Global DNA methylation of peripheral blood leukocytes has been recently proposed as a potential biomarker for disease risk. However, the amplitude of the changes in DNA methylation associated with normal aging and the impacts of environmental changes on this variation are still unclear. In this context, we evaluated the association of global DNA methylation with nutritional habits, tobacco smoking, body mass index (BMI), clinical laboratory parameters, polymorphism C677T MTHFR, functional cognition and the daily practice of physical activity in a cancer-free older population. Leukocyte global DNA methylation from 126 older individuals was quantified using a high-throughput ELISA-based method. Global DNA hypomethylation was observed in older individuals when compared to a younger population (p = 0.0469), confirming changes in DNA methylation in the aging process. Furthermore, the methylation profile of elders was correlated with the daily ingestion of carbohydrates (p = 0.0494), lipids (p = 0.0494), vitamin B6 (p = 0.0421), magnesium (p = 0.0302), and also to the serum levels of total protein (p = 0.0004), alpha 2 globulin (p = 0.0013) and albumin (p = 0.0015). No statistically significant difference was observed when global DNA methylation were stratified according to C677T MTHFR genotypes (p = 0.7200), BMI (p = 0.1170), smoking habit (p = 0.4382), physical activity in daily life (p = 0.8492), scored cognitive function (p = 0.7229) or depression state (p = 0.8301). Our data indicate that age-related variations in the global DNA methylation profile of leukocytes might be modulated by the daily intake of carbohydrates, lipids, vitamin B6, and magnesium and be associated with serum protein levels, however it is independent of C677T MTHFR genotype and not correlated with BMI, smoking habit, cognitive function or the routine physical activities.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between oral health status and central obesity (CO) in Brazilian independent-living elderly. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 489 elderly, who were participants of the Study on Aging and Longevity, in Londrina, state of Parana. The number of natural teeth and use of prostheses were evaluated according to the World Health Organization criteria. The presence of CO was assessed using measures of waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Information concerning sociodemographic profile and some systemic conditions was also collected. Data were analyzed using stepwise logistic regression, α=5%. According to WC and WHR measures, the prevalence of central obesity was 79.3% and 76.1%, respectively. CO according to WC was not associated with oral status. Considering the WHR measure, the following oral conditions were associated to CO: having fewer natural teeth (OR = 2.61; 95%CI = 1.17-5.80), being edentulous and wearing both upper and lower complete dentures (OR = 2.34; 95%CI = 1.11-4.93), and being edentulous wearing only the upper complete denture (OR = 2.64; 95%CI = 1.01-6.95). Traditional risk factors for CO such as gender, dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes were associated with both measures. A poor oral health due to extensive tooth loss, whether partial or complete, even if rehabilitated by removable prostheses, may be considered a good predictor of CO in Brazilian independent-living elderly.

Estudo de custo-rendimento do processamento de queijo minas frescal, Neves-Souza e Silva -INTRODUÇÃOA escolha do agente coagulante na produção de queijos é relevante porque ao lado de enzimas produzidas por bactérias, láticas ou não, as enzimas do agente coagulante influenciam na degradação protéica e umas são mais proteolíticas que outras [8]. A pepsina bovina, por exemplo, é uma das mais proteolíticas, é menos específica que a quimosina e, pode hidrolisar excessivamente as caseínas, contribuindo com a diminuição do rendimento e promovendo sabor amargo ao produto, além de causar redução na vida-útil do queijo [8,9]. Para minimizar esses problemas foi produzido um agente coagulante composto de 100% de quimosina utilizando-se das modernas técnicas de engenharia genética. Sua obtenção se dá pela fermentação de microrganismos transgênicos [3]. Este processo, conhecido como FPC (Fermentation Produced Chymosin) foi desenvolvido a partir de Aspergillus niger var. awamori. Inicialmente foi denominado de coagulante genético e recentemente passou a ser considerado como um coagulante microbiano, de acordo com informações do fabricante. Está sendo comercializado em diversos paí-ses pela Chr. Hansen com o nome de CHY-MAX [6]. Apesar das vantagens, especialmente no aumento do rendimento, a aplicação na indústria queijeira é pequena. O coalho bovino ainda é o mais utilizado no proces-samento de queijos, entretanto algumas pesquisas estão sendo desenvolvidas com o objetivo de comparar a influência dos diferentes tipos de agentes coagulantes, ¾ bovino e microbiano ¾ exercida sobre os parâmetros físico-químicos e sobre o rendimento de alguns tipos de queijos [3,21], inclusive com o queijo Minas, um produto tipicamente nacional [23,24,25].É o terceiro queijo mais fabricado no Brasil, em 2003 foram produzidas 31.762 toneladas [1,5]. Possui uma das mais simples tecnologia de fabricação, mesmo assim as técnicas industriais foram sofrendo modificações, ao longo dos anos, visando à melhoria de qualidade, o aumento no rendimento e à padronização do produto [4,13,14,15,19,20,22,29,30,33,34] SUMMARY STUDY OF COST AND YIELD OF MINAS LIKE FRESH CHEESE PRODUCED WITH ADDED FAT FREE SOYBEAN HYDRO-SOLUBLE EXTRACT POWDER WITH CURD FORMED BY DIFFERENT COAGULANTS AGENTS.Food products development occur in industries, universities and research centers with the aim of optimizing processes, to include different ingredients to existing products or for other reasons. After developing a product, additional information may be obtained by determining yield and cost of the final product. The objective of this research was to estimate yield and cost of traditional Minas fresh cheese and those produced with added fat free soybean hydro-soluble extract powder (SEP), with curd formed by rennet or microbial coagulant (Aspergillus niger var. awamori). Minas fresh cheese with addition of 8% of SEP (in relation to total milk solids), processed with rennet had a yield (g TS/L) 16.67% higher in comparison to the traditional cheese processed with the same rennet. T...

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Introduction Poor diet habits and inadequate intake of nutrients are a concern in the elderly. Nutritional education with guidance may improve the results of the treatment of vertigo. Objective Evaluate the presence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) associated with feeding habits. Methods Cross-sectional study with elderly people living independently. We evaluated nutritional habits through the method of dietary 24-hour recall and manipulation of Dix-Hallpike. Results Based on a sample of 487 individuals, 117 had BPPV. Among the 117 elderly patients with BPPV, 37 (31.62%) had inadequate feeding. From those 370 individuals without BPPV, 97 (26.21%) had inappropriate feeding. No significant association between nutritional habits and BPPV in the total population was observed (p = 0.3064). However, there was significant relation between BPPV and inadequate carbohydrate intake (p = 0.0419) and insufficient fiber intake (p = 0.03), and the diet of these subjects was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.0084). Conclusion These data correlate with the dyslipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia status, making it extremely important to reduce the intake of fats and carbohydrates and increase the fiber intake to stabilize triglycerides and thus minimize harmful effects on the inner ear. Food readjustment is suggested in patients with BPPV, along with the work of a multidisciplinary team to improve the quality of the elderly.

Maintaining a functional natural dentition plays an important role in keeping a satisfactory nutritional status. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between oral health conditions determined by the presence of edentulism and the number of missing teeth, nutritional status and consumption of nutrients by the elderly. This cross-sectional study comprised 494 independent elderly of both genders, over 60 years of age, registered at the Brazilian public health service in Londrina, southern Brazil. The data collection included: oral examinations; anthropometric measurements by calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI); analysis of food consumption based on a multiple pass 24-hour dietary recall and a food intake frequency questionnaire; and structured interviews to obtain sociodemographic information. Multiple linear regression, the Fisher’s Exact test, chi-square and Mann‑Whitney tests, were applied at a 5% significance level. The prevalence of edentulism was 47.3%; this predominated in females, age group from 65 to 74 years, low education level and low/medium economic classification. A larger number of underweight and fewer number of overweight elderly were recorded among the edentulous versus dentate participants (< 0.0001). Significantly lower consumption of several nutrients, as well as fruit, was recorded among the edentulous group. In particular, carbohydrates, vitamins (B1, B9 and C), and the majority of the minerals studied were associated with a larger number of missing teeth. In conclusion, tooth loss was associated with the food consumption pattern of some macro- and micronutrients and the nutritional status of the Brazilian elderly.

Introdução: as dislipidemias, a obesidade, os hábitos alimentares, o estilo de vida e as características genéticas são fatores de riscos para doenças cardiovasculares. Objetivo: investigar a associação do perfil lipídico ao estado nutricional e ao consumo alimentar em idosos. Métodos: participaram do estudo 469 idosos. Foi avaliado o estado nutricional pelo IMC, o consumo alimentar pelo recordatório de 24 horas, o perfil lipídico por método enzimático automatizado e o uso de medicação hipolipemiante. Resultados: houve alta prevalência de excesso de peso (mulheres: 51,1%; homens: 32,5%). Somente 23,2% das mulheres e 49,4% dos homens não apresentaram dislipidemias. As mulheres apresentaram valores superiores de colesterol total, LDL-c e triglicerídeos (p < 0,05) quando comparadas aos homens, mesmo no subgrupo de pacientes medicados. A dieta caracterizou- -se como hiperproteica, hiperlipídica e com baixo consumo de hortaliças e frutas. Considerações fi nais: os resultados reforçam a importância da promoção da alimentação saudável no âmbito da atenção básica, independente do uso de medicação hipolipemiante, pois as alterações no perfil lipídico e no estado nutricional persistem, indicando risco aumentado para doenças cardiovasculares.