Introduction: Few studies have evaluated the effect of nuts processing on the glycemic response and satiety. Objective: To evaluate the effect of peanut processing on glycemic response, and energy and nutrients intake. Method: Thirteen healthy subjects (4 men and 9 women), with a mean age of 28.5 ± 10 years, BMI 22.7 ± 2.5 kg/m², and body fat 23.7 ± 5.7% participated in this randomized crossover clinical trial. After 10-12 h of fasting, one of the following types of test meals were consumed: raw peanuts with skin (RPS), roasted peanuts without skin, ground-roasted peanuts without skin (GRPWS) or control meal. The test meals had the same nutrient composition, and were consumed with 200 ml of water in 15 minutes. Glycemic response was evaluated 2 hours after each meal. Energy and nutrients intake were assessed through diet records reflecting the habitual food intake and food consumption 24 hours after the ingestion of test meal. Result: The area under the glycemic response curve after GRPWS was lower (p = 0.02) the one obtained for RPS. There was no treatment effect on energy intake, macronutrients and fiber consumption after the test meal. Conclusion: The consumption of ground-roasted peanuts may favor the control and prevention of diabetes due to its reduction on postprandial glucose response. However, more prospective studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Introducción: Escasos estudios han evaluado el efecto del procesado industrial de los frutos secos sobre la respuesta glicérica y la saciedad. Objetivos: Evaluar el efecto del procesamiento de maní sobre la respuesta glicémica y la ingesta de energía y nutrientes. Métodos: Trece sujetos sanos (4 hombres y 9 mujeres), con una edad media de 28,5 ± 10 años, IMC 22,7 ± 2,5 kg/m², y un porcentaje de grasa corporal de 23,7 ± 5,7% participaron en este ensayo clínico aleatorizado y cruzado. Tras 10-12 h de ayuno uno de los siguientes tipos de comidas test fueron consumidas: maní crudo con la piel (RPS), maní tostado sin piel, maní tostado y molido sin piel (GRPWS) o comida control. Las comidas test presentaban la misma composición nutricional, y fueron consumidas con 200 ml de agua en 15 minutos. Se evaluó la respuesta glucémica 2 horas después de cada una de las comidas. La ingesta de energía y nutrientes contenida en la toma alimentaria y las 24 horas posteriores a la comida test fueron determinadas mediante registros dietéticos. Resultados: El área bajo la curva de respuesta glicémica después de GRPWS fue menor (p = 0,02) que la de RPS. No hubo efecto de los tratamientos sobre la ingesta de energía, macronutrientes y fibra posterior a la comida test. Conclusión: El consumo de maní tostado y molido sin piel, al reducir la respuesta glucémica postprandial podría ser beneficioso para el control y prevención de la diabetes. Sin embargo son necesarios estudios de intervención a largo plazo que lo confirmen.

Introduction: Low-glycemic index diets may improve the glycemic control in type 2 diabetes but the debate over their effectiveness continues. Objectives: To test the effects of low-glycemic index diets on acute glycemic control (2 days) by measuring capillary blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This was a crossover randomized clinical trial with 12 type 2 diabetics which were randomly divided into 2 groups and targeted the following draft diets for low and high glycemic index (LGI and HGI) for 2 consecutive days in 2 consecutive weeks. Group 1 followed an LGI diet in week 1 and an HGI diet in week 2, group 2 adopted the contrary. They were oriented to maintain medication and lifestyle and to follow the recommendations. Measurements were made of glycemia capillaries in 2 days (fasting, before lunch, post-prandial lunch and before dinner) and one last in fasting on day 3. A food record during the days and the counting of carbohydrates meals was made. The software SigmaStat (version 2.03) was used, with a statistical significance criterion of p < 0.05. Results and discussion: The amount of carbohydrates ingested by the LGI group was lower (p < 0.01), showing that the adoption of this diet reduces the intake of carbohydrates, being favorable for diabetics. Mean blood glucose on the first day was lower in the LGI group (p < 0.05).

Introducción: Dietas de bajo índice glucémico pueden mejorar el control glucémico en la diabetes tipo 2, pero sigue el debate sobre su eficacia. Objetivos: Evaluar los efectos de las dietas bajas en el índice glucémico en el control glucémico agudo (2 días) por la medición de glucosa en sangre capilar en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. Métodos: Se realizó un ensayo clínico cruzado y aleatorizado con 12 pacientes diabéticos tipo 2. Fueron divididos en 2 grupos: dietas de bajo y alto índice glucémico (BIG y AIG). Las dietas fueron consumidas por 2 días consecutivos, en 2 semanas distintas. Para el grupo 1 fue administrado la dieta BIG en la semana 1 seguida de la dieta AIG en la semana 2. En contrario se dio para el grupo 2. Se recomendó a los pacientes que mantuviesen la medicación y el estilo de vida estables. Se midió y registro la glucemia capilar en 2 días (en ayunas, antes y después (2 h) del almuerzo y antes de la cena) y en ayuno del día 3. Durante los días del estudio, se hicieron un registro de los alimentos y el conteo de carbohidratos. Para el tratamiento estadístico (p < 0,05) se utilizó el programa SigmaStat (versión 2.03) Resultados y discusión: La ingesta de carbohidratos fue menor (p < 0,01) en el BIG, sugiriendo que la utilización de esta dieta reduce la ingesta de carbohidratos, siendo favorable para los diabéticos. La media de glucosa en sangre en el primer día fue inferior en el grupo BIG (p < 0,05).

The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide, which requires nutritional interventions for its effective control. Adiponectin has antiinflammatory capacity, improves glucose tolerance and presents decreased plasma expression and concentration in obese individuals. Studies with animals reveal improvement in insulin resistance after the infusion of adiponectin; in humans, caloric restriction increases its levels. The present study aimed to analyze the effects of dietary components on gene expression and plasma concentration of adiponectin. Sixteen articles were found following a literature review -seven with interventions in animal models and nine in human. The results in animal models demonstrate that the consumption of hyperlipidemic diets, rich in saturated fat, reduces the levels of adiponectin, while the diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and supplementation with omega-3 and eicosapentaenoic acid increase its gene expression and plasma levels. In humans, the consumption of a healthy and Mediterranean diet are positively associated with adiponectin levels, although the mechanisms are not fully understood. Due to the importance of adiponectin in preventing metabolic diseases and reducing cardiovascular risk, more research are needed on food strategies to promote the increase of adiponectin levels. Therefore, studies must be carried out to evaluate the response to different sources and levels of various dietary components and the safety of the supplementation of specific nutrients.

La adiponectina tiene capacidad anti-inflamatoria, mejora la tolerancia a la glucosa y presenta una menor expresión de plasma y la concentración en personas obesas. Estudios con animales revelan una mejora en la resistencia a la insulina después de la infusión de la adiponectina, en los seres humanos, el aumento de la restricción calórica ocasiona el aumento os niveles de la adiponectina. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar los efectos de los componentes de la dieta sobre la expresión génica y la concentración plasmática de la adiponectina. Dieciséis artículos fueron encontrados -siete en modelos animales y nueve en los seres humanos. Los resultados en modelos animales demuestran que el alto consumo de dietas hiperlipidemia, ricos en grasas saturadas, reduce los niveles de adiponectina, mientras que las dietas ricas en ácidos grasos poliinsaturados y la suplementación con omega-3 y ácido eicosapentanoico aumentar su expresión genética y los niveles plasmáticos. En los seres humanos, el consumo de una dieta sana y la dieta mediterránea se asocia positivamente con los niveles de adiponectina, aunque los mecanismos no se entienden completamente. Debido a la importancia de la adiponectina en la prevención de las enfermedades metabólicas y la reducción de riesgo cardiovascular, más investigaciones son necesarias sobre las estrategias alimentarias para promover el aumento de los niveles de adiponectina. Por lo tanto, los estudios deben llevarse a cabo para evaluar la respuesta a las diferentes fuentes y los niveles de varios componentes de la dieta y la seguridad de la suplementación de nutrientes específicos.

Amostras de materiais coletados em diferentes estádios de vermicompostagem foram submetidas a procedimentos de extração de ácidos húmicos. Técnicas de titulação potenciométrica, termogravimetria (DTG), difração de raios X e espectrofotometria no uv/visível e no infravermelho foram utilizadas no estudo desses materiais. Os dados de titulação foram submetidos ao ajuste por regressão não-linear, determinando-se, assim, cinco valores de pKa característicos de cinco classes de grupos tituláveis. Nas curvas DTG, foram observadas duas etapas, sendo a primeira característica da separação de estruturas alifáticas e, ou, alicíclicas e a segunda, a decomposição de estruturas aromáticas. A difratometria de raios X apresentou diferenças marcantes nos resultados, principalmente nos três primeiros picos onde parecem ocorrer reorganização estrutural e polimerização ao longo do processo de vermicompostagem. Os espectros do infravermelho não apresentaram diferenciação entre os espectros. Os valores da razão E4/E6 encontrados estão de acordo com os característicos dos ácidos húmicos, mas não fornecem informações que possam contribuir para a elucidação da estrutura e formação desses ácidos.

Samples of materials, collected at different stages of vermicompostaging, were submitted to extraction procedures of humic acids. Titration, termogravimetry (DTG), X-ray diffraction, spectrophotometry in the uv/visible and infrared techniques, were used in the study of these materials. The data from the potentiometry titration analysis were submitted to adjustment by non-linear regression, determining thus five values of pKa's characteristic of five classes of titrable groups. In the DTG curves two stages can be observed, being the first one characteristic of the separation of aliphatic and/or alycyclic structures and the second of decomposition of aromatic structures. The X-ray diffraction technique exhibed marked differences in the results, mainly in the first three peaks, were a structural reorganization and a polymerization along the vermicompostaging process. The infrared spectra practically no differentiation between the samples. The values for the ratio E4/E6 found are in accordance with the characteristic values for humic acids, but do not supply information that can contribute to the elucidation of the structure and formation of these acids.

Dentre as ferramentas usadas para descrever a estrutura ramificada ou a superfície rugosa e distorcida de ácidos húmicos (AH), a geometria fractal aparece como uma das mais adequadas para explicar a conformação de partículas húmicas (agregados moleculares). Do ponto de vista experimental, a dimensão fractal (D) de sistemas naturais pode ser determinada a partir do monitoramento da luz transmitida, não espalhada e não absorvida (turbidimetria 'τ'). A presença de fractais implica que o sistema pode ser decomposto em partes, em que cada uma, subseqüentemente, é cópia do todo. A determinação do valor 'D' dessas partículas foi conseguida pela utilização de turbidimetria, em que suspensões de AH-comercial e de AH-Espodossolo foram analisadas por espectrofotometria UV-Vis. O fundamento matemático utilizado foi a lei de potência τ ∝ λβ, em que β < 3 indica a presença de fractal de massa (Dm); 3 < β < 4 indica fractal de superfície (Ds), e β ≅ 3 indica não-fractal (NF). A declividade das retas (β) por meio do gráfico (logτ vs logλ) permitiu a obtenção de 'D'. Segundo os resultados, partículas de AH em suspensões aquosas diluídas formam estruturas fractais, cuja geometria pode ser caracterizada por meio de turbidimetria. Entretanto, a faixa de comprimento de onda usada (400 a 550 nm) ainda é pequena para se afirmar sobre a natureza fractal de AH e determinar suas dimensões fractais com precisão.

Among the tools used to describe the ramified structure or the rugged and distorted surface of humic acids (HA), fractal geometry seems to be one of the most adequate to explain the conformation of humic particles (molecular aggregates). From the experimental point of view, fractal dimension (D) of natural systems may be measured through the transmitted light, not scattered or absorved (turbidimetry'τ'). The presence of fractals indicates that the system may be decomposed in parts, each part being a copy of the whole. The determination of the fractal dimension (D) of these particles was achieved by the turbidimetric technique, where diluted solutions of commercial-HA and Espodossolo-HA were analyzed by spectrophotometry UV-Vis. The mathematical base used was the potential law τ ∝ λβ, where β < 3 indicates the presence of mass fractal (Dm); 3 < β < 4 of surface fractal (Ds) and β ≅ 3, of non-fractal (NF). The slope of the lines (β) was taken from the graphics (logτ vs logλ) to obtain D. The results show that the HA particles in diluted aqueous suspension form fractals structures, whose geometry may be characterized by turbidimetry. However, the wavelength range used (400 to 550 nm) is still small to make statements about the fractal nature of HA and determine its fractal dimensions with precision.

Objetivo: Determinar a eficácia e tolerabilidade de 4 substâncias calorigênicas: ioimbina, triiodotironina (T3), combinação efedrina-aminofilina e fenilpropanolamina (FPA). Material, Métodos e Desenho da Pesquisa: 103 mulheres obesas (30 < BMI < 40kg/m²), de 18 a 55 anos, foram submetidas a estudo cego comparativo das 4 substâncias associadas a uma dieta com 1.200 calorias (55% HC, 30% gordura e 15% proteínas). As doses utilizadas foram 8mg de ioimbina, 25mcg de T3, 100mg de aminofilina + 25mg de efedrina e 25mg de FPA. Foi ainda incluído um grupo placebo. Os 4 medicamentos e o placebo foram dados 3 vezes ao dia, antes do desjejum, do almoço e do jantar. O estudo se realizou num período de 12 semanas, para cada paciente e no início e o fim do mesmo foram avaliados peso, composição corpórea por bioimpedância, metabolismo de repouso (por calorimetria), pulso e pressão arterial e eventos adversos. Resultados: Houve perda de peso em todos os grupos, mas o único que perdeu peso significativamente em relação ao grupo placebo foi o que recebeu FPA (p < 0,05). Não houve diferença quanto à composição corpórea e metabolismo de repouso entre os 5 grupos. Conclusão: Em nossa amostra, a FPA se revelou mais eficaz, embora este fato não possa ser atribuído a uma maior queima energética em repouso, já que não houve diferença apreciável no metabolismo de repouso entre os grupos.

Objective: To determine weight loss efficacy of four thermogenic drugs often used in obesity treatment. Design, Material and Methods: 103 obese women (30 < BMI < 40kg/m²) aged 18 to 55 years-old were assigned to receive in a blind protocol and by random order yohimbine 8mg, triiodothyronine (T3) 25mcg, amminophiline 100mg plus ephedrine 25mcg, phenylpropanolamine (PPA) 25mcg or placebo t.i.d. for 12 weeks. They received a 1,200kcal diet and were evaluated every two weeks for weight, blood pressure, heart rate, adverse events and adherence. Each subject was submitted to bioimpedance and calorimetry analysis in the beginning and in the end of the study. Results: Patients who were taking PPA lost significantly more weight (measured by DBMI) as compared to the other groups in relation to placebo group (p < 0.05). Changes in percentual fat mass, percentual lean body mass and calorimetry analysis showed no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: PPA can be considered the best drug in respect of short-term weight loss, but we cannot explain this fact on increase in the resting metabolic rate, which was not different among the groups.

Resumo No período de agosto de 1978 a janeiro de 1980, foram feitas coletas diárias de amostras de águas de chuva e de vapor d'água do ar em Belém e Manaus, a fim de ampliar os conhecimentos a cerca de parâmetros ligados ao ciclo da água na bacia Amazônica. Estão apresentados os dados isotópicos referentes as amostras. Os valores mais negativos ocorreram durante o período chuvoso (janeiro-abril), atingindo muitas vezes, valores de δ18O menores do que — 10‰. São discutidas as possíveis causas dessas composições.

SUMMARY In order to improve the understanding of the water in the Amazon Basin, samples of rain and moisture were collected daily at Belém and Manaus from August 78 to January 80. All isotope data are presented. The most depleted values, sometimes lower than — 10‰ in δ18O at Belém or Manaus, were encountered during the rainy season (January-April). Possible causes of the seasonal differences in tne isotope pattern are discussed.