Effects of Flour on Metabolic Parameters: A Systematic Review.

, popularly known as yacon, is a member of the family. Due to its medicinal and edible value, yacon is consumed by different populations. Yacon is unique due to its high fructo-oligosaccharide and inulin content, as well as flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, and phenolic acids.

Garlic: A systematic review of the effects on cardiovascular diseases.

(garlic) certainly is one of the oldest horticultural crops in the world and presents bioactive compounds that are related to the garlic's effects on human health. Several authors have shown beneficial effects on diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are among the most relevant causes of mortality in the world. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of garlic in the risk factors of CVD and evaluate its economic importance.

HDL-C and non-HDL-C levels are associated with anthropometric and biochemical parameters.

Background: Dyslipidemias are associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c) has emerged as a new target for assessment and prediction of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is closely associated with atheroma plaque progression.

Objectives: To evaluate associations between HDL-c and non-HDL-c levels and anthropometric and biochemical parameters and with the Castelli risk indexes I and II.

Edible coating with probiotic as a quality factor for minimally processed carrots.

The objectives of this study were to elaborate an edible coating based on sodium alginate with probiotic potential and to evaluate the coating's performance with respect to microbial viability and the characteristics of safety and freshness of minimally processed carrots stored at 8 ± 2 °C. Carrot slices were submerged in a sodium alginate solution with and without the addition of La-14 (7.36 log CFU/g), and gelling was activated by subsequent immersion in a calcium chloride solution.

Association between vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome risk factors.

Background: The concern with the incidence of chronic-degenerative diseases is increasing worldwide, and many studies have shown that insufficiency of vitamin D (VD) can be linked to several metabolic disorders.

Aims: Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the association of the metabolic syndrome risk factors, atherogenic indices and VD in a group of patients attended at a Cardiology Center.

Methods: For this study, we invited 200 patients of both sexes attended in a Cardiology Center (Medical School of Marilia - São Paulo - Brazil).

Dipteryx alata Vogel May Improve Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Indices in Wistar Rats Dipteryx alata and Atherogenic Indices.

Worldwide prevalence of noncommunicable chronic degenerative diseases is among the main causes of death worldwide. The consumption of some foods such as nuts and seeds may be beneficial in preventing these diseases. Dipteryx alata Vogel (DA), known popularly as Baru, belongs to the family Fabaceae and is a native fruit tree from the Brazilian savanna.

Hypertension, C Reactive Protein and Metabolic Profile: What is the Scenario in Patients Undergoing Arteriography?

Introduction: High Blood Pressure (HBP), Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are among the main causes of death worldwide and HBP is one of the most common chronic health problem representing an important and modifiable risk factor for vascular events and mortality.

Aim: To study the association among high sensitivity CRP levels, and the biochemical, and anthropometric profile in hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients who underwent arteriography.

Materials And Methods: This research was performed at the Haemodynamic Laboratory of the University Hospital in the city of Marilia - state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Metabolic syndrome and atherogenic indices in school children: A worrying panorama in Brazil.

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is defined as the combination of a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors. The use of cardiovascular indices such as the ratios TC/HDL-c, LDL-c/HDL-c and TG/HDL-c may help in the assessment of cardiovascular risk. Investigation of cardio-metabolic risks in the pre-adolescent stage is essential to characterize possible patterns for MS in the earliest stages of the life avoiding further irreversible consequences.

Pereskia aculeata Miller Flour: Metabolic Effects and Composition.

Pereskia aculeata Miller is known in Brazil as ora-pro-nobis (OPN) and has been used commonly in the folklore medicine. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the composition and the effects of OPN flour on the metabolic profile and intestinal motility of Wistar rats. Animals were divided randomly into five groups (n = 10): G1 (control group) and G2 (treated with OPN flour).

Eating habits and presence of cardiovascular risks in children.

Introduction: The changes in the eating habits associated with physical inactivity are directly related to the increase in the prevalence of obesity and associated diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM), metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the frequency of consumption of some food groups (snacks, fruits, vegetables and candies), physical exercise, nutritional classification and biochemical profile in children.

Methods: After the approval of the Ethics Committee, we studied 882 schoolchildren ranging between 6 and 10 years of age.

Metabolic syndrome and C reactive protein in patients undergoing angiography: Inevitable association?

Background: The Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is characterized by a set of risk factors, which causes metabolic and inflammatory changes that increase vascular risk and may promote the development of atherosclerosis. Changes in lifestyle are related to obesity and associated diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, MS and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of MS components and high sensitivity C Reactive Protein (hsCRP) in patients undergoing arteriography.

Teaching elliptical excision skills to novice medical students: a randomized controlled study comparing low- and high-fidelity bench models.

Background: The search for alternative and effective forms of training simulation is needed due to ethical and medico-legal aspects involved in training surgical skills on living patients, human cadavers and living animals.

Aims: To evaluate if the bench model fidelity interferes in the acquisition of elliptical excision skills by novice medical students.

Materials And Methods: Forty novice medical students were randomly assigned to 5 practice conditions with instructor-directed elliptical excision skills' training (n = 8): didactic materials (control); organic bench model (low-fidelity); ethylene-vinyl acetate bench model (low-fidelity); chicken legs' skin bench model (high-fidelity); or pig foot skin bench model (high-fidelity).

Acquisition of suture skills during medical graduation by instructor-directed training: a randomized controlled study comparing senior medical students and faculty surgeons.

Due to shortage of time and limited availability of faculty surgeons to teach basic surgical skills during medical graduation, the search for alternative ways of simulated training with feedback is needed. The purpose of this study was to compare the simulated teaching of suture skills to novice medical students by senior medical students and by experienced faculty surgeons. Forty-eight novice medical students were randomly assigned to three practice conditions on bench model (n = 16): self-directed suture training (control), senior medical student-directed suture skills' training, or experienced faculty surgeon-directed suture skills' training.

Does bench model fidelity interfere in the acquisition of suture skills by novice medical students?

Objective: Although several inanimate bench models have been described for training of suture skills, so far, there is no ideal method for teaching and learning this skill during medical education. The aim was to evaluate whether bench model fidelity interferes in the acquisition of suture skills by novice medical students.

Methods: 36 medical students with no surgical skills' background (novices) were randomized to three groups (n = 12): theoretical suture training alone (control); low-fidelity suture training model (synthetic ethylene-vinyl acetate bench model); or high-fidelity suture training model (pig feet skin bench model).

Iron supplementation in pregnancy and breastfeeding and iron, copper and zinc status of lactating women from a human milk bank.

This study evaluated the influence of iron supplementation in pregnancy and breastfeeding on iron status of lactating women from a Brazilian Human Milk Bank. Blood and mature breast milk samples were collected from 145 women for assessment of iron status, as well as copper and zinc status. Haemoglobin, serum iron and ferritin were determined, respectively, by electronic counting, colorimetry and chemiluminescence.

Training on synthetic ethylene-vinyl acetate bench model allows novice medical students to acquire suture skills.

Purpose: To assess the acquisition of suture skills by training on ethylene-vinyl acetate bench model in novice medical students.

Methods: Sixteen medical students without previous surgery experience (novices) were randomly divided into two groups. During one hour group A trained sutures on ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) bench model with feedback of instructors, while group B (control) received a faculty-directed training based on books and instructional videos.

Effects of Passiflora edulis on the metabolic profile of diabetic Wistar rat offspring.

Dry extract of the genus Passiflora has been shown to help control glycemia and lipid levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of passion fruit (P. edulis) on the biochemical profile of offspring from diabetic rats.

Metabolic Profile of Offspring from Diabetic Wistar Rats Treated with Mentha piperita (Peppermint).

This study aimed at evaluating glycemia and lipid profile of offspring from diabetic Wistar rats treated with Mentha piperita (peppermint) juice. Male offspring from nondiabetic dams (control group: 10 animals treated with water and 10 treated with peppermint juice) and from dams with streptozotocin-induced severe diabetes (diabetic group: 10 animals treated with water and 10 treated with peppermint juice) were used. They were treated during 30 days, and, after the treatment period, levels of glycemia, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and fractions were analyzed in the adult phase.

Evaluation of glycemic and lipid profile of offspring of diabetic Wistar rats treated with Malpighia emarginata juice.

Knowing that maternal diabetes is related to hyperglycemia and fetal hyperinsulinemia, which affect the lipid metabolism, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Malpighia emarginata (acerola) juice on the glycemic and lipid profile of offspring of diabetic and nondiabetic Wistar rats. The adult offspring of non-diabetic dams and of dams with severe streptozotocin-induced diabetes were divided into groups: G1, offspring (of control dams) treated with water, G2, offspring (of diabetic dams) treated with water, G3, male offspring (of control dams) treated with acerola juice, and G4, male offspring (of diabetic dams) treated with acerola juice. The offspring of diabetic dams treated with acerola juice showed significantly decreased levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and increased HDL-c.

Long-term nutrition education reduces several risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Brazilians with impaired glucose tolerance.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a nutrition education program (NEP) on anthropometric, dietetic, and metabolic parameters in high-risk subjects for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fifty-one participants, both sexes, were randomly assigned to either the control (58.8%) or the intervention (NEP) group.

Iron concentrations in breast milk and selected maternal factors of human milk bank donors.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between iron concentration in mature breast milk and characteristics of 136 donors of a Brazilian milk bank. Iron, vitamin A, zinc, and copper concentrations were assessed in human milk and maternal blood. Data were collected on maternal anthropometrics, obstetric, socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle factors.

The influence of maternal factors on the concentration of vitamin A in mature breast milk.

Background & Aims: This study evaluated the relationship between vitamin A concentration in maternal milk and the characteristics of the donors of a Brazilian human milk bank.

Material And Methods: A total of 136 donors were selected in 2003-2004 for micronutrient determinations in breast milk and blood, anthropometric measurements and investigation of obstetric, socioeconomic-demographic factors, and life style. Maternal serum/milk samples were obtained for vitamin A, iron, copper, and zinc determinations.

In vivo effect of photodynamic therapy on periodontal bone loss in dental furcations.

Background: The purpose of this study was to histometrically evaluate the influence of photodynamic therapy on bone loss in furcation areas in rats with experimentally induced periodontal disease.

Methods: Ligatures were placed on the first mandibular molar in rats. Then the animals were divided into four groups: control group = no treatment; methylene blue group (MB) = treated topically with methylene blue (100 microg/ml); laser group (LLLT) = treated with low-level laser therapy; and photodynamic therapy group (PDT) = treated topically with MB followed by LLLT (4.

Influence of photodynamic therapy on the development of ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate, histologically and radiographically, the effect of photodynamic therapy on the progression of experimentally induced periodontal disease in rats.

Methods: Ligatures were placed at the first mandibular molar in rats. The animals were divided into four groups: group 1 (C) received no treatment; group 2 was treated topically with methylene blue (MB; 100 microg/ml); group 3 was treated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT); and group 4 was treated topically with methylene blue followed by LLLT (4.

Effects of acute carbohydrate supplementation during sessions of high-intensity intermittent exercise.

The present study evaluated the acute effects of carbohydrate supplementation on heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), metabolic and hormonal responses during and after sessions of high-intensity intermittent running exercise. Fifteen endurance runners (26 +/- 5 years, 64.5 +/- 4.