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Biomedical subjects

F A Duarte

Publications and source records attributed to F A Duarte.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Quantitative trait loci for murine growth.

Body size is an archetypal quantitative trait with variation due to the segregation of many gene loci, each of relatively minor effect, and the environment. We examine the effects of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on age-specific body weights and growth in the F2 intercross of the LG/J and SM/J strains of inbred mice. Weekly weights (1-10 wk) and 75 microsatellite genotypes were obtained for 535 mice. Interval mapping was used to locate and measure the genotypic effects of QTLs on body weight and growth. QTL effects were detected on 16 of the 19 autosomes with several chromosomes carrying more than one QTL. The number of QTLs for age-specific weights varied from seven at 1 week to 17 at 10 wk. The QTLs were each of relatively minor, subequal effect. QTLs affecting early and late growth were generally distinct, mapping to different chromosomal locations indicating separate genetic and physiological systems for early and later murine growth.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1981

Age group differences in bovine investigatory behavior.

The general relationship between age and investigatory behavior in mammals, and perhaps other taxa, is probably an inverted U-shaped function, but is said to be a negative correlation in bovines. In Observation Set 1, 5 developmental levels of domestic cattle were compared in their responsiveness to a novel stimulus in the form of a person lying on the ground. The age group-behavior relationship approximated an inverted U. In Observation Set II, 3 developmental levels were compared and the animals' responses to a ball and to the reclined figure of a person were studied. Qualitatively, the cattle reacted similarly to both the inanimate and the human objects; again, the relationship between age and investigatory tendencies appeared to be an inverted U-shaped function for both stimuli.

Aging↗
PubMed1981

Anthropometric and cycloergometric assessment of the nutritional status of the children of agricultural migrant workers in Southern Brazil.

In our survey of the food habits and nutritional status of "Boia-Fria" agricultural migrant workers in Southern Brazil, a special project was undertaken to assess the influence of socioeconomic and dietary deprivation on the physical growth and development and physical performance of their children. Four hundred fifty-five children in Boia-Fria families from Vila Recreio, a periurban slum of Ribeirao Preto located in the interior of the state of Sao Paulo, were examined for body weight, standing height, mid-upper arm muscle circumference, and head circumference. For comparison, 475 children from "Vita et Pax", a private school attended primarily by children of well-to-do families from the city of Ribeirao Preto, were also examined using similar anthropometric procedures. A small group of selected Boia-Fria children and their well-to-do counterparts were subjected to ergometric-cum-electrocardiographic testing for submaximal physical work performance. The overall results of this comparative study indicate that the physical growth and development and the physical performance of the Boia-Fria children are significantly lower than their well-to-do counterparts. It is suggested that the poor anthropometric and ergometric status of the Boia-Fria children is a reflection of poor dietary habits and socioeconomic deprivation prevalent among the agricultural migrant workers and poor periurban populations of Brazil.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

The nutritive value of Brazilian soy products tested in malnourished children.

The nutritive value of a soya milk and soya protein isolate available in Brazil was tested in formulas fed to 30 malnourished children during a period of 25 days. The chemical composition of all formulas was similar, including their energy and protein content. The protein (1.5 g/100 ml) was supplied by either cow's milk, unfortified soy milk, unfortified soy protein isolate, and methionine-enriched soy milk or methionine-enriched soy isolate. Methionine was added at the level of 1.5 g/100 g of protein. The trials included clinical, biochemical and nitrogen balance studies, and results indicated that these soy products formulas did not have the same nutritive value of cow's milk. However, the nutritional quality of soy milk was improved by methionine supplementation, but the soy protein isolate was not affected by the addition of the same amino acid. Average nitrogen retention as percent of intake ranged from 31.8 to 34.7 in the children fed cow's milk. Those that received soy milk retained 10.5 to 15.3%, and when methionine was added the average retention increased from 17.2 to 24.8%. When the isolated soy protein was fed, the average retention values were 14.7 to 16.5% without methionine, and 11.0% when the methionine-supplemented formula was used. Factors that could influence the results and the importance of the subject are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Approachability of bovine cattle in pastures; breed comparisons and a breed x treatment analysis.

Bovine cattle from various parts of the world were studied in a physically and culturally homogeneous environment. The animals' approachability by a human in open pastures was associated with breed differences. Dairy breeds were more approachable than beef breed, while a comparison between European (Bos taurus) and humpbacked (B. indicus) stock yielded equivocal results. Raising dairy breeds for meat and raising beef breeds as milch cows had little overall effect on their approachability. Genetic affiliation was a much more powerful variable than treatment. Under ordinary rearing conditions within a particular ethnoenvironmental medium, it would appear that approachability is a relatively stable property of cattle breeds.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1980

Vitamin E status of agricultural migrant workers in Southern Brazil.

Vitamin E status of agricultural migrant workers representing low socioeconomic population of Southern Brazil was evaluated by determining dietary intake and plasma levels of vitamin E. The mean plasma vitamin E level of 85 female and 39 male subjects was 1.14 +/- 0.33 mg/100 ml or 2.27 +/- 0.53 mg/g of total lipids in plasma. The difference between the plasma vitamin E values of male and female subjects was insignificant. Using various criteria for the assessment of plasma vitamin E levels, it was established that plasma vitamin E expressed in terms of plasma total lipids is a better indicator of vitamin E status. The actual mean alpha-tocopherol intake of this population was 5.51 +/- 3.30 mg/person from a typical diet supplying about 1500 kcal/day. On a 2500 kcl basis, the estimated mean alpha-tocopherol intake would be about 9 mg/day which compares favorably with the intake values reported for well-nourished populations. The main dietary source of vitamin E in this population is the traditional rice and beans diet with increased use of soybean oil and vegetable oil products in recent years. On the whole the vitamin E status of this Brazilian population is quite satisfactory despite inadequacies in their intake of dietary calories and other essential nutrients. The plasma vitamin E status of these subjects supports the dietary data for the intake of vitamin E in this population.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Food habits and nutritional status of agricultural migrant workers in Southern Brazil.

A new class of migrant workers, commonly known as "Boia-Frias", is rapidly growing in the periurban slumbs (favelas) of Brazil. In 1978 a collaborative study was undertaken to assess the food habits and nutritional status of 100 migrant worker families of Vila Recreio, a typical Boia-Fria settlement near Ribeirao Preto in the state of Sao Paulo. The findings of this survey revealed that the traditional diet of Boia-Frias is nutritionally inadequate both in quality and quantity. Their rice and bean-based diet lacks sufficient variety because of the infrequent use of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are available locally, and of supplemental amounts of protein-rich foods of animal origin. Empty-calorie foods such as carbonated drinks and alcoholic beverages are consumed freely; and starchy foods, traditionally used in the North and Northeast of Brazil, are used commonly as weaning foods. Although dietary practices of pregnant and lactating women are poor, breast-feeding is still practiced by most mothers. The biochemical analysis of blood samples did not indicate major subclinical deficiencies except low hematological values and low plasma vitamin A concentrations in about 25% of the population examined. Plasma cholesterol and plasma vitamin E values were found to be normal. However, anthropometric examinations revealed clear signs of malnutrition and/or undernourishment, which likely impairs their capacity for physical work and adversely affects their overall health.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[Stress due to immobilization and low protein intake in rats. Biochemical changes].

Rats fed a control casein diet, when exposed to immobilization, loose more nitrogen, urea and vitamin C in urine. Animals receiving a protein deficient diet excrete less nitrogen, urea and ascorbic acid in urine than their controls. When protein deficiency and immobilization are associated, there is not an increase on the urinary excretion of those substance compared to the deficient animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

[Stress caused by immobilization and low protein intake in rats. Morphological changes].

The periodic immobilization of the animals receiving a control diet resulted in a smaller weight gain than in controls. The animals fed a protein deficient diet gained also less weight as compared to controls. The association of the deficiency and the stress of immobilization further decreases the weight gain, but the differences were not significant. The animals submitted to restraint or protein deficiency stress showed an increase in their heart weight in relation to body weight. This increase in more significant when immobilization and protein deficiency were associated. The degree of cardiac muscle fibers damage was also found more pronounced in this group of animals, when analysed through histochemical methods. Liver weight was not found different in the animals submitted to the experimental program. Histological examination of this organ showed fatty infiltration in the protein deficient animals. The picture was not found to be agravated when the animals were further stimulated by the restraint mechanism. Spleen weight was found to be similar in all groups. Histological study of the protein deficient group showed small lesions, that were increased when the deficiency was associated to immobilization. The relative testis weight of the restraint animals receiving the control diet was found to be similar to the animals not immobilized. The protein deficient animals have significantly smaller testis weight than the well nourished group. The histologic study showed that restraint or protein deficiency are responsible for a sexually retarded animal, but the lesions increased with the association of restraint and deficiency.

Animals↗