Food Consumption and Demographics in Japan: Implications for an Aging Population

This study estimates a cross-sectional model based on the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) to examine the determinants of food consumption patterns in Japan over life-cycle periods. The test of structural changes, the analysis of the effects of demographic characteristics, and the estimation of expenditure and price elasticities are conducted from a random sample of 1,281 households from a Japanese household survey in 1997. Results show that each economic or non-economic factor has a different impact on food consumption over a lifetime. Changes in consumption of some food groups can be explained by price and income effects where others can be explained by demographic characteristics. Financial constraint is not binding and residential location is likely to have little or no impact on predicting consumers’ food choices at different periods of their lives. Other key factors that affect consumption pattern include family size, number of children, lifestyle and health concern.Japan, Food Demand, Life-Cycle, AIDS, Household

The role of apoptosis proteins and complement components in the etiopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a prototypical autoimmune disease characterized by the deregulation of T and B cells, tissue infiltration by mononuclear cells, tissue damage and the production of autoantibodies. There is a consensus that accelerated apoptosis of circulating lymphocytes and/or impaired clearance of apoptotic bodies may increase the amount of nuclear antigens presented to T lymphocytes. This process is accompanied by autoimmune responses that can lead to the development of lupus. The dysfunction of apoptosis may be a direct consequence of alterations in proteins/genes such as Fas, Bcl-2 and C1q. Increased expression of Fas antigen could intensify the exposure of hidden antigens. The overexpression of Bcl-2 protein might inhibit the removal of auto-reactive cells, and the lack of C1q could impair the clearance of self-antigens. The complete knowledge of the role of apoptosis components in the etiopathogenesis of lupus could lead to the development of new therapies targeting the apoptotic threshold, which could result in a more specific and effective disease response compared to global immunosuppression. This review summarizes the role of each component of the apoptotic process in the pathogenesis of lupus

Produção de fertilizante de liberação lenta a partir de enriquecimento de biomassa carbonizada com manipueira.

Ações que visem aumentar o estoque de carbono no solo são mais efetivas e factíveis que alterações no conteúdo de biomassa. Assim sendo, de maneira geral, um aumento do conteúdo de carbono no solo aumenta sua fertilidade e, com isso, o conteúdo de biomassa vegetal que esse solo é capaz de suportar

A New species of Tripartiella (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) from Aequidens tetramerus (Perciformes: Cichlidae) in north Brazil.

A new species of Tripartiella is described from the gills of the wild saddle cichlid Aequidens tetramerus in north Brazil. Wet smears of skin and gills of examined fish were air-dried at room temperature and impregnated with Klein?s dry silver method for examination of the adhesive disc?s structures and denticles. Total prevalence of parasitism was 65%. This ciliate is characterized as a small-sized trichodinid, body diameter 37.03 ± 4.9 μm, adhesive disc 30.50 ± 2.71 μm, denticulate ring 13.28 ± 0.8 μm and 24 ± 2.0 denticles. Taxonomic and morphometric data for the new species are discussed

Carvão vegetal como filtro de manipueira para produção de fertilizante de liberação lenta.

Este trabalho visou avaliar se a manipueira proporciona aumento nos teores de nutrientes em biomassa carbonizada (biochar) utilizada como filtro do efluente da prensagem da mandioca. Foram desenvolvidos filtros a base de carvão de eucalipto comercial. O filtro constituiu-se de um tubo de PVC de 100 mm de diâmetro e 1 m de altura

Parasitos de Oreochromis niloticus, Cichlidae invasor da Bacia do Igarapé Fortaleza, região do estuário amazônico do Estado do Amapá.

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