The water-soluble non-starch polysaccharides from bananas display immunomodulatory properties on cultured macrophages.

Some diet components, such as certain indigestible polysaccharides from edible plants, may interact with the gut-associated lymphoid tissue and improve the host immune response to pathogens. The non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) from bananas are non-digestible carbohydrates that resemble some immunomodulatory polysaccharides occurring in the cell wall of cereals. Based on this similarity, the effects of the water-soluble NSP from two banana cultivars (Nanicão and Thap Maeo) on the phagocytic activity, nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines produced by cultured macrophages were investigated.

Oral administration of banana lectin modulates cytokine profile and abundance of T-cell populations in mice.

Banana lectin (BanLec) is a dimeric protein occurring in fruit pulp that modulates immune cell functioning in vitro. In order to assess the immune response in vivo, BanLec from ripe banana (Musa acuminata) fruit was purified and orally given to mice for seven days. The analysis of cytokines in the mice peripheral blood revealed increased IL-10, IL-17 and TNFα, and a reduction of IFNγ and IL-6.

Sulforaphane ameliorates the insulin responsiveness and the lipid profile but does not alter the antioxidant response in diabetic rats.

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic non-communicable diseases and is characterized by hyperglycemia and increased oxidative stress. These two alterations are also responsible for the main diabetic complications: cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy. Diabetes progression is governed by pancreatic β-cell failure, and recent studies showed that sulforaphane (SFN) might be able to prevent this change, preserving insulin production.

Comparative Proteome Analysis of the Tuberous Roots of Six Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Varieties Reveals Proteins Related to Phenotypic Traits.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple food and an important source of starch, and the attributes of its tuberous root largely depend on the variety. The proteome of cassava has been investigated; however, to date, no study has focused on varieties that reveal the molecular basis of phenotypical characteristics. Therefore, we aimed to compare the proteome of the tuberous roots of six cassava varieties that differed in carbohydrates, carotenoids, and resistance to diseases, among other attributes.

The effect of ketogenic diet in an animal model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid.

Objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and by restricted repetitive behaviors and interests. Its etiology is still unknown, but different environmental factors during pregnancy, such as exposure to valproic acid (VPA), are associated with high incidence of ASD in children. In this context, prenatal exposure to VPA in rodents has been used as a reliable model of ASD.

Optimization of vegetable milk extraction from whole and dehulled Mucuna pruriens (Var Cochinchinensis) flours using central composite design.

Extraction conditions for maximum values of protein yield, protein content, sugar content and dry matter of vegetable milk extracts from dehulled Mucuna cochinchinensis bean flour and whole Mucuna cochinchinensis bean flour were investigated using response surface methodology. A Central Composite Design (CCFD) with three factors: temperature (25 to 95 °C); extraction time (6 to 74 min.) and water to flour ratio (6 to 24 mL/g) were used.

Effect of parenteral infusion of fish oil-based lipid emulsion on systemic inflammatory cytokines and lung eicosanoid levels in experimental acute pancreatitis.

Unlabelled: Parenteral fish oil lipid emulsion (FOLE) might mitigate inflammation after injury. Acute pancreatitis (AP) can occur following major surgery and is characterized by tissue and systemic release of inflammatory mediators that contributes to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ failure.

Aim: We evaluated the effect of short-term FOLE infusion before experimental induction of AP on systemic cytokine and lung eicosanoid profiles.

Short-term effects of a hypocaloric diet with low glycemic index and low glycemic load on body adiposity, metabolic variables, ghrelin, leptin, and pregnancy rate in overweight and obese infertile women: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Obesity is related to hormonal disorders that affect the reproductive system. Low-glycemic index (LGI) diets seem to exert a positive effect on weight loss and on metabolic changes that result from obesity.

Objective: We investigated the effects of a hypocaloric diet with an LGI and low glycemic load on anthropometric and metabolic variables, ghrelin and leptin concentrations, and the pregnancy rate in overweight and obese infertile women who were undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Total and Full-Fat, but Not Low-Fat, Dairy Product Intakes are Inversely Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Adults.

Background: Growing evidence suggests that dairy products may have beneficial cardiometabolic effects. The current guidelines, however, limit the intake of full-fat dairy products.

Objective: We investigated the association of dairy consumption, types of dairy products, and dairy fat content with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn).

Impact of dietary fiber energy on the calculation of food total energy value in the Brazilian Food Composition Database.

Dietary fiber (DF) contributes to the energy value of foods and including it in the calculation of total food energy has been recommended for food composition databases. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of including energy provided by the DF fermentation in the calculation of food energy. Total energy values of 1753 foods from the Brazilian Food Composition Database were calculated with or without the inclusion of DF energy.

Positive impact of a functional ingredient on hunger and satiety after ingestion of two meals with different characteristics.

The ingestion of unavailable carbohydrates - functional ingredients - has presented an inverse relationship with the risk for chronic non-communicable diseases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of addition of inulin to two ready-to-eat frozen meals on the release of gastrointestinal hormones and other parameters related to hunger and satiety. Prototypes of two different kinds of frozen meals were elaborated by the food industry: control meal (C1 and C2); and test meals, added inulin (T1 and T2).

Polysaccharide composition of raw and cooked chayote (Sechium edule Sw.) fruits and tuberous roots.

Chayote is a multipurpose table vegetable widely consumed in Latin America countries. Chayote fruits, leaves and tuberous roots contain complex carbohydrates as dietary fiber and starch, vitamins and minerals. The complex polysaccharides (cell walls and starch) were analyzed in the black and green varieties of chayote fruits as well as in green chayote tuberous root before and after a controlled cooking process to assess changes in their composition and structure.

Visualization of internal structure of banana starch granule through AFM.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a high resolution technique for studying the external and internal structures of starch granules. For this purpose granules were isolated from bananas and embedded in a non-penetrating resin. To achieve image contrast of the ultrastructure, the face of the cut blocks were wetted in steam and force modulation mode imaging was used.

Phase angle as a prognostic marker in patients with critical illness.

Background: Phase angle (PA) is interpreted as an indicator of cell membrane integrity and a prognostic indicator in some clinical situations. This study aims to evaluate PA as a prognostic marker in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and associate this marker with length of hospital stay, mortality, and clinical scores.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted with 95 patients aged ≥18 years admitted to the ICU, who were assessed in terms of prognostic indexes (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II [APACHE II] and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [SOFA]), clinical evolution (ICU discharge, death, and length of ICU stay), and PA.

Dietary patterns and bone mineral density in Brazilian postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a cross-sectional study.

Background/objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Subjects/methods: This cross-sectional study included 156 postmenopausal and osteoporotic Brazilian women aged over 45 years. BMD of lumbar spine, total femur (TF), femoral neck and of total body (TB), as well as body composition (fat and lean mass), was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Antioxidant intake and bone status in a cross-sectional study of Brazilian women with osteoporosis.

This study aimed to investigate the association between antioxidant intake and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 150 women, mean age 68.7 (SD 9.

Adequacy of energy and nutrient intake in patients with heart failure.

Background: Nutritional factors have a significant influence on the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF).

Objective: The goal of the present study was to assess the food intake of stable patients with HF.

Methods: Patients of both genders aged over 18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of HF were recruited and matched with healthy individuals for age, sex and BMI.

Zinc proteome interaction network as a model to identify nutrient-affected pathways in human pathologies.

Zinc is an essential micronutrient playing fundamental roles in cellular metabolism. It acts mostly through binding a wide range of proteins, thus affecting a broad spectrum of biological processes, which include cell division, growth and differentiation. Full annotation of zinc-binding proteins showed them to represent about 10 % of the human proteome, with over 300 enzymes containing zinc ions within their catalytic domains.

Storage at low temperature differentially affects the colour and carotenoid composition of two cultivars of banana.

Different storage conditions can induce changes in the colour and carotenoid profiles and levels in some fruits. The goal of this work was to evaluate the influence of low temperature storage on the colour and carotenoid synthesis in two banana cultivars: Prata and Nanicão. For this purpose, the carotenoids from the banana pulp were determined by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS, and the colour of the banana skin was determined by a colorimeter method.

Bacteriophage P22 to challenge Salmonella in foods.

In this study we considered the influence of phage addition on the fate of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in different foods. Phage P22 was applied to the following: liquid eggs, energy drinks, whole and skimmed milk, apple juice, chicken breast and chicken mince all spiked with its host, whose growth was monitored for 24 and 48 h at 4 °C. Appreciable host inactivation, generally in the order of 2 log cycles, was achieved compared to phage-free controls in all food matrices when 10(4) UFC/g host inoculum was used.

Analysis of papaya cell wall-related genes during fruit ripening indicates a central role of polygalacturonases during pulp softening.

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a climacteric fleshy fruit that undergoes dramatic changes during ripening, most noticeably a severe pulp softening. However, little is known regarding the genetics of the cell wall metabolism in papayas.

Folic acid and autism: What do we know?

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) consist in a range of neurodevelopmental conditions that share common features with autism, such as impairments in communication and social interaction, repetitive behaviors, stereotypies, and a limited repertoire of interests and activities. Some studies have reported that folic acid supplementation could be associated with a higher incidence of autism, and therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review of studies involving relationships between this molecule and ASD. The MEDLINE database was searched for studies written in English which evaluated the relationship between autism and folate.

Development of gluten-free bread using tartary buckwheat and chia flour rich in flavonoids and omega-3 fatty acids as ingredients.

In this study, chia seed flour, which is rich in omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, and common and tartary buckwheat flour, which has a high antioxidant activity, were integrated into different types of bread with the aim of improving their nutritional value and healthy features. Our results indicate that bread made with chia and tartary buckwheat flour was more acceptable in many nutritional aspects compared to the control (common wheat bread); it contained a higher amount of protein (20%), insoluble dietary fibres (74%), ash (51%), and alpha-linolenic acid (67.4%).

Body composition in patients with classical homocystinuria: body mass relates to homocysteine and choline metabolism.

Introduction: Classical homocystinuria is a rare genetic disease caused by cystathionine β-synthase deficiency, resulting in homocysteine accumulation. Growing evidence suggests that reduced fat mass in patients with classical homocystinuria may be associated with alterations in choline and homocysteine pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the body composition of patients with classical homocystinuria, identifying changes in body fat percentage and correlating findings with biochemical markers of homocysteine and choline pathways, lipoprotein levels and bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores.

A quantitative risk assessment model for Vibrio parahaemolyticus in raw oysters in Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

A risk assessment of Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated with raw oysters produced and consumed in São Paulo State was developed. The model was built according to the United States Food and Drug Administration framework for risk assessment. The outcome of the exposure assessment estimated the prevalence and density of pathogenic V.