Dynorphin has a well-established role in feeding and gustation. Alterations in taste perception and feeding behavior are common with age. We hypothesized that proDynorphin gene expression in brain areas involved in taste and feeding declines with age. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were housed individually with ad libitum access to food and water. Brain punches of the selected regions were dissected out in groups of rats aged 4-6, 12-14 and 18-21 months. ProDynorphin mRNA (measured using a cDNA probe) decreased significantly with age in arcuate nucleus and amygdala; increased significantly with age in hippocampus; and was not significantly affected in nucleus of the solitary tract, cortex, caudate putamen or hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. These data suggest an age-related decrease in the synthesis of dynorphin in two brain regions strongly associated with feeding behavior, and an increase in dynorphin synthesis in a brain region associated with learning and memory.

The nutritional ecology of the black carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus (De Geer) was investigated by examining macronutrient preference and particle consumption in foraging workers. The crops of foragers collected in the field were analyzed for macronutrient content at two-week intervals through the active season. Choice tests were conducted at similar intervals during the active season to determine preference within and between macronutrient groups. Isolated individuals and small social groups were fed fluorescent microspheres in the laboratory to establish the fate of particles ingested by workers of both castes. Under natural conditions, foragers chiefly collected carbohydrate and nitrogenous material. Carbohydrate predominated in the crop and consisted largely of simple sugars. A small amount of glycogen was present. Carbohydrate levels did not vary with time. Lipid levels in the crop were quite low. The level of nitrogen compounds in the crop was approximately half that of carbohydrate, and exhibited seasonal dependence. Peaks in nitrogen foraging occurred in June and September, months associated with the completion of brood rearing in Camponotus. In choice tests, foragers demonstrated a preference for sucrose, fructose, and glucose, the most common honeydew sugars. Sucrose was preferred over other sugars in laboratory and field tests. Consumption rates peaked at a concentration of 20%. Casein hydrolysate and processed fish products stimulated the most feeding in choice tests of protein foods. Though a variety of lipids of plant and animal origin were offered in both field and laboratory tests, they were generally ignored. No effect of time was observed during choice tests of macronutrient preference. Overall, nitrogenous food was collected four-fold more intensively than carbohydrate, in contrast to the results obtained from examinations of the crop contents. These data suggest that accessible nitrogen is limited in the environment. Workers readily consumed fluorescent microspheres 0.5 - 45 μm diameter. Forty-five μm microspheres were excluded from the crop. Particles 3 - 10 μm reached the crop, but were never seen in the mid- or hindguts of either major or minor workers. They also filled the infrabuccal pocket, where they were compacted into pellets. It is thought that the proventriculus contains such particles in the foregut, where they are eventually filtered from the ingluvium. Microspheres 1 μm or less were difficult to observe in the infrabuccal pocket, suggesting that they are not as effectively sequestered as larger particles. Microspheres smaller than 1 μm were seen in the mid- and hindgut of both worker castes, indicating that particles of this size are immune to the proventricular filter. Caste exerted an effect at one μm diameter, the threshold of filtering efficiency. One μm microspheres consumed by minor workers were detected in the mid- and hindgut, whereas one μm microspheres were never detected beyond the proventriculus in major workers. / Ph. D.

In this study, features of ecology, behavior, and functional morphology related to feeding activity of two populations of the amphipod Gammarus minus were compared. The two populations occupied different habitats, and I attempted to determine whether differences observed between the two populations were related to habitat. Annual production and life history of the populations were compared and their relationship to factors such as temperature, water-chemistry, and quantity of available organic matter were examined. Mouthpart and foregut morphology were compared between the two populations and between immature and mature amphipods with light and scanning electron microscopy. Measurements of structure were analyzed by linear regression. A behavioral study, comparing feeding of immature and mature G. minus, was conducted in the laboratory. Annual production of G. minus occupying a habitat characterized by the presence of watercress, gravel substrate, and constant temperature (Site 1) was 3.9 g/m² (95% C.I.: 3.2- 4.5), while that in the habitat characterized by leaf detritus and fluctuating temperatures (Site 2) was 1.8 g/m² (95% C.I.: 1.6-2.1). Breeding occurred throughout the year at Site 1, but there was a yearly cycle at Site 2. The greatest numbers of the smallest size classes of amphipod were present at Site 2 when the quantity of ash-free dry mass (AFDM) of wood and bark was greater than AFDM of leaf detritus. Of nine mouthpart and foregut structures studied, three, the number of cuspidate setae on outer plates of maxillipeds, the length of the dactyl on maxilliped palps, and the number of hook setae on the foregut ampullae, were found to be correlated with body length. Of these, rates of increase in maxilliped setae numbers and hook setae numbers were greater for immature than mature animals, and the number of hook setae for a given sized animal was generally greater for animals at Site 1 than Site 2. Animals presented with ground-up leaf material in the laboratory exhibited twenty-one recognizable behaviors. The frequencies of six behaviors were found to be statistically different between immature and mature animals. The differences suggest that immatures may prefer a food type or size other than that provided in the experiment. / Ph. D.

A obesidade infantil vem aumentando progressivamente e está associada a várias complicações na infância e na idade adulta. Apresenta etiologia multifatorial, sendo o resultado de complexas interações entre fatores genéticos, dietéticos e ambientais. O presente estudo investiga um dos fatores ambientais, a influência familiar, e utiliza um novo instrumento para especificar como o comportamento dos pais influencia o excesso de peso de seus filhos durante a infância. O Questionário de Alimentação da Criança (QAC) avalia as crenças, atitudes e práticas dos pais em relação à alimentação de seus filhos e a relação destes componentes com a tendência ao desenvolvimento obesidade infantil. A versão original deste instrumento apresenta 31 questões e avalia 07 fatores: Percepção de responsabilidade, Percepção do peso dos pais, Percepção do peso da criança, Preocupação com o peso da criança, Restrição, Pressão para comer e Monitoramento. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as atitudes, crenças e práticas das mães em relação à alimentação e propensão à obesidade em crianças que são atendidas pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) da cidade de Ribeirão Preto - SP. Os participantes foram 300 pais e filhos, sendo 150 mães e 150 crianças, aleatoriamente selecionadas, com idade entre 2 a 11 anos e de ambos os sexos. O QAC foi aplicado às mães e a avaliação antropométrica foi realizada através da aferição de peso corporal e estatura das mães e filhos, de acordo com as instruções recomendadas pelo Ministério da Saúde. Realizou-se a descrição dos dados por meio de frequências e percentuais e o teste de correlação de Kendall entre as variáveis em estudo. Os níveis de significância estatísticaestabelecido foi p<0,05. A avaliação do estado nutricional foi realizada através do IMC, segundo os critérios de classificação recomendados pela OrganizaçãoMundial da Saúde (OMS).Os resultados mostraram que parte das crianças e das mães apresentou excesso de peso. Em relação ao QAC, no fator Percepção de responsabilidade as mães consideram-se, na maior parte do tempo, responsáveis pela alimentação dos filhos. Para o fator Percepção do peso dos pais e percepção do peso da criança, estas relatam peso normal desde a infância até atualmente. Para o fator Preocupação com o peso da criança as mães consideram-se preocupadas. Para o fator Restrição, as mães concordam com a prática de restringir que sua criança coma determinados alimentos. No fator Pressão para comer, as mães concordam em relação à pressão para que sua criança coma determinada quantidade ou tipo de alimento. No fator Monitoramento, as mães relatam que sempre devem monitorar o que sua criança come. Além disso, verificou-se correlação positiva entre as variáveis IMC dos filhos e dos pais; IMC dos filhos e os fatores Percepção de responsabilidade, Percepção do peso da criança, Preocupação com o peso da criança, Restrição e Monitoramento; e negativa entre IMC dos filhos e Pressão para comer. Desta forma, é possível sugerir que as crenças, atitudes e práticas dos pais durante a alimentação dos filhos estão associadas com o excesso de peso na infância. / Childhood obesity has been increasing steadily and is associated with various complications in childhood and adulthood. Presents several causes and is the result of complex interactions between genetic, dietary and environmental. This study investigates one of the environmental factors, family influence, and uses a new tool to specify how parents\' behavior influences the overweight of their children during infancy. The Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) assesses parents beliefs, attitudes and practices about childs feeding and relationship of these components with the trend of childhood obesity. The original version of this questionnaire has 31 questions and it evaluates 7 factors: Perceived Responsibility, Perceived Parent Weight, Perceived Child Weight, Concern about Child Weight, Restriction, Pressure to Eat and Monitoring. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes, beliefs and practices of the parents about childs feeding and obesity proneness on children who are served by the Unified Health System in the city of Ribeirão Preto-SP. The participants were 300 parents and children (150 mothers and 150 children). The children were randomly chosen, with the age ranging from 2 to 11 years and of both sexes. The CFQ was applied on mothers and the anthropometric measurements were recorded by measurement of mothers and childrens body weight and height, according to the instructions recommended by the Ministry of Health. For the data analysis, a descriptive statistics (percentages and frequencies), the Kendall correlation test, when applicable, was used. The levels of statistical significance were set at p<0.05. The assessment of nutritional status used the Body Mass Index (BMI) according to the classification criteria recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The results showed that most children and mothers were overweight. In relation to the QAC, for the Perceived Responsibility Factor, mothers considered themselves, the responsible ones for feeding their child most of the time. As for Perceived Parent Weight Factor, they reported to have had normal weight from childhood up to the present moment. The Perceived Child Weight Factor, parents also affirmed that their children always had normal weight from their childhood up to the present moment. On Concern about Child Weight Factor, the mothers are considered to be worried. About the Restriction Factor, mothers agree with the practice to restrict the ingestion of some type of food to their children. For the Pressure to Eat Factor, mothers agree about the pressure to regulate the quantity of determined type of food consumed by their children. On Monitoring Factor, mothers reported that, they always should monitor what their child eats. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between children and parents BMI variables, as well as childrens BMI and the factors Perceived Responsibility; Perceived Child Weight; Concern about Child Weight, Restriction and Monitoring, and negative correlation between childrens BMI and Pressure to Eat. It can be concluded that the parental attitudes, beliefs and practices about childs feeding are positively associated with overweight in childhood.

INTRODUÇÃO: O hábito alimentar dos escolares pode ser influenciado por características sociodemográficas e do ambiente, seja escolar, doméstico oufora do lar e a valiar o consumo de alimentos do escolar em diferentes locais,pode fornecer informações sobre a qualidade dos alimentos ofertados em cada local. O Índice de Qualidade da Dieta Revisado (IQD -R) é um instrumento apropriado, pois, analisa a qualidade dos alimentos consumidos, comparando - os com as recomendações brasileiras. OBJETIVO: descrever a qualidade da dieta de escolares utilizando o IQD - R. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com escolares de 7 a 10 anos de duas escolas municipais de São Paulo. Foram coletadas informações socioeconômicas, de estado nutricional e de consumo alimentar, por meio da aplicação de três recordatórios de 24h. A qualidade da dieta foi avaliada pelo método IQD-R. RESULTADOS:A média do IQD-R foi de 64,6 pontos e a maioria dos escolares apresentou dieta que necessita de modificação. Os componentes que apresentaram menores escores foram cereais integrais e sódio, e os maiores escores foram observados nos óleos, carnes, ovos e leguminosas, e cereais totais. As meninas apresentaram maior consumo de frutas e menor consumo de carnes, ovos e leguminosas, e sódio. O menor consumo de sódio esteve associado ao maior nível de escolaridade da pessoa de referência da família e maior número de refeições diárias. Escolares que consomem café da manhã possuem maior consumo de vegetais e de leite e derivados. O maior consumo de refeições em casa esteve associado com o menor consumo de gordura saturada e calorias provenientes de gordura sólida e açúcares de adição (Gord_AA), além de ser fator de proteção para uma melhor qualidade da dieta. Escolares que consumiram refeições fora do lar, apresentaram maior consumo de cereais integrais e Gord_AA. CONCLUSÃO: A análise da qualidade da dieta dos escolares mostrou que estes não consomem os alimentos e nutrientes conforme a recomendação brasileira. O maior número de refeições em casa é considerado como fator de proteção para uma melhor dieta quando comparado ao maior número de refeições fora do lar, por isto, ações de educação alimentar e nutricional devem ser direcionadas aos escolares, com intuito de reduzir o consumo de alimentos industrializados e fora do lar. Além disto, a presença do nutricionista nas unidades produtoras de alimentos e na regulamentação da produção dos alimentos industrializados, pode auxiliar na elaboração de cardápios saudáveis, em que se incluem os cereais integrais, frutas e hortaliças, utilizando-se o aproveitamento integral dos alimentos, modos de preparo com menos gordura, como as preparações cozidas, assadas e grelhadas, redução na quantidade de sal de adição e da utilização de alimentos industrializados. / INTRODUCTION: the feeding habits of school children can be influenced by sociodemographic characteristics and environment, whether school, home or outside the home. To assess food intake school among children in different settings can provide information about the quality of food offered at each lo cation. The Healthy Eating Index 2005 (HEI - 2005) is an appropriate tool, for assessing the quality of food consumed, comparing them with Brazilian recommendations. OBJECTIVE: to describe the diet quality of school children by means of the HEI - 2005. METHODS : this was a cross - sectional study of school children 7 - 10 years of two public schools in São Paulo. Information on socioeconomic and nutritional status was collected, as well as, food consumption by the application of three 24 - hour records. The diet quali ty was assessed by HEI - 2005 method. RESULTS: the mean HEI - 2005 score was 64.6 points and most children presented a diet needing improvement. The components that had lower scores were whole grains and sodium, and higher scores were observed for oils, meats, eggs and beans, and total cereals. Girls had higher consumption of fruits and lower consumption of meat, eggs and beans, and sodium. The lowest sodium intake associated with parents higher level of education and increased number of daily meals. School ch ildren who consumed breakfast had higher consumption of vegetables and milk. The increased consumption of meals at home was associated with lower intake of saturated fat and calories from solid fats and added sugars (SoFAAS), in addition to being a protect ive factor for a better diet quality. School children that consumed meals outside the home had higher intake of whole grains and SoFAAS. CONCLUSION: The assessment of diet quality of school children showed that they do have a food intake that meets Brazili an recommendations . The more meals at home is regarded as a protective factor for a better diet when compared to more meals outside the home, thus, shares of food and nutrition education shall be directed to the school children, in order to reduce the cons umption of processed foods and outside the home. Furthermore, the presence of a nutritionist in food producing units and the regulation of the production of processed foods, can help to develop healthy menus, where whole grains, fruits and vegetables are i ncluded, using the full utilization of food, modes of preparation with less fat as cooked, baked and grilled preparations, reduction in the amount of added salt and the use of processed foods.

Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a associação do estado nutricional à periodontite. Para isso, foram selecionadas 32 mulheres adultas com idade entre 30 e 50 anos. A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos a partir da média de perda de inserção periodontal: grupo controle (n=17) com média < 2 mm e grupo teste (n=15) com média = 2 mm. Todas as voluntárias foram submetidas a questionário de saúde geral e de freqüência alimentar. O estado sócio-econômico foi obtido pelo nível de escolaridade e pela aplicação de questionário de classificação sócio-econômica. A avaliação periodontal foi realizada a partir da determinação do Índice de Placa Visível (IPV), do Índice de Sangramento Marginal (ISM) e do nível de inserção. Foi calculado o índice de massa corporal (IMC) e foram solicitados os seguintes exames laboratoriais: hemograma, HDL-colesterol, triglicerídeos, vitamina B12, zinco sérico e ácido fólico. Os resultados revelaram que não houve diferença estatística quanto ao estado sócio-econômico entre os grupos, bem como na análise do IMC, embora tenha se observado uma alta freqüência de sobrepeso e de obesidade nos dois grupos. Comparando-se os valores médios, observou-se diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos controle e teste (p < 0,01) quanto à perda de inserção periodontal, ao nível de profundidade de sondagem e ao ISM. Observou-se uma maior freqüência de voluntárias que consumiam frutas, legumes e verduras pelo menos uma vez por semana nos dois grupos. O eritrograma mostrou-se alterado somente nas voluntárias do grupo teste, enquanto no grupo controle os resultados foram normais. As alterações observadas foram: número baixo de eritrócitos, hematócrito reduzido e concentração reduzida de hemoglobina, volume corpuscular médio (VCM) reduzido e índice de hemoglobina corpuscular médio (HCM) reduzido... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The study's aim was to evaluate the association between nutritional status and periodontitis. For this, 32 adult women had been selected, no-smokers within the age of 30 and 50 years. The sample was divided into two groups according to mean of attachment loss: control group (n=17) with mean < 2 mm and test group (n=15) with mean = 2 mm. All the volunteers were submitted to a questionnaire of general health and of dietary frequency. The socio-economic status was determined to educational level and to questionnaire of socio-economic classification. The periodontal exam included Visible Plaque Index, Gingival Index and attachment level. The Body Mass Index (BMI) has been calculated and erythrocyte count and leukocyte count measurements were performed and levels of HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, vitamin B12, zinc and folate. The results revealed that didn't statistics difference to socio-economic status and to BMI between the groups, although observed the high frequency of the overweight and obesity in the two groups. Comparing the mean values, there was different statistically significant between the groups control and test (p < 0,01) to attachment loss, probing depth and gingival index. There was increased frequency of the volunteers that dietary intake fruits and vegetables at least a time per week in two groups. The erythrocyte count presented altered only in the volunteers of the test group while in the control group the results were normal. The alterations were: lower numbers of erythrocytes, lower hematocrit, lower hemoglobin concentration, lower mean corpuscular volume (MVC) and lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin index (MHC). The leukocyte count showed increased frequency of the alterations in the two groups and the relative and/or absolute eosinophilia was more evident in the test group. Lower folate level was observed too in the test group... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below) / Orientador: Miriam Aparecida Onofre / Coorientador: Elaine Maria Sgavioli Massucato / Banca: Silvana Regina Perez Orrico / Banca: Luiz Eduardo Montenegro Chinellato / Mestre

No description available.

The objective of the first study was to determine which combination of bimodal (2-population) distribution models best fit non-feeding interval data to distinguish intervals within (1st population) and between (2nd population) meals in beef cattle fed a corn-based diet. Feeding behavior traits were measured in 119 heifers fed a corn-based diet using a GrowSafe system. Bimodal distribution models were fitted to the log10-transformed interval lengths between bunk visit (BV) events for each animal using Gaussian (G); Weibull (W); Log-Normal; Gamma and Gumbel statistical functions. Criterion (AIC) and likelihood probability estimates. Objectives of the second study were to quantify individual meal criterion and examine the associations between feeding behavior traits, performance, and feed efficiency traits in heifers fed a corn-based diet. Results from study one indicate that the G-W bimodal distribution model is a statistically better fitting and likely a more appropriate model to define meal criterion compared to the standard G-G model used in previous literature. Results from the second study suggest that the meal criterion for heifers fed a corn-based diet is 11.48 min when applying the G-W bimodal model to log-transformed interval lengths between BV events. Moderate phenotypic correlations between feed efficiency (residual feed intake- RFI) and several feeding behavior traits were found. Inclusion of these feeding behavior traits to the base model for RFI accounted for an additional 25% of the variation in DMI not explained by ADG or mid-test BW0.75. Significant (P < 0.05) differences in 11 observed feeding behavior traits between RFI classification groups were also found suggesting that differences in feeding behaviors may contribute to the variation in RFI due to differences in energetic costs related to feeding activities.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of residual feed intake (RFI) classification on performance, feed efficiency, feeding behavior and carcass traits, and to determine the relative importance of individual performance and carcass measurements on between-animal variation in net revenue of feedlot steers. Performance, feed intake and feeding behavior traits were measured in 508 Angus-based composite steers, using the GrowSafe feed-intake measurement system, while fed a high-grain diet for 70 days. Residual feed intake (RFI) was computed as actual minus expected dry matter intake (DMI) derived from regression of DMI on average daily gain (ADG) and mid-test BW0.75, and steers classified into low (n = 150), medium (n = 200) and high (n = 158) RFI groups. Following the feed-intake measurement periods, steers were fed the same diet in group pens and harvested at an average backfat thickness of 1.14 cm. Net revenue (NR) was calculated as carcass value minus feeder calf, yardage, and feed costs using 3-year average prices. Feed cost was based on actual feed consumed during the feed-intake measurement periods, and model-predicted intake adjusted for RFI during the group-feeding periods. Steers with low RFI had $48/hd lower (P < 0.0001) feed cost, $16/hd numerically higher (P = 0.29) carcass value, and $62/hd more favorable (P < 0.0001) net revenue compared to their high-RFI counterparts. Net revenue was correlated with carcass weight, marbling score, yield grade, DMI, ADG, RFI and G:F ratio where animals that consumed more feed, had higher rates of gain and were more efficient had more favorable net returns. Models predicting net revenue from performance, carcass quality, and feed efficiency traits accounted for 77% of the between-animal variation in NR. In the base model, that included all traits performance, carcass quality and feed efficiency traits explained 28, 14 and 35%, respectively, of the variation in NR. Results from this study indicate that between-animal variation in net revenue was impacted to a great extent by performance and feed efficiency, rather than carcass quality traits, in Angus-based composite steers based on average 3-year pricing scenarios.

The objectives of this study were to characterize residual feed intake (RFI) in growing bulls and heifers and in mid-gestation females to examine relationships with performance, body composition, feeding behavior, digestibility (DMD) and heart rate (HR) and evaluate the impact of RFI on bull fertility and cow forage utilization. Additionally, use of the n-alkane method to predict individual animal variations in intake was investigated. To accomplish these objectives, multiple RFI studies were conducted. In all studies RFI was computed as the difference between actual and expected DMI from linear regression of DMI on mid-test metabolic BW and ADG. To evaluate phenotypic relationships between feed efficiency, scrotal circumference (SC) and semen-quality an experiment was conducted with yearling bulls (N=204). Residual feed intake was not correlated with BW and ADG, but was positively associated with 12th-rib back fat (BF) such that the more efficient bulls were leaner. Bulls with low RFI had similar SC and progressive motility of sperm compared to high-RFI bulls. However percent normal sperm were weakly associated with RFI in a negative manner. To examine phenotypic relationships between heifer postweaning RFI, and performance, efficiency, HR, and DMD of mid-gestation cows, RFI was measured in growing Bonsmara heifers (N=175). Forty-eight heifers with divergent RFI were retained for breeding. Subsequently, intake, performance and feeding behavior was measured on mid-gestation females. Pregnant females classified as having low postweaning RFI continued to consume 22% less feed, spent 25% less time eating, and had 7% lower HR while maintaining similar BW, ADG and body composition compared to high RFI females. A moderate association between RFI in growing heifers and subsequent efficiency of forage utilization in pregnant cows was found. Growing heifers identified as efficient had greater DMD, however DMD in mature cows was similar between RFI groups. The n-alkane method of predicting intake detected differences in intake between divergent RFI groups in mid-gestation females. Results from this study indicate that inclusion of RFI as a component of a multi-trait selection program will improve feed efficiency of growing animals and mid-gestation females with minimal impacts on growth, body composition, and fertility traits.