Two highly divergent alcohol dehydrogenases of melon exhibit fruit ripening-specific expression and distinct biochemical characteristics

Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) participate in the biosynthetic pathway of aroma volatiles in fruit by interconverting aldehydes to alcohols and providing substrates for the formation of esters. Two highly divergent ADH genes (15% identity at the amino acid level) of Cantaloupe Charentais melon (Cucumis melo var. Cantalupensis) have been isolated. Cm-ADH1 belongs to the medium-chain zinc-binding type of ADHs and is highly similar to all ADH genes expressed in fruit isolated so far. Cm-ADH2 belongs to the short-chain type of ADHs. The two encoded proteins are enzymatically active upon expression in yeast. Cm-ADH1 has strong preference for NAPDH as a co-factor, whereas Cm-ADH2 preferentially uses NADH. Both Cm-ADH proteins are much more active as reductases with Kms 10–20 times lower for the conversion of aldehydes to alcohols than for the dehydrogenation of alcohols to aldehydes. They both show strong preference for aliphatic aldehydes but Cm-ADH1 is capable of reducing branched aldehydes such as 3-methylbutyraldehyde, whereas Cm-ADH2 cannot. Both Cm-ADH genes are expressed specifically in fruit and up-regulated during ripening. Gene expression as well as total ADH activity are strongly inhibited in antisense ACC oxidase melons and in melon fruit treated with the ethylene antagonist 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), indicating a positive regulation by ethylene. These data suggest that each of the Cm-ADH protein plays a specific role in the regulation of aroma biosynthesis in melon fruit

Antioxidant intake among Brazilian adults - The Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS): a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Antioxidant nutrient intake and the lesser formation of free radicals seem to contribute to chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intake profile of the main dietary antioxidants in a representative sample of the adult Brazilian population and discuss the main consequences of a low intake of these micronutrients on overall health.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The sample comprised 2344 individuals aged 40 years or older from 150 cities and was based on a probabilistic sample from official data. The research was conducted through in-home interviews administered by a team trained for this purpose. Dietary intake information was obtained through 24-h recall. The Nutrition Data System for Research software program was used to analyze data on the intake of vitamins A, C and E, selenium and zinc, which was compared to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Differences in intake according to sex, anthropometrics, socioeconomic status and region were also evaluated. The SPSS statistical package (version 13) was used for the statistical analysis. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Higher proportions of low intake in relation to recommended values were found for vitamin E (99.7%), vitamin A (92.4%) and vitamin C (85.1%) in both genders. Intake variations were found between different regions, which may reflect cultural habits.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results should lead to the development of public health policies that encourage educational strategies for improving the intake of micronutrients, which are essential to overall health and prevention of non-communicable diseases.</p

Doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica em escolares obesos Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de alterações hepáticas ao ultra-som e de elevação da alanina aminotransferase (ALT) em crianças com sobrepeso e obesidade, além de relacionar a presença de alterações com peroxidação lipídica, perfil lipídico e resistência insulínica. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, prospectivo e controlado de 67 crianças com sobrepeso/obesidade (38 do sexo feminino e média de idade de 8,6 anos), pareadas por sexo e idade com 65 eutróficas. A avaliação bioquímica consistiu de perfil lipídico (LDL-c, HDL-c e triglicerídeos); ALT; substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS); glicemia e insulina, utilizadas para o cálculo do Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). A esteatose hepática, avaliada por ultra-sonografia por um único examinador, foi classificada em difusa leve, moderada e grave. RESULTADOS: Elevação de ALT (>40U/L) foi encontrada em 3% e alterações ultra-sonográficas do fígado em 57,4% das crianças com sobrepeso e obesidade. O Grupo Sobrepeso/Obesidade apresentou maior percentual de ALT >18U/L (OR 4,2; p=0,0006) e de hipertrigliceridemia (OR 4,2; p<0,001), em relação ao controle. A ALT associou-se com aumento de triglicerídeos séricos (OR 3,2; p=0,010). Não houve associação entre os níveis de TBARS (estresse oxidativo) e do HOMA-IR com a presença de sobrepeso/obesidade, nem com ALT >18U/L. CONCLUSÕES: A freqüência de ALT >40U/L foi baixa e a de esteatose foi alta. As alterações ultra-sonográficas hepáticas não mostraram associação com o estado nutricional nem com os níveis de ALT. Por sua vez, triglicerídeos aumentados associaram-se com níveis mais elevados de ALT.<br>OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of altered hepatic ultrasound and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in overweight and obese children, as well as to relate them to lipid peroxidation, lipid profile and insulin resistance. METHODS: A prospective, controlled, cross-sectional study was performed with 67 overweight and obese children (38 female, mean age of 8,6 years) paired by gender and age with 65 eutrophic controls. The following parameters were evaluated: lipid profile (LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides), ALT, lipid peroxidation measured by thiobarbituric acid reaction substance (TBARS), serum glucose and insulin resistance (Homeostasis Model Assessment). Hepatic steatosis was evaluated by ultrasound by a single professional and classified as diffuse mild, moderate or severe. RESULTS: Elevated ALT (>40 U/L) was observed in 3% and altered ultrasound in 57.4% of the overweight/obese children. Obese/overweight children showed a higher percentage of ALT >18 U/L (OR 4.2, p=0.0006) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR 4.2, p<0.001). ALT was associated with elevated triglycerides (OR 3,2; p=0,010). There was not association between TBARS (oxidative stress) or HOMA-IR with the presence of overweight/obesity or ALT >18 U/L. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of altered ALT (>40U/L) was low and of altered hepatic ultrasound was high. There was no association between fatty liver at ultrasound with nutritional status or ALT levels. Elevated triglycerides were associated with higher levels of ALT

Correlação entre índice de massa corporal e circunferência da cintura em crianças Correlación entre índice de masa corporal y circunferencia de la cintura en niños Correlation between body mass index and waist circumference in children

OBJETIVO: Estabelecer uma correlação entre a circunferência da cintura e o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) na determinação do excesso de peso e distribuição de gordura em crianças de escolas públicas de Fortaleza - CE. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado em 12 escolas da rede da pública da cidade de Fortaleza- CE. Participaram 727 crianças de ambos os sexos, com idade variando entre 6 a 11 anos. A coleta de dados ocorreu de março a junho de 2008. RESULTADOS: Os resultados do inquérito mostraram que, de acordo com o IMC,11,4% das crianças encontravam-se em sobrepeso, 6,6% eram obesas e 30,9% apresentaram obesidade central. CONCLUSÃO: Nem toda criança obesa apresentava obesidade central, demonstrando que uma só medida antropométrica não é eficaz na determinação do padrão de gordura na infância.<br>OBJETIVO: Establecer una correlación entre la circunferencia de la cintura y el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) en la determinación del exceso de peso y distribución de grasa en niños de escuelas públicas en Fortaleza - CE. MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio transversal, realizado en 12 escuelas de la red pública de la ciudad de Fortaleza- CE. Participaron 727 niños de ambos sexos, con edad que varió de 6 a 11 años. La recolección de datos ocurrió de marzo a junio de 2008. RESULTADOS: Los resultados de la encuesta mostraron que, de acuerdo con el IMC, 11,4% de los niños se encontraban con sobrepeso, 6,6% eran obesos y 30,9% presentaron obesidad central. CONCLUSIÓN: No todos los niños obesos presentaban obesidad central, demostrando que solo una medida antropométrica no es eficaz para determinar el estándar de adiposidad en la infancia.<br>OBJECTIVE: To establish a correlation between waist circumference and Body Mass Index (BMI) and to determine overweight and fat distribution in children from public schools in Fortaleza - CE. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 12 public schools in the city of Fortaleza-CE. The participants were 727 children of both genders, aged 6-11 years. Data collection occurred from March to June 2008. RESULTS: The survey results showed that, according to BMI, 11.4% of children were overweight, 6.6% were obese and 30.9% had central obesity. CONCLUSION: Not all obese children had central obesity, showing that only one anthropometric measure is not effective in determining the pattern of fat in childhood

Influência do índice de massa corporal e da circunferência abdominal na pressão arterial sistêmica de crianças Influence of body mass index and abdominal circumference on children's systemic blood pressure

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os níveis pressóricos em crianças e relacioná-los ao índice de massa corporal e à circunferência abdominal. MÉTODOS: Por meio de estudo prospectivo e transversal, avaliaram-se 1.408 escolares com idade entre cinco anos e dez anos e 11 meses, matriculados em escolas públicas do Município de Santo André. Foram coletados: peso ao nascer; peso e estatura, expressos como escore Z do índice de massa corporal (ZIMC) e estatura para idade (ZEI). A pressão arterial (medida única) foi aferida pelo mesmo examinador. Considerou-se: desnutrição quando ZIMC<-2, obesidade ZIMC>+2, baixa estatura se ZEI<-2; circunferência abdominal aumentada (ponto de corte >P90 para sexo e idade) e pressão arterial elevada quando superior ao percentil 90 para sexo, idade e estatura. A análise estatística incluiu o teste do qui-quadrado e o cálculo da Odds Ratio, adotando-se como significante o valor de p<0,05. RESULTADOS: A mediana de idade foi de sete anos, sendo 51% do sexo feminino. Níveis elevados foram encontrados em 19 e 12% dos escolares para a pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica, respectivamente. Verificaram-se: baixa estatura, desnutrição, obesidade e aumento da circunferência abdominal em 2,6%, 3,1%, 7,3% e 13,4% da amostra, respectivamente. A presença de obesidade foi o fator mais fortemente associado ao aumento de pressão arterial sistólica (OR 2,1; IC95% 1,3-3,3; p<0,001) e diastólica (OR 2,6; IC95% 1,6-4,3; p<0,001). A circunferência abdominal também se associou com pressão arterial sistólica elevada (OR 1,6; IC95% 1,0-2,5; p=0,027). CONCLUSÕES: A pressão arterial sistêmica elevada em crianças associa-se à obesidade e ao aumento da circunferência abdominal.<br>OBJECTIVE: To evaluate blood pressure levels in children, relating them to body mass index and abdominal circumference. METHODS: This cross-sectional prospective study enrolled 1.408 school children, aged between five and ten years and 11 months, in the municipality of Santo Andre, São Paulo, Brazil. The following variables were evaluated: birth weight, weight and height, expressed as body mass index Z score (ZBMI) and height to age Z score (ZH), and waist circumference (WC). Blood pressure was measured once by the same physician. Malnutrition was considered when ZBMI <-2, obesity when ZBMI >+2, short stature when ZH <-2, increased abdominal circumference when >P90 for age and gender, and increased blood pressure when >P90 for age, gender and height. Statistical analysis included chi-square test and Odds Ratio, being significant p<0.05. RESULTS: Mean age was seven years old, and 51% were females. High systolic blood pressure levels were observed in 19% and elevated diastolic blood pressure in 12%. Short stature, malnutrition, obesity and increased abdominal circumference were diagnosed in 2.6%, 3.1%, 7.3% and 13.4%, respectively, of the studied population. The presence of obesity was strongly associated with high systolic (OR 2.1, 95%IC 1.3-3.3; p<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (OR 2.6, 95%IC 1.6-4.3; p<0.001). Increased abdominal circumference was also an important risk factor for high systolic blood pressure (OR 1.6; 95%IC 1.0-2.5; p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: High blood pressure in children is associated with obesity and increased abdominal circumference