Modulation of the expression of components of the stress response by dietary arachidonic acid in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larvae

This study reports for the first time in European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), larvae, the effect of different levels of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n-6) on the expression of genes related to the fish stress response. Copies of mRNA from genes related to steroidogenesis (StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein), c-Fos, and CYP11β (11β- hydroxylase gene)), glucocorticoid receptor complex (GR (glucorticoid receptor) and HSP (heat shock proteins) 70 and 90) and antioxidative stress (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)) were quantified. Eighteen day-old larvae were fed for 14 days with three experimental diets with increasing levels of ARA (0.3, 0.6 and 1.2% d.w.) and similar levels of docosahexaenoic (DHA; 22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA; 20:5n-3) acids (5 and 3%, respectively). The quantification of stress-related genes transcripts was conducted by One-Step TaqMan real time RT-PCR with the standard curve method (absolute quantification). Increase dietary levels of ARA induced a significantly (p<0.05) down-regulation of genes related to cortisol synthesis, such as StAR and CYP11β and up-regulated genes related to glucocorticoid receptor complex, such as HSP70 and GR. No effects were observed on antioxidant enzymes gene expression. These results revealed the regulatory role of dietary ARA on the expression of stress-related genes in European sea bass larvae

Effect of a Nutrition Supplement and Physical Activity Program on Pneumonia and Walking Capacity in Chilean Older People: A Factorial Cluster Randomized Trial

Alan Dangour and colleagues report results from the CENEX (Cost-effectiveness Evaluation of a Nutritional supplement and EXercise program for older people) trial, which evaluates a nutritional and exercise program aiming to prevent pneumonia and physical decline in Chilean people

Estado nutricional de gestantes avaliado por três diferentes métodos de classificação antropométrica Nutritional status of pregnant women according to three different anthropometric classification methods

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o estado nutricional de gestantes por três diferentes métodos. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal, realizado entre janeiro e junho de 2006, com 992 gestantes de um serviço público. O estado nutricional foi classificado por diferentes métodos de avaliação: nomograma de Rosso, método de Atalah e gestograma do Centro Latino Americano de Perinatologia. Os resultados foram comparados com o estado nutricional de mulheres não gestantes em idade reprodutiva da Região Nordeste e do Brasil. As diferenças foram analisadas pelo teste qui-quadrado de bondade de ajuste, adotando-se o nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: O baixo peso gravídico avaliado pelo nomograma de Rosso foi a condição que mais contribuiu para a diferença encontrada (p<0,001). Pelo método de Atalah, as diferenças extremas também foram observadas nas prevalências de baixo peso gravídico tanto no grupo de mulheres da Região Nordeste quanto do Brasil. Em relação ao gestograma do Centro Latino Americano de Perinatologia, os maiores diferenciais de prevalência também ocorreram na condição de baixo peso: 18% versus 7,4% para a Região Nordeste e 18% versus 6,7% para o Brasil, embora tenha sido o método de avaliação que mais se aproximou dos resultados da população de comparação. CONCLUSÃO: A distribuição do estado nutricional, avaliado pelos três métodos, foi diferente da distribuição nutricional da população de não gestantes tanto em nível regional quanto em nível nacional, particularmente o Nomograma de Rosso, demonstrando utilidade limitada desses instrumentos. A avaliação pelo Centro Latino Americano de Perinatologia é a que menos se distancia da situação encontrada para não gestantes.<br>OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the nutritional status of pregnant women by three different methods. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted between January and June 2006 with 992 pregnant women attending a public prenatal care facility. Nutritional status was classified according to different assessment methods (Rosso nomogram, Atalah method and the Latin American Center for Perinatology gestogram). The results were compared with the nutritional status of nonpregnant women in childbearing age in the Brazilian Northeast and all of Brazil. The differences were analyzed by the chi-square goodness of fit test, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Low weight of pregnant women according to the Rosso nomogram was the condition that most contributed to the difference (p<0.001). According to the Atalah method, extreme differences were also observed in the prevalences of underweight pregnant women both in the Northeast and in all of Brazil. In relation to the gestogram of the Perinatology Latin American Center, the greatest prevalence differences also occurred among the underweight: 18% versus 7.4% for the Northeast Region and 18% versus 6.7% for Brazil, although this was the assessment method that came closest to the results of the population being compared. CONCLUSION: Nutritional status distribution of pregnant women, assessed by three methods, was different from the nutritional status distribution of the nonpregnant population, both regionally and domestically, especially according to Rosso's nomogram, demonstrating the limited use of these instruments. Assessment by the Perinatology Latin American Center comes closest to the nutritional status distribution of nonpregnant women

Adherence and side effects of three ferrous sulfate treatment regimens on anemic pregnant women in clinical trials Adesão e efeitos colaterais em ensaio clínico comparando três esquemas de tratamento com sulfato ferroso em gestantes anêmicas

The objective of this study was to analyze adherence and side effects of three iron supplement regimens (ferrous sulfate) on anemic pregnant women. The clinical trial involved 150 women between the 16th and 20th gestational weeks, at low obstetric risk and with hemoglobin concentration of between 8.0 and 11.0g/dL. Treatment was provided by ferrous sulfate with 60mg of elemental iron during 16 (± 1) weeks, in three regimens: single tablet a week (n = 48); single tablet twice a week (n = 53) or single tablet a day (n = 49). The outcomes were adherence, assessed through interviews and by counting tablets, and side effects, according to patient information. The adherence showed a declining trend (92%, 83% and 71%; p = 0.010) and the side effects revealed a growing trend (40%, 45% and 71%; p = 0.002) as the dosage increased. Diarrhea and epigastric pain were significantly associated with the dose administered (p = 0.002). These results suggest that in anemic pregnant women, complaints are directly proportional and the compliance is inversely proportional to the amount of medicinal iron.<br>O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a adesão e os efeitos colaterais de três esquemas de suplementação com sulfato ferroso em gestantes anêmicas. O ensaio clínico incluiu 150 mulheres entre a 16ª e 20ª semanas de gestação, de baixo risco obstétrico e com concentração de hemoglobina entre 8,0 e 11,0g/dL. A intervenção foi realizada com 60mg de ferro elementar, durante 16 (±1) semanas, em três esquemas: uma drágea semanal (n = 48); uma drágea duas vezes por semana (n = 53) ou uma drágea diariamente (n = 49). Os desfechos foram adesão, verificada por entrevista e contagem das drágeas, e efeitos colaterais auto-relatados pelas pacientes. A adesão apresentou tendência declinante (92%, 83% e 71%; p = 0,010) e os efeitos colaterais, ascendente (40%, 45% e 71%; p = 0,002) com o aumento da dose prescrita. Diarréia e dor epigástrica estiveram significativamente associadas à dose administrada (p = 0,002). Os resultados sugerem que em gestantes anêmicas as queixas e a adesão ao tratamento com sulfato ferroso são, respectivamente, direta e inversamente proporcionais à quantidade do ferro medicamentoso