Effect of formula supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid and gamma-linolenic acid on fatty acid status and visual acuity in term infants

This study identified factors associated with exercise participation and adherence in a sample of 102 sedentary, functionally limited, community-dwelling adults aged 60 to 94 years who participated in a home-based resistance training program. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that baseline physical factors (i.e., higher levels of mobility, weaker muscle strength, and fewer numbers of new medical conditions) were associated with higher rates of participation in the home program. Positive attitudes and a sense of control toward exercise, lower levels of confusion and depressive moods, and the development of fewer new medical problems during the program were related to higher levels of adherence to the program. Findings revealed that although physical health variables were the primary indicators of an older person's overall participation in the program, it was the psychological factors that were most important to adherence to this home-based program.     

Effects of rapeseed oil on fatty acid oxidation and lipid levels in rat heart and liver

The comparative rates of oxidation of erucic and oleic acids and of their CoA esters were studied in heart and liver mitochondria of rats fed a standard diet or semisynthetic diets containing 25% of the calories as either rapeseed oil (46.6% erucic and 10.4% eicosenoic acid) or olive oil, for a period of 5 months. The long exposure to the diet containing 25% rapeseed oil did not alter the oxidative activity of mitochondria and did not induce morphological changes in the heart. It is confirmed that erucic acid is oxidized in mitochondria at lower rates than other long chain fatty acids and that its activation as CoA derivative may be one of the rate limiting steps of the overall oxidationprocess. Total lipids and triglycerides do not significantly change in the heart whereas they increase in the liver of rats fed the diet containing rapeseed oil.     

Certain characteristics of lipid metabolism in healthy full-term and premature infants during the first 2 weeks after birth

The experiments on mice of line SHR have shown that in animals, delivered by Cesarean section I hour following intrauterine injection of 40 mg/Kg of DMBA in mothers (a period of maximum concentration of the carcinogen in the tissues of foetuses) and sacrificed one year later, carcinogenesis proceeded much more intensively than in mice, which after transplacental DMBA exposure continued their intrauterine development for 6 hours longer, i.e. till complete disintegration of DMBA. An enhancement of the transplacental carcinogenic effect was manifested in a reliable increase of the total frequency of the appearance of different neoplasms, in more frequent development of lung, ovary and mammary tumors, and also in the appearance of malignant lung tumors-adenocarcinomas. A considerable enhancement of the transplacental blastomogenic effect in these mice was due to exclusion of the detoxication function of the maternal organism.     

Effects of animal and soy fats and proteins in the diet on fatty acid concentrations in the serum and skin of dogs

Growing dogs were fed diets containing soy oil or poultry fat as the main fat source and soybean meal or meat meal as the main protein source to examine the effects of types of dietary fat and protein on fatty acid concentrations in serum and skin and on serum cholesterol concentrations. Dogs fed diets containing soy oil had higher serum linoleic acid concentrations and lower serum oleic acid, arachidonic acid, and cholesterol concentrations than dogs fed diets containing poultry fat. The type of dietary protein had marginal effects on fatty acid concentrations and did not affect serum cholesterol. Similar differences were found in cutaneous fatty acid concentrations, with soy oil-fed dogs having significantly (P < 0.05) higher linoleic acid and lower oleic acid concentrations in their skin than had poultry fat-fed dogs. This study suggested that dietary fat source influences serum and cutaneous fatty acid concentrations and serum cholesterol concentrations in dogs, irrespective of dietary protein source.     

Effect of diet on the fatty acid and molecular species composition of dog retina phospholipids

Dogs were born to mothers fed commercial diets low or enriched in n-3 fatty acids and raised on those diets until they were about 50 d old. Retinas were removed, lipids were extracted, and total phospholipids were analyzed for fatty acid and molecular species composition. Animals from the low n-3 group had significantly lower retinal levels of 22:6n-3 and higher levels of n-6 fatty acids, especially 20:4n-6 and 22:5n-6. There was no difference in the retinal levels of 18:2n-6, and only small differences were found in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. The most dramatic differences in molecular species occurred in 22:6n-3-22:6n-3 (4.7 vs. 0.8%) and 18:0-22:6n-3 (27.6 vs. 14.4%); total molecular species containing 22:6n-3 were significantly lower in the low n-3 group (45.5 vs. 24.0%). Molecular species containing 20:4n-6 and 22:5n-6 were greater in the low n-3 animals (13.0 vs. 25.7%), as were molecular species containing only saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (40.8 vs. 35.4%). These results show that modest differences in the amount of n-3 fatty acids in the diets of dogs can have profound effects on the fatty acid and molecular species composition of their retinas.     

Influence of the nutrient medium on the total lipid fatty acid composition of Actinomyces canosus

GLC was used to study the composition of endocellular fatty acids of Actinomyces canosus 89 grown on a chemically defined medium and on a complex medium to which various components were added. Total lipids of the culture contain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, from C13 to C18, with one or two double bonds. Addition of components to the medium stimulated the biosynthesis of myristic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic fatty acids. Changes in the composition of the growth medium modify the ratio between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids of total lipids, increasing the content of unsaturated fatty acids due to a higher rate of synthesis of linoleic and oleic fatty acids. An increase in the content of unsaturated fatty acids is a positive factor because these acids are involved in important physiological functions of both this organism and other living organisms.     

Effects of fatty acids and hormones on fatty acid metabolism and gluconeogenesis in bovine hepatocytes

Primary cultures of hepatocytes were used to study the effects of extracellular oleate concentration and hormones on fatty acid metabolism and gluconeogenesis. Rates of oleate uptake and oxidation to acid-soluble products varied linearly as oleate concentrations increased (0.1 to 2 mM), but rates of triglyceride accumulation varied quadratically. Insulin increased the proportion of oleate that was esterified by 22% without affecting the formation of acid-soluble products. Cells incubated with 2 mM [1-(14)C]oleate for 24 h eliminated 9.6% of the labeled intracellular lipid as acid-soluble products in the following 24 h when no oleate was present during depletion and eliminated 7.7% when 2 mM oleate was present. Insulin reduced labeled triglyceride depletion by 49%. Gluconeogenesis from [2-(14)C] propionate was depressed by 24%, and formation of acid-soluble products was increased by 46% in cells infiltrated with lipid because of previous exposure to 2 mM oleate for 45 h. Rates of gluconeogenesis from propionate were reduced 23% when 2 mM oleate was present during the 3-h period that gluconeogenesis was measured, and the effect was not modified by lipid infiltration. Lipid infiltration influenced hepatic function, and insulin regulated hepatic triglyceride concentration.     

Predictive significance of magnetic resonance imaging at 4 months of adjusted age in infants after a perinatal neurologic insult

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the predictive significance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed at 4 months of corrected age in 60 neonates after a perinatal neurologic insult. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 5 years of chronological age. MRI examination was normal in 10; isolated external hydrocephalus was found in 15 infants. Twenty-three of these infants developed normally. Focal or multifocal lesions were shown in 6 infants, of whom 2 developed normally. Diffuse brain involvement was present in 29 cases as atrophy (n = 18), leukomalacia (n = 5), basal ganglia lesions (n = 3), and delayed myelination (n = 3). All but 4 infants showed neurologic impairment. MRI performed at 4 months of adjusted age is of prognostic significance in neonates who suffer a moderate or mild neurologic insult.     

The intrauterine turnover of thiamin in preterm and full-term infants

A quality assurance program of the Chagas' disease laboratory network of Argentina has been conducted by the National Reference Center since 1988, with the aim of assessing the reliability of serologic test results. Chagas' disease is endemic in Argentina, but the prevalence of seropositivity for Trypanosoma cruzi among 18- to 20-year-old men decreased from 5.8% in 1981 to 1.8% in 1994. About 600 laboratories form the Chagas' disease laboratory network, with main central laboratories in each of the 24 provinces in Argentina. The quality assurance program promotes regular use of good laboratory practice and internal and external quality control to improve performance of the participants; it also provides technical assistance and guidelines. Eventual corrective measures are discussed in workshops. Results of the first external evaluation by proficiency testing of serum panels and confirmation of results for 58 of the main laboratories reveal that from 1988 to 1994 the rate of agreement has increased.     

Effect of the quality characteristics of the fatty component of the diet on the fatty acid makeup of the erythrocytic and thrombocytic membranes in healthy persons

Practically healthy males received rations in which principal sources of fat in the descending order were butter, sunflower and mustard oil. The influence of qualitative properties of the ration's fat on the lipids metabolism in the plasma and the coefficient of the metabolization effectiveness of essential fatty acids (CEM) of the food into the membranes lipids was studied. The CEM was calculated by studying the fatty acids composition of the erythrocytes and thrombocytes stroma. Inclusion in the ration of butter alone, raised the cholesterol level, a fall of the plasma phospholipids level and a significant drop of the CEM. Substitution of sunflower oil for butter led to normalization of these figures. Mustard oil had no effect. Changes in the CEM of the erythrocytes stroma proceeded slowly, significant differences having been discovered only after 6 weeks of the butter consumption. The thrombocytes CEM changed quickly, a stable fatty acids composition of thrombocytes with this ration being established by the end of the 2nd week. The qualitative properties of the ration's fat exercise a sufficiently strong influence on the effective metabolization of fatty acids in the food into the lipid structures of the erythrocytes and thrombocytes membranes in a healthy subject, it being characterized by the CEM changes.     

Primary bidirectional superior cavopulmonary shunt in infants between 1 and 4 months of age

The performance of a primary bidirectional superior cavopulmonary shunt procedure in early infancy is attractive because it minimizes the number of operations needed before a Fontan procedure, avoids ventricular volume overload and its sequelae, and eliminates pulmonary artery distortion. However, concerns over elevated or labile pulmonary vascular resistance have limited its use in the first few months of life. Nine patients aged 1 to 4 months (5 patients, < 2 months) have undergone a primary bidirectional superior cavopulmonary shunt procedure between October 1992 and March 1994. Primary diagnoses were tricuspid atresia (n = 4), asplenia syndrome (n = 2), polysplenia syndrome (n = 1), double-outlet right ventricle (n = 1), and double-inlet left ventricle (n = 1). Associated lesions of immediate surgical importance were total anomalous pulmonary veins (n = 2), a restrictive atrial septum (n = 4), bilateral superior venae cavae (n = 5), and patent ductus arteriosus (n = 5). The surgical procedure consisted of unilateral (n = 4) or bilateral (n = 5) bidirectional superior cavopulmonary shunt and the repair of associated lesions. Of significance, in 4 of our first 5 patients a very limited additional source of pulmonary blood flow was provided because of a low arterial oxygen tension immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass. Pleural effusions developed in 2 of these 4 patients. In subsequent patients cardiopulmonary bypass was not used whenever possible or, if it was needed, use of an extra source of pulmonary blood flow was avoided.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Plasma and red blood cell total phospholipid fatty acid status of nonpregnant female Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) on a high carbohydrate maintenance diet

A sexually intact, male Chihuahua and a spayed female poodle were presented with left perineal masses. The masses were identified as perineal hernias by rectal palpation. Surgical exploration of the perineal region in each dog revealed retroperitoneal fat protruding between the sacrotuberous ligament and the coccygeus muscle (sciatic perineal hernia). The hernias were repaired using modifications of the standard or internal obturator flap herniorrhaphies. The levator ani muscle was grossly and histologically normal in the Chihuahua and grossly normal in the poodle. No short- or long-term complications were reported in either case. The management of sciatic perineal hernia is similar to the more common caudal perineal hernia.     

Use of the Bayley Infant Behavior Record with preterm and full-term infants.

This study investigates the use of the Bayley Infant Behavior Record (IBR; Bayley, 1969) with premature and full-term infants. Three groups of infants were studied at 12 or 18 months after initial hospital discharge: sick, high-risk preterms (N?=?39); healthy, low-risk preterms (N?=?23); and healthy full terms (N?=?24). Results showed that the major features of Matheny's (1980) factor structure for the IBR could be replicated with a sample of premature infants. Furthermore, a discriminant function analysis differentiated preterm from full-term infants as well as low-risk from high-risk preterm infants with a higher rate of accuracy than Matheny's (1983) three subscales. An analysis of the two discriminant functions obtained from the discriminant analysis appear to substantiate the claim that the IBR is an index of cognitive test-taking behaviors, which can be used reliably with sick and healthy preterms as well as full-term infants. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of diet on the lipid composition of Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda) in ICR mice

High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used to determine neutral lipids and phospholipids in the intestinal trematode Echinostoma caproni from experimentally infected ICR mice fed a high-fat diet (hen's egg yolk) as compared with worms from mice fed a standard laboratory diet. Worms were removed from the hosts at 2, 3, and 4 weeks postinfection (p.i.). Analysis by TLC-densitometry showed significantly greater amounts of triacylglycerols and free sterols at 2, 3, and 4 weeks p.i. in worms from mice on the high-fat diet as compared with worms from mice on the standard laboratory diet. Significantly greater amounts of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were found in worms from mice on the high-fat diet as compared with worms from those on the standard diet at 2 weeks p.i. but not at 3 and 4 weeks p.i. The results of this study suggest that the host diet influences the lipid content of E. caproni adults.     

Placental transfer of maternal poliovirus antibodies in full-term and pre-term infants

This study was designed to investigate the placental transfer of maternal poliovirus antibodies in full-term and pre-term infants. Two hundred healthy, Israeli born mothers and their infants, were enrolled immediately after birth. The study population comprised two groups: a full-term group of 150 mothers and their infants, and a pre-term group of 50 mothers and their infants (gestational age < 35 weeks). Maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were taken in all cases. Antibody titers against the three poliovirus serotypes and a polio virus type 1 strain that caused an outbreak in 1988 (epidemic strain 1) were measured by a microneutralization system. The proportion of individuals with protective titers against each of the poliovirus types tested was slightly lower in the infants compared with their mothers. When protection to all strains combined was tested, the difference between mothers and infants was significant (P < 0.05). Transplacental transfer to epidemic strain 1 was less effective--12% of the premature infants were not protected against it at birth. The geometric mean titers against poliovirus types 1, 3 and epidemic type 1 strain were significantly lower in the pre-term group than in the full-term group. In both the full-term and pre-term groups there were significant linear correlations between the maternal and neonatal antibody titers for each of the polio viruses tested. For all poliovirus types, the transfer of maternal antibodies to the full-term infant was significantly higher than the transfer of maternal antibodies to the pre-term infant (P < 0.001). Owing to diminished transfer of maternal antibodies, pre-term infants are at greater risk of poliovirus infection.     

Acute modulation of rat hepatic lipid metabolism by sulphur-substituted fatty acid analogues

A single oral dose of two 3-thia (3-thiadicarboxylic and tetradecylthioacetic acids) and of 4-thia (tetradecylthiopropionic acid) fatty acids were administered to normolipidemic rats and their effects on lipid metabolism over a 24 hr period were studied. All three thia fatty acids could be detected in plasma 2 hr after treatment. Tetradecylthioacetic and tetradecylthiopropionic acids were detected in different hepatic lipid fractions but were incorporated mainly into hepatic phospholipids. Two hours after administration hepatic mitochondrial beta-oxidation and the total liver level of long-chain fatty acyl-CoA increased with a concomitant decrease in saturated fatty acids, total hepatic malonyl-CoA and plasma triacylglycerol levels in the 3-thia fatty acid groups. Tetradecylthiopropionic acid administration caused a decrease in mitochondrial beta-oxidation and an increase in plasma triacylglycerol at 24 hr. The activities of key lipogenic enzymes were unaffected in all treatment groups. Plasma cholesterol level was reduced only at 8 hr in 3-thiadicarboxylic acid treated rats although 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase was suppressed already at 2, 4, 8 and 12 hr. The results show that thia fatty acids are rapidly absorbed and are systemically available after oral administration but the 3-thia fatty acids reached systemic circulation more slowly and less completely than the 4-thia fatty acid. Very low levels of the thia fatty acids are detected in plasma 24 hr after a single administration. They are incorporated into all hepatic lipid classes, especially phospholipids. Rapid incorporation of a non beta-oxidizable thia fatty acid into hepatic lipids may cause a diversion of other fatty acids from glycerolipid biosynthesis to mitochondrial beta-oxidation. Stimulation of mitochondrial beta-oxidation and suppression of HMG-CoA reductase are primary events, occurring within hours, after 3-thia fatty acid administration. The hypotriglyceridemic effect of the 3-thia fatty acids observed at 2-4 hr is independent of the activities of key lipogenic and triacylglycerol synthesising enzymes.     

The Minnesota Infant Development Inventory in the developmental screening of high-risk infants at eight months.

Compared the results of a parent-completed questionnaire, the Minnesota Infant Development Inventory (MIDI), with Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BS) for 86 high-risk 8-mo-olds. Categorization of Ss as delayed or not delayed on 5 subscales of the MIDI showed good overall agreement with BS findings. Categorization of Ss based on their lowest MIDI subscale score yielded good sensitivity in detecting delay and fair specificity in identifying normal development. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the Gross Motor scale score was the strongest predictor of performance on BS items. Results suggest the potential utility of the MIDI as a screening tool in follow-up programs monitoring the development of high-risk infants. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of hypoxia and hypercapnia on non-esterified free fatty acid and cortisol levels

In the dog, FFA (free fatty acid) and cortisol levels in arterial blood plasma are lowered by anesthesia. Induced hypercapnia does not alter the cortisol levels but increases FFA levels. Hypoxia tends to raise the FFA levels. Possible causes of modifications in the FFA and cortisol levels are briefly discussed.