Nutritional composition of ultra-processed plant-based foods in the out-of-home environment: a multi-country survey with plant-based burgers.

Ultra-processed plant-based foods, such as plant-based burgers, have gained in popularity. Particularly in the out-of-home (OOH) environment, evidence regarding their nutritional profile and environmental sustainability is still evolving. Plant-based burgers available at selected OOH sites were randomly sampled in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Lisbon and London. Plant-based burgers (patty, bread and condiment) (n 41) were lab analysed for their energy, macronutrients, amino acids and minerals content per 100 g and serving and were compared with reference values. For the plant-based burgers, the median values per 100 g were 234 kcal, 20·8 g carbohydrates, 3·5 g dietary fibre and 12·0 g fat, including 0·08 g TFS and 2·2 g SFA. Protein content was 8·9 g/100 g, with low protein quality according to amino acid composition. Median Na content was 389 mg/100 g, equivalent to 1 g salt. Compared with references, the median serving provided 31% of energy intake based on a 2000 kcal per day and contributed to carbohydrates (17-28%), dietary fibre (42%), protein (40%), total fat (48%), SFA (26%) and Na (54%). One serving provided 15-23% of the reference values for Ca, K and Mg, while higher contributions were found for Zn, Mn, P and Fe (30-67%). The ultra-processed plant-based burgers provide protein, dietary fibre and essential minerals and contain relatively high levels of energy, Na and total fats. The amino acid composition indicated low protein quality. The multifaceted nutritional profile of plant-based burgers highlights the need for manufacturers to implement improvements to better support healthy dietary habits, including reducing energy, Na and total fats.

Gate potential-controlled current switching in graphene Y-junctions.

In this work we investigate the ballistic transport of electrons through three-terminal graphene-based devices. The system consists of a Y-shaped junction formed by three armchair-edged graphene nanoribbons with a rectangular gate potential applied to one of the output branches, whereby current control can be established by the controlling of the refractive index in graphene p-n junctions. Transport properties are obtained by using the Landauer-Büttiker formalism and the tight-binding model within the nearest-neighbor approximation, which allows the calculation of the conductance as function of the Fermi energy, the applied potential, and the system size, as well as the current density. The results demonstrate that the applied electric field can tune the current transmission between the input and two output leads and, consequently, the proposed system acts as a current switch.

Current modulation in graphene p-n junctions with external fields.

In this work we describe a proposal for a graphene-based nanostructure that modulates electric current even in the absence of a gap in the band structure. The device consists of a graphene p-n junction that acts as a Veselago lens that focuses ballistic electrons on the output lead. Applying external (electric and magnetic) fields changes the position of the output focus, reducing the transmission. Such device can be applied to low power field effect transistors, which can benefit from graphene's high electronic mobility.

Genetic evaluation for latent variables derived from factor analysis in broilers.

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between several carcass, performance and meat quality traits in broilers through factor analysis and use the latent variables (i.e. factors) as pseudo-phenotypes in genetic evaluations.2. Factors were extracted using the principal components method and varimax rotation algorithm. Genetic parameters were estimated via Bayesian inference under a multiple-trait animal model.3. All factors taken together explained 71% of the original variance of the data. The first factor, denominated as 'weight', was associated with carcass and body weight traits; and the second factor, defined as 'tenderness', represented traits related to water-holding capacity and shear force. The third factor, 'colour', was associated with traits related to meat colour, whereas the fourth, referenced as 'viscera', was related to heart, liver and abdominal fat.4. The four biological factors presented moderate to high heritability (ranging from 0.35 to 0.75), which may confer genetic gains in this population.5. In conclusion, it seems possible to reduce the number of traits in the genetic evaluation of broilers using latent variables derived from factor analysis.

Assessment of gastric emptying of maltodextrin, coffee with milk and orange juice during labour at term using point of care ultrasound: a non-inferiority randomised clinical trial.

Labouring women have been shown to have slower gastric emptying than non-pregnant subjects, and this argument is sometimes used to recommend fasting guidelines such as nil-by-mouth during labour. We performed a parallel group, randomised non-inferiority trial, comparing gastric emptying of 450 ml isocalorically-adjusted maltodextrin, coffee with milk or pulp-free orange juice, with 18 women in each group. The women were initially fasted for 2 h for clear fluids, 6 h for a light meal and 8 h for a high fat or high protein meal. We performed gastric ultrasound in the semirecumbent-right lateral decubitus position. Gastric antral area was measured at baseline and at 5 min, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min and 120 min. Gastric emptying of maltodextrin was significantly faster than coffee with milk (p < 0.001) and orange juice (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between pulp-free orange juice and coffee with milk (p = 0.97). The estimated gastric residual volume was lower than baseline from 90 min after drinking maltodextrin. In labouring women, maltodextrin is cleared from the stomach faster than coffee with milk and orange juice. Gastric emptying depends on other factors besides the caloric load and volume of the drink.

Using quantile regression methodology to evaluate changes in the shape of growth curves in pigs selected for increased feed efficiency based on residual feed intake.

Growth rate is a major component of feed efficiency when estimating residual feed intake (RFI). Quantile regression (QR) methodology can be used to identify animals with different growth trajectories. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of QR to identify phenotypic and genetic differences in pigs selected for low RFI. Using performance data on 750 Yorkshire pigs selected for low RFI, individual average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), RFI and Gompertz growth curve parameters (asymptotic weight (a), inflection point (b) and decay parameter (c)) were estimated for each pig. Using QR methodology, three Gompertz growth curves were estimated for the whole population for three quantiles (0.1, 0.5 and 0.9) of the BW data. Each animal was classified into one of the quantile regression groups (QRG) based on their overall Euclidian distance between each observed and estimated BW from the quantile growth curves. These three curves were also estimated using only part of the data (generations -1 to 3, and -1 to 4) in order to evaluate the agreement classification rate of animals from later generations into QRGs. We evaluated the effect of QRG on growth parameters and performance traits. Genetic parameters were estimated for these traits, as well as for QRG. In addition, genetic trends for each QRG were estimated. Three distinct growth curves were observed for animals classified into either quantiles 0.1 (QRG0.1), 0.5 (QRG0.5) or 0.9 (QRG0.9). When only part of the data was used to estimate quantile growth curves, all animals from QRG0.1 were correctly classified in their group. Animals in QRG0.1 had significantly lower ADFI, ADG and RFI, and greater a, b and c than animals in the other groups. Quantile regression groups analysed as a trait was highly heritable (0.41) and had high (0.8) and moderate (0.46) genetic correlations with ADG and RFI, respectively. Selection for reduced RFI increased the number of animals classified as QRG0.1 in the population. Overall, downward genetic trends were observed for all traits as a function of selection for reduced RFI. However, QRG0.1 was the only group that had a positive genetic trend for ADG. Altogether, these results indicate that selection for reduced RFI changes the shape of growth curves in Yorkshire in pigs, and that QR methodology was able to identify animals having different genetic potential for feed efficiency, bringing a new opportunity to improve selection for reduced RFI.

Regularized quantile regression for SNP marker estimation of pig growth curves.

BACKGROUND: Genomic growth curves are generally defined only in terms of population mean; an alternative approach that has not yet been exploited in genomic analyses of growth curves is the Quantile Regression (QR). This methodology allows for the estimation of marker effects at different levels of the variable of interest. We aimed to propose and evaluate a regularized quantile regression for SNP marker effect estimation of pig growth curves, as well as to identify the chromosome regions of the most relevant markers and to estimate the genetic individual weight trajectory over time (genomic growth curve) under different quantiles (levels). RESULTS: The regularized quantile regression (RQR) enabled the discovery, at different levels of interest (quantiles), of the most relevant markers allowing for the identification of QTL regions. We found the same relevant markers simultaneously affecting different growth curve parameters (mature weight and maturity rate): two (ALGA0096701 and ALGA0029483) for RQR(0.2), one (ALGA0096701) for RQR(0.5), and one (ALGA0003761) for RQR(0.8). Three average genomic growth curves were obtained and the behavior was explained by the curve in quantile 0.2, which differed from the others. CONCLUSIONS: RQR allowed for the construction of genomic growth curves, which is the key to identifying and selecting the most desirable animals for breeding purposes. Furthermore, the proposed model enabled us to find, at different levels of interest (quantiles), the most relevant markers for each trait (growth curve parameter estimates) and their respective chromosomal positions (identification of new QTL regions for growth curves in pigs). These markers can be exploited under the context of marker assisted selection while aiming to change the shape of pig growth curves.

Regularized quantile regression applied to genome-enabled prediction of quantitative traits.

Genomic selection (GS) is a variant of marker-assisted selection, in which genetic markers covering the whole genome predict individual genetic merits for breeding. GS increases the accuracy of breeding values (BV) prediction. Although a variety of statistical models have been proposed to estimate BV in GS, few methodologies have examined statistical challenges based on non-normal phenotypic distributions, e.g., skewed distributions. Traditional GS models estimate changes in the phenotype distribution mean, i.e., the function is defined for the expected value of trait-conditional on markers, E(Y|X). We proposed an approach based on regularized quantile regression (RQR) for GS to improve the estimation of marker effects and the consequent genomic estimated BV (GEBV). The RQR model is based on conditional quantiles, Qτ(Y|X), enabling models that fit all portions of a trait probability distribution. This allows RQR to choose one quantile function that "best" represents the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Data were simulated for 1000 individuals. The genome included 1500 markers; most had a small effect and only a few markers with a sizable effect were simulated. We evaluated three scenarios according to symmetrical, positively, and negatively skewed distributions. Analyses were performed using Bayesian LASSO (BLASSO) and RQR considering three quantiles (0.25, 0.50, and 0.75). The use of RQR to estimate GEBV was efficient; the RQR method achieved better results than BLASSO, at least for one quantile model fit for all evaluated scenarios. The gains in relation to BLASSO were 86.28 and 55.70% for positively and negatively skewed distributions, respectively.

Using artificial neural networks to select upright cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes with high productivity and phenotypic stability.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is grown in three Brazilian regions: the Midwest, North, and Northeast, and is consumed by people on low incomes. It is important to investigate the genotype x environment (GE) interaction to provide accurate recommendations for farmers. The aim of this study was to identify cowpea genotypes with high adaptability and phenotypic stability for growing in the Brazilian Cerrado, and to compare the use of artificial neural networks with the Eberhart and Russell (1966) method. Six trials with upright cowpea genotypes were conducted in 2005 and 2006 in the States of Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso. The data were subjected to adaptability and stability analysis by the Eberhart and Russell (1966) method and artificial neural networks. The genotypes MNC99-537F-4 and EVX91-2E-2 provided grain yields above the overall environment means, and exhibited high stability according to both methods. Genotype IT93K-93-10 was the most suitable for unfavorable environments. There was a high correlation between the results of both methods in terms of classifying the genotypes by their adaptability and stability. Therefore, this new approach would be effective in quantifying the GE interaction in upright cowpea breeding programs.

Bayesian forecasting of temporal gene expression by using an autoregressive panel data approach.

We propose and evaluate a novel approach for forecasting gene expression over non-observed times in longitudinal trials under a Bayesian viewpoint. One of the aims is to cluster genes that share similar expression patterns over time and then use this similarity to predict relative expression at time points of interest. Expression values of 106 genes expressed during the cell cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used and genes were partitioned into five distinct clusters of sizes 33, 32, 21, 16, and 4. After removing the last observed time point, the agreements of signals (upregulated or downregulated) considering the predicted expression level were 72.7, 81.3, 76.2, 68.8, and 50.0%, respectively, for each cluster. The percentage of credibility intervals that contained the true values of gene expression for a future time was ~90%. The methodology performed well, providing a valid forecast of gene expression values by fitting an autoregressive panel data model. This approach is easily implemented with other time-series models and when Poisson and negative binomial probability distributions are assumed for the gene expression data.

Factor analysis applied to genome prediction for high-dimensional phenotypes in pigs.

The aim of the present study was to propose and evaluate the use of factor analysis (FA) in obtaining latent variables (factors) that represent a set of pig traits simultaneously, for use in genome-wide selection (GWS) studies. We used crosses between outbred F2 populations of Brazilian Piau X commercial pigs. Data were obtained on 345 F2 pigs, genotyped for 237 SNPs, with 41 traits. FA allowed us to obtain four biologically interpretable factors: "weight", "fat", "loin", and "performance". These factors were used as dependent variables in multiple regression models of genomic selection (Bayes A, Bayes B, RR-BLUP, and Bayesian LASSO). The use of FA is presented as an interesting alternative to select individuals for multiple variables simultaneously in GWS studies; accuracy measurements of the factors were similar to those obtained when the original traits were considered individually. The similarities between the top 10% of individuals selected by the factor, and those selected by the individual traits, were also satisfactory. Moreover, the estimated markers effects for the traits were similar to those found for the relevant factor.

Profile of organ donors in Ceará, northeastern Brazil, from 1998 to 2012.

The use of cadaver donors for transplantation is often the only alternative in the treatment of patients with organ failure. The purpose of this study was to draw a comprehensive profile of solid organ donors in Ceará, northeastern Brazil, from 1998 to 2012. The study was retrospective and based on secondary data regarding sex, age, blood typing, and cause of brain death obtained from the solid organ donor database of the Ceará Transplantation Center covering the period November 1998 to December 2012. During the study period, 976 donors (69% male) were used. Donors were distributed in 4 age groups as follows: 12.9% <18 years, 50.9% 18-40 years, 28.5% 41-60 years, and 7.7% >60 years. The average age was 35 ± 16 years. On the average, female donors were older than male donors (38.4 ± 17 y vs 33.5 ± 16 y; P < .0001). Men were predominant in the age groups 18-40 y (75.3%; P < .0001) and 41-60 y (59.4%; P < .0001). The main causes of brain death were traumatic brain injury (TBI) (56.7%) and stroke (33.1%). The former was more common in men (P < .0001), the latter in women (P < .0001). TBI was caused by traffic accidents (51.4%), of which 50.7% were motorcycle accidents, and urban violence (22.6%), of which 71.2% were associated with firearms. The number of donations increased in the study period (11.2 donors per million population in 1998-2002 to 68.1 in 2008-2012). In Ceará, solid organ donation is on the rise. The predominant donor profile was young men aged 18-40 years with brain death due to TBI caused by traffic accidents and urban violence.

Nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease in chronic hepatitis B and C patients from Western Amazon.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a wide spectrum of histological conditions, extending from simple steatosis to end-stage liver failure. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of NAFLD and its associations in chronic hepatitis B and C patients. Methods. We included all patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and C who underwent a liver biopsy between January 2010 and October 2011 (n = 104). Parameters studied included hepatitis type, anthropometric data, histologic, hepatic, metabolic and lipid assessments, presence of hypertension and viral load. Results. Hepatitis B was presented in 28.8% (n = 30) of patients, while hepatitis C was presented in 71.2% (n = 74). In addition, hepatic steatosis was present in 25% (n = 26) of the patients. Steatosis was frequently found in hepatitis C patients (31.1%; 25% n = 23), but infrequently in hepatitis B patients (10%; n = 3) (P = 0.024). It was also found that steatosis was frequently present in hepatitis C patients with intense fibrosis (52.94%) (P = 0.025). Discussion. Our results suggest that steatosis is a common feature in patients with viral chronic hepatitis, and that it plays a different role in each type of hepatitis.

Effects of depot growth hormone replacement on thyroid function and volume in adults with congenital isolated growth hormone deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting data exist on the effects of GH replacement therapy (GHRT) on thyroid function and thyroid volume (TV) in GH-deficient (GHD) patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of GHRT on thyroid function and TV in adults with congenital lifetime isolated GHD (IGHD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 20 GH-naïve adults with IGHD due to a homozygous mutation of the GHRH-receptor gene at baseline, after 6-month depot- GH replacement therapy (pGH), and 6-month washout (6mo). Total T(3), free T(4) (FT(4)), reverse T(3) (rT(3)), TSH, IGF-I, SHBG, and TV were measured; body surface area-corrected TV (CTV) was calculated. RESULTS: IGF-I and T(3) increased pGH. T(3) levels remained elevated at 6mo. GHRT did not significantly change FT(4), rT(3), TSH, and SHBG. TV and CTV increased pGH and remained elevated at 6mo. CONCLUSIONS: GHRT in IGHD adults caused an increase in serum T(3) levels and TV, suggesting an important role of the GH-IGF-I axis in thyroid function.

Esporotricose canina: relato de caso / Canine sporotrichosis: case report

Relata-se um caso de esporotricose em um cão da raça Boxer, macho, com seis anos, encaminhado para uma consulta por causa de massa na região nasal e de dispneia. Após o exame físico, o animal foi internado para a realização de citologia, histologia e radiografia. Nos exames citológico e radiográfico, não foram constatadas alterações que justificassem a massa e a dispneia. Na histologia, observou-se a presença de um granuloma contendo dois esporos de Sporothrix schenckii. Foi realizado tratamento com itraconazol 5mg/kg BID por 60 dias. Após esse período, a massa desapareceu e a respiração do animal melhorou, tendo sido recomendada a manutenção da terapia por mais 30 dias, para evitar recidiva.

A case of canine sporotrichosis was reported in a six-year-old male Boxer, referred to a veterinary hospital because of a mass in the region of the nose and dyspnea. After physical examination, the animal was submitted to cytological, histological, and radiographic exams. The cytological and radiographic exams showed no alterations that could justify the mass and the dyspnea. The histological exam showed the presence of a granuloma with two Sporothrix schenckii spores. The dog was treated with itraconazol 5mg/kg BID during 60 days. After this period, the mass disappeared and breathing improved. The therapy was maintained for 30 other days to avoid relapse.

A novel mutation in the TPO gene in goitrous hypothyroid patients with iodide organification defect.

OBJECTIVE: To screen and subsequently sequence the TPO gene for mutations in patients with congenital goitre, hypothyroidism and evidence for an organification defect (positive perchlorate discharge test). PATIENTS: We have studied seven hypothyroid and congenitally goitrous patients from three unrelated families. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: We have measured serum thyroid hormone levels, 131I uptake, serum TSH and serum Tg concentrations. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR amplified genomic DNA was used to screen for mutations in the TPO gene. RESULTS: DGGE identified the presence of two frameshift mutations: a GGCC duplication in exon 8 (homozygous in one family and heterozygous in the other family) and a heterozygous insertion of a single nucleotide (C) at position 2505-2511 in exon 14. In addition, we have detected an alteration in exon 11, not yet described in the literature, derived from a single nucleotide substitution of a C to G at position 2008, altering the well-conserved amino acid domain among the peroxidases superfamily. This mutation in exon 11 was present in two families that showed heterozygous mutation for exon 8 or for exon 14. CONCLUSIONS: These results could support the hypothesis for a putative compound heterozygosity pattern in the affected patients. The altered phenotype (goitre and hypothyroidism since birth) seems justifiable in view of the possible inactivating character of this novel mutation in exon 11.

Frequency of chromosomal aberrations in a subject accidentally exposed to 137Cs in the Goiania (Brazil) radiation accident: intercomparison among four laboratories.

After the Goiania radiation accident which occurred in Brazil in September 1987, an intercomparison was performed to determine whether different cytogenetic laboratories would score similar frequencies of chromosomal aberrations in cultures of lymphocytes of a highly exposed patient. For this purpose 2 chromosome slides from the subject were scored by 4 laboratories in total. The results were consistently close and confirmed the high frequency of chromosome-type aberrations observed initially in the patient.

The fate of chromosomal aberrations in 137Cs-exposed individuals in the Goiânia radiation accident.

Following the Goiânia radiation accident, lymphocytes from 110 exposed or potentially exposed individuals were analyzed for the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations (dicentrics and centric rings) to estimate absorbed radiation dose. Dose estimates for 21 subjects exceeded 1.0 Gy, and for eight subjects they exceeded 4.0 Gy. Four of the subjects died. After the emergency period, a cytogenetic follow-up of 10 of the highest exposed patients was started. The results suggest that the average disappearance half-time of lymphocytes containing dicentric and centric rings was 130 d, which is shorter than the usually accepted value of 3 y reported in the literature.

Asma induzida por exercicio. / Exercise induced asthma

Asma induzida por exercicio e uma entidade que se manifesta basicamente quando o paciente realiza algum tipo de exercicio; ha um aumento do tonus bronquico cinco minutos apos o termino do exercicio e o retorno as condicoes basais aproximadamente 60 minutos mais tarde. E mais comum em individuos jovens, com discreto predominio no sexo masculino. Varios tipos de exercicios sao utilizados como desencadeadores de asma mas o mais pratico e a cicloergometria.O metodo mais simples e barato para a comprovacao do quadro asmatico e a curva expiratoria forcada de onde tiram-se o volume expiratorio forcado no primeiro segundo e o fluxo expiratorio forcado 25-75%. Uma diminuicao de 20% nesses parametros e significativa de que houve asma. Outros testes, como resistencia e condutancia das vias aereas ou curva fluxo-volume respirando ar ou mistura helio-oxigenio tambem podem ser utilizados. A patogenese da asma induzida por exercicio e bastante discutida mas atualmente acredita-se que o fator basico seja a perda de calor e agua das vias aereas desses pacientes. Assim, sao elementos prejudiciais a esses pacientes volume minuto elevado e ar com baixas temperatura ou saturacao de agua