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Background: Clinical nutritionists are responsible for nutritional therapy in clinical practice, which significantly enhances patients' nutritional status. This study aims to develop and validate a competency evaluation scale to effectively assess the abilities of clinical nutritionists. Methods: The competency evaluation scale for clinical nutritionists was developed based on the iceberg model, utilizing literature review, semi-structured interviews, and the Delphi method. The weights of each indicator were calculated using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the validity and reliability of the scale were confirmed through questionnaire surveys. Results: The competency evaluation scale of clinical nutritionists comprised five primary indicators, twelve secondary indicators, and sixty-six tertiary indicators. The primary indicators, including professional theoretical knowledge, professional practical skills, humanistic practice ability, interpersonal communication ability, and professional development capability, have respective weights of 0.2168, 0.2120, 0.2042, 0.2022, and 0.1649. The Cronbach's α coefficients of the five dimensions of the scale were 0.970, 0.978, 0.969, 0.962, and 0.947, respectively. The results of the Exploratory Factor Analysis showed that the prerequisites for factor analysis were satisfied. Additionally, Bartlett's test of sphericity yielded a significance level of p < 0.001, confirming the scale's reliability and validity. Conclusions: The competency evaluation scale for clinical nutritionists developed in this study is of high scientific reliability and validity, which provides assessment criteria for the training and assessment of clinical nutritionists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Good food safety practices are essential to minimizing foodborne diseases. The present study explored the food safety-related practices of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southwest China and identified the impacting factors. Methods: Residents aged 18–75 years from Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Chongqing, China, were included in our study. The convenience sampling method was used to select participants, and face-to-face surveys were conducted in households and communities to collect data. Descriptive statistics including sociodemographic characteristics of respondents and weighted percentages were obtained and the log-binomial regression was used to evaluate the influencing factors associated with food safety-related practices. Results: Overall, 7,848 respondents were involved, with 97.5% efficacy. Disparities in food safety-related practices were observed between males and females, with the former performing poorer practices than the latter (70.5% vs. 68.0%, respectively). Notably, paying attention to nutrition labels when shopping for prepackaged foods was the worst practice. Age, ethnicity, region, occupation, education level, and income were identified as significant determinants of food safety-related practices. Moreover, in comparison to males, females were more likely to acquire pertinent knowledge from diverse sources, including social media, family members/ friends, books/ newspapers/ magazines, experts, and food sales staff (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Males performed inferior food safety-related practices than females during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southwest China. It is suggested that future food safety education programs should incorporate diverse targeted approaches, with emphasis on males. The role of mainstream media in promoting food safety practices should be expanded and prioritized in the forthcoming initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to examine the association between dietary Se intake and CVD risk in Chinese adults. Design: This prospective cohort study included adults above 20 years old in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), and they were followed up from 1997 to 2015 (n 16 030). Dietary data were retrieved from CHNS, and a 3-d, 24-h recall of food intake was used to assess the cumulative average intake of dietary Se, which was divided into quartiles. The Cox proportional hazards model was adopted to analyse the association between dietary Se intake and incident CVD risk. Setting: CHNS (1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015) Results: A total of 663 respondents developed CVD after being followed up for a mean of 9·9 years (median 9 years). The incidence of CVD was 4·3, 3·7, 4·6 and 4·0 per 1000 person-years across the quartiles of cumulative Se intake. After adjusting all potential factors, no significant associations were found between cumulative Se intake and CVD risk. No interactions were found between Se intake and income, urbanisation, sex, region, weight, hypertension and CVD risk. Conclusion: We found no association between dietary Se and CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unhealthy snacking behaviors and body weight misperception are both significant concerns in adolescent health. Weight misperception are common among youth and may influence their motivation to engage in health-related behaviors, however, the effect on snacking patterns choice remains unclear. Our study aimed to examine the relationship between body weight misperception and snacking pattern choice among school adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey platform. Body weight misperception was defined based on perceived body weight and true weight. Snack intake was measured using a qualitative food-frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to identify snacking patterns, and multiple linear regression was employed to examine the association between body weight misperception and snacking patterns. Results: 190,296 students with the average age of 13.3 ± 1.0 years was included, and 44.5% of students misperceived their weight. Overestimation was more prevalent than underestimation. Two snacking patterns, namely a high-calorie snacking pattern and a healthy snacking pattern, were identified with eigenvalues > 1. Weight underestimation was positively linked to high-calorie snacking pattern scores for both normal weight students (β: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.21) and students with overweight/obesity (β: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.52), and to healthy snacking scores for students with overweight/obesity (β: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.33), but negatively linked to healthy snacking pattern scores for normal weight students (β: -0.12, 95% CI: -0.15, -0.09). Conversely, weight overestimation was negatively linked to both high-calorie and healthy snacking pattern scores for normal weight students (β: -0.07, 95% CI: -0.11, -0.04 and β: -0.13, 95% CI: -0.15, -0.10), but positively linked to healthy snacking scores for underweight students (β: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.21). Interactions were found between sex, grade, accommodation, only child, primary guardians, parental education level and weight misperception to snacking patterns. Conclusions: Adolescents with normal weight and overweight/obesity who misperceived their weight exhibited less healthy snacking patterns, whereas underweight students who misperceived their weight displayed healthier snacking patterns. Comprehensive programs are crucial to educate and guide adolescents in understanding their weight status and making healthier snack choices, involving families, schools, and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methane (CH4) is a major greenhouse gas, and ruminants are one of the sources of CH4 which is produced by the rumen microbiota. Modification of the rumen microbiota compositions will impact the CH4 production. In this study, the effects of melatonin on methane production in cows were investigated both in the in vitro and in vivo studies. Results: Melatonin treatment significantly reduced methane production in both studies. The cows treated with melatonin reduced methane emission from their respiration by approximately 50%. The potential mechanisms are multiple. First, melatonin lowers the volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production in rumen and reduces the raw material for CH4 synthesis. Second, melatonin not only reduces the abundance of Methanobacterium which are responsible for generating methane but also inhibits the populations of protozoa to break the symbiotic relationship between Methanobacterium and protozoa in rumen to further lowers the CH4 production. The reduced VFA production is not associated with food intake, and it seems also not to jeopardize the nutritional status of the cows. This was reflected by the increased milk lipid and protein contents in melatonin treated compared to the control cows. It is likely that the energy used to synthesize methane is saved to compensate the reduced VFA production. Conclusion: This study enlightens the potential mechanisms by which melatonin reduces rumen methane production in dairy cows. Considering the greenhouse effects of methane on global warming, these findings provide valuable information using different approaches to achieve low carbon dairy farming to reduce the methane emission. 6uXNnBCVHjJWi7WJQ32EAM Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The global epidemic of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents poses a significant public health threat. This longitudinal study aims to investigate the relationship between adolescents' and their parents' dietary knowledge and overweight/obesity among adolescents in China. Methods: Data were collected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015. Overweight/obesity was defined according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-off for body mass index (BMI). A set of questions were used to assess the dietary knowledge scores of both adolescents and their parents during face-to-face interviews. Mixed effect models were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 2035 adolescents aged 12–17 years were included in the data analysis. The mean BMI increased from 19.2 in 2004 to 20.5 in 2015, with a significant increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity from 6.8% and 0.5% in 2004 to 15.1% and 7.8% in 2015, respectively. Adolescents with medium-score dietary knowledge were less likely to be overweight/obese compared to those with low-score dietary knowledge (OR (95% CI): 0.20 (0.05–0.80), P < 0.05). However, there was no association between parental dietary knowledge and adolescents' BMI or overweight/obesity (P > 0.05). Additionally, a significant interaction between adolescents' dietary knowledge score and education in relation to adolescents' BMI (P for interaction < 0.05). Conclusion: Adolescents with medium dietary knowledge were less likely to be overweight/obese than those with low knowledge, but no association was found with parental knowledge. Promoting nutritional education and healthy eating habits is vital to prevent overweight/obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methane (CH4) is a major greenhouse gas, and ruminants are one of the sources of CH4 which is produced by the rumen microbiota. Modification of the rumen microbiota compositions will impact the CH4 production. In this study, the effects of melatonin on methane production in cows were investigated both in the in vitro and in vivo studies. Results: Melatonin treatment significantly reduced methane production in both studies. The cows treated with melatonin reduced methane emission from their respiration by approximately 50%. The potential mechanisms are multiple. First, melatonin lowers the volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production in rumen and reduces the raw material for CH4 synthesis. Second, melatonin not only reduces the abundance of Methanobacterium which are responsible for generating methane but also inhibits the populations of protozoa to break the symbiotic relationship between Methanobacterium and protozoa in rumen to further lowers the CH4 production. The reduced VFA production is not associated with food intake, and it seems also not to jeopardize the nutritional status of the cows. This was reflected by the increased milk lipid and protein contents in melatonin treated compared to the control cows. It is likely that the energy used to synthesize methane is saved to compensate the reduced VFA production. Conclusion: This study enlightens the potential mechanisms by which melatonin reduces rumen methane production in dairy cows. Considering the greenhouse effects of methane on global warming, these findings provide valuable information using different approaches to achieve low carbon dairy farming to reduce the methane emission. 6uXNnBCVHjJWi7WJQ32EAM Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inconsistent findings have been discovered in studies examining the link between dietary selenium (Se) and sleep. Data were obtained from 17,176 people aged 20 and over who participated in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) from 2004 to 2011. Face-to-face interviews were used to measure sleep duration in 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2011. To track dietary Se consumption, a 3-day, 24-h recall was undertaken. In the analysis, multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was employed. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of optimal sleep duration (7–9 h/day) in the regression of Model 4 were 1.00, 1.01 (0.89–1.15) and 1.19 (1.02–1.38) for the three tertiles of selenium consumption, respectively. Only overweight patients displayed a substantial positive connection between Se intake and the optimal sleep duration in the subgroup analysis. In summary, Se intake was significantly associated with optimal sleep duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In utero base editing has the potential to correct disease-causing mutations before the onset of pathology. Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS-IH, Hurler syndrome) is a lysosomal storage disease (LSD) affecting multiple organs, often leading to early postnatal cardiopulmonary demise. We assessed in utero adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) delivery of an adenine base editor (ABE) targeting the Idua G→A (W392X) mutation in the MPS-IH mouse, corresponding to the common IDUA G→A (W402X) mutation in MPS-IH patients. Here we show efficient long-term W392X correction in hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes and low-level editing in the brain. In utero editing was associated with improved survival and amelioration of metabolic, musculoskeletal, and cardiac disease. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the possibility of efficiently performing therapeutic base editing in multiple organs before birth via a clinically relevant delivery mechanism, highlighting the potential of this approach for MPS-IH and other genetic diseases. Lysosomal storage diseases like mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) cause pathology before birth and result in early morbidity and mortality. Here, the authors show that in utero base editing mediates multi-organ phenotypic and survival benefits in a mouse model recapitulating a common human MPSI mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunable circular dichroism (CD) is widely used in biology signal detection and chemical analysis. Researchers usually tune CD by changing the chirality and symmetry of nanostructures either directly or indirectly. Changes to a planar nanostructure's chirality are resisted by its structural reciprocity, which also constrains its CD tuning. However, the distribution of finite non‐radiative (ohmic) losses on a planar nanostructure will not be constrained by the reciprocity of structure. Here, a nanostructure is designed to tune the intensity of energy losses rather than change the chirality and symmetry of the whole structure. The results show that not only are the position and intensity of CD affected, but also the sign of the CD signal changes. These methods and results can help in utilizing the new approach to tune the modes and sign of a CD signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yao Fu and Songyang Yao contributed equally to this work. Reference 1 Fu Y, Yao S, Wang T. Effects of melatonin on rumen microorganisms and methane production in dairy cow: results from in vitro and in vivo studies. [Extracted from the article]

Optical properties of multi-ring with spatial symmetry breaking are investigated theoretically. Tunable ultrahigh order surface plasmonic resonance is achieved, which is found to be sensitive to geometric parameters. Certain high-order surface plasmonic resonances can be either suppressed or enhanced when geometrical parameters are adjusted. Moreover, more than one quadrupolar-dipolar, octupolar-dipolar, and hexadecapolar-dipolar mode of the surface plasmonic resonance can be achieved. The asymmetry also allows the generation of strong electric field enhancement with these nanostructures that can be applied in the field of surface-enhanced spectroscopy and biosensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene bilayered split rings (BSRs) are proposed to generate tunable circular dichroism (CD). BSRs with traditional materials do not elicit the CD effect because of C symmetry. By contrast, BSRs with graphene can achieve the CD effect by varying the Fermi energy of each part of the split rings. The CD signal can be reversed from positive to negative or vice versa by exchanging the Fermi energy. CD effects can also be tuned by varying the Fermi energies of the different parts. This phenomenon indicates that the chirality of BSRs gradually change as the Fermi energy varies. This concept provides a method to change chirality and dynamically vary the CD effect without rebuilding the structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastitis is a common disease in cows breeding. The milk quality will be significantly reduced with increased milk somatic cells, which often occurs in cows with mastitis. In this study, the influence of seasonal changes, age and lactation stages in the Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) of cows was investigated. Then, the Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) of cows with high somatic cell score (SCS) after melatonin treatment was systemically investigated. The results showed that melatonin significantly suppressed the milk somatic cell score under all of the tested conditions. The melatonin treatment also improved the milk nutritional value by reducing its fat but increasing its lactose and protein contents. The application of melatonin significantly improved the DHI. The beneficial effects of melatonin on DHI are likely attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of melatonin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymmetric transmission (AT) reflects the conversion efficiency of a chiral nanostructure for circularly polarized light and is widely used in polarization and optoelectronic devices. In this study, a new mechanism is proposed to generate AT when a planar chiral nanostructure is illuminated under left‐handed circularly polarized (LCP) and right‐handed circularly polarized (RCP) light illumination. The new mechanism can be achieved by breaking the symmetry of the designed planar chiral nanostructure which give rise to a new transmittance peak and dip at a particular wavelength under RCP and LCP light illumination, respectively. The proposed new mechanism is also capable of actively tuning the generated resonant modes. Besides this, when graphene strips are added to the designed planar chiral nanostructure, similar results are obtained as that from breaking the symmetry of the planar chiral nanostructure. In this case, the generated AT could also be actively tuned by varying the Fermi energies of graphene strips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]