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Heracleum dissectum Ledeb. (HD) with high edible and medicinal values is distributed in Northeast Asia. To provide a reference for selecting appropriate parts and periods to harvest HD, the nutrient contents in different parts of HD at three growth stages were determined. The nutrients being determined are essential nutrients closely related to human needs, and the crude protein content of HD was 3.58-28.43 g • 100 g-1 DW (dry weight), sugar content was 2.33-30.92 g • 100 g-1 DW, and soluble dietary fiber content was 9.71-26.09 g • 100 g-1 DW. Crude protein was mainly distributed in leaf blades and inflorescences, sugar was primarily found in roots, and dietary fiber was predominantly located in leaves. From the leaf development stage to the flowering stage and then to the late seed harvest stage, the content of moisture, crude protein and soluble sugar first decreased and then increased. In contrast, the content of dietary fiber and crude fat first increased and then decreased. Key words: nutrient content, vegetable, plant organ, developmental stage [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Worldwide, fruit and vegetable intake is below recommendations. There is increasing evidence to suggest an association between height and diet. Aim: to analyse the associations of fruit and vegetable intake with attained height in Portuguese adults. Methods: A representative sample of 17 480 Portuguese adults (56.7% women) participated in this cross-sectional study. The survey comprised sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported height and weight. We performed regression models to assess the associations between height and fruit and vegetable consumption. Results: Compared with no intakes, those men with higher fruit and vegetables intake had 0.54 cm (95% CI 0.04; 1.04) greater height. Also, women with higher intakes of vegetables, fruit and vegetables combined were directly associated with a greater height of 0.29 cm (95% CI 0.03; 0.56 in vegetables) and 0.51 cm (95% CI 0.09; 0.93 in fruit and vegetables combined). Conclusion: Greater consumption of fruit and vegetables was directly associated with higher height in adults. From a health promotion perspective, intervention programmes aiming at improving fruit and vegetable intake should be highlighted so that full height potential is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the association between fruit and vegetable intake and arterial stiffness. We conducted a cohort-based study comprising 6,628 participants with arterial stiffness information in the Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China (China-PAR) project. A semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire was used to assess baseline (2007–2008) and recent (2018–2021) fruit and vegetable intake. We assessed changes in fruit and vegetable intake from 2007–2008 to 2018–2021 in 6,481 participants. Arterial stiffness was measured using the arterial velocity–pulse index (AVI) and arterial pressure-volume index (API). Elevated AVI and API values were defined according to diverse age reference ranges. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models revealed that every 100 g/d increment in fruit and vegetable intake was associated with a 0.11 decrease in AVI (B = –0.11; 95% confidence interval [ CI ]: –0.20, –0.02) on average, rather than API (B = 0.02; 95% CI : –0.09, 0.13). The risk of elevated AVI (odds ratio [ OR ] = 0.82; 95% CI : 0.70, 0.97) is 18% lower in individuals with high intake (≥ 500 g/d) than in those with low intake (< 500 g/d). Furthermore, maintaining a high intake in the past median of 11.5 years of follow-up was associated with an even lower risk of elevated AVI compared with a low intake at both baseline and follow-up (OR = 0.64; 95% CI : 0.49, 0.83). Fruit and vegetable intake was negatively associated with arterial stiffness, emphasizing recommendations for adherence to fruit and vegetable intake for the prevention of arterial stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the dose-response relationship of fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk in rural China. A total of 38798 adults were recruited from the Henan Rural Cohort Study. F&V intake was assessed by a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression and restricted cubic splines analysis were conducted to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for T2D relative to F&V intake and investigate the dose-response relationship. Higher intake of fruit or combined F&V was in connection with a lower risk of T2D, after adjusting for multiple confounders. After analyzing the dose-response relationship, we found that the odds of T2D decreased significantly with fruit consumption ≥ 260 g/day or F&V intake between 600 and 1000 g/day. And in subgroup analysis, we found that the negative correlation between fruit consumption and T2D was more pronounced in non-current smokers and non-current drinkers. High intake of fruit alone or combined F&V is related to a reduced risk of T2D in rural China. Fruit intake ≥ 260 g/day and total F&V consumption of 600–1000 g/day should be encouraged to promote good health. • It investigated the dose-response relationship between F&V and T2D in rural China. • Individuals should be encouraged to consume ≥ 260 g of fruit per day. • Individuals who intake high fruit plus do not smoke or drink perhaps profit the most. • Total F&V consumption of 600–1000 g/day should be encouraged to promote good health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was designed to assess and compare the heavy metals accumulation and phytoremediation ability of some allium species (Garlic; Allium sativum and Onion; Allium cepa) grown on two different soils (contaminated and Control soils) using standard methods. Heavy metals (of Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) Concentrations (mg/Kg) were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS Model: 210VGP). Plants growth and biomass production were assessed. Biological concentration factors (BCF) and translocation factors (TF) were calculated. The mean levels of elements obtained ranged widely from 0.55 mg/Kg Ni to 1830.64 mg/Kg Fe. The results showed that onion accumulated higher concentrations of all the heavy metals compared to garlic with exception of Zn. However, the differences in heavy metal concentrations where significant only in Cr and Mn. Phytoremediation efficiency indices (BCF and TF) showed a similar trend for both onion and garlic. The mean BCF values of Pb, Cr, Zn, Mn and Fe in onion were generally high > 1. Ni and Pb had their mean TF values greater than 1. Thus, onion can be used as potential phytoextraction plant. The similarities in most of these metal accumulation trends, BCF and TF between onion and garlic might be due to their being similar species with similar physiological features and from the same family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the feasibility of utilizing high-pressure processing (HPP) with enzymatic impregnation to soften vegetables. Freeze–thaw (FT) processing was used as a positive control to compare the hardness, physicochemical characteristics, and cell microstructure of vegetables. Carrot and broccoli samples were subjected to 200 MPa pressure for 15 min and then impregnated using a Viscozyme L enzyme solution. Compared with the hardness of fresh samples, the hardness of the carrot and broccoli samples that underwent HPP and enzymatic impregnation decreased by 84.6% and 95.5%, respectively, and the hardness of the carrot and broccoli samples that underwent FT processed decreased by 73.6% and 91.3%, respectively. In particular, HPP with enzymatic impregnation reduced the content of insoluble dietary fibers (18%), increased the content of soluble dietary fibers (3%), and considerably increased the concentration of carotene (1.9 times) and isothiocyanate (4.5 times) in carrots and broccoli, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that HPP physically damaged the intercellular compartments of the vegetables, thereby increasing the impregnation of enzymes. In addition, the level of HPP and the holding time increased, and the amount of vegetable residue and the degree of moisture retention substantially decreased, indicating a negative correlation between damage and hardness. Moreover, HPP pretreatment require a short processing time then FT, which promoted the penetration of enzymes and the internal microstructural biodegradation of vegetables, and it also helped these vegetables release more soluble nutrients. Overall, HPP can be used with enzymatic impregnation to obtain texture-modified vegetables for older consumers with mastication difficulties. HHP assisted Viscozyme L enzyme homogeneous permeation and fibrous tissue hydrolysis. [Display omitted] • High pressure processing (HPP) promotes enzyme impregnation into vegetables. • HPP with enzymatic impregnation decreased hardness of carrot and broccoli. • Scanning electron microscope showed that HPP induces physical damage to vegetables. • HPP with enzymatic impregnation helps release nutrients within vegetable cells. • HPP with enzymatic impregnation can be used to develop softened vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to develop and validate a diet consultation tool that assesses the perceived benefits and barriers of vegetable consumption attached to the stage of change in Japanese adults. Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among university and vocational school students, medical staffs, and local residents in the Aichi, Osaka, and Kyoto prefectures of Japan between September 2017 and January 2018. Participants comprised of 379 adults aged 20--70 years (mean age: 30.5±12.6 years; men: 21.4%). The scale for decisional balance of vegetable consumption contained 15 benefit items and 15 barrier items. The internal consistency of the scale was examined using Cronbach's alpha and construct validity was examined using an exploratory factor analysis with Promax rotation. Results: The developed questionnaire had 12 items across two domains for benefits and 12 items across three domains for barriers that were structured with high internal consistencies (Cronbach's alpha: 0.82, 0.79, 0.82, 0.76 and 0.76, respectively). The intraclass correlation coefficient in the test-retest reliability study was substantial (0.77). We found a very clear association between decreasing barrier score with increasing vegetable consumption and progress in the stage of change. The decisional balance score (benefits score minus barriers score) was positively correlated with the number of vegetable servings as an external parameter (Spearman's correlation: 0.461; p<0.001). Conclusion: The developed questionnaire was a valid, reliable, and useful tool for diet consultants to assess the perceived benefits and barriers of vegetable consumption in Japanese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global increase in the morbidity and mortality of non-communicable chronic diseases threaten human health significantly. Therefore, in the treatment of non-communicable chronic diseases, it is needed to develop disease-specific and personalised nutrition strategies following the principles of adequate and balanced nutrition. Potential effects of vegetables and their phytomolecules on diseases have been of interest. There are different types and amounts of phytomolecules in onion, which is commonly known as the queen of vegetables. Phytomolecules, such as different types of phenolic and sulphur compounds, in onion can prevent non-communicable chronic diseases due to their various potential effects, such as anti-oxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-cardiovascular, and anti-cancer, and this has been among the research topics in the literature. These potential effects can occur through energy metabolism, adipogenesis, lipogenesis, diabetes-related enzymes, insulin signalling, glycogenesis, vasodilator, endothelial, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis pathways. In this review article, it is aimed to explain the potential effects of onion and its phytomolecules on non-communicable chronic diseases. Clinical determination of the effects of onion and its components will significantly assist to further researches about the medical nutrition therapy strategies of chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the levels of heavy metals in soil, water, and vegetables (amaranthus, hibiscussabdariffa, and allium cepa leaves) around the industrial area Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria. The composite samples of soil, water, and vegetables were collected and determine the level of heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, and As) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The level of the heavy metals decreased in the order of Mn > Zn > Pb > Cd, Pb > Zn > Mn > Cd, and Mn > Zn > Mn > Cd in the soil, water, and vegetables respectively. Among the vegetables, amaranthus had the highest heavy metals level followed by allium cepa leaves and hibiscus sabdariffa. The levels of heavy metals obtained were below the tolerance level recommended by the world health organization (WHO). The bio-concentration factors of the heavy metals for the studied samples were below one except Zn in amaranthus. The daily intake of metals for Mn was found to be the highest in amaranthus for children and estimated to be 1.149 mg/person/day. Health risk index of Zn for amaranthus and allium cepa leaves for children and Pb for amaranthus, hibiscus sabdariffa and allium cepa leaves for both children and adults were above 1, except in hibiscus sabdariffa for adults, signifying provable of health risks for the consumption of the vegetables in the study area. Therefore, the consumption of these vegetables as food could pose a health hazard, and regular monitoring is recommended to prevent metal accumulation with their associated health implications in the consuming public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although fruits and vegetable consumption has been shown to be associated with lower risks of mortality, cancers, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), there are limited data from China on the shape of the association. This study aimed to quantify the relationship between levels of fruit, vegetable, and legume consumption with the risk of major CVD, CVD mortality, cancer incidence, cancer mortality, and all-cause mortality. In the baseline survey, participants attended 1 of 115 (45 urban and 70 rural) communities from 12 provinces to complete a standardized questionnaire, and undergo a physical examination between 2005 and 2009, and were followed up till 2017 (for the current analysis). Diet was assessed through in-person interviews by using validated food-frequency questionnaires. The clinical outcomes were adjudicated centrally by trained physicians using standardized definitions. Cox frailty models were used to explore the associations between fruit, vegetable, and legume consumption with the risk of all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. A total of 41 243 participants were eligible for inclusion in the analyses. The average combined average daily intake of fruit, vegetable, and legume was 2.97 [standard deviation (SD) 1.22] servings per day. During a median follow-up of 8.9 years [interquartile range (IQR) 6.7–9.9 years], we recorded 1893 major CVDs, 794 cancer events, and 1324 deaths, with 411 CVD deaths and 429 cancer deaths. In the models adjusted for age, sex, and center (random effect), a higher total intake of fruit, vegetable, and legume was inversely associated with CVD mortality, cancer incidence, cancer mortality, and all-cause mortality. After adjusting for additional covariates, the associations were evidently attenuated and only the association with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] trend 0.92, 95% CI 0.86–0.98, p trend = 0.021) remained significant, with a non-significant trend for major CVD (HR trend 1.02, 95% CI 0.97–1.08, p trend = 0.449), CVD mortality (HR trend 0.94, 95% CI 0.84–1.06, p trend = 0.301), cancer incidence (HR trend 0.97, 95% CI 0.89–1.06, p trend = 0.540), or cancer mortality (HR trend 0.92, 95% CI 0.82–1.04, p trend = 0.174). Compared with the reference group, the risk of all-cause mortality was the lowest for four to five servings of total daily intake of fruit, vegetable, and legume (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.97), and did not show a further decrease for the higher intake group. Separately, fruit intake was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR trend 0.92, 95% CI 0.86–0.99, p trend = 0.020) and legume intake was associated with a lower risk of major CVD (HR trend 0.95, 95% CI 0.90–0.99, p trend = 0.028) and all-cause mortality (HR trend 0.94, 95% CI 0.89–0.99, p trend = 0.020) in the fully adjusted models. This prospective study suggests that Chinese people with daily consumption of four to five servings (equivalent to 500–625 g/day) of fruit, vegetable, and legume demonstrated the lowest mortality, which conveys an encouraging message to the public that lifestyle modification to increase fruit, vegetable, and legume intakes may have greater beneficial effects on reducing all-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various blanching methods were applied to tomatoes and pumpkin leaves (Telfairia occidentalis) to investigate the effect of the different blanching method on some of its nutritional content. The effects of steam and water blanching as a pretreatment on raw tomatoes and pumpkin leaves (control) were investigated in this study using standard methods. For tomatoes, the %nitrogen, potassium, vitamin A, C and E) mg/100g for raw were;0.48, 68.82mg/100g, 0.88mg/100g, 38.82mg/100g, 0.78mg/100g respectively. 0.45, 69.68mg/100g, 0.58mg/100g, 32.43mg/100g and 0.55mg/100g for water blanched respectively and 0.42, 69.14mg/100g, 0.47mg/100g, 29.66mg/100g, 0.42mg/100g respectively for steam blanching. * For pumpkin leaves, the %nitrogen, potassium, vitamin A, C and E) mg/100g for raw were; 0.98, 46.82mg/100g, 4.63mg/100g, 60.41mg/100g, 0.89mg/100g respectively. 0.95, 46.73mg/100g, 2.38mg/100g, 41.08mg/100g and 0.59mg/100g for water blanched respectively and 0.94, 46.10mg/100g, 1.20mg/100g, 32.16mg/100g, 0.52mg/100g respectively for steam blanching. The results indicate that water and steam blanching significantly reduce the nutritional content. The values of the nutrient were higher in water blanching compared to steam blanching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb were determined in the edible parts of on-ion, lettuce, parsley, spinach, carrot, and potato grown in Amik Plain. Average Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb concentrations were found to be 20.8, 101.8, 7.23, 32.9, 1.23, 1.82, 1.48, and 0.85 mg kg·1, respectively. Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn and Ni levels were found within the maximum allowable limits (MAL) identified by WHO!FAO, whereas Cd in all vegetable samples, Pb in 83% and Cr in 27% of the samples were determined to be higher than MAL. Health risk assessment was carried out by using Daily Intake of Metals (DIM) and Health Risk Index (HRI). The highest DIM value was found in the consumption of spinach followed by parsley, lettuce, onion, carrot, and potato respectively. However, all of the estimated DIM values for Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Cd, Ni, Cr and Pb were found to be much lower than the oral reference doses (RID). The HRI values were found to be lower than the values for heavy metals. It can be assumed that heavy metal intake due to vegetable consumption in the region does not pose any significant risk for human health currently. Considering that people consume not only vegetables in nutrition, HRI values should be determined for each food group and evaluated together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência Agronômica is the property of Revista Ciencia Agronomica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In present study, antibacterial properties of leathers prepared by different tanning processes such as chromium, vegetable (mimosa and quebracho) and wet-white (modified glutaraldehyde) processes were analyzed by qualitative and quantitative tests. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 33862 and Bacillus cereus NRRL-B-3711 as a representative of Gram-positive, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 as a representative of Gram-negative were used in our study. The best inhibition effect was achieved against S. aureus by disc diffusion method. According to the bacterial reduction performance of leathers, the antibacterial property of vegetable tanned samples was higher than that of chrome and wet-white tanned samples against E. coli. The surface morphology of the leathers was also examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In SEM analysis, the pores of chrome tanned leather were found to be larger than those of vegetable and wet white tanned leather, and these results were verified by the imagej program. We considered that the antibacterial properties of leathers can be improved by various plant extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of phosphorous (P) level on performance, yield and nutritional value of Celosia argentea L. were evaluated with the aim of determining the P level that supports the best growth, yield and nutritional qualities of the crop. The levels of P were: normal (1.348 mg·kg-1 of P/pot, NP), medium (6.743 mg·kg-1 of P/pot, MP), high (13.48 mg·kg-1 of P/pot, HP) and no P application (control, CP). The crop growth rate (CGR) increased with increase in phosphorus gradients (NP = 0.05 g/m²·d-1, MP = 0.09 g/m2·d-1 and HP = 0.12 g/m²·d-1). High and medium P rates increased the relative growth rate (RGR), HP had the highest RGR (0.05 g·g-1/day) followed by MP (0.04 g·g-1/day). Addition of P increased leaf area (LA) of C. argentea. Crude protein of the control was higher (5.56%) compared to the other P treatments (NP = 5.14, MP = 5.11 and HP = 5.03%). Phosphorus applications were beneficial for growth and enhancement of nutritional quality of C. argentea. NP and MP are recommended for growing this vegetable [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discharge of nitrogen and phosphorus greatly exceed the limitation in China. The precipitation of struvite, for its efficient recycling and environmentally friendly, is superior method for ammonium and phosphate removal. In this study, struvite as slow-releasing fertilizer were investigated. The results showed that the best pH for struvite release was at neutral soil, the release periods of struvite was more than two weeks, and the concentrations of ammonium and phosphate in soil were 4-6 mg/L and 2-6 mg/L at 10 day, respectively. The release rate of struvite has nothing to do with salinity, which was related to soil humidity. When struvite with N15 was used as slow-releasing fertilizer, it can be uptake by vegetable, especially by root, and the release period can meet vegetable growth cycle. The precipitation of struvite as slow-release fertilizer can provide opportunities for reusing ammonium and phosphate and keeping the cost of recycling and reusing of ammonium/phosphate down. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diets in rural India are cereal based with low intakes of micronutrient-rich foods. The value chains for nutrition approach aims to study supply and demand of such foods. This may aid in development of interventions to improve diets and livelihoods.Objectives: (1) To identify how fruit and vegetables are accessed, (2) to describe and map the structure of value chains for exemplar foods, (3) to understand how foods are priced, and (4) to explore factors that affect decisions about which crops are grown, marketed, and sold.Methods: After stakeholder consultation, we identified 2 fruits (mango and guava) and 2 vegetables (shepu and spinach) as exemplar foods. Criteria for these exemplar foods were that they should be known to participants and there should be variability in intakes. We held 24 interviews with value chain actors including farmers, wholesalers, and vendors of the exemplar foods. Data collection was stopped when no new information emerged. We used inductive thematic coding for our analysis.Results: The value chains for each of the exemplar foods were relatively simple and involved farmers, middlemen, and vendors at either city or village level. The main themes identified as being factors considered when making decisions about which foods to grow and sell were (1) farming resources and assets, (2) quality of produce, (3) environmental conditions, (4) financial factors, (5) transport availability, and (6) consumer demand.Conclusions: There are opportunities to intervene within fruit and vegetable value chains to increase availability, affordability, and access to produce in rural India. Future research is required to determine which interventions will be feasible, effective, and acceptable to the community and other stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Contamination of vegetable plants with cadmium (Cd) has become a serious issue in recent years. In the present study, pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) grown in Cd-contaminated soil inoculated with abscisic acid (ABA)-generating bacteria, Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus subtilis, showed 28%–281% and 26%–255% greater biomass, and 40%–79% and 43%–77% lower Cd concentrations, respectively, than those of the control bacteria-free plants. These treatments also alleviated the Cd-induced photosynthesis inhibition and oxidative damage (indicated by malondialdehyde [MDA], H 2 O 2 , and O 2 • −). Furthermore, the application of bacteria also remarkably improved the levels of antioxidant-related compounds (total phenolics, total flavonoids, ascorbate, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] activity) and nutritional quality (soluble sugar and soluble protein) in the Cd-supplied plants. Based on these results, we conclude that the application of ABA-generating bacteria might be an alternative strategy for improving the biomass production and quality of vegetable plants grown in Cd-contaminated soil. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • B. subtilis and A. brasilense application yielded a greater biomass and decreased Cd levels in pakchoi. • Cd-induced photosynthesis inhibition and oxidative damages were restored by bacterial inoculation. • Levels of antioxidative compounds were elevated by bacterial inoculation. • The nutritional quality of the edible parts was improved by bacterial inoculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gazi University Journal of Gazi Educational Faculty (GUJGEF) is the property of Gazi University Journal of Gazi Educational Faculty (GUJGEF) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Seed Science is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Tecnologia de Sementes and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Adherence to healthy lifestyle factors has been shown to improve outcomes after stroke. This study aimed to identify lifestyle factors about eating habits that may affect the quality of life (QOL) in elderly stroke patients.Methods: Fifty elderly patients with a first-ever stroke were enrolled. QOL was assessed by the Stroke and Aphasia QOL Scale-39-J. Lifestyle factors about eating habits were collected using questionnaires (Questions 1-17) for the intake of salt, calcium, magnesium, potassium, taurine, fiber, and protein, and the frequency of breakfast.Results: QOL of physical, communication, and psychosocial subdomains was better in the low (healthy) tertile of poststroke eating habits (Questions 1-17) compared with the high tertile of post-troke eating habits (Questions 1-17). This relationship appeared in eating habits except for salt intake but not in eating habits of salt intake and directly measured salt intake. Compared with prestroke eating habits score, poststroke eating habits score was decreased (improved) in 36 patients concerning eating habits of salt intake, but only in 12 patients concerning eating habits except for salt intake (P < .05 by chi-square test). Poststroke eating habits of calcium and magnesium were associated with better psychosocial QOL and better physical or energy QOL, respectively.Conclusions: Poststroke eating habits of calcium and magnesium were associated with QOL in elderly patients with a first-ever stroke. Since eating habits except for salt intake was poorly improved after stroke, intensive interventions regarding eating habits might be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thallium (Tl) is a trace metal of severe toxicity. Its health concerns via consumption of contaminated vegetables have often been overlooked or underestimated. This study was designed to gain insight into the actual level and distribution characteristics of Tl and metal (loid)s (Pb, Cd, Cr, Sb, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Co) in agricultural soils and common vegetables cultivated in different zones (upstream, midstream, and downstream) of a densely populated residential area in a typical mine city, which has been open-pit exploiting Tl-bearing pyrite minerals since 1960s. The results show that most of the agricultural soils exhibit contaminated levels of Tl, with Tl contents (upstream: 1.35–4.31 mg/kg, midstream: 2.43–5.19 mg/kg, and downstream: 0.65–2.33 mg/kg) mostly exceeding the maximum permissible level (MPL) for agricultural land use (1 mg/kg). Sequential extraction procedure indicates that even Tl is predominantly retained in the residual fraction, significant levels of Tl are still present in the geochemically mobile fractions. Besides, metals like Cu, Cd, Mn, and Co are mostly distributed in the labile fractions. Almost all metal (loid)s in edible parts of the vegetables exceed their corresponding MPL for consumption. The chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) values calculated for inhabitants at different ages indicate non-negligible Tl risks via consumption of local vegetables, especially for children. Therefore, it is critical to establish effective measures for hazardous waste management and enforceable regulations in Tl-polluted area to mitigate potential severe impacts of Tl on human health through food chain. Image 1 • Thallium distribution was studied in various zones of a typical pyrite mining city. • Excessive levels of Tl were detected in farmland soils and common vegetables. • Substantial Tl in soils can transfer to plants though most Tl in the stable fraction. • Consumption of these vegetables may pose potential health risks to residents. • Regulations towards Tl pollution in food chain should be initiated immediately. Alarming levels of toxic thallium were widely detected in vegetables and soils in a typical pyrite mining city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence on the potential roles that dietary patterns play in the risk of preeclampsia remains limited.Objective: To examine the associations between dietary patterns during pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia.Study Design: We analyzed data from a cluster randomized controlled trial among 987 healthy pregnant women in three rural counties in northwestern China. Maternal diet during the whole pregnancy was assessed using a 107-item food frequency questionnaire with proportion size administered before delivery. Principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to identify common dietary patterns. Preeclampsia was diagnosed by trained clinicians and recorded in delivery records.Results: Nineteen participants (1.9%) were diagnosed with preeclampsia. Gestational hypertension and proteinuria were only weakly correlated with each other (Kappa = 0.06): 10.7% participants with gestational hypertension only, 8.8% with proteinuria only, 1.9% with both, and 78.6% with neither. Five common dietary patterns were identified: vegetable, meat, fruit, snack, and wheat staple patterns. After adjusting for calories, other dietary pattern scores and baseline blood pressure, a higher vegetable pattern scores was associated with lower risk of preeclampsia (P for trend = 0.041; the highest vs lowest quartile, adjusted relative risk = 0.20 [95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.98]). A similar association was also observed for the risk of proteinuria (P for trend = 0.015): the highest vs lowest quartiles of the vegetable pattern score, adjusted relative risk = 0.44 (95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.80). The other four pattern scores were not associated with preeclampsia.Conclusions: Adherence to vegetable dietary pattern may be associated with the lower risk of preeclampsia, possibly through reducing development of proteinuria. The original full study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02537392. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales is the property of Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies have been a serious public health problem among women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries including India, adversely affecting maternal and child health and human capital outcomes. Fruit and vegetables are important sources of micronutrients, and consumption of these foods is less than recommendations.Objective: The objective of this study was to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to fruit and vegetable consumption among women of reproductive age living in rural communities in the State of Maharashtra, India.Methods: Women aged 18 to 40 years were recruited from 8 villages surrounding the city of Wardha, Maharashtra, India. We used qualitative methods and held 9 focus group discussions and 12 one-to-one interviews. The data collection was stopped when no new information emerged. We used inductive thematic coding to analyze the data.Results: Women knew that fruit and vegetables were beneficial to health and expressed that they wanted to increase the intake of these foods for themselves and their children. Seven main themes were identified as being barriers or facilitators to fruit and vegetable consumption: (1) personal factors, (2) household dynamics, (3) social and cultural norms, (4) workload, (5) time pressures, (6) environmental factors, and (7) cost.Conclusions: Rural Indian women consumed fruit and vegetables infrequently and said they would like to consume more. Several potentially modifiable factors affecting the intake of fruit and vegetables were identified. Value chain analyses of fruit and vegetables in these communities will be important to identify opportunities to intervene and increase consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme growth of seedlings and the environmental adaptation-related issues during transplantation are serious problems in vegetable growing. In this study, the effects on seedling growth and quality of applying Prohexadione-Calcium (Pro-Ca) and different fertilizer dosages in Melis F1 tomato variety have been examined. In the study, 3 different fertilizer dosages, optimum dosage, 50% reduced and 50% increased dosage, and also 5 different (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 mg-1) Pro-Ca dosages have been applied to Melis F1 tomato variety. According to the study findings, it has been observed that the application of Pro-Ca dosages, other than with NPK fertilizers, has particularly slowed down extreme growth in measured parameters of tomato seedlings, and the use of NPK fertilizer applications with Pro- Ca has reduced the impact of Pro-Ca. Even though Pro-Ca treatment prevents extreme growth of tomato plants, it did not have any significant impact on the dry matter weight of the plants. All Pro-Ca dosages have an effect on seedling growth, however the results acquired in dosages lower than 120 ppm have varied, therefore it has been decided to use the Pro-Ca in 120 ppm dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Allium schoenoprasum var. foliosum. Highlights • Three new cyclic sulfur-containing compounds, folionins A 1 , A 2 and B, were isolated from Allium schoenoprasum var. foliosum. • These compounds were extracted with acetone. • The hypothetical biosynthetic pathways of folionins were suggested. Abstract Three sulfur-containing cyclic compounds, folionins A 1 (1), A 2 (2), and B (3), were isolated from acetone extract of the whole plant of Allium schoenoprasum var. foliosum. Their chemical structures were determined by physicochemical methods. The compounds possess a 3, 4-dimethyltetrahydrothiophene moiety in common and a methyl disulfide or a propyl disulfide as side chain. This study aimed to determine the relative configurations of the new compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Heavy metal (HM) pollution in agricultural soils due to the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has become a serious concern, but most farmers cannot afford the economic losses of fallow land during remediation. Thus, it is imperative to produce low-HM crops while remediating the contaminated soils. A 17-week pot experiment was conducted to investigate the growth and HM (Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, and Ni) acquisition of garlic chives (Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng.) intercropped with sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and inoculated with (I +M) or without (I -M) the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Funneliformis caledonium on a severely HM-contaminated soil that was collected from a WEEE-recycling site. Compared with the monoculture control, the I -M treatment significantly (P < 0.05) decreased Cd, Cu, Cr, Zn, and Ni concentrations in the shoots of chives through rhizosphere competition and HM (except Cr) transfer from the root to the shoot of chives, and increased the average shoot fresh weight (i.e., yield) of chives by 794% by alleviating HM toxicity. Compared with the I -M treatment , the I +M treatment significantly increased soil phosphatase activity as well as root mycorrhizal colonization of both sunflower and chives. The I +M treatment had no effect on the tissue P concentration of sunflower but elevated the average dry biomass (shoot plus root) and P acquisition level of sunflower by 179% and 121%, respectively. In addition, the I +M treatment significantly increased the P concentration in the root rather than in the shoot of chives and significantly increased the level of P acquisition by chives, increasing the average yield of chives by 229%. Simultaneously, the I +M treatment significantly increased the level of HM (except Cd) acquisition by sunflower, enhancing the rhizosphere competition by sunflower over chives, and further reducing the transfer of all six HMs from root to shoot in the chives, and inducing significant decreases in chive shoot HM concentrations compared with the monoculture control. Furthermore, the I +M treatment decreased the average total concentrations and increased the average DTPA-extractable concentrations of soil HMs. The results demonstrate the multifunctional role of AM fungi in the intercropping system for both vegetable production and phytoremediation on HM-contaminated soils. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • Soil heavy metal (HM) released from WEEE-recycling had high toxic hazard on chives. • Intercropping with sunflower facilitate chives growth via competing available HMs. • AM fungus enhanced soil P mobilization, and thereby plant P acquisition and growth. • AM fungus increased sunflower HM acquisition, improving phytoextraction efficiency. • AM fungus reduced HM transfer from root to shoot, elevating the quality of chives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Effects of dietary natural products on lung cancer are summarized. • The mechanisms of action are emphasized. • Some fruits, vegetables and spices could prevent lung cancer. • Some natural products could be used as adjuvants of lung cancer therapies. • This review is helpful for the development of the relative functional food. Abstract Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests an important role of dietary natural products in the prevention and management of lung cancer, such as grapes, pomegranates, apples, cruciferous vegetables, tomatoes, bitter melons, turmeric, ginger, saffron, garlic, chili, rosemary, soy, rice bran, corn, shiitake mushroom, Calvatia gigantea , and Thelephora ganbajun. These edible natural products and their bioactive constituents influence cancer development and progression through multiple ways, including suppressing cancer cell growth and proliferation, inducing cell apoptosis, protecting against lung carcinogens, inhibiting cell migration and adhesion, and immunomodulating and sensitizing cancer cells to antitumor drugs. This review focuses on the potential prevention and management of lung cancer using dietary natural products and their relevant bioactive components, and discusses the possible mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In microwave heating process, electric field intensity is the main parameter that controls the temperature rise in the material. With this parameter and available material properties, temperature changes are predictable. In this study, a new setup based on a domestic microwave oven was developed and uniform microwave radiation at 2450 MHz was lunched normal to the base of pre-prepared cylindrical samples. Different vegetable and fruit samples including apple, banana, carrot and potato were exposed to microwave radiation and their surface temperature changes were measured. Surface electric field intensity was determined by means of temperature rise, time and sample's properties. Then, outside electric field intensity was obtained from the relation with surface value using a newly developed relation and compared with previous works. The calculated values were very close and reliable compared with previous methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smelting of nonferrous metals is an important source of heavy metals in surface soil. The crops/vegetables grown on contaminated soil potentially impose adverse effects on human health. In this study, the contamination level of five heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu) in ten types of vegetables grown nearby a large scale Pb/Zn smelter in Hunan Province, China and the health risk associated with their consumption are assessed. Based on the data obtained from 52 samples, we find that Pb and Cd contributed to the greatest health risk and leafy vegetables tend to be more contaminated than non-leafy vegetables. Within 4 km radius of the smelter, over 75% of vegetable samples exceeded the national food standard for Pb; over 47% exceeded the Cd standard; and 7% exceeded the Hg standard. Heavy metal concentrations in vegetables measured within the 4 km radius are on average three times more elevated compared to those found at the control area 15 km away. Heavy metals in vegetables have dual sources of root absorption from soil and leaf adsorption from atmosphere. Health risk in terms of the hazard index (HI) at contaminated areas are 3.66 and 3.14 for adults and children, respectively, suggesting adverse health effects would occur. HI for both groups are mainly contributed by Pb (48%) and Cd (40%). Fortunately, vegetable samples collected at the control area are considered safe to consume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thallium (Tl), a rare metal, is universally present in the environment with high toxicity and accumulation. Thallium's behavior and fate require further study, especially in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), where severe Tl pollution incidents have occurred. One hundred two pairs of soil and flowering cabbage samples and 91 pairs of soil and lettuce samples were collected from typical farmland protection areas and vegetable bases across the PRD, South China. The contamination levels and spatial distributions of soil and vegetable (flowering cabbages and lettuces) Tl across the PRD were investigated. The relative contributions of soil properties to the bioavailability of Tl in vegetables were evaluated using random forest. Random forest is an accurate learning algorithm and is superior to conventional and correlation-based regression analyses. In addition, the health risks posed by Tl exposure via vegetable intake for residents of the PRD were assessed. The results indicated that rapidly available potassium (K) and total K in soil were the most important factors affecting Tl bioavailability, and the competitive effect of rapidly available K on vegetable Tl uptake was confirmed in this field study. Soil weathering also contributed substantially to Tl accumulation in the vegetables. In contrast, organic matter might not be a major factor affecting the mobility of Tl in most of the lettuce soils. Fe and manganese (Mn) oxides also contributed little to the bioavailability of Tl. A risk assessment suggested that the health risks for Tl exposure through flowering cabbage or lettuce intake were minimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and high blood pressure among adults are well studied. Nonetheless, data on the influence of a low consumption of fruit and vegetables on cardiovascular disease risk, particularly blood pressure, among healthy adolescents are scarce. Therefore, we aim to analyse the associations between fruit and/or vegetable intake and blood pressure over a two-year period in healthy adolescents.Methods and Results: As part of a cohort, 606 adolescents from the LabMed Physical Activity study were evaluated in 2011 (baseline) and 2013 (follow-up). Blood pressure was measured according to standardized procedures and fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric variables, socioeconomic status, pubertal stage and lifestyle determinants were gathered and used as confounders. Prospective associations between fruit and/or vegetable intake and blood pressure were examined using generalized linear models. Girls who consumed more fruit at baseline had a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure at follow-up [unstandardized beta: -0.005 mmHg (95%CI: -0.01; -0.0002) (p = 0.038)].Conclusion: In apparently healthy adolescents, fruit intake may already start to have an effect in blood pressure. Girls who consumed more fruit exhibited lower levels of diastolic blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Previous interventions have reported desirable effects of diets rich in whole grains or rich in fruits and vegetables on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and weight management. However, data are lacking regarding the effect of these fiber sources separately. The aim of this randomized clinical feeding trial was to investigate the effects of fiber-rich diets with different sources of fiber (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) on weight loss and CVD risk factors in overweight and obese women.Methods: Overweight and obese women (N = 75) were randomized to one of three weight loss diets that were rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, or both for 10 weeks. Body weight, waist circumference, and risk factors of CVD were examined at baseline and 10 weeks.Results: During the 10-week dietary intervention phase, the reductions in weight (p = 0.03), waist circumference (p = 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.04), fasting blood sugar (p = 0.03), and triglycerides (p = 0.001) were higher in the whole grains group compared with the fruits and vegetables group or the combination diet group. Also, the whole grain group had a greater increase (p = 0.01) in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to the other groups. The change in other risk factors, including diastolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, was not different among the three diet groups. Within-group comparisons revealed significant reductions in weight, waist circumference, and fasting blood sugar in all groups. Only the fruits and vegetables group and the whole grains group had significant decreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol over 10 weeks (p ≤ 0.03).Conclusions: This trial suggests that in overweight and obese women, a weight loss diet rich in whole grains may have a more beneficial effect on CVD risk factors than diets rich in fruits and vegetables or a combination of whole grains and fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal contamination of food crops irrigated with municipal wastewater is a growing problem worldwide. In this direction, heavy metal accumulations in Abelmoschus esculentus crops were irrigated with three different water regimes (municipal wastewater, groundwater, and canal water) as well as in soil and the water sources were determined. Also, transfer factors, enrichment coefficients, pollution load indices, and health risk indices were assessed to understand the metal transportation and accumulation through the food chain. The concentrations of heavy metals in soil, water and plant samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a graphite furnace and D2 corrector (Perkin-Elmer Model 503). Heavy metal concentrations in the irrigation water samples ranged between 0.513-0.951 for Mo, 0.256-0.615 for As, 0.266-0.606 for Se, 41.604-54.642 for Fe, 0.285-0.753 for Cu, 0.255-0.619 for Zn, 4.684-5.212 for Ni, 3.792-5.526 for Pb, 0.035-0.065 for Cd and 2.635-4.608 for Co mg/L. The contents of Mo, As, Se, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Co in soil samples ranged from 5.03 to 7.80, 34.27 to 38.96, 2.41 to 2.54, 4.77 to 5.94, 2.89 to 3.36, 1.76 to 3.63, 35.02 to 37.32, 25.10 to 28.12, 2.42 to 3.20, and 5.76 to 5.99 mg/kg, respectively, and the contents of Mo, As, Se, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Co in A. esculentus samples ranged from 7.003 to 9.291, 2.800 to 3.585, 0.378 to 0.485, 39.718 to 44.048, 11.791 to 19.840, 28.203 to 37.051, 6.085 to 9.330, 4.885 to 7.061, 3.375 to 4.198, and 0.128 to 0.328 mg/kg, respectively. The range values of metal accumulation in A. esculentus samples were lower than the maximum permissible limits in plant samples except for Mo and Cd. Statistically, Se, Fe, Zn, Ni, Cd and Co concentrations did not vary significantly at all sites, while As, Mo, Cu, and Pb concentrations varied significantly in the vegetable samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China accounts for more than half of the world's vegetable production, and identifying the contribution of vegetable production to nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions in China is therefore important. We performed a meta-analysis that included 153 field measurements of N 2 O emissions from 21 field studies in China. Our goal was to quantify N 2 O emissions and fertilizer nitrogen (N) based-emission factors (EFs) in Chinese vegetable systems and to clarify the effects of rates and types of N fertilizer in both open-field and greenhouse systems. The results indicated that the intensive vegetable systems in China had an average N 2 O emission of 3.91 kg N 2 O-N ha −1 and an EF of 0.69%. Although the EF was lower than the IPCC default value of 1.0%, the average N 2 O emission was generally greater than in other cropping systems due to greater input of N fertilizers. The EFs were similar in greenhouse vs. open-field systems but N 2 O emissions were about 1.4 times greater in greenhouses. The EFs were not affected by N rate, but N 2 O emissions for both open-field and greenhouse systems increased with N rate. The total and fertilizer-induced N 2 O emissions, as well as EFs, were unaffected by the type of fertilizers in greenhouse system under same N rates. In addition to providing basic information about N 2 O emissions from Chinese vegetable systems, the results suggest that N 2 O emissions could be reduced without reducing yields by treating vegetable systems in China with a combination of synthetic N fertilizer and manure at optimized economic rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of chemical and hormonal applications, leaf stage, and number of sprays on the sex expression flowers for breeding programs in gynoecious plants such as cucumber that need to have both male and female flowers. Different concentrations of chemicals and hormones including Gibberllic acid (GA3) (1000 and 1500 ppm), silver thiosulphate (Ag (s2o3)2-3) (200, 300, and 500 ppm), and silver nitrate (AgNO3) (200 and 300 ppm) were applied at 5, 10, and 15-leaf stages with single and double sprays. The experiment was conducted as a factorial (three factors) based on a Completely Randomized Block Design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed that different chemical and hormone applications (GA3, AgNO3, and Ag (S2O3)2-3) had significant effects on the sex expression of gynoecious cucumbers. All the substances used were found to have significant effects on male flowering period, male flower formation, and number of male nodes. Increasing doses of AgNO3 and Ag(S2O3)2-3 were observed to lead to significant increases in the number of male flowers and male nodes. Comparison of the chemicals applied showed no significant differences among them with respect to female flower formation. Finally, double sprays of the highest doses of the chemicals applied at the 5-leaf stage were identified as the best treatments for male flower induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact of dominant land use changes on groundwater quality was assessed in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh. Area under vegetable, orchard and urban settlements has increased, whereas traditional agriculture and forest has decreased in the region during last 30 years. To assess the impact of such changes on groundwater quality an experiment was designed by taking five dominant land uses viz., traditional agriculture, commercial vegetable farming, orchard, forest and urban under randomized block design with four replications in Kullu and Solan district. 60 ground water samples were collected and analyzed for various water quality parameters. Study revealed that the land use changes have exerted significant influence on ground water quality parameters like EC, BOD, COD, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, Ca, Mg, Fe, Pb, Cd and Cr. The BOD, COD Cl, NO3 , SO4 , Ca and Mg concentration in groundwater varied in the order of land use: urban > vegetable > orchard > traditional agriculture > forest. Vegetable and urban land uses have started to adversely influence groundwater quality by exceeding the values of heavy metals over permissible limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition is the fundamental bridge between food and health. Inadequate fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption has been linked to an increase in global noncommunicable diseases, which places a greater burden on health systems (1) . Despite much emphasis from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on the benefits of increased FV consumption, neither results nor an understanding of the complexity of food security and the actions of a diverse array of stakeholders needed to achieve outcomes have been attained. To address this challenge, the Alliance for Food & Health (AFH) uses a multistakeholder approach to engage cross-sector solutions. This paper, the first in a series, addresses the global challenge of FV consumption by examining and synthesizing current practices and outcomes and providing actionable recommendations for government, private-sector, and civil-society stakeholders. To effectively reduce the global noncommunicable disease (NCD) burden, it is critical that stakeholders work in concordance with the WHO/FAO Second International Conference on Nutrition commitments ( Table 1 ), United Nations (UN) Decade of Action on Nutrition Action Areas ( Table 2 ), and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) applicable to this issue ( Table 3 ). AFH's top line recommendations ( Table 4 ) align with multiple UN SDGs (2) . All recommendations connect with the following three SDGs: #2: "Zero Hunger," #3: "Good Health and Well-Being," and #17: "Partnerships for the Goals." This indicates AFH's integration of the food, agriculture, and global health communities in efforts to combat NCDs. A variety of recommendations align with #9: "Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure," #11: "Sustainable Cities and Communities," and #12: "Responsible Consumption and Production." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colon cancer is a common malignancy in the digestive system with a high prevalence in recent years. Dietary natural products have been widely investigated for the prevention and management of colon cancer. The studies showed that several plant foods have the potential to prevent and manage colon cancer, such as berries, plums, pomegranates, cruciferous vegetables, tomatoes, garlic, turmeric, ginger, soy, whole grains, and mushrooms. These plant foods usually contain fibers and phytochemicals that can restrain the development and progression of colon cancer in various ways, such as protecting against colon carcinogens, inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis, and inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. This review summarizes the potential prevention and management capabilities of plant foods and their bioactive components on colon cancer by epidemiological, experimental and clinical studies, and special attention is paid to the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food production is of symbolic and practical importance in sustainable cities. Vegetable gardening in public spaces and community gardens is better understood than the same activity on private residential property. In suburbanised western cities most vegetable production is likely to be on private blocks. To increase vegetable production in cities, we need to understand private vegetable growing. We used a questionnaire administered in person with a diverse sample of 101 gardeners in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia to determine variation in gardens, gardening practices and gardener motivations, relationships between them, and potential for planning and other interventions to increase domestic vegetable production. Vegetable gardens varied from highly species-rich to species-poor and from staple production to expressions of culinary fashion. Gardening practices varied from integrated, organic and displayed, to strongly constructed and reliant on synthetic inputs. While all respondents were motivated to grow vegetables for pleasure, many were activists who wished to promote social change, while others wished to ensure affordable access to vegetables or to improve health. Activist gardeners used integrated organic or permacultural practices and produced highly complex garden outcomes. With the exceptions of the activists and food fashionistas, garden type, gardening practice and gardener motivation were not strongly interlinked. A large majority of respondents identified family members as important sources of information and inspiration. Gardeners without family role models were either influenced by new food cultures or were on low-incomes and wanted affordable access to vegetables. This latter group could be expanded through appropriate education and incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peri-urban vegetable field plays an essential role in providing vegetables for local residents. Because of its particularity, it is affected by both industrial and agricultural activities which have led to the accumulations of heavy metal in soil. So far, information on heavy metal pollution status, spatial features, and human health risks in peri-urban vegetable areas across China is still scarce. To fill this gap, we systematically compiled soil and vegetable data collected from 123 articles published between 2010 and 2022 at a national level. The pollution status of heavy metals (i.e., cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn)) in peri-urban vegetable soils and vegetables were investigated. To evaluate the levels of heavy metal pollution in soil and human health risks, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and target hazard quotient (HQ) were calculated. The results showed that mean concentrations of Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in peri-urban vegetable soils were 0.50, 0.53, 12.03, 41.97, 55.56, 37.69, 28.55, and 75.38 mg kg−1, respectively. The main pollutants in peri-urban vegetable soil were Cd and Hg, and 85.25% and 92.86% of the soil samples had I geo > 1, respectively. The mean I geo values of this regions followed the order of northwest > central > south > north > east > southwest > northeast for Cd and northeast > northwest > north > southwest > east > central > south for Hg. The mean Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn concentrations in vegetables were 0.30, 0.26, 0.37, 0.54, 1.17, 6.17, 1.96, and 18.56 mg kg−1, respectively. Approximately 87.01% (Cd), 71.43% (Hg), 20% (As), 65.15% (Pb), 27.08% (Cr) of the vegetable samples exceeded the safety requirement values. The vegetables grown in central, northwest, and northern China accumulated much more heavy metals than those grown in other regions. As the HQ values for adults, 53.25% (Cd), 71.43% (Hg), 84.00% (As), and 58.33% (Cr) of the sampled vegetables were higher than 1. For children, the HQ values were higher than 1 for 66.23% (Cd), 73.81% (Hg), 86.00% (As), and 87.50% (Cr) of the sampled vegetables. The findings of this study demonstrate that the situation of heavy metal pollution in peri-urban vegetable areas across China are not optimistic and residents who consume the vegetables are at high risk of health issues. To ensure soil quality and human health, strategies should be taken to guide vegetable production and remedy soil pollution in peri-urban areas with the rapidly urbanizing China. • Cd and Hg were main pollutants were in peri-urban vegetable soils. • Cd and Hg levels in vegetables exceeded the limit values by the largest percentages. • Consumption of peri-urban vegetables leads to high health risks to local residents. • Cd, Hg, As, and Cr are the major pollutants causing health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its high mobility and bioavailability, hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in agricultural soil can be taken up by crops and pose threat to human being. In this study, two soils (Jiangxi red soil and Shandong fluvo-aquic soil) spiked with Cr(VI) and 8 common vegetable varieties were used to conduct the pot experiment. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) values based on the tetraacetic acid extractable Cr (EDTA-Cr) in soils were used to construct the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curve. Afterwards, the soil Cr threshold was derived based on the critical BCF value and the permissible limit of Cr for vegetables. The results showed that when spiked with 5.6 mg kg−1 of Cr(Ⅵ), the soil EDTA-Cr concentrations were significantly increased compared with the control except Jiangxi red soil planted with carrot and radish, while the Cr concentrations in the edible parts of vegetables in both soils were below the permissible limit (0.5 mg kg−1 FW). However, there are dramatic differences in the accumulation of Cr by different varieties of vegetables. Apparent discrepancy was observed between the two soils for the bioconcentration of Cr by carrot. Among the leafy vegetables, lettuce and oilseed rape are the most and the least sensitive to Cr pollution, respectively. The safety threshold values of EDTA-Cr were 0.70 mg kg−1 for Shandong fluvo-aquic soil and 0.85 mg kg−1 for Jiangxi red soil, respectively. This study provides information on the safety production of vegetable products in Cr(Ⅵ) polluted soils and is helpful to the revision of soil quality standards of Cr. [Display omitted] • The accumulation of Cr by vegetables was varieties dependent. • BCF and the criteria of Cr for vegetables were used to derive soil Cr threshold. • The threshold values of EDTA-Cr were 0.70 mg kg− 1 and 0.85 mg kg− 1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the levels of heavy metals present in waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) from various sources in Ota, Ogun State. Eighty (80) samples of waterleaf were obtained from 5 domestic (non-hazardous) dumpsites, 5 non-dumpsites, 5 markets and 5 streets in Ota. The non-dumpsites were locations in industrial areas. Also, over 500 questionnaires were randomly administered to residents in Ota to assess the extent of consumption of waterleaf. Standard method was followed for sample treatment, digestion, and analysis of selected heavy metals: lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The results showed that in waterleaf from domestic dumpsites the concentration (mg/kg) of heavy metals were: Pb (14.50-20.10), Cd (0.05-0.60), Cr (0.19-2.48), Ni (2.75-7.30) and Co (3.40-6.05); from non-dumpsites: Pb (12.20-24.45), Cd (ND-0.60), Cr (ND-2.79), Ni (ND-24.00), Co (3.75-5.75); from markets: Pb (0.35-3.85), Cd (ND), Cr (ND-7.11), Ni (ND-5.10), Co (1.05-2.45); and from streets: Pb (ND-5.00), Cd (ND), Cr (ND), Ni (3.50-7.25), Co (1.50-2.50). Generally, all the heavy metals were highest in waterleaf from domestic dumpsites and non-dumpsites. There were 502 respondents to the questionnaire; of which 82% consumed waterleaf. Out of those who consumed waterleaf, 41% consumed it daily, 32% at least once in a week, and 19% at least once in two weeks. It may be concluded that there is the high tendency of exposure to heavy metals by those who consume waterleaf in the studied locations since the levels in waterleaf from all sources studied generally exceeded the FAO/WHO limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]