A genome scan for milk production traits in dairy goats reveals two new mutations in <i>Dgat1</i> reducing milk fat content

The quantity of milk and milk fat and proteins are particularly important traits in dairy livestock. However, little is known about the regions of the genome that influence these traits in goats. We conducted a genome wide association study in French goats and identified 109 regions associated with dairy traits. For a major region on chromosome 14 closely associated with fat content, the Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene turned out to be a functional and positional candidate gene. The caprine reference sequence of this gene was completed and 29 polymorphisms were found in the gene sequence, including two novel exonic mutations: R251L and R396W, leading to substitutions in the protein sequence. The R251L mutation was found in the Saanen breed at a frequency of 3.5% and the R396W mutation both in the Saanen and Alpine breeds at a frequencies of 13% and 7% respectively. The R396W mutation explained 46% of the genetic variance of the trait, and the R251L mutation 6%. Both mutations were associated with a notable decrease in milk fat content. Their causality was then demonstrated by a functional test. These results provide new knowledge on the genetic basis of milk synthesis and will help improve the management of the French dairy goat breeding program

Overweight and constipation in adolescents

Background: the association between overweight and gastrointestinal symptoms has been recently studied in the literature; however, few studies have evaluated the association between overweight and constipation in adolescents in a community-based sample. the aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of constipation and its association with being overweight in a community-based survey with adolescents.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,077 adolescents who were enrolled in five schools in the city of Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. Constipation was defined according to modified and combined Rome III criteria for adolescents and adults. Being overweight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) that was equal to or greater than that of the 85(th) percentile for age and gender.Results: Constipation was diagnosed in 18.2% (196/1077) of the included adolescents. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of constipation in males and females who were both younger and older than 14 years. Fecal incontinence was observed in 25 adolescents, 22 (88.0%) of whom were diagnosed as being constipated. the prevalence of being overweight was found in 13.5% (145/1077) of the study population. the prevalence of constipation was observed to be similar in adolescents who were (19.4%; 28/144) and were not (18.0%; 168/933) overweight (p = 0.764; OR = 1.10). Fecal incontinence that was associated with constipation was more frequent in adolescents who were overweight (37.0%; 8/28) than in adolescents who were not overweight (8.5%; 14/168; p = 0.005; OR = 4.40).Conclusions: the prevalence of constipation was high among the investigated adolescents. There was no association between being overweight and constipation; however, an association between being overweight and fecal incontinence in constipated adolescents was confirmed.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Pediat Gastroenterol, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Pediat Gastroenterol, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Sobrepeso em adolescentes de 14 a 19 anos em um município da região Sul do Brasil Overweight in adolescents aged 14 to 19 years old in a Southern Brazilian city

OBJETIVOS: identificar a freqüência de sobrepeso em adolescentes, bem como os fatores ambientais, biológicos e socioeconômicos associados, no município de Toledo, Paraná. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal desenvolvido com adolescentes matriculados no ensino médio, de 14 a 19 anos, do período diurno da área urbana do município. Adotou-se o índice de massa corporal/idade para diagnosticar exposição ao risco de sobrepeso. Utilizou-se um questionário pré-testado para levantamento dos dados pessoais, antropométricos, biológicos e hábitos, como: usar TV, vídeo e computador, praticar esportes e freqüência das refeições. Para a situação socioeconômica, foi utilizado o critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil da Associação Nacional de Empresas de Pesquisa. RESULTADOS: dos adolescentes, 3,8% apresentaram baixo peso e 10,2% sobrepeso. Associação estatisticamente significativa foi encontrada para a freqüência de sobrepeso entre os adolescentes que realizavam quatro ou mais refeições/dia (5,5%) e entre aqueles que realizavam até três refeições/dia (16,3%). Ao estratificar o sobrepeso por classes econômicas, as freqüências mostram uma tendência de decréscimo de sobrepeso com a queda da classe econômica. CONCLUSÕES: a prevalência de sobrepeso é superior à de baixo peso, o qual se encontra abaixo dos índices identificados em outros municípios brasileiros. Menor número de refeições e classes econômicas mais elevadas apresentaram associação com o sobrepeso.<br>OBJECTIVES: to identify overweight incidence in adolescents as well as associated environmental, biological, social and economic factors in the municipality of Toledo, Paraná. METHODS: a cross sectional study was performed with adolescents enrolled in middle school aged 14 to 19 years old, in day classes of the urban area in the municipality. Body mass/age rates were used to diagnose the risk of overweight exposure. A pretested questionnaire was used to survey personal, anthropometric, biologic and life style related data such as: the use of TV, video and computer, practicing of sports and number of meals. To establish social and economic status the criterion used was that of the Economic Classification of Brazil from the National Survey Companies Association. RESULTS: 3.8% of the adolescents were underweight and 10.2% were overweight. A statistically significant association was determined for the incidence of overweight among adolescents who had four or more meals per day (5.5%) and among the ones who had up to three meals a day (16.3%). When stratifying overweight by classes of income, the overweight incidence rate had a tendency of decreasing as the economic class decreased. CONCLUSIONS: overweight prevalence is higher than underweight; the last is below the rates determined in other Brazilian municipalities. Less frequency of meals and higher income classes were associated to overweight

Hábito alimentar de escolares adolescentes de um município do oeste do Paraná Food habits of adolescent students from a municipality in western Paraná, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Este estudo objetivou identificar o padrão de consumo alimentar de 2562 escolares de 14 a 19 anos das escolas urbanas, públicas e particulares, do município de Toledo, Paraná, bem como os fatores associados à classe econômica e ao sexo. MÉTODOS: Para caracterizar o consumo alimentar utilizou-se Questionário de Freqüência de Consumo Alimentar validado. A análise estatística foi realizada seguindo os grupos da pirâmide alimentar, e as associações das variáveis foram realizadas pelo teste Qui-quadrado com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Os alimentos que apresentaram maior consumo em cada grupo foram: pão e arroz, alface e tomate, banana e laranja, leite integral e desnatado, carne de gado e frango, feijão, margarina e maionese, açúcar e balas/doces. A associação da freqüência de consumo com a renda familiar foi significante entre os mais pobres para os grupos dos pães, cereais, raízes e tubérculos, das leguminosas e dos óleos e gorduras. Entre os mais ricos encontram-se os grupos das hortaliças, das frutas, dos leites e produtos lácteos. Quanto ao sexo, as meninas consomem mais alimentos dos grupos das hortaliças e dos açúcares e doces, já entre os meninos prevalece o consumo de leite, leguminosas, óleos e gorduras. CONCLUSÃO: Esses resultados mostram diferença de consumo entre os sexos e sugerem que a renda famíliar associa-se ao consumo alimentar dos escolares.<br>OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the food intake patterns of 2562 students aging from 14 to 19 years from public and private schools of the municipality of Toledo, Paraná, Brazil. Associations between intake patterns and gender and intake patterns and social class were also investigated. METHODS: A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to characterize food intake. Statistical analysis was based on the food guide pyramid and the variables associated with the chi-square test, using a significance level set at 5%. RESULTS: The foods with highest intakes were: bread and rice, lettuce and tomato, banana and orange, whole milk and skim milk, beef and poultry, beans, margarine and mayonnaise, sugar and candies/sweets. The association between intake frequency and family income was significant among the poorest for the following groups: breads, cereals, nuts and seeds, legumes and oils and fats. Among the wealthiest, the groups were: vegetables, fruits, milks and dairy. Regarding gender, girls consume more vegetables and sweets and boys consume more milk, legumes, oils and fats. CONCLUSION: These results show that there is a difference in intakes between genders and suggest that family income is associated with food intake among students

Prevalência de anemia e níveis séricos de hemoglobina em adolescentes segundo estágio de maturidade sexual Prevalence of anemia and hemoglobin serum levels in adolescents according to sexual maturation stage

Durante a adolescência o crescimento acelerado promove um aumento nas necessidades nutricionais, inclusive de ferro, tornando os adolescentes um grupo de risco nutricional. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a prevalência de anemia e os níveis séricos de hemoglobina de acordo com o estágio de maturidade sexual em uma amostra representativa composta por 272 adolescentes matriculados em escolas da rede municipal de ensino de Balneário Camboriú-SC. A auto-avaliação da maturidade sexual foi realizada segundo os critérios de Tanner (1962). Os níveis sangüíneos de hemoglobina foram medidos através do sistema HemoCue® e o diagnóstico de deficiência de ferro foi baseado no critério proposto pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (2001). Foram consideradas significativas as diferenças ao nível de p<0,05. Foi encontrada prevalência de anemia de 31,2%, sem diferença significativa entre os sexos. Os níveis de hemoglobina foram significativamente maiores no sexo masculino (p=0,044) e não foi encontrada diferença significativa entre os valores médios de hemoglobina entre as meninas que haviam atingido a menarca e as que não a haviam atingido. Não foi encontrada associação entre a presença de anemia e o estágio de maturidade sexual dos adolescentes (chi2=1,17; p=0,56). Verificou-se aumento dos níveis séricos de hemoglobina de acordo com o desenvolvimento sexual no sexo masculino, enquanto no sexo feminino não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas nestes valores com os sucessivos estágios puberais. Estes resultados demonstraram uma prevalência moderada de anemia e sugerem não haver relação entre a anemia e o desenvolvimento puberal na população estudada.<br>Accelerated growth spurt during adolescence leads to increased nutritional requirements, including iron, therefore posing a nutritional risk to adolescents. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia and hemoglobin serum levels according to the sexual maturation stage in a representative sample comprised of 272 adolescents enrolled in public schools in Balneário Camboriú, SC. Self-assessment of sexual maturation was carried out according to criteria defined by Tanner (1962). Hemoglobin serum levels were measured through the HemoCue® system and the diagnosis of iron deficiency was based on the cut off points proposed by the World Health Organization (2001). Differences were considered significant at the level of p<0.05. We found a prevalence of 31.2% of anemia without significant differences between genders. Hemoglobin serum levels were significantly higher in boys (p=0.044) than in girls. We did not find significant differences between mean hemoglobin levels of girls who had reached menarche and the ones who had not. There was no statistical association between the presence of anemia and sexual maturation stages of adolescents (chi2=1.17; p=0.56). An increase in mean hemoglobin serum levels was observed along with sexual maturation in boys, but not in girls. The results of the present study showed a moderate prevalence of anemia, but did not point out any relation between anemia and sexual maturation in the population studied