Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Wool Growth Nutritional aspects'

"May 2002" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-164) Describes a series of novel experiments designed to enhance our understanding of nutrient utilisation for growth of wool and the whole body.

Wool from Merino sheep is an important component of the Australian economy. However, little is known of the mechanisms within the wool follicle that regulate fibre production. The aim of the research described here was to identify and characterise some of the genes expressed in the follicle.A highly expressed gene has been identified from skin and sequenced. The information obtained on this gene suggests that it might be of use in future transgenic studies. Two cDNA libraries were constructed. The first was constructed using small amounts of total RNA from skin and PCR methodology, following a published method. A second cDNA library was then produced from adult mid-flank skin using a commercially available kit. A pool of 420 potential wool follicle specific transcripts were identified from this adult mid-flank skin cDNA library using a combination of differential and subtractive screening. Clone 1-25 was chosen as the focus for the remaining work described in this thesis. Expression of clone 1-25 was detected at all stages of wool follicle development and was localised to the wool follicle bulb, inner root sheath, outer root sheath, epidermis, but not the dermis or dermal papilla. The function of clone 1-25 is as yet unknown. However, from its expression in the wool follicle, and studies by other groups, it appears that it may play a role in inducing differentiation
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Biological Sciences)

Dietary carbohydrate during pregnancy is essential but whether this requirement is specific to glucose or if fructose could substitute for glucose in the diet of pregnant rat dams was investigated. It was concluded that the carbohydrate requirement for the rat during pregnancy is not specific to glucose and the level, not the type, of carbohydrate was critical. The potential toxicity of high fructose diets was also investigated. Dams fed high fructose had significantly higher liver weights than dams fed high glucose while other toxic indicators were not affected. A third aspect was the comparison of isocaloric, low carbohydrate diets containing different sources of 4% glucose equivalents: glucose, fructose or lipid-glycerol. Fructose and lipid-glycerol were not adequate substitutes for glucose. The measurement of amniotic fluid glucose, which increased as either dietary glucose or fructose increased in the maternal diet may be a new, accessible nutritional indicator of carbohydrate status.

Since glucose is the principal substrate used during exercise and is also the main metabolic fuel for the developing embryo and fetus, exercising during pregnancy could induce a competition for fuel between fetus and exercising muscles, perturbing glucose homeostasis. To determine if exercise during pregnancy would predispose the fetus to increased risk, pregnant rats were randomly assigned to a low (4%), moderate (12%) or high (60%) carbohydrate diet, and either rested or exercised on a rodent treadmill at a moderate (15.5 m/min) or high (24.3 m/min) intensity from day 16-21 of gestation. When food intake was controlled for in the statistical model as a covariate, the level of maternal dietary carbohydrate significantly influenced maternal liver weight, heart glycogen, insulin, amniotic fluid glucose and lactate, but not maternal plasma glucose, liver or skeletal muscle glycogens. In contrast, a restricted level of maternal dietary carbohydrate, lowered fetal weight as well as fetal plasma glucose, insulin and liver glycogen. Exercise intensity significantly altered only maternal lactate levels. The results indicate that acute exercise during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on fetal development only if carbohydrate energy is restricted. Otherwise, adequate carbohydrate in the maternal diet appears to protect the fetus.

A dextran sulphate (DS) model of ulcerative colitis was used to examine the effects of macronutrient restriction with (MR+PRO) and without (MR) probiotic supplementation (VSL#3RTM) on protein metabolism and growth. MR and MR+PRO decreased weight and chest circumference gain, but had no effect on linear growth of piglets. MR decreased the protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR) of liver, masseter, longissimus dorsi, colon, as well as plasma albumin, measured by stable isotope tracer L-[ring-2H 5]phenylalanine. MR+PRO increased the FSR of hepatic proteins by greater than 70% and increased both the FSR and absolute synthesis rate (ASR) of the total plasma protein pool, albumin and fibrinogen. Over 11 days, MR+PRO piglets showed a smaller decrease in plasma total protein concentrations than WN piglets, and maintained higher albumin levels than either WN or MR piglets. These findings highlight the importance of adequate nutrition during gastrointestinal inflammation and show that when food intake is decreased, probiotics stimulate liver protein synthesis and increase the acute phase protein response, similar to the well-nourished state.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) reduces bone mass by 10-30% and impairs arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid status in infants. Because AA and DHA enhance neonatal bone mass, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary 0.5% AA and 0.2% DHA (w/w) prior to weaning on bone and growth. 40 guinea pigs were randomized to either a control (C) or low-protein diet (LP) during pregnancy and the C diet or the C diet with AA+DHA during lactation. Measurements included bone mass, metabolism, and strength, and erythrocyte lipid of sows and offspring from birth to 16 wk post-partum. The LP diet induced IUGR, while the AA+DHA increased bone mass by 5-20% in sows and offspring and corrected growth and bone mass in IUGR pups. Thus, AA+DHA provided in lactation rescues the growth trajectory in an IUGR state and is beneficial to maternal and neonatal bone mass.

The interrelation among maternal dietary intake, pregravid weight, amount and pattern of gestational weight gain and cigarette smoking in influencing the balance between fetal growth and maternal postpartum weight retention was in investigated in 1,330 healthy participants in the PEI Nutritional Counselling Program. Among nonsmokers, gestational weight gain was the main predictor of postpartum weight retention and explained 65.3% of its variability, while explaining only 4.7% of infant birth weight variability. Women with higher postpartum weight retention gained more weight during pregnancy and most of the difference between higher and lower weight retention groups occurred in the first 20 weeks. When comparing infant size between smoking and nonsmoking mothers, birth weight increased linearly with maternal weight gain in all weight status groups except in overweight nonsmokers where birth weight reached a plateau at weight gains $>$17 kg. Among smokers, infant length increased at a higher rate with weight gain than nonsmokers. Although higher weight gains seemed to partially mitigate the effect of smoking on the risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, such risk remained $>$10% at elevated weight gains among underweight smokers. The effects of smoking in reducing maternal and infant weights were not mediated by lower energy intake, as smokers consumed more energy than nonsmokers after controlling for physical activity and pregravid weight. The independent relative risks of SGA infants due to maternal smoking, pregravid underweight and low weight gain, were 3.23, 1.80 and 1.72 respectively, implying that smoking has the greatest effect on SGA. Based on current smoking prevalence in Canada, the population etiologic fraction of SGA due to the direct effect of smoking is 30.8%; approximately twice that for maternal underweight or low weight gain. Efforts to increase infant birth weight through higher maternal weight gain would require impractically high ene

To test the hypothesis that maternal dietary glucose restriction throughout pregnancy and lactation would perturb glucose transporter (GLUT) protein levels in offspring, isoenergetic diets containing graded levels of glucose (0, 12, 24 and 60%) were fed to pregnant rats and their offspring from gestation day (gd) 0 through postnatal day (pd) 49. Diets were defined as deficient (0%), restricted (12, 24%) or adequate (60%) in glucose. Plasma, small intestine, liver and kidney tissues were collected perinatally (gd20, birth, 12--24hrs postnatal), during lactation (pd7, 15, 21), post-weaning (pd28, 35, 49) and in adult controls. The proximal and distal regions of the small intestine responded differently to the dietary glucose restriction. Proximal small intestine GLUT2 protein levels did not change throughout postnatal development and remained unaltered with dietary glucose restriction, while distal small intestine GLUT2 protein expression changed throughout postnatal development and with dietary glucose restriction. These findings, together with information from the literature, indicate a dissociation between small intestine GLUT2 mRNA expression, GLUT2 protein levels and small intestine glycogen reserves.

The purpose of these studies was to investigate the impact of high-fat diet (HFD) exposure during pregnancy and the early post-natal period on fetal and post-natal development of the endocrine pancreas of the Japanese macaque. Specifically I hypothesized that the HFD would alter islet morphology and lead to disturbances in glucose homeostasis in these animals. Adult female Japanese macaques were placed on either a control (CTR) or HFD diet for 4 years. Fetuses were collected at gestational day 130 (G130), while other offspring from the CTR and HFD mothers were carried to term. After birth, infant animals were maintained with their mothers on the same diet then weaned onto either the CTR or HFD diet for five months. Animals were studied up to 13 months of age, yielding 4 postnatal groups: CTR/CTR, CTR/HFD, HFD/CTR and HFD/HFD. Pancreata were collected from these offspring for gene expression and immunohistochemical analysis. Physiological measurements, including body weight, body fat percentage, fasting glucose, insulin, glucagon and response to intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTTs) and an intravenous insulin tolerance test (IVITT) were collected from the post-natal offspring. Total fetal islet mass and β cell mass were not changed, but α cell mass was significantly decreased in HFD fetuses, leading to a significant increase in the β cell to α cell ratio in HFD fetal offspring. The HFD offspring displayed a significant change from CTR offspring in expression of genes involved in glucose homeostasis and islet neogenesis, including PDX1, NeuroD, Glucokinase and Glut2. Postnatal HFD animals were significantly heavier than CTR offspring and had increased adiposity by 6-7 months of age. There was no significant effect on fasting or stimulated insulin secretion at this time point, but HFD offspring were significantly insulin resistant just prior to weaning. At 13 months of age, basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were elevated in HFD/HFD animals and the CTR/HFD group displayed moderate insulin resistance. There was also a significant sex effect, with males from the HFD/CTR and HFD/HFD group having increased body weight and elevated fasting glucose. Although pancreata from both the HFD/HFD and CTR/HFD animals displayed significant changes in expression of genes involved in glucose homeostasis, the pattern was distinct for the two groups. Islet mass was also elevated in both of these groups; yet, HFD/HFD only displayed an increase in β cell area, while CTR/HFD had a concomitant increase in α cell area, which served to normalize the β cell to α cell ratio to control levels. In contrast, the HFD/HFD group exhibited a 40% increase in the β cell to α cell ratio. These studies demonstrate that in-utero exposure to a HFD leads to decreased α cell plasticity in response to chronic post-natal HFD consumption. Animals exposed to the HFD during pregnancy and the early post-natal period become insulin resistant, but remain normoglycemic. HFD consumption during the post-weaning period causes similar complications in glucose homeostasis and islet mass in both the CTR/HFD and HFD/HFD animals. However, there are distinct differences in the molecular and cellular adaptive response between these two groups.

Thesis (MNutr)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction A paucity of data exists regarding growth patterns and nutrition-related problems in infants (<12 months) on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and the infant feeding knowledge, beliefs, attitude and practices of their caregivers. Aim To describe the growth and nutrition-related problems of infants (<12 months) attending the Antiretroviral (ARV) clinic at Red Cross Children’s Hospital, as well as the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of their caregivers concerning infant feeding. Methods A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with census sampling. Thirty infants and 31 caregivers were included in the sample. Anthropometric measurements were performed and interviewer-administered questionnaires were utilised to obtain the knowledge, attitude, beliefs and practices of the caregivers. The mean Z-score of each measurement as well as the weight-for-age, length-for-age, weight-forlength and bodymass index-for-age for each infant were determined, analysed, interpreted and described according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) growth standards for children. Results Thirty-nine percent (n=11) of the mothers (n=28) did not receive infant feeding counselling prior to delivery, while only 9 (32%) received the minimum number of at least 4 sessions, as prescribed by the Department of Health. It was not assessed whether the counselling occurred before delivery. The mean age of the infants was 6.9 (SD 3.3) months. Eighty-three percent (n=25) had an opportunistic infection prior to data collection. Twenty-three percent (n=7) were underweight-forage and 40% (n=12) of the infants were stunted. Vomiting and diarrhoea were the most common nutrition-related problems experienced. A statistical significant positive correlation (p=0.003) was found between an infant’s duration on ART and W/A z-score. Only two caregivers were breastfeeding at the time of data collection, but 34% (n=10) of the other caregivers had at some stage breastfed their infant. Formula feeding practices were poor. Sixty-two percent (n=18) were not preparing the feeds correctly and only six (21%) were correctly cleaning and sterilising the bottles. Thirty-nine percent (n=11) of the infants were not receiving an adequate amount of milk per day. Sixty-five percent (n=11) of the infants (>six months) did not receive a diet the previous day which met the minimum WHO dietary diversity indicator and only 18% (n=3) received a minimum acceptable diet. Caregivers had an average knowledge concerning infant feeding. Thirteen percent (n=4) knew the correct definition of exclusive breast- or formula feeding. Sixty-eight percent (n=21) did not know what mixed feeding meant, or the dangers associated with it. Most caregivers (n=25, 81%) knew that oral rehydration solution had to be given when infants developed diarrhoea, but only 48% (n=15) knew how to prepare it and only 6% (n=2) knew how to administer it. Seventy-five percent (n=9) of caregivers did not know what should be done when experiencing breast problems. Sixty-four percent (n=19) of the caregivers believed that if a HIV-positive woman breastfeeds she would definitely transmit HIV to her infant. Conclusion The infant sample showed a variety of erratic growth patterns with a high prevalence of underweight and stunting. Infant feeding knowledge of caregivers was average, but not deemed sufficient to translate into appropriate, safe and optimal infant feeding practices. The breastfeeding prevalence was low. Formula preparation, feeding and hygiene practices were poor and dietary intake of infants was not optimal. The quality and quantity of HIV infant feeding counselling sessions received at antenatal clinic visits were poor and need to be addressed.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding Daar is 'n tekort aan data oor groeipatrone en voedingsverwante probleme by babas (<12 maande) op antiretrovirale behandeling asook die babavoedingkennis, -oortuigings, -houdings en -praktyke van hul versorgers. Doelwit Om ondersoek in te stel na die groei- en voedingsverwante probleme by babas (<12 maande) in die antiretrovirale kliniek by Rooikruis-kinderhospitaal, sowel as die babavoedingkennis, - oortuigings, -houdings en -praktyke van hul versorgers. Metodes 'n Beskrywende dwarssnitstudie is met sensussteekproefneming onderneem. Dertig babas en 31 versorgers is by die steekproef ingesluit. Antropometriese metings was gedoen en onderhoude was met behulp van vraelyste gevoer ten einde inligting oor die versorgers se kennis, houdings, oortuigings en praktyke te bekom. Elke baba se gemiddelde z-telling per meting sowel as die gewig-vir-ouderdom, lengte-vir-ouderdom en liggaamsmassa-indeks-vir-ouderdom was volgens die Wêreldgesondheidsorganisasie (WGO) se groeistandaarde vir kindersbepaal, ontleed, vertolk en beskryf. Resultate Altesaam 39% (n=11) van die moeders (n=28) het nie voor die bevalling voorligting oor babavoeding ontvang nie, terwyl slegs 9 (32%) die Departement van Gesondheid se voorgeskrewe minimum 4 sessies, deurloop het. Dit was nie bepaal of hierdie sessies voor die bevalling ontvang was nie. Die gemiddelde ouderdom van die babas was 6,9 (standaardafwyking 3,3) maande. 'n Totaal van 83% (n=25) het voor data-insameling 'n opportunistiese infeksie gehad, 23% (n=7) was ondergewig-vir-ouderdom, en 40% (n=12) van die babas se lengtegroei was ingekort. Die algemeenste voedingsverwante probleme was braking en diarree. Daar blyk 'n statisties beduidende positiewe korrelasie (p=0.003) te wees tussen die duur van die baba se antiretrovirale behandeling en sy/haar gewig-vir-ouderdom-z-telling. Slegs twee versorgers het hul babas ten tyde van die studie geborsvoed, hoewel 34% (n=10) van die versorgers in 'n stadium geborsvoed het. Voedingspraktyke met die gee van melkformule was swak. Altesaam 62% (n=18) het die melkformule verkeerd aangemaak en slegs ses (21%) het die bottels behoorlik skoongemaak en gesteriliseer. Nege-en-dertig persent (n=11) van die babas het te min melk per dag ontvang. Vyf-en-sestig persent (n=11) van die babas (>6 maande) se melkinname die vorige dag het nie aan die minimum WGO aanbevole dieetdiversiteitsaanwyser voldoen nie, en slegs 18% (n=3) het 'n minimum aanvaarbare dieet gevolg. Versorgers se kennis ten opsigte van babavoeding was gemiddeld, met net 13% (n=4) wat die korrekte omskrywing van eksklusiewe bors- of formulevoeding geken het. 'n Totaal van 68% (n=21) het nie geweet wat gemengde voeding beteken of watter gevare dit inhou nie. Die meeste versorgers (n=25, 81%) het geweet dat orale rehidrasie oplossing toegedien moet word wanneer babas aan diarree ly, maar slegs 48% (n=15) het geweet hoe om dit aan te maak en 'n skrale 6% (n=2) hoe om dit toe te dien. Vyf-en-sewentig persent (n=9) van die versorgers het nie geweet wat om te doen as hulle probleme met hul borste ervaar nie. Altesaam 64% (n=19) van die versorgers het geglo dat 'n MIV-positiewe vrou definitief haar baba MIV sal gee indien sy hom/haar sou borsvoed. Samevatting Die steekproef babas het 'n verskeidenheid onreëlmatige groeipatrone getoon en baie was ondergewig of het ook dwerggroei getoon. Versorgers se kennis van babavoeding was gemiddeld, maar nie voldoende om tot toepaslike, veilige en optimale babavoedingspraktyke aanleiding te gee nie. Die voorkoms van borsvoeding was laag. Melkformulevoorbereiding, - voeding en -higiëne was swak, en babas se voedinginname was nie ideaal nie. Die gehalte van en hoeveelheid voorligting oor MIV-babavoeding met besoeke aan voorgeboorteklinieke was swak en moet aangespreek word.

Une des questions cruciales dans le débat écologique actuel est de déterminer si la plasticité phénotypique pourra permettre aux espèces de répondre au rythme rapide des changements environnementaux en cours. L’objectif général de cette thèse était d’étudier les effets d’un appauvrissement en acide gras polyinsaturés du type n-3 (AGLPI) sur la plasticité de deux espèces, le bar européen (Dicentrarchus labrax) et le bar rayé (Morone saxatilis). L’effet combiné d’une augmentation de la température et d’une réduction en disponibilité des AGLPI n-3 nutritionnels chez les juvéniles de bar européen a entrainé une modification importante des acides gras neutres musculaires ainsi qu’un taux de croissance et une masse hépatique plus faibles. À température élevée, une croissance accrue a été observée avec les deux régimes, suggérant une absence de carence. En revanche, l’aliment n’a pas eu d’effets sur les facteurs transcriptionnels hépatiques liés à la régulation de la bioconversion des AG. Les juvéniles nourris avec le régime appauvri en AGLPI n-3 présentaient une vitesse critique de nage accrue en présence de contraintes hypoxiques et hypoosmotiques. Chez le bar rayé, le régime alimentaire modifie les profils en AG du muscle (fraction neutre) et du foie. Le régime pauvre en AGLPI n-3 a été associé à une augmentation de la masse cardiaque, sans effet sur la croissance en eau froide. Un niveau de stress plus élevé associé à des mortalités a été observé en eau douce. Ces résultats contribuent à une meilleure compréhension de l’impact des changements globaux sur les organismes aquatiques et ouvrent la voie à de nouvelles perspectives de recherche
One of the major questions in the current ecological debate about global change is whether phenotypic plasticity will enable species to respond to the rapid pace of ongoing environmental change. The general objective of this thesis was to study the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) depletion on the plasticity of two species, the European bar (Dicentrarchus labrax) and the striped bass (Moronesaxatilis). In juvenile European bass, the combined effect of an increase in temperature and of a reduction in availability of n-3 nutritional PUFA resulted in marked modifications of the profile in neutral muscular fatty acids and a smaller liver mass.At high temperature, growth was increased with the two diets which suggests an absence of nutritional deficiency.Conversely, diet did not affect the hepatic transcriptional factors involved in regulation of FA bioconversion. Juveniles fed the low AGLPI n-3 diet had a higher critical swimming speed in presence of hypoxic or hypoosmotic constraints. In striped bass juveniles, AGLPI n-3nutritional availability brought modifications of lipid profile both in muscle (neutral fraction) and in liver. Diet with low AGLPI n-3 was associated with a larger cardiac mass, but had no effect on growth in cold water. A higher stress level was observed in FW which was associated to higher mortality.These results contribute to a better understanding of the impact of global changes on marine organisms and pave the way for new research perspectives

The specific objective of this study was to determine if Fgf-3 gene expression is mediated by dietary fatty acids and to confirm mouse mammary tumor virus infection. It is well known that dietary linoleic acid enhances growth and dietary stearic acid inhibits growth of mammary tumors. Tumor RNA was extracted from female strain A/St mice fed one of four diets. A radioactively labeled anti-sense RNA probe was generated, invitro, from isolated and purified pFgf-3c (int-2c clone contained in the vector pSP65). The Fgf-3c probe was hybridized to extracted tumor RNA using the ribonuclease protection assay.Electron microscopy confirmed MMTV infection by visualization of type A and B particles in tumor tissue. Expression of Fgf-3c, qualified by RNase protection assay, ranged from 0.02 to 5.89 (relative band density) in all of the diet groups. A positive association between Fgf-3c expression and weight was observed among the tumors of the SA-1 diet (R = 0.947). The SF, SF-1, and PA experimental diets, individually, did not appear to show strong correlation with respect to tumor size. Fgf-3 expression was less in small tumors (<275 mg) and enhanced in large tumors (>275 mg) (p<0.05).
Department of Biology

Orientadores: Elizete Aparecida Lomazi Da-Costa-Pinto, Antonio de Azevedo Barros Filho
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
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Resumo: Desvios nutricionais e disfagia são comumente relatados nas avaliações de crianças com encefalopatia crônica não progressiva. Apesar da importância do diagnóstico precoce, da estimulação neuro-psico-motora, da prevenção de co-morbidades e acompanhamento nutricional, são escassos os trabalhos longitudinais que avaliaram o crescimento em lactentes de risco para ECNP. O objetivo geral deste estudo foi acompanhar, prospectivamente, o crescimento de lactentes com antecedentes de fatores de risco para ECNP e exame neurológico alterado (N= 132). Os pacientes foram examinados aos 6, 12, 18 e 24 meses de idade, enquanto atendidos em ambulatório universitário. Foram registradas situação sócio-demográfica, condições de vida e saúde e realizado exame neurológico e fonoaudiológico no 6º e 24º meses. O grupo controle incluiu lactentes saudáveis (N= 125) acompanhados em unidade básica de saúde e de mesmas características sócio-econômicas. Os objetivos específicos foram mensurar indicadores antropométricos: peso, comprimento, perímetro cefálico e compará-los com os dados do grupo controle; analisar no grupo caso os valores de circunferência braquial, prega tricipital e os respectivos escores Z; descrever: aspectos sócio-demográficos, hábitos e condições alimentares, condições de nascimento, internações, morbidades, sintomas gastrintestinais, terapias auxiliares, uso de medicamentos e cuidados maternos; identificar a prevalência de distúrbios da deglutição, constipação intestinal e de erros alimentares e investigar a existência de associação entre distúrbios de deglutição e alterações neurológicas. Na análise estatística foram utilizados os testes Qui quadrado e exato de Fisher, o teste de Mann-Whitney e de Kruskal-Wallis. Para comparar as medidas longitudinais entre os 2 grupos foi utilizada a análise de variância para medidas repetidas, seguida do teste de comparação múltipla de Tukey e o teste de perfil por contraste. Os fatores de risco mais frequentes foram os do período perinatal, observados em 121 crianças (92%), prematuridade ocorreu em cerca da metade dos casos e esteve associada a outros fatores de risco. Apenas 7 crianças foram amamentadas após os 6 meses e em 50% dos pacientes observou-se erros alimentares e duração prolongada da alimentação. Sintomas de RGE ocorreram em 44 casos (33%), constipação em 17 (13%) e ambos em 65 casos (49%); metade das crianças seguiu irregularmente as terapias auxiliares e 78% utilizava medicamentos antirefluxo e anticonvulsivos. O grau de acometimento nos resultados dos exames neurológico e fonoaudiológico apresentou correlação positiva aos 6 e 24 m. Ao nascimento, os valores de peso, comprimento e perímetro cefálico dos pacientes encefalopatas foram significativamente inferiores aos valores das crianças saudáveis. A partir do 12º mês, a diferença estatística não se manteve, embora, no grupo caso, os dados absolutos permanecessem inferiores. Esse grupo apresentou incremento positivo ao longo do tempo, nos escores Z da circunferência braquial e prega tricipital, indicando acúmulo da massa gordurosa. A gravidade da disfagia correlacionou-se a maior comprometimento antropométrico. No grupo caso, a comparação do crescimento entre nascidos a termo e prematuros mostrou valores significativamente inferiores para os prematuros. Concluindo, os lactentes com agravo neurológico apresentaram comprometimento antropométrico significativo ao nascimento e aos 6 meses, sendo que o antecedente de prematuridade esteve associado a efeito negativo significativo no crescimento dessas crianças
Abstract: Nutritional disorders and dysphagia are frequently reported in children with non progressive chronic encephalopathy (NPCE). Despite the importance of early diagnosis, neuro-psycho-motor stimulation, prevention of co-morbidities and need of nutritional advising, longitudinal studies including infants at risk for NPCE are scarce. The objective of this study was to prospectively follow growth in infants with risk factors for NPCE and with abnormal neurological examination (N=132). Children were seen from 6 to 24 months age, in a tertiary outpatient clinic. Anthropometric data, neurological condition and speechaudiology test were recorded at 6th and 24th months of life. Control group with the same socio-economic characteristics included healthy infants (N=125) followed in a primary care health center. Specific objectives were to record anthropometric indicators: weight, length, head circumference and respective Z scores and to compare them to the control group; to analyze case group values of arm circumference, triceps skin fold and respective Z scores; to describe socio-demographic aspects, habits and nutritional conditions, birth conditions, hospital admissions, co-morbidities, gastrointestinal symptoms and use of medications. Statistical analysis used chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Analysis of variance for repeated measurements, followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test and the contrast profile test were used to compare longitudinal measurements between both groups. Most common risk factors were those occurred in perinatal period, observed in 121 children (92%), prematurity was seen in about half of cases and was associated with other risk factors. Only 7 children were breastfed after 6 months and feeding misinterpretation were seen in 50% of patients. Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were referred in 44 infants (33%), constipation in 17 (13%) and both in 65 (49%). Adherence to therapies with speech-therapist or physiotherapist was irregular. Neurological severity was associated with dysphagia. Dysphagia severity was also associated with greater anthropometric impairment at 6th and 24th months. At birth, NPCE patient's weight, length and head circumference were significantly lower, but the statistical difference did not remain at 12th month, although with lower absolute values in the case group. The case group showed a positive increment in arm circumference and triceps skinfold Z scores throughout time, indicating accumulation of fat mass. The severity of dysphagia correlated with more severe anthropometric impairment. preterm newborns in case group showed significantly lower growth values when compared to term infants In conclusion, infants with NPCE presented significant anthropometric impairment at birth and at 6 months, and preterm infants were significantly smaller than term patients
Doutorado
Saude da Criança e do Adolescente
Doutor em Saude da Criança e do Adolescente

Although herbivory and other types of plant damage typically are viewed as detrimental to plant survival and performance, vigorous regrowth, greater seed set, and fitness benefits may be possible when damage to the apical meristem, or actively growing stem terminal, is involved. Such damage releases apical dominance, or the hormonal suppression of lateral buds, activates dormant lateral buds, and enables lateral shoots to grow. Since in plants with terminal flowers, each stem may bear a flower, removal of the apical meristem may result in stem bifurcation and ultimately increase the number of flowers and seeds, thereby increasing potential fitness. In the current study, possible overcompensation in response to apical meristem damage caused by simulated herbivory (clipping) and the gall midge Asphondylia borrichiae Rossi and Strong (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) (galling) was investigated in the native coastal halophyte, sea oxeye daisy Borrichia frutescens (L.) DC. (Asteraceae), in relation to nutrient supplementation. Results suggest a strong correlation between stem count and gall count at the study site; moreover, apical dominance was relatively weak early in the growing season and stronger in short plants that were shaded by taller neighbors later in the season. Results also indicate that overcompensation or even full compensation is an unlikely response to apical meristem damage in B. frutescens. Stem count was similar across all stem treatments, but increased significantly with nutrient supplementation, which all supports weak apical dominance in sea oxeye daisy. Nearly all measures of fitness also were either slightly or significantly lower when clipped and galled compared to plants with stems intact, while seed count responded positively to nutrient supplementation.

"May 2002"
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-164)
xi, 164 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
Describes a series of novel experiments designed to enhance our understanding of nutrient utilisation for growth of wool and the whole body.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, 2002

Trained male cyclists (6 in study 1, 5 in study 2) cycled to exhaustion (EXH) at 75% of VO₂ max twice; once in the non-supplemented (NS) state and once in the vitamin B-6 (B-6)(20 mg PN) supplemented (S) state. The diet contained 2.3 mg B-6 in study 1 and 1.9 mg B-6 in study 2. Urine was collected during each dietary period. During each exercise (EX) test, blood was drawn prior to (PRE), one hour during (DX), immediately after (POST) and one hour after (POST 60) EX and sweat was collected. Compared to baseline (PRE) levels, plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and vitamin B-6 (PB-6) concentrations increased at DX, decreased at POST, and decreased below PRE at POST 60 in the NS and S states. EX to EXH in the S state resulted in a greater increase in PLP DX in study 1 (31% increase vs. 16%) and PB-6 in study 2 (25% increase vs. 11%) as compared to the NS state. Red blood cell (RBC) PLP significantly increased from POST to POST 60 in the S state in study 2. The excretion of urinary 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA) and urinary B-6 (UB-6) was not significantly altered by EX to EXH. The mean excretion of 4-PA was significantly greater in the NS state in study 2 (7.98 ±1.83 mmol/d) as compared to the excretion in study 1 (6.20 ±0.93 mmol/d), whereas the excretion was significantly greater in the S state in study 1 (92.2 ±8.69 mmol/d) compared to the excretion in study 2 (82.7 ±6.16 mmol/d). The percent of B-6 intake excreted as UB-6 (6% in study 1 and 10% in study 2) was significantly different between the studies in the NS state. Vitamin B-6 supplementation did not significantly alter the rise in growth hormone (hGH) concentration seen with EX to EXH. The loss of B-6 in sweat with EX to EXH was not altered by B-6 supplementation. The loss of B-6 in sweat ranged from 0.0011 mmol to 0.0039 mmol. Therefore, EX to EXH in the B-6 S state resulted in a greater increase in plasma PLP and PB-6 DX as compared to the NS state. The decrease in PB-6 and PLP at POST 60 in the S state coincided with a significant increase in RBC PLP, suggesting the movement of B-6 from the plasma into the RBC at POST 60. EX to EXH and B-6 supplementation did not alter the excretion of 4-PA or UB-6 suggesting that B-6 metabolism was unchanged. The loss of B-6 in sweat was comparable to previously reported values and was not altered by B-6 supplementation. B-6 supplementation did not alter the changes in hGH resulting from EX to EXH alone.
Graduation date: 1995

Introduction: Prenatal environmental factors such as intrauterine growth retardation (IDGR), as well as postnatal factors such as over-nutrition and sedentary lifestyle contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in predisposed individuals. The aim of this study was to determine in a rat model whether IDGR and high fat lipogenic diet interact in T2D pathogenesis. Methods: A previously described surgical model ((bilateral uterine artery ligation (BDAL)) of IDGR Sprague-Dawley rats with sham-operated controls was used. Male and female IDGR and sham pups were fed high fat or chow-diets from weaning. Serial measurements of body weight and serum variables including blood glucose, free fatty acids and triglyceride were taken. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests including insulin response measurements were performed at 13 and 23 weeks of age. At 24 weeks of age, the rats were euthanased and pancreases were harvested. Pancreases were assessed histologically with haematoxylin and eosin staining for islet morphology, perl staining for iron, trichrome staining for collagen. Sections were also immunostained for insulin. Results: The BDAL surgery resulted in IDGR pup weights that were approximately 25% less that the sham pup weights. Thus, the BDAL procedure was effective in producing moderately severe intrauterine growth restriction. The chow-fed IDGR rats developed an abnormal metabolic phenotype, but this was mild compared to the previously reported IDGR model. The chow-fed IDGR rats did not develop overweight or diabetes, but did develop fed-state hypertriglyceridaemia (female only) and fasting hyperlipacidaemia (male only) as well as hyperinsulinaemia (evident at 23 weeks of age in male rats with a trend for this evident in female rats). Control sham rats on high fat-diet developed hyperglycaemia, fed-state hyperlipacidaemia, fasting and fed-state hypertriglyceridaemia and mildly impaired glucose tolerance with evidence of marked post-glucose load hyperinsulinaemia. Unexpectedly, the high fat-fed IUGR rats were protected against excessive weight gain (most evident in female rats), nonfasting hyperglycaemia and glucose intolerance (evident in female rats only). IUGR rats on the HF diets, however, had higher non-fasting triglyceride levels and had accentuated hyperinsulinaemia in response to a glucose load at 23 weeks of age. Thus, IUGR and high fat-diet most likely caused a greater degree of hyperinsulinaemia. Despite mild effects of IUGR on the metabolic phenotype of the rats, the histological analyses of the pancreases showed major changes in male rats. Two of four chow-fed IUGR had evidence of multiple large disorganized islets; where four of five high fat fed IUGR rats had these disorganized islets. No sham rat pancreases had any of these abnormal islets. Staining for iron showed marked peri-islet iron accumulation associated with these abnormal islets and staining for collagen showed marked islet fibrosis. The insulin immunohistochemistry confirmed the abnormal islet architecture. Conclusion: IUGR chow-fed rats did not develop T2D, which is at variance from previously reported studies. IUGR did alter the effects of high fat-diet on the metabolic phenotype causing more severe hypertriglyceridaemia and insulin resistance, but again diabetes did not develop. The Canberra IUGR rat, as opposed to the one previously reported, is capable of successful islet beta cell compensation. However, islet morphology was severely disturbed in the Canberra male IUGR rats that appeared worse with high fat feeding. The presence of increased iron staining associated with these abnormal islets may have pathophysiological significance. We postulate that genetic background and its effect on islet susceptibility to insults (intrauterine and post-natal) is an essential component in pathogenesis of T2D, explaining the differences between IUGR models.