69 research outputs found
Energy efficient innovative lighting and energy supply solutions in developing countries
No full textThe vast majority of the rural population in the de veloping countries is out of reach of electricity and hence has to depend on the tradi tional fuels to fulfil the daily energy needs. Providing grid electricity to the rural areas of ma ny developing countries is a very difficult task due to the geographical complexity and lack of fina ncial resources. The paper explains the use of different renewable energy sources in combination w ith efficient lighting technology as a realistic option to provide clean lighting services to develo ping countries. The application of Light Emitting Diodes and renewable energy sources has be en a sustainable solution to the basic lighting needs of rural people. The paper also pres ents a comparison of costs between available renewable energy technologies
Sterol concentration and distribution in sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus L.) during seed development
No full textSunflower seeds are currently used for edible oil production. Among oil minor compounds, phytosterols are of special interest due to their cholesterol reducing properties. This paper reports studies on their accumulation and distribution in the embryo and hull, and the effects of temperature on phytosterol contents in sunflower seed produced under both conventional and organic field conditions. An optimized method of sterol determination, adapted to studies on small samples of seed, is presented. Seventy-two % of phytosterols were found in the embryo, 28 % in the hull. The periods of phytosterols concentration varied according to sterol category and seed part. Application of these results to improve production of natural sterols for functional food use is discussed
European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel on Phytosterols. Plant sterols and plant stanols in the management of dyslipidaemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
No full textEffect of Pregnancy on the Speaking Voice
No full textThe study aims to investigate the vocal symptoms and acoustic changes in pregnant women pre- and postpartum in comparison to the controls. A total of 25 pregnant women who presented for delivery were enrolled in this study. Twenty-one nonpregnant women were matched as controls. Vocal symptoms such as hoarseness, vocal fatigue, and aphonia were assessed. Acoustic analysis included fundamental frequency (F0), habitual pitch, relative average perturbation (RAP), shimmer, noise-to-harmony ratio (NHR), and maximum phonation time (MPT). There were no significant differences in the incidence of vocal symptoms in pregnant women versus controls. However, vocal fatigue was more prevalent in the pregnant group. With respect to the acoustic parameters, there was a significant decrease in the MPT at term. The rest of the variables were comparable. Postpartum, the MPT significantly increased and there was an increase in F0 and a significant decrease in the voice turbulence index (VTI). Pregnant women have more vocal fatigue and a reduction in MPT compared to the controls. Immediately after delivery, there is a significant increase in MPT. © 2009 The Voice Foundation.Abitbol J, 1999, J VOICE, V13, P424, DOI 10.1016-S0892-1997(99)80048-4; ABITBOL J, 2006, ODESSY VOICE; BRODNITZ FS, 1979, ARCH OTOLARYNGOL, V105, P300; Cunningham G, 2005, WILLIAMS OBSTET; VERDOLINIMARSTON K, 1990, J VOICE, V4, P142, DOI 10.1016-S0892-1997(05)80139-0; DURR JA, 1987, AM J KIDNEY DIS, V9, P276; Ellegard E, 2000, GYNECOL OBSTET INVES, V49, P98, DOI 10.1159-000010223; Finkelhor B. K., 1988, J VOICE, V1, P320, DOI DOI 10.1016-S0892-1997(88)80005-5; Gabbe S, 2007, OBSTET NORMAL PROBLE; GILROY RJ, 1988, AM REV RESPIR DIS, V137, P668; HAMDAN AL, J VOICE IN PRESS; HIGGINS M B, 1989, Journal of Voice, V3, P233, DOI 10.1016-S0892-1997(89)80005-0; Newman SR, 2000, J VOICE, V14, P72, DOI 10.1016-S0892-1997(00)80096-X; Shah RK, 2005, INT J PEDIATR OTORHI, V69, P903, DOI 10.1016-j.ijport.2005.01.029; Sivasankar M, 2002, J VOICE, V16, P172, DOI 10.1016-S0892-1997(02)00087-5; THEUNISSEN IM, 1994, CLIN OBSTET GYNECOL, V37, P3, DOI 10.1097-00003081-199403000-00005; Thomson K, 1938, SURG GYNECOL OBSTET, V66, P591; WEINBERGER SE, 1980, AM REV RESPIR DIS, V121, pL55966
Dietary calcium decreases but short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides increase colonic permeability in rats
No full textAn increased intestinal permeability is associated with several diseases. Nutrition can influence gut permeability. Previously, we showed that dietary Ca decreases whereas dietary short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) increase intestinal permeability in rats. However, it is unknown how and where in the gastrointestinal tract Ca and scFOS exert their effects. Rats were fed a Western low-Ca control diet, or a similar diet supplemented with either Ca or scFOS. Lactulose plus mannitol and Cr-EDTA were added to the diets to quantify small and total gastrointestinal permeability, respectively. Additionally, colonic tissue was mounted in Ussing chambers and exposed to faecal water of these rats. Dietary Ca immediately decreased urinary Cr-EDTA excretion by 24 % in Ca-fed rats compared with control rats. Dietary scFOS increased total Cr-EDTA permeability gradually with time, likely reflecting relatively slow gut microbiota adaptations, which finally resulted in a 30 % increase. The lactulose: mannitol ratio was 15 % higher for Ca-fed rats and 16 % lower for scFOS-fed rats compared with control rats. However, no dietary effect was present on individual urinary lactulose and mannitol excretion. The faecal waters did not influence colonic permeability in Ussing chambers. In conclusion, despite effects on the lactulose: mannitol ratio, individual lactulose values did not alter, indicating that diet did not influence small-intestinal permeability. Therefore, both nutrients affect permeability only in the colon: Ca decreases, while scFOS increase colonic permeability. As faecal water did not influence permeability in Ussing chambers, probably modulation of mucins and/or microbiota is important for the in vivo effects of dietary Ca and scFOS
Chronic Intestinal Failure in Children: An International Multicenter Cross-Sectional Survey
No full textBackground: The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism database for chronic intestinal failure (CIF) was analyzed to investigate factors associated with nutritional status and the intravenous supplementation (IVS) dependency in children. Methods: Data collected: demographics, CIF mechanism, home parenteral nutrition program, z-scores of weight-for-age (WFA), length or height-for-age (LFA/HFA), and body mass index-for-age (BMI-FA). IVS dependency was calculated as the ratio of daily total IVS energy over estimated resting energy expenditure (%IVSE/REE). Results: Five hundred and fifty-eight patients were included, 57.2% of whom were male. CIF mechanisms at age 1–4 and 14–18 years, respectively: SBS 63.3%, 37.9%; dysmotility or mucosal disease: 36.7%, 62.1%. One-third had WFA and/or LFA/HFA z-scores < −2. One-third had %IVSE/REE > 125%. Multivariate analysis showed that mechanism of CIF was associated with WFA and/or LFA/HFA z-scores (negatively with mucosal disease) and %IVSE/REE (higher for dysmotility and lower in SBS with colon in continuity), while z-scores were negatively associated with %IVSE/REE. Conclusions: The main mechanism of CIF at young age was short bowel syndrome (SBS), whereas most patients facing adulthood had intestinal dysmotility or mucosal disease. One-third were underweight or stunted and had high IVS dependency. Considering that IVS dependency was associated with both CIF mechanisms and nutritional status, IVS dependency is suggested as a potential marker for CIF severity in children
- …
