Objective: Little epidemiological evidence exists on rumination disorder behavior (RB) and pica behavior (PB). We examined prevalence of RB and PB and presence of comorbid feeding/eating disorder symptoms among school-aged children. Methods: In elementary schools in Switzerland, 1,430 children (54.0% female) ages seven to 13 completed Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire for children (ChEDE-Q) and Eating Disturbances in Youth Questionnaire (EDY-Q). Results: EDY-Q data behavior frequency showed 9.7% reported RB only, 10.0% reported PB only, and 3.1% reported RB+PB (≥1 on 0-6 Likert scale). At a clinical cut-off score of ≥4 (at least “often true”), 1.7% had RB only, 3.8% had PB only, and 1.1% had RB+PB. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder symptoms were most common in those with RB+PB, and more common in those with RB or PB than those without. Degree of eating disorder symptoms (by ChEDE-Q) over the past 28 days were similar among those with RB, PB, or RB+PB, but less common in those without RB or PB. Discussion: RB and PB were commonly reported in our sample of school-aged children, even at a potential clinically significant cut-off. Our findings also suggest that degree of eating disorder symptom comorbidity is similar between those with RB and PB.

Objective: Little epidemiological evidence exists on rumination disorder behavior (RB) and pica behavior (PB). We examined prevalence of RB and PB and presence of comorbid feeding/eating disorder symptoms among school-aged children. Methods: In elementary schools in Switzerland, 1,430 children (54.0% female) ages seven to 13 completed Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire for children (ChEDE-Q) and Eating Disturbances in Youth Questionnaire (EDY-Q). Results: EDY-Q data behavior frequency showed 9.7% reported RB only, 10.0% reported PB only, and 3.1% reported RB+PB (≥1 on 0-6 Likert scale). At a clinical cut-off score of ≥4 (at least “often true”), 1.7% had RB only, 3.8% had PB only, and 1.1% had RB+PB. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder symptoms were most common in those with RB+PB, and more common in those with RB or PB than those without. Degree of eating disorder symptoms (by ChEDE-Q) over the past 28 days were similar among those with RB, PB, or RB+PB, but less common in those without RB or PB. Discussion: RB and PB were commonly reported in our sample of school-aged children, even at a potential clinically significant cut-off. Our findings also suggest that degree of eating disorder symptom comorbidity is similar between those with RB and PB.

The thesis is focused on the effect of ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonists and antagonist on food intake regulation. Ghrelin is the only known periferally produced orexigenic hormone and the only known acylated hormone. GHS-R1a agonists and antagonists could be useful in the treatment of cachexia and obesity, respectively. In the first part of the thesis, newly designed peptidic GHS-R1a agonists were characterized. The agonists were stabilized by replacing octanoylated Ser3 with a fatty acid coupled to diaminopropionic acid by a stable amide bond. Other noncoded amino acids were also incorporated. Ghrelin analogs were modified by replacing the octanoyl group with another fatty acid, incorporation of the second fatty acid or shortening the peptide chain. Most of the tested GHS-R1a agonists were found to possess high affinities for GHS-R1a (Ki = 10-9 - 10-10 nM) and to activate signaling pathways of ghrelin. After subcutaneous (SC) administration to mice, agonists showed significant and prolonged orexigenic effect. In the second part of the thesis, acute and long-term effects of pseudopeptide GHS-R1a agonist JMV1843 were tested in lean C57BL/6 mice. Acute SC administration of JMV1843 to fed mice increased food intake in a dose-dependent manner (ED50 = 1.94 mg/kg). JMV1843 was stable in blood serum in...

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin involved in the regulation of food intake and body weight, has been implicated in the development and maintenance of Anorexia nervosa (AN). The majority of previous studies reported lower BDNF levels in acutely underweight AN patients (acAN) and increasing levels after weight rehabilitation. Here, we investigated serum BDNF concentrations in the largest known AN sample to date, both before and after weight restoration therapy. Serum BDNF was measured in 259 female volunteers: 77 in-patient acAN participants of the restrictive type (47 reassessed after short-term weight rehabilitation), 62 individuals long-term recovered from AN, and 120 healthy controls. We validated our findings in a post-hoc mega-analysis in which we reanalyzed combined data from the current sample and those from our previous study on BDNF in AN (combined sample: 389 participants). All analyses carefully accounted for known determinants of BDNF (age, sex, storage time of blood samples). We further assessed relationships with relevant clinical variables (body-mass-index, physical activity, symptoms). Contrary to our hypotheses, we found zero significant differences in either cross-sectional or longitudinal comparisons and no significant relationships with clinical variables. Together, our study suggests that BDNF may not be a reliable state- or trait-marker in AN after all.

Eating and feeding disturbances are prevalent yet understudied health conditions in youth. They are characterized by aberrant eating behaviors, cognitive and emotional dysfunctions, and dysregulated body weight. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition defines several feeding and eating disorders with a common onset in youth; however, data on their clinical validity at young ages are lacking. Further non-normative eating behaviors exist, but their clinical relevance needs elucidation. This Special Issue compiles state-of-the-art reviews and empirical research on the presentation, development, course, and maintenance of diverse eating and feeding disturbances as a prerequisite for delineating evidence-based interventions for treatment and prevention.

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This study aimed to evaluate otter predation on stocked trout and grayling. The diet composition of piscivorous Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) was studied on the stream Chotýšanka in central Bohemia using spraint (otter faeces) analysis during one winter period (90 days). Stocking took place mostly in the second half of 2005. Around 5000 hatchery-reared brown trouts (Salmo trutta m. fario) of size about 10 cm, 600 graylings (Thymallus thymallus) of the same size and 480 rainbow trouts (Oncorhynchus mykiss) of size about 30 cm were stocked into the stream. Spraints were collected in December 2005 and January 2006. We found and identified 1531 fish in the spraints. The primary food source of otters was fish (almost 85 % of biomass). The main fish prey was small - sized, below 20 g in weight and 13 cm in length. The bulk of otter's diet consisted of less - valued species, especially the gudgeon (Gobio gobio). Other frequently consumed fish species were the European chub (Squalius cephalus), the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), the European perch (Perca fluviatilis), the brown trout and the rainbow trout. Consumption of stocked brown trout was 1,80 %, while cosumption of stocked rainbow trout was 10,90 % of biomass. Otters in this area consumed about 723 - 1446 brown trouts and 72 - 144 rainbow trouts...

Chez les parasites à cycle complexe et à transmission trophique, des stratégies d’exploitation de l’hôte intermédiaire ont été sélectionnées. Notamment, de nombreux parasites sont capables d’altérer le comportement de leur hôte intermédiaire (manipulation comportementale). Cette manipulation n’intervient que lorsque le stade larvaire du parasite est infectieux pour l’hôte définitif. Avant d’atteindre cette infectivité, le développement du stade larvaire n’est pas suffisamment avancé pour lui permettre de s’établir dans l’hôte définitif (il est dit non-infectieux). La transmission prématurée d’un stade non-infectieux implique alors la mort du parasite. Les parasites capables de renforcer les défenses anti-prédateurs de leur hôte intermédiaire au stade non-infectieux (i.e. de le protéger vis-à-vis de la prédation), avant de manipuler leur comportement au stade infectieux (i.e. de les exposer à la prédation par l’hôte définitif) devraient avoir été sélectionnés. Dans ces travaux de thèse, j’ai pu montrer qu’au stade larvaire non-infectieux, le parasite acanthocéphale Pomphorhynchus laevis renforce les défenses anti-prédateurs de son hôte intermédiaire amphipode, ce qui a pour effet de diminuer ses risques de prédation. Cet effet protecteur de l’hôte intermédiaire affecte négativement l’approvisionnement de l’amphipode, bien que cela n’ait aucune incidence sur l’état des réserves énergétiques de l’hôte. De même, le comportement reproducteur de l’hôte mâle n’est pas affecté par l’infection par ce stade protecteur. Les origines de cette stratégie parasitaire sont discutées, et des perspectives écologiques à ce changement comportemental de l’hôte sont suggérées / In trophically-transmitted parasites, exploitation strategies of the intermediate host have been selected, in a way increasing parasites transmission probabilities to their definitive host. Particularly, numerous parasites are able to alter their intermediate host behaviour, a phenomenon called ‘behavioural manipulation’. This manipulation only occurs when the parasite developmental stage (or larval stage) is infective for the definitive host. Before reaching this stage, the development of parasite larvae is not sufficiently advanced to allow establishment in the definitive host (this stage is thus called ‘non-infective’). Early transmission of a non-infective stage therefore implies parasite death. Parasites able to reinforce their intermediate host anti-predatory defences when non-infective (i.e. protecting them from predation), before manipulating their intermediate host behaviour when infective (i.e. exposing them to predation by definitive hosts), should have been selected. In this thesis, I showed that, when non-infective, the acanthocephalan parasite Pomphorhynchus laevis strengthens its amphipod intermediate host anti-predatory defences, which diminishes its host predation risk. This protective-like strategy negatively affects the amphipod food intake, although it has no effect on host energetic reserves. Similarly, the male amphipod reproductive behaviour is not affected by infection with a non-infective stage of the parasite. The origins of such parasitic strategy are discussed, and ecological perspectives to this host behavioural change are suggested

A obesidade é causada pelo desequilíbrio entre a ingestão alimentar e o gasto energético corporal, com o armazenamento de energia na forma de gordura, no tecido adiposo. A obesidade causa alterações metabólicas, como resistência à insulina e dislipidemia, além de aumento de adipocinas e citocinas pró-inflamatórias. Este trabalho investigou a influência de polimorfismos nos genes da perilipina 1 (PLINl), visfatina (NAMPT) , resistina (RETN) e grelina (GHRL) na adiposidade e no perfil metabólico e inflamatório, antes e após um programa de orientação nutricional. Foram selecionados indivíduos obesos (OB, n=214), sobrepeso (SOB, n=71) e não obesos (NOB, n=69), com idade de 30 a 70 anos. Foram obtidos dados clínicos, antropométricos e de composição corporal. O recordatório de 24h foi aplicado a 87 indivíduos obesos para avaliação de consumo alimentar, antes e após o programa de orientação nutricional. Foi obtido sangue para extração de DNA e para analisar parâmetros laboratoriais (perfil lipídico e glicêmico, marcadores inflamatórios e adipocinas). Polimorfismos dos genes PLINl, NAMPT, RETN e GHRL foram analisados por PCR em tempo real. O grupo OB teve perfil antropométrico alterado e risco aumentado de hipertensão, diabetes tipo 2 e dislipidemia em comparação com os grupos SOB e NOB (p<0,05). As concentrações de glicose, colesterol total, LDL colesterol, VLDL colesterol, triglicérides, apolipoproteína B (ApoB), interleucina 1&#946; (IL-l &#946;) e fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF&#945;) foram maiores e as concentrações de HDL colesterol e apolipoproteina AI (apoAI) foram menores, no grupo OB que nos outros grupos (p<0,05). As frequências dos polimorfismos genéticos do grupo total foram similares as de outras populações. Os polimorfismos NAMPT rs1319501 C>T e rs10763861 C>T foram associados com obesidade (p<0,05). Os polimorfismos genéticos não influenciaram o perfil antropométrico do grupo total (p>0,05), mas no grupo de obesos, o polimorfismo GHRL rs4684677 T>A foi relacionado com maior porcentagem de gordura corporal (p=0,043). Após a orientação nutricional, observou-se diminuição da ingestão de calorias e do consumo de carboidratos, gorduras totais, sódio, magnésio e betacaroteno (p<0,05). Os polimorfismos genéticos não influenciaram o perfil antropométrico e o consumo alimentar de obesos, após a orientação nutricional. Em conclusão, polimorfismos dos genes NAMPT e GHRL contribuem para a adiposidade, mas não influenciam o comportamento alimentar e o perfil antropométrico, após orientação nutricional. / Obesity is caused by the imbalance between food intake and body energy expenditure, with the storage of energy in the form of fat, in adipose tissue. Obesity causes metabolic changes, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, and an increase in adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines. This work investigated the influence of polymorphisms in the perilipine 1 (PLINI) , visfatin (NAMPT) , resistin (RETN) and ghrelin (GHRL) genes on adiposity and metabolic and inflammatory profile, before and after a nutritional orientation programo Obese (OB, n=214), overweight (SOB, n=71) and nonobese subjects (NOB, n=69), aged 30 to 70 years, were selected. ClinicaI, anthropometric and body composition data were obtained. The 24-hour dietary recall was applied to 87 obese subjects to eva1uate food intake before and after the nutritiona1 orientation programo Blood was obtained for DNA extraction and to analyze 1aboratory parameters (lipid and glycemic profile, inflammatory markers and adipokines). Po1ymorphisms of the PLINI, NAMPT, RETN and GHRL genes were analyzed by real-time PCR. The OB group had altered anthropometric profile and increased risk for hypertension, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia in comparison with SOB and NOB groups (p <0.05). Concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B (ApoB), interleukin 1&#946; (IL-1&#946;) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF&#945;) were higher and the concentrations ofHDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) were lower in the OB than in the other groups (p <0.05). The frequencies of the genetic polymorphisms of the total group were similar to those of other populations. NAMPT rs1319501 C> T and rs10763861 C> T polymorphisms were associated with obesity (p <0.05). Genetic polymorphisms did not influence the anthropometric profile ofthe total group (p> 0.05), but in the obese group, the GHRL rs4684677 T> A polymorphism was related to a higher body fat percentage (p = 0.043). After nutritional orientation, a decrease in calorie intake and in the consumption of carbohydrates, total fats, sodium, magnesium and beta-carotene CP <0.05) were observed. Genetic polymorphisms did not influence the anthropometric profile and the dietary intake of obese individuaIs after nutritional orientation. In conclusion, NAMPT and GHRL gene polymorphisms contribute to adiposity but do not influence dietary behavior and anthropometric profile after nutritional orientation.

A energia elétrica de uso doméstico no cenário mundial é um fenômeno recente que incorporou modulações temporais na expressão dos ritmos biológicos, como os hábitos alimentares e de sono. Após sua popularização, tecnologias eletrônicas foram criadas e incorporadas às nossas rotinas diárias. O acesso à iluminação elétrica promove uma maior flexibilidade na organização temporal das nossas atividades por facilitar o controle de extensão da fase de atividade para horas mais tardias da noite. Assim, essa situação pode constituir um desafio temporal ao organismo, gerado pelas oscilações das pistas temporais, adiantando ou atrasando a ocorrência de eventos rítmicos como a alimentação/jejum, atividade/repouso e metabolismo. O estudo foi realizado com 27 universitários entre 18 a 30 anos (17 mulheres; 10 homens) nos quais o comportamento alimentar e de sono foi registrado por meio do uso de diários e os ciclos de atividade/repouso e claro/escuro por meio de actímetros. Observada uma associação indireta entre o uso de equipamentos eletrônicos e o aumento no consumo alimentar. A associação observada em relação ao uso dos equipamentos com a ingesta está mais amparada no atraso do início do sono que propicia o aumento observado da ingesta média na fase noturna. No longo prazo o atraso da fase do sono e a diminuição da sua duração pode gerar um desalinhamento na regulação da expressão dos padrões temporais de atividade/repouso e alimentação/jejum que pode alterar o padrão do comportamento alimentar / Electric energy used widely in domestic context is a recent phenomenon that incorporates temporal modulations on the expression of biological rhythms and behaviour, like food ingestion and sleep patterns. After popularization of electric energy, electronic technologies have been created and incorporated to our routines. Access to electric light can promote more flexibility on temporal organization of our activities which allow for an extension of the wake phase to later portions of the night. Thus, that situation could promote temporal challenges to the organisms, generated by oscillations of temporal signals, which may cause phase advances or delays in rhythmic events like feeding/fasting, rest/activity and metabolic functions. This study involved 27 university students between 18 to 30 years old (17 women; 10 men) where feeding and sleep behavior data were collected with feeding and sleep diaries; the rest/activity rhythm and the light/dark cycle data were collected with actimeters. The association observed in relation to the use of the electronic equipments with the food intake is supported by the delay of the beginning of rest that propitiates the increase of the average intake in the nocturnal phase. In the long term, the delay of the rest phase and the decrease of its duration can generate a misalignment in the regulation of the expression of the temporal patterns of rest/activity and feeding/fasting and thus change the temporal pattern of the feeding behavior