Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Effects of virgin coconut oil consumption on obesity control and cardiometabolic risk markers in women

O óleo de coco virgem (Cocos nucifera L.) tem sido promovido pela mídia comercial como um alimento capaz de auxiliar o tratamento da obesidade devido ao seu alto conteúdo de ácidos graxos de cadeia média (AGCM). Estes ácidos graxos são absorvidos e metabolizados mais rapidamente do que os ácidos graxos de cadeia longa, e, por este motivo são menos armazenados no tecido adiposo. Além disso, os possíveis mecanismos envolvidos na ação dos AGCM no controle da adiposidade corporal podem estar relacionados ao aumento do gasto energético e controle do apetite, favorecendo a perda de gordura corporal e manutenção de um perfil metabólico adequado. Porém, poucos estudos até o momento avaliaram os efeitos do óleo de coco virgem no manejo do peso corporal e nos mecanismos relacionados ao seu efeito. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar o consumo do óleo de coco virgem no controle da obesidade e nos marcadores cardiometabólicos de mulheres obesas. Participaram deste ensaio clínico controlado, duplo-cego e randomizado mulheres obesas (IMC 26 - 35kg/m2 e percentual de gordura corporal >30%) com idade entre 20 e 40 anos que foram aleatoriamente alocadas no grupo controle ou no grupo óleo de coco. Foi prescrita uma dieta de restrição calórica (-500 kcal/dia), que incluía 25mL de óleo de soja (controle) ou óleo de coco virgem no café da manhã. A intervenção dietética teve duração de nove semanas consecutivas. No primeiro e último dias da intervenção, foram realizadas medidas antropométricas e de composição corporal, além da avaliação das taxas de metabolismo energético, sensações subjetivas de apetite e dos marcadores de risco cardiometabólicos, em jejum e nas 4 horas pós-prandiais. O consumo alimentar foi avaliado ao final de cada dia de intervenção. Os resultados obtidos no estudo estão apresentados em três artigos, sendo o primeiro com dados da intervenção aguda e o segundo e terceiro com dados da intervenção crônica. Artigo 1: Acute coconut oil consumption does not affect energy expenditure and cardiometabolic risk markers but positively affects subjective appetitive sensations in obese women - Quarenta e duas mulheres com média de IMC 30.8 ± 0,5 kg/m2 e de percentual de gordura corporal 46,9 ± 0,7% participaram do estudo. O consumo agudo do óleo de coco virgem não afetou o gasto energético e a oxidação de lipídios, mas reduziu a sensação subjetiva de fome, principalmente nas duas primeiras horas pós-prandiais, e a vontade prospectiva de se alimentar. Porém, não houve redução do consumo alimentar após a ingestão do óleo de coco. O óleo de coco virgem também não afetou as concentrações séricas dos marcadores de risco cardiometabólicos e o funcionamento hepático. Os resultados sugerem que o controle do apetite pode ser o mecanismo proeminente pelo qual o óleo de coco está relacionado ao controle da obesidade. Não houve influência do consumo deste óleo no metabolismo energético ou na melhora do perfil de risco cardiometabólico. Artigo 2: Virgin coconut oil consumption does not improve weight loss and cardiometabolic risk profile of obese women following energy restricted diet - Trinta e oito mulheres obesas (46,5 ± 0,6 % de gordura corporal) participaram deste estudo. Após nove semanas do consumo do óleo de coco virgem, as concentrações séricas de ácido láurico e mirístico aumentaram. Ainda, houve redução do peso corporal, IMC, das circunferências da cintura, do quadril, do pescoço, da coxa e do braço, do diâmetro abdominal sagital e da gordura corporal em ambos os grupos. Porém, somente no grupo controle foi observado redução do percentual de gordura androide. Houve diferença entre as mudanças das concentrações de HDL-c após o período de intervenção devido à redução das concentrações de HDL-c no grupo controle. Os resultados sugerem que o consumo crônico de óleo de coco virgem não melhora os benefícios causados pela dieta de restrição calórica em relação ao perfil antropométrico e à composição corporal. Além disso, este óleo não altera os marcadores de risco cardiometabólico após nove semanas de consumo. Artigo 3: Virgin coconut oil chronic consumption does not improve energy metabolism, subjective appetitive sensations and food intake in obese women following energy restricted diet - Participaram deste estudo trinta e oito mulheres obesas (46,5 ± 0,6 % de gordura corporal). Após o período de intervenção, a oxidação de lipídios aumentou e a oxidação de carboidratos diminuiu no grupo controle. O óleo de coco virgem não aumentou o gasto energético basal, pós-prandial e a termogênese induzida pela dieta. Porém, houve maior sensação subjetiva de fome após o consumo do óleo de coco virgem sem, no entanto, afetar o consumo subsequente de energia e macronutrientes. Estes resultados sugerem que o consumo diário de óleo de coco virgem não melhora o metabolismo energético e o consumo alimentar. Em contrapartida, aumenta a sensação de fome em mulheres obesas que seguem uma dieta de restrição calórica. De forma geral, os resultados impõem-nos cautela quanto ao uso do óleo de coco virgem no tratamento da obesidade. No momento, nós desencorajamos a prescrição deste óleo como adjuvante no tratamento da obesidade.Virgin coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.) has been promoted by commercial media as an adjuvant in obesity treatment due to its high content of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). These fatty acids are absorbed and metabolized faster than long-chain fatty acids, and are therefore less stored in adipose tissue. In addition, the possible mechanisms involving MCFA in the control of body adiposity may be related to increased energy expenditure and appetite control, favoring body fat loss and the cardiometabolic profile. However, few studies have so far evaluated the effects of virgin coconut oil on body weight management and on mechanisms related to its effect. The objectives of this study were to evaluate virgin coconut oil consumption in obesity control and cardiometabolic risk markers of obese women. This is a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial in which obese women (BMI 26 - 35kg/m2 and body fat percentage > 30%) aged 20-40 years were randomly allocated in control group or in coconut oil group. Energy restricted diet (-500 kcal/day) was prescribed and included 25mL of either soybean oil (control) or virgin coconut oil at breakfast. Dietary intervention lasted nine consecutive weeks. In the first and last intervention days, anthropometric and body composition measurements were performed, as well as energy metabolism rates, subjective appetitive sensations, and cardiometabolic risk markers in fasted state and for 4 hours postprandially. Food consumption was assessed at the end of each intervention day. Results are presented in three articles: the first with cross- sectional data and the second and third with intervention data. Article 1: Acute coconut oil consumption does not affect energy expenditure and cardiometabolic risk markers but positively affects subjective appetite sensations in obese women - Forty-two obese women (BMI of 30.8 ± 0.5 kg / m2 and body fat percentage 46, 9 ± 0.7%) participated in the study. The acute consumption of virgin coconut oil did not affect energy expenditure and lipid oxidation, but it reduced the subjective sensation of hunger, especially in the first two hours postprandially, and the prospective consumption sensation. However, there was no reduction in food consumption after virgin coconut oil consumption. Also, virgin coconut oil did not affect cardiometabolic risk markers and liver function. The results suggest that appetitive control may be the prominent mechanism by which virgin coconut oil is related to weight management. There was no influence of this oil consumption on energy metabolism or on the improvement of cardiometabolic risk profile. Article 2: Virgin coconut oil consumption does not improve weight loss and cardiometabolic risk profile of obese women following energy restricted diet - Thirty-eight obese women (46.5 ± 0.6% body fat) participated in this study. After nine weeks of virgin coconut oil consumption, serum concentrations of lauric and myristic acid increased. In addition, there was reduction in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip, neck, thigh and arm circumference, sagittal abdominal diameter and body fat in both groups. However, only control group reduced the percentage of android fat. There was a difference between changes in HDL-c concentrations after the intervention period due to the reduction of HDL-c concentrations in the control group. The results suggest that the chronic consumption of virgin coconut oil does not improve the benefits caused by the caloric restriction diet in anthropometric profile and body composition. In addition, this oil does not alter cardiometabolic risk markers after nine weeks of consumption. Article 3: Virgin coconut oil chronic consumption does not improve energy metabolism, subjective appetitive sensations and food intake in obese women following energy restricted diet - Thirty-eight obese women (46.5 ± 0.6% of body fat) participated in this study. After the intervention period, lipid oxidation increased and carbohydrate oxidation decreased in the control group. Virgin coconut oil did not increase basal, postprandial energy expenditure and diet-induced thermogenesis. However, there was a greater subjective sensation of hunger after virgin coconut oil consumption without, however, affecting the subsequent energy and macronutrients consumption. These results suggest that daily consumption of virgin coconut oil does not improve energy metabolism and food consumption. On the other hand, it increases hunger sensation of obese women following an energy restricted diet. In general, the results impose caution on virgin coconut oil consumption in obesity treatment. At present, we discourage the prescription of this oil as adjuvant in the weight management.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superio

Effects of coconut oil consumption on energy metabolism, cardiometabolic risk markers, and appetitive responses in women with excess body fat

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is a medium-chain fatty acid source with popularly attributed benefits on obesity management. However, its role on obesity requires elucidation due to its saturated nature. In the study herein, we investigated acute effects of VCO consumption on energy metabolism, cardiometabolic risk markers, and appetitive responses in women with excess body fat. Fifteen adult women with excess body fat (37.43 ± 0.83%) participated in this randomized, crossover, controlled study. Two isocaloric mixed breakfasts containing 25 mL of VCO or control (extra-virgin olive oil-C) were evaluated. Resting energy expenditure (REE), fat oxidation rate (FOR), diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) and appetitive subjective responses were assessed at fasting and postprandial periods (up to 240 min). Cardiometabolic risk markers were assessed at fasting and up to 180 min postprandially. VCO did not affect REE, FOR, and DIT compared to C. In addition, VCO did not cause deleterious change in triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides/HDL-c ratio, uric acid, glucose and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR) (P time×treatment > 0.05). However, VCO suppressed less hunger (P time×treatment = 0.003), total satiety (P iAUC = 0.021) and total fullness (P iAUC = 0.035) responses than C. VCO consumption did not acutely change energy metabolism and cardiometabolic risk markers when added to a mixed breakfast but promoted less appetitive responses

Consumption of extra virgin olive oil improves body composition and blood pressure in women with excess body fat: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Despite the fact that extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is widely used in obese individuals to treat cardiovascular diseases, the role of EVOO on weight/fat reduction remains unclear. We investigated the effects of energy-restricted diet containing EVOO on body composition and metabolic disruptions related to obesity. This is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 41 adult women with excess body fat (mean ± SD 27.0 ± 0.9 year old, 46.8 ± 0.6% of total body fat) received daily high-fat breakfasts containing 25 mL of soybean oil (control group, n = 20) or EVOO (EVOO group, n = 21) during nine consecutive weeks. Breakfasts were part of an energy-restricted normal-fat diets (−2090 kJ, ~32%E from fat). Anthropometric and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were assessed, and fasting blood was collected on the first and last day of the experiment. Fat loss was ~80% higher on EVOO compared to the control group (mean ± SE: −2.4 ± 0.3 kg vs. −1.3 ± 0.4 kg, P = 0.037). EVOO also reduced diastolic blood pressure when compared to control (–5.1 ± 1.6 mmHg vs. +0.3 ± 1.2 mmHg, P = 0.011). Within-group differences (P < 0.050) were observed for HDL-c (−2.9 ± 1.2 mmol/L) and IL-10 (+0.9 ± 0.1 pg/mL) in control group, and for serum creatinine (+0.04 ± 0.01 µmol/L) and alkaline phosphatase (−3.3 ± 1.8 IU/L) in the EVOO group. There was also a trend for IL-1β EVOO reduction (−0.3 ± 0.1 pg/mL, P = 0.060). EVOO consumption reduced body fat and improved blood pressure. Our results indicate that EVOO should be included into energy-restricted programs for obesity treatment

Sodium butyrate does not decrease the evolution of precancerous lesions in rats Butirato de sódio não diminui a evolução de lesões pré-neoplásicas em ratos

PURPOSE: To evaluate the preventive effect of sodium butyrate in the appearance of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats after induction with the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were separated into four groups (n=10) distributed as follows: control 1, control 2, butyrate 1 and butyrate 2. The groups control 1 and butyrate 1 remained under experimentation for 4 weeks, while the groups control 2 and butyrate 2 remained for 8 weeks. In the first four weeks, the animals of the control groups received water ad libitum and the animals of the butyrate groups received a sodium butyrate solution (3.4%) ad libitum. Injections of the drug 1,2-dimethylhydrazine were applied during the two first weeks of the experiment in all the animals, concurrently with the application of sodium butyrate. The large intestine of the animals was removed, for the analysis of the ACF and of the content of polyamines. The animal feces were collected for the analysis of the SCFA profile. RESULTS: The spermidine presented a higher concentration in the group butyrate 2 in comparison to the group control 2. There was a significant difference in the concentration value (µmol/mL) of acetate in comparison to the groups control 2 and butyrate 2. CONCLUSION: The use of sodium butyrate together with the induction of colorectal cancer was not effective in the prevention of the disease progression.<br>OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito preventivo do butirato de sódio no surgimento de focos de cripta aberrante (FCA) em ratos após a indução com o carcinógeno 1,2-dimetilhidrazina. MÉTODOS: Quarenta ratos foram divididos em quatro grupos, com dez animais em cada. Os grupos controle 1 e butirato 1 ficaram em experimentação por 4 semanas e os grupos controle 2 e butirato 2 por oito semanas. Nas primeiras quatro semanas, os animais dos grupos controle receberam água ad libitum e os animais dos grupos butirato receberam solução de butirato de sódio (3,4%) ad libitum. Em todos os animais foram aplicadas quatro injeções subcutâneas da droga 1,2-dimetilhidrazina nas duas primeiras semanas, concomitante a administração do butirato de sódio. Foi retirado o intestino grosso dos animais, para análise dos FCA e do teor de poliaminas. As fezes dos animais foram recolhidas para análise do perfil de AGCC. RESULTADOS: A espermidina apresentou maior concentração no grupo butirato 2 em relação ao grupo controle 2. Foi encontrada diferença significativa no valor da concentração de acetato quando comparado os grupos controle 2 e butirato 2. CONCLUSÃO: A utilização do butirato de sódio concomitante à indução do câncer colorretal não se mostrou efetiva na prevenção da progressão da doença