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Caloric Content (caloric + content)
Selected AbstractsEffect of the Environmental Factors on the Caloric Content of Benthic and Phytophilous Invertebrates in Neotropical Reservoirs in the Paraná State, BrazilINTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Yara Moretto Bagatini Abstract The complexity of the relations between the organisms and the environment are reflected through the energy content. So we tested the hypothesis on body energy content variation in invertebrates and its relation with some environmental factors (season, habitat type, trophic status and trophic guild). We expected higher energy values for phytophilous fauna, rainy season, in reservoirs with higher trophic levels and for herbivorous invertebrates. The results showed the influence of seasonality and trophic status of the reservoir on the energy content of invertebrates, which was higher in the rainy season and in the mesotrophic reservoirs, due to the input of allochthonous material during this season, confirming our initial prediction. A higher caloric content was recorded for carnivorous and detritivorous invertebrates. The differences between the trophic guilds were primarily related to the opportunistic feeding behavior, which may be considered as one of the main factors controlling the energy flow of benthic and phytophilous invertebrates. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Errors in patient perception of caloric deficit required for weight loss,observations from the Diet Plate Trial,DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 5 2010G. A. Kline Persons with obesity may be poor estimators of caloric content of food. Health care professionals encourage patients to consult nutritional labels as one strategy to assess and restrict caloric intake. Among subjects enrolled in a weight loss clinical trial, the objective is to determine the accuracy of subjects' estimates of caloric deficit needed to achieve the desired weight loss. A 6-month controlled trial demonstrated efficacy of a portion control tool to induce weight loss in 130 obese people with type 2 diabetes. All subjects had previously received dietary teaching from a dietician and a nurse. At baseline, patients were asked how much weight they would like to lose and to quantitatively estimate the caloric deficit required to achieve this weight loss. The stated amount of weight loss desired ranged from 4.5 to 73 kg, with an average of 26.6 kg (n = 127 respondents). Only 30% of participants were willing to estimate the required caloric deficit to lose their target weight. Subjects' per kilograms estimate of caloric deficit required ranged from 0.7 to 2 000 000 calories/kg with a median of 86 calories/kg. Nearly half of subjects (47.4%) underestimated the total required caloric deficit to achieve their target weight loss by greater than 100 000 calories. Despite attendance at a diabetes education centre, this population of obese individuals had a poor understanding of the quantitative relationship between caloric deficit and weight loss. Educational initiatives focused upon quantitative caloric intake and its impact on weight change may be needed to assist obese patients in setting appropriate weight loss goals and achieving the appropriate daily caloric restriction required for success. [source] Decline in the quality of suspended fine particulate matter as a food resource for chironomids downstream of an urban areaFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2004Emma J. Rosi-MarshallArticle first published online: 16 APR 200 Summary 1. Urbanization and its associated contamination could degrade the quality of suspended fine particulate organic matter (SFPM) (20 ,m to 1 mm) as a food resource for aquatic insects. SFPM was collected at four sites along the main stem of the Chattahoochee River, which drains metropolitan Atlanta at base and high flow during four seasons. 2. Composition of SFPM was estimated using measures conventionally associated with food quality: bacteria, N/C ratio, caloric content, % inorganic, and % lipids, and metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) concentration. In SFPM collected during base flow, % inorganic matter, calories, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations increased with cumulative permitted wastewater treatment discharge (an indicator of extent of urbanization upstream). In SFPM samples collected during high flow, % diatoms, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations increased with urbanization. 3. A growth assay was used as an integrated and direct measure of SFPM quality as a food resource. The instantaneous growth rate (IGR) of chironomids fed SFPM collected during base flow declined downstream of the city. IGRs of chironomids fed SFPM collected at all sites during high flow were as low as the lowest IGR measured during base flow. 4. Insects fed SFPM collected from the Chattahoochee River had IGRs only 20% of those of chironomids fed SFPM collected from the Little Tennessee River, a relatively undisturbed river in North Carolina. The mortality rate of chironomids fed SFPM was not different among sites or rivers. While the decline in SFPM quality in the Chattahoochee River is probably attributable to some aspect of urbanization, the decline was not related to conventional measures of food quality or metal contamination. [source] Effect of the Environmental Factors on the Caloric Content of Benthic and Phytophilous Invertebrates in Neotropical Reservoirs in the Paraná State, BrazilINTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Yara Moretto Bagatini Abstract The complexity of the relations between the organisms and the environment are reflected through the energy content. So we tested the hypothesis on body energy content variation in invertebrates and its relation with some environmental factors (season, habitat type, trophic status and trophic guild). We expected higher energy values for phytophilous fauna, rainy season, in reservoirs with higher trophic levels and for herbivorous invertebrates. The results showed the influence of seasonality and trophic status of the reservoir on the energy content of invertebrates, which was higher in the rainy season and in the mesotrophic reservoirs, due to the input of allochthonous material during this season, confirming our initial prediction. A higher caloric content was recorded for carnivorous and detritivorous invertebrates. The differences between the trophic guilds were primarily related to the opportunistic feeding behavior, which may be considered as one of the main factors controlling the energy flow of benthic and phytophilous invertebrates. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Postprandial Hypotension in Long-Term Care Elderly Patients on Enteral FeedingJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 9 2006Emily Lubart MD OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence and nature of postprandial hypotension (PPH) in orally fed (OF), nasogastric tube (NGT)-fed, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)-fed older people. DESIGN: Prospective comparative study. SETTING: Nursing and skilled nursing wards of three geriatrics hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Three groups (OF, PEG, NGT) of long-term care patients (50 in each cohort) were enrolled. MEASUREMENTS: Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate measurements were obtained just before lunch and at 15-minute intervals for 90 minutes after the completion of the meal. The meals were similar in caloric content and composition. RESULTS: PPH was evidenced in 64 (43%) patients. No significant intergroup (OF, PEG, NGT) differences were present. In 68% of PPH patients, the systolic BP (SBP) drop appeared within 30 minutes, and 70% reached their systolic nadir at 60 minutes. In 31%, the SBP drop was registered on only one measurement, whereas in 25%, the drop was detected on five to six measurements. All parameters were without notable intergroup differences. CONCLUSION: In enterally fed elderly patients (NGT or PEG), the rate and pattern of PPH are similar and not significantly different from that observed in OF patients. [source] Effect of Chronic Ethanol on Enkephalin in the Hypothalamus and Extra-Hypothalamic AreasALCOHOLISM, Issue 5 2010Guo-Qing Chang Background:, Ethanol may be consumed for reasons such as reward, anxiety reduction, or caloric content, and the opioid enkephalin (ENK) appears to be involved in many of these functions. Previous studies in Sprague,Dawley rats have demonstrated that ENK in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is stimulated by voluntary consumption of ethanol. This suggests that this opioid peptide may be involved in promoting the drinking of ethanol, consistent with our recent findings that PVN injections of ENK analogs stimulate ethanol intake. To broaden our understanding of how this peptide functions throughout the brain to promote ethanol intake, we measured, in rats trained to drink 9% ethanol, the expression of the ENK gene in additional brain areas outside the hypothalamus, namely, the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) and core (NAcC), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). Methods:, In the first experiment, the brains of rats chronically drinking 1 g/kg/d ethanol, 3 g/kg/d ethanol, or water were examined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In the second experiment, a more detailed, anatomic analysis of changes in gene expression, in rats chronically drinking 3 g/kg/d ethanol compared to water, was performed using radiolabeled in situ hybridization (ISH). The third experiment employed digoxigenin-labeled ISH (DIG) to examine changes in the density of cells expressing ENK and, for comparison, dynorphin (DYN) in rats chronically drinking 3 g/kg/d ethanol versus water. Results:, With qRT-PCR, the rats chronically drinking ethanol plus water compared to water alone showed significantly higher levels of ENK mRNA, not only in the PVN but also in the VTA, NAcSh, NAcC, and mPFC, although not in the CeA. Using radiolabeled ISH, levels of ENK mRNA in rats drinking ethanol were found to be elevated in all areas examined, including the CeA. The experiment using DIG confirmed this effect of ethanol, showing an increase in density of ENK-expressing cells in all areas studied. It additionally revealed a similar change in DYN mRNA in the PVN, mPFC, and CeA, although not in the NAcSh or NAcC. Conclusions:, While distinguishing the NAc as a site where ENK and DYN respond differentially, these findings lead us to propose that these opioids, in response to voluntary ethanol consumption, are generally elevated in extra-hypothalamic as well as hypothalamic areas, possibly to carry out specific area-related functions that, in turn, drive animals to further consume ethanol. These functions include calorie ingestion in the PVN, reward and motivation in the VTA and NAcSh, response-reinforcement learning in the NAcC, stress reduction in the CeA, and behavioral control in the mPFC. [source] Ethanol-Induced Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Rat Placenta: Relevance to Pregnancy LossALCOHOLISM, Issue 3 2010Fusun Gundogan Background:, Ethanol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of early pregnancy loss and causes intrauterine growth restriction. We previously showed that chronic gestational exposure to ethanol impairs placentation, and that this effect is associated with inhibition of insulin and insulin growth factor signaling. Since ethanol also causes oxidative stress and DNA damage, we extended our investigations to assess the role of these pathological processes on placentation and placental gene expression. Methods:, Pregnant Long Evans rats were pair-fed liquid diets containing 0% or 24% ethanol by caloric content. Placentas harvested on gestation day 16 were used to examine DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, apoptosis, mitochondrial gene/protein and hormonal gene expression in relation to ethanol exposure. Results:, Gestational exposure to ethanol increased fetal resorption, and trophoblast apoptosis/necrosis, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation. These adverse effects of ethanol were associated with increased expression of pro-apoptotic (Bax and Bak) and reduced levels of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. In addition, increased trophoblast apoptosis proneness was associated with p53-independent activation of p21, reduced mitochondrial gene and protein expression, and dysregulated expression of prolactin (PRL) family hormones that are required for implantation and pregnancy-related adaptations. Conclusions:, Chronic gestational exposure to ethanol increases fetal demise due to impaired survival and mitochondrial function, increased oxidative stress, DNA damage and lipid peroxidation, and dysregulated expression of prolactin family hormones in placental trophoblasts. [source] ASSESSING CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS FOR FOOD BARS BY CONJOINT ANALYSISJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 6 2009K. MAHANNA ABSTRACT Food bars, which include meal replacement, protein, granola and cereal bars, have rapidly increased in sales with current estimation of above $3.2 billion. Despite such rapid growth in the market, research on consumer expectations for these products is still lacking. Conjoint analysis was used to probe the effect of different elements of food bar products on purchase intent, including types of bar, ingredients, macro-nutrients, health claims, calories and sensory characteristics. Overall, consumers wanted a food bar to be less than 150 kcal, made with whole grains and higher in protein. Consumers divided into four mind-set segments were characterized as "Label Readers" (n = 213), "Calorie Health Nuts" (n = 90), "Flavor Energy Seekers" (n = 79) and "Chocolate Lovers" (n = 44). Sensory characteristics and types of bar categories were not important to consumers, although calorie elements played the largest role in motivating purchase intent for food bars. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The results found from this research help to guide new product development in the food bar market by identifying the desires of specific consumer segments. Consumers were interested in food bar products with lower calorie content, which supports the idea that food bars are more typically consumed as a snack than a meal replacement. Half of the sample consumers tested belonged to the "Label Readers" segment. These consumers are interested in a healthful food bar product high in fiber. Development of a bar that is considered healthful would appeal not only to the "Label Readers" segment, but also to the "Calorie Health Nuts" segment. When developing a food bar product, the labeled bar type or sensory claims are not important to consumers. Consumers are more interested in the ingredients and caloric content of the food bar. [source] A MOUSE MODEL FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF INGESTED NUTRIENTS ON GASTRIC EMPTYING RATECLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1-2 2007Erin L Symonds SUMMARY 1The nutrient content of meals can affect the rate of gastric emptying. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the gastric emptying breath test could detect nutrient-induced delays in gastric emptying. 2Following ingestion of a non-nutrient, carbohydrate- or lipid-containing liquid, mice were placed into chambers and breath samples were collected at intervals. Analysis of the rate of 13CO2 excretion allowed the calculation of gastric half-excretion time. 3Gastric half-excretion time was significantly delayed by the incorporation of carbohydrate or lipid into the test liquid. 4The present study has shown that the breath test is sensitive enough to detect changes induced by altering the nutrient and caloric content of test meals. [source] | |||||||||||||