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Objectives: To compare indirect calorimetry (IC) readings with the Harris–Benedict equation (HBE) predictions of resting energy expenditure (REE) in intubated acute brain-injured patients in a tertiary hospital’s Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (ICU).Design: A single-centre, retrospective study.Setting: Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at a tertiary hospital.Subjects: All adult patients admitted to the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit between June 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, who had an IC reading.Outcome measures: Comparison of the measured REE using IC and the predicted REE using the HBE modified for critically ill adults. Subgroup analysis based on body mass index (BMI) was also performed.Results: A total of 108 patients had IC readings taken during the study period. There was a significant difference between the REE predicted by the HBE and the measured IC readings, with a mean difference of 465.3 kcal (95% CI 408.1–522.5, p = 0.001). A moderate positive correlation was observed (coefficient r = 0.565, p

Abstract An examination of the dynamics of seed markets in Bihar, India, reveals a paradox—despite an influx of wheat varieties bred by public and private sectors and the proliferation of seed market networks in rural villages, older wheat varieties remain prevalent—necessitating a thorough investigation of the seed distribution system. Unlike most empirical studies that examine the adoption of new and improved crop varieties from a farmer's perspective, our study shifts the focus to the seed supply side. We analyse data collected from 200 private seed dealers who cater to the needs of over 163,000 farmers spread across 10 districts in Bihar. We use descriptive statistics alongside dealer-level and varietal-level regression models to examine the relationship between seed sales and varietal age. Findings indicate that the number of varieties available with a dealer (varietal richness) is positively associated with the number of seed buyers (dealer’s reach) and the total quantity of seeds sold. Private varieties are in demand despite their higher prices. Dealer-level models showed that varietal age affects neither the reach nor the sales, allowing older public-sector varieties to coexist with more recent private-sector ones. However, the varietal-level regression models show that dealers rank the new varieties higher as the ones being sold more. To explore the potential of private seed markets to reduce the proliferation of old wheat varieties that are more susceptible to evolving biotic and abiotic stress factors, we recommend strengthening the varietal registration and seed certification processes, implementing better seed traceability systems, and fostering public–private partnerships in variety development and seed dissemination. Investing in market experiments to incentivize seed dealers to engage in quality assurance can help refine strategies and ensure efficient and inclusive dissemination of promising wheat varieties.

Abstract The European agricultural sector faces considerable exposure to price risk, which poses a threat to farmers’ income and long-term resilience. Marketing contracts have emerged as a potential risk mitigation strategy by enabling farmers to fix the selling price of their output. Despite their benefits, the adoption of marketing contracts among European farmers remains limited. To investigate the factors influencing farmers’ participation in MCs, this study applies the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, marking its first application in this field of research. By analyzing data from an online survey of 84 Italian arable crop producers using a partial least squares structural equation model, this study investigates the factors influencing farmers’ participation in marketing contracts. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the TOE model in examining farmers’ intentions to adopt marketing contracts. Specifically, the perceived usefulness of marketing contracts, their compatibility with farm characteristics, the positive attitude of farm owners towards these tools, and normative pressure from buyers all exhibit positive associations with farmers’ intention to adopt marketing contracts. These findings offer valuable insights for the development of targeted strategies aimed at promoting the widespread use of marketing contracts among European farmers.

Abstract This investigation seeks to scrutinize the relationships between body composition metrics and the clinical outcomes observed in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). A comprehensive exploration was conducted across three prominent online databases: Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library. This endeavor spanned the entirety of each database up to the cutoff date of September 29, 2023. To evaluate the quality of the included studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was employed. This comprehensive analysis included a total of 26 articles with a combined patient cohort of 4398 individuals. The results demonstrated that CCA patients with low skeletal muscle index (SMI) had significantly inferior OS (HR: 1.93, p

Abstract Background Consumption of locally produced foods is generally perceived as being part of a healthy dietary pattern. Accordingly, in 2020, the provincial government of Québec (Canada) promoted the purchase of local foods for economic and health benefits. The present cross-sectional study aimed to document the association between the behavior of local food procurement and overall diet quality in a sample of adults from the province of Québec. Methods Data were collected in a sample of 834 adults (86.6% females) from the NutriQuébec project, a web-based longitudinal population study that aims to document the lifestyle and eating habits of adults in Québec, Canada. Dietary intakes were measured using a validated web-based 24-h recall tool and diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Food Index (HEFI-2019), which measures adherence to the 2019-Canada’s Food Guide recommendations on healthy food choices. Local food procurement behavior was measured using the Locavore-I-SF score, which assesses the frequency of short food supply chain use as well as the geographical origin of three locally produced foods. Results The Locavore-I-SF score was weakly correlated with the HEFI-2019 score (r = 0.08, p

Abstract Background Capsaicin is the main component of chili peppers and is believed to have antidiabetic effects. However, the association between spicy food consumption and the incidence of diabetes remains unclear. Methods A cohort of 20,490 Han residents aged 30–79 without diabetes at baseline were followed from enrollment to June 2, 2023. The consumption of spicy food was obtained through face-to-face surveys conducted during the baseline survey from October 2018 to February 2019. The definition of type 2 diabetes onset was based on the ICD-10 code of E11 in the diabetes case reporting system and death system; Additionally, self-reported diagnosis of diabetes by a physician in active follow-ups, or a fasting blood glucose level of ≥ 7 mmol/L or a glycated hemoglobin percentage of ≥ 6.5% found on-site during the resurvey. Both Cox proportional hazard regression and competing risk regression were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs). Results During the follow-up period (53.5 ± 3.0 months), 182 individuals (1.1%) were newly diagnosed with T2D with an incidence rate of 246.2 per 100,000 person-years. Cox regression analyses revealed that spicy food consumers had a 34% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes (HR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.91) compared to non-consumers. The HRs (95% CIs) for participants consuming spicy food 3–5 days/week, 6–7 days/week, and with weak pungency were 0.45 (95% CI: 0.25, 0.81), 0.69 (0.49, 0.98), and 0.64 (0.46, 0.90), respectively. However, little significant protective effect was observed among those who consumed spicy food for 1–2 days/week, with moderate pungency, or with strong pungency (all P > 0.05). Conclusions Consuming spicy food may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, particularly at a frequency of 3–5 days/week, and with weak pungency. Further multicenter prospective studies or interventional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Abstract Background Economic growth in Rwanda is associated with significant changes in food systems, access to health and other services, lifestyle, and nutritional transitions. Nevertheless, our knowledge of dietary patterns in Rwanda remains limited. The present study aimed to identify the dietary habits of young adult population in Rwanda and to assess associated factors. Methods A developed and validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire covering a one-year period was used to collect data on food intake of 1,218 participants (18–35 years old) from end of January to April 2023 in a cross-sectional study. Dietary habits were assessed using two indicators: the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) and dietary patterns. The latest was developed using exploratory factor analysis. Results Rwandan adults had a mean GDQS of 24.1; 64.4% had high GDQS, especially urban, and educated respondents. The Southern province led at 77.4%. Three dietary patterns were identified: “Modern” (high in processed foods and drinks), “Traditional” (rich in cereals, roots, and plant-based proteins), and “low variety” (low in diverse foods but high in sugar and salt). Dietary patterns significantly varied by residency, province, sex, age, social category, asset, and education level. Conclusion This study identified distinct dietary patterns among adult population of Rwanda, suggesting a nutritional transition associated with urbanization. The findings highlight the need for further research into the relationships between diet, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in Rwandan population.

Abstract Supplementing with antioxidants may be one of the most efficient means of minimizing oxidative stress during workouts in obese individuals. The aim of this study is to identify the results after twelve weeks of CrossFit workouts combined with Spinach thylakoid extract on the levels of insulin resistance (insulin and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance [HOMA-IR]), fasting blood sugar (FBS), malondialdehyde (MDA), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in obese males. Sixty-eight males with an average age of 27 ± 8 yrs and a BMI of 32.6 ± 2.6 kg.m− 2 were randomly split into four groups each consisting of seventeen individuals. : control group (CG), supplement group (SG), training group (TG), and training + supplement group (TSG). After initial assessments, the two training groups (TG and TSG) started on a 12 weeks of the CrossFit workouts program involving three sessions per week each lasting up to 60 min. Participants in supplement groups ingested 30 min before lunch, 5 gof Spinach thylakoid extract per day or one sachet of raw corn starch in the control group. Baseline and post-intervention measurements were performed 48 h pre- and post-last session, respectively. The findings revealed noteworthy relationships between the exercise groups and timefor TAC, SOD, GPx, MDA, CK, and LDH (p

Abstract Background Although caffeine (CAF) supplementation has been shown to improve exercise performance, its dose-dependent effect on CAF metabolism has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 3, 6 and 9 mg of CAF/kgBM on changes of CAF and paraxanthine (PRX) in the serum and saliva at four time-points. Methods In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, acute pre-exercise supplementation in 26 moderately-trained athletes, participating in high-intensity functional training (HIFT), was examined. The study protocol involved CAF/PRX biochemical analyses of serum and saliva with respect to CYP1A2 polymorphism and CYP1A2 enzyme activity. Results Despite significant differences between the serum and saliva levels of CAF and PRX, there was no difference in the PRX/CAF ratio. The interaction effect of dose and time-points for PRX concentration was revealed. The main effects of dose were observed for CAF and the PRX/CAF ratio. The main effect of time-points was registered only for serum CAF. Conclusions Dose- and time-dependent effect of CAF supplementation on CAF and PRX in the serum and saliva of athletes was confirmed, but there was no effect of the CAF dose on CYP1A2 enzyme activity, nor was there an interaction of CYP1A2 with enzyme inducibility. The CAF/PRX correlation indicated the possibility of interchangeable use of serum and/or saliva analyses in exercise studies. Clinical trial registration This trial was registered prospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03822663, registration date: 30/01/2019).

Abstract Background The economic crisis in Sri Lanka worsened food insecurity, with millions facing moderate-to-severe food shortages. This study evaluates the effectiveness of cash transfers combined with mobile health education in enhancing dietary diversity and food security among Sri Lankan households during the crisis. Methods This quasi-experimental single-group pre-post study involved 1040 eligible individuals selected through stratified random sampling from eligible households of Samurdhi beneficiaries and smallholder farmers. The intervention included a cash transfer of LKR 22,500 and weekly nutrition awareness messages via WhatsApp and SMS complemented by a one-time awareness session. Dietary diversity and food security were assessed using standard validated tools such as the Diet Quality Questionnaire and Food Security Questionnaire. Results Food insecurity decreased significantly from 89.3% (n = 681) in the pre-test to 76.9% (n = 533) in the post-test, with a 12.4% reduction (95% CI, 8.57 to 16.24, p

Abstract Aim This pre-post intervention study aimed to assess the relationship between baseline dietary quality and the efficacy of a dietitian-guided weight reduction program, which has not been thoroughly documented to date. Methods Ninety-two consecutive obese or overweight patients visiting a tertiary center clinic for weight reduction were enrolled in this study. Participants received a dietitian-guided weight reduction education program aimed at reducing daily caloric intake by 500 kcal and improving adherence to the Mediterranean diet for 3 months. Baseline dietary quality was assessed using the 14-item Taiwanese Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (T-MEDAS), where a higher T-MEDAS score reflects greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Additional covariates, including dietary behaviors, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities were also recorded. The primary outcome was the percentage of weight reduction at 3 months, analyzed using restricted cubic spline models and generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for the correlation between weight change and the baseline T-MEDAS scores. Results Thirty-nine participants were excluded due to major illnesses, use of anti-obesity medications, or loss to follow-up. Among the remaining 53 participants (mean age 41.2 ± 12.8 years, 56.6% female), the average weight reduction was 3.9 ± 3.3% from a baseline weight of 98.5 ± 12.8 kg. Participants who did not achieve a weight reduction of more than 5% had higher baseline T-MEDAS scores compared to those who did (5.4 ± 1.7 vs. 4.1 ± 1.8, p = 0.026). A restricted cubic spline model, adjusted for covariates including age, gender, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, and smoking, revealed a significant inverse relationship between higher baseline T-MEDAS scores and weight loss. After controlling for various confounders, GEE analysis demonstrated that higher baseline T-MEDAS scores were significantly associated with less weight loss (beta: -4.1, 95% CI: -5.6 to -2.6, p

Abstract Background Maternal nutrition is a key factor influencing birth and offspring health outcomes in later life. Dietary diversity (DD) is a proxy for the macro/micronutrient adequacy of an individual’s diet. There is inadequate comprehensive evidence regarding maternal nutrition during pregnancy, measured through DD and birth outcomes. This study aimed to provide extensive evidence on maternal DD during pregnancy and birth outcomes. Methods A comprehensive search was performed using PubMed, HINARI, and Google Scholar databases up to January 17, 2024. Studies conducted among pregnant mothers and measuring maternal DD with an evaluation of birth outcomes (low birth weight, small for gestational age, preterm birth), in the global context without design restriction were included. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool were used to assess the risk of bias. The results are summarized in a table, and odds ratios were pooled where possible. Between-study heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics. Potential publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger’s regression test. To explore the robustness, a leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was conducted. Results Thirty-three studies were used to synthesize narrative evidence (low birth weight: 31, preterm birth: 9, and small for gestational age: 4). In contrast, 24 records for low birth weight, eight for preterm birth, and four for small for gestational age were used to pool the results quantitatively. Of the 31 studies, 17 reported a positive association between maternal DD and infant birth weight, 13 studies reported a neutral association (not statistically significant), and one study reported a negative association. Overall, inadequate DD increased the risk of low birth weight OR = 1.71, 95% CI; (1.24–2.18), with I2 of 68.7%. No significant association was observed between maternal DD and preterm birth. Inadequate DD was significantly associated with small for gestational age (OR = 1.32, 95% CI; 1.15–1.49, and I2 = 0.0%). Conclusion Inadequate maternal DD is associated with an increased risk of low birth weight and small for gestational age but not preterm birth, underscoring the importance of promoting adequate DD during pregnancy. To address these issues, it is essential to implement and expand nutritional programs targeted at pregnant women, especially in low-resource settings, to ensure they receive diverse and adequate diets. Further research is needed to address the current limitations and to explore the long-term implications of maternal nutrition on child health. The study was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42024513197). No funding was received for this study.

Abstract Patients with heart failure (HF) often experience iron deficiency. Intravenous iron supplementation has been widely used in clinical practice to facilitate the treatment of HF. However, the association between dietary iron intake and HF still needs to be elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary iron intake on HF in American adults. The data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2018. Iron dietary intake data were obtained from two 24-h dietary recall interviews. We examined baseline data and HF prevalence in different quartile groups of dietary iron intake (Q1–Q4). Two logistic regression models were established to evaluate the impact of Q4 (highest iron consumption) on the risk of HF. The study included 20,853 American adults (age ≥ 20 years). The participants with the highest iron intake (Q4) had the lowest prevalence of HF (Q1: 3.25%, Q2: 2.18%, Q3: 1.92%, Q4: 1.72%; P

Abstract The origins of traditional fermented foods and the types and characteristics of fermented foods by region are reviewed. Fermented foods are classified into alcohol fermentation, acid fermentation, carbon dioxide (bread) fermentation, and amino acid/peptide fermentation, and related fermentation technologies for each region are introduced. The raw materials, microorganisms involved, and usage of ethnic fermented foods are reviewed and compared one another. The beginning of food fermentation technology is related to the invention and use of earthenware, and Northeast Asia is presumed to be one of the birth places. During the period of primitive pottery culture (8000–3000 BCE) on the Korean Peninsula and the coastal region of Korea Strait, boiling technology of food materials using pottery and salt manufacturing technology from seawater were developed, and at the same time, alcohol fermentation using grains and salt-fermentation of fish and vegetables emerged. In the West, where people were nomads, a roasting/grilling culture was continued for a long time, and technologies for fermenting fruit wine and milk products such as cheese and yogurt were developed. As a result, fermentation was mainly used for enhancing the taste of plant foods in the East, while for extending the shelf life of animal foods in the West. The production of salty and meaty flavors from soybeans and marine products by fermentation in East Asia is a technology that increases the value of low-quality proteins.

Abstract Moringa, the miracle tree earns this title from being a dietary supplement for humans and its importance for medical benefits in folk medicine. Exceptionally, Moringa is nutritional vegetable tree with various important uses due to its rich nutrients, rich in protein containing all amino acids, minerals, nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. All parts of Moringa tree are edible and have long been consumed by humans. Moringa leaves, flowers, bark, seeds, and roots have many phytochemical components such as alkaloids, terpenes, myricetin, phenolic substances, phenolic acids, flavonoids, isothiocyanates, tannins, saponins, quercetin, zeatin, kaempferol flavonoids, glucosides, glucosinolates, anthocyanins, and steroids, which reflects positively on its therapeutic effects as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, cardiovascular, and hepatoprotective activity. Depending on the previous, Moringa is used frequently in folk medicine, especially in developing nations, to treat several disorders. Nowadays, Moringa oleifera is considered a promised functional plant in industry for exploring several products, mainly nutritional and medicinal. This review article aims to introduce defined and updated knowledge on biological activities, pharmacological, nutritional and traditional uses, and therapeutic potential of Moringa plants, with recognition of local models as potential products for commercialization in Egypt. To gather the literature for this paper’s review, research papers and review articles published in the last decade were used. Knowledge in current review will be valuable for developing novel therapeutic medicines, pharmaceutical formulations, and commercial products from Moringa. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Citrus-flavored vegetable oils (CFVO) demand has grown rapidly in the food industry due to increasing consumer demand for salads as a healthy food choice. Salad dressing has a distinctive taste from sour-tasting citrus that when added to salads to increase acceptance. This study primarily aimed to characterize antioxidant activity, total flavonoid content, and sensory quality by hedonic and organoleptic test between all unflavored oil and CFVO from three different vegetable oils (coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L.), palm oil (Elaeis guineensis L.), sesame oil (Sesamum indicum L.)) and three citruses (key lime (Citrus aurantifolia), kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix), and nasnaran (Citrus ambylcarpa)). One-Way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey were conducted to assess antioxidant and flavonoid differences. ANOVA with Tukey HSD and HSD, PCA and HCA, and a Spearman correlation analysis were conducted to assess the sensory qualities of citrus-flavored vegetable oils. There were different hedonic responses towards citruses in addition to the vegetable oils for each hedonic attribute. There is also a different response to the antioxidant and total flavonoids content of each treatment. The best formula according the multi-attribute decision using a compensatory model and additive weighting technique (MADCAW) score describes key lime (140%) flavored coconut oil as the best formula as having 56.58% antioxidant, 37.00 mg QE/100 g flavonoid and color liking 1.84, aroma liking 3.56, and taste liking 1.88. In conclusion, citrus-flavored vegetable oil has the potential to be a high-antioxidant vegetable oil with good acceptance by consumers.

Abstract Rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been the dietary staple of Sri Lankans since ancient times. The native or indigenous varieties that were cultivated historically have evolved across generations, into the traditional varieties recognized today. These traditional varieties are known for their superior nutritional and health benefits compared to the improved varieties which were introduced to the country in the mid 19 s upon selective breeding and hybridization. Traditional rice has been used in ethnic and Ayurveda medicine as a direct medicinal, nutritional or dietary supplement to treat a vast number of ailments. In the past few decades, the nutra–pharmaceutical potential of traditional and improved Sri Lankan rice varieties has been extensively studied in-vitro. The health benefits of Sri Lankan rice include the presence of bioactive constituents that promote antioxidant defence, and antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. This narrative review summarizes and evaluates the published scientific evidence for the last twenty-five years on nutra-phamacutical potential of Sri Lankan rice in-vitro, highlights the role of Sri Lankan rice in ethnic medicine, and discusses total nutra-phamaceutical content and associated health benefits in regard to; variety types, grain pericarp colours and post-harvest modifications such as milling, polishing and parboiling. The majority of studies demonstrate significantly higher levels of nutra-pharmaceutical potential in traditional over improved varieties, bran intact/ whole grains over polished rice, and red over white pericarp grains as well as the impact of agrochemical practices during cultivation.

Abstract As global food production encounters escalating challenges, postharvest losses (PHLs) emerge as a critical yet often overlooked issue. Despite considerable progress in food production, PHLs remain a significant concern, accounting for an average of 14% of food production in 2021. Against the backdrop of 811 million people facing food insecurity and the triple burden of malnutrition, it becomes increasingly evident that reducing food losses offers a sustainable solution to enhancing global food and nutritional security, particularly in developing countries. This review aims to underscore the significance of PHLs, their impact on global food security, and the current PHL scenario in developing nations. Despite the abundance of innovative technologies developed by researchers, accessibility to these technologies remains limited for farmers in many countries. The ongoing struggle and dire circumstances surrounding proper food handling in developing nations necessitate immediate action. Research efforts must focus on assessing the regional applicability, costs, and economic returns of existing technologies for mitigating PHLs. In addition to capital investments, the long-term sustainability of reducing PHLs hinges on ensuring the effective use of these technologies through education and training. Graphical Abstract

Abstract The study investigated the influence of externalities on sustainable agri-food systems. The purpose was to find out the extent to which the inclusion of the cost of externalities in the price of food will translate to a more sustainable agricultural food system. The study used the cross-sectional survey design consisting of 216 randomly selected farmers of agri-food, in south-south Nigeria. A structured questionnaire served as the instrument of data collection. Convergent and divergent validity tests served to test for validity of the questionnaire while composite reliability tests served the purpose of testing for reliability. The study employed path diagram analysis using the structural equation modelling technique to test for the significance of data. The results indicate that the various costs of externalities (environmental, social, health and economic) have statistically significant relationships with agri-food sustainability. The study recommends including the cost of externalities in food pricing facilitating the drive towards a sustainable food system. The study makes a significant contribution to empirical and theoretical literature.

Abstract Eating less meat is associated with a healthier body and planet. Yet, we remain reluctant to switch to a plant-based diet, largely due to the sensory experience of plant-based meat. Food scientists characterize meat using a double compression test, which only probes one-dimensional behavior. Here we use tension, compression, and shear tests–combined with constitutive neural networks–to automatically discover the behavior of eight plant-based and animal meats across the entire three-dimensional spectrum. We find that plant-based sausage and hotdog, with stiffnesses of 95.9 ± 14.1 kPa and 38.7 ± 3.0 kPa, successfully mimic their animal counterparts, with 63.5 ± 45.7 kPa and 44.3 ± 13.2 kPa, while tofurky is twice as stiff, and tofu is twice as soft. Strikingly, a complementary food tasting survey produces in nearly identical stiffness rankings for all eight products (ρ = 0.833, p = 0.015). Probing the fully three-dimensional signature of meats is critical to understand subtle differences in texture that may result in a different perception of taste. Our data and code are freely available at https://github.com/LivingMatterLab/CANN

Abstract Liver fibrosis (LF) is a common sequela to diverse chronic liver injuries, leading to rising rates of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As the medicinal and edible homologous material, traditional teas have exhibited promising applications in the clinical management of liver fibrosis. Here, we generated a liver fibrosis mouse model to explore the potent therapeutic ability of Ampelopsis grossedentata (AG) tea on this condition by multi-omics analysis. The biochemistry results pointed towards mitigated increases of ALT, AST, TBIL, and ALP triggered by BDL in the AG-treated group. Examination using H&E and Sirius Red staining revealed severe liver injuries, inflammation infiltration, amplified fibrosed regions, and the creation of bile ducts, all of which were fallout from BDL. Immunohistochemistry findings also implicated a noteworthy upregulation of the HSC activation marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and the fibrosis marker collagen I in the BDL group. However, these symptoms demonstrated a significant improvement in the group treated with 100 mg/kg AG. Findings from the Western Blot test corroborated the prominent elevation of TNF-α, col1a1, α-SMA, and TGF-β, instigated by BDL, while AG treatment meaningfully modulated these proteins. Furthermore, our study underscored the potential involvement of several microbiota, such as Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Eubacterium Ruminantium, Ruminococcus 1, Christensenellaceae R-7, Acetatifactor, Dubosiella, Parasutterella, Faecalibaculum, and Defluviitaleaceae UCG-011, in the progression of liver fibrosis and the therapeutic efficacy of AG. This investigation shows that during the process of AG ameliorating BDL-induced liver fibrosis, bile acid derivatives such as CDCA, TCDCA, 3-DHC, UCA, DCA, among others, play significant roles. In this study, we identified that several non-bile acid metabolites, such as Deltarasin, Thr-Ile-Arg, etc., are entailed in the process of AG improving liver fibrosis.

Abstract Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a sustainable method to convert food waste and plant biomass into novel foods for human consumption. Surplus bread crusts (BC) have the structural capacity to serve as an SSF scaffold, and their nutritional value could be increased in combination with perennial ryegrass (PRG), a biorefining feedstock with high-quality protein but an unpleasant sensory profile. SSF with Rhizopus oligosporus was investigated with these substrates to determine if the overall nutritional value could be increased. The BC-PRG SSFs were conducted for up to 72 h, over which time the starch content had decreased by up to 89.6%, the total amino acid (AA) content increased by up to 141.9%, and the essential amino acid (EAA) content increased by up to 54.5%. The BC-PRG SSF demonstrated that this process could potentially valorise BC and PRG, both widely available but underexplored substrates, for the production of alternative proteins.

This review examined the potential of hemp components as functional feed and food ingredients, focusing on their impact on the quality and nutritional value of animal products. Following hemp legalization, there was growing interest in its potential to enhance animal diets and processed animal products due to its rich nutritional profile, including high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), essential amino acids, and fibre. Incorporating hemp components into feed for monogastric animals, particularly poultry, improved lipid stability, sensory attributes, and the fatty acid composition of meat and eggs. Hemp supplementation for ruminants, especially in goats, increased PUFA and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in milk, improved meat tenderness, and enhanced oxidative stability. However, research on hemp supplementation for pigs and beef remained limited, indicating the need for further exploration of these species. Hemp cake, rich in protein, fibre, and essential fatty acids, was the most widely used hemp component due to its economic viability, nutritional benefits, and sustainability, contributing to improved meat and milk quality. Regulatory concerns about the transfer of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) residues in the produced animal products restricted the use of hemp biomass. In processed animal products, hemp components were studied for their potential to enhance nutritional value, replace animal fats, and serve as natural preservatives. Although they improved the fatty acid profile and antioxidant properties of meat products, challenges such as textural changes and increased lipid oxidation needed to be addressed for optimal use. Limited studies on dairy products indicated promising nutritional enhancements, but textural issues could impact consumer acceptance. In conclusion, hemp components show significant potential for improving the quality and nutritional value of animal products. Further research is necessary to address regulatory, sensory, and formulation challenges and to expand their application across different animal species and processed animal products.

Edible oils are essential in daily diet due to their high contribution of fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, and triglycerides. During the processes of growing, processing, storage, transport, or packaging, they can be contaminated by ubiquitous phthalate esters, considered endocrine disruptors. Thus, analytical methodologies to allow tight control of their presence are mandatory. Several sample treatments have been considered in this study: microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), dispersive solid phase extraction (DSPE), magnetic SPE (MSPE), solid phase microextraction (SPME), Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) or its combinations. However, the selection of an analytical procedure is usually performed from an Analytical Chemistry perspective, without considering factors such as the sustainability of the selected methodology and/or its impact on the environment. In this sense, the Green Analytical Chemistry strategy can play an important role. To demonstrate this fact, six different analytical procedures have been evaluated in terms of sustainability by using several greenness evaluation tools. Procedures from MAE-gel permeation chromatography (GPC)-SPE till SERS, showing adequate analytical characteristics, have been selected. The application of Analytical GREEnness calculator (AGREE), AGREE preparation (AGREE prep), and blue applicability grade index (BAGI) tools showed that MAE-GPC-SPE was the less green analytical procedure while SERS was the greener one. The BAGI evaluation showed that headspace (HS) and SERS were the most applicable procedures.

Introduction: Omentin (intelectin-1) is an adipokine produced by the stromal vascular fraction of visceral adipose tissue and has been positively associated with insulin sensitivity. The underlying mechanism of action, however, is largely unknown. It has been described that omentin may increase insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake of adipocytes, but effects on other insulin-sensitive tissues such as skeletal muscle are unexplored. We therefore investigated effects of omentin on insulin sensitivity and metabolism of primary human myotubes. Methods: Primary human myotubes were treated with 0.5 or 2 µg/mL omentin and subsequently protein detection, glucose uptake assay, lactate assay and lipidomics analysis were performed. Results: Omentin did not affect skeletal muscle insulin signaling, as assessed by basal and insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of IRS1 and AKT. Omentin increased basal, but not insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. While increased glycolytic activity was confirmed by elevated lactate release after omentin treatment, effects on cellular lipid composition were limited to an increase in total triacylglycerol concentration. Increased glucose uptake by omentin was counteracted by addition of extracellular lactotransferrin, which can bind to omentin. Conclusions: Overall, increased basal glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells suggests differential effects of omentin on insulin-sensitive tissues. Moreover, an involvement of lactotransferrin in omentin’s mechanism of action may partially explain contradictory results of epidemiological studies on the role of omentin in different diseases.

Limited data exists regarding the association between dietary patterns and asthma. This study aims to determine the relationship between empirically derived dietary patterns and the likelihood of asthma among a large population of children and adolescents living in central Iran. Methods: A total of 7667 of male and female students aged 6-14 from 48 public and private schools in YAZD urban areas entered the current cross-sectional study. Data on dietary intakes, as well as asthma symptoms and other possible confounders, were collected using a self-administered questionnaire filled by parents. Factor analysis was applied to find major dietary patterns. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for asthma development across quintiles of dietary patterns. Results: Two main dietary patterns were established. A “traditional diet” was determined by meat, fish, fruits, cooked vegetable, raw vegetable, legumes, cereals, bread, macaroni, rice, margarine, butter, olive oil, milk, yogurt, egg, nuts, potato, and a “western-like diet” was characterized by high intakes of simple sugars, fast food(hamburger), fast food (pizza), soft drinks, jelly, chocolate and biscuits of cocoa, ice cream, and sauce. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals in the top quintile of traditional diet were 0.31 times less likely to have asthma than those in the lowest quintile (OR=0.69; 95% CI: 0.47-1.00). Moreover, individuals in the top quintile of traditional diet were 0.43 times less likely to have wheezing compared with those in the lowest quintile (OR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.46-0.70). However, individuals in the top quintile of the western diet were 0.35 times more likely to have wheezing than those in the lowest quintile (OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.10-1.66). Conclusions: According to the results, a traditional diet might be associated with lower odds of asthma; however, a western-like diet might be adversely associated with asthma symptoms.

Nutrition literacy is the individuals' motivation and ability to obtain, process, and understand nutrition information and the skills needed in order to make appropriate nutrition decisions. The present study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the Chongqing Middle School Nutrition Literacy Scale (CM-NLS). Methods: The CM-NLS questionnaire was translated into Farsi and then back-translated, and its face validity and quantitative and qualitative content validity were investigated in a descriptive-cross-sectional study. This review was conducted using the opinions of expert faculty members. Besides, the Persian version was tested in a sample of 400 students of the first grade of high school in Bandar Anzali city. For this purpose, two schools were randomly selected and sampled using census method. Cronbach's alpha test method was used to examine reliability, and confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate construct validity (RMSEA=0.062). Results: In checking face validity, changes were made in the questionnaire, and some items were removed in content validity evaluation by calculating content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI). In reliability analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated as 0.74 for functional literacy, 0.82 for interactive literacy, and 0.84 for critical literacy. The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit to measure the construct validity. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained, the CM-NLS questionnaire with 33 items, is a valid and reliable tool and can be used to measure the nutrition literacy of high school students

Increased serum concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers in patients indicate a strong association between COVID-19 and inflammation. However, the association between diet-related inflammation and COVID-19 has been less investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the inflammatory scores of the diet are associated with the severity of COVID-19 disease and the probability of hospitalization of patients. Methods: The authors conducted a cross-sectional study involving 141 patients with COVID-19. The empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) and dietary inflammation scores (DIS) were calculated based on a 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The association between serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers and diet-related inflammation was also investigated. Results: 74 inpatients and 87 outpatients participated in this study. Higher DIS scores were significantly associated with an increased risk of COVID-related hospitalization (Tertile3 vs. tertile1: OR = 3·62; 95 % CI 1·43 to 9·14, P=0·008 after fully adjustment). This association with EDIP was also observed, but it was not significant. Conclusion: The data from this provide evidence that a pro-inflammatory diet was associated with higher risk of hospitalization due to high severity of COVID-19

Melissa officinalis L. ( lemon balm) is one of the more widely cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat many disorders. The present study investigates Melissa officinalis L. hydro-alcoholic extract regarding pituitary-gonadal axis in diabetic mice. Methods: 45 NMRI mice with a mean weight of 35.6±4.5 g were divided into five groups: control group (0.2 ml of physiological serum intraperitoneally injection), diabetic mice (without treatment), and three experiment groups (diabetic groups receiving 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of Melissa officinalis extract intraperitoneally injection). Melissa officinalis extract was injected intraperitoneally for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken to determine the biochemical indicators level (glucose, LH, FSH, and testosterone), and the left testicle was weighed and examined histologically. Results: The results showed that the lowest amount of glucose and the highest level of LH were observed in the treatment group at a dose of 100 mg/kg of Melissa officinalis extract. The highest level of FSH was observed at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Histological study of the testis showed a more favorable condition in the experimental group of 200 mg/kg of lemon balm extract (P

Psychological and physical symptoms such as irritability, headache, abdominal pain, difficulty with bowel movements, and drowsiness that occur because of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle refer to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The study examined whether the intake of fermented food containing Aspergillus oryza (Amazake and Raw-SHIOKOJI), a traditional Japanese food, improved the abdominal symptoms associated with PMS. Method: Eleven healthy Japanese collegiate women in their 20s participated in this interventional study. The study period was set to 28 days per phase, and the participants were examined over three separate phases: before, during, and after the intake of Amazake or Raw-SHIOKOJI. The participants were instructed to maintain a daily record of their food intake, bowel movements and menstruation throughout the study period. Results: The intake of fiber, fat, protein, and carbohydrate among 11 participants were similar, with no significant difference between the two groups. Menstrual abdominal discomfort in women in their 20s was noted during the luteal and menstrual phases. Eight participants (72.7%) experienced abdominal discomfort during the luteal phase and all participants experienced abdominal discomfort during the menstrual phase. Consuming fermented food containing Aspergillus oryzae may reduce PMS abdominal symptoms by 72.7%. Conclusion: This study showed that consumption of food containing Aspergillus oryzae reduced abdominal discomfort associated with the luteal phase and may improve menstruating women's health and quality of life.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the patient is permanently intolerant to proteins containing gluten, and the only treatment is to use a gluten-free diet. The present study is designed to investigate physicochemical, antioxidant activity, textural, and sensory properties attributes of developed gluten-free sponge cake containing chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.) flour (CHF) along with millet (Panicum miliaceum) and corn flour. Methods: The cake was produced using CHF (4, 8, 12, 16%; w/w) with the replacement of millet flour (MF), and 50% corn flour (CF) was used equally in all the samples. Results: Applied CHF significantly increased moisture, ash, protein, and fat content of gluten-free cakes (P

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder worldwide. Meanwhile, Allium Porrum L. (AP) has been recognized as one of the most eminent traditional herbal medicines with substantial health benefits. The aim of the present study is to evaluate anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of AP in rats with T2D. Methods: 70 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 7 groups of 10 animals each. The study groups were as follows: The study groups were as follows: healthy control (HC); healthy control rats receiving 100 mg/kg of AP extract (HC.AP.100); diabetic control (DC); diabetic rats receiving 10 mg/kg metformin (DT.M.10); diabetic animals receiving 50 mg/kg of AP extract (DT.AP.50); diabetic rats receiving 100 mg/kg of AP extract (DT.AP.100); and diabetic animals receiving 200 mg/kg of AP extract (DT.AP.200). Results: After 6 weeks of intervention, the level of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were significantly increased (P=0.02) and (P=0.002), respectively; while superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration was notably reduced (P=0.04) in DC.M.10 in comparison with that of the HC.AP.100 group. Also, compared to DC.M.10 group, all rats treated with metformin and AP showed a significant decrease in the level of MDA and TNF-α, along with an enhancement of SOD concentration (All P

Food security is described as physical and economic access for all people at all times to sufficient food for an active and healthy life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity and its relationship with the health status of pregnant women referred to North Tehran Health Center. Methods: The current study is a cross-sectional study conducted on 160 pregnant women in the third trimester covered by North Tehran Health Center in 2017-2018. Food security status, and dietary intake were assessed using general demographic and socioeconomic questionnaires, USDA 18-item household food security, and semi-quantitative food frequency recall, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and nutritionist IV software. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The study showed that 21.8% of mothers suffered insecure nutritional status and 78.2% of them were in safe nutritional status. There was a significant difference (P=0.013) between the two category of food groups (P=0.013). The mean consumption of legumes in people with insecure nutrition status (65.72±42.40 g) was more than nutrition secure group (50.08±29.77 g). Other food items showed no significant difference between the two groups of safe and unsafe nutrition status. In terms of economic status, there was a significant difference between safe and unsafe groups (P=0.001). Conclusion: In this study, food insecurity rate and prevalence of pregnant women was much less than that other studies. Given the role of the economic situation in the ability to purchase and supply food, probably one of the main reasons of more consumption of legumes in insecure groups would be low-income level and lower purchasing power of other food groups, such as meat.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic liver disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of combined weight loss diet and cranberry supplementation on anthropometric measurements, inflammation and antioxidant biomarkers in patients with NAFLD. Methods: In this randomized, double-blinded, and controlled clinical trial, 41 NAFLD patients were supplemented with either cranberry or placebo tablets for 12 weeks. Both groups followed a diet of 500-1000 calories less than the estimated energy requirements. Serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), cytokeratin 18 M30 (CK-18 M30), chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured at both baseline and the end of the study. Results: Significant improvements in TAC were observed in the cranberry group and between the two groups (P=0.006 and P=0.011, respectively), but the changes in the placebo group were not significant (P=0.325). There were no statistically significant differences in the serum levels of MDA, CK-18 M30, CCL2 and TNF-α between the cranberry and the placebo groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: It seems that daily consumption of cranberry supplement would be beneficial in increasing serum levels of TAC. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of cranberry on NAFLD.

Malnutrition and improper nutrition may lead to physical and mental growth disorder and cognitive function. This study aims to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and its relationship with educational status among primary school children in Zahedan, Iran. Methods: During a cross-sectional study with a multi-stage random sampling method of 780 boy and girl students, first, second, and third grades of elementary school were included to study. Demographic and anthropometric of students were collected based on the sample size. Malnutrition was assessed according to World Health Organization indicators for the relevant age group. This assessment was based on body mass index (BMI) for age, height for age, and weight for age. Results: The prevalence of malnutrition was severe wasting, wasting, overweight, and obesity which were 0.8, 4.6, 6.4, and 5%, and severe underweight and underweight which were 0.9 and 4.7%, respectively. Severe stunting and stunting were observed in 0.3 and 2.8%, respectively. A statistically significant relationship was found between BMI for age, height for age and weight for age and educational status (P

Food security in communities can prevent health complications, so investigators have made efforts to find its related factors through various fields. This study aims to draw a road map for nutrition and food security research in Iran. Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Islamic World Citation Center were searched for eligible publications in nutrition and food security related to Iran for the two decades from 2001 to 2020. Content analysis was done by a co-word network technique using VOSviewer software. Results: Finally, 28,995 scientific publications among 50,444 search results were eligible to include in this study. The research map was drawn using 403,262 keywords obtained from the title and abstract of the papers. A 23.53% growth rate of publications was seen. Iranian articles were mainly published in scientific journals under 10 subject categories. The highly repeated keywords of "treatment", "plant", "age", "risk", and "consumption" were in publications. Moreover, the articles were categorized into thematic clusters of "environmental and climate change", "health ", "food industry and food safety", and "agriculture and water resources management" which were related to nutrition and food security. An increasing trend was observed in the number of publications during the past two decades in Iran. Conclusion: The relation of clinical nutrition, malnutrition, diet, and in recent years, food production and climate change with food security have been extensively studied by Iranian researchers. However, they have neglected studies on public health and policy in food and nutrition security, which reveals their dominant clinical or agricultural approach

Food security and safety are becoming major concerns worldwide. Providing food security and safety in hospitals is particularly challenging since their populations are diverse in dietary and nutritional requirements and more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. The aim of this research is to promote hospital sustainability by addressing food security and food safety. Method: This study uses a quantitative method with a bibliometric study approach. This research has 212 articles from the Scopus database. All the documents were collected simultaneously in August 2022. The selected article encompassed the years from 2017 to 2021, including document type, publication stage, source type, language, and subject area. The data was analyzed using VOSviewer and NVivo analytical tools. Results: The results of the studies on food security and safety increased from 2017-2022 with current trends in hospital sustainability, food waste, and waste management in food. Our study has identified four clusters: hospital food services, hospital sustainability, nutrition, and food safety. Food security is positively correlated with assessment, challenges, measurement, status, and sustainability (Pearson correlation score is 1). Disease control, proper waste management, and environmental health are all associated with food safety (Pearson correlation score ±0.79-0.64). Conclusion: Food safety and security are critical to achieve hospital sustainability, therefore awareness-raising efforts must continue. It is recommended that hospital stakeholders, food service providers; public and private sectors adopt policies and guidelines to disseminate information on food safety and security concerning hospital sustainability

The aims of study to investigate physico-chemical properties do a proximate analysis of black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa L.) of AN-1 variety and development of value-added products by incorporating black cumin paste and powder in various proportions. Methods: The sensory evaluation of incorporating black cumin to have value-added products was performed using hedonic scale method. Physico-chemical properties of black cumin seeds were determined in the initial stage of study. Then, the proximate analysis was performed. In the second phase, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), pH, acidity, and antioxidant activity of the developed products were determined. The antioxidant activity of prepared products was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The antioxidant activity of coriander chutney was increased from 55.75 to 57.07 by increasing the fortification of black cumin paste, and in bottle gourd, Ready To Serve (RTS) was increased from 40.73 to 42.08 as by increasing the fortification of black cumin powder. Results: It was observed that level 1% incorporation of black cumin paste and RTS was found best by judges after sensory evaluation of chutney when compared to level 2 and 3% black cumin fortified paste. However, in biscuits, black cumin powder supplemented level up to 2% was found acceptable on the basis of spread factor and hardness as compared to 3 and 4% fortification powder. It was concluded that 1% black cumin paste supplemented in coriander chutney, 1% black cumin powder supplemented in bottle gourd RTS and 2% black cumin powder supplemented in biscuits, were the best selected value- added products. Conclusion: This study revealed that black cumin seeds are a potentially rich source of phytochemicals, and regular consumption of black cumin incorporated products with added value may reduce the risk of numerous diseases.

The proper processing of fruits and vegetable-based food products will improve appearance, taste, bioactivities, and preservation. Freeze-dried (FD) or lyophilization of foods extends shelf life and preserves food's nutritional value and bioactivities. The objective of this study is to compare the antioxidant properties, nutritional value, and vitamins of fresh fruit-vegetables and the combined FD product. Methods: A combination of fruits (mango, papaya, star-fruit, guava, banana, bengkuang), and vegetables (cucumber), called “Miss Freezy” were cleaned with an ozonizer and processed using the lyophilization method. The antioxidant activities measured included 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) assay. While the proximate analysis measured was the determination of water content, ash content, fat content, protein and carbohydrate content, and vitamin C. Results: The value of antioxidant activity in fruit-vegetable combination FD products was higher than in fresh fruit. The median inhibition concentration (IC50) of DPPH, ABTS, and H2O2 scavenging activities were guava 48.74 µg/ml, guava 128.39 µg/ml, and banana 155.55 µg/ml, respectively. The results showed that the water content of fresh fruits, and vegetables was greater than FD products and inversely proportional to the level of ash, fat, protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin C lower than FD products. Conclusions: Based on the results of antioxidant activities, proximate analysis and vitamin C of the FD product was higher than fresh fruits and vegetables. The FD fruit-vegetable combination product can be used as an alternative snack product that is practical and healthy.

Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) is a major food poisoning bacterium that resists high cooking temperatures. The aim of this study was to prepare Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) edible coats incorporated with lactoferrin, propolis and mixtures of them and evaluate their effects on B. cereu) experimentally inoculated in beef fillets stored in the refrigerator till spoilage. Methods: Prepare Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) edible coats incorporated with lactoferrin, propolis and mixtures of them and evaluate their effects on bacillus cereus that experimentally inoculated in beef fillets stored refrigerated till spoilage. Results: The results revealed a significant and gradual increase in B. cereus count from ~8 log CFU/g. In first day the count reached a population of 9.69±0.12 and 9.27±0.02 log CFU/gm. at 9th day of storage in un-coated group (BF/BC) and blank coated group (CMC/BF/BC), respectively. While coated groups showed a significant decrease in B. cereus count from ~8 log CFU/gm. in first day of inoculation to 5.80±0.1, 5.41±0.06, 5.11±0.02 in CMC/BF/BC/LF, CMC/BF/BC/PR and CMC/BF/BC/LF/PR groups, respectively. The groups with coated beef showed a significant decrease (P

Overweight and obesity have increased significantly worldwide, placing major economic problems on health systems. This study aims to determine socio-economic characteristics, dietary practices, physical activity levels, nutrition status, predictors of overweight and obesity, and their relationships among adolescents. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional analytical study design. 401 adolescents were randomly selected from five secondary day schools using a proportionate-to-size sampling method. Results: Based on the findings, one third (36.3%) of the adolescents were between ages 17-18, with more girls (55.9%) than boys. The number of meals consumed per day among adolescents was 3.34±1.24. Individual dietary diversity score among adolescents was 4.21±1.61. Based on Body Mass Index (BMI), the prevalence of overweight and obesity among boys was 5.2% and 1.8%, respectively, and for girls, it was 7.3% and 3.6%, respectively. Using bioelectrical impedance analysis, the prevalence rates for males were 8.8% and 4.1%, respectively, while for females the rates were 10.1% and 5.1%. Regression analysis revealed that the most significant predictors were energy intake and physical activity, with P˂0.05 based on BMI and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between nutritional status and energy intake, the number of meals, dietary diversity score, and physical activity. Physical activity and dietary practices were the most important predictors of overweight and obesity among adolescents. The study recommends nutrition education and public health interventions in schools’ curricula.

Beta-alanine is an important oral supplement for improving athletes’ performance, followed by probable effects on body composition. Current meta-analysis was performed to investigate the role of beta-alanine supplementation on body weight, fat mass, free fat mass, and body fat percentage in adults. Methods: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library databases, and EMBASE were searched between January 1990 and May 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing beta-alanine supplementation with a placebo assessing anthropometric indices were included. Meta‐analysis was performed using the random‐effects model. Publication bias was evaluated using standard methods, and subgroup analysis and meta‐regression were carried out. Results: A total of 875 articles were identified through database searching, of which 12 RCTs with 15 datasets were included in the study. This study showed that beta-alanine supplementation did not have any significant effect on body weight [SMD, 0.08; 95% CI (−0.17, 0.33); P=0.517], fat percentage [SMD, 0.09; 95% CI (−0.18, 0.37); P=0.504], fat mass [SMD, 0.10; 95% CI (−0.29, 0.50); P=0.612], and fat free mass [SMD, 0.16; 95% CI (−0.18, 0.49); P=0.517]. Conclusions: Results showed that beta-alanine supplementation does not change body composition significantly.

Women empowerment (WE) in food security is one of the global issues faced by women in all the countries of the world. Achievement of zero-hunger goal of Sustainable Development Goals in 2030 (SDG) still seems to be unachievable because of this food insecurity. This research aims to study the achievement of food security by enhancing WE in the informal sector in Lahore, Pakistan. Moreover, the analysis goals are to determine the contribution of microcredit facilities and management skills in the enhancement of WE which improves food security. Method: This study was quantitative and descriptive. Using a primary survey questionnaire on cross-sectional data source by simple random sampling, 495 women borrowers in the informal sector of Lahore, Pakistan were investigated. Data analysis was done using SMART PLS3. Results: The results of the study revealed a positive relationship between WE and food security through the active participation of women in production decisions. The utilization of resources within the households is strengthened by familial rights, social support, and the removal of gender disparity. Conclusion: Women's capacity to contribute more to the daily household expenditure is increased by the higher income, and eventually, it increases their empowerment and food security.

It is well known that dietary factors can affect male fertility. The aim of this study was investigating the effect of Mediterranean diet on sperm quality. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 218 men with infertility aged 20-50. A 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to evaluate dietary intakes. Mediterranean diet scores were calculated based on the participant’s dietary intake. The evaluation of anthropometric and biochemical variables was performed through standard methods. To evaluate the relationship between Mediterranean dietary patterns and sperm parameters, the multivariate logistic regression controlled for potential confounders was used. Results: The prevalence of sperm’s low concentration in people with low, moderate, and high adherence to the Mediterranean diet was 43.4%, 34% and 25.9%, respectively. Participants in the highest tertile of adherence to the Mediterranean diet had lower odds of sperm low concentration (odds ratio: 0.37; 95% confidence interval: 0.15–0.91 P=0.02) compared with those in the lowest tertile after adjusting for potential confounders including energy intake, body mass index (BMI), smoking, age, level of education and physical activity. This association was observed between increasing trend adherence to the Mediterranean diet and decreasing the odds of sperm low concentration after full adjustments (odds ratio: 0.60; 95%, confidence interval: 0.98–0.94, Ptrend=0.02). Conclusion: In the present study, the authors observed a protective relation between Mediterranean diet and sperm’s low concentration. However, the association between adherence to this diet and other sperm parameters is unexplored. In future, more investigations are needed in this era.

Clinical research on the efficacy of nutraceutical compounds recommended for the relief of osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms has been largely disputed. In addition, no link has been established between its safety and efficacy in Kurdish population. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of New Zealand green-lipped mussel extract + Ginkgo biloba (GLME+) in patients with OA, and analyze the effect of GLME+ on inflammation. Methods: In an open-label, single-group allocation study, 40 patients diagnosed with knee OA were administrated 1000 mg/day of New Zealand green-lipped mussel extract and 100 mg/day of Ginkgo biloba for eight weeks. The outcome measure was scored using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities arthritis index (WOMAC). The serum concentration of inflammatory chemokine (CCL3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured. An intention-to-treat analysis was employed and subject data at T0 and T8 weeks. Results: Results showed a significant improvement in WOMAC score in post-treated OA patients with GLME+ (P 0.05). Conclusions: GLME+ improved knee joint pain, stiffness, and mobility in OA patients. Two of GLME+'s chondroprotective properties were the reduction of oxidative damage and the inhibition of inflammation, both of which have been linked to the etiology of OA cartilage destruction. The findings indicated that GLME+ may be useful in the treatment of OA patients.

Background: The escalating global burden of cardiovascular diseases, largely driven by unhealthy lifestyle choices and dietary patterns, has intensified the search for effective and safe interventions. With current treatments often marred by significant side effects, the exploration of natural compounds such as flavonoids presents a compelling alternative. Objective: This study investigated the effects of fermented citrus bioconversion product (FCBP), a fermented citrus bioflavonoid, on various markers of cardiovascular health in the context of a high-fat diet. Design: In vivo, a high-fat diet-induced mouse model was used to assess the effects of FCBP on body weight, serum nitric oxide (NO) levels, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure on red blood cells, and the expression of inflammatory markers Intercellular Adhesion Molecule (ICAM)-1 and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule (VCAM)-1 in the thoracic aorta. In vitro, EA.hy926 endothelial cells were used to evaluate the compound’s effects on cell viability, NO production, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression, and cell adhesion molecule (CAM) levels to further understand the mechanisms behind the in vivo findings. Results: In vivo, FCBP supplementation led to a dose-dependent reduction in weight gain, a significant decrease in serum NO levels at 10 mg/kg, and reduced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions in the thoracic aorta, indicating anti-inflammatory properties. PS exposure on red blood cells was also reduced, suggesting decreased procoagulant activity, while aPTT remained unchanged. In vitro, FCBP was non-cytotoxic to endothelial cells, showed a trend toward increased NO production and eNOS expression, and reduced the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, supporting its potential anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions: FCBP demonstrates potential as a bioactive compound for managing cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation, mitigating weight gain, and influencing blood circulation-related parameters under high-fat diet conditions. Further studies, including diverse models and human trials, are warranted to elucidate its mechanisms and compare its efficacy with established cardiovascular therapeutics.

Abstract Background Sulfur microbial diet (SMD) is a dietary pattern closely related to the intestinal load of sulfur-metabolizing microbes in humans. Diet and microbes may play an important role in the carcinogenesis of esophagus. However, epidemiological studies on SMD and esophageal cancer (EC) risk are scarce. Here, we evaluated this association based on a large American cohort. Methods In the cohort of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, a SMD score was calculated to evaluate participants’ compliance of SMD pattern, with higher scores presenting greater adherence. Cox hazards regression model was used to explore the association between the SMD score and the incidence of EC, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA). Subgroup analyses were conducted to figure out potential modifiers interacting with SMD on EC. Sensitivity analyses were used to testify the robustness of our main result. Results Among 101,752 participants, 154 EC cases, consisted of 41 ESCC cases and 97 EA cases, were identified with mean follow-up of 8.9 years. In the fully adjusted model, the highest versus the lowest quartiles of the SMD score were found to be associated with an increased risk of EC and ESCC (EC: HRQ4 vs. Q1: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.56; P = 0.016 for trend; ESCC: HRQ4 vs. Q1: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.02, 5.47; P = 0.031 for trend), while not significantly associated with increases risk of EA (HRQ4 vs. Q1: 1.41; P = 0.144 for trend). The main result remained through a series of sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analyses showed a stronger association between SMD and EC in participants with no regular consumption of aspirin (HRQ4 vs. Q1: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.04, 3.47) than in those using aspirin regularly (HRQ4 vs. Q1: 1.37; 95% CI: 0.71, 2.66) (P = 0.008 for interaction). Conclusion Adherence to the SMD pattern may be associated with increased risks of EC and ESCC, particularly for EC in individuals who do not regularly consume aspirin.

Abstract Background Higher consumption of sugary beverages (SB) has been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but whether these associations are modified by physical activity remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations of SB intake, including sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), artificially sweetened beverages (ASB), and natural juices (NJ) with the risk of incident T2D, and the potential role of physical activity. Methods We included 153,862 diabetes-free participants in the UK Biobank who completed both the International Physical Activity Questionnaire at recruitment (2006–2010) and at least one 24-h dietary recall questionnaire in 2009–2012. We assessed the associations of each SB with the risk of incident T2D using Cox proportional hazard models, and explored the interactions between each SB and physical activity. Results During a median follow-up of 11.8 years, 6631 participants developed incident T2D. Participants consuming more SSB and ASB (comparing > 2 to 0 unit/d) had a higher hazard of T2D (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.31 for SSB; 1.54, 1.37–1.74 for ASB), while medium intake of NJ showed an inverse association (HR> 0–1 vs. 0 unit/d: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.82–0.92; HR> 1–2 vs. 0 unit/d: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81–0.97) with incident T2D. No significant interactions between physical activity and SSB/ASB were found (P-interaction=0.204 for SSB, 0.926 for ASB), but the protective association of medium NJ intake with T2D was stronger among participants with higher level of physical activity (P-interaction = 0.043). Conclusions Higher intake of SSB and ASB was related to higher risks of T2D. Medium NJ intake was associated with a lower risk of T2D, particularly among individuals with higher physical activity level. These findings emphasized the importance of healthy beverage intake and adequate physical activity in diabetes prevention.

Abstract Background Less is known whether the amino acid composition of dietary protein sources effects on long-term health outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the association between dietary amino acid composition and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Methods This study used data from the Golestan Cohort Study, which was performed in the Golestan Province of Iran from January 2004 to June 2008. Mortality, which was the primary outcome, was ascertained through September 2022. The Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for mortality according to the quintiles of amino acid consumption, taking the third quintile as the reference. Results A total of 47,337 participants (27,293 [57.7%] women) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 51.9 (8.9) years were included. During a median follow-up of 15 years, 9,231 deaths were documented. Regarding essential amino acid intakes, the HRs of all-cause mortality were 1.16 (95% CI, 1.07–1.26) in the first quintile, compared with the reference group (P for non-linear trend

Abstract Background Iron is critical for maternal and fetal health; however, the effect of iron nutrition on fetal intrauterine growth remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations of maternal iron nutrition during pregnancy with fetal intrauterine growth parameters among the Chinese population. Methods This retrospective birth cohort study included 482 pregnant women. Maternal information was collected by standard questionnaires. Maternal concentrations of serum ferritin and hemoglobin were detected. Fetal ultrasound examinations in the second and third trimesters were conducted. Quantile regression or linear regression models were applied to assess the associations. Results Participants took iron supplementation in early, mid, and late pregnancy accounted for 19.1%, 40.3%, and 37.8%, respectively. Iron supplementation in the first and second trimesters and total iron intake in pregnancy were positively associated with fetal intrauterine growth parameters at some percentiles. Compared with those without iron supplementation in the second trimester, women with iron supplementation in the second trimester had 0.37 (95%CI = 0.24–0.49), 0.37 (95%CI = 0.26–0.48), 0.15 (95%CI = 0.04–0.26), and 0.52 (95%CI = 0.42–0.61) higher z-scores in fetal biparietal diameter, femur length, abdominal circumference, and estimated fetal weight at the 50th percentile in the second trimester, respectively. Maternal serum ferritin and hemoglobin concentrations in the first and second trimesters were positively correlated with several fetal growth parameters. Conclusions Fetal intrauterine growth may benefit from maternal iron nutrition in the first and second trimesters.