker and non-drinker groups. There were differences in diet practices between men and women. Both men and women in the regular alcohol drinker group consumed highly salty food regularly 2.05 and 2.25 times more often than those in the occasional and non-drinker group. They also regularly added fish sauce to ready cooked food 1.57 and 3.62 times more often than the occasional and non-drinker group. Men in the regular alcohol drinker group regularly consumed deep-fried food 1.97 times more often than those in the occasional and non-drinker group. Men in the occasional and non-drinker group regularly consumed fibre food 1.69 times more than those in the regular drinker group. Conclusions: These results showed that alcohol drinkers also consumed poor diets that may put them at risk of development of cardiovascular disease. Programs aimed at increasing knowledge concerning better nutrition and fostering healthy eating habits among alcohol drinkers are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Midhagen G,Åberg A-K, Olcén P, Järnerot G, Valdimarsson T, Dahlbom I, Hansson T, Ström M (KSS, Skövde;Örebro University Hospital; Linköping University Hospital; Pharmacia Diagnostics; and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden). Antibody levels in adult patients with coeliac disease during gluten-free diet: a rapid initial decrease of clinical importance.J Intern Med2004;256: 519–524.Analysis of antibodies against tissue transglutaminase (tTG) has been shown valuable in the diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD) but how quickly serum titres decrease after introduction of a gluten-free diet (GFD) is not known in adults. CD is a well-recognized disorder amongst the general population and many persons try a GFD for fairly vague symptoms before they seek medical advice. Therefore, it is important to determine the time that the serologic tests remain predictive of the disease after the introduction of a GFD.Sera were taken from 22 consecutively biopsy-proven adult patients with CD in connection with the diagnostic biopsy. The patients were followed for 1 year and sera were taken after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after start of a GFD. Sera were stored at−20 °C and analysed for IgA antibodies against gliadin, endomysium and two different commercial tTG assays based on recombinant human tTG (tTGrh) and guinea-pig liver (tTGgp).Twenty patients could be followed during GFD and all antibody titres fell sharply within 1 month after introduction of a GFD and continued to decline during the survey interval. Thirty days after beginning the diet only 58, 84, 74 and 53% of all patients had positive antibody levels of tTGrh, tTGgp, EmA and AGA respectively.As the antibodies used to confirm the diagnosis of CD fall rapidly and continue to decline following the introduction of a GFD, it is important that health care providers carefully inquire about the possibility of self-prescribed diets before patients sought medical attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the association of modifiable factors, such as smoking, body mass index, and alcohol use, with hot flashes, and to ascertain whether the association with hot flashes varies by menopausal stage. A written survey completed by perimenopausal and postmenopausal women enrolling in a randomized, controlled trial of a menopause risk management program in 1999. Survey items included questions on demographics, health status, and health behaviors. A Massachusetts-based health maintenance organization. Female members, age 40 to 65, excluding women with chronic conditions precluding study participation, were randomly selected from an automated medical record system. The majority of the 287 postmenopausal and 468 perimenopausal women participating in the study were white, college educated, and nonsmoking. Approximately 30% of both groups reported experiencing hot flashes. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were developed for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women to identify correlates of reporting any versus no hot flashes. After controlling for age, race, oral contraceptive use, hormone replacement therapy use, and depression, correlates of hot flashes in perimenopausal women were body mass index &ge25 kg/m2 (odds ration [OR], 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28 to 3.12) and alcohol use of 1 to 5 drinks per week (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.86). The only significant correlate of hot flashes in the postmenopausal population was high dietary fat intake (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.81). Although study respondents were from similiar sociodemographic groups and received their health care in the same health maintenance organization, modifiable factors associated with hot flashes were different for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to examine the feeding kinematics of the horn shark, Heterodontus francisci, a member of the most basal clade of galeomorph sharks, the Heterodontiformes. The accessibility of the food was manipulated to determine if the horn shark modulated capture. Three different methods of presenting food were used to mimic the different positions of prey items found in the natural diet of the horn shark. Food was presented unattached to the substrate, securely attached, or fitted snugly in a tube. Using high-speed video kinematic analysis, capture events were examined. Heterodontus francisci uses inertial suction facilitated by rapid mandible depression and labial cartilage protrusion to capture food. The horn shark conforms to a capture kinematic profile characteristic of both basal and derived inertial suction feeding sharks. Unusual post-capture behaviors include body leveraging, use of the mouth to form a seal over food, and chisel-like palatoquadrate protrusion. When presented with food of different accessibility, Heterodontus francisci used one consistent kinematic pattern for capture that was not modulated. Only post-capture behaviors varied according to food accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the use of space, activity patterns, diet, and social interactions were recorded for a group of woolly monkeys (Lagothrix Lagotricha) during 13 months at Tinigua National Park, Macarena, Colombia. In this region, fruit abundance changes throughout the year with a peak during March-April (beginning of the rainy season) and less fruit during September-November (end of rainy season). Woolly monkeys spent most of their time in mature forest where fruit abundance is higher than in open-degraded or flooded forests. Changes in habitat used by monkeys were coupled with changes in fruit supply across vegetation types. On an annual basis, woolly monkeys spent 24% of point samples locomoting, 36% resting, 36% feeding, and 4% on other activities. However, these proportions varied across the year depending on fruit availability. Based on instantaneous samples, the diet consisted mostly of fruits (60%), arthropods (23%), vegetative parts and flowers (17%), and other items (1%). Non-lactating females and juveniles spent more time eating insects than adult males and lactating females; however, significant differences between classes were detected only during the period of fruit scarcity. These differences are probably due to the high extent to which non-lactating females and juveniles were excluded from fruiting trees by males. The high proportion of arthropods in their diet is unusual for primates with large body size and is a possible factor influencing group cohesiveness in woolly monkeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extensive programme of cooking operations, using household recipes, has shown that, apart from aberrant values associated with new pans on first use, the contribution made by 19 Cr/9 Ni stainless-steel cooking utensils to nickel in the diet is negligible. The amount of nickel (0 to 8 μg) derived from the utensils in standard portions of various "aggressive" foodstuffs tested was less than that to be found occurring in 1 square of a bitter-sweet chocolate bar. New pans, if first used with acid fruits, can show a greater pick-up of nickel, which, in the worst case observed, amounted to approximately ⅕ of the normal daily intake for the avenge person (ca. 200 μg). This situation does not recur in subsequent usage, even after the pan has been cleaned by abrasion. A higher rate of nickel release was observed in new pans on first use from 4 manufacturers located in different countries and appears to be a general phenomenon. This could provide a possible explanation for the high pick-up of nickel by acid fruits reported in 1 instance in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence indicates that teeth exhibiting cervical dentine hypersensitivity have open dentinal tubules at the dentine surface. The identification of factors which render dentine exposed and tubules open is important both to the prevention and management of dentine hypersensitivity. In this study, recently extracted teeth were root planed or burred to expose the root dentine. Specimens were horizontally sectioned and then using the apical portion as control, the coronal portions placed in a variety of strong and weak acids and dietary fluids. Examination under the scanning electron microscope revealed a smear layer covering completely underlying tubules on the control root planed or burred portions. Test portions exposed to strong and weak acids showed loss of the smear layer and exposure of large numbers of tubules. Formic and tannic acids produced no changes. Some dietary fluids, in particular red and white wine, citrus fruit juices, apple juice and yogurt produced similar etching effects to the acids. The low pH carbonated drink, coca-cola, and a blackcurrent cordial produced no effects. The results of this study in vitro cannot necessarily be extrapolated to the clinical situation, but suggest that certain dietary factors could play a role in the aetiology of dentine hypersensitivity. Dietary advice to patients may prove important in the management of this often recurrent condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caries development on exposed root surfaces was evaluated in 31 patients who had been subjected to surgical and/or nonsurgical periodontal treatment 8 years earlier due to advanced chronic periodontitis. Besides assessments for evaluation of the periodontal treatment, a number of examinations and tests were carried out in order to assess variables presumed to influence the root surface caries development. Both statistical and graphical analyses were carried out to test differences between groups of subjects and to evaluate the variables studied as possible risk factors for root surface caries. The variables studied were: salivary lactobacillus count, salivary Streptococcus mutans count, plaque score, salivary secretion rate, salivary buffer effect, oral sugar clearance time., dietary habits and the age of the subject. The final results support previous findings from an initial 4-year period that root surface caries occurs, though to a minor extent, in this patient category demonstrating good or excellent periodontal conditions after periodontal treatment. A positive correlation was found between the baseline and final root surface caries scores. After the second 4-year period, the salivary counts of S. mutans and lactobacilli. the plaque score and the dietary habits differed significantly between groups of subjects who had developed 0 or > 5 new DFS %. Root surface caries was far more prevalent when risk values of the variables studied were present than when they were absent. The important variables in this respect differed considerably between the subjects. No single variable was found to be discriminative in all subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Meat is a food with high nutritional density that has significant participation in the Brazilian diet. However, in excess it can cause harm to health. The aim of this study was to analyze the meat intake (g/day) among adults according to sociodemographic, behavioral and health situation characteristics, and to assess the types of meat most consumed. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional population-based study conducted in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, in 2008 and 2009. METHODS: Two-stage cluster sampling was used. The analysis included 948 adults between 20 and 59 years, who were participants in the Campinas Health Survey. Meat intake was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall. RESULTS: The mean meat intake adjusted for sex and age was 182.3 g (95% CI: 170.6-193.9 g), with significantly lower intake among women, individuals aged 50 years or over, those with the presence of two or more self-reported chronic diseases and those with three or more health complaints. Higher meat intake was found in segments with intermediate monthly family income (between 1 and 3 minimum wages), those with 16 or more appliances per household and those who consumed soft drinks seven days a week. Beef was consumed most frequently (44%) among the meats in the diet, followed by poultry, fish and pork. CONCLUSION: The data from this study reveal high meat intake in the population of Campinas and identify the segments that need to be prioritized for strategies directed towards appropriate meat intake.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major health threats in developed countries. Changes in dietary components, such as more protein and lipid intake, can increase the risk of CRC. Diet affects CRC in many ways. They regulate the composition and function of gut microbiota, which have an amazing metabolic capacity and can produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as propionate, acetate, and butyrate. Butyrate is a principal energy source for colonic epithelial cells and plays an important role in maintaining the stability of gut microbiota and the integrity of intestinal epithelium. However, there are few studies reviewing the anti-CRC potentials of butyrate. This review summarizes the recent research progresses in the effect of gut microbiota imbalance and the decrease in intestinal microbial metabolite butyrate caused by unbalanced diet on CRC development, and discusses the mechanisms of butyrate-induced anti-CRC activities, which may guide people to prevent CRC by improving diet structures., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common diseases worldwide, affecting more than 30% of general population. High-fat diets, physical inactivity and obesity, all prevalent in the western societies, are strongly associated with the development and progression of NAFLD. Current drug therapies have not consistently shown substantial beneficial effects. Thus, lifestyle modification appears to be the optimal intervention in combating the disease. Accordingly, several studies have concluded that weight loss, via increase in physical activity, and dietary interventions could potential ameliorate biochemical, histological, and structural abnormalities of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The aim of this review is to summarize the findings of these lifestyle intervention studies and discuss the implementation of each intervention, and its effectiveness in the management of the disease in everyday clinical practice., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)